Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( PT 14 )

Picture by pixabay free images.

 

 

 

 

Part Fourteen

 

 

 

 

It was mid morning as the sun appeared to play hide and seek, peeping every now and again from behind clouds. It wasn't as cold as it had been which was a great relief to Mina.

 

She had so many questions for Paddy, but walking by the drone of a busy road it was hard to think leave alone ask questions, so they trudged on in silence. The sloping uneven embankment was hard going, with crevices to deal with, but Paddy assured Mina that soon they would be walking along the train tracks that were never used these days.

 

Finally glad to be walking on flatter ground, up ahead Mina glanced the tunnel Paddy spoke of which was surrounded by open grass land that seemed to go on for miles. Mina had no idea where she was or how to get back, which prompted her to stay close to Paddy, even though he was smelly.

 

As they neared the tunnel, Mina regarded the place as uninviting and grimaced at the idea of entering, her whole face scrunching up like she'd just stepped in something bad.

 

Mina's face pulling had Paddy chortling under his breath. Observing him she shouted. “What!” As the endless traffic rumbled on by.

 

Paddy looked disinterested, so Mina called out again. “What's up with you?” She was annoyed he was laughing at her.

 

“You're a flipping gurner to be sure,” he yelled out, giving her a sweeping glance.

 

“What's a flipping gurner?” Asked Mina lagging behind with a feeling of bewilderment.

 

“Gurning is what someone does who enjoys pulling faces, yer be up there with the best of em with all yer wrinkled expressions.”

 

Mina tutted as they reached the entrance. For a moment she didn't reply, too scared of the darkness that lay ahead which sent chills through her. Picking up stones from the track and throwing them felt like a distraction from knowing she'd have to enter. Voices could be heard, some sounded close while others echoed deeper within.

 

Paddy nattered away to himself wondering if he'd done the right thing bringing the girl along. The alcohol was beginning to wear off, he needed either rest or more drink and was eager to get inside where there would be cider.

 

Under normal circumstances he'd be sleeping off the drink, but now here he was back already. “Come on girl, ain't got time to hang around. Paddy needs his tipple.” He hopped from one foot to the other and wiped his dirty hands together. “It's too nippy out here.”

 

Mina's heart beat fast as she entered, eyes adjusting to the blackness. It was like nighttime, damp and murky as if ghosts lurked in shadows. She grabbed Paddy's arm with fear, now getting used to his stench. As they moved further in she could see glowing lights up ahead with voices getting closer. Shivering Mina felt the hairs on her arms stand up and goose bumps gave her a shudder.

 

Forgotten were the foster family as sensations darted in her head of dragons that lived in caves high up in mountains she'd read about in books, mixed with a dazzling Princess being rescued by a charming Prince that slays the creature to its death. Mina felt like she was in the story and her Prince would be somewhere within.

 

Mysterious lights became visible, figures sat in the shadows of firelight hunched up against the tunnel walls. They resembled visions of fantasy, a hidden people concealed by darkness oblivious to the outside world, a bit like herself.

 

Mina was desperately hungry, it seemed like ages since she'd last eaten. She thought of the last decent meal of fish and chips her father had bought for them all, discounting the sandwich and milk she'd had at the foster home.

 

Mina could smell food and wondered what these people had to eat. Tugging on Paddy's coat sleeve she plucked up the courage to ask the vital question. “Do you think these people could spare me some food? I'm so hungry.”

 

“Well jeepers! Of course they can. Come on I'll take you over to meet the gang.” Paddy couldn't believe Mina would ask, most people he knew just took what they needed, after all it was free.

 

Two men sat with an older woman, they were hunched up together eating baked beans from tins. “Hey! Paddy, what you doing back so soon? Didn't expect to see you till tonight,” declared one of the men, exposing black teeth with a grin.”

 

“You needs to keep yer noise down John, we heard you all talking from outside the entrance.” Mina thought Paddy sounded very serious all of a sudden. Then he continued. “Found this young whipper snapper asleep on me park bench, so I did. She be hungry and tired, you got any food to spare?”

 

“Well this is new...Paddy asking for food, normally you'd be doing the taking.”

 

Paddy cleared his throat before continuing. “Ah! Begone with yer mocking, this lass has some manners, I has to set a good example for her.”

