A/N: Hey, I'm back. It's not even been a month. I didn't reply to everyone's review like I tend to, so I'm going to thank you in my author's notes. Readers can just skip this, unless you're mentioned.
Invader Johnny: Yeah, it would have made Zim's life easier if she believed him, but I wanted to give him a challenge. I can't imagine what it would be like to be told by a stranger that a lost loved one visited them. I think I'd believe them only if they had proof.
Star Timeblazer: Thank you! I think it's hard keeping everyone IC, but I'm grateful for your kind words. They mean a lot. I think the positive side to Zim is developing chapter by chapter.
Kazehana23: Thank you, I can't believe this story is one-year-old already. I hated porcelain dolls, too, but I still had a shelf full of them. Creepy. And yes, the 90s were truly the best. I think I was lucky to grow up in that decade. Some of the best cartoons came out then (expect IZ, that was the noughties).
Dezarulordoftwilight: Thank you, I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
PsYcHoGAMER164: Really? That's scary. I've never really seen a ghost, but I did go to a séance and this woman went into a trance, and her face turned weird. As fun as that night was, it was also quite terrifying.
Thank you for reviewing and reading. I really appreciate it. I remember the first time someone mentioned me in their author's notes, and I felt all happy inside.
Disclaimer: Did I forget to mention, that I don't own the rights to Zim yet again? I should probably just write this once at the start, but you get paranoid.
...
Monday Morning…
Ms. Bitters scanned his report with cold, calculating eyes, searching for any plagiarised text, but she seemed satisfied enough. To double-check, she pressed a button on her desk, and a huge machine descended from the ceiling, wafting grey smoke all over Zim.
The serpentine teacher slithered towards the machine and placed his work under a scanner. On the machine, a small screen displayed the number zero, which began to rise once it scanned Zim's report.
The number stopped at 16%. Zim's eyes popped out of his skull. He did plenty of research on the sun's last life cycle, and cited any source he used to prove how genuine his writing was. So it must be wrong.
He got the computer to write his report with his findings. The report only took twenty minutes with him being an extra-terrestrial with super brain activity. Credit should also go to the computer. It was a team effort.
"Well, Zim, you may have written a good, thought-out report, but the machine has proven that you have a sixteen percent similarity to any outside source. Therefore, your report will be marked average. Besides, your citations are all wrong! Et al. must be written in italics! Next time, I won't go so easy on you. Take your seat," she hissed.
Zim puffed up his chest and marched over to his desk. At least it was over. Twenty minutes on a report was too overwhelming. Though he didn't care much for his grade, but it was kind of insulting to his intelligence. Zim is not 'average'.
His classmates watched him for any crazy glitches, but he pretended not to notice. They hadn't seen him since Wednesday, and many were surprised to see him again in one piece.
He was a brand-new Zim. He had found peace with his gift, and even befriended the little ghost, Molly. It was strange for Zim to refer to her as a 'friend', but it came naturally.
As he sat down, Zita scooted as far back as her seat would allow. She didn't want his craziness to spread to her like a plague. He ignored her, finding her silly and childish. She was just a stupid Earth girl, anyway.
He felt like he was being watched, and glanced over at Dib. The boy was showing him a picture of a cartoonish ghost caught in a trap. His smile was creepy and evil, looking wrong on the face of a boy.
Zim noticed the overly feminised look of the ghost (bows, long eyelashes, frilly dress, etc.) A deep growl rumbled in his throat as he glared at Dib. His claws pierced through the material of his gloves, as he scraped them along the desk, leaving a splinter trail.
The boy took advantage, knowing the alien wouldn't attack him in public, and tore the head off the ghost. Zim's contacts shone crimson red, as a hiss escaped through his clenched teeth.
Zim felt Ms. Bitters' aura turn on him, as he looked up to see that she stopped rambling about flesh-eating bacteria. At least he wasn't the only one. Her dark aura even washed over Dib.
The class turned quiet, as they all looked to the boy and his alien foe. It was always Dib or Zim who interrupted the class.
The teacher floated over to Dib, and snatched his picture out of his hands."Drawing in class again I see, Dib. If this picture was even half decent, I'd let you off, despite the fact that I hate art and all forms of creativity. You will be shunned by the entire class for your lack of artistic skills, and Zim, too, for admiring your work."
Ms. Bitters held the torn picture up for the class as they laughed on cue. She had them well-trained.
Dib shrunk in his seat. Even though he wasn't into all that art stuff, it still dampened his spirits. Having the whole class know that you suck was hard.
Zim didn't have any sympathy for him, but he was annoyed that he should suffer for Dib's poor art. He wasn't admiring his work, he was showing his anger and disgust towards his message. How dare he threaten to hurt Molly. Zim's mission was to protect and save the girl, so Dib better not touch a single ghostly hair on her head!
Zim sensed a soft, sunny aura on his right: a stark contrast with Ms. Bittters' omnipresent darkness. He didn't turn his head but shifted his eyes. There was Molly by his desk, pleased to see him.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered from the corner of his mouth.
"I came to say hi. I missed you. The house is too quiet when you're not there yelling at everyone."
"But you'll see me in a few hours. Now hurry, go!" Zim whispered louder.
"Who are you talking to?" asked Zita.
"Zim is talking to himself. I have the 'schizophrenia', a common Earth disease, were one has several voices inside his head."
"Oh... th-that's nice..." She scooted further in her seat, lifting her desk up so that she bumped into the kid behind her.
"See, now look what you've done. The hyoomans are getting suspicious. Just go back to the base before you cause—"
"And just why are you whispering to yourself, Zim? I'm trying to teach the class about the gruesome facts of bacteria. Tell the voices inside your head that you will talk with them later, and pay attention!"
"Sorry," he apologised meekly, as a few kids sneered in the back.
"Looks like we got ourselves a new Dib," someone whispered, yet Ms. Bitters didn't tell them off.
Zim looked at Molly sharply, signalling for her to leave, but she was frozen in place. Her eyes settled on Ms. Bitters.
"What... what is she?"
