Chapter 8
The Prayer

As the dawn crept over the horizon, Auburn and Ginger crept through the tunnels to their home. They arrived just as the unseen sun touched the rooftops over the rest of London.

"Alright, Ginger, off to bed now. Go on." Auburn shooed Ginger into her room and followed to tuck her in. Ginger leaped into her "bed," which was actually a mattress mounted on bricks.

"Daddy, will you sing to me?"

"Of course, love. What song do you want?"

"Our song. I want you to sing the verse that lady taught me."

Auburn frowned. "Are you sure she taught you another verse?"

Ginger nodded. "Yes, dad, very sure. It starts off with… um… something about growing…"

Auburn put his finger to his daughter's lips to quiet her. "I'll sing it from the beginning and you tell me if I do it right, okay?"

Ginger nodded. Auburn began the song, but by the time he got to the third verse, Ginger was fast asleep. Auburn kissed her forehead and went to his own room.

A cool breeze blew past his ears when he entered, and for a moment he thought he smelled roses. The sound of distant wind chimes drifted through the rooms like mist.

"Tina?" Auburn whispered, half expecting a reply. The sound was not repeated. Auburn sighed. "One always hopes," he said sadly to himself before flopping down onto his bed. As he lay there in the darkness, he was troubled by something. Finally, hesitantly, he got up again and knelt on the floor, his fingers weaved together in front of him. Foggy recollections of a long-past childhood came to him as he tried to recall the prayer his parents taught him.

"Our father who reigns above, hallowed be thy name," he muttered in a low, unsure voice. "Thy will be done… on earth… Give us this day… um… Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those… those who…" He paused, listening with his eyes squeezed shut as if the darkness of his thoughts might remind him of the words. But the prayer was lost somewhere in memories too far back for him to hold on to. He took a deep breath and began again.

"I realize I haven't prayed for a long time, God. An' I know… that what I do isn't exactly according to your laws… But I need to ask you for a favor. It isn't for me, of course. I'm not deserving of any favors. But God, I gotta ask you for something for my daughter, Ginger. I… I don't want her to grow up to be what I am. If you could find some time for her, God, I'd be grateful if you'd help me get her out of here. Please, God… I don't ask for much. She's more to me than anything. I'd die for her… you know it. Please…"

Again the sound of wind chimes blew past him in a soft breeze. He raised his eyes in wonder. There, beside the door, was Argentina. She was dressed in a long white gown, but was otherwise exactly as he remembered her. She smiled gently down to him.

"Auburn… my one true love," she said. Her voice sounded like a beautiful echo. Auburn gasped, hardly believing his own senses.

"T-Tina," he stammered. "Is it… but it can't be…"

"But it is, my love." She walked to him, her feet never touching the ground, and knelt in front of him. Her eyes glowed with all their old wisdom and promise, but the promise was a false one. Auburn fell forward into her arms, embracing her.

"I miss you so much." Tears of joy and loss poured down his cheeks.

"I miss you too." Argentina held him close, and though she did not weep, her voice was enough to reveal that she wanted to. "But do not be too sad, my love. I have come to give you happy news." She brushed his tears away with the tuft on her tail.

"What is it?" Auburn sniffed.

"I've come to tell you that Ginger will be alright. You've made her a good father. Better than I had dared to hope for."

"Have I? It's hard…"

"I know. But you are strong. Deep inside you, Auburn, you are different than the others who dwell beside us in this pit of shame. What may be your undoing down here has been Ginger's saving grace."

"What will happen to her?" Auburn glanced at the door, but drew his gaze quickly back to Argentina.

"She will leave this place on her own, and make her own life outside the city."

"When will she leave?"

"Soon. Very soon."

"But…"

Argentina raised her hand to quiet him. "It will be hard for you. For both of you. But I will watch her, guide her, and guard her. You may never speak to her again, but you will know she is well."

"How?"

"You will know. Trust, my love. Now I must go." She stood. Auburn leaped to his feet and grabbed her hands.

"Don't leave me again!" he pleaded tearfully. "I couldn't stand to loose you and Ginger. Please don't leave me!"

"It isn't forever, Auburn. No good-bye is forever. Now kiss me one last time. Remember, we shall meet again."

Auburn pressed his mouth to hers. They stood in the darkness for a long time together, trying to make the moment last longer for fear of what lay in store when it was over. But at last, they had to part. Argentina backed away slowly. Auburn stretched his hands out to her. "Don't leave me, Tina," he mouthed silently. But her beautiful, pale shape faded once more into the night and she was gone.

Auburn longed to fall to his knees and weep, to cry to the heavens of the injustice of life. But he remembered Argentina's warning, and ran to Ginger's room.

Ginger's bed was empty. The music box, which Basil had returned earlier, was gone again. The window to the street hung open. Auburn leaped over Ginger's bed and peered out onto the empty street.

"GINGER!" he called. "GINGER!!!"

There was no answer. Auburn hadn't really expected one. She was gone. Auburn sat on the windowsill and began to sing his final farewell.


Though you grow away,
No matter how you change, I'll know you
And when you tire of life alone,
There will always be one sure way back home…
You just turn on the quiet,
And you close your eyes,
And listen inside.

I'll be there to sing to you.
I promise you, I promise to
Comfort you and sing to you.
Darling I'll be there
Any time and anywhere.
Ginger, I'll be there just for you.

…end…