Always With You

Chapter Four

It had been three days since Gilbert had been home. He hadn't even stopped by for breakfast. Ludwig was starting to get very worried.

He was also getting very hungry.

He'd finished the bread this morning along with the cheese, and had been resisting the temptation to go to grab money out of the box ever since. He would have spent it wisely now. He knew where Gilbert got groceries. The shopkeeper gave Gilbert a discount because they knew him. Maybe they would do the same for him...

As he glanced at the clock, he decided he would have to do it as only an hour remained before his usual bedtime. He left a note for Gilbert in case he came back, explaining exactly what he was going to do and promising to spend the money wisely. He went and fetched a dollar from the box, tucking it deep into his pockets on Gilbert's old coat, hiding it from sight.

Stepping out onto the street, he headed down to the grocery. He glanced around for his brother as he neared it, but he didn't see him. He prayed he would find him, but soon enough he was standing outside the door of the grocery, and he hadn't seen him. Sighing, he stepped inside.

The grocer looked up at him as Ludwig glanced around the store, hoping he might find his brother grabbing something off a shelf. "Hey, kid! No money, no shopping. Beat it."

"I'm shopping. My brother always comes here, but he hasn't been home in a few days." He said, coming up to the counter. Gilbert clearly wasn't here.

The man had stopped, and then a friendly smile broke across his face. "You're Gilbert's little brother, right?"

Ludwig nodded. He noticed there wasn't anyone else in the shop. Not unusual, he guessed. After all, most people were in home and eating dinner by now.

The man smiled slightly. "He usually buys the same things. I'll put them together for you."

Ludwig looked around the store as the man packaged up the items. He stared in shock at the candy. So many types, yet he knew he couldn't buy a single one. He would buy what Gilbert always bought and nothing more, and when he returned home, he would put the change back in the box and wait for Gilbert to return.

He knew Gilbert wouldn't be mad if all the money was accounted for. After all, he wanted Ludwig to eat regularly when it was possible, and if he wasn't going to make it home, Ludwig had to do the shopping on his own.

The man called out from the counter. "Alright, I've finished wrapping up your order."

Ludwig came forward, and the man told him the price. He estimated that was the same price Gilbert usually paid and slid the dollar across the counter.

However, the man suddenly grabbed his wrist. Ludwig was confused.

"If you want to pay at that price, however, there's a second payment."

Ludwig stared at the man in confusion. "Please let go of me. I gave you the money."

"That's not all you're going to give me, boy." He said, grabbing Ludwig's arm tighter and pulling him towards the door that led to the area behind the counter.

"Let go!" Ludwig shouted, yanking back, and the man snorted.

"God, he hasn't told you anything, has he?! Well, this will be fun then!"

The door to the shop slammed open behind them, and Ludwig heard an angry shout.

"LET GO OF MY LITTLE BROTHER NOW!"

Next thing he knew, his brother had punched the man across the counter, and a second man Ludwig didn't recognize was pulling him back. Ludwig shook in fright, frozen in place like a rabbit.