AMOS VOSS, RETURN OF THE TITAN

Rose in the storm

9. P.m

The rain was dropping so heavy, pattering against rooftops, slamming loose windows hard.

Amos stumbled into the yard, his cloth drenched, soggy, clinging to his form like a second wrinkled skin.

The cold and drops were harsh, biting the skin like nails. Yet the only thing Amos could think of as he trudged through the storm was her sweet little daughter, Rose.

He stumbled into the yard, pushing the rusted gate with desperate force that the joints groaned as though pained.

The ground of the tenement pooled with puddles, splashing mid-air on Amos' trouser as he pushed through the storm to his apartment.

He froze, pausing mid-steps on seeing a figure in front of his apartment. His heart sank shit.

"Rose," He rasped, his voice trembling with despair. He dashed to her on the pavement.

Rose was outside, in the harsh unsafe night, standing on the porch with her school bag and lunch box clattered to the floor like wastes.

The rain drifted to her side, soaking her school uniform to cling to her body, leaving her completely drenched and shaking with the harsh cold. She wrapped her arms around her body, shaking vehemently.

Amos's heart sank at the sight.

Amos stumbled to her, crouching down with concern etching on his face. "Rose...." He rasped, holding her shoulder. "What..what are you doing outside..you should be inside.. let's go..." He held her to carry her.

Rose's lips shimmied with the cold as she spoke up with a cracking voice, her tiny voice barely audible against the storm. "The...landlord...he locked the door.."

Amos's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, rain streaming from his brow. "What," He rasped, his heart tightening. "...but we're not owning him....we've just paid the rent.." Amos' voice tapered off when he spun back to see a silver lock glinting on the lock.

Anger bubbled inside. He nestled Rose on her shoulder, storming to the landlord's apartment.

He didn't knock. Didn't ring no bell.

He just kicked the damn door open with a slam.

Amos' eyes pierced across the room to the dining where the family dinner had just interrupted.

Warm dinner!

And the fireplace was cracking with fire that spread warmth through the house, completely betraying the outside weather.

The landlord— Bobo Flex, his wife— Madam Janet who'd always made life terrible for tenants, and their two children, Elizabeth and Tom. They all spun to the door, shock melting into anger instantly.

A spoon had clattered from Madam Janet's hand, and her expression was thick with anger.

The smell of goulash and warm tea hit the air.

Amos stood at the door, assessing everything with Cold expression. Water dripped from his hem like a ticking time bomb.

How cruel!

The family had his daughter pushed out in the storm while they were all inside, having warm dinner in the comfort of their home.

What is exactly human problem..human with lack of conscience.

Bobo Flex, chubby like pregnant women pushed his weight off the seat which scratched the floor like claws

His puffy cheek redened with anger. "Are you mad," He barked. "Have you completely lost your manners, Amos?!"

Amos' expression hardened even more, his eyes burning laser on Bobo flex as he snapped back.

"You are the mannerless old fool, Bobo Flex or whatever you're called," Amos lashed with arrogance he never had.

The couples exchange glances, their kids looking like the spectators in the whole scene.

Amos' finger jabbed in the air. "You sent a little girl of your daughter's age out there, in the rain to die...How heartless of you,

And you call yourself a father?!"