Whatever's Out There
Chapter Two
Somehow my legs moved on their own accord, perhaps because I knew that the sooner I did this the sooner I could come back, but I soon headed onto the street and walked down the direction that Six came from. This was my first time actually setting foot on this road, the first time I would see beyond what the window allowed, and yet I was terrified at the prospect. There were shadows in the darkness of the night, but at least I was somewhat more obscure than I would be in the daytime.
Around the corner I went and the street stretched along before me as I continued into the empty world. Soon the first match went out and I used the charred end to mark the way back to the road. As I lit another one I continued to use the burnt one to make sure I didn't get turned around in the darkness. It seemed to stretch forever with hundreds of empty houses that resembled my own. I almost thought about looking for a replacement, but it changed soon enough. Soon the city changed as I got deeper in.
Most of everything was destroyed in this portion of the city. Buildings only barely stood and their remains littered the streets along with large Machines and the bodies of humans. The humans didn't really worry me more than the fact that their empty eye sockets stared in an unnerving way. Unnerving! Yes! That is exactly how to describe that portion of my trip. You wouldn't believe how quiet it was and the only light was, again, my matches that I continuously changed out.
I reached some sort of old train station by time I realized that I was running out of matches. At this time I realized that I needed to rethink my strategy a bit more. I sat down on the station steps and stared at my surroundings, hoping to find some sort of sign, my currently lit match dying as I held it. "Alright…" I murmured, "There's no sign of anyone out here." My mind wandered and I spoke to myself to bring some sound to the deadened streets. "He was a little delusional from the fever… Maybe there's nobody else out here? No, that can't be."
I'll admit it, the doubt was still there, but I managed to slowly pull from my thoughts when I heard something nearby. I straightened and went as still as I could. It didn't sound very far away and I was very hesitant to go search for the source of the noise. Unfortunately, it was coming towards me. "Maybe it's another Stitchpunk!" I thought to myself as I dove off the end of the stairs and stayed hiding beside them. There was the sound of grating metal on marble as something came forth from the depths of the station.
My voice must have lured it out, along with my light which I had put out and left on the steps. The match gave off a slight bit of smoke before dying away. The creature, the large creature, continued to cross the ground and I stared in horror as it came into view. It was a monster! Or, well, a Machine, but it looked nothing like the things sprawled across the ground. It was twice, maybe three times my size and made of metal and bone, with a hunched over body and a pointed head that set low to the ground. It waddled forward on sharp claws that were three or four inches in length.
Long metal parts, like blades, went down its body like three stripes and somewhat kept it from moving as well as it could have. One of its eye sockets was empty while the other held a red eye. The red color wasn't the beautiful type I loved, but the dangerous warning that this thing was a Machine. I was actually seeing a living Machine. Its head hung low and an odd thing on the tip of its bony snout, it looked like a metal piece that was filled with various holes, began to take in air. It lead it all the way over to the match and began to take in the air around where I had been.
This thing looked like a Badger, like from one of the books I read, and it had my scent. It could smell me, the match residue on my hands, and it looked in my direction. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me…" It started coming over, "Oh no. No, no, no, this can't be happening." My breath quickened as I rested against the wall of stone. I could hear it coming closer and pulled my launcher out, unpinning a safety pin and stringing it on the rubber band. I then tried to steady my hand as it shook and waited for the Beast to appear before me.
Instead it decided to appear above me, large red optics staring down at me, and I flipped to face it before firing the safety pin at its face. There was a tinging noise as it went into the empty socket. It did nothing and instead managed to annoy it. It made a little swipe at me as I stumbled back and fired once again. It had to climb down to the ground to actually start coming at me aggressively. Another safety pin flew at it and struck the other eye. All that it did was cause a thin crack on the lens. That didn't exactly change anything but annoy it more.
Its claw flung forward and I shoved the weapon upwards the shield me, the claw knocking it out of the way, cutting deeply into it. The wood was practically shredded and at that second I knew… Well… that my fabric wouldn't hold nearly as well as the wood had. I pulled my little sword out and whipped it forward. That was when I realized that my sword, while looking like it would work, was no match for this Beast standing before me. So when it swiped and sent me into the cement base of the station, holding me with its claws, I can't say I was surprised.
It hurt, but thankfully it used its pw more than its claw. I was pinned, but not completely shredded, and I twisting my sword before bringing it down into the claw pinning me. Now it gave a cry and I began to repeat, stab after stab, until it released me and smacked me again. This time I was thrown a couple of feet away. That feeling when I hit the ground, that dazed feeling, I'm surprised I pulled out of that. I had struck the side of my head and optic so while I didn't get damaged I was shaken. My head hurt, but I was alive.
