part 1 of 2 of whatever this is
Borrowers were like ants. Found in every continent except Antarctica, smart, diverse, adaptable, and small. Liam, an average sixteen year old boy who worked as a janitor at a small restaurant in New York City on the weekends and after school, didn't care much for them. Obviously, he had to learn about them in school. In science, they studied their anatomy and habits like they were animals, in which they were not. They could speak languages like English or Spanish or Japanese just fine, like humans. In history, they learned about how Borrowers changed the way the world was today, but never had their own “Independence day.” They weren’t free. Liam hated to compare them to the enslaved people way back then, but that’s kind of how it was today. Many people at the top of the food chain who had an insane amount of money would keep them as pets, or for entertainment value. By entertainment, Liam means torturing them. Most Borrowers get cycled around, bought, traded, or stolen. Even though he doesn’t really care for them, he knows the difference between right and wrong. What Liam tries not to think about is that sometimes Borrowers are served as food. Especially in large, fancy restaurants. Thankfully, where he works at, Josh’s Diner, they don’t. It’s actually a pretty rare thing, and only a select few do, but it still happens. It makes Liam sick just thinking about it.
Borrowers aren’t allowed to get jobs, buy a house, or have access to good food and water. Liam’s friend Cathy is a big Borrower supporter. She’s always talking about what they can do to help Borrowers, and leaves food and water out on her porch, just in case she says. She’s always saying things like ‘They’re American citizens. They were born on American soil, and all American citizens have rights, and all Americans are protected.’ Liam can’t argue with that logic, but many government people can. Liam is not 100% sure, but there are rumors that she and a few of her other friends found an abandoned area, way on the outskirts of the city, where they have a bunch of Borrowers living there, and she’s one of the few people who help them. Just a rumor though. Cathy is always pushing Liam to help the Borrowers, and she made him promise to give food or water to any Borrower he sees. Liam promises he will, and he never goes back on a promise, especially to a friend. He would provide Borrowers with anything they need, but none have come close to him. They all run off, hiding in their torn up cloaks.
One day, Liam was one of the only people left in the diner, besides the owner, Josh, who was currently walking out of the door, expecting Liam to close up. Now he was the only one left. He had just finished cleaning up the tables, the floor, and the bathroom, and was now in the kitchen washing dishes when he spotted something at his foot. It was a Borrower. Liam’s breath hitched in his throat. He threw off his gloves, and cautiously crouched down to get a better look. Not one Borrower had come up to him, ever. This one must either be really brave, really stupid, or really desperate, since they held eye contact the entire time. Liam didn’t speak as he raked his eyes over the Borrower. They looked to be a boy, and a really young one at that. He could see that childish innocence in his eyes, which were big and silver, and had tears starting to form in them. He was dressed in a black cloak, which looked like it had been through hell and back. He was cute, in that kid way. “Hey buddy…What are you doing alone, approaching me?” Liam asked gingerly, watching him for a reaction, or a response. “H-Hungry.” The Borrower said quietly, or at least that’s what Liam made out. The kid was speaking very quietly, that's for sure. “Well, you’re in the right place. I hope. Stay here buddy, I’ll get you something.” Liam watched the Borrower nod before standing up and walking to the pantry. He really hoped Josh didn’t watch the cameras, or the people cooking counted the supplies. That would be bad. Liam grabbed the loaf of bread, and opened it. The bag that the bread was in made a lot of noise in the silence he was currently standing in. Liam ripped a small piece off, worried that someone will notice tomorrow. Don't worry about tomorrow. Worry about the hungry kid. Liam internally bashed himself.
Liam made his way back over to where the kid Borrower was still standing; thankfully. He crouched down once more, tore an even smaller piece off of the bread, and put it on the floor in front of the kid. That wasn’t the most hygenic thing to do, but he had just mopped. That should be okay. “It’s okay buddy. Eat that. You’ll feel better.” Liam said softly, like if he was talking to a wounded animal. He watched the kid wipe his tears and pick up the piece of bread and eat it, really quickly too. Liam’s heart almost broke. This little kid, probably no older than ten, was eating something a human gave him, because he was so hungry. “It’s okay.” Liam mumbled again, wanting to reach out his hand and stroke his grimy hair, and comfort him, but he knew that the action would scare him away, and Liam didn’t want that.
His phone buzzed, and the Borrower flinched. “Sorry…” Liam looked at the notification, and it was his tio texting him, asking where he was, and that his dinner's getting cold. Liam cursed under his breath. He put the piece of bread down on the floor, just in case the kid wanted some more. “I gotta go. Stay safe buddy.” Liam said sadly. He didn’t want to leave this kid alone to face the dangers of the world. He was too young. Liam stood up, locked up the diner, grabbed his bike, and left. The entire ride back to his apartment, that kid Borrower was on his mind. He kept thinking about him, and that when Liam was around his age, his only worry was elementary school, and ‘being cool,’ or as cool as a ten year old could be. He had fun. But here this kid was, and probably a bunch of other kids, having to worry about surviving. When his next meal was. Having to avoid all these giant humans. It was really sad. Liam wondered if he would ever see that kid again. Maybe he’d be able to help.
