At just eight years old, Tyler quickly learned that life wasn't always fair. He lived with his alone, in a rough neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, a place where crime and danger were a constant threat. Despite his best efforts, Jack left the world early, leaving their adopted child alone in the world.

‘Managed to gather food for today, It’s my lucky day today.’ Tyler thought.

He put the fruits on the dirty and stained floor and moved to the kitchen with appliances and fixtures that were old and in poor condition.

He lived in a small, run-down apartment with peeling paint, cracks in the walls and ceilings, broken windows, and other signs of neglect. And being just Nine years old, he couldn’t take care of the apartment alone.

It was the meal he acquired after many days of going hungry, so he was about to savor it to its fullest. He grabbed a knife and started peeling the fruits.

Munch…Chew! When the fruit bursting with flavor entered his mouth, it produced a sensory overload in the best way possible. The taste buds dance with excitement as each bite is savored and the flavors explode in the mouth.

Despite the challenges, Tyler remained a happy and curious child, with a bright and creative mind that loved to learn and explore. He was always asking questions and seeking out new adventures, driven by boundless energy that kept him going no matter what. But even at such a young age, Tyler knew that he had to be careful in the neighborhood. He had witnessed the dangers that lurked on the streets and knew he had to be cautious and stay out of trouble if he wanted to survive.

‘I should take a different route home, The big guys in the neighborhood kept looking at me today.’ He thought. He even noticed being stalked the other day, and that left a creepy feeling in his stomach.

Knock…Knock!

As Tyler savoured the taste of the fruits, a knock appeared on the door.

“There’s no one home now, Please come back later.” Tyler shouted.

Crackle…Ting…!

The sound of breaking glass echoed through the small, run-down apartment, jolting Tyler awake. He stood up, his heart racing as he looked through the broken window for any other signs of danger. When he saw a man dressed in dark clothes, like a robber entering through the window.

He scrambled out of the room and tried to run, but the door burst open and another figure walked through the doorway. Tyler could barely make out the figure's features in the dim light, but he could see the gleam of a knife in its hand.

"Where's the money?" the figure growled, advancing on Tyler.

Tyler backed up, his heart pounding in his chest. He was just nine years old, and he knew he couldn't defend himself against an adult. He had no choice but to try to reason with the intruder.

"Please, I don't have any money," Tyler pleaded, his voice shaking with fear. "My parents are gone and I'm all alone. Just please leave me alone."

The figure hesitated for a moment, then lowered the knife slightly. It seemed to consider Tyler's words, then let out a small chuckle.

"Fine," it said, taking a step back. "I'll leave you alone. But I'll search through the apartment and If I find out you're hiding something, you’re doomed."

Tyler watched in relief as the figure turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. He let out a sigh of relief, still, the other intruder kept staying in the same room as him and kept watch outside.

After a while, the intruder appeared out of nowhere and grabbed him by the arm. Tyler screamed and tried to pull away, but the figure was too strong.

"Stop kidding with me, kid?" Intruder sneered. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me where the money is."

Tyler tried to plead with the figure, but it was no use. It was determined to find the money, no matter what. Tyler knew he had to think of a way to escape, and fast. He looked around frantically for anything he could use as a weapon or a distraction, but there was nothing in sight.

The intruder slowly cut the palm of his hand, “Tell me, boy, This knife can stab hearts too.”

Tyler gave in, He was too scared to feel the pain from his bleeding palm and his mouth spoke, “I am an Orphan, My father died a year ago. The money is finished.”

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"Please, just leave me alone," Tyler begged, tears streaming down his face. "I have nothing to give you."

The intruder seemed to consider this for a moment, then let out a sigh. "Fine," it said, letting go of Tyler's arm. "I'll leave you alone. But if I find out you're lying to me, I'll be back."

With that, the intruder turned and left the apartment, leaving Tyler shaking and terrified, but relieved to be alive. “Let’s go, The rundown apartment is proof enough.”

After the intruder left with his partner, Tyler collapsed onto the floor, his whole body shaking with fear and relief. He couldn't believe what had just happened. It felt like a nightmare, but it was all too real.

He sat there for a few minutes, trying to catch his breath and calm his racing heart. When he felt a little bit more composed, he slowly stood up and made his way to the kitchen to get a drink of water. As he was filling up a glass at the sink, he heard a noise behind him.

He turned around to see the intruder standing in the doorway, a sly smile on his face.

