a voice in the crowd broke the steady hum of the city's evening Rush the sun was setting behind the skyline casting a warm glow over the bustling streets where people moved purposefully too absorbed in their own worlds to notice much around them Isaiah a young black boy with dust smeared cheeks and an outstretched hand stood quietly on the corner he had learned not to expect much a few coins maybe a bit of leftover food he'd long since trained himself to ignore the ache of hunger and the sting of dismissive looks his makeshift bed a battered
piece of cardboard was tucked under his arm as he moved through the crowd barely noticeable nearly invisible his voice had grown horar from a day of quietly calling out and each minute left him a little more worn as he scanned the faces passing by he spotted A well-dressed woman her clothes shimmering under the dimming Sky Rings sparkled on her fingers as she adjusted her handbag and Isaiah felt a glimmer of hope please ma'am he murmured stepping forward with outstretched hands just a few coins for food it's been days since I've eaten the woman's gaze landed
on him with a look that bordered on contempt she pulled back disgust etched on her face as if his mere presence had tainted her evening don't touch me you filthy thing she snapped recoiling this coat costs more than you'll see in your miserable life Isaiah felt his shoulders sink but he held his ground though his hands trembled slightly please he whispered I can work clean your car anything just something to eat but his plea only deepened her disdain she raised her voice her tone dripping with derision work just look at you dirty stinking and probably
crawling with lice people like you just want to beg and steal from decent folks like me she sneered people began to stop and stare some pulling out their phones to capture the scene Isaiah's heart pounded and his hand instinctively moved over his growling stomach but he didn't want to show weakness not now you don't know me he said his voice soft but laced with a courage that surprised even him he looked around at the faces eyes filled with shame but refusing to let his head drop you have no idea what I've been through or why
I'm here the woman's glare sharpened her voice cutting into him you probably tried to rob me didn't you kids like you are all the same part of some gang no doubt Isaiah's cheeks burned and he blinked rapidly refusing to let the tears fall but he stumbled back as the woman's words bore into him piercing through the thin walls he' built around himself just then a deep steady voice cut through the crowd enough Isaiah looked up and the crowd turned toward the source of the voice a tall man elegantly dressed with a calm yet intense expression
the woman faltered flustered by The Stranger Interruption I was just just trying to teach him a lesson these Beggars need to know their place she muttered the man ignored her and walked toward Isaiah his gaze softening as he took in the boy's exhausted appearance he reached into his pocket pulling out a folded bill and placing it in Isaiah's hand Isaiah's eyes widened it was more money than he'd ever held at once thank you he whispered his voice barely Audible The Man nodded glancing back at the woman with a piercing gaze that silenced her today he
said his voice calm but firm you've shown everyone here who you really are the man turned back to Isaiah smiling softly take care of yourself he murmured before disappearing into the crowd but as Isaiah watched him go something in him shifted a small flicker of hope he hadn't felt in a long time that night Isaiah found a spot beneath a bridge clutching the bill tightly the man's kindness had stirred something in him filling him with an unfamiliar mixture of fear hope and anticipation he felt as though he was standing on the edge of a new
path though he couldn't yet see where it would lead as Dawn broke he got up his mind worring with ideas for the first time he thought about something other than just surviving later he passed by the bakery where he'd seen people walk in and out with pastries and bread the delicious Aroma was almost dizzying and he was just about to step inside when a voice hissed from behind him don't even think about it Isaiah turned spotting another Street kid his age wrapped in a torn coat and looking at him with wey eyes who are you
Isaiah asked surprised the girl crossed her arms name's Tasha and if you know what's good for you you'll stay away from places like this Isaiah frowned I just wanted to buy something to eat Tasha scoffed not here you won't these fancy places call the cops the second they see someone like us trust me she gave him a once over you're new to this huh Isaiah hesitated I've been on the streets for a while if that's what you mean Tasha shook her head nah I mean you to surviving out here she nodded toward the money in
his hand someone gives you a big Bill and you think you can walk into a bakery like you belong here doesn't work that way Isaiah's face burned with embarrassment but there was truth in Tasha's words he had been so eager that he hadn't thought about how people might react she softened a bit gesturing down the street there's a food cart a few blocks away where they won't look twice at you come on the two of them weaved through narrow Alleyways until they reached a small quiet part of town where a vendor served sandwiches Isaiah ordered
one and they sat by a fountain to eat between bites he looked over at Tasha why' you help me she Shrugged chewing thoughtfully someone helped me once figured I'd pay it forward but don't get used to it out here people smile at you one minute then take everything you've got the next Isaiah absorbed her words feeling the weight of them what should I do then you make a plan she said looking him in the eye you get smart lay low and find a way off these streets she glanced up at the sky watching as clouds
began to gather this life isn't for anyone but if you're stuck here you learn fast Isaiah felt something stir within him a res I he hadn't realized he had that day Tasha showed him places where shopkeepers wouldn't kick him out shortcuts through Alleyways and quiet spots where he could sleep undisturbed as they walked Isaiah couldn't help but think about the man who had given him the money his face lingered in Isaiah's mind a reminder of the goodness he'd found in a stranger one evening while waiting for Tasha near the park Isaiah spotted a familiar figure
a man in a tailored suit with a purposeful stride it was him Isaiah's heart pounded as he watched unsure whether to approach then he noticed Tasha lurking nearby her eyes fixed on the man as she slipped through the crowd reaching for something in her coat Isaiah's pulse raced as he saw the glint of a small sharp blade without thinking he darted forward grabbing her arm Tasha don't Tasha spun around surprised Isaiah let go we could take his wallet and be set for days Isaiah shook his head this isn't the way he's a good good person
