Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 2

Chapter  2

While Maximes steps are increasingly uncomfortable in a dark night, the shadow of the conflict inside his house is still reflected in his eyes. The night breeze seemed to whisper to him a big challenge he had to face. The sun sank leaving the twilight sky which reflects the doubt in Maxime's heart. He pondered looking for answers in every trace of his steps that took him out of the house that was once filled with affection.

"Goodbye my palace, a palace full of beautiful memories. Forgive Maxime unable to guard this house as the mother's message before leaving first." Without a clear direction, Maxime entered a crowded city with a busy night. The tall buildings of the tower and city lights provide a shadow that contrasts with the inner chaos he feels. Maxime spoke to himself with eyes full of uncertainty.

In a state of confusion, Maxime stepped into the bustling city with its busy night. The tall buildings and city lights cast contrasting shadows against the turmoil he felt inside. Maxime spoke to himself with eyes full of uncertainty.

As he walked among the crowd, he felt as if all eyes were upon him, judging him mercilessly. His heart pounded, creating a loud noise in the midst of the dark, silent night. Every step felt heavy, burdened by shattered hopes and buried dreams.

Suddenly, a piercing voice broke the silence of the night. "Hey, you there!" someone called out loudly from the dark corner of the street. Maxime turned towards the sound, his heart pounding heavily.

"He won't be able to escape from us!" another person exclaimed, as other voices began to approach Maxime with quick steps. In an instant, Maxime felt as if he was trapped in an invisible spider's web, surrounded by unseen threats.

"Not him, he's not the thief," uttered one of the residents.

"So we got the wrong person?" replied another resident.

The crowd then apologized and released Maxime. "I thought why, turns out they got the wrong person," murmured Maxime as he sighed.

Steps full of uncertainty Maxime continued until he found a job vacancy. Maxime tried to apply for a job. However, no one wants to accept it.

"You don't know if I am Mr. Neo's son. The owner of the biggest company in this city," Maxime said when the mind was getting tired and his stomach felt so hungry.

"Then why apply for a job here? If indeed you are Mr Neo's son?" Asked a Manager demeaning Maxime

"Because I want to be independent!" he answered firmly.

"Unfortunately I don't care and don't want to accept employees who don't have clear experience and files like you!?

Maxime was annoyed when he got a rejection and was always humiliated by the Manager. His hunger was unable to be arrested anymore, his gaze began to run away and he was silent for a moment on the side of the road. After his eyes recovered Maxime looked around to find inspiration. But he was instead seeing a homeless boy picking up food from inside the trash can.

"Should I pick up food from the trash can so that this hunger disappears a little?" said Maxime stroking his stomach.

"There is no other choice, I have to pick up food from the trash to survive." Maxime approached the trash can and noticed around first. After feeling safe Maxime was looking for food from the trash can. He found the rest of the burger that had been thrown away by his owner.

"Usually I always leave food and throw it away, but this time I was the one who picked up this food." Maxime continued to pay attention to the burger even though there was a disgust that burst from within him. However, his stomach was unable to withstand hunger until finally Maxime devoured the burger until it was gone.

Maxime almost vomited the burger he had just eaten. However, he tried to swallow it so that his stomach was filled. After devouring the burger from the trash can with mixed feelings he felt a little full. Although the sense of disgust still leaves scars, the despair that had previously haunted him began to decrease. On his way Maxime saw a traveling food seller who was selling. He pondered and realized that the incident was a hard blow of life that forced him to survive. With a new determination, Maxime decided not to give up on difficult situations. In a dark night, He tried to survive after repeatedly being rejected in finding work. The presence of a restaurant that is almost closed like a flash of hope in the darkness of his life ..

"The restaurant is almost closed. I have to go there, because the owner of the restaurant wants to share a little food for you." Maxime crossed the road to get to the restaurant.

"Excuse me," said Maxime.

"Mam, sir, excuse me." Maxime tried to call the owner of the restaurant but the restaurant owner never came out. Maxime decided to enter the restaurant to see the remaining vegetables and side dishes.

"Thank God, there is still vegetable sauce and omelet. Hopefully the owner of this restaurant is willing to give it to me. And later the owner of this restaurant tells me to work where I am ready." Maxime seemed to get a bright light; he stroked his stomach again and licked his dry lips.

"What are you doing here!" snapped the owner of the restaurant.

"I-I want to." Maxime is nervous and unable to arrange words.

"Are you thieves?" he accused.

"N-not, madam," Maxime answered, stammering. Slowly, he retreated and came out of the restaurant.

"Thief." The young people who were sitting near the restaurant created a crowd and added pressure on Maxime. Shame and despair drawn on his face created increasingly complicated conflicts. Maxime panicked so he was unable to think logically and chose to leave the restaurant. Residents who heard the screams of the food stall owner made residents more suspicious with Maxime.

"Thief?! The more Maxime runs more and more who chase him. Maxime who was hit by hunger was unable to run any further. Residents managed to catch Fathur and beat him up until Maxime battered.

"I did not steal sir, I just wanted to ask for the rest of the food in the restaurant," Maxime said in the rest of his strength.

"Already! You shouldn't be vigilant like this, not necessarily what you think about the child is right!" said a man wisely and made residents who intimidate Maxime disband.

"Thank you sir," Maxime said.

"Same, next time you have to be even more careful. This is food for you," the man said and hurriedly left Maxime alone.

"Give me that food!" said a sturdy thug.

"Don't bang, I'm hungry, sir," Maxime answered. The thug seized his rice package. However, Maxime tried to maintain it and Maxime's stomach was actually kicked by him.