"Hey there, kid," the man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I think we need to have a little chat."

Tyler's heart sank. Just now a robber had left, and now someone was back for more. He was a man in his 30s with black hair and fragile looking body, suffering from starvation.

"What do you want?" Tyler asked, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.

"Well, I was thinking," the man said, walking over to the kitchen table and taking a seat. "I've been looking for a place to stay for a while now, and this apartment is perfect. And since you don't have any parents or anyone to take care of you, I figured I might as well just take over."

Tyler's mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan. He knew he couldn't just let this man take over his home, but he also knew he couldn't fight him off.

"Please, don't do this," Tyler said. "I have nowhere else to go. This is my home."

The man chuckled and stood up, walking over to Tyler and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, kid," he said. "I'm not going to kick you out. You can stay here with me. We'll be like roommates. I'll even let you help me search for the money your parents hid."

Tyler's stomach twisted at the thought of being stuck with this man, who he knew was the intruder, but he knew he had no other choice. He nodded slowly, tears streaming down his face.

"Fine," he said quietly.

The man chuckled again and patted Tyler on the head.

"Don't worry, kid," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you. As long as you do what I say and help me find that money, we'll be just fine."

And with that, the intruder took over Tyler's apartment, using the young boy as his own personal servant as he searched for the money that didn't even exist. Tyler was trapped, with no way out and no one to turn to for help.

With that, the figure turned and stalked out of the bedroom, leaving Tyler trembling and alone in the dark. He listened as the intruder ransacked the rest of the apartment, searching for nonexistent money. When he was finally sure the figure was gone, Tyler collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

He had never been so terrified in his life. He had always known that the neighborhood was dangerous, but he had never imagined that he would be targeted by an intruder. He knew he couldn't stay in the apartment any longer, not after what had just happened.

After being forced to work for the intruders for a year, Tyler had grown accustomed to the routine of his new life. He hated every moment of it, but he had learned to keep his head down and do as he was told, hoping that one day he would find a way out.

The intruders were rough and abusive, using violence and threats to keep Tyler and the other workers in line. They ran a small criminal operation, using Tyler and the others to do their dirty work and take the fall if things went wrong.

Despite the dangers, Tyler did his best to stay out of trouble and keep a low profile. He knew that if he ever crossed the intruders, they would not hesitate to hurt him.

“Listen here you Brats, The day of begging is over and your saviour, Rick, that is me, has made a deal with a gang. No begging from today, Just follow my orders.” Rick said, the leader of the organization that made his apartment the main base.

Many kids, the same age as him were kneeling before him while other leaders sat on the couch, watching shows and munching chips.

Rick continued, “You all will be given a bag daily filled with pieces of stuff that you need not know, and you all must deliver to the location I give you. Now any question”

Although Rick said that, if someone dared to ask the question then they all knew it would turn out for worse for the questioner.

Rick sat leaned towards them and warned, “If you are caught by the cops, then remember, You happened to pick the bag and you all don’t know about any of these or else…”

They all hurriedly nodded. They all knew, whatever was in the bag was harmful and better for them to look out for.

Tyler had been working for the intruders for a year now, and he had learned to be careful and stay out of trouble. He knew that one mistake could cost him everything, and he was determined not to let that happen.

“The package you ordered is here.” Tyler said, He gave the bag to the one he was supposed to.

That person opened the bag, checking the contents and now all Tyler had to do was bring the money back to the organization.

“Kid, You’re under arrest.” Tyler froze, and suddenly he felt a heavy load on his arms, his hand had been handcuffed.

Tyler was a kid, he was asked a few questions and after a few days left for outside. At first, Tyler was terrified. He knew that if the intruders found out what had happened, they would not hesitate to hurt him. But as the days passed and he sat in jail, he began to see things differently.

“Kid, You are young and protected by Law. But remember, Siding with them won’t help you.” The officer said.

“Gotcha, But I have no idea what you are talking about.”

The cops were onto them and the organization knew. The incident caught the attention of the leader of the group.

“Tyler, the owner of our Base. Tell me all that you spewed to the cops.” Rick spoke.

“I said, I don’t know what they were talking about.”

Suddenly, He left his jaws breaking, and one after the other, the other men joined them.

“They know you, Tyler. Now, Farewell my boy.” Others started kicking him and punching him everywhere.

The other kids looked frightened as they saw him vomiting blood everywhere. After being continuously beaten and left for dead, left to suffer in a dark alley as a warning to the others.