Later that day, Colby went to the location that was pointed out in the address that the man from the day before had given him. As usual, he used the excuse of heading out to find some food.
"Be careful, Colby. Things are getting dangerous." Audu warned him again, this time sounding much more stern. "Security levels are going up and some others have been caught on the other side of town. We can't lose you."
"It's okay, old man. I'll be very careful." Colby gave the worried old man his trademark grin, melting the stern look right off his face.
"Alright. Come back safe." With a firm pat on Colby's back, Audu sent him off.
Colby walked through the streets at a relatively brisk pace. He had spent extra time and attention in making sure he wasn't dirty at all when he was washing up this morning. Funnily enough, it felt like he was getting ready for his first actual job, as little as he was. It was enough to make him laugh so much his sides hurt this morning.
After walking some distance, he finally turned down the alleyway where he and the man had agreed to meet the day before. There he was, leaning on the brick wall while puffing out smoke from the cigarette he was smoking. He turned to give Colby a look the moment he heard footsteps. With a slight tip of his head, he turned and walked down the alley with Colby on his trail.
Small puffs of smoke and the crunch of tiny stones under their shoes was what kept their ears busy throughout their short trek. Soon enough, the man stopped by a green metal door that was just before the end of the long alleyway. He knocked a smooth rhythm on the door and waited a few moments before a different, but similar rhythm was heard from the other side of the door.
CLANG!
A loud sound of metal echoed as the door was unlocked, making Colby jump up in fright. The man just looked at the boy before shooting him a shit-eating grin. A mocking light could be seen from his eyes as he looked down on Colby. Colby just grumbled a bit in response before turning away.
The man then took a hold of Colby's hand before leading him into the building. They entered an empty room. There was no sign of human inhabitation at all. The moment they passed, the door slammed shut before another loud clang was heard as the door locked.
'Creepy.' Was the only thing a child like Colby could think at this point. Perhaps he had made a mistake when he tried to rob this guys yesterday.
"Over here." The man gestured towards a grey door that was the same dull grey as the walls of the room. He led Colby over before slipping a key through the keyhole. The door clicked open and he pushed it open to reveal a surprising sight.
Click!
Colby stared with shock as about half a dozen gun barrels were aimed at his head. He instinctively took a step back and hid behind the man's back.
"Take it easy guys. You're scaring him." He laughed, waving his hand. The men pointing guns at them all calmed down when they recognized him.
"Oh, it's you." They all calmed down and lowered their guns. "Where have you been? The whole organization's been running around like headless chickens for the past twelve hours." One of them spoke up. The guy was built like a tank. He stood at least half a foot above the rest of the people there, including the man who had brought in Colby.
"Err, I was just bored. Also, I found this little guy!" He stepped aside, leaving Colby to feel the fiery hot stares of the gang members that were present. Colby flinched when the gaze of the huge man landed on him, almost instinctively hiding behind the man who brought him in again.
"Looks like a little kid to me." A lady who was leaning on the wall to the right with a shotgun slung over he shoulder grunted while eyeing Colby up and down, much like a predator looking at its prey.
"I think he looks like a child to the rest of us too, Layla." The bear-like man spoke up, eliciting nods and hums of agreement from the remaining people around them.
"Yes, he is a kid. But he's a kid who managed to pickpocket me." The man grinned widely as he spoke. His words made the gang members who were present to change the way they looked at Colby. From a juicy piece of meat to pure gold!
"Err, my bad, kid. Anyone who can rob this old man is someone I need to know." She smiled and extended a gloved hand towards Colby. The boy in question hesitantly looked between the outstretched hand and the man who brought him. Upon receiving an encouraging nod, he shook the hand, if somewhat hesitantly. Layla's smile warped into a toothed grin when she took note of his hesitance.
"Don't mind her, kid. What's your name? I go by Roman." The bear-like man squatted beside Colby. Colby flinched slightly, having absolutely no idea when Roman had moved to his side.
"Err... I'm Colby." Colby did his best not to stumble over his words. His cheeks had paled slightly under the abundant attention.
"Okay, that's enough! You guys are going to give him a heart attack." The leader of the gang spoke up and placed a a reassuring hand on Colby's shoulder. Colby calmed visibly in the few moments where their gazes were turned away from him. Although attention wasn't something new to him, they were all strangers who were looking at him as if he was a pot of walking gold.
A firm hand in the small of his back pushed him forward, and deeper into the dark corridor that was before them. At the end of the corridor, a thick metal door stood imposingly, as though warding off any intruder. The closer they stepped to it, the farther Colby felt from his former, simpler life. Would he ever be able to return to simplicity? Or would this be his new 'simple'?
He had no idea, but this was where he was now, and there was no second guessing.