The Shape of Goats

From Sour to

Noah smiled as his hands moved down inside his pocket reaching for his wallet. It was finally time to try Walt's cookies. He entered the café with his feet light, moving with the same rhythm as the cheerful guitar in the background. At the counter, he asked for a double Belgian chocolate cookie with almonds, a red velvet chocolate chip cookie, a triple Belgian chocolate cookie and a cappuccino.

"Look who it is! Link's favourite kid! How you doing?" said the cashier, grabbing the freshly baked cookies.

"I'm good," Noah wasn't sure what else to say, so after a brief moment he added, "Thanks."

"You're a special guy you know?" the man put the cookies in a bag and handed it to Noah, "Link is one stingy fella." He prepared the cappuccino and gave it to him with a wide toothy smile.

"Where is he now?"

"Dunno, it's his day off."

Noah thanked again, paid and then left, headed for the park.

He couldn't wait to get there to start eating, so he didn't wait. He devoured each cookie like he'd never eaten one before and by the time he reached the park he was already done.

"You were right, the almond one is superb!" said Noah whilst taking a seat in a half-frozen bench, "When did you try these?"

Charon giggled, "About two months ago, Lincoln brought me to the shop and made me try all of his favourite delicacies. Next time, you should try the cakes."

Noah pondered the fact that she had tried the cookies earlier. It meant that she was alive until not too long ago.

He recalled what Frans had said yesterday. If Barbara killed herself after tormenting Frans in her ghost form, was she really a ghost? People must be alive in order to kill themselves. Noah first wondered if he misunderstood Frans, then felt like an idiot for not demanding an explanation when he had the chance to do so.

"Barbara was alive when she was a ghost," Noah sipped his cappuccino, which tasted alright that day too. "I mean, are you alive?"

"I am, but I lost my body a short while ago."

Quiet.

Noah's good mood faltered. He wasn't very good at dealing with sad people. Even though he couldn't see her, Noah looked to his left to give her the best reassuring smile he could make. But it was hard, when he was feeling so guilty inside. Guilty for having travelled all the way to Frans's house so that he could find out how to get rid of her.

He apologised.

"No, I apologise for lying to you," she hesitated. "I wanted to trick you into helping me get my body back." Her voice trembled.

Noah wasn't offended or angry. Just confused. "Why didn't you tell me straight away? I would have helped you if I knew."

"I thought you didn't like me, you would get irritated for everything I'd say and-" her voice cracked. Noah knew she was crying in that moment, but he didn't say anything. She was right. How did he expect her to ask him for help when he was so sour? From the very beginning Charon had been trying to act happy and cheerful, hoping that he may become someone trustworthy enough to ask for help. He could see it now.

Maybe that was why he had such a difficult time making friends, maybe that was why his parents were so loose with him. He was always so slow at getting clues.

No, he wasn't slow, he was just an unsensitive and selfish person.

"I'll help you Charon, I'll make it up to you, just tell me what to do." He stood up, his gaze firm.

"Thanks." She sniffed.

Noah walked away from the park, following Charon's instructions.

"Noah, there's one more story I want to tell you before we do this."