3 The Chicken

Everything looked and felt exactly as he had remembered it. The door had his name scratched on its hinges, the ceiling above him had that crack when his he and his brother played football indoors. the chicken now guided him to the living room. The smell of the living room brought back so many things. So many sweet and bitter memories came to him as he sat down on the coffee stained grey couch.

The chicken hopped onto the recliner in front of him and sat down like it was roosting.

"This isn't real. Isn't it." he said. "I already lost everything. This is just some kind of illusion."

No matter how sweet and tempting the feeling was, he still knew the harsh reality. There is no change about the fact that his family is gone.

"You're as smart as you look." the chicken said.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?" he said in stern tone.

"Ah. Straight to the point. I like it." the chicken's tone felt like it was pleased.

"My name is not important, for the moment."

"Then what should I call you." Kellogg interrupted.

The chicken turned its head a few times and said "Pietro. For now call me Pietro."

"Ok then... Pietro." his voice felt awkward.

He had expected something like Chica or or Chicken Little or Cluck Norris and the name 'Pietro' gave him a bit of a cringe.

"I can read your mind you know" Pietro said.

"Wh-What are you?" the startled Kellogg asked Pietro.

"Lets just say that I'm a very powerful entity."

'If he's a very powerful entity then why should he want me?'

"I'm just getting to that."

Kellogg had just forgotten about the fact that Pietro could read his mind.

"I want you to get stronger."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I want you to get stronger!" Pietro repeated.

"First of all, why should I listen to...you" he thought of saying chicken but refrained from.

"I know you won't believe me if I say I can bring them(his family) back." Pietro said.

"Yes. I've already gotten over the fact that my family is no longer with me. I learned to live without them."

"Do you want to know about that 'surprise' you were supposed to get that day?" Pietro asked

'Surprise?' he got confused. Then without warning some memory that lay dormant in him woke up.

"Son. Come home a little early today. We've got a little surprise for you."

It was his father's voice, he now remembered what happened that day, everything was destroyed. Tears filled his eyes for the first time in a long time after revisiting a painful memory.

"Why did you show me this?" he asked as he held his head between his hands. "Why!" he screamed.

"Do you want to know that surprise?" Pietro repeated his question.

'What is wrong with this stupid fucking bird. Why did he do that. Is it all his trick to make me do something for him?'

"Yes, I want you to do something for me." Pietro said after hearing his thoughts.

"I want you to get stronger in a certain place, and get ready to face a very strong being. Are you up to it?"

Kellogg was now overwhelmed with emotion. His emotions that were suppressed for very long time leaked out and clouded his logic. Finally after an eternity of thinking he said, "Yes. I'll do it."

"Good" Pietro said. "Don't worry about this world. People will only think that you disappeared."

"What?" he snapped out. "What do you mean this worl-" before he could finish the sentence he was pulled into a portal.

***

Thud!

[Slight damage to body detected]

"Whe-Where am I?" he looked around.

It was a forest with tall trees that seemed to touch the sky. The path of the sun rays were illuminated by dust. Most of the trees were unnaturally tall while only a few of them looked normal. The ground had grass scattered around. He got to his feet and looked around.

'scan'

[Signal Lost with HQ]

[Scanning surroundings...]

[Unknown Energy detected]

[Unknown Individuals detected]

He cracked his knuckles and proceeded in the direction of the notification.

****