Cameron is the sort of person who is happy, even when life does not always go his way;Growing up with very little can make you like that. His mom was a housekeeper at the nearby  extravagant Glendale Hotel, and his dad was a police officer, but usually spent most of his time drowning his sorrows in whiskey at the local bar.  Being the youngest of three boys in a lower- class family taught him to appreciate the small things in life. Whether it was a beat-up baseball glove passed down from his oldest brother, Jim, or a ripped pair of sneakers from his other brother, Steve. Cameron treasures everything he is given. Unlike his brothers, he is not as handsome or as brawny.  Although he is quite thin and small for his age, Cameron’s intelligence stretches beyond his young ten years.  He hopes to one day become a veterinarian and help animals, but that is only if his parents are able to help send him to college.
He might be cheerful and full of energy during the day, but when night time approaches, his fears arise. At night is when his father comes home from  work and the bar, seeking out Cameron to reduce his stress.  There are many nights when he goes to bed with black eyes and sore ribs. Cameron is afraid to close his eyes, worrying if his father will be paying a visit to his room.
He suffers quietly, clutching onto his beloved golden lab, Buddy, as a source of safety from the terrors that flash through his mind. Every night for the past year, Cameron tosses and turns in his bed, hoping to find some type of peace, but he is unsuccessful. It is beginning to take a toll on his body. In the mornings, he slowly makes his way to breakfast with puffy and sometimes black eyes, and a pale, gaunt complexion. His brothers look at him with concern, but he fears to inform them, not wanting them to worry about him when they have problems of their own. On top of school, Jim was working long hours to try to save up for college and a car, and Steve was facing tormentors of his own at school, but he too, was afraid to let them know.
Cameron and his brothers have a closer relationship than most. When their parents are either too busy or too drunk to even pay attention, Steve and Jim are the ones to take on the parent roles for him. They are the ones who make sure he gets his homework done and always provide him with money for lunch, even when they are struggling to afford things for themselves. The brothers have their differences at times, but no matter what, they always put each other’s needs before their own.
It started off like any other day, but it would prove to be far from it. Today was the day that Cameron's life would change completely, he just didn't know it yet. He woke up at seven, like he usually did, and slowly made his way downstairs, still in his pajamas. As he walked into the kitchen, he heard the slamming of the front door, signaling that his mother had left for work. Cameron was met with silence as he sat down at the table and poured some cereal into his bowl. Jim and Steve would usually be up by now, rushing around to get everything ready before driving him to the bus stop, so it was odd when no one was around. Cameron finished his breakfast and cleaned up before he trudged his way up the stairs and back to his room to get dressed for another day at school. On his way there, he passed Steve’s room, where the light was on and whispering could be heard. Cameron quietly placed his ear to the door, curious to know what was being said.
“Are we really going to do this?” One of the voices said. It was raspy and quivering at the end, most likely being Steve.
“What do we have to lose? Anything is better than staying here. Especially now that the nights have been getting progressively worse.” the other voice replied harshly, definitely being Jim.
Cameron wished to know what they were talking about, but before he could eavesdrop some more, he heard footsteps approaching the door and he bolted back into his room. He threw on clothes quickly and grabbed his baseball-themed school bag before walking out, like nothing ever happened. Cameron was greeted at the end of the staircase by his brothers, who were clutching several bulky duffel bags. He eyed them curiously, but did not ask questions. Steve had an anxious look on his face and Jim was tapping his foot impatiently. Why are they acting like this?  Cameron wondered.
“Are you ready yet?” Jim said bitterly.
Cameron scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Yeah, I’m coming.”
Jim stormed out the door and Steve and Cameron scurried to keep up with him. Jim threw open the trunk before tossing the bags in and making his way into the driver’s seat. The others rushed into the rusty blue pickup truck as he turned the key in the ignition. Jim backed out the short driveway, and they were on their way. Cameron kept his view focused on the scenery outside, but when Jim drove past the bus stop next to the playground, his attention was back on them.
“You just drove by the stop, you know.” He called out from the backseat.
“I know, I meant to.” Jim replied, not even making eye contact with him.
Cameron knew something was wrong. “Okay, what is really going on?”
Steve and Jim exchanged glances, before Steve turned back to him. “Listen Cam, this may be hard to process at the moment, but we’ve decided that it is best if we leave home, get away from it all. We’re sorry we didn’t tell you before, but right now you’re just going to have to trust us.”
Cameron was at a loss for words. Even though his home life was far from happy, the fact that he was leaving behind all of his friends at school caused him to feel a great sense of grief.
“What about Buddy?! We can’t leave him guys, he can’t stay alone at home!” he asked, panicked.
“Sorry Cam, we had to leave him behind. He’s too much to take care of in our current situation. I promise we will get him back once we figure everything out.” Jim said softly, giving him a reassuring smile.
Cameron slouched back into the seat and was silent for the rest of the ride.