He didn't give an answer. Ms. Bitters was frightful, even before his clairvoyance came along. But how Molly saw her, he could only guess. He definitely knew she was a bad spirit. Did she look even more monstrous to Molly?
"I-I don't want to go, Zim. Tell her I don't want to go. She knows I'm here. She's trying to make me go with her to a bad place..."
Zim kept his gaze on the wall, as he watched Molly from the corner of his eye. He was frozen too. Ms. Bitters was a demonic spirit, enticing the souls of the dead to go over to her dark side and become a part of her legion.
"I can hear them screaming. She has them in that black cloud..."
"What black cloud?" Zim asked. An image formed in his head next, and for a second he saw what Molly meant.
A black mist was in place of the chalkboard, swirling around like a whirlpool. The sounds of suffering echoed from the vortex, with cries of help and regret. Zim turned cold as a cool bead of sweat dripped down his temple. There were moments where the patterns in the cloud would shift into human faces.
But that was nothing on her... Ms. Bitters' true form. She was nothing but a shadow with eyes of pure black. She beckoned to him, chanting and growling like a beast. He opened his eyes and gave a yelp.
Ms. Bitters looked at him viciously, but Zim found her human masquerade tame and silly in comparison to what he saw. He could never forget her true face, and that lack of anything that resembled life. He noticed she had taught the class while enticing Molly. Could she do two things at once?
"Zim, what have I told you about screaming in class?" Zim could still hear the demonic undertone of her voice, but it sounded far more pleasant compared with those beastly growls he heard.
He didn't acknowledge her. Instead, he turned to Molly; he only feared for her now. She was still paralysed as her eyes bulged out. She looked old and worn, as if the life was draining out of her. That sweet face was gone.
"Go. Get out while you can. I'll distract her. I won't let her have you!" Zim glared up at Ms. Bitters. "Stay away from her, demon!"
The whole class gasped, and then a deafening silence followed.
From the classes' perspective, she looked like an angry teacher, but in her demonic world, she was smiling with a toothy grin, letting Zim see her true form.
He stared back, rising from his desk to look taller. When she spoke, her false voice resounded in the background, scolding Zim in front of the entire class. He could hear her true words, thick and audible amongst everything else.
"Any spirit who walks willingly into my trap is mine, space traveler. A pure soul like hers would make a fine addition to my collection." Her voice rumbled deep in her chest.
Zim's eyes widened. Did she just say Space Traveller? Dib would have a field day with that one. If only he heard...
"What? You think I don't know about your true identity, Zim? My kind loves your people. Such tainted souls forever banished to darkness. That's where you're all destined to be. There's no hope for you, little Irken..."
"Zim, don't listen to her, she's only trying to scare you. Leave the class, and take Molly with you."
He heard his guardian's voice, and jumped down from the chair. Once again, Ms. Bitters returned to her human disguise.
"I think I deserve to see the principal, Ms. Bitters. Such disruptive behavior I have caused to the class. I'm sure my fellow students would agree."
All the students nodded, desperate to get rid of him, expect for Dib. Obviously, he knew something happened between him and Ms. Bitters, since he wasn't stupid like the other kids. The thing Zim despised most about him. He always knew things.
Ms. Bitters scowled, bearing a fang or two, but then her face looked poised like a real teacher again.
"Fine, if that's what you want, Zim, so be it. But if you ever show up here again with your additional voice, I won't be so merciful. You're just a waste of my time. I still have these poor souls to teach the dark, cruel ways of life."
Zim felt frightened for his fellow classmates for a moment, especially Dib, but he let it pass. They weren't his problem. The other students were probably confused by her use of the words 'additional voice', but Zim knew exactly who she meant. They would probably take it as his crazy, schizophrenic side.
He gave her a salute, grinning devilishly like he just won a great battle, and marched out victorious.
Molly was still frozen. So he took her arm and pulled her out the room, as the class talked among themselves.
Who was he holding onto? His hand was holding thin air, even looking as if he had a weight to drag. Maybe he is crazy with imaginary friends. It was time he went to the crazy house for boys.
Dib watched him leave, but then he noticed the blur on his right. It looked like that rippling shape again. He felt his hair stand on end. It was her; that little ghost friend of his. Now he was bringing it to class? At least he understood Zim's outburst.
The alien freak was protecting that ghost from Ms. Bitters, like it was his own kin. It made him sick, to know that his foe cared about some ectoplasmic life form. It was just too weird.
"E. T. and Casper become best friends now? This isn't some stupid, cheesy crossover! This is real life, and it's just... wrong!"
He looked down at his pencils then, and an idea came to him.
"Look out, Zim. I'm right behind ya..."
...
Out in the hall, Zim grabbed Molly's shoulders, and shook her out of her trance. It wasn't working.
"Molly, listen to Zim. That demon isn't going to harm you. She made a deal, as long as you never show up again. What were you thinking coming to see me in class? The humans think I'm crazy as it is!"
Molly didn't answer. She only looked on behind Zim, as if she could still see that dark cloud.
"Molly! Stop it! What has that demon done to you?" he cried.
The classroom door opened next, and Dib walked out with a pencil lodged in his nose and in his ears. At his shoulders was a suspiciously large back pack. Hmmm...
"And don't return until your brain is back in working order!" Ms. Bitters yelled, and then a trail of black smoke slammed the door shut.
"Hey, Zim!" the boy called once he saw his foe. "I got myself sent to the nurse's office to see what the heck's going on. I know she's there," Dib pointed to Zim's right, though Molly was on his left. "You're trying to protect it, aren't you? This is... different behavior from you, but I'm not buying it."
"Mind your own business, Dib-thing. She's none of your concern."
"And why is she your concern? Do you care about it now?"
"No. I mean, yes… I don't know. I'm all she has."
"And the irony is that you're an evil alien trying to ruin the planet. Poor kid. Of all the people to be dumped with."
"Well, she could have always ended up with you. You're just jealous, Dib. You'll never get your proof of ghosts, no matter how long you live."
"I could just get my proof now."
"What?"
