Before a Legend
Chapter 1 - A Lesson for Life
There is always a constant supply of events taking place in this city. Everywhere in this area big streams of people are walking their own paths, minding their own business. Every single one of them harboring their own desires, goals and dreams. Every single one of them colored in a shade between white and black, in most cases neither good nor bad.
In this city today on a beautiful sunny day with a sky so clear that you`d believe a ocean is above your head a tragedy appeared. A tragedy so common that even the world refused to pay it any heed. A bundle of fabric shielding a child from the gentle touch of the wind that is kind of like what was lost. The child was gripping that piece of fabric with trembling small hands like his life was hanging on it. After all, it is the only thing left to protect him in this unforgiving world.
The child was sitting on the heated floor like usual reminiscing in this special room on some roof by an alleyway. Thinking about nothing special and nothing productive. However, it was still an important place of inspiration that brought him much appreciation for the future. After a while the child decided that it was enough. So, he stood up and clumsily climbed down his secret way to the ground while also making sure no one was around. Having done this, he quickly left the alley and made his way through the crowded streets. He finally arrived before a three-story building just as the sun was setting.
The boy looked intently at the sign at the front of the building while his whole body showed how distressed he was. He could not read and therefore did not know what was written but he had heard people call it an orphanage, not that he knew what it meant. Barely being able to reach the door handles to open the door he stepped into the newly renovated building that he has spent most of his time in, after passing through the entrance he heard a voice from one of the rooms.
“Para, is that you?” The tone was an aged slightly hoarse voice. Para looked in the direction of the voice only to see a woman that looked like she was one of those elderly nobles from fairy tales. She walked into the hallway before him with a cane in her hand.
“How dare you run out and stay out this late. You just won`t be satisfied until you`re watched over all the time.”
“Sorry Aunty, it's my fault I won't do it again!” Feeling her worry and seeing her in her weakened state, Para felt a heavy dose of guilt and shame that was pricking his heart like needles. Barely holding in his tears, he told her with a slightly trembling voice:
“Aunty, please don't be angry I have come up with a way to earn money.”
“Nonsense! It is not something you should bother yourself with, leave it to the adults.” Hearing her truly angered voice. Para defended himself with a stubbornness only a child could possess.
“However, Aunty, if I earn some money then I will be able to take care of everyone. Then my parent will come back and bring me home. I will be able to get back everything I have lost.” Being shocked senseless the old lady could only hesitantly walk back into the room leaving Para with a bright flame of hope and determination shining brightly within his young eyes. This was the beginning of our story.
Time swirls by and finally Para was able to earn money. An early morning began, the streets filled with mist making it hard to see more than 5 meters in radius from oneself. The scene looking akin to a horror movie where the victim’s body would soon be found is the environment that welcomed Para’s first day working. It would also be his first contact with child labor.
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When Para arrived at the glass factory he felt a strong chemical smell that hung light in the air. This fume felt like fire passing through his throat and lungs thus prompting rough coughing. However, Pare did not pay it any mind as he was too excited to care. Pare had spent a long time trying to find a job that would employ a young child like him. Sadly, he did not understand that it was illegal for children like him to be working. Therefore, when Pare got to know that someone wanted to employ him he did not hesitate to agree on a job working at this factory.
His thinking was cut short when a greasy, short and balding old man with a beer belly came into view before him. The old man was leaning onto the gate while impatiently tapping his left foot on the floor. Seeing Para, the old man quickly put on his kind smile and greeted Para:
”Hello, child are you here to work?” his voice had a trace of pity that quickly disappeared.
Para being unsure could only timidly nod his head as an answer. He was unsure if he should be working, he felt nervous that his colleagues would find him weird because he lacks parents.
”No need to be nervous. Follow me, let me show you around and then I bring you to your dormitory.”
The old man started to show Para the way around the factory and recounted the different scenarios that could be met daily. Some of the things Pare found intriguing were that glass was made with sand and that it could be shape into something akin to a precious jewel. However, Para did seem to notice that all the people around seemed to be ranged between the ages of ten and eighteen. They also wore looks of exhaustion and irritation. This did make Para feel that something seemed out of place but alas the allure of money was far greater. At last, they reached a long plain looking hall with multiple doors going along the walls.The walls were painted a boring grey and the doors were pure white.
“Well, kid this is where you`ll stay. Be sure to follow the guidelines or else you will be facing severe repercussions. All is set and clear this will be your working place for the next 8 years. Hurry up now I have other things to do.”
“....”
Para was left all alone. He was filled with all kinds of mixed feelings. From his first step a year ago when he decided to earn money after having a argument with his aunty until this exciting moment where he is finally able to rest assured that he has found a way towards his goal. The countless range of emotions such as anxiety whether this was the right decision or the sadness of leaving the only people that really cared of him really caused a great deal of distress. Keep in mind that Para is only nine years old yet he already has to deal with these kinds of situations. This just goes to show that he really is a great talent, sadly, he was not born with an stable income hence the hardships. Leaving a long sight filled with all those emotions behind he walked towards the door that had his name among others. He felt sure that with how things look here there will be a bright path for him.
However, his impression was quickly challenged when he took a look at the room. Calling it dirty would be a understatement. The walls were run down with holes in them, lamps were flickering, mattress with yellow stains all over and a horrible stench of acid gas.Truly, it made for a sad sight.
Pare felt a bit of anxiety returning when he saw the state of the room. He tried to reassure himself repeatedly that there was a logical explanation for this but when he saw that all the other rooms were in similar conditions he realised that things have gone bad. Just as he was about to leave he heard a voice speak out unhurriedly:
“Oho, look at who we have here. Is this our new roommate?”
“ I am not that su`e, West. But it would seem like it.”
Pare turned around and saw a young boy and girl standing next to the door frame behind him. He quickly drew back his emotions and answered politely:
“Hello, my name is Para. What are yours?”
“Save it for latter. I have to catch up on some sleep” The boy walked past Para and went towards a bunker bed but he said while walking.
“Also, all the beds are taken so you have to figure something out for yourself.”
The young girl, however, stopped before him and said:
“So``y about that we a`e just too ti`ed. And you should also p`epa`e you`self fo` it. Am supposed to info`m you that wo`k sta`ts 4 pm and ends 9am. The`e a`e only two meals a day because the facto`y had to `reduce` their spendings. Lastly, any violations to the `ules `esult in the pay fo` the month being `educed.”
Then she went past Para while it took some time for him process what she said because she could not say `r``. When he was done he realised to his horror that he made a wrong decision. This was his first life lesson.
Never trust a book by it's cover.