Chapter 23: Not Who You Think He Is
The beggar's eyes narrowed, the wrinkles around them folding in a way that made him look both wise and dangerous.
"You know about the Circle?" he repeated with a low voice.
He looked Alex up and down slowly, as if trying to figure out how he was still standing there in one piece. "No wonder you're still breathing... standing here with me... even after you've been discovered." His voice dropped even lower. "So... tell me, who's behind you, boy?"
That question landed like a punch to Alex's chest.
His face hardened.
"Are you trying to say... I'm not supposed to be safe?" His voice started to rise with frustration. "Again with these indirect riddles. The first time we met, you told me I couldn't find what I was looking for by just writing... and now this? What are you even saying?!"
His fists clenched by his sides. "I came here for answers. Real ones. And you keep throwing questions at me like I'm the one hiding something."
The old man looked calm and steady. As if Alex's anger meant nothing.
"Sit down," he said simply.
Alex hesitated. His chest was still rising and falling quickly, but something about the man's tone told him to obey.
They sat side by side on the dusty sidewalk. "Before I tell you anything," the man said slowly, "I need to know who I'm talking to. What have you been up to? And more importantly... who's been putting you up to all of it?"