A/N: Hello readers! Here's another lengthy chapter. This is my personal favourite so far of these recent updates; I like how it came together.
Happy Thanksgiving too! It's also my birthday. Well... was. It's past midnight now where I live. That's why I'm publishing tonight, as I may be too drunk this weekend (I'm too honest).
Disclaimer: I seriously have no idea how to say I don't own Invader Zim and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Sorry, my mind's blank. Last week's was kinda funny.
...
Johnny walked down the long, winding tunnel, accompanied by none other than the lonely wind. For the first time, he hated not hearing those whispering sounds, whether they were external or not. They made him uncertain.
And he was sure this tunnel kept growing new curves and bends, as he kicked the wall in frustration. His boot left a dent in the stone.
Why did she have to go running off? Stupid girl!
He retrieved his cloak before he went searching for Molly, as he hung it over his arm. He carried his scythe in his free hand. They may come in handy in case... He was surprised by how he couldn't bring the thought to mind, and he'd had some pretty bizarre thoughts before...
She would be all right out there, he guessed; he did have a lot on his agenda today. The world must simply be crumbling to pieces with all those corrupt souls up there, living...
He finally made his mind up, and donned his cloak again, pulling up the hood to bring out the shine in his eyes. With his scythe, he conjured a rift in the tunnel.
He stole one more glance up the tunnel. An array of expressions crossed his usually stoic face. He never dwelled on anything extraneous anymore, but he just couldn't tear away. He hated feeling like this. He must have removed all but one of his human emotions, and he cursed inside.
It wasn't like all the other feelings he washed away, such as contentment or desire. It should be easier than this; he didn't want to care... It would only bring misery; it always worked that way.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Nny stopped right there, one steel-capped boot half way through the rift, and peered around the tunnel. Where did that voice come from?
"Up here..."
He looked up at the ceiling. There was a rabbit sitting upside down... Nevertheless, it was there, giving Nny that disapproving look. It kept those angel wings folded against its sides.
"Bunny?! How did you get—?"
"You know why I'm here, Nny. We can exchange pleasantries later."
Nny closed his eyes. "She... she ran off. That was beyond my control!"
"A mere child and you couldn't control her? It's a good thing you never had any kids, lest they all ran off too..."
"Well they'd have a pretty cracked father — who could blame them? Besides, she pushed me to the wall, with a strength surpassing that of any mere child. One with head explody, no doubt. I couldn't cross that."
"You're death. You have some powers now too, don't you?"
"... Yes."
Bunny shook his head. "You need to go out there and find her, Nny, unless you want to get into even more trouble."
Nny sighed. "I know. I'm partially responsible in this..."
"Partially?"
"Well, it was her idea."
"Yes, and you agreed to it. She's still a child in her mind, so you should pass as the adult."
"The date of her death indicates she's at least sixty-years-old now. Not a far cry from a guy who should be in his... I have no idea how old I am anymore... What I'm trying to say is that she's an adult; she can take care of herself."
"Yes, but that's not the case, and you know it."
Nny gripped his head, and tried to squeeze his current thoughts away. He knew it was futile.
"No, I cast you off long ago, Bunny, and I won't surrender. I want no more part in this stupid game! I never should have arranged—"
"Help me!"
Nny looked down the tunnel, relieved to hear a sound at last, but then he felt that pang of dread. It sounded like someone was in distress.
He glanced back up. The rabbit was gone.
Without a second thought, he closed off the rift, and followed after the sound.
What would he stumble upon? That voice seldom sounded like the girl's. It was more of an imitation of some sort.
"Help, please!"
He stopped, looking around the tunnel. It seemed like her voice came from inside the walls...
"Molly?" he said.
"Nny? Help me!"
It was definitely a child's voice, but Nny sensed something was off.
He walked around a newly formed corner, and there was Molly, hunched over on the floor. He was completely unmoved though.
His eyes shone bright. "What have you done with her?"
She never stirred, and when he moved closer, she didn't even flinch.
"Where is she?" he asked once again, calm and deadly.
Still no answer.
He came upon the form now, and dragged it up to its feet. The face was bloody and shredded, as if it had been chewed by flesh-eating rats. He dropped the body at once.
"Oh no..."
A spasm twisted him inside out, and then he felt his stomach gurgle, bringing him the long-forgotten taste of bile in his throat. What was happening? He had seen plenty of deceased people, and had mutilated many a face himself.
So had he finally become the squeamish type? But this nausea was nothing compared to the feeling that came after, a strange wrenching of something familiar and foreign.
Was he too late? If he had not been binding his time, could he have saved the girl? What a wretched fate to succumb to, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. Poor kid; so gracious towards him, and he let her perish...
But then he remembered the hollow sound of her cries. It couldn't have been Molly. It was definitely a trick.
He gave a dark chuckle. "You're not exactly the first supernatural force that's tried to subdue me. I'm powerful now, inhuman, and I can't be manipulated. I know how your kind works — feeds upon the fear of their victims. So I ask you nicely. Let her go..."
Silence.
Nny's poised face cracked, as that disturbing silence echoed through his mind. Not even a voice to keep him company now.
"LET HER GO!"
He swung that scythe into the wall, creating a crack in the stone.
His blow seemed to ignite a thunderous roar, and then the walls started falling apart.
He looked down at the girl. She was gone...
Well that settled one problem. At least he didn't have to drag around a lifeless body, despite if it were the girl or not.
Nny had to leave the tunnel fast, unless he wanted to be crushed by falling debris, but Molly was still here. He hoped she was, and that ghoulish form had been a trick. Suppose he could just wait it out. Death couldn't die...
It was only then that he got a good look at what was behind the wall once it caved in, revealing a small room and none other than Molly herself. It has to be the real her.
She coughed, as dust had fallen all over her, covering her in powder.
Nny approached the crevice, looking down at her flummoxed and... relieved?
"Molly? Get out of there!"
"I... I can't."
"Why? You still have both your legs, don't you? On second thought, that weren't sarcasm. Leg removal is a serious thing. I should know."
" I do, but I'm too scared."
"There's nothing to be scared of..."
"That monster. He took me and then he trapped me behind here. What if he comes back?"
Nny looked puzzled. Why would the monster do that? It must know he wasn't a fan of walls. It saw his fears...
"Come on, get out of that wall and I'll take you back to heaven. It's too late now, Molly. That thing has seized us. I can get you back before it returns."
"No. I have to go back to Earth again. Please don't send me back, Nny."
"Well it's either heaven or the monster."
"But... but you promised you would take me."
"I did, and it was very foolish of me. But I take full responsibility. Now come along, you're starting to creep me out in there. I don't like rooms behind walls... "
She still refused to leave her safe little hole. So Nny, seeing no other option, reached down and lifted her out, and placed her back on her feet.
Molly sulked miserably, pouting those lips like a spoilt child. "I thought you were my friend. Friends help each other!"
"We're more of acquaintances. You wouldn't want a friend like me."
"No, because you would just break promises!"
"I'm finding you unpleasant to be around right now. Don't provoke me, lest I do something we regret..."
"Or what? I'm already dead, stupid brain! Someone like you got to me first!"
He grabbed her shoulder, pulling her in close, and growled, "I was never like your killer!"
"You killed people and he killed people!"
She matched that cold stare of his, never wavering, even when his white, glowing eyes were mere inches from hers.
He pushed her away, disgusted; she may as well have spat in his face with those cruel words. How does he tell an ignorant child the difference between his way of expressing himself, and then his? But a part of him knew she must be right. He did kill people.
"It's time we took you back to bed. I think your cranky mood is down to your sleepiness. Little kids need their sleep."
