Life has been quiet on the MAW. No one has either heard or seen The Lady at all since the last feeding. The twin chefs who so eagerly served their cruel mistress day after day tried delivering her food. Only to find later when they collected the dishes for washing, not a single scrap of food was touched. At least not by humans, the pile of dung a sign the rats got to it first. The chefs shrugged believing the possibility the Lady was still full of her feeding. They collected the plates this time as they heard the small shriek of a rat before it was cut off. The two chefs stared at each other. The droopy faced one gestured in the direction of the sound while the lopsided smiling one grabbed a knife from its pocket.
Slowly walking around the corner getting ready to slice whatever intruder was onboard. Their hand trembled as they finally looked down the hall only to find… nothing.
Who or whatever was down there and killed the rat it was long gone. At least that's what Loppy thought until a small object dropped down from the ceiling. Reaching down to pick it up Loppy quickly dropped it as soon as they saw what it was. The rat's skull with some small skittering from up above. Loppy looked up but didn't see much. Just what looked like a small black cloud or cloth skimming the surface of the ceiling. Dropping bones as it skittered away. Since it left Loppy pocketed the knife, turned back to Droopy, and collected the dishware to be washed.
In the dark recesses of the Quarters Cinca was sitting in darkness. The painting of the Eye had been moved from its original position and taken to the dark as well. Cinca was sitting parallel to the portrait merely in silence. The portrait was glowing transmitting knowledge, ideas, and thoughts as Cinca readied her powers. Calling from the shadows she pulled, she called. She'd done this once before now it was time to perfect it. One by one they came, their masks the only visible part of their body.
The Shadow Children. Remarkably like how the Thin Man and, as the Void informed her, The Tower were able to separate souls from their bodies Cinca was able to do the same.
However, unlike Cinca the Thin Man/Tower couldn't do much with them. Most of the time the static shades stood still stuck in limbo. The only other thing they could do was communicate or deliver messages.
Cinca's shades could do so much more. They were capable of movement. They weren't capable of speech but, in all honesty, attack dogs don't need to talk. Cinca enjoyed creating them, finding intruders in her home. They all thought this was the way to get out of their prison only to find Cinca or another Shadow Kid to catch them. When a Shadow Kid caught someone they were at once killed but when Cinca caught one there was a choice. Dependent on the appearance of the child. If the child were to be normal they'd become a dark servant. If they looked like HIM, she'd snap their neck and toss them back out to the hungry crowd.
The Void saw so much potential in these servants filling her head with a brilliant thought. One by one the Shadow Kids were snatched up. Cinca with a delicate touch plucked the mask off the children's faces. The only physical tie they had taken off they start dissolving, so Cinca quickly grabs a pair of black buttons and shoved them into where they would have eyes. She needs them to be hidden. She needs them to be darkness eternal. The Shadow Kid loses what composure it has and falls. Then it picks itself up from the floor and then disappears into the ceiling. Its button eyes disappearing into the dark. Cinca smiles darkly and looks down at the rest of them before hearing a knock on her door.
"Remain calm it's merely the Janitor. We called him here, remember? The Shades will be useful to fortify your home but if you genuinely want them gone, well just touch my frame for a second"
As Cinca touched the frame she felt a sharp pain in her head as she collapsed. The Janitor who just entered her storeroom heard something fall and hurriedly walked over.
Feeling around the Janitor then felt the soft robes of his mistress. Concerned for her well-being he tried finding her shoulders to lift her. He was shocked when he felt a firm grip on his wrist. The Janitor writhes still under this iron grip as Cinca rose looking down at the Janitor channeling her energy into him.
The Janitor felt many sensations as his sides exploded.
Back in the City
Mono and Six were going back through the sewers. The sludge dripping out of the pipe as they swung around the side landing onto the walkway off to the side. Six was taking the lead this time knowing that the building she was thinking about was on the outskirts of the city. When Mono landed on the ground he slipped and landed on his back. A groan of disgust escaped his lips as he felt his head encounter something wet.
"Ugh, there are days I wish I kept hold of that paper bag."
"You've been better off without it. I'm surprised you never put on one of the normal hats and stuck with that."
"Those other hats were nice, but that paper bag was an old friend. Anyway, about the building."
"Yeah?"
"What is it like?"
Six was silent for a few seconds as she walked before responding.
"I'm quite sure that it used to be an apartment building for Viewers before they were…" Six paused, "Eaten? Absorbed? Combined?"
"Any of those would be fitting."
