TUS NUA - ch 36

TUS NUA – ch 36

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

The young boy looked around at each face and recognized kindness and sadness. To lighten the dim mood he knew he’d cast, he shrugged his shoulders and continued, “I did okay. I was able to get a bit of work here and there. When I couldn’t find work, I’m ashamed to say, I lifted the food I needed. I wandered around a lot and came to a, well, sort of a shelter in the woods. I heard what I thought was a pup crying out but when I went to check it out, I found the girls.”

Finola asked if he knew their sign language.

“No, not one bit but I improvised. I pointed to the older girl and then pretended to eat. She looked at me like she was hungry. Then I opened my hands and kinda indicated for them to stay put. I ran as fast as I could to town and,” he lowered his head and almost whispered, “came back with a loaf of bread and a bit of cheese.”

Alistar patted Kevin on the shoulder and commented, “That was very commendable of you, Kevin. I don’t think anyone would blame you for taking a loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese. But how did you come to the old hospital?”

“Once the girls seemed as though they weren’t hungry anymore, I pointed to them, then to me, and walked with my fingers. I think Caroleena understood. When I saw they were getting tired, we stopped and rested. That’s when I found a patch of dirt to write in, and asked her their names. I asked if they were sisters, but she said she didn’t know. That’s when I figured they must have been on their own for a long time. It took us a while, but we finally found the hospital. It was closed but, hey, shelter is shelter, right?”

He ate a bit more stew and guzzled some iced tea. He continued.

I knew I couldn’t keep stealing what we needed so I left to look for a bit of work. I was willing to work for food, too.”

He searched for understanding in the faces before him. “I tried. I walked in so many directions that I felt I was getting lost. I knew there was no point in calling out. So, I kept wandering. Then I met Seth.”

Neil’s ears picked up. “Ah, do you mean Seth Stillman?”

Kevin’s eyes turned quickly to Neil. “Yeah, him. He seemed kind at first but then, well, then!”

Finola was about to ask if he was harmed but Alistar gave her sharp look and shook his head. Instead, he asked Kevin, “I guess it’s safe to assume he, uh, encouraged you to steal for him?”

“Yeah, he didn’t give me much choice. He followed me everywhere. I was afraid to go back to the hospital where I left Caroleena and Jenny. I didn’t know what he might do to them. So, I stayed away.”

Ana asked, “Kevin, is he the one who gave you liquour to drink?”

“Yeah, and kept me drinking until I could barely stand. The only time he allowed me to be sober was when he had, as he called it, a job for me to do. A few nights ago, when he passed out from drinking, I took a few coins from his pocket, but he stirred, and I thought I was caught. He handed me the bottle of Bushmills and sat there watching me drink. By the time he fell back to sleep, I wasn’t seeing to straight, but I knew I had to get outta there. I left and kept walking but how I get here, I still don’t know.”

Nora smiled a knowing smile and Finola looked at her and asked, “Nora, mo stor, how did you find him?”

Nora replied, “I didn’t, he found us. Just before the babes fell asleep, I asked Caroleena to put a picture of Kevin in her mind. I used that image to summon him. Being inebriated, his will wasn’t quite his own, so he hadn’t much of a choice but to follow the path I laid out for him. All of you were busy and I had the opportunity, so I took complete advantage of it.”

Neil nudged Alistar’s arm and jerked his head to indicate he wanted a private conversation. Once in a corner of the room, Alistar put a block around them so no one could hear what Neil wanted to say.

“My boy, you know I’m not one to look for trouble. I do my best to end it should it come my way but, truly, Alistar, after all these years, I’m thinking of starting a bit of my own.”

“Neil, my friend, you’re thinking of going after Stillman. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Alistar, I’d not heard a word about him in many years and to learn now that he’s still alive and recruiting young boys to steal? Well, it’s like page from Oliver Twist, isn’t it? I’m just thinking that maybe it’s about time to put him out of business. If he wants to steal, that’s his lot in life but to teach young boys? That’s unacceptable.”

Alistar patted his friend’s shoulder, then after taking a long look at the young boy that sat in their midst, said, “And I’ll be helping you with that. Let’s just get him settled first.”

Alistar removed the privacy block and as they walked back to the table, heard Nora say, “Kevin, I’ll take you upstairs to see the girls in just a minute but, really, sweetie? You’re in bad need of a shower.”

The boy lowered his eyes and agreed but volunteered, “I’d really like to get clean but all I have are the clothes on my back.”

Nora smiled and said, “Not anymore, mo stor. We’ve a room for you at the back of the stairs. I’ll take you there and you’ll find all you’ll need. Once you’re ready, the shower is the room on your left. Then, come and get me. I’m sure the girls are as eager to see you as you are, them.”

She walked him to the rooms that sat behind the large staircase and as she walked back to the group, she heard Alistar say, “Well, my lovelies, Neil and I have an errand. We won’t be long.”

Finola looked up and said, “Alistar, Neil, we all know what you’re after. Be careful, mo ghra.”

Alistar smiled and replied, “Always.”

Finola laughed and said, “Oh Alistar, I wasn’t speaking to you, ya big lug. I was speaking to Neil.”

Alistar had known that but wanted his cousin to finally admit what sat in her heart for years.

Alistar and Neil quietly closed the door behind them and the women huddled and began making plans for their new arrival.