What is a family?
Is it a place where a mother and father live, to nurture and love their child? That must be what a family is...
But then again, is that all to it?
Does that mean...
I cannot have a family?
Does that mean... It'll just be a dream.
****
Knock.
The knock on the door made Haden pause. After a few words, Haden reached the door and turned the handle. There he saw him.
Towering over him like a tall and wide shadow. The breath of the city followed him and became his stench. Yet, Haden did not mind.
"You- you..."
The cook smirked. He reached out his hand towards him, but Haden raised his arms. The cook paused. "Don't worry, kid"
Haden looked at the cook. Strangely for a man like the cook, with his stature and looks, he sure did have soft eyes. He grabbed Haden's head which made Haden close his yes and look away. The cook ruffled up Haden's hair before giving him a smile and chuckle. Haden froze, his hair and with his mouth agape.
From behind the cook, someone cleared their throat. The woman stood behind them with crossed arms as her left foot tapped impatiently. Her voice was sharp and her brow was raised, "I think that'll suffice, Mr...?"
Her question hung as the cook took a minute, even a scratch on the chin to answer. "It's Jake Barrett, lady... Haha took a minute! Been long since most asked"
The woman's face twisted after looking at Haden, Haden stiffened when their eyes met.
Barrett stood in-between them which cut off her stare. "Are you really sure about this purchase, Mr. Barrett... There are far and more deserving candidates and this one is not much helpful. Pitiful child could not even wipe these floors, what good would he be at a kitchen?"
Barrett snorted.
"Hey, lady," a finger in his ear, "I ain't the type to call these "Purchases" Though how fugly or pitiful some kids are, they are the future of this damp! And a pair of hands ain't sound that bad... So better shut your trap and mind your business"
Barrett's eyes were laced with something Haden could not name. He could only see that the woman's mouth shut tight, her head taken aback and her eyes were slightly shook.
Tsk.
She turned around and walked to the other room as she said, "Suit yourself, Mr. Barrett. The paperwork is waiting on my table" then she dissapered.
Barrett chuckled, "Hah! See that, kid? Just mess with their head Abit and these officials start walking back like wounded dogs"
Step.
His steps were heavy.
"Go on. Don't worry. You're coming with me"
"What...?" Haden's weak voice asked.
"Can't keep me waiting all day now, kid"
Haden, who still did not grasp the situation, understood one thing. This is the possible light that shone the way out of this hell. And slightly, he could see the steps.
He faced the creaking steps of the wooden stairs. Each passing step he passed by a picture of the woman holding a child. Unlike him, these children were gifted, destined.
He walked pass the halls which contained doors where eyes of envy, disgust, and sadness were held. Haden did not mind the stares, he understood he would have done the same if he were in their shoes. He already had done. So many times.
He stood Infront of his door, 012. The knob still the rusted metal he remembers, cold and slightly irritable to the hand. He entered his bedroom and gave it one last look. He did not have anything to get there, but his mind and feet moved instinctively towards it.
Was he really going to leave this place? This hell. Why? Why him?
He spiraled when he should be walking, strangely that the place he wants to run away from felt like cement walking out off.
Thud.
A piece of crumbled paper flew to his head which snapped him out of his thoughts. Haden did not need to look behind to know who it was. It will always be that same sinister smile that tormented him when hell did not. Or well that same smile could also be one of hell's people. He should be.
"Look at that. Who'd thunk you'd be picked. Was the couple blind or some? Tsk. Tsk. We're doomed"
He didn't have to look back to know which curly blonde haired peer that was. Deep ocean blue eyes that always seemed to drown Haden when they'd face.
"Carlson..."
"Do you think we're friends for you to call me that? What's with the change of heart? Feeling all big now that you've gotten picked, huh!? Is that it, huh?!"
Carlson walked towards Haden with furious steps, when he reached him, he grabbed him by the shirt.
Now, face to face, Haden can fully see Carlson's expression. It was of stingy eyes and gritted teeth. "Do you think you're better than me?!"
"No"
The more they stared at each other, the more Carlson's eyes shook. The other kids looked over, their eyes of envy now of confusion. "Stop looking at me with those eyes! Stop it!"
Carlson dropped Haden and marched towards his room, shoving away the other kids that were watching.
Without a passing second and Haden walked pass the crowd and towards the stairs. Though he couldn't help but scratch his head on the way.
'Why...? Why did Carlson look like that?'
Looking back on Carlson's expression. Haden saw many things he couldn't name but also saw one thing he could. It was sadness. The one who stood tall as a high and mighty oppressor, walked away with stingy eyes. But there was also a much more puzzling part as for Haden, '...Why didn't I cry?'
He also looked back on moments of torment by Carlson and remembered the tears he shed. But today he didn't shed any tear and so now that questions also hung like a worm on a hook.
He reached the bottom of the steps and locked eyes with Berett who was waiting for him. "Hmm?" Barrett's brow raised. "No stuff, huh? Not even a toothbrush. Well better carry nothing than too much, right?" Without waiting for Haden's reply, Berett walked out of the house.
Haden only stood in place.
'... This is a strange dream... An incredibly strange one'
'Has he really taken me under his wing? Really? What a strange dream... Incredibly strange one'
"Hey, kid!" Barrett's voice halted Haden's thoughts. "I don't got time to play gargoyle so you better start movin!"
There was still hesitation in Haden's steps but fearing this passing dream would truly pass, he walked.
And walked.
And walked.
Throughout the dim and damp streets, passing by a few lamppost that were poorly maintenaned. A couple eyes looked over them.
"Pace up, kiddo... First time seen ya at the feeding zone so guessin by that you don't know these streets much"
Haden was used to the children's stares and glances, but these new ones were a different experience. The hairs behind his neck stood as he felt a chill whenever they passed a person.
"These streets will chew you up and spit you out crippled..." Haden noticed Barrett's eyes drift but was quikly composed. "But don't worry. Kids like you are more prone to be guarded by the hunters here. Even if they are the smuck of the smuck, they still have a duty"
Haden's head tilted slightly, 'Authority?'
All that walking led Haden and Barrett towards a clearing which was a green and gurgling river. Near it was a small sadly built house, made from scrap metal and prayers, it's walls shook when the wind blew lightly. Another shiver ran through Haden.
Barrett dropped his thick jacket on to Haden, "What are you a pile of bones? What's with all the shakin?"
Then after a laugh by him, he walks inside. But Haden did not follow.
"Why...?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you take me from there? Why? Weren't there better children? Those who knew how to-"
"Huh? Speak up kid, can't hear ya!"
Haden's cheeks grew red, coloring through smeared brown and black across his face. He gripped his shirt as he asked again, "Why- why...?"
Barrett, without replying to Haden's question, walked up to him and ruffled his hair again.
"Enough with the reasons kid, I was never good at thinking through decisions. But my gut never betrayed, not even once!"
Haden looked up at Barrett with his mouth slightly agape. "And a pair of hands ain't sound that bad. So you better work hard, kid! No reward is sweeter than one that was worked through heck! Haha"
Barrett walked towards the house again but now not alone as he held Haden's hand.
"Just know... You're home now..."