shadows

the second beginning (2)

“I can see,” Anton had answered.

And Milan was intrigued. She had so many questions. They were endless. How did it work? What were the limitations? How far could he see? How deep could he see? Last, and most important, was how he saw her. The answer pleased her greatly. “That’s correct,” she said. “I do like you. Very much. And I am impressed. It is amazing how much you taught yourself. How far you’ve gone. You had to because you were alone. You’re not anymore. You have me. You can depend on me. I will teach you everything I know, everything you have to know. And you will learn. Will you not? Unlike those teachers of yours at school, I know what you are capable of. I know how smart you are. I know we will be great.”

He nodded. He wanted to agree. He had to agree with her.

The answer pleased her, even if it wasn’t exactly voiced. “First, let’s get out of here. Do you like hospitals? I don’t. I can see that you are like me. So, you don’t either. That’s good. See, so many similarities. We are so compatible. I have already completed the procedures. It’s quite easy, considering. Oh wait. You don’t know. Anton Greene is dead. He passed away in the accident. As per the records. You were non-responsive when the paramedics arrived at the scene. At the hospital, doctors pronounced you dead, quite easily I must add. Let’s see. You weren’t breathing. Your heart was still. And you displayed no signs of life. Death was the only answer. Your father came to see you. Had the hospital take care of the cremation and the rites and whatever. He was sad. Seems like he did care for you, even if he didn’t exactly show it. Anyway, Anton Greene is dead. You are just Anton. And you could adopt your mother’s name, if that is what you would like. Do you know your mother’s name?”

He shook his head. He realised again that he liked her. Milan was everything he was not. She was bright. Cheerful. And could have whole conversation all by herself. All he had to do was be present, participate as audience. And that was enough. As for her question, the answer was obvious. He knew nothing about his mother. And he never understood why that was necessary. She was dead. That was what everyone told him. What then was the need to keep her a mystery?

“Your mother was Emilia White,” Milan continued. “She was an orphan. Grew up at The Orchard. As per the records, she was days old when she was given up. She was given the name at the orphanage. You can be Anton White. You like that?”

He let the name linger on his lips. “Anton White.” It felt nice. Much, much better than Anton Greene. White felt like family. He couldn’t shake free of the idea, now knowing where it came from or how it came to be, that his mother truly loved him. Maybe it was hope. But it felt more. He looked at Milan and nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Anton White is nice.”

“Right?” She asked excitedly. “I think so too. Greene is just weird. I mean, what’s with the extra e at the end? Was the first Greene trying to make himself sound cool? It just sounds lame. White, on the other hand, doesn’t try so hard. It’s cool. It knows that. And that easy effortlessness makes it so much cooler. Anton White. That’s so cool. Let me introduce myself once more. Anton White, I’m Milan Mel. I dare you to laugh.”

He just stared.

“What?” She demanded.

“I don’t understand,” he answered. “Laugh at what?”

“My name,” she said. “Milan Mel. You don’t want to laugh?”

“Am I supposed to?” He asked.

There was new light in her eyes. And an almost fanatical expression on her face, as she beamed. “No,” she answered. “But you’re the first to not laugh. I think I’m falling in love with you. If only you were a few years older, like just four. We could already begin dating. Now we have to wait. But don’t worry. I’ve got a lot of patience. It’s like the one thing I have so much of that it’s endless. Patience. You will be with me, won’t you?”

Once again, he was stunned. It wasn’t really a question. Even he could see that. What was it then? That he couldn’t figure out. Seemed like it was doomed to be another mystery. “Sure,” he answered. “I can wait too. I think. Though, I’m not exactly sure what you are saying.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “Leave it to me. For now, Anton White, shall we go? We have places to be. Things to do.”

He nodded. She beamed. Then, helped him to his feet. He needed the help. He was much more tired than he realised. He needed a full minute leaning onto her before his legs were strong enough to hold him up. She was thin, the slightest bit taller. But so much stronger. He could feel her strength from just leaning onto her. She read his thoughts and smiled.

“Don’t you worry. Won’t be long when you’re just as strong. Maybe stronger. I can see it. I can feel it.” Her eyes were on him. The hand that wasn’t holding him, on her chest. And her voice was all certainty. “And since we’re in no rush, we’ll be just fine. Alright?”

He nodded. “Yes,” he said. “We will be alright.”

“Aw,” she crooned. “You said we. See. You are already in love with me. Told you. This will be great. Let’s go.”

They walked next to each other. In step. Out the room. Into the wide and busy hallway. No one looked their way as they weaved through the patients and the nurses and the doctors running about their business. They made it all the way out unseen. Milan’s scooter was in the parking. She got on the front. He got on behind her.

“It doesn’t look much, but this here is the greatest bike in all of the world,” she said proudly. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You hear me? And wrap your arms around me. Hold tight. Don’t be shy. We’ll soon be doing a lot more. A few years to go. This will be good practice.”

She laughed. Not even the bike’s engine could drown out her laugh. He hung on to her tight, like she said. He quickly realised that was necessary. She drove like she was being chased by something terrible. The engine was revving its loudest all the way. They weaved through traffic, as if this was a video game. It was truly terrifying for someone like him, first time on a bike and first time riding at such high speeds. Still, it was a half hour before they stopped outside an old, big building far from the busy streets of the city.

“This is us,” she said. And showed him in.