"Right, anyway I don't think the TVs were especially popular in this city. Also, I don't think the citizens of this city care much for the area the building is located, so we shouldn't have much to worry about living there."
The two continue until they reach a ladder going up to a maintenance hole cover. Six once again takes the lead taking the bars of the ladder with Mono following. Lifting the maintenance hole cover she looks to ensure there aren't any monsters around. The streets are completely barren not a single thing in sight. Looking down she gave Mono a reassuring smile.
"It's safe, let's go."
With Mono's help, they pushed the lid of the cover over to the side. Both looking at their surroundings, a street filled with broken streetlights, barren shops, and to Six's joy an apartment building.
Like Six described it looked completely empty. Not a single light was left on no exhaust from the vents. What was interesting to note is that there were construction vehicles around the building but they were rusted over. Like the building was set up for destruction but something was either delayed or forgotten about.
Six gestured over to a nearby window that was ajar on the side of the building. Mono nodded walking over to it offering a boost. Jumping off Mono Six vaulted over the windowsill and landed on the floor. The floors were covered in dirt and lacked any footprints. Like she thought no one had been here for a while. Walking over to the locked door she pulled up the deadbolt allowing her to push the door open. Mono quickly goes inside putting a small piece of wood under the deadbolt to allow for easier access.
They then look at the stairs seeing that they were made more for the adults than children. For adults, it would be easy to climb. For Mono and Six it would more akin to climbing a mountain, very steep. So instead, they turn their attention to the elevator.
With Mono's aid, Six manages to push the button to call the elevators. The doors creak open their shutters collapsing on themselves. The booth is used by a series of buttons and a lever. Again, with Mono's help Six managed to hit the top button and using her powers pulled the lever. The doors shut with a creak and the elevator slowly rose.
Mono broke the silence as they rose, "So what should we expect?"
"If I correctly remember the apartment itself is quite large. There's a kitchen, bathroom, really plenty of room altogether. It should make for a wonderful place for a while, or at least until the time the Ferryman comes."
Mono smiles warmly at the thought of them living together like that. His warm thoughts halted as the elevator stopped at the top floor. The door once again creaking open as they stepped out. Six lead Mono to the end of the hall with a slightly ajar door.
Mono and Six could faintly smell the scent of smoke as they entered. Just like Six thought the TV she had used to escape had also exploded thanks to Mono. The shards of glass lay on the floor between the two sofas. A mask ordinarily worn by one of the guests lay behind one of the sofas.
"Well Six, you weren't lying about the apartment this is very roomy… Six?"
Mono turned back around to look at Six who just stood there for a second. That is until she started walking forward to the TV. Mono looking at her with concern at first as she walked in the direction of the glass shards. Coming close but never actually cutting her feet. Then she stopped in front of the broken TV placing a hand on it.
"Six?" Mono walked up to her. As he got closer he saw she was shuddering a bit.
"I'm fine." A clear lie Six said as she pulled her hand off the TV.
"Six stop, what's wrong?" Mono placed a hand on her back as she was shaking.
"I just… I just thought I was over it. The first time the Tower sent that shade to mess with me. Do you know how long I stayed in this room after it disappeared?" Mono shook his head no.
"I stayed in here for a week letting my hunger slowly consume me. I was shellshocked in a way from that day. The emotions that went through my head. Anger, sadness, confusion, frustration, and regret all tearing away at me, at my sanity. I was conflicted at the choice I made, at the "choice" I had given you. Then that last day my hunger took the better of me and I left the building. About an hour later I was found by the Ferryman and taken to the MAW."
"Six stop, look at me." She looked up at Mono who gave her a comforting smile.
"Don't worry about what happened back then. It will never happen again I… WE will make sure of it."
Six just rushed forward pulling him into a hug. Mono paused for a second before looping his arms around her back, pulling her in snugly. With a quick lift, Mono lifted her off her feet carrying her to the middle of the room away from the TV. If he had to shove, he would get that painful reminder out of the building as fast as possible.
"Now, I'm going to take inventory of what we might have around here. Are you going to be alright if I leave you alone for a bit?"
"Just don't go too far Mono."
Mono starts walking to the kitchen as Six walked back to the chairs. Mono took a quick inventory. They had all the means to cook food. Stove, oven, sink, and fridge. Now if Mono knew how to cook he could use this stuff. Seems the earlier tenant was a cook because they had all kinds of tools. Using the drawers Mono clambered up to the countertop. Water still ran and the stove's still turned on so they ran on electricity and not gas. Mono clambered down to check the fridge pulling on the latch the door slowly opened to reveal…
Nothing.
