Renan was the only child of a poor family. He was quite young, so he didn't have many memories of what life was like at that time. All he knew about that period came from his mother telling him how they had to leave the little they had to flee to another country.
They lived in a third-world country where a war was about to break out. The country was poor, even though it had several natural resources that could have turned it into a great power.
Even so, corporations from other countries had invaded the place, taking control of everything, stripping away the natural resources, and forcing the locals to work in their mines, factories, and laboratories.
There was a lot more involved in it, obviously. Renan's family, however, were just victims who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. His father worked as a miner, spending most of his days in the mines, operating heavy machinery for excavations and using physical strength when necessary.
"This place is too dangerous to raise a child." Renan's father said in a frustrated tone.
"Yes, Marcus." The boy's mother fully agreed while holding .The nights were dangerous, anyone was at risk because rumors said that monsters lived in the darkness and attacked anyone who was weak or seemed like an ideal victim.
"I heard at work that many people are trying to get on boats and escape to Ravenport." The woman said. She worked as a housemaid.
Ravenport was the largest city in the neighboring country. A coastal city known for being a meeting point of various cultures and for serving as a stopover port for supply ships and passenger vessels.
Because of that, the city was developing more and more, creating opportunities for those willing to try their luck.
"We should try, Alice." The man had a rather tired and serious expression. It was the weight of having worked his whole life and now being responsible for his wife and newborn son.
"But… They would come after us, wouldn't they?" The woman asked, finishing preparing the food and placing it on the table to eat with her husband.
"Maybe, but I will protect you." He said thoughtfully, yet he smiled when he saw the food on their table.
The woman was about to sit down to enjoy the meal when the baby started crying. She went to the room to calm little Renan who had just woken from his sleep. Marcus followed, stopping at the door and watching how easily she managed to soothe the little baby.
He smiled. That image of the two gave him hope, and he knew at that moment that he would do anything for both of them.
Marcus started talking to his workmates, and Alice was doing the same without attracting much attention. They needed to be careful since the corporations were going after rebels. Groups of people were trying to demand better conditions but were ending up acting violently… That was what was about to start a war in that country.
Each passing day increased the tension. Marcus could feel it.
And the news constantly talked about terrorist attacks and conflicts.
This was weighing heavily on the couple's minds. They both needed to flee that country as quickly as possible.
"If we're going to escape to Ravenport, we need to do it as soon as possible." Alice said, lying in bed next to her husband.
They both stared at the cracked and faded ceiling. They could hear the sound of an explosion in the distance; everything was collapsing.
"I've been talking to some rebels." Marcus said quietly.Alice had to hold back a scream of fear upon hearing that.She didn't blame him for doing it, but she knew that could put both of them in even more danger.
Marcus didn't regret it, though. After all, he would do anything to protect his family, and even with the money they had saved, they would never be able to afford a ticket for all of them to leave the country and start a new life.
"Alice… We're running out of time." He said, turning and looking into the eyes of his beloved.
"I know." She said, calming down more.
"There's a rebel ship leaving the port tomorrow night heading to Ravenport. They'll be taking people who want to start a new life. I made a deal with them so we would be allowed on board."
"But… Will they really let me…"
"Just trust me." Marcus said, interrupting her.
The next day had been normal. They both went to work while a close friend took care of Renan. Since it was an important day, everything seemed to be going by slower, but little by little the sun began to set, and they were both back home. They packed everything they needed and Alice held little Renan carefully while Marcus carried their backpacks containing the money they had saved and some personal belongings.
The city wasn't safe to walk through at night, especially when they were carrying everything they owned. Because of that, Marcus stole one of the vehicles from the mine where he worked.
They were about to flee the country, so following the law no longer mattered.
"We really are doing this..." Alice said to herself, trying to get ready.
"Yes," Marcus said, closing the door of the vehicle.
He turned the motor on, left their old small home behind.