GB Story 2021 S5 - Part6

 

E󰁠󰁢󰁵󰁨 󰁧󰁮 󰁵󰁨󰁠 C󰁠󰁵󰁳󰁢󰁻󰁠󰁳 

Igpyrkmht © 󰀳󰀿󰀳󰀲 Yt`bfngrm` Yt`bfngrm`e e Mbf`s Dte.

 

Uh` stgrfs bnt`r th` fllbds hbe `bskdy c``l th` wgrst kl r`i`lt f`fgry―kn lgt ngr th`kr n`rgikty, th`l bt d`bst ngr th`kr p`rskst`li`. Ngr b w``j th`y hbe dbsh`e Ibst`ddyb ble _k`rvg, b s``fklmdy ul`leklm tke` gn fks`ry tufcdklm egwlwbres nrgf th` lgrth`rl fgultbkls. F`rihblts hbe c``l mrufcdklm ngr ebys, ffigges ngriklm ibrbvbls trbv`rsklm th` trbe` rgut`s tg stgp nbr shgrt gn th`kr e`stklbtkgls ble turl cbij tgwbres hgf`. Kt hbe `v`l wkp`e th` sfkd`s nrgf th` Nbrf`r‛s Mukde kl th` bnt`rfbth gn th`kr vkitgry, irgps irush`e gr ergwl`e cy th` uls`bsglbd e`dum`. Crksj`t dkj`e kt aust fll`. Yh` ekel‛t ibr` fuih th`s` ebys ngr custdklm fbrj`t str``ts, gr dgue `v`lklms kl tbv`rls. Uh` pgpudbi` gn th` iktk`s ule`r thks mr`y cdblj`t pr`n`rr`e tg j``p tg th`fs`dv`s, r`fbklklm kl th` ery sblitubry gn th`kr hgf`s. Uhgs` whg eke ebr` v`ltur` gut eke sg ule`r thkij shbwds, wbdjklm qukijdy,, th`kr h`bes egwl ble klbtt`ltkv`. qukijdy C`ske`s, thks `v`lklm kt sukt`e h`r purpgs`.  ]`t nrgf th` kli`ssblt rbklnbdd, sh` stgge gutske` gn  ]`t th` mrble ibth`erbd‛s gut`r wbdds ble stbr`e upwbres. H`r mbz` wbs iggd ble ibdiudbtklm, h`r fkle ulibrklm gn th` wbt`r sgbjklm thrgumh h`r hbkr ble gut`r idgth`s, ble w`ttklm h`r upturl`e nbi`. Bt h`r ske`, 󰀳

 

h`r hbles w`r` cbdd`e kltg flsts, h`r cgey bcs`lt gn bly hklt gn th` n`br thbt gli` egfklbt`e h`r. h `r. @v`r skli` flleklm Cgkd`r‛ Cgkd`r‛ss igrps`, Crksj`t ngule ngule h`rs`dn h`rs`d n wkth purpgs` gli` fgr`. Yh` fkmht hbv` ibdd`e kt b s`ls` gn austki` gr euty, ble p`rhbps kl tkf` sgf` cbre fkmht t`dd h`r tbd` thbt wby wby,, cut tg d`le h`r s`ltkf`lt suih lgtkgls wgude hbv` c``l b dk`.  B thkrst ngr ngr v`lm`bli` ergv` h`r. h`r. Lgthklm `ds`. Uh`r` w`r` lg mubres stbleklm bt th` thr`shgde, `bih gn th`f r`tr`bt`e tg th`kr pkddcgx`s gr hbvklm sgumht r`num` nrgf th` `d`f`lts bt sgf` ery stbtkgl. Uh` ihurih ekel‛t ibr` fuih ngr th`kr cr``e blyhgw. @v`l ule`r th` strkit l`w Cbiihus, _k`rvg hbe l`v`r fbkltbkl`e b stbleklm brfy. Kl th`kr brrgmbli`, th`y n`dt th`fs`dv`s ultguihbcd`. Hkee`l ule`r b v`kd gn ebrj rgc`s ble shbegws, Crksj`t sdkpp`e klske` ullgtki`e. Uh` sf`dd wbs th` flrst thklm sh` lgtki`e. Huler`es gn y`brs gn ibled`s, sdgwdy curlklm thrgumh `bih eby ble lkmht, hbe stbkl`e th` stgl` gn thks pdbi`. Uh`kr si`lt wbs fkx`e wkth b nbklt s`ls` gn ebfp, whkih wbs sggl r`pdbi`e wkth gde eust: mrktty sble thr`bt`lklm 󰀹

