Chapter 4 - The Crisis
"How did you get here?" I said, my face still buried in his shoulder.
"It's a long story. I sent ya that letter after we escaped from the prison, forgettin' what I wrote on it. All I knew was it said what I been meanin' to say to ya for a long time now. I guess it just got you. Sorry.".
"Don't be sorry." I lifted my head and looked up at his face. I pulled the letter away from myself and held it to his face. "But, what have you been meaning to tell me, Zell? It wasn't quite sure. Your writing was a bit messy." I knew what he wanted to tell me but, I just wanted to hear it from his lips, just once. I looked at him, my eyes large and hopeful.
"I don't know how to say this really but…" He paused and looked for the words. "I…l--"
A tall, feminine man dressed in a Cowboy suit then burst into the library, screaming "Zell! Get your ass up! We gotta meet Xu on the second floor! Some weird shit's happenin' here".
"Sorry, Bette" Zell said, "This may get dangerous. I need you to stay in the library".
I nodded.
"Don't leave. I'll be back." He then got up and ran out of the library with the "cowboy".
I then felt so alone. No one was in library. I needed Zell…or Julie. I needed someone there for me! I sat down on the carpet, thoughtless. That is, until "Conceited SeeD" ran in with about 4 other students behind him, one of them being Julie.
"Something's happening!" She called, "There's a big fight or something between Headmaster Cid and the…Garden Master!"
I picked myself up off the carpet, "What?"
"And there are missiles heading this way!"
"Wait…What?" All of this information came rushing into my mind. I felt like my head was going to explode. With everything going on, I felt like I was going to faint.
Over a course of ten minutes, Julie explained the crisis between the Garden Master and Head Master Cid and told me about the missiles heading toward Balamb Garden. I sat down at a small desk and rested. I let all the information sink in and then I walked back to the rest of the students, conversing and distressing about the Garden's current situation. As I listened to the Garden students talk about what they wanted for their last meals, what their dying wishes were and what they'd do if they found out if the only had 1 hour to live, I let silent tears fall down my face. I heard them answer but I didn't listen. I didn't answer. I just waited anxiously for Zell to come back to the library to hold me and tell me that it was all over, but that didn't happen.
Zell came back but, only looking for Headmaster Cid. He only stayed briefly. All I could do was give him some supplies. With everyone around, I could barely talk. I became so shy. "Conceited SeeD" looked Zell up and down and, I think, made some smart remark. I was too upset to hear anything that anyone had to say. I just wanted Zell with me.
After Zell left, I decided I was too tired to listen to the student's mindless chit-chat anymore so, I sat in a chair and pulled another one for my feet to rest on. I fell asleep and dreamt of…nothing. Now that I think about it, I didn't dream. I just slept. As a matter of fact, I even had a nice rest!
That is, until the Garden began to shake. It was like an earthquake! I woke up and everything was blurry. I saw Julie running back into library. I heard her scream, "The Garden's flying!!"
"Conceited SeeD" ran towards me saying, "Did you hear! It's flying".
"Yeah…I heard" I said, still dazed.
"C'mon! Let's go take a look!"
"You go on ahead. I'll be there soon"
Julie came running towards me, "Are you okay?".
"Yes. Julie, I have to tell you something that happened with…" And, then I coughed while saying "Zell".
"What?" She leaned her head closer to mine as if that would help.
Again, I coughed, saying "Zell", only quieter this time.
"…huh?" She let a sly smile curl along the corner of her lips as she looked as "Conceited SeeD".
Furiously, I shook my head as if to say, "No". I didn't want him to find out anything. If he did, he would become curious and would stop at nothing to know what's going on.
Julie nodded, "Yes".
I sighed.
"ZELL?" She said, almost yelling, "Zell, you say?" She loved making "Conceited SeeD" jealous.
His eyes bulged out of his sockets in shock. "Wh-wha?"
Julie laughed and said, "Just go on! We'll meet you on the deck, okay?"
He sighed, "Okay", and walked off.
Julie and I waited for a couple of minutes as I explained to her about the letter I received and then, started walking to the Deck on the Second Floor.
"So, wait. Let me get this straight" He voice grew excited, "Was Zell going to tell what I think he was going to tell you?"
"I think so!" I said, nodding.
"I hope so!" Julie said as we got into the elevator.
