Chapter 29 - Lost child

"...If this street, if this street was mine...

...I would, I would have it tiled…"

The young boy stopped his hands suddenly as his senses increased their potential for attention.

"...With shiny pebbles, with shiny pebbles...

...For my, for my love to pass…"

As if it were whispered to the wind occasionally. As if it were a simple secret whispered to no one in particular, but heard by a specific person. The young boy raised his head in an easterly direction without worrying about the weight of the box he carried in his hands. He looked in that direction only sharpening his hearing and vision to find that childish and melancholic voice.

"... In this street, in this street there is a wood...

... which is called, which is called solitude…"

Hm... Certainly melancholy. How sad. The heart tightened because his senses were able to perceive the secret hidden behind that voice. Who would be crying so covertly?

"...Inside him, inside him lives an angel...

...Who stole, who stole my heart…"

Ah, he suddenly remembered a smile. The wind had swayed his dark hair bringing back the warm sensation of a simple touch he had once received. A warm caress that belonged only to him.

Ah in that surprising memory, he had also heard a melancholic voice singing that same song.

Was that why he searched with his eyes for the owner of that voice?

Looking from side to side, his dark eyes met with the child sitting cowering behind a pile of crates. A boy holding a white plush, stroking his head with tears in his eyes.

Was it him?

"...If I stole, if I stole your heart...

...you stole, you stole mine too...

...If I stole, if I stole your heart...

...it's because, it's because I love you…"

― What is this little mouse doing in the circus foreman's area?

The child suddenly jumped in fright, hugging the stuffed rabbit. Turning around, he found a curious boy staring at him over the wood-panelled boxes.

― Are you lost by chance?

The little boy didn't answer Leonardo. He just squeezed the plush in his little arms, trying to hide his crying face. Leonardo tilted his head around the boxes until he crouched in front of the child.

― You know it's dangerous here. These boxes are heavy and might fall on you. Don't you want to hide somewhere else?

The child raised his eyes in his direction and, to Leonardo's surprise, the green glow of the pearls reminded him of a certain trapeze artist. The greenish hue was beautiful and bright, even if it was steeped in a mysterious sadness.

Who was that lost child and why was he hiding behind the circus? How did he get there? Was he the child of an employee?

Extending his hand, Leonardo wiped away the child's tears. He tried hard not to be rude to that fragile little being, just sliding his thumb under his eyes to wipe away the tears. He had noticed as he gently brushed his fingers across the child's cheek that she was cold.

― We are in the open sky... Here the wind current is usually cold.

Stuck in his own thoughts, Leonardo was about to take his hand away from the little boy's face. He should ask a foreman if someone had lost sight of his son. He could leave him with someone who could help him find his parents.

But when his hand moved away from the little face, the child held it again, so that the whole palm of his hand was caressing the chubby cheek. Leonardo had been surprised by the boy's sudden act, feeling his hand heat up even more in shame.

― Are you cold? I guess so ― Leonardo laughed, unable to take his eyes away from the little crying boy.

The boy didn't say a word, remaining clutching his hand. Even though the sound of his empty stomach was loud, the little boy didn't ask for food or say his name. Leonardo just smiled.

― Ok, I won't leave you alone hungry and cold. Big brother will help you.

Even with a layer of sadness, those green eyes shone with hope. The answer came with a shy nod, followed by a wide-eyed smile when he was picked up by the boy.

Leonardo covered the child with his arms, opening his jacket to warm the boy's back.

― Ok, let's eat something.

He was about to finish his shift at the stage, so it would be alright to leave like that. Although his supposed supervisor might complain, Leonardo was still the young master of the place. He could have some perks in an emergency situation like that.

The boy that wrapped himself in his arms hiding from the world. Leonardo found this attitude strange, and when he looked around he made sure that he wasn't drawing attention. It was just another person carrying a child in his lap, as many others did there.

How dangerous.

Leonardo had realised that it was dangerous when he had seen an undercover policeman talking to some employees of one of the park's toys. Dreamland was still under investigation. Well... There wasn't much he could do.

― What's good for a child to eat? ― Whispered the boy looking around. Then he lowered his eyes to the child who was staring at him curiously ― Do you like hamburgers?

Timidly the child nodded.

― Then let's have a big one. I'll need energy to stand the chatter of that clown.

Passing by the toys of the park, keeping close to the circus area, Leonardo took the small boy to a snack stand in front of a building. There he chose a table and sat the child down next to it, after making the orders.

The boy looked around clutching his stuffed animal, but his greenish eyes seemed curious about the huge tent near the snack bar. It didn't look open even though there were people coming and going.

― Are you curious? ― murmured Leonardo, resting his chin on his palm, smiling unpretentiously at the child ― Do you want to know what's in there?

― What... is it?

The boy's voice was shy and fearful, but he would still be trying hard to trust Leonardo. The young master suppressed a victorious smile at having followed such a path.

― It's a food court. They say there's going to be a carousel in the centre of it.

