CHAPTER 12

Manik's POV

I woke up with terrible pain in my head. Damn, this headache is going to drive me insane.

I sat on the bed looking at the clock. It was 10 pm. I had a good sleep after a long time. I opened the drawer and removed a photo frame. It was a picture of me and Sarah.

Sarah was my little sister who I loved dearly. She was my only family, my support system, after mom's death. My mother was a single parent. We didn't know, who was our father, nor did we ever questioned our mother. She was toiling hard, to give us a good life. But she was killed brutally, in front of our eyes. I could not see that man's face who killed my mother. I ran away from home with Sarah. And while running, we came very far.

One week, we stayed on the railway platform. I got a few rupees as alms from which I bought a little food for Sarah, while I starved. She used to cry bitterly. She used to question me, "Manik Bro, I want to go to Mamma? Where is she?"

I used to hug her and she used to sleep in my arms crying. I promised myself, to give her a good life and to protect her from all the harm. I was just eleven when life showed me its cruelty.

I remember well, one day I was walking on the road with Sarah when a man approached us. He asked me, "Do you want money?"

I nodded and told a yes. I needed money so that I could give Sarah a good life, a good education.

He called up someone and said something to the person on the phone. Then he came to us. He questioned Sarah, what was her age. She replied that she was eight. He then asked me, what was my age, I replied I was eleven. He told us that he would give us food and shelter but in return, we had to work.

I told him that I would work day and night but not Sarah, and he agreed. A car came and halted in front of us. That man told us to sit inside the car and we sat. That man sat beside us.

We both were taken to a warehouse, where there were many kids of our age. They all were working. That man explained to me the work I had to do and I obeyed him sincerely.

Four months passed. I worked day and night. In return, Sarah and I got a place to stay and we got a chapati and water to eat.

One day, a woman came to the warehouse. Whenever I worked, I ensured that Sarah was around me safe and sound. Ricki, the man who brought us to the warehouse, met that lady. They both had some conversation. That lady looked toward Sarah and nodded.

Ricki came towards us and said, "Sarah, you have to go with Mrs. Sinha. You have to work for her and in return, she will give you food and a place to stay."

I held Sarah's hand and replied, "No, Sarah is not going anywhere. She is not going to work. I will work for her. I am ready to work day and night, but she will not work".

Ricki slapped me. He abused me and said, " Don't speak to me in this tone again, or else I will beat you badly"

He pulled Sarah towards him but I held Sarah's hand more tightly.

"No Sarah will not go anywhere," I yelled at him.

Ricki again hit me and pushed me on the floor so badly that I hit my head on the table.

"Manik Bro" Sarah screamed. I got up and pleaded to Ricki, "Please let her go. I will work day and night, I'll work for her too. She is very small"

Ricki again punched me. I was hurt but I did not cry. Sarah yelled angrily, "Don't hit my brother"

Ricki slapped her and said, "Dare you to talk to me in this tone. I will kill you and your brother"

I was angry when he raised his hand on Sarah. I picked up the gun which was on the table and shot Ricki. I became a killer at the age of eleven. Everyone present in the warehouse was shocked to see Ricki lying on the floor dead with a pool of blood around him. I held Sarah's hand and ran outside the warehouse while a few men followed us with rifles in their hands.

While running from the warehouse we bumped into a man. He was tall, muscular, and had tattoos on his body. The men who were following us bowed to the man, whom we bumped into.

The man inquired, "What is going on?"

"Sir, this small boy shot and killed Ricki," one of the men said angrily and narrated everything.

He was about to shoot me with his gun, but the man, with tattoos on his body stopped him.

He averted his gaze towards Sarah and me.

Sarah clutched my arms in fear and I hugged her tightly.

"I am there for you, don't worry, I will always protect you" I whispered in her ears and patted her head.

"Tell your boss, that I am taking this boy and his sister along with me," the man said.

****

That man took us to his villa. It was huge, beautiful, and well furnished with expensive couches and chandeliers. There were many men, with guns in their hands, guarding the villa.

The man introduced himself, "I am David Thoreau, a ruthless gangster. I carry out all the illegal work around the world. What's your name?"

"I am Manik", I replied.

"What's your age?" David asked me.

"Eleven" I replied.

"You murdered a man, at the age of eleven?" David questioned.

"Yes, I killed him because he hurt my sister. I'll kill every person who is going to hurt my sister" I told angrily.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

"My mom...she...she is dead" I answered with tears in my eyes. I noticed Sarah was looking at me innocently, that's why I did not shed any tears. I had to be strong for her.

David called up someone and said something to the person on the phone. I could not understand what was he speaking as he was talking in some other language.

After he completed his conversation he hung up the phone. He came towards us and said, "You both are going to America, to the city of Boston. You both can complete your education there. You can live a luxurious life."

I looked at him confusingly. Why is a gangster helping me and Sarah? Why is he giving us a good life?

It seemed that he read my mind. He replied, "Manik, don't stress your little brain. It will dawn upon you soon, why am I helping you both. Till then, enjoy your life. Focus on your studies. If you need anything, you can call me anytime."