you're the little thing, my saving grace

Chapter 6

Pete tries to cool the flow of thoughts. He can't afford to panic. While calculating the possible location of Vegas, Pete tries to recall in detail all the conversations with the teenager that took place during the last weeks of his stay at home. They check the sports center, the few childhood friends of Vegas, several cafes which he visited recently.

Vegas is not there. And no one can tell them where he is hiding. By seven in the evening, Pete hardly manages not to despair. And suddenly a two days conversation ago pops up in his head.

"Pete, when you were my age, did you like to wander around abandoned places?"

"Hmm. In those days, I lived in a place where only abandoned houses or farms could be found. Does that count?"

Vegas then laughed and added:

"I mean, something like abandoned swimming pools, frozen construction sites and... that's what I mean."

Pete's eyes widen. Using Google maps, they find the nearest points of abandoned buildings. Divided into four teams, they go to comb each one. Pete and his men got an old unfinished swimming pool on the outskirts of the city. Leaving the other bodyguards outside at several entrances, Pete goes inside alone. His gun is ready, he carefully looks around and slowly explores the area.

A hoarse cough. Pete exhales and looks inside the empty pool. Vegas is sitting on the tiled floor with his back against the wall. On the side is his backpack, a half-eaten pack of chips and an empty bottle of water.

"I knew you'd find me," he says in a slightly hoarse voice.

Pete puts the gun away, walks over to the teenager and sits down next to him:

"Let's go home, Vegas. You rebelled... and that's enough."

"Home? Do you really think that's where my home is?"

Pete is silent. It is difficult for him to object to a teenager.

"No, Pete. This is my father's home, and now this fury's shelter... but it's not my home. You understand everything yourself."

"Vegas," Pete puts his hand just below the boy's shoulder, "I know it's hard for you to believe this, but your dad is very worried and is waiting for you home."

"Waiting? For what? To humiliate me in front of that bitch or in front of the whole mansion? And then dump me somewhere for the rest of my life?!"

"No. You'll be back. You will talk... talk calmly. Everything happens in life, Vegas. We all make mistakes, but they can be fixed. Anyway... as long as we are alive, nothing is lost for us. There is always a chance."

At that moment Vegas turns his head and looks into his eyes:

"Is it true... is there always?"

"What?"

"A chance. You said there's always a chance."

Pete only now realizes what a mistake he made, or rather, unintentionally, but gave the boy hope. He hesitates to object only because now he needs to get out of here as quickly as possible and bring Vegas home.

"Get up," Pete removes his hand and stands up, "our people are outside."

"Pete, I didn't insult you with my confession, did I?"

"No," Pete shakes his head and smiles, "of course not. But let's not talk about it. Let's go."

"Pete, I'm…"

Vegas does not have time to continue, as some kind of unhealthy fuss begins to occur outside the pool from different sides. Pete immediately grabs Vegas by the arm:

"Hide yourself."

"Why?.."

"It's... it's not just ours. I'm not sure our people are alive at all."

Vegas rolls his eyes. Pete knows what scares him, but in a situation like this, it's better to tell the truth. It will be easier to proceed this way.

"Pete, they're going to kill us, aren't they?.. It's all my fault!.."

Pete puts his hand over his mouth and leads him to the corner of the pool. Over a closed communication channel, he quickly notifies the nearest team that they need help. He is not sure that they will make it, but there is always a chance. While you're alive, fight to the last.

They can hear the creaking of doors on both sides of the room. Pete's heart sinks, but he has no right to show it while Vegas is around. He mentally calculates how many accurate shots are affordable. Step by step, he tries to recognize how many uninvited guests they should expect.

"This is the end, isn't it, Pete?" Vegas whispers into his shoulder.

Pete swallows and answers in a barely audible voice:

"We'll get out. I promise."

They are discovered in a few minutes. Pete pulls the safety off the gun. Covering Vegas with himself, he makes a couple of successful shots, but does not have time with the third one — he is shot through the shoulder of the leading hand. Then Vegas grabs the gun from him and shoots. Of course, an inexperienced teenager's hand is shaking under stress, so the bullets just ricochet off the walls of the pool.

"Game over," the tall man with the stubble on his face sums up with a grin. "Kan is going to pay me dearly for all the shit I've been shoveling through his fault."

Pete understands that it is useless to put pressure on pity and beg to let the child go. He is their target. But Pete won't give him to them that easily. Blood floods his arm, falling on the body, but Pete again covers the teenager with himself when they aim at him. The first bullets get stuck on the left between the ribs and below. Pete screams, but holds Vegas kicking with one hand. He hears a second shot, then a third, then a fourth… But he doesn't feel bullets anymore. Turning around, through the haze, he manages to make out the face of Nop, who has just shot their enemies, before falling to the floor and no longer realizes reality.

°•~•°

A dirty little kitten huddles by the side of the highway. Hundreds of cars, and all by. And no one cares about a miserable baby.

Suddenly, a luxury car brakes at the curb.

A handsome twenty-five-year-old man comes out of it. Bending down, he picks up the kitten in his arms and returns back to the car with it. While the driver is speeding along the highway, the man is stroking the baby nestled against his chest. With his other hand, he takes a small warm pebble out of his pocket and squeezes it several times in his palm.

You left once, Pete. You left, taking all hope with you. And I don't blame you. My childish recklessness has brought you too much grief. But you said yourself that there is always a chance. Nothing is lost as long as we are alive. And we'll have to meet again, Pete, whether you want to or not.