Acai's Space

In a world of superheroes you have to be careful of protecting your identity. Especially against any villains or your nemesis.

Unless they somehow willingly reveal theirs to you.

Even after Splitter had wiped his face from countless memories, I was still constantly aware of his face. Since he had recognized me in passing before, it seemed that he found it only fair that I knew who he was. A truce. He wouldn't reveal my identity, I wouldn't reveal his.

Then I got hired at his cafe. Long story short, resentment has built up over many months. I refuse to call him his real name in private, and he constantly hassles me about my personal life.

Well, more like he's concerned for my emotional well being and I tell him to 'piss off'. Regardless, we have no respect for each other.

It all started when I had a panic attack after work, and I uncontrollably shrunk down.

Right. I can size shift, albeit uncontrollably, unless I'm wearing my suit. He can wipe memories, and make people hallucinate. He is brains, while I'm the brawn.

He found me outside the cafe shaking, and brought me to his house to 'calm me down'. We both know he was just trying to learn more about this weakness.

Ever since then he's pretended to care, checking up on me constantly. He even went around and got my number from our coworkers.

Finally, after constant prying, he put his plan into place. He stole my pendant. A small charm that I use to control my height. Usually I have it slotted into the upper back of my suit. But this weekend I was having a rough time with some rather… personal anecdotes. So I carried it around with me for a few days. It suppresses my 'larger' emotions, making it risky to carry around twenty four seven.

I was careless.

I had it in my bag, but when I clocked in, I had put it in my locker and switched the charm to my pocket.

I didn't even notice the lack of weight until I clocked back out.

It wasn't in my apron, any of my pockets, my locker, or anywhere on the ground. It was just gone.

He saw me stressed out.

Everyone had already left.

He cornered me in the break room.

"You took it." If only looks could kill.

"Autumn. You can't just go around feeling numb all week."

"Oh here we fucking go. Don't act like you give a shit about me." He always did this. Put up the sympathy act.

"Please, just listen to me."

"No! You always do this! Give it back or I tell the media where our dear little Sight Splitter lives."

"Autumn!" He grabbed my arms. "Please."

"Don't call me that goddammit! You have no right. Fucking give it back." I used my body weight to rip my arms free and shove him back. I could already feel the room getting smaller.

"Whoa whoa whoa wait! …Can we at least do this somewhere that won't destroy my ceiling?"

"I can do whatever I please to your god damned roof if you don't give me my pendant!"

"I want to give it back. But I want to talk first. Please."

"I have no reason to trust you." He almost flinched at that.

"You really feel that way? After… after everything? I thought…"

"After everything?! Every lie you tell me to get closer to me? Every time you've broken my trust? Forcing me to keep your identity secret? Kidnapping me? Stealing my one hope for some semblance of being normal?! How dare you?" He shoves something into my hand. My… pendant.

"Autumn. I really do care about you. All I want is for you to stop forcing yourself to be fine. I heard about your friend. I just want you to take real time to grieve. Please just take the next week off. If you need more time, I don't mind covering for your shifts."

what?

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to keep this here with me. Or in your locker. Just so you don't bottle this all up. I won't cause any trouble. If someone does, I can take care of that too. Just be you for a while, okay?"

"How… how did you hear about him…?"

"The crash was all over the news. I recognized his car. He came into the cafe pretty often to see you."

"I…" I didn't know how to feel.

I pressed the charm back into his hands. Letting myself cry.

Everything came crashing down in my mind. And ever so slowly, the room became bigger.

Fate is a cruel thing.

The red thread was just another thing my kind could not partake in. None of my family has ever found where theirs led. Something else we could only watch.

For humans the feeling of it was just an inconvenience. A thread so small it slips past their perception. For us it was heavy rope that itched at our fingers.

Most of us learned to ignore it. It was just another part of life. Another burden, another curse.

My parents didn't understand why they, out of everyone, were not soulmates. After all, they didn't share the thread with anyone else in the village. How could soulmates be destined if they were too far apart to ever meet?

The others in the community had thread that sagged on the ground for most of the time, but mine was always… higher.

