Hello, and welcome to my interpretation of the PercentVerse. This is really only a side story that I decided to work on for two reasons. I want to improve my writing, and I want to improve my ability to worldbuild and make plot. That being said, this story's gonna have more sporadic updates, and probably shorter chapters. This story is completely for fun as well. If ya like it, feel free to follow. If ya don't, feel free to completely ignore it. Anywho, on with the story.

The main character (who is pretty much just unnamed at this point in time) is inspired by Claire from 'Fused Duality' by Vile Slanders.

Chapter I

"Five more minutes, class!" My history teacher warns us. I just about groan. This final exam is far more draining than it should be.

Resisting the urge to bite my pen tip, I hurriedly bubble in the last few answers on my worksheet and stumble over to the turn-in basket. With that finally off my shoulders, I calmly stroll back to my desk and let my eyes drift up to the clock, counting in my head how many seconds it'll be before I can leave.

Today's my last day of school for a good ten weeks, and god am I thankful for it. No job, no assignments, nothing. (Well, my parents are probably going to assign a bit of yard work, but that usually doesn't take up too much of my free time.)

The school bell rang, and kids immediately sprinted out of the room, towards their summer freedom. I would join 'em, though I still have a good two miles before I'd make it to my house. Together with one of my school friends, Nick, I follow the trail of shoe tracks and gum wrappers out of the school. By the time we make it to the front gate, it's already just about desolate, some few unlucky car riders waiting for their rides. We stroll past them with small grins and travel along the sidewalk of a busy street, checking for cars as we cross the overflowing intersections.

"So, what are your plans for this summer, Nick?" I ask.

Nick's a nice guy, though I'm only friends with him through happenstance. We shared five of our seven classes over the now-finished school year. Decisions were made, and we became study buddies. I worked with him on basic school subjects like writing and math, while he worked with me on less standard classes like finance and history.

"I can't say that I've got any plans. Might go out of state once or twice to visit family. Otherwise, I'm probably just gonna chill n' watch Netflix or something along those lines. You?"

"No plans either."

"Wanna get together sometime over the summer holiday then?"

"Sure."

We walk n' talk for a couple more minutes before preparing to say our "goodbye's." Both of our houses are south of the school, so we get to walk together for a while. His is southwest while mine's just south, so we part ways somewhere in between.

Just as I'm about to cross the intersection with a wave back to Nick, however, I am stopped in my tracks, body completely unresponsive. My entire body feels numb. I manage to turn my head and see Nick in a similar situation. I turn back to the road, and my eyes bulge.

"Oh my god," I whisper in horror and near awe.

The intersection is a mess. Cars are everywhere. Some are randomly swerving into trees, some keep going until they crash into other unmoving cars, many are just trying to get out of the way. People's screams echo around in my head as I turn my head away again. I beg to whatever God may be out there in hopes that I don't die, but I'm only given a short period before my vision flashes white and I lose consciousness.

Groggily, I let my eyes flutter open. I hear the sound of water swishing around, though it seems impossible to pinpoint a source. Lifting my head feels extremely unnatural and I quickly set it back down.

'What the hell?'

I once again try to lift my head to look around, only for it to go much higher than it should. I flinch violently, freezing. Then, slowly, I allow my head to rise even more before I look behind me.

That... might have been a mistake for my sanity.

Connected to my unnaturally long neck is a fat plesiosaur-like body colored a light blue. A pinkish shell covers the majority of my back.

Tears freely running from my eyes now, my eyes nervously dart back and forth, my situation less than comprehensible.

'I can't even move...'

My flipper-like arms and legs don't seem to be doing much as I attempt to push against the sidewalk, trying to make any progress. Instead, however, they just hopelessly slide along the sidewalk, unable to support me. Causes me a bit of pain too, considering concrete against skin is not really supposed to feel good, even with the... I think it's blubber?

Definitely glad I hadn't chosen to cross the street.

A bit calmer now, I try looking around to see if anyone can help me. Seeing a man crossing the street parallel to me, I call to him.

"Hey! Uh, can you-"

Before I can even finish, the man visibly blanches and only crosses faster in a desperate attempt to make a getaway.

"Wai-... God damn it."

Looking around again, my eyes catch on someone a good ten feet away from me, passed out. God, I can't even tell what it is either. With wing-like appendages that look far too small to carry it and 3 pairs of frills along its upper back, my mind registers it as some sort of massive bug. I contemplate waking the thing up for a couple of seconds, but that decision's already made for me as the bug-like creature slowly gains consciousness, quietly grumbling to itself. I debate getting its attention for a few short moments.

"Hey."

Mumbling stops, the creature freezes in place, much like the man from earlier. I fear that it will run away, but I don't know of anything else to say. Slowly, the bug turns toward me and, upon seeing me, its eyes widen. I quickly realize that it's slowly retreating away.

"Please don't hurt me..."

My eyes widen, recognizing the voice. "Wait, Ni-"

Before I even get a chance to say his name, he's already turned tail, leaving me alone on the sidewalk. Tears formed in my eyes once again.

I'm stuck here. I can't move, everyone's too intimidated by me to even consider helping me, and I'm completely alone. I need some source of food and water, too.

My mind rambles, and all I can think to do is lay my head down. The road is completely desolate now, bar a few crashed vehicles, smoking and broken. Closing my eyes, I do my best to clear my head from the mental lashings of stress.

Please tell me this is a nightmare...