 

John extended the hand of friendship to Mina thinking she seemed a bit too tidy to be with Paddy. “Well we've got tins of beans, soup and some canned spam. They was very generous at the supermarket rubbish bins today. Colin even managed to get some oranges and apples out of the garbage too.” John waved Mina over to join them. “Come and sit down girl, I won't bite. Tell us your name.”

 

Gazing up at Paddy she looked at her companion for reassurance, he winked and smiled that it was okay.

 

Making her way over she settled down with knees hunched up against her chin warming herself by the fire. “My name's Mina,” she said shyly.

 

There was a call from the other side of the tunnel wall. “HEY! You girl, got any spliffs?” There was a guy in a sleeping bag also sat opposite with his arm around a girl's shoulders. Mina could just make out that she wore her hair in dreadlocks and had a ring through her nose, while the guy had a blanket wrapped around both their shoulders. They both appeared to be staring into thin air, as if they weren't really all there.

 

Paddy found it strange that he felt protective of Mina but never the less made it clear the couple should leave her alone. “Be gone with ya Ivan, can't yer see she's a young-n?”

 

“I were only asking,” came the voice from across the tunnel. “So, is she yer daughter or some fin?” Ivan exposed his black teeth giving Paddy a mischievous grin.

 

The sparkle went out of Paddy's eyes, he'd never enjoyed being responsible for anyone which was mostly why he kept himself to himself. Now Ivan's comment put a damper on his day. “Ah...you mind yer own and go back to smoking yer weed.”

 

John on the other hand was a posh tramp who had worked hard all his life up until five years ago when his wife died. He'd tried to cope but felt there was no reason to carry on so turned to drink to fill the void, gradually he got more and more addicted and started missing days at university where he taught psychology. He'd been so interested in the human brain and how thoughts affected the way humans acted and played their part in society.

 

With his tousled blonde hair he was tall and slim with a white beard which now reached down to his belly a bit like Paddy's. Mina thought they both resembled the green man of the forest. John would always stand up for the rights of his friends when confronted, saying in his usual poetic way: “Removal of constraints is morally correct on a nations waste ground. For what curse can they afflict when poverty is rife?”

 

None of his friends really understood his words, but felt they sounded good. John was a lifeline to camaraderie and reasoning. He was also very clever and demanded respect from people who looked down on them. He'd studied law in his younger days which helped with not only getting away with blue murder, but also in knowing his rights as a citizen.

 

“You warm yourself by the kitchen fire girl,” John insisted, describing anywhere there was fire and food was the kitchen. “Now what will you have to eat, some soup or beans maybe?”

 

At that moment Mina would have eaten dirt she was so hungry. “I don't mind, whatever you've got to spare.” She smiled at John. This was a nice man who appeared caring, but Mina knew looks could be deceptive. She remembered her mother's words, about wolves in sheep's clothing, so wasn't entirely sure she should trust him completely.

 

“Okay! Now let's see.” He checked out the labels on the tins. “We seem to have more cans of beans than soup, so will you partake of some beans.?”

 

Mina thought John came out with some strange words which she found amusing. He made her smile and seemed caring which persuaded her to like him that much more. “Thanks,” she whispered shyly placing her hands in front of the fire.

 

John smiled and winked pulling out a knife and cutting into the tin with ease. “Come on then, tell us about yourself,” he uttered in a friendly manner, passing the open can of beans.

 

Mina wasn't used to telling strangers about her personal life, but for some reason she felt a kinship with these people. She didn't want to keep repeating herself after explaining to Paddy, but the girl needed to know how to find her mother's friend's address. Tucking in with her fingers, the cold beans tasted good. Mina licked the thick orange sauce off her fingers, enjoying every mouthful.

 

“You don't have to eat with your fingers,” John said producing a small spoon from his pocket and shining it up before passing it to her.

 

Wiping her sticky fingers in her coat, Mina grinned and immediately plunged the spoon into the thick sauce, spooning out a big mouthful. She closed her eyes in ecstasy and chewed with an expression of shear enjoyment, never had Mina enjoyed a can of beans so much.

 

“There's not really that much to tell,” she said chewing and swallowing. “But I do need to find an address,” Mina licked her lips with her tongue.

 

John smiled a toothy grin. “Ah, you let old John be the judge of that. I always like to hear a new story. Now come on girl, I'm all ears.”

 

To be continued...