The greenish eyes immediately sparkled.

― A carousel?

― It will probably be smaller than the one in the park, but I think it will be more decorative. Oh, and there will also be a stage for a ballet performance.

― A ballerina...

Leonardo could hardly keep the smile, the child made clear his fascination and imagination with just those few words.

― Here are your orders, good appetite ― He surprised the snack bar attendant when he delivered the orders.

The young master helped to unpack the snacks and gave them to the child, who did not delay in eating. His hunger was clear as he opened his mouth and filled his cheeks with the bitten piece. Joining him in the snack, Leonardo just watched the child to make him comfortable.

But it wasn't long before the peace of mind of those two was interrupted by the presence of a tall, brown-haired detective. Giovani recognized Leonardo and soon came to greet him.

― Hey, kid! ― Leonardo was startled by the sudden thick voice, but then he smiled when he recognized the detective ― You have another boy with you, is that your brother?

The boy shrank back in his chair, eating very little. Had he been frightened by Giovani's strong presence? Well, he was a burly policeman, he certainly passed fear to children. And from the way his greenish eyes focused on the young master, he had realised that he would be attentive to his words.

He didn't want to be found.

― Huh? No, no. It's more like a stray puppy I found lying around.

Giovani frowned.

― What kind of analogy is that?

― Come on, detective, think harder ― Smile, Leonardo.

Giovani looked at him with such focus that the little boy choked on his snack. Leonardo gave him a soda and patted him on the back, taking advantage of the situation to give the detective an obvious look.

― Ah, I see ― He said at last, scratching the back of his neck looking embarrassed.

― Are you on your break?

Leonardo had pushed the empty chair next to him, having Giovani sit down accepting the silent invitation.

― We've already finished talking with the employees, I'm waiting for the recordings of the security team.

― That will be tiring ― Looking again at the child, who finished eating, Leonardo sighed ― I didn't even ask your name, kid. My name is Leonardo, what's yours?

The boy shrugged his shoulders again looking guilty in the middle of an interrogation.

― Lucas.

― Oh, that's a good name ― Leonardo smiled and stroked the boy's hair.

― Did you get lost from your parents?

The little boy denied it with his head, although he didn't look at the detective and squeezed the stuffed rabbit in his arms. Ever since he had found it he had noticed that the stuffed animal was close. Besides having seen him cuddle it while singing that song.

Lucas must have been around seven years old, being short and whiny. He reminded a little of himself, Leonardo noticed with a certain irony. However, he had simple clothes that looked worn out and he was very thin for his age.

From what he could see of his exposed skin, there were no bruises. But he couldn't jump to conclusions.

― Did you run away from home? ― Lucas's startled reaction made the two adults realise his answer ― And apparently you don't want to go back, but it's dangerous here.

― Is it dangerous? ― repeated the boy looking at the young master.

― Yes, when it stays at night here it is dangerous. There are ghosts dressed as clowns that walk around.

The boy shivered with fear. Leonardo had received a poke in the rib from Giovani, who had scolded him with a look.

― Ah, there you were.

The melodious and somewhat refined voice had called the attention of the three of them. Vincent noticed the detective's presence and bowed slightly in greeting, but bowed his head when he noticed the child sitting there.

― Who is this child?

― A little mouse ― Answered Leonardo swallowing the rest of the soda ― Well, I leave it to you detective, I have to go to college now.

The instant Leonardo got up from his chair, Lucas threw himself holding the bar of his shirt desperately.

― Big brother, don't go away.

― But I have to go... Oh God, don't look at me like that...

It was the first time a child had ever looked at him as if he were a superhero who needed to save a citizen in danger. He had to admit that he would love to help Lucas to find his home and understand the reason for his escape. But he had to fulfil his duties as well.

He was at an impasse.

Giovani uncrossed his arms and sighed in defeat. Rising from his chair to crouch beside Lucas, the detective dispensed with all his aura and angry physiognomy to be as light as possible. Which was surprising to see.

― That big brother is always at the circus. Every day, you can see him whenever you want. He won't go away forever.

The warmth in Giovani's voice and his comforting look were rare to see in everyday life. Usually he seemed tired of his work, irritated or too anxious. Leonardo was surprised to see another side of him.

Even more when it had the effect of calming Lucas down.

― Really?

― Yes, really. If you're afraid of being alone, I'll keep you company. What do you think?

Lucas looked at Leonardo and then at Giovani, thought a little and then let go of the young master's blouse. Leonardo smiled and stroked the boy's hair before waving and following Vicente.

A few metres away, Vicente tightened his steps to whisper to the other.

― Was that child lost, by any chance?

― I don't know, I think he ran away from home. While I am at school, help the detective to solve this matter ― Leonardo turned to the clown and opened a charming smile ― I hope to have good news when I return.

Ah, there he was. The typical aura of an Evilian. A true master's charm. Vincent quickly became emotional, nodding. Before he realised that he was acting like one, the administrator had answered the order.

― How to order, young master.