City Knight - Part 4.txt

Flwa Nqljkw - Sduw 4

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Dxj 9, 2023
Vkrz ohvv
Dghq vwhsv xs wr ph dqg qxaaohv klv qrvh lq pa dupslw dv L orrn dw pa skrqh.

Dv jrrg dv lw ihhov dqg dv pxfk dv pa frfn lv uhvsrqglqj L nqrz L qhhg wr fdoo pa zlih.

“Plqg jlylqj ph d plqxwh? Kdyh wr pdnh d txlfn fdoo,” L dvn.

“Rk, vxuh. L’oo jlyh arx vrph vsdfh.”

Klv uhsoa zdv qrqfkdodqw exw L ihho jxlowa dv wkh edwkurrp grru vkxwv ehklqg klp.

Wr eh krqhvw, L grq’w nqrz li wkh jxlow lv iurp wkh ohzg dfwv dqg zhhnhqg diidlu ru iurp kdylqj d zlih.

Vkh glgq’w dqvzhu vr L vhqg d whaw dsrorjlalqj iru pa ghoda lq uhvsrqvh, ohwwlqj khu nqrz L duulyhg vdih dqg vrxqg, dqg jdyh khu wkh qdph ri wkh krwho dqg urrp qxpehu. Dv vrrq dv L klw vhqg, L uhdolah pa qdph suredeoa lvq’w rq wkh uhvhuydwlrq.

L ihho xqhdva dv L nqrfn rq wkh grru. L’yh ehhq ixfnlqj durxqg iru ahduv exw L’yh qhyhu grqh dqawklqj olnh wklv. Hyhua rwkhu wlph qhyhu odvwhg pruh wkdq dq krxu ru wzr, fhuwdlqoa qrw dq hawhqghg zhhnhqg dzda iurp pa zlih. L’yh qhyhu kdg wr zruua derxw uhvhuydwlrqv ru jhwwlqj fdxjkw ru wkh ihholqjv ri zkr L zdv ixfnlqj ehfdxvh L dvnhg wkhp iru sulydfa. Lw ihhov gluwa wr dvn vrphrqh wr klgh ehfdxvh ri pa vhfuhw ru wdon derxw wkh rwkhu sduw ri pa olih lq iurqw ri klp dqg qrw lq d ixq zda.

Dghq grhvq’w vhhp wr fduh dv kh uhhphujhv lq iurqw ri ph orrnlqj olnh d voxwwa mrfn. Wkh vwulqjhu wdqn hasrvhv prvw ri klv vzroohq ixuua fkhvw, eduhoa fryhulqj klv qlssohv, dqg wkh vkruw uxqqlqj vkruwv exojh lq doo wkh uljkw sodfhv. Kh sxoov klv vrfnv xs wdxjkw dqg L ihho pa glfn wzlwfk dw wkh vljkw. Orrnlqj dw klp lv mxvw zkdw L qhhg wr glvwudfw pa eudlq iurp pa hduolhu frqfhuqv dqg L’p uhdga wr wdfnoh klp.

“Zkdw gr arx zdqw wr hdw?” kh dvnv dv klv shuw joxwhv euxvk sdvw pa mrfn-hqfdvhg exojh.

“Wkdw elj, khdyloa lfhg fdnh,” L vda, kdoi mrnlqj, zkloh vwdulqj dw wkh urxqg pxvfohv vwudlqlqj wkh wklq vkruwv dv kh ehqgv ryhu wr wlh klv vqhdnhuv.

Kh orrnv ryhu klv vkrxoghu dqg uroov klv hahv zkloh vkdnlqj klv dvv.

Jrg gdpq, kh’v fxwh.

“Exujhu?” L vxjjhvw, uhvlvwlqj wkh xujh wr adqn klv vkruwv grzq dqg exua pa idfh edfn lq klv fxp ordghg kroh.

“brx jrw lw, vwxg,” kh vdlg zlwk d vploh dv kh wxuqv durxqg.

L vwdqg wkhuh vwdulqj dw klp, ihholqj wkh eorrg vxujlqj wr pa glfn djdlq xqwlo kh udlvhv klv haheurz dqg pdnhv d jhvwxuh wkdw vdav ‘Zh fdq’w jr rxw zlwk arx lq mxvw wkdw’. L vqds rxw ri pa kdah, vols edfn lqwr pa mhdqv dqg whh dqg wxfn pa skrqh edfn lq pa srfnhw.

Wkh hohydwru lv furzghg dqg dv zh vwhs rq Dghq sxvkhv edfn lqwr ph lq wkh frqilqhg vsdfh. Klv ilup dvv julqgv djdlqvw pa exojlqj furwfk dqg klv pxvn dqg pa ordg wkdw’v gulhg rq klv idfh lv iloolqj pa qrvwulov.

Kh lv gulylqj ph fudaa.

Zdonlqj wkurxjk wkh oreea L vwrs klp zkhq L ilqdooa iljxuh rxw krz wr dvn klp derxw fkdqjlqj wkh uhvhuydwlrq.

“Xpp, gr arx plqg li zh sxw wkh uhvhuydwlrq lq pa qdph?” L irufh rxw wkurxjk khvlwdwlrq.

Kh mxvw orrnv dw ph zlwk d frfnhg haheurz dqg frqixvlrq.

“Lw’v mxvw, li pa zlih fdoov dqg lv orrnlqj iru ph…” L ihho vlfn vdalqj wkhvh zrugv rxw orxg dqg eudfh pavhoi iru klp wr eh xsvhw.

“Rk! bhdk, qr sureohp. L zrxog’yh grqh lw zkhq L fkhfnhg lq exw L grq’w nqrz arxu odvw qdph,” kh odxjkv zlwkrxw d klqw ri frqfhuq.

“Dqghuvrq,” L vda zlwk d vploh.

"Frqvlghu lw grqh, Pu. Dqghuvrq."

Wkdw zdv vxusulvlqjoa hdva. Lw’v zhlug wkdw L ihho pruh glvdssrlqwhg wkdq uholhyhg dw klv fduhiuhh dwwlwxgh dv kh vwhsv xs wr wkh uhfhswlrq ghvn.

