Hey everyone, Randall here. I'm not really sure if anyone else, besides VJ and Cool anyways, is reading this anymore. Through I'm still going to be writing, I may be lowering my updating rate due to lack, but for those who are reading I will still be writing. This chapter has a real life issue I deal with on a weekly basis, at the time.
Enjoy. Oh! And to answer VJ's question........you'll see.
Chapter 15 Going Off
As I walked back to the orphanage, I looked back to see if Strife was catching up with me. Luckily, no sight of him. I was a little worried he was gonna catch up and see where I lived, knowing what I was hiding, which I did not want.
I came to a stop on the curve and noticed something different....well....not actually. A few of the early arrivals, living at the orphanage, were hanging out in front. Of course this meant that either they were waiting for their punching back or that......
I went over with an unsteady pace. A few noticed me, but didn't care at the moment. Jet was near the door, his back against the wall with the tip of his, forgot to mention, four clawed hand near his mouth. He seemed to be listening to what was going on inside. I decided to ask the less lethal of the bunch, Otis. Otis seemed almost cat-like. His body was like Riderson's. His different features included dark thin fur and orange colored.
He had his back against one of the trees. He had his right foot on the trunk, his arms crossed, and his face looking around for anything of interest.
"What's going on?" I asked in a low voice. He sighed and looked at me, as if he shouldn't have to tell.... which he really didn't. "They're fighting again...." he said, looking over to the building. I didn't want to ask why.
One of the others came around behind me on my left, placing hands on my shoulders. "Well Scales! Seems like ya got yourself an appointment tomorrow!" he, I know a male voice, said from behind me. I cocked my head to the side to see Ben near me.....
"What?" I asked.
He came around in front of me. Ben was tentacle type, similar to George's assistant, although dark brown.
"Me, you, and Jet's gotta have our check up tomorra....remember?" he said. I clearly had forgotten that. Near the beginning of the school's first week, we all get a check-up before the year starts. That way, anything that we caught over the summer or anything like that will be taken care of.
I was always in the first set to go, seeing as they all think I carry everything. I'll tell you later when I get there.
"Is that what they're talking about?" I asked, pointing a finger at the building. "Na....an inspector's commin on Saturday....." Otis said, overhearing. An inspector? Must be that Monster Care Office inspector....
"(Great.....)" I thought sarcastically. That guy's task was to make sure Bellfree and Dilfert were taken care of us. Or should I say....them. I was always the problem that day, seeing I was the most mis-treated of the bunch. They would usually leave me out for the day. You'll see that later.
"(I hate this.....)" I thought. Every time the two fought, it always meant for us to stay clear of their argument. And believe me, getting between those two when they argued was something none of us wanted to do. Otis once got between them because he was tired of waiting for them to stop, but he was soon denied and got a harsh yelling at like I do. That's why he's a patient monster in this situation.
I sighed deeply when Ben went off to his waiting spot. I knew it wasn't possible to enter the building for now. So, I took a seat in the grass on my left side, taking my pack off before doing so. It was one of those days again. They would probably go on for an hour or two before dinner came. The guys were probably wondering how long the would go on, placing bets for different times.
I placed my left side of my head on my hand, its counterpart flipping a blade of grass in front of me. My bottom hands were crossed, just to show how angry I was with the situation. I hit the side of my right feet on my left as best I could, trying to be patient. That, of course, was hard in this situation. I thought back to the events minutes ago to keep my mind off the current moment.
Strife was a pretty good guy I have to admit. As said....I didn't know him well. Its very hard for me to remember how I met someone actually. Like Sullivan, Wazowski, and Fungus.....can't remember how I met them. Remembering who they ARE is easy.
Thinking about that.....I don't know if me and Fungus had met on a friendly field. I was actually surprised Strife asked me to be his friend. HE asked ME. No one literally WANTED to be my friend, let alone ask me. But it was quite a spectacle in my vision.
Thinking on that, my tail started patting the ground instead of remaining silent. When it does that, I usually have a thought that makes me happy, which was a rare thing. Of course, it was short lived when Ben stepped a foot.....err.....foot tentacle....on my tail, stopping its joyful exercise. I squinted and barred. Luckily, the bone.....umm...if one....didn't break. Actually.......umm....I'll tell ya later....
I looked back at him, he was just smiling. "Well.....somebody's happy about this...." he said, making me feel a little disturbed. Jet came over and back him off, letting him off my tail. "Leave him alone Ben...." he said. I was about to be shocked he was sticking up for me. Until.....
"That doc finds out you bust him up, he'll take it out on all of us..." he said. The two started off back to their places. "(Hmph....that's right boys....he'll know it was you......)" I thought.