Everyone told me that whoever it was likely lived in a larger building, so they lurked on taller ground.

My fear never quelled.

It realized.

I had only just moved away from my creek side home, and into a cabin just down the trail. I wanted solitude. The family I had was… talkative. Couldn't do one thing without the whole neighborhood knowing. The risk of getting caught was more comforting than having all of my thoughts and feelings exposed. Ironic as that was.

So, after several days of hiking, I moved in silently. The tension from my thread slacked the closer I got. Even after 'magically' tightening again, it would always limp down soon enough.

Maybe someone else already lived in the walls of that cabin. Maybe I would be the first in my area to actually find their soulmate. It was an oddly exciting feeling, even when mixed with the nerves of being away from the safety of the village.

When I got there, my hope was swiftly crushed. The interior of the paneling was covered in cobwebs. There was no sign of previous tenancy. I had to start fresh, and alone. While that was what I wanted, it was disappointing none the less.

It took less than a week for the human to notice something was off. I don't know how, but they did. It was obvious by how they started searching around the house manically. Looking around outside, sighing loudly when there wasn't anything.

It took me two more days to understand why.

I was in the kitchen stealing grabbing some of their basic ingredients to stock up, when I noticed it. The thread around my finger moving back and forth when I moved across their counter. Leading straight to their bedroom.

Everything started spinning. Lights began pulsating across my vision. My heart followed, pounding in my ears. I ended up dropping my bag from how hard I shook.

'It couldn't be.'

'T-that's impossible.'

"No. N-no no no no no…"

'This isn't happening.'

'Please… no this isn't happening.'

'Not to me… w-why to me…?'

'Fuck fuck fuck…!'

'I should go back.'

'I need to go home.'

My thoughts were going too quick to notice the thumps across the floor over my own heartbeat.

To feel the small vibrations from the floor over my own shaking.

To hear their breathing over my frantic gasps.

Something tugged at my finger. Just enough to bring my attention back from the panicking.

My head swung up.

Their shadow was cast over me, blocking the small hope of moonlight seeping through the windows.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't cry.

I couldn't scream.

No matter how much I wanted to.

My eyes lingered on the cursed thread rising from my finger to theirs.

Now more than ever I wish the damned thing could be cut.

They didn't move. Were they in awe? In shock? Were they confused? If the world was perfect they could be sleep walking. But, then again, in a perfect world this interaction would not exist.

Minutes passed while we stared at each other. A standoff of wills. Who would break first?

The answer was them.

While I was still in the middle of a moral crisis, they reached their hand towards me.

My body decided that it could start functioning again as soon as I saw them move.

I staggered backwards, I didn't have any plan set. Without any emergency holes built, I had nowhere to go.

Except down.

My rope was hung off the side of the counter, I could go down it fast. Rope burned hands was a risk I was willing to take.

If I had any time to give this idea a second thought, I wouldn't have done it.

But I was desperate.

My feet almost slipped under me numerous times as I sprinted to the counter edge.

Their hands followed in quick succession, and I was lucky enough to evade them every time they attempted to grasp me.

My heart raced rapidly, I had no time to hesitate when I got to my hook. I threw my legs off the edge and narrowly caught the rope with my hands. Gravity did most of the work as I slid closer and closer to the ground.

Until, the distance stopped getting smaller. The wind rushed past me as the rope was lifted into the air, with me at the bottom.

I tried to swing myself to the counter yet again, but they held the rope still.

Soon enough I was brought to their face.

Unlike the anger or confusion I expected, I saw only concern..?

Maybe they pitied my horror. My futile attempts to outrun them.

Yet the hint of fear in their eyes silenced that thought.

Their hand started to clasp around me, and with one last ditch effort I tried to climb up. To their other hand. I knew it wouldn't work. I knew they would still catch me. But sometimes fear is stronger than common sense.

With a sense of finality their fingers embraced me in their warm hold. I didn't even notice my shivering until it stopped.

"Shh-shhh… hey hey hey… it's okay."

"I won't hurt you."

"What is that..?" Violet looked up at Asor almost disgusted at the object he pulled out of a gift bag.

