Chapter 34: Not In Mine

Without a word, I closed the journal shut. Scooped up the books. And returned them to the Orc. For some odd reason (sarcasm,) seeing her eating made me feel uncomfortable. The girl was so busy in her activity, she hadn't realized I was there until I dropped the books onto the desk in front of her.

I decided to be nice and slapped her on the back until she finally dislodged the half-eaten bacon from her wind pipe. "Thanks….for that." She wheezed.

"All good." I mumbled. I turned to walk away, but my new friend didn't seem too keen to see me leave so quickly.

"So, did you find what you needed?" She asked quickly. Trying her hardest to hide her embarrassment.

Holding back a sigh, I turned back around. " I suppose." I responded quietly. " But this journal….where did it come from?"

The Orc girl closed her eyes for a moment. "I….don't know." She finally said. "That journal was here before I started working here." It made sense. The journal was over two hundred years old (or so it claims.)

"Umm, would you be interested in reading anything else?" I folded up my arms and thought for a moment. I didn't know if Gera had actually lost his marbles in a dark cave, or if it was written as some weird joke. But what I did know, was that it was bothering me way too much. I needed something to get it off my mind. And I knew exactly what I needed.

"I don't suppose you would have any books written by Tolkien, would you?" The Orc's face lit up immediately. "John Tolkien? I have his entire collection!"

"And just where have you been all day!?" Amina was quick to greet me when I returned to our room. And her mood hadn't improved at all.

For a moment, I was tempted to turn around and leave. But I quickly realised that was retarded, and decided to play it smart. "I was in the library, doing some research on Vastum." I responded calmly (ingenious!)

Her scowl quickly disappeared. "Oh." Was her response. It was only then I noticed Ren sitting on the pillow. Despite her small size, I could tell she was giving me the "Talk to her!" look.

"Look, I'm sorry if I was acting a little…." "Dicky?" Amina was kind enough to finish for me (oh, snap!)

"Yeah….that." I answered through my teeth. "Understand that I'm not interested in that cook. I was only joking around."

Amina sat herself down onto the bed. Her arms now folded. "So, you're not interested in her?" She asked me. The whole thing was starting to look like an interrogation, and I was now wondering if it was too late to run (it was, mate.)

"No." I said with all the confidence I could muster. "Ever since I left home, I've not been interested in fluffing around with any women." I then stepped closer and continued with a more serious tone. "Catching up to my brother and bringing him home is my number one concern. You guys should know this."

For a long time, Amina just stared into my eyes (technically eye.) But eventually, she broke her gaze away and stood up. "I do know this." She said softly. "I just…." The Goblin stopped and bit down on her lip. "….Yes?" I pressed.

She didn't answer. She just pushed past me and opened the door. "We should go downstairs for dinner." And before I could get another word in, she was gone.

Breakfast was bad. But dinner was just an absolute nightmare! Amina refused to talk as we ate at the table. Ren continuously shot dirty looks my way. And to make matters worse, Magenta was waiting on our table the entire time. Her cold, calculating gaze burning holes into my head as I devoured my roasted pork cutlets as quickly as I possibly could.

I knew what I should have said to her: "I'm not interested in that cook. Because I already belong to you." Or some other heart throbbing bullshit that would have been as meaningful and sincere as giving a band aid to a guy suffering a heart attack!

I'm not some smooth-talking womanizer, or love-sick puppy dog! I'm a fracking one-eyed teenage boy, that's dragged his poorly organized ass out the front gate, chasing after a crazy cat bitch that's abducted his stupid little brother!

So I'm sorry Amina. I'm sorry Ren. I'm sorry to all the horny Monster Girls out there! But I've got better things to do right now than to have my fucking meat stick sucked on! GAHHH!

….Moving on. My trip to the bathroom was unusually quiet and lonely. As was my sleep. Amina stayed on her side of the bed, with Ren sleeping on her chest. It was strange. I felt cold, and empty inside. "Was this love sickness?" I thought to myself.

The very idea of such a thing really pissed me off. I made another mistake. But this time, those two were taking the cold shoulder shit way too far. But worst of all, I was letting it get to me. Eating away at my heart like a disease. "Are all women this manipulative?" I muttered to myself (….)

I woke up the next morning with the familiar sensation of a little Goblin clinging to my arm, and an even littler Fairy curled up on my head. For a moment, I was relived they finally decided to forgive me. But the memories of the night before quickly snapped me out of my little daze and returned me to my bitter mood.

Very carefully, I pulled Ren off my head and placed her onto the pillow. I then began the much more difficult task of pulling Amina off me. This was difficult because Amina had a very strong grip on my arm.

Eventually, both girls were off me, and I was able to pull my clothes back on and leave the room. It was still very early in the morning. The sun was only beginning to rise, and it was quite cold as well.

I didn't really know why I walked out of there, or what I was going to do next. Just having those two cuddling me so intimately made me feel….uncomfortable. Like when you steal some sweets from the kitchen. It tastes good. But leaves you feeling dirty and low afterwards.

Making my way down stairs, I wondered what I was going to do while everyone was still asleep. The door leading into the library and kitchen would likely be locked up at this hour (so no food or books for us.) I was tempted to go outside for a walk. But then I remembered the Gargoyles outside and shuddered. I wasn't sure if they were 'friendly' to their guests, and I didn't want to find out.

The answer to my problem appeared the moment I had reached the ground floor. "Good morning, sir." Came a familiar voice. I looked up and saw Magenta sitting on the couch that sat opposite to the reception desk. In her hands was what appeared to be a small book.

I wasn't really a big fan of Magenta. Nor did she seem particularly fond of me. But she was reading a book. And to me, that was a good enough reason to sit down beside her and start a conversation up. "You like to read too, huh?" The Zombie maid stared at me for a few moments. Seemingly shocked by the sudden turn of event (me too.)

"Yes." She responded flatly. She then turned away from me. I was ready to get up and walk away when she turned back to face me again. Her expression had softened considerably. And It wasn't hard for me to notice that her pale cheeks had gone faintly pink. "I….have you read this one before?" She asked me. Holding up the book for me to see the cover (and hide her face.)

It was 'Oliver Twist'. "I'm not familiar with this book." I answered. "But I have read Christmas Carol." Magenta lowered the book and continued to read it. "What do you think of Charles Dickens work?" She asked me quietly. I looked down to my hands as I considered her question. I was never really good at explaining these sort of things to people. But I had nothing better to do.

"His stories….fill me with sadness." I began. "There's pain, and uncertainty in his words." I then looked up at Magenta, who was now completely enraptured with what I was saying. "But amongst all that pain and sorrow, there is hope. A struggle. For something more. Something better. Something that may or may not be there. Just….something."

I'm a thinker, okay? I read books. I listen to people talk. And I pick up on things that others might not (did that sound like a rhyme to you?) When I read a book, I can feel the atmosphere it was intended to create. I can understand the thoughts and emotions being poured into every page and every word.

Magenta had tears in her eyes. A rotting hand pressed tenderly on her chest as though her heart was about to start beating again. I quickly realized what I was doing and jumped to my feet. I actually wanted to talk to you about something!" I announced a little louder than necessary.

What did I want to talk to her about? I had no fracking clue! It sounded like a good idea in my head. Magenta slowly snapped out of her little daze and wiped the tears off her face. She then stood up and spoke in her usual professional tone. "What did you wish to talk about?"

(Be careful what you say to her.) "For the last few days, you've been acting a little strange around me." (That's it, I'm out of here!)