Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 57: Insanity

Eory rose to a sitting position later that and wondered what time it was; his body told him that it was still hours before the sun would rise, but he couldn't be sure.

He rubbed his cheek. "What happened...?" He wondered.

He couldn't remember why he had gone to bed while fully clothed.

He remembered something important with a gasp. "There was a book! A blank book!"

His muscles were still asleep and his eyelids were heavy as he clambered toward the edge of the bed. He lost his balance and slid off the mattress—thudding onto the floor with a yelp.

Eory groaned and rubbed his temples. To think, while Pollyanna and the others are getting hurt on the battlefield, I'm getting hurt by rolling off the bed...

While he waited for his muscles to wake up before trying to move again, he remembered what had happened earlier.

Maruka was teaching him how to shoot, and afterward, they searched the library together for any clues as to how to get rid of the doppelgangers.

His cheeks were flushed when he realized Maruka must have carried him to bed. They were even redder when he remembered all of the touching Maruka did while teaching him how to shoot and all of the touching the Pollyanna had did earlier that same morning.

He hugged his knees and felt guilty, but also exhilarated, that two different people should want him.

He knew why Pollyanna would want him. She is old and I am so young—it makes sense that she can't help but find me attractive... But it's not just that. She seems to like something... Something else about me. he felt indescribably warm just thinking about that untouchable and unseeable thing within him that she seemed to like.

But he couldn't possibly fathom what someone like Maruka would want from him.

Maruka was a very handsome man of many talents who was incredibly kind and helpful.

Eory gnawed his arm his arm and enjoyed the stimulation from it.

When his body woke up, he unsteadily climbed to his feet. His eyes gradually grew accustomed to the lightless room, and he saw that Maruka had left the books concerning the doppelgangers in the corner of the room.

The fairy's face lit up. Taking care not to trip in the dark, he inched his way over to the small stack of books and picked up Moonpool.

He blushed when he realized Maruka had carried him to his room, tucked him in, and then gone to fetch any of the books that might help Eory unravel the secret of how to rid the world of the doppelgangers.

Staying on task, Eory left his dark quarters—intending to find somewhere well-lit where he could read the books. Because it was so late at night, none of the torchlights were lit out in the hall.

Eory froze in apprehension out in the silent, pitch-black hall.

If I can't face a dark room how will I ever face the doppelgangers on the battlefield? He stood up straight and puffed out his chest—marching down the hall despite his fear.

Tiredness still plagued his eyes; his head still felt weary with sleep.

Thunder rang in the distance.

Eory exhaled a gasp and automatically clapped his hands to his ears.

He saw a horned creature disappear around the corner of the hallway with a chittering giggle.

The fairy was petrified in place.

He fought his desire to run back to his room, slam his door behind him, and hide under his covers.