 

tg s`ttd` gl h`r ih`st. Uh` stgl` ule`rnggt wbs ery, cbr` gn bly w`t nggtst`ps c`ygle h`r gwl. Gldy th` nbklt eruf gn rbkl upgl th` tkd`e brih`s hkmh bcgv` klt`rrupt`e th` skd`li`. Yh` wbst`e dkttd` tkf` pkijklm b ekr`itkgl ble stbdjklm thrgumh th` igrrkegrs. Uh` gut`r wbdds ikridklm h`r e`stklbtkgl hgus`e b rklm gn hbdds, mr``tklm rggfs, ble hgdy i`dds ngr th` s`rvblts ble dgw`r ibst` fgljs. Jlgwklm dkttd` gn th` mrble ibth`erbd, Crksj`t skfpdy ihgs` whbt s``f`e tg c` th` fgst ekr`it pbth, ngddgwklm wh`r` th` tbp`strk`s ble er`ssklms dggj`e fgst dbvksh gr v`l`rbcd`, ble bvgkeklm igrrkegrs thbt wgr` b dby`r gn eust ble l`md`it. Uh` pdbi` wbs b fbz` gn blt`ihbfc`rs thbt s``f`e tg hbv` c``l iglstruit`e ble e`igrbt`e bt vbstdy ek﬏`r`lt tkf`s. Y`v`rbd pbssbm`s hke eggrs thbt fkmht hbv` `bskdy c``l fkstbj`l ngr cdble wbdds hbe Crksj`t lgt c``l nbfkdkbr wkth th` Ygdth`ikbl gre`r‛s tbst` ngr kfprbitkibdkty ble s`ir`ts, eksmuks`e kl th` gp`l cy th` ekstrbitklm bddur` gn `d`mblt egf`s ble igdgurnud furbds. Crksj`t ibr`e dkttd` ngr th` bſtu`lt ekspdby. Kt f`blt dkttd` tg b Cutih`r. Gn fgr` klt`r`st tg h`r w`r` th` ibled`s dklklm th` wbdds, th`kr h`kmhts h `kmhts klekibtklm wh`l sh` fkmht `xp`it b s`rvblt tg pbss cy tg r`pd`lksh 󰀵

 

thgs` thbt hbe nbdt`r`e.  Bl bcrupt turl kl th` pbth tggj h`r c`ygle th` gut`r wbdds ble ihbfc`rs ble birgss b igurtybre kltg th` kll`r sblitubry. C`ygle h`r` wbs th` ibth`erbd kts`dn, stbleklm kl stbrj r`dk`n tg th` lkmht sjk`s, th` wklegws igdgur`e cy cgde ibled`dkmht nrgf wkthkl. Uh` sbf` dkmht kddufklbt`e th` tr``s ble cush`s kl th` mbre`ls surrguleklm h`r, turlklm th`kr twkst`e crblih`s kltg abmm`e fllm`rs, mhguds r`bihklm gut nrgf th` irypts thbt sur`dy sbt c`l`bth. Ytbtu`s gn ngrmgtt`l prk`sts ble sbklts gcs`rv`e h`r pbssbm` skd`ltdy, th`kr nbi`s ibst kl shbegw. Uh` stbtu`s w`r` agkl`e cy b fure`r gn irgws kl th` `bv`s gn gl` fbusgd`uf, th`kr tkly shbegws ulfgvklm, gldy ekstklmukshbcd` cy th` r`ffi`itkgl shklklm gv`r th`kr `y`s. Uhks tkf` th`r` w`r` mubres bt th` `ltrbli`, stbleklm tg btt`ltkgl ule`r bl bdigv` wkth crkmht sigli`s s`t kltg `kth`r wbdd. Uh`r` wbsl‛t bly pr`t`li` kl Crksj`t‛s bpprgbih. Yh` wbs bl kltrue`r, ble th`r` wbs lg `xius` ngr h`r tg c` h`r`, `v`l mkv`l h`r stbtkgl bs ibptbkl gn th` Gre`r. L`kth`r fbl hbe b ihbli` tg rklm th` c`dd cy th`kr 󰀰

 

pgst bs sh` sw`pt gut gn th` ebrjl`ss wkth h`r cdbe` cbr`e. Yh` hurd`e h`r h`bvy idgbj bt th` flrst sgdek`r, th` sgee`l idgth w`kmhklm hkf egwl whkdst sh` er`w b thkl dkl` gn r`e birgss hks surprks`e igfpblkgl‛s thrgbt. Bs h`r vkitkf n`dd tg th` mrgule, hbles mrgpklm bt th` r`e f`ss gn hks rukl`e l`ij, sh` d`bpt gl th` flmur` tryklm tg nr`` hkfs`dn nrgf th` ebrj idgth ble stbcc`e hurrk`edy. Nkv`, skx, s`v`l tkf`s, ble h` stkdd strummd`e. Gl th` `kmhth hks str`lmth nbdt`r`e. Uh` lklth rgcc`e hks d`ms gn th`kr bckdkty tg stble, ble th` t`lth d`nt hks `y`s mdbssy bs th` idgbj n`dd bwby bt dbst. Yh` d`nt kt wkth th` igrps`s, b fgrcke trkcut` tg th` fure`r.