"Oh I didn't see you there. Not used to you being out on my desk like that." Asor looked back over at her, stopping halfway through the room.

"I was waiting for you, it's weird they called you into the physical office. What is that?"

"It's a dog leash. Prize from a company wide raffle they do annually." He presented the leash and collar with a vinyl logo on it.

"We don't have a dog."

"They don't really do research for this kind of thing, they just put you in the raffle and you get what you get. Big company, they don't care about individuals." He stuffed it back into the bag, settling the bag next to his desk.

"God your job sucks."

"Well it pays for all the fancy cheese you eat. Regardless I'll probably sell it or give it to a friend." He relaxed down into his chair.

"I didn't say you had to do that. You got it for free didn't you? I could cut it up and use the metal rings. The clip would be nice too."

"You really find use out of anything huh?"

"That's literally my entire thing."

"I suppose you aren't wrong. Let me cut it up for you. When you're done I'd be curious to know what you use this for." He grabbed the leash and pulled out some heavy duty craft scissors he bought for her several months prior. The leash had several layers of biothane to cut through.

"Sure. But it may take a while, you know how much I procrastinate."

"As always. Here you go, I'll leave it by your vent." He set the pieces of the collar by an adjacent vent. "For now, I'm tired from all that social crap at the event."

"So you want to hang out with me…?" She was used to this by now.

"Yes." He lifted her into his hands, slow as usual to not stir up her motion sickness.

He brought her back over to his bed, laying down gently with her upon his chest.

Thousands of years protecting this mountain range for what? Just to help hundreds of missing humans back home? Just to be built upon like land…. just to be poked and prodded for sport? Forced to hide from view. Forced to kill and scare those tiny beings away? Forced to spend all my time protecting those that have caused me the most grief?!

Life has become a chore, trying to remain hidden when I all I want to do is live.

They persist, encroaching on the little space I have to roam in the night. If I did not admire their curiosity and resilience so, perhaps they too would become pests ground to dust under my footfall.

Only a few dozen have actually ever seen me. Terror flooding their faces. Quiet pats against the ground as they stumble away from me. I've heard every reaction over and over again. That it's just a dream, a nightmare. A trick of the mind. Screaming at the horror of me.

A living mountain.

I thought it was going to be the same thing again. Another lone human, lost in the dark. Mumbling about a moving thing. About how it was just a nightmare. But… something was different this time. They were able to document me. Something no other human has been lucky or smart enough to accomplish.

What other choice did I have, but to take them back home?

I hadn't felt the soft skin of a human in centuries. The pattering of kicks and punches faded all too quickly. The cold and panic were too much for any human. Along with the exhaustion of wandering amok for hours on end. The sun had long since set. It had only been an hour prior that I had awoken.

Humans and their naivete. Moving aimlessly across the expanse of my forest. Do they somehow lack the ability to communicate the danger of being lost in the dark? Especially for beings as small and weak as they are.

And yet… they still have me adoring them like the shining dots in the sky.

So close, yet so far out of reach.

Perhaps that is why I can't help but hold them so close to me.

If I had a heart, maybe I would let them go.

If I had a soul, maybe they would let me keep them.

If I had a brain, maybe I wouldn't want them at all…

But I… I am not a person. I am no all powerful being. I matter not in the scope of their life.

I have no right to hold them so far away from their home.

So with one last thought all I can manage is to crush their device between my fingers. Wiping the dust on the muddied earth floor.

In the dead of night my footsteps sound out loud enough to shake the forest.

Leaning down, I settle them against the all too familiar dirt by a long carved out trail.

They will not remember me.

I was stumped for an answer the whole night for how I could mourn the loss of someone I have never met…

But then,

Looking up at the starry sky, I understand why.

We will always be drawn to that which we cannot fathom.

That which we can never understand or reach.

Again, once more. I return to rest in the old crater of the earth I call home.

Tomorrow the humans will gaze upon me as something larger than life.

After countless tries to piece my map back together, and trying to get service, I finally accepted it. I was lost. In the Appalachian mountains. One of, if not the most well known places for paranormal, fantastical, or terrifying encounters. My cousin had to leave for a "family emergency". But we both know damn well she chickened out.