But I wasn't ignorant and I knew that I couldn't fight this Badger Beast. I stumbled to my feet and started to run randomly away from the station. Yet the waddling monster that could barely get down off the stairs suddenly learned how to run and was upon me in seconds. A claw came down at my back, catching onto my hood and ripping me back until the red fabric actually tore away. The sudden release through me to my knees and I only just managed to roll over and point my sword upwards before the claw came down upon me.
It was sheer luck, but somehow the needle managed to go through the claw and into something in the ankle. The Badger Beast recoiled and my sword went with it, right out of my hands. I wasn't that concerned with the sword though when I was running for my life and I scrambled to my feet, stumbling backwards. The Badger Beast released a metallic roar that sounded like metal grinding on metal. Almost as though the metal teeth were scratching each other. Then, just that second, something flew out of nowhere and hit the Badger in the head.
It looked like a needle and was followed with some source of light, and movement, and I was overwhelmed. In fact, I was so overwhelmed that instead of questioning the commotion I took it as a distraction and fled. I just ran as fast as I could. Somehow I remembered the way, maybe because I was so panicked, and I just dashed all the way home. By time I was on the street my legs were protesting and I was stumbling over myself. Only barely did I make it home and climb into my window. Then, dirty and weaponless, I collapsed against the wall and blacked out for a few minutes.
It couldn't have been very long until I awoke as I had barely moved at all in my sleep and I expected to at least slump over. That was when I checked myself over; not a scratch. Though I did ache a bit and my legs felt weaker than ever. Both of my weapons were lost and one of them had been completely worthless, the safety pin shooter. Through the safety pin ammo was still dangling around my waist. I ran my fingers through my hair and rubbed roughly at my head in an anxiety ridden haze. "I knew it was going to happen! I just knew it was going to happen!"
Now my voice worked, "Why did I go out there? Now it's got my scent, probably already knows where I live and everything, and it's- argh!" After the frustrated noise and be bringing my fists down on my thighs roughly I managed to somewhat pacify. Instead of rushing upstairs to see Six I dragged myself into the bathroom upstairs instead. Over the years, years I assume, I had made a makeshift way to catch rainwater into the bathtub through a thin tube that I stuck out the window with a funnel. Well, a funnel-ish system. Nothing impressive on my part.
The rain only lasted for a day or so before it drained out of the tub and into the pipes that no longer are in use. It wasn't as though I needed to wash a lot, but this time I needed to get the dirt off the legs, and the cold water was somewhat soothing. I lit a new match to lead myself around the dark house before creeping back to my bedroom. As I peeked it I realized that Six was awake, staring at the doorway almost fearfully, probably having heard me wander around and feared for a Beast. He was glad to see me and smiled hopefully, "Hello."
He greeted and I forced a smile, "Hey. I'm back." I greeted as I crossed over to his bedside, waving out the match and tossing it over to the waxy base of drippings. "Feeling better?" I asked and he nodded a little before asking, "Did you find them?" I simply stared for a few seconds. Now that I thought about it, those lights could have been others, or could have been another Beast, and I had ran. I had just been so scared and at that point I had become completely unarmed. I had to flee when I had a chance, but I still felt like a complete coward, but this wouldn't be the first time I had felt that way.
"I… I got attacked." I admitted to Six, "Some sort of light distracted the Beast- the Badger- and I ran. I don't know what it was. I'm sorry." He seemed a little disheartened at this and stared downwards at his knees under the blanket. Before I could help myself I blurted out, "I'll go look again." He looked upwards towards me and I protested with, "Just… Give me until tomorrow and I'll go back out." I didn't want to go, I didn't think I could go, but my voice just continued to spill things I didn't really want to say. Though I didn't want to upset Six either; he was my only companion.
"It's okay." He said quietly, "They'll… They'll find us. Don't go." Maybe he suddenly felt lonely or something, but he didn't want me to go, and I was glad not to go. Coming forward I checked his forehead again, his fever was high once again. "Are you hurting?" I asked as I untie the ribbon around my waist, tossing it and the safety pins out of the way. He shook his head tiredly and laid back down on the pillows weakly. It was clear that he wasn't feeling well and I raced through my memories for an idea to comfort him.
We could talk, but I wouldn't know what to talk about, especially since he was tired. Then I perked and put a hand up, "I'll be right back." Grabbing a match I headed downstairs and lit it on the way. Down in the living room was the shelf that contained the books I read frequently; I kept things spread around so that I wouldn't be cramped in a single room. It didn't take long to find the book of tales that was stuck in my head. Aesop's Tales, they were called, and they were short and sweet, but best of all the book was rather small compared to the others and was easier to carry.
