We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 20 - Always Something to Live For

Before he did anything else, Louis cleaned up the apartment. He cleaned up all the trash and added the clothes on the floor to the dirty clothes bags against the wall.

As he was doing so, he opened the trash and found that there were bloody bandages in there, which made him take a step back and just...stand there.

Soon after, he continued working, realizing there was no way he could clean the bloodstains off of the futon and that he'd have to deal with it later.

Last but not least, he did the laundry, having to take multiple trips to do so since he was alone now. Alone...What a horrible feeling.

After he was done, he finally thought to check his phone. Pina had messaged him.

Pina: hey thats fine. should i come another time? u ok?

Louis: I went to see Legosi.

Pina: how that go

Louis: Now he's institutionalized...

Pina: holy shit what did he do??

Louis: He clawed up his arms. When I got there, there were red gashes and he collapsed.

Pina: oh no. he had scars on his arm when i visited. im sorry i didnt tell u i wanted to respect hs privacy

Louis: I just hate how alone he is. And how alone I am.

Pina: is he ok? when can we visit him

Louis: I'm assuming tomorrow. I wish I had never started all of this. I regret it more than anything.

Pina: hey what happened happened. all we can do now is do our best. if anything you guys can get help now

Louis: Life sucks.

Pina: still don't want me to come over? where r u

Louis: I'm back home. I brought all my stuff with me.

Pina: do u need time alone

Louis: I think that would do me some good. Especially after that. I promise, I won't harm myself over this.

Pina: its good. keep in touch please

Louis: I'll do my best.

After that, he threw his phone down and laid where the bloodstain wasn't, looking at the ceiling. Things could only get better from here, right?

Time passed nebulously. Silently. The peace was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Legosi?" The sound of a woman's voice.

It sounded familiar. The deer didn't say anything, though.

More knocking. "Legosi? Remember I told you I won't leave unless you tell me you're alright. I'll come in if you don't answer."

Louis turned on his side. He had locked the door earlier, right? Yeah, he did. At least, he thought he did.

Click. Nope. The door swung open, and small footsteps pattered on the ground. "Woah! Who are you!?"

The deer looked up, the eyepatch giving him away.

Sebun stood there, her shock soon turning to relief. "O-oh, Louis! I didn't know you were back! Thank god!"

"Hello, Sebun-san. Yeah, I'm back..." he sighed.

The small sheep looked around. "So, where's the other half?"

"The hospital."

She looked down at the ground with wide eyes. "Oh no...did he hurt himself again?"