Chapter 1

“Salem, I swear to the gods if you don’t stop lighting the job requests on fire, you’ll be sleeping outside with that damn mutt!” he could hear his father’s yelling from their cramped dining room.

“ I just wanna spend time with ya today, pops…” His speech was lisped and choppy as he bounced down the stairs to see his father. “I gotta take the job you’re holdin’ behind your back. We need the money, kid.” Ralph's laughter filled the cramped space while he watched his son tumble less than gracefully down the stairs. “Then let me come! I’m a big kid, I can do it, Pops!” The youngling's face split into a hopeful smile; he stared at his dad from the floor.

“No, lad, you’re only 14, not nearly old enough to do the jobs I do,” 

“Oh come onnnn, just let me come with you this once! pleaseee!” 

“I suppose you could be old enough to start training…” Ralph said after a long pause, making Salem's heart stutter for a beat. 

“Really?!” his heart leaped into his throat. 

“No. Now go back upstairs. Take your dog on a walk or something.” And just like that, his hope was crushed as easily as it had appeared. 

“Yessss, sirrrrrr,” he huffed, his body sagging while turning to retreat back up the stairs.

“Now wait a damn second, no goodbye or good luck?”  

“Sorry, pops, be safe. I’ll see you when you get home,” Salem said, his face in a permanent pout. 

“I promise I’ll spend time with ya after this job,”

“Ok, pops,” a frail confirmation from his son, and Ralph was out the door, leaving Salem alone with a sad smile.