A shiver ran through Neuta's body."No… don't do it…"
He kept repeating the same words for five whole minutes in his sleep.Then—suddenly—his eyes burst open.
*Inhale—exhale… inhale—exhale…*His breath came out loud and ragged.He looked around in panic like prey waiting for its predator to strike.
But after a few seconds, his trembling eased."It was just a dream… like always," he whispered, fear still lingering in his voice.
He looked up at the hole in the ceiling.A faint orange-yellow light was slipping through.Neuta pushed himself up from the worn mat, headed to the door, and stepped outside.
On his way to the market, he noticed the same strangers he had seen last night, lurking in one of the dark corners of the street.
Curiosity crept into his mind.(What are they doing here? Who are they?)
But he quickly dismissed the thought.I shouldn't stick my nose where it doesn't belong.
He continued walking toward Rodnel's fruit and vegetable shop.
When Neuta arrived for work, the first thing he heard was:"Take these bags and put them on the shelves."
It was Rodnel—of course.
Anger simmered in Neuta's chest after what happened yesterday, but what could he do?He desperately needed this job.So he stayed silent and started working without a single word.
While Neuta was arranging the shelves, Eldar came up to him eagerly. "Hello, Neuta!" he said when he saw Neuta."Hi, Neuta!"
Neuta looked up, smiled a little, and replied, "Hey."
"How's work going?" Eldar asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Honestly? It's bad," Neuta said, bitterness in his tone.
"Why?" Eldar asked, surprised.
"I'll tell you after I finish," Neuta replied, still frustrated with what Rodnel had done.
"What do you mean? Did something happen?" Eldar asked, worried.
"I said I'll tell you. Isn't that clear enough, Eldar?" Neuta answered.
Eldar sighed. "Fine… but you will tell me, right?"
"Of course I will," Neuta said. "Just let me finish this first."
"Alright," Eldar said, waiting beside the shop.
Neuta hurried through his tasks, wanting to keep his promise.
When he finished, he knocked on Rodnel's office door.Knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's me… Neuta."
"Come in, you cripple," Rodnel said mockingly.
Neuta stepped inside."Aren't you done stocking the items yet?" Rodnel asked.
Looking down, eyes shifting to the right, Neuta said,"I finished. I just… want my wages, please."
Rodnel let out a mocking laugh."Heh… here you go, monster."He tossed the coins at Neuta with a sneer.
Neuta turned to leave, but Rodnel's son, Lucier, stepped in front of him.
"Where do you think you're going, nobody? Are you done with the shelves?" Lucier said spitefully.
Neuta glared at him."Yes, I finished my work. And what about you? Are you done selling?"
"What's it to you? This is my father's shop! I can open it or close it whenever I want. Got it?" Lucier snapped.
Neuta didn't want to waste time arguing—Eldar was waiting."You're right… it's none of my business," he replied and walked away.
As he left, Lucier shouted behind him,"Yeah, run along, you nobody!"
A tear welled in Neuta's left eye.He wiped it quickly with his right thumb and walked toward Eldar.
Outside, he found Eldar sitting curled up beside the shop, hugging his knees to his chest with his head resting on them.
Neuta gently tapped his shoulder.
Eldar jerked awake in fear."What—what is it?"He lifted his head."Oh, finally! You took forever."
Neuta crouched down in front of him."Alright… what do you want to know?"
"Why were you upset about work?" Eldar asked.
Neuta sighed."Rodnel the cheapskate cut my daily wage. It used to be twenty coppers… now it's only ten."
Eldar's eyes widened."No way! Isn't the minimum wage thirty coppers? How could he do that? Why didn't you say anything?"
Neuta lowered his eyes, embarrassed."I… couldn't. I didn't have the strength to do anything."
"What do you mean you couldn't?" Eldar snapped angrily.
Neuta raised his voice, pain spilling out."I mean I was trapped! He said I'm weak… that I'm crippled… that I can't use my left hand. Don't you get it? I'm… not strong."
Tears streamed down his face, and he wiped them with his hand.
When Eldar saw him crying, he pulled Neuta into a hug."I'm sorry… I didn't mean to upset you."
Neuta shook his head."No… you didn't. Actually, your words helped. Thank you."
Eldar smiled warmly."So… does that make us friends now?"
Neuta blinked in surprise."Did you ask me all of that… just so we could be friends?"
"Yes," Eldar said honestly. "But I was also moved by what you told me. And now you've answered my question."
Neuta smiled."Alright… we're friends."
Eldar lifted his right pinky."Promise we'll be friends forever?"
Neuta chuckled softly and raised his pinky too."I promise."