As the elevator rose to the second floor, I looked out of it at the fountain and sighed. There was still no word on how he was doing. Zell may have been very badly hurt. I just needed reassurance.
We walked from the elevator to the deck and saw Squall and the "cowboy" running towards it. We didn't see Zell with the two so, I had no idea what to think.
We got the deck and saw the students oo-ing and aw-ing while looking down at the scenery. The Garden was flying slowly over Balamb and heading towards the ocean. The clouds flew over our heads and the sun shone light upon us. Although we were still inside, we felt free, like birds. I ran to the edge and looked over, full of excitement. But, as soon as I did, my excitement was over come by fear. Our Garden was flying into the ocean, not above! Before, I could react, the "Magnificent Flying Machine" had fallen into it! Water splashed everyone as it washed aboard. Screams were heard but nothing was seen, only water.
After all of the water fell to the ground and we could see again, I was relieved to see that no one had fallen into the ocean. Everyone on the deck was soaked. Girls wiped water off of their blue and silver uniforms in disgust while the males were engaging in "water battles". I smiled at the sight. It was as if they had all become children in a playground. As I continued to look around, my eyes focused in on a most unusual sight. Julie and "Conceited SeeD" were laughing and throwing water at each other. Who'd have thought *water * would affect some people this greatly? I wasn't even sure if Julie knew what she was doing. The water may have blinded her. Now that I think about it, she may have had a crush on him the entire time.
I then walked back to my dorm. I skipped my library duty, doubting that anyone would be going to there after all of the commotion. As I reached my room, Raijin came running towards me from across the hall. With his bow in hand, and sweat pouring down his forehead, he didn't stop for breath. He spoke right away, "I saw Zell". He said as he nudged me, "He wants you to meet him in the Cafeteria tomorrow, y'know".
I smiled, "What time?"
He shrugged, "Don't know. Sorry, y'know."
"That's alright" I looked at his tired and wet face, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just tired from all that runnin' around, y'know. Fujin and me ran around the Garden warning everyone about the missiles. Then, the Garden crashed. We almost fell in the fountain, y'know!".
"Heh." I chuckled, "You look tired. Would you like to come in to rest for a while?"
"Sure!" His eyes grew wide and I could tell he was grateful. "Maybe I could hide from Fujin in here. You're a real pal, y'know!"
I opened the door and led him inside. He looked around in amazement, "This room is neat! You got a l'il fridge in here. It's nice, y'know!"
I laughed, "Thanks"
"All my room has is a bed, closet and…uh…that's about it, y'know."
"Would you like some soda?" I asked.
"Sure. It'll be nice since I been runnin' around, y'know" He sat on my bed.
"Here!" I called as I tossed one in his direction.
I didn't realize Raijin had such slow reflexes. The can hit him right in the gut.
"I'm so sorry!!!" I cried "I didn't mean to!!"
"I know. Ouch, y'know". He put his legs on my bed and rested his head on my pillow, "So, you gonna meet Zell tomorrow?" He opened the can of soda.
"Of course!" I sat down on the counter.
"I guess you guys can't go an' sit at the café in Balamb now, y'know" He took a sip.
"Oh well" I sighed, "I just want to talk to him"
"I think he likes ya, y'know!" He said, "You should 'ave heard him" He began to mock Zell, "Yo! Where's Bette? I need ta talk to her real bad. I got somethin' I wanna tell her".
"That's what he said?"
"Yep. Exactly, y'know".
Outside, in the hallway, we heard Fujin yelling, "RAGE!". I always thought it was cute how she called Raijin that. It seemed like a pet name. But, then again, it may not have even been one. That may have just been her yelling about made she always was. I'll never know.
"Aw, crap!", Raijin shot up off the bed and headed for the door, "I gotta go!", He clutched the soda in his right hand and his bow was held underneath his armpit, "Thanks for the drink, y'know!". He opened the door and headed out.
I listened closely as Fujin saw him come out of my room, "RAGE!", her voice seemed angry, "BETTE?", She said in the form of a question, "WHY?", Her voice became angry once more.
"We were jus' drinkin' some…"
"DRINKING?" And with that, I heard a bone crack and Raijin yell,
"OOOOOOOUUUUUUCCCCCCHHHHH!!!!"