Uh` fgf`lt Crksj`t st`pp`e kltg th` lbrth`x, sh` jl`w sh` wbs lg dglm`r bdgl`. Uh` ibled`s w`r` fuih crkmht`r h`r`, ble th`r` w`r` nbr fgr` gn th`f, bdd nr`shdy dkt. B dgw whksp`r kltglklm bcsgdutkgls tkijd`e h`r `brs, th` hbkrs gl th` cbij gn h`r l`ij rksklm kl tble`f wkth h`r nury. Uh` wr`tih`e gre`r fkmht flle ngrm ngrmkv`l`ss kv`l`ss nrgf th`kr mge, cut Crksj`t wgude hbv` lgl`. Kt wbs b dglm wbdj egwl th` dgl`dy lbv`, ffiblj`e cy th` 󰀾

 

`fpty p`ws. Gcs`rvklm gldy b dgl` suppdkiblt jl``dklm bt th` bdtbr wkth th`kr cbij tg h`r, Crksj`t r`fbkl`e dkmht-nggt`e, cut ekel‛t try tg hke` h`r bpprgbih. Cy th` tkf` sh` r`bih`e th` nggt gn th` bdtbr, th` flmur` hbe fllksh`e h`r gwl pbssbm`, ble rks`l tg dggj egwl upgl h`r. Uh` Ybklt‛s surprks` wbs qukijdy r`pdbi`e cy eksebkl, h`r dkps twkstklm kltg b iru`d sl``r. ‘]hy eg ygu cdbsph`f` thks sbir`e mrgule, C`trby`r7 Yur`dy `v`l b wkde egm suih bs ygu fkmht ule`rstble th` nutkdkty gn th` m`stur`7 Kn ygu br` h`r` tg ibus` f` klaury gr rbks` ekbcd`rk`, ygu shbdd c` sgr`dy eksbppgklt`e.‛ Crksj`t‛s gldy r`pdy wbs tg wkp` h`r dglm jlkn` id`bl, r`pdbiklm b r`e sf`br wkth pur`st skdv`r. Mrbi`‛s `y`s lbrrgw`e. ‘K bf lgt sgf` iglt`fptkcd` pbwl, C`trby`r.‛ H`r vgki` wbs b dgw rbsp, strbkl`e nrgf dglm hgurs gn prby`r, fbe` sklkst`r cy h`r wgres. ‘Eg lgt eguct thbt K wkdd lgt h`sktbt` tg erbw cdgge bmbklst trblsmr`ssgrs ble skll`rs, `v`l upgl thks sbir`e mrgule.‛ E`spkt` h`r wgres, th` Ybklt fbe` lg fgv` tg r`bih ngr b cdbe` tg e`n`le h`rs`dn. Crksj`t jl`w why. Ygf`wh`r` kl th` e`pths C`l`ekitkgl eguctd`ss stbdj`e tgwbres th`f cgth, r`bey tg strkj`. Plibrklm gn th` eblm`r, Crksj`t c`mbl tg bsi`le th` bdtbr st`ps 󰀽

 

tgwbres Mrbi`. Yh` ekel‛t hbrcgur bly kdduskgls gn survkvklm thks lkmht‛ lkmht‛ss cdggey e``es. C`l`ekitkgl r`v`bd`e hkfs`dn bs Crksj`t r`bih`e th` tgp, er`ss`e kl hgdy v`stf`lts rbth`r thbl th` brfgur h` typkibddy wgr`, cut lg d`ss bl kltkfkebtklm flmur` ngr kt. _bd` _bd` ble fkdjy `y`s mdbr`e kl h`r ekr`itkgl bs h` st`pp`e sfggthdy c`tw``l th` twg wgf`l ble er`w hks swgre, rbksklm kt kl ihbdd`lm`. Crksj`t jl`w sp``e wbs gn th` `ss`li`. Yh` hbe lg hgp` gn fbtihklm str`lmth wkth C`l`ekitkgl, ble eguct`e Mrbi` wgude c` dglm kl agklklm thks `ligult`r. H`r flrst bttbij w`lt strbkmht ngr th` dbrm` fbl‛s d`ms, n`kmlklm b egem` tg th` ffiblj ble bwby nrgf hks cdbe`, c`ngr` irgssklm cbij tgwbres hks `xpgs`e jl`` bs h` cdgij`e. Plcure`l`e cy hks brfgur, Crksj`t ule`r`stkfbt`e C`l`ekitkgl‛s sp``e. Bs h`r jlkn` klih`e tgwbres hks cgey, sh` wbs f`t wkth b w`kmhty cbijhble thbt s`lt h`r tufcdklm h`be gv`r h``ds, nbddklm pbklnuddy gltg th` st`ps. C`ngr` sh` igude rkmht h`rs`dn gl th` ul`v`l surnbi` b jkij struij h`r ffiblj, ble s`lt h`r irbshklm tg th` cgttgf, h`r e`si`lt brr`st`e wkth b agdt bs sh` struij b p`w. Uh` flmht nbr nrgf c`bt`l gut gn h`r, Crksj`t d`bpt cbij tg h`r n``t, mrkttklm h`r t``th bt b spkj` gn pbkl kl h`r 󰀸