"I'm not cranky, and it's because you're being a big, mean poo-poo head!"
"Poo-poo head? What kind of insult is that? You know you're beginning to remind me of why I hate humanity. Poo-poo head? Argh! I hate that word!"
He gripped his head, failing to not look like a lunatic over some stupid, childish name calling.
Molly cocked her brow. So nuts.
"I'm five, dumb-dumb. I don't know any other mean words. Well, except maybe dumb-dumb, and stupid brain."
"Fine, you're off the hook, but if you ever utter one beginning with W..."
"What word begins with W?"
"Go on, you just try it!"
She actually stopped to think about it now.
"Whiner?" she guessed.
"No! But that's actually a good one. I can whine at times."
"Is it weasel?"
"Do... do I look like a weasel?" It was a genuine question.
"Nah, I already decided that you look like a penguin."
"You what?"
"I know! It's whimsical!"
"Whimsical? Oh, that's it. No more guessing, you're draining me of my energy."
"Sorry," she apologised, meekly.
Nny looked down at her then. "It's all right. I know you're just upset. I would be too if that monster trapped me in that wall, and I couldn't move my petrified limbs. I'm more accustomed to being on the other side of the wall, see."
She looked up brightly, as he led her down the tunnel to wherever heaven was.
"Does this mean you'll take me to Earth now since we're friends again?"
"No. And I told you we are not friends. Death can't have friends, lest he has to kill them."
"But Zim—"
"Forget that bug-eyed alien. I shouldn't have agreed to take you, but you had those eyes that puppies get in the pound, when they beg you not to take them home!"
"Okay," she said, defeated. "I won't go back and see all my friends again..."
She jutted her bottom lip.
"That's a good little Molly. Listen to the wise words of death."
...
Zim paced nervously around the living room, stopping by the doorway to the kitchen in case that light appeared. He knew he wouldn't see it, but he was still hopeful.
The others sat in various localities around the room. Dib and Gaz on the couch, Heathcliff and Minimoose in front of the TV—singing along to a mind numbing baby show— and GIR on top of Skoodge's head, pulling on his antennae like a pair of reins.
The fat Irken had given up by now, while GIR rode him over imaginary hills. There was a prominent bite mark on his head that needed tending to.
Zim cursed them all for their ignorance, besides Dib and Gaz. The computer hadn't shown his face, well, voice, for some time now. Zim often wondered where he went. Maybe he went out to buy a cherry ice-sucky...
There was that guy in the street, who fired laser beams at his head. Then he went soaring into the sky. He had an ice-sucky too... Zim shook his head, having the most preposterous thought.
He stopped by the doorway to the kitchen again, and sighed. "I wonder how long it will be now..." he mused.
He wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, but they all looked up. They had no answer to give.
Thankfully, Heathcliff gave him a reason to take his mind off things.
"Hey, little man, where's your toilet? Oh, don't worry, I see it now. I'll just make my way over."
Heathcliff was about to walk into the kitchen, and use Zim's elevator toilet, until the alien seized him from behind, and pushed his face into the wall with the power of his PAK legs.
"You're not going anywhere, you revolting, stinkin' human! No, seriously, when did you last bathe?" he choked.
"The last time I was here. That's kind of why I'm here, see. I was hoping I could use that old tub again."
"That tub is currently being used for a gardening experiment. I'm growing daffodils, and it suffices for a plant pot. But that's none of your concern. You have no place here. Get out of my house!"
"Zim, lay off," Dib said. "He's just using the bathroom."
"I have no bathroom, Dib. Where did you think he was going?"
"I... Oh..." Dib turned green. "Aw man, it was just in the next room!"
Zim grabbed the hobo by the collar of his dirty coat, and threw him out the door. The gnomes never attacked him though. Must be broken.
"Go on, off you go," Zim wafted him away like he was a house fly.
"No! Not my Heathcliff!" GIR ran to the door.
Skoodge rushed out the room and into the kitchen to go down the elevator, the one that was spared of Heathcliff's toasty buns not so long ago. Unfortunately, Gaz stuck her leg out as he crashed full-force into the table. He didn't get up for some time after that, lying and twitching in a pile of chair.
"He's a stinking hobo, GIR, and he creeps me out! He is not allowed in this house ever again," Zim said.
GIR's lip wobbled. "But... he's family..."
"No he's not!"
"But you can't throw him out! Lookit him, all warm and fuzzy around the edges..."
"That fuzz is overgrown body hair!"
"It's okay, little space dude. I know when I'm not wanted. I mean, McMeaties have already kicked me out from under their front porch. Said I was 'deterring customers'. It's okay. I had some good night sleeps there. The smell of napkin meat was soothing," Heathcliff said.
"Yes, well, that's all very charming news, but you can't... Wait! Did you say... space?" Zim asked, eyes wide.
Dib shook his head, finding it pointless to tell Zim that he wasn't even wearing his disguise.
"Of course! People may call me crazy, but I know that little green men—"
He never got to finish his sentence, as Zim seized him by the mouth with an extended arm from his PAK, and dragged him inside.
This was all observed, of course, by the legless man across the street.
"Hmm mmm," he hummed, very used to the shenanigans from the weird, green house now.
Zim slammed the doors, and put Heathcliff on the spot. "How many more of your stinky hobo kind knows of my origin? Tell me!"
"Um? Just me."
Zim approached the hobo, and raised his PAK legs to his eye level. He looked into Heathcliff's hazy eyes, trying to see some truth to his words.
"Hmmm. Yes, you most certainly are telling the truth, you filthy waste of human flesh!"
"So, I can stay?"
"Well, of course you're staying now!"
"Yay! Thanks, little space dude. You're great."
"Heh, I sure am..."
Zim stunned him with his PAK's lasers, using a low setting as he passed out.
"Zim! What have you done?!" Dib yelled, standing up. "I thought you changed?"
"Don't waste your breath, Dib. I'm only going to erase this man's memory. I couldn't just let him leave, knowing what he... knows," Zim wiggled his fingers. "Regardless of my change of heart, I still need to keep my identity a secret from the rest of your people. You and Gaz are an exception to that rule. You knew even before I knew you knew..."
"But I can't just stand by and let you do invasive experiments on my fellow human!"
"Why? It would be the best thing that's ever happened to him. I'll reform him! Change him into an ideal member of your society. I'll even do some tweaking to his brain, so that he's better suited for work. How about a mathematician?"
Dib watched him carefully. "Fine, but it's still wrong, Zim!"
The Irken waved him off, and dragged the hobo towards the closet and placed him inside. The computer was away at the moment, so there was no one else to take him down to the lab.
Heathcliff snuggled up to one of the mops and got comfortable — too comfortable. Zim shut the door in horror.
"Has Heathcliff gone to bed?" GIR asked.
"Um... yes. He wasn't feeling very well, but he'll get better soon. You might even say he'll be a different man..."
"Okee dokee!"
GIR went over to the TV, and switched the channel to a growling monkey.
GIR was too easy to deceive, and Zim felt a little guilty. But it passed only a moment, as he went back to staring at the kitchen doorway.
...
This was more difficult than he anticipated. He remembered taking Molly away from the west of the tunnel, but since she disappeared, and the tunnel increased, shifted and decreased again, he was at a loss.
Where was that doorway to bliss? These tunnels were constantly changing, and it may no longer be inside his head anymore.
"Uh-oh. I think we're lost. I can't seem to find heaven's door."
Molly's eyes widened. "So I won't ever be able to get back?!"
Nny stopped, and looked down at her nervously. Next, an overly satisfied smile spread across his face.
"There's nothing to worry about. We'll get you back, and you can ride that pet unicorn you've told me so much about in no time!"
