The burning sun hung high up in the sky, providing heat and warmth to the earth below.
The streets of Santa Ricardo were filled with the hustling and bustling of everyday life.
Santa Ricardo is one of the many favelas located in the city of Rio within Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
The atmosphere within the favela was filled with an air of struggle, and the tension in the air was as intense as the scorching sun in the sky.
"Hey wait up big bro, wait for me" admist this atmosphere, two little kids ran after each other along the streets.
This scene couldn't be considered to be anything special as they were naturally other kids all over the favela doing different things.
"Hurry up Miguel, it's almost lunch time, we don't want to keep mom and dad waiting for long" the kid in front who looked slightly older responded yet he still stopped and waited.
He was a lean boy of about twelve years old, with short black hair in a mullet and wheat-colored skin.
He could be considered a handsome little boy, but he was currently covered in dirt and his clothes were almost rags, however his face carried a rare calm expression that made him look much more matured than his age.
Shortly after, the other kid finally caught up with a slightly high breathing.
He looked around the age of ten, black hairs that possess a kind of luster, also styled in a mullet hairstyle and height slightly shorter than the older kid.
But apart from his height and hair, his overall appearance was 90% similar to the other kid.
"Really, we've only ran just a little and you're already about to die, you're such a girl" the older kid said while rolling his eyes as he stared at the little boy he called Miguel.
"It's not my fault Julio, I'm already feeling hungry" Miguel shrugged as both the kids started walking.
"I was wondering why mom told us to only return at lunchtime" Miguel asked in a puzzled tone as they wriggled their way through the crowd on the street.
Miguel's curiosity was piqued.
Why had their parents suddenly given them permission to go out and play, with instructions to return only for lunch?
Normally they'd be more strict.
As he heard this question from behind him, Julio's lips curled up slightly before he replied "you will know once we get home"
"Juliooo! What are you not telling me" Miguel immediately asked in an interrogative tone while slightly narrowing his eyes.
He could immediately guess from this reply that his older brother knew what was going on.
"I don't know what you're talking about, after all mom and dad sent both of us out right?" Julio turned around, walking backwards and raised both his hands while answering.
However the slight smile on his face never went away.
"I don't believe you, you definitely know something don't you?" Miguel's lack of belief was deeply displayed in his tone.
Julio shrugged his shoulder before turning around and moving forward once more "it doesn't matter, we'll find out at home anyways so why rush. Besides...."
Crunch!
He was still talking when he heard a crunching sound close behind him, causing him to halt halfway and turn around.
Behind him, Miguel was already munching on an apple. Raising his head, he found a box of apples placed before a street stall a few steps behind them.
"Really Miguel?" Julio immediately frowned while his gaze descended on Miguel.
"I was hungry." Miguel replied in a casual but slightly uneasy manner.
Even though he seem casual, the uneasy expression on his face gave away his tension.
"I already told you didn't I? We don't take from the poor and we don't implicate the innocent, that's the creed isn't it? Julio immediately scolded.
"I'm sorry brother, I was just really hungry" Miguel lowered his head.
Seeing that his brother was sorry, Julio nodded and then saw a man ruggedly dressed with corncrow braids and covered in tattoos walking towards them.
There was a tattoo of two axes in an X shape on his right forearm amongst others.
Slightly adjusting his position and moving sideways at the right moment, Julio bumped into the man.
"Hey watch it kid, are you blind?" the man yelled angrily.
"Sorry sir, I'm so sorry" Julio immediately apologized while quickly grabbing Miguel by the hand and disappeared into the street crowd.
"F**king little punks" the man cursed angrily and continued walking.
A little while after he left, Julio and Miguel returned, looked around before heading back towards the stall.
"That guy is a member of the Axe brothers gang so he's definitely not an innocent person. For people like that..." Julio said, at the same time pulling a ten reais bill from his pocket "we take."
As they spoke they already arrived before the store with the apples.
Sitting inside the stall was a middle aged woman wearing glasses and reading a book.
"Ola mama Pedro" Julio and Miguel greeted as soon as they saw the woman.
"Ola Julio, Miguel, how are you little critters doing today" the woman responded in a friendly tone.
"We're fine thank you, we're gonna take two apples please" Julio replied with a smile while at the same time handing her the ten reais bill he took.
"Oh they're right there" she smiled while scrutinizing the money to see if it's a fake.
It couldn't be helped, because of the environment, kids learn bad things early on in the favela.
Taking advantage of the moment she was checking the money, Miguel who already held an apple in hand dipped his hand into the box and pulled it out still holding the same apple before taking another bite.
Julio smiled when he saw this and took an apple as well.
"Thank you meninos, come again next time" the woman put the money away and smiled. Obviously it wasn't fake.
"Adeus mama Pedro" both of them turned and walked away after bidding her farewell.
The woman called mama Pedro smiled before returning her attention to her book.
After walking some distance from the stall, Julio stopped and turned to face Miguel.
"We don't take from the poor and we don't implicate the innocent, it's a creed that will help keep us in the right direction all our lives" Julio's face was already returned to normal while his voice was very serious, the childish expression on his face had already vanished.
"Always remember the creed no matter what" Julio spoke once more while Miguel nodded in a serious manner.
"Alright, let's go home. Mom and dad are still waiting" Julio smiled and then walked into the crowded street.
After standing still for a short while, Miguel quickly ran after him "You really won't tell me what's going on"
"You'll know once we get home" both their voices resounded from afar as they quickly vanished from view.
As they made their way through the winding street of the favela, the sound of vendors and chatter grew fainter, replaced by the hums of generator and the creaking of wooden windowed buildings.
The brothers quickened their pace, their stomach growling in anticipation of lunch. Their apartment complex was close by.
Turning the corner, the two brothers arrived at an old looking apartment complex, ascending the stairs they stopped at the first door on the first floor.
They could hear the sound of conversations coming from inside the apartment.
Julio's smiled grew wider as they stood in front of the door, his eyes sparking with excitement.
"Are we having guests?" Miguel, puzzled, turned to Julio.
"Just open the door Miguel" Julio said before bending down to untie his shoes.
Click!
And then in a burst of noise and colors, the door swung open,
"Happy birthday!!!"
*****
A/N: Hi everyone, welcome to this new thriller novel. Won't say much and spoil the fun, Just let me know your thoughts in the comment and if it's not too much to ask please leave a review. Pretty pleeease!