Alslein was one of the poorer towns in the Parvus province. After the war, the Alliance divided up the Empire into many separate territories. Parvus was on the lowest rung of all the territories. It wasn’t a large producer of goods, nor did it have any substantial resources. The province of Parvus did provide a good amount of labor. Many people from Parvus were forced into labor camps or went to serve in other regions as cheap, and expendable products.

Alslein was allowed more liberty in the fact that it had usable farmland. The people could work the land but under the strict supervision of the Alliance. But they couldn’t do anything if the Alliance wanted to take them away or simply kill them. So they were still no better than slaves.

Aiden ran down the dusty roads as fast as he could. He hoped he would be able to make it to the stand before the line got too long. Aiden ran by the many village traders and offered a quick hello. Many people traded the little food they were allowed to keep for other essentials. In Alslein food is what made you wealthy.

Aiden rounded the corner and slammed right into the back of the line.

“Fuck kid! Watch where you're going! Before I shove my foot where the sun doesn't shine!” A burly man raged. He gave Aiden a swift kick knocking him into the dirt.

Aiden boiled in anger but could do nothing but swallow it. Nothing good would come from getting into a fight. He had cold sweats thinking about what his mom would do if he came back with no rations. Not to mention if he came back looking like a lumpy potato.

“Why is it everytime I find you, your ass is in the dirt or a brawl.” A young voice goaded from behind Aiden.

Aiden cursed and looked to see who would dare insult him. He turned to see his friend smiling like a pig in an orchard. “Oh Hiram, surprised to see you doing something useful this morning.”

“Oi! Sleeping is doing something useful! Unlike you, I take care of myself.” Hiram gave Aiden a playful smirk.

“Well, now we both get to enjoy being at the back of the line.” Aiden rolled his eyes. He gripped Hiram’s hand which in turn lifted him off the ground.

Hiram had been Aiden’s friend for as long as he could remember. Hiram was as lazy as could be most of the time. And his sharp tongue could make people cough up blood. But he was like a brother to Aiden. They had been through thick and thin together. Every brawl Aiden ended up in Hiram would come charging in like a mad bull. When Aiden was in the dirt, he could count on Hiram to pick him up.

“Haa… I hate being the one to get rations.” Hiram gave a deep yawn. “I can hear my bed calling me.”

“Quit whining you always sleep in while everyone else does the work.” Aiden scoffed. “How's the rest of the family?”

“Well, Mom and Pop are working the farm as usual. Mom recently had Liz do some bead making. She hopes to sell ‘em in town, bring in some extra food. And Mark is still cute as can be; he started crawling yesterday." He gave a sigh. “And I'm not in a warm bed but standing in line with a hopeless idiot.”

Aiden massaged his temples at the last remark. Ignoring the insult, he was too shocked at how someone could be so lazy.

A commotion at the front of the line interrupted the pair's banter. “Hey, let's go see what's happening.” Aiden grabbed Hiram and dragged him to where a circle was forming. Hiram did not have a good feeling about this.

“Go home you old hag! Food is only for those who can work!” A group of Alliance soldiers had pulled an old lady out of the line.

“B-But please my grandchildren need food!” she sobbed. She held onto the soldier's boot desperately begging.

“Not our problem you’re all easily replaced.”

“P-Please don’t do this, I beg of you. Please, just one ration that's all I ask!”

“Enough you piece of filth! You’re not even worthy to lick my boots!” The soldier violently bashed the butt of his rifle into the old woman's skull. She gave a shriek of pain and held her head. Blood poured through her fingers. The soldiers all laughed at her cries.

Aiden felt his face burn at the injustice. His feet began to carry him forward. He couldn’t sit idly by and watch as those monsters abuse a helpless old lady.

“Aiden! Don’t do it. They will kill you. Hey! Listen to me damn it!” Hiram tried to pull Aiden back. Aiden shrugged him off and continued forward.

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“Hey! You bastards leave her alone she just wants food!” Aiden yelled at the guards.

“Oh, what's this? A little boy who thinks he's a man?” The group's laughter increased ten fold at the soldier's remark.

Aiden burned in anger. “You think you're better than us! You're nothing more than a bunch of animals wearing a human's skin!”

“Watch your mouth brat before I shut it for good.”

“You're all a bunch of cowards. No man would attack an old lady who only wants food!”

“Brat I warned you once, now don’t blame me for being rough!”

The soldier made a grab for Aiden his face red with anger. Aiden quickly ducked under his arms and gave him a swift kick to the shin. The soldier grunted in pain and smashed his knee into Aiden's stomach. The soldier towered over Aiden and began to kick him repeatedly.