I closed and locked my door. I took a soda out of the mini-fridge and sat down on my bed. After all of the excitement, all I wanted to do was get a good night's sleep. I consumed the entire can in one gulp and stretched out on my bed. I pulled my hair out of the braid then closed my eyes. I fell asleep, only to be awakened from my slumber at 7:30am by my alarm clock.
"Dammit.", I sighed. I after I woke up, there was no way I'd be going back to sleep so, I got up. "Library duty starts a 12:30 so, I'll take a walk until 9:00 and then, I'll sit in the cafeteria and wait", I said to myself as I picked my clothes out of my closet. I pulled down a sleeveless, baby blue shirt and a sparkling pair of black pants. I put them on and pulled my hair into the usual pig tails. I smiled at my reflection and then left my room.
I travelled towards the Parking Lot and saw three girls in Garden uniforms there. Those three were always together, talking about the future, their boyfriends and how they'll remain the best of friends forever. I walked past them and headed for the Training Center. I was always too afraid to venture in there and, that was no exception. Zell loved it the training center. He loved adventure. He had this need for excitement that could only be filled by battling beasts and doing martial arts.
I then passed the library. It was closed and looked so…lonely. I loved working there though. I loved reading and writing. It sent me into that world of adventure and excitement that Zell was always in. It's funny how opposites attract. Me and Zell: Me, the quiet geek and Zell, the loud, hyper active…geek…I guess we weren't so different…
I walked into the half-lit lobby. It was so quiet, I could hear my own footsteps. It was almost creepy. I remembered how here was where Zell and I first spoke. Right after he enrolled, I walked up to him and asked him what his name was and started a conversation. We talked for only a little while though. He had to check out his dorm. I sighed and smiled.
I walked past the Infirmary where Zell was constantly, not because he wanted to but, because he had no choice. Even though he never liked to admit it, he was very, very clumsy; with his words and with his actions. One time, he crashed into the Women's washroom on his hover-board, almost breaking his arm.
Seifer always punched him in the face after Zell made a smart remark, giving him a bloody nose. After classes, Zell would say, "Seifer! Ya sure any of that info got in your head? I mean, all that bleach you use in your hair has gotta affect your learning…as if you ain't dumb enough already". And Seifer would come along, as calm as he could be and "POW!" punched Zell in the face, knocking him to the ground. We all laughed. We couldn't help it. When I was there, I would help him off of the ground and to Dr. Kadowaki's.
After Zell stopped being bothered by the rules, he started to fight back and Seifer didn't punch him anymore.
I strolled past the Quad. My first year there, I volunteered for the Garden Festival Committee one year but the leader of it was way too bossy so, I quit. That was where I met Julie. We were sick of the leader's control-freak ways so, we stood up to her and quit together. We then joined the Library Committee and never quit.
After all of my reminiscing, as I walked in the library, the clock had just struck 9:59am. I stopped and looked around. No one was in line so I bought two hot dogs and carried them to a table in the back. The Cafeteria was so quiet. The only people there were the helpers and I. I waited until 9:30, not once touching my hot dog. At 10:00, I went to the front counter and asked if I could have new hot dogs since mine were getting cold. She smiled and gave me two fresh ones. Just then, Zell strutted in, with his back arched and his tilted towards the ceiling.
"Hey, Bette!" He waved and ran towards me, "I'm glad you came" He walked with me to a table and sat down.
"I got one for you", I said, putting both hot dogs on the table. I pushed one in his direction.
"Oh yeah, BABY!!!" His eyes lit up as he stared at the hot dog, "Thanks a bunch!"
"No problem", I smiled.
We sat down beside each other and ate silently. We finished eating at 10:35.
"So…", He said, trying to figure out where to start, "I have something to tell you…"
I smiled as he placed his hands on mine.
He took a deep breath and started, "I l--"
"ZELL", Fujin yelled from behind him, making him jump. "BASEMENT. NOW."
"Yo!" He looked back, "Can't ya respect my space? I got somethin' to do. Gimme 5 minutes."
"NO. NOW!" She narrowed her eyes.
Zell stood up and looked her in the eye, "Please", he whispered.
Fujin never took "No" for and answer so, she kicked him in the shins like she always did to Raijin
"Argh!", Zell yelled as he grabbed his leg, "You little--"
She pulled him by the ear and dragged him out of the library…
I watched as everything went in slow motion…
"Zell…"
"How did you get here?" I said, my face still buried in his shoulder.