Ava was the one who got me into this trip in the first place, yet her brother decided to start telling her all these horrifying stories from their grandparents. The day before the trip.

Arguably the worst time to tell her that.

So now I was alone in the woods. With only a rechargeable flashlight, my useless phone, pieces of a map that fell apart in the rain, some granola bars, and an old hydration bladder.

I should have left with her.

My ears were already trying to deceive me. Loud rumbles in the distance would send shivers through my spine. I knew what thunder sounded like and this was nothing like it. Thankfully that quelled my fear of lightning causing a forest fire. Although, mysterious slams in the distance is one hundred percent more horrifying.

I've never been one to believe in the paranormal, now I was starting to wonder if I should.

It had to have been a few hours since the sun set. Not that it was very helpful with all the rain clouds hovering in the sky. I had been walking east for a while now. Thank goodness I clipped a compass to my bag at the last second.

If my mind isn't failing me too, then I should be going the right way. Ava mentioned something about emergency cabins around here if you desperately need a place to stay the night. If I'm lucky I can get there before midnight.

"CHRIST!" Another loud slam banged against the ground, so much closer this time. The other ones had to be miles away.

My head whipped around towards the north. Either a new mountain appeared in the distance or I was seeing things now too. I started backing up, then I pulled out my phone. If I wasn't seeing things, I needed proof of what was happening. After a few black pictures I finally fumbled on the flash. I had to have taken over a dozen photos. Half of them were blurry from my shaking hands.

After I likely had solid proof I ran. Booked it further east, trying my hardest to find one of those cabins. "Please be fake. Please be fake. Please be fake."

Before I could get over fifty feet away another slam pounded against the muddy floor.

The mountain moved. It fucking moved. It's so much closer and lower now. I'm gonna fucking die.

Small bangs followed afterwords, as if an animal were creeping up on something. I had to be hallucinating. Some sort of episode. It was just stress or fear. I'm just freaking myself out more. That had to be it. It just had to be.

This time I didn't get time to pull out my phone before another thump landed. It shook the ground. The trees began to sway, while leaves fell and birds flocked away.

Maybe I'm having a nightmare or something. I probably just passed out. I just need to wake up then. Please. Please wake up.

Another thump. To my left. Then another, to my right. Whatever it is, it had to be right over top of me.

A large gust of wind knocked me half over.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

It's just a nightmare. It's just a nightmare. Wake up wake up wake up!

Something akin to a curious chuckle sounded out above me.

"Človek? Vonku tak neskoro…"

What the hell…?

"Ďalší stratený."

I'm going to die out here.

"Musím ťa priviesť domov."

Please be quick.

Translation from Slovak (or rather intended translation, I don't speak the language T-T)

A human? Out so late...

Another lost one.

After getting ready he decided to confront her, or rather force help upon her. Moving quickly to the kitchen for some food and water. A small comfort meal would do for now, then he could portion out some medicine for her. He always had her favorite cheddar and crackers around, mainly for drawing her out of her hiding places.

He slowly stalked over to the vent cover that jutted out from the living room wall. He installed some rails for the cover so it could open easier. It was not professional in the slightest, but it did the job.

"You alright in there?"

"hmmm? mmfine…. go awayyy…" He could only sigh at the expected reaction.

"I'll leave some food out here for you alright?"

"mhmm."

After setting down a small plate for her, he returns upstairs to his medicine cabinet. After quickly finding a bottle of Tylenol he poured a pill out. Scraped some powder off the side of the pill with a knife, weighing it so it was just enough for her. He collected the powder into a small medicine cup and stirs it together with some water. Instead of taking the medicine water with him he left it on his desk and returned downstairs.

Violet is used to hearing him wander up and down the stairs at this point, so she continues to try and rest. She had been sick for almost a week now, and leaving for the food was very tempting. However she didn't trust Asor to not scoop her up if he saw her coughing and wheezing like she was. So she listened. After he went back upstairs she slowly crawled, or rather fell, out of bed and towards the vent cover.