The soldier gave his last kick, breathing harshly after the beating. Aiden vomited onto the ground. He clutched his ribs tightly a small line of tears ran down his face.

The soldier bent down and grabbed Aiden by the hair. He lifted him close to his face. “You're lucky I didn’t kill you today brat. But what fun would that be? No, I’ll spare you only so you can die a dog's death. Befitting a little. Slave. Like. You.”

He spat the last part out venomously and threw Aiden back into the dirt. “The rest of you back in line! Before I give you all a similar punishment. You would all dare to bite the hands of your masters!”

The audience was already white with fear from the brutal display. The townspeople hurriedly went back in line. Like meek sheep who could only obey and follow. The soldiers stalked off. Their laughs and insults further humiliated the people.

Hiram hurried over to Aiden. His eyes were watery from watching his friend beaten. “Damn you… If you’d only listen.” He cursed.

“Shut up! You’re a coward! You can hardly get out of bed. Let alone stand up for what's right!” Aiden roared at Hiram.

Hiram flinched at the remark apparently hurt. His brow darkened. “You know Aiden. I think of you like my brother. But I won’t jump to join you in a senseless death. I have things I care about as well. ”

Hiram walked off with the rations for his family. Leaving Aiden alone in the dirt without a hand to pick him up. Aiden immediately felt regret at his words. He tried to call Hiram back, but the words caught in his throat.

“Damn it!” The tears poured further. He had no rations, hurt his friend and got his ass beat. Aiden cursed himself for not controlling himself. He just couldn't watch them do as they pleased. It just went against something fundamental in him.  

“You know son. That temper of yours is gonna cost you a lot if you don’t control it.” A deep masculine voice said. Aiden looked up to see Elias. Elias had been a friend of Aiden’s family for as long as he could remember. He was quite the bear of a man, limbs thick as tree trunks. His dark brown hair was unkempt and shaggy. His blue eyes were warm and soothing. He had the grandpa feeling to him.

“You’re going to have to apologize. Hiram cares about you kid. Don’t let him down. You don’t find friends like that often.”

“I know that Elias… It's just, why do we have to suffer? We never did anything wrong.” Aiden asked quietly.

“That’s just the way the world is. It's a cruel one. We suffer and die while serving those who are stronger than us.”

“It's just not fair Elias!”

“The world could care less if you think it's fair. The world is a cruel place. Those that complain about fairness are the ones who die first.”

“Then what am I supposed to do. I can’t do anything!”

“Listen Aiden; you’re already strong. You’re stronger than most of us. I don’t know a kid in miles that would do what you did today. But you're also rash and impulsive. What if you had died today. Can you imagine what that would’ve done to Laura.”

Aiden paled at Elias words. What would have happened if he died? His mom would’ve been heartbroken. He could imagine her crying alone in their cottage.

“Listen Aiden. The day will come when we will need your strength. But until then. Get some damn self-control boy. And stop getting a foot up your ass every day.” Elias and Aiden both burst into a fit of laughter. The bystanders felt a chill run up their spine. The two we’re mad!

“You’re right Elias.” Aiden wiped a tear from his eye. “But how am I supposed to go home today I don’t have any rations.”

Elias reached into his tunic and pulled out a paper bundle wrapped with string. “Here, while you were busy getting friendly with the soldier's boot.” He grinned mischievously. “I was able to sneak up to the stand and snag ya some food.”     

Aiden’s eye practically glowed in relief. “Thank you, Elias! You’re a lifesaver.”

“Haha, Clean yourself up and run home. Your mom is gonna be in a fury when she sees your face.”

Aiden felt his blood run cold. He could already imagine the lecture he was going to get. Aiden used the hem of his shirt to wipe the blood off his face. He held the rations tightly to his chest. Aiden walked home as fast as he could. Running hurt his bruised ribs.

Elias had a warm feeling run through him as he watched the boy’s back. ‘You’re too kind for this world kid. I wish we all had even half of your courage.’ Elias thought to himself. A voice next to him interrupted his thoughts.

“Boss word just came in from headquarters.” a man dressed in a cloak whispered.

“What did they say?”

“The earth is rumbling.”

Elias visibly paled. It was too soon they were supposed to have another two weeks. Damn those bastards! “Get word to the rest of the boys. Tell them to get ready for trouble!”

“Right away sir.” the cloaked man ran off and disappeared into one of the many dark alleys.

“Shit!” Elias cursed. They would be pushed back again. And still, they wouldn’t have found any answers.   

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