The sun was shining bright that afternoon in Nova Mesto. The market area located in the eastern part of the city is very crowded with people who want to shop. The merchants were busy offering their wares to the visitors. A fat man in luxurious clothes seemed busy bidding when suddenly a boy bumped into him.
"Be careful when you walk filthy brat.", Angry the fat man.
"Sorry…", said the boy as he hastily got up and walked.
The fat man was fumbling in his money bag about to pay when he realized he had been stolen.
"Thief! Catch the kid. He stole my money", He shouted, pointing.
Coincidentally a Vanguard was right beside the boy, "Hey you stop!"
The boy wasted no time running. He nimbly broke through the crowd of people. The Vanguard tried to catch up to the thief. But the effort was in vain. It didn't take long for the thief to vanish from sight. The vanguard seemed to be gasping for air before turning away in annoyance. The market area in Nova Mesto is indeed prone to pickpockets, especially at busy times like this. It is easy for pickpockets to steal and disappear in a crowd.
It looks like the rich fat man is scolding the Vanguard who failed to catch the thief. Unbeknownst to them someone smiled watching. He or rather she was the thief earlier. But what she didn't realize was that someone was observing what happened.
The thief walked away from the market until she arrived at a place that looked shabby. Since the city of Nova Mesto is growing, every year the number of homeless children known as Ragamuffin also increases and in the slums they live. The slums were known as the Ragamuffin Rags.
The thief approached a dirty girl who was busy washing clothes.
"Hey, birthday girl. I'm back.", She said while opening her hood.
"Isabel, where have you been? Biff and Chad have been looking for you all along to collect our deposit.", Roselle stopped washing and approached her friend with a worried face.
Every child living in Ragamuffin Rags is under the care of Biff and Chad. They are the ones who govern and control the Ragamuffin Rags. Every month Ragamuffin has to make a deposit in order to live there "safely". Some work hard to pay deposits, or pickpockets to pay.
Isabel played with the money bag in her hand, "I went pickpocketing to pay off our deposit. This seems more than enough. You can take the day off, Roselle. And we can save the rest for…"
But as Isabel didn't finish speaking. Someone hit her from the side. Isabel fell hard.
A man who was quite athletic in stature grabbed the dropped money bag, "Looks like this is mine. Someone forgot to give it."
Isabel grimaced as she looked at him with anger, "Biff...you know that's more than a deposit we have to give."
Chad just laughed as he walked away with Biff, "We don't care. You're late for it. Oh yes, Roselle. After you finish washing, you can meet us at the usual place. We have a present for your birthday tomorrow."
Roselle helped Isabel to get up, "Are you okay, Isabel?"
Isabel nodded while still grimacing, "At the usual place? You mean in Tally Hoes where they were drinking? What business do they have with you?"
"That's because tomorrow Roselle will turn seventeen.", Someone approached them both.
"Malcolm…", Roselle looked down gloomily.
Malcolm was one of the Ragamuffin who were close to Isabel and Roselle. Although his appearance may seem small and unconvincing, Malcolm has ingenuity to his advantage.
Malcolm folded his arms, "Those two always sell every child who is seventeen years old. Moreover, you are Roselle, you are beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. Haven't you ever wondered why Biff never hit you even though you were late paying?"
"Damn it! I won't let you be sold there.", Isabel clenched her fists.
Malcolm shook his head, "You too Isabel. Tomorrow you'll be seventeen too. You think they won't sell you? I'm sure Chad has plans with you too. Although…" Malcolm paused and looked Isabel up and down before continuing, "Even though you're unattractive…"
"That's not funny Malcolm!", Isabel stared.
"Hey, hey, don't be mad. I'm just stating facts. I too will be sold just like you, when the time comes. Although... I still have one year left. But I'm just borrowing time too…", Malcolm scratched his head.
Roselle cried, "I don't want to go there. You know what Tally Hoes is like."
"Roselle… I won't let you be sold there. When it's dark we'll run away from here.", Isabel hugged Roselle trying to calm her down.
"Flee where? Biff and Chad take control of the Ragamuffin Rags. As long as we're in Nova Mesto we won't be safe.", Malcolm looked at the two of them with another sigh, "Unless…"
"Unless what? Tell us whatever it is. We need anything to get away from them." Isabel looked up expectantly.
"Actually, we can run away from Nova Mesto. The problem is that we have nothing and we will likely die stranded outside. But… I get a rumor that there are people recruiting a Ragamuffin like us. They will take care of us and in return we will work for them.", Malcolm answered hesitantly.
"Isn't that great? What are we waiting for?", Isabel answered excitedly.
"The problem is we don't know what kind of work is meant. So far, the Ragamuffin that they have recruited has never been seen again. And also, not all Ragamuffin is acceptable. Sounds suspicious to me.", Malcolm looked with a serious look.
"We have no other choice…. If in Tally Hoes I already know what my fate will be…", answered Roselle while wiping her tears.
"Roselle…", Isabel looked at her with pity.
"Then we agree. I also don't want to wait a year and then Biff and Chad sell me. We're going to meet the coordinator.", Malcolm nods
"The Coordinator?", Isabel and Roselle looked at each other.
"Yep. He is the one who will determine whether we can be accepted or not. According to rumors he was at the market and was wearing a shawl to cover his face. I heard he has a tattoo too. We don't have much time. Let's go.", Malcolm replied as he looked up at the setting sun.
