by Cheng D.A
“It’s so hot in here,” said Hoofhearted Jr, “Uncle E, I want some beer.”
Uncle E came to his call, and laughed with some discomfort.
“We don’t serve beer here.”
Hoofhearted Jr took out a roll of cash notes, and beer miraculously appeared on his table. Hoofhearted Jr was about to enjoy his beer when he realized that End and Dr Lecter were colder than the beer he held in his hand.
“What’s the matter with you two?” asked Hoofhearted Jr.
“You’re not good enough for her, so back off.” Said Dr Lecter to End.
“Hey! My good doctor, what happened?” asked Hoofhearted Jr.
“I am just telling our friend here to stop pestering one of my nurses.”
“Oh. Is she pretty?”
Dr Lecter gave Hoofhearted Jr a stare. Hoofhearted Jr understood from that glance.
“Oh. I see. That pretty huh?”
Hoofhearted Jr let out a hearty laugh.
“End, my boy, have I not treated you well?”
“You have.”
“Have I not been a friend to you?”
“You have.”
“Good. Then why do you insist upon making my good friend Lecter here so sad?”
Hoofhearted Jr looked at Dr Lecter.
“Do you love her?”
“Yes.”
“Then it is settled. End, as a friend, I’m telling you to let this fish go. And maybe, I can offer you some protection from Beef in return.”
End was silent. He didn’t know the proper response to that. This had nothing to do with Hoofhearted Jr, but End also knew that if he persisted, he would lose his protection from Beef and company. It was a tough decision, but End really did not want to get beaten up anymore.
“I will leave her alone,” said End.
“Alright, in view of your brave sacrifice for my dear friend here, Hoofhearted Jr will protect you.” Said Hoofhearted Jr.
“You best be heading back.” Said Dr Lecter.
End looked at his VF for time. He was going to be later once more. As he got up, he saw Uncle E holding up a card that wrote “Twenty four dollars and fifteen cents!”
End ran out of the War-mart and back to his company line. Because he ran his lungs out, he managed to make it on time. The recruits have gathered, and Arnold was giving everybody a briefing. End stood there, ready to be punished by Arnold had no time and ushered him to join the rest.
“Make sure all of you rest well tonight. I want a complete light’s off by two-three hundred hours. I know about your PyPs, but if you help me, I’ll help you. You don’t play tonight. No, no, not tonight. Because tomorrow, you need all your strength to face the Dark Obstacles Course.”
End managed to get sleep that night. Hoofhearted Jr kept his word as a plotting Beef and gang were tied up that night before they could reach End’s bed. It was the most long awaited sleep he had ever known, but it also wasn’t perfect. End really wanted to see ? again.
