Before we fall

(Chp.12) Friend! :)

As Simon and GC progressed through the market, Simon carrying all of GC's many bags of groceries for her, they stopped at almost every stall- most of the stall owners staying wary or where GC's hand were at all times.

Yes it was true, while she was spending her nights on the cold, hard streets of the small town she had needed to steal some food and clothing every now and then to stay- well alive. However, now that she lived with Karl she had no need to steal! That dident stop her from snagging a few items anyways- old habits die hard, or don't die at all.

GC was an incredibly sneaky child. Despite her rather- dimwitted appearance, she was extremely intelligent compared to most children her age- not that she let anybody know that of course. She had an incredible poker face and often had much more going on in her mind than she let show, leaving most to belive she had none but half a wit about her!

None the less as the two walked through the crowded market Simon noticed people would notably move away from them as they walked past- well more accurately move away from GC, this made him wonder what exactly had this girl done to gain the scars and reputation that she had. Simon shook this feeling as GC suddenly dashed from his side,

"GC, don't stray too far you might get lost!" He called out, notcing GC had ran up to a small boy- seemingly only a few years older than her; Simon quickly ran twords them, trying his best not to loose the little girl as people began to crowd aroud him-

"GC how have you been?! Oh how I've missed you!" The boy cheered in delight, embracing her in a tight hug. To the little boys inquiry GC gestured twords the bandage loosely wrapped around her neck, obviously not very ashamed of it.

"Oh my! What on God's green Earth happened?!" The boys delighted expression almost instantly switched to a worried and distressed one as he grabbed GC's face gently in his hands, holding her chin upwards so he could examine the wound further. To this gesture GC promptly pushed him away- leaving Simon to run to her side, not knowing this boy and his intentions.

"Sorry- uhm GC, who is this man?" The boy asked, looking up at Simon with a mixture of confusion and concern written all over his face.

"Hello, I'm Simon. GC's brother asked me to take her to the market today- Is he your brother GC? Ah- none the less, I'm helping GC shop around the market." Simon akwardly introduced himself, kneeling down to the boys height and holding out a friendly hand for him to shake.

"GC you have a brother?! I thought you dident have any family-" The boy ignored Simons handshake, turning to face GC- his confused facial expression now deepened.

To this interaction GC simply giggled, her voice deep and scratchy- leaving a deeply worried facial expression on both the boy and Simon. GC herself wincing slightly and putting her fingertips lightly on the banage around her neck- which upon impact turned slightly red around where her fingers had applied pressure, she had broken the scab.

"Oh my- GC your voice!" The boy called out, forgetting all of the confusion befor and only focusing on how off her voice had sounded.

"Your bandage-" Simon sighed, pushing the many bags he had further up his arms- freeing them to pick up the little girl; turning around and beginning to walk back to her home with her. To which the little boy promptly followed behind him.

"H-hey! Where are you taking her?!" He pouted, making sure not to fall far behind the two.

"Back to her home so her- brother? GC I'm just going to call him your brother. Anyways, so her brother can rebandage her." Simon explained, getting fed up with what exactly Karl and GC's relationship was. He was far to young to be a parent and deffineitly wassent her land lord!

"Brother?! I'm still confused- no offense intended of course but, GC doesent have a home!" The boy exclaimed, wildly confused by what Simon was speaking of. It was obvious that him and GC haddent caught up in awhile.

To his confusion GC simply peered over Simon's shoulder and gestured for him to wait but a moment and she, or- someone else would explain it to him then.

It wassent a far walk from the market to Karl's house but Simon didn't want to drop any bags- or worse, GC; as a result, they were walking rather slow- but atleast the boy dident struggle much to keep up that way!

"Say- boy, what is your name?" Simon inquired, not bothering to look back at the boy as he spoke.

"Oh- I'm Harper." The boy spoke reluctantly, not very trusting of Simon but following him in the investment of knowing GC would be safe.

"Well- Harper, when was the last time you and GC spoke? You've seen to have fallen behind on quite a bit of the most recent events." Simon spoke as if he knew which 'events' he was speaking of, which of course he dident. Simon dident really know anything about the two kids exept from their names and that they live in that nice house all alone.

A few minuts passed as questions, along with their awnsers and some idle chit chat filled the air befor three reached Karl's house; Simon promptly walked inside, GC still in his arms- he left Harper to venture in on his own.

"Oh my! Is everything alright?" Karl ran up to the two with a worried expression plastered across his pale face, not noticing the other child around his age in the panic.

"GC's throat started to bleed again- naturally we started for home immediately after." Simon spoke, a feeling of relief washed over him as Karl took GC from his arms and he could set down the heavy bags he had been lugging around all day- he dident know how much longer he could have made it.

"Uhm exuse me, anyone care to tell me what exactly is going on here? GC never had a house or a brother befor! Or a gravely voice for that matter-" Harper spoke up, stepping out from behind Simon- where he had previously stood, waiting.

"Who's this?" Karl asked, confused and concerned as he set GC down upon the kitchen island- walking around it to grab his medical kit from the cupboard.

"I'm Harper- a uh, friend of GC. Who are you?" Harper inquired, practicly begging for an awnser to his questions. He hoped this boy could provide that.

"I'm Karl, you must be confused-" Karl sighed lightly, a small smile of pity for the boy finding it's way to his lips- it soon dropped as he unwrapped the bandages around GC's neck, revealing that the scab had indeed cracked wide open and from it was flowing dark red, dense, blood. But at least it dident look infected anymore.

"YES, please somebody give me some awnsers!" Harper pleaded befor a look of shock and horror plastered upon his face as he saw the huge wound across GC's neck, assuming Karl had something similar under the secritive bandage wrapped across his face aswell. None the less, he was ready to finally receive some awnsers- so he leaned back with confidence, a smug look as his face as he glared at the boy who called himself Karl. He wanted awnsers now.

Word count 1269