Chapter 2 - The Ultimatum
The landlord stepped out of the shadows with a scowl on his face.
"You need to pack your things and leave right now," he said, tapping the crowbar against his leg.
I stood in front of the children, shielding them from the cold rain and his intimidating presence.
"I paid my rent for the entire month," I argued, trying to keep my voice steady.
"The old owner took your money, but I own the building now, and I am tearing it down tomorrow morning," he sneered.
I looked back at Leo, who was trembling and clutching his siblings tightly.
If we had no home, the social worker would take them away in the morning.
"Please, I just need one week to figure this out," I begged, abandoning all my pride.
The landlord laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the empty street.
"You have until midnight to get your junk out of my property, or I am calling the cops for trespassing," he warned.
He threw the padlock onto the porch and walked away into the heavy rain.
I hurried the children inside, locking the door behind us.
The workshop was a mess of half-finished woodworking projects and sawdust.
I immediately started pushing heavy tables against the walls to make room for the inflatable mattresses I had bought.
I tried to make it look like a fun indoor camping trip for the kids.
I ordered a pizza with my last available credit card, hoping the warm food would calm their nerves.
By ten o'clock, the younger four children had finally cried themselves to sleep.
Leo sat awake on the edge of his mattress, watching the front door.
"You should get some sleep, buddy," I whispered, handing him a warm blanket.
"He is going to come back and lock us out, isn't he?" Leo asked, his voice breaking.
I promised him I would stay awake all night to protect them.
Exhaustion eventually overtook me, and my eyes drifted shut for what felt like only a minute.
A loud, shattering crash at the back of the workshop jolted me awake.
I leaped up, grabbing a heavy wooden plank for protection.
The back window was completely smashed, and cold wind was howling through the room.
I turned around to check on the sleeping children.
May you like
The inflatable mattresses were covered in broken glass, but that wasn't the worst part.
Leo was gone.
