Chapter three
As soon as they got to the main building, Germany and Italy immediately began to spot people they knew.
"Japan!" Germany called to the Asian nation. Turning, he started to walk over to his two friends and was immediately hugged by Italy.
"Japan! We were afraid that something had happened to you," Italy cried, burying his face in Japan's neck. Japan gave a few startled blinks, but he didn't push the Italian away like he normally did. Surprisingly, Japan put his arms around Italy, returning the hug.
"I could say the same about you two. It looks like you're safe though. I see you met Mello and Grell?" Japan stated, looking at the two other characters standing a few feet away.
"Yes," Germany was the one to reply this time. "You met them before we did?"
Finally pulling out of the Italian's death grip, Japan nodded at Germany. "I came here a lot earlier than you did, so I've already met a lot of people."
"You have yet to meet the most important," Grell murmured, finally turning back to the trio. "And that's who we need to take you to. So, follow me." With those words, Grell started walking towards the door of the main building. Japan, Italy, and Germany exchanged trusting glances before they followed after the red head.
After they entered the huge building, Grell led them up two flights of stairs until they reached a long, winding hallway. At the end of it was a single door, labeled "head master." On one side on the wall beside the door, there was a picture of a huge Sumatran tiger, blue-green eyes focused on the camera, long pink tongue swiping over its huge whiskered muzzle. On the other side, there was a red brindle and white pit bull in mid-jump, a Frisbee just out of reach of its muscular, open jaws.
"Who are they?" Italy asked curiously, tilting his head at the photos.
"They are both the mistresses' pets," Grell explained. "The tiger is Oliver and the pit bull is Thomas."
"S-she has a tiger?" Italy squeaked, cowering behind Germany. "Does it eat people?"
"No, he's actually quite sweet," Grell told him, reaching out and gripping the door handle. "Are you three ready?" he asked it like they were going into the room where they'd get their lethal injection.
"We're ready," Germany replied, pulling Italy to his feet. The Italian stifled a whimper, and Japan stepped up beside his friends and allies. Grinning, Grell opened the door.
The three weren't ready for what lied before them. A huge Sumatran tiger, most likely the one that was in the photo, sat in front of a big desk, paws crossed and eyes focused on them. He was wearing a brown leather collar and a black harness. A brown lead was attached to his harness and it led up to the desk. Sitting behind the desk was a girl who looked like she was no more than 13. She had tanned skin and curly brown hair and dark brown eyes that looked over at the others and brightened.
"So you've finally come, have you?" she asked, grinning. "Welcome. My name's Liz, I'm the owner of this place."
[AN: Ah, another short chapter. I was gonna make it longer, but I decided to leave it on this note because I like torturing my readers. And I like torturing my characters, as you'll soon see. Anyway, vocab time (I don't think there was much in this chapter...)
character(s): the creatures that Liz brings to life are often referred to as characters
Oliver: a four year old Sumatran tiger that Liz adopted. He wears a brown leather collar and a black harness, and has unnatural blue-green eyes. Sometimes, but very rarely, he speaks. Often times, when he speaks it is very philosophical.
Thomas: a three year old red brindle and white pit bull. He doesn't speak like Oliver does, and is in the most part a regular dog.]