The bright white snow gleamed in the morning sunlight. The intense chill struck the trio’s skin as soon as they stepped outside the rickety building. Tired cars trundled past at a relaxed pace as they gently moved the melted, snowy, icy mush aside, almost politely. Kichiro looked around. This wasn’t Tokyo. The buildings were too old and small. The streets were no where near as busy. This was not a city. He looks up at a ragged clock which dangled off a town hall looking building. 9:30am. It should still be in the rush hours for transport. His mind quickly flicked into action. A bus? Not ideal but will do. A train? Will cost some money but would get them far away from this place. He should look around.

Kichiro yanked the gawking Misha and the shivering little boy as he began to hastily move. His eyes dart around as he searches for any sign of a train station or bus stop. He stops suddenly. Money. He needs money.

“Money.”

“Money?”, Misha replies, confused. “For what exactly? It would be helpful if ya know, you told use what your plan is.”

Kichiro looked at the floor ignoring Misha completely. Think…think… how can they get money?

Kichiro felt something tugging on the bottom of his still damp hoodie. He looked down. The little boy looked at him with dead eyes with his arm outstretched. He was pointing. The boys’ finger was directed at a old lady who was walking towards a bin. There was a bench. Atop the bench lay her bag. Money.

Misha caught on and immediately snapped.

“WE ARE NOT ROBBING An OLD LADY?!?!?”

The old lady began to turn. She must have heard. Kichiro’s mind began to bounce between stealing or leaving the bag. They were desperate. Were they that desperate? No time for morals. Would they get arrested? A small swish of air sped away from the deep in thought Kichiro and the preaching Misha. The boy sprinted towards the bag. He swiped the wallet out cleanly and quickly removed as much cash as he could grab into the palm of his small hand. He sprinted back to Kichiro and in a small squeaky voice he shouted…

“Run!”

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Kichiro bent down to collect the little boy in a piggyback pose. He hopped on, out of breath, and Kichiro pounded on down the road. Misha, in shock, slowly snapped out of her rant and followed. She kept looking at the devastated old lady as she returned to her bag, realising that she had just been robbed. The pain on her face. Misha found it unbearable. They had no choice now. They had to run.

Kichiro darted towards a run-down steel bridge, looking for somewhere to hide. They reached the bridge and quickly realised it was inhabited by homeless crackheads. It would do for now, but they had to be careful. They shuffled past two coughing old men who were huddled around a pathetic fire. An old woman watched them move around the slum from the comforts of her cardboard box and ragged clothes in the formation of a makeshift bed. There was a small clearing in what felt like a maze of cardboard boxes. The trio stopped. They looked around. Finally, they were somewhat safe.

The little boy revealed the stolen money from the tight clutches of his cold hand. He had about 7000yen. Would that be enough for all of them? For a bus, yes, probably. For a train, 2 of them would be able to get a ticket. A train would get 2 of them so very far away. A bus however, not as far. Kichiro looked at the little boy. He looked weary, cold and shaken. No wonder, he had just robbed an old lady. Kichiro looked at Misha. She looked like she was about to cry. Her ears were red from the cold. Each breath she took looked tired.

Kichiro made a final decision in his head.

“You two, take a train and get away from here. I don’t know how I will find you but remember this. I will find you. No matter what.”

Kichiro thrusted the money into a puzzled Misha’s hands. He looked at the little boy.

“Take care of him for me.”

As Kichiro began to walk away, Misha ran after him. She grabbed him by the face. They looked at each other in the eyes. For a fleeting moment she thought about a kiss. She let go.

“I will.” she said, looking away from Kichiro.

“Good luck.” said Kichiro as he too quickly turned. He speedily walked into the distance with small tears forming on his eyes. He wanted that kiss.