He held his arms out wide that he could almost be Santa in a dark, gloomy cloak. His hood slipped back, revealing his smile in its true splendour.
"I never told you I had a pet unicorn," Molly said, confused.
"You didn't? Oh... Regardless, we will get you back safe, and you can adopt a whole stable!"
"Heaven doesn't have unicorns..."
"They don't? Well, that's no heaven for a kid. How disappointing."
"Unicorns aren't real, Nny. They never have been and never will be. Are you feeling okay?"
"Of course I'm okay. He-he. Let's get you on the move..."
The whinny of a horse echoed through the tunnel next. Nny's eyes widened, but he never stopped smiling.
Molly gazed up a few moments longer, then shrugged.
"It's all right. I know you're insane, Nny. I seem to be meeting a lot of insane people lately..." She shrugged again.
She trailed behind him, hopping across the floor like she was playing an imaginary game of hop-scotch.
Nny stared ahead with a vapid expression. "So... what made you come to that conclusion?"
"Well, you killed people, and that's not good, and you get these weird moments when you're talking, and then say something else that's got nothing to do with what you're talking about. It's really weird, but don't worry, I like you!"
"Uh-huh. Well, if I were, as you say, insane, then does it not bother you? Do you not fear that I may simply pull knives on you at any moment— I did always keep them well hidden— or drain your body of all blood to paint these very walls?"
She stared at him like he had two heads. "Why would you do that? That's just silly."
"Yeah," he laughed, "it was... is."
"But I know you won't do those things, because you like me too!"
"Oh, I did them to people I like very much. It always ended in disaster..."
"Don't feel bad about it now. It's in the past. If I can forgive my murderer, then your victims can forgive you too."
"If only they were as loving as you, they may," he said.
"Well if you think I'm loving, then can you take me to Earth now?"
"No, and don't ask me again. I know what you're doing, finding some weak spot in me so that I say yes. As clever as your attempts may be, I'm afraid they're fruitless... So stop badgering me, like some horrible, fluffy badger thing!"
"I'm not a badger."
"Of course you're not; badgers aren't cute enough to bear a resemblance to you..."
"That's weakness right there, thinking things are cute, like me!"
"I make those observations from a general point of view. I couldn't possibly find you cute now, being as inhuman as I am. You just have the appearance of what most humans find adorable. See? A general observation..."
"Then how come you knew I was cute in the first place? No one else is here to tell you."
Nny stopped right there. His left eye twitched. "You really know how to get under someone's skin. Please leave the skin excavation to me."
"But you never answered!"
"No, I did not, because it's a foolish question. But if you must know, I was human once too. I remember feeling things."
"You... you said you were alive when I was? Did we know each other?"
"I don't think we did, but it would have been nice if it were so. I hardly had anyone to call a friend, or even an acquaintance in your case. But at that time, that is, when friends still mattered..."
"Were you lonely?"
"Yes..." he said, cold and impassive.
"You poor, lonely, insane man..."
"And that is why I cast off my humanity. I didn't like being that man. I like the man I am, well, less thereof, much better now."
"Would you like a hug?"
"No! I find them unnerving, as if I'm being constricted by a snake. So please keep your arms to yourself. I still have your cooties all over me from last time."
"Cooties?!"
"Heh, no, I kid."
"Well you're not getting a hug from me now! Cooties? I hate that word!"
She gripped her blonde head, looking and sounding exactly like Nny before about the whole 'poo-poo head' thing. Monkey see monkey do.
"I'm not concerned. Your warmth scorches me..." he said, holding back a smile. She did look funny.
Molly scowled at him. She looked through the black, gloomy fabric of his cloak, and grabbed his hand, giving it a pinch.
Nny drew it back. "Hey, what did I just tell you?"
"Your hand isn't so cold. Maybe you still have warmth inside you too!"
"That's not possible; you need to be a living organism to have that kind of body heat. I'm energy now, as are you. That warmth I speak of is figurative. Besides, I'm wearing gloves." He lifted his black-gloved hand, and wiggled his fingers.
"But I don't feel cold. I'm not dead like a zombie is."
"Zombies? An insult to my name — the living dead. And don't get me started on vampires!"
"But your name is Johnny..."
"Was Johnny, and I said call me Nny."
"But Johnny is human."
"Yes, I suppose it is."
"So why do you like to be called Johnny when you're not Johnny anymore?"
"That's classified information..."
"So, you must still have some human in you if you like to be called by your human name."
He stopped in his tracks and turned around, giving her an impressed look.
"Oh, you're good, but it still won't work. I have to get you back."
"Yes, so I'm safe. Thank you, human Johnny..."
He growled, trying to resist her annoying mind games. They were kind of cute though... Now where did that external thought come from?
"Must resist..."
"What?"
"I said I won't sit. Isn't all this walking making you tired?"
"No, I don't have muscles anymore, and neither do you."
"Oh yes, that's right..."
"But that doesn't mean I'm not sick of walking. When will we get there? I'm bored!"
"This tunnel is growing longer. Don't you see it?"
Molly stopped. "I do. Oh no, am I turning insane too?"
"You could only wish, but you're too full of clarity. But you do see it, growing?"
"Yes."
"So it can't be subjective? That's never good."
"Why?"
"Because then that means the bad things are really happening! In real life! And not just of the mind! Unless it's feeding off both of us... We're making it stronger; one of us more so than the other. Has there been some nit-picking, troublesome fear bothering you lately?"
"No."
"Well I know I'm fine."
"I've been to heaven now, so I'm free from all those old fears."
"As am I, being neutral and all."
"So how is it working on us?"
"I'm not sure, but we both claim to have seen horrific things."
"What did you see?"
His eyes widened. "Nothing..." he said.
She nodded silently, keeping her eyes on her feet.
He wasn't so sure why he lied to her. What that monster made him see may scare her, but that wasn't the only reason. Would it imply something?
"I'm getting scared again, Nny."
"Well I'll have to be brave for the both of us. We can't have you running off again, can we? Get over here."
She came closer as he grabbed her arm, and kept her to his right. Why was a good reason. Was he afraid of losing...? No, must resist.
...
It had been a day now, and there was still no sign of Molly. Zim had stayed by the kitchen doorway all night, while everyone else left or went home.
Skoodge had kept him company for some time, but then his basement called out to him soon enough. He was still feeling rough from that crash into the table. There were splinters in places he never knew existed.
Zim had finally given up by the first light of dawn, and now he stood outside of Elizabeth's house, fussing with his hands.
He wasn't there to tell her that her long-lost daughter, who had finally found peace, was in trouble again. No, he was there to simply talk. He had Molly on his mind, and he needed to speak to the one person who made him feel closer to her.
He took a deep breath and walked up the path, knocking on her door and then onto his head as if it would knock the sense right into him.
Why oh why was he even doing this? This sweet old lady was finally at rest, and now he was there to rain on her parade.
He hoped he could keep it together, and not blurt it out about Molly.
It was taking a while for someone to answer the door, as he looked up at the second-floor window. There was a brief face of a girl, but she soon vanished.
Who on all of Earth and Irk could she be?
The door finally opened, and there appeared little Molly's twenty-year-old cousin, and Elizabeth's oldest grandchild.
He looked really glum, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw Zim.
"Oh, hey... Zim, is it?"
"Yes," he replied, confused. "Is Elizabeth there?"
"Oh... I... I don't know how to tell you this..."
"Tell me what?"
The guy breathed in and it seemed he held back a tear. "Grandma died last night..." His voice broke, taking on the tone of a sad little boy.
Zim felt a blackness sweeping through him, pricking at every one of his senses. His head spun around, but somehow he managed to hold himself upright, by placing a hand on the frame of the door.
