Empty Shells (reader insert)

Chapter 5

The professor lets out a sigh and closes his book with a thud. "I do apologize for Toms' behaviour. He's always on edge but lately he's been worse. He has a lot to deal with looking after everyone and I think he was just using you as a vent for his stress."

Wait, the dark man actually has a name? "His names Tom?" You say taking a bite out of the biscuit that had been forcefully shoved in your mouth a minute ago.

"Yes, it is." The professor answers, visibly glad to see you eating. "There's also another thing. He may look your age but there's something you should know. Wraiths have an unusual lifespan compared to humans. For example, how old do you think I am?"

"65?" You guess as you finish one biscuit and grab another to eat.

"Hah! That's a kind thing for you to say. Most would say 70." The professor laughs. He seems to do that a lot. "I'm actually a little over three hundred years old."

You almost choke on your bite and the professor hands you a glass of water from beside a pitcher for you to clear your throat with. "Shocking, isn't it? Marel and Michael who look 60 are actually closer to 250. Hank is 200 and Clare is around 120. Even Mimi, who looks and acts 8 is actually almost 20 human years."

You swallow the water and take a deep breath. No way. Mimi's almost your age? Now you understand why everyone treats you like a child. Compared to them, you're an infant. "So Tom must be around 40 or 50 then? How did his sister Mimi get to be so cheerful then when he's so cranky all the time?"

"Well," professor says rubbing the back of his neck. "Tom is a special case but I won't go into it since its not necessary but, my point is, don't challenge him because he looks your age. He's much older then you. He was looking after this group long before you were born. If you get on his nerves he won't be as patience with you as he is with the rest of us. Also, please be a bit easier on him. He has a difficult duty and doesn't really mean to be so grumpy, it's just in his nature. Also, Mimi's not really his sister, she just likes to think of him that way."

You reach for another biscuit and see that you've already eaten the whole plate. The professor laughs at your surprised expression. "You really were hungry. Now, I believe humans have to eat meat as well to get back the most energy. We didn't have time to cook any for you but we'll make sure to get some. I hope those biscuits are good enough for now."

As a response, your stomach growls again. You feel your face flush in embarrassment and the professor laughs holding his stomach and dropping his book. "Y-yes. Thank you again. Um, can I ask something?"

The professor stops laughing, smiling kindly and nods. "Of course child, anything."

"Why did you kidnap me?" You ask, the question having been nagging at you ever since this odd adventure started.

Instantly the professor's face hardens and he picks up his book. He stands, dusting it off and mumbles something about having to go. He apologizes and quickly leaves without answering your question.

After he leaves you put the plate on the table beside the bed and try getting up. You're dizzy for a second but level out.

The door burst open and someone runs and tackles you to the ground. It takes you a second to see that it's Mimi. She's crying and snorting into your shirt. "(Fn)! Miiiiiimmmmmi's sorrrrrry! Mimi d-didn't mean t-to hurt (Fn)! Pwess forgive Mimi!" You almost can't understand what Mimi's saying since she's crying her eyes out.

"Mimi, it's ok. I'm alright." You say trying to calm the crying girl down. She's clutching your shirt so tightly that the fabric bunches up and her tears are starting to soak through the shirt. "I'm fine. Stop crying. Everything's ok."