Chapter 4 – Black Books
"So let me get this straight," Rue wrapped a bandage around Ducks grazed arm, "you are actually a duck? But you turn into a girl so you can study ballet with us?"
"Yep" she nodded.
"And every time you say quack, you turn back into a duck and the only thing that can turn you back into a girl is water?"
"Yep" Rue tied off the bandage and exhaled deeply.
"It's a lot to take in Duck," she laid back on her own bed, "you're an actual duck. How strange…" Duck swallowed hard.
"Are you still going to be my friend?"
"Of course! It would be so silly not to be your friend because you are a bird?" Rue realised how odd it sounded when she said it aloud, "so Fakir was taking care of you?"
"Yeah he was," she twiddled her thumbs, "Rue, did you know how nice Fakir actually was?"
"Wha-! Nice? Fakir?" she giggled, Duck gave her a blank look. Rue ceased her laughter, "oh you're being serious. No I didn't? Why?"
"Well. He was really nice to me, and I was surprised too." *I wonder if Fakir is okay. It was a long fall for him and he was injured already…*
"Do you want to see Fak-"
"Yes please!"
Rue navigated her way through the clump of females occupying the hall outside Fakir's room; dragging Duck pathetically behind her. *I never thought Fakir would have so many fan girls?*
She knocked on the door, "Mytho! It's me please open the door!" there was a muffled clatter of crockery on the other side then it opened and the two girls were dragged in abruptly.
Mytho locked the door behind them, "Hi Rue, Hi Duck." Fakir was asleep in his bed; his arm was bandaged up well. Oh Fakir I brought this on you… I feel so terrible. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. I wonder since he is a character in the story, would he be having scary dreams too?
"How is he?" Rue turned to Mytho who sat at the table pouring Rue a cup of tea, she took the cup and thanked him.
"He's been unconscious since we brought him up here last night with Duck," Duck held her breath What! Mytho knows too! But that could only mean… he face turned a dark hue of crimson and her head imploded Oh my god! He saw me naked! ! This is so embarrassing! Why me! Why me!, "at first I feared the worst for him. But then he started speaking words I could not fathom," Duck sighed with relief, "anyone who would have fallen from the second floor should be paralyzed at least…" Rue looked down at Mytho.
"But if that's true Mytho why isn't Fakir injured that bad?"
"The snow acted as a cushion and absorbed majority of the shock of the force created when he gained momentum falling. But even that should have left him with a broken arm."
Duck turned her attention to Fakir who was mumbling.
"Mytho! Rue!" Duck rushed to his side as did the other two. He was groaning between clenched teeth and his un-bandaged arm flailed out at Duck; she gripped his wrist tightly and he began to speak a little more clearly because he sensed the presence of another human.
"Please, god damn it! Show her mercy," Duck felt his pulse increase in speed, "you are so undignified. I don't understand! No!" he began yelling at the top of his lungs, "Don't take me! No!" his eyes shot open; his pupils shrunk immediately to a pin point and he froze. His eyes identified and absorbed his surroundings. Rue clutched Mytho frightened and pale. His forehead was glittering with sweat and the veins in his necks slowly disappeared.