The three of them rushed to the market. The market seemed to be empty of visitors and some merchants began to clean up their booths.
"You guys check here. I'll check the area over there.", said Malcolm as he ran off.
Isabel and Roselle then watching the passersby until it was getting quieter.
"Wow, what are you guys busy with? I've been waiting for you, Roselle.", Suddenly Biff and Chad showed up.
"None of your business you guys.", Isabel came forward in front of Roselle to protect her.
"Of course it's my business Bitch!", Biff shouted, slapping Isabel hard.
The people around who saw the commotion immediately ran away while whispering, "Ragamuffin always cause trouble..."
Roselle held Isabel who was reeling from Biff's slap. Isabel held her cheek and looked at Biff and Chad with anger. But then, she realized not far from there; someone crossed out from the market. A person with a tattoo on his hand is clearly visible.
"You made us wait long, Roselle. Come with me!", Biff grabbed Roselle's arm.
Isabel immediately kicked Biff's penis with all her might. As a result Biff sat down in pain holding it.
"Run!", Isabel shouted as she took Roselle's hand.
"You won't be able to escape!", Chad shouted from a distance as he carried Biff.
They ran as hard as they could from the market; to where the Coordinator had gone.
"W-wait…Isabel. L--let me take a breath…", Roselle paused as she caught her breath.
"Looks like we got away from them…for now…", Isabel looked around, trying to find the Coordinator. Didn't find him but someone waved to them.
"You guys are here. I managed to find the Coordinator. He's waiting for us." from a distance Malcolm approached them.
"We have to go right away. Biff and Chad are after us.", Isabel answered panting.
"What?! Then we must hurry. Are you guys still strong enough to run?"
Isabel and Roselle nodded. They both ran after Malcolm to a corner hidden behind a wall. The Coordinator was seen standing near a caravan. Looks like he's about to leave Nova Mesto. His tall, burly body was covered in black clothes and his face was covered by a shawl. Both his arms are covered with tattoos.
"These are my friends who want to come too. What do we have to do in order to join or..we can go now??", Malcolm asked, pointing to Isabel and Roselle.
The Coordinator looked at the three of them in turn, "Depends. You were a pickpocket this afternoon. I've seen your action. You can come along.", The Coordinator motioned for Isabel to enter the caravan.
"For the two of you have to prove why I had to bring you.", He answered, folding his arms.
Malcolm bit his lip and had a serious look on his face, "You are a man who takes your job seriously and with discipline. You also work for an important person."
"What do you mean kid?", The Coordinator turned to look at Malcolm.
"You're out of the bar. I smell the liquor from you. But you're not drunk. You come to the bar looking for information and drinking with bar patrons is one of the ways you use it. Even though your arm is covered with tattoos, it looks clean and well-groomed. You're not like a thug but like a servant, maybe working for someone with an important status. That's why you keep your appearance. And lastly… the calluses on your palms which probably means you've worked in a mine or a ranch?"
For a moment the Coordinator and Malcolm stared at each other intently.
"Okay you're in.", Finally the Coordinator waved his finger for Malcolm to come in. Malcolm breathed a sigh of relief.
"Next you. Why should I take you?" The Coordinator looked at Roselle with intimidation.
Roselle answered hesitantly, "I… I can cook and wash clothes…?"
The Coordinator shook his head without saying anything. Roselle looked down.
"Look! Roselle is beautiful. She has blonde hair and blue eyes too. It's rare for a Ragamuffin like her." Isabel said pleadingly.
"Can not. Only the two of you passed.", The Coordinator answered firmly.
Isabel clenched her fists, "Shit!"
"Where are they?! Damn I'll beat up Isabel when I see her!!!", faintly heard the voice of someone they know screaming angrily from behind the wall.
The three of them peeked from behind the wall. Biff and Chad could be seen from a distance. The two of them weren't alone accompanied by a few thugs. It seems that Biff and Chad are calling for "help" to find Roselle and Isabel.
"Never mind… you guys go without me… before Biff and Chad catch you too…", Roselle said with tears in her eyes.
"No! I'm not leaving you! We will escape together. Biff, Chad, Vanguard or whatever won't be able to catch us.", Isabel held Roselle's hand trying to calm her down.
"You're right Isabel!", Malcolm looked Isabel
"We'll call them if you don't bring the three of us.", Malcom pointed to the gate where the Vanguards stood guard.
The Coordinator was silent for a moment as he looked annoyed at Malcolm but finally said, "All right. All of you go up and don't make any noise!"
The three of them hurriedly got into the caravan and quietly hid among the piles of goods inside. Their caravan passes Biff and Chad who grumble at not being able to find Isabel and Roselle. They could hear from inside the caravan the sound of the Vanguard letting the caravan pass mixed with the creaking sound of wood as the caravan passed through the gate..
The atmosphere slowly turned into silence, a sign that they were getting further and further away from Nova Mesto.
The three of them came out from behind the things they were hiding.
"Thank you both...", Roselle said quietly.
Isabel just nodded while holding Roselle's hand.
"Too many things happened today. I want to rest. Wake me when arrive." Malcolm replied, closing his eyes. Roselle also lay down to rest too.
Isabel watched from a distance Nova Mesto was fading away. She didn't know what awaited her. But she felt a sense of relief when she saw her two sleeping friends.
In the silence of the night Isabel was still trying to stay awake before finally falling asleep too.
-end-