A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

Apparantly There's A Library

As we walk to the library after I've changed, I notice the stares. Students are whispering behind their hands, avoiding eye contact, and staring when my back is turned. Fortunately for them, I have bigger problems. My leg is sending sharp pains through me with every step, and my jaw is starting to throb. Meanwhile Ben has met up with us again and he's glaring at me and scaring the students while he talks in my head.

You shouldn't be standing. He says, and I swear I hear him growl at me.

We'll get there soon, and then I'll sit down. I respond through our bond, both because I don't need my peers overhearing and because I would like to figure out what the bond means to me before I announce it to Guanyin and Jessica. Goodness knows that they're going to have questions. I smile softly to myself, because as much as it might seem I'm not going to like their questions, I'm so excited for it. I've needed friends I can talk to. Warmth fills my chest, and Ben trades places with Guanyin. He takes my hand in his, the heat from his skin pressing into mine and providing a comfort that can't be put into words. Despite the pain, a smile spreads on my face.

What were you just thinking about? Ben asks, squeezing my hand.

I thread my fingers through his. I was thinking about how great it is to have girl friends that I can talk to.

I can't say I can relate. But I know what it's like to have friends to talk to. It's great to be able to get something off of your chest. He responds. I wince; probably shouldn't have brought up his friends that forced him to use me...

He squeezes my hand again. What's wrong? Your mood changed.

My mood? I frown. That's right, once we're bonded, we can feel each other's emotions. Oh boy, he's in for a ride. I go through way to many emotions myself, and with-

Oh no.

The Dark Spirits.

Every time I eliminate one, he's going to feel the emotion I do. I can barely hold it together when that happens, and I'm used to it. How is he going to handle it? He's already got enough anger of his own to deal with, and he doesn't need me piling it on. Worry clouds my mind. There's only one solution that I can think of, and he's not going to like it. I have to find a way to block my emotions.

"Freya!" Jessica jogs up to us with a pile of books in her arms. "What are you doing walking around? You're supposed to stay off your leg!"

I grimace. "Yeah, I'm starting to see why."

"Here," She says, pulling out a small pill case. Jessica grabs my hand, and dumps three round pills onto my palm. "Eat up."

I clench my fist around the drugs, and wrap my arms around her. "You're a lifesaver. Thank you."

She wraps her arms around me, and laughs. "Anytime." We pull apart again, and Guanyin is there, offering me a water bottle. I quickly down the drugs, and Jessica links her arm with mine. "So, where are we going?"

"Library. We're going to try to figure out more about the people who attacked me," I respond.

Guanyin takes my other arm, and points up ahead. "There it is."

The double doors are huge and embossed. They remind me strongly of something I'd seen watching Harry Potter. There are windows in the door, for Pete's sake! Fancy windows! But it's what's inside that impresses me the most, even though I'm not a reader. Thousands of books tucked into curved shelves that span the entire room. The chaos is real. Books are piled on tables, in corners, and on the floor next to the shelves. I notice small spaces hidden from view until you're right next to it. Small spaces that hold comfy arm chairs, lamps, plants, and generally look like tiny pockets of happiness. In one space that we pass, vines are growing along wooden poles, and the green leaves create a makeshift wall that makes the space feel more private.