God Help The Outcasts: COMPLETE

Chapter Twenty: A Guy Like You

Nakoma was rather impressed with the gargoyles' ability to put on a full-fledged song to cheer up Quasi and soothe his worries for Esmeralda. It was more than she could do, for sure. Their confidence-inspiring number had boosted Quasi's self-esteem and banished his worries, all in one fell swoop. And, Nakoma felt that the gargoyles had a point. He was certainly unique, certainly special...certainly a wonderful man with a kind and childlike heart. She thought that it made perfect sense for Quasi to like Esmeralda, and for her to possibly like him as well. What wasn't there to like about her? She was beautiful, kind, funny, and she had defended Quasi, risking her own freedom to help him. She was also very colorful—Quasi's lonely, curious heart couldn't help but admire her.

Nakoma couldn't hold a candle to her. It was just like Pocahontas all over again. She was overlooked, a drab, dull thing beside the fiery beauty of Esmeralda's adventurous spirit.

These thoughts struck Nakoma as sudden, sharp and out of place. Why was she worried about Quasi's affections? Why did thinking of Esmeralda cause something in her to simmer enviously? She had only known Quasi for a couple of days. But Quasi's been with me longer, she thought. Scowling, she tried to push the sore thoughts away. What is the matter with me?

A sound from below made Nakoma and Quasi both jump. Nakoma knew she was fairly safe in her hiding spot, back behind some old drapery by the bells. Quasi peeked down toward the door, and Nakoma heard Esmeralda's frantic voice echoing up.

"Quasi? Quasimodo?" Quasi whirled toward the steps to see Esmeralda, his face full of relief and joy.

"Esmeralda! Esmeralda, you're alright! I knew you'd come back!"

"You've done so much for me already, my friend, but I must ask for your help one more time."

"Yes, anything," Quasi said. Esmeralda came fully into the room, seemingly strained—Nakoma twisted in her hiding place to get a better view. She saw Quasi's smile fade quickly and realized that Esmeralda was dragging a wounded soldier!

"This is Phoebus. He's wounded, and a fugitive like me. He can't go on much longer. I knew he'd be safe here. Please, can you hide him?"

Quasi seemed torn, but quickly relented.

"This way," he said, and led them to his little pallet. Nakoma realized she could be of help and gingerly came out of her hiding place.

"Esmeralda," she said. The gypsy glanced up sharply but relaxed on seeing Nakoma approach. "If there's anything I can do..."

"Can you light some candles? I need some light." Nakoma set about the task, glad to be out in the open, being useful. She would be able to assess what was going on much easier this way. As the candlelight illuminated their makeshift hospital bed, Nakoma sensed something familiar in the face of the blond soldier. The white cloth shirt on his chest bore heavy bloodstains, and his chest seemed to rise and fall very shallowly, as if he couldn't take in enough air. Esmeralda lifted up his head while Quasi pushed a rolled blanket under it. Once this was done Phoebus began to stir, moaning in pain.

"Esmeralda?" he whispered.

"Shh...shh, shh. You'll hide here until you are strong enough to move." The tenderness with which she put a finger to his lips made Nakoma a little uncomfortable. With the candles lit, her job accomplished, she quickly moved away from the pallet and stood beside Quasi, who was watching them intently. Nakoma knew what he was suspecting and couldn't help but think that he was right. They watched as Esmeralda pulled out and unstopped a burlap wineskin with her teeth.

"Great...I could use a drink," said Phoebus. Esmeralda peeled back the bandages on his chest and dumped the red liquid into the ugly wound, making him tense and gasp in pain. "Aah, yes! Hmm!" He twisted his face into a deliberately thoughtful expression. "Feels like a 1470 burgundy. Not a good year."

"That family owes you their lives," she said, apparently ignoring him as she took needle and thread to his wound. "You're either the single bravest soldier I've ever seen, or the craziest."

Phoebus smiled a little.

"Ex-soldier, remember?" He watched the needle moving in and out of his skin and winced in pain. "Ugh. Why is it, whenever we meet, I end up bleeding?"

Esmeralda bit off the thread.

"You're lucky," she said. "That arrow almost pierced your heart."

He abruptly but gently stopped her busy hands and pulled them down to his chest.

"I'm not so sure it didn't."

Nakoma felt her throat tighten and glanced quickly toward Quasimodo. He seemed to know what was coming, as his widened eyes revealed. Esmeralda, too, seemed surprised as Nakoma looked back at her, but Nakoma quickly looked away again as the two drew closer and met in a tender kiss. She looked helplessly back at Quasi, who grasped the wall behind him for support. She watched his shock morph to bitter resignation, and he pressed his back to the wall as he stared at the floor, unwilling to validate his heartbreaking reality with his eyes. Nakoma felt tears rising in her, but pushed them down and took a step toward Quasi. He glanced sharply at her, and, blushing, he turned away abruptly and stalked off. On nimble feet she followed him, finding him crouched down under one of the 'Maries.'

"Quasi?" He glanced at her, and the tears trailing down his face cut through her heart. "Quasi, I'm sorry." She ducked under the lip of the bell and sat cross-legged beside him. He sighed, chin resting on his arms, knees propping them up. He held a card in his hand—the ace of hearts.

"I really thought..." he sniffed, turning his face away from her to stare at the card. "I was almost convinced she liked me." He turned the card in his hands and then tore it in half, letting the two halves fall to the ground.

Nakoma placed a gentle hand on his back, words failing her. The only thing she could think of was that they were both miserable.

"Quasi," she began, but trailed off. She didn't know if she could continue, if she should continue. Her feelings for him—she had to admit them to herself now—were so new, so fresh. Did she dare risk them? If he didn't connect the dots, if she presented them in a way that was ambiguous, it might help him, might take his mind off of his misery. She gulped and continued.

"Quasi, I...I overheard your conversation with the gargoyles."

"Y-you did?" He looked sheepishly at her. "So you knew all along."

"Of course I did," she said. "And I want you to know that I can understand. You see...there's a man. A man that I think...I'm falling in love with." Quasi looked at her with interest. "But he loves another woman. He doesn't know..."

"Oh, Nakoma, that's awful!" Quasi wiped the tears off his face and grasped her hand.

"He is so in love with this woman, but she does not love him. If only he could see..." she dropped her gaze to the wooden floor as tears fell unwilled. Quasi took her hand in both of his and patted it.

"He needs to pay more attention!" he declared. "Then he will find the love he is looking for. Nakoma, I hope that one day, he sees that there is someone who loves him, because you are one of the kindest, most loving people I've ever met, and you deserve it."

Nakoma smiled through her tears and studied his face discreetly. He, though smiling softly, refused to look at her; instead, he pushed around the two halves of the ace of hearts with his fingertips. It was obvious that though he thought she was worthy of the love he had just lost, he felt unwanted, undeserving, that somehow that broken heart was his and would always be his. She couldn't believe it. He didn't understand. She gently leaned over, put the torn card between their feet and pushed the two halves back together, stilling his hand with hers as he reached to touch it. He finally looked at her, confusion evident in his wide eyes.

"And a guy like you, Quasi...always showing love and kindness..." she said. "A guy like you deserves it, too."



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