"What? When? How did she...?"
"In her sleep. I'm sorry, little guy. The whole family's distraught..."
Now that shocking, prickling sensation was replaced with a harrowing lump deep in his throat.
"Oh no... what have I done?" he muttered next, placing a hand on his forehead.
"Are you all right?"
His head snapped up. "Where's Molly!"
"She's inside. I'll go and—"
Zim pushed past him. "It's okay, I'll find her."
The Irken stopped short in the living room. Elizabeth's oldest daughter wept on the blue settee, as her husband draped an arm over her shoulder. Her prominent belly poked through her shirt.
Zim felt an awful pang watching her there, seeing how vulnerable and pregnant she really was.
Her sixteen-year-old daughter gazed off in one corner, folding her arms close to her chest. The girl's younger brother sat on the spare chair, just as quiet.
The twin girls were the only ones to notice his arrival. They gave him evil looks, but he didn't care about them now. They weren't important.
It was little Molly's mother who finally greeted him.
"Hi, Zim," she said softly. She held a photograph of her and her siblings as children, and Elizabeth as a younger woman.
"Molly? Where is she?" he asked.
"She's upstairs in her grandmother's room. She would be happy if you went up to see her, Zim."
Zim raced up the stairs. As he reached the top step, he saw that strange girl outside the door of the spare room.
He knew she wasn't supposed to be there, just like all the others... She had on an old-fashioned dress and black pigtails in her hair.
"Who are you?" he asked. The upper floor was freezing, as he saw his breath.
She stared at him coldly, and then disappeared through the closed-door.
Zim realised it was Molly's old room, when she used to be alive...
The girl was an even older ghost than Molly. That dress screamed 1970s; even Zim could tell the decade, and that's saying something since he thought that Victorian lady in the street was of modern-day society.
Molly had never told him about the ghost in her room...
He fixed his eyes to a door that was left ajar, and let himself through. Molly sat at the end of a bed, holding onto her Aunt Molly's old doll.
She looked up, as her young face was red and swollen. Zim sat at her side, letting her cry into his shoulder. She was full of snot and tears, but he didn't care...
"I really miss her..."
"I know you do..." he replied.
"I can't see her, Zim."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't see her like I used to see Aunt Molly. Why? I thought everyone became a ghost when..." she couldn't finish.
"That's because she's gone to a good place. She has no reason to stay here anymore."
"But why? She has family?"
"You wouldn't want her to be a ghost, Molly. Ghosts aren't happy. That's the reason why they stay. Your grandmother was, and that's why she's gone straight to heaven."
"But I don't want her to be in heaven. Why can't she stay here instead?"
"It was just her time. She was an old, happy lady, and you were an important factor in that."
"Will she and Aunt Molly finally be together?"
Zim froze, knowing the truth to her question. Dread swept through him, and then the guilt.
What had he done? He tried so hard to fix things so Molly could move on, and now he had messed everything up because of his selfishness.
Poor Elizabeth; she won't be arriving to meet her beloved, long-lost daughter after all. He didn't even know where Molly was right now.
"Yes," he said, and it filled his spooch with shame, having to lie right through his teeth to a grieving little girl.
"I'm glad they're together at last..."
"Of course..."
Zim looked at the wall, and jumped once he saw that girl's disembodied head staring right back. The mysterious girl had poked her head through the wall from the other room. The sight was daunting.
"Oh, hi, Catherine," little Molly chirped. "Where's the rest of your body?"
The girl's stoic face changed into one of a smiling, playful child as she pulled her tongue. She disappeared back into the wall again.
Molly pulled her tongue back at her. "She thinks I'm Aunt Molly. He-he."
"Why?"
"I look just like her, remember?"
"Oh, yes."
"I told her I'm not, but she doesn't believe me. She said she was sorry about pointing at me all those times when I was sleeping, and that she was just playing. She's a little weird."
"I can vouch for that."
She was looking up at him now. Her eyes burnt with curiosity. "Zim?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something? And please don't get mad at me."
"I won't. Do tell."
"Are you an alien from outer space?"
Zim stared speechless.
"What made you—?"
"You're green, and your clothes look like a little space man's."
He looked away from her then. "Would it bother you if I were?"
"No. I'd like you better as an alien."
"Really?"
"I'd have an alien as a best friend! Of course! Mommy buys me dolls, but I always want cool alien toys. But now I have you!"
Zim was still uncertain as he stared into her bright, blue eyes.
"I won't tell anyone," she promised.
"Yes," he finally said. "I am."
"Can I see?"
"No! Not here. Another time, I promise."
"Then could you take me to space?"
"You're only five."
"Well when I'm older then?"
Zim sighed. This was going to be very irritating...
"Why did you come to our world?" she asked next.
His eyes widened at her question. "I was gathering information, like your typical Earth scientists..."
There was some truth to his words, so he didn't have to lie completely.
"Did you find what you were looking for? Scientists are always looking for something. That's what Professor Membrane said on TV! That's my favorite show."
Zim had to think for a moment. Obviously, he came here to find some weakness in the planet, making it more vulnerable to an Invasion, but he did find something in the least.
"Yes, I did."
"What did you find?"
"Love..."
"Love? That's stupid. I hate love! I thought you'd be like one of those cool aliens, who stick human heads onto dog's bodies!"
"That's just ridiculous. And, well, I have done some meddling with your species, but it's a little too gruesome for your ears." He patted her head.
"Aw, I really wanted a human-headed wiener dog. I know the perfect human. He's a horrible boy in my class. He said I smell!"
Zim smiled at her. "You do."
"Hey!"
"I was joking... " He squeezed her cheek.
Zim stood off the bed. "Well, I have to go now, Molly. I'm expecting... um... someone."
"Will you come back? Please say yes."
"I promise. And remember what I told you: your grandma's in a good place now."
She gave him the doll. "Here, my Mommy thought I would want it, but I don't like dolls. It was my Aunt Molly's, but I want you to have it instead."
Zim took the doll, feeling a flood of grief at the memories it gave.
"Thank you, Molly. This means a lot."
"I know Aunt Molly would want you to have it, and grandma too."
"I think you're right."
Zim went to leave through the door, stopping halfway to look back at Molly. She smiled up at him from the bed.
He was torn between telling her everything that had happened, but he couldn't do it to her. He was worried enough spilling the beans to Elizabeth. It was best she never knew. What she didn't know couldn't hurt her...
"Goodbye, Molly," he said.
"Goodbye, Zim. I look forward to seeing you again."
"You never know... maybe I'll just let you ride in my ship next time."
She shot off the bed and hugged him tight.
"Ow! I had no idea how much this news would please you."
"Oh, thank you, Zim. You're the best alien friend ever!"
"... I really am," he agreed.
She let him leave through the door as he walked towards the staircase. Catherine stood by the spare room yet again, smiling slyly.
"What's with your smug face?" he asked.
"Nothing... alien. Ha! I'm going to tell everyone."
"Oh, you just try it!"
"I will."
"Laugh all you want, but I'll be back to take you to the other side..."
Her face turned deadpan. "I don't think so!" she spat, disappearing into her room, which was probably hers way before it was Molly's.
"Horrible child," Zim said, then descended those stairs at last.
Well this just added a further problem. Elizabeth had died while Molly was lost in some limbo with that sadistic freak.
Now Zim finally felt regret. He hadn't had the chance to tell Elizabeth goodbye. After all, the old lady had meant something to him too. She had been there for him when he was down.
It was shocking how someone could be alive one day, and then dead the next. Those things she told him about remaining strong, and wearing your grief like a suit of armour was just a few days ago.