She barely had enough strength to push open the cover, but the food was worth the struggle. Or at least it was going to be. The sound of footsteps coming to the stairs made her stop mid reach for her reward. A surge of adrenaline shot through her. Almost slipping as she strained to get up and run. He was at the bottom of the stairs right as she dove inside and shut the cover. She started wheezing violently again while she climbed up on her bed.

"I'm almost surprised you didn't go for the food. Either that or you tried and ran because I was on my way back. You know I just want to help you right?" His harsh tone slowly turning to care and concern.

…

He sat down beside the vent.

"I measured out some medicine for you. It should help you feel a bit better, but you still need rest. Please come out so we can at least get that over with?"

"I'mmm finee…. just go away."

"No you aren't. You're wheezing. If you come out I might let you keep resting in there."

"No you won'tttt… I know you. Just go away…"

"If you know me so well, you know I'm not going to do that."

"C-come on… just this once. I'll be fineee."

"Vi. You are sick. You need medicine and food. You can rest upstairs in my desk."

"Noooo!"

"We're really going to do this huh? Fine." His hand slid over to the vent cover, nudging it open so he could at the very least see her.

"W-wait…! No no no! Come onn!"

She was fully bundled up in a small patch of fabric, now backing away from the opening of the vent.

"I'm only doing this because you're sick. Please, just come over here. I don't want to force you out, but I will if I have to."

She fell out of the bed while trying to flee, wrapped up tight in the soft textile.

"Come here." He scooped his fingers underneath her, lifting both her and the blanket into his hold.

"Noo!" Unsurprisingly she tried to roll out of his hand.

"Let's get you upstairs." Tucking her and her blanket into his coat pocket, he closes the vent cover and lifts up the plate of cheese with the other hand.

Why? - Part Two

-Violet-

Why is he so much taller now?

-Asor-

“I- fuck. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this!”

She stares at me, she feels so far away now.... why-

“What the fuck was that...”

“Huh...? oh... oh no.”

That’s why. My hand slams over my computer camera. She flinches away yet again. Her back hits the wall of my desk

“I-I’m sorry..”

I turn my camera around, shifting my focus to her. My height slowly returning to normal. Hands drifting towards her. I don’t want her to be scared of me.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just got mad. I shouldn’t have. I’m typically better at keeping my emotions in check.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. What the fuck was that?”

“It’s just.. a thing that happens when I get overwhelmed or angry. Though it’s more of a nuisance...”

I wish I was better at controlling this.

“My father wasn’t exactly human, neither was my mother. Not that I ever met her, that’s just what my father relayed to me. He called us size-shifters. We, or rather he could change height at will. I’m not as proficient with it. It’s mainly emotion based for me, I never did it as often as he did, or rather at all.”

“...that’s... wow.”

“Yes. I couldn’t comprehend it was real until I had a tantrum and shrunk down.”

“You... can grow smaller as well..?”

“I would have liked to have done it earlier to encourage you to trust me more, and yet I never could find the right time. My mother was apparently a borrower like yourself. I’m not aware of the details of why she left my father, but it destroyed him. Eventually he remarried. Although he still suffered greatly for the majority of my formative years. Finally he left. I woke up one morning to him gone, leaving only two notes. One for my Pops, and one for me.”

“That’s... a lot. I’m sorry that that happened.”

“It’s mostly in the past now. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“I guess that does explain a lot.”

“I suppose it must for you. Again I’m sorry for scaring you, it wasn’t my intent.”

“Can you show me?”

“Hm?”

“You, shrinking. I just want to see it. Someone being my height for once.”

“Oh... while I can certainly try, I can’t promise it will work.”

It’s been a while since I’ve done this. Just focus on the breathing and taking up less space. Close your eyes.

In, smaller. Out, pause. In, smaller. Out, pause.

“Holy shit”

My eyes reopen, I find myself on my own desk. Just slightly taller than her.

“It actually worked. Interesting. Is this... better?”

No words come out as she looks me up and down, a familiar notion by now. Instead of the usual stagger back when I’m near her she steps forward.

“You’re much paler close up.”

Of course she takes the time to immediately insult me. How shocking.

