My Precious Flower

Chapter 8: Barrier of Reunion

Until Tobias was convinced, he held onto Archie's hand and slowly stood up on his barefoot. They made their way through the winding streets until they arrived at Archie's master's house. A small, brown, rundown structure with thin, dirty walls and black gables. Inside, the atmosphere was raucous. Other boys, dressed similarly to Archie, laughed obnoxiously and smoked cigars from a shared pipe. The room was filled with the pungent aroma of smoke and unwashed bodies, illustrating the harsh reality they all lived in. Near the stove stood Clyde, their elder master. He was a bald man in his 50s, with a long gray beard, sallow skin, and a ragged black coat that hung loosely from his thin frame. He was preparing breakfast, the sizzling sounds of cooking filling the small space. Archie approached Clyde and tapped him on the shoulder, whispering about Tobias being the new member. Clyde turned around slowly, his eyes landing on Tobias. A queer smile spread across his face, revealing his rotten yellow teeth.

"Well, well," Clyde rasped, his voice thick with amusement. "What do we have here? A new arrival."

"Another mouth to feed, eh?" he asked, chuckling his smelly breath. "You thought you were gonna be lost forever, but now you found your place."

He giggled unpleasantly and asked "Mind telling me your name, lad?"

Tobias's voice was still slightly weak and shaky when he replied. "T-Tobias, sir. Tobias Mercer."

Clyde's unpleasant smile widened, as his eyes were gleaming with something Tobias couldn't quite place. "Nice lookin' lad, aren't ya? I'm Clyde. Master of this house. Reckon you came here 'cuz you got no place else to go. But there's always room for one more here."

He turned his gaze to Archie, the smile never leaving his face. "So, what's this one's story, eh? Showin' up here lookin' half-starved and beaten down?" 

"Lad's had a rough time and ran away from home. Founded him on the streets," Archie said as he shifted uncomfortably. 

It didn't take long for him to accept his new chaotic life in another town.

Given that he abandoned his years of abuse and maltreatment from his former adoptive parents.

Clyde was their leader and Tobias became an unwilling member of this welcoming, but shady new household.

Turned out it was a family of orphan boys who were robbers and pickpocketed thieves.

However, with no other options to survive, he learned how to steal to make money.

As life in the new town guaranteed no promises of prosperity nor leisure.

But for one motive...All to see his lover's face once more.

The hopes of meeting Paulina never once left his mind.

Years after adjusting to his new life, it was finally time. Time to resume his search and find her.

By the time Tobias turned 21, he had amassed a considerable sum of money from his successful exploits under Clyde's tutelage. With this money, he felt ready to pursue the one thing he had never forgotten: finding his dear soulmate, Paulina. The decision to leave wasn't taken lightly. Over the years, the ragtag group of boys and Clyde had become a family of sorts to Tobias. They had shared countless meals, laughter, and hardships, forming bonds that ran deeper than mere circumstance. Yet, the longing to reunite with Paulina, to find the love he had lost, was a call he couldn't ignore. One evening, after a particularly successful heist, Tobias gathered his belongings and his savings. He approached Clyde, who was sitting by the stove, stirring a pot of stew.

"Clyde," he started off hesitant, but continued. "I've saved enough. It's time for me to go and find my Paulina."

Clyde looked up, his wise eyes meeting Tobias's. He nodded slowly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.