A DANGEROUS AFFECTION

The door was pounded loudly. A group of burly men with long hair stood in front of it. The only man with short hair led them. He took a deep breath and knocked again.

The door creaked open slowly. The man was almost angry but held back when a small child appeared. The child looked about seven years old, staring at the group with wide eyes and a blank expression.

Although she seemed scared, the little girl mustered the courage to speak. "W-What's the matter, Uncle?"

"Where are your parents?" asked the muscular man with long hair named Rocky.

The little girl shook her head in fear. Her face looked dirty and sweaty, and her eyes were red as if she were about to cry.

"Don't force the child to answer. She hasn't done anything wrong. Please step back," said Jack, the leader of the group. The burly men stepped away.

He crouched down and smiled at the little girl. "Hello, what's your name?"

"Alina~"

"Alina~ tell me where your mom and dad are. Uncle wants to see them. I'm a friend of your father," he said, lying.

Alina swallowed hard. "Mom and Dad aren't home."

"Where are they?" Jack asked patiently.

"They left three days ago."

Jack was taken aback, unsure whether to believe her. In some cases, adults use their children to lie to avoid debt collectors.

"What?" Jack glanced at his companions and then looked back at Alina. "So, who are you with at home?"

"By myself," she answered in a small voice.

Jack was astonished. "By yourself? So, what have you been eating?"

"Bread," she replied, pointing to several loaves of bread on the table. The house also looked messy and seemed abandoned for several days. It appeared the child was telling the truth.

"Are you related to this child?" A frail voice came from nearby.

Jack turned to see an older man with a cane and a younger man approaching. Jack and Rocky exchanged glances.

"No. We are debt collectors for the owner of this house," Jack replied as he stood up. "It's a pity. She's been left alone in this house. Her parents have been gone for days," he said thoughtfully. "I thought you were her family and would take her in immediately."

"How could anyone leave such a small child alone? Aren't they human? She's a mother who gave birth to her child." Jack chuckled.

It wasn't just about people running away and not paying their debts but also about irresponsible parents. They should have taken the child with them if they had to leave. Where was their heart, leaving such a small child all alone?

"This child's father has passed away. Her mother remarried, and the new husband is no good. He provoked her mother into debt and then ran away. This child was just left behind," the old man explained.

"Is that true?" Jack asked the younger man, who was beside the older man.

The young man nodded. "Yes, sir. We, the locals, are also discussing what to do next about Alina. However, the residents here are unwilling to take her in. We can only watch over her and provide her with food. The people here are also caught in poverty."

Jack nodded in understanding. The little girl wasn't lying. "Alright, thank you for the information."

"Alina, this is for you." The older man handed her a lunchbox. "Eat up~"

The tiny hands took the lunchbox and hugged it tightly. She looked around at the adults with confusion and distress.

"Well then, we'll be leaving now. Alina, take care of yourself." Jack said his goodbyes, and they left. They went off to collect debts elsewhere.

Jack glanced back briefly. Alina remained still, staring at the departing people while clutching the lunchbox given by the older man. His heart ached.

Jack couldn't concentrate on his work. He kept thinking about the little girl. He shook his head forcefully; he couldn't afford to feel sympathy. What could he do for that little girl? He was barely making ends meet himself.

As night fell, Jack and his six colleagues, the debt collectors, slept side by side. They stayed in a rundown wooden house, which was still sturdy and solid. The yard was mostly filled with junk, and the area looked shabby.

Jack couldn't sleep; he felt restless. The man kept tossing and turning, even though it was already three in the morning. His eyes were closed, but his mind kept racing. He tapped his friend's arm.

"Levi, Juan~ "Come with me!"

Levi blinked. "Where to, Jack? It's still the middle of the night."

"Let's go check on that child," he said as he put on his jacket.

"What do you want to do?" Juan asked, confused and still half-asleep.

"I have a bad feeling. I'm worried something might happen to her," he said thoughtfully. "Let's go now."

Hearing the commotion, Rocky woke up. "What's going on?"

"I'm going with Juan and Levi to check on the child. I have a bad feeling," Jack explained.

"Oh, alright then."

"Just keep an eye on Brandon," Jack said. Brandon was a child, and Jack had taken him from the streets when he was five. It seemed Brandon was either a kidnapping victim or a child of irresponsible parents, similar to Alina's. Now, Brandon was seventeen. When Jack's wife was still alive, they had raised Brandon together.