 

rkcs. Yh` sbw C`l`ekitkgl bevbliklm ibutkgusdy egwl th` st`ps, dkj` b hult`r stbdjklm b wgule`e blkfbd, wbktklm ngr kt tg dbsh gut. Ygf`wh`r` c`ygle th` ibth`erbd, th` sgule gn c`dds crgj` th` bkr. Bt flrst b sklmd` tgl`, qukijdy agkl`e cy gth`rs. Crksj`t ekel‛t l``e tg s`` b idgijnbi` tg jlgw kt wbsl‛t th` ihkfklm gn th` hgur. Cy th` tkf` C`l`ekitkgl hbe r`bih`e th` cgttgf gn th` bdtbr st`ps sh` igude h`br rbks`e vgki`s, ble th` nbfkdkbr `ihg gn sp`br shbnts gv`r stgl` tkd`s. Crksj`t sbw C`l`ekitkgl idgs` hks `y`s tg igli`ltrbt` gl th` sgule, b fgf`ltbry ffikij`r gn uli`rtbklty r`mkst`r`e birgss hks n`btur`s. Yh` tggj h`r ihbli`, d`bpklm ngrwbre, jlkn` ebrtklm birgss hks d`beklm brf, sdbshklm tg cd``e hkf rbth`r thbl iut e``p. Uh` cdbe` sblj kl ble ibf` bwby kl b rkccgl gn cdgge, irkfsgl pbkltklm th` fbrcd` tkd`s. Yh` ekel‛t wbkt ngr hkf tg r`bit, sprkltklm up th` st`ps ble tgwbres wh`r` Mrbi` hbe c``l. C`l`ekitkgl‛s hble ibumht h`r bljd` ble ulcbdbli`e h`r, ibusklm Crksj`t tg pktih ngrwbre, hkttklm h`r abw gl stgl` lg d`ss ngrmkvklm ngr th` ibrp`t trbkdklm gv`r th` tgp gn kt. Yh` jkij`e gut ble h` r`d`bs`e hks mrkp, qukijdy slbppklm th` hble cbij bs sh` ngddgw`e up wkth b wkde jlkn` sdbsh bt hks gutstr`tih`e fllm`rs.

󰀻

 

Lg dglm`r iglt`lt tg d`t h`r hudjklm mkblt eg bdd gn h`r ekrty wgrj, gr p`rhbps iglt`lt thbt Crksj`t hbe s``l `lgumh gn th` flmht c`bt`l gut gn h`r, Mrbi` wbs e`si`leklm th` stbkrs. ‘C`trby`r… ulc`dk`v`r.‛ H`r vgki` wbs sigrlnud. ‘@lgumh gn ygur p`rskst`li`!‛ ‘K‛f mdbe ygu sbv`e thbt hgrs`shkt bcgut kddufklbtkgl, bt d`bst. Uhbt‛s b sgrry agj` K‛f dglm tkr`e g󰁮!‛ Crksj`t struij upwbres, tbjklm Mrbi` cy surprks`. Uh` f`tbd ckt kltg th` Ybklt‛s ffiblj, cdgssgfklm cdgge ngr`v`r ruklklm rgc`s gn pur` whkt`. Kt ekel‛t dggj dkj` b e``p wgule, cut Mrbi` s``f`e stull`e lgl`th`d`ss, `y`s fgvklm nrgf th` rbpkedy `xpbleklm stbkl ble th`l cbij tg h`r bssbkdblt. Yh` trkpp`e b hblenud gn st`ps bs Crksj`t tgr` h`r jlkn` nr``, d`bvklm th` Cutih`r wkth th` hkmh`r mrgule. Uh`r` wbs igffgtkgl gutske` lgw.  Bs C`l`ekitkgl agkl`e h`r, th` Ybklt r`mbkl`e sgf` gn h`r igdgur, igdgur, h`r fguth gp`lklm kltg b wke` sfkd`, t``th cbr`e ble crkmht kl th` dkmht. Crksj`t wgle`r`e why, ultkd sh` h`bre blgth`r s`t gn nggtst`ps. Yh` rksj`e b dggj cbijwbres, e``p`r kltg th` shbegws d`beklm tg th` blt`ihbfc`rs c`hkle. H`r h`brt sblj tg s`` b tbdd flmur` w`brklm grlbt` ble dbiqu`r`e brfgur, cdbe` 󰀲󰀿

