Just Dreams

The Kid's Eye

I glanced around anxiously as I walked down the busy streets. I hunched a little to make myself less noticeable and quickened my step. I tried, and failed, to avoid getting pushed by the people as they bustled about.

I turned to my left, about to cross the street but flinched back when a truck with wood baskets came out of nowhere and passed by. I was watching as it drove away with wide eyes, my heart thumping in my chest, and quickly looked back down before anyone saw my face. As I looked down, I noticed something the truck dropped.

Or should I say someone.

There, on the street, laid a toddler with dirty clothes and beat up face. I rushed and picked them up, running to the other side of the street and sat down next to a tree, my pants immediately feeling uncomfortable from the mud and dirty water that laid around the tree.

But that didn't matter right now, there was a hurt baby in my arms that fell from those fruit baskets.

Now this is, unfortunately, very common. Parents tend to leave their children on baskets that are about to be delivered to get rid of them.

I pulled the baby away from my chest to inspect his face and body for any other injuries. He was really small and skinny, but it seemed like he was at least 4 or 5 years old. He watched me curiously, and I noticed his right eye wasn't staring straight. I'm guessing he's bizco.

"Hey baby... what's your name?" I smiled softly at him.

"I-I don't have a.. a n-name." He stuttered out, playing with my sleeves a little.

I frowned a little at what he said, but quickly smiled again and tilted my head. "How old are you, bud?" I rubbed his back a little and pulled him a little closer. He must be freezing with only a shirt on.

He paused to think, glancing a little at his hands to count before looking back at me. "F-five." He held his hand up to show his fingers up. "W-what about you..?" I grinned a little as I answered.

"I'm fifteen." His eyes widened a little making me chuckle.

"Tha- that is a big number." He nods at his own comment. I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at his adorableness.

"Yeah, it is." My smile fell as I remembered his injuries. "Are you in any pain?" I asked, but he shook his head 'no'.

"N-no... b-but my eye is sorta... a little itchy." He mumbled and went to rub his unmoving eye. But as he rubbed the side, his eye fell into the dirty water. I stared in horror as it floated in there. "S-sorry..." He whimpered and went to grab it, but I picked it up before he could get his hands dirty.

"N-no! No, no it's ok, don't apologize." I gave him a soft smile to calm him down, and thankfully he did. "Don't worry, I'm not mad or anything, but let me clean it for you, I don't think it's good if you put... put it on dirty." He nodded and so I placed him down, his feet getting wet and brown with the mud.

I pulled my bagpack over one shoulder and opened it. I pulled out some water and started cleaning the glass eye. When I finished, I looked back up at the boy and saw him sitting on a branch from the tree.

"You like climbing trees?" I asked as I held his hand to wash them. He nodded with a smile. "Did someone teach you how or did you learn by yourself?" He frowned a little at the question, his smile faltering a little, making me regret asking.

"T-taytay would say that naynay couldn't reach me up there.." He stuttered out. (Taytay=daddy  Naynay=mama)

I frowned at that, but quickly smiled up at him when I finished washing his hands. "There you go." I passed him his eye back, and he put it back on and climbed down. I picked him up and started walking down the street, a little less rushed and more calm as to not disturb the child that clung to my shirt.

I got to an old, rusty apartment and opened the door, leading to a flight of stairs. I climbed them up quickly, getting to a metal door which was unlocked. I stepped into the living room of the place and put the kid down.

I went to the kitchen where I found my friend, Stephen. (It was literally Dr Strange, idk why or how, but it was)

"You left the door unlocked again." I scolded, crossing my arms over my chest, not only to seem mad, but also because it was fucking freezing. I wonder how the kid is doing with such coldness.

He turned around, looking slightly startled, but relaxed almost immediately. "Right, sorry. I'll try to remember next time." I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He always says that.

"Anyways, I need help with something." I turned around and walked back into the living room, Stephen's footsteps following me. He halted, however, at the sight of a five year old in his living room.

"What is that?" I sent him a quick glare and walked towards the kid. I picked him up and turned back to Stephen.

"This" I smiled down at the boy as he stared at Stephen in awe. Probably at how tall he is. "is what I need help with." Stephen turned to me in confusion, making me roll my eyes again. "He fell off of a fruit truck that passed by and I, obviously, wasn't going to leave him." He glanced between me and the kid before sighing, a small nod coming from him while a grin came from me. "Great!"

"What's your name, kid?" Stephen asked while I sat on the couch with the boy on my lap.

"I don't.. don't have one." He played with his shirt nervously while hesitantly glancing at the floor. "B-but.. but taytay would sometimes call me.. Little Monkey." He added quietly, so quiet I almost didn't hear it.

"Is that a nickname he would call you?" He nodded at my question, looking up at me with those cute eyes (well, eye), so I smiled warmly. "Would you like us to call you Monkey for now, until we find your daddy?" He smiled and nodded eagerly. "Alrighty then!" I exclaimed and stood up with Monkey in my arms, making him squeal little giggles. "Mission, find Monkey's dad." I announced with a look of determination, Stephen looking a little awkward but still tried to smile when I sent him a glare.

It has been a week now, and both Monkey and I are outside in front of a church as a carnaval passed in front, waiting for Stephen to get back with snacks, seeing as he's the adult, and the one with money.

I was talking to Monkey about something when my eyes fell on a man just across the street and the colorful, dancing, and singing people. I don't know why but a feeling bubbled up in my stomach, urging me to go to him.

It's him.

But who? I don't know. I followed my instincts and grabbed Monkey, pulling him to my chest as I got up and made my way towards the man. I could see Stephen from the corner of my eye following me with his gaze in confusion, but I ignored him.

We were a couple feet away when Monkey seemed to notice the man and grinned. "Taytay!" He exclaimed. The man turned around quickly, a grin forming on his face as he saw Monkey.

"My little monkey!" He raced towards us and pulled Monkey into his arms and chest, holding him tight as tears fell down his face. "I looked everywhere for you! I was so worried, baby. I'm so sorry I let her take you, I promise you; she's gone now." He told him as he pressed his lips onto his forehead, his expression full of love and happiness, making me feel slightly jealous, but still smile at the reunited duo. The man seemed to finally notice me and smiled sadly. "Thank you for finding my son, miss." I felt like I was punched in the stomach at that. 'Miss'. But I ignored it and just nodded with a kind smile.

"You're welcome, sir. I better get going, it was great hanging out with you, Monkey." I turned to Monkey at the end. He seemed to pout and he pushed himself away from his dad and jumped on me, his arms wrapping around my neck tightly.

"Thank you for caring for me!" He exclaimed, tears falling down his face. I grinned and hugged him tight.

"I'll miss you, bud." I whispered, kissing his cheek before handing him back to his dad. They said their goodbyes and walked away. I stared as they walked further and further away, soon being swallowed by the crowd. Stephen came from behind and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go back." He told me quietly, pulling me along as tears fell from my eyes, rolling down my face and staining my shirt and shoes as they dropped. I held his sleeve with my right as he held my left hand. My grip tightened the further from the carnaval we got.

The further from Monkey we got.

✙Y Colorín Colorado, Este Cuento Se A Acabado ✙