Rooftops - Klance

The Bottom of the Ladder

Dirt and soot is all that Keith could see as he worked tirelessly in the early morning. He hated this work, but when you don't have any education this is the only work you can truly find. 

Unless you want to work in the factories or the mines. 

But those jobs are risky. Very risky in fact.

Keith felt himself shiver as he thought back to one of the stories Shiro told him. Shiro used to work in the factories, and his recollections were terrifying. 

He said he once saw a 19-year-olds hand get crushed in a machine. Shiro said it looked like his hand was eaten by a wolf. He only had his pinkie left. All the other fingers were lost to the machine. 

Keith was pulled back into the real world when he heard his name being called from above. 

He peered up to the light that bleeds into the dark chimneys tunnel. Keith let out a short sigh, knowing that if he breathed in too deeply his lungs would be stained black. 

Keith squished his arm upwards, gripped the rope attached to his waist, and yanked it two times. 

Whoever was above the surface was already pulling him up before he had to even yank the old piece of yarn. 

When Keith got to the surface, the morning sun blinded him. It made his eyes burn and water. But he had to admit it was beautiful. 

"Welcome back Keith", Keith's companion, Hunk, greeted. 

Keith smiled and nodded at him. It was his way of saying glad to be back. 

Hunk and Keith both looked back out to the sun. It looked as if it was a gold disc in the sky. Something that no one could touch. 

"Man, it's beautiful up here", Hunk commented as the sun started to ascend slowly upwards. Keith nodded once more. 

He never did talk that much, but Hunk could hold a conversation by himself. It was easy. 

"We should get back to work", Hunk suddenly said when the sun finally passed over the buildings that stood down below them. 

Keith let out a sigh. Of course, they had to get back to work. Keith didn't hate his job, but he didn't enjoy it. 

If he had to choose a job he would want to be a weapons maker. He always had a strange obsession with deadly weapons. 

Keith already knew what Hunk wished he could be. Hunk wanted to be a baker and travel to Paris to make macarons. 

But, they both knew that would never happen. 

How could it? They were at the bottom of the ladder. Even though they were standing on the rooftops that overlooked the whole city.