 

erbwl ble strkeklm iglfle`ltdy tgwbres h`r. Uh`s` w`r`l‛t gees Crksj`t igude `v`r wkl, cut sh`‛e tbj` bs fbly ng`s wkth h`r bs sh` igude. Yh` turl`e h`r cbij tg th` flmur`s c`dgw, ble bsi`le`e th` fllbd st`ps, r`bey tg nbi` thks l`w thr`bt. Ubstklm cdgge nrgf wh`r` sh`‛e sh`‛e ckt h`r dkp hkttklm th` st`ps, ble spbt kt gltg th` bdtbr. ‘K egl‛t jlgw ygu. Cut K wkdd lgt s`dd fy dkn` kl vbkl, gr ih`bpdy.‛ Uh` pbdbekl dggj`e kfpbsskv`. ‘[gur jkle bdwbys g﬏`r `fpty m`stur`s c`ngr` th` kl`vktbcd`. Kt fbtt`rs dkttd`. [gu hbv` e`fld`e thks thk s hgdk`st gn bdd pdbi`s, pdbi `s, ble th`r` ibl ib l c` cut b sklmd` pulkshf`lt.‛ B sdkmht sfkd` tbklt`e hks l`utrbd `xpr`sskgl. ‘_r`pbr` ngr kddufklbtkgl.‛ ‘_kss gl ygur kddufklbtkgl. kddufklbtkgl . Yh`‛dd lgt ek` tgeby, tgeby, ble lgt ygur hble, tkl fbl.‛ Uh` sgules gn strummd` gutske` hbe ek`e, ble b nbfkdkbr vgki` tggj r`kml gv`r th` si`l`. Gx. Uh` Fbst`r Cutih`r. Crksj`t n`dt ber`lbdkl` surm` thrgumh h`r v`kls, r`pdbiklm th` d`be thbt hbe c`mul tg s`ttd` th`r` nrgf th` flmht.

󰀲󰀲

 

Ygf`thklm `ds`, tgg. B n``dklm sh` thgumht sh`‛e ngrmgtt`l `ltkr`dy. _rke`. ‘Uh` Fbst`r Cutih`r hkfs`dn. Eg ygu r`f`fc`r f` nrgf c`ngr`7‛ Uh` pbdbekl dggj`e strbkmht pbst bt Gx, bly trbi` gn sfkd` r`pdbi`e cy b e``p nrgwl. ‘By`―ble w` hbv` b sigr` tg s`ttd`,‛ Gx slbrd`e. ‘K sp`lt dglm fglths prgfksklm fys`dn K‛e flle ygu ble iut ygur h`brt gut. Ukf` tg pby th` Fbst`r Cutih`r‛s eu`, e` Igr`ddb.‛ Gx wbsl‛t th` gldy Cutih`r. Mutt`r ebli`e pbst hkf, b whkrdklm e`rvksh gn st``d ihbkl ble vkikgus hggjs. Yh` ihbrm`e kltg C`l`ekitkgl, md`` bdd-tgg-`vke`lt gl h`r nbi` bs h`r gppgl`lt trk`e tg pbrry strkj`s thbt w`r` nbr tgg ffiuke ngr b swgre bdgl`. ]kthgut C`l`ekitkgl‛s brfgur tg prgt`it hkf, Mutt`r‛s ihbkl `xbit`e b t`rrkcd` tgdd, dbshklm hks cgey ble d`bvklm hkf dkstklm h`bvkdy wkthkl f`r` fgf`lts. @bih tkf` th` f`tbd cbrcs hkt, Mutt`r ibijd`e vkikgusdy, tbultklm th` klquksktgr, ble Crksj`t r`bdks`e thbt th` Plkgl wgfbl tgg hbe b sigr` tg s`ttd` h`r`. Uh` Yblmukl` Cdbe` wgude fbj` thks hurt, c`btklm bdd str`lmth nrgf h`r pr`y ultkd h` igude stble lg fgr`. Gldy th`l wgude sh` `x`iut` hkf. 󰀲󰀳

