The Happiness of an Orphan's Mother

III

Holding his weapon seemed even more difficult in front of a young woman. He hated to imagine that she might be seeing him as a hostile being. Perhaps he saw himself that way, but he hated the idea of someone else seeing him like that. It wasn't the image he had of a police officer, or at least not the one he should have. Maicon never had any siblings, so his experience with younger people was practically nil, even though the age difference didn't even seem that great. Still, he felt like he should say something, or maybe do something, but he had no idea what.

Advancing down the corridor under large rusty iron arches and surrounded by gigantic mirrors with reflections of themselves, Maicon thought about how absurd his first police service had been. In just a few hours, he had left his home for an urban calamity he never thought he would see in his entire life. The image of the boy with the bloody head was a mark he knew he would carry for the rest of his life without having to worry about forgetting it. He wondered if the same thing was also on Olga's mind. If he had asked her more questions, he would probably feel less insecure and know what to say now, but his naivety kept him quiet. He wondered if Lanuvel had also been as cowardly as him.

Suddenly, noticing Olga at his back, it occurred to him that if he died down there in the ruins of the factory, she would be the last person to see him alive. In all likelihood, the girl would stare at his dead body for a long time before she died as well. The thought made him sick.

After walking for a long time, hearing only the echo of their footsteps, Olga decided to open her mouth.

'So... How long have you been on the police force? I mean, you don't look very old'

'Actually, today is my first day,' replied Maicon.

'Damn, that's bad luck. It must be tough'

'What?'

'You know, it's hard, your first day being like this'

'Oh, yeah. It's not what I expected'

'I've always thought this outfit was great, but it must also be too heavy to walk in. What's it like being new? It's not like a first day at school, is it?'

'Not much. It's quite different from an excursion'

Olga was silent for a while.

'Have your lessons started yet?' Maicon decided to ask.

'Oh, no. I haven't been to school for a long time.'

'What? Why?'

'I've only just got here. It's quite a new place, so I guess I haven't got used to it yet.'

'So you're not from Maceió?'

'Of course not. I don't look a bit like anyone from here'

She stayed quiet for a few more minutes. The path continued under large, worn and corroded iron arches, but the mirror walls had disappeared and given way to an even wider tunnel filled with white quadrilateral tiles.

'What about your mum?' continued the policeman. 'Do you have any idea where she might be?'

The girl shook her head.

'I thought I could find her on my own, but as soon as I came in here I didn't know where the exit was. This place is too big'

'Look, there's nothing to be scared of. Now that we've found each other, we just have to stick together until we sort out our problems and everything will work out'

'OK' Olga's voice came out lower and more hesitant. 'My mum doesn't do well on her own'

'Well, I don't judge her'