"It's a long story. I sent ya that letter after we escaped from the prison, forgettin' what I wrote on it. All I knew was it said what I been meanin' to say to ya for a long time now. I guess it just got you. Sorry.".
"Don't be sorry." I lifted my head and looked up at his face. I pulled the letter away from myself and held it to his face. "But, what have you been meaning to tell me, Zell? It wasn't quite sure. Your writing was a bit messy." I knew what he wanted to tell me but, I just wanted to hear it from his lips, just once. I looked at him, my eyes large and hopeful.
"I don't know how to say this really but…" He paused and looked for the words. "I…l--"
A tall, feminine man dressed in a Cowboy suit then burst into the library, screaming "Zell! Get your ass up! We gotta meet Xu on the second floor! Some weird shit's happenin' here".
"Sorry, Bette" Zell said, "This may get dangerous. I need you to stay in the library".
I nodded.
"Don't leave. I'll be back." He then got up and ran out of the library with the "cowboy".
I then felt so alone. No one was in library. I needed Zell…or Julie. I needed someone there for me! I sat down on the carpet, thoughtless. That is, until "Conceited SeeD" ran in with about 4 other students behind him, one of them being Julie.
"Something's happening!" She called, "There's a big fight or something between Headmaster Cid and the…Garden Master!"
I picked myself up off the carpet, "What?"
"And there are missiles heading this way!"
"Wait…What?" All of this information came rushing into my mind. I felt like my head was going to explode. With everything going on, I felt like I was going to faint.
Over a course of ten minutes, Julie explained the crisis between the Garden Master and Head Master Cid and told me about the missiles heading toward Balamb Garden. I sat down at a small desk and rested. I let all the information sink in and then I walked back to the rest of the students, conversing and distressing about the Garden's current situation. As I listened to the Garden students talk about what they wanted for their last meals, what their dying wishes were and what they'd do if they found out if the only had 1 hour to live, I let silent tears fall down my face. I heard them answer but I didn't listen. I didn't answer. I just waited anxiously for Zell to come back to the library to hold me and tell me that it was all over, but that didn't happen.
Zell came back but, only looking for Headmaster Cid. He only stayed briefly. All I could do was give him some supplies. With everyone around, I could barely talk. I became so shy. "Conceited SeeD" looked Zell up and down and, I think, made some smart remark. I was too upset to hear anything that anyone had to say. I just wanted Zell with me.
After Zell left, I decided I was too tired to listen to the student's mindless chit-chat anymore so, I sat in a chair and pulled another one for my feet to rest on. I fell asleep and dreamt of…nothing. Now that I think about it, I didn't dream. I just slept. As a matter of fact, I even had a nice rest!
That is, until the Garden began to shake. It was like an earthquake! I woke up and everything was blurry. I saw Julie running back into library. I heard her scream, "The Garden's flying!!"
"Conceited SeeD" ran towards me saying, "Did you hear! It's flying".
"Yeah…I heard" I said, still dazed.
"C'mon! Let's go take a look!"
"You go on ahead. I'll be there soon"
Julie came running towards me, "Are you okay?".
"Yes. Julie, I have to tell you something that happened with…" And, then I coughed while saying "Zell".
"What?" She leaned her head closer to mine as if that would help.
Again, I coughed, saying "Zell", only quieter this time.
"…huh?" She let a sly smile curl along the corner of her lips as she looked as "Conceited SeeD".
Furiously, I shook my head as if to say, "No". I didn't want him to find out anything. If he did, he would become curious and would stop at nothing to know what's going on.
Julie nodded, "Yes".
I sighed.
"ZELL?" She said, almost yelling, "Zell, you say?" She loved making "Conceited SeeD" jealous.
His eyes bulged out of his sockets in shock. "Wh-wha?"
Julie laughed and said, "Just go on! We'll meet you on the deck, okay?"
He sighed, "Okay", and walked off.
Julie and I waited for a couple of minutes as I explained to her about the letter I received and then, started walking to the Deck on the Second Floor.
"So, wait. Let me get this straight" He voice grew excited, "Was Zell going to tell what I think he was going to tell you?"
"I think so!" I said, nodding.
"I hope so!" Julie said as we got into the elevator.
