"You know,anyone who watches you obssesively everyday will notice that you never actually eat the food!" -Dib

Chapter five:voice of the monster

When a sound is made,we instantly know where it is coming from.But when the shuffling noises began in the bloody and dark living room,it was as though it came from everywhere.

"It's everywhere!"Zim said frightenly.Dib slowly stood up and leaned on the stained couch for support.

"But what is it?"

Gaz growled.

"I'm going to kill it"she said fiercely.The shuffling noises increased its volume.

"It heard you" Dib said.

"Big deal"Gaz snapped back"if it's so great,why won't it come out?I think it's pathetic"

There was a horrible scraping noise,then it was gone.Gaz switched on the flashlight and pointed it on a darkened wall,where words in dripping blood was written.

HELLO,GAZ.WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY AT ME?

"It knows you?"Zim asked.The message dissapeared.It was replaced by another message.

I KNOW YOU TOO ZIM.DID YOU LIKE MY GIFT TO YOU?

"It's talking about that barb wire"Dib said.Another message.

I AM SORRY,DIB.I DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU.

"did you do those on purpose?"Dib asked at the wall.

NO.I WANTED TO PLAY WITH YOU

"Well your stupid game nearly gave him a bad case of tetanus!"Gaz screamed at the wall

WHY ARE YOU MAD AT ME?I JUST WANTED TO PLAY

"Play somewhere else"Gaz said sternly,"I hate you"

I HATE YOU TOO,GAZ.

Gaz raised an eyebrow.

"Well then leave" she said.

I WANT ZIM AND DIB TO COME WITH ME.I LIKE THEM

"Does that mean this thing is a girl?"Zim asked.Dib merely shrugged.

WILL YOU PLAY WITH ME,DIB?

"It's starting to really freak me out"Dib muttered.

I WON'T HURT YOU OR ZIM.I WANT TO PLAY

"I don't trust things easily" the Irken said with a polite tone.

I WON'T HURT YOU,ZIM.YOU ARE ONE SPECIAL IRKEN TO ME.

"It knows I'm an invader!"Zim whispered,"it knows!"

OFCOURSE I DO.YOU ARE SPECIAL

"What about Gaz?"Dib asked.Gaz grunted.

CAN I PLAY WITH YOU,GAZ?

"Heck no,freakin' whatever you are"Gaz replied stubbornly.

I WILL KILL YOU

"Gaz,please!"Dib pleaded,"just do what it says!"

I LOVE YOU,DIB

"Doesn't that freak you out?"Gaz snapped.

"It's better than getting butchered alive"Zim commented.

Gaz growled.

"Fine.I'll play your game"she said.Dib and Zim exhaled.

I WANT TO PLAY

"So...uh--what do you want to play?"Dib asked.There was a long pause.Then,the message oozed out from the walls.

LET'S PLAY HIDE AND SEEK . . .

***

Oooh!What does the thing mean by hide and seek?Will anyone die?