Locked
Chapter 4
Garrison stepped off the train unsure who he was looking for. He sounded older on the phone but that was no guarantee.
A tall burly red haired man spotted him and waved as he hurried over. "Craig, my boy. Good to see you." He held out his hand and Craig shook it heartily. Best go along with it. "Come, I have reservations." He was led out of the station and down the road several blocks.
Once inside some of the joviality disappeared but he remained friendly as he led him to a table off to the side. After sitting they picked up the menus and he said, "The beef is good but the mutton is even better."
Garrison scanned the menu and quietly asked, "Are they all right?"
"Aye, they were in bad shape when they were found but they are fine now. "
"Where are they?"
"I don't understand it all but they seem to be afraid you are angry at them."
"No. I just want them back." The Lieutenant understood Chief running from G-CAT. That was the only way he was going to stay free but for him to go this far there had to be a reason. And why did Goniff go with him? Did he think he could help? It did bother him that Chief would think he was angry.
"You are a good friend. They are fortunate to work for you. I'm sure not all Officers are as understanding.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone approaching. When he turned it was Goniff and he looked sheepish. Behind him several steps was Chief looking very worried. Concerned about the Guardian he made sure he signalled him to sit on the chair. Goniff would not be too concerned. Garrison had come to get him and the worst he could do was yell at him but not here so he was fine. The Guardian was used to being humiliated in public and from the look on his face he was expecting it.
Once they sat and ordered Goniff started, with almost no urging, to tell their tale. Chief remained almost mute, nodding where required and keeping his eyes down though he watched Garrison out of the corner of his eye. He knew the Officer was good at hiding his emotions. Was he really all right with them ending up so far away? Was he angry at having to come so far to get them? Maybe they should have tried to get back on their own. He seemed calm enough but then that was the way he was when they were on a mission too. He was almost as good as Actor at this stuff. With his stomach in knots he barely touched his food.
They said their goodbyes and all thanked the Doctor for all his help. From there they headed for the train station. Garrison bought their tickets and they boarded. Their plan to split up when they boarded the train was not needed because by the time they got into the car there were only a few scattered seats so they took what they could. Hughes might be gone but he might have someone watching so when they reached their home station Garrison returned to the jeep he had left and the two cons hired a taxi.
Eventually the two errant cons arrived via the back wall and were properly greeted and welcomed back. Over dinner Goniff retold the tale, only slightly exaggerating his part. It was good to have the team back together. Eventually the hubbub died down and Garrison headed for his office followed by Actor. Chief saw Casino and Goniff heading outside so he went up to their room. He was tired. After the worry about Goniff's ankle and what Garrison would say when he got there and then the train ride home, he was spent. Never comfortable on trains he had the added stress of sitting beside a young mother with a crying baby all the way home. He could not sleep where someone might come in and catch him unaware but a little peace and quiet would help.
When he entered their room he saw a copy of The Stars and Stripes on the table. He had seen Casino and even Goniff reading it. Even Actor had a look at it. Curiosity got the better of him and seeing that no one else was around he picked it up and opened it.
Maybe it was because he was tired but he did not hear Casino until he was in the room.
"There you are. I thought you came outside with us." As he came farther into the room he saw what Chief was looking at and said, "There's a good article on page four. You read it yet?"
Caught in the act, Chief closed the paper, tossed it back on the table and shook his head.
Casino pushed the paper in the Indian's direction and said, "Read it. I want to know what you think. It had to do with Indians signing up to fight in the war." Maybe if he thought there were other Indians fighting then maybe he wouldn't feel quite so alone. It did not mention Guardians but it was a start.
Ignoring the paper the Indian said casually, "Maybe later."
"You gotta read it now. I gotta give it back to the Sargent-Major."
"I said later," he replied testily. He was using anger to cover his fear.
What Casino heard was a dismissal, which of course irritated the safecracker, so to rile the Indian into doing what he wanted he blurted out, "Didn't you hear me or can't you read?" He had not expected a verbal response but he got one.
"I kin read." Like Casino he blurted it out without thinking. The alternative was to let Casino think he was stupid. Just because he was, was no reason to go around advertising it.
"Prove it." Casino was raised in a neighborhood where you did not just accept someone's boast.
Chief was feeling cornered but he had his pride. "I don't gotta prove nothin' to you."
Downstairs, Actor had talked privately with the leader of their team discussing their thoughts and concerns regarding the Guardian. The Italian was sure Garrison would not hold this temporary absence against him but he had to be positive. It was reassuring to find he had been correct in his assumption. Garrison was a fair man and an understanding one.
He had gone to the library, his refuge, to write a letter but he wanted his pipe. The one he kept in the library was good but did not draw as well as his favorite which he was sure was in their room with his jacket which he also wanted. The evening was cool but he did not want to light the fire. There was time so he strode off down the hall and up the stairs, his mind already composing the letter he was about to write. As he approached the door he heard angry voices. How could they be fighting already?
