XXII

Reflections

It was so different from what I was used to seeing… well, Altstadt, I mean.

All my life I've seen it going by, from here to there, nonstop, flowing through London as though a large river. I've seen myself lost in that current of life many times, sometimes not even knowing where I was supposed to head; some others, I would give in and go where the currents (and my feet) took me. For me, it was fascinating to see how different people were. Not only in standing and economics (a very influential thought these days; at least, for me), but on personalities, on the people's overall behaviour.

Staying in Altstadt for some time was incredibly different.

After my escape from Brennenburg, I managed to return to the village… with, I think, an impressive amount of luck. I was found by the outrider, Gabriel by name, and with him I returned to Altstadt. Not many people had seen me the first day of my arrival there, but the few who did were more than curious as to my state. It was Gabriel himself who gave me shelter until I recovered from my injuries, but neither of us was too keen on looking at one another. Gabriel knew me despite having just seen me twice.

"I didn't do it out of obligation," he suddenly told me one day whilst I was by the porch, focused on my new journal. I had been so submersed into my own thoughts that he startled me; he nearly made me jump. After looking down at me, he sat by my side, silent. I had just opened my mouth to speak when he did in my stead, saying, "Taking you in, that is."

"Why then?" I asked after a moment of silence. "You knew who I was, I'm sure of that."

"Yes, I remember you well." Gabriel threw me a sideway glance, frowning. "Seien Sie ein kluger Samariter." Puzzled, I turned my head to him, only to find he was oddly smirking at me. "It means 'Be a smart Samaritan'."

I didn't hold back a chuckle. "I won't argue with you on that."

"I gave you shelter because I did that once with someone else long before you," Gabriel explained, picking up a dry leaf from the ground. I was fairly surprised by his answer. "Unfortunately he passed away, but he was also a prisoner from Brennenburg."

My heart sunk. "Oh my…"

Gabriel nodded. "I found him with bloody clothes, both of his eyes injured to the point he could not see anymore, and screaming for help. After being unconscious for a day and silent for another, he decided to tell me what had happened to him. He was vague on some things, and I will never blame him for that, but he did tell me he was forced to kill his own child. God helped him find his way out of there, but he blinded himself with a sharp stone. I don't want to imagine how horrible it must've been for him."

He met my gaze again. "Was I meant to judge him? No. Maybe he was forced, maybe he did it willingly, but that didn't change the fact that he was a soul in need. I could not leave him there to die." Gabriel straightened. "Now you tell me something, Herr Daniel: does a murderer, forced or not, deserve a second chance to redeem himself?"

The question struck a nerve. Whilst I stared at Gabriel in surprise, he bowed his head with a hint of a smile, settled his hat on his head and left. I felt unable to reply to that question. Everything I'd done at the castle washed over me like a tidal wave and shook me to the core. The screams that echoed in my head enveloped me, closed in on my mind… until they were dissipated by the sound of children's laughter.

A group of five passed by, and a most curious scene developed. A young boy patted a girl on the shoulder; she turned to him with a scowl on her face that I found funny. He was clearly taken aback by her reaction, but by the look on his face and how he stuttered (despite not knowing what he was saying), I knew he was presenting an apology. He would barely look at her, as it used to happen, and after a moment of silence, even though she was shorter than the boy, the girl laid a hand on his head and grinned.

It reminded me of the time Hazel had gotten mad at me and I had to ask for forgiveness.

It reminded me of the apology I never gave, of the second chance I would never get.

The chance I'll never get.

A/N: I owe yet ANOTHER apology for such a delay. I've had tons of issues to deal with and I've barely had the time to write. From here on, since I'm basically finished with school, the chapters will come a lot faster. I do apologize once again.

Reviews are appreciated!^^