Mono was starting to think that the citizens of this town didn't bother coming to this building because there wasn't food to fill their fat mouths. With a huff, he slammed the door shut and then walked over to the restroom on the other side of the suite.
Yep, it's a bathroom alright. Complete with a sink, a couple of towels, a toilet, and a shower. There wasn't an easy way to get up to the sink or the shower, so they'd need to find a way to reach those handles.
Mono walked back into the living room to see Six pulling off the cushions of the chairs using her powers. In a very flamboyant gesture of her hands, she placed the two cushions next to each other in the middle of the room.
"So Mono, what are we looking at?"
"Seems the building still has water and electricity. Supplies however like food are completely cleaned out."
"Yeah, that aligns with what I found, no blankets, no general means of comfort other than us. Not that you aren't enough comfort already Mono, I didn't mean it like that." Six quickly corrected herself.
"That aside we're going to need to find some means of supplies."
Both looked out the window to see if there was a store or other abandoned building they could scavenge. Six pointed out towards a building a few blocks away. A fluorescent illuminated sign could be seen out in the distance with a couple of people going in and out of it.
"If I had to guess Mono that would be where we'll find what we're looking for."
"We can't just waltz in there, we'll need to find a sneakier way in."
Both nodding in confirmation as they left the apartment building. The elevator creaked as it descended. They put a small blockade on the door to keep it open. Then they took the sewers to sneak their way under the street blocks. Taking a risk, they lifted the utility access hole cover. The streets were being used but because it was late night there weren't many. They were inside the store.
Ushering Mono up they left the sewers and rounded the store to the back. Mono pointed to another vent covering that was easy to access. It took both plus Six's power to pry the cover off. Six took the lead again with Mono following silently. Left and right turns and small hurdles to climb up they gradually started elevating. Till the point, they got to a strictly vertical vent.
"Well, how are we supposed to get up there?" Six said.
Mono looked at the walls and then back to Six.
"Okay, I got a crazy idea. We'll need to be synchronized to do it and we shouldn't rush it either."
"What do you have in mind?"
"You and I will walk up the ventilation shaft back-to-back pressing against each other to stabilize. Our arms also have to be locked together as well when we climb up."
"Alright let's try it."
Both stood in the center of the vent. Mono pulled his arms back allowing Six to hook her arms into his. Both pulling into each other as they began. Step after step they walked up the shaft. They got halfway when Six heard something.
"Shhh… Mono do you hear that?"
Metal clanging caused them to look down. A large rat was also in the vents. An exceptionally large very hungry rat looked up and began to climb up the vent chasing them.
"HURRY!"
Both rushed they clambered up. Slipping from panic a couple of times but still held strong when they reached the top they unlatched their arms and pulled themselves up. The rat was almost to the top as well when Six sucked the soul out of the rat. They watched as it fell with a clang.
"That was too close. I don't want to be in that situation again."
"Let's hope not Mono hopefully we're close to the inside now."
It didn't take long for them to reach another vent cover this one with sounds of beeps, footsteps, chattering, arguing, and rustling. Both pushing this time the vent popped open.
"You know it would've been a lot easier to open with your powers Mono."
"Yeah, but you know my reasoning Six. Not unless we're in a desperate situation."
Both walked out of the vent to find themselves on the rafters of the store. Looking down they saw a chaotic sight. Customers walking all over the place, snatching supplies off the shelves, some of them even fighting over what looked like packages of meat. The two continued walking out being completely cautious when an intercom went off. Sounds of communication could be heard as suddenly every single Customer in the store shambled off to the meat department.
"What do think's going on Six?"
"I'm not sure but I think I can guess." She said as she pointed to the counter of the meat department.
Mono looked down to see the thinnest man he'd ever seen in his life, and he met his older self. That was saying something. Dressed in black pants, a dirty white shirt, and a green apron was the Manager. His skin was leathery and tight to the point they both could see bone. He had the physique of a lizard. His eyes were huge and bulbous as he looked out to the crowd. He then smiled with gangly horrid teeth before pulling a cloth off a glass case. Sitting inside was a kid. Mono and Six tried to see the kid but they were too far to see something that small.
The Customers went wild as they began talking in their language. The Manager seemed to be accepting something as they gestured to different customers.
"They're setting the kid up for bidding. They're auctioning him off."
"Mono right now that's not our problem. Don't forget what we came here for."
