Shadow Being System

Chapter 102 - 1

"It's alright… everything will be okay. I just have to follow the plan." Kaden muttered to himself as he steadied his breath. Then he let out a bitter laugh. "But when does the plan ever work?"

From the tree he'd climbed, he looked out at the mansion sprawled before him. Its golden lights cast a dazzling glow on the cobblestone path leading up to the entrance, every window gleaming with warmth and wealth. Kaden crouched in the shadows, his dull, sunken eyes flicking from window to window,

Kaden clenched his jaw, glaring. "Leave me alone," he growled, trying to twist free. But a punch to his gut knocked the breath from his lungs, sending him to his knees.

They tore through his stash, pulling out the bread, fruit, even the tiny silver pieces he'd managed to grab. Desperation and rage fought for control as he tried to keep hold of anything he could. One of the men twisted his arm, another gave him a rough shove, and the stolen goods slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.

The men left him there, laughing as they pocketed his spoils, satisfied with their loot. Kaden lay in the dirt, his body aching, his head pounding, rage simmering just beneath his exhaustion. He forced himself to his feet, hands trembling as he checked his clothes, feeling the rough bread he'd hidden in his shirt.

Always have a backup plan, he thought dryly as he looked at the loaf of bread he had managed to starch under his clothes earlier, a pained grin tugging at his lips.

With aching steps, he made his way home, which was really just a makeshift tent of worn fabrics, patched metal, and pieces of cardboard held together with string and hope. It was barely a shelter, but as he stepped inside, he felt a warmth swell in his chest.

There, wrapped in a thin blanket, was Lila, his one bright light in a world full of shadows.