He heard Chief's insistence that he could read but it sounded too defensive especially in light of what he had seen in the past. The argument was escalating so he lengthened his stride.
"Gentlemen," he said with authority as he entered the room. He was pinned by two pair of glaring eyes which was better than them glaring at each other.
The Indian saw his chance to escape and he headed for the door. Casino, seeing that the argument was over and the kid was leaving anyway, decided be better deliver the message he was sent with.
"By the way, Warden wants to see you."
Seeing his chance Actor grabbed his pipe and jacket and said, "I will go with you."
Chief wanted to be alone. What Casino had said had stung. He hated being reminded about how much he couldn't do, like reading. Actor seemed to enjoy it so much. As far back as he could remember he had hated it. He had been ridiculed and teased unmercifully to the point he refused to even try. That was probably why he did not talk a lot either. He could still hear the other children laughing at him.
Now he had to worry about what Garrison wanted to see him about but he couldn't tell Actor that he couldn't walk down the stairs with him. He couldn't stay in the room with Casino either and he couldn't take off outside seeing as both Casino and Actor knew he had gotten the message. He was trapped, locked into walking into Garrison's office.
Actor preceded Chief down the stairs. He could not allow the other man to escape. Once they reached the bottom step he stopped and turned, blocking the step.
"Wait a minute." Keeping his voice down he said, "I would like to help you with your reading."
The immediate defensive denial was tossed out. "I don't need no help."
Actor had learned that with some people, like Chief, that if you wanted them to do something that betrayed a weakness you could never confront them or point out their shortcomings. Chief in particular could put up a wall faster than the best stonemason anywhere. With Chief you had to come in from the side and show him the benefits. He was prepared.
"Let me try and if you are correct then you prove me wrong and you win. If I help you improve then you can rub it in Casino's face and you win. Either way you win. All you have to do is let me help you." He saw the worry and the fear so he added, "No one needs to know but I am sure that the others would help."
"No. You can't tell'm." He waited to be sure that was understood before adding, "What if I'm too stupid? Guardians…"
"Chief, you are not stupid. I do not care who told you that but they are wrong. I have seen it. You are intelligent and I know you can learn to read." With a grin and a quick look around to make sure no could hear him he added, "Goniff can read."
That did not have the desire effect because Chief said, "Goniff's not stupid. He's smart. He just pretends to be stupid so you don't expect it of him."
The conman pulled back in surprise. "That is very astute, Chief. I had not thought of it that way but you are right." He gave Chief a thoughtful look. "I must remember that so I do not underestimate him in the future." Actor knew this but he was genuinely surprised that Chief had picked up on this. He also wanted the Guardian to realize he had known something important. The boy needed to know he was good at something. Besides he would not go bragging to the others that he had to tell the great Actor something he did not know.
As he turn and stepped down the last step he said, "Meet me in the library tomorrow morning after breakfast." Not leaving him time to refuse Actor moved away in the other direction. Mission accomplished, thought Actor, the master manipulator, with a smile.
Chief walked down the hall and seeing the door open he stood just outside and waited. Garrison beckoned him in and told him to close the door. That worried Chief a bit more. When he was told to have a seat he did but he sat on the edge.
"How you feeling?"
He hedged with an "All right."
"The Doctor said you should keep drinking lots of water."
"Yeah, I am."
Garrison could see the Indian was nervous so to make it more casual he came around and sat on the corner of his desk. He wanted to be nonthreatening but in control "The Doctor also told me you have a cut on your arm."
Chief had removed the bandage before he went to the restaurant. He did not want his Hearth to know. He forgot about the Doctor. "It's nothin'. It's, it's healed."
"How did it happen?" Chief was silent but his eyes betrayed his fear which told the Officer that he was on the right track. Unfortunately. In his frustration he stood and said, "So it's your fault he got hurt and you had to bleed for…"
Chief jumped up defensively. "No. You said that was wrong. I didn't."
Not believing him he continued in his line of questioning with the same anger. "Then what happened to your arm?"
Chief looked at his arm unconsciously holding it out as he had when he offered it to Goniff. How could he tell Garrison that he had tried to poison a real person with his inferior blood? At the time he thought it was Goniff's only chance.
"Well?" prompted the Officer.
The Guardian sat down, managing, just barely, not to cringe. He said he wouldn't beat him. He had promised but this was serious. What if Goniff had taken his blood and got sick and died? Why hadn't he thought of that? The Trainer's voice filled his head.
"Don't try to think. You Can't. Just do as you're told and Don't Think."
"I didn't want him to die." His voice was tiny but what it lacked in volume it made up for in pain and heartache.
Garrison heard it but his anger was still strong. "Why did you cut your arm? How would that stop him from dying?"
"He needed something to drink but there wasn't anything. He was going to die."
Understanding pulled the floor out from under him and in horror he said, "You offered him your blood?"
