(CHAPTER THREE)
The tape started it's crackling, showing how poor the recording really was. A few seconds passed before a voice finally came through, soft and sweet and quiet. A small sad smile graced the candy-blooded troll's face at the sound of the deceased troll.
"Hi everybody, its Nepeta. So, um… I think I wont be able to see you guys for quite some time, so I made this. I have a only little time to say this, so I'll try to be quick. This is just a little speech I'd like to say, a little" the cat loving troll trailed off, the only noise being her soft, slightly painful breathing. Soon after did it come back "last words, kinda thing." She spoke, her voice obviously filled with upset. Karkat heard her take a small shaky breath, before starting again.
"I um, I wanted to say I love you all, even the ones who were mean, I love and cherish each and every person I met. You've all impacted me in some way, and for that, I'm grateful. I-I have a few people I want to say that specifically to. L-like Terezi! I love you Terezi, our roleplays have been so much fun, I'm never going to forget those, a-and you've helped me with my loneliness, when I've needed it the most…" Nepeta trailed of slightly, almost like reminiscing, before catching herself.
"oh! and theres tavros! I know he was allergic to cats, and it was hard to roleplay with he had to pretend he wasn't allergic to cats, I still feel bad for that. But it was still fun, I'm glad I got to spend time with him, I wish I could tell him to his face that I'm sorry about it all, but I can't, and I hope he can understand." She slowly got more upset as she spoke, voice wavering and bubbling with upset. Karkat could just hear the olive tears rolling down her face, and it made him all the more upset himself.
"A-and… and Equius, to me he- scratch that, he /is/ my brother, I love him so much, and I'm so glad he would spend time with me. I-I mean- he was bossy and stuck up as hell, but he was always looking out for me, even if I didn't realize it. E-even after seeing what gamze-" she stopped abruptly, choking on a sob. The bubbling hiccups and gasps for breath were heart wrenching, bringing karkat's will to it's knees. He sobbed along with her, not even stopping when she continued to speak.
"Oh dear gog what Gamzee did…. He- his blood everywh-" the two trolls sobs in unison, drowning in their own sadness. It took pausing the tape and taking a few breaths before karkat could continue, and even then, he still sniffled and sobbed slightly, large red tears rolling down his face.
"It doesn't even matter, I'll be dead and seeing Equius soon enough, maybe my death was from my guts being pulled out slowly, or all my blood was drained, or maybe I was beheaded, who the hell is going to care? Really, I don't know anyone who will actually mourn for me. No ones gonna wonder about the stupid cat girl that would just annoy everyone, I bet even my roleplay friends just did it to keep me from whining and begging them" the recorded troll raged sadly, having to stop again to sob and recollect herself. A few minutes later she regained herself, a bit calmer than before
"I-I'm so sorry whoever found this, you probably don't even care about me, you're probably only annoyed by all this constant noise I call crying. I-in a little bit, I don't even know where I'll be, I don't know if this'll be destroyed, I-I don't even know if Gamzee will kill me quickly, o-or he'll make me suffer…" a long pause ensued, and Karkat would have swore the recording had ended, were it not for her soft breathing. It took a small while before she started again.
"I'm purr-sitive he'll make me suffer, even worse than he did to Equius... l-lets just continu-" her speaking ended suddenly when she gasped, the sound of the recorder being moved before a ruffle of clothing and the rush of feet. All was silent for only a small part of that, before some muffled yelling forced a scream of terror to be ripped from Nepeta's throat. A small thump and the clatter of the recorder hitting the ground rushed to the microphone. Karkat could not make out the next conversation, but could hear the pleading of Nepeta's voice, and the raspy, yelling tone of Gamzee's. they were making a deal of some sort, and soon Nepeta's voice got more and more desperate, that he thought Gamzee would kill her right there, the voices stopped, and the sound of soft panting and sobbing would be heard getting closer to the recorder. Said object was dragged closer to wherever Nepeta was, and her voice finally came back through, rushed and quick and fearful.
"I-I don't have much time, I have to do this fast. G-Gamzee, hes-" it cut off suddenly, the sound of yelling from both Nepeta and Gamzee as a harsh slam was heard, along with the crack of glass. Soft sobbing was heard as Nepeta gasped in pain, a soft hiss before she started again, still rushed and desperate, this time laced with pain.
"I-I wanted to say Karkat, this is completely for you, please don't shrug this off, please don't leave, I need you to hear this, please karkat, please!" she begged, voice rising in distress and fear and sadness. It took all of Karkat's will not to stop there and vomit on the floor.
"I know you hated to roleplay with me, but even though you were rude and mean and called me autistic, you made me laugh, and you made me feel like I was special. Like, I was someone important, like I had a purpose. And that made me feel red for you Karkat. So, so much red. I love you with all of my heart, and I know you don't feel the same for me, but I love you Karkat. Please never forget this. I'll miss you the most." The next conversation was then projected to Gamzee as she turned away from the recorder, her words intelligible but still muffled this time.
"Alright Gamzee, do whatever you want to me, just please be gentle" she then turned back, finishing her recording.
"This is arsenicCatnip signing ou-" the recording then violently cut off as a piercing scream filled the air, before the recording stopped, obviously having the 'stop' button pressed. Silence then ensued, filled only by the sick gasps of Karkat, who had emptied his stomach over the machinery he was sitting next to.