Dib pulled out a square object from his back pack, and threw it on the floor. Next, he got out his proton gun and aimed for the ghost. Once he caught her, he would throw her straight into the ghost trap, just like in Ghost Busters! (I can't believe someone actually made a proton back pack for school age boys).
The ruckus woke Molly from her stupor as she shook her head. "Where am I?" she asked, looking at the proton beam that shot straight past her. Stupid Dib missed anyway, but he did set fire to a few lockers behind her.
The beam had absolutely no effect on her. Even when she put her hand through it, nothing happened. "Aw, it's pretty. Is it yours, Zim?"
Zim grinned at Dib. "It looks like your precious Hollywood has lied to you yet again, Dib. It turns out the Proton Beam actually has no effect on ghosts after all. Who knew, right. Better luck next time, though I do thank you. You helped to wake Molly."
"What? No! The beam was supposed to polarize with her energy! That's the last time I watch anything that comes out of Hollywood!"
Molly picked up the trap, and walked over to Dib. His eyes widened as it floated towards him. The colour drained from his face.
"Here you go. Thank you for the pretty lights. Zim's lucky to have a friend like you."
Zim rolled his eyes. He weren't his friend. The very thought made his squeedlyspooch squirm like a bucket of worms.
"Um, thanks," Dib said. He couldn't hear her, but her ghostly chill swept all though him. "Brr," he shivered.
"Go home, Molly," Zim warned. "And please, never come back to the skool. It's too risky."
"Okay, I promise. Your teacher is really scary."
"Yeah, she is," he laughed. "Now go."
She vanished. Zim looked over at Dib. He was staring into space with those pencils still lodged in his nose and ears.
"You look ridiculous!" Zim spat.
His voice brought Dib back to himself. "Huh? What happened? Where the ghost go?"
Zim left him there, and then walked past the droid that put Dib's fire out. All skools had them now (Professor Membrane's very own design).
He wasn't really going to the principal's office, but he couldn't just leave and go home. Ms. Bitters would be furious, even though she knew all along that he wasn't like the other pupils.
To her he was just another living soul whom she could succumb to darkness. The humans will definitely notice something is up if he didn't go back to class later. It was lunch in a few hours anyway; he can go back after he pokes his food for an hour.
...
Zim sat alone at his usual table during lunch. He didn't like the loneliness, not now when he'd had so much company lately.
He hoped the humans didn't notice his displeasure. That Keef kid took every opportunity to reclaim their false friendship. Seeing Zim wistful may make him come over. Zim shuddered.
Curiously, he glanced up to see if anyone in the room acknowledged his existence. They didn't. It made him feel strangely insignificant, like some unpopular kid in a teenage movie.
Zim was that kid in this skool, and he only just noticed. He always knew he was amazing and superior to these beings, anyway, but it was just so annoying. It made him feel like a ghost the way they ignored him. He growled at the irony.
He looked over at that blonde popular girl, Jessica, showing off her new phone. Her friends never took their eyes off her. They all wanted to be like her because she was so expensive; that was an eye phone million after all. She was showing off an app that literally swapped faces. It was grotesque, hearing the kids scream once the laser ripped the skin off their faces, all just to attach to another kids' face. Then they would all laugh. The things these humans do to each other in the name of fun.
She was like the Zee of this skool: pretty, and obsessed with calling people losers. That jock Torque was the Spleen, showing off his war wounds with his band-aid. And then that fat kid Chunk was the Skoodge because of his weight.
When he put it into perspective, this planet was no different to his own. They had their socialites, and they had their losers.
Then who was the Zim of this planet?
Zim looked up at Dib. The boy caught his gaze as he wore a scowl on his face. For a moment, he could see another version of himself in Dib. He removed that disturbing thought from his superior mind.
He would never in a million years be like Dib. Besides, he had a sister. Zim had no sibling, despite the fact that Irkens don't have families (The Irkens were just one big happy family).
Zim noticed said sister wasn't at her usual place by Dib, playing with that console of hers. That was odd.
Was she dying from one of those rare but fatal diseases Ms. Bitters spoke of that morning? Or did she go on vacation to a gaming convention? Maybe, she was never really there in the first place, a figment of Zim's imagination this entire time...
He felt the goose pimples next as his mind wandered elsewhere, wondering whether life was real at all, or just a dream.
Then what was this moment right now? Who was he? Where was he? And was someone just typing at their keyboard making him think all this in a bid to break the fourth wall with a cheap but amusing gag? His mind was boggled. But then to his reassurance, he finally noticed the purple-headed girl in line waiting for a liquefied meat drink. He breathed a sigh.
Life suddenly fell back in place. Zim didn't have to question his existence any longer now that the Gaz-human was in sight.
Gaz returned his gaze, and Zim noticed, too, how prolonged it was. Usually, the girl never gave him a second glance. He felt a twinge of happiness now that she took more notice, because everyone should.
It was the aftermath of feeling alone and dejected before, as no one even bothered to look up and say "Hiya, Zim, how you feeling, Buddy?" Ironic that the hypothetical voice inside his head was Keef's. Zim gave another shudder.
That was the reason, and not because Gaz looked at him for more than five seconds. Then why did his pulse rise once the girl walked towards him? She was a scary human, after all.
She was probably going to sit at Dib's table, but taking a longer route to get there, around the room, which is stupid. Her big-headed brother was just across from the line.
No, she was definitely coming to his table...
Zim looked at the trash unit to his right. Maybe she's throwing gum away, even though he had never seen her chew gum. What did it matter anyway.
Gaz was getting closer...
He peered down at his food, which had a fly drowning in it. He poked it around to distract his thoughts from the Gaz-human, but then he saw himself in the fly because it had antennae, so he let it go.
Next, a shadow loomed over his table. He looked up, meeting the amber eyes of the violet-haired girl.
Zim acted surprised, trying to pretend that her presence didn't bring him joy, because for once one of these pig-smellies finally decided to come over and give him the attention he deserves.
He saw Dib watching them, looking surprised and a little dejected by his sister's table choice. He wasn't the only one. A few others stared, wondering why the scary goth girl was interacting with another. Though she wasn't actually goth; a black dress is a popular choice.
