Part One ~ Abandoned

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Aayan tucked his gun back into the snug waistband of his trousers, having concluded his dealings on the darker side of his business. He whistled, ready to head out of the alleyway, when he heard small whimpering sounds.

Aayan turned around, following the source of the voice with a furrow of his brow, which led him to the dumpsters. He withdrew the gun from his trousers and tipped off the safety with a flick of his thumb as he reached to move the bin aside.

His gaze fell on a petite boy, who was curled up, clutching a worn-out blanket around his body. Seeing him as no danger, Aayan tucked his gun away, "What are you doing here?" He asked gruffly.

Rishan flinched as he stared at the polished shoes in front of him; he hadn't expected to encounter anyone here today. This alley usually remained empty, except for the occasional drunken wanderer, and the thought sent a shiver of fear down his spine.

"Hey." Aayan called out a bit louder, "I asked you something,"

Rishan glanced up and Aayan felt something in his heart, the boy looked so fragile and his blue eyes captivated him almost instantly. "I-I-"

Aayan raised an eyebrow, his intimidating figure sending a flash of fear in Rishab, "Will I get to hear anything after the 'I'?"

Rishan cast his gaze down. What was he meant to say? He didn't even know the man, and why was he bothering him?

"What's your name?" Aayan asked, diverting the question.

"R-Rishan," The boy stuttered, playing with the linen off the blanket, absentmindedly.

Aayan hummed as he crouched down, "Back to my first question, what are you doing here? Do your parents know that you're here?"

Aayan's observing gaze didn't miss the slight flinch of Rishan when he mentioned his parents.

"My parents..."

Aayan waited patiently but then he was met with a sniffling teenager, "Hey. Why are you crying? Is it about your parents?"

Rishan roughly wiped his eyes, "No parents,"

"You don't have parents?" Aayan asked, his gruff voice softening.

Rishan wished that was the case but his own father had kicked him out after he'd married his stepmother. "N-No."

"How old are you? You don't seem too old to be hanging around in these types of shady areas," Aayan commented. The boy barely looked a day over 15 to him.

"17," Rishan said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aayan stared at him stunned for a fraction of a second before he composed himself, "Do you have any safe place to go to?"

Rishan shrugged his shoulders, "'m fine,"

"That's not what I asked of you," Aayan said, his voice dropping an octave and Rishan curled into himself.

Aayan studied the boy he had just met, feeling an unexpected surge of protectiveness. He had only ever felt this way about his father. At that moment, Aayan realized he could not let the boy go.

Rishan appeared to have no home or parents, and Aayan saw no reason why he shouldn't take him home. Moreover, he had already made up his mind, no one could change his decision, not even Rishan.

"Stand up," Aayan commanded, straightening up from his crouched position.

Rishan gazed at him uncertainly but followed the direct order and Aayan nodded his head approvingly, "Follow me,"

"N-No!" Rishan panicked, shuffling away from Aayan.

"Rishan. This is not a safe place for you, many druggies and alcoholics pass through here at night," Aayan explained, his voice holding a warning, "Now, either follow me willingly or I can-"

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