Heim- A Prequel to "The Lazarus Saga"

Ch. 4- A Script a Day (part 2)

Lazarus didn't so much as look up while the four of them traveled back to the church. Father Orwell was busy carrying on with one of the nobles of Fabyan. The finely dressed man joined in on the walk through the city, following them up to the church's doors. Once they'd made it to the steps the guard holding his arm in a death grip let go.

Lazarus took it as a cue to scamper inside. He clung to the walls as he entered the church, quickly, and without much eye contact. Lazarus made his way to the eastern wing; this is where all the boys were kept. Severe punishment fell on anyone caught going to the girl's side on the south wing.

Lazarus knew that at any moment he would run into Mark and Tim. He felt much better than he had any days, but another beating would send him over the edge. His knees buckled with every step. It took all of his might just to lift his head and scan the open room that connected to the east wing. He was almost there.

Alias popped out of the archway separating the rooms, and Lazarus nearly screamed.

"Alias, what."

Lazarus almost asked him what he was doing here, but then realized how dumb It sounded and kept the words under his tongue. Lazarus saw that Alias wasn't as surprised as he was. He took it that Alias learned of his return from whispering rumors. All the children here loved spreading rumors around, and it seemed that everyone knew everything about anyone. Coming to the sound conclusion, all the fear returned to his body. If Alias knew, everyone knew. Everyone, including Mark and Tim.

Lazarus froze and his racing thoughts came to a halt. Both Mark and Tim popped into his vision directly behind Alias. They locked eyes with Lazarus, and then headed deeper into the wing housing the orphaned boys of Fabyan.

Kenton's threats actually worked. Lazarus thought to himself, a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. Alias latched himself to Lazarus, oblivious to his injuries.

"I got your windword message. You gotta tell me how you pulled that one off." Alias's smile faded to a frown as he put eyes to the bandages that remained on Lazarus.

"They got you pretty good huh? Don't worry. Ever since they beat you, and you never came back. They've been acting pretty weird. They haven't even picked on me. It's like they're scared all the sudden."

He threw his hands up. Clearly puzzled by their odd behavior. But Lazarus knew why. For once, they were the scared ones, and that gave Lazarus some comfort. Lazarus and Alias sat in the back corner of the east wing. It was where they always sat, and most of the other orphans tended to leave them alone back here.

Alias secured some extra bread and the two ate, catching up on the past few days. Lazarus felt as if his soul would tear in half when Father Orwell ripped him away from Kenton. However, catching up with his dear friend Alias seemed to repair some of that damage. For the first time today, he was glad to be back with Father Orwell.