“D-don’t look at me like that, I’m not used to seeing what people look like, well... at least not like this. Aren’t you interesting in what I look like up close? Especially since your glasses shrink with you.”

“I took time to do that when I found you on my kitchen floor. No need for that now.”

Calibur was sixteen when he was taken. Dragged out of his home by the tail. A metal object wizzed by, then cut into his bottom fin.

Joshua was eighteen when he found a miracle of nature. He always knew he was going to have something happen to him, something out of the ordinary, something to make him special.

Joshua went to a new fishing spot, a small lake that jutted out from the forest. He parked his pick-up truck next to the trail. It had been over a year since he last got to use his fishing lines. He pulled a large cooler out of the back, this lake wasn’t protected so he could bring any catch home. The faint aroma of rain still weighed in the air, mud collected under his shoes. It wasn’t just the act of fishing he enjoyed so much, but the connection to nature. A precious hobby he never grew out of.

He collected some worms off the side of the road, saving money on bait. Most of them were dead by now, yet the first one he used was still alive and squrming. It didn’t take long for him to feel a tug on the line, he started reeling it in. Somehow the fish gets free just as the hook passes by some weeds in the water. Live bait turned out to be a waste, he reels it in again when there’s another tug on the line. Something smaller, likely the size of a sardine. It was a fighter for sure, thrashing around, splashing water all over his cooler.

The hook just rises out of the water, revealing a palm sized merman. The metal is pierced through their fin, dripping small amounts of blood. Small screams and sounds come from the creature. Joshua pulls them off the hook, only making the damage and blood loss worse. The creature shrieks. He sets them on his truck bed for a moment. The merman tries to drag himself off the warm surface, only serving to dry him off faster. His now fully dry tail morphs into two legs. His right ankle has a large hole through it, bleeding profusely.

With more nerve endings in his foot, the pain skyrocketed. His screams are no longer filled with shock, there’s no room for that when the pain is so severe. Both creatures are in panic now. Joshua scoops up the being and places him into his cooler. The tail reapears, and the merman gasps.

Calibur had never been in such severe pain or rage before. He already hated the pollution humans caused, and now one was personally torturing him for what? Fun? The lid on his cold prison slams shut, giving him privacy in his suffering. The box moves around, smacking the water and him against the walls. The splashing calms down eventually, reduced to waves as the container moves forwards with the vehicle. After so long in the darkness and mild waves, the box is retrieved and moved around vigorusly again. Up several flights of stairs, too fast to keep the waters stable.

Light floods his cold prison, his abductor lifts him out and into a large tub. The human procures a small container, pouring out a burning liquid onto Calibur’s wounds.

“AH MOTHERFUCK?! What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you trying to kill me?!” The human turns his head in response to Calibur’s words.

The human dries off Calibur’s tail, failing to clean the wound or relieve any pain. Another sharp zap spreads through his body during the transformation. The dull pain from his tail is yet again replaced by a vibrating sting from the hole. The human tries to move Calibur’s ankle around, but the extremity doesn’t react.

“Poor thing probably won’t be able to use this anymore. Amputating it would spare him the recovery and some pain.” Joshua left and returned with a paring knife, not even sanitized.

He swifty removes the bloody foot, discarding it down the toilet. He retrieves some gauze and wraps it around the stub.

Shock and pain seemed to be the only words Calibur could remember. He was apalled, the human just cut off his ankle like it was nothing. How would he be able to swim again? He wouldn’t be able to walk. What the fuck was wrong with this human?

Why? - Part One

-Violet-

Morning pulled open my eyes open, bundled in a soft shirt. I almost forgot my circumstances until I felt a jolt of pain from my legs. The sting is soon gone, replaced by worry. I slowly stand, my legs no longer collasping from beneath me.

The drawer is shut, softening Asor's voice from my upper right.

"I'm sorry about that ma'am, if you check the box at the bottom next time that should solve the issue."

I placed my hands above me, on the bottom of the desk pressing away from me while planting my legs firm against the wood of the bottom; opening the drawer about an inch.

"Hm...? ah." He opens the drawer, smiling at me before returning to the call. "Oh nothing ma'am, sorry about that."

