For the past four years, situations in which Hope felt his physical and moral well-being was threatened happened almost every day.

Until the age of 14, he had a full-fledged family, a medium-sized beautiful house in a nice neighborhood with a small flowering garden, a Labrador named Focus, and grand plans for his life.

All the happiness he cherished and valued evaporated overnight when his father, the sole breadwinner of the family, was diagnosed with third-degree pancreatic cancer and began to decline dramatically right before his eyes.  Not for nothing is this type of cancer called the "silent killer", no one could have guessed it in advance because there were no symptoms... until it was too late.

One day the head of the family, sobbing and apologizing, confessed to him and his mother that for a long time they had been living on borrowed time, as sales in the store were not going well. In his attempts to climb out of this hole on his own, he had only gotten deeper into debt, but he could not admit it to them.

It was a shock. The beautiful picture of their happy family life was falling apart.

His mother, who loved his father madly, forgave him almost immediately. She believed with all her heart that they could overcome the disease together, and then figure out how to pay off the debts. It took a lot of money to treat him and buy expensive medicine, and the woman put all their property at stake.

For two long months Hope saw how much his own father was suffering: frequent nausea, often accompanied by vomiting, hellish stomach pains that medication could not always relieve. His father was no longer like his old self, he didn't want to see their faces, he just wanted to leave this world and not be tormented anymore.

One rainy morning father didn't wake up....

After his death, they had nothing left but a huge debt of almost 100 million and an old dog.

The family, now two people, rented a small, one-bedroom apartment-sized house in a cheap neighborhood, and the woman began looking for work to support herself and her son.

Hope was in shock at first and constantly wondered, "Why is this happening to me? What have I and my family done wrong?"

It was hard for his teenage mind to process such an abrupt picture change. Life had turned 180 degrees and his future did not bode well.

Mom had no specialty and was a housewife, because of this she was only taken on black jobs that paid pennies. She tried as best she could for the sake of her beloved son, because he needed to finish his studies to have any chance to get out of this pit

After two weeks of living on rice alone, Hope realized that his mother's income would not be enough and decided to get a job. He was a bright and handsome boy, so after an interview he was hired as a waiter at a café near the school.

For two years he and his mother lived from paycheck to paycheck, trying to survive, they did not forget about his father's debt, they just did not know who to carry the money to, so they diligently saved for a rainy day. The holder of the debt apparently didn't know where they had moved to, so no one touched them.

Hope saw how hard it was for his mother to work three jobs, where she had to clean, wash and clean fish at the port, which took an hour and a half to reach by public transportation.

Over time, he noticed that her positive outlook on life, to which he had become so accustomed, had dried up. Her ringing, gleeful laughter was no longer heard in the house. She was aging before his eyes, and her once radiant gaze had faded. Often the boy found his mother sleeping in the kitchen at the table with an empty bottle of cheap hard liquor in her hands. The once strong woman was broken, like a child's toy... The days passed one after another, and with each of them, the positive feelings in her soul smoldered, and the ashes were scattered in the wind.

The boy tried his best to cheer up his mother, preparing breakfast in the mornings and brewing her favorite peppermint tea, and in the evenings giving her foot massages, while cheerfully telling her about his successes at school. But he didn't get the same response as before, with detailed questioning, celebrating successes and dancing to her favorite jazz songs... now she only smiled slightly in response and rubbed his hair and cheeks with a weak palm rough from hard work.

"Is there anyone alive in this hovel?" - Often in the evenings a neighbor named Troy would burst into the house in a loud and cheerful voice.

The man always radiated energy and positivity, though he had recently celebrated his sixty-three years, but judging by his excellent physical shape and irrepressible active life position, no one couldn't tell he's over fifty years old.

Hope affectionately called him Grandpa, because every day he received a new dose of life advice from his neighbor. They often talked about a variety of topics. Hope wasn't getting that from his mother now and so Grandpa filled that niche of parent, counselor, older companion.