Though once I got it to the stairs I dropped it off before entering the kitchen. I had become paranoid and was certain that something was going to break into the house. Because of that, I needed a weapon, and I was sure that a large fork or knife would be adequate. We, the old woman and I, I occasionally refer to her as though she is alive because it's a bit less lonely feeling, mostly had butter knives and nothing really sharp. That was when I found something that I had overlooked perhaps hundreds of times.
It was almost like a wooden hammer with jagged parts on both sides of the head and a long, narrow, and evenly measured handle coming from it. It could be like a staff to me, but because it was wooden it wasn't too heavy, except the head that was pretty uncomfortable to lift. I knew what it was. This was one of those hammers that were used for meats back when humans needed meat to eat and wanted it tenderized just right. A Meat tenderizer would be perfect against anything trying to make their way in!
I managed to it upstairs while bringing the book as well before dropping the tenderizer on the floor, the handle sticking upwards, "Alright," I announced with a smile, "How about I read you a couple of stories?" Six seemed to be interested and I dropped the book onto the bed, laying down in front of it and flipping it open as best as I could. "Here, let's see… I don't read these ones often. They're pretty short so we'll read a couple." I finally stopped on one that's words took over the page.
"Here's one. Once there was a traveler who was about to set out on a journey when he noticed his dog stretching beside the door. He asked his dog, 'Everything is ready to go except for you. Why are you just standing there?' The dog answered- and I know dogs don't talk but bear with me- 'I am ready, as you see, it is for you who I am waiting.' The moral of the story is to not blame other active people on your own loitering." Then I winced; this hit a little close to home with me, somewhat. Sort of taunted me with going outside and running home without any help. Six seemed entertained enough, "Then what happened?"
He asked in interest and I looked back to the page, "They… uh…" How to say that the story was over when it was only two sentences long? I decided not to and instead flipped to the next page, "Umm… the Traveler and the dog continued on their travels until they came upon a Miser who was tearing out his hair and overcome with grief. 'What is the matter with you?' The traveler asked and the Miser replied, 'I spent and sold everything to buy a lump of hold that I buried here. I've come every day to see it, but someone followed me and stole it!' he was very distraught and the dog gave him some advice, 'Take a stone and put it in the hole and pretend the gold is still there. It will do the same because when the gold was there you never used it.' The moral of this… Part of the tale is that if you have something wonderful, don't let it go to waste, just use it for something practical."
This story didn't make any sense anymore, but from the look on Six's face he seemed happy… Of course it could have been the fever. "You, ah… Still want more?" He nodded and I flipped the page, "Let's see. A man- the traveler continued on his way and soon became very prideful and began to boast to anyone who would listen. He believed that because of his travels he knew more than everyone else. One day he was bragging about a great feat he accomplished at a place called Rhodes. He jumped farther than any man could and said that he had become famous in a nearby city because of it. 'Anyone in Rhodes could prove it'. However, his Dog, who knew this was a lie, called him out, 'Now, Master, if this is true then you can pretend this is the city and show us all.' He was called out and, embarrassed, the traveler grew more humble. The moral is to not boast over accomplishments you haven't accomplished."
Looking to Six I saw that he was still listening, still happy, and I felt something swell inside me. I liked this, I liked reading to someone and having them listen, and I liked that I wasn't alone. Maybe nobody else was out there, but I still had Six at least, "Let's see… So the Traveler and his Dog continued until they found a house. Inside they found an overturned pot of honey…" Story time continued for quite some time. Perhaps ten pages later I started to slump and Six also droned off after being lulled by the story.
When I awoke later on I was still stretched out on my front with my face tucked into the book. Not too comfortable, but the book at least smelled nice, with that dusty page smell of well-worn paper. I drug myself upwards and noticed that the candle had died some time ago. There was still light in the room and looking upwards I realized it was slightly coming through the curtained window. It had to be dawn by now, very early dawn, and from the gray color it was probably overcast. I wasn't shocked with all of the rain recently. As I stretched my back out, raising my arms above my head, and then only froze when I heard something.
There was movement downstairs and I gaped, "Its back." I inhaled sharply as my mind raced, "It followed me this far?! But- But the light!" But I knew the truth, "Must have still had my scent I suppose." I muttered out before I stood and grabbed the tenderizer's handle. Still tired, I forced my body to lift the weapon and started to the door. The thing got my weapons, it had knocked me around, and I was not about to let it overtake my home too. Of course my confidence shifted once I was creeping towards the stairs.
