Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( PT 12 )

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Part Twelve

 

 

Mina had surrendered to sleep on the park bench until she was roused. Opening her eyes, through a sleepy haze she saw a large roughly dressed figure of a man stood over her. “Hey girly, get off there that's my bench,” he proclaimed in a gruff manner.

 

Mina sat up quickly wiping her eyes in shock. The man reeked of alcohol, cigarettes and stunk really rancid, his finger-less gloves displayed dirty nails that dug into her arms as he poked her. Fraught with panic she stood up quickly with head spinning from moving so fast, afraid the man would attack her.

 

“What ya doing asleep on me bench at such an early hour?” The man took a breath slurring his words as if he'd already had enough to drink, but carried on taking a swig from a bottle in a plastic carrier bag.

 

Mina wanted to run but was too afraid to move in case he attacked her, also having just woken with no energy and having no idea where she was going, running was the last thing on her mind.

 

Though afraid It then occurred to her that he might know the address she was looking for. Gazing around with not a soul in sight, he was the only person who might be able to help. “I was looking for a friend's address, but have no idea how to get there when I got lost,” she declared picking up her backpack and stepping away unable to stand the smell.

 

The man's expression changed from one of anger to a smug gaze, as if suddenly realizing he was in charge. “So, you need Paddy's help do yer girl?” He ran dirty fingers through his sandy colored beard that reached down his chest and across a dirty old Grey coat that was tied with some string around his waist.

 

Mina remembered the old man of the forest that her father would carve into pieces of wood and tree stumps. Kendrick told her that people in this world called him the green man who lived in the trunks of trees and watched over all its inhabitants. Perhaps he's the green man come to help me! She thought. It was a long shot but the only one Mina could think of.

 

She began retching at the pungent stink of urine so continued to back away. “Can you tell me how to find Meadow Cup Close?” She asked putting a hand up to cover her nose. Mina felt smothered by the reek but didn't want to hurt the man's feelings while waiting for a response.

 

Taking another swig from the bottle his lips slapped together, then with open mouth he let out a loud burp. “Well, now let me see. Can't say I've ever had the pleasure of knowing such a posh sounding street, but I've a couple of pals that might know, if you'd care to come along with old Paddy. That okay with you girl?”

 

Mina stammered her words, hesitant as whether to go with him. “Well, uh, I, I, I'm not, not sure if I should.”

 

“You ain't afraid of old Paddy are yer?” He shook his head studying the girl's face while swaying.

 

Mina gazed around for another person, but still there wasn't a soul in sight. Her mouth felt dry as she answered him. “I don't know...should I be afraid?”

 

Paddy shook his head restless to be away. “Look either yer coming or yer ain't. I can't stand around all day waiting for yer to make up yer mind.” Although he'd planned to stay at his park bench for the morning as he always did, Paddy was also enjoying the drama of this situation, it was something different to his normal routine of sleeping off the alcohol, before the mums came to the park with their toddlers.

 

Later he'd return to join his friends for the afternoon down in one of the unused train tunnels that ran along the embankment. It was rat infested, but nobody bothered them down there. Although cold they were able to get drunk and sleep till they awoke and started all over again.

 

Mina's mum's words ran through her mind as she tried to decide what to do. “Remember butterfly, don't talk to strangers!” Under normal circumstances she wouldn't, but at this very moment Mina didn't want to go back to the foster home and was desperate to find the address. Straightening herself up trying to be adult about the situation, she decided to go. “Okay, I'll come with you, but no funny business, okay?”

 

Paddy smirked grinning from ear to ear. “Ah! The cheek of the little people. Now why would I be getting too over familiar. Be gone with yer fears girl, I ain't about to mess with minors.”

 

Mina found this man to be quite amusing, perhaps he was the green man sent to help her after all! She pondered. “For your information I might be young, but I'm quite able to look after myself.” Mina now felt more confident.

