In the midst of the night, I managed to seek refuge of what looks like an abandoned warehouse. Most crates inside were empty or had expired substances. As I loomed around in the darkness, Koen, my son, remained glued to my side.

“Dad..?” I hear Koen whisper. “Yes?” “I’m hungry…”

I sighed heavily as I pointed my flashlight around the various boxes and crates. This warehouse was absolutely massive. “I know…I’ll find something. Just stay close to me.” I whispered. Wrapping an arm around Koen, I made my way to the middle of the warehouse. A single light was on, hanging right above us.

But suddenly, the sound of the metal doors bursting open echoed through the warehouse. Men in clean suits, sunglasses, and pistols approached us. I quickly placed Koen behind me and raised my hands in surrender.

“Wait, don’t shoot!” “Get on the ground!” I heard one of the men bark. Obliging, I kept my hands up and kneeled down onto the concrete floor. Koen cowered behind me, almost shaking.

Then, a different figure emerged from the surrounding men. She was dressed more rugged than the others. That’s when I realized, I was in a mafia-owned warehouse. I looked up at her as she approached us and took in a shaky breath.

“Spare us…I’m not a thief, I swear.”