As the elevator rose to the second floor, I looked out of it at the fountain and sighed. There was still no word on how he was doing. Zell may have been very badly hurt. I just needed reassurance.
We walked from the elevator to the deck and saw Squall and the "cowboy" running towards it. We didn't see Zell with the two so, I had no idea what to think.
We got the deck and saw the students oo-ing and aw-ing while looking down at the scenery. The Garden was flying slowly over Balamb and heading towards the ocean. The clouds flew over our heads and the sun shone light upon us. Although we were still inside, we felt free, like birds. I ran to the edge and looked over, full of excitement. But, as soon as I did, my excitement was over come by fear. Our Garden was flying into the ocean, not above! Before, I could react, the "Magnificent Flying Machine" had fallen into it! Water splashed everyone as it washed aboard. Screams were heard but nothing was seen, only water.
After all of the water fell to the ground and we could see again, I was relieved to see that no one had fallen into the ocean. Everyone on the deck was soaked. Girls wiped water off of their blue and silver uniforms in disgust while the males were engaging in "water battles". I smiled at the sight. It was as if they had all become children in a playground. As I continued to look around, my eyes focused in on a most unusual sight. Julie and "Conceited SeeD" were laughing and throwing water at each other. Who'd have thought *water * would affect some people this greatly? I wasn't even sure if Julie knew what she was doing. The water may have blinded her. Now that I think about it, she may have had a crush on him the entire time.
I then walked back to my dorm. I skipped my library duty, doubting that anyone would be going to there after all of the commotion. As I reached my room, Raijin came running towards me from across the hall. With his bow in hand, and sweat pouring down his forehead, he didn't stop for breath. He spoke right away, "I saw Zell". He said as he nudged me, "He wants you to meet him in the Cafeteria tomorrow, y'know".
I smiled, "What time?"
He shrugged, "Don't know. Sorry, y'know."
"That's alright" I looked at his tired and wet face, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just tired from all that runnin' around, y'know. Fujin and me ran around the Garden warning everyone about the missiles. Then, the Garden crashed. We almost fell in the fountain, y'know!".
"Heh." I chuckled, "You look tired. Would you like to come in to rest for a while?"
"Sure!" His eyes grew wide and I could tell he was grateful. "Maybe I could hide from Fujin in here. You're a real pal, y'know!"
I opened the door and led him inside. He looked around in amazement, "This room is neat! You got a l'il fridge in here. It's nice, y'know!"
I laughed, "Thanks"
"All my room has is a bed, closet and…uh…that's about it, y'know."
"Would you like some soda?" I asked.
"Sure. It'll be nice since I been runnin' around, y'know" He sat on my bed.
"Here!" I called as I tossed one in his direction.
I didn't realize Raijin had such slow reflexes. The can hit him right in the gut.
"I'm so sorry!!!" I cried "I didn't mean to!!"
"I know. Ouch, y'know". He put his legs on my bed and rested his head on my pillow, "So, you gonna meet Zell tomorrow?" He opened the can of soda.
"Of course!" I sat down on the counter.
"I guess you guys can't go an' sit at the café in Balamb now, y'know" He took a sip.
"Oh well" I sighed, "I just want to talk to him"
"I think he likes ya, y'know!" He said, "You should 'ave heard him" He began to mock Zell, "Yo! Where's Bette? I need ta talk to her real bad. I got somethin' I wanna tell her".
"That's what he said?"
"Yep. Exactly, y'know".
Outside, in the hallway, we heard Fujin yelling, "RAGE!". I always thought it was cute how she called Raijin that. It seemed like a pet name. But, then again, it may not have even been one. That may have just been her yelling about made she always was. I'll never know.
"Aw, crap!", Raijin shot up off the bed and headed for the door, "I gotta go!", He clutched the soda in his right hand and his bow was held underneath his armpit, "Thanks for the drink, y'know!". He opened the door and headed out.
I listened closely as Fujin saw him come out of my room, "RAGE!", her voice seemed angry, "BETTE?", She said in the form of a question, "WHY?", Her voice became angry once more.
"We were jus' drinkin' some…"
"DRINKING?" And with that, I heard a bone crack and Raijin yell,
"OOOOOOOUUUUUUCCCCCCHHHHH!!!!"
