“But momma, I don’t want to go,” Dominik said as tears streamed down his face.

“But you’ll be happier, my son. See those people there. They will be your new family. They will give you more than we ever could.” His mother said as she hugged her son for the very last time.

Wiping the tears from his eyes. The eight-year-old boy stood outside the gates of the manor. He could see the servants milling around the exterior of the palace. Not knowing what his future held for him he kissed his mom on the cheek before opening the gates.

Wearing the torn breeches his mother had given him and the whitewashed shirt that his dad had handed him, he walked towards the door of the manor. Keeping his head down, his hair was a mess. The blackness of it swept across his shoulders as he carefully ascended the steps to the front door. Looking back over his shoulder he could see his mother standing right outside the gates. 

Bringing a curt smile to his lips he knew that his parents had sold him to this family. He had watched from a crack in the door of his bedroom when the lord had come to their shack in the downtown area where they lived. He had seen the lord hand his father gold coins before demanding that they bring him here, today. 

Whipping his head around to the main entryway he raised his fist in the air. His hand inches away from the door he didn’t want to knock. He just wanted to go back home, but he knew that wasn’t an option anymore. Closing his eyes as his hand descended towards the door it hit with a thud noise. Opening his eyes he stood there waiting to be let in.

He could hear nothing from the inside of the manor as he pressed his ears to the door. Turning back around towards the gate he could no longer see his mother. Fear struck him then. His mother was truly gone. She hadn’t waited. She had seen him off and left. Awful thoughts entered the child's mind as he heard the door open behind him with a creak.

He turned his head slowly around to the open door. His eyes widened as he saw a boy peak his head out the door and look at him.

“Are you Dominik?” The little boy said.

Not knowing what to say Dominik just nodded. The boy immediately steps out from the confines of the door, grabs his hand, and yanks him inside. Slamming the door behind him the little boy starts to drag Dominik into the manor.

“Thank goodness you're here. I have been bored. Oh, I’m Alfred, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Alfred,” Dominik said.

Trying to keep up with Alfred and look about the manor, he noticed that there were many rooms and doors to this place. He was lucky that he just didn’t open the door and wander around. He most certainly would have gotten lost. He didn’t know where Alfred was taking him but they had turned down so many hallways that even he had lost count. Then all of a sudden Alfred pushed open a door and they were in a kitchen.

He could smell the food cooking in the pots and pans. He could see all different sorts of bread and fruits just lying on the counter. Alfred turns and smiles at him as he finally lets go of his hand as walks over to the counter. Looking from his left to his right Alfred reaches up and snatches an apple off the counter. Running back to Dominik, Alfred hands him the apple. 

“Take a bite, they are delicious,” Alfred said.

Dominik not knowing what to do he slowly raises the apple to his mouth and takes a bite. The tartness of the apple is divine as the juices flow into his mouth. He releases the apple and looks at Alfred. With a mouthful of apple Dominik tries to thank Alfred, but Alfred just shakes his head and snatches the apple right out of his hands, and takes a bite himself. 

“Now since you’ve got a little food in you. How about I take you to our bedroom. You're going to like it.” Alfred said as he chucks the remnants of the apple in a pan on the counter. Nodding his head Dominik follows Alfred out the kitchen. They go through another set of doors that lead to a staircase. Alfred runs up the stairs and waves at Dominik to follow.  Running up the stairs to catch up with Alfred he sees that there are many doors on this level too.

“This way slowpoke,” Alfred said. 

Turning around to where he heard Alfred. There he stood with one of the doors open at the end of the hallway. Running to the door he could hear Alfred laughing inside. Rounding the door and entering the room, Dominik stops immediately. Gazing around the room he looked Alfred in the eyes and said “This is your room?” 

Alfred walks over to Dominik and puts his hands on his shoulders and smiles. “No, this is our room.”