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The sun was starting to set in the horizon, and most shopkeepers were prepared to start closing their shops and stands. Tommy wasn't the exception.
6PM had hit the clock and it was time for Tommy to close his humble little flower shop and flee to his apartment just a stairway away. He passed by his plants, checking them and making sure they're alright, and counted the money he made today. As always, he hadn't gained as much as he'd wanted.
And finally to finish his closing, he turned around the little sign at the door signaling it's closed and turned off the lights.
He was going to go up the ladder that goes straight up to his apartment but the noise of the bell ringing alerted him that someone had entered his shop.
- We're closed!- He shouted from the back door. Shortly after he heard no response he cautiously walked to the front, he found himself behind the counter, no one on sight. He turned on the lights and there was still no sign of the intruder who just made their way in.
Once again he tried and said - Hello? I told you, we're closed!- No response. The atmosphere was getting increasingly eerie, the probability of danger was rising up and up every second that passed and that fact alone wasn't doing any favors to Tommy.
Suddenly, a loud thud, a grunt and a set of quick footsteps echoed in the room. Tommy jumped and went straight to where that sound came from. He was so ready to kick the shit out of the person who even dared enter his shop.
Upon getting closer and closer, he spotted movement at the side of his eye and a shadow moving, hiding behind a table. He silently gasped, and his senses were waiting for any other move. The vines in his arms are growing and preparing to attack.
Tommy was ready, getting closer, like a predator looking for its prey. He couldn't wait anymore and jumped straight behind the table, raising up his vines filled with sharp thorns about to attack the intruder.
But all Tommy's offensives dropped when he heard a loud squeak from the person and realized that; this "intruder" was just a small child.
This kid must've had brains because the moment they realized Tommy's surprise they used this opportunity to go racing towards the front door. Though they didn't get far, vines wrapping around their wrists got a hold of them real quick, not letting them escape.
- Hey, hey, hey. Who told you you could escape that easily.- Tommy incriminated, walking towards the child who was struggling, trying to set themselves free without succeeding.
Tommy lowered himself a bit to get a better look at the child; their skin was light brown, messy and long black hair, a big old blue coat covering them, ripped baggy pants that reached just before their ankles and to finish they were wearing brown mud-covered boots.
The moment Tommy lowered himself the kid in question raised up their head for a second before quickly averting their gaze. Tommy's eyes widened when he saw the fear raging in their eyes. His heart skipped a beat, the kid's situation seemed a little bit too familiar for his liking.
His spacing out was broken by the child's desperate squeaks, struggling to get their wrists out of the vines. They were hurting. Tommy then realized, so he softened his vines' hold.
He fondly sighed, and crouched down to be at this kid's eye level. - Look, i promise i won't hurt you, - He next pointed to the few money bills bunched up in the smaller hands and continued - But, i need that money back.-
Silence filled the room, only the buzzing of the old lights above could be heard.
A few beats later Tommy's vines steadily started freeing the child's wrists. The kid wasn't trying to escape anymore, they were sitting still without any kind of response.
But then they slowly raised their small hand, meaning they were giving Tommy the stolen money back. Tommy smiled and gently took the money out of the fragile hands.
- Thank you.- He muttered and the child nodded, then they were hesitantly walking to get out the door but Tommy stopped them before they could even grab the knob.
- Wait!- He raised a hand, and now that he had the kid's attention he continued - ...I can't give you money, I'm sorry.- He reached out and grabbed the smaller by the shoulder.
- But, could I give you something else? I have some leftovers from earlier today and, - he dragged out the last word, the child was blankly staring up at him with a hint of confusion. - ...I could give you some. Seems like you need it, bud.- He nudged the child's shoulder and warmly smiled at them.
He then walked to the small cupboard next to the counter, the kid trailing just right behind him.
He grabbed a small porcelain plate with a single muffin and half eaten waffle, and put it on top of the old wood of the counter. He signaled the kid to sit down at the chair. They looked surprised but obeyed and climbed up the chair.
Tommy muttered a soft "Wait here" and sprinted to the old mini refrigerator that was on top of one of the tables and grabbed a bottle of orange juice sitting in the small fridge.
He put the bottle next to the plate and then rested his arms on the counter - Enjoy, it's all yours.- He smiled. The kid took a look at him, then the food in front of them and then back to Tommy. Shortly after, the child was munching on the blueberry muffin that was previously on the plate, clearly enjoying every second of it.
Tommy softly chuckled at the sight, he wishes someone could have been this kind to him back when he was living in the streets (which wasn't too long ago).
Later a burp was heard and an empty stomach was now a full stomach.
The kid pushed the plate signaling they were now done, and Tommy giggled - Guess you liked it huh?- He laughed and the child was turning red, they jumped off the chair and a light thump followed right after.
Tommy sighed - Alright bud, that's all I really... have.- He frowned, he wishes he could give them more but Tommy doesn't have much himself. The kid raised up their head to look at him, deep eyes piercing Tommy. He was in pain, pain and guilt that he can't really take care of the child, to give them more food or even somewhere to stay.
Cold, twig-like, little arms wrapping around him was the next thing Tommy could feel.
The child was tightly hugging him, as a silent 'thank you'.
Tommy could tear up and cry right then and there but he's too much of a big man, he can handle it.
But still, tears were gathering in his eyes, threatening to spill out.
Tommy weakly chuckled - You're welcome little guy, I'm glad I could help.- He then ruffled the child's hair and the kid clinged even more tightly.
After some time, the child stiffly separated, standing up still, waiting to walk out the shop. Then, they started to move their legs towards the exit. Tommy was seeing the kid walking out, until he got an idea. He did have another thing to give the child.
- Wait, stop! I need to give you something else!- The small kid with a questioning hum turned around, next, Tommy was approaching them.
Tommy stopped in front of the kid, towering over them, the dim light coming from the streets showering the smaller in a shadow.
He then gestured something with his hand, and the kid felt something growing out of their hair. Confused, they touched it with their small and damaged, cold hands, and they realized it was a flower.
Tommy gave them his last smile - Here, something to remember me. You can stop by whenever you want, i hope i see you soon.-
And the kid gave him their last hug. After they both hesitantly separated, they walked out the shop, disappearing into the darkness.
Tommy the next day found the child sleeping next to the apartment building he was living in and urged the kid to go inside. Tommy shared his breakfast with the little guest that morning.