I didn't ever want to cross the lane and walk over to this part of the city, despite knowing well that I could find a lot more opportunities here and even earn more money than I have ever imagined. I am aware that it's my way of making myself feel better than the rest. Furthermore, I guess I could say that it's my ego that makes me feel like I belong above those that live here and work as underdogs for their master. I know batch of people belonging to this place, they either have bruises all over their body or are extremely rude.

The only one that I care about has been missing for 24 hours now, and I cannot turn to anyone at such times. We have been hiding from the world fearing that we will get caught one day. He is 8 months younger than me. The last time I saw him, we had a disagreement which might be the reason why I cannot get a hold of him. However, I can't stay still when he is out there, probably trapped somewhere with no one to save him.

With these thoughts running in my mind, I reached the front gate of the place I was looking and the visual didn't disappoint me at all. I walked in to find a huge crowd of teenagers dancing away to the fantasy. These are the kind of people that I don't want to associate with in this lifetime. I walked around the bar, but I couldn't find him anywhere just as I was feeling dejected, the door opened accompanied by a loud BANG. Through that door walked in a few men dressed casually yet caught everyone's attention. Everyone present the room looked at the with amazement and respect when one guy from the crowd rushed to them and spoke. As soon as he heard him, his eyes flared up in anger and marched towards me. I was caught in a dilemma as to why he would be angry at me, when he passed by swiftly to the backside of the bar. His companions following him immediately as the crowd slowly dispersed and everyone started leaving the bar.

Just as I was thinking of walking out myself, few men came running out from behind who were caught by his companions, who looked very decent to me yet the next word he spoke made me halt at the spot.

"those lowly dogs deserved to be beaten to death"

There were five man being pinned down by three of his companions with arrogant looks that says they despise people belonging to the lower status. This kind of people think that they belong above everyone and that money and power can get them away with anything they do. I stayed still looking at those men who were no different from Mom. The guy leading the group came out carrying someone in his arm, at first I thought it was someone he held dear until I saw the familiar silhouette.

He was carrying him like some delicate, precious thing. Realizing who he was I dashed forward to clarify my suspicion. I was stopped by one of his companion," wait sir, you should leave this place immediately"

I replied," I cannot"

His companion looked troubled yet politely said, "there are some things you should not see here, so I ask you to leave before it gets even uglier."

Ignoring him I stepped forward to see the face of the man in his arm and cried out, "Will, is that you, Will, can you hear me" while caressing his face. It was Will, I knew the moment I saw his hoodie, the one bought him for his birthday last year. There were no bruises that was visible to the naked eye however I knew instantly that something was wrong with him since he was unconscious and his face was hot like he was running a fever. I had a clear image as to what might have happened to him. My thoughts promptly shifted to all those dark, deep places that I have buried for 9 years. There was a cold shiver in my whole body, a sensation so terrifying that my breath became fasten and my hands were trembling as I extended to lift the cloth around his neck when a hand stopped mine and low voice spoke to me, "don't"

As I lifted my eyes up to look at him, my mind was blank while there was a blurry vision in front of me of a man as tall as pole. Just then he passed Will to someone and held my hands speaking softly, "it's okay.... breath slowly... Take in" while following the instructions himself, "pause..... Now breath out". We did this for few more times before I gained my composure. Once he knew I was fine he continued, "he is okay, for precautionary reasons we have taken him back to our place to check on him"

"We will bring him back once he is all better"

"No" was what came out of my mouth, "I can't leave him to strangers, I can go to your place where is it ?" I turn around to leave the place. He speaks from behind, "okay, but I will have my friend accompany you" before I could say anything back he asks his friend, "Tim drive him back and make sure they are comfortable"

Tim simply nods in agreement and signals me to follow him to his car.

I rush to the car ignoring the cries in the background, I hop in the car and within 25 minutes we reach an antique shop. The car stops there and Tim speaks, "ask the shopkeeper to take you to medic"

I jump out of the car and head to the shop and do as I was told, hearing me the old man signals a girl in the shop who comes to my aid immediately. She takes me to the elevator behind the counter and presses some number. The elevator starts moving.

Few minutes later we arrive in a huge mansion that was not visible from outside. I am surprised to see the sight unfold in front of me however I was more concerned about Will. As if she would read my mind she started speaking, "we are almost there sir, and I can assure you that we have the best ones looking after them. There will be no harm done to them now that they are here."

Hearing her I am relieved a little and I calmed down following her obediently.

I could hear the noise from outside as we got nearer to the medic, she spoke, "you might be worried a lot however I would like to make a request before we enter"

"Hmm"

"it might take some time for everything to settle and no one will be able to answer to your queries for now, so you will have to sit aside trusting our men on this"

Realizing that I didn't have any better options I agreed. Then she continued, "once they are able to stabilize everyone they will speak to you about everything you want to know."

Inside the medic there was a strong smell of medicine like the ones that exist in hospitals and clinics. As far as I saw, it was a huge wall segregated into small compartments. I looked around searching for Will as she spoke," can you tell me the name of the person you came here for"

"Will, William Tam"

" mmm... As per the chart here he is assigned room no. 5" she sighs a breath of relief," he seems to be out of danger as the numbers are assigned as per the criticality of the patient and since there were only six victims this time, he is on the least danger"

Though her words didn't ease my worries it was able to lessen it to great degree. I sat down in the bench nearby while she accompanied me silently. I was able to understand a lot of things through our conversation. This was not the first time they raided a bar. Everything they are doing now, they have done it before, maybe more times than I could think of. Somehow that was reassuring units own way, knowing that someone could strive relentlessly for a stranger, knowing that someone was ready to risk their lives to make things better for a stranger. I wonder if someone would have come for me if I was in the same situation as before. However, I have learned that waiting for someone to save me is a myth and not a legend. I am well aware of the realities of this world, you get trampled by people you think, love you.

I saw the ugliest side of the world even before knowing this world well. I fought with strangers, friends and the only family I knew of to survive a day longer, to eat a handful, to sleep a little peacefully. In all of those dark days, Will was my hope the light that guided me to be better person, to understand affection. However affections have a price tag, one that is too costly for me.