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I have to take care of Xander. I'm the only chance he has for a fight in this cruel world. I'd do anything to protect him.
***
One day, we're out in the gardens of the orphanage. That's a term that may be too much to describe what we’re dealing with. The trees are all barren, having died a long time ago, and the grass is crunchy and golden beneath our feet. There is not much for us to do here. But I still want my brother to have some exercise, go outside and meet new kids.. You never know which one of these connections will bring you out of the life that fate has chosen for you.
I'm determined to get us both out of here. I won't back down until we're both safe with a new family.
We often have to fight for survival. And I'm the one who knows this best because I've spent my whole life fighting against the odds for a chance in this cruel world.
The orphanage is divided into sections of kids based on age. We're the ones who are the most popular up to twelve years old. But the ones above us, thirteen and older, are the ones who we need to watch out for. Those kids have been in the system for a long enough time to know they probably won't ever get out of it. They've made peace with knowing they'll have to stay and fight for everything they get.
Families are mostly interested in adopting younger children, so everyone over thirteen knows their chances are down to almost zero. Especially if you're a boy, no one wants to adopt a boy. The girls are more popular with their chubby faces and angelic ringlets. But me and my brother... Well we already look like we're from the wrong side of town, and I assume that's why we haven't been picked for adoption yet.
As we play in the gardens, an older boy approaches us. I know that his name is Miguel, and he's been in the orphanage for a long, long time. He's at least seventeen now, which means he only has a year left before he has to go away on his own.
He smirks at me, watching Xander play with some rocks and sticks.
"Your kid brother able to put up a fight?" he asks me.
I lift my eyebrows and look at him with a warning. "Why are you asking that? Are you trying to attack him?"
"Not me," he says. "But I may have an opportunity for you, if you're willing to take it."
Words like opportunity don't come by often. My ears prick at the thought.
"What kind of opportunity?" I ask cautiously.
"How would you like to make some money?" Miguel asks me.
My heart stops at the thought. We've never had much money, if any at all. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to.
"We could use some money," I say hesitantly. "But what would it involve?"
Miguel smirks again as he glances at my younger brother.
"It would involve that kid getting in the fighting ring and fighting someone. And then if he wins, you'll be able to get some money. They will also pay you just for participating."
"He's eleven years old," I hiss. "You can't ask him to fight. He's just a little kid. Why couldn't I do it?"
"Well, let's just say there's a group of people who have sick desires," Miguel smirks at me. "They like watching little kids fight, stabbing each other, sometimes to death. And that's how this could end. You need to know that right now. But if you do it, you'll make a lot of money."
He mentions an amount that's life changing, even if we never get adopted. I could save this money and start a new life for us once we get out of here. It would be so much more than we've ever had. More than I could have ever dreamed of. But if it means risking my brother's life, I'm not willing to do it.
I start shaking my head when Xander picks himself up from the ground and walks over to us. His sharp eyes are searching Miguel's face. I know my brother is even more observant than I am.
"I could do it," he says, and only then, I realize he's been listening in on our conversation the whole time. "Why won't you let me, Xavier?"
I glare at him, wanting him to shut up, but he doesn't take the hint.
Instead, he faces Miguel and starts speaking again.
"Just put me in the ring. I think you'll be surprised by how much I can do."
Miguel shakes hands with him. "You got it, kid. Be here after midnight, right here in the garden and we'll take you where we need to go."
Once he leaves I find myself angry at the thought of Xander doing something so dangerous and reckless.
"You can't do this shit," I hiss at him. "What would mom say?"
