Chapter 14. Strangers

Arriving home, Yuki immediately rushed to clean himself in the bathroom and put the box containing the cake on the small table. After finishing preparing, Yuki breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that there might still be quite a bit of time left for him.

"Looks like we still have about 40 minutes to go. Is it ok, if Yuki eats this cake first? For Yuki's stomach is already rumbling at this time. Actually, Yuki had his breakfast at the hospital this morning," Yuki muttered while staring intently at the peach colored box. Really, Yuki was really tempted right now.

"Ah wait, but today's weather isn't good, that's why Yuki has doubts about what time it is. Is it true that it's still 40 minutes away? Yuki is afraid of being late."

"Ah, but rather than being late, Yuki's better off leaving now," Yuki muttered, then immediately got up from his seat and rushed out of the house leaving the cake box still on the table.

***

After arriving, it was true that Yuki's estimation was wrong. In fact, now he was 5 minutes late to get there. Really, Yuki really wished he could buy a wall clock so he could know the time for sure.

"Oh Yuki, what's the matter with you... yesterday you were absent without giving permission, and now come for few minutes late," said the person who in charge for attendance.

"Forgive Yuki, brother Rendy, Yuki doesn't have a clock at home. Because of that, Yuki often didn't know the time. Moreover, the weather often changes which makes Yuki sometimes confused to guess," Yuki replied with her head bowed.

"Huh... well it's okay. When you get home later, you have to buy a watch so you know the time. I will understand this and will not report it to my superiors," said Rendy, which made Yuki look up instantly.

"Brother didn't you angry to Yuki?" Yuki asked with teary eyes.

"Of course not. I understand, because you are the smallest of all workers. But still, I won't tolerate it again if you repeat it," replied Rendy while warning Yuki not to repeat the mistake again.

"Okay brother, Yuki will try not to do it again," Yuki replied with great confidence.

"Well, then you'd better get on with your work now. Remember, do your best and don't make the slightest mistake."

"Okay brother," Yuki replied while nodding his head in understanding.

After that, Rendy went to the back to take care of other absences. Yuki, now he starts his activities as usual at work.

***

After working hours, Yuki immediately rushed back to his house. But while on a trip, Yuki suddenly remembered his sketchbook which still couldn't be found.

"Um… Yuki's better looking for it now huh? It was night, there were not many people passing by. Because of that, Yuki will find it easier right?" Yuki asked herself.

Arriving there, as planned, Yuki rushed to find his lost sketchbook. Yuki, keep looking all over the place. He actually followed from the direction he walked up to the accident area at that time.

"Still can't find it… where did Yuki's sketchbook fall? There's not even a trash can, could someone pick it up? However, is there any benefit from that? Yuki's sketchbook was almost full. It is also very worn and wrinkled," Yuki muttered as he continued walking which was now heading towards home. Yes, that little boy decided to go home because he didn't want to wake up late at the next day. Ah, Yuki forgot again. It had already twice, he did not give permission or news to the kindergarten where he taught painting.

Really, Yuki was really cursing himself at this point. "Ah, Yuki is really stupid. How could Yuki not give any more news for today. Besides that, Yuki also forgot to buy a wall clock. What if Yuki comes back late tomorrow? Will Yuki have no more hope of earning money?" Yuki asked with his head down.

"Oh my, Yuki forgot about it too. Yuki hadn't given permission or news to the café either. Ah, Yuki must really be finished right? I feel like giving up, but Yuki must realize that Yuki still has to fight for Okaasan and Otousan."

"Hey sweetie, lift your head up," someone said, which suddenly surprised Yuki and immediately stopped his steps.

"W-why?" Yuki asked the person in reply without intending to raise his head.

" Does it need a reason?" asked the person back to Yuki with a light chuckle that somehow made Yuki's body start to tremble in fear.

"Sorry, but please let Yuki pass. Yuki wants to go home," Yuki replied pitifully.

"Go home? Ah, can I deliver, where is your house? Show me the way."

"N-no, Yuki can go home alone anyway. Excuse me," Yuki replied spontaneously who then rushed through the person.

"Hey honey… where are you going to run to? You think you can just go home and sleep well? Of course not. First, we have to play together. Come on follow me." That person, was now pulling Yuki's wrist very roughly towards a very dark dead-end alley.

"W-what do you want?!" asked Yuki frantically. Really, Yuki was also afraid of the dark. He was a little traumatized by quiet and dark places like this. The reason is, when his family was about to be killed by the assassins, they told Yuki to hide in one of the big trash cans there. And Yuki, can also see firsthand how his father and mother were violently pulled by the killers back home.

"Sshh… calm down honey, don't make any loud noises. People will think you're weird later," replied the man with a thin smirk that appeared at the corner of his lips.

"B-but why? Where do you want to Yuki?!" Yuki asked warily as he tried to release the man's grip on his tiny wrist.

"Be quiet. You'll find out later." Yuki was getting goosebumps. He wanted to scream for help. However, Yuki still loves his own life very much. He could clearly see that there was a knife in the man's hand. Although small, Yuki really knew that it would certainly be able to hurt him.

"Please… let go of Yuki. Why did you bring Yuki to—"

"Come in dear," said the person as he opened the door of a room for Yuki. And like it or not, in the end Yuki forced the man into the room which for some reason made Yuki very suspicious.

"What place is this?" Yuki asked with his heart racing.

"Wow, so pretty."

"Where did you get this sweet man Hen?"

"I found him in front of the alley."

"Ah, we're going to have a delicious meal for tonight."

"Yeah, it's been a long time since my body has made any hot movements," said one of the other boys, looking at Yuki eagerly.