Chapter 3: Getaway boy

Helena felt hope rush through her body. Did her brother and his friends find her? She smiled in anticipation, but when the boys turned back to face the newcomer, she saw an unfamiliar black-haired boy who looked straight into her eyes. His gaze carefully examined her and stopped at her wounded arm for a moment. His expression did not change yet she thought there was something different about his posture.

''You little bastards''. The new boy approached them leisurely. ''Is it fun to gang on a little girl?''.

''Get lost, Rion. It has nothing to do with you''. The boy who seemed like a leader of the band pointed the stick towards him. ''It is our turf''.

''Who are you to tell me to get lost?''. Everything happened so fast; the boy called Rion snapped the stick and grabbed the bully by the neck, just to effortlessly toss him aside. ''If you are looking for a fight, why not pick up someone your size?''.

The boy wheezed on the ground, rubbing his throat. ''You're gonna regret this'' he panted. Rion ignored him and looked at the rest of the band. ''Anyone else willing to have a go?''. No one answered his question; the boys looked at each other and reluctantly left, followed by their leader.

Helena got up clumsily and touched Rion's ragged shirt. ''Thank you'' she said cheerfully. To her surprise, the boy pushed her.

''You shouldn't smile in a situation like this'' he muttered. ''Anyway, where do you live? Do you want me to walk you home?''.

Helena discretely looked at the flap which seemed barely noticeable on the dirt road. She wasn't sure if she should reveal her only way out to the new person.

''I am lost''.

''Do you know where you live? I know any location in Bronavice by heart''.

''Can I please go with you for now?''.

The boy widened his eyes. ''Are you playing right now? I'm not your guardian''.

''Please, I just don't want to stay here'' her voice got teary. This trick always worked with her dad and brothers and did not fail her this time either; the boy sighed and grabbed her hand.

''Follow me, I live nearby''.

They weren't walking in silence for too long for Helena had many questions for her new companion.

''How old are you?''.

''I am almost tvelve'' he answered shortly.

''Oh, I am almost nine''. The boy stopped abruptly and looked at her upset.

''You really shouldn't be here, you are still a child''.

''You are also still a child! You will only become a man once you are knighted, and you must be at least 18!''.

Rion looked at her in disbelief. ''I will never be knighted, I'm not a noble'' he looked at her suspiciously. They stared at each other for a moment, but the boy was first to turn away his gaze. ''Come, we are almost here''.

Helena followed next to him and soon they stopped in front of a seemingly down-at-heel house. She was too scared to ask if he actually lived there. She noticed he was watching her carefully, so she decided to be brave and do what she did best: smile.

''Is this where you live?''.

''Yes, I thought you could meet my sister, you are of similar age''.

Helena jumped in excitement. ''This is so great, I have never met other children my age!''.

''Really?'' he looked like he had trouble believing anything she was saying. ''Well, come inside''.

The house was small and consisted of one room, which Helena never saw before. She looked around and noticed a fireplace with fire that barely kept going; next to the fire, a girl was lying on a pallet. She looked weak, her face covered with dirt. Helena's heart ached at her sight.

Rion approached the girl and sat next to her, stroking her hair. ''Hi Rachel, I brought a visitor with me''.

''A friend?''.

''I certainly hope so'' he smiled and kissed her forehead. ''I am sorry little sister, but I have to go to work, I'm already late. The old hag might get angry if I stay any longer here.'' He looked at Helena. ''Will you keep her company?'' his tone was inquiring, but Helena felt warmth in it.

''Of course, please go. We will wait for you to come back, right Rachel?'' she grabbed her hand and almost dropped it after noticing how pale and fragile it seemed to be. She forced a smile on her face and looked straight into Rion's eyes with all the might that was left in her. ''You can trust me''.

Rion gave them one last look and left.

Helena and Rachel smiled at each other. After short introductions, they both got quiet. Helena didn't know how to approach this new situation but decided to first ask some questions to better understand her new companion. She almost immediately regretted it when hearing the girl's story: their mother died some time ago, and their father was drowning his sorrows in alcohol, barely leaving them any food to get by. Last winter, Rachel got sick and became unable to get up from her bed.

''Has no one sent for the doctor?'' asked Helena.

''We cannot afford the doctor, it is just too expensive. My brother already works as much as he can but there aren't many people willing to hire him at his age''.

Helena rubbed her forehead, a habit that she developed whenever she was thinking hard about something. ''How do you spend your days?''.

''I sleep most of the time. When my brother is at home, we talk and exchange stories.''.

''Do you want me to tell you a story?'' Helena's eyes shined with excitement.

''Of course!''.

''Okay, then. There was a little princess who very much loved her brother. One day...'' as her story continued, she noticed that Rachel's eyelids slowly closed. Even in her sleep, she was breathing heavily - it sounded like her lungs were whistling. Helena looked for water but couldn't find any. The house was barren, there was no food insight. Just when she was wondering about what to do, the door opened and Rion came back inside.

''Welcome home'' said Helena but she immediately realized she should have bit her tongue. It wasn't her home after all.

Rachel woke up and called for her brother, who came to her hastily. ''Here, Rachel, eat this'' he handed her a slice of bread.

Rachel pushed it back to him. ''No, brother, you eat first''.

''I already ate, so don't worry about me''.

She took it from him gratefully and chewed on it in silence. Rion watched her intently.

''You came back quickly'' Helena tried to strike up a conversation. He reluctantly looked at her. ''There wasn't much for me to do, I barely get paid anything at all'' he clenched his teeth.

Helena focused back on Rachel and noticed her sunken cheeks. ''Rachel, what is your favorite food?''.

Rachel closed her eyes, a weak smile playing on her lips. ''Our mother used to make such great baked apples... I hadn't had any for a long time now'' she added, sadness dripping in her voice.

Helena felt tears building up in her throat. She promised herself she wouldn't cry, just like her brothers don't. But why did she feel like crying now?

''It is time to walk you back, child. Rachel, I won't take long, okay?''.

''Goodbye, Rachel''. Helena decided there was no point in protesting. She also didn't want her absence to be discovered. ''I promise I will be back soon''. Rachel's eyes shined and she nodded, giving her one last smile before Helena left with her brother.

Helena's head was full of questions but she knew that she didn't have much time and needed to act quickly. ''Rion'' she started, stopping. ''How much does calling a doctor cost?''.

He looked at her resignedly. ''I tried everything I could. A child like you won't understand''.

''Elena''.

''What?''.

''Call me by name, please'' her tone became commanding; she wasn't playing games anymore. ''And tell me, how much for the doctor?''.

''It is 50 crowns. In a good week, I might earn one crown'' his voice grew weak.

They resumed their walk and soon reached a place where the flap was. Helena decided it was time for them to part their ways before he would notice her secret passage.

''Rion, I will be back tomorrow around the same time. Will you come to pick me up?''.

The boy rubbed his hair and looked at her annoyed. ''Look, Elena, I appreciate that you spent time with my sister but I don't have the time to babysit you''.

''I don't need a babysitter, I already have one'' she answered. Rion snorted and looked at her amused. ''Please, just come. Pretty please?''.

''Okay, I will'' he sighed. ''But please wear something more... suitable. You really look like you don't belong here''.

''I promise, I will'' before he had a moment to react, she stood on her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. ''Thank you, you can go now''.

He quickly wiped her kiss off his cheek and gave her a last disapproving look. Helena smiled at him happily and waved as he was leaving. She already knew what she had to do next. But how can she keep it a secret?