21 Confinemen (1/2)

We went to the office of the university to check us in. Apparently, I was looking for a higher degree in mathematics, and Mad was accompanying me. We talked to the clerk for some time before walking towards Professor Habib's office. Mad said the clerk recognized her and thus we were able to talk to Habib before the Head of Department.

We entered an empty office, consisting of a glass table, one chair on either side, and a couch in a corner. There were cupboards and shelves all around the room, filled up to the brim with different kinds of paperwork. The one directly behind her had files and loose papers. The one on my left had bulky books neatly stacked. The one behind me was filled with different kinds of comics.

I pointed towards the shelf behind me and asked Mad,” What's the deal with this?”

Mad threw herself on the couch while she looked at me. She squinted her eyes, trying to remember what kind of literature I was pointing at.

”Oh that, she picked up that habit when she went to America for the first time.” Mad filled me in.

I started browsing her collection.

”Does a professor as busy as her have time indulging in fictional worlds?”

”She finds a way to inhabit her habits in her daily routine. Trust me, I know.” Madonna spoke the last part with barely any strength in her words. But I was able to catch on.

I gulped, trying to dissolve the uneasiness I was feeling deep in me.

I ran my fingers on the eight-step shelf. It was filled from top to bottom with American comics. Some Marvel, some DC. I paused when a certain book caught my eye.

'The Killing Joke.'

Sounds haunting, I thought to myself.

I crouched and realized I was wrong. It wasn't just American comics. The bottom three shelves consisted of manga.

This was one interesting individual.

I stood up and scanned the room once again before sitting in one of the chairs. I looked at Mad. She was sitting tiringly. The fatigue was not going anywhere any time soon.

”Mad, do you want some water? Some painkillers?”

”No, thank you.” She replied.

”So, should I know something before we talk to the Professor.” I diverted the topic.

”Only that she is a fox. If possible, keep your ears open at all times. She has a way with words. And when I say that, I mean that. If Priscilla was a brute who only relied on her strength and power, she is that as well as a master manipulator. Her sugary words are rarely one note.” Mad adjusted herself on the couch before continuing, ” you may think you can take her on, but you can't. I got trapped into her plans once. I am not going into that abyss. Remember Kyo, we have an objective. I am going to apologize to her and ask her to attend a party.”

”Why would we do that?” I inquired.

”Because Priscilla didn't do what she was supposed to. Thus, we have to listen to one of her tantrums for a little while longer.”

”What exactly does that mean? What did she want from the Professor?”

Mad hung her head low and said,” Not just Habib, she wants me to contact everybody. Everybody that consists of my past.”

”What will she gain from this?” I was confused.

Madonna was getting pissed. ”I don't know Kyo. Maybe she'll throw a slumber party to all the 'Madonna Rejects'. Who cares?”