Loud noise filled the air: loud talking, dogs barking, birds chirping and kids playing in the crowded streets.
It's the beautiful kingdom of Gora. It was filled with lively people, full of joy, amidst beautiful architecture and a dazzling bright sun. It all felt like a dream. Oh, I wished it was; I was among those people, but... I am not as fortunate.
I was a beggar, I've had to beg for hours and hours on end.
Every single day.
I Sat in a corner with my metal tin, under the shade, so the dazzling sun's heat wouldn't burn my skin.
Large crowds passed by, I heard laughing families, and the air was filled with love.
Oh, how I wish to love.
"A coin ANYONE!" I shouted; my voice sounded raspy and dry, and I was ready.
Desperately shaking the empty metal tin.
I used my pale, slim, frail hands. I kept begging. "A coin, please." My voice became even drier as I kept begging.
After time passed by no one acknowledged me, not even a glance.
I had been sitting, begging so I could earn a meager coin, yet no one had spared one.
I was tired.
I clenched my teeth, took a big gulp, and softened up my throat, holding my stomach as it rumbled, letting a cry of hunger so loud that it could be heard by the whole kingdom, yet no one dared to acknowledge my existence.
I became desperate; I was tired often relying on strangers to get by day by day,
I had to Think.
I have to get by this day.
As I thought to myself, I remembered there was a bakery not too far from here.
As I let out a deep sigh, I laid back on the cold brick wall. 'I guess there is no other choice.'
I made a decision, a decision I would regret. Nonetheless necessary for my survival.
As I stood up, my legs trembling, using the wall as support to conserve the little energy I had left, I slowly approached the local Bakery, analyzing the place, I was simply planning on "borrowing" a loaf of bread.
As I had told myself.
'I don't need to do this.' I had thought. But after considerably thinking about it, my stomach growled, thinking about what would be after. 'no... I have to'
As I entered the bakery, my jaw dropped, and the amazing aroma of flower and sweetness penetrated my nose everything seemed as if it was a gourmet meal, bread everywhere, and every type of bread at that.
It was full of people. Wherever my gaze went there were people.
Everyone seemed to somewhat acknowledge me,
eyes everywhere as I felt their eyes piercing my soul. I felt as if I was about to be devoured. I felt like I was the main attraction.
I had asked myself, why were they staring at me? Maybe it was because of my robe, no, no, maybe I stank? or is it because my face was full of dirt? Or maybe it's everything?
Is it because they think I am going to steal?... well I am. But it's bad to judge someone based on their appearance.
A young woman passed by me; you could hear the sass in her steps, 'wow, she has an attitude,' I murmured. It seemed like she heard me, as she let out a 'Tsk' intending to be heard.
I heard it, maybe I was right. But that's not the important thing right now.
I have been observing, waiting for the right time to strike, loaf in hand, acting like I was going to pay, awaiting the cluttered entrance to open up.
My heart pumping faster than ever, as I prepare to push my body past its limits, griping the loaf of bread as tightly as possible,
'Am I seriously about to do this?'
I had thought to myself,
as I had never stolen in my life.
I had already set the plan in motion. I had to pull through; if I didn't do this, I would inevitably meet a demise worse than a couple of days in jail; well, it wouldn't be too bad; there's free food, after all.
As I took a deep breath, in and out, I prepared myself.
'OK now is my chance.'
I thought while shaking off the nervousness. As I started moving,
I used the people as distractions. I went in between them all. But to no avail, the baker had seen me; he took a second to realize what had happened. But, he caught on.
He screamed to the top of his lungs, "he is leaving; catch him don't let him get away!"
As I heard, my face tightened, my muscles tensed up, I became desperate and looked behind me. I saw multiple people chasing after me. My breathing started to get heavy, my heart felt like someone was squeezing it,
I ran as fast as I could, almost tripping several times along the way.
I was tired, gasping for air; I had run for a long time without rest.
My legs trembled, and my chest burned as if a flame resided. I needed a break.
After a while, I looked back. There was no one.
I felt relieved; I sat down in a corner in the dark. As I rested, I started eating the bread I had stolen.
I ate as if I was dying of hunger.
It was delicious, and I savored every single bite; each bite tasted heavenly midway through the loaf of bread, I realized.
I realized what I had done, not about what I had stolen but who I had stolen it from; they worked hard, and I simply... took it.
I quickly thought about if I should go back or not.
After a while of contemplating in the dark, I decided to go back and say sorry. Even if I knew it wouldn't be enough to make up for what I had done.
As I stood up from my dark corner, I turned around, and I saw people with their jaws open in disbelief.
I, embarrassed, kept my head down; I covered my head with the torn hood, barely hanging on, still reminiscing about what I had done. With my head straight I went.
I had no time to react as I fell to the ground, a sting buzzing my forehead.
Suddenly I realized I had bumped into someone.
"Sorry, that was m-."
The mysterious person cut me off, as both of us rubbed our foreheads.
"Oh, that HURT! UHHH, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" Shouting in an irritated voice.
I looked up, confused, I opened my eyes.
"Sorry, I don't-" As I paused, looking up, I saw an Elegant young lady with gold-like curly hair going down to her waist and unique attire.
"You are going to RUIN my hai-" she paused As she looked up.
She saw a tallish young man covered in rags. Looking like he hadn't showered in days.
"I thought you were a monster for a second" she spoke with a surprised voice.
"I am truly sorry to startle you. I'm in a bit of a situation," I spoke in a soft voice.
As the strange young lady, heard the boy's words, her face becoming full of displeasure, she had thought the boy did it on purpose for spare change.
"Yeah, yeah, always the same with you POOR people," she spoke with a discontent tone.
"You are lucky you didn't ruin my hair," she had told me in an annoyed tone. "these things ONLY happen to me when I don't have my butler with me," she murmured.
"I-" she cut me off with a disgusted face.
"Here, take this coin and shoo," throwing a gold coin.
I eyed the coin, observing how it spun in the air, reflecting off of the sun.
Seeing as it hit the floor *clang*, a hard metallic sound hit the concrete floor.
'This is worth 10 silver coins or 100 bronze coins!' I murmured to myself Excitedly.
Before I could even stop imagining what I could've bought with that much money.
The blonde girl interrupted,
"I am on my way now. I don't EVER want to see you again," she shouted.
Before I even knew it, she had disappeared in the blink of an eye, but strangely enough, she had dropped a strange envelope, a bright white envelope with a design that seemed beautiful with golden crescents and a crown in the middle.
The envelope has an academic symbol, resembling that of the Academy of Gora.
It is the most prestigious academy in the nation where all different types of people come abroad to study and become and learn about magic.
As I looked at the back side of the envelope I saw a name.
Now... the name on the card was...
Erli Gora??
As in the king's daughter. I was surprised why such a noble person would be out here by herself... but I have to repay her. And somehow get her the envelope
But before that, the thought of paying back the baker I had stolen from came to mind; I had to get back to paying the bakery.
As I arrived, I was immediately recognized by the baker who had seen me previously, with a face of anger before he could shout once more. I dropped to my knees with my hands on the ground.
"I am very, truly sorry; take this as it's the only thing that I have," handing over the gold coin the girl had previously given me.
The baker's face changed from anger to surprise, and he asked me where I had gotten it from.
I told him the truth.
So he accepted, even if I was lying; who would deny such a generous offer?
As his grin widened, he let me go.
After debts were paid
I had to head home...
Home...
Is it my home? Home is where I should be safe, right?
Should I..?
Alright.
I decided.
I... il go back for tonight.