***When Magda called for us, we stepped outside. There was nothing outside: no car, no carriage. We didn't even take the usual road; we had to walk. We entered part of the forest, and damn it, walking was exhausting.
Every time I got scolded by Magda, I had to tell her the shoes were tight and walking was painful because I had borrowed Mia's shoes. Anyway, we walked for a long time. Sometimes I lagged behind, sometimes I had to run. Oh my God, my legs are short, so they had to wait for me.
Finally, Zuzanna glanced at me, and I gestured with my hand as if asking: "Why me?!" Ah, is this crazy woman going to sell me? Then I pointed toward Magda: "Go, go!"
Zuzanna was nervous, but since she was always better positioned than us, a simple question wouldn't get her into trouble. Summoning her courage, Zuzanna said:
– "Madame Magda, the weather seems nice."
– Magda : "Mmm, yes. I hope it stays that way."
Zuzanna hesitated again, and I glanced at her, muttering: "Come on, what are you waiting for?"
– "God, give me patience."
Then Zuzanna asked:
– "Are we heading to the southern village?"
Magda answered:
– "Yes, I have some letters to collect, and we need to buy a few things and meet a friend there."
Without realizing it, I blurted out:
– "And what about me?"
Magda stopped and shot me a sharp look as if she could burn me alive, then said:
– "You little monkey, how about I tie you to a tree now and pick you up on the way back?"
I quickly replied:
– "Sorry."
Because I knew she just might do it.
As she turned away, I mimicked her behind her back. I really wanted to hit her with something. My gestures were obvious. Laughter rang out from afar, and we all stopped and turned to the left. There was a group—probably the "guests" Bach spoke of—watching us and laughing.
Magda said nervously:
– "What's wrong with them?! How rude! Why are they laughing at us?! Come on, we have to hurry."
I kept staring at them. One of them was holding binoculars... Yes, wow! I wanted them! I imitated him with my hands as if trying to see better.
Magda screamed from afar:
– "Hurry up! God, why did I end up bringing this little monkey along?!"
Zuzanna hurried to me and grabbed my hand, pulling me along, afraid of what Magda might do.
Earl: "Wow, that little one is cute."
Bill: "Are there inhabitants in the forest?"
Earl: "No, they're from the orphanage."
In a quick whisper, Luca said, "Shh, he's coming, we must leave."
From between the shadows of the trees, a man appeared, approaching the group with hesitant steps. Bill turned towards them and asked in a steady tone,
"Have you all made up your minds?"
Luca replied with confidence,
"Yes, we'll get there before you."
Bill smiled lightly and said,
"Alright, enjoy yourselves."
The group split; the four left, and only Mikael, known as Boss, stayed with Bill.
The man came closer, stumbling over the thick grass, then raised his head and nervously greeted,
"Hello... Sir."
Mikael answered calmly, yet his gaze was sharp like a sword:
"Hello. I see you've been very late for our meeting. Was this intentional?"
The man hesitated, swallowed hard, then stammered,
"I... I was forced, sorry... the master made me stay by his side."
He extended his trembling hand with a small paper,
"I bring you a message from the young master, pan Rafal... he invites you to meet him tonight at the hotel."
Nothing changed on Mikael's face; he simply nodded and said,
"Understood."
Then he turned to Bill, ordering,
"Bill, prepare the coffee for us."
Mikael stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked toward the tent with heavy steps that sent an ominous vibe, while the man nervously followed behind him.
Bill was preparing the coffee with indifference. Inside the tent, Mikael sat slowly, then looked at the man with a gaze that carried a silent threat:
"Did you bring what I asked for?"
The man lowered his head as if the weight of the world was crushing him, and muttered,
"Sorry... but... I couldn't..."
Mikael's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he leaned toward the man, whispering coldly,
"There's no need to fear... I'm quite good at convincing people."
The man trembled and quickly begged,
"Please, Sir... they will kill me if they find out!"
