Broken Bonds and Stolen Hearts (discontinued)

Chapter 5

"Hugo... What's wrong?" Louis wrapped his arms around Hugo who was crouched down and weeping.

"...gheymatemetillshumone," he cried out, but it only confused Louis more because he couldn't understand what his little brother was talking about.

"It's okay now. I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you, so don't cry. Mom won't be happy with you, you know?" he tried to console him, unsure if it was the right way to do it. He really just wanted his brother to feel better because he hated seeing him cry.

It made him feel weak and helpless and he didn't like it.

It took a while, but Hugo eventually fell asleep in Louis's arms from crying too hard, and Louis had to carry him on his back to his bed.

Inside the room, there was another kid who was with Hugo today, and Louis looked at him, about to ask why his little brother was crying. But the boy already caught on when he saw Hugo on Louis's back.

"They made him shoot someone today... Part of the training they said," The boy gulped as he recalled the image in his mind, and Louis felt a shiver run down his body as the image of his little brother holding a gun to someone popped in his head.

"Oh... I- oh," he stuttered, not even sure about what he should say in this situation. He wasn't forced to kill anyone, they usually were forced to watch only. He didn't know what to make of this.

His little brother killed someone.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he adjusted Hugo on his back before he headed to his bed and placed him down. He was hiccuping in his sleep from how hard he cried, and it made Louis feel even worse.

He didn't know what he should do with all the rage he felt. He couldn't do anything... He was just a kid in a cage and no power. He couldn't do shit to protect his brother.

"...Did he kill him? The person he shot I mean," he asked without looking at the boy, his eyes not moving from his brother's face.

"Her. It was a pregnant woman, and I don't know if she made it or not because the bullet went through her stomach," The boy's voice was rough as if he was forcing the words out, and Louis just stood there in shock as his limbs shook uncontrollably. He ended up collapsing to his knees as his heart picked up its pace.

He imagined their mother in place of that woman, and he felt as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest from the pain. He couldn't imagine how it felt for his brother, and he was glad that Hugo was young enough. It meant that he will probably forget this when he is older. That's what Louis hoped for at least. He didn't want his brother to live with that kind of guilt yet.

Louis eventually fell asleep beside his brother while he was thinking about all the possibilities and the outcomes of everything that he could do.

The next morning he kept Hugo with him even when they were supposed to be separated for different training. He got a beating for it, but it was fine since they didn't make Hugo leave.

For years, Louis took many beatings for his little brother, and they went through so much shit for anything and nothing. The traffickers would often pour out their anger on the kids and many of their friends died right in front of them. But Louis didn't waver, he swore he would keep his brother alive no matter what.

And he did, until the promised day five years later. A 13 years old Louis had successfully drawn a map locating the safest areas to different cities and different bases for the traffickers. He was planning to use it to run away with his brother and mother to one of the cities and ask for help. He thought that if he could offer them something, anything. They would protect him and his family in return.

"You good?" he mumbled to Hugo, who was standing behind him. It was around 6 in the evening now, and most of the traffickers were hanging around in their rooms doing God knows what. No one would come to check on them until 8 in the morning the next day. He was sure of it.

"Yeah," Hugo responded as he looked at his older brother with determination.

"Okay... Come on, hand me your bag first," Louis threw his bag out of the window before he threw Hugo's bag outside as well. He then proceeded to lift himself up to the window and outside first to make sure there were no monsters around.

"It's safe. Come, give me your hand!" he held out his hand for Hugo to take so he could lift him up to the window since he was shorter than Louis. Hugo jumped and grabbed Louis's hand, putting his feet on the wall to support his weight as Louis dragged him up.

Once they were both outside they looked at each other and let out a breathy relieved smile.
"Okay... We have until sunrise before they notice that we are gone. So we will run to where Mom is, okay? You can't give up on me halfway, do you understand?" Louis said in a serious tone to Hugo, who nodded aggressively.

"I understand. Lesgoooo!" Hugo ran in the way they were supposed to go, and Louis looked at him horrified before he rushed after him.

"Don't run! What if a monster shows up? Or what if one of the traffickers was patrolling the area!? Stay with me!" Hugo had an annoyed face but slowed his pace to match Louis's pace.

The journey that would usually take 3 days on foot, took them 12 hours with how fast they ran. The way was clear of any monsters, which was good since Louis was worried about having to face any while also protecting Hugo.

"huff... Okay hah. Stay here, I'll go talk to Mom. No matter what happens, do NOT show yourself. Are we clear? You will die if you do," Hugo looked in horror at his older brother, and he nodded his head frantically before he went to hide in a bush near the area they were in.

Louis watched his brother until he was completely hidden before he sneaked inside the building and to his mother's room. He made sure there was no one else besides his mother before he knocked subtly. As soon as she opened the door, he placed his hand over her mouth and pushed himself inside, making sure to close the door behind him.

"Mom... It's me, Louis," he whispered as he looked at her, and she looked at him wide-eyed before she opened her mouth to speak.

"Shhh. No one knows I'm here beside you. I came for you, and Hugo is outside waiting for us. Get your stuff, we are finally leaving this place," he quickly and quietly cut her off, and she looked at him confused at first, but that confusion was replaced with rage in a few seconds.

"What did you just say?"