Chương 35: Chapter 34: Alice and Jack

Alice spread her limbs across the bed, lying directly on her back. The ceiling had a blue crisscross pattern to it, and it seemed interesting at least for the moment. It was early evening; she had just finished eating dinner and had the rest of the night to herself. I don't really have much to do. I could read that book, but… well, it's heavy on the head. Not like the other books I'm used to. I have to take it slow and understand every little detail. After the first few pages, the magic of it rather died off.

I could also read my other books, but I don't want to leave my bed. It's like I'm chained here like a prisoner. Alice yawned, stretching her arms out. I wonder what the others are doing? Evelyn is probably just… well, I don't really know what she does in her free time. Marley must be doing that strange thing again. While Jack… well, I don't know much about him either. I'm getting bored. But I'm comfy enough here at least. I don't want to disturb them in the evening. They might be busy with God knows what.

A knock on her door made her jolt. Well, maybe I'm the only one who thinks like that.

"Who is it?" Alice climbed off her bed with a groan.

"It's me, Jack." A familiar voice answered behind the door. Jack? I thought it'd be Marley or Evelyn. Not him. Alice opened the door, lifting her chin up just so she could look at Jack's face.

"What is it?" Goddess, he's tall. It's even worse because I'm also short.

"You're not busy or anything, are you?"

"Not really."

"Could you help me with something, then?"

"Something? What is it?" Jack turned his neck and looked down the hallway.

"I'll tell you along the way… it's nothing bad. I don't want anyone else to hear about it." Nothing bad, huh? So why is he acting like that? Well, I doubt it's anything serious.

"Well, I guess I don't have anything better to do anyway. Let's go."

"Really? Thank you. Come on." Jack shuffled down the hallway. Alice stepped out, shut her door, and followed after him. Jack strode onward, his strides long and brisk. She nearly had to run just to catch up. He's walking so quickly. God, I look like a little kid in comparison. Alice followed him down the stairs, and when they reached the bottom she stopped and said, "Hey, I think you can tell me what we're doing right about now." Jack turned around.

"Right, sorry. Well, it's like this. Marley told me that you could get some leftover bread from the cafeteria after dinner." What? That's it? Alice opened her mouth halfway in bewilderment.

"So you're… you're hungry? What do you need me for?"

"A little hungry, but that's not the point. I got some strawberry jam in my room. I didn't want to bring it out when we're eating; the others might get jealous or even ask for a taste. And there was… Goddess, basically I want to make it a surprise for Evelyn and Marley. I need your help to carry the bread to Evelyn's room."

"Oh. That's rather nice of you. Alright then, lead the way." Jack sighed in relief.

"Let's hurry. I don't want anyone seeing us out here at this hour. It's technically still allowed, but you know… better safe than sorry."

"It's just bread. Why would you be worried?" Alice walked behind Jack.

"We're in the Church. There are a lot of things to be worried about."

"Like what?"

"Well, Mother warned me to be careful in here. She said the Clergy sees a lot of things differently than the common folk."

"Really? Father Orlando and Arno seem nice to me."

"Because… just forget about it. I can't really explain it."

"Okay. Then I have another question. Why'd you call for me? And not one of the other two?"

"Why? Well, you're the easiest to work with. Evelyn might tease me to death, and Marley might just take all the bread for himself." Alice chuckled.

"I could see that happening." Alice walked with Jack into the empty cafeteria. They approached the counter, and there wasn't a single ghoul to be found.

"Huh. Are you sure they give out bread after dinner?"

"They should. Marley was bragging about how he got snacks for himself." Jack leaned over the counter and called out, "Hello? Is anyone still here?" A pale and bald man wearing an apron shuffled out of the kitchen, his gray eyes unblinking. On a closer look, he was actually a ghoul—the most human-looking ghoul Alice had seen. There wasn't a sign of rot or damage on him. He placed his gloved hands over the counter and let out a soft groan. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen.

Report the violation. Alice gently shoved her elbow against Jack.

"Ri… right." Jack cleared his throat.

"Do you have any leftover bread that we can get?" The ghoul nodded and shambled back into the kitchen.

"How much do you think he's going to give us?" Alice said.

"I don't know. Hopefully enough." After a few seconds, the ghoul returned holding a tray of white bread. It was a large uncut loaf, nearly the size of a child's head. That's a lot. Did Marley get something similar? And he ate all of it by himself?

"Could you slice that up for us?" Jack said. The ghoul placed the tray over the counter and grabbed a large knife with jagged edges. He carved the loaf into generous slices, his hand steady and quick.

"I've never seen a ghoul move like that," Alice said.

"Ghouls like that are rare, and very expensive. My family has something like him, though hardly as good. It still cost us a fortune, though."

"Why not just hire a human?"

"It's an investment. A good, well-maintained ghoul can last hundreds of years. They don't need sleep, they don't need to eat, they can work day and night without rest. This one… I feel like he's been cooking here for centuries now. Probably has a few more centuries to go through." Stephen in comparison looks like he might collapse into a pile of bones at any second. Ghouls… an undying, forever loyal servant does sound appealing. At least if they're pleasing to look at.

Maybe a female ghoul wearing a dress and makeup. The ghoul lowered the knife and pushed the tray across the counter.

"Thank you." Jack glanced at Alice.

"Could you hold that for me?"

