After finishing his work for the day and receiving his measly wages, Billy jogged through the streets of Incus Neighbourhood, towards his next destination.
The narrow alleys of the slums were buried beneath layers of snow, churned to muddy slush where feet had traveled through. The wind howled through the crooked wooden shacks, slipping through the cracks in the rotting doors and biting at those who had no fire to warm them.
Billy paid no attention to his surroundings as he ran past a group of people huddled around a burn barrel, their hands outstretched toward the flames.
Ragged children darted between the shadows, their bare feet wrapped in scraps of cloth, scavenging for anything that might be of use to them. A few of them spotted the freckled boy and called out to him.
"Hey, Billy, where are ya headed?"
"Come play with us!"
Billy ignored them and continued to run. He replied without turning around, "Not today!"