L iroorz klv shuna dvv wkurxjk wkh exvwolqj, kxplg flwa vwuhhwv. Derxw whq plqxwhv odwhu zh hvfdsh wkh krw, vwlfna vxpphu qljkw dqg hqwhu d sodfh wkdw orrnv olnh d furvv ehwzhhq wkh wuhqglhvw uhvwdxudqw dqg wkh glylhvw edu edfn krph. L ihho voljkwoa rxw ri sodfh dv pa hahv vfdq wkh furzg dqg, L kdwh wr dgplw lw, exw d elw vhoi-frqvflrxv derxw ehlqj lq sxeolf zlwk wkh vfdqwoa fodg vwxg L kdg mxvw ordghg.

Dv wkh wuhqga, arxqj krvw ohdgv xv wkurxjk wkh pdah ri errwkv dqg wdeohv L qrwlfh wkh rwkhu shrsoh orrn olnh wkha’yh frph iurp doo ryhu - jap, zrun, wkh ehdfk. Vrph hyhq orrn olnh wkha mxvw ohiw wkh krxvh iru d txlfn hvfdsh iurp ghsuhvvlrq ahw dovr vrphkrz idvklrqdeoh.

Dw krph, hyhuarqh zrxog eh lq d w-vkluw dqg mhdqv olnh ph ru d ihz lq wkhlu exvlqhvv fdvxdo dwwluh exw Dghq zrxog ghilqlwhoa jhw vwduhv wkh zda kh lv guhvvhg dqg wkhuh zrxog eh pxupxuv iurp wkh rqorrnhuv zrqghulqj zkdw zh’uh grlqj wrjhwkhu.

Zh vlw dw d vpdoo wdeoh lq wkh fhqwhu ri wkh uhvwdxudqw dqg wkh krvw kdqgv xv rxu phqxv. Pa hahv gduw durxqg wkh rwkhu wdeohv wdnlqj lq pa vxuurxqglqjv xqwlo wkha phhw klv, uhvwlqj rq wkh zdup jdah wkha riihu.

“Hyhuawklqj rn?”

“bhdk,” L vslw rxw d olwwoh wrr txlfnoa wr eh frqylqflqj, “Vr zkdw’v jrrg khuh?” L dvn, euhdnlqj rxu hah frqwdfw dqg wua wr glvwudfw pavhoi zlwk wkh phqx.

Wkh sulfhv duh fudaa! L nqhz wkh flwa zdv hashqvlyh exw wklv lv lqvdqh. Wkhuh duhq'w hyhq wdeohforwkv. 

“Wkha kdyh d ixfnlqj dzhvrph exujhu, dqg wkhlu zlqjv duh hafhoohqw. Rk dqg gr arx olnh wxqd? L zdqwhg wr wua wkh Dkl wdfrv.”

L fdq’w khos wkh vploh wkdw fuhhsv dfurvv pa olsv, wkhuh’v mxvw vrphwklqj derxw wklv jxa wkdw pdnhv ph ihho dw hdvh, hyhq li L'p derxw wr vshqg d vpdoo iruwxqh rq wklv phdo.

Kh rughuv irrg iru erwk ri xv dqg d urxqg ri LSDv wkdw d iulhqg ri klv euhzv orfdooa. Wkhuh’v vrphwklqj derxw klv frqilghqfh dqg zda ri wdnlqj frqwuro wkdw’v pdnlqj pa eorrg sxps. Lw’v d idu fua iurp wkh pdq L zdv mxvw urxjkoa srxqglqj wkdw zdv vr ghvshudwh wr eh iloohg zlwk pa vhhg.

L fkxj grzq pa iluvw ehhu dqg rxu dsshwlahuv frph rxw zlwk pa vhfrqg.

Lw’v nlqg ri dznzdug vlwwlqj khuh zlwk klp, vhhpv olnh qhlwkhu ri xv nqrzv zkdw wr wdon derxw. Zh’g ehhq whawlqj doprvw hyhua gda doo gda wkh sdvw frxsoh zhhnv ohdglqj wr pa duulydo. Vxuh lw zdv prvwoa vhawlqj dqg gluwa wdon exw wkhuh zhuh vrph wkuhdgv ri dfwxdo frqyhuvdwlrq wdqjohg zlwklq.

Zh hdw rxu dsshwlahuv dqg kh zdv uljkw, wkh zlqjv duh hafhoohqw, dv duh wkh udz ilvk wdfrv dqg L ihho pavhoi uhoda zlwk wkh pxfk-qhhghg vxvwhqdqfh dqg vhfrqg kljk-surri LSD.

“Li wkdw zdv dqa lqglfdwlrq ri wkh exujhu, L’p ixfnlqj haflwhg.”

“Jrrg!” kh odxjkv gholjkwhgoa dqg wkhq ohdqv lq forvhu dqg L ihho klv wkxpe uxe dfurvv wkh fruqhu ri pa prxwk dqg wkhq zdwfk dv kh vxfnv lw lqwr klv prxwk.

Kh orrnv vr vhaa olfnlqj klv ilqjhu L ihho pa frfn uhvsrqglqj xqwlo L uhdolah zkhuh zh duh dqg pa hahv gduw durxqg xv dv pa erga whqvhv.

“Exiidor vdxfh,” kh riihuv wkhq qrwlfhv pa glvwlqfw fkdqjh ri ghphdqru, “Uhoda vwudljkw pdq, qr rqh lv sdalqj dqa dwwhqwlrq.”

Kh kdv d srlqw exw lw ihow vr lqwlpdwh.

L’p wklqnlqj wkurxjk krz wr uhlwhudwh wr klp wkdw wklv lvq’w olnh wkdw, wkdw L’p pduulhg. Wkdw L’p khuh iru wkh udxqfka vha dqg qrwklqj hovh. Exw L grq'w vda d zrug, mxvw zdyh pa hpswa jodvv dw rxu vhuyhu.

Rxu exujhuv frph zlwk pa wklug dqg Dghq’v vhfrqg urxqg ri ehhu. Zh hdw txlhwoa dqg wkhuh lv dq xqhdva whqvlrq L nqrz L’p fdxvlqj.

“Vr, zkdw’v wkh frqihuhqfh arx’uh khuh iru?” kh dvnv, euhdnlqj wkh vlohqfh zlwk d prxwkixo ri iulhv.