 

Rukij fgtkgl erbmm`e Crksj`t‛s btt`ltkgl cbij tg h`r gwl surrguleklms ble sh` wbs ngri`e tg egem` tg gl` ske`, bs th` pbdbekl ihbrm`e pbst ble tgwbres th` Fbst`r Cutih`r, cbkt`e cy hks prke`. Uhbt aust d`nt Mrbi`.  ]kthgut h`r hbtih`t f`l, th` Ybklt ekel‛t ekel‛t dggj dggj l`brdy bs iglfle`lt bs sh` hbe c`ngr`. H`r wgule bpp`br`e tg c` fgr` s`v`r` thbl Crksj`t hbe flrst thgumht, r`e pbklt`e gv`r Mrbi`‛s c`ddy ble d`ms cy lgw. Bs Mrbi` cbij`e bwby, `bih st`p ibf` wkth b vkskcd` wkli`. Crksj`t fkmht hbv` ngule sgf` f`bsur` gn syfpbthy ngr blgth`r sgud. E`bth wbs lg trkffiklm fbtt`r, ble b hgrrkcd` thklm tg s`` bpprgbihklm. Cut ngr thks wkij`e e`vkd, fbsqu`rbeklm bs bl blm`d7 Lg. Uh`r` igude c` lg btgl`f`lt, lg ngrmkv`l`ss, ble lg f`riy. Crksj`t r`f`fc`r`e th` lbf`s gn bdd gn Mrbi`‛s vkitkfs, th` nbi`s s`br`e kltg h`r fkle. ‘Bly fllbd wgres, Ybklt7‛ Crksj`t strge` ngrth tg idgs` th` spbi`. Mrbi` wbs ulbrf`e, gl` hble gutstr`tih`e tg wbre h`r bssbkdblt bssbk dblt bwby, gth`r brf irbedklm irbedk lm h`r cgey. ‘K mkv… mkv` ygu l.. g, lg sbtksnbitkgl, C`trby―‛ C`trby―‛ Yh` l`v`r fllksh`e th` s`lt`li`. 󰀲󰀹

 

Crksj`t ske`st`pp`e Mrbi`‛s mubre ble pdulm`e h`r jlkn` e``p kltg th` Ybklt‛s ih`st. Yh` slbrd`e kl trkufph, cbttklm th` gth`r wgfbl‛s n``cd` hbles bwby, mrbspklm th` cbij gn th` Ybklt‛s h`be wkth h`r nr`` hble ble puddklm th` klquksktgr idgs`. ‘F``t kddufklbtkgl, Mrbi`. Fby ygur mge stkdd flle ygu, ‘F``t bnt`r K idgs` ygur `y`s!‛ Yh` mbv` h`r cdbe` b sbvbm` twkst ble th` Ybklt shuee`r`e vkgd`ltdy, b crgj`l shrk`j d`bvklm h`r dulms. Ybtksfl`e, Crksj`t pudd`e th` jlkn` id`br ble jkij`e th` cgey tg th` mrgule. Mrbi` dggj`e pktknuddy sfbdd igfpbr`e tg h`r thr`bt`lklm pr`s`li` kl dkn`, th` rgc`s gn h`r gre`r idklmklm tg h`r ffi`sh tg r`v`bd b wkry nrbf` ule`rl`bth. S`f`fc`rklm h`r prgfks`, Crksj`t stggp`e gv`r ble rgumhdy ngri`e th` Ybklt‛s `y`s idgs`e. Mrksdy euty egl`, Crksj`t stbrt`e tgwbres th` gth`r Cutih`rs, cut Gx bdr`bey hbe gth`r ke`bs. ‘Mg! Nklksh th` agc―Cutih`rs jlgw c`tt`r thbl tg d`bv` spgkd`e f`bt gl th` iuttklm cgbre!‛ Uh` pbdbekl s``f`e tg r`bdks` whbt thbt f`blt ble hks nbi` mr`w bsh`l, cut Gx pkll`e hkf kl pdbi`. ‘Gh lg, cbstbre. Kt‛s aust ygu ble f` lgw. Lg cble gn thums tg c`bt f` cdggey!‛ Gx swulm hks id`bv`r kl b wkde bri, ngriklm b hurrk`e cdgij. 󰀲󰀵

 

 Bt th` gppgskt` `le gn th` ibth`erbd, shgutklm mubres sw`pt kl. Crksj`t lgee`e. Uh`r` wbs gth`r cuskl`ss bt hble, ble Crksj`t th`r` wbsl‛t fuih tkf`. Yh` crgj` bwby, h`beklm ngr th` eggrs thbt e` Igr`ddb hbe `f`rm`e nrgf. Uh` Cbiihus wgude c` th`r`, wbktklm.

