The stars were out, showcasing their splendor in the night sky as they hover over the city below. While their brilliance was out there for all to see, in the city below, a youth head filled with dreads could be seen.

In a trash heap behind Mr. Ming's restaurant stood Tafari, bruised all over from his encounter with the Bing gang— one of the many gangs that call the city their home.

"Damn it! I'm still far too weak, and these bastards have gotten stronger in numbers, I see. They are still dumb, but their numbers are starting to make up for it." Tafari sighed as he looked around to make sure he wasn't being followed.

Tafari is one of the many orphans in the streets of the city, who have been left to fend for themselves. At the mere age of 10, he has defied against all the odds by having survived the dog eat dog life of the city.

The countless gangs of the city prey on those without backing, and lure in the unsuspecting poor and undernourished kids into their gangs. In return, they are promised protection and enough food to fill their empty stomachs.

He has had many runnings with these gangs and their promises for a better future, and has refused on countless occasions for he was one that knows not to trust anyone, just like not trusting a man in the desert with water in hand and skeletons around. How could he possibly fall for such easily spouted lures?

He has fended off many of these gangs on countless occasions due to his thorough knowledge of ins and outs of the city. One of these gangs is the Bing gang, which he has been eluding from for the past month.

He is not been known for fighting, but in the city, he is known as the 'Mouse' who knows when to hide and is very decisive. Some call him a coward, but he prefers to take that as a compliment.

Once he was shouted at by a member of the Bing gang as they chased after him. He was then named as a mouse who only knows how to run and hide.

With a smirk, he then replied, "Do you know why the hero doesn't tell his own tale? It's simple because heroes die and cowards live to tell the story. Now answer me and tell, would you rather be the hero or the author in that case?"

He has always acknowledged who he is and what he has to do to survive. As of recent he has been making ends meet by taking out the trash and cleaning up at one of the local restaurants. This restaurant is owned by Mr. Ming called Ming's spot.

Although not the most delightful of jobs, he has always felt grateful to Mr. Ming for the opportunity that he has been given.

There aren't many who are so kind-hearted in a city filled with hundreds of thousands of citizens. Sometimes the city can be a lonely place even though there are thousands around as it seems, and a cold place even when it is the peak of summer.