A tear fell from his eye as the old lady's memory lingered. She had the most peaceful of deaths, but he still grieved, nonetheless.
"Goodbye, Elizabeth..."
The ginger tomcat licked his paws on the bottom step. It chirped brightly once Zim appeared, giving him a "hello" in cat talk.
"Hi, little guy," Zim greeted back, happy to see him too.
The cat tapered its green eyes, trilling away with that hearty purr.
Zim gave the cat a pat, as it rubbed its head against his boots. He did seem rather attached to Zim at that moment, having just lost his owner. Animals grieve in many ways.
Maybe Zim should take him home? He looked around as the living room had emptied of all people.
He picked the cat up and slipped it under his arm. The cat didn't mind much; it even climbed up onto his shoulders. Well, that settled that. So off he went, stealing a cat, but for a good cause.
Zim will be his new owner now. He may never have realised that it was actually the cat that adopted him, and not the other way around.
Yes, Zim had succumbed to the servitude of a cat...
...
"... and then the little fairy princess and all the magical woodland creatures lived happily ever after in the enchanted meadow. The end!"
"That was... quite the moving story, Molly. You should have been a writer. Your pacing was simply marvelous..."
Nny's voice dripped like honey. He was unnaturally happy, exposing those clenched teeth.
"Thank you. I just made it all up!"
"You never would have guessed," he said, still beaming. He adopted an overly pleased look next, as if there was a man crying behind with a gun to his head.
"You tell a story now."
"No, no, I couldn't possibly tell one as eloquently as you."
"Please, I'm so bored, and this tunnel is starting to smell funny. Why does it have to smell?"
"It's the monkeys. That's the smell of their accumulating sh— um... pooh. They're all over these tunnels, and they laugh at us everyday. We're supposed to be their superior cousins, yet they mock us. It's a dreadful irony."
"It doesn't smell like monkey poo. I should know, my Mommy took me to the zoo once."
"Or it could be the smell of that beast's rancid breath. You're right. Monkey pooh is much too mild for this flavor of stench."
"I'd prefer it if it were monkeys. I like monkeys..."
"I did once, until I started working in these tunnels. They're not like the cute monkeys from Earth with their furry faces and charming smiles. No, they're more of a missing link of some long gone human lineage. In that case they'd be apes. Pardon my ignorance; apes are not monkeys..."
"Oh..."
"These apes may be mere animals, but they mock mankind. They laugh at our constant struggles to better ourselves, to become separate from them... But it's only a matter of time till we succumb to our natural instincts."
"I don't understand."
"Well you wouldn't. You're not like all those ape-people back on Earth. You're more advanced, evolved of the mind. There's nothing beastly about you."
"Are you an ape-person?"
"Yes, I have given in to those inborn instincts many a time, with the killing and whatnot."
"But monkeys don't kill each other. They're nice."
"They are nice, until they encroach on one another's territory, steal each other's mates, social ranks, bananas, organs, rocks, you name it. Then there's the blood-shed..."
"All this talk of monkey blood-shed is making me sad."
"There's nothing to feel sad about. Take pride in your evolved sentience. You are truly human."
"Thank you. I like having... uh... sentenance."
Nny smirked, enjoying that look on her face like she'd just gotten smarter; plus the way she tried to say 'sentience' was kind of precious.
He moved his eyes forward again, stopping short when another curve appeared in the tunnel. It certainly wasn't there before, and he was at a loss more than ever.
This was just going to go on and on. That stupid monster, warping their minds...
Molly froze next as if someone stabbed her in the heart. She grasped her sides, and doubled over.
Her groan caught the attention of Nny, who was still indecisive about the newly formed curve in the tunnel.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"My... my stomach... it hurts. Something bad has happened."
"Where?"
"On Earth." Her eyes lit up in realisation, as she finally grasped the reason for her discomfort. She reached a hand to her mouth. "Oh no..." she said, turning pale.
Dread crept through Nny as he watched her there. He didn't know what else to do except stand there bewildered.
She started gasping for air, falling down to her knees. "M-Mommy...?" Her head snapped up. "I have to go back to heaven now!"
"Well I'm trying my best, but this tunnel—" Nny started.
"I don't care, you have to try harder and take me back!"
"We're a long way from heaven's door..."
"You will take me back now, or suffer my wrath!"
A dark shadow cast over Nny's eyes. "No. I don't like your attitude. It's lucky you're already dead..."
She matched his dark gaze. "I'm not scared of you, so open up a stupid door, idiot!"
Nny yanked at the nape of her dress.
"Let me go!" she yelled.
"Not until you address me correctly. You're starting to act like a spoilt brat, and one that I really, really loathe. What the hell is wrong with you? All sweet and then sour the next!"
"Let me go, now," she breathed low and fierce. Her eyes had lost all their sweet charm.
Nny laughed. "And what will you do? The worst you could give me is a painful cavity of the tooth. You're too cute and sugary to do anything serious."
"Oh, that's not what my killer said when I shoved my foot in his throat..."
"W-what?" he said, slightly disturbed.
He knew she was telling the truth, since he had eavesdropped on that part of her revenge (kind of wished he hadn't now). Regardless, he could never bring himself to be frightened of her.
He sneered down at her. "Is that a challenge?"
"Yes!"
She grabbed his arm, and twisted it around with her kiddie super strength. He let go of her at once.
"F**k!" he cursed, tending to his arm.
She stared at him with red, scorching eyes, breathing fiercely.
He met that burning gaze in her eyes, and released that dry laugh. "So you want to make a game out of this? I'll grind you up into a powder and make milkshakes out of you, brat!"
She remained poised, never wavering from his lame threat.
"No. I really don't," she said. "But since you asked so nicely... All right!"
She jumped up and gave him a roundhouse kick to the chest. He went flying across the tunnel.
When he landed on solid ground again, she dragged his head up off the floor, and slammed his face into the wall. It created an indentation in the stone.
The blow wasn't enough to smash Nny's skull, since he's bionic too, but the blood gushing from his nose did startle him. He hadn't bled since he was truly alive.
The sensation of going nose-first into a wall was very painful, as one might think, and it left him speechless. Physical pain...
The blood pouring down his lips was warm, and it taste like metal once it touched his tongue. He was bleeding like he was human again.
She was about to punch him now, swinging back her tiny fist. He held up his arms in surrender.
"Okay, okay, stop! It's gone too far now. We're friends again."
"But I thought you hated friends," she said, bitterly.
"Not ones who make me bleed..."
She stared bewildered. "You... your words are confusing. Argh!" Her fist met his face at last, and then he went soaring once again.
He landed on his face this time with a delicious mouthful of dirt, but then he felt it: sweet, human pain again. He was surprised by how much he missed it. He cursed inside.
This kid just wasn't going to stop, and he wasn't sure how much of it was her or that thing manipulating her. But he knew he had to get her to stop before she killed him. Could he die twice?
His scythe was lying on the floor beside him. He seized it at once, and just as she came upon him again, he swung the blade towards her head. But, alas, it hit the wall...
Whether he missed intentionally was a mystery, but he worked with the result. A new rift appeared in the wall, leading into some scary, freakish dimension.
He spat the blood out his mouth, and glared down at her. "You want a door? Well, go on. Go inside and see what you find!"
Molly stopped and looked at the rift. It seemed to subdue her hard expression. She staggered back against the far wall.
"N-no," she stammered.
"What's the matter?" he asked with mock concern. "Are you a scared and helpless child yet again?"
She started to shake, and then he pulled her closer to the rift.
"No! Don't make me go in there!"
"It's too late. You've evoked my wrath."
"I'm sorry, I just got so mad. I didn't know what was happening. Please, Nny."
