The Forgotten Alleys

Summary

The year I could barely feed myself, I found him in a grimy back alley—a brilliant, scholarship kid who'd been savaged by the world.

His eyes were hollow. "Do whatever you want with me."

I did nothing of the sort.

I just cleaned him up and helped him into a fresh, white shirt.

Then, stammering, I told him, "Just... just live. Please."

Years later, he taught himself everything he needed to get into the country's top university, eventually becoming its youngest doctoral advisor.