Chapter 22: Conversations in Monstrous Company
Chapter 22: Conversations in Monstrous Company
Following a quick trip to the bathroom and ensuring Alice did the same, they ventured out to explore the area and scavenge nearby houses, beginning with the neighboring ones.
Their luck took a downturn, however, as the first house they entered was home to an array of strange creatures. One of these beings appeared to have once been a dog, but its transformation had turned its body into something slimy and insect-like. Four legs now resembled blades, while its head was a grotesque blend of insect features and tentacles.
The second creature bore remnants of a human form, now grotesquely adorned with bug-like attributes. Numerous arms sported large, shell-like shields, and its body had swollen to a massive size, towering over both John and Alice. Its form seemed akin to that of a grub or caterpillar, firmly rooted to the ground. Its face was an amalgamation of tentacle-like appendages, akin to individual worm creatures interconnected.
The final and most imposing creature occupied a significant portion of the room, its massive bulk scraping against the ceiling. Dense fur obscured the exact count of its parts, but protruding from the fur were an assortment of elongated and twisted arms. Three large, tree-like legs supported its tremendous weight, and the fur concealed shifting faces that conveyed a sense of anguish. Truly, an assembly of nightmarish entities.
With his dagger at the ready, John motioned to Alice to withdraw cautiously. If facing solely the dog-like or grub creatures, he believed they might stand a chance. Even confronting the larger monstrosity, he planned to probe and assess before retreating if it proved insurmountable. Yet, confronting all three creatures simultaneously, and possibly others drawn to the confrontation, was a battle they couldn't confidently win.
They inched slowly backwards, hoping to exit the room, their watchful gaze never leaving the unsettling entities before them. Ready to fight their way out if needed.
Unexpectedly, an aged voice resounded, "Well, well, I didn't expect guests. Come, come, I just made some coffee and biscuits. Won't you join me? Oh, but only if you're normal people and not nasty crazy persons. You're not crazy, are you?" The large, hairy monstrosity shifted slightly to reveal a small, hunched-over old man. He sported a plaid shirt, sweatpants, and a pair of slippers. Despite his frail appearance, he carried a tray of cookies and a sizable coffee French press with a tremulous hand.
Apologizing for their intrusion and clarifying that they had no intention to rob, John informed the old man of their unintentional invasion. With a gesture, he urged Alice to remain vigilant but passive. John gingerly placed the tray on an end table, attempting to convey their peaceful intent.
The old man scrutinized them both, "Neither of you strikes me as thieves. The girl may appear eccentric, perhaps suffering from some kind of mental illness. Then again, the last group that visited was attired strangely as well. Maybe it's a trend among youngsters nowadays. However, despite your initial intentions, you're rather polite. Confessing your intention to rob me takes some honesty." His voice brimmed with humour as he eased into a worn chair, pouring coffee into a cup and soaking a biscuit.
"You've not acted aggressively, and you haven't made any hostile advances. Are you perhaps supported by accomplices outside, planning to strike with numbers? Regrettably, such a strategy won't work on an old man like me. The group that tried last night only helped in the creation of Fluffy here," he exclaimed, patting the large, fuzzy monstrosity beside him. In response, the creature emitted a guttural growl, while the dog-like entity now lay docile at his feet. The grub creature remained static, causing John to wonder if it could even move. Wary of any risk, he guided Alice to a seat across from the old man.
"Sorry again, sir. Our intention was never to steal from you. We would've considered it only if the house had been empty. I couldn't bring myself to harm someone who appears in control of their faculties and untouched by whatever transformation has occurred. Moreover, I doubt we could effectively combat your… companions?" John struggled to find a suitable term for the enigmatic creatures.
Savoring the soaked biscuit, the old man assessed them anew.
"Well you don't seem deranged. The girl's appearance may be unconventional, but she seems under your control, so ill consider it your responsibility to keep her in check. Would you like coffee or a biscuit?" he inquired amiably.
Alice nodded eagerly, glancing between John and the cookies. Encouraged by John's subtle nod, she took two cookies and settled back to nibble on one.
"These are absolutely delicious!" Alice exclaimed, savoring her treat in careful nibbles to prolong the experience. The old man's chuckle widened his smile.
"I'm glad you like them. I improvised with whatever I could find in this houses kitchen. However, what should I do with you two now? I could incorporate you into Fluffy, making him bigger in size and stronger. But I feel if I would lose control over him if I did that. Speaking of which, do either of you what it is that's currently going on? I tried to check the channels on the tv, but it was no help at all. Perhaps you, the younger generation, can tell this this old man, what's happening and help him understand." the old man inquired, inviting their input.
Thinking for a moment. "sorry if this comes off a rude or blunt, but didn't the supposed 'God' provide you any guidance upon your class selection?" John says to the old man, honestly rather curious.