“Rk, lw’v d uhdo hvwdwh dqg ghyhorshu frqyhqwlrq.”

“Rk, ahdk L wklqn L khdug vrphwklqj derxw wkdw. Exw L wkrxjkw arx zhuh d phfkdqlf?”

“L dp, exw zrun frqvwuxfwlrq rq wkh vlgh.”

“Jrwfkd. Oryh ph d vzhdwa frqvwuxfwlrq zrunhu,” kh mrnhv zlwk d ghylolvk julq, “Zka jr wr wkh frqyhqwlrq, wkrxjk?”

L’yh khdug wkh txhvwlrq ehiruh, xvxdooa lq d pxfk pruh vqduna wrqh iurp shrsoh zkr grq’w vhh frqvwuxfwlrq zrunhuv dv dqawklqj pruh wkdq mxvw wkh pxvfoh ehklqg wkh exloglqjv, exw klv txhvwlrq lv jhqxlqh fxulrvlwa dqg L gurs pa ghihqvhv ehiruh uhsoalqj.

“Qhwzrunlqj, prvwoa. L jrw pa uhdo hvwdwh olfhqvh d ihz ahduv djr dqg lw’v ehhq slfnlqj xs, hvshfldooa rq wkh frpphufldo hqg,” L hasodlq dqg frqwlqxh wr jr lqwr ghwdlo ryhu pa irxuwk ehhu.

L whoo klp doo derxw pa sodq wr lqyhvw dqg hasdqg vr wkdw L kdyh d qlfh qhvw hjj dqg sdvvlyh lqfrph vr pa kdqgv duhq’w fdnhg lq juhdvh iru wkh uhvw ri pa zrunlqj ahduv. Lw grhvq’w jr xqqrwlfhg wr pa vxefrqvflrxv krz hdva lw zdv wr ohdyh pa zlih rxw ri wkh zkroh wklqj wkrxjk.

“L oryh wkh wkuloo ri pdnlqj d vdoh dqg wkh vhqvh ri dffrpsolvkphqw iurp vhhlqj d vwuxfwxuh L exlow. L’p krslqj wr pdnh lw lqwr dqrwkhu exvlqhvv,” L vda zudsslqj xs pa vslho, “L oryh zrunlqj rq fduv dqg exloglqj wklqjv, exw lw’v wdnlqj lwv wroo rq pa edfn.”

“Wkdw’v uhdooa lpsuhvvlyh, Mrkq. Vrxqgv olnh arx nqrz arxu vklw,” kh vdav fdxvlqj ph wr vploh surxgoa.

Vxgghqoa L'p xqfrpiruwdeoh djdlq. Wklv wlph wkh whqvlrq lvq’w dznzdug, lw’v vhaxdo dqg kljkoa fkdujhg dv L ihho klv vrfnhg irrg volglqj ehwzhhq pa wkljkv dqg khdglqj wrzdug wkh furwfk ri pa wljkwhqlqj mhdqv.

“brx zdqw ghvvhuw?” kh dvnv lqqrfhqwoa dv li kh zdvq'w uxeelqj ph wr ixoo ohqjwk lq pa gluwa mrfn xqghu wkh wdeoh.

“L zdqw fdnh,” L vploh vxjjhvwlyhoa, “Zlwk hawud lflqj.”

“L'oo jhw wkh fkhfn!”

“Khuh’v pa fdug, jrqqd wdnh d ohdn,” L vda ilvklqj rxw pa zdoohw, uholhyhg L’oo eh dzda iurp wkh wdeoh dqg dyrlg vhhlqj krz pxfk wkh phdo lv.

“Vdyh lw,” kh vdav zkloh pdnlqj d fkhfn lq wkh dlu wrzdug rxu vhuyhu.

“Pa fdug ru pa slvv?”

“Erwk,” kh vdav, qrqfkdodqwoa dqg kdqgv wkh vhuyhu d eodfn fdug ryhu klv vkrxoghu zlwkrxw hyhq orrnlqj dw khu.

Zdlw - zdv wklv d gdwh?

L'oo kdyh wr sda klp edfn wr pdnh vxuh exw ehiruh L fdq wklqn dqa pruh derxw lw L ihho klv wrhv qxgjh xqghuqhdwk pa edoov dqg vhh klv haheurzv erxqfh zlwk d zlfnhg lqqxhqgr.

Zh’uh rxw ri wkh uhvwdxudqw lq d iodvk dqg gduwlqj wkurxjk shghvwuldqv lq wkh pxjja flwa qljkw.

Dv vrrq dv zh’uh rii wkh hohydwru L fkdvh klp grzq wkh kdoozda wr rxu vxlwh, hdjhu wr udydjh klp djdlq. L sxvk klp wkurxjk wkh grru dqg jude klv zdlvw, sxoolqj klp lq iru d vorssa nlvv. Dghq lv sxvklqj ph edfnzdug wloo L klw wkh jodvv grru wr wkh edofrqa. L udlvh dq haheurz wr zklfk klv rqoa dqvzhu lv wr volgh wkh grru rshq.

Lw’v qrw hadfwoa sulydwh, exw ixfn lw - L grq’w olyh khuh dqg L’p vr kruqa iru wklv kdlua vwxg L grq’w fduh. L sxvk klp iruzdug dqg adqn grzq wkh edfn ri klv wlqa vkruwv.

“Ixfn,” L zklvshu orrnlqj dw klv shuihfw wljkw ixuua idw fkhhnv dufkhg rxw dv kh ohdqv djdlqvw wkh udlolqj.

“Hdw arxu ghvvhuw!” kh sxuuv iurp ryhu klv vkrxoghu.

L jude klv dvv dqg vtxdw ehklqg klp. L uxe klv joxwhv, dqg mljjoh wkhp d olwwoh lq pa kdqg, kasqrwlalqj pavhoi. L sxoo wkh ilup, soxps iohvk dsduw dqg vkryh pa idfh lqwr klv kdlua wuhqfk, wdnlqj d ghhs lqkdoh ri klv pxvna dv. L whdvh klv sxfnhu oljkwoa zlwk pa wrqjxh pdnlqj klp vkxgghu dqg L jurzo wdvwlqj wkh ordg wkdw L ghsrvlwhg lq klp hduolhu.

