Rain noticed when a little boy trying to steal a fish from a vendor's stall. Instantly, the boy put the fish back once he realized Rain had seen him. Rain waved him over and calling him. The boy slowly approached Rain.
"What's your name?"
"Nathan."
"Where are your parents?"
"My mother is very sick, and my father is scavenging in Class C to buy us food. But since yesterday, he hasn't come home," Nathan replied. He glanced left and right, then whispered, "Sister, this is the first time I've stolen. Please don't report me. My mother and I are really starving."
Rain looked into Nathan's eyes. There was honesty in them. Then Rain picked up some apples and oranges, then put them in a black bag, and handed it over. "Take it."
"Thank you, sister."
Rain reached into her pocket and found five bronze coins. "Buy food for you and your mother."
Nathan's eyes filled with tears, which soon spilled down his cheeks. "Thank you so much, Sis!" He ran away and crying with gratitude.
Meanwhile, Anna remained silent and staring at the passing customers. Seeing her like that, Rain tried to cheer her up.
"Mom, can I ask something?"
"Yes?"
"Was Grandpa a thief back then?"
Her mother gave a lifeless response.
"Mom, I'm asking you," Rain said, leaning on her mother playfully.
"Oh, yes, dear? What is it?" her mother replied.
Suddenly, a plump woman came to Rain's stall. "Hey, Anna congratulations! Your son has advanced from rank 12 to rank 11," she said. Her name was Lidya, a fish vendor who had lost her son a year ago in the Star Game.
Rain and her mother were puzzled by her words.
"You didn't hear the news? On the billboard at the square, it said his opponent from Class B died of a heart attack."
For people of Class F, billboards were their only source of information, including updates about the Star Game. From there, they learned who had won. Unfortunately, the games themselves were never shown. The events were closed off, reserved only for the elite.
The Star Game was held once a year, mandatory for people from Class A to Class F.
Winners would receive privileges from the Elite Class—the highest rank—ranging from money, jobs, titles, and more.
For 48 years, Class A and Class B had been bitter enemies in this deadly competition. The lower classes were treated as outcasts, especially Class F, the lowest of the low, despised and discarded by the elites.
Anna, Felix's mother, looked slightly happy at Lidya's words. "Really?"
"Yes."
"That's great!" Rain shouted. "Mom, Felix won!"
"Not yet. He still has ten more opponents to defeat if he wants to become the champion," Lidya said.
At once, Anna's face turned gloomy. That meant her son was still in danger and might lose.
"Well, I'll be going now. Don't forget to pray a lot, so your son won't end up like mine—my Tommy," Lidya said before leaving.
Rain looked at her mother's sad, drained face. "What's wrong, Mom?"
Anna glanced at her lazily, took a long breath, and sighed. "Nothing."
"You have to believe that Felix will be fine. You know how strong and brave he is. Remember, he once killed someone who tried to hurt Verra," Rain reminded her, gently rubbing her hand. "Just pray he wins, Mom."
Anna nodded weakly. Then she pulled a cloth over the fruit. "Come on, Rain, let's go home. Let's wait for your brother there."
"Yes, Mom."
They closed up their stall as evening approached and the market grew empty.
***
From Class A to Class F, people gathered in anticipation of the Star Game. They crowded around their class's square, waiting for the billboard to announce each winner.
But Edmund's family chose to stay inside their home. They didn't want their son to become a gambling chip for others, nor did they want to witness his possible death in such a cruel game.
"Come, eat your porridge," Anna said, placing slices of omelet onto Rain's and her husband's plates. She added some to Felix's plate too. Tears fell suddenly. "This is Felix's favorite."
"Mom, please, stop worrying. He will be fine," Rain tried to reassure her.
"Rain is right, he'll be okay, Ann," said Edmund. "Now eat. You need your strength."
Anna looked at them, then at their small wooden-and-tin house. "I don't need money, a big house, or anything, Ed. I just want my son. Why were we born into the lowest class? If we were Elites, Felix would be living safely right now." Her tears burst uncontrollably.
Edmund and Rain hugged her frail body, crying together in their grief.
Tok! Tok! Tok!
"Edmund! Open the door!" someone banged loudly.
"That sounds like Mr. Benny," Rain said.
"What could it be?" Edmund asked, walking to the door. Before opening it, he told his wife and daughter, "Wipe your tears."
They obeyed quickly.
Creak!
The door opened, and sure enough, Benny stood outside.
"What do you want?" Edmund asked.
"You're not at the square?"
Edmund shook his head. "As you can see, we're having dinner."
Benny peered inside and spotting four bowls of porridge on the table. "Ah, you're having a celebration for your son, aren't you?"
"If you came to mock us, leave us now!" Edmund snapped.
"Hey, calm down. Is it wrong to say that?"
"Of course it is! You once lost Kara to that damned game too!" Edmund shouted angrily.
Benny fell silent, lips sealed, abd his eyes locked on Edmund.
Edmund tried to shut the door, but Benny blocked it with his foot.
"What now?" Edmund barked.
"Sorry. I only came to tell you. Your son is now ranked eighth. He's the only one left representing the lower classes."
"To hell with that! My family doesn't care!" Edmund slammed the door.
He returned to the table, his mind heavy, but his prayers constant.
"Dad, Felix is ranked eighth?" Rain asked.
Edmund nodded weakly. "Yes." He sighed deeply. "Tomorrow, we won't open the stall. I don't want you two to get crushed if bad news comes about Felix."
"Alright, Dad," Rain replied.
Anna only nodded quietly in agreement.
***