Animals

Chapter 16

"We need to talk." I state sternly. He gulps. "What do we need to talk about?" He asks nervously. "What happened during our 'date'?" I ask. Elija avoids my gaze. He usually never does that. "We laid down in the forest, then had dinner." He tells me the events of our 'date'. But I can't help but have the feeling that something else happen.

"Why are you asking?" He asks, but this time he makes eye contact. "There's a scratch on my neck and stomach, and claw marks on my back." I hiss. "I thought I scratched myself in my sleep, but on my back?" By worried look on his face, he knows something.

"You had an itch, and I scratched it for you a little too hard." I know it's a lie, but Ms. Eagle will be waking up soon. I need to head back. "Bye," is all I say before going home. Lucky for me, Ms. Eagle hasn't woken up yet, so I have spare time.

As I'm heading back to my room someone wraps their arms around my waist. "My Sina." A all to familiar voice sings. "Let go Jake." I hear a noise. It holds a strong a beat, but a soft melody swims around it. Could this be... Jake's music!

"But one day you'll leave me!" Jake cries. I sniff the air. He's drunk. "You're drunk." I state blankly. "No I'm not!" He tries to defend. "You reek of alcohol." I state. I try to remove his arms from my waist, but he doesn't let me. As I struggle I start to waddle a bit, then I tumble and fall.

"Jake!" I hiss. When I look at him he's fast asleep on my waist. "Ugh!" It's unlike him to drink. Jake is always a joker but he's not one to drink. Something must have been on his mind. "This isn't something I'd like to see in the mornings." Ms. Eagle says out of the blue. A subtle and classical sound appears as Ms. Eagle does. It must be her music.

She stares down at me, then I realize why. "He's drunk." I state. Ms. Eagle acts like a mother to me, and she thinks of me as a daughter. So seeing this is quite unsettling for her eyes. I move his body off of mine. Once I'm up I bend down, and pick him up bridle style. "Mind opening his door for me?" She nods.

When we make it to Jake's room Ms. Eagle opens the door so I can get in. I throw him onto the bed, not in the slightest of ways gentle. "Was that too rough?" I ask her. "No." She replies. Groans erupt from Jake's throat as he begins to wake. "Mmm what happened?" He asks still in a haze.

"You're drunk, that's what happened." I growl. "Jake, take some time to rest." Ms. Eagle suggests as she tucks Jake tightly into bed. "Let's go Sinagona, you still have much to learn." Ms. Eagle says. The two of us leave Jake to rest.

"What do you have in for me today?" I ask as I stretch my arms. "You are going to listen to their problems, and help solve them." She says. "I'll be watching from afar just in case you make a mistake." She explains. At least I know if I make a mistake, she'll help me fix it. "I want you to start with tigers." She orders.

Some time later Ms. Eagle comes up to me. "You've done good today." She compliments. "I want you to go talk to Jake." Even she knows he's not one to drink. "Yes ma'am." I reply before heading back inside to Jake's room. When I get make it there I make myself known. "Jake." I say his name.

When I step into the room a depressing atmosphere makes itself known. I take a seat on his bed. His faces the wall opposite of me. "What's wrong?" I ask full of sincere worry. "Sometimes I let my thoughts get the better of me..." He says. What does he mean. "What do you mean?" I ask unsure of the meaning behind his words.

"What does he mean to you?" He asks. By he I think he's talking about Elija. "He's just a friend." I assure him. He grips his blanket at my answer. He turns to me, his joyful eyes shadowed in sadness. "You went on a date with him, then slept at his place." Okay, that does sound like we're a bit more. "The thought of you with someone else, just hurts." He states out his feelings.

Jake did say he liked me for years, so I would understand that it would hurt seeing me with someone. But what do I know? I've never had those feelings before. "Remember, you're my best friend." I state proudly. A smile appears on his downed lips. "Better." He says. Now that the depressing atmosphere is gone I head back to my room.

I change into comfortable clothes for sleeping. When comfortable under the covers I think about this morning.

Why isn't Elija telling me about what happened that night? I won't be able to question him about that due to my training. Whatever it is that happened, Elija really tried to keep it a secret. A soft knock at my door cuts my thoughts. Recognizing their music there's no need to ask who it is. "Come in." I invite.

Ms. Eagle comes in. "Did you talk to Jake?" She asks. Crap! She might ask what was the reason. "Yes ma'am." I answer. "What was troubling him?" She asks. Called it. "He was upset that we won't be able to spend as much time with each other as we usually do." I lie. By the smile on her lips she fell for it. It's very nerve wrecking to lie to her of all people.

"You two are close, so it's understandable." We bid each other goodnight. Once she leaves my troubling thoughts return. I know that I may be worrying about something small, but I want to know. But if it's so small then why lie? Then why try so hard to hide it? Thinking about this any longer I might not get enough sleep. Then suddenly a memory of that night pops up.

"I don't know why, but I..."

What the hell!? What is the rest!? This memory causes more worry of that night.

What happened...?