Chapter 48. The Promise
The Stranger saw the bleeding young man near the house. He stopped beside him and examined the wound. The Bird ran out of the house, rushed towards him but the Stranger ignored her and ordered:
“Go back to the house and bring the medicine box!”
“He is one of the rioters,” the girl flared up.
“The man is hurt, he needs help. Don’t argue…”
The Soldier appeared, and passed him the medicines. Without a word, the Stranger started to debride a wound. Soon an old woman with two young men ran up. She bent over the wounded and burst in tears.
“He’s alive, calm down,” the Stranger assured her. “We have stopped the bleeding but he should be taken to the hospital.”
“The hospitals don’t take the wounded,” one of the young men said. “We’ll take our brother with us and take care of him at home. Thanks to you, he’s alive. Thank you. Thank you very much!” and he shook the hands of the Stranger and his friend who avoid looking into the crying mother’s eyes.
“You need to find antibiotics and a drip bulb. It’s ok, he is a healthy young
man, he’ll stay alive. The bullet went through, his vital organs are not damaged,” the Stranger soothed.
Going upstairs he asked the Soldier:
“Where did you get a gun?”
“People kind and fair are everywhere,” the Soldier answered serenely. “Protected friends. I did it my way.”
The Stranger came to the Seer, felt his pulse, listened to the weak heartbeat and started to shake him immediately.
Seer’s eyelid twitched.
“Don’t sleep!” the Stranger shouted, slapped his cheek and dashed water in his face.
The Seer opened his eyes and mumbled,
“Head, my head…”
The Stranger put hands on the head of the Seer but jerked back as if he touched something extremely hot. Then he pulled together and again put his palms on the aching spot. He felt his hands got heavy. The Stranger released the tension and pressed his palms to the Seer’s head again.
“Thank you. I feel better. You woke me up in time. I didn’t sleep and I wasn’t awake.” The Seer listened to himself and muttered, “I feel nothing.”
“You need to eat and have some rest. I and Soldier will take care of you,” the Stranger shook his hand.
“I had no friends for many years. I’m glad I met you, especially in these dark days,” the Seer was moved deeply.
“These are not last days. Here’s tea and honey. Refresh yourself.”
“Stranger, I know you want to leave,” the Medium said. “Don’t do this. There’s death on the streets, we can barricade inside the flat. The Soldier has the automatic rifle, we’ll hold out. I’m sure the government will send the troops to establish order. Please, I beg you, don’t go out!”
“I have to find the Hermit. Don’t worry about me. The Soldier will stay with you. We need to talk,” he addressed to his friend.
The Soldier turned, pulled out a cigarette, sighed and looked at him expectantly.
“I have to leave,” the Stranger started. “My heart will be easy if you stay here. These people are very important, they need to be protected but try not to kill anyone.”
“No. I’m here to be with you. I don’t think those people will come to this house again. I’ll explain how to defend and leave the riffle,” the Soldier smoked nervously.
“I need you here. Trust me.”
Limping severely the Seer came to them.
“They won’t go on rampage again,” he said quietly, “but the Soldier shouldn’t go, and you too.”
The Bird ran to the Stranger and held him tight.
“Don’t go,” she whispered. He put her aside. His gestures became accurate, his face estranged, he exuded calm and confidence. The Bird sagged down on the floor.
“Promise that you’ll be back! Promise!” she shouted.
“We’ll see each other again,” the Stranger said quietly.
The girl nodded happily. She trusted him. The Seer just sighed heavily.