𝕳𝖆𝖙𝖊

                                    

                                          
Reki hides under his parents' bed. He's trying not to sneeze due to the dust. Playing hide-and-seek with his younger brother, Rochefort was usually enjoyable, Although Rochefort had a talent for quickly locating him, especially when Reki began sneezing uncontrollably. Reki would have been bored to death in his parents' house without his brother, where the mood was set by what he dubbed "prison guards" - Two fierce pirates named Bard and Jack. Reki thought they were impolite people with eyes everywhere, making it impossible to hide from their scrutinizing stare. Captain Henry and Morgana, the King and Queen of the pirate city Cotumo, ordered Bard and Jack to watch their boys while they were gone.
From the corridor, a muffled cry and shocked moaning sounds, forcing Reki to stand up in a reflex and smash his head against the wooden bed frame. Although he can't see much from where he lies, he keeps his gaze fixed on the doorway. The bedroom curtains are half drawn to keep the heat out, and a beam of sunlight shines through on the knotted carpet at the foot of the bed. Reki was all alone since his parents were away on a ship voyage, which he did not enjoy. His younger brother Rochefort did. However, Rochefort was too young. Much to his parents ' dismay, Reki had persuaded his father to let him stay with Rochefort.
Reki's heart races when the bedroom door squeaks open. Two feet shuffle inside, decorated with bright gold buckles on black boots. A loud thud and metal tinkling sounds. What was that sound? A sword perhaps? Rochefort, who is standing in front of him, is deafeningly silent.  "Here Roch, under the bed", but Rochefort remains silent. Reki swiftly retrieves his brother and jumps back beneath the bed, his hand resting on Rochefort's lips. The sound of leather cracking and metal tinkling continues as the door is pushed open violently. Reki is taken aback when he notices armored shoes in the doorway that neither Bard nor Jack are wearing. A sour smell fills the room. A rough-voiced man curses. "Where are those rats?" "We're going to play hide-and-seek," Reki whispers, putting his hand on Rochefort's mouth. Rochefort nods enthusiastically as Reki waits for the shoes to leave the room.
"Can you tell me where the kids are? Do you see them?" "I don't see anybody." "We can't stay long. Look under the bed or behind the drapes." Reki leans against the wall, as close to the wall as he can get. The worn-out shoes are making their way towards the window. The curtains open with a jerk. The oncoming light illuminates Jack's lifeless body that adorns the entryway.  Cruel, murdered as if it were nothing. Dark blood flows out of his cut troth. Jack's green eyes are lifeless as he stares into space. Reki's muscles are stiff. Reki his throat is full of bitter bile, and he gasps short for air that isn't there. "Nothing," says the man at the window. Reki observes as the man kneels and places his hands on the floor. Jack's blood is on the blade of a razor-sharp kukri dagger, which is clutched in one hand. Rochefort jumps from beneath the bed before Reki can respond. In a rush, Reki tries to grab him. "Roch" he grunts and tries to grasp the youngster, but he is too quick. 
Suddenly, a menacing growl interrupts the silence. Rochefort jumps and rushes towards the door, causing Reki to hold back his scream. The sound of footsteps draws closer as two-year-old Rochefort falls to the ground with a loud thud. His frightened eyes fill with tears as a rough hand grabs him by the hair. He tries to crawl back under the bed.  Reki knows he must act fast to save his little brother. Despite being only six years old, he summons his courage and emerges from his hiding place. The two villains, with their crimson-red eyes fixed on him, seem strong. Yet, Reki cannot stand by and watch his brother die. Rochefort looks up at him, his face covered in blood. Reki knows he must try to fight. The odds are against him, but he cannot let his brother die.
"There" roars the bandit on Reki's left side. Reki observes the chubby man's face and swallows. He trembles like a leaf in the wind. "Let go of my brother" he stutters. The slender intruder's long throat erupts with a burst of laughter. "Why are you telling us what to do, boy? He smiles and continues, 'Vladimir, the boy, believes he is brave enough to tell us what to do.' Vladimir laughs loudly. "I have a feeling that this kid believes he is tough, Malik. "Vladimir chuckles. Reki glares furiously at the attackers, thinking hopelessly about how to free his little brother from their grasp. "Reki" Rochefort cries. "Sh Roch" Reki assures him: "everything will be fine". Malik sniffs with amusement. I don't think so boy" he laughs and effortlessly slides the dagger down Rochefort's larynx. Reki roars hopelessly. Rochefort's slit throat pours bright red blood. Malik laughs as he throws the corpse to the ground and points his knife at Reki. While Malik corners the terrified toddler, Vladimir teases him, "You're next." As he glances at Rochefort's body, Reki's eyes shine with tears. What was the motivation for his brother's murder? Why couldn't Reki save him? As he stares at the wooden ceiling, Rochefort's eyes are damp and soulless. You won't get rid of it as soon as that little rat did. Vladimir growls and smacks Reki across the nose bone. Malik laughs and punches Reki in the eye socket. Vladimir grips the youngster tightly. Malik repeatedly drops his fist on Reki's delicate face, causing him to cry. Dark red blood pours down Reki's face and settles in the roots of his inky locks. Deep whispers approach from afar. 
A bang is heard on the door shortly after, and the wood creaks in protest. "Quick!" A voice calls out from the corridor. Reki shudders as a final blow destroys his nasal bone. The child sighs and eventually closes his eyes. "We'll come back for you later," Malik yells as he drops the body on the dark wooden floor. Malik abruptly rises. The noise level in the corridor had increased. Reki secretly inspects Vladimir's old sneakers with one eye. They move away from Reki's damaged body gently. "It's okay, Reki". In low tones, a faint voice declares. "I'm here". A soft hand strokes his hair as it falls over his shoulder.