The call ended shortly thereafter, the phone clicking against the reciever. He presses a button that turns a red light on.

"Any pain this morning?"

"No soreness, though there was a sharp sting when I moved them at first."

"Climb up onto the desk if you can."

I have to jump to get my arms over the edge, barely able to pull my upper half over the ledge. I get one leg over the surface before he lifts me up.

"I had it just fine."

He doesn't respond, I can only assume he didn't hear me. I lurch away once he's done.

His smile falters for just a moment, something so unoticable; yet find him doing so whenever I pull away.

His reactions to me are always strange. Though one has constantly persisted in my mind. He wasn't shocked to see me. He wasn't surprised to see a girl eight centimeters tall. He wasn't confused by a rodent girl. Why?

"Why weren't you surprised when you first saw me?"

"I... I was still drowsy."

"Then why not when you woke up fully?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Why wouldn't it?! You weren't fazed at all! It- It was like you knew about our existence!"

He didn't even blink. He turned the phone line back on, like I didn't even say anything.

"Don't just ignore me! I'm serious! Why are you like this?! You're so stubborn. You refuse to tell me anything about you. People don't act like this."

"I like yellow."

"That's nothing. Why are you so secluded? Do you have family? What do you do for fun? Why don't you invite people over? Why do you wear suits and tuck your shirt in while alone?"

"I have to attend video calls". I want to be professional so I wear the suit. And.. I don't mind being so antisocial. Besides, my literal job is to talk to people!"

"Why weren't you surprised when you found me?"

Nothing.

"Talk to me damnit!"

He closes his eyes, breathing deeply.

"Why do you insist on being so fucking miserable?!"

"I'M TRYING OKAY?!"

He yells. I haven't seen him this mad before, not even while in the walls. I skitter back away from him.

Not that any of that matters.

Good Soup

-Asor-

I start down the stairs, hoping she’ll rest. She needs it after the morning she’s had.

I never thought I would find one of her kind in my house. The idea of borrowers has only laid in my mind, it was hard for me to even believe it when my Dad discussed it with me. I would have laughed at him, had everything else not happened. Still, doubt lingered in my mind. I almost forgot about every part of my life before Dad, until today. She is quite the handful, literally and figuratively. I understand why she kept trying to escape, but it had to be exhausting for her as well.

My food has cooled down by now, I should eat. I’ve been so used to an almost empty stomach. I don’t want to stop eating, yet I can’t find the want or drive to do so. It always feels so draining to get up from my desk. It feels out of reach, so close to impossible. Getting out of bed is nearly undo able at this point....

I should reach out to Diana, after work. I have six more hours on the call line, then some logging and emails to draft. It’s just so much to do. Giving into it feels so alluring.

I can‘t do that. Especially not with the little one upstairs. Speaking of that, I should figure out dinner for us. She still needs some greens, and something easy to size down. I have some chicken stock in the pantry, maybe I could put it in the kettle? Having an electric kettle has really saved me, along with Dad’s crockpot. I still need to get the stove and oven installed. I haven’t had either for over a month. I just need to call someone to come in and install one. I already have the kitchen hood, so it would only take a day or so. I keep putting it off, it’s so easy. I just can’t get myself to do it.

I could probably heat up the stock in the crockpot and get other ingredients delivered. I don’t want to leave Vi alone.

My fork thuds against the bottom of the microwave tray, ceasing my thoughts. I had been eating on autopilot, I didn’t even realize I was almost done. I step over to the sink, rinsing out the tray and letting the fork clatter to the bottom. I throw it out and head up to my room. The second floor is small, it opens right into my room. It’s practically an attic. While the house is small, there are bathrooms on both floors. In theory if I ever had guests over it would be nice to have my own.

When I reach the top of the stairs I’m greeted by Vi asleep in the drawer. I settle into my chair and start up my computer. I turn on the phone line without much thought. It was almost second nature by now, though that wasn’t the issue. The phone rings and Vi rolls over.

”Shit”

I gently close the drawer with one hand, and grab the phone with my other. Hopefully it will soften the noise, and as an extra precaution I hush my voice. It isn’t noticeable to the person on the other end, at least not that they comment on.

