CoCo
Chapter 6
Being alone in that bedroom day in and day out, CoCo became very bored. She decided to some exploring around the room. The room itself was a cozy size, not too big, not too small. It was an irregular rectangle type of shape. There was a single window, but there wasn't much to see since Kriplespac boarded it up so she couldn't look outside. A phonograph stood in the corner left of the door of the room. The door itself wasn't exactly placed in the middle of the wall. It was a about a foot off. In the opposite corner, was the entrance to the bathroom. A couch lined this wall. Next to the bathroom door, a little fireplace stood, with a chair and coffee table in front of it. A desk sat next to that. The single window and the bed were placed on the wall opposite of the wall the room's entrance was. Lining the walls and fire mantelpiece were various photographs. War photos, a picture of a Tediz prototype, a picture of Heinrich the Xenomorph, pictures of von Kriplespac himself; these photographs told of many moments of Kriplespac's past, but of course Coco knew nothing about any of it. But she was interested to know his story.
I just met the man I'm gonna marry, yet I don't know a thing about him! CoCo thought to herself. She looked at the pictures some more. Wow! It sure looks like he had an exciting life! Oh, I wish I could say the same thing about my life! Simon dropped her daily food rations in the slot. The noise made her jump. Dammit! When is he ever gonna come back?
Days went by and still no Kriplespac for CoCo. She snooped through the desk, hoping to find some information on him. She opened a cabinet on the desk and found a folder full of pictures. She pulled a few of them out and examined them. She saw a photograph of Kriplespac during the Old Wars, in his military uniform. My, did he look handsome! And he had legs! CoCo held her hand over her heart and sighed. I wonder what happened to him? How did he lose his legs? She stuffed the picture in her bra. She wanted to keep him close to her heart at all times. Simon dropped off her rations. CoCo pounced at the slot.
"Wait!" she called to Simon. "Come back!"
"What do you want?" he groaned.
"Will you talk to me?" She asked, sweetly. "I'm bored."
"No," Simon replied, rather coldly.
"Why?" she urged.
"Because I don't like you." With that, he turned and left.
Time rolled on. Bored as usual, Coco sat on the bed, swinging her legs. A knock on the door brought her to her feet.
"CoCo?" a voice said. "It's me...S-Simon." His voice sounded as if saying these words left a bad taste in his mouth. "Stand away from the door." She backed up. Simon opened the door, cautiously and grabbed CoCo by the wrists. "Follow me," he ordered. "Hurry!"
Simon directed CoCo back to the lab. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Quiet," Simon snapped. "You are a squirrel. Squirrels carry lots of diseases. We're checking your immune system and giving any necessary vaccinations." CoCo saw Kriplespac setting up a machine. She quickly decided that this trip wouldn't be so bad after all. Kriplespac and Simon stripped CoCo naked and put her in the tube again. Both huddled around a computer, running scans and checking her health.
They finished their tests. Kriplespac pushed a button. A blue liquid released from the top of the tube and mixed in the green liquid that was already in the tube.
"Zis vill prevent the squirrel from getting, and spreading, diseases." Kriplespac told Simon. "Ve'll have to let it soak in her body for a vhile. Zank you, my Tedi. You may return to your post in the hospital." Simon saluted and left the lab. In the meantime, Kriplespac continued to work on some other projects as CoCo watched.
Night finally fell. Kriplespac had a hard time staying awake. He dozed off, his head slipping from his hand and falling on the table. Thunk! He quickly pulled his head up, awake. He looked at CoCo. "Oh, I suppose it is for you to come out now..." He took CoCo out of the tube. As she got dressed, she noticed his drowsiness.
"Hey, are you alright? You look like you haven't slept in days!" she was a bit concerned about him. Kriplespac didn't answer her. Blinking slowly, he staggered over to his workspace. "You know, you should really get some sleep," she said, following him. "You can't work while you are tired!" She looked around the room. In a far corner, she saw a bed. That must be where he sleeps when he works late nights like this.
"C'mon," she said, grabbing the arm of his chair and pulling him. "You're going to bed." Kriplespac was too tired to do anything, so he let her lead him to his bedside. He hopped out of his chair and onto the soft, cozy bed. Instantly, he fell asleep.
CoCo, not sure what she should do, decided to slide herself in bed next to him. She pulled the blankets up and turned towards Kriplespac. She really wanted to cuddle him, but she dared not, thinking it would cause him to panic. So she restrained herself. After all, she just happy that she finally had gotten to see him again. She was content with lying next to him for now.