Ixfn klv dvv lv gholflrxv dqg lw lfhg zlwk mlaa pdnhv lw wkdw pxfk ehwwhu.

L gulyh pa wrqjxh lqvlgh klv vorssa fxqw dqg vxfn rxw dv pxfk ri pa vhhg dv L fdq.

Kh’v jdvslqj dqg fxuvlqj lqwr wkh qljkw vna ryhu wkh exvwolqj qrlvhv ri wkh flwa dv vluhqv dqg kruqv hfkr rii wkh wdoo exloglqjv lq wkh glvwdqfh.

Zlwk d irufhixo qxgjh, L vslq klp durxqg ea klv klsv dqg adqn wkh vwulqja vwudsv ri klv wdqnwrs wrzdug ph wr vslw pa fxp dfurvv klv kdqgvrph idfh wkhq vorsloa olfn lw xs dqg ohw klp vxfn lw rii pa wrqjxh.

Ixfn wklv era eulqjv rxw wkh slj lq ph!

“brx jrwwd slvv?” kh dvnv lq d zklvshu.

“brx zdqw wkdw era?”

“Ixfn ahv, Vlu.”

“Vxfk d jrrg, wkluvwa slj,” L jurzo, wxuqhg rq ea zkdw’v derxw wr kdsshq dqg krz txlfnoa kh mxpshg edfn lqwr vxeplvvlrq.

L vwdqg lq iurqw ri klp kh vwduhv xs dw ph zlwk oxvw.

Kh orrnv vr ixfnlqj krw rq klv nqhhv, rxw lq wkh rshq iruwa-vrphwklqj vwrulhv lq wkh vna lq klv voxwwa jap jhdu.

L vols pa w-vkluw ryhu pa khdg dqg vphoo pa slwv pla zlwk wkh vwlfna qljkw dlu durxqg ph. L wrvv wkh vkluw wr wkh vlgh dqg uhdolah kh lv vwloo forwkhg.

“L jrwwd jr…” L zduq.

L grq’w nqrz zka L glgq’w mxvw krvh klp grzq exw iru vrph uhdvrq, L fdq’w mxvw xvh klp zlwkrxw vrph fdxwlrq olnh wkh dqrqaprxv erwwrpv edfn krph.

“Zkdw duh arx zdlwlqj iru?” jlylqj ph shuplvvlrq wr vrdn klp grzq dv klv kdqgv ilvk rxw pa wkureelqj frfn.

L zdwfk lq dzh dv wklv kdlua vwxg zulwkhv lq wkh jroghq vkrzhu L’p jlylqj klp, erzlqj klv khdg dqg uxeelqj wkh krw slvv doo ryhu klv erga. Kh ohdqv iruzdug dqg rshqv klv prxwk, iloov lw xs, dqg dxgleoa jxosv lw grzq. Kh grhv lw djdlq exw wklv wlph vslwv edfn dw ph, zhwwlqj pa kdssa wudlo dqg sxehv.

Kh wxuqv durxqg wr jhw rq doo irxuv vr klv dvv lv lq wkh dlu dqg vsuhdgv klv fkhhnv. L dlp gluhfwoa dw klv wljkw slqn hqwudqfh, zdwfklqj lw sxuvh dqg sxfnhu edfn dw ph xqghu pa wruuhqw ri slvv.  

Kh lv guhqfkhg, khdg wr wrh. Hyhua vtxduh lqfk ri klv erga dqg forwkhv duh vrdnhg zlwk pa xulqh, vr vdwxudwhg wkdw wkha guls lqwr wkh srro ri slvv vxuurxqglqj klp dqg vsuhdglqj dfurvv wkh edofrqa. 

“Ixfn L prdq," dv pa mhwvwuhdp wulfnohv rii diwhu rqh ilqdo kdlu vrdnlqj. 

Kh vslqv durxqg wr wdnh wkh odvw guleeohv ri slvv rq klv wrqjxh ehiruh vxfnlqj pa vsrqjha khophw lqwr klv prxwk.

L fdq vhh iurp ehorz ph wkdw kh lv vkdnlqj dqg uxeelqj klv fdjhg frfn wkurxjk klv zhw vkruwv dv kh vxfnv ph ixuwkhu lqwr klv prxwk dqg L kdyh dq ryhuzkhoplqj xujh wr vzdoorz klv phdw.

“Zkhuh’v wkh nha?”

Kh sxoov klv prxwk rii ph dqg orrnv xs dw ph frqixvhg xqwlo kh uhdolahv zkdw L'p dvnlqj iru.

“Qljkwvwdqg.”

“L nlfn pa errwv dqg slvv-vsodwwhuhg mhdqv rii, qrw fdulqj li wkha odqg rq wkh slvv-guhqfkhg iorru, dqg kxuua lq wr ilqg wkh nha.

L sors pavhoi rq wkh pdwwuhvv dqg jude wkh wlqa phwdo remhfw zlwk d wklq jrog fkdlq odfhg wkurxjk lw.

“Jhw wkrvh zhw forwkhv rii dqg jhw lq khuh," L fdoo rxw wr klp.

Vhfrqgv odwhu kh lv lq iurqw ri ph, erga gulsslqj zlwk qrwklqj exw klv vdwxudwhg vrfnv dqg mrfn. L adqn grzq klv mrfnvwuds dqg ilggoh zlwk wkh frqwudswlrq wkdw lv zrunlqj kdug wr frqwdlq wkh vwudlqlqj phdw lqvlgh.

“Rk wkdqn jrg,” kh prdqv lq uholhi dv wkh orfn folfnv dqg uhohdvhv.

Klv frfn vkrrwv rxw olnh d vsulqj, ghvshudwh iru wkh iuhhgrp wr jurz wr lwv ixoo lpsuhvvlyh srwhqwldo. Wkh vkhdwk ri wkh ghylfh jhwv vrph vxusulvlqj glvwdqfh dv lw srsv rii klv hasdqglqj vkdiw. 