All she ever did was play with her GS2 and sit with Dib, and sometimes beat him up when he ranted on about finding Bigfoot's toenail in his soup.
"May I join you?" Gaz asked, sounding horribly pleasant. It wasn't hard to see she had to choke it out; being polite and general people skills weren't this girl's forte. She looked like she just bit a lemon. A bitter one too, ripe and fresh.
"... Okaaay, Dib-sibling," Zim replied, referring to her as the only way he saw her.
In the background, Dib watched carefully, as if the alien was going to harm his baby sister. This gave Zim an idea, just to wind Dib up. Though it would probably ensure his death; Gaz wasn't the holding hand type.
Things were awkward as neither touched their food. It occurred to Zim that they had never interacted much before, except when he used her as an umbrella, and when she beat him in space after she escaped his space station with Dib.
There were other times, but he couldn't recall. Though he vaguely remembered how she somehow got him to Membrane's lab in time when Dib stole his PAK. He had taken her game device first, and she beat him up after.
The fly Zim saved before hovered above his head, as if it were grateful for his rescue, or maybe he smelled bad. He swatted it away, regretting that he saved it from doom.
He glanced up at Gaz, who was looking around the room, distracted in her thoughts. She drummed her fingers against the table, which was odd, since she wasn't the finger-drumming type. She wasn't much of a type of anything, though she did like her games and colouring evil piggies.
After some time she gave a long, frustrated sigh, like she had something to say. Zim watched her curiously, noticing she seemed angry to be at the same table with him. He wasn't pleased. He went back to poking his food nonchalantly, like he didn't care.
"Look, Zim… I heard what you said the other night in Dib's room."
He sharpened his eyes, letting her words sink in. When they finally registered, he looked worried for a moment, but composed himself once again.
"You heard me tell Dib what? Nothing important was exchanged between us."
"I heard you tell Dib that some ghost girl came to you for help because she was murdered. Does that ring a bell?"
Zim slammed his fists on the table, and looked her right in the eye. Gaz didn't flinch an inch. The alien breathed hoarsely as his pupils narrowed.
"Stay out of it! Like I've told your brother, it has nothing to do with either of you. She's my problem."
"What if I were interested in helping you find her killer? It would be like playing a real-life detective game." A slight smirk came over her face.
Zim sat back in disbelief. "You would help me? You're only a child, albeit a strange one, but a child, nonetheless. Besides, little Gaz, this isn't a game. A girl was murdered by some lowly scum, and I'm going to hunt him down and make him pay," he growled.
"That's the spirit, Zim. There's nothing better than senselessly mauling someone."
"Eh?"
"Just hear me out. I am willing to help you. I never help anyone! I don't know why, but it compels me. A ghost, murder, finding the killer... I need to be a part of this game."
"It's not a game!"
"Can I meet her? Don't tell Dib. He'd wanna come too and ruin the fun, and then tell his sweaty eyeball people."
"I think it's swollen eyeball," Zim corrected, surprised that he knew that. "I'm not so sure. What help would you be?"
"You're questioning my potential? You do know who you're talking to, right, Zim? I'm not useless like Dib."
He looked her over, and finally gave in. "Fine, I guess you can be of some help."
"I knew you would come to your senses."
Zim felt a strange sense of relief. She was willing to help, even if for her own amusement. It was nice not being alone anymore. He did doubt her potential, she was right. Gaz was made for stuff like this.
"Meet me at the city park after skool, say about three thirty? We can talk some more, and maybe she will come."
Just then, Dib came over uninvited, slamming his tray of food on the table. He sat next to Gaz.
"What are you talking about?" he asked them both, desperate for answers. "What dark deals have occurred at this table? Are you trying to lure my sister into a trap, Zim. Huh, huh, huh? You won't get away—"
"Were you feeling a little left out, Dib? Don't worry, I can assure you it has nothing to do with taking your sister hostage. I'd be signing my own death wish, anyway."
Gaz nodded in agreement.
"So, what have you been talking about? Is it about the ghost? I know you heard the other night, Gaz. That's it, isn't it? That's what this is about!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Dib," Gaz replied, cooly.
"Give me a break. You were sneaking around my door. I saw your shadow."
"Maybe it was the ghost..." She wiggled her fingers.
"We were just arranging to bake a batch of cookies for the old peoples' home. It is important to bee a friendly neighbor, after all. And don't worry. We'll save you some cookies, Dib."
Zim got up at last, leaving the siblings alone.
When the alien walked out the room, Dib turned to Gaz, and glared until she broke down and revealed everything. Too bad she grabbed a pile of mush from his tray, and threw it in his face. Why did he think his trick would work?
Eventually, Gaz got up and left too, leaving Dib to clean his glasses. A few kids snickered at Dib's misfortune, but most didn't notice. It happens all the time.
…
Zim was nervous about his meet with Gaz after skool, which was silly and very non-Zim like.
He kept reciting his words inside his head. It was all fine and dandy now that someone else knew, besides Dib, and they were willing to help. Yet she was a mere ten-year-old child. Five years older than Molly herself.
Gaz had proven useful in the past when he sought the aid of her and Dib. Telling Molly's mother had been a mistake, but Zim swore he saw a little spark in her eyes. Deep down, maybe she was happy to hear her daughter had returned. Unfortunately, the brain got there first, making the idea seem ludicrous to the old lady. Logical thinking was a curse.
He sat on a park bench, which felt wet and cold on his butt. He hoped it was rain, even though it hadn't rained for days. There were other people around, namely children in the small play area.
One baby was playing in the sandbox, eating the sand and spitting it back out. It dripped down his chin. Zim had to turn away before he went sick.
The baby's mother came to his aid, and wiped his mouth, cooing and telling him, "Whose mommy's little man."
A little girl on the climbing frame shouted for the woman's attention. "Mommy, look at me, look at me! I'm all the way at the top!"
The woman applauded, and got her phone out to take a picture.
The baby grabbed another handful of sand when she wasn't looking, and shoved it in his mouth.
This was too painful to watch. Zim hoped Gaz got here sooner. It was driving him insane watching these human families have fun. No one had fun on Irk. The very word was forbidden, unless you're the Tallest...
