As we drove silently, the scenery outside changed from a bustling city to a secluded area, surrounded by tall trees and winding roads that seemed to stretch on forever. The trees grew closer together here, casting deep shadows that made it difficult to see very far ahead. I saw a luxury car parked outside, its sleek design and gleaming paintwork a stark contrast to the rough, natural surroundings. A driver waited inside, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, oblivious to our presence as we drove past. The gigantic man beside me, gestured for me to look around, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint that made me feel uneasy.
"Welcome to our humble castle," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You'll be staying here for a while."
I looked around, taking in the urban area, hidden from sight, except for those who knew about it. The buildings were sleek and modern, with tall fences and gates, surrounding the complex like a fortress. I saw people walking around, all dressed in formal attire, their faces expressionless, their eyes fixed on some point ahead.
The gigantic man turned to me, his expression serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. " You can call me Brock from now on. I'll be your personal guardian. "
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden formality. "Guardian?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
Brock nodded, his expression unchanging. " Yes, guardian. I'll be taking care of you, making sure you're safe and sound. "
The driver introduced himself, his voice gruff, but polite. " Hi, I'm Willy. I'll be driving you around, taking you where you need to go. If the occasion actually calls for it. "
I was concerned, why were they now sounding quite formal, unlike when they took me from the orphanage? What had changed? I thought back to the orphanage, to the sisters and the other kids, wondering if I would ever see them again.
"So, what's going on?" I asked, trying to sound calm, but my voice shaking slightly. "Why am I here?"
Brock smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. " All in good time, my young friend. All in good time. "
Willy chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, you'll find out soon enough."
I frowned, feeling a sense of unease. What did they have planned for me? And why were they being so secretive? I thought back to the police car, to the officers who had ignored me. It seemed like no one was going to help, like I was on my own.
As we drove deeper into the complex, I saw more luxury cars, and people walking around, all dressed in formal attire. It looked like a private community, hidden from the rest of the world. I saw a large building ahead, its design sleek and modern, with tall windows and a heavy-looking door.
Brock gestured for me to come out of the car, his eyes commanding. "We're here."
As I stepped out of the vehicle, I couldn't help but gaze around in awe at the opulent surroundings. The sprawling mansion loomed before us, its grandeur and majesty leaving me breathless. The perfectly manicured lawns and gardens stretched out as far as the eye could see, with tall trees and sparkling fountains adding to the sense of tranquility. But it was the people that really caught my attention - everyone was dressed in suits, both men and women, their attire impeccable and their demeanor confident. They seemed to be the ones in charge, guiding others with a quiet authority that commanded respect.
Brock nudged me on the shoulder, his voice low and urgent. " Let's move, kid. We don't have all day to waste. "
I hesitated, my eyes still scanning the surroundings. "Who are these people?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Brock's grip on my shoulder tightened. "They're associates, guarding the area" he replied, his tone cryptic. " Just remember, you're one of us now. Act like it. "
I nodded, trying to process the sheer scale of what I was seeing. If these people were guiding others, that meant there were potential enemies lurking out there, waiting to take their chances. Was I really safe here? I thought back to the orphanage, to the sisters and the other kids, wondering if I would ever get the chance to see them again.
Brock seemed to sense my unease, his eyes narrowing slightly. " Listen, kid. I know this is a lot to take in. But you need to trust me. I'm your guardian now, and I'll do everything in my power to keep you under my watchful eyes. "
I swallowed hard, trying to push aside my doubts. "Okay," I said, my voice firm.
Brock nodded, his expression serious. " Good. Now, let's get one thing straight - you need to act like you belong here. Don't look around like a lost puppy, and don't ask too many questions. Just be confident, and people will respect you. "
I nodded again, trying to absorb his words. "Got it."
Brock's grip on my shoulder relaxed slightly. " Good. Now, let's go inside. "
As we walked towards the mansion, Brock kept a firm hand on my shoulder, guiding me through the crowds of people. I tried to keep my head straight, to avoid looking around too much, but it was hard not to be curious. Everyone seemed to know each other, exchanging nods and smiles as they passed. I felt like an outsider, a stranger in a strange land.
"Remember, kid," Brock whispered in my ear. " Act like a boss, but be humble. That way, you'll stay away from danger. "
I nodded, taking a deep breath as we stepped into the mansion. The interior was just as opulent as the exterior, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a thousand tiny rainbows. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and cigar smoke, and the sound of laughter and music drifted through the corridors.
Brock led me through the winding corridors, nodding to people as we passed. I tried to keep up, my heart pounding in my chest. What was I getting into? I wondered, my mind racing with questions. Who were these people? And what did they want from a boy without much experience of the outside?