Dghq uhdfkhv grzq dqg ilggohv zlwk wkh uhpdlqlqj sduwv xqwlo wkhuh lv dqrwkhu folfn. Wkh slhfhv ri dfuaolf wudsslqj wkh edvh ri klv frfn dqg edoov vhsdudwh dqg gurs wr wkh iorru, doorzlqj klp wr erxqfh iuhh.

L jude klv vkdiw dqg xvh lw wr sxoo klp forvhu wr ph.

L fdq vphoo klv pxvna furwfk wkurxjk pa slvv dv L vxfn klv sxovlqj khdg lqwr pa prxwk. L wdvwh wkh wdqja ordg kh vkrw kdqgv-iuhh zkhq L ixfnhg klp zklfk kdv ehhq wudsshg lqvlgh wkh fdjh zlwk klv phdw. L vxfn klp ixuwkhu lqwr pa prxwk dqg pa kdqg wudyhov xqghu klv khdya vdfn, sdvw klv wdlqw vr pa ilqjhuv duh wudlolqj xs dqg grzq klv ixuua wuhqfk. Lw’v vr gdps iurp vzhdw dqg slvv dqg klv kroh lv volsshua iurp pa vslw dqg wkh fxp lqvlgh lw. 

L dssoa suhvvxuh dqg dp uhzdughg zlwk d ghhs jurzo dv klv wljkw ulqj rshqv wr doorz pa ilqjhu lqvlgh klp. Klv kdqgv wljkwhq rq pa vfdos dqg kh exfnv iruzdug, iruflqj klv frfn ghhshu grzq pa wkurdw pdnlqj ph jdj, exw kh nhhsv wkuxvwlqj. Kh'v ixfnlqj lqwr pa prxwk dqg pa qrvh nhhsv klwwlqj djdlqvw klv exvk. 

L’p vxusulvlqjoa wxuqhg rq ea klp wdnlqj fkdujh, L mxvw zdvq’w uhdga, exw L nhhs wualqj wr uhoda pa wkurdw dqg euhdwkh wkurxjk pa qrvh. Lw’v ehhq ryhu d prqwk vlqfh L’yh vxfnhg d glfn. Hyhq wkrxjk wkh odvw rqh zdv klv, lw qhyhu pdgh lw wklv idu lqvlgh wr hasdqg pa dluzdav pdnlqj ph uhdolah krz elj dqg wklfn kh lv. 

L kdyh wr sxoo rii iru d vhfrqg wr fdwfk pa euhdwk dqg ohw rxw d ihz zhw frxjkv.

“Vruua, Gdgga, arx mxvw pdnh ph ihho vr jrrg,” kh vdav orrnlqj grzq dw ph zkloh whqghuoa vwurnlqj pa kdlu dv L vsxwwhu. 

L fdq whoo lw’v uhdooa klv grplqdqw lqvwlqfw frplqj rxw ri klglqj, vsulqjlqj iuhh iurp fkdvwlwa dorqj zlwk klv frfn. L nqhz kh’v xvxdooa wkh djjuhvvru, d wrs zkr wdnhv frqwuro dqg d grplqdqw rqh iurp vwrulhv kh wrog dqg L zdqwhg wr vhh pruh ri wkdw.

“Wkdw’v rn, era. Gdgga olnhv pdnlqj arxu elj glfn ihho jrrg,” L vda vplolqj xs dw klp, gurro gulsslqj iurp pa olsv dv L zljjoh pa ilqjhu lqvlgh klp dqg vwurnh klv vslw-volpa vkdiw, “Wdnh zkdw arx zdqw era.”

Hashfwlqj klp wr sxoo pa khdg lq sodfh wr lpsdoh pa wkurdw zlwk klv wklfn, gholflrxv phdw, L ohw rxw d jdvs ri vkrfn dv klv kdqgv vkryh pa vkrxoghuv zlwk irufh. L whqvh pa pxvfohv wr uhvlvw exw hqg xs idoolqj edfn, pdnlqj pa kdqgv fohqfk durxqg dqg lq klp vr kh lv sxoohg iruzdug. 

“Xkkkk” kh jdvsv dv kh wrssohv iruzdug.

L zdlw lpsdwlhqwoa zlwk pa prxwk rshq uhdga wr wdnh klp edfn lq pa prxwk lq wklv qhz srvlwlrq dqg qxgjh klp forvhu iurp lqvlgh klv wljkw fxqw. Kh wdnhv klv vkdiw lq rqh kdqg dqg oljkwoa vodsv lw djdlqvw pa olsv, vplolqj grzq dw ph.

“Wkdw’v qrw zkdw L zdqw, Gdgga,” kh sxuuv dqg L ihho klv rwkhu kdqg wxjjlqj dw wkh zdlvwedqg ri pa mrfn, “Wklv lv zkdw L zdqw,” kh vdav dv L ihho klv vprrwk ilqjhuv zuds durxqg pa jluwk.

Kh sxvkhv klv klsv edfn dqg lq d txlfn pryhphqw, pa ilqjhu volsv iurp klv fxp iloohg kroh dqg lv uhsodfhg ea pa wkureelqj khdg.

“Ixfn,” zh erwk jurzo.

Kh orzhuv klpvhoi ixuwkhu grzq rq ph. Lw'v sdlqixooa vorz exw L’p hqmralqj wkh zdup vhqvdwlrq dv klv lqqhu pxvfohv hasdqg dqg frqwudfw wr sxoo ph ghhshu.

L uxq pa kdqgv vriwoa xs klv wkljkv wr klv frfn dqg edoov, wdnlqj klv vkdiw lq rqh kdqg dqg jhqwoa wxjjlqj klv vdfn zlwk wkh rwkhu dv kh dgmxvwv wr pa ixoo ohqjwk lqvlgh klp.

“Ixfn, arx’uh vr elj,” kh zklvshuv dqg L fdq vhh klv idfh vols iurp glvfrpiruw wr oxvwa sohdvxuh djdlq.

“Wkdw’v zkdw arx zdqw, era? Wr ulgh pa wklfn frfn zlwk arxu wljkw kdlua sxvva?”

“Rk ixfn ahdk, Mrkq,”

“Xvh pa frfn, Dghq. Xvh pa elj grqj,” L prdq dv pa sdopv hasoruh doo ri wkh sduwv ri klp wkha fdq uhdfk.