They drove for most of the day, only stopping a few times either to fill up the gas tank, go to the bathroom, or get food. It was at sundown when they finally pulled over. Cameron stepped out, stretching his sore legs, and took in the sight in front of him. They had pulled into the parking lot of an extremely run-down building, the words “GLEN CAPRI MOTEL” dimly lit on the buzzing welcome sign, which was also in desperate need of repair.
“Get the bags and let’s go,” Jim said, breaking Cameron out of his thoughts. Steve ripped open the tailgate, handing both of them a bag filled with clothes and other necessities , before they made their way to the check- in desk. The three brothers were greeted by an older woman with extremely wrinkled skin, grey hair, and kind features. The plaque on the desk stated that her name was Betty.
“What can I do for you boys?” she said sweetly, her wrinkled face turning up into a smile.
“We need a room, it’ll just be for one night,” Steve said, smiling politely back at her.
“Okay, will the payment be in cash or credit?”
“Cash.”
“The cheapest room we have right now is seventy-nine dollars per night.”
Jim hastily took out his wallet, counting the bills, when his face turned a ghostly white. There was only forty dollars sitting in his wallet. Money that was meant to last them for so much longer.
Jim was beginning to panic, anxiety written all over his face. If they could not pay, they were stranded. They suddenly had nowhere to sleep, no money to buy food, no chance to even start a new life. His brothers were depending on him and he had already let them down. The boys began to notice Jim’s breakdown, his hands trembling as he tightly clutched his wallet.
Steve turned back to the old woman, kindly smiling at her. “ Would you excuse us for a moment?”
She smiled and nodded, oblivious to what was happening in front of her. Cameron and Steve grabbed Jim by the arms and yanked him out the door, back into the night.
“So are you going to explain to us what just happened back there?” Steve said. It was strange for Jim to be nervous. He was usually the one always calm and collected in situations.
Jim, finally snapping out of a daze, turned to his brothers, gulping nervously.
“We’re basically out of cash.”
The two younger brothers paled. Even Cameron understood what this meant. They were stuck until they figured out a way to earn money fast.
“Don’t worry about it guys. Tonight we’ll just have to sleep in the car and tomorrow I’ll figure something out. You know I always do,” Jim said hopeful, despite of their current situation.
Steve and Cameron agreed quietly and the three boys climbed back into the old pickup truck, hoping to wake up to a better day tomorrow.
       The next day, Jim was up bright and early, too deep in his thoughts to even think about sleeping. He had told his brothers that he would come up with a plan, but right now, he was completely blank. What were they going to do? The boys could never go back home and their relatives were all living on the other side of the country. As Jim turned back to glance at Cameron, sleeping soundly, the lightbulb above his head lit up. He had figured out what to do and Cam was going to be the key to their success.
     A few hours had passed by and the two boys were now fully awake, curious to see what Jim had to say.
“Okay so before you guys ask any questions, I have found a solution but it’s going to be extremely risky and I’m going to need your help.”
“Okay, so what’s your proposition?” Steve replied.
Jim nudged them to come closer and the three brothers huddled in a circle as he told them. Steve had a horrified expression on his face and Cameron had become extremely anxious, but they kept quiet. By the end, the boys nodded their heads in agreement and Jim put the keys in the ignition and started the truck. They left the parking lot of the Glen Capri Motel on a mission.
       For the next two weeks, the three brothers hit every shopping mall, restaurant, and casino in the state, talking money from the wallets and pocketbooks of the people who easily fell into their trap. As time went on, they got extremely good at pickpocketing. Slipping in, getting what they need, and sneaking out without anyone realizing it. The first time, however, was not so glamorous. They came so close to getting caught, and the boys considered it one of the most nerve-wracking experiences.
It was late afternoon and the boys had made the short trip to the Fox Lane Mall, the closest shopping center to their present location. Not to mention, it was also one the biggest in the state and filled with people and their wallets, spilling over with bills. As Jim pulled into a corner spot in the vast parking lot, he let out a shaky breath. If this didn't work, it was the end for them. They would either have to return to their old, terrible life or rot on the streets with no money to support themselves.
    The two younger boys were just as anxious about this plan as their older brother was. Cameron was shaking like a leaf, not understanding why he had agreed to this. He thought about how he was a good person, a good student, a good friend, and just hoped that this would make up for what he was about to do.
      “Are you guys ready?” Jim asked softly, breaking Steve and Cameron out of their nervous thoughts. He was trying to put on a brave face and give them confidence to do what needed to be done.
The boys quickly nodded their heads and the three of them climbed their way out of the rusty pickup truck once again. Jim zipped up his ratty navy blue hoodie and Steve did the same before he turned back to them.
“Just remember the plan and we will be fine. Cameron, you just need to distract them long enough by acting lost, and then me and Steve will jump in and take care of the rest. Make sure you get out of there after, Buddy. Understand?”
Cameron slowly nodded his head, trying to fit all of this information into his brain, before whispering a quick, “Yes”.
