Tucked away in a remote corner of the main building is the athenaeum… a resting hole for rat kind.

Little traps are set here and there; slices of stale bread jammed within them.

The Seniors say evil rests in that spot. No matter how they try, the rats continue on; breeding and consuming.

This place is closed off. Only a select few wonder its halls; a futile attempt to manage the spread. The majority of Seniors avoid this place whilst children are steered from it. These rats consume the living.

…

This is where I have hidden my friend.

Amongst books, rats and a den of stated serpents.

…

A curious snake appeared in my bedding one day, with the sun high overhead, this tan-colored beast began to strangle me.

Revenge, I believe, for killing one of its kind. My angel struck a deal:

“Not unlike your companion, you will end the same… (screech) another is needed, not you, or the next, or the one thereafter, your demises mean not but to one, the one whos’ course I seek here, I have no grudges, no hate against your kind, failures have arisen, some unbeknownst, some with malice, never again, if allowed or, if you so choose, death it will be… will this choice satisfy?” my angel spoke through my voice.

The snake flicked its forked tongue and for a moment my life drained, while in another, the strangulation ceased; the tan-colored creature had retracted its strength.

A calm beauty this snake became.

With a heavy head, I lead this snake into the halls of the main building.

An idea had occurred to me…

I held my friend in my arms, a corpse-like being now, concealed for days, away from the prying eyes of Seniors and children alike. With suspicions teetering towards me, I had to find a more secure place of stay.

On the trip over, more serpents, slender in size, emerged from crevices and cracks along the walls leading up to the athenaeum. A call must have been made.

A trail of snakes slithered alongside me, unencumbered by the hot tiles of the outer halls. We arrived upon the entrance to the athenaeum, and as if in wait, these beasts positioned themselves on the ready.

Do they sense them?

Upon opening the doors, the snakes struck. The floor seemed to move; a mesh of dark fur lined the entirety of this room. I attempted to shut the door but was impeded. A nearby snake slammed me against a corner, it struck at oncoming rats, circling the area, hindering their advancement on me.

These serpents swallowed squealing rat after squealing rat.

The tan-colored beasts were quick and vicious.

I assumed the commotion would attract the Seniors but no sound came other than the scurrying sounds of rat paws and the squealing of snapped rat necks.

I held my friend close.

The floor slowly cleared. Droppings and filth splattered the floor of the library; torn books, caved shelves, and a stench so strong my head felt ill.

Rats persisted; snakes slowed; their bellies bulged.

Can I really leave him here?

Rats could still be heard in the walls, under floorboards, scampering amongst trash; the snakes hardly made a dent. Although, fear was instilled. The rats, afraid, kept a distance. Serpents curled in on themselves, making a pit in the center of the ruble there, in the heart of the room. I went over and whispered to the whole.

“I will leave my friend in your care, know that whatever my angel promised I will uphold… so long as he is well.”

I placed him in betwixt the pit of snakes and took my leave.