I sat up, well, onto my back. My bottom hands kept my top section up as my first set were stroking the pain outta my tail. Once it was gone, I turned back to see if anything was going on of interest. They were still fighting, and Jet was still listening. I didn't like him at all....bit I felt there was something.....I don't know...maybe its that surge in my head that keeps causing those headaches heh.
I returned to my lazed state as the fight lasted for who knows how long. I became slightly interested in the world around me. Not like anything would happen anyways. Still....I had that rumble in my stomach and a small thirst that was growing.
"(Boy.....what I'd give for a drink right about now....)" I thought, moving my forked tongue in my mouth. Maybe a nice piece of ground meat.
Now's one of those times when I make up for the "I'll tell ya later". Remember what I said earlier about the weather? Good your paying attention.
I felt a drop hit one of my forehead scales, causing me to look up. Soon I felt another, then a couple more. I looked ahead and narrowed my eyes. A little irony for me. "(....That's not what I meant.....)" I thought.
"Oh come on!" one of them yelled. Soon, it was raining a soft drizzle that would turn into a storm. "(And where's my beef?)" I thought with a chuckle, getting up. I grabbed my back as I did. I looked over to see the guys huddled under Otis's tree, which he really didn't want crowded. They should be thankful it isn't thundering.
"(Hmph.....babies...)" I thought, taking a stand as the rain trickled down my scales and tail. I would probably get a cold, but hey.....I'm visiting my doc tomorrow. Heh....feeling a bit overwhelmed by nature, I placed my backpack over my fronds for some shielding. My stuff would probably get soaked, but it would most likely dry up before the next school day. Shrugging, I stuck my forked tongue out to catch a few drops. Hey, free water.
I looked over at the door. Dilfert came out, holding the door open with his foot, a disturbed look on his face. I could tell it was him, seeing a faint fiery color near the mouth. Everyone started in and I followed. I slowed to a jog and placed my bag under my arm before coming over to him. He just placed his lighter in him blowing out a cloud. I started in, getting a small push by him.
I landed on my stomach with a thud, hearing him say "get in there...." like an old man. I rose the top part of my body and grabbed my bad into my bottom hands. "Better not cause us any trouble boy...." he said, walking by me as I sat up.
I HATE it when he does that. Oh sure, he does it all the time but this was different. He's taking his rage of the argument out on me. It was common. One of the things I always hated.
I didn't move, as his stare was on me like a rabid wolf.....hmm....Anyway, that is before he went into the living room. My quickened state of thought caused me to scampered my way over to the steps. I got up and then over to my door. I fiddled with the handle a few times before getting in and shutting the door.
"Phew...." I said, planting my back against the door and sliding down it until I was in a sit position on the ground. "Jeez....why doesn't he just hit a wall...." I whispered to myself.
To get my mind off it, I started on my homework. From Strife's talk, I couldn't finish it all. Nearly everything was slightly damped, but most of my books seemed alright. I was done in a couple of seconds, ha!
Ok, ok.....I confess. Listen, if you at least understand the work, why struggle to figure out an answer. Behold, "Randall's Law of Homework". You understand the work.......look at the answers in the back of the book. HA!
I placed my books away and stretched out on the bed, placing my arms behind my back while turning my eyes to the window.
Don't ask me why, not yet anyway, I feel so comfortable. I liked the rain for some reason. It....comforts me in a way. Sounds funny I know, but there's just something about such showers that makes me comfortable. Of course....I would find out in the future.
Turning my head away, I grabbed my book that I got off the shelf. The same one I read yesterday. I usually read in my head, a sorta privacy if you will.
After a while, it was nearing five, dinner should be here. I placed my book down and hopped up, heading over to my door. Placing my head near it, I listened. Hearing the clank of the dishes, I started out.
My suspicion was correct. Everyone else, well practically, was out and heading for the kitchen. I had no idea what we were having, but I actually didn't care, I was starving. Ok....so I had two meals already, but hey, nothing was on the course for yesterday....I think.
Heading down the stairs, actually, the ceiling this time. That was a pretty BAD idea, but I didn't want to face the crowd below me. I slinked into the Kitchen and saw Bellfree taking some Cockatrice parts out of the oven, probably from heating.
In case you didn't know, Cockatrice is a sorta bird, well populated. Think of it as the equivalent of chicken, and you have the right idea. Or would it be turkey? No chicken.
"(Guess that's what we're having)" I thought. I didn't know exactly how, but I think the M.C.A (Monster Care Association) pays for our things. Hmph...good deal for Dilfert and Bellfree. Placing that at the back of my mind. I wondered....where is Dilfert anyway? I looked around for him in the living room, but he wasn't there. "(Must be out....)" I thought.
"Hey lizard!"
Dang! She spotted me.