 

“So, then you won't be needing old Paddy's help will yer? Can't be loafing around all day waiting for yer to make up yer mind.” Paddy started to sway again as he put one foot in front of the other mumbling under his breath. “I dunno, I ain't got time for stragglers who think I got nothing better to do than twiddle me thumbs.”

 

Mina felt pity for this strange man as he staggered down the path still taking gulps from the bottle while still muttering to himself. “Wait!” She called out picking up her bag and catching up with him. “My name's Mina by the way.” She paused. “Have you got a drink I could have? I'm so thirsty.”

 

Paddy smiled down at this little person by his side. “Well I'm pleased to meet someone with such a pretty name. Will yer be taking a swig then?” Paddy offered Mina the bottle.

 

She could smell the alcohol fumes and knew immediately it was cider. “I was thinking more of water to be honest.” Although her friend Mia had consumed cider, she'd seen the effect it had on her and wasn't so sure she wanted to feel drunk.

 

Still staggering Paddy suddenly stopped in his tracks. “Beggars can't be choosers. You gotta take what yer can get if you're that desperate.”

 

Mina thought about it and decided Paddy was right. “Okay then give it here.” It was quite exciting for her to be doing something naughty.

 

Passing the bottle, it occurred to Paddy that Mina might take a liking to his cider. “Okay, but only one swig, so make the most of it. Can't have you getting a taste for the rough stuff.”

 

Mina tutted at his words. Taking the bottle she wished there was a cup to pour her drink into. Hope I don't catch anything! She thought to herself, putting the bottle to her mouth and taking a gulp. Mina decided she liked the sweet taste that swilled around, it was mouth watering like apple juice her mother had made, except stronger.

 

Paddy nudged Mina taunting her. “You'll be teetering all over the place if yer getting a liking for the hard stuff. Now give us me bottle back.”

 

The drink started to hit the spot and suddenly Mina felt warm inside. Now she understood why her friend liked the flavor so much. “Can you get me a bottle?” It was like an energy drink to Mina, she felt alive for the first time since leaving the forest. Perhaps going with Paddy wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. Once she found Evie her mum's friend, things would be a lot clearer! Mina thought.

 

She wondered about her strange companion that accompanied her out the park and along an embankment, with the busy road one side and a railway line the other. She'd never met anyone quite like him before. “So, where are you from Paddy?” She asked keeping in step.

 

“You have to be kidding me,” he slurred. “Don't yer have a brain in that head of yers?”

 

Mina watched as he wavered, his head wobbling like it had a mind of its own.“Of course I've got a brain, but I've never met anyone so strange as you before.”

 

Paddy could only check the girl out through a haze of drunkenness as he took to heart what she said. “I'm surprised you ain't recognize the accent. So have you ever heard of a place called Kilkenny? It be quaint for sure.”

 

Mina had to think about that one, she'd done geography at school, but had never heard of Kilkenny. “So where is Kilkenny?” She inquired still uncertain and feeling a bit stupid.

 

“Well, god bless all the leprechauns, even though they're full of mischief.” He looked Mina in the eyes. “Have yer never heard of Ireland?” Paddy couldn't believe the girl had no idea of his accent.

 

“Nope, I suppose you're right when you say I've lived a sheltered life. You see I've been protected from this world.” Mina paused before continuing, while Paddy listened intrigued. “Right up until my mum died a couple of days ago, I was shielded by a curtain of light.” It seemed so easy to talk to Paddy as they sauntered on. “But now I've been thrown out into the real world and I'm not sure I like it, though I've no choice but to remain. You see I can't go back.” Mina felt tears well up as she wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her coat, not really understanding why she was telling this man her personal business.

 

Paddy didn't have much idea of what the girl was on about, but thought that maybe she'd been kept at home. “Well, we can't be having that now can we? Enough of the chatter, this old dog needs to be on his way. Come on girly you needs to set foot on unknown paths, that's for sure.

 

To be continued...