Angel's Devils

Chapter 11

“Tyler, what are we having for dinner?” Lily asked softly, sitting on the wooden chair by the old dining table. “I’m really hungry.”

The teenager looked over at his little sister, his eyes about to water. There was something clogged in his throat, and he barely managed to talk. “I’m going to go out and get some.” His voice was barely audible. It was the second day that Tyler hasn’t had enough money to bring home a proper dinner. All he managed to buy was cheap soup for his mother and a small loaf of bread for Lily. As for him, he only ate a bite out of the bread and drunken water. During the day time, he would sneak into the back of expensive restaurant and look for edible food. Then he would wonder off to a corner or an alley in the street to eat it. He has noticed that he was getting thinner, and slowly, the body that he used to be proud of is getting frail.

“Can I go with you?” Lily asked quietly.

Tyler looked at her with surprise, “Actually, you need to go to bed with mother. You two go sleep, and I will fetch food for you. Then I will wake you up when I come back.”

“But it’s nighttime,” Lily said, “Wouldn’t everything be closed by now.”

Tyler managed to fake a laugh, “There are always places open, Lily. Don’t be silly.” He clapped his hands together, trying to be cheerful. “Now go to bed, I have already tucked in mother!”

“Okay,” Lily said, however, she didn’t smile. She hasn’t smiled since the day she saw Heath on the stretcher. Her eyes became empty. As much as Tyler hated to do it, but he has always tried to avoid meeting her eyes, so he would not collapse and leave her behind.

The little girl grabbed her stuffed rabbit toy from the chair next to hers and left, “Good night Tyler.” Was all she said before hugging her favorite and only toy to her chest. Then she disappeared into the hallway. Tyler stood in his spot. All he wanted to do is just leave, leave everything and everyone behind. He wanted to leave all his troubles, worries, and responsibilities behind. It wasn’t fair for him, he was only sixteen. While he was skipping school to get more money, students would skip school to have fun. Tyler felt that if he was in there place, he would never skip. The students were just throwing away every amazing opportunities and good they have.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Tyler put his coat on and left the house. His eyes have been threatening to spill all the tears that he has been keeping over the past week. He didn’t want to cry though; he didn’t want to break down at this fragile moment. When he stepped down the stairs of hi porch steps his fit hit something. Slowly, Tyler bent down and groped at the object that has been left at his porch steps. It was a basket!

“What the hell?” Tyler said crouching down. Outside it was near to pitch black. Their neighborhood couldn’t afford street lamps, so the streets were nearly dark. All he was left to do was squint and try to figure out the contents inside the basket. Tyler’s hand wrapped around something cold and a little soft. Quickly, he held it up so some light of the moon could identify the mysterious thing.

It took him a few seconds to realize it was cheese. Rapidly, Tyler threw the cheese inside the basket and ran back inside the house. In the light, Tyler saw that the basket was huge, and it was filled with different variety of foods that it made his mouth water. There were fresh grapes, baloney, bread, canned soup, bananas, and different types of fresh berries. From vegetables to fruits and different types of meat, Tyler almost cried from happiness. That basket could give them about a week or two of food. By the time the contents of the basket are finished, Tyler could save up for another week or few days of healthy food.

Trying to find his voice, he called loudly, “Lily! Help mother into her chair, and come here. I will have dinner set up! Lily, hurry now!” He heard scurrying of feet and the rolling of a wheel, he knew that Lily was wide awake, ready to eat the food that she has been kept away for a couple of days.