Chapter 5 Survival (ll)

Matteo sat on the worn-out couch, staring at the steaming mug in his hands. The kitchen light was dim, barely enough to see the cracks on the peeling walls. Outside, the city's noise hummed like a restless beast - cars honking, distant shouts, sirens wailing far away.

He took a slow sip, letting the warm tea fill the chill inside him. For a moment, the noise faded, and all he could hear was Leo's soft breathing from the next room.

The pouch still pressed against his ribs, heavy with secrets and danger. Matteo's fingers traced the edges under his shirt, wishing for answers he didn't have.

How many more nights like this could he hold it together? How long before the city swallowed him whole?

He sighed, rubbing his face tiredly. Just when he thought he might find a second of peace, a sharp knock echoed through the apartment.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Matteo's head snapped up, heart racing.

"Who now?" he muttered.

He opened the door to find Jax - a wiry kid with a crooked grin and eyes sharp as a hawk. Jax wasn't just a friend. He was the street's unofficial lookout, a partner in every scam, and sometimes, the only person Matteo trusted.

"Thought I'd find you here, hiding from the world," Jax said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

"You got the stuff?" Matteo asked, voice low.

Jax shook his head. "Not yet. But I heard things - people asking questions. You're not safe, man."

Matteo's stomach twisted. "I know."

Jax tossed a small pack of cigarettes onto the table and sat down. "We need a plan. Fast."

Matteo rubbed his forehead. "No rest for the wicked, huh?"

Jax smirked. "More like no rest for the desperate."

Matteo gave a weak laugh. "Well, desperate's my middle name these days. What do you know? Who's asking?"

Jax leaned forward, voice dropping low. "Word is, some heavy hitters on the other side want that pouch back. They're not the kind you want knocking at your door with a friendly smile."

Matteo's eyes narrowed. "So, we're dealing with gangsters now? Great. Just what I needed."

"Yeah, and they don't do warnings. They do damage."

Matteo shook his head, feeling the weight in his chest grow heavier. "And Leo? You think they'll come near him?"

Jax's smile faded. "If they want to scare you, they'll use whatever's close to you. Family's always the weak spot."

Matteo clenched his fists. "Not on my watch."

Jax nodded. "Good. That's why you need to move fast. Find a buyer, get rid of the pouch before it's too late."

Matteo looked around the shabby apartment. "Easy to say when you don't have options."

Jax stood up, pacing. "I got a guy who might buy it. Problem is, he's not exactly the 'friendly neighborhood merchant.' More like a shark."

Matteo snorted. "That sounds promising."

Jax grinned. "You know me. Always full of great ideas."

Matteo shook his head, a small smile breaking through. "I don't know how you keep your spirits up."

"Because I've got you to drag down," Jax joked.

Matteo laughed, the sound raw but real. "Alright, let's hear this plan."

Jax sat back down, pulling out a crumpled map. "Tomorrow night, we meet my guy near the docks. Quiet place, no cops, no surprises. You bring the pouch. I bring backup."

Matteo frowned. "Backup? Since when do we have backup?"

Jax winked. "Since I made some new friends. You'll like them. Maybe."

Matteo rubbed his chin, the fear still there but mixed with a flicker of hope. "Okay. Tomorrow night."

Jax stood, heading for the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we fight."

Matteo watched him go, the quiet apartment suddenly feeling smaller - but maybe, just maybe, less alone.