"I know it's just I feel bad for – GAH!"
Before Mono could finish that statement a long tendril of flesh wrapped around him. Six looked back to see the source and saw the horrid sight. That long tendril? Was the Manager's tongue sticking out of his mouth. The Manager quickly pulled back reeling his tongue with Mono still wrapped. Six tried reaching out with her powers only to find he was out of range.
Mono was quickly released from the tongue only to be placed in the Manager's hand who looked down at him with a greedy smile. The Manager then opened the glass case and dropped Mono back in before the cart that held the glass case was wheeled back into the storeroom much to the Customers' dismay.
Mono finally gets a good look at the other kid while they sit huddled away from him. Mono sees another boy with shaggy hair covering his eyes. He was as big as Mono almost similar in some appearances. The difference being that this kid wore a blue shirt and dark blue pants. Oddly noted, at least odd to Mono, was that this kid had a cuff with a few links of chains around his leg.
"Hey, are you alright?"
The kid said nothing still looking down at the floor.
"Can… can you hear me?"
The boy looked up to Mono acknowledging his presence for a moment before looking back down.
'Okay, so he can understand me at least.'
"I'm Mono, what's your name?"
"What does it matter we're both dead anyway." The kid rasped out.
"Not if we work together on this. You and I could get out of here."
The kid looked back up at Mono before sighing and getting up to his feet.
"I don't have a name. People called me RK from where I came from." He gestured down at his leg to implicate.
"Well, RK, if we can get out of this glass case we can get out of here."
At that point, Mono and RK felt the case under them shudder as the case moved slightly.
"Oh, come on, we're probably in the Manager's arms," RK complained.
"No this is good. Come help me ram the glass maybe we can shake out his grasp."
Mono and RK began running at the side of the wall. Putting all their body weight into each charge. The Cage seemed to shift more with each push. Right till the point gravity seemed to take course and both rose into the air for a second. The cage around them shattered into fragments. Mono opened his eyes to see Six relaxing her fingers as the power dwindled from them.
"Thanks for the hand Six!"
Before she could reply an angry shriek appeared from the other side of the door. Six taking Mono's hand and Mono taking RK's they ran into the nearby vent cover. All of them prying at the cover as they heard the door swing open. An angry shriek could be heard as the cover fell with a clatter. Mono, RK, and Six rushing in the vent cover. Six tripped as the tongue wrapped around her leg. Mono quickly turned back around and slashed at the Manager's tongue. Mono put a little too much force in the slash as he cut the tongue in two. With a cry of pain, the tongue reeled back in. Six getting back up to her feet pushed Mono and RK forward. The vent went through a series of twists and turns. An opening could be seen and they ran for it. All of them ran out of the vent only to be surrounded.
The intercom went off again the screeching could be heard. Only this time it was angry and sounded uncaring. It only meant something bad for the trio as all the Customers looked down at them with hunger and malice.
Six looked at Mono as her powers started flowing from her fingertips. A look that meant something he really didn't want to do. With a sigh, he grasped the clasp that held the necklace together.
"Just keep me grounded, okay?"
Six nodded before they both turned to face RK. Mono pulled out his knife and handed it to him.
"Use that in case we aren't near enough to stop whoever may try to grab you."
"What are you two doing?"
Mono begrudgingly takes off the necklace and he feels the static leave his fingertips.
"Just cleaning a mess."
Mono and Six looked at each other before walking away from each other. Well, Six walked, while Mono charged into the fray. Six was calmly humming her tune as she walked into the charging crowd. Like the Grim Reaper appeared, the lights above flickered and popped dead, the Customers paying no heed charged anyway for the free sample. One by one the Customers clutched their chests or throats as they got too close. They fell to the ground like dead flies.
The Manager could see what was going on in the cameras. Panicked they ran to a drawer that was in their office. The Manager shuffled some junk before his eyes landed on the steel barrel of a gun.
Mono charged as the static flared up from his hands. Thrusting his palms, he let out a wave of static that launched the Customers backward. One of the Customers managed to get close, but Mono charged some of the static into his claws and swung. In a similar fashion to the North Wind, three claw marks were made both into the Customer and the shelf behind them. With a shriek, Mono gathered the attention of the other Customers and they charged for him as well. Then the door to the office opened, Mono, Six, and RK looked to see the Manager, whose mouth was bleeding, was holding a revolver cocked and ready. Eying the carnage the Manager picked Six to be the most responsible and aimed the gun at her.
