I did — what?

“What? Kid! You telling me you just witnessed a kidnapping and you wait a week go by before telling anyone?” said Mr. Anthony in disappointment. 

“I’m sorry! I just— I just thought that it wasn’t happening but since you told that she hasn’t been here. I just know that it really happened.” lamented Navên. 

Mr. Anthony sighed a sigh of regret. He looks away as he is about to put up some dishes from the counter. 

“Well.” said Mr. Anthony briefly. 

“Well what?” Navên responded. 

“I mean — you told me because you plan on figuring out what happened to her? You definitely think there is a chance she may be still out there.” said Anthony in such a definitive tone. 

“Oh No! i just wanted it to get if off my chest by telling someone.” said Navên in a hesitant tone. 

“That’s all fine and dandy but you clearly have been affected by it kid. I don’t think you will let this go for a while without going to check it out. I mean at least see if the dog’s okay. I mean it hasn’t eaten in a week; he’s probably starving.” said Anthony. 

“Helll No! After seeing that you would be lucky to even see breath around that place.” said Navên getting up from his chair. 

“Hey! Just think about it like this. You’re doing Mrs. Morgan a favor nothing more nothing less. If you manage to see anything get out of there. Also, think about the dog; if that were your pet wouldn’t you want someone to at least let it free.” said Anthony in persuasive manner. 

Navên turns around to address Mr. Anthony when all of a sudden a the door to the delicatessen opens. In walks two kids a girl with a shoulder length brassy hair dressed in skater attire. Beside her a boy with grey denim jeans; a white t-shirt that appears to have an orange stain on it; and a baseball cap that says Braves’ on the front of it. 

The girl walk briskly ahead pulling the boy behind her with her right hand. 

“Damn it! I told you not to eat that popsicle while walking outside; now you got it all over yourself.” said the girl grumpily. 

I’m sorry! I stopped before walking in the street( to look both ways like you told me. When I did two ass—“ he explained before the girl cut him off.

“What? No cursing out in public! I told you that; it makes it look like Mom never taught us anything.” chastised the girl.

“Sorry. Two guys came and knocked my popsicle into my shirt. I didn’t drop it on purpose.” said the boy in an apologetic tone.

“Well. Why didn’t you say something then?” questioned the girl.

“I don’t know? I guess I was afraid you would get mad.” said the boy with timbre in his voice.

“Ugh! I guess I overreacted. Next time let me know!” said the girl looking at the boy.

The boy nods in response as the two make their to the counter.

“Well! If it isn’t two of my favorite customers?” gesturing at the the two walking up.

“Yeah. Well I don’t know how much longer that’s going to be. We haven’t received our monthly stipend from the protectorate plus we’re low on money from the parentals. All I have is twelve Fromani Coins.” says the girl while digging in her bag.

“No problem little lady! I can carve you guys some pork loin. That would be about ten coins give or take.” said Anthony

“Deal!” as she hand over her money to Anthony.

“Hey Navên! Can you help me in the back please!” asks Anthony.

They both head through the double doors to the back of the delicatessen.

“So what do you need help with?” asked Navên

“You know those two out there?” asked Anthony.

“Huh! Yeah they are the two siblings that come in every once in a while and ask for a pound of honey baked ham; sliced thinly?” answered Navên.

“No, No! They live in the same building as Mrs. Morgan does; or did? Anyway, we can ask them some questions about Mrs. Morgan’s disappearance.” said Anthony.

“Yeah! I totally forgot they lived in her building.” responded Navên.  

“Yeah. This may be your chance into the building to find out what was going on with Mrs. Morgan.” said Anthony look of certainty. 

“Huh!” shrieked Navên.

“Don’t “Huh” me kid; you told me all of this in order to find out what happened to Mrs. Morgan. Right?” said Anthony with an air persistence. 

“No! I don’t want to be involved in this mess. The Fromani are not something I would want to cross.” said Navên turning away from Mr. Anthony. 

He looks down in fear at his hands as he remembers them shaking when he witnessed the abduction of Mrs. Morgan a week ago. 

Mr. Anthony notices his reluctance and walks over to him. Patting him on his shoulder before walking over to take the pork shoulder out of the refrigerator to but sliced. 

“It’s alright to be afraid of the possibilities that could come from sticking your nose in such a matter. You don’t have to go if you don’t.” 

He finishes up slicing the pork shoulder and wraps it wax paper. He then writes the words Prk Shld on a piece of tape he placed on the wax paper wrapper. 

He then looks at a solemn Navên looking out; disassociating while cleaning up all of the excess scraps out of a bucket left on the floor. 

Mr. Anthony then walks out to front while Navên stays in the back and cleans up the scraps left over from Mr. Anthony preparing the trimmed meat. 

Mr. Anthony then walks out to the front of the Delicatessen holding the carved meat. While Navên stays in the back and cleans up the scraps left over from Mr. Anthony preparing the trimmed meat.

He walks over to the trash dumping the scraps out of the tub he placed them in. He stops while placing his foot on the pedal that lifts up the lid to the trash bin.

He minds harkens back to that night when Mrs. Morgan was abducted. He remembers her limp body being picked up by the Fromani and thrown like trash in the back of their van.

He starts to get frustrated picking up his foot from the pedal allowing the bin’s lid to slam. Afterwards, walking over to the meat carving station; slamming his hand on the cutting board. He bends over the table looking down at the blood stained cutting board and then looks up towards his reflection gleaming on the side of the meat slicer’s blade. 

He looks at his reflection realizing that he has been biding time reporting Mrs. Morgan’s abduction trying to keep normalcy. 

He looks at the door walking towards the double doors. He walks out the doors to find Mr. Anthony talking to the boy and the girl; both listening to him attentively. 

“Oh here he goes! I was just talking to Chounie and her brother about what you said.” said Mr. Anthony gleefully. 

“Huh?” said Navên scratching his head in confusion. 

“Oh don’t be modest. I was just telling Chounie here that you were talking about some thugs hanging out by your building. He was telling me back there that he would be willing to walk you home after work if you’d like.” said Mr. Anthony gesturing over to Navên with a grimace on his face. 

“I did — what?”, said Navên with a blank look on his face.