I closed and locked my door. I took a soda out of the mini-fridge and sat down on my bed. After all of the excitement, all I wanted to do was get a good night's sleep. I consumed the entire can in one gulp and stretched out on my bed. I pulled my hair out of the braid then closed my eyes. I fell asleep, only to be awakened from my slumber at 7:30am by my alarm clock.
"Dammit.", I sighed. I after I woke up, there was no way I'd be going back to sleep so, I got up. "Library duty starts a 12:30 so, I'll take a walk until 9:00 and then, I'll sit in the cafeteria and wait", I said to myself as I picked my clothes out of my closet. I pulled down a sleeveless, baby blue shirt and a sparkling pair of black pants. I put them on and pulled my hair into the usual pig tails. I smiled at my reflection and then left my room.
I travelled towards the Parking Lot and saw three girls in Garden uniforms there. Those three were always together, talking about the future, their boyfriends and how they'll remain the best of friends forever. I walked past them and headed for the Training Center. I was always too afraid to venture in there and, that was no exception. Zell loved it the training center. He loved adventure. He had this need for excitement that could only be filled by battling beasts and doing martial arts.
I then passed the library. It was closed and looked so…lonely. I loved working there though. I loved reading and writing. It sent me into that world of adventure and excitement that Zell was always in. It's funny how opposites attract. Me and Zell: Me, the quiet geek and Zell, the loud, hyper active…geek…I guess we weren't so different…
I walked into the half-lit lobby. It was so quiet, I could hear my own footsteps. It was almost creepy. I remembered how here was where Zell and I first spoke. Right after he enrolled, I walked up to him and asked him what his name was and started a conversation. We talked for only a little while though. He had to check out his dorm. I sighed and smiled.
I walked past the Infirmary where Zell was constantly, not because he wanted to but, because he had no choice. Even though he never liked to admit it, he was very, very clumsy; with his words and with his actions. One time, he crashed into the Women's washroom on his hover-board, almost breaking his arm.
Seifer always punched him in the face after Zell made a smart remark, giving him a bloody nose. After classes, Zell would say, "Seifer! Ya sure any of that info got in your head? I mean, all that bleach you use in your hair has gotta affect your learning…as if you ain't dumb enough already". And Seifer would come along, as calm as he could be and "POW!" punched Zell in the face, knocking him to the ground. We all laughed. We couldn't help it. When I was there, I would help him off of the ground and to Dr. Kadowaki's.
After Zell stopped being bothered by the rules, he started to fight back and Seifer didn't punch him anymore.
I strolled past the Quad. My first year there, I volunteered for the Garden Festival Committee one year but the leader of it was way too bossy so, I quit. That was where I met Julie. We were sick of the leader's control-freak ways so, we stood up to her and quit together. We then joined the Library Committee and never quit.
After all of my reminiscing, as I walked in the library, the clock had just struck 9:59am. I stopped and looked around. No one was in line so I bought two hot dogs and carried them to a table in the back. The Cafeteria was so quiet. The only people there were the helpers and I. I waited until 9:30, not once touching my hot dog. At 10:00, I went to the front counter and asked if I could have new hot dogs since mine were getting cold. She smiled and gave me two fresh ones. Just then, Zell strutted in, with his back arched and his tilted towards the ceiling.
"Hey, Bette!" He waved and ran towards me, "I'm glad you came" He walked with me to a table and sat down.
"I got one for you", I said, putting both hot dogs on the table. I pushed one in his direction.
"Oh yeah, BABY!!!" His eyes lit up as he stared at the hot dog, "Thanks a bunch!"
"No problem", I smiled.
We sat down beside each other and ate silently. We finished eating at 10:35.
"So…", He said, trying to figure out where to start, "I have something to tell you…"
I smiled as he placed his hands on mine.
He took a deep breath and started, "I l--"
"ZELL", Fujin yelled from behind him, making him jump. "BASEMENT. NOW."
"Yo!" He looked back, "Can't ya respect my space? I got somethin' to do. Gimme 5 minutes."
"NO. NOW!" She narrowed her eyes.
Zell stood up and looked her in the eye, "Please", he whispered.
Fujin never took "No" for and answer so, she kicked him in the shins like she always did to Raijin
"Argh!", Zell yelled as he grabbed his leg, "You little--"
She pulled him by the ear and dragged him out of the library…
I watched as everything went in slow motion…
"Zell…"