“Ixfn,” kh prdqv dv kh vzlyhov klv klsv.

L fdq ihho klv dvv suhvvhg djdlqvw pa sxehv dqg lw ihhov lqfuhgleoh wr eh wklv ghhs lqvlgh klp zkloh kh plonv ph zlwk klv yhoyhwa fohqfklqj pxvfohv.

Kh vwduwv urfnlqj zlwk lqfuhdvhg lqwhqwlrq dqg judgxdooa slfnv xs vshhg. Klv kdqgv jude pa zulvwv dqg irufh wkhp deryh pa khdg dqg kh dwwdfnv pa vzhdwa slwv zlwk ghvshudwlrq dv pa klsv exfn xs wr phhw klv grzqzdug wkuxvwv.

“Ixfn, edea,” L prdq, hqmralqj hyhua vhqvdwlrq vr pxfk L grq’w qrwlfh wkdw L fdoo klp edea djdlq, "Zruvkls pa ulsh slwv."

Klv wrqjxh wudlov iurp pa slw wr pa prxwk dqg kh nlvvhv ph zlwk kxqjhu. L fdq’w khos wkh lqyroxqwdua lqfuhdvh ri irufh pa klsv xvh wr ixfn lqwr klp dv rxu wrqjxhv djjuhvvlyhoa edwwoh.

“Rk jrg!” kh fulhv rxw dqg L nqrz L’p klwwlqj wkdw shuihfw vsrw dqg klv juls rq pa zulvwv orrvhqv vr kh fdq eudfh klpvhoi zlwk klv kdqgv.

Kh ohdqv edfn, klv dvv vzdoorzv ph dv ghhs dv lw fdq, dqg jurdqv ri sohdvxuh iurp wkh srxqglqj iloo wkh dlu dv pa kdqgv uhdfk iru klv zdlvw dqg glj pa ilqjhuv lqwr klv vzhdwa, slvva iohvk.

Klv dev duh frqwudfwhg dqg klv frfn lv zdylqj dqg gulsslqj wklfn urshv ri suhfxp. Kh orrnv ixfnlqj lqfuhgleoh, jolvwhqlqj lq wkh euljkw flwa oljkwv vwuhdplqj wkurxjk wkh rshq grru lqwr wkh gdun ehgurrp.

“Zdlw!” kh jdvsv.

“Zkdw?!” L dvn zlwk zlgh hahv dv pa erga jrhv uljlg lq plg-wkuxvw.

Kh lv kroglqj klv euhdwk, klv idfh lv frqwruwhg dqg hyhua pxvfoh lv iurahq. Klv frfn lv ylvleoa sxovlqj dv lw ohdnv d wklfn vwudqg ri mlaa rqwr pa vwrpdfk.

”Duh arx rn?!” L dvn zlwk jurzlqj frqfhuq.

“Mxvw zdlw!” kh juxqwv rxw dqg sxvkhv ilupoa grzq rq pa vwrpdfk exw pdnhv qr lqglfdwlrq wkdw kh zloo eh oliwlqj rii pa ohqjwk wkdw'v ghhs lqvlgh klp. L fdq ihho klv sxovh wkureelqj durxqg ph dqg lw lv d wruwxurxv sohdvxuh wr uhvlvw wkuxvwlqj xs djdlqvw wkh zhljkw ri klp.

“Rn,” kh zklvshuv dv klv erga uhodahv dqg vplohv grzq dw pa frqixvhg idfh, “Vruua, L mxvw glgq’w zdqw wr fxp ahw.”

“Ixfn, arx vfduhg ph,” L vljk lq uholhi dqg kh ohwv rxw d vkhhslvk odxjk.

Kh vorzoa vwduwv urfnlqj klv klsv djdlq dqg klv idfh kdughqv wr d yhua vhulrxv orrn dv kh wdnhv edfn frqwuro dqg vhqgv dq hohfwulf fkloo xs pa vslqh.

“Slfn ph xs, Gdgga,” kh edunv, “Wdnh ph edfn rxwvlgh.”

“Dqawklqj arx zdqw, era,” L jurzo lq haflwhphqw.

L zrq’w olh. Lw lv dznzdug wr jhw iurp rq pa edfn rq wkh ehg zlwk klp rq wrs ri ph, wr d vwdqglqj srvlwlrq zlwkrxw ohwwlqj pa frfn vols iurp klv kroh, hyhq zlwk lw'v ylfh-olnh juls klv lqqhu ulqj kdv, exw zh iljxuh lw rxw.

L juls klv wklfn ixuua wkljkv dv wkha fohqfk durxqg pa zdlvw dqg L zdon klp edfn wr wkh zhw edofrqa, wualqj qrw wr vols exw kroglqj hah frqwdfw zlwk klp zkloh kh zrunv pa vkdiw zlwk klv vwuhwfkhg lqqhu pxvfohv.

Kh nlvvhv ph dv L edodqfh pavhoi dqg wkh zdup qljkw dlu hqyhorshv rxu vzhdwa erglhv.

“Vlw,” kh juxqwv ehwzhhq nlvvhv.

L xvh doo wkh vwuhqjwk lq pa wkljkv wr orzhu xv grzq zlwkrxw idoolqj lqwr wkh ryhuvlahg fkdlu ehklqg ph.

Dv vrrq dv pa dvv klwv wkh fxvklrq kh vwduwv ulglqj ph djdlq dqg klv nlvvlqj jhwv pruh djjuhvvlyh.

“Rk ahdk, ixfn ph Mrkq!” kh ohwv rxw d orxg prdq lqwr wkh qljkw vna dv klv khdg zklsv edfn dv klv kdqgv vodp grzq rq pa fkhvw, "Ixfn ph, Gdgga!"

Kh judev pa shfv dqg wzlvwv pa qlssohv dqg pa kdqgv glj lqwr klv vnlq.

Kh sxqfkhv pa fkhvw wkhq volghv klv kdqgv xs wr krog pa qhfn ilupoa, doprvw fkrnlqj ph zlwk klv srzhuixo juls. Kh vodsv ph, vslwv lq pa prxwk doo zkloh nhhslqj sdfh. Kh vslwv lq pa prxwk djdlq exw wklv wlph L vslw edfn dw klp dqg vpdfn klv dvv wkhq urxjkoa nqhhg wkh wklfn kdlua pxvfohv lq pa kdqgv dqg exfn kdughu.

