Ciro - Chapter 1

Serenity.
They say there once was a time of tranquility, a time of peace. But the world today shows no signs of any peace, like it never existed. So, why am I still searching for it? Why am I so drawn to some thing that might not even be real? All my life I’ve wanted to find that peace. Maybe one day I will.

Chapter 1
Nothing to Spare in War

The bright moonlight shined through the thick steel bars onto Ciro’s back creating a silhouette of his sad figure that lay on the floor. His eyes were heavy yearning to shut, but he would not allow them. Seldom did he even blink, for he was in a cold, hollow state. All he could think about were the thoughts of tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, and every day that was to follow in the future. But he saw no future in this grim prison. The only thing this hell could ever lead to was death, and he was just hours away from being laid to rest in the arms of death.
It was time to escape.

* * * * * *

“Ciro, dear, please stay close to your brother, and promise me you won’t get lost.” The concerned, yet gentle mother reminded her son.
“I promise Mum, we won’t get lost.” Ciro replied giving his mother a warm quick hug.
“And be sure you’re back before sunset, your father will be home with supper tonight, and you know he isn’t going to wait for you two once he gets home. I’ll expect you both washed up and ready when he gets back.” She gave Ciro a soft kiss atop his black haired head and stood from the dirty cement floor. “Be safe.” She waved to her two boys.
“We will Mum.” Darren assured his mother and took his little brother’s hand in his.
The two boys stood up began to walk out of the makeshift den. It was constructed from old fabrics and blankets that had been thrown out years ago, and was attached to the walls of a cramped and abandoned alleyway. Their home consisted of only a few planks that supported these blankets and the bare cement road below their feet.
Darren and Ciro brushed passed the rags that served as the entrance to their ramshackle home, and made their way through the alley until they reached a wall of boards and trash bags. Darren let go of Ciro’s hand and approached the wall of planks and lifted a loose board for Ciro to crawl through, and then he followed behind. Once the two were both out, Darren placed the board back in its proper spot and he brushed himself off and took Ciro’s hand once more. They both continued down the alley until they could see the empty street. They both stopped and Darren looked left and right, Ciro mimicking his brother’s actions, to see if any one had spotted them or was looking their way. When Darren felt it was safe, he tugged his brother’s hand and walked forward. Ciro released his grip and smiled.
“Come on.” Darren said getting excited and skipped toward the street past the side of the local pub. He turned to face his bother as he followed behind and walked backwards while staring up and the cloudy sky. “So, what do you wanna do, scamp?”
“Let’s go to the Bakery, it smells nice in there, and the man gives me rolls!” Ciro’s face lit up and his eyes glowed toward the local Pastry shop accost the street.
“Only if you distract him while I snag a few loaves.” Darren sneered at his brother.
“Okay, get one for Mum though!” Ciro scuttled beside his brother looking up at him with admiration.
Darren turned around to walk forward and pointed to the Bakery as they crossed the street. “You go in first, I’ll come behind you. Make sure that he can’t see me while I take them, kay?”
“Kay.” Ciro hurried ahead of Darren and stopped at the store. He reached for the handle and pilled the heavy door open and walked into the Bakery. A little bell chimed as the door shut and Ciro looked up at the man behind the counter. A heavy waft of warm baked goods filled his nostrils and he closed his eyes for a moment taking in the deep aroma of the breads and rolls.
“Why hello there little one, you look like you need a hot treat! It’s quite chilly out there, and I have a fresh batch of rolls ready to be lain out. Would you like to try one for me?” The jolly fat baker peered down at the small child.
Ciro smiled bashfully and nodded his head.
“Well follow me, my boy!” The baker turned around to put on some mitts and opened the giant oven door behind him. He reached in and pulled out a large tray of hot, freshly made dinner rolls, shut the door, and walked over to a rack to set them on for display as Ciro followed him on the other side of the counter.
The bell on the door chimed once again and Darren walked in casually. Ciro didn’t turn to his brother, but only stared up at the baker; as did the baker’s eyes remain on Ciro’s.
“They smell heavenly don’t they?” The baker chuckled as he wafted the smell of the rolls to his nose with his covered hand.
Ciro nodded again and smiled gently while he reached up to grab a roll. His arm shot back at the strong heat and he hissed at the tray.
The baker raised his hands in a cautious and affectionate manner laughing a bit, “Careful son, they’re hot! I’ve only just gotten them out of the oven.” He pulled a small bun off of the tray with his gloved hand and gently blew on it.
While the baker was occupied with his little brother, Darren walked over to the other side of the bakery where the loaves of bread sat. He never took his eyes off of the baker as he reached for a small plain loaf. The man did not turn his head, or even mind any attention to him, so he pulled the loaf from the shelf slowly, and placed it in the breast pocket of his jacket.
“Here, see if it’s cool now.” The baker offered the roll to Ciro, and he took it. It was indeed still hot, but it was bearable for Ciro’s cold tiny hands. He took a small bite from it as steam rose from the bread. He puckered his lips taking in short breaths trying to cool the bread further as the man smiled down at him watching. In a choppy manner, Ciro chewed at the small bite and swallowed it. The baker leaned on the overhead of the counter and whispered, “How is it?”
“It’s hot.” Ciro retorted blowing on roll further.
The baker chuckled and walked around from behind the counter to where Ciro stood. Ciro looked up at the man, and then over to his brother. The man only patted him on the shoulder and walked toward where Darren was. “And what about you my boy? Would you like some bread too?”
Darren looked up quickly at the baker and dropped his arms to his sides and nested them into the pockets of his trousers. “Uhh, yes’r. It smells mighty fine.”
“Mmm, yes indeed it does.” The man replied and stared down at Darren. Then he reached out and grabbed Darren’s hand, pulling it from its pocket where he held a break of bread. Ciro ran over to his brother and pulled at the man’s large arm. He looked down at the two boys with a cold stare, and he grabbed Ciro’s arm with his other hand.
“Let go!” Darren pulled against the man’s grip and dropped the piece of bread.
“Little thieves are ya?” The man growled and pulled the two boys toward the door. “My business isn’t going to survive the winter if I have boys like you stealing all of my profits. I understand that times are hard in this war, but the war doesn’t spare vermin.”
The two children looked up at the man in fear, hoping that they would be liberated.
“If I catch you trying to steal from here again, I’ll report you. Take what you have in your hands now, and let this be a lesson to you. I won’t be easy on you again.” He released his grasp on the two boys and they scrambled for the door. The bell on the door chimed for the last time as they ran outside for the alley behind the pub.