A Mafia??

A man stands posturing as a leader among others in the meeting. The others surround him a table with papers related to business laid before them. They converse on the various ways to make profits, with some leading to arguments. The man gently presses his hand on the table, silencing the others promptly.

The other members turn towards the door in concentration on what would come out. Daniel walks out of the door and sees them staring at him. Their heads begin to burn, leaving a skull on fire as they turn to the leader and bow.

The walls begin cracking up, seeping flames out of them. They break and crumble, leaving a bare land filled with magma and skulls. The leader walks towards Daniel and smirks.

" You weren't lying about this life being my story, Dear chosen one!"

"Huff huff. What, where am I?" Daniel asks in panic as he wakes from his dream.

"You have been constantly having dreams like this Daniel. It seems it's getting that bad already, and your wound also needs to be treated." Julia sighs as she places the wet towel on the head of Daniel.

John approaches them and helps in lifting Daniel. They head towards the direction of the city in hopes of finding a hospital. Daniel walks in pain as he places his hand over the wound. His hopes of survival keep beeping throughout his thoughts.

"A few miles more to the hospital. We would get you treated as fast as possible " John exclaims.

The trio tries their best to descend the forest and stand on the side of the road for a car to pass by. They see a truck and wave to get a free drop at the hospital.

Surprisingly, their hopes come true as a good samaritan helps out by bringing the kids to a nearby hospital. He proceeds to get them in the intensive care unit for which Daniel is treated.

The man helps pay the bills and leaves a sum of money for the children to survive on. Previously they only survived through the remaining supplies of the orphanage and picking up minor jobs.

John and Julia thank the old man before he sets off and waits up for Daniel to recover from his injury. However, nurses suggest the children are too young to live on their own and decide to direct them to the nearest orphanage.

Julia is reluctant about joining a new orphanage due to their previous encounter but promises the nurse on an answer deciding on what Daniel says.

They remain in the hospital for 2 days as Daniel gets treated, and proceed to the patient desk to meet the nurse with Daniel.

Daniel rejects it upon hearing right away and asks the two to follow him out. He tells them they should never place their hopes in joining a family if they want to survive, but continue in search for a space they can call home.

The two kids nod in agreement and follow the steps of Daniel, who ventures in and out of the streets but has no idea where he is.

John grabs Daniel by the hand and asks for a chance to take a breather. His sweat rains down his shirt from the scorching heat the sun is emitting. Daniel, burdened with responsibilities, takes on the idea of searching for a space where they can build their tent.

He walks through the streets and keeps hints on the locations to prevent getting lost. The sun sets without him finding any particular area where they could stay for a couple of days. Daniel proceeds back to where the kids are resting and sits on the ground with them.

" I can't find any place as such John. It's quite difficult to survive in the city, but I know we can pull through since we have done this for the last 5 years." Daniel says as he brushes Julia's hair.

"I hope so, Daniel. I'm hungry too. We can't squander all the money the old man gave us without any plans for tomorrow. It's just a 13-year-old and two 12-year-olds trying to survive. " Julia sighs.

John picks up some money and searches for a ramen store. He buys a bowl of ramen and brings it over for the three to eat up. The three kids sit in the alleyway through the night and coddle up to provide warmth.

Vroom!!!

" Why aren't you kids at home?" A man in a Rolls Royce asks.

Daniel rises from the ground and moves towards the car as he warms himself with his palms.

"Sir, we do not have homes to move into." Daniel politely answers.

"You have no parents?" The man asks from the slid car window.

"None sir, we are orphans. Although we have been living for days on our own. However, it'd be nice if you would please help us out with some money for food." Daniel asks politely with his head bowed.

The man asks them to proceed into the car, however Daniel becomes reluctant to do so. He moves back and shakes his head in dissatisfaction with what the man asks.

"Hmm, you neither want to come with me. I guess that is understanding since you cannot just follow a stranger. I'd have known you were fools if you tried that" The man laughs in satisfaction.

Daniel moves towards the car and bows to show his respect before leaving but stops when he notices the man has something else to say.

"What do you say about a negotiation? I have no grandchildren nor children of my own. There lies a huge empire, I mean business I want to transfer to others. Although I think it'd be better in your hands."

"Sir, I do not understand where all this is leading to," Daniel says with a puzzled face.

"I want the three of you to work for me. I will train you as one of mine. Raise you like how I'd take care of my child and bring you up into the world as a man. Since you understand the basics of the world, I know this wouldn't be that difficult for you." The man smiles.

Daniel ponders about it for a while and confronts the other two for their opinions. John accepts with hopes of there being food available whenever he wants and the two give him a heavy beating. They all agree to it leaving Daniel as the final decider.

Daniel simply turns and walks towards the car in anticipation of a move from the man. His thoughts begin analyzing the pros and cons of the contract and freeze at a point of no return.

The future analysis of his thoughts betrays him, as he finds out there is no way to ensure the protection of himself and his friends after the struggle they had three days earlier.

*This doesn't seem that bad of an idea if I were to think strictly about it. He doesn't seem to be a bad person, even so, he reeks of blood a bit. Although I'd still choose a negotiation rather than just being indebted. Since both parties would be on the receiving end, this is quite satisfactory.*

"We accept your contract sir. I should correct that as fast as possible. We greet our grandfather. " Daniel bows in respect.

"It seems your manners are really on par with your wisdom. Many would kill to have such a brilliant mind as yours. That much is needed to be in charge of my business anyway." The man grins.

The guard steps out of the car and opens the door for the kids. The kids move into the car and take a heavy sigh from all the exhaustion they have endured. John and Julia sleep on the shoulder of Daniel as they release the tension in their mind.

The trio arrives at the mansion of the man, where guards are seen bowing towards him. The three kids line up before the old man, with a baffled face at the number of guards bowing in respect.

"Greet your new heads of the mafia empire. My three grandchildren!!".