I peered downwards into the foyer where I could see some of the entranceway and living room from the light shining through the window, the dull light. From the room with the hole I could hear either light rain again or wind, but it didn't really matter. It was the rainy season, it could have very well rained daily as far as I was concerned. Down the stairs I hopped until I arrived at the bottom. Something was around the corner and I decided on a surprise attack. First I knocked on the wall with the handle, then I lifted to rest on my shoulder.
It sort of teetered and tried to escape my grasp repeatedly. The sounds of movement came closer and I flew around the corner with a war cry. I brought the tenderizer down, it smacking into the ground heavily. I wasn't that strong, but the tenderizer was heavy enough to do all the work while I just held on. Again I pulled the weapon off of the ground and went to swing once again. That was when I saw what was before me. There was no Badger Beast waiting and instead were two dolls. Two of my kind, of Six's kind, before me.
The one with the zipper, who must have been leading, was now sitting on its backside as it had jumped back to dodge the tenderizer. The closer one had its hands upwards in defense, it had a patch and was missing an eye. They looked pretty similar and were both male, and both had darker tan fabric and were taller than me. They looked like brothers; I looked like some sort of crazed psychopath. I gaped at them in pure alarm, or at the one eyed one who was closer, and he spoke, "It's… It's alright. We're not here to hurt you."
I could just stare at him as he slowly came closer, probably not to startle me as I had already dropped the tenderizer and wasn't a threat. He paused for a few seconds before randomly saying, "Well… Umm… Hello." Awkward, and I meant myself, and I responded adequately, "Hi." The zippered male stood and offered an explanation as the one eyed one went into his bag, the former beginning to smile and looking elated to see another of our kind, "We didn't expect to see someone else out here." He pointed out and a nervously responded with a strained smile, "Yeah. Me neither."
He then rubbed the back of his neck, "We thought you were someone else when we saw you getting attacked." That was when I noticed the staff in his grasp with the bulb at the end and recognized it, "You were that light that appeared when the Badger appeared." Nine smiled in a friendly manner, "That was us. We were looking for our friend." Then introduced, "I'm Nine and this is my friend Five." At this moment Five, the one eyed one, sudden handed over my little sword that I took in my grasp. It was nice to feel it again and see it somewhat intact.
Although the handle had come loose, but that didn't bother me too much and I expected it after it being tossed about. But I caught something and spoke, "Wait, you're looking for someone?" I asked and the two looked to each other quickly before Five explained, "Our friend Six went missing a few days ago and we've been looking for him." That's when I spoke, excited as I learned who they were, "What a coincidence! A day or so ago someone named Six popped up outside. He's upstairs resting right as we speak." They both perked and I found myself smiling much more comfortably.
"Really? He is?" Five asked in hope and Nine finished with, "Can you take us to him?" I nodded, "Of course. He's upstairs." I hooked the sword under my arm while carrying the meat tenderizer as well. "Sorry about swinging at you back there. That Badger Beast and all… Sort of shook me up." Nine dismissed it, "It's alright. We've had trouble with the Beasts in the past; we know to keep defenses up." I paused at the mention of 'Beasts' and stared at the stairs before me. Just zoning out as I took in that comment that punctually pointed out that there was more than one.
Nine hadn't noticed and continued to the stairs eagerly while Five actually stopped and looked to me. Since he was following behind us I practically halted in front of him. "Are you okay?" He asked and I quickly straightened myself, tangling a hand in my hair, "Oh yeah, I'm fine, I was just… Lost for a second." Then he suddenly asked, "You weren't injured when the Beast attacked, were you?" I looked to him quizzically and he explained, "I'm sort of a Healer. So, ah, I was just making sure."
I gave him a reassuring smile, "It knocked me around a bit, but nothing that a little rest didn't fix…. I should probably warn you that Six is a little less well." His optic widened and I could hear Nine's footsteps halt on the steps behind me. "He was out front in the rain when I found him. Feverish, delusional, barely able to keep going; so I brought him inside and put him to bed. He's doing better, I think, the fevers under control, but he's not really active." Still, the buttoned one seemed relief, "That I can work with."
I turned and hurried to climb the stairs, leading the two behind me. Now our total of living dolls was four and I was more than happy to have guests. Even as I headed up the stairs I thought about breaking out another book or trying to find a game that we could play. It had been so long since I had actually- no, I had never been able to play these games or tell stories, or talk to someone else or do anything that didn't involve me being cramped in this house.
Maybe they could even help me with the hole in the roof.
Maybe they could save me the trouble of leaving again.