TANSTAV part 8

Chapter Three part 2

When I opened the door, I was immediately enveloped in a cloud of smoke. Through it, I could see two pairs of glowing eyes: one in red, one in moonlight. I wasn't impressed; as I have mentioned before, many monsters, including me, have glowing red eyes. Furthermore, I was relieved that there were only two of them. And one of them was Morty. However, the other was Ishida, which might present a problem. And, as they showed themselves in, my stupid tongue started acting up.

"Is there a problem, officer?"

Instantly I knew the comment was a really stupid idea. Curse your bad habit of mouthing off, Tristan!

"You think this is a JOKE, Wormwood?!" Ishida demanded, as smoke poured liberally from his nose and mouth. It was filling my living room, and giving off a terrible scent, too. He gnashed his fangs, and a few flames spurted from his nostrils.

"Ssh," I whispered, "don't wake her up!" Quickly I went to the bedroom and closed the door. Then I went back to where they were standing.

"No, Chief," I said in a calm tone, "I don't think this is a joke. I don't even think this is funny. But I do think you need to leave her alone. She's not ready to be questioned just yet."

"I beg your pardon?!" the chief bellowed. "Since when is it your place to say whether or not a suspect is ready for questioning?! You insolent-"

"She's not a suspect, technically. We know for certain that she was the one who did it. But it was in self-defense. Besides that, she's in shock, because she just accidentally killed her dad. Give her a break!"

When he heard that, Ishida stopped ranting and raving. He looked surprised.

"She what?"

"Didn't the crew tell you?"

"...No. They were too busy ranting about how you'd flouted the rules...again." Ishida gave a small, bitter laugh. "You'd better tell me what happened."

I promptly did so, overlooking no detail.

"...So you see, she needs help. A chance to recuperate, after everything that's happened. She has nobody to go to.  I can look after her until she is able to look after herself." Then, hating to do it, but seeing the necessity, I added, plaintively, "Please?"

After a long, tense moment, Ishida sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. Then, slowly he nodded.

"Three weeks. In your care. She does not leave this apartment."

"Three weeks?!" I spluttered. "It will take years for her to fully recover from this!"

"We don't need her to fully recover!" Ishida snapped, "We just need her able to answer questions!"

Having no other choice, I conceded. "Deal. Thanks, boss."

"Don't mention it. I'm already jeopardizing things by allowing this. She'd better be ready by the time those weeks are out." With that, he turned and stalked towards the door, gesturing for Morty to follow. As he did, the Reaper turned to me.

"Why are you so anxious to help the kid? Do you like her, or what?"

"No!" I cried with great indignation. He chuckled, and billowed his way out. I was left alone in my dark, smoke-filled apartment.

Or, so I thought. Without warning, I caught a familiar smell. It was smoke, but not the same brimstone-kind Ishida had been emitting. It was more outdoorsy, like a campfire. The scent all gargoyles have, since our blood is basically liquid fire. However, it was also tinted by the sweet, strong tang of wild roses. A voice behind me asked, "What were they here for?" I turned, looking upon a small, ethereal female gargoyle, in short-sleeved shirt and paint-splattered jeans, wielding a paintbrush. A wide grin spread involuntarily across my face.

"Hey, Xen."