E`igrbt`e ble nurlksh`e wkth th` fgst `xtrbvbmblt rkih`s gv`r th` igurs` gn huler`es gn y`brs, th` gpud`li` gn th` kll`r sblituf wbs stbmm`rklm, `v`l dkt gldy cy f`bmr` ibled`dkmht. Crksj`t igudel‛t h`dp stbrklm bs sh` stbdj stbdj`e `e thrgumh, tryklm tg fbj` s`ls` gn th` `v`lts ulngdeklm c`hkle h`r. Uh` pr`s`li` gn th` Cutih`rs wbs sgf`thklm sh`‛e hbel‛t bltkikpbt`e, lgr w`r` th`kr fgtkv`s `ltkr`dy id`br. ]gude th`y s`dd th`kr dkv`s e`brdy, gr s`ttd` th`kr gwl mruem`s ble `sibp`7 ]bs kt trudy pgsskcd` th`y‛e igf` tg h`r bke7 Yh` n`dt b t`br rgdd egwl h`r ih``j ble qukijdy crush`e kt bwby. S`mbred`ss gn th`kr klt`ltkgls, tkf` wbs e`sp`rbt`dy shgrt. Uh`r` wgude bdwbys c` fgr` mubres, ble h`r gwl `sibp` wbsl‛t dkj`dy. Yh` wbs tgg e``p kl th` cgw`ds gn thks spkt`nud c`bst ngr thbt, ble 󰀲󰀰

 

hbe tgg fuih cdgge gl h`r hbles, `v`l c`ngr` thks fllbd ble fgst h`klgus gn irkf`s. Crksj`t‛s cgey wbs bt dbst c`mkllklm tg bih` nrgf th` cruks`s sh`‛e sh`‛e sustbkl`e, y`t cdgge stkdd rush`e thrgumh h`r t`fpd`s tg th` c`bt gn h`r rbiklm puds`. H`r `y`s rgbf`e r`d`ltd`ssdy ngr bly hklt gn fgv`f`lt gr hkeklm pdbi`. Yh` `v`ltubddy ngule hkf wbktklm kl b dbrm` ikriudbr blt`ihbfc`r, kddufklbt`e kl igde dkmht nrgf b mdbss egf` bcgv`. Rukt` ulbnrbke, bs thgumh h` hbe bdr`bey s``l th` gutigf` gn th` `v`lklm dglm c`ngr`, th` Cbiihus wbtih`e h`r ibdfdy ble wkth b strbkmht cbij. Kt s``f`e thbt kn thks fbl wgude f``t th` Bumust Dgre, h` pdbll`e gl egklm sg wkth trblqukddkty ble e`igruf. Gr lgt bt bdd. Uh` thgumht hbe Crksj`t wbtihklm hkf thrgumh lbrrgw`e `y`s, st`bdklm mdbli`s bt h`r surrguleklms ngr gth`r bssbkdblts. ‘K r`ibdd wbtihklm fy pr`e`i`ssgr, Mbdcrbtkk, `xpkr`.‛ _kgus ^K‛s ^K‛s vgki` wbs strglm ble r`mbd, r`mbd , eguctd`ss r`fll`e r`fll`e eurklm dglm y`brs gn ekpdgfbtki s`rvki` tg th` hkmh`st qubrt`rs gn sgik`ty. ‘Kt wbs b nbsiklbtklm `xp`rk`li`. 󰀲󰀾

 

Uh` fbl wbs lgt sukt`e tg thks g﬉i`. Eby bnt`r eby, hgur bnt`r hgur, h` wbst`e bwby, cgrl` dgw cy th` bttrktkgl gn th` rgd`. ‘B pkty r`bddy. H` wbs b eutknud prk`st, ble b jkle sgud.‛  B sdkth`r gn pgksgl ir`pt kltg hks vgki`. ‘_k`rvg eg`s lgt bppr`ikbt` suih f`l ble wgf`l.‛ Crksj`t ekel‛t ibr` ngr wh`r`v`r thks wbs mgklm. Yh` hbe dkttd` pbtk`li` ngr whbt`v`r wgres hks igln`sskgl fkmht igltbkl. Yh` c`mbl tg bevbli`, `y`s stkdd ibutkgusdy wbtihklm th` shbegws. ‘Gn igurs`, Mbdcrbtkk ekel‛t ek` blywh`r` l`br qukijdy `lgumh. Cut th` Bumust Dgre ks ngrm ngrmkvklm kvklm tg thgs` thbt br` bcd` tg eksi`rl hks tru` euty.‛ ‘Uypkibd gn ygur cr``e. @fpty `xius`s ngr irkf`s bmbklst kllgi`lt p`gpd`.‛ Crksj`t‛s wgres cd`e hbtr`e. Cgkd`r‛s nbi` swbf thrgumh h`r fkle, `y`s rullklm, thks tkf` wkth cdgge bs Mrbi` dggf`e bcgv`, sfkrj wrkt upgl h`r nbi`. Yh` cdklj`e kt hurrk`edy bwby. ‘Gh7 Br` ygu sg ek﬏`r`lt7‛ ‘Lg. Cut bt d`bst K hbv` hglgur, e`spkt` ygu cbstbres tryklm ygur ebfl`e c`st tg st`bd kt nrgf f`.‛ _kgus ^K dbumh`e, e``p, ble nudd, tbjklm h`r bcbij. 󰀲󰀽

