Circles

Chapter XVIII

"Noah?" Alister ventured into the darkness of the room, trying to adjust his eyes to see something.

The boy didn't answer, but he knew he was there, somewhere in the shadows. When he finally found him, he approached carefully and sat down beside him, hugging him tenderly.

"I'm back," he whispered.

Noah roused from his stupor, quickly clinging to Alister.

"Were you okay today?"

"Yes."

"Did you eat?"

"Yes."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying. Please don't go..." he pleaded as he rubbed his forehead against Alister's chest.

"I won't go. It's just that I worry about you. Come, let's have something to eat."

"I don't want to...I want to stay here, just a little longer, is that okay?"

"Have you been here all day?"

"Yes."

"Let's go," Alister lifted him from the floor and carried him downstairs. He sat him at the dining table and summoned the servants to serve dinner.

"You've lost weight again, so you better eat now."

Noah gave him a desperate look.

"I will...but you have to promise not to go to work tomorrow."

"I can't do that."

"Why?" he whimpered,"I need you to stay with me, please..."

"I have to go, and you know it."

Tears began to stream down Noah's face, moistening the table.

"Alister, why don't you love me?"

"Of course I do. Now eat, or I'll really get angry."

"No! Don't get angry!" he mumbled pathetically as he took the fork and began to swallow the food, almost without chewing.

"Listen. If you behave, I'll give you a surprise tomorrow."

"Really?" Noah's haggard face lit up for a moment as he looked at him with curiosity.

"Really."

"What is it?"

"Silly, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," he chuckled. "Eat something more, and maybe I'll give you a hint about it."

Noah complied and ate eagerly, as if he hadn't been able to taste anything for a long time. When he finally finished and left the plate empty, he stared at Alister intently, hoping he would pay attention to him and tell him something more. But Alister ignored him and continued eating at his own pace, as if Noah's insistent gaze didn't bother him in the slightest. When he finished, he signaled for the servants to clear the table.

"Would you like dessert?"

"No... I want to know about the surprise."

"I'll give you a hint now, and another after you have dessert."

"Fine," Noah sighed.

"Tomorrow, I'll give you something that will keep you from being alone when I'm not at home."

Noah froze for a moment. It had been over a week since the incident with Hope, and although he still hadn't fully come to terms with the loss, he didn't expect Alister, who truly despised animals, to get him a replacement.

"You're going to..."

"I won't tell you anything else," he interrupted, "and don't bother trying to guess."

"Okay, okay! I'll do as you say."

Alister didn't touch his dessert, and Noah, more than eating, swallowed everything they served him.

"So, spill the beans," he asked, curiosity overflowing from his eyes.

"This is the last thing I'll tell you, alright?"

"Yes."

"It's something small."

The tone of Alister's voice startled Noah. It was almost as if his voice had become more affectionate for a second.

"Is it something alive?"

"I told you it's not worth guessing. You'll find out tomorrow. Just remember that it's something good," he smiled as he stood up and left the room, immediately going upstairs.

Noah followed him, unsure of what to do next. He was nervous and wanted to ask many questions, but he knew that would only anger him.

"Hey, Alister..." he mumbled absentmindedly as he entered the room. "I never thanked you for what you did with Hope. Actually... you know, I'm really grateful for everything you always do for me."

Alister gave him a strange look.

"What are you worried about?"

"It's nothing..."

"Of course there's something. Are you anxious about the surprise?"

"Yes... but that's not... ugh! I'm just saying that really, really, you're the most important thing to me. You're all I have, Alister. You're the only one who can tolerate the shitty person I am..."

"Don't say that. Don't you remember the promise we made when we were kids?"

"A promise?"

"Yes. We promised we'd always be together. Do you remember now? Where's your diary?"

For a moment, Noah seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze becoming distant and empty, but Alister simply ignored it.

"Anyway," he continued, "only we know what this is about, so you shouldn't worry."

The words fell into the void, and although Alister knew that Noah had drifted away, he also believed that at some point he might remember everything he had told him throughout his life.