Chapter 4; Much Needed Attention
A Home for Scales
Written By : SecretSerpent22
Warning: some content may be disturbing or upsetting to some viewers, discretion of/for the viewer is advised. Ok here we go!
Chapter 4; Much Needed Attention
POV change; Hudson
Jagal and Raymond were eventually able to get me out of the bathroom. My mind was still racing, debating whether this was a good idea or not. I half blame my parents for the situation I'm in. They never really let me leave the town. It was all humans pretty much, but I finally realized I wanted to leave, and travel, and experience the rest of the world outside the town. So I applied to a bunch of schools, and made it here. It was a small enough school and campus after all, and affordable.
When I first got here, I knew nothing, and no one. I felt completely alone, and I had nowhere to go. Not to mention most people I saw were taller... and had large claws... and fangs. I'm only around five foot seven. I was scared, and I think I was close to having a panic attack. Luckily someone was nice enough to help me in my time of distress. It was one of my professors, Mr. Gregson. He was the graphic design and arts professor. He too was human, understood my situation, and helped show me around the campus and buildings. He even helped me find my dorm sticking close by at times when there were large groups of people. He was very helpful and nice, I really owe him one. When I entered the dorm I first met Jagal and Raymond who were both pretty friendly. I had to take some time in the bathroom though. Whenever they smiled, or tried helping with my luggage, I would get disturbed. I didn't mean it, and thankfully Jagal understood right away and tried to help me so I didn't get so nervous. Raymond found it amusing that I was scared but he wasn't mean or rude about it. Eventually, Jagal helped me unpack as I hid in the bathroom like a coward, I hated it but was too nervous to go outside. When Nikalandra got here I knew this mission just got a thousand times harder. He was pale on some parts of his body, but he was also green and seemed to resemble a crocodilian with a few features. Their dark brown eyes and almost crooked smile gave me a worried feel. I was able to look him in his eyes for a second, it felt like I was frozen for minutes on end, staring into their abyssal eyes before backing away and shutting myself away again in the safety of the bathroom.
Some time after, Raymond convinced me to go out to the restaurants in the park. Jagal was coming too thankfully, he was much more sociable than both of us. He knew when to back away and what to say to help me calm down. We said bye to Nikalandra... well it was more them saying bye and me ducking my head to avoid his gaze, before heading out. As Jagal was walking ahead I thought I heard Raymond say something about the room, but he dismissed it saying he was making sure we won't get locked out. I thought all of us had a key though? Maybe not?
I stuck behind them as we walked past people. Everyone seemed friendly at least. I still had thought it weird how I had heard of these other species and thought they were cool and so different. But now that I see them in person all around me I'm all freaked out. This all seems so odd for me, that or I'm just weird.
We made our way to the small diner-like spot. Jagal said it wouldn't be a good idea to go to the bigger place as you could hear the music and banter from halfway across the park. We ended up getting burgers and fries, and chatted. Being face to face with them was hard at first, but the conversations were so normal. We talked about high school, home-life, and any jobs. It was relaxing. I learned a lot too. They have been best friends since elementary school when Jagal moved from some place halfway across the country. I eventually had a few questions, to which they said they'd happily answer. I started asking what they enjoy doing outside of school, or what it's like being covered in fur. Jagal laughed while Raymond kind of scoff-laughed. I was so suddenly interested in learning more about them that I hadn't noticed how rude I was being. I shut it down. I took it too far I thought. Asking such a dumb question. Even though Jagal said it was fine I still felt it was too personal or weird of a question. But despite all of it, it was very pleasant. I was beginning to warm up to them some more and I could even look them head on already. I was adapting so quickly already, I felt better.
Eventually we made it back to the dorm where Nikalandra was gone. Raymond started looking for something. He eventually found it I guess because he asked Jagal and I if we wanted to play Call to Duty? I declined, I never got big into shooters. So instead I watched them. We were all laughing and joking around as they were blowing each other up and trying "trick-shots" if you could even call them that. They were good people, I was glad I was able to start warming up to them. These were the kinds of people I needed to be around.
The door creaked and swung open. We were all taken aback as Nikalandra entered, his leg faltered a bit as he walked. I saw he had a big cut on his jaw and had some dirt on him. We all just stared for a second. Jagal got up to see if he was alright but he brushed him off mumbling something about being fine. He grabbed some things from his dresser and began walking right towards me. I thought I saw some distant and wild look in his eyes, staring right ahead and not blinking, so I jumped out of the way. He didn't pay any of us any attention. Just right to the bathroom.
"That guy's got something going on." Raymond said. His eyes watched the door for a second before resuming the game. Jagal quickly hopped back on, but there was tension.
"Do you think he's...ok?" I asked.
"Don't know" Raymond responded, gunning down Jagal in game without a moments hesitation.
"He looked hurt? Did he get into a fight?" Jagal asked concerned.
"I had a feeling that was the kind of guy he was. Should've let him go when we had the chance." Raymond said coldly. I wanted to say that wasn't true, but the look he had and his injuries.... he might have been? Should I ask him? What? No, no I can't do that? What if he gets aggressive with me, I couldn't stand my own against him... especially if he's the violent type.
He was in the bathroom for a while, I could hear the shower running. When the door opened his eyes were hung low and he made his way to his side of the room. He flopped down on his bed, knocked out right away. "Do you... think we should...I don't know, ask him about it?" I finally spoke. The silence was growing unbearable.
"Maybe in the morning, I don't want to wake a sleeping gator." Jagal teased. I could tell though he wasn't sure, his expressive and overall joyed expression faded quicker than normal. Is he a gator? I questioned. What no. Did that even matter? ..... What's up with him?
Thank you for reading! Again, as always if you have questions or feedback please do share. I would be very happy to answer any questions about the story. Feedback always makes me happy too, it also improves my writing so all is welcome. Thanks again for making it this far, have a splendid day/night!
-SecretSerpent22