Hangeng sighed as he glanced around the now empty café. A small smile formed on his lips as he recalled the laugher, the smiles, and the chatter he saw earlier in the day. It might not have been an extravagant job as his parent’s had wished for him, but it was definitely something he enjoyed doing and he didn’t mind putting in the extra hours. He shut off the lights and locked the door before shoving the keys inside his coat pocket.

It was an unnerving cool autumn evening and there were hundreds of scattered dried up, pale colored leaves on the wet pavement beneath his feet. The trees that surrounded the city were nearly barren and he found himself wishing that spring would arrive soon. Hangeng didn’t mind the cool weather, but he never did enjoy seeing such beautiful things wither and die even if it was part of the life cycle.

He crossed the empty road onto the sidewalk, shoving his cold hands into his pocket trying to conserve what little warmth he could. He tied adjusted the warm handmade scarf around his neck, a gift he received from his now deceased grandmother; how he missed that feisty woman dearly. Letting out his breath, he could see the puff of white air that originated from him; he was praying winter would not be bitter as the years before.

He continued to walk alongside the closed shops of the main street bidding goodnight to anyone who was also lagging behind. He brought out his cell phone, sighing as he watched the time shift to the following day. No longer was it evening, but rather morning now. He really needed to get home to sleep and just as he was about to put his phone away, he saw a figure up ahead.

He squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Under a street lamp sat a slim figure though their face and nearly whole body were covered by a huge hoodie. He approached slowly unsure if the stranger was friend or foe but as he approached he could see that the body was trembling. An immediate frown formed at the horrible condition the stranger was shaking, it was obvious he or she was cold.

As he took another step, the leaves underneath his feet crunched from his weight and it caused the stranger to whip his head up and stare right at Hangeng. He couldn’t help but gasp at the slim, pale, red cheeked face that appeared and stared at him head on. Just by the look of the eyes, the young boy was scared, tired, and had been crying; the tear lines on the boys cheek being the evidence of that.

Hangeng could feel his heart being squeezed at the desperation in the boy’s eyes and he knew he couldn’t just leave the boy there. He watched as the boy shoved himself even further against the pole, his trembling even more prominent. Hangeng raised his hands and slowly crouched trying to make himself seem harmless.

“It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you,” he said softly with a gentle smile.

The two males stared at each other trying to figure out what the other wanted or needed. The boy continued to tremble and Hangeng had enough.

“What’s your name?”

“…Hyukjae…” the boy repeated softly the older male just heard it.

“Well Hyukjae, do you need a place to stay?” Hangeng asked with another kind smile, his hand outstretched to the trembling, homeless, and starving young boy.