THE BARON'S PET

O

ired to pull my jacket tighter around myse

h, I crossed the mouth of an alley, groaning whe

nd two beefy thugs stepped out. I shoved

y needed many workers, and as su

ou want?",

essage for you",

e my mother is", I

r boss's gambling den before

s, no doubt wishing they c

our mother. He knows where sh

oot to foot, try

hear it

t his hand at me and

ime Dante's thugs employed

pened his palm to reveal a folded

t's

first one snapped im

hed out and took t

around and got bac

off, splashing a dirt

er

resumed my walk home-to my moth

ten inside made

rumbled the sheet of paper and

crime

n house my mother lived in, walking past junk in t

g bright outside, and my mother sa

ith two thick blankets. I knew that because I had

, I asked Amity glaring at my

ghed. "Bot

the den

ie she wore to keep her head w

g to pretend I didn't notice the clump

ve my sister and I w

y at her slowly, making h

I asked, throwing a glare at th

ked away

igh

gas bill,

tion, but it still annoyed

but did she have to spend the little I earned at the

ed under Amity's pillow caught my

asked her. We both knew

atest tests were sched

shake her head when I reached out

t my hand

d," she sai

d?" I w

." She looked down, tears gli

the possibility of the procedure with us bu

pped up and she stared at me as if s

anded. "What are you d

f rage. "Shut up

nder her breath and wen

out the window. A black car similar to the one tha

e", I whispe

struggled to sit up. I pu

g itself inwards as

's slimy voice cooed.

house and my mother

ed. "D-D

ord asked. Dante was in charge of anything

ays found themselves indebted t

..I

tongue, then gestu

r tiny coffee table, shattering it, and

ne!", Amity pr

know why

ck to my mother. "Rose darling. You'v

she begg

te in your payments,

this morning. Have you told yo

darted around the room and lan

ll him you

rememb

don't think she cares about what happens to you. After a

Ma asked, look

uch," Dante sa

your debts if your pretty daughter

and she tugged at my

id aloud, "I'm no

laug

e. "You never do anything to help me.

sure you'll pile up more debt in t

owe you?" Amity a

urned. "You see, it'

Leave her alone, Dante. Sh

e envelope in my hand, the

e debt and pay for your sister's round

ew where this

do you get

his teeth in a

But first you'll strip at the

do it!" Ami

ke much compared to a bone marrow transplant, but it wo

d Ma...she was still my mother.

I forced my eyes open, ignoring Am

the club tonight

ime, do you?", he said