"Why do you call me Grandpa, maybe it's better to call me Dad?! And I'll call you son," - he once said, and looking Hope straight in the eye he continued: "Don't make my mistakes, son. If you meet a person who gets into your heart, don't let go! I devoted my life to my work. I thought I couldn't afford romance and a family, so I refused to have feelings... and when I woke up, it was too late to think about love and children. All I had left were my kids, you and your mother, and my aching joints, hehe..."

The kids Troy called his students - future and current bodyguards for various mafia families.

He himself had previously been the personal bodyguard of one of the most powerful mob bosses of the time, Paul Wongsawat, working for him for 29 years. More than once he saved the head of the organization and his sons. But when young Phiat died, Troy felt guilty for not keeping the child safe. No one blamed him, for he wasn't even the one who had to accompany the mischievous young gentleman that day.

After much discussion, Troy decided, as head of security, to take responsibility and retire, while still being an incoming trainer for new recruits, as he was still valued in the circles of the criminal community as before.

He has already raised two generations of well-trained boys for the Wongsawat, Kimura and Kittichat families.

Grandpa's skills were top-notch, because twelve years in the army had done their job: he knew the art of war inside and out. When he came of age, he went straight to the military recruitment office, because he knew from high school that this would be his vocation. After a year of service, he was specially selected to join the SEAL team, a special reconnaissance unit of the Royal Thai Navy.

The SEAL team's mission was to gather intelligence, conduct special and unconventional warfare, eliminate enemy military and political figures, and conduct special intelligence.

Before he was formally accepted into the team, he underwent extensive SEAL commandos training at the Sattahip Naval Special Warfare Center. Normally, no more than 30 percent of those who want to take the course manage to pass. Troy wasn't tall, only 173cm (5'7"), but his sharp mind, attention to detail and stamina were enough to pass the tough selection process.

All military personnel are familiar with the ordeal called "Hell Week," which combat swimmers undergo during the unit selection period. It is believed that those who pass it have the right to be called supermen.

Troy didn't consider himself a superman, but the skills he had learned had kept him alive on more than one occasion.

In addition to his hand-to-hand combat skills, Troy was able to perform many different tasks, such as: jungle warfare, operating in high-speed motorboat teams to attack water and coastal targets, underwater sabotage and assault and hijack ships from underwater, fighting pirates and international terrorists, and other activities for the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Navy.

Troy also wanted to teach some skills to the neighbor kid, who had a sonlike heart, so he spent an hour every morning and evening sharing his skills with him: hand-to-hand combat, edged weapons, and once a week swimming and water rescue skills. Also, every time after a run, he asked Hope to tell what he saw along the way. The boy had to describe in detail the people they met and the cars down to the license plate number.

His favorite pupil's skills grew every day and one day the lad gave out with a smile:

"Grandpa, I noticed that you wear a watch worth five million and in your garage a whole arsenal of weapons and equipment, which are clearly not bought at a flea market, I'm afraid to even guess their approximate price ... Why then do you live in such a small house in a cheap neighborhood and drive an old car? For the sake of conspiracy?"

"Whoa! You noticed?! Hehehe. That's good! So my lessons didn't go to waste... hehehe. It's just the way I'm used to living, I have money, I don't deny it... but I only spend it on the bare necessities of survival. The watch was a gift from my boss back when I was a bodyguard. I don't have the need to wear branded clothes and eat at expensive restaurants, there are other things that make me happy... Like taking care of you!" - he replied, ruffling the boy's already disheveled post-workout hair.

Hope's days were like one another. He'd get up at 5:00 a.m., walk with Focus, make breakfast for himself and his mom, work out with Troy for an hour and then go to school, then run to work at the café. When he got home, he would tidy up the house, his clothes, spend an hour working out again, shower and go to bed. Stroking the golden fur of his favorite dog, the guy fell asleep a couple of minutes after his head touched the pillow.

On weekends Hope spent the whole day at the port, helping his mother with cleaning fish, because the café where he worked as a waiter was attached to the school and was open only on weekdays.