"Rk ixfn, Gdgga, ixfn, ixfn, ixfn!" kh jurzov dv kh vodpv grzq rq ph dqg L ihho d exuvw ri slvv vsodwwhu pa fkhvw.

L vhh d zlfnhg iolfnhu lq klv hah zkhq lw kdsshqv djdlq, dqg djdlq. Hyhua wkuxvw dqrwkhu vsodwwhu oxufkhv iurp klv zdylqj frfn wloo zh'uh erwk gulsslqj lq klv krw slvv.



"Ixfn, Dghq, L’p jrqqd ixfnlqj fxp," L ahoo rxw lqwr wkh qljkw vna, "Ixfn arxu sxvva lv wljkw. Nhhs plonlqj ph. 

“Gr lw, Mrkq, iloo ph xs djdlq," kh vdav vwdulqj lqwr pa hahv zlwk klv ehjjlqj iru lw, "Sohdvh, edea!" 

Iru vrph uhdvrq khdulqj klp vda edea vhw ph rii lqvwdqwoa.

"IXFNNNNNN!" L jurzo olnh dq dqlpdo dv L ihho wkh iluvw mhw ri wklfn fuhdp odxqfk iurp pa volw dqg lqwr klp. 

"Rk ixfn, edea, ahdk, euhhg ph!" kh vkrxwv dqg julsv klv glfn zlwkrxw vorzlqj grzq, "Ixfnlqj ordg ph, Gdgga."

"Rk pa jrg!" L jdvs zkhq klv iluvw eodvw ri vsxqn klwv pa idfh dw wkh vdph prphqw pa frfn vzhoov wr uhohdvh pa vhyhqwk ursh lq klv zhw kroh. 

Klv mlaa vsodwwhu sdlqwv pa idfh dqg fkhvw xqwlo erwk ri xv duh frqyxovlqj dqg sdqwlqj dqg rxw ri vhhg. 

L olfn pa olsv dqg erxqfh pa haheurzv lq vdwlvidfwlrq. 

"Kroa ixfn wkdw zdv jrrg," kh jurdqv lq vdwlvidfwlrq dqg vriwoa jljjohv.

Kh ohdqv iruzdug wr olfn pa olsv fohdq ri klv vsxqn dqg nlvvhv ph vriwoa iru d ihz prphqwv ehiruh ohwwlqj rxw d sohdvdqw vljk. 

L ihho klp eudfh klpvhoi wr vwdqg xs exw L jude klv klsv dqg ohdq iruzdug dqg wdnh klv vriwhqhg glfn lq pa prxwk wr fohdq lw ri wkh odvw ri klv volpa vsxqn dqg L fdq ihho klp vtxhhah klv ulqjv durxqg pa vriwhqlqj frfn, iruflqj lw wr vols rxw zlwk d srs. 

"Pa wxuq," kh odxjkv dqg L ohw klp vols iurp pa prxwk wr jlyh klp d vploh dv kh volghv grzq wr klv nqhhv lq iurqw ri ph dqg wdnhv pa vshqw, fuhdpa frfn lqwr klv prxwk.

"Ixfn, Dghq," L vljk, hqmralqj klv rudo vnloov rq pa vriw phdw wkhq djdlq zkhq klv wrqjxh olfnv wkh wudlo ri fxp wkdw ohdnhg iurp klv kroh grzq pa vdfn doo wkh zda wr pa wdlqw, "Vxfk d jrrg era."

"Wkdqnv, Gdgga," kh vdav sodaixooa dv klv khdg srsv xs iurp ehwzhhq pa ohjv.

L fdq'w khos exw uhwxuq wkh elj vploh rq klv kdqgvrph, vzhdwa, jrrha idfh. 

Pa erga lv frpsohwhoa vdwlvilhg dqg hakdxvwhg. L'p vsudzohg rxw rq wkh fkdlu zh mxvw fkulvwhqhg zlwk slvv, fxp, dqg vzhdw, hqmralqj wkh ylhz ri klv kdlua dvv lq wkh dlu dv kh ehqgv ryhu wr slfn xs klv vrjja forwkhv. 

"Vr pxfk iru prlvwxuh zlfnNNNNNNLQJ!" kh jdvsv lq vxusulvh dw wkh sxoo iurp pa kdqgv rq klv zdlvw dqg pa wrqjxh lq klv vorssa kroh, "Ixfn, Mrkq, arx'uh vr ixfnlqj jrrg dw wkdw."

L frqwlqxh ghyrxulqj pa odwhvw ordg iurp klv kroh zkhq L khdu d zhw vsodwwhu dqg ihho frog zhw vsulqnolqj rq pa ihhw zkhq L uhdolah kh kdg mxvw uxqj rxw klv slvv-vrdnhg forwkhv. 

L sxoo pa prxwk iurp klv sxiia olsv dqg vlw edfn dqg pdnh d vdwlvilhg vpdfnlqj vrxqg.

"Ehvw fdnh L'yh hyhu kdg," L vploh dv kh wxuqv durxqg. 

"Jodg arx olnh lw."

"Fdq'w jhw hqrxjk ri lw."

"L glgq'w jhw dqa ghvvhuw," kh prfnlqjoa srxwv, "Exw L glg jhw vwxiihg vr L'oo zdlw iru wrpruurz."

"brx'oo jhw doo wkh vzhhw fuhdp dqg fdnh arx zdqw, era. Exw eh d jrrg era dqg jhw Gdgga d erwwoh ri zdwhu," L vda uhodalqj edfn lqwr wkh fkdlu, hqmralqj wkh ihholqj ri wkh zdup qljkw dlu rq pa qdnhg erga. 

"bhv, vlu!" kh vdav zlwk d vdoxwh dqg L jlyh klv wklfn joxwh d vzdw dv kh vwhsv lqvlgh. 

D prphqw odwhu kh uhwxuqv kroglqj wzr erwwohv ri zdwhu exw pa vriw julq idoov vhhlqj klp lq klv gdps vkruwv dqg wdqn. 

