Useless

CHAPTER 8

I never wanted this day to come, but it was bound to happen eventually. All this time I have lured myself into a false sense of security- believed Lou was safe, and that I would be able to protect him from the horrors inflicted upon him by society. It was a lie. He is a boy. He will never be able to live a safe, happy life. I was naive to think otherwise!

* * *

"Just do nothing but what you are told, with no questions asked, and you shouldn't have a problem," I whisper this promise to my scared little brother through a gap in the fence. "But trust me, if you are busted here talking to me, you'll be punished."

With a huff Lou opens his mouth to object. Before he can say a word I cut him off, "Lou. Go. You don't want her to get mad, believe me. I will do your jobs here, so that way you have no more work when you get back ho-"

"And THEN we can play together?" This time, it's my words interrupted. He can barely contain his excitement, and his eyes light up at the thought. The excitement is clear on his face, he can barely contain it.

"Sure thing kid," I feign an evil grin, "if you make it back."

"Oh shut up, Useless, of course I will!" He giggles."Useless, is the library a hard chore?"

"It's not too bad. You'll be fine... don't worry about a thing," I chuckle.

* * *

I shake clear the thoughts of a previous memory, remembering the tasks ahead of me. I peer through the space of the misplaced board -a little closer than usual- this time with a certain aim: find the library window. No matter what angle I look I can't get a clear view; knowing Lou is in there somewhere, I continue searching. Just as I convince myself to calm down and stop worrying about his safety, I spot her: Madame Malfaisant. Madame doesn't look all that happy either, no doubt, she's yelling at little Lou.

'What has he done... surely not enough to deserve that?!'

Madame grows more and more aggravated. Had it been Lou being scoulded, I'm fairly confident he would have taken my advice and just done as he's told- yet I find myself over the fence and at the back door, which is slightly ajar. The sound of Madame's hateful remarks drifts through the gap- a gap just big enough for a small-boned, ten year old boy to fit through.

I find my way to the library, and with a freak combination of instinct and adrenaline, I tear down the hallway towards the library doors, the sudden surge sparked by the sound of a crushed yelp.

There in the doorway I'm horrified at what lies before me; I am frozen as I interpret the scene: Madame is no longer at all upset- but rather amused, Odette too is there seeming somewhat proud, and there -at their feet- rests a ladder at a slight angle to the floor, as between the two is the shape of a small boy.

'No, it can't be...'

"Lou?" I whisper. His little eyes are closed, and his face is slack. I drop to my knees when I reach his side, pushing away the ladder. "Lou Lou?" I say, louder, frantically. I look desperately to the other two in the library, who are standing still and silent, and lock eyes with Odette. "What-"

Her expression is unreadable, and before I can even finish, she's out the door- running to any place but here. As I stare into her wake, I hear a chuckle from behind me.

I look at her and a single word falls from my lips, "Please."
Madame looks down at me with feigned pity. The corners of her lips turn up into a smirk. Each step is agonizingly slow, as she walks over to me.
"What happened? Well, don't ask me!" She scoffs.