Maybe Life Isn't That Bad.

Chapter 3: Blood and Confusion.

       Petra greeted me with her usual warm smile. She stood no taller than Christa; her red head bouncing as she moved to come meet me at the check-in counter of our library. My sanctuary from Thomas and the other pains of life.

       "Ready to help?" her voice was as bubbly as she looked. Though she did have her own mean streak when it came to fights in her habitat. Which was why I stayed here most days; she protected me from the harshness of Wagner and his spiteful groupies. 

       I nodded and took one of the many stocked carts to the appropriate isle to shelve the loved copies of books like 'To Kill A Mockingbird' or 'The Hobbit'. Taking time to admire each spine and cover before placing it back into its home. Not paying attention to changing surroundings after nearly a hour of working up and down the row to put each story back where it belonged.

       A cough caught my attention and froze my heart at the lack of inhabitants of the library. Something in me screamed to call for Petra, to have her save me, but my mouth couldn't form words as Thomas slinked into the isle like a cat. All I could do was cross my fingers that I wouldn't suffer a long punishment from the brutes blocking off the entrances of the section I was trapped in with the blonde demon.

       "Hey, Bodt, you know how hard it to catch your freckled ass? Or did Jeany-boy rescue the pretty little prince from his meeting?" Wagner's lip twitched into a smirk that made my blood run cold for a moment. A breif pause on my part seemed to make that ugly half-assed smile grow on his mouth.

       "No, now leave me alone. You know that Petra doesn't like you in here because you only destroy things while your in here." I spoke gently in hopes of not angering him before I tried to make a possible escape. Slowly toeing my way backwards toward Bertholdt while still watching Thomas.

       The next few moments were a shock and blur for me as it seemed the trio realized what I was about to do. Bertholdt's hands grabbed my shoulders as Thomas's bony fist came up to meet my jaw. Pain shot from the point where the blow landed and then around my whole head as he followed that hit with a few more before a squeaky voice caught all of our attentions. 

       "What did I say about fighting in my library?" Petra frowned as the guard, Levi, took a quick step toward Thomas and jerked him away. The two other in tow once he motioned for them to follow. My shaky hands went to rub away the blood that was dripping from my mouth due to biting my cheek.

       "How'd you know?" I whispered once she moved over to rest finger tips on my face to tip my head around to get a better view. A 'tsk' came from her before to pointed over her shoulder toward her office. My eyes followed to rest upon a familiar form.

                                          Jean Kirschtein,

had once again came to save my ass. A tidal wave of confusion and frustration hit me in the chest. Once more he was doing something out of his usual character. I didn't feel like talking to him so I excused myself from Petra and made for the double doors of the cheerfully painted book room.

       Alone in the hall I was walking briskly to get to the med office, to Christa, before something caught my ears. The rhythmic tapping of footsteps echoed from behind me. This caused me do double time toward the only place of complete safety. 

       " 'ey, Mar, wait!"

       "No." I knew the voice well and I wanted the owner to leave me alone.

       "No thanks? Jeez, sorry for keeping your ass alive."

       "Is that all you want before you leave me alone? 'A thanks you didn't let your friends kill me? Well, thanks? Happy? Now go away, Jean."

       "Dude, I'm sorry."

       "No you're not. Now go." I hissed toward him as the door came to view, open and ready to have me for a few hours.

       "Marco.." was all I let myself hear before slamming the door in his face, the slam making the small blonde shriek.

       "Christa," I started as she stared at me with wide blue hues. "I think I have a problem..."