Prologue
Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he skimmed through the dark alleys, pushing his legs forward one after another. A thin layer of sweat covered the nape of his neck and cold air bit into his lungs. It was raining heavily and he ran forward, stepping into the small puddles of rain water. It was late night; all the shops were closed and the street lights weren't working either. Not a single soul was around and it was quite except for the noise of footsteps behind him that became closer and closer as he tried hard to escape them.
His gut was wretching with pain. He held the wound on his abdomen with his hand to stop the bleeding. But despite the pain, he kept pushing himself forward, but after several thrusts, he became tired. His breath came in short gasps, forming clouds in the air, and tears ran down his eyes mixed with the rain that streamed down his face. His eyes were dark and cold, shadowed by fear and pain, his lips were pale and dry, and his face was lifeless.
'This can't end here, I won't let it end' He muttered trudging towards a dark alley and hid there until everyone that was chasing him went away. He leaned by the wall moaning in pain, the bleeding had gotten worse and his hand couldn't stop it anymore. His head was spinning, it was hard to stay in his senses anymore. He pulled out his phone to call for help but it slipped from his hand falling to the ground uselessly. He gritted his teeth as a sharp pain stroke him making him lose balance. He staggered against the wall sinking to the ground, his vision got blurry and blood flowed down from his wound. He tried to reach his hand towards his phone that suddenly started ringing giving him a tinge of hope but before he could get to it darkness surrounded his eyes throwing him into a state of unconsciousness.
The scene flashed to the past where a young boy ran down the same streets struggling in the deep snow that covered his ankles, letting out short gasps, traumatized with fear rushing down his veins as he tried to run away from the men chasing him. His short legs gave up despite his continuous effort of running through the paths darkened by the night. The snowflakes were falling on the ground beautifully and far away between the mountains they could see the huge garden town lightened with bright and colorful city lights. The people were engulfed in excitement of the festival and no one was around where the little kid yelped as he ran and ran, losing his breath. The streets were all empty as all the people were at the festival to enjoy the big day. He advanced towards the garden town shouting for help hoping for anyone to hear him even though he was too far away. His body gave up sooner than he had expected. He stumbled and a hand reached to him from behind grabbing him tightly by his waist. He kicked his legs in the air trying to get out of his grasp but he was much more stronger than him. The boy glanced over his shoulder at the fascinating scenery of fireworks shooting to the sky with people screaming in happiness while he screamed in fear as he was being dragged away.
The next moment, he laid on the snowy ground his back to a huge rock. Blood gushed from his head painting the white snow and there were bruises all over his face and body. His body felt helpless as he tried to move around, his cold pink cheeks streaked with tears and his eyes showed torment. He curled his pale blue lips and tried to scream for help one last time but all that came out were soft cries, that took his breath away each time he pushed his voice through his throat with unbearable pain that he felt in his fractured ribs. He could feel his arms and legs going numb, and his sight became fuzzy before a man who stood in front of him holding a metal pipe stained with blood. Along with him, he saw two more pairs of feet standing still in their position. He started to lose his consciousness due to the unendurable torture but he didn't stop trying to call for help even though nothing but moans came out of his mouth.
"Take care of the rest." He heard the man ordering someone next to him. Then he heard the crunch of the snow as the man approached him. The panic throbbed his heart and he fell into complete unconsciousness. The man couldn't bear the sight of a little boy on the verge of death fighting to stay alive. He couldn't raise his hand to end his torment so he carried him to a hidden alley and rested him among the garbage bags.
"I'm sorry little boy, but that's all I can do for you. If you're lucky enough someone would come and save you." He said and disappeared.
On the other side of the alley a man watched the scene, his eyes full of rage. Then he came to the little boy whose breaths were becoming shorter and shorter as time passed. He crouched down raising his brows anxiously and cupped his palm around the boy's cheek, "Hang in there a little longer, I'll save you" He whispered.