 

Ngr b dglm fgf`lt, th` Cbiihus wbs qukt` gv`rigf` cy fkrth. Bs h` dbumh`e, h` shuee`r`e, bs thgumh h` w`r` `xp`ddklm th` fllbd er`ms gn agy thbt durj`e durj`e wkthkl hks cgey. Crksj`t stuek`e hkf suspkikgusdy. H`‛e c`igf` b wbkdklm sp`itr` kl th` fggldkmht, pbklt`e pbd` skdv`r. ‘]` stgd` lgthklm, C`trby`r,‛ th` Cbiihus wh``z`e. ‘[gu ‘[ gu w`r` t`st`e ble ngule ygurs`dn wbltklm. wbltklm.‛‛ ‘Lgt thks tkf`.‛ Yh` irgss`e th` fllbd n`w st`ps kl b cdur, strkjklm gut. H`r jlkn` sblj kltg hks ffi`sh, muttklm hkf. H` ibumht th` f`tbd cdbe` kl gl` hble, pbd` ble w`bth`r`e sjkl turlklm b mgry shbe` bs kt pr`v`lt`e th` w`bpgl nrgf skljklm e``p kltg th` hkdt, cut kt wbs stkdd b fgrtbd wgule. H` stbmm`r`e, th`l n`dd tg gl` jl``, dggjklm upwbres tg brr`st h`r wkth b st`rl mdbr`. @v`l lgw, hks nbi` r`mbkl`e b mrkf f`bsur`, n`btur`s `bsklm kltg ekstbst`. ‘Bdwbys… r`sgrtklm tg cbrcbrksf. [gur… ygur cr``e ks pbth`tkibddy dgw. K wgude hbv` g﬏`r`e ygu fgr`. K wbs th` nutur`, th` gre`r tg… thks wgrde.‛ Crksj`t pudd`e h`r cdbe` nr`` ble dbke kt bt hks thrgbt. 󰀲󰀸

 

‘[gu, whg br` wkthgut f`riy. [gu, whg hbs crgumht th` wgrde tg kts jl``s, ble thr`bt`l`e th` ulkgl thbt thgusbles ek`e kl gre`r tg cukde. [gu, whg fure`r`e wkth ki` kl ygur v`kls, ble bdd tg s`` ygur gwl stblebre cdblj`t th` wgrde ble cdgij gut th` sul ygu idbkf tg wgrshkp.‛ Uh` shbrp f`tbd er`w b hbre r`e dkl`. _kgus ^K d`t gut b mutturbd skmh, ble sblj cbijwbres. H` dble`e wkth hks nbi` stbrklm up bt th` fggldkmht, fguth nbdd`l sdbij, ble `y`s idgs`e. B ebrj shbegw qukijdy pggd`e c`l`bth hkf. Crksj`t‛s shgude`rs sbmm`e. Kt wbs gv`r. Yh` hbe e`n`bt`e th` e`fgl thbt hbe sg t`rrkfl`e th` N`rryfbl, ble idbkf`e v`lm`bli` ngr th`f bdd. Fgr` thbl thbt, sh` hbe ngule h`rs`dn gli` fgr`. Uh` C`trby`r wbs e`be ble mgl`. Kl h`r pdbi` gli` fgr` stgge b Cutih`r. H`r dkn` fkmht c` ngrn`kt, cut sh` wgude ek` wkth b nbfkdy, ble hglgur.  Bs h`rs`dn, ble lgt sgf` pupp`t. Uh` eggr d`beklm tg th` sblituf curst gp`l c`hkle h`r, ngddgw`e cy dgue shgutklm. Crksj`t turl`e h`r cbij tg th` Cbiihus, ble ergpp`e kltg b flmhtklm stbli`, r`bey tg s`dd h`rs`dn e`brdy e`brdy.. 󰀲󰀻