Six looked at the Manager slightly frozen in fear. She couldn't move as she saw the Manager's finger clench around the trigger. Time seemed to slow down as she felt something push her from behind. Turning around she saw… she saw Mono pushed her out of the way and took the bullet for her.
His left shoulder was gone, his arm lay on the floor.
Six looked at him in shock as he slowly raised his right arm to the gushing hole quietly and calmly. Then she heard it.
A chuckle
A snigger
Both Six and RK looked up at his face. A small smile could be seen on Mono's face. A smile that quickly grew into a maniacal grin. The air around Mono started flickering into static.
A laugh
A chortle
The static around his clawed grew with even more intensity. The air was filled with a shriek as the area around Mono turned grey and glitchy. Six, RK, the Manager, and all the Customers clutched their heads as the shriek grew too loud.
A cackle
A screech
Six watched as Mono's eyes turned to gray again as his voice spoke in distortion as he faced the Manager.
"YOU cAnnOt kIll mE!"
The Manager pointed the gun at Mono again planning to snuff out this monster's life. The bullet left the chamber but Mono merely swiped his hand forward. The Manager dropped the gun as it broke. The bullet fired repelled back breaking the gun in the process. The Manager then charged Mono preparing to choke this thing to death. Mono swiped with his claws and severed the Manager's hand off. RK and Six watched in horror as Mono placed his hand on the severed one. They watched as the flesh and bone from the severed hand started to dissipate and replace Mono's arm. First bone, then veins, muscle, and skin.
Mono merely looked at his arm with disappointment before turning toward the crowd now panicked from what they saw.
"That's enough Mono. They get it."
Mono just stood there facing the crowd.
"Mono?"
It didn't seem Mono heard her as he started walking forward. To the sound of a clock, each step he took thunder could be heard despite his small frame.
The crowd of Customers started running for the door. Each of them shoving each other out of the way as they ran for the exit. None of them could leave because the exit was only made for one person at a time. Mono still walked forward with both hands flaring in static. The area around him beginning to slow time in the space. Mono then crossed his arms together, static still building up around him as he walked. Then he flung his arms back out.
And then everything around him exploded outward.
A massive shockwave flung everything outward around him. Shelves and aisles were pushed outward. Cans and boxes of food tumbled down to the ground. The glass on the store windows shattered and the Customers bolted. They cared not for the broken glass they just needed to getaway.
Mono stood there again watching as the crowd of people ran away. Before turning right back to the Manager clutching their arm stump. Mono began walking back to the Manager his arm preparing to separate flesh and soul again.
"That's enough Mono please stop."
Mono ignored her again as he walked past her. She reached out to grab him only to gasp in shock as her arm entered his field of static, Her arm twisted and bent before returning to normal when she pulled it out. Mono wordlessly walked forward from the cowering Manager.
'He's not listening I have to do something else.' Six thought to herself.
RK started backing away from the two of them.
'What on earth did I get myself into? What are these things? They are not children like me at all.'
Mono got an inch apart from the Manager when he felt something latch onto him.
"Please, please give him back."
Mono faltered a bit when the hands drew him closer. Pulling him away from the Manager.
"Give me back my Mono."
Mono's eyes flickered blue and silver for a second. Six could feel her body shift and crack out of place, her limbs bending in all the wrong directions, but she wouldn't let go.
"Give me back the one I love."
The glitchy static around him started to fade away again. Six's body returning to normal as she felt Mono start to collapse.
"Please, come back to me."
Mono's eyes completely shifted back to normal, his mouth turning from that crazy grin to a depressed frown. His stature relaxed as he slumped down into the ground. Six holding him slowly rubbing his back. Mono felt bile rising to his throat as leaned there. Pushing Six to the side he let go. Heaving over and over as he felt ill.
The Manager now seeing these two vulnerable launched themselves forward to crush these. Just as the Manager felt something stab in the side of his face. RK used the switchblade and jammed it into the Manager's cheek before pulling it out and stabbing them in the eye. The Manager stumbled back before reaching into his pocket and pulling out two sets of keys. In his haste and panic, he dropped one of the two sets of keys and then ran to his office and locked himself inside.
Mono now much calmer turned to look at Six.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, no Mono you didn't hurt me at all. You scared the hell out of me though."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay you're back now."
Mono slips the necklace back over his neck as he and Six turned to look at RK who was standing a few feet from them. They both walked back towards him.
"Thanks for the-"
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" RK now holding the knife towards them.
"What's wrong? It's just us."
