e louder. he sat back on the old couch, the weight of the leather pouch pressing against his chest like a heavy sto

eyes and memo

ny night - sudden, brutal, leaving him and little Leo alone in the w

he street was rough-trash scattered everywhere, broken glass shining like tiny stars on t

e stopped to smile or say hello. This wasn't a

His hands itched for something to do, some way to make money to

ays, eyes always watching. Every step was a risk

oking and talking low. Matteo kept his hea

ast night, how scared he'd been. T

ng," Matteo whis

pushed forward, ready to face wh

-

d a quick job or even just some small work. Maybe a

de smoking. Matteo cleared his throat. "Hey, sir... y

out kindness. "Kid, you're wasting your bre

, but he forced himself to keep calm. "Plea

cigarette away. "Look around. Th

ing the weight of the man's

ce. Each step felt heavier. The city was full of doors clos

itting down, Matteo rested his head in his hand

quietly. "Not t

at the sky, gr

ving up. I'l

-

leather pouch in his coat pocket as he slipped dow

ust as he was about to turn a corner

That'

oze, heart

n jogging toward him, th

stomach dropped. The wallet was missing

t that?" the tal

raced. "Look, I

You're in our neighborhood now,

"I'm just trying to survive, man. I've g

exchanged

against us," said the taller one slowly

jumped. "Really?

snorted. "We'll

rash echoed nearby - a tipped-over tr

pped toward the nois

slipped past them and vani

d after him. Then he laughed, low and bitt

-

low and uneven. The hospital bills piled up faster than the money could come in, and

a provider - though some days he barely felt like a kid himself

when he

met during a scuffle over a stolen bike - Matteo had tried to take it, and Jax caught him. But

two street kids trying

aded into a single goal: keep Leo alive. K

tteo knew he was risking everything. The chance to

om where Leo slept, chest rising

o," Matteo whispere

-

weight heavier than before. Tomorrow night fel

t face pale and tight from the asthma medicine. Matteo crawled besi

whispered. "We'll get t

d change at any moment. The hospital visits, the machines, t

ed. He had to do this-fo

rn jacket, checking the pouch i

Matteo's mind was racing. Tomorro

tight. Somewhere out there, danger waited. But so

and whispered, "We'l

e room was small and messy - the walls had cracks and old paint peeling o

mall hand held the edge of the blanket. Matteo

tle man?" Matte

but didn't

- their medicine machine. It made a soft hissing so

atteo said, helping Leo

ax a bit. The tight feelin

said quietly, "but I'll keep f

d Leo sit up and gave him some wa

aking up - cars honking, people s

rtment in a bad part of town - broken sidewalks, flickering street lamps, and

things would get better. But every day was hard -

he nights he sneaked out to find ways to make money. It was dangerous. Not just

rd and looked inside. All he found were three packs of noodles he had saved

and started getting them ready. It wasn't mu

in and brushed a lock o

tonight," Matteo said quie

little. For a momen

ou going?," L

and gently ruff

be back

Ok

-

d quietly while Leo ate slowly, his movements tired but steady.

er what-it was time to find a way out o

he small bowl carefully. The kitchen was qui