Chapter Eleven: Impatience

"You're tourists? Why people insist on wasting my time, I don't know. The second counter to the right, that's the one you really need." He said and we walked over there, though most of us were now frustrated.

"Welcome to the Intergalactic Family Fun Tourist Center. Whaddya want?" He asked and before Hiro said anything he groaned.

"You don't need ID if you're just a tourist. That's what they do, they tour around." He said and he saw that we were confused.

"Either you're all confused or stupid. But go to the counter next to me." He said and we walked over there and he looked at us.

"This is the Information Inquiries. You got pirate probs too? Join the club. The Deep Space Swashbuckling Division. They're the counter to the right on the second floor." He said and we all groaned as we walked up the stairs and went to the far right.

"Deep Space Swashbuckling Division. What can I do for you?" He asked and when Hiro began to open his mouth the trooper shook his head.

"Sorry, we only deal with white-collar pirate crimes. Mostly lootings. Occasionally, we get some eye-patch insurance fraud, peg leg smuggling, and booty laundering. But by the looks on your face, this is serious. Go through the door to see Violent Crimes Division." He said and we walked again.

"I hope this is the last one, Hikari looks like she is going to blow." Lassi said and everyone looked at me before we got to the counter.

"We deal with pirates yes; you need to fill out a one thousand and sixty-seven Victim's Grief and Injury form from the counter to the left." He said and every one of us walked over to the left.

"You want to fill out form one thousand and sixty seven? I'm afraid I can't let you do that. You see, you don't have physical body harm. Try Missing Persons." He said and I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, feeling a bad headache coming.

"Sorry, try next door." He said and we walked over to the Cosmic Patrol area.

"Can I help you? Pirates? Why didn't you say so! Just go to Gren Security on top. The supervisor there can help." He said to us and we walked to the top and went to the only female at the counter. We told her what happened and she looked at us sadly.

"Try Public Relations next door?" She asked and we went over there.

"My hands are tied, kiddos. It's against Space Police policy to release info to civilians that aren't authorized by the chief. Go to the chief's security and see if you can get authorization." The trooper said and we got to the counter for that.

This better be the last one or I'm going to start hurting people. I thought as we got there.

"Sorry, the chief is gone right now. Lt. Mugwort is in the bathroom so when he comes back you can speak to him." The trooper said and I rolled my eyes.

That's it; I've had it up to here. I thought and I grabbed Hiro by the wrist and pulled him to the bathroom, everyone following me to see what I would do.

I got to the bathroom and kicked open the first door hard. It opened to reveal no one there and I walked loudly to the last one.

"W-W-Wait! Don't do that! I need TP from Provisions, stat!" The person said and Lassi took off running.

She came back a second later and let me have it. I then threw the TP into the stall and the person repeatedly said thank you. Soon they walked out and I knew it was Lt. Mugwort.

"Why were you doing that while I was in a stall? Do you need to talk to me? Meet me in my office." Mugwort said and we walked to his office and explained what was going on, though I was still pretty annoyed that we had to walk.

"Astro pirates are kidnapping people? That is awful and all, but it doesn't concern us Space Police. If you bring us the villain, then we can arrest him. Otherwise forget it. Space Police have families you know. We have many fine pastries to snack on. We can't just bravely rush into their hideout! That would just be insane! I'm sure you can understand. For everyone's continued safety, we have instituted an all-paperwork policy. I will file this report for you." He said and, before I jumped at him, Hiro and Pico grabbed me and dragged me with Lassi and Mokka's help.

"The Space Police couldn't police their way out of their chairs! If they won't help Miss Madeleine, we'll do it ourselves!" Lassi said and everyone looked at her as Hiro and Pico still held my arms tight to keep me from jumping back in there to get at Mugwort.

"That was so helpful. It sure is a good thing we navigated that bureaucratic obstacle course." Mokka said to us.

"Let's just go guys. We need to get out of here before Hikari blows this entire building up." Hiro said and they dragged me away, not taking the chance that I would go after Mugwort again.

When we walked out of the building I yanked myself free from Hiro and Pico and crossed my hands over my chest in anger.

I just wanna go home now. I thought as we walked a few feet away from the building.

"Wait a second!" Someone said and the person came up to us to see that it was a small feline.

"You go to Will-o-Wisp Academy right?" He asked us. Hiro and I nodded and he cheered.

"I knew it! I need your help. It's a lot to explain, so I'll just show you. Follow me!" The feline cried and it ran away from us.

We looked at each other confusingly and then we ran after him. We followed him to a building and he was waiting by the door for us.

"This is my house. I'm having trouble finding something. Would you all help me look for it?" He asked us and everyone turned to me.

I looked at them all with a look that said why me and then I sighed. I nodded and the feline saw me nod.

"Really? Thank you, thank you! Oh, and you can call me Parfait. I really appreciate this!" Parfait said and he walked into his house.

We followed him inside and he was already looking around.

"What I'm looking for is the Book of the Darned. If you find it, I'll make it really worth your while!" He said and he went back to looking.

Everyone split up as I sighed and looked around where no one was yet. I found something that was leather bound and it sent shivers up my spine.

This is it; I know this feeling anywhere. I thought as I picked it up and read the front.

The Book of the Darned: Death and Rebirth of a Sun… I… should set it down… but I feel so… tempted… I thought and Hiro noticed me with the book and Parfait did at the same time.

"No! Don't read that!" Parfait said and I looked up at him, my mind coming back to me before I even read a single word. I realized that I had been about to read it and that made me mad.

I can't believe it! I almost got tempted to read this book! I thought and I closed the book and threw it at Parfait, who caught it as everyone walked over to me and him.

"This book is cursed. People die from just skimming a line from that book!" Parfait said, shocking everyone but me.

"What?!" Mokka said and Parfait turned to face us.

"Only three people have read this book and survived to live today. Miss Madeleine… one of her students, and that student's child. A man who calls himself Master Kale and his child's name isn't known or recorded." Parfait said and I mentally flinched.

Miss Madeleine has read this and survived? That's surprising. I thought as Lassi asked if Parfait knew her.

"Let's just say we've met. Oh! I owe you a reward! Go ahead and take anything in this house you want, anything at all! See you later!" Parfait said and we stood there in surprise.