Zim glanced at the girl on the climbing frame, who was hanging upside down. Her blonde hair swayed beneath her. It was the glimpse of her hair that made him think he was seeing Molly. She was almost her double.
He tried focusing his attention on an old man, sitting on a bench near the play area. He was reading a paper, as he would peer up from the pages. There was nothing significant about him. Zim didn't know why he even bothered looking. He was just boring. Everything about this park was boring.
Gaz was taking too long, and he was becoming impatient. He decided not to bring Molly, but it wasn't like Gaz could see her, anyway.
Gaz finally showed up, appearing before Zim like a purple angel, or demon... He didn't look too pleased, giving her a long stare, as if he could turn her to stone.
"What?" she asked, sucking on a straw.
"Where have you been?!"
She waved her drink at him, which was in a monkey-faced container. Zim sighed. She was worse than GIR. They should hang out more often; they had the same taste in food, and loved piggies. The similarities were uncanny.
"Also, I had to distract Dib, and tell him I was going to the arcade. He thinks they're lame, because he's a loser, so he won't be too eager to follow me. Though he's not as stupid as he looks, so be prepared to see his dorky face lurking in the bushes, thinking we can't see him."
"Well, thank you for going through all that trouble for Zim. Dib has been of no help; he's trying to expose Molly to his secret network."
"You mean the chubby eyeballs?"
"No, the sweaty … swollen eyeballs. Why do I even have to correct you? You're his filthy sibling. You live with him!"
She shrugged, and took another sip of her slushy. "I've learned to drown out his voice over the years. But you can never get used to it."
Zim looked uncomfortable for a moment, having no response to give. She gave a last sip of her straw, and disposed of her suckmunky in the trash next to the bench. She may be many things, but she's no litterer.
"So, where's the ghost? You said she was coming."
"Oh, of course, she's right there." Zim pointed to the empty seat on the bench next to him.
Gaz gave him a long, penetrating stare, and shook her head. "Do you think I'm stupid, Zim? I know she's not around. Just because I can't see her doesn't mean I don't know she's not here."
"Then how did you know she's not here at all?" Zim asked before he could stop himself. He gave it away, though it wasn't like she needed telling.
"Ha, gotcha. Go on, summon her up. I wanna see the ghost."
"She's already here, right over there on that climbing frame. Say hi!" Zim waved to the little girl who looked like Molly. She waved back. He put his hand away, not meaning to get her attention. He felt a little embarrassed now.
Gaz looked over, and narrowed her eyes. "Zim, I think I'd know a ghost if I saw one."
"Oh, you'd be surprised…"
"Stop fooling around and call her! If you don't, then the deal's off. I hope you enjoy finding her killer by yourself."
"All right, I'll see what I can do. I told her to wait for me until I got back to the base. She almost became the teacher's lunch today."
"Ms. Bitters? She's cool. Did you know she's a demon?"
Zim looked at her surprised, as his jaw popped open.
"Well of course everyone knew that..."
He shook his head to clear some much needed space, and stood up from the bench. "Okay, I'm calling Molly. Be prepared, I don't know how she will appear to your mortal eyes, but most people can't see her. So don't be disappointed. After all—"
"Just hurry up already!"
"Don't push Zim, Gaz-human."
He cleared his throat and called Molly's name. His voice caught, so it sounded all squeaky. Gaz rolled her eyes and got her GS2 out, knowing it was going to take some time.
"Don't lose hope, I promise I can make her come!"
"I'm not. I'm just going to beat this level to kill time. Your voice sounds like a girl's, so you may wanna get that checked. Then again, you've always sounded like that."
"Zim does not sound female. I just have something stuck in my throat. Have patience, little Gaz. Soon you will be able to feast your eyes on the ethereal being herself."
"Whatever, just hurry up. I've almost finished this level."
Zim inhaled deeply, and prepared to call Molly again, but the ghost still didn't show. "Don't give up, I got this!"
Considering Zim didn't want Molly to have anything to do with this meeting, he was eager to summon her now just to prove his power. Having a lower life form, such as Gaz, know you can summon beings from other worlds fed his ego. Though Molly was really playing scrabble with Minimoose and the computer, while GIR devoured his book word for word.
Sometime later, after Zim had shouted Molly's name over and over, and Gaz was already three levels up, a small wind brushed between them. Many people looked over, wondering why he was shouting some random girl's name so much.
He was about to give up, until Gaz stopped her game and looked over to his right. Zim looked over too, and there she was. Molly...
"What's wrong? Did I do something bad?" she asked.
"Wow, a real-life ghost... I've seen better." Gaz returned to her game as usual.
Zim flipped his head around, eyes the size of bowling balls. "You see her?!"
"Yeah, right there: pink dress, blond hair, blue eyes. So what. I keep my third eye open..."
"But you're human. Only GIR, Minimoose and the computer can see her, but I thought that was because they were robots."
Molly glanced down at the floor timidly, and hid behind Zim.
"What is this? You've turned shy now?" he asked in disbelief.
Molly shook her head denying it, but she didn't say anything, being too shy.
"She's not going to harm you, are you, Gaz?"
Gaz shrugged.
Zim gave Gaz a pointed look, and pulled Molly out in front of him. She struggled a bit, but surrendered eventually. Gaz was real scary.
"Molly, this is Gaz: the sister of that big-headed boy with the funny contraption. Do you remember him?"
"Yeah..."
"And Gaz this is Molly: the ghost that I've told you all about."
"Yeah, hi," Gaz said, clicking away at the buttons of her console.
"That's it? After everything I went through to get her here, all you're going to say is "hi?" You infuriate me!"
"Fine." Gaz switched off her game, and glanced at Molly. "So, how old are you?"
"F-four, but I'll be five in two more days."
Gaz was confused by her answer, but never gave it much more thought.
"Do you like video games?"
"Not really. They're for boys."
"No they're not. Girls like them too!"
Zim gave Gaz a warning glare.
"Well, what do you like to play then?"
"I like to play with dolls."