The guy saw and heard how much fun his classmates spend their free time, but he didn't have time, strength and opportunity for the usual life of a teenager.

And just when he had adjusted to such a life and even began to enjoy it a little, as....

The day that came a week after Hope's 16th birthday would be remembered for the rest of his life. 

He came home after a busy day. Classes, basketball practice and working at the café had exhausted him physically, and he could only think of two things right now: a plate of rice with fish sauce and his bed. The boy called Grandpa in advance, informing him that he wouldn't be able to work out with him today.

Upon entering the house, the first thing he saw was a pool of blood where a breathless Focus lay, there was a hole in his body through which blood kept oozing.

The mother was standing next to the dog's body, holding her head and tears were streaming down her face. In Hope's eyes you could read horror, incomprehension, surprise and fear all at the same time.

He ran up to his mother, grabbed her by the shoulders and, shaking her gently, shouted out: "Mom! What's going on?"

It was only now that he noticed that in their small kitchen three tall men in identical gray jackets were sitting there. They seemed to fill the entire space of the small room. On the table was a black pistol, which Hope had seen for the first time in his life, and a wad of bills.

"What a handsome little fella! And your mother said there was nothing else of value in the house..." - one of the guys with swarthy skin and a scar on his right cheek said with a smirk, while gently running his index finger along the barrel of the gun lying in front of him.

"Who are you? What do you want?" - Hope asked firmly, trying not to concentrate on the smells of blood and gunpowder to bring himself to consciousness.

He couldn't let himself to be weak right now.

"Ha, don't you see? We're good wanderers, rewarding those who have done wrong," the dark-haired guy replied and laughed hoarsely.

"I don't understand," Hope looked perplexed alternately at the strangers and his mother.

"They've come for your father's debt, son..." - Touching her son's arm, the woman spoke softly.

Hope could feel her whole body trembling, and after her words he began to try to think faster.

"Khun... we are willing to give you a portion of what we owe you... tell us how much we owe and we will try to fulfill your conditions..." - Hope didn't finish as he was interrupted by the same man while the other two were silent, apparently he was in charge here.

"Oh, gods! Ha ha! Part of the debt you say! Your mother has already scraped us all you have," he tapped the wad of money and continued, starting to raise his voice, "That's only 2 million out of 100, and if you factor in the interest accrued over two years, that...as you say part, not even a part, but pfff...air!"

"Give us some time, Khun, at least a few years, we'll try to pay back my father's debt as soon as possible!" - the boy tried to negotiate.

Boom

The young man flinched, and his mother began to sob a little louder, as the man struck the table sharply and with force, causing the gun to bounce a little and the wad of money to fall apart.

"That's it! Listen to me, brat, Miss Makoto doesn't know how to wait! You chicken! Start looking for the money, you have three days! And you, little chick boy, come with us!" - he almost shouted.

The uninvited guests stood up abruptly and two boys grabbed the kid under the arms while the one with the scar tucked his gun behind his belt and collected the money.

Hope didn't hesitate, he didn't want to go with them as he knew his mom wouldn't be able to find that amount of money in such a short time and a terrible fate would inevitably await him in such a case. He remembered everything Troy had taught him and began to act quickly...

A foot strike to the leg of the one on the left, then a turn and a kick to the groin of the other... Then his hands came free, for the men had not expected him to be so quick, and he began throwing punches and kicks left and right.

Hope had the two men down and was about to grab the cornered mother and run, but suddenly... he felt the cold of metal against his temple.

"You little rat bastard, you're gonna bite me?! You will be my personal slave until your mother collects the full amount!!! I really like to educate little bullies with my methods..." - wheezed the man with the gun roughly, grabbing Hope by the neck with his free hand, but his speech was interrupted by a...

"Neighbors! Having a party and forgetting to invite me?" - Troy entered the house with a smile and a bottle of beer in his hand.

The silence was abruptly interrupted by the creak of the door closing... three seconds... they were enough time for him to assess the situation and....

