Chapitre 40: [Intermingled fate]
The day was drawing to a close and the sun was lowering in the sky as the hours passed. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, intensifying as the light faded.
The air became cooler and the breeze foretold the chill of the night. People prepared to leave soon, some with rags and others with smiles.
As the moon rose, its pale light illuminated the landscape, casting long shadows on the ground. The wind picked up, blowing from the north, and the air became even colder.
The combination of moonlight and icy wind created an eerie atmosphere, the shadows seeming to twist and writhe in the biting, soothing light.
With the twilight state, people began to pack up and leave. They exchange greetings and wishes. Others predictably to their regret, were left behind with the foreboding of enduring the winds under the lunar light, based on their fortune to survive another day.
They usually came from territories far from the city, were homeless, and were obliged to work full-time in various precarious jobs, with the idea of settling their next generations in the prosperous city, based on an ironclad work culture.
Under tactical arrangements, they arranged to go about their business in strategic locations, far from public view. Hiding from the guards nearby and even the trees.
They rustled and groaned, their branches swaying in the wind, while the leaves rustled and whispered as if sharing secrets in the gathering darkness.
The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the night to descend completely.
The moonlight and the chill of the wind created a sense of foreboding as if something mysterious and sinister lurked beyond the edge of perception.
A young man's face was illuminated, his features exposed. His soft lips enunciated a smile, enjoying the waning moon. In his thin hand covered by a ragged glove, he held firmly a black cane.
The sound was rhythmic, surrounded by silence, ascending and descending. But he did not fail in the singular sound produced.
Its eyes did not reflect the full moon, but only the irrational waving of solitary branches. Like tentacles, they stretched out like whips.
"The night is early, why does everyone retreat? He enunciated to the world.
His laughter spread like ticks to the rest of the silent street, embracing the world.
"Crazy." Said a passing man, his voice laced with pity and slight regret.
Like the leader of an orchestra giving the finale of a show, the young man's movements stopped. The roles were exchanged, his cane previously simulated the rampant branches, now remained as still as the branches before the paralysis of the wind of life.
With a smile, the young man turned around.
"Oh, I thank you for your indication and I am sorry for my earlier slip, great sir. Here you are, two coins as a token of my sincerity".
In reality, he had spread two coins of high denomination between his index, middle, and ring fingers.
The man, who despite his earlier negativity, was very volatile. Ecstatic, he took the coins back as a proud benefactor, showing no hint of rejection.
"Companion, you are truly wise, an eminence of the first rank! You know, if you suffer from the same thing again, you can call me." He said as he withdrew with a great laugh.
He was an experienced man of the streets, recognizing that he could not intimidate someone who could so easily dismiss such a designation. Such was the extent of his caution, that despite his exaggerated laughter, his pace only quickened with every second.
He quickly turned and disappeared.
At this, Federick resumed his practice with his cane.
A simple exchange...
...
Paula, a woman in her thirties, had been looking for her husband, Bob, for a long time. On an errand for his company, he had had to visit neighboring lands but had not yet returned despite the date having passed.
Promises had perished, extinguished.
Based on ideals, she had invested her best efforts in trying to find out the truth. Visiting his company, she asked about him, but no one had seen or heard from him. According to an official report from the company, the caravan had not yet returned.
She even went to the local authorities but was told they could do nothing without more information.
Desperate and emotionally distraught, Paula decided to seek out a fortune teller whose abilities were rumored to uncover the eternal veil of the living.
Paula was skeptical about this but was willing to try anything to find her husband.
As she approached the fortune-teller's tent, a man stood inside.
"Ah, my dear, you're just in time! He said to her, his voice laden with false sincerity.
"I've been waiting for you. Come, let me show you what I can do".
Clara entered the tent with a racing heart. The fortune teller, who introduced himself as Kansis, began to speak in a low, hypnotic tone.
Kansis observed her desperate and distressed state, similar to his own. He felt compassion, which was rare.
"Tell me, afflicted lady, what is your need to visit these parts? She said, her eyes shining with a shifting light.
"Me, my husband. He is missing, and the authorities have said they have no power whatsoever over the case. Please be benevolent and help me." Paula uttered each word dryly.
"Tell me basic information about your husband and I will help you to the best of my ability," Kansis said.
"He, his name is Bob. He is a man who works for a transport company, who gave him the job of going to a nearby village, from which he is still missing to this day. I don't know his exact age, but the village was called "Doder". Please... Help me. Paula pleaded trying to organise her words.
"Don't worry, don't worry, and wait," Kansis said sympathetically.
Kansis unfortunately, quickly made a show of dice, with a pitiful smile.
"I very sorry, but your husband is surrounded by danger, His whereabouts are unknown and his life or death cannot be determined."
Paula felt a cold fear creep up her spine as she listened to Kansis' words. Like a deadly poison, her expression turned pale.
"How much would the service be?" He asked in a trembling voice.
Kansis smiled faintly with mercy.
"Ah, my dear... I am not a monster, but an empathetic being like any other... The house will cover the cost for today. You are dismissed." Kansis said with her eyes shining.
Paula who was desperate with a heavy heart, thanked with her remaining strength while kissing the palm of the soothsayer.
'I guess the charitable donation covers the expenses of the house? Heh'. Kansis thought mockingly at his misfortune.
Paula left the tent with her heart heavy with despair. Despite being overcome by circumstances, her intention did not waver. She promised herself that she would remain strong... Strong.
As Kansis watched Paula's retreating figure, she realized that she had not accompanied her on schedule...
The woman, who was walking back through the cold, dark streets, could not shake the feeling that she was being watched. She quickened her pace, her heart racing with fear, but she knew she could never escape these memories that caged her to her reality.
Who to her horror, watched as a figure hidden in the darkness approached. The streets were empty, fuelling her fear, but she tried to act natural.
"A coin, a coin, miss." He intercepted the figure.
"No, sorry, I don't have any money on me," Paula said with a modest smile.
"It's only a coin, miss.... Be benevolent and have mercy on this poor person". Said the beggar.
"I swear, so don't bother anymore," Paula said with her voice trembling.
Her mood was at its peak of hardship, with the risk of exploding at any moment. She had come out with money, but it was excessive; she had raided her family's savings to pay the rumored exorbitant price for the fortune-teller's services.
But against his expectations, the harmless young man exploded in fury.
"You... you, you fucking scorned bitch! Your illusory fate has been sealed, and you know it! You will see it no more... you will see it no more.... Bob... Bob. repeated the beggar incessantly and without rationality.
In the face of this outburst, Paula only managed to run away in shock and on the emotional edge. Tears streamed down her cheeks and chronic fear flooded her chest.
...
Does this make any sense? Federick thought.
He was the one who acted as a beggar and scared the woman away. He could probably excuse it as a social experiment in his former world, but here it was pure frivolity of the strong over the weak.
He had acted right and wrong. The idealized and the wrong.
With the information recorded and the help of his system, he had confirmed that the woman's husband was still alive.
His fingers were already cold from the frost. He had negotiated three unfortunate clients but had no intention of staying or announcing his farewell.
Thus, a ragged figure retreated in the cold clamor of the night.
The clatter of his cane spread through the streets...
...
But fate mocking his thoughts, turned the tables of control.
To the bewilderment of the circus members, Kansis' tent was still in operation despite the extended hours of the day.
Who was shuffling his cards trying to find entertainment in his actions. But to his surprise, a customer approached his services...
An unfortunate customer.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
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Finger_of_Shiva We have reached fifty thousand words.
Grateful.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
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