"Of course you do... I have dolls. They come to life and guard my room from my stupid brother."
"Really, like in Toy Story?"
"... What?"
"Uh, she's from the '1990s'. I believe that movie came out during that period. GIR rented it once and made me watch it for ten hours. I don't care for cowboy dolls that come to life!"
"Oh, yeah, I think I've seen that. It was kind of cool, I guess."
Molly looked up smiling, deciding Gaz wasn't so bad. "I like you, Gaz. Do you want to go play on the swings?"
"That's all right. You go over. I'll talk to this idiot instead."
"Okay. Bye!" Molly ran over to the swings.
"What idiot?" Zim asked after she left. Gaz ignored his question.
"So, she's been dead that long, since the 1990s? We have to do a report on boy bands from that period for Mr. Elliot. He thinks music is a gateway to the heart, or something stupid like that. Maybe she can help? I need help with something called 'Backstreet Boys'..."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but yes, fifty-five years. I spoke to her mother just yesterday. She's moved on, so I have no one else to talk to."
"How did her mom take it?"
"Not good. She threw me out of her house and called me a liar. Can you believe it? Only I get to accuse people of lying. It's my line!"
"I'm surprised she's still alive."
"Yeah, so was I. You humans have such short life spans. One minute you're born and then you're dead. It's like living with giant hamsters."
"Are you calling me a hamster?" Gaz lowered her voice.
"No, of course not... You're much too non-cute to be called as such."
"Good. So, how are you going to find her murderer then?"
Zim faltered, and looked over at Molly in the sandbox. The baby giggled up at her in delight. He could see her perfectly being so young. Most small children and animals can see spirits, yet Gaz wasn't that young for a child. The ability usually stops at her age.
Was she clairvoyant too? She did say something about a third eye, and always keeping it open. Not that Zim knew what a third eye was, even though he had a huge one now being 'Mr. Clairvoyant' who sees the dead.
"I don't know where to start. I have his picture, but so far I've found no match to any living human. Maybe he's moved away far from here. It would explain how he got off so easy. Or he could be dead... If only someone found Molly sooner, then he would have been caught years ago."
"It's not too late. I'm sure if you found the body, they could give her a proper burial."
"I have no knowledge of where her body could be. At this rate, it could take years. I have plenty of time, but her mother isn't going to last much longer. She needs to know before she passes on. I can't let Molly down like that."
Gaz was silent. It seemed she had no idea what to say. Now she looked over at Molly playing with the baby, then turned back to Zim.
"You never know. Maybe if you stop looking so hard, the problem will find you. I lost my Gameslave once, and it was right in the last place where I left it. But I was looking all over the house, expecting it to have gone far. Yet it was there all along, and I never realized."
"I don't know what that means. How is that going to help me?"
"Think about it really hard, and then you'll know. Well, it's been nice talking with you, Zim, but I gotta go."
"Really? Well, thank you—"
"No, I was kidding. It's been horrible. Call me, and if Dib answers, tell him we're baking old people, like you told him over lunch."
"I said we were baking for old people, Gaz. Seriously, cannibalism just goes right past you, doesn't it?"
"So, what's the difference. Remember to call if you find anything, or I'll have your limbs removed. Then send me a copy of the murderer's photo, and I'll make wanted posters."
"I don't think that's the right way."
"Just do it and I'll have them done by Wednesday. I said I'd help, and you got it!"
She left him at last. What was he thinking enlisting her help? Wanted posters? This was a private matter. She will ruin everything. What would they say, anyway? "Have you seen this man? He's older now. Please call..."
And then he realised he didn't have her stupid number, just her house one, where Dib would most likely answer. Great. He would rather keep Dib out of this, and his limbs attached to his body.
Zim sat on the bench, thinking about his current predicament. He couldn't interpret what Gaz told him before. It made no sense. If he stopped looking so hard, expecting Molly's murderer to be far away and impossible to reach, then he would have an easier time of finding him. Gaz used her console as a metaphor for whatever reason, so he couldn't place her meaning.
Finding no reason to stick around any longer, he stood up and decided it was time to leave.
Just as he positioned his legs into a marching stance, a young, red-headed woman approached the bench, and sat down in the middle. She looked up at Zim. "Oh, I'm sorry. Were you still sitting here?" she asked.
"No, no, Zim is finished with his bench. It is all yours now, my fellow hyooman."
"Well, thank you, my fellow hyooman." She smiled, finding Zim's word choice funny and not at all suspicious. She opened up a book and began to read.
"Heh-heh, yes, hyooman..." he said awkwardly.
Next, he noticed the tall man standing by the bench.
"Aren't you going to sit too? I already told your female companion that I was finished. Now sit and enjoy your marvelous view of this park that smells like dog faeces, no matter how many times their owners pick it up!" Zim shouted.
The young woman looked up again, frowning. "Are you talking to me, sweetie?"
"No, your friend the tall guy." Zim pointed to the left of the bench. "Wow, he's very tall. You should bow down to him."
The man moved his gaze away from the woman, and looked at Zim with a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"There isn't anyone there..." she said through a toothy smile, trying to sound pleasant.
"Of course there is. He's... oh..." Zim faltered, realising his mistake. "Eh, I'm just hallucinating. Now carry on reading that riveting material." He read the title, "Wow, I didn't even know there were that many shades of the color grey... I go now."
"Sure, okay. Are you all right? You're not lost, are you?"
"No, Zim is fine," he reassured. He moved away as fast as he could go, silently cursing himself. The guy looked so normal. How was he supposed to know he were a ghost?
He kept a fine distance between himself and the young woman, not really knowing what direction he was going in, but it was the complete opposite of Molly in the sandbox.
He felt like such a fool; he needed to disappear from the woman's judging eyes. She had asked if he were lost, as if he were an escaped patient. How embarrassing. Stupid psychic abilities, making him look like an insane boy on the loose.
"Hey, green kid!" he heard a man's voice shout next.
Zim moved faster once he heard those heavy footsteps. His pursuer sounded large.
"Wait, stop! You see me, right? I can't believe it. I need you to talk to my girlfriend."