"That's why I'm here, isn't it?" Alice grabbed the tray, and it was light as a feather. I'm glad I'm a little stronger now. I would have struggled with this before, and that would have been very embarrassing.

"Tray…" The ghoul groaned.

"Bring tray… when… done…" Alice's eyes widened and she stepped back.

"They can talk?"

"Some of them can. I heard that there are ghouls that could even sing. Come on, let's go." Jack turned around and headed out of the cafeteria. Alice quickly followed after him. That was frightening. I didn't know they could talk. Does that mean they could also think for themselves? Probably not. That would be quite something, though.

"Hey. Thanks again for helping me out."

"It's nothing. Better than sitting around alone anyway."

"You think so?"

"Yeah?" Alice furrowed her brows in confusion. Jack let out a dry laugh.

"You know… I never really had any friends growing up. Everyone else seemed afraid of me; even some of the adults were. They said I was too tall, too pale, looked too much like a ghost. I thought people liked corpses, but I guess they still have some preferences. And…" He gulped and shook his head.

"I'm rambling again. Forget what I said."

"It's fine. I didn't have any friends growing up either."

"Really? I thought someone like you would have been popular."

"I never really went outside. Besides, there wasn't anyone my age around anyway. I just kept to my books."

"Huh. Then I guess we're not so different after all."

"Maybe a little different." Alice chuckled.

"Yeah, maybe." Alice climbed up the stairs, a step behind Jack. The walk to his room was more silent than she'd like, but at least it was quick.

"I'll get the jam." Jack entered his room and pulled open the drawer, grabbing a large jar of bright red strawberry jam and a metal spoon. Jack placed the spoon on the tray, and then he held the jar with both hands. It was even bigger than the entire loaf of bread. Whoa. I guess that's why he needed my help. Jack wore a prideful grin.

"This is a family special." He turned the jar, revealing an oak tree and a circular rune carved into the glass. That's a rune. I can feel the spirituality, if barely. I guess that's to cool down the jar so it won't spoil.

"Let's get Marley, and let's hurry before anyone sees us." Jack closed the door with his foot and hurried down the hallway. Jack stopped in front of Marley's room, and he glanced at Alice and whispered, "By the way… don't tell them what I told you. It's kinda embarrassing." Alice replied with a sly smirk.

"What did you tell me?"

"Thanks." Jack knocked on the door.

"Marley? Are you awake?" A heavy set of footsteps rang out. The door opened and Marley peeked out with a confused expression.

"What is it…" His eyes widened as he spotted the bread and the strawberry jam.

"By the Lady! Where did you—" Jack clicked his tongue.

"Don't be so loud. Come on, we're eating at Evelyn's."

"Okay, okay." Marley gulped and stepped out, gently closing the door behind him.

"I can't wait. Can't wait." Alice rolled her eyes and followed them further down the hallway. I'll make sure he won't eat everything. Leave some for Evelyn and me. Marley knocked on Evelyn's door.

"Evelyn? You there? It's us."

"Us? What do you mean us?" A soft voice, followed by a yawn, replied on the other side.

"Just open the door," Marley said.

"Just wait a second." Faint footsteps rang out, and soon enough the chamber door swung open. Evelyn stood there with a look of surprise.

"Whoa. All of you are here. What's all this?" Evelyn said.

"We're eating here. In your room," Jack said.

"What? Really? Okay, get in, get in." Evelyn stepped aside, giving way. Alice followed them inside.

"Where should I place this?"

"On the floor's fine. Desk is too small anyway." Evelyn closed the door.

"You really should have said something before."

"It's supposed to be a surprise," Jack said. Alice lowered the tray on the floor, her eyes scanning the room for a quick second. It was tidier than before; all the clothes were stowed in the cabinet and the things and bobs on the desk were all arranged. Alice had helped Evelyn clean the place up earlier. Good to see it's still clean. For now, at least. Jack handed the jar over to Marley before sitting down.

"Do the honors." Marley grinned a hungry grin and twisted open the cap with ease.

"That's jam, alright. I don't remember the last time I had this." He sniffed the jam inside with his eyes closed.

"Hey, don't get your breath all over the jam." Evelyn snatched the jar, setting it down beside the tray.

"Where did you even get this?"

"My father delivered it for me," Jack said. Alice raised her brows as she sat down beside Evelyn.

"You could do that?"

"Yeah. I asked Father Orlando's permission. It took a while to get here; they did some checks and purifications, I think," Jack said.

"Wow. It even has a rune on it," Evelyn said.

"My dad's handiwork. It's not Rune Master level, but it's good enough to chill some jam," Jack said. Marley grabbed a slice of bread and scooped up some jam with his spoon.

"Can we get started already? I'm starving." He slathered the jam all over the bread, folding it over.

"Oh Goddess. You're gonna get even fatter," Evelyn said.

"Don't blame me. It wasn't my idea. It's Jack's fault." Marley chomped on his slice.

"Hey, I wasn't alone in this. Alice helped me," Jack replied. Alice let out a surprised yelp.

"What?" Evelyn giggled at the sound.

"Well, it don't matter. Come on, let's eat." Alice sighed in relief and grabbed her own slice of bread, lathering it with the jam. That made me a little nervous for some reason. At least I can eat now. Jam… hm… She took a small bite, tasting that chewy texture and that sharp sweetness on her tongue. Jam… tastes good… She took another bite, and another, and another, until she finished her slice and grabbed yet another one.