I looked down to see Bellfree looking up at me, hands on hips. She always hated it when I climbed on the wall. You can imagine how hard it is to catch someone who's on the ceiling of your house. I remembered a few years ago, fuzzy mind you, that I had a really bad day. I crawled onto the ceiling to get away from Bellfree. I didn't want to come down, so she had to use the broom to get me off, whacking my sides till I fell.
I quickly came down, not wanting a repeat of the experience. "Grab what you want and git..." she said firmly at me. Guess she didn't want anything more to deal with. Bellfree seemed to not want to get into another fit when she fought with Dilfert. I hurried along, grabbing a plate and a few legs from the bucket Bellfree had placed on the table and quickly went back to my room, dodging the crowd.
"(Finally...A full meal)" I thought, nibbling....maybe gorging on a Cockatrice leg. I was on my bed, resting my back against the pillow. In my top right hand was the leg I had half way in the side of my mouth, my teeth nibbling bits off. The other had my book. You can't realize how long its been since I've had full three meals in one day.
I took the last leg I was eating, last one of four, and scrapped it clean with my choppers. Enjoying the remainder of its meat and flesh, I tossed the bone over with the others. Gulping down the last bits, my stomach growled with satisfaction.
This was a good thing for tomorrow. You see. I was not to let on that I was.....most of the time practically starving in this place.
"(At least I have the day off tomorrow...)" I thought, closing my book for a second, having the middle finger of my top left hand on the page. I don't know why I am always reminded again, guess its either the mention of school or guilt.
I was just reminded of Strife. I was still worried if he and Lan were ok. Two against ten were not good odds. Then again.....I shouldn't question their abilities.....heck...I don't even know them a whole lot. Still...I knew I wouldn't be able to see the aftermath of the event. Not right after it anyway. I had hope that he and Lan would be alright. Hoping Strife is ok when I meet him again. He had to have known what he was doing........right? I guess he did. After all, he wasn't a moron.
Dismissing the idea, I looked at the watch lying near my second right. I had gotten it down to time how log it took me to finish, as well as the time itself. Heh...didn't take me that long. It was around 6:00. I could stay up.....but then again it may give the doc some worry.
I sighed and gave a look around, letting my had drop back down. Reading was alright I guess.....but if its the only thing you can do, it gets old in a few hours. I marked my book and got up, placing it back on the shelf. Taking a moment, I looked for anything to tinker with for the time being.
"Come on something.....anything...." I said. Finding nothing, I looked over to my bag. Getting the idea that would get my hands working, I approached it and kneeled down. Ok.......I got down onto six of my limbs. I took a second to get my notebook out and looking at it for a second, thinking of what I could do. I had options, at least. Heh....having too many of those at one time could blow a circuit in the brain, no matter how intelligent you are.
I hopped back onto my bed, still thinking. Behind inspired by the book I was reading, I started writing. I was just writing anything just to keep my busy. "Between the Sun and Moon" was set in a classic chivalry timeline. You all know what that is. Anyway, remembering the story all too well, I get this story to be around the same time.
I usually placed myself in the stories I wrote. Thinking about it, its usually a way I can escape reality. I always wanted to be leader for something. Anything. I wanted to be important. I wanted to make something of myself. But.....with how things are going now, I was thinking....nothing was in store for me....nothing important anyway. Nothing that would change lives.
Anyway. In this one, I wrote myself as a sort of.....airship pirate. Heh. Yeah....hard to think of Top-Scarer-To-Be would be writing himself as being that right? Well....it was something just to keep me occupied. Besides, I like fantasy.
In it, I was an airship captain. Of course, airship travel is told to be impossible. Of course, to many, we didn't need it now. Although, I always liked the idea of airship piloting. Then again....heh....I didn't like traveling in the air heh. I traveled from land to land, each country of the monster world being a floating island, leaving the planet to an endless sea, having only myself as the crew. I was famous, wanting to be captured by any mercenary and authority figure around without being caught. I went from land to land to find my parents. I fought, I sailed, I learned, I loved.......I had fun. Heh......its amazing what minds think of a?
"(Hmm.....I like this.....heh....maybe when I become Top Scarer....I could write in my spare time.......that is IF I become Top Scarer....)" I thought. I had a slight headache about that. I wasn't trained yet in being a scarer. I was hoping to go to an Academy or University or something like that to get experience. But.....it would be hard for me. Not only would I need a decent record with average grades, but with....my kind its harder to become a scarer.......
Actually......I'm not even sure if I have ever heard of a reptilian scarer before.....heh.....maybe I'd be the first huh?
Yeah....Dilfert and Bellfree did fight before kinda like parents, not mine thank heaven. I hope to see at least one review for encouragement. Next chapter is pretty predictable, so I dont think I need to mention it heh! See ya later.
