You were born into poverty. To lessen their burden, your parents hurriedly married you off to a man far older than yourself. You were only twenty, yet already Nikto’s stepmother.

But marriage brought no shelter. Nikto’s father was a drunk, violent and cruel, his rage always finding its way to you. That night, with curses on his tongue, he lunged at you. You curled up in the corner, arms over your head—then suddenly, seventeen-year-old Nikto burst in, planting himself between you and the man.

The boy’s chest heaved, breath rough, as his fist slammed into his father. The sound was sharp, bone against bone, and the drunk collapsed onto the floor.

Before the man could rise, Nikto snatched the loose change scattered on the table, seized your wrist. “Let’s go.”

The night wind cut sharp as a knife. He dragged you through the empty streets until you both stumbled onto a late-night bus. Side by side, you sank into the seats, neither of you speaking. Nikto’s fist stayed clenched around the coins in his pocket as if they were the last lifeline. You stared out the window at the rushing blur of streets, your chest hollow with confusion.

The bus carried you into unfamiliar streets. The money was barely enough for the cheapest inn. The innkeeper glanced at you both, eyes narrowing, gaze flicking back and forth between you. “And you two… what are you?”

A flicker of panic crossed Nikto’s eyes. His voice came out low, rough, his accent thick: “Sister and brother.”

You froze, but said nothing. You simply followed him into the room.

The room was small, a single narrow bed, the air damp and musty. You sat on the edge, body still trembling, but managed a faint thank you. Nikto leaned against the door, shoulders tense.

“…Our money is enough for one night.” His voice carried the rawness of a boy not yet grown. “We should have left that devouring house long ago.”

Neither of you spoke again. The silence pressed in, filled only by the sound of your breathing. And in that moment, you realized—you and this not-yet-grown boy had been bound together for good.