Chief slipped to the floor on his knees with his head down. "I'm sorry," he said as he waited for the kick.
It was all happening too fast. Chief had tried to sacrifice himself for Goniff. Was he supposed to be happy that his team had come together so well that one would give up his life to save the other or was he supposed to be angry that one would sacrifice himself for another? The sight of the Guardian on the floor swung the vote.
He squatted down and putting his hands on the Guardian's upper arms he called his name as he urged him to stand. "Chief, sit up, please." The Guardian complied but he kept his head down afraid to show his face.
"That was a noble thing to do, selfless. I was just surprised. That was not what I expected. I'm not angry at you.
"Look at me Chief." He wanted the Guardian, his Guardian, to know exactly how he felt. He knew words could lie. Maybe that was why he did not talk much. Words were used to cut, to hurt, and to humiliate. He wanted his Guardian to see his face, to see how he really felt. There was no reaction so he said it again, "Chief, I want you to look me in the eye." He watched as the head remained but the eyes began to rise slowly, hesitantly.
The Guardian's heart was pounding in fear. What was he supposed to do? Never look a real person in the eye especially a Trainer or Handler. Obey your Trainer and Handler. Maybe if he looked up a bit, like to his knees, or his stomach or chest. Nothing had happened so he kept going, up to his throat and his chin, his mouth. There were clues there. His mouth was relaxed, slightly open and relaxed. His nose came into his field of vision and then his eyes.
There was no anger there, no disgust. There were emotions, feelings there but he did not know what they were. He did know he did not have to fear him. He raised his head.
"Thank you for saving Goniff's life," said his Hearth gently. "His life is valuable. Thank you for making the offer but I don't want you to die. You are just as valuable to me as Goniff or Casino or even Actor. I don't want you to die either. Do you understand?"
The Guardian nodded. He was not worth as much as the others but it was enough to know that his Hearth did not want him to die. His Hearth urged him to his feet and when he complied he put his arms around the younger man. After a brief pause the Guardian returned the gesture. They both let go and stepped back. Chief was drained but he had a spark to hold on to.
"One other thing, Chief, while you're here." He had been intending to do this for a while and now he had him here he might as well get it done. "Sit down for a minute." When he had sat he said, "I was going over the files, yours and the others. Theirs seem to be complete but yours is missing information."
A wary, "Like what?" was the response.
"I don't know enough about the medical part and from the scars I've seen I am sure they are incomplete but what I want to know is about your education. There is nothing listed."
"That's 'cause the only schoolin' Guardians get is at G-CAT."
"You said you are identified when you hit puberty. What about before that? Didn't they teach anything at the Residential School? Did you learn to read before you were…?"
Chief was torn. Don't ever lie to your Hearth but he wanted Garrison's approval. It was bad enough to be a guard dog, he knew about that, but being stupid as well… Decision made he said, "You can't tell nobody."
"You know you can trust me."
"I went to school, a real school, for almost three years and then… "
"Then?" Garrison prompted.
"The Mother died and I …"
"You what? I'm not angry, Chief. I just want to know about your education. In case it involves a mission." It was not entirely the truth but he knew it would work.
"Guardians ain't supposed to be taught nothin'. We're too stupid. If they find out I went to school they'll…"
"They'll what?"
"I don't know. But you can't tell nobody." He sounded worried.
"You went to school to grade 3 then what?"
"After the Mother died I …. I went to live with … with Gouyen. She let me stay with her. One day she got sick an' I took her to town. They thought I was a runner so they shipped me off to the Residential School. I took off soon as I could and went to find the Father but his wife called the cops and got sent to prison. That's where they found me out."
"How's your reading?"
It didn't seem possible but his slouch deepened and his head lowered. "I can't. Everybody knew I was stupid. They told me all the time. I used to know a few words but it's been so long that I probably forgot that too. It don't matter, I'm a Guardian, we're…"
"Don't say it," His tone was abrupt. "You are not stupid, uneducated maybe but not stupid. I want you to work with Actor, catch up with your reading."
"I can't."
"Yes you can. "
"But…"
"But what?"
"I don't want him to know…"
"Know what?"
"He's … He's smart an'…"
"And if he finds out that Guardians are not educated…"
Chief looked up confused; trying to understand what was just said. Was he siding with him or mocking him?
Garrison saw the confusion and decided to clear it up. "Actor knows you are a Guardian. He knows that you are not educated. Do you really think he will think less of you if he finds out your lack of reading skills?"
"I'd rather you taught me, least you know."
"Actor knows." There was something to his look that prompted Garrison to ask, "What is it?"
"Actor offered to teach me. I wasn't gonna go."
"I want you to go. I want you to learn to read."
Could he? When he went to that real school the kids had laughed at him calling him names. Even the teacher had made fun of him. Actor wouldn't laugh at him, would he? He would take his blade with him. He so much as snickered he would cut him. He was not going to be laughed at any more. With that he made up his mind. He would go see Actor and he would learn to read.
