Three Converts

Part 25

We walked for several miles with minimal talking. My sandals dried mercifully quick, and thankfully I was used to being on my feet all day. Still, the toll the last couple days had taken on my body was wearing me down quicker than usual. My lungs burned from nearly drowning, and my wrists, neck, and back still ached from the abusive pillory. I began playing games with myself to pass the time. When we reach that curve in the road, I'll allow myself to look back at the town, I told myself. Each time, the crowded fair was smaller and smaller, until we reached my bush-shaped-like-an-elephant landmark and I didn't see them at all when I turned.

Mostly, I walked behind Griffin because the path was so narrow, but when it finally widened, I jogged up to him. We exchanged a smile. He was a good friend. I heard his stomach growl. He clutched it and grinned sheepishly. "Eat my donut!" I insisted. "I'm not hungry."

"No, no, you'll be hungry at some point."

"Griffin. Eat that forsaken donut, would you?"

He stopped walking for a second and looked at me. "Wow! You're bossy!" But he was smiling. I dug the donut out of the bag he was still carrying and held it out to him.

"Really. Eat it." It's all I have to offer, I thought.

He was practically salivating, but still insisted, "I'll split it with you. You have to eat something at some point!" I supposed he was right. Malnutritional as it was, the donut would give me some energy at least. Who knew when we'd eat again. We found a shady spot and enjoyed our tiny feast. Griffin passed me a flask of water and I took a tiny sip, though it took all my discipline not to chug the whole thing. I couldn't believe how much the little break energized me. We took off again, this time a lot faster.

"So, I feel like you know my whole life story. Tell me about you," I asked brazenly. Griffin looked sideways at me.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. Start with, 'when I was a baby' and go from there. We have time."

"It's not much of a story. When I was a baby my brother, Gordo, was already two. My mom passed away right after I was born and my Dad doesn't care much for Gordo nor I. So we just do our thing. Believe me when I say my old man won't miss me." I inspected the bruise on his face that was yellow now and wondered. Griffin must have felt my gaze because he gave a barely visible nod to confirm my suspicions. I narrowed my eyes. How dare someone treat Griffin so badly?! My Griffin! Who saved my life! Who was the kindest, most generous person I had ever met. Just like that, Griffin's father, who I'd never met joined the ranks of the council and Franklin. Just five days ago, there wasn't a person in the world who I hated. Now I had a complete list. On the other hand, I met Annie and Griffin too, so the list of people I loved was growing too.

After that I didn't ask about Griffin's childhood anymore. He would occasionally offer up a story about G, who Griffin described as a rogue saint. "He is a good person, but nobody can make bad decisions quite like G can." I was about to ask for examples when Griffin threw an arm in front of me and put a finger to his mouth. I looked around nervously. We were in the mountains, but not the mountains I was familiar with. These were dustier, more barren. Had he heard an animal? I was too scared to speak. He reached into his pant leg and pulled a whittling knife. He pushed me gently behind him. I was desperate for my little piece of glass, or something I could use to protect myself. Instead, I clenched my fists and teeth, willing my body to prepare for a fight.

I still didn't hear anything, but Griffin didn'tlet his guard down. We were still frozen in place when he announced, "We hearyou. You may as well show yourself!" If I didn't know him, I'd be terrified bythe dangerous edge to his voice. Around the curve of the path strode a band ofmen, snarling, and smirking. I counted eight of them. We'd have to run, wedidn't stand a chance of fighting them off. I gave Griffin a tug, but he didn'tbudge. Every ounce of me was screaming to retreat, but Griffin stood his groundand the men came nearer.