Ten and Counting

20%

Freddy had reoccurring dreams for two weeks after the Mouse and the Owl ran off.
The Owl held her tightly whenever she woke up, and comforted her to the best of his ability. Freddy had never cried so much in her life. Well, not since she was seven.
"Hey, Octo?" The Mouse asked after she had stopped crying.
"Yes, Fred?" The Owl responded.
"What's your real name?"
October froze. Letting out a shaky breath, he whispered, "Everyone loathes his country and countrymen if he is any sort of artist."
Freddy started to regret her own question. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I'm just a fuc—"
"No, no. You're fine. Honestly, my own mother has probably forgotten my name by now. I can barely remember it anymore."
"So, what does that mean? 'Everyone loathes his country and countrymen...'?" The Mouse questioned.
The Owl sighed. "We need to go to the library, then."
~~~~~
October instantly gravitated towards the poetry section, and Freddy slowly followed. The woman at the front desk eyed the two of them carefully. Freddy didn't blame her. The only time she or "Everyone loathes his own country and countrymen if he is any sort of artist," had the chance to shower was three days ago in gym locker rooms.
October ran his hand along the spines of the poetry novels until he stopped on one, and pulled it from the shelf.
"Durrell. 1912 to 1990. Born in Jalandhar, India, died in Somméires, France. Have you ever read anything by him?" October asked.
"No, but I've heard of him," the Mouse responded. "Lawrence Durrell. Is that your name? Lawrence?"
"Yeah," The Owl responded slowly, shakily. "I suppose this means I have three names? October, the Owl, and Lawrence."
"And I have eight. You get used to it after a while." Amelia Augusta Fredrika Katrina Hosanna Debiquo Ebert Carroll shrugged to Lawrence.
Lawrence brushed his greasy lavender hair out of his face with his fingers.
"You know, you look like a Lawrence," the Mouse blurted.
"You know, you look like an Amy."
"Wow, thanks. I feel the love."
"I would hope so. When I think of 'Amelia,' I think of blue hair and black eyes."
"They do say eyes are a gateway to the soul,"
"That was just a burn for both of us, you know."
"Oh? I thought we were just stating facts."
Lawrence put his hands on his hips. "Then does that mean you think 'sexy lavender beast' every time you hear the name Lawrence?"
Freddy just giggled. October started to giggle with her.
"Law wrench," Freddy giggled
"Camel-ia."
~~~~~
October put the book back, and the two of them left the library. The woman at the front desk watched them closely again as they left.
The walk back to their little alley was uneventful, besides the saltiness of each other's company.
Lawrence, October, the Owl, the Mouse, Freddy, and a girl with seven names made it back to their "home" in two bodies.