Page 49 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt
‘That is exceedingly sweet, but absolute nonsense. Please, you are here with me, and we are alone. Tell me the truth.’
I looked to the stars once again. Their silent, stoic majesty gave me the confidence I needed to reveal the truth to Elle. ‘I do not speak because I am afraid that if I say the wrong thing, it could get me into trouble.’
‘Trouble?’ she repeated, worry appearing on her face.
‘Yes. But when I’m with you, I don’t feel afraid, Elle. I feel brave. Therefore, there is no reason to remain silent.’
‘Oh Bo. What is it that silence protects you from?’
‘I am running from someone, Elle. Someone who has sworn to kill me. The only thing that is currently protecting me is my location, which is unknown to my pursuer. If I talk, then there is a higher chance of information of my whereabouts spreading, and it is not a risk I feel confident taking.’
‘Mon Dieu, Bo. Who is it that wishes you harm?’
I paused. ‘Another boy.’
‘A boy? Bo, you should have said. I’d very much like to meet him. The one thing that little boys are afraid of, more than anything else, is an older, wiser girl. You’ve seen how I control Maurice and Jondrette.’
Elle’s kindness made my heart swell in my chest. ‘Thank you for your offer of protection, Elle. But with respect, little boys like Maurice and Jondrette are of no real consequence. The boy I run from believes that I did something terrible, and that makes him very dangerous.’
‘How dangerous can one boy be?’
‘He holds me responsible for... a death that occurred.’
‘A death?’ Elle said, trying to suppress a gasp.
‘Yes.’ Elle and I locked eyes, and there was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation.
‘Were you... responsible for the death?’
‘No, I was not. But he will never believe the truth. So, I have been forced to run from him. I fear that I am cursed to do so forever.’
‘Where is the boy now? Is he in France?’
‘I do not believe he can be, no. I am hoping he is still several countries away.’
‘Countries, Bo? You’ve crossed countries?’
I nodded solemnly. ‘Runningfromhim, andtowardsmy father. He was on his way to Switzerland – the country of his birth – in an attempt to try and save me... and the boy’s family too. That is where I was trying to get to when I was found collapsed under the Landowskis’ hedge over one year ago.’
‘Bo... there’s so much I don’t yet understand, but how on earth could this boy, whoever he is, ever know your whereabouts?’
‘There is something which complicates matters.’ I took a deep breath, and removed the leather pouch from around my neck. ‘This... item... this is the cause of all the misery.’ I looked around to ensure that there were no prying eyes lurking in the shadows, and removed the object from within. Even in the dark of the night, and despite the fact it had been covered in boot polish and glue, it somehow had the ability to attract the nearest source of light, and shimmered before our eyes.
‘Bo...’ Elle said in shock.
I held it up so she could see clearly. ‘It’s a diamond.’
‘It can’t be, it’s enormous. The biggest I’ve ever seen.’
‘I assure you, this diamond is real. The other boy believes that I stole it from his mother and murdered her.’ Elle put her hand to her mouth. ‘Please trust me when I say that this could not be further from the truth. But I believe that as long as he knows I possess the stone, he will stop at nothing to reclaim it from me, and end my life. He is clever...’
‘As clever as you?’
I managed another smile at Elle’s kind words. ‘Perhaps. Do you now understand why I do not speak, Elle? And why youmust not reveal to others that I can, nor any of what I have told you this evening?’ I put the diamond back in its leather pouch, and secured it around my neck.
‘You have to tell me your story, Bo – every bit of it.’
I shook my head. ‘The tale is long and upsetting.’
