I picked up the red thing and held it in my hand. It sparkled under the faint light, catching my eye like a tiny star. But it was a little dirty, covered in dust and grime.
I looked around and spotted a small puddle in the alley, a bit of water left from last night's rain. Perfect!
I crouched down and dipped the shiny thing into the water, rubbing it gently between my fingers. The dirt slowly washed away, and the red glow became even brighter. It looked... beautiful.
After cleaning it on my clothes, I held it up toward the sun.
Wow.
It sparkled like nothing I had ever seen before, glowing with a deep, fiery red. It was like holding a tiny piece of the sunset in my hand.
I looked around. The alley was empty. No one was there.
Maybe someone lost it?
I started walking, glancing around for someone to ask. If it belonged to someone, they would probably be happy to have it back. And if not… maybe I could keep it?
But there was no one to be found. The alley was silent, the world around me still.
Somehow, it felt like this thing had come to me, like it was meant to be in my hands.
I knew it wasn't a diamond, not like the one from the movie. It was probably just a replica, maybe even plastic. But… it didn't feel like plastic. It was heavier, like a real rock. Solid and cool against my skin.
I held it tighter, wondering what it really was.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small piece of cloth. It was old and worn, but it was special to me, it was a piece of Kelvin's clothes. The only thing I had left of him. I kept it as a reminder, something to hold onto when I felt alone.
Carefully, I placed the red stone inside the cloth and tied it securely. It felt safe that way, wrapped in something that mattered to me.
Then, I tucked it inside my clothes, tying it tightly against my chest. Now, it was mine to keep.
"Who knows? If it really is a diamond, and no one comes looking for it… maybe one day, it'll be worth something."
I smiled at the thought. A treasure, hidden away just for me.
But even if it wasn't worth anything, it still felt special. Something about it made me want to keep it close.
"Or maybe… I'll give it to a princess if I ever see one."
The thought made me chuckle. But then, reality sank in.
"Not that I could ever ask a princess to marry someone like me. Besides, there are no princesses anymore. This isn't the world of kings and queens. That was just an old movie."
I sighed and held the cloth-wrapped stone a little tighter. Fairytales were nice, but life wasn't one.
I started walking back toward my home, the alleyway. The sun was climbing higher, casting long shadows on the streets. The world was waking up, but for me, it was just another day.
As I walked, I noticed a group of kids gathered near a broken fence. At first, I thought they were playing, laughing and moving around. But then I saw it, a boy on the ground, curled up, shielding his face as they shoved and hit him.
They were bullying him.
I had no intention of getting involved. This kind of thing happens all the time. If I stepped in, I'd just end up getting beaten too.
So, I lowered my gaze and kept walking.
But before I could slip away, one of the kids noticed me. His eyes lit up like he had just spotted something more entertaining. He whispered something to the others, and suddenly, their attention shifted.
I felt it before it even happened.
They turned toward me, grins spreading across their faces.
And just like that, I became their new target.
I stood there, frozen for a moment, as the group of boys closed in on me. Their eyes were filled with mischief, like cats that had found a new mouse to play with.
Eric, the tallest of them, stepped forward with a smirk. "Well, well… look who we have here. The little street rat."
Philip chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "What are you doing here, huh? Looking for food in the trash again?"
George, the youngest but meanest, snorted. "Maybe he was spying on us. Were you watching us, rat?"
I raised my hands slightly, trying to show I wasn't a threat. "No, I-I wasn't watching. I was just passing by."
Eric tilted his head, pretending to think. "Passing by? That sounds like an excuse. What do you think, boys?"
Philip grinned. "I think he's lying. Maybe he wants to tattle on us."
George sneered and shoved me, making me stumble back. "You wouldn't do that, would you, rat?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, I swear! I didn't see anything! If I did something wrong, please forgive me."
But they didn't care.
Eric laughed and grabbed my shirt, pulling me closer. "Forgive you? Oh, you poor thing. Did you hear that, guys? He wants us to forgive him!"
Philip snickered. "Too bad. We don't do that."
And before I could say another word, the first punch landed. Then another.
I curled up, just like the boy they had been bullying before me.
The other boy, the one who had been their first target, saw his chance. He scrambled to his feet, his legs unsteady, but fear pushed him forward. Without looking back, he took off running.
But then, just for a second, he glanced over his shoulder. Our eyes met.
His face was filled with guilt… or maybe pity. He knew what was about to happen to me.
I didn't want him to feel bad. So, I smiled at him. A small, weak smile, as if to say, *It's okay. You got away.*
Eric saw it.
Philip saw it.
George saw it.
And they didn't like it.
"You think this is funny, rat?" Eric growled.
Before I could answer, a sharp pain exploded in my face.
Philip's foot.
The world spun as I hit the ground, my head slamming against the dirt. Stars danced in my vision, but I still smiled.
Even if it hurt, at least that boy got away.
Just as another blow was about to land, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
"That's enough."
The boys froze.
I lifted my head, blinking through the pain, and saw him—a tall, broad-shouldered man standing a few steps away. His presence alone was enough to send fear through the bullies.
Eric swallowed hard. "We were just—"
"Run," the man said, his voice cold and firm.
And they did. Without another word, the boys scattered like rats, disappearing down the alley.
The man stepped closer and crouched down beside me. "Can you stand?"
I hesitated, then nodded. He reached out, his strong hands lifting me with ease. His grip was firm, but not rough.
"Come with me," he said. "Let's get you cleaned up."
I should have been scared. Strangers weren't always kind. But after the beating I just took, his voice felt… safe.
He guided me down the street, away from the alley. I limped beside him, feeling his steady presence next to me.
A small house stood at the end of the road. He pushed open the door and led me inside.
"Sit," he instructed, pointing to an old wooden chair. I obeyed without question.
He grabbed a cloth and a bottle of something from a shelf. As he knelt down to clean my wounds, I finally found my voice.
"Thank you, sir," I said softly. "You're… a good man."
He chuckled. A low, amused sound.
I didn't know it then.
But I was in bigger trouble than ever before.
Because the man who just saved me…
Was a psychopath.