This is my first story I wrote so please leave feedback. I wrote the first chapter rushed because it was just a tip for the main story line so it was kind fast paced and lengthy but please enjoy. 

I was born in the year 1996. My name is Alex. I have white hair like the snow you find at the top of a mountain peak. Skin that had a tan like the desert sand. My eyes the color of blood. I was raised by my mother never knowing my father.

When I became 4 years old my mother was teaching me how to read. She would wake me up in the morning. For a few hours each day we would go over the alphabet and numbers. My mother and I lived in a small apartment in the city. When it became late at night I looked out my window, the city lights were lighting up like the sun. I could see places close by and far away. There was a car every night parked out in front of our apartment. My mom would leave the house to go to her job a few minutes after that car arrived. She would always enter that car. Each passing day I saw that, I grew more and more curious. I wanted to know what type of job she worked that she had to leave at night but I never got the courage to ask her.

A year has passed and my mother got enough money to buy me some books. She bought a book about space, another one about time, and the last one, a manga. She would help me read through the books and teach me how to pronounce the words I did not know. She would always tell me knowledge is key but I could never figure out what those word meant. Day in and day out I would read. Mother would get new books for me weekly. At the end of the night I would always read the manga. I always enjoyed reading them. It filled me with imagination. My favorite type is when people were reincarnated and sent to another world.

Mothers birthday was coming up so I decided to get her something. Since I don't have any money I had to get creative. I asked mother for a book about crafts so I could make something for her. I asked the neighbor for help. She was a kind caring young woman. She was a painter and she created amazing pieces of landscape art. My neighbor helped out by provided materials and paint and also helped me create it.

Through the course of months I would read and learn how to do math. I was always hearing the words knowledge is key. Soon I was reading books far beyond what the average kid my age would read. It would be books that people in their adult years would read. My information the world kept increasing. I thought, if I can keep this up maybe I can go to school for free and get a job so mother wouldn’t have to strain herself so bad.

That was just a dream. I knew that I couldn’t do anything yet, I had to wait a bit longer. Every night my mother would come home more tired than the last. She would get dark circles around her eyes. It only took a month or two before my mom started ignoring her own existence. It was like she was a robot working on a schedule. From the time she would get home to the time she would leave. I had to start taking up cooking and shopping so we could survive. I would ask her for money but she wouldn’t even look at me so I had no choice but to take from her wallet.

I went to the library to buy a cooking book. I was walking down aisles when I saw a book about jobs. My curiosity took over of what mom was doing every day that she entered this state of mind. After I got the books I went to the supermarket. I never had nice clothes. My shirt had holes in it and mud stains from side to side. I had pants on that did not fit it never bothered me but I can see from the looks on peoples faces it did them. I received stares from adults almost like they were filled with disgust but they were also confused.

An elder woman came up to me, looked in the eyes and said in a calm and soothing tone “dear, where are your parents? You shouldn’t be shopping alone at this hour.”

I couldn’t think of a response. I just stood their shaking in fear because this is the first time someone I didn’t know talked to me. I was nervously sweating. In my mind I knew I had to think of a response but the words just wouldn’t come out. I only thought of one thing I could do now. I looked at the ground and walked right past her. My insides were twisting. I didn’t know if its because I couldn’t respond to the old lady or for other reasons all I know is I felt sad.

I grabbed the food required so I could make food for us. On my way home I was reading through the cook book so I know how to make food. When I got home I was standing outside the door and the stench of alcohol was strong. I entered the room and my mother was sitting at the table beer in hand glancing at me. Those eyes were like none i’ve ever seen. It frightened me. I felt the same sensation in my stomach as  I did at the store. I stood there unable to move my body, it was as if I was chained to the ground.

In a cold tone my mother said “where did you get the money for those?” I had to respond but my mouth wouldn’t move. She stood up so fast and took a quick chug of her beer. She picked up the plate next to her and threw it at the wall next to me. She asked me again in a shouting tone “where the hell did you get the money for those?!”

I responded so quickly, “I got it from your wallet.” Those words flew out of my mouth so quick I didn’t even feel my mouth open.