"No, leave me alone!" Zim yelled.
"Please, I can pay you. Wait, I keep forgetting that I don't have cash anymore. Crap."
Zim finally stopped, and turned around. What an odd thing to say. No cash? Well, obviously. He had to crane his neck like he did with his own Tallest. The guy looked so normal and fleshy. It was no wonder Zim never realised he was a spirit.
He had dark hair with perfectly tanned skin. His brown eyes were so deep and rich, and not at all like the colourless, glassy eyes he had seen on other ghosts. Molly's were normal now, considering.
"Wow, you're one ugly kid. No offense. Nice hairdo, though."
"What? You insult Zim and ask for his help? How dare you! But thanks for the hair compliment. I style it myself."
"Sorry, it just slipped out. But come on, you look a little weird. Why you green?"
"I have a rare skin condition."
"Right, if you say so." The guy looked over at the girl on the bench. "See that hot girl over there?" he pointed with his long arm.
Zim followed his arm's direction, and his eyes fell on the young, red-headed woman again. "Yes, I see her. Why is she hot? She's wearing no coat or sweater that I can see. In fact, she should be cold in that tiny top of hers, showing off enough assets."
"I mean she's pretty, attractive. What planet are you from?"
"I'm from the planet Earth. Don't change the subject. I told you I had a rare skin disease. You'll never know my true origins!"
"All right, relax. I just need you to go over there and tell her that I love her. She needs to know."
"Well why didn't you tell her that when you were still alive? It can't be that hard telling someone you have horrible feelings for them."
The guy turned quiet.
Zim looked down, ashamed. He didn't understand why. The guy just looked so sad and regretful. Molly's mother had that same look too.
"I never got the chance. We'd only been dating a few months, and I knew she was the right girl for me. I even wanted to spend my life with her. She told me plenty of times she loved me, and I never got to tell her too. I died without her ever knowing."
Zim studied him after that, narrowing his eyes. Then he shook his head. "Wow, you messed up. Stupid, stupid human."
"Yeah, I know. Please, find a way to let her know I'm here. That I never left. She cries at night, but I can't reach her. It sucks."
He gave it further thought, and finally gave in. "Okay, I'll tell your love-pig that you love her, but she'll probably think I'm insane."
"Well, you're kind of insane on your own, freaky psychic powers aside, but thanks. I'll make it up to you. I'm Robert, by the way, and she's Belle, like the French word for beautiful…" He looked on at her, dreamily.
"And I am Zim, which means superior, powerful! A much better meaning than beautiful."
Zim turned to Belle, and took a deep breath. When he reached her, though, he stood awkwardly. What was he supposed to tell her? "Your dead boyfriend loves you?" That book she held looked pretty thick; he hoped she wouldn't use it as a weapon, if he offended her in any way.
He cleared his throat. "Excuse me, miss?"
She put her book down, and looked up in mock surprise. "Why, hello again, my fellow hyooman." She smiled at him, sweetly. Her teeth were straight and white, like a model in a toothpaste commercial.
"Ha-ha-ha. Yeah... " He realised how ridiculous she sounded, which in turn made him feel stupid. It sounded a bit too obvious when someone else said it.
"What is it you need? Have you lost your meds? I can take you to a doctor. My cousin has hallucinations too, so I understand."
"No! It's… I..."
The ghost, Robert, stood beside Zim, making the poor alien, who knew nothing of Earth romance, very uncomfortable.
Even though ghosts are meant to be cold, this one radiated with a heat when he watched the girl. It channelled into Zim, just like how Molly's emotions did, turning his alien palms sweaty, and making his heart beat faster. It was an awful, primitive feeling.
Why couldn't Robert just control his ghostly hormones? The girl had no sexual appeal to Zim, yet he was drawn to her like a magnet.
Robert gazed down at Belle, wishing he could kiss her again, touch her skin and smell her hair. "I love you..."
"I love you," Zim said, repeating the sentiment. His eyes bulged next, as he realised what he just said to a hyooman of all things.
"No, not me, your boyfriend! He's the one... gah!" Zim gripped his head with claws like iron, but the pain didn't erase those foreign feelings.
Stupid emotions of love and lust, making it hard for Zim to think straight.
Belle looked at him confused at first, and then she burst out laughing."You're so adorable!" she chirped, pinching his cheek. "But I'm afraid that I'm a little too old for you, sweetie. Maybe if you were ten years older, I'd go out with you. I don't mind the color green. On you, it's very becoming..."
"No, you don't understand! I meant your boyf—"
She checked her watch, "Oh, I have to go. I'm late for my hair appointment." She stood up and patted his head. "I'm sure there are plenty of girls your age who would like you too. You're cute enough."
She finally left, carrying her bag over her shoulder. Zim looked bewildered.
"That was... different. How do humans get anything done with those feelings?"
"What the heck, Zip! Why did you tell my girlfriend you love her? I was supposed to say that!"
"Well, it's a lot to tell someone on a park bench that their dead mate loves them. And it's Zim, you primate! I'm sorry. I can't help you. I'm already working with a ghostly client, and she got to me first."
"Fine, maybe some other time, after you're finished with your current client?"
"I'm not thinking that far ahead. I have too much work as it is. Stop smothering me!"
"Okay, sorry I asked. Well, see you around, alien. I'll come back and find you soon enough."
Zim turned around, but he was already gone. He knew he was alien all this time? Strange, Zim's disguise was fool-proof.
He glanced over at Molly. She was talking to the little girl who looked like her. He had forgotten she was over there. So he gave a small growl, since he was going to have to go in that horrible play area. It was probably sticky with all those childrens' hands touching it.
…
"Hi, what's your name?" the little girl asked Molly. They were sitting opposite one another on the swings.
"I'm Molly."
"Really? My name's Molly too! I was named after my aunt."
The girl narrowed her eyes at her, deciding on something next. "You look just like her. My Mommy has her picture. That's my Mommy over there!"
Molly looked over at the girl's mother, who was lifting the baby out of the sandbox, and dusting sand off his clothes. For a moment, she reminded her of her own mother, and she felt a twinge of grief.