He stared down at her impassive, deciding his next move. "Nah, I'm bored with you now. I think I'll just feed you to whatever lives in that dimension."
It was only a dimension of soft pillows and fluffy feathers. Hardly dangerous, but still. The threat was there.
He lifted her up by the nape of her white, sparkling dress, and moved towards the rift. She screamed.
"No! No!"
"Shut up!" he barked down at her, bursting her eardrums. "Do you have any idea of the shit I'm in now? How many mortals are still living on the surface as I'm gallivanting down here, with you? And what do I get in return? A f**king nosebleed!"
"Please don't send me in there, I'm sorry. I won't hit you again."
"You should be sorry. It's not often I do nice deeds, but then it's not often I receive the pleasure of reaping delightful spirits like you. But after all that 'ass-kicking'. I don't know what to think of you anymore..."
"I couldn't help it. It wasn't just my anger, something else was making me stronger."
"... I know."
"You do?"
He dropped her onto her feet and closed off the rift. Molly heaved a sigh. No more fluffy dimensions for her now.
"Yes. That's what inter-dimensional monsters do. Feed upon your worst anxieties."
"Why?"
"That's how they survive, absorbing the fears of various entities from all over the multiverse. Where in a midpoint now, trapped between those fine worlds. Terrifying concept, isn't it?"
She nodded quietly.
"That's why I was eager to get you back to bliss."
She looked up at him now. "But why?"
He met her gaze. "I didn't want you to become that thing you turned into, but it's already gotten so much inside your head, and I can't help but feel accountable. I know what it is to have your head messed with... Why do you make me feel like this?!"
"Like what?"
Nny pointed at his smashed, bloodied nose. It wasn't a pretty sight, but he's had worse head wounds.
"I've bled for the first time again, and it's pure human blood. Red, and full of iron..."
She looked down. "Sorry I hurt you."
"You did, very much, but I also thank you..."
"Thank me? Why?"
"You made me feel again, and I dislike you for that, but I'm grateful. Pain is good."
She sat down on the floor, and made herself look small, rocking back and forth. She started sniffling.
Nny rolled his eyes. "Please don't cry, I mean it!"
She started howling, and he couldn't take it anymore.
He had always been devoid of a conscience due to his hatred of his fellow men, and his insane fascination of 'expressing' himself. But her crying seemed to stab at a weak spot. It left an exposed, bleeding wound in his chest cavity, and he had to make her stop before he bled to death.
"Get up, and stop crying," he said, pulling her up to her feet. He dusted off her left shoulder.
"You had some lint there," he pointed out.
"I made a mistake. I should have stayed in heaven…" she cried.
"Well, yes, you should have, but there's no point in crying about it anymore. It's done now. You just have to work on fixing your mistake. Wow. Where was this shining wisdom when I was alive?"
"I have to go back, Nny."
"Why? Before you were so eager to get back to Earth and meet that little E.T. again." Nny stopped, and thought about what he just said. "Huh, death is leading a dead girl astray around limbo to get to Earth to meet an alien... Why does that make perfect sense to me?"
"Because my Mommy's up there now. She died on Earth, and she'll arrive in heaven and I won't be there..."
"... Oh," he shifted his eyes. "I can see why that would be upsetting."
"That monster... He put the fear inside me that I wouldn't see her again. Not even after death. At least when I was a ghost, I still had that to look forward to; being with my Mommy at last. I hate this tunnel. I'd rather be trapped on Earth..."
"You wouldn't want to be a ghost again. I despise them just as much as zombies and vampires. You all make a mockery of death, with your lingering, rotting, and blood-sucking..."
"I ruined my chances of happiness and bliss. I left it just to linger here..."
He watched her for a moment at that sad little tone, and gave her his answer. "You took a gamble, but it'll work out."
"No it won't."
"Yes it will. I'll make sure it does. Someone else will have to fill in for me and reap my souls until I know I can get you back to Heaven and Earth."
"Earth?"
He looked away again "... I'd hate for all our troubles to be for naught if we just couldn't let you get one more glimpse of that alien."
"No," she said. "I must get back to heaven first. I have to see her..."
"Well, you can only go one way, but if you choose heaven, you're chances of returning to Earth are very slim. They won't let you escape again so easily."
"So we should just continue to Earth?"
"The choice is all yours..." he said, impassive as usual.
Molly gave it some thought. Heaven or Earth? Mommy or Zim?
She finally made her decision, hating herself for it, but she knew Zim would be all right. That monster had already planted so much fear inside her, telling her that she would be trapped forever, just like before, but worse... And the thought of never seeing her mother again broke her heart. Maybe they could just make it to heaven before the monster comes back, and traps them both.
"I've made my decision, Nny."
"And what may it be?"
"Go back to heaven. It's the only way. At least if I make it to one end of this tunnel, I'll be safe and with my Mommy and Daddy again, but if I go to the other end that monster will have me trapped forever. I'll be stuck on Earth just like before..."
Nny watched her curiously, finding her musings most impressive for someone so young, but he was actually talking to someone at least sixty years. Both of them were supposed to be older; their 90s world was a bygone era now.
He breathed in, and then let out all that bottled, cold air. "All right. If that's what you wish. Though it's not my place to say, but I think you made the wiser choice."
"Thank you. Poor Zim... I was really looking forward to... to seeing..." She couldn't finish, as she started crying again.
"Don't cry, or you'll make me miss your manic, psychotic side."
"I'm sorry. It just wasn't meant to be this way..."
"Yeah, that monster's a real ass, ruining your hopes and dreams like that."
Heartbroken and in need of comfort right about now, she went to hug him, but he pushed her back.
"Oh, no. My nose is still oozing from when you last came near me. I would be more comfortable if you kept at least three feet between us."
"But that was the monster!"
"Monster or not, it was your tiny, terrifying arms that did this," he pointed to his oozing nose. "As much as the blood reassures me of my reclaimed humanity, I want your arms at your sides at all times."
"Yes, Nny," she said, sadly.
He tapped her shoulder in a weird, abnormal display of affection, jerking his hand back in case she'd bite. She didn't.
Now satisfied, he led her down the tunnel astray again.
...
Zim walked into the base with the cat curled around his shoulders. His face was devoid of emotion, looking straight on. He was having a pretty rough few days.
Skoodge was sitting on the couch miserably, as he sighed for Zim's convenience.
Zim looked his way and rolled his eyes.
"What is it, Skoodge?"
"It's nothing. I just... I don't think anyone takes me seriously around here. If I'm not being used as a chew toy by your SIR unit, then I'm getting tripped and beaten by scary girls, or worse. That homeless human you're holding captive snuck into the basement last night, and he... and he..." Skoodge couldn't finish, as he looked on in dread.
"Oh, so that's where Heathcliff went to. I had to clean all my mops. Disgusting human!"
"Still, I want my needs to be taken into consideration. I'm as vital as a part of this household as much as you or GIR."
Zim looked at him incredulous. "You sit in the basement all day and play awful music. At least GIR takes the trash out!"
"He eats the trash! And that's Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'. It's a human classic. Helps take my mind off things," Skoodge said.
Zim sighed. "Look, Skoodge, your life could be much worse. You could have just found out that the little girl you saved from a miserable, ghostie fate is now stuck in a world between worlds with some oddity for days, weeks and months on end. But then you may say, "Oh, it'll all get better..." only to find out the girl's mother died, and now you're stealing cats like some cat stealing ninja!"
Skoodge deflated. "Oh... I suppose you're right. It could be much worse. Is that the cat right there?" He pointed at the cat around Zim's neck.
"No, this is my attorney, Bob, Skoodge. Of course it's the cat!"