Mother replied, “who said you can go into my wallet and take the money I worked for?”

I could feel the strength of the hatred in those words. I told her, “you were ignoring both me and you. We need to eat and if you weren’t going to do something about that than I had to.”

We ended up arguing for a few minutes but in the end we came to terms. I couldn’t sleep the whole night I just hurdled up into a corner far away from mother in a corner. This was the first time I actually saw her mad.

As time passed I took care of  mother and myself. I would do the cooking and cleaning while she made money. This happened for so long I ended up forgetting my own birthday.

Mom was taking a shower while I was making dinner for us before she left. I heard a knock on the door. A tall man was standing there. He smelt of cigarettes. He said he was the man that owned the car that would get my mom every night. I let him in and got him some water. In my head I was thinking, this is my chance to find out what job mom has. I started a conversation with him slowly leading into jobs. I asked the man, “Do you know what job my mother has?”

He looked at me confused. He replied, “If your mother didn’t tell you than I don’t think she would like it if I did.”

I couldn’t tell if he didn’t know or if  mom didn’t want me to know about the truth. He began to talk about rings. “So kid, why does your mother always wear that ring on her pinky? Customers lately have been complaining about?”

I only know of one ring that my mom wears and that's the ring I gave her for her birthday.

“That is the ring I gave her 2 years ago for her birthday.”

The man let a small smile out and a huff. “Is that so.”

He said that so quietly it was hard to hear him.

Mother came out of the shower. After she came to the table and saw him sitting at the couch. She looked at the time. Her face was brought with distraught.

“Sorry Alex, I can’t eat dinner with you tonight I have to go to work.”

I felt sad when she said those words. All I could say was ok.

After they left I sat there and ate by myself. It was quiet. I could hear the heavy wind outside. When I was done eating I cleaned up and left some on a plate for when mom comes back. I picked up around the house when I noticed a book on top of a shelf. It was the book I got about jobs. I forgot that I got that book after that horrible night. I opened it up and began reading it. I read through it all and it took some weeks to finally figure out what my mom was doing as her job.

It was 3 in the morning. The time she usually comes home. I was sitting at the table with the book opened to the page.

Mom entered and asked, “Why are you still up? You should be in bed.”

In a sad quiet tone I said, “Why are you selling your body?”

“Hmm? What did you say”

“WHY ARE YOU SELLING YOUR BODY?” I said so loud I shocked myself.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Mom was standing there scared. “You have no right to raise your tone to me. Do you know how hard it is to raise a kid by yourself? I have to struggle just so we can get by. So you can have books, a roof over your head, food. It’s not easy on my side. But what would you know.”

“If it’s so bad than quit and find a new job. I can even help. I’ll get a job myself and work so we can get more money.”

“You can’t get a job. You are too young.”

“But still why do you go through this? It’s only hurting yourself.”

“I don’t have any choice. It’s the only way I can provide for me and you. Hell, if you weren’t here than I might of been able to do something else.”

“Is that so.”

I got out of the chair and darted for the door. I never moved so fast. I flung open the door and ran down the stairs. I could hear a voice behind me but I couldn’t make out the words. I ran to the library and sat on the stairs.

I have to go back an apologize it wasn’t right of me to get into mom's personal life like that. She was taking care of me the best way she thought she could. It was wrong of me to yell at her for it.

After an hour passed I got up and walked back to the apartment. I took the key I always kept in my pocket out and unlocked the door.

“Mom, are you here? Mom?”

I searched each room to find her. After I looked in the bathroom I saw her door was closed. I opened it up look around the room. It was dark inside and I couldn’t see very well. I turned on the lights and I saw her hanging from the ceiling. I dropped to my knees. Tears came flying down my face like a stream. My insides were in pain. I slowly got up and saw a paper on the desk with my name on it. I opened it and glanced at it. The only words I saw were I’m sorry and knowledge is key. I couldn’t stand this sight no more. I couldn’t stand living here. I ran again. I kept running. I didn’t stop for nothing. I ran so far so no one would recognize me. I wanted to be forgotten.

