Daytime had passed, and, with the sinking sun, darkness had begun to descend; Heralding nighttime for the capital city of Arkund. Today, both moons were full and would normally help illuminate the dark alleys zig-zagging throughout the city. Instead, the white, round faces of the astronomical bodies were hidden and obscured. Full, dark clouds had been gathering since dusk and sent rain and lightning towards the earth, tinting the world in shadows, only interrupted by irregular, short bursts of light.

Arkund, as the capital city, was in a perpetual state of change. Cranes could be seen scattered around the city, building evermore new architecture. While many new buildings were finished and had begun their turn housing businesses or living spaces, some were not so lucky. With prosperity and change, many improved their lives, gaining riches and status. Then, there were those that had failed in the battle called life. The poor, sick, broken, or just desperate, whatever the reasons may be, those that did not fit in with society had also found their place. In abandoned, rundown, and destroyed houses, they lived. In the middle of the city, but still oh so far away from it.

In the western part of Arkund, outside the city center, the seedier side of city life had taken root. Here, almost all forms of entertainment could be found. From nightclubs, bars, and brothels to expensive restaurants, it was the place to be for an exciting night out. Situated in the center of the area and the de facto best location for whatever business one wanted to find was the Markroff-Rainer street. It was here, in the so-called party street, that our story began.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the half-finished roof of a three-floor commercial building, huddled into a corner, sat a teen. With a sheet of thick construction tarp pulled over his head, seeking protection from the wind and rain, he shivered in the cold.

Leaning against the meter-tall, unfinished wall surrounding the third floor, the teen had almost all of his limbs pulled as close to his body as possible. One of his legs was half stretched and at a strange angle at that, making his posture unbalanced and uncomfortable. The teen, however, did not seem to care about the discomfort it brought. Pulling the tarp closer to his body, he let out a sigh “Haaa…”.

It had been a tough week for Kael, and the future promised to be much the same. The rain had begun before he had been able to return to his hideout, and now he had to live with his wet clothes as he rested on the roof. The building had been marked as under construction since long before he had found it a while back. Not that he had ever seen anyone, aside from himself on the premises. He was happy back then, having just left one of the overcrowded shelters that had taken him in without asking questions. Finding a place of his own, somewhere to call home, with walls at that, was much better than sharing his living space after all. The only complaint he had about his lodgings was the missing roof. That would not have been a problem, as the building had three floors, but the lower floors had been chained shut by some sadistic foreman, making his choice of accommodations limited. The solution to his roofing problem had come in the form of a sheet of heavy construction grade plastic that had properly once secured construction materials that now served as his makeshift roof.

With another sigh and a grunt of pain, he shuffled up the wall a little, granting him an unobstructed view of the bustling streets down below. His makeshift home was just a side alley away from one of the premier party locations of the capital and thus attracted many looking for a good time. Observing from up here, he could see most of the activity on the streets.

In daylight, the street looked clean and quiet but unimpressive. Buildings presenting closed storefronts and the occasional loft lined the street. Cars parked along the road and even a bus stop just a few meters away made it look normal, suburban even. The buildings and shops were decorated nicely but mostly closed during the day.

It was only at night that the street came to life. Most shops only opened their doors when the lamps lining the street flickered on and flooded the street in a cacophony of colorful lights and music. The road, hours earlier boring and empty, was now the staging ground for colorful carts, offering all kinds of wares and services. The road had transformed and was now more a night market than a street.

Even in this rain, there are so many people walking along the street, Kael thought. Too much free time if he had to hazard a guess. They have a safe home, with heating and a roof to retreat to, but no. They throw themselves onto the streets to drown the night away with alcohol, drugs, and sex. Nothing wrong with having fun. Hell, if I could, I would be right down there right now, partying with them till the sun comes up, but... He had to stop himself from going down that rabbit hole of pain and despair again. With all that rain, I would just stay home and read a good book or something. Maybe play a game or two. What are you doing out here? Eating, drinking, and making merry, all while getting drenched… “Fucking idiots!”

His scream did not reach far in the storm. Though no one down there would have heard him through all of the music anyway. Watching the groups of friends or couples stroll down the wet road reminded him of the good old times. His parents were still around, and his sister still remembered him. About what, half a year? Since that Friday now, huh? Spectating the whirlwind of light, music, and life in the distance, his mind wandered to that fateful day, the day his sister had threatened to call the police on him.

“Who the fuck are you? ~ No, I don’t care! I don’t have any siblings! ~ Stop following me! ~Go away, and if I ever see you again I will make sure you rot in prison! What are you waiting for?! I will call the police, HELP POLICE! POLICE!” Kael had only been able to watch as his younger sister ran away from him, crying out for the police.

She didn't believe him and wasn't even willing to listen to his explanation! Yes, she had not seen him for a few years, and yes, she had been only 7 when they were separated, but come on! Could she just forget him, her big brother, that easily? “Haaa… At least she is careful with strangers… that's a plus I guess.”

Slinking back behind the wall into the corner of the roof, he tried to find a comfortable position to rest. Whenever that particular memory surfaced, the best course of action was to sleep and avoid the hours of crying that would follow. He had thought about that day too often already, and another sleepless night would not bring him closer to an answer he liked. Sleep came slowly to Kael with the hard ground and his wet clothes there to bother him. Over the next hour, he turned and twisted, and only after a long time did sleep finally offer him peace for but a moment.