Chapter 6

Alan sat by himself on the edge of the town fountain, kicking his heels back and forth. He rested his chin on his hand and watched the distant spire of Tock.

"Hey, Alan!"

He looked up to see some of the neighborhood children.

"Hey guys," said Alan.

"What's the deal?" asked a blond-haired boy with a crew cut, "You're spacing out."

"Maybe he's waiting for his Dad to come back Vic," said a small girl with braided red hair.

Alan shifted uncomfortably. "Nah, he's coming back in a few weeks."

Vic looked skeptical. "You sure?"

"My Dad promised!" protested Alan.

Vic shook his head. "Yeah but your Dad's a liar!"

Alan slit off his seat to his feet.

"Vic," began the girl.

"Gina, stay out of this!" said Alan, holding up a hand.

Gina crossed her arms angrily. "Stupid boys!"

Vic grinned. "You wanna fight?"

Alan grabbed his collar. "Take it back!"

Vic shoved Alan hard, knocking him facedown to the ground. As Alan glared angrily up at him, Vic stood there and smirked. Gina gasped as a girl with blond hair in a ponytail ran over from Kurt's house and bodily picked up Vic. Before he could protest, she dunked him head first into the town fountain.

"Don't hurt Alan!" shouted the girl with the ponytail.

"Cerl, let him go!" yelled Alan.

Cerl dropped Vic into the fountain. Gina ran over to him.

"Are you alright?" asked Gina.

Vic climbed out and sputtered at Cerl, standing in front of the prone Alan.

"Who are you?" asked Gina.

"I'm Cerl," she replied.

Alan got to his feet. "Doc's granddaughter."

"What are you, his bodyguard?" demanded Vic, dripping wet.

"I'll protect him!" replied Cerl defiantly.

"I'm okay," said Alan.

"She's some kind of freak!" yelled Vic as he ran off.

"Sorry about that," said Gina.

"Am I a freak?" asked a stung Cerl.

Alan took her hand. "Of course not."

"Vic had that coming," said Gina, "He's a bit of a bully."

"Sorry he get wet," commented Cerl.

Gina covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

"We'll see you later Gina," said Alan as he led Cerl off by the hand.

"Nice to meet you Cerl," said Gina as she waved.

They reached a windmill. Inside a large circular stone connected to a vertical shaft slowly turned, grinding wheat down into a fine powder. Cerl watched the stone, fascinated.

"Cerl, I don't want you to protect me anymore," said Alan.

She looked at him strangely. "You don't want to be friends?"

"Of course I do!" protested Alan, "But you can't run around beating everyone up!"

Cerl blinked and cocked her head. "Why not?"

Alan sighed. "Because they'll suspect something."

"And that is bad?" asked Cerl.

Alan nodded. "They may not accept you if they find out."

Cerl looked down at her feet.

"Just be careful," said Alan, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Will Alan ever hurt me?" inquired Cerl.

He put out his hand. "Do what I'm doing."

She stuck out her hand the same way and he interlaced his pinkie with hers.

"I promise never to hurt you Cerl," said Alan solemnly.

"And I'll never hurt Alan," replied Cerl.

They gazed at each, both a little red in the face.

Alan scratched his head with his free hand. "Uh, Cerl?"

"Yes Alan?" she asked breathlessly.

"You can let go now."