I kept thinking this is all my fault. Because I wanted to know what she does she killed herself. Because I argued with her about it she killed herself. The only person who cared about you killed themselves. It was my fault. It was my fault. It was my fault. If only I wasn’t born than she could of lived a happy life.

I collapsed after I was exhausted and just sat there on the side of the road. People would walk by poking me or trying to speak to me but I just looked off into the distance ignoring them.

Three days pasts. It was a rainy night. I could feel the cold rain splash against my body. The wind making my hair smack my face. I saw a middle aged man across the street walking towards me with an umbrella. He sat next to me and put the umbrella over the both of us to shelter us from the rain. I looked at him and he just smiled back.

In a friendly tone I heard him say, “You know if you sit out here you’re going to worry your parents.”

I didn’t respond back. What could I say. My stomach made a loud growling noise.

“Hmmm, seems like you are hungry. I know a good place we can go and eat. How about it?”

I just nodded my head. I haven’t had any food or water for a long time so no matter what it sounded great.

He took me to a fast food restaurant and ordered us burgers. While eating he kept asking questions but I couldn’t hear them I was just off in my own little world. When I finished my food. I said in a quiet voice “My father left. And my mother……… she killed herself three days ago.”

I heard the man say, “is that so?”

I thought that was in my head. I didn’t know I said that outloud. I was scared of what might happen now.

“Well if you don’t have anywhere to go how about you come back to my house? My wife and I were looking to get another kid anyways.”

As I looked at this man a ray of hope appeared to shine. Someone willing to take me in and help me. This had to be a dream

“I don’t want to be a bother to your or your wife though.” Those aren’t the words I wanted to say but it's all that could come out

“Don’t worry you won't be. We will gladly accept you into our house. Well actually before we can even do that.”

I knew it, I knew it had to be a dream. There's no way this would be possible.

“We first have to get to know each other. My name is Thomas, what's yours?”

I was dazed. I thought it was going to be something else.

“Alex, my name is Alex.”

“Nice to meet your Alex. How old are you?”

“Seven”

“Really?! My son is seven too. You guys will be great friends.”

I was happy. For the first time in my life I was really really happy. I was going to be accepted into a family and even have a friend. I thought that after my mom died I was going to live alone forever.

The man kept talking. I was listening with a smile on my face. Something great in my life has finally happened.

“I came to this city for a business trip. I live in a giant house in another state. So in order to get there we are going to get on a airplane. You ever been on one Alex?”

“I’ve never been on one, I’ve never even been in a car.”

“Well Alex I am a very rich man. I even got a private jet. That’s what I used to get here.”

I read about a private jet in a book. They are smaller than airplanes and not a lot of people have them. We kept talking for awhile. I ended up passing out at the table because I was so tired.

I woke up in a car. The man named Thomas facing me. This didn’t look like no ordinary car. It was long and stretched out.

“Ahh you’re awake. You missed the ride on the private jet.”

“How long have I been asleep for?”

“Almost 14 hours now. We are in a limousine on the way back to my house where you will meet your new brother and mother because we are going to adopt you into our family.”

I was excited. I had a new family. I would never forget about mother and what she has done for me but this is like a new fresh start.

When we arrived at the mansion is was in awe on how big it was. I have never seen something so big. We walked in and I saw 2 people standing by the stairs. A woman with long straight black hair and a small child with curly brown hair.

The woman introduced herself first, “My name is Margaret, I will be your new mother from today.”

The boy was next, “My name is Jason and I will be your new brother starting today.”

They were very well mannered. I knew I had to introduce myself.

“Hello, my name is Alex and I will be in your care.”

I was so nervous that I spoke very quiet. Thomas was facing towards me with a giant grin on his face. I look at Margaret and Jason and their faces were filled with the exact opposite. All I could see from them is hatred.

“Alright I have to go make some phone calls so Margaret and Jason how about you guys show him around and to his room.”

“Yes father, I will be glad to do so.”

As Thomas walked out of the room. My new mother and brother approached me. It was as if they practiced for this moment. They even spoke in sync. The only words I heard from them were

“We will never accept you into this family.”