"Come, Molly, we're leaving now. We have to take your little brother home for his lunch."
"But I'm talking to my new friend Molly. She looks just like Aunt Molly from your picture."
"Sweetheart, what are you talking about? There is no one there. That swing is empty." The little girl's mother seemed nervous.
"She is there. She even has the same dress as Aunt Molly."
The mother came over, and took her daughter's hand. "Stop acting silly now. You're starting to scare me."
"But—"
The baby started crying in the buggy, meaning he was hungry, and it was time to go. He mustn't have eaten enough sand before.
"Quick, before he starts screaming."
Her mother led her away. The little girl looked back at Molly sadly. "Bye, Aunt Molly..."
Molly waved back, smiling. She just met her niece.
"Stop that, Molly. You know your aunt isn't with us anymore. So please, stop pretending she's your imaginary friend," the little girl's mother was saying as they left the playground.
Zim entered the playground as he passed the little family. He saw Molly sitting on the swing, so he walked over.
"Why are you so sad? I thought this was a fun and happy place."
"It is, but I'm not feeling so happy now. I really miss my Mommy. She had more babies after me, and even they have their own babies now. I'd be a grownup too, just like my sister..."
Zim studied her on the swing. It must be strange for her, to see a new generation of her own family. Her siblings weren't even born yet when she disappeared.
"What has brought all this?"
"That lady was my sister, and her little girl and baby... they are my niece and nephew. I didn't even know who they were."
He looked back at the family, putting the pieces together. Of course, that's why the little girl looked so familiar.
"That was one of Elizabeth's children? Why didn't you say anything? I could have—"
"No, we would have scared her. You saw how upset my Mommy was when you told her about me."
"Yeah, it's probably for the best. The last thing I need is more of your family antagonizing me. I need to get them to believe me, but now isn't the time."
Zim looked at Molly again. She was smiling up at the clouds.
"Why are you smiling? One minute you're happy, and then you're sad. It's confusing."
"My nephew was so cute. He was the baby in the sandbox."
"Cute? That chubby thing devouring sand and spitting it out?" He shuddered. "No. I find all Earth babies repulsive. He's probably a Nhar-Gh'ok, anyway."
"Hey, don't you call my nephew a Nee-noky! I'm his Aunt Molly," she said, proud.
"Come on, we're leaving. The stench of children lingers all over this place."
Molly stood up from the swing, and they left the playground at last. The sun vanished behind the clouds, making Zim shiver.
"Brr, it's getting cold now."
"Excuse me, boy, but would you happen to know the time?"
Zim turned around, and saw the old man from across the playground. He kept his newspaper folded inside his right arm. Zim had forgotten all about him...
"Um…" the alien looked at his wrist casually, pretending he had a watch, but he was really checking his clock inside his PAK. It even had a separate clock for telling Irken time.
"The current Earth time is four forty-five. I also have the Earth times for England and Japan, if you'd like to hear them too?"
The old man looked at him confused, but then he smiled warmly.
"Very well. Tell me what time it is in England."
Zim checked, "The current Earth time in England is nine forty-five — five hours ahead. Fascinating, so many different times for such a small planet."
"Yes, it is such a small world. Well, thank you, young man. I hope to see you again sometime. I'm here every day."
Zim's smile vanished. It sounded like he was inviting him back here. "Okay, but it's not likely you'll see me again. I hate this place. I'm just here for a private meeting."
"Well that's a shame. It's always nice to make new friends. You like making new friends, don't you?"
"No, I despise the very word. I... I should go." Zim walked away at once. That milky look in the old man's eyes made him sick. Yet something about him was familiar.
"Well, goodbye, young man. It was a pleasure meeting you."
The Irken never looked back, or even bothered to say goodbye. Not that he was ever the courteous type.
So he continued walking for some time, hearing the man's fading steps, or was it his pulse? He realised then that Molly wasn't at his side. She was still standing by the playground.
He made a short grunting sound, and walked back over to Molly. "Molly, come. This place is starting to give me the heebie jeebies."
Molly was frozen. She looked even worse than when Ms. Bitters beckoned to her in the classroom. What spooked her?
"Molly, what is it now? You're not going into another trance, are you? It looks like I'll have to call GIR to pick us up. He'll probably stop at Bloaty's Pizza Hog before we get back, so I hope you like pizza. Ghosts like pizza, right?"
Her mouth parted, and then she made an eerie squeak. The sounds of the park vanished.
Zim felt a tremor. It was the same squeak she used to make before she found the courage to speak.
Zim didn't need to ask, because he knew. How could he not? Those old, milky eyes were the same pair on his photograph. The one he had of Molly's killer.
He didn't need to broaden his search in the end, like Gaz told him. His problem was here all along in this very park. Molly's murderer found him, and now he was gone.
It was a horribly small word after all.
A/N: I know, I'm shocked it was him too. I couldn't think of how Zim would find him. He has never left the city where he lives, and I don't want to take this story out of the IZ setting. He disappeared to another country and changed his name when the police, detectives and everyone was after him. Child abduction is a serious thing. I hate to make him get away with it.
Robert isn't really a fundamental part of the story, but I wanted Zim to meet a variety of ghosts, like the old man, dog, and Molly. It just makes it more interesting. He's been in my head since the story started. It just took me a while to write him in. His time finally come.
I think you know which book Belle is reading. Out in public. For shame. Zim didn't have the slightest clue what it was...
And Ms. Bitters... where do I start. She's just scary. Full stop.
I notice I have a habit of breaking the fourth wall, which can be funny when done right. This story isn't the right genre. There are jokes which seem irrelevant, but not so much as 'breaking the fourth wall'. I've done it several times, and I've deleted some instances because I stopped finding it funny. Though I left it in here, which is why it is so direct. 'Cheap gag' were the words I used. It is, but when done right, it can be quite marvelous. I thought it fit here, though I may change my mind again.
Update: everytime I read the title of this chapter, all I can see in my head is Zazu from the Lion King singing, "It's a small world after all." It's even funnier that's he's voiced by Mr. Bean.
Thank you for reading.