No Rest for the Wicked

Prologue

"Excuse me sir!", A young voice called from over the counter.

The clerk leaned over and was greeted by a youthful girl wearing pigtails. As she sucked her thumb she gave the balding man an innocent grin.

"Can I have some chocolate?"

"Where are your parents sweetie?" The man asked as he glanced around small corner shop. It was not uncommon around the neighborhood for stray children to wander in unattended.

"Mommy's sleeping."

The girl replied simply, her face falling into a small frown. The clerk knew what was happening. It was a rough place and the gun he kept below the counter was proof of that.

This little act was a common occurrence. Druggies thought that if they sent in their bastard children to charm him with their sad stories, they could get some money for their next fix. He was usually immune to this, and as kindly as possible sent the children out. But today was different, this little girl was the youngest that he had ever seen come in.

She looked like a little five year-old angel and her eyes were uncorrupted, unlike the other misfits. He felt himself give in and handed her a package of chocolate. He dug in his pocket to pay for it and put it in the till.

"Thank you, mister!" The little girl cried as she raced around the counter and gripped him as tight as she could into a hug.

Slowly he wrapped his arms around the little girl. He then realized why everyone wanted children, they really were something special. The joy this girl felt reflected in him as he unwrapped himself and grabbed a few extra chocolate bars and passed then to her.

A giggle escaped the girl and she jumped up and down.

"Thank you, thank you!"

She bundled up the chocolate and scrambled through the door, skipping with excitement.

The man grinned as he watched. Turning his back to the door he started to hum as he carried on with his business. But what he didn't see was the selfish glint in the little girls eyes as she smugly stuck squares of chocolate in her mouth.