Silent Doe//Yoonkook

We'll Take Him

My older brother Kid took me up to an abandoned rooftop so we could watch the sunrise together. It was the only time when we didn't have a worry in the world. My brother was around 3 years older than me we celebrated his birthday in the spring and he celebrated mine in the winter. Kid told me he remembers it was snowing and cold outside the night I was born. "Your eyes are blue from how cold the temperature was when you came to this world." He said when we were younger.

It was cold and snow was around us but we just brought our ripped blanket with us. Nothing was going to stop us from celebrating my 13th birthday. When Kid turned 13 our father gave him an option to leave the family or contribute. I told him to go but he wouldn't leave me. Our father is an abusive angry man and if Kid left than I would be his only target. Our mother didn't care she was always high on something or aggressive when she wasn't. She was always sleeping around so she could get her next fix. Our father didn't care he was more of a pimp than an actual husband.

Kid took a job to be the runner of a local drug gang that my parents buy from. Over the last three years though he has officially become a dealer.

"Kid." I whispered softly while scutching closer to share in his warmth. He just hummed for me to continue. "When sir asks me to leave or take a job let's leave together." I said full of determination.

"Boy if I leave we can never come back. The gang will kill me and probably you. Sir and mother won't have anything to do with us."

"I know......I just can't stay here anymore. We can be free of everything if we leave. No more beatings no more drugs!!! Maybe we can finally go to a school and make friends!!!"

"Shhhhhh keep your voice down do you want sir to hear us?" Kid whispered as he covered my mouth with his cold hand that smelled like cannibis. He removed his cold hand just as a gust of wind almost pushed us both over. We couldn't help but laugh as we sat there eyes on the horizon of the upcoming sunrise.

This was it I'm 13 now and when I get asked the question I'm leaving and not coming back. I'm going to leave hopefully learn how to read, go to school and make friends.

My brother left to meet with the gang and I had to go back to the abandoned building that we called home for the week. I couldn't wait to get out of here. I haven't bathed in almost a year and when I did it was when our father pushed us in the river last summer. Our clothes are covered in so much filth I don't blame people for looking at us with disgust.

I slowly walked back with the blanket over my head and shoulders just trying to stay warm. It soon started to snow thick white snowflakes it was really pretty. Yes I hate being cold but when you get to witness something beautiful it's all worth it. It's the little things that make me smile like a simple sunrise and sunset. Light slow fall or the first set of pretty flowers blooming after a harsh winter.

I walked along the back ally to get to our building but stopped once I spotted my father. I quickly lowered my head and just waited. If I tried to walk away he would be pissed once he sees me again. If I tried to walk passed him to get inside he would curse saying I was disrespectful. All outcomes come with me being beaten the easiest thing to do is wait till he calls me. My brother and I feel more like dogs than kids. We come when we are called we can't speak unless asked or told to speak which is very rare. We basically have to scrounge for our own food and water let alone warmth.

My father was talking with another man who I've sadly seen many times before. It's sad that I just hope he is a client of my mother. What creeped me out though was my father and him kept glancing my way or gesturing towards me. Even though I had my head lowered I could still see them shake hands firmly. Then they both turned my way.

"Boy!" My heart started pounding against my chest never not knowing what I did wrong this time. I kept my head low as I walked towards my father and the man not slow but at a decent pace so I won't get slapped for walking too slow. Father grasped the back of my neck firmly while the other man quickly cuffed my hands behind my back. My father only released his grip so the other man could chain my neck.