As soon as Rey stepped inside the decaying house, the smell of damp wood and dust filled his senses.
The place had only two rooms.
The furniture was old, worn down by time, clearly used many times before it had ended up there. Even so, Rey had never complained.
After all, it was everything he had managed to buy with the little money he earned.
When he entered the second room, his eyes immediately found the girl.
She lay on an improvised bed, buried under thick blankets. Her cheeks were slightly flushed with fever.
Her long brown hair was spread across the pillow.
Despite the situation, she was beautiful.
Too beautiful for someone living in conditions like theirs.
And that beauty had caused trouble more than once.
Rey had fought several times in the streets because of it.
"You're back, Rey?" the girl said with dry sarcasm. "I thought you'd left me here to die and ran off with some random girl."
Rey sighed.
"Cut it out. You know I'd never do that, Sther."
He was already used to that kind of provocation.
Rey had found Sther on the streets when they were both still children.
He decided to help her.
And out of everyone he had tried to help back then…
She was the only one who had never betrayed him.
Since then, they had grown up together.
Like siblings.
Rey had taken care of her with all the kindness and affection he had.
He stepped closer to the bed.
"How are you feeling? Any better?"
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Sther turned her face away.
"I'm fine. Stop being so clingy, Rey."
But Rey frowned.
She had been sick for several days now.
And medicine was expensive.
Very expensive.
Most of it was imported from Athens.
"You're lying," Rey said. "How many times have I asked you not to lie to me?"
There was hurt in his voice.
Sther stared at the ceiling.
"If I tell the truth… what changes?"
Her voice sounded cold.
"I'll figure something out."
Rey answered immediately.
Without hesitation.
Sther let out a bitter laugh.
"How? Are you going to stop eating again just to buy medicine? Like last time?"
She turned to look at him.
"No thanks. I don't want that."
Rey looked away.
"I found a job. You don't need to worry."
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Sther stared at him.
She knew him far too well.
"That job is dangerous, isn't it?"
Rey answered too quickly.
"No."
Sther closed her eyes in irritation.
"Hypocritical bastard."
Rey sighed.
"You tell me not to lie… and then you lie straight to my face."
Rey said nothing.
"Please don't swear," he said almost automatically.
Sther turned her face away again.
"I have to go to work," Rey continued. "I just came to check on you."
Before he could leave, her voice stopped him.
"Don't go."
Rey paused at the door.
"If you go… I won't take any medicine."
Rey simply waved his hand as he stepped outside.
He knew that threat wasn't real.
Sther would never do something that would make him worry even more.
The door closed.
Silence filled the small shack again.
Sther pulled the blankets tighter around her body.
Her fingers trembled.
Her voice came out as a barely audible whisper.
"Please, Rey…"
A tear slid down the corner of her eye.
"Stay safe."
"I'm begging you."
Outside, Rey paused for a moment and looked back at the house.
"I'll be back."
Then he walked toward the alleys.
He moved through narrow, filthy streets, passing from one alley to another.
He greeted a few acquaintances.
Avoided violent drunks.
And kept his distance from certain criminals who controlled that area.
After some time, he finally reached his destination.
A house hidden deep inside an alley.
Curiously, it was in far better condition than the buildings around it.
Several young people were gathered in front of it.
Around ten of them.
All young.
After all, young people were braver…
…and also more reckless.
And that kind of work paid far better than any normal job in that part of the city.
Rey usually refused to accept work connected to drug dealers.
But in this situation…
He had no choice.
This job would probably ruin the lives of others.
It might even lead some of them to their deaths.
Rey wanted to be a good person.
But he wouldn't risk Sther's life for the sake of ideals.
He was a hypocrite.
Just like Sther had said.
Always trying to be better.
But when her life was at stake…
He didn't hesitate to destroy the lives of others.
Rey hated drug dealers.
Truly.
And yet…
Here he was.
He approached a boy he recognized.
Out of everyone there, he was one of the few Rey could tolerate.
"Hey, Henry."
"Rey?" the boy said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Rey gave a small sarcastic smile.
"I came to plant potatoes."
Henry rolled his eyes.
"Obviously."
"I'm here for the same reason as you."
Henry placed a dramatic hand over his chest.
"Ah… how I miss my innocent and polite Rey."
Rey chuckled softly.
"So… what's the job?"
Henry shrugged.
"They haven't said yet. But judging by the crowd…"
He glanced around.
"…it looks dangerous."
Rey didn't look surprised.
"You normally don't take this kind of work," Henry continued. "What happened to Sther?"
Rey fell silent for a moment.
Then he answered quietly.
"She's sick."
The words felt heavy.
Henry sighed.
"I figured."
He didn't say anything else.
Rey's expression made it clear.
Tonight was not a night for conversation.