Useful to the Mafia

Flashback 5

"YN, what is this? Who's this dirty kid?" 

"Relax, his cold and needs a hot bath."

"What? You do know you're a freeloader here, right? What gives you the right to help a-"

"You didn't see us, and you're not gonna say a single word to Hugo. Got that? Or else I'm bringing your ass with me to hell." I hold Felix's hand tightly and pull him with me as I made my way through the tight hall of the back area of a bar I work in.

"Wait-" Felix stopped making me look back at him. "I...I don't want to get you in trouble from helping me...I'll find a way to pay you back for giving me food-"

I place my hand on his shoulder. "And how exactly are you going to do that? Steal? No, I'm not letting you go." There was a short silence between us as our eyes met. I was determined to help him and there was nothing that could stop me. "Jeez, you really need a bath." I crack a smile.

His face flusters and I felt his body shake. "I-I know..."

We continue thru the tight hallway and enter a room that had a crack on the door. I point him to the bathroom and hand him a set of clothes. I know it's gonna be difficult to feed two people. Sometimes I can't even eat but...I'm sure things will still work out, It has to.

Months passed and my boss Hugo agreed to letting Felix work in the bar. I found out he was a year younger than me and that he got here because he was trafficked by a gang. The world is full of malice, taking advantage of the weak and poor. 

"YN! Hugo said to take the food from the kitchen." Felix appears from the door of the kitchen. I put down my serving tray and untied my apron.

"Mhm, be right there!" I enter the kitchen and met Hugo by the door.

"Oi, your boy's gonna empty our rations from how big his appetite is. At this point you ain't even eating." He glares down at me with his arms crossed but there was no threat in his voice.

"I'm not that surprised from how big he is now compared to before." I hear Hugo snicker. "I don't mind not eating." He snicker again before slapping a small envelope on my arm.

I look at it with a slight shock, it was money. "Hugo?"

"Quit it with the clueless look. You know exactly what this is. The bar isn't exactly making much money anymore nowadays. This should help you at least for a few days while you look for work."

I look down at the money. I hear him sigh and put his huge hand on top of my head. "Look, kid. I'm sorry I can't help you anymore, make sure to get a decent job and..."

"I know Hugo. You don't have to worry about me." I look up at him, grateful for everything he's done for me.

"Oh I'm not worried about you, it's that boy I'm concerned about. He's clumsy, naive and innocent...make sure he doesn't get taken advantage of."

I chuckled realizing that he was right. On the end of that day me and Felix headed off to find a cheap place to stay at. The weather was still cold and the streets were as busy as ever.

"Say...what are we gonna do now? What's gonna happen to Hugo?" Felix walks beside me, playfully. His hands were kept in his pockets to keep them warm.

"Well, we have a week to find a job before we run out of money. And don't worry about Hugo, he's got his ways to survive." We walked further that night the streets were slowly getting quieter and the temperature was dropping. Some stores still had light on and some were closing.

"Man, I was craving those dumplings Hugo used to make. Just thinking about it makes me hungry." Felix holds his stomach and pouts. I smile at him envying how carefree he looks right now.

"GET BACK HERE!" 

The sudden shout startled the both of us. The next thing that happened a guy in a black beanie ran passed us in top speed and threw a bag at us. I caught it and looked at the direction he came from, two tall mean looking guys were running towards us.

Instinctively enough, we both started running. And none of predicted that the incident that night was start of a new job.