Georgia stared at me curiously, waiting for an answer. I thought of the perfect lie to cover up and when it came, I answered, "I just got curious about them."
She drew her brows together and looked at me suspiciously. "That's strange. Why would you want to read about the ghouls immediately you woke up after being unconscious for fours days? You even escaped the hospital," she pointed out with her eyes on the hospital robe I was wearing. I should have changed.
I sighed deeply and answered, "Fine, you caught me. I had a dream about a ghoul attacking and since I don't remember what happened before I went unconscious, I decided to find out about them."
"The Ghouls went extinct thousands of years ago after the invasion," she answered and sat down beside me. "They are evil beast who hates the humans. They feed on souls to become stronger. It's a good thing they are extinct."
"Do you know anything about them?"
She looked at me and nodded. "Yes. I know so much about them. So much that it scares me," she looked away and rested her back against the book shelf. "I got curious about them too. My grandfather told me their story before he died. He hated the ghouls and made sure to paint them red in his story. Because of that, I hate them too."
"Can you tell me about them?" I asked, curious to find out what she knows.
"Well I know about their existence. How they feed, how they behave, how evil they are," she paused for a couple of seconds before she went on, "Their king, Cyril, and the twelve ranks."
'Damn!' I almost screamed out, but was able to hold back.
She knows about the twelve ranks which was what I was trying to find out. "What do you know about them? Please tell me."
She stared at me again suspiciously as if sensing I was up to something. Well I was, and that got me desperate to know more.
At the last minute when I thought she wouldn't tell me, she said, "I will tell you everything I know, but on one condition." Not expecting a condition, I frowned. "And what is this condition?"
"My friend's birthday part is coming up soon and most of my old classmates will attend," she revealed and lowered her eyes as if remembering something sad. She went on, "Including my bullies. They will all be there with their perfect partners. I was invited to bring my partner too. I would have rejected the invite, but Clara is a very good friend of mine."
"So, you want me to be your partner at the birthday?" I asked, figuring out her condition and she nodded.
"They will all get jealous when they see you. I mean, you will make the perfect boyfriend," she answered, looking straight in my eyes.
Well, that was a compliment I wasn't expecting, especially from Georgia, the innocent mind in the team.
"Alright then, I will be your fake boyfriend. Just send me the details and I will make it a night to remember."
Her face lit up and her smile widened. "Thank you so much. That would be of great help."
"Alright, now tell me everything I need to know."
Her smile slowly faded and she shook her head while biting her lower lips. "I can't tell you. You might bail out at the last minute."
"C'mon Georgia, I won't. I am in."
She shocked her head, "Not trusting those words until you accompany me. Don't worry, I will reveal everything to you."
Seeing how stubborn she was, I succumbed to her request, "Fine. When is this birthday ceremony?"
"In two days. Seeing how fast you are healing you would have gotten better then," she answered and stood up. "Don't disappoint me or else, I will punish you in a way you wouldn't forget. Remember, I am your senior," she warned and walked away.
Dang it! Why do I feel I fell into her trap?
I let out a deep breath and stood up to drop the book, which gave me no real knowledge about the ghouls. I can't get through to Maki and I can't go into hell's palace. I must have lost connection somehow. Something was definitely not right.
Eight would surely come back for me. I wasn't planning on letting her win again. I can only depend on Georgia for the answer I need.
I walked out of the library and met Dianne waiting. Immediately she saw me, she let out a deep breath of relief.
"You were taking time to come out. I thought something happened to you in there," she said, covering up the space between us.
"How do you know I was here?" I asked with my brows knitted. Did she saw me sneaking out?
"I was searching around for you and met your teammate. She told me you were in the library busy with something important and that I should give you time. But I couldn't wait still. Your attacker is still out there." Georgia ratted me out. "Let's get back to the hospital," she said and held my arm. "The doctor said it's time for your medication."
I said nothing and quietly went with her. She's been really helpful and pushing her away would be bad of me.
"Sorry I didn't bring my car. I left in a hurry," she apologized and pointed at a small path, "that is a quick road to the hospital. I came through there."
I nodded and allowed her lead the road. It was quiet- way too quiet. If it was a short cut, people would have used it, but there was no body.
"This is strange. This road is way too quiet which is usual," Dianne admitted, looking around. Suddenly, we heard a loud scream and when I looked up, I saw a little girl, about five, running towards us crying out. She was being pursued by something or someone.
She ran to me and hugged my legs tight. "Mr, you have to run. People are coming for you. They will kill you," she said, shivering in fright.
"What people?" I asked and looked up. Just as she had said, some people were walking towards us. They all had dark red eyes and their gazes were on me with an intent to kill.
They weren't normal humans. They seemed to be controlled.