Chapter Seven: Something is Hidden
That evening found Lina in a much better mood than she'd been in previously. She had intended to go set up camp in the inn to puzzle over getting out of her current predicament, but after spying ice cream and finding it agreed with her, Lina instead spent much of the day eating her fill of delectable frozen treats.
"Oog, maybe I overdid it a bit," Lina moaned, leaning back in her seat.
Gourry nodded. "Your stomach's really bulging out now, Lina."
Lina instantly sat up. "It is?" She looked down at her stomach in horror.
"Yeah," Gourry continued, "because you stuffed it so full. I guess not being able to eat regularly really built up your appetite, huh?" Gourry chuckled.
Lina put a hand to her throat while resting the other over her stomach. "Yeah..that's it." She settled back into her chair, falling to silence.
Gourry twiddled his thumbs. "So, did you want to head back to see what Amelia and Zel are up to now?"
Lina replied with a nod. "That, that might be good..." she didn't rise from her chair, however, keeping a hand on her stomach.
Gourry noticed but didn't say anything, instead rising to his feet then holding out an arm for Lina. Lina looked at him curiously before taking the offered arm, which Gourry then used to pull Lina to her feet. He smiled hearing Lina give a laugh at nearly being lifted off her feet.
Lina leaned into Gourry's side for a moment, enjoying whatever time she had left before he'd learn the truth and everything would be destroyed.
"Lina?" Gourry asked, not used to having Lina express any sort of attachment in such a way.
"Thank you," she mumbled into his shirt, then pushed herself away and started to walk toward the street. "Lets get out of here. I think I need to make an emergency trip to the lady's room soon."
Gourry quirked an eyebrow and was about to exclaim, "But you're not a lady," but thought better of it, instead offering up a shrug. "Whatever you want, Lina." He then hastened his pace to catch up.
The two finally reached the inn, Gourry escorting Lina to her room before heading off to his own. He stretched his arms and yawned as he approached his own room, opening the door to head inside.
Zelgadis looked up from his seat in the corner. He gave Gourry a nod in greeting. "We need to talk."
To be continued...
Next time: "Hey," Lina looked up with surprise, "Where's Zelgadis?"
Author's notes: Once upon a time it was a Thursday, and I had every intention to post up this chapter. A tree, however, decided that windless day was the perfect day to fall, and even better, to take a power pole out with it! Without the power pole, the power lines could not deliver power. Without power, the internet could not get to my laptop. Sitting in darkness for eight hours, I couldn't do much of anything. And then, the remainder of the week was spent scrambling to accomplish things that couldn't be done in a dark house.
So there you have it. I'm very late in posting up a chapter this week, but I wasn't being neglectful on purpose! Also, thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter! I got them, I was glad to read them, but I haven't yet had the time to reply to them. Hopefully soon.
(And yes, I know this chapter is horribly short. I didn't want to break up the next part, so I decided not to post it up at all.)
