Hope

The stranger said nothing. And for the next few minutes they rode in silence. Only the child's weak heart was beating with the last of its strength, screaming words for mercy. The road was long and quiet. The whole journey took almost half the night. Falling asleep, seeing Celeste before him, Adelard trembled and called out names. But the moment he saw Nicholas, he began to cry, thus reminding the child to cry. The image of Nicholas, in prison or somewhere among the abandoned houses, came before him as a symbol of his shame. His kindness had brought too much suffering. Fate's decision to suffer forever put an end to Adelard's case. And by settling in his heart, the pain was smoothly transferred to his soul.

"What happened to you?" the stranger asked.

"I feel so bad."

"We all feel bad. So am I. But it's not like I'm crying like crazy."

"This baby, he's all I have left. I can't lose him."

"Don't say words like that. Never."