The old man's expression darkened slightly, "Lad, I know gods exist just as I know there is a hell. But, that entity certainly isn't anything close to a god at all. It didn't seem happy that what chose his class was a walking corpse as it put it, it also ranted on how it hopes I die soon before kicking me out of wherever I was. Waking up or coming back, I found myself kidnapped by lunatics who dragged me here. They spoke of wanting to eat me. While my memory of what happened after that gets a bit blurry, I found myself holding a weird looking grub worm. I remember wishing and hoping for safety and protection at the time. One thug, wielding a knife, approached with his dog, intending to share a portion of me with his pet. I struck him with the grub, causing him to drop the knife. I managed to grab it and used it to fend off the dog. At that moment something extraordinary happened. The grub seemed to bite into him causing him to scream loudly, at the same time the knife seemed to melt into the dog. Both began to transform into their current forms," he gestured towards the bizarre blade-legged dog and the grub entity.
"Oddly enough, I discovered an ability to command them with my thoughts, an intriguing development. The noise though had caused the others to rush over to the room, but my fear had seemed to vanish, the surge of adrenaline pumped through these old bones, and I ordered my 2 new companions to attack, which quickly took care of the lunatics. Although I can't really remember the details of what happened, the carnage reminded me of war, bringing back some rather bad memories. When I tried to go past them their bodies, parts and blood all seemed to dissolve and sloosh together and turning it all into Fluffy. This creature has been rather fierce and protective of me. But honestly I feel that rushing the process of fusing a bunch of other people into him will cause me to lose control. And I've not managed to live this long by being recklessness," he said with a chuckle.
"Glad to hear your also skeptical about them being gods. I just call them as higher beings. It seems our world has turned into a game for their amusement. You're the first sane person I've actually met after this place transformed. Many seemed to have changed entirely because of their new class, I plan to give them hell though for it, not just what they've done to everyone and everything, but for taking my family from me." John revealed earnestly, eliciting a sympathetic nod from the old man.
"It seems even the animals and plants have changed and there's no doubt other things will also be introduced; we've already encountered some diverse creatures and there's potentially missions or events still to come. Theirs supposed to be merchants and a peculiar vending machine type of thing that dispenses special and survival items as well and even imp-like things meant to keep order and the higher beings entertained. Thing is all this is second hand form the higher being I had met. Do you want to join us?" John continued, telling him what he knew well lying a bit about the source before offering the old man the chance to join them due to how strong the the creatures are and how useful they could be along with other reasons. But the old man declined with a shake of his head.
"I appreciate your offer, but I'd rather go my own way. I have these guys, and I honestly dont trust you enough to risk going with you. Feel free to clear out this place tomorrow evening though if you want, we will probably be gone by then. Ironically, it's not even my place. I'll probably be finding a new place to settle, Perhaps the government has started making moves already and will be establishing secure havens. I might head to one of those or seek out emergency gathering sites. As for now, would you two please leave? I'd like some time to think and be alone now." The old man requested, prompting John and Alice to exit. Before doing so, Alice pocketed a few extra cookies.
"Is there no way to convince him to go with us? These cookies are absolutely heavenly!" Alice remarked, causing John to shake his head.
"Show some respect, Alice. He's been through a lot already and this has just added more to it, Did you not notice his mention of the war? Stuff like that really does change people far beyond what most can ever hope to understand, so we mustn't pressure him to join us."
Before leaving, John turned to the old man.
"I'm John, by the way. I hope if our paths cross again, things will have taken a better turn and be far more stable than they currently are." he said, eliciting a chuckle from the old man.
"I'm Charles. And I do hope so young man. Farewell and take care," Charles bid them adieu.
Right after exiting the residence, the grub creature appeared, blocking the doorway with its form and the shields as a barricade.
"So did we play along? If we'd killed him, those creatures might have died as well. So, why bother with all that talking and stuff? I could've taken him out quickly with my scythe or even more effectively, sent his head flying in seconds. Why, then, did you choose to talk to him and waste time?" Alice inquired, munching her final cookie and casting an annoyed glance at John.
"Can you guarantee the other creatures would've died along with him? No, you can't. Also, he was sane. I wasn't going to make an enemy out of someone who could potentially become an ally. Furthermore, can you say for certain the thing I was speaking with was his real body? I'm glad you let me do the talking and followed my lead, though" John responded as they proceeded to the next house, exercising increased caution.
"What do you mean, his 'real body'? He seemed human, not monstrous." Alice retorted with a puzzled expression; her scythe held firmly as they entered the new dwelling.
"Maybe on the outside he looked human, but I watched closely and saw some odd details: like when he was enjoying a biscuit and had a cut on his wrist. Something was wriggling inside that wound. When he moved, there was an odd jerkiness to it and I doubt it was just old age. I'm doubtful that he was actually human. The only reason I suggested his accompanying us was to see his reaction, and he had a pause before responding. His ear also moved in a very strange way, which added to my suspicion that he might not be human, or perhaps, just a puppet, if he did come with us we could keep a close eye on him but as I was already almost certain he wouldn't want to come with us." John explained to her.
Unspoken between them was the unsettling feeling that had washed over John – for a brief moment he felt he saw through the old man, seeing a shadow with blazing red eyes and sinister teeth. An entity intent on devouring them, biding its time until they let their guard down. Its why John had not let go of his dagger at any point, and probably why Alice even unknowingly kept her grip on her scythe throughout their conversation, mirroring John's vigilance without even realizing it.