Jack, Levi, and Juan headed to Alina's house. Jack tried the door and found it unlocked. His heart ached to see this. The child didn't even know how to lock the door.

Jack padded to find Alina. The little girl was sleeping on a worn-out sofa in the living room, still wearing the clothes she had on earlier that day. Jack looked at Alina sleeping with her old doll, deeply moved. "You're all alone, aren't you?"

Alina woke up startled and began to cry. "Mama~ where's Mama~"

"Calm down, sweetheart. Uncle is here to visit you, not to hurt you," Jack said softly and carefully.

Alina sobbed, looking at Jack with tearful eyes. "Why has Uncle come again?"

Jack looked at Alina with misty eyes. How fragile she was. How could her parents be so heartless to leave her alone? "Uncle couldn't sleep thinking about you being all alone. Have you eaten?"

"I ate this afternoon. It's all gone, and my stomach hurts," she said, clutching her stomach.

Jack turned to Levi. "Levi, please make something for her. There might be food in the kitchen."

Levi nodded and went to the kitchen to check. There was plenty of food. Perhaps they had hoped Alina could cook for herself. As the house cook, Levi quickly prepared a nice meal for Alina.

"How long have you been alone here, Alina?"

Alina shook her head. "For days. Mama doesn't want me anymore. She loves that man more than she loves me."

Jack's heart was torn. He was reminded of his late wife, who had wanted a daughter. However, their circumstances did not allow them to have children. Brandon's presence had healed his heart. He had hoped Brandon would marry, and they would have a daughter one day. But only God knows how long we have in this world. She would indeed have urged Jack to adopt Alina if she were still alive.

Jack gently and carefully stroked the little girl's head. "You must be very traumatized, sweetheart. Haven't you bathed?"

Alina shook her head. "I've been waiting for Mom to come home. I'm afraid that if I bathe, she'll come back and I won't be here."

Jack struggled to hold back his tears. He couldn't help himself when it came to a child. "You really hope your mom will come back, don't you?"

"I hope so, although~ it seems like she's not coming back," Alina said tremblingly. She was still young, but the circumstances had made her mature. Her mother had remarried a man who didn't consider her as his child.

"Food is here~" Levi came in with bowls and plates of warm food.

Alina swallowed hard, smelling the aroma of the cooking. She was craving home-cooked food. She even started eating immediately without being asked. After swallowing, she looked at Levi and Jack and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

"She's very hungry," Levi whispered.

Jack nodded. "Yes."

"Uncle is very good at cooking. My mom's cooking wasn't this good," said Alina.

Levi laughed. "Oh, of course, Uncle Jack could finish five plates if he were eating his own cooking."

"Uncle Jack?" Alina looked at Levi and Jack with curiosity.

"Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name is Jack, this is Uncle Levi, and that's Uncle Juan," Jack said, pointing to Juan, who had been sitting by the door.

"Uncle will stay with you until morning. Uncle couldn't sleep because he was worried about you," Levi said.

"Why would Uncle be worried about me and not be able to sleep? My mom is sleeping soundly over there."

The little girl's question surprised them. "How do you know?"

Alina looked down sadly. "If she weren't sleeping soundly, she would come here like you and make me food."

Jack struggled to hold back his tears. Despite his imposing appearance, his heart was quickly broken by children who were hurt and abandoned. "Alina, would you like to stay with us? We will send you to school and take good care of you."

Alina was silent, unsure of what to say. If she went with these men, what if her mother came looking for her? She was also a bit scared because they were strangers. However, they were very kind. She didn't know how to decide.

"Of course, Uncle will leave a message with the locals here and give them our address. So, if your mom comes back, she can come and pick you up. Children your age shouldn't be left alone," Jack reassured Alina.

"Uncle will make you delicious meals every day," Levi added.

Alina didn't know what to do. She couldn't make a decision. She felt drowsy after her stomach was full and fell asleep soundly on the worn-out sofa. Jack didn't move her; he just gave her a warm blanket.

Juan, observing from a distance, approached Levi and Jack. "So, Jack, should we head back now?"

Jack looked at the broken wall clock. "It's almost morning; let's just wait."