“Ok now that everyone is set, let’s get this over with.” Jim began to walk through the entrance, and the other two followed. They made their way to a bench in a remote corner of the shopping mall, where they could stake out and search for a target without being suspected.
“What about her?” Steve said after ten minutes of looking, pointing to a plump eighty year-old woman, who had soft features and was using a walker to keep herself upright.
“No, definitely not. She looks way too nice, I do not want to take from someone who looks like our grandmother,” Jim replied sternly. They went back to scanning the crowd, minutes and minutes passing by, until finally Cameron found the one.
“What about her?” Cameron muttered softly, nudging his brothers into the direction of a thirty year-old woman with long brown hair and dressed up in sleek business attire and a trench coat. Just by the look of her, she seemed wealthy and successful, and not to mention, probably carrying a lot of money in her designer handbag. It was her, she was going to be the one to start it all.
The two oldest ones grinned nervously at him before pulling him up and shoving him into the direction of the young woman, who was on her way into the mall and had stopped for a moment to check her phone.
Cameron sighed heavily, it was time. He held his hands behind his back, pinching his arm hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. Cameron was trying his best to look the part of a lost child. He finally made his way to the woman, who finally glanced up from her phone and smiled at him warmly.
“Hi sweetie, are you alright?”
Cameron, with wide eyes, replied shakily, “I can’t find my parents, can you help me?”
With his big doe eyes, curly hair, and frail frame, the woman could not say no to him. He played the part extraordinarily well. The woman stood up from her crouching position with her bag over her shoulder, ready to help direct Cameron to security where they could help locate his parents. Jim and Steve took this as their cue to jump in and they hastily zipped up their hoodies and threw the hoods on to cover their faces, before making their way over there. Both boys kept their heads ducked low as they stalked down the semi-remote hallway, where their younger brother was currently fooling this poor woman. Jim broke out into a quick jog, Steve trailing soon after, and they brushed by the woman, snatching up her pocketbook in the process. The two older boys were able to just about make it down the hallway when the woman realized what had happened.
“Help! I’m being robbed! Someone please stop them, help!” the woman screeched.
Cameron was extremely overwhelmed but snapped out of his daze just in time to make a break for it. He sprinted, going as fast as his fragile legs could take him, and finally, he was able to join his brothers. They ran and ran, making their way down what seemed like an endless hallway. They could not get caught, right when they were first getting started. The three brothers  all luckily made it back to the lot in one piece and they scrambled into the truck. Jim put the key into the ignition and the car into drive. Adrenaline pumped through their veins as they drove along the busy highway, trying to wrap their heads around what they had just accomplished. The shocking part was that, for once in each of their lives, they felt free.
        After Jim’s plan successfully working out in the end, the boys were finally able to settle down for the time being and stay in a hotel room. Four weeks of traveling across the entire state, and they were able to accumulate enough money to support themselves for up to a month before they would need to steal again. The brothers were all just grateful that they did not have to sleep on the uncomfortable and worn out seats of the truck, always waking up with tight backs and sore necks. The guilt of their actions often hit each of the boys at times, Jim worse than the others. He was the one that devised this plan and roped his brothers into it, and he couldn’t feel any more culpable about it. But, they were able to put that aside and continue to move forward. So far, it has been on the news, but no one had suspected the three brothers of committing these crimes. None of the victims were able to get a clear description of Jim and Steve with their hoods covering most of their faces.
The month of comfortable living passed by quicker than it came, and the money supply had sadly once again dwindled down. They would have to go back and start all over again until they earned enough. The morning of their next job, the boys were up bright and early. They huddled together on the bed in a crappy motel room as Jim told them what was going to happen that day. It was going to take place in the Foxtrot Restaurant and Casino, but little did the boys know that it wasn't exactly going to go the way they had planned.
    Unlike the rest of the times, this job was going to be taking place at night. More people would be out, and that meant more money available. The truck was packed by late afternoon and the boys were off, hoping for it to be the usual easy task. They were able to arrive at their destination just as the sun began to set. The truck was parked in a remote spot in the lot, which was already flooding with people. The brothers prepared themselves before quickly stepping out of the truck. They knew what they had to do.
    Jim and Steve immediately put up their hoods and Cameron trailed quietly behind them. They snuck their way into a side entrance,discovered not so long ago, where they could escape the hands of the security standing out front. The heavy steel door creaked as they slipped into the restaurant. Their ears were instantly filled with the loud chatter of the customers and the clinks of glasses at the bar. Jim scanned the room for a corner where they could stake out their next target before signaling them to follow him. The boys walked in a line, Jim leading the way and Cameron in the back, trying not to lose each other in the crowd. Just as Cameron walked by the bar, he felt a large hand clamp down on his shoulder rather harshly. A hand that he knew all too well. In that very moment his heart stopped as the following words spewed out of the person’s mouth.
“What the hell are you doing here?!”