Chapter Six

(Oh, Lord…) This is not the best time to be having visitors…

"Mari-eeeeettaaaaaaa…!"

(Well… She did say she would check in on me…)

Mrs. Elaine Duggan, the Head Librarian of Moongate University…, and the only real friend Marietta ever had in that entire place. It was no secret how much Marietta loved being in the library. By the end of the first semester, students and teachers alike called her "The Next Head Librarian". She didn't mind; she had been called far worse names than that. In fact, she probably would have become a librarian if not for her dreams of being a veterinarian.

If not for Sigma Alpha Pi…

Marietta sighed to regain her composure. The past was past. Nothing can change what happened. It's the now that counts. And right now, she had to make sure Mrs. Duggan did not find out about who – or what – Nero was guarding in the stable. There was no way she could explain this to her. She didn't even know how she was going to explain this to Uncle Quincy. (The boys will have to wait a while for breakfast…)

"Oh, Mari-eeeeettaaaaaaa…!"

(…and so will I!). She foil-wrapped the breakfast plates and hid them in the fridge. Then, after placing Nero's food dish in a corner by the kitchen sink, she hurried out of the house and up the hill to the gate, right where her friend was waiting for her.

Mrs. Duggan had the typical librarian look about her. Her light brown hair was tied up in the standard bun, her eyes had glasses with the classic, thin chain necklace, and even on a Saturday, she loved wearing her classic A-line skirts. Marietta wore jeans on the farm (for obvious reasons!), but she also had a taste for skirts, too. Nice, long skirts that actually reached down to her ankles. That was one of the things that made her different from the other college girls. She saw no need to show off her legs…or midriff…or backside…or anything else.

And Mrs. Duggan was an intelligent woman. Waiting outside the fence was proof of that. She knew about Sigma Alpha Pi. She knew about Quincy's bear-traps. But most of all, she knew about the dog that was as big as a bear… "Marietta! There you are… My Goodness! Isn't that the henhouse? What on earth happened? Wait…! It was them again, wasn't it?"

Marietta looked behind her. Sure enough, they had a good view of the henhouse… or what was left of it. And the worst part is that Sigma Alpha Pi may actually be innocent… this time. "To tell you the truth…, I didn't see what happened this time. It had been thundering earlier, so I stayed in bed until the storm passed. When it was safe to come out, I found the henhouse destroyed and the chickens running loose. Nero helped me round up the chickens. They're in the barn, now. He's guarding them as we speak."

Mrs. Duggan couldn't help but chuckle. Nero never attacked Mrs. Duggan, but she could not help but be fearful of the giant dog. "Yes. Such a sweet, little doggie, isn't he?"

"He hasn't eaten one yet. So…, how was your trip?"

"Well, Bermuda was lovely, but…," Mrs. Duggan took a deep breath and said, "Is your uncle home?"

"No, but come on in. We can talk in the house."

Once inside, Marietta poured some orange juice for herself and her visitor. "Uncle Quincy won't be back for a few more days. He thought it would finally be okay to do some business in the next town. He's hoping to bring in some sheep and horses…, and perhaps some hired help, as well. So, how are things with you?"

Mrs. Duggan wasn't entirely sure how to bring this matter up, but Marietta needed to know. It was best she heard it from her. "Well… It's like this… When I came back to work, I… Well, I…"

Marietta took a small sip of her juice, waiting patiently for Mrs. Duggan to spit it out. Chances are it wasn't going to be good, but it was better to just let her say it. Let me guess… My suffering is only just beginning…

After a deep breath, Mrs. Duggan continued. "I'm sorry, Marietta. For the past few days now, I've been overhearing the students… I can't believe the nasty rumors they've been spreading about you…"

To say that Kurt was scared out of his mind was clearly an understatement.

He had no idea where he was. He was in pain, and he was hungry. He thought he had heard some kind of commotion, but he made no effort to look through the bars. The voices in his head made him afraid of what he might see.

I told you, Nightcrawler… Your suffering has only just begun… Your suffering has only just begun… Your suffering has only just begun…

Covering his ears did nothing to quiet Stryker. He was becoming unbearable. Kurt just wanted him gone…

Well, now… Heh, heh, heh… Ain't this a pretty sight?

No… Not him… Anyone but him! Kurt was shivering heavily, but not from the cold, morning air. The blanket was keeping him warm, but it could not protect him from that voice. That horrifying voice… (Amos Jardine? What was he doing here?)

You see, boy? This is what I'm talking about. It really doesn't get any better than this, you know. It was only a matter of time before everyone else figured out the same thing I was thinking. A costume… Yeah, right!

Suddenly, the stall shrank into a circus cage. The atmosphere became darker and gloomier. And there was Jardine, looking right at him through the bars with that smug smile… Kurt closed his eyes as tight as he could and struggled to hold back his tears, as he clung onto the green blanket for dear life… (Not this! Mein Gott… Bitte… I can't go through this again…!)

Now, don't be like that, boy… You should have seen this coming…

Marietta sighed after hearing what Mrs. Duggan had said. "No point in being surprised, is there? I mean, in all honesty, I really should have seen this coming…"

Mrs. Duggan was no fool. She could see Marietta wanted to cry. She couldn't blame the poor girl. All the hard work she put into her studies… It was heartbreaking to see her like this. And what's worse, with Quincy MacCullough away from the farm, Marietta has to deal with this on her own. "I am so sorry, dear. They shouldn't be treating you like this."

