Before we fall

(Chp.13) Rather Unfortunate.

"Yes it was only about a little under a month." Karl rebandaged the little girl's neck wound as he awnsered as many of Harpers questions as he could.

"Hmm, alright, I guess your story checks out-" Harper was now sat upon a stool at the kitchen island, wincing every now and then out of the cring he felt when Karl had to tighten the bandage. GC however, didn't seem to mind it so much and sat patiently as Karl did so.

"Well now, Harper, I've got a question for you." Karl stated, turning away from GC as he was now finished with his task of rebandaging her wound and faced Harper- of whom shrunk back slightly under his harsh gaze.

"Why do you call GC, Chi? Could that be her real name?" Karl inquired, his harsh gaze turning to more of a confused and innocent one. To this Harper relaxed slightly, sighing befor speaking his awnser.

"No that's not her real name, I don't even know her real name! I just call her Chi because I think the name everyone else calls her is far too mean- even in its abbreviated form." Harper awnsered. It was true that nobody other than GC herself, and possibly Pablim, knew of her real name- and she preferred to keep it that way for one reason or another.

"Wait- GC is an abbreviation!?" Karl exlaimed, he thought that was just her actual nickname! To this reaction Harper giggled slightly and turned to GC for permission to reveal her truthful and, rather embaressing, nickname. GC nodded to this notion, to which Harper took a moment and cleared his throat befor speaking,

"Yes it's an abbreviation, it stands for Garbage Child- rather unfortunate I know..." Harper revealed much to Karl's surprise.

"GARBAGE CHILD?! MY WORD THATS HORRENDOUS!" Karl shouted, turning to GC with a shocked expression- to which she simply shrugged and smiled at him akwardly. She had earned the nickname by getting caught by a kid in one of the richer neighbours in the small town for spending most her winter nights in the alley way behind a precariously placed rubbish bin, but it wassent like she had much choise- it was either that or die to the freezing tempatures of the ruthless winters.

"Garbage child- that's... I'm sorry GC but that's rather funny-" Simon snickered, to which Karl turned turned him with a scowl that quickly shut his mouth.

"How come you didn't tell them that Chi? You finally getting embaressed by it?" Harper asked, befor the thought popped into his brain that maybe her throat injury occurred befor she met Karl- though that seemed unlikely as Karl also had a deep wound, though Karl's was on his eye. But of course Haprer could never really tell and dident actually care enough to ask.

"Oh- nevermind..." Harper awnsered his own question befor turning to face Karl and Simon- of whom were still having their, polar opposite, reactions.

It was only then that the thought popped into Karl's head that he dident know just how many people GC was friends with or knew befor he took her in- it could be that GC had a bunch of friends that were wondering where she had gone off too, though she never mentioned that, not even non-verbally. Karl was soon sucked out of his whirlwind of thoughts when GC grabbed his shirt sleeve, gesturing twords the ground with a slight nod.

"Oh yeah- sorry." Karl responded by helping her off of the kitchen island. Pulling out a stool and sitting on it himself. Karl dident entirely know what to say- he sort of felt bad that GC's nickname had such a mean counterpart- of sorts, though upon Harper telling them GC wassent hesitant or reluctant in any way so one could assume that she dident really care all that much about some petty nickname, even if that was all people called her now as nobody knew of her real name.

Upon being placed on the ground GC immediately grabbed a bag a grocerys and began putting some of it's contents away- mainly just the things she could reach. Things that went in a bottom cupboard or low shelf, figuring she would just leave the rest for Karl to put away.

Karl quickly hopped down from his seat and followed closley behind GC, putting away the groceries she had left behind and thanking Simon promptly for his help.

"Anytime, but I think with that I should be taking my leave. Thank you for your hospitality, I deeply appreciate it." Simon spoke, bowing his head ever so slightly in thanks before he waved everyone a small goodbye and turned to walk out the front door when something- or rather someone, stopped him.

When Simon turned around he saw GC, of whom was reaching her arms out for a hug which he gladly accepted- kneeling down and embracing the little girl in a protective hug. Simon was to pull away soon after, standing up fully and continuing his way out, mumbling one last thank you before shutting the door behind him with a light click; leaving nothing related to him left behind but memories.

Word count 873
Sorry for the short chapter!