Chapter 5 Episode 5

CHAPTER FIVE

•SOMEWHERE IN THE HUMAN WORLD•

AUSTIN'S P.O.V

"My goodness! It's Mr Austin Gilbert!"

"Get the camera over here!"

"Please, sign on my boobs, baby!"

"Just a picture; just one!"

Several cheers and yelling came from the crowd standing outside the steel cross gates heavily guarded by a handful of policemen. I wanted to take it all in, but I decided to perceive the act as disgusting. I am not a celebrity, neither was I a model, so why are all these people fighting over me?

I wondered for a moment how these crazy fans and the paparazzis had gotten to know about the location I had a private conference meeting with a soap opera company who needed to be promoted through my advertising company. I look at my manager who was walking by my side towards the limousine which was at the end of the red carpet.

Red carpet. How come I didn't get to notice that? I stared at my manager again, my eyes searching for answers to my disturbing thoughts. As if reading my mind, my manager shook his head nervously. "Don't stare at me like that!" he whined. "I didn't do this!"

"I believe you, Justin; I believe you." I said, feigning a smile. I stared at the crowd as I heard a little girl calling out to me.

"Can you please sign an autograph on my book, Mr Austin? I love you!" she yelled.

The last time I gave myself a reality check, I didn't remember myself developing a soft spot for baby girls. Something about her voice seemed soothing, and without any hint of reluctance, I turned and walked towards her. I could tell from the faces of shock and disappointment of the crowd that they were not expecting me to turn back to attend to a fan. If they could be rejected, how can a kid be accepted?

I crouched before the girl, the steel gates serving as a barrier between her and I.

"Can I have it?" I stretched out my index finger to point at the book. "The book; can I?"

Happily and excitedly, she handed it over to me. I noticed there was a woman standing beside her, and from the traces of similarities, I assumed her to be the little girl's mother. I plucked my own from my tuxedo's breast pocket, popping its cap off and about to sign the book. Something made my hand resists signing for a while before I stared at the girl once more.

"You love dragons?"

"I do. A lot." she said with a wide smile.

"Oh really? Aren't they scary?"

"No no, Mr Austin. They're not at all, believe me." she said in a tone that sounded like she was trying to convince me.

I stare at the book once more, my hands running through the book cover.

"The Dragon King is the biggest superhero, and my father loves him too."

"Superhero?" I asked, bewildered.

"Yes. My father is also a big fan of yours. That is why I am asking for your autograph, because I believe when I present this to him, Dragon King will come save my father, and he will smile upon seeing your autograph, and he will be well again." she said, her smile unfazed.

I stared at her mother's eyes, and I could tell she was on the verge of crying. I passed my hamds through the steel gates to hold the girl's hands, and it seemed to make her smile the more.

"Save your father?"

"Hmm-hmmm." she affirmed.

"Where is he?"

"He is in the hospital."

I didn't know when my eyes began to sting, but I fought back my tears. I took the pen immediately and signed the book. I could tell from the corners of my eyes how the smile on the little girl's face increased. I stretched out the book and the pen to her.

"Here," I started. "You can keep the pen too."

She held onto my hands tightly. "Thank you so much, Mr Austin." she said.

"But listen to me, angel." I tried to get her attention once more. "What's your name?"

"Alistair."

"Alistair ... you see, there is a mightier superhero who can help your father heal. One who is bigger than the Dragon King."

Her eyes widened in fascination and curiosity. "Really?"

I nodded in response.

"What's his name?"

"He is God, Alistair. And you don't have to stress yourself by summoning unto him every 6PM of the Wednesdays like you do to the Dragon King."

"You're wrong, Mr Austin. It's every Thursday." she corrected.

Her smart manner of speaking was interesting to me, and I chuckled at what she said.

"How do I get to meet God?" she asked inquisitively.

"Just call out to him. Anytime. Tell him all that is in your heart and all that you wish for, and he shall grant you your wishes." I said and smiled.

"Okay! Thank you so much, Mr Austin." she squealed in gratitude and I simply smiled in response. I rose up to stare at her miter and beckoned on her.

"You are her mother?"

"Yes. Thank you so much for-"

"Don't do this now. It's just an autograph." I chuckled. "I'm sorry about your husband ... being in the hospital. Can I perhaps get your contact info? I'd like to pay him a visit sometime." I asked, hoping for a positive response.

After a few minutes of speaking to the young lady, she left the scene whose daughter wouldn't stop smiling and waving back at me. I wondered as I stepped back into the car why childrens of the present generation like Alistair would be brainwashed to see figures like the Dragon King as their hero. Only if Alistair had known how he had perfectly hidden the irritation he had when he saw the book cover. Only if she knew how much he hates dragons and anything alike to them. Only if she knew the likes of her 'superhero' brought about the death of his parents.

"Let's go." I ordered my driver, my mind drifting back to the smile on the little girl's face.

I knew what I needed to do