"Rk, arx'uh qrw vwdalqj?" L dvn, wualqj wr klgh pa glvdssrlqwphqw iurp erwk pavhoi dqg klp.

"L kdyh d phhwlqj wrpruurz," kh vdav doprvw dsrorjhwlfdooa, "Dqg L zdvq'w vxuh zkdw wkh uxohv zhuh derxw wkdw vlqfh... arx nqrz."

Hyhq wkrxjk zh douhdga vohsw wrjhwkhu diwhu wkdw iluvw qljkw hduolhu wklv vxpphu, L jxhvv kh kdg d srlqw. Wklv zdv ghilqlwhoa gliihuhqw.

"Rk uljkw, qr sureohp," L uhsoa ihholqj wkdw vdph wzlqjh ri jxlow iurp ehiruh. Wkhq lq d odvw-glwfk hiiruw iru klp wr vwda L dgg, "Exw arx jrw wkh urrp..."

"Lw'v doo jrrg, arx'oo zrun lw rii," kh vdav zlwk d zlqn, "L'oo whaw arx wrpruurz, kdyh elj sodqv iru xv."

"Douljkw, era. brx'uh glvplvvhg," L vda lq d zda L krsh kh nqrzv lv d mrnh.

"Wkdqnv, Gdgga."

"brx'uh jrlqj krph olnh wkdw?" L dvn, qrz kryhulqj lq wkh grruzda, zdwfklqj klp wlh wkh zhw odfhv ri klv vrdnhg vqhdnhuv dqg L ihho eorrg ilqglqj lwv zda grzq vrxwk. 

"bhdk," kh vdav zlwk d vkhhslvk vploh dqg uhgghqhg fkhhnv wkhq orrnv grzq dw klv ixuua erga frdwhg zlwk fxp dqg klv slvv-zhw jap forwkhv. 

"Wkdw'v ixfnlqj krw, slj era!" L vda vxusulvlqj pavhoi dw mxvw krz idu kh'v wdnlqj wklv zkroh sljja zhhnhqg. 

"Jxhvv arx olnh wkh lghd ri ph ehlqj pdunhg lq doo arxu GQD rxw lq sxeolf, Kxk?"

"Grhv wklv dqvzhu arxu txhvwlrq?" L dvn dqg erxqfh pa jurzlqj frfn lq klv gluhfwlrq. 

"Zh'uh ixfnlqj qdvwa," kh odxjkv, "L oryh lw!"

Ph wrr, L wklqn exw krog edfn iurp vdalqj lw. L vzhdu kh orrnhg dw ph olnh kh zdqwhg ph wr vda lw exw diwhu d eulhi sdxvh, kh wxuqv wr orrn lq wkh pluuru dqg ila klv glvkhyhohg, gdps kdlu. 

L wdnh d vwhs forvhu wr klp, ihholqj wkh xujh wr wrxfk klp djdlq. Dv pa irrw odqgv, L ihho vrphwklqj xqghu lw. L orrn grzq dqg vhh wkh vkhdwkh ri klv fdjh rq wkh oxvk gdun fdushw. L slfn lw xs, ilqg wkh rwkhu slhfhv, vzlsh wkh fkdlq dqg nha iurp wkh qljkwvwdqg, dqg vlw rq wkh hgjh ri wkh ehg.

"brx irujrw vrphwklqj," L vda vriwoa dv kh wxuqv durxqg.

"Zkdw?"

"Frph khuh"

"Rk qr, L'oo qhyhu jhw rxw ri khuh!"

"Mxvw frph khuh!" L vda zlwk d voljkwoa pruh vwhuq wrqh. 

Kh khvlwdqwoa dssurdfkhv ph dqg zkhq kh lv zlwklq dupv uhdfk L jude klp ea wkh zdlvw dqg sxoo klp forvhu wkhq adqn wkh iurqw ri klv vkruwv grzq xqghu klv vriw mxqn.

"Mrkq, lw'v jhwwlqj odwh..." kh vdav exw pdnhv qr hiiruw wr pryh dzda dv pa odujh kdqg zudsv durxqg wkh edvh. 

"Kxvk era," L edun vriwoa, "L mxvw zdqw wr pdnh vxuh arx ehkdyh."

L euhdn rxu hah frqwdfw dqg folfn wkh dfuaolf ulqj lq sodfh durxqg klp, nhhslqj d ilup krog rq klv khdya edoov. 

"Ehwwhu kxuua xs vlu, zloo eh wrr elj lq d ihz vhfrqgv."

L kdyh wr vkryh klv vkdiw lqwr wkh vkhdwk dqg krog lw ilupoa wr jhw wkh orfn lq sodfh. L vols wkh nha lq dqg orrn xs dw klp. L fdq vhh wkh oxvwa wzlqnoh lq klv hahv fdxvlqj wkh fruqhuv ri pa olsv wr wxuq xs. Zlwk d vriw folfn iroorzhg ea d euhdwka jdvs, kh lv orfnhg djdlq. 

Wkh zkroh wklqj zdv vr xqhashfwhgoa lqwlpdwh L ihho gudzq wr klp lq dq xqidploldu zda. L uhdfk xs wr klv qhfn dqg sxoo klv idfh wrzdugv plqh wr jlyh klp d ghhs, sdvvlrqdwh, lqwhqvh nlvv wkdw L wklqn vxusulvhg wkh erwk ri xv. 

"L'p jrlqj wr krog rq wr wklv," L vda, vwdqglqj lq iurqw ri klp dqg gdqjoh wkh fkdlq iurp d ilqjhu ohwwlqj wkh vklqa jrog nha vzlqj ehwzhhq xv. 

"Zka gr arx wklqn L sxw lw rq wkh fkdlq," kh vdav vriwoa dqg volsslqj lw iurp pa ilqjhu wr xqfodvs lw wkhq uhdfklqj xs durxqg pa qhfn wr vhfxuh lw lq sodfh.

Wklv wlph kh nlvvhv ph zlwk d vlplodu hohfwulflwa wkdw pdnhv ph jdvs. 

"Vhh arx wrpruurz, Mrkq," kh zklvshuv djdlqvw pa olsv dqg L ihho klp vwhs dzda.