He soon woke up to an unknown pain searing across his body. The events of the stormy night felt like fragments of a vivid dream, a familiar yet unnamed voice had called out to him, the figure obscured by a blinding light.
Something caught his eye but vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a comforting symphony echoing in his ears.
Words were spoken but incomprehensible, with the last thing he remembered was a woman's angelic smiled directed at him. Now half-awake, he tried to recall more about who he was.
Right, I'm Pheo
He tried to piece together more about that night, a task that he'd attempt countless times since that day.
Just as he began to drift back to sleep, a flying piece of paper smacked him in the face.
Startled, he scrambled to take it off, only to realize that his arms were bounded by something unyieldingly strong.
Forced to improvise, he used his mouth to grab the paper. After a few attempts, he managed to bite it, spit it away, and take in his surroundings.
Around him were kids, all about his age. They were all inside some moving vehicle, seemingly from various places and different backgrounds.
He took a look out of a barred window, looking at a barren desert that stretched endlessly in every direction he could see.
Where am I?
He tried to stay still as the vehicle bounced around on the uneven terrain. Reading the dusty, ink-faded newspaper that was stuck on his face a few moments ago, he made out a few words.
A fallen mage disappears while being chased by local thugs
His heart sank as he noticed a familiar face in one of the blurred photos. It was a clear photo of his father.
Was the article about him?
Panic bubbled in his chest. His father was a monster, but he was still family.
While searching for a way to free himself, Pheo took a closer look at the others in the vehicle.
Among them were a pair of siblings huddled together, quietly crying in a corner. Most of the children were staring hopelessly at the floor, their spirits crushed.
Where exactly were we being taken?
The truck's vibrations rattled his body. The hum of its engine drowned out all other sounds that could've helped him find out where he was.
Pheo then noticed an empty bottle of booze that was rolling towards him. Following where it came from, his gaze landed on the driver's.
He was drinking, not really paying attention to the road but not letting his guard down either. He went and reached out for another bottle, cracking the cap wide open with his bare hands.
During this, his eyes locked with Pheo's.
"What do you want, kid?" he barked, flinging the bottle cap at Pheo's forehead. In response to this, Pheo snarled, helpless to do more.
The driver just grinned wider in response however, taking a swig of his beer. "Name's Narfius" he said mockingly, "Your local ferryman leading you straight to hell."
He cackled at his own joke before sharply turning the wheel, causing all of the truck's occupants to lurch and scream.
Pheo grabbed onto anything he could, but the truck's violent movements sent him tumbling across the floor.
Just as he regained some semblance of balance, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, sending everyone flying once more.
"We reached the end of the line!" He shouted out before stepping out, laughing obnoxiously once he opened the back and saw the state everyone was in.
While he was busy trying to catch his breath, Pheo noticed a broken bottle glass. He quickly grabbed one of the shards, keeping it hidden in his back.
Quickly.
He told himself as he started to cut off his restraints.
"Alright" Narfius said as he finally composed himself. He got out a clipboard and began to count the children as they went out.
When it was Pheo's turn however, he stayed back.
Snap!
The sound of the rope breaking could barely be heard. "Come on kid, you're the last one" Narfius growled, reaching out to grab him.
Pheo slapped his hand away and and swung a punch with all of his might.
"Nice try" Narfius sneered, catching Pheo's fist mid-air. With one swift motion, he lifted the boy with one hand and slammed him to the ground.
Pheo gasped as pain radiated through his body. He couldn't catch a break however, as quickly after Narfius followed up with a punch to his stomach.
"No matter what you do, an eight year old can't beat up a grown man"
Those were the last words Pheo heard before his vision blurred, darkness swallowing him whole.
Narfius looked back at all the children watching, "If you don't want to end up like him, stay in line"
And just like that, everyone obediently followed him. All except for Pheo, who was passed out from the fight.
"Great" He complained aloud. Narfius grabbed Pheo's hair from the scalp and dragged him across the sand. He led all of them down a small, desolate building in the middle of the desert.
Inside was a hole, with a spiral staircase that descended down a dark abyss.
"Follow me" Narfius told them as he locked the entrance behind them. A lantern hung from his belt, casting flickering shadows as he led the group of children deeper underground.
The air soon grew stagnant, the oppressive darkness seemed to stretch endlessly. And at the bottom of the staircase was another figure, another person who stood waiting for them.
He tossed a pouch to Narfius, who inspected its contents with a satisfied grin.
"Deal's done" Narfius declared, turning to ascend the stairs. The other man smiled at his attitude, "You'd do anything for money, wouldn't you?"
"Money makes the world go 'round" Narfius replied without a hint of shame, disappearing into the darkness above.