Calm Before The Storm

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and all belong to @RobThier

》RIKKARD AMBROSE《

"Son, you're going to go places I tell you!" Gregory patted my back. "One day you'll be rich if you keep working this hard."

I nodded.

He knew better than to make me talk so instead continues; his eyebrows furrowed this time. "But son, you must rest. You're only a child! Go play outside with some of your friends."

"I don't have friends." I certainly didn't like being lazy.

I despised the lazy. I despised the weak. I despised people who didn't work. I must work. My arms were tired but I didn't care. I wanted to show them I could do it. Gregory gave me a chance to work for him and I would till I don't need him anymore.

"I tell you son. One day you're gonna meet someone who'll be more important than work. She'll drive you crazy my boy."

Was he jesting? Me? Fall for someone. Impossible! "I doubt it."

I was a man with big dreams. I didn't have the energy, time and money for friends or even for my family. I wasn't interested in anyone or will ever be interested in anyone. Women will be a hindrance to my career.

He bellowed his unusual laugh. "Well son, you never know. I'll close the shop at 9pm."

I nodded and went back to hammering.

It was 9pm when I was heading back to the room I was renting in China Town. The street smelled of alcohol and the voices of drunkards echoed around the buildings.

It was when I was a couple of streets away from my shelter when I heard a certain crying. A little girl's voice. It was soft and gentle but loud enough for me to hear. I stopped to my tracks. Is it a ghost of a dead girl? Bah! There's no such thing as a ghost. I have no time for ghosts,

Should I follow the voice? It was none of my business. I should just keep walking. I should ignore it. A slight tugging clasped my heart. Curiosity. There were plenty of rapist and madmen roaming around. I should check at least.

I continued to walk towards the cries and to my surprise found the little girl in a dark alley not more than ten feet away. She was about eight or nine and was sitting on the ground crying her eyes out. What should I do? It's none of my business. But I couldn't. There was something about her that I couldn't let go. Warm chocolate eyes stared at me as if she was looking through my soul.

"Hey," I crouch down next to her without even thinking. "why are you crying?"

The child stopped for a second. She looked like a cherub or a porcelain doll. It was almost unreal. Can there be angels in this hell? Her dress suggested her social status. She did not look like a pauper at all. What was a rich child like her doing here?

"Little girl why are you crying?" I murmur.

"Because I miss my parents, Sir." She replies with tears streaming down her face. Her voice was like music to my ears, both enchanting and soothing. Is she a siren? Perhaps God has sent her to punish me for running away.