Chapter 3 WHERE BOYS GO TO DIE

Laos, a city buzzing with opportunities but as noisy as a hornet nest, where people move in an unorderly fashion as though patience is a sin. The busy road of Laos filled with cars honking at each other as the drivers laid curses at each other, tall skyscrapers and monumental buildings beautified the city, but even that was enough to hide the stench of the city. This is definitely not like Neverland which was significantly more peaceful with less curse words at each other. Sam was terrified at the prospect of living in the city.

Everything is changing so fast that he hasn't had the time to adjust fully or to comprehend his situations, so many pent up emotions that has made him visibly expressionless. In the car, he kept thinking of the words his father told him, he wondered if the time clock was a curse on him. As he took a look at the time clock which was a gift that held significant emotional sentiments to him. A gift or a curse? He questioned the time clock as though he expected an answer from it. John didn't say a word throughout their time travelling together.

They finally arrived at his place. A two-room rented apartment with much needed pruning work as the grass stood almost as tall as human in the compound, his uncle is rarely around the house he surmised. John is a recently divorced man in his late 30s, he doesn't really have what it takes to raise a teenage boy and an infant but he promised to do right by his brother as it is the manly thing to do. He carried the luggage inside as Sam carried his little sister who was full of smiles and giggles, Sam kind of envied her. Shortly after, they moved inside the house. Sam notices the room were much smaller compared to their house in the town. John was a chartered accountant who was really all about his work and has no social life and now he has to deal with raising two kids and a mountain of debt left by his deceased brother. Anna finally fell asleep and John called Sam to his room, he said, Sam I need you to listen to me very carefully, you are no longer a boy, I hope you know that. Sam nodded in approval. Now I'm going to ask you now, what it is you want to be in the future Sam? He replied confidently saying he wants to be an astronaut. John smirked a bit and said "You need to let go of childhood fantasies Sam, the world is a hard place and as such you need to make realistic aims Sam. We don't have the finances to help you run this dream, Sam. The family is in a lot of debt and you also need to start earning son Sam. You have a little sister you must take care of. Kill the boy, Sam and let the man in you grow. You are 16 years old now, soon you will be prepping for college education, I need you to do what's expected of a man and take charge Sam, as that is what your father would have wanted".

Sam replied his Uncle saying, "I know uncle, I'll try my best to do right by this family and also I still want to pursue my goal to be an astronaut, it is all I have ever known or want to be, I know everything comes at a cost uncle but I'm ready to give it all it takes uncle" John looked at Sam and can't help but remember his brother George, how stubborn he can be, he smiled at Sam because deep in his mind he knew Sam will come around when he sees the way the world works. They ended the conversation and Sam went to his room and slept shortly after.

John enrolled Sam to a high school and Anna to a kindergarten. Sam was enrolled to a school few distances away from the house. Months have gone by now, Sam still struggling to adjust to life in the city, things are much more expensive coupled with the fact he has to go get his sister from school before getting home as his uncle only comes home in the dead of the night. He really can't blame him because the traffic in the city is stuff of nightmare and his company is located in the other part of the city far away from the house.

Troy, Sam's classmates told him that there is a way Sam can earn extra cash to get a nanny for his little sister. Troy is a 17 year old boy born and bred in the city of Laos, it's obvious from the way he talks and mannerism that the city has turned him to a hustler who would do about anything to make money. Sam listen, I've got a mother I'm taking care of because my father is never around. Money is the only true God they worship in this city Sam, without money you are nothing. Remember your dreams to become an astronaut, you must be ready to take few risk every now and then Sam. When you've got your own money, you can do whatever the fuck you like with the money. That's when girls start feeling you, that's when the society respects you Sam, you want to make a name for yourself in this city, get your money up bro.

How? Sam asked. Now you talking my boy, I've got this gig I do but I have to ask first, are you willing to skip school? Sam unsure of what to say and told Troy that his education is very important to him. Troy looked at Sam and laughed hysterically you didn't hear what I said earlier? The only true God in the city is money bro. Holler at me when you ready, I've got you.

Sam got home that night and pondered about Troy's offer, he knows Troy is the one catering for his family need as he is just few years older than him. He knows troy is not the smartest person so he wondered how he is able to make so much cash even at that young age. He thought of his little sister and also how the money can help him get to top universities so he can pursue his dream. He remembered the cost he has to pay to see to his dream come to fruition, what it means to be a man and if that means missing a few classes here and there trying to make money so be it!!