"I thought so. I know Earth attorneys don't normally have claws, and stare at you like you're a mouse in a trap..." Skoodge shifted away from the cat's gaze.
"Well, maybe some Earth attorneys have those things, but forget all that. This will be his new home from now on. And between you and me, I adopted him from the local shelter and not from a deceased old lady. Understand?"
"Yes," Skoodge said with half a heart. So much help this talk was.
The cat jumped off Zim's shoulder and onto the arm of the chair, making itself at home.
Skoodge was more than pleased to see him. "Aw, hey there, buddy. Have you come to say hello?"
The cat glared at him then and hissed, swinging its claws his way.
Skoodge flinched and turned away again. "I didn't think you were..."
Zim shook his head at Skoodge, and then removed his wig and contacts.
"What am I going to do now?" he finally asked.
"Well, you could always rent a movie or something. No point in shilly-shallying. Molly will arrive in due time."
"Shilly-shallying?"
"Yeah... I'm reading a thesaurus. I'm procrastinating a little right now. I'll get back to work later."
"Where exactly are you holding a thesaurus? Oh, forget I asked..."
"I weren't going to answer, anyway."
"Well, since you're 'procrastinating', computer, you can find some food for our newest member of the family, Bob. Say hello to the computer, Bob."
The cat mewed, and Zim was impressed.
"Wow, he understands me..."
"Why did you get a cat, master?" the computer asked, irritated.
"I... He's from the local shelter..."
"No he's not; you stole him from Molly's mother. I just heard you tell Skoodge!"
"Yes, well, Molly's mother died, computer. We have a cat now, so deal with it!"
"Fine, but don't introduce him to your other pet, Lisa."
"Why? I think that would be a marvelous idea. They'd be like brother and sister in a way."
"Cats eat mice, moron!"
"So, Gaz eats her sibling, Dib. Well, at least I think she does..."
"Well don't come crying to me when Lisa ends up in Bob's stool with her little feet and tail poking out."
Zim was aghast. "You're so gloomy and depressing, computer, and revolting! I'm going down into the lab. You and Skoodge can stay here and compare notes!"
Zim grabbed Bob and went down into the lab. If only he had gotten the cat when he was still evil, the cat would have been more impressive. Now it's just the pet of a heartbroken Irken, who needs to fill a void.
Skoodge looked up at the computer then, grinning.
"Is there something you need, Skoodge?"
"Well... I don't think comparing notes would be such a bad idea. I'll start!"
"Oh bother…"
"This morning I was sitting in the park, and then this butterfly landed right on my shoulder! It was so beautiful; I think it actually liked me. Most other living organisms don't, you see. For once I felt happy, accepted, but then it flew away again. I guess it didn't want me after all..."
"I... I have to go and stick my head in an oven…"
"Don't forget to come back!" Skoodge sang.
"Will do!"
The sound of footsteps was heard on the computer's interface next, and then a door slammed shut. Skoodge just sat there waiting patiently.
Poor, gullible Skoodge...
...
"Must... go on... legs... need to keep... going."
Nny turned around. Molly was straggling behind. Her head was bowed as she held her arms at her sides.
"Are you okay over there?" he asked.
"Legs... exploding... have to... sit down."
She sat at once, folding her legs beneath her.
Nny grumbled to himself and then walked towards her, looking over her tired, sorry appearance.
"Wow, you really don't look so good. You didn't eat some of that funny chocolate that was lying on the ground a few miles back, did you? Because that was not chocolate, I can assure you."
"No, my legs. They're... sleeping..."
"Well tell your legs to wake up. There's plenty of time for rest later. We need to keep moving."
"I can't. I'm too tired. That monster... he made me sleepy."
"Oh, that's never good. It looks like he used up all your energy during his... manipulation of you. You supernatural babies are no different to mortal babes. You've used up all your lively energy and now need to recharge. Typical."
"I must sleep..."
"No, I would like to get out of this tunnel as soon as I can. As delightful as your company has been, it isn't enough to make me want to linger in here any longer than I need to. So get up."
"No," she said, lying down and making a pillow out of her hands.
"Get up..." he growled.
"Nnngh..." she mumbled back, falling asleep.
"Are you falling asleep?" he asked, suspiciously.
No answer.
"Godammit!" He kicked the wall in frustration.
"Hey, watch it out there!" said a voice from inside the wall.
Nny stared, horrified. "Sorry, strange... wall person..."
He glowered at the sleeping girl next. She was way out of it now, sleeping like a curled up kitten. How precious...
He hadn't slept since he was truly alive, so he couldn't relate to her sleepiness. Maybe he was tired too? He shook that preposterous thought away.
Nny made his mind up then, and sat against the wall till she recharged her batteries. Kids could go out like a light, and he was a little jealous, considering that everlasting insomnia he just couldn't shake off.
He recharged his energy in other ways, but that's beside the point. He just couldn't contemplate sleep anymore. He was so sure of himself now. The notion of sleep eluded him, making everything vague and cloudy. It's best to be alert. Dreams are for the weak. He was strong; he could stay awake for an eternity...
Molly looked endearing in sleep, like a hibernating animal in the winter. Maybe a dormouse or a hedgehog? Something from that cutesy wootsy, nauseating tale she told, the one where everyone was non-human, talked, and lived happily ever after.
He never told her it was awful though, and lied through gritted teeth. Was he sparing her feelings? Kids need their imaginations after all.
The reaper had been watching her sleeping for some time, until that harrowing thunder shook the tunnel.
It wasn't enough to wake the girl, as he cussed silently.
He crept towards her and gave her a shake. "Wake up," he said.
Nothing.
"Damn."
"Look out. That shark's got a bomb," she muttered.
"The shark has what?"
"I wanna play on the piano..."
Such sweet dreams. How it sickened him.
A distant roar echoed from the end of the tunnel. Nny grabbed the girl instantly, along with his scythe. He carried her over his shoulder.
She could probably carry him too. It was a disturbing thought, since she was only three-foot four...
He moved at a brisk pace as that new bend emerged in the tunnel.
He couldn't take this any longer. Heaven's door was miles and miles away. At least he thought it was miles. It could have been light-years for all he knew.
Nny made his mind up. They had to get out of this tunnel before they went insane, or tried killing each other again. He would rather keep his head attached to his body, and he was sure Molly didn't want to be a milk drink all the same.
It looks like it was Earth now after all. Molly would understand; she was asleep, anyway.
Molly started to stir, as she hung over his shoulder like an old coat. Her face settled on something at the other end of the tunnel.
"N-Nny..." she started.
"Oh, you're finally awake—"
She screamed down his ear next, nearly bursting his eardrum.
She squirmed out of his hold and fell on the floor, pointing obsessively. Nny turned to see the cause of her terror.
Some freak of a gelatinous, tentacled beast was squirming down the tunnel. The walls crashed around it; they were going to get crushed. Heaven was but a far dream on the horizon.
"Holy shit... holy shit on toast..." Nny stared ghoulishly, and then heard what he said. "Shit on toast?"
Its stench reached their nostrils. Nny had to hold back vomit. It was ten times worse than the sour milk smell of human waste, and the monkey poo combined.
Poor Molly couldn't compose herself, as she vomited all over Nny's boots. The homicidal maniac wasn't so enthused about that. He grimaced, moving away from the bile spilling out before him.
"It's coming!" she spluttered, mouth filled with vomit.
Nny swung his scythe and conjured up a random rift. He didn't care where it'd lead them. It couldn't be as bad as that beast coming toward them. This tunnel was crumbling away, so they had to get out fast.
The rift opened out. He grabbed Molly's arm, just as that thin tentacle coiled around her ankle. It dragged her away, pulling them both from the rift.