Phew

A glass bottle pierced the head of the guy with the gun, while at the same time the men, who had not expected such speed, were already being hit in the pain points and put on the floor. Hope joined the process, helping Grandpa to tie up the uninvited guests, who were kicking and screaming something about their mistress and their imminent payback, which caused them to be gagged.

The house was quiet for a while.

Hope looked at his favorite dog again... and suddenly... their already small dwelling began to shrink, the walls and ceiling trying to crush him... he began to breathe hard and often, his heartbeat was too frequent, there was a feeling of suffocation and dizziness.

His grandfather, noticing his condition, put his arm around his shoulders and took him outside, sitting him on the porch.

"Shhhh...it's over...you're safe baby...shhhh...I'm right here beside you...breathe in and out...you're doing good..." - Troy spoke calmly and measuredly, trying to help the boy overcome the panic attack, "Let's pretend son that all your sorrows and pain are birds in a cage, don't keep them to yourself, open the door and let them go free...shhhhhhhh.... You can cry...it's okay..."

With his left hand he stroked Hope's beginning sobs on his back, while with his right he typed a message into his cell phone, which he sent into the general chat room of his "students" a few seconds later:

"Need three. Urgent. My house. No weapons to take. Grab a black bag and a sedative."

The woman went outside, sat down next to her son, silently stroked his arm, her gaze was unfocused on anything, and directed into the void.

They sat like that for about fifteen minutes, Hope was about to calm down, when two cars pulled up to the house, and five young men of sturdy build, wearing casual clothes, got out.

"Told you three..." - Grandfather shook his head.

"Hia Troy, we figured two more people wouldn't hurt," one of the guys replied in an apologetic voice. 

"Hi boys! Thanks for coming over. Help me sort out the mess in the house," the man nodded at the door behind him.

The guys entered the house and after a while came out, leading the three bound "guests" to the cars. One of the helpers had a large black garbage bag tied with a strong knot in his hands.

"It's done, Hia. You do know....these are Makoto's men, right?" - A tall kid with fully tattooed arms and long black hair gathered in a ponytail at the back of his head announced.

"Yeah... I know... well, I'm coming with you. Let's get these bastards back to the mistress," Grandfather said as he stood up and shook off his pants, "Son, don't think about anything right now, take care of your mother. We'll talk in the morning. Here you go... one for each of you and go to sleep. Got it?"

The man handed Hope a small jar of pills, which he immediately took in his hand, but at the same time, the boy's gaze was fixed on a large black bag...

The next day at 7:30 Troy walked into the neighbor's house, Hope and her mother stood up abruptly from the table. He walked over to them, patted the kid on the shoulder and motioned for them to sit down, he was more serious than ever:

"I won't ask why you didn't tell me anything about the debt before, I'll just say that this is your biggest fucking... uh... big mistake ever! Now here's the deal - I was at a meeting with your debtor, Ms. Makoto was suspiciously favorable and let me pay half of the debt, but she wants the other half in kind, that is you..."

"What does that mean, Troy?" - everything Gramps was saying was now throwing Hope into a daze.

"He paid 50 million for us out of his personal savings?....How am I going to pay him back?....Me? She wants me as payment?" - The guy was trying to digest the information, but he was having trouble

"That means you'll be an errand boy at her club in the evenings after school until you're 18, and then you'll have to work as one of her bodyguards for three years. You'll have to quit your job at the coffee shop. I promised I'd get you trained in two years and you'd do well as a protector of her precious carcass. So... it's not as bad as it looks! The main thing is that everyone is alive... We'll have to try a little harder and everything will gradually fall into place," Troy wanted to cheer up the people sitting across from him.

"Thanks! Got it... I'll try," Hope said immediately and folded his arms in a wai.

"I owe you my life, Grandpa! I won't forget! I'll definitely get out of this pit".

The mother said nothing... the emptiness and hopelessness were seen in her eyes and the posture in which she sat.

The darkness engulfed her... The woman no longer had the strength to fight it.....