I felt sad at that moment. I thought I finally found people that I can be happy with but it was just a lie. The only one that liked me was Thomas.

That night while I was sleeping, Jason came into my room with a knife. I felt something carving into my skin. I opened my eyes saw him on top of me. One of his hands was covering my mouth the other was holding the knife.

“Don’t scream. If you do I’ll stab myself and tell father that you did it.”

I had to submit. I couldn’t do anything that would hurt Thomas. He was my savior and I was indebted in to. I just laid there while Jason took the knife and carved into my body. The pain was excruciating but I couldn’t do a thing.

The sheets were covered in blood in the morning my chest was scarred. Whenever Thomas was around they would put on a happy face like they enjoyed my company but as soon as he left I could feel the pressure in the air change.

I was enrolled into school. Since I was the same age as Jason we both were in the same grade. Thomas thought it was also a good idea to put us in the same class.

During school and at home I would be abused by Jason. I got turned into a punching bag for his own amusement. Since Thomas is a very rich and respected man not many people tried to stop Jason at school since they wouldn’t know what would happen to them. Because of this he was also the most popular person in class.

A couple months later Margaret started to join in. She started to torture me. Whenever Thomas would go on a business trip she would take me to the basement and lock me up. When I was 11 years old she ended up burning a part of my back leaving a giant scar. Each year there would be more and more scars on my body. I had to start wearing long sleeve shirts and pants to hide them. Thoughts of suicide kept going in my mind.

The abuse kept going on and on. I tried to kill myself for the very first time today. I went into the bathroom and cut my wrist. I ended up bandaging myself.

In my mind I was thinking why couldn’t I do it. Everything would be over if I did. Not more torture, no more pain, no more of anything.

I came to the conclusion on why I couldn’t and its because I did not pay the debt off to Thomas yet for saving me.

Years past and now I am 17, a junior in highschool. I was made into an errand boy by my brother Jason. Whatever he or his group of friends wanted I had to get. I tried to kill myself two more times but I was never able to go through with it. I had one shred of hope left in my life. There was a girl in my class named Megan. Every day she would always say hello to me. She was the only one that did. I would of tried to made a friend with her but she was a part of Jason's group.  

After class one day I was walking in the halls when I saw her and Jason talking. I wanted to hear what they were saying so I got closer.

I heard megan say “Haha picking on him is so fun. He won’t do anything since he thinks I am his ray of hope since I say hello to him every day.”

Jason laughed and responded “Damn you are more harsh than me.”

At that moment my world became full of darkness.

We were walking on our way home. I was walk 20 feet behind the group just in case the need something they would tell me to go get it. They were crossing a crosswalk when a speeding car was coming.

If that car hit them it would be over. It would all be over. I could live a peaceful life. Would Thomas be mad if I didn’t save Jason? Wait I can use this chance to repay the debt and kill myself afterwards.

I ran pushing them out of the way. There was enough time that I could be safe as well. But Jason saw what I was doing. He turned around and smiled. Not a normal smile though, a cold, dark, sinister smile. I could see his cold breath as he exhaled. His eyes filled with darkness. He stopped and raised his arms up. He pushed me back in front of the car.

I heard the screeching of the tires trying to stop but it was too late. I was laying there on the pavement. My body unable to move. I was looking at the sky.

Well I saved Jason so now I am able to die. Wait, the reason why I was never able to kill myself is because I didn’t want to die. I wanted to live. I want to live. I don’t want to die. I never wanted to die. Am I really going to die here? I wanted to live life.

Those thoughts were flying in my head. My eyes were trying to close but I wouldn't let them. I wanted to live. My eyelids keep getting heavier. Tears were flowing down my cheek. My vision was getting blurry. My eyes just closed on their own.

My eyes jolted open. Did I have a nightmare just now? I was looking up and it was just plain white. I moved my head to look at the surroundings. It was just a white endless space. It took me a moment to realize I was sitting at a wood table. An old man was at the other end of the table. He was wearing a white robe and had long grey hair. He was sitting there peeling a freshly picked apple.