Students can be seen in the classroom 3-A minding their own business. Some are doing their make up, while some boys are singing and playing guitar, some were sleeping and some have nothing to do but to pick a fight with the grade conscious students or the nerds.
On the farthest part of the classroom, at the back, beside the window, sitting a student who just observed what his classmates are doing. He don't have any fun to do but observing the chaotic classroom he's in.
There are some who notice him but didn't bother to interact and some are really clueless of his existence. For some who notice his presence, they would often freak out due to his clothing styles and attitude. He's always wearing a turtle neck even during summers and a black gloves. He also wear his spectacles. He had a somewhat different eyes from the rest. A yellow pupil and a green iris. Some classmates would try to give a smile but will immediately take it back upon being glared at with his piercing eyes.
Since then, no one would ever approach him and they treat him as non-existent individual which is beneficial for him. He don't want to be in the spotlight and just want to study peacefully. He don't really study that much, he just study enough to get a passing grade.
'But still, if it will make me have my purpose to live, I'll do it.'
After his class, he will immediately head out, not to go home but to be on his work. He have a small stall in the market as he sell different sea foods or products. That's where he get his daily expenses and the remaining money will be save for his tuition.
The market is usually closed up to 9 P. M, enabling him to have enough time to sell his fishes and other products. His classes also start at 9 A. M so there's nothing to fret much, besides if he had tones of projects, he can go 3 days without sleep.
"Tales!" A girl waved her hand and called his attention. He didn't gave any reaction but just go straight to where she is. Her name is Rea, living on the same apartment with the room next to his.
"Did you know, that there are really many customers in the morning? They really like how fresh the fish is. And of course, they also really like accommodating I am..." she starts to blabber about what's going on when Tales is still in school. He didn't ask her to manage his stall, he's fine with himself and the money he makes but this girl insisted on helping, of course not pure help. She has a share of $4 everyday. And she's the one who insisted that, that should be her share.
There's something sketchy about her, that's what Tales thought first but he can't deny the fact that she's a great help.
"Okay, thank you..." he stated and grab a $4 on his wallet, handed it to her. "You can now go. I'll take care of the rest." he coldly stated.
Her face distorted in some manner looking smug and disappointed. "Tch, you still haven't change Tales, but you make me fall for you harder. " she cheekily stated and wink. He look at her blankly.
'Right, she pesters me so much. '
He ignore her statement and start managing the stall.
" See you at home, amore. " she exclaimed and went home. His face almost grimace. He didn't mind her and tend to the approaching customer.
"How much is this?" the woman asked as she pointed the crabs.
"$7.60 per kilo." he answered briefly.
"Then can I get one?"
"Yes."
However, before he can even packed those crabs, an old woman stormed in front of him, looking at him with a mad expression. The woman shimmers with those gold jewelries and full blast make-up.
Tales on the other hand doesn't seem to be surprised.
" Are you Tales Rutherford? " She asked while raising her eyebrows.
" Yes, I am. "
" Huh. " she scoffed. " At last! " Then she put both of her hands on her waist. "Do you know how much of an effort I put just to find you!? Your mother owe me $6000. She said she would pay me back but it's been 6 months, I still haven't heard anything from her. Now, as his son, it's your responsibility to pay for her debts!! " She strongly stated.
Tales expression remained blank. Though the customer seems to be startled. " I no longer live with my mother. I don't know about her debts and I don't have any intention to pay for it." He clearly stated and started to weigh the crabs.
" Hey! " She shouted. " If you don't want to be in prison, pay her debts! It's your responsibility as her child! Huh! How can she have the nerve to ask for money when her son is just a vendor. " While looking at him upsidedown.
Tales sighed. He's used to it now since a lot of people came to him, asking him to pay for his mother's debt. And a lot of people also belittled him.
" As long as I didn't sign any paper that I will pay for her debts then I shall not. Now, would you mind to scram, my customer is feeling uncomfortable with your presence. "
" You!! " the old woman shouted in anger but instead of paying attention to her, Tales just handed the 1 kg of crabs to the customer.
" Thank you ma'am, come again. "
"Hey old woman, Tales is working. Don't bother him or you will..." A loud thud was heard after another vendor loudly chop the meat of the pig. Yes, at times like this, the other vendors will also help him cast away these kind of people. Probably because they felt pity towards him.
The woman had no choice but to leave. Tales look at her back and sighed. 'I... no longer have a mother. '
Just then, he continue to tend to his customers until 9 o'clock in the evening. After that, he went straight to his apartment which is like a 50 meters away from the market. However, the alleys are so dim because of poor street lights and there aren't much people passing by. Though he always walk alone, he can never get used to the dark. He's afraid of the dark, although he's been battling that fear.
*Tak*
*Tak*
*Tak*
The sound of shoes echoed as he walk. But it's not just his shoes. There's another one. He keep walking while his eyes slowly glance on his side, attempting to look at the man's shadow through the dim lights. He hold on tightly on the strap of his bag. As he continue to walk, he bump into something. He slowly return his eyes to the front and look upward, only to see a 6 foot tall man wearing a black tuxedo with a thug face and a bald head. Looks like a gangster. Another footsteps from behind him stop, a few centimeters away from where he is standing.
Despite the fact that he's being cornered, he showed no fear and look directly to the mans eye.
"What do you want?" He firmly asked.
"Tales Rutherford, come with us." His authoritative voice that makes you unable to refuse but not to Tales.
"I won't."
"Then we have no choice but to resort to violence." Another voice from behind.
As if that's the clue of what Tales has been waiting for, he immediately pull out the small knife from his pocket to protect himself, but before he could even react, a syringe with a drug was struck to the side of his neck that made him lose his strength, enough to let go of the knife. His senses also started to fade as he wobble and collapse on the road.
"Carry him."
"Why would I? You should carry him."
"Idiot! Just carry him. I don't care how you'll do it. Drag him or something. The boss is waiting for us. "
That is what Tales heard before he completely loses consciousness.
'The boss? '