"Yeah and look what you two just did. Whose children's skin did you rip off to disguise yourselves? What kind of monsters are you?"
Mono looks offended while Six rebukes, "We're not like those creatures that lie off their greed. What we did for us and you were for survival. We may be monsters but at least he and I have a conscience."
"That doesn't change the fact that you almost massacred the entire building. I appreciate that you freed me, but I can't stay by your sides without that fear that you'll do the same to me."
To which Mono said, "Then go, we won't force you to stay with us nor will we make you leave us. You're free to do what you want. Keep the knife you never know when you need to defend yourself."
With that RK slowly backed toward the exit before doing what he did best. Runaway Kid.
"Do you think he'll be alright Mono?"
"I can't be sure Six, people like him prefer to live on their own. To each their own I suppose."
"And you Mono? Are you okay?" she asked as he clutched his head in pain.
"It's just a small headache plus my left arm is a little numb. I'll be fine let's just stock up on supplies and get back."
It didn't take long for them to grab supplies thanks to Mono's static pulse from earlier. They grabbed a cart and filled it with all sorts of canned goods, a couple of books, a small radio, some rope, spices, blankets, a couple of plush toys, fruits, vegetables, some fish, and some soap.
Mono then walked back to the office door and picked up the set of keys.
"Now we don't have to sneak through the vents to get in here. Next time let's just wait for them to close the shop and then we'll just scavenge what we can."
Mono and Six pushed the cart back to the apartment building and into the elevator. The two of them stayed silent as the elevator rose. They left the cart outside of the apartment suite as they emptied. Quickly stuffing all the foodstuff in the fridge. Mono clambered up the countertops and got a pot ready. Looking at one of the recipes in the book he got ready to work on a soup.
In the meantime, Six was fiddling around with the radio. Tuning it to a good station trying to lighten the mood a small bit with some music. She found one good station, seemed to play some old pop music. She found herself dancing to the tune as she got some furnishments ready for later.
Mono put the soup to a simmer to cook gradually as he joined Six. She held out her hand and Mono accepted a small smile on his face. The two danced following the beat and moving to the tune. It was too upbeat and poppy to waltz to. It allowed the two of them to shrug off the tough time from earlier as the two leaped from side to side. They shimmied before the music turned into more of a swing-based song. The two just let the tune carry themselves around. They may have been children with adults' souls inside them but right now they were just children enjoying themselves. Letting the weight of the world on them not bother them today. They eventually had to break away though as Mono smelled the soup was close to being finished.
"Six can you grab a soup bowl?" Mono said as he grabbed a ladle.
Six grabbed one using a cloth to get rid of the dust that was inside. The soup looked delicious a nice red with carrots, potatoes, and celery inside. They shared the soup using two spoons. It was alright they both thought. Mono wasn't quite a master cook but it was good for a first attempt.
As they continued eating the warm dish a thought entered Mono's mind.
"Can I ask you something Six?"
She looked up as she was biting into a carrot and she nodded.
"How come you never go berserk while you use your powers?"
She swallowed, "I'm not sure I can answer that easily but I could say it comes with experience. Back when I was the Lady of the MAW I had to learn to use my abilities effectively and efficiently. I had to, otherwise, I would've been torn apart by the servants. You see, they only respect a ruler with power and the strength to use it. I guess the reason you might not have as much control over yours is that you haven't been in control of it most of the time. Most of your two lives combined were influenced by the Tower."
Mono contemplated this for a few seconds, "I don't want to be in a situation where I lose control like that again. I wonder, would you help me control it. Show me what you know. Teach me essentially."
"I don't want to lose you to your power again. You being unresponsive was scary enough. Of course, I'll help you. You've helped me so much its time I returned the favor."
Mono held his hand out to her and she grasped it. His thumb running over her knuckles as he smiled at her. They both finished the soup quickly and cleaned up the stove, bowl, and sink. They walked over to the cushions that Six set up for a makeshift bed.
"Oh, hold on a second."
Mono pulled out the music box and wound it up for a good while. The music box played its tune again as they both clambered into bed. Mono laying his head on the teddy bear plush while Six laid hers on a fox plush. They both pulled each other closer and fell asleep. Letting the calm music, soft covers, and warm embrace of one another lull them to sleep.
Far out of the city RK could be seen wandering. He wasn't going to let himself get killed sticking around those two. He did look back though, a small voice arguing that it would've been better to stick with them. Shaking his head of those thoughts he continued. Disappearing into the forest, free to run another day.