Next, a thicker tentacle pushed Nny against the wall. They both stared into its face, well, many faces, as it resembled each aspect of their worst fears.
It's appearance may be subjective, and dependent on the person looking up at it. What they both couldn't help but notice, however, was how each face resembled all the things they had talked about in the tunnel, from primal ape-men, cockroaches, and even unicorns...
Even the sickly sweet characters from Molly's story made an appearance, from fairies to woodland critters, but they were far from cute.
Another tentacle seized Molly's arm. She screamed, as she could feel its suction-discs sticking to her skin. They were slimy.
"Nny, help me!"
Another two gripped Nny's wrists. He was petrified, frozen over in fear. It was his re-claimed humanity, making him weak again.
He answered her cries for help, as poised as he could manage.
"I'm unable to take your call right now. Maybe we can talk later, once this mutated squid stops trying to stick its tentacle down my throat. Oh, shit, it—"
The beast had shoved its tentacle down his jaws before he could finish.
"Leave him alone!" Molly cried, trying to wriggle out of the squid's hold, but it was fruitless.
She saw Nny's scythe a few feet away. It had fallen from his grasp. She reached out, clasping her hands around its thick handle. She stood shakily next, and swung the scythe towards the tentacle that choked Nny.
It set him loose at once. The severed end flapped around on the ground like a fish on deck.
The monster howled in pain, wrapping several more arms around her body, but that didn't stop her cutting into it again and again. Now it looked like the tunnel was full of chopped pieces of spaghetti, splattering them both in gore.
Nny watched with ghoulish fascination, while the small girl ripped into the monster's flesh. She was like a crazed child. The sight eased him somewhat, as his pupils grew twice their size. So cute she was with his weapon.
The scythe was taller than her as she lost her balance a few times, but she managed just fine.
She stopped to gaze deep into the chief face of the monster. Tears were forming in her eyes.
Nny didn't know what it was she was seeing, but he guessed it weren't good. If he could escape from the beast's hold, then maybe...
It was too late. It's long, sticky proboscis, like the tongue of a toad, hauled her up into its mouth.
He couldn't remember much after that. It was all a blur, but somehow he managed to rip his arms free from the beast's hold, and finish what Molly started.
The sound of blade hitting flesh soothed him, and when he was done with the scythe, he pulled some knives out and slit off any remaining arms, scaling that beast like a madman. He really did keep them well hidden after all.
The monster collapsed, finally weakening to his blows, but Nny didn't stop there. He reclaimed his scythe, creating a rip through the monster's belly to expose its stomach.
Acid poured out from the gash, as Molly, along with various, disgusting contents, burst through.
Nny knelt at her side. She was barely conscious.
He sat her up, and rested her head against his arm. She was covered in acid, but what did he care. He tried to look past her gore-covered face and into her eyes.
Her eyelashes fluttered open next, as she stared confused.
"N-Nny?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"Did...? Was I...?"
"Oh, yes, you were..."
She trembled and clung onto him tight. She just looked so pathetic, he let her continue.
He could feel her little heart beating, noticing his, too, no doubt. How disgusting; when had it started beating again? When the blood pouring started, of course. Such a horrible sensation.
"Is it dead?" Molly asked.
"It could only wish. I still need to finish it off," he said.
"I... I saw..."
"What did you see? Stop stuttering."
She covered her eyes, getting all that gore inside them. He pulled her hands away.
"It's okay. Forget that thing you saw. You never have to tell anyone."
"B-but... I saw it. I can never forget..."
Nny lifted her delirious in his arms, and carried her away from the beast's exposed stomach. He placed her onto a fallen stone.
His cloak had slipped off during the knife attack. Now it was covered in blood and noodle-looking pieces of flesh. Nice.
He picked his scythe up, and handed it to her. She looked at him confused.
"Would you like to deliver the final blow?" he asked, eyes wide and curious.
"I... I don't know how. I've never killed anything before."
"I saw you wielding that weapon before like a perfect little psycho; of course you can do it. Just don't go toppling backwards when you lose your balance, okay?"
"I can't. I don't want to kill it, Nny."
He gazed into her sweet, young eyes, and sighed.
"I know you don't. Okay, I'll do it for you. Um, cover your eyes. It won't be pretty."
And so she did.
Nny brought that scythe right down into the monster's chief face without a second thought, getting splattered in mustard-coloured blood.
He caught a little glimpse of its expression before he delivered the blow. It looked up like a human, frightened and alone. Its face almost resembled that of a young woman, as Nny looked over at Molly curiously.
She was still covering her eyes, humming, and then it dawned on him what she may have seen. He felt the dread sweep through him next, and then the pity.
Poor kid.
A/N: Well there you have it. Quite the intense chapter. The reason why it is so long is because I couldn't stop writing Nny and Molly's dialogue. It was so much fun, and scary. Sorry again. A bit morbid with the holiday season coming up, and then there's the swearing... I personally don't like writing them down, yet I do. I should stop.
Take into account the tension between the two characters and the tunnel's creepiness, if either were too harsh on one another. Senses are heightened. I thought Nny handled himself pretty well... Well, compared to how he normally would react. Lucky he cast away those old, excess feelings, but a certain someone may have brought some humanity back in him. Nny's 'bleeding' was inspired by the paragraph written by a feller called Rob Schrab from the Director's Cut of JtHM, where he states "you only feel when you bleed."
It's come to my attention that Molly may be something of a Mary Sue now, with her not only altering the protagonist of Invader Zim, but that of JtHM now. And to further add salt to that wound, Molly is a pet name for Mary, ha! No, I'm serious; I gave her a litmus test thingy, and she scored 39. Some of those questions were really stupid, such as "Does your OC have a job, appearance, or name that you always wished you had?" Er... No!
Enough of that. Anyway, if you've read JtHM, that monster is more or less based off or inspired by the monster in the comic, having no true appearance, etc., but it's a different species. I also based it too off the inter-dimensional monster in an old Dexter's lab episode. You may remember if you're old enough, where it eats him, and he gets Dee Dee to go back in the past multiple times. That one was jelly-like and gelatinous too.
"You must go back into the past, and give me this message!" Sorry, quote from the episode, but if you read it in Dexter's voice, you're very awesome, and watched good cartoons.
I never planned to have Elizabeth die. It just happened as I was writing that scene where Zim walks up to her door. It made sense. Tis sad, but she lived a good life. It's like she died at the right time, after she found her daughter...
And that's true of cats; they adopt humans in their minds, and I guess he took a shine to Zim, even though he's Irken. But Zim should know better than to steal a cat, but it's gone to a good home... full of aliens.
If you remember, Molly had memories of a ghost girl in her room when she used to be alive. Well there's the girl. She's really creepy.
That attaching a human head onto a dog's body is a reference to the movie 'Mars Attacks'. It's an alien spoof film.
The part where Nny threatens to turn Molly into milkshake was weird, especially since it came from me. I remember reading somewhere on the JtHM wiki page that Nny was quoted as saying "I love children. They're so sweet and stay crunchy in milk..." sometime or other. I have no idea when or where he said it. It's not such a big deal, but it's probably just a joke on Jhonen's part (I hope so, I won't eat cereal again), but for some reason, it inspired that disturbing threat (now I will never drink milkshake again).
And that word was 'wacky' by the way. Never mention it in Nny's presence. Again, spork, taco restaurant, disembowelment, etc.
Then there's Nny's conscience, which really is open to debate. He's just so insane, his perspectives and morals change very often.
That's all I have to say today. I will try and make these A/N smaller. I realise the review button is below all this. Oh well.
Goodbye.