The Half Blind Raven and the Last Winter Wolf

  Chapter 6: An Old Man Waits Outside the Sinner’s Cell

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  Alvaro Castillo

  The guard was still on his smoke break as the boy started waking up. His nose was still swollen from the fall. It looked like a squashed tomato. They had set it with a standard cast, but it would definitely look funny when it healed. I watched him reach his hand up to touch it, but I immediately spoke to stop him before he could.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. It’ll hurt, probably a lot.”

  His eyes opened wide and darted around the room until he found me standing against the bars. I had become his guard in the temporary absence of the other one. The Steward wanted him to be watched constantly to make sure he didn’t try anything else. He’d already tried to escape and he’d spoken about deserving death a great many times. As a result, he was put on watch, but I’d managed to convince that guard that it didn’t matter by who. All so I could talk to him.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  “I’m Alvaro. Alvaro Castillo. The people around here call me ‘The Milkman’.”

  The boy winced as he scrunched his face. The pain was coming back to him.

  “I guess I don’t need to know, but why do they call you that?”

  “It’s a long story. The shortened version of it is that I brought a bunch of supplies to the city during the early days, and that included a lot of dehydrated milk. The name’s stuck ever since. Most people here have nicknames. You’ll earn your own eventually.”

  “I hope not.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t deserve to be treated as a friend like that.”

  “What if it’s a demeaning nickname then?”

  “Then that would be just.”

  “Would it now? Why is that?”

  He looked at me from his bed.

  “It doesn’t matter. You’ll know tomorrow.”

  I sighed, “I already know. I didn’t want to say it though.”

  “Then why ask?”

  “I wanted to know what you thought.”

  “You probably already knew that too.”

  “Perhaps, but it’s better to hear it from you. I want to know the truth, after all.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I need to make an honest judgment of you. I’ve heard the worst about you from the closest sources.”

  “You’ve talked to her?” he asked.

  “She and her mother came to talk to me. I’m a bit of a therapist around here. A lot of people come to me in order to talk.”

  “So why have you come to me?”

  “As I’ve said, to make a judgment.”

  “What’s your judgment so far?”

  “You tried to run, but I suspect that it wasn’t for the purposes of self preservation. You wanted to end your own life.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “I was hoping Griffith would shoot me.”

  “It’s good that he didn’t.”

  “No it ain’t. It would have been better for everyone.”

  “Should he have to live with that on his conscience. It would be cruel for him to have to put you down. He’d have been investigated too if he had killed you. Imagine all the trouble he would have been put through. What you’ve already done, that should be forgiven, but this new carelessness, you’re going to have to apologize for it honestly.”

  “I’ll tell Griffith sorry next time I see him.”

  “I’ll make sure to tell him so he expects your apology. I’ll know if you don’t do it, so make sure to.”

  “Yeah, I will. So, where is he anyways?”

  “Home. It’s night time. He’s probably having dinner with his family by now.”

  “Then where’s the guard? You’re not the guard, are you? No, you can’t be. You’re not wearing the uniform.”

  “I’m not a guard. He’s out having a smoke break. One that’s well earned. I’m a gardener.”

  “Smoking? Hmpt. People still do that, huh?”

  “I’m surprised more people haven’t taken it up given the circumstances.”

  “Hopefully they won’t. It’s a terrible habit.”

  “Did you smoke?”

  “No, never, but I did take the pouches. I tried the alternative a couple of times too.”

  “So have most people. That’s a common vice here too.”

  “I’m surprised I haven’t smelled it yet.”

  “It’s more common over in Socksville. People here tend to do it a lot less.”

  “Good. Better for everyone’s lungs that way. Everyone’s already got enough of an increased risk of cancer, don’t need to add to the risk.”

  I laughed loudly.

  “That’s what I’m always telling people. I just told the girl’s mom today. She rebuffed my criticisms.”

  He shook his head and looked down at the ground.

  “Is she doing alright?”

  “Who?”

  “The girl. Dare I ask, what’s her name? I never learned it.”

  “I’m not sure if she would want me to tell you, but I always call her Raven.”

  “That fits her. All that thick, black hair.”

  “That it does. That’s why I chose it for her.”

  “So is she okay?”

  “Oh, she’s doing better, but she’s said quite a few things about you.”

  “She wants me dead. I know it. I want myself dead too, or at least as far away from her as possible. She shouldn’t have to suffer my existence.”

  “No, she shouldn’t, but you shouldn’t have to suffer either.”

  “Everyone keeps saying that like saying it makes it true.”

  “We’ll all keep saying it. This place is like a cult.”

  “I guess so.”

  “Well get used to it, because you’re a part of it now.”

  “Not if I leave.”

  “Would you do that? Don’t you think you owe Griffith an apology first? An honest one, not just a few words.”

  “He’ll live if I don’t apologize. Can you say that that girl will live if I stay long enough so that I do?”

  “She’s strong, and fueled by rage. She’s got a caring mother and a warm home. She ain’t going nowhere. She might try to kill you again though, that is, unless I tell her not to. She’ll listen to me.”

  “Now why would you do that?”

  “Because if she kills you, she’ll be locked up right here where you are now. Nobody wants that for her, especially not me. That girl plays a good guitar, and I hope to hear it over the radio in the future.”

  “Even more reason for me to leave.”

  “You don’t need to leave. She just needs to slowly accept that you’re here. I do agree with the middle of the road option though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That you should be restricted to the outside of the inner walls. That would be good for the both of you. You would get to stay and she wouldn’t have to see you everyday. Slowly, but surely, she could get used to you being here. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive you, but one day she might tolerate you. When that happens, I think you should get free reign over the place. Maybe you’ll even forgive yourself by then too.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Give it time.”

  He looked at me and shook his head back and forth. I heard the door open down the hall. It was about time for me to go anyway. It was getting late.

  “Hey, Kenneth, catch,” I said as my final bit of speech to him.

  I tossed a bar of chocolate through the bars and towards his arms. He caught it, though clumsily, then he looked at me as if to say that I was insane. He tried to throw it back, but I stuck my finger up and wagged it.

  “Don’t do it. It’s yours now. I don’t want it.”

  Again, he looked at me with annoyance. I just smiled and walked away. He would enjoy himself whether he wanted to or not. Either that, or the guard would have a good night. I had a contingency for that possibility though. I caught the guard by the arm as I was leaving.

  Into his ear I whispered, “If he offers you anything, only take half. I’ll give you double what he gave you if you do.”

  The guard pushed me off and looked at me like I was crazy. I shrugged and went back to walking. He’d understand in a few seconds anyways.