Chapter 3: The Underground
Kael woke to the sharp bite of hunger gnawing at his stomach.
The cold metal sheet above him did little against the rain, and his clothes were soaked through. The air smelled like rust and filth.
He curled tighter, his fingers brushing the golden coin hidden beneath his shirt. It was the only thing he had left.
He hadn't eaten in days so, he slowly sat up.
Kael sucked on the last stale piece of candy he had found in his backpack, but it wasn't enough. The ache didn't go away.
Kael walked on the road and cars rushed past him. Still, he attempted to cross the road on his own.
No one cared. His tiny feet carried him through the alleys, his breath shaky.
Then he saw it—a half-eaten sandwich in an overflowing trash bin.
Kael hesitated, it smelled rotten. Flies hovered over it.
But his stomach hurt so much. A rat scurried past, its beady eyes glinting in the dim alley light.
He didn't care, Kael grabbed the sandwich and stuffed it into his mouth.