I'm Much More Than This

I awake at sun up. I yawn and rub my eyes. I get up and see everyone is still asleep. Kobra's bed is empty though but I don't think he had came back last night.
I glance at the door leading to the outside. I could easily slip away now and nobody would notice. I could run away and never look back. I look over at Sash sleeping on his cot. I long to get to know him more. It's been a long time since I really had someone like a friend. Hex also seems nice. Cal is alright. As for Snap and Kobra, better watch out for them.
I look out at the exit. It would be so easy to leave right now. Still I don't think it will work. They will surely find me in daylight. It would be best to sneak away at night. Besides, I am kind of curious to see how things go around here. I'm not ready to leave just yet.
I don't want to wake anyone so I decide to go out back in the fenced in area. I see a ball laying in the yard. I smile to myself and pick it up. It has been so long since I had gotten a chance to play with something as simple as a ball.
I throw the ball in the air and catch it. I then kick it back and forth across the yard. Then I bounce it like a basketball. I toss it into the air and catch it. I laugh and chase after it. I know I'm a little old to pretend but the temptation to finally just be a kid again is too strong.
I kick the ball and it goes over the fence. I frown and peer over the fence. The ball landed on the sidewalk. I will just go get it really quickly and be back before anyone notices. I tip toe across the main room and go outside. I run down the street and round the corner. I see someone holding the ball.
"Hey! That's mine!" I shout and race over.
I see Kobra standing there with the ball. I stop dead.
"I believe this is mine since I own the place." Kobra bounces it once.
I frown and hold back my anger. I know better than t get on Kobra's bad side I turn to go back inside but Kobra stops me.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Look kid. I'll have a deal with you. Do me a favor and I'll give the ball back to you. It will be yours forever." Kobra tosses me the coat he was waring. "Here. Put it on. I went out and found this for you last night."
Puzzled, I pull the coat on. "Umm, thank you Kobra but I think it is a size too big."
"That's the point. It's very roomy." Kobra then leans in close to y ear and whispers, "go down to the market with the coat on. Put fruit inside the pockets of the coat. Make sure no one sees you. Put the hood up so nobody can see your face. After your done filling up the pockets, come back here." He paused for a second. "And don't even think of running off." He stands up. "Got it?"
I nod. "But I can't steal though. It's not right... My parents had-"
"Shh!" Kobra cuts me off. "Just go. You better do it or you won't like the consequences." Then he walks past me, brushing shoulders with me.
I sigh and head to the market. I feel so low. My parents had made me promise never to steal anything. They taught me morals. Stealing was wrong they had said. You need to earn a living honestly. I promised them I would never steal. Now I must go back on my word. My parents would be so disappointed... Even living on the streets I never once stole. Now this was most likely going to be a regular thing.
I enter the market and pull my hood up. I look around. No one is watching me. Very few people are on the street today. It was very early. Around 5 in the morning or so.
I grab an apple and shove it inside my coat. I look around. No one notices me. I sigh and continue to take a few more apples. I look around again and when I am sure it is safe, I shove some bananas in my coat. I repeat the process with mangos, oranges and peaches. Finally the coat is full.
I head back down the street and round the corner. I am amazed I got away with it. It gives me sort of a thrilling feeling but also a feeling of mortal terror. I felt as though the cops would come behind me and shout, "Drop the fruit and put your hands up! Your going to jail!"
I arrive back at the building. Everyone is up by now. Sash greets me at the entrance.
"You alright?" He asks.
I nod. "Yeah. I got everything. No problems."
Sash smiles. "Great job."
We enter the main room together. Everyone is looking at me. Kobra walks up to me.
"You got it?" Kobra demands.
I nod and open the coat.
Cal hands me a basket and I place all the fruit inside the basket. Kobra snatches up the basket and carefully counts the fruit. He nods.
Everyone in the gang got one of each fruit, expect for Kobra who got two of each. I did not think that was fair. I had gotten the fruit but I did not dare say anything.
Cal smiles at me as he passes by. Hex had patted my arm and said good job. Even Snap thanks me.
He pats my back three times. More like hitting my back. He nods the wind right out of me. "Good work," he says.
I gasp in for air. "Thanks Snap," I manage to say.
He laughs and walks away.
Sash and I eat our breakfast outside in the fenced area.
"How do you feel after sealing this? Feel kind of proud?" Sash asks me.
I shake my head. "I feel low and dirty. I have never stolen anything before. My parents told me never to steal. I now have broken my promise with them. I promised never to steal." I hang my head.
"Oh." Sash seems at a loss for words. "You'll get used to it. I had to get used to it myself. It'll get better."
I sigh. "Yeah, I guess."
We finish off the fruit and throw the leftover parts we can't eat away.
As we enter the main room, Kobra tosses me the ball.
"It's your now kid," Kobra says. "I'm a man of my word." The he walks away.
Sash punches my shoulder. "Look's like he likes you Flare."
I raise an eyebrow. "The other day he threaten to kill me if I disobeyed him. You call that affection?"
"Don't take that seriously. I'm just saying, he is being pretty nice to you... for Kobra I mean." Sash smiles at me. "Wanna go outside and play a round of soccer? Bet I'll bet you."
I roll my eyes. "Good chance of that happening Sash. You're on."
We head to the fenced area and begin the game. Gang life isn't all bad. It's better than the streets, all alone. Especially now that I have a new friend who's nice and I can bet at soccer.