Mikael smiled, but it was a smile devoid of any mercy,
"That little dwarf might kill you himself... but me... I'll make your wife plant the dagger in your heart while she smiles."
Suddenly, Bill struck the tent's curtain with his iron staff with a violent blow, causing it to close tightly, and the tent was drowned in heavy, suffocating shadows.
In this stifling darkness, Mikael's true face was revealed; his eyes darkened with the gaze of a hawk. He approached the man slowly, like a predator enjoying its game, and whispered in his ear,
"Opportunities are not given more than once."
The man collapsed to his knees, his voice broken with fear,
"I'm sorry... sorry for hesitating... please, don't hurt me!"
***After a tiring walk, we finally reached the village. Magda picked up some papers from a law office, then headed to another building—some real estate office (that's what Zuzanna told me when I kept asking her; I never stopped asking). At last, we arrived at a clothing store.
We stood waiting for Magda, who bought two medium-sized coats. She kept looking at the clothes and then at us, as if measuring them on us from afar.
I thought to myself: Could one of them be for me? Ah, impossible!
Then we left. I wanted to ask, but I had to wait for the right moment.
We entered another shop to buy a few more things, and finally, she bought a bag and put everything in it.
Afterward, we headed to a large shopping center, filled with stores and small cafes. To me, it had everything. I really wanted to have a cup of caramel coffee, oh so tempting! But we just sat at an isolated table, doing nothing.
Magda was waiting for someone. We waited for so long that I started to melt into my seat. I felt sleepy. I was playing with the dust on the table and with an ant.
Finally, Magda stood up after a long wait, looked at her watch, and said:
– "Ugh, he's late!"
Then she turned to Zuzanna and said:
– "I have to make a call. Stay here."
And she turned to me:
– "And you, little monkey, don't you dare move!"
I nodded obediently. Honestly, her insults didn't even matter to me anymore.
But the moment she turned away, I stuck my tongue out at her, only for her to quickly return with a bag from which she pulled out two pieces of cookies. A miracle!
She tore the paper bag and placed it in front of us, saying:
– "This should hold you over until I'm back."
I was stunned, while Zuzanna smiled softly and whispered:
– "Those days were better."
I devoured the cookie. Wow, it was delicious! But soon, sadness crept into me.
Zuzanna asked:
– "What's wrong?"
I mumbled:
– "Should I have saved some for Mia?"
Zuzanna said:
– "It's okay, maybe next time we'll bring her along."
I got excited at the thought.
There, two men caught my attention. I didn't focus much on their faces because they were walking briskly. What stood out more was their elegance; their clothes weren't unusual but were chosen with great taste.
One of them was tall, wearing a dark brown hat that hid much of his face. His beard was black and slightly gray, gleaming under the light.
The other had long, neatly styled hair and a tattoo on his neck. I followed them with my eyes, but they soon disappeared from sight.
I kept observing people. Each one carried a story, a memory, a hope, amid pain or ease.
The woman in the corner watched her son anxiously, clutching his belt to keep him close. The man at the table spoke with animated gestures, saliva flying everywhere. The woman by the comptoir de bar kept adjusting her clothes in front of the man, trying to appear seductive.
I laughed... That's what they call flirting.
I know, I'm not innocent. I know things inappropriate for my age.
In the old orphanage, some of the nuns loved to talk a lot. The resident ones were unmarried, but their conversations often revolved around marriage and men.
I used to pretend to sleep while Sister Anna stroked my hair, secretly listening to what they said. I didn't understand much, but I knew that women could do far more than comb their hair and dress up to attract attention.
Soon, I gave up. I thought: What if we took a little stroll around? It wouldn't hurt.
My feet tried to touch the ground so I could stand, but Zuzanna kept pushing me back into my chair.
Until finally, my strength failed me, and my eyes ached from staring. I rested my head on the table and began mumbling.
There was only one song I had managed to memorize at the orphanage. My lack of focus usually prevented me from remembering anything...
Zuzanna did the same. She watched me and sang along, drumming her fingers on the table as if playing an instrument....