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Shadow of Addiction

Aurora

The morning light filtered through the tattered curtains, casting dancing shadows on the worn wooden floor. I got up slowly, each movement feeling like a monumental effort. At seventeen, I was already carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. The first task of the day was always the same: checking if Sol, my younger brother, was still sleeping safely.

Sol, only nine years old, slept deeply, unaware of the monsters lurking outside his childish dreams. I gently stroked his hair, silently promising to protect him from everything the world threw at us.

Descending the stairs, I found the house in its usual state of chaos. Empty bottles scattered across the floor, moldy food remnants on the table, and a pungent smell that was a mix of cheap alcohol and despair. My parents were nowhere to be seen, probably still passed out in some dark corner of the house. Their lives had spiraled down into addiction and broken promises.

I started my daily cleaning routine, trying to bring a minimum of order to the chaos. Every movement was mechanical, a familiar choreography of sadness and hope. I knew that every small act of organization was a step towards normality for Sol, even if that normality was fragile and temporary.

As I washed the dishes, my mind wandered to the unpaid bills piled up on the kitchen table. The debts were accumulating, and the collectors were becoming increasingly insistent. I needed to find a way to earn money, and quickly, before something even worse happened.

Sol appeared in the kitchen, rubbing his sleepy eyes. "Aurora, is there anything for breakfast?" he asked with an innocence that broke my heart. I smiled, trying to hide my worry.

"Of course, Sol. I'll make something for you," I said, desperately searching for something edible. I found an almost empty cereal box and some milk that hadn't spoiled yet. It was a modest meal, but it was the best I could offer.

While Sol ate, I looked out the window, contemplating the uncertain future. I knew I couldn't continue like this. I needed to find a solution, a way out of this hell. But for now, all I could do was keep fighting, day by day, hoping for a miracle.

I finished tidying up the kitchen and started getting ready to leave. I had a list of places where I could try to find a job, anything that would help pay the bills and keep Sol safe. The first place on the list was a small café in the city center. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Before leaving, I knelt beside Sol and kissed his forehead. "I'll be out for a few hours, Sol. Stay inside and don't open the door for anyone, okay?"

Sol nodded, his eyes wide and trusting. "Okay, Aurora. I promise."

With one last look at my brother, I left the house, determined to find a solution to the nightmare our lives had become. Every step I took was a step toward a new hope, a new possibility of escaping the shadows that threatened to consume us.

I walked quickly through the busy city streets, my thoughts as chaotic as the traffic around me. I wore an old jacket, too big for my slender frame, but it offered some protection against the morning chill. The café in the city center was my first stop. I had never worked officially before, but I was determined to convince any employer to give me a chance.

When I arrived at the café, I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and walked in. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods enveloped me immediately, offering a brief comfort. The place was moderately busy, with customers sitting at small tables, chatting or working on laptops. I walked up to the counter, where a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile was serving customers.

"Good morning," I began, trying to sound confident. "I'm looking for a job. Are you hiring?"

The woman, whose name tag read "Carla," looked at me with a sympathetic but cautious expression. "We are, yes, but do you have any experience?"

I hesitated for a moment. "I... I'm a hard worker and a quick learner. I really need this job."

Carla studied me for a few seconds, assessing the sincerity in my eyes. "Well, we always need extra help. I'll give you a chance, but it will be a trial period. If you can keep up, the job is yours."

A mix of relief and gratitude filled me. "Thank you, thank you so much. When can I start?"

"How about now?" Carla suggested with a smile. "I can show you the basics and see how you do during today's shift."

I quickly agreed. "Sure, I'm ready."

Carla began showing me how to operate the coffee machine, serve customers, and clean tables. The tasks were simple but required speed and attention to detail. I dedicated myself fully, determined not to disappoint Carla and to ensure this job became permanent.

The hours flew by as I focused on the work. There was something almost therapeutic about the café routine, a welcome contrast to the chaos at home. For the first time in a long while, I felt useful and somewhat in control of my life.

Midway through the shift, while I was serving a cappuccino to a customer, a man walked into the café. He had a striking presence, with dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to see through everyone. He sat at a corner table, alone, and began reading a black-covered book.

I noticed his presence but was too busy to pay much attention. Eventually, Carla asked me to take an order to him.

I approached with the cup of coffee and a polite smile. "Here's your coffee. Can I get you anything else?"

The man looked up from his book, and for a moment, it felt like time stopped. There was something magnetic about him, an aura I couldn't explain. He smiled slightly, but his eyes maintained an unusual intensity.

"Thank you," he said in a soft yet firm voice. "Actually, could you bring me some sugar, please?"

I nodded and quickly returned to the counter to get the sugar. When I came back, the man was still watching me, which made me feel a bit nervous.

"Are you new here?" he asked casually as I placed the sugar on the table.

"Yes, I started today," I replied, trying not to seem uncomfortable under his gaze. "I'm just trying to adapt."

He nodded, seeming to understand more than I had said. "I hope it goes well. Working here can be challenging, but it's a good place to start."

I thanked him and went back to my work, but I couldn't stop thinking about the strange man in the corner of the café. There was something about him that intrigued me, something that drew me in a way I didn't fully understand.

When the shift ended, Carla approached me with a smile. "You did a great job, Aurora. If you can come back tomorrow, I'll consider the trial period a success."

I could barely contain my happiness. "Of course, I'll be here. Thank you again for this opportunity."

Back home, I felt a twinge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things would start to get better. However, as I opened the front door, I was met with a sight that brought me back to harsh reality.

Sol was sitting on the couch, his eyes fixed on something I couldn't see immediately. As I got closer, I saw our father passed out on the floor, empty bottles around him.

"Dad tried to get up, but he fell," Sol explained, his voice trembling with worry.

I rushed to my father's side, checking if he was breathing. Thankfully, he was, but the smell of alcohol was strong. With effort, Sol and I managed to lift our father and place him on the couch. The feeling of despair came back with full force.

"It will be okay, Sol," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I got a job today. Things will get better, I promise."

Sol looked at me with a mix of hope and doubt. "I hope so, Aurora. I hope so."

That night, as Sol slept and I stared at the ceiling, I realized I would need more than a job to truly change our lives. The debts were still there, and the collectors weren't going to disappear. But for now, I had taken a small step in the right direction. And tomorrow, I would take another.

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