Inspired by Cosmosdex
Meeting with Death
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"Hrm."
As Rigel had his morning smoke on top of the apartment building, he faced a rather unique predicament, where a figure, much taller than him and yet wearing the face of his old neighbor...
...Decided to talk to him, as though it was just like him. Just like everybody else.
Neighbor?
???
"Hiii, Rigel!~" It speaks, with a tone so sweet. "Say, I've heard things haven't been going well for you lately! Want to talk about it with me, your dearly beloved neighbor?"
He knows that if he talks back, it could very well end in disaster. His neighbor didn't even talk that way.
Frankly, nobody really talks in such a manner. It was obviously fake. Out to kill him. Maybe eat him. Something like that.
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"I...I suppose I can spare a few minutes." He exhales, smoke rising out of his nose. The cigarette was freshly lit, and weirdly enough, smelled of lavender.
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"What is there to talk about, anyway? I'm done."
There was a long, heavy pause from the creature. Dead air that he didn't like. Why was Rigel trying to indulge in the first place?
Neighbor?
???
"How's your mother doing?"
He flinches. Something in his mind opens up. A terrible, terrible feeling. A memory to unfold.
Neighbor?
???
"I heeeeard she's been interviewing with a few...um...what was it? Newspapers! Yeeees! About what you were like as a child. I've reeeead some of theeeem...."
Neighbor?
???
"Saaay...why don't you ever respond to those calls?"
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"Too tired." His voice quivers for a split second. "She...may as well be dead to me, after everything."
Neighbor?
???
"Eeeeverything...?!"
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
A key to his mind, crammed into his brain. The color of red starts to seep in the corners. There's a lump in his throat he's trying to swallow. "Yes..."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"Everything."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"I should go now. Excuse me." He tries to spit out.
But his neighbor stops him from heading to the exit. If only it was that easy, to leave when the situation calls for it.
The right side of his head begins to ache with red.
His right hand is covered with the blood of an ugly truth.
Maybe he shouldn't have been so stupid, trying to find help. He shouldn't have tried to leave.
Neighbor?
???
"No, wait! Please!" It screeches. "I can help. Don't you want help, my dear friend?"
Neighbor?
???
"You want to get out of mother's grasp, riiiiiight?"
All those years were spent just leaving.
His mother, his sister, his home. His home. His home.
Everything changed so quickly. Too quick for his liking. Now, he's nothing. People see him as someone broken.
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"I...I don't..."
His body almost wants to beg, to be taken somewhere new. Somewhere he can leave, forever.
One step forward and something grabs his hand. His ear leaks and drips. A trail begins. The voice of his sister calls for his name.
Sa$#%#^%#p%$#h?!?!?!?!
RED.
"Follow me, then."
RED.
RED. RED. RED. RED. RED.
"Let's get out of here together."
SHHHHHRRRRRKKKKKKKKK!!!!!
.........
The alien's body gurgles, black liquid seeping out of its fake mouth as claws pierce its head. Hands struggle for life, and fall towards death. Quick as it is, it was a sorry death. One must make sure to aim correctly to take down a pest, or it'll multiply.
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"Wh...What?" His ear burns for a hot second, before the pain suddenly fades.
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"...Oh, shit. Hi."
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Hey." Kiya throws the body off the ledge, too casually for his own good. "You're bleeding."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"I think I am. Should I call for help?"
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Depends. Can you hear?"
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"I-It's not painful."
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Not what I asked, but taking that as a yes."
The cat and the dog look over where the body fell. It twitches madly, desperate to find life within itself. Kiya shakes his head. He was well aware of Rigel's childhood, and was updated with everything about his life.
That's why he had a bad feeling when he went out for a smoke so early. Especially since it was the fancy cigarettes they won some time back.
Kiya
Pest Killer
"You really gotta be more careful, dude."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry."
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Don't even apologize." He hisses, quick to wipe his roommate's face with his apron. "Or even thank me. It's my job to kill these guys."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"......"
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"So, uh...do you think it tore her face before or after she died?" He winces, just thinking about it.
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Hopefully it's after. I'm gonna send a report once I make sure everything's settled."
Rigel
Disgruntled Wolf
"...Okay." Rigel looks to the side. "I'm going to tell Arlo our neighbor moved out all of a sudden."
Kiya
Pest Killer
"Good. And act normal. Can't have you trying to get yourself arrested again. Besides..."
"You have much bigger problems to solve."