Shadows of Death

Chapter 3(Christopher section 7)

-------------------->

He came out from the room in less than a second and closed the door quickly behind him. Mary and her hunting dog were at the top of the staircase. When she saw Christopher her face became angry and even her dog's face changed and looked unfriendly. She wasn't the only one on the third floor who looked at him with an angry face: almost everyone who lived on this floor looked at him from behind half-opened doors and craned their heads out to see what was going on. Of course one of those people was Jolie, who had completely opened the door of her room and without shame or fear stared at Christopher. It seemed she wanted to know like the others what the noise was about.

When Mary arrived at Christopher's door she shouted: "Why did you storm in here like you were possessed? Was a ghost following you or something? Why didn't you take your room key? Hey, boy, I'm not your valet to take the key up here for you."

Christopher understood that Mary was just angry for rushing into the boarding house and not picking up the key. He could see the key in her right hand and the dog's leash in her left. Involuntary he took a deep breath. He didn't like being reprimanded and questioned.

Jolie came toward them and with a voice that tried to show worry said: "What happened? Can I help?"

But it seemed her question annoyed Mary even more than Christopher had. She shouted: "I thought you were a decent women, not a voyeur. Go into your room."

And to the others she shouted: "This is not a movie theater! What are you looking at? "

The doors closed. Even Jolie who was frightened by Marie's shout returned to her room and shut the door tight. Christopher was happy at this disappearance, but his character did not allow him to reveal his satisfaction. Mary with a voice that she tried to make calm said: "I don't know why you came into my place like that but don't do it again. It's disrespectful. Do you understand, boy?"

And while she spoke she pushed the room key toward Christopher. He took the key and said: "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'll try not to do it again."

Mary turned back to the stairs and went back down with her dog. Although Christopher didn't see the response to his last words, he was sure "ma'am" would cool her volcano of anger!

When she disappeared Christopher came back into the room. He opened the door and saw the boy who was still standing beside the open window and trying to breathe the fresh air. Christopher closed the door behind him.

The boy looked up, smiled and said in English: "Because you didn't say anything to her, I'm in your debt! Judging by the empty suitcase and no money you couldn't hit a gentleman thief like me. Okay, buddy, I have advice for you! When you go outside, just spit on your suitcase and then go out. At least if someone like me who needs to find twenty-five dollars by tomorrow and take it for rent for this dragon lady, be happy if he didn't find the money at least he'll find spit...I swear, for Genghis Khan's sake, when I saw you were poorer than me I wanted to take this one dollar bill," he showed Christopher a single bill, "that is the only money I have, and put it in your suitcase. My compassionate heart did not allow me to see your fucking poverty!"

He put the bill back in his jeans pocket. Then he spit onto spit the floor and with anger said: "But you attacked me like Genghis Khan, Mongol dog! If I didn't have something to do I would lodge a complaint against you. What did you think you were doing? Thieves have some rights in society, you know!"

And with a face full of anger he took a step toward the door but Christopher was standing in front of it and didn't move. The boy angrily said: "Why you standing here like a scarecrow? Maybe the first beating made you feel good and you want to kick me again? I swear to the litter sister of Genghis Khan, I wasn't ready that time. You entered the room suddenly and kicked me without giving me a chance, coward! But this time..."

He raised up his fist but when saw Christopher looking calmly at him, he got a little scared and as he put down his hand said: "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm kidding. I should be thankful because of you. Your kick changed me. Robbery is not in my mind anymore. I feel ashamed. Now get out of my way and let me out. One of the second floor rooms is empty. I heard that room is for a woman who's at the cinema right now with her friends. I need to go there before she gets back! I still need twenty-four dollars, and that's if I don't eat dinner tonight."

But when he saw Christopher didn't have any intention of moving, he shouted: "Go away! She will come back soon. I can't explain this to you until morning. Look, if it will sweeten things I can bring you some of the money. Now will you let me go or not?"

Christopher looked at the boy who was standing in front of him and covertly looked at the black crescent sign on his wrist. He didn't want to lose him. He had the same sign as Christopher, the sign that had weighed on him for many years. At least he could answer a few questions. With this idea he put his hand in his coat pocket, took out his wallet and quickly pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. He extended it toward the boy and said: "I'd like to talk a little bit!"

The boy shot a greedy glance to the hundred-dollar bill and said: "Talk? About what?!" He was surprised. He had the right, really.

Christopher continued coolly: "Talk about anything you like! About your life...yourself...just talk!"

He didn't want to bring up the black crescent sign directly without some introduction. He thought maybe he wouldn't say the truth to him if he asked directly. The boy brought up his hand to take the bill but Christopher pulled his hand back quickly. The boy laughed grimly and said: "Uh-huh. You're one of those people who take their service first and then pay money."

Christopher thought he should get some distance from the boy and went to sit on the bed. He sat on the edge of it beside his coat, then he stared at the boy. To make the boy sure about the money, he still held the bill in his hand, in a good position so the boy could see it well. But the boy was looking at the door. Now no one was in front of him to impede him. He could go. He could go outside and escape the room of the cold and robotic Christopher and go to the second floor and the empty room that he talked about a few moments ago. Christopher had already considered this, but he guessed a young and novice thief like him would prefer effortless money to the robbery.

He guessed right. The boy, who was at least three inches taller than Christopher, returned and stood in front of him. The enthusiasm for the money was clear in his eyes but there was a little skepticism there, too. So he don't keep the skepticism locked up, but said: "Uh...buddy, I don't want to speak badly, but..."

---------------------->

Continue: Chapter 3 (Christopher section 8)

Please Don't forget to share your comments with me.