"They shouldn't, but they are. And no matter how many times you tell them to stop, they'll keep doing it. They'll just make sure you don't catch them when they do." Marietta's hands were shaking a bit, but she barely managed to keep her composure. "After all, what was I thinking? Did I really expect the Headmaster to believe me over a bunch of muscle-bound athletes? Since when does anyone go to school for an education? Sports trophies and sororities. That's what college life is all about!"

Making money and even more money. That's what circus life is all about… Jardine's voice continued to haunt Kurt as the bars slowly closed in on him. Yes, siree. And I'll be making plenty of both. People will come from all corners of the world just to see a real live demon on display…

"Nein!"* Kurt was speaking in German now. You can't help but speak in your native tongue when you're scared out of your mind. "Ich bin kein Dämon. Ich bin kein Dämon… Ich bin kein Dämon!"**

Jardine couldn't help but laugh. Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh… I tell ya, these foreign countries with their fancy languages. At least England still remembers to speak some English. Now, I'm taking a wild guess here that you're trying to convince yourself that you're not what you are. Well, you know what? It don't matter none to me. Nope. Because no matter what you say, no matter what foreign words you wanna use, you are always gonna be what you are. And what you are… what you're always gonna be… is a monster! A filthy, stinkin' monster that's going to make me filthy, stinkin' rich! Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh…

I know you're a monster… I know you're a monster… And there was Rogue, standing right next to Jardine, taunting him from outside the bars.

It was more than enough to make poor Kurt cry. And whether he wanted to or not, he did.

"Monsters… All of them…"

Now Mrs. Duggan was on the verge of tears. "I'm so, so sorry, dear… I shouldn't have told you this; not while Quincy is away…"

"No… No, it doesn't matter…" Marietta replied. "People… People are going to talk. There's no stopping them. It doesn't even matter if it's the truth or not, as long as it's not about them. You can tell them a million times to stop, but it won't mean anything. Once your back is turned, they're at it again. I wasn't trying to be popular, but you'd think they'd show a little respect after everything I tried to do for them. It was bad enough that the Headmaster wouldn't listen to me, but… to think… my own family…" It was too much. There was no reason to hold back. She had every right to cry…, and she did.

Mrs. Duggan felt like such a heel. She should have called to make sure Quincy was home. It's better for the two of them to hear this together. "Marietta…," she said as she gently rubbed the poor girl's back, "I hate that all this is happening, but there is another reason for my visit. My brother just became a partner in a law firm. I strongly recommend you call him. Tell him I sent you. If anyone is going to help you through this, it's my brother, Malcolm." She hands Marietta one of his business cards... and a roll of paper towels from the counter.

It took a moment for Marietta to finish wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. Once she was finished, she said, "Th-… Thank you. I… I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I've been doing a lot of thinking here on the farm. Uncle Quincy… This farm means a lot to him. And, truth be told… My favorite childhood memories are here on this farm. I remember the horses, the sheep-herding lessons… I was six years old when I first learned how to shear a sheep. On my first day of high school, I wore a sweater I knitted myself. This farm… This farm was what motivated me to become a veterinarian. I thought I'd be able to help the farm by keeping the animals healthy…" Suddenly she remembered the 'animal' stashed in the barn.

"Marietta…? Are you all right, dear?"

(Think fast…!) "I… I need some fresh air. How about I walk you to your car? A nice, slow walk."

As they make their way to the front gate, Mrs. Duggan asked, "Are you sure? I could stay a little longer…"

"Thanks, but I still have some chores to do. They'll keep me busy for a while, and give me a chance to think. When Uncle Quincy gets home, chances are he'll want to call your brother about suing the school. Thing is… what then? It's not like I'll want to go back there. Sure I'll miss the library, but if I want to become a veterinarian, I'll have to study elsewhere."

Mrs. Duggan sighed. "Well, the library just isn't the same without you. I'm starting to realize that maybe the library is just for show. No one really uses it anymore, except to play computer games and read comic books. How do they expect to pass if they don't study?"

"By contributing to the trophy case, that's how. Football trophies, basketball trophies, baseball trophies, even a tennis trophy or two; and what better way to reward such a contribution than a free pass in regular class?"

"I know, dear. I know… Well, at least that sweet little doggie will keep you safe until Quincy returns."

"Yes… It's best we let him guard the chickens for now. I'll be feeding him in a bit. See you later, then?"

"Of course."

After a hug and good-bye, Marietta stood and watched as Mrs. Duggan drove away in her car. Once the car was gone, she made her way back to the house. She felt a little guilty about not telling Mrs. Duggan about what else was in the barn, but she had to figure it out for herself first.

Once inside the house, she re-heated one of the breakfast plates in the microwave, and carried it and Nero's dog dish to the barn. She walked slowly, resisting the urge to cry again. (Damn Moongate! Damn Sigma Alpha Pi! First they want to frame me for cheating. Now they have everyone calling me a… a… mutant!?)

*Nein - No
**Ich bin kein Dämon - I am not a demon

German. Love it...

Oh, and to all my Readers out there...

I want to take this moment to formally apologize for taking way, way, WAY too long to continue this story.

Please understand that I am going through a very difficult time in my life. Ever since I had been made redundant after twenty years of dedicated service, I have been going through Hell trying to look for another long-term job. So far, temporary jobs have been few and far between. This has been going on for nearly three years. Three years without steady employment.

Needless to say, it is rather... depressing. It is indeed taking its toll on me.

However, it is good to know that you enjoy my writing. And in spite of this depressing time, I can at least put some energy towards my creativity again. This, along with my other fanfics, shall no longer be neglected. I shall bring more chapters for your reading pleasure, as sure as my pen-name is Dragoncat.

OH! And please pardon the constant updating! It has been a while since I last posted.

With that, I humbly ask... Stay tuned. Please...