Chapter five

"Sir!"

the rain had begun falling, and the crowds dispersed. stones wet with water and tears, as the pope led the multitude back into the city. The courtyard was mostly empty now. And even the Pope had left. The main attraction was the strange man, carrying a red purse away from the memorial he stood by. The shout had belonged to a young girl, running through the wet grass towards him. He looked up, and met her gaze. She was no more then five, a pale blue hoodie covered her hair, and her face was wet from the falling rain. The stooped man smiled, a rather crooked, half witted monster-like gross of a smile, but with the same kind gesture. He paused a moment, They shared the same, mustard pee colored eyes. "Oh, Hello little girl." She smiled at him, She found his crooked face, haggered hair, and lopsided smile rather comforting. "Hi sir," she peeped, sniffing soy wax from her stubby finger. The man inhaled sharply. "W-What is that strange substance you're snuffing, lass?" His fingers instinctively began reaching for it, and he tried to hold them back. It didn't work. His hand slowly reached forward against his will. The girl smiled. "Oh, this? I calls it chit, but I dunno wut its reely called. It smells grayt dow." The man gulped. "I-I-I..." He stuttered, and slammed his eyes closed. With a great effort, he grabbed his hand and cut it off. He breathed a sigh of relief, and calmly had a nervous breakdown. Then he began to bandage his stub of an arm with a rag he found on the ground. "That is a dangerous substance, young one. Please throw it into the sea." He said quietly, his eyes still closed. The girl looked confused. "But..." She looked at the man's hand that had fallen on the ground. Her pudgy lip quivered, and she threw the wax onto the hand and ran away. The man looked up. "W-wait child! What did you want?" he called, limping after her. The girl stopped at the edge of the forest, looking frightened. "I-I heard that you knew the secret." The man looked at her quizzically. "The secret?" The girl nodded. "Yes, about HIM." She said, pointing to the statue of that great and honerable man, Nic Kage. The man's eyes changed shape, and he sighed. "Yes, I do know the Secret, but it is a sad one. It must be told by a warm fire, where the comfort of friends diminishes the coldness of it. I cannot tell it here." He shook his head and began to walk away. "Wait!" , the girl called, "come to my howse, my aunt has a fireplace. It's small, but happy." The man hesitated, but then his shoulders straightened grudgingly and he muttered, "What do I have to lose? Anyone that might be harmed by the knowledge is dead. And I have no-where to go tonight." The man turned to the girl. "Very well," he said, "My name is Gerald Ivochanous Roborctnikov. What is yours?" The girl smiled, and it seemed to light up the whole world. "My name is Maria."