he helped me Tasha looked at him with a mix of disbelief and anger but his words seemed to sink in with a sigh she slipped the blade back into her pocket fine but don't expect people like him to save you again after Tasha stormed off Isaiah felt a mix of guilt and relief turning back he was startled to find the man looking directly at him his face calm but questioning are you all right the man asked his voice filled with concern Isaiah nodded though his voice trembled thank you I was just passing by the man
extended his hand i'm Simon and you Isaiah he replied shaking the mank hand simonk expression softened I've been looking for you Isaiah I wanted to see if you were all right Isaiah's heart skipped a beat no one had ever looked for him before let alone someone like Simon before he could say more a sleek black car pulled up beside them a woman with cold piercing eyes rolled down the window her voice SHP up there you are Simon are you done with your little stroll simonk face hardened but he kept his voice calm yes Amelia I
was just talking to a friend her gaze shifted to Isaiah filled with disdain friend I don't know why you waste time with people like him Isaiah felt a familiar Pang of humiliation but forced himself to Stand Tall Simon turned to her his voice steady but laced with an edge Simon turned to her his voice steady but laced with an edge a IIA that's enough he said firmly a hint of anger in his tone he looked back at Isaiah his eyes filled with apology I'm sorry he whispered Isaiah managed a small understanding smile it's all right
thank you for everything Simon nodded a silent promise lingering in his gaze and climbed into the car as he pulled away Isaiah was left alone in the dim light the weight of Amelia's coldness pressing on him yet Simon's kindness sparked something new within him a reminder that he wasn't invisible that maybe he was worth more than he had ever been told as the days passed Isaiah thought often of Simon and the strange look in Amelia's eyes a glint of anger that seemed more than just irritation Tasha noticed the change in him what's got you all
thoughtful she asked one evening as they shared a stale sandwich by a fountain Isaiah Shrugged Unsure how to explain do you ever feel like you're meant for something more he asked his voice barely a whisper Tasha laughed dry a bitter Edge in her tone surviving is enough for me out here more isn't something we get to dream about she studied him eyes narrowing ever since you met that guy you've been acting different what you think he's your ticket out of here Isaiah looked away embarrassed I just I think he needs help Tasha scoffed people like
him don't need anything from us but Isaiah couldn't shake the feeling that Simon's life was filled with shadows he couldn't see a feeling that Amelia was somehow tied to it the next day Isaiah wandered through the upscale neighborhood where he'd seen Simon before hours passed before he finally spotted Simon tired and drawn stepping out of a Sleek office building summoning his courage Isaiah approached Simon he called softly Simon looked up surprise flickering in his eyes Isaiah what are you doing here Isaiah hesitated searching for the right words I just I want wanted to make sure
you were okay simonk face softened he gestured for Isaiah to follow him to a quiet bench in a nearby park your perceptive Isaiah he began a heavy sadness in his voice there are things going on in my life things I can't ignore anymore his voice dropped to a whisper I think Amelia is trying to control everything my life my assets I'm trapped Isaiah felt his heart clench with sympathy why don't you leave simonk expression grew dark it's not that simple she's woven herself into everything I own and I suspect she's willing to do anything to
keep control I even think she might have tried to poison me each time I eat something she prepares I feel sick Isaiah's breath caught a chill running through him his instincts had been right Simon you have to get away from her Simon looked down his voice barely audible I don't know how Isaiah straightened determination hardening his gaze I'll help you Simon looked at him a flicker of Hope lighting his face why would you do that Isaiah met his gaze his voice steady because you gave me a chance and everyone deserves to be free the two
of them sat in silence Bound by a shared resolve finally Simon nodded all right I trust you Isaiah in the days that followed Isaiah shared Simon's story with Tasha though skeptical she agreed to help they began by observing Amelia learning her routines and who she met with one evening Tasha overheard Amelia meeting with a man at a cafe discussing plans to transfer Simon's assets when she relayed this to Isaiah he knew they had to act fast the next night they followed Amelia to a mansion on the outskirts of town sneaking in they found her in
a study papers spread before her as she whispered on the phone detailing plans to strip Simon of everything Isaiah and Tasha snapped photos of the documents slipping out before Amelia could notice the next morning Isaiah handed Simon the evidence his heart pounding this is everything you need to prove what she's doing Simon's eyes widened as he scanned the papers his face paling you've saved me Isaiah but Simon needed a witness for his confrontation with Amelia and he asked Isaiah to join him later that evening they arrived at Simon's Mansion as they waited the tension in
the air grew thick finally Amelia entered her face falling as she saw Isaiah what is he doing here she sneered Simon held up the evidence his voice steady we know everything Amelia your lies your plans all of it Amelia's face Twisted in Anger she scoffed and what do you plan to do you think the word of a street rat will mean anything she turned to Isaiah her eyes cold you don'tk belong here Isaiah held her gaze unflinching maybe not but you don't deserve to be here either Simon trusted you and you betrayed him Amelia's face
contorted with Fury she lunged toward Simon but Isaiah stepped between them catching her arm her anger flared and she shoved him to the ground but before she could do more the room filled with the sound of footsteps as police officers entered summoned by Simon earlier Amelia paled as they approached realizing her defeat as the officers led her away her gaze lingered on Isaiah filled with bitter contempt when they were finally alone Simon turned to Isaiah gratitude softening his face I couldn't have done this without you Isaiah smiled the weight of his past slowly lifting you
saved me first Simon I just repaid the favor simonk eyes warmed if you're willing I'd like to help you find A New Path a fresh start Isaiah's heart raced hope filling him for so long he'd only known survival but now with Simon by his side he dared to dream of something more nodding he replied I'd like that as they left the Mansion the cool night air filled Isaiah's lungs each breath a promise of a new beginning he had faced darkness and emerged stronger ready to step into the light
