The Poor Teenager

The year 2125 was the worst time ever. Likely, the apocalypse will occur in that year. You must be wondering why I summed it up like that? Because in that year, the earth had reached the end era. Where humans began to use their instincts like animals. Where the rules are who are strong, then he survives. Who is in power, he is the one who wins. And because of that, the whole hemisphere became very chaotic. Extortion, oppression and even war, often occur everywhere. As a result, poverty is rampant. Many people lost their homes. Many people are starving. And many people are willing to do anything to survive. Including killing.

June 16, 2125, 50 years after the nuclear war that wiped out nearly half of humanity. In one of the big cities in Oniesia. When the scorching sun greeted arrogantly. A teenager with a thin and shabby appearance, is being severely beaten by a group of delinquents. Kick after kick, punch after punch, landed mercilessly all over the teenager's body. The people who were there, no one cared about what happened. They were indifferent, as if they saw nothing there. 

This kind of crazy scene has happened many times. There was even an incident. Where there was a thin man beaten to death in the middle of the city. But the people passing by there, didn't want to care. They just caught a glimpse of the man's corpse and then left without the slightest care. Even the man's corpse was left lying in the middle of the road. Until finally several officers in all-white clothes came and took the lifeless corpse. 

I don't know where the man's corpse was taken. No one knows. Some people suspect that the man's body was given to dogs or other wild animals. But there are also those who suspect that the man's body was just thrown in a garbage dump. So that maggots gnawed at the man's corpse to the ground.

"I don't care if you die! Hurry up and get me the bread!" ordered Remon, one of the biggest delinquents. 

The teenager who was beaten to the ground, just lay down enduring the pain all over his body. Let alone to move or stand. To answer Remon's words alone, he was very troubled. 

"In an hour you have to bring the bread to me. If not, I'll make sure you're dead today!" threatened Remon mercilessly. He then returned to headquarters. 

"You guys! Watch him! Make sure he does his job. And make sure he doesn't run away!" said Remon to his lackeys.

"Ready!" they replied.

Remon's lackeys spread out to several corners to keep an eye on the poor teenager's performance. 

For a few minutes the poor teenager was still sprawled on the ground. He felt his body like it was crushed. It was as if the bones had been broken.

"It seems, today is his end." said one of the hooligans who was watching from the alley. 

"If that's the case, what else can't it be? We will find a replacement after he dies," said his colleague with a vicious smile.

45 minutes have passed. Less than 15 minutes from the time given by Remon. The poor teenager still couldn't get up. Make the delinquents feel bored and annoyed. But less than 10 minutes from the agreed time, suddenly the poor teenager tried to get up. And it surprised the delinquents who had been watching him a bit.

"Let's stand up! I! I don't want to die yet! At the very least, before I die, I want to experience what happiness is! Even if it's only for a minute! Even if it's only for a second! Even if it's just for a moment!" said the poor teenager in his mind.

The name of the man who was still trying to stand upright was Aji. Too good a name for a person whose fate is very unlucky. Aji was born into the world 15 years ago. And since he was born into the world, he has been an orphan. Because his father and mother died a few hours after he was born. Because it was killed by mercenaries who came from nowhere. And after that, he was taken care of by the younger sister of his father.

However, instead of getting affection from his aunt, little Aji often gets tortured. He was often beaten and drowned when he made small mistakes. Even his aunt didn't care that Aji was 1 year old at that time. Until finally when Aji was 5 years old, he was sold in the slave market at a fairly expensive price. Because in the slave market, 5-year-olds are priced quite expensive. Because at that young age, their mentality can still be formed to be obedient to their employers. 

The teenagers who were initially disdainful and thought that Aji would die, became excited when they saw Aji rise. But they are not sure whether Aji can get what their boss wants or not. Seeing Aji's battered condition. 

"Take the bread and throw it directly at us, fucker! You won't be able to run with that bread!" shouted one of the thugs, followed by laughter from another.

In his deepest heart, Aji felt disgusted. However, what can he do? None. All he could do was obey the will of those who were stronger than him. If not, then death will greet him. 

Aji did not respond to the shouts of the delinquent teenagers. His bloodshot eyes harbored that grudge, just looking straight at the bakery across the street. He wanted to take just one loaf of bread. So that today his life will be saved. 

With limping steps, Aji walked towards the bakery. The strong and fragrant aroma of bread, made Aji's stomach thunder. The last time he ate, it was about 3 days ago. It was also the sweet potato skin he found in the trash can. It definitely does not bring favors. However, as long as it can fill the stomach, anything will be eaten by Aji.

"Want to buy my bread, or want to steal my bread?" asked the shop seller when Aji was standing in front of his shop. 

Aji ignored the baker's question. His eyes stared at the buns displayed on the table. 

"Hey, are you deaf?" the salesman asked and took out a gun from the drawer.

2125, was a terrible year. Urban, already like a jungle. The strong, the powerful. No mercy. There is no mercy. Not having money is the same as waiting for death to come. Desperate to steal, get ready to be shot dead. And the funny thing is, there will be no law to ensnare the murderer. The reason is because the poor man stole food, making the murderer free without any trial. 

"Hey kid. One more question and you'd better answer. Don't steal my time working otherwise I will make your head hollow out! You want to buy or–"

"Which one, which one tastes chocolate?" asked Aji with a trembling mouth.

The salesman pulled the gun from Aji's head, and then pointed at one bread that was still warm with the tip of the gun.

"The price is 300 thousand. Can you pay it?" 

Aji looked at the brown bun. Within a second, Aji imagined how the brown bread would taste. How delicious it will be when his tongue tastes the bread that is still warm. 

In the next second, Aji saw several rich people eating inside the bakery with gusto and happiness. Because they are too happy, they don't care if out there, many people starve and almost die because they don't eat.

'This world, what exactly? Hell? Or a stage for powerful people?' inner Aji asked himself.

Aji then looked back at the bread that was still warm. Again the aroma of the bread made his stomach feel a great hunger.

"Hey, damn it! Do you want to play with me?!" 

Not finished, the shop owner asked, Aji immediately pulled the table until it made the buns on the table fall on the ground. 

Seeing the bread fall to the ground made the bakery owner very surprised and angry. His eyes full of anger immediately glanced at Aji. But before he could vent his anger. Aji had already run while carrying one brown bun.

"THIEF!!" shouted the shop owner who immediately pointed his gun. But because the situation on the street was quite crowded, making the bakery owner dare not shoot. 

"Damn you kid! I'll shoot you in the head and I'll take all your organs for me to sell!" growled the shop owner. 

The shop owner began to chase Aji who was running. The thugs who had been waiting for Aji's action, were initially stunned by Aji's action that they did not expect. But two seconds later they began to wake up from the daydream and immediately joined Aji's chase. But some of the thugs chose to run to the store to pick up scattered bread. 

Although there was such an uproar, no one cared. Even the police didn't care. Because now, they are not working to keep the environment safe or persecuted people. But to protect people who are willing to pay them only.