"What are you going to do with her?"

"I'll take her back to our home." Jack decided to adopt Alina.

Juan and Levi exchanged worried glances. They were still determining if Jack could care for Alina alone without a wife.

Jack took a deep breath. He ignored the concerned looks from the two men and chose to sleep on the floor until sunrise.

Morning came, and Jack woke up to find Alina still sleeping soundly. He smiled, gently stroking her cheek. He adjusted the blanket so she wouldn't be cold. Levi and Juan also woke up and watched Jack's movements. Jack met with the residents to inform them of his intention to take Alina. They agreed without much objection. They also didn't want to be burdened, especially since Alina's parents were not close to them. Jack provided his address, hoping that Alina's mother might change her mind and come to collect her.

Jack returned with a cheerful expression while Levi and Juan looked at him in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"They told me to take Alina. They don't want to care for her either," Jack said as he approached Alina.

Alina blinked her eyes open and slowly sat up. "Uncle~"

"Alina, from now on you'll be living with me, okay?"

The little girl nodded without much thought. She didn't fully understand what was happening. She just needed adults around her, as she couldn't live alone like this. She had been scared throughout the night.

They gathered Alina's belongings, including her blanket, sheets, and pillow. Since she would have her own room, they needed to bring these items.

Juan and Levi carried the suitcase and walked ahead. Jack held Alina's hand. The little girl's steps faltered as she looked back at her home, filled with memories. She turned her face away, feeling sad.

Jack's heart ached again at the sight. He knelt in front of Alina. "Let's pray that your mom comes back soon to pick you up, okay?"

Alina nodded. "Yes, Uncle."

Jack and Alina left the home that had made her childhood unhappy.

Eventually, they arrived at their residence. Rocky was stunned to see Jack bringing a young girl. "Is this the child you mentioned last night?"

Jack nodded. "Yes. I will take care of her until her mother returns."

"Jack, raising that child will be costly. Your income is barely enough," Rocky said quietly.

Jack patted Rocky on the shoulder. "That's my concern. You just need to help me look after her."

Rocky sighed deeply and could only shake his head. "It's up to you, Jack." In the end, he complied with his friend's wishes.

They worked together to create a beautiful room for Alina using whatever materials they had. At least the girl would be comfortable there. Afterward, they shared a meal.

"Alina, this is Uncle Rocky and Brandon. They also live here with us and will help take care of you."

"Hello, Uncle Rocky and Uncle Brandon," the little girl greeted them warmly.

Everyone laughed. Brandon frowned and squinted. "What's your name?"

"Alina."

"I'd prefer not to be called Uncle, since I'd rather be your older brother," he said with amusement.

"I want to call you Uncle Brandon, just like the other uncles," the girl politely declined.

Brandon chuckled and nodded. "Alright, if you insist on calling me Uncle. I can't argue with that. But let me call you Joanna."

"Why does Uncle want to call me Joanna? My name is Alina," she said a bit disagreeably.

"Because you're starting a new, happy life here. So~ you should have a new name to reflect that, and to carve out happiness and a beautiful future," Brandon explained.

"Okay, call me Joanna from now on. I'll call you Uncle Brandon," Alina extended her pinky. Brandon linked his pinky with hers and then laughed.

Since Brandon often called her Joanna, everyone in the house began calling her Joanna. She lived there for weeks, hoping that her mother would come to pick her up.

Alina was a well-behaved and independent girl. She was fully aware that she was living with others. With her petite frame, she could clean the house and, with some help from her uncle, plant flowers in the yard to make it look less barren. This evening, Alina was planting a tree with Juan.

"Joanna, why do you want to plant this tree?"

"So that Uncle won't be so hot anymore. This house is very hot," she said with a laugh.

"This house is indeed hot because there are no trees."

Joanna looked at her plant with satisfaction. "Once it grows big, we can take shelter under it during the day or evening."

"You're really thinking ahead. It will take a long time for this tree to grow," Juan explained.

"I'll take good care of it. So, the tree will grow quickly," Joanna replied innocently.

"Can you really take care of it?" Juan asked.

"Yes, Uncle. So, when I grow up, we can enjoy time together after I come home from work," Joanna answered cheerfully.

Juan was taken aback. "Aren't you~" The man shook his head vigorously, not wanting to upset the girl.