Four hours have passed by when I notice the drawer move slightly. I can’t explain much, since I’m on another call. I open the drawer, holding the phone away from my mouth so I can apologize.

-Violet-

I wake up, still curled around a soft shirt. Instead of seeing the ceiling; like before I closed my eyes, I see the bottom of his desk. I can only assume it is the bottom of his desk, since I’m blanketed in the dark. My heart begins to race, I can barely stand with my injured legs. I trip over myself trying to push against the bottom of the desk. I need to get out of here. The sides of my prison start to close in, my breathing is shallow and quick.

Light floods the cell, his voice fills my ears.

“So sorry for shutting you in.”

My face warms, my hands unclench. Fingernail indents are visible now in the light. My heart finally calms down by the time the phone clicks against the receiver. He starts to speak before he even looks at me.

“I was trying to stay quiet for you. I wanted to let you get some rest.-”

He finally sees me.

“Oh god are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Am I? I don’t know.

“I... I’m fine.”

My heart beats, breaths, and thoughts are all back to normal pace. I feel safer now that I’m not trapped

“Just a little uncomfortable in small spaces.”

“’A little’? What about earlier in my pocket? And don’t you live in the walls?”

“I kind of knew you were gonna put me in your pocket. That helped. And I go into the walls on my own. I don’t wake up somewhere enclosed, where I can’t get free.”

“That makes more sense. Still I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have done so if I knew.”

“It’s not really your fault. Don’t- just don’t dwell on it too much okay?”

His hand appears next to me

“Will getting out of there help?”

“Ah, no I’m fine for now. It’s comfortable again. Can I get something to do? Not a book please.”

“Alright then. Let me know if you change your mind. For something to do? I’ll look around real quick for ya.”

His chair rolls to the opposite side of the desk, and he riffles through some other drawers.

“Here, how about these?”

I have no clue what any of these items are called, but I’ve seen them before. A square of papers that are stuck together at the top by some sort of glue. It’s slightly shorter than me, a light yellow. The other one is a clip type item. I have them in my home, I use them for keeping fabric scraps together. The third is a stretchy silicone band. I like collecting these for various reasons. I have some set up with my hammock so it stretches around me. I don’t know how he think’s I’ll be entertained by these things. I could try to make some tools, yet I doubt I can make anything with just this stuff.

For now I decide to wrap two of the stretchy bands around my waist underneath my sweater while he isn’t looking. I can’t take any clips with me discreetly. I have been able to grab a sticky paper and rip it up without making much noise. I stick the biggest pieces into my pockets, the smaller pieces I tuck under his shirt. Hopefully I can take them with me when I leave. I can’t think of anything to use them for now, however it’s nice to get some stuff without sneaking around for it.

After some time, he turns off the phone line. Glancing at me for only a moment before leaving. While he’s gone I climb out of the desk. He has some paper clips laying around, which I only know the name of because he talks to himself about losing them so often. I wonder who did that?

I grab some other items from around his desk, and bring them back to my temporary space. I hide them with the paper pieces for later. By the time everything is hidden well his footsteps resound up the stairs. He’s holding a bowl of what smells like soup.

‘please have some for me. please have some for me’

Along with a small teacup, he sets my bag on the desk. I thought I’d have to go find it!

“Thanks for my bag! I appreciate you bringing it to me.”

“Of course, I don’t want you to worry about finding it once you’re all healed. As for this-”

He pushes the teacup towards me

“-Here’s dinner, chicken noodle soup with some vegetables I ordered earlier.”

I don’t think I’ve ever had hot soup, or soup for that matter. It smells so good. The cup is only half my height so I can tip it towards me to drink it. The food pieces are chopped finely enough for me to fit in my mouth. How did he manage to make them that small? I have no idea. We don’t talk much while we eat. After he drinks the last bit from his bowl he asks if I’m done.

“Are you full? If not I can bring our stuff down later.”

“I’d like to eat some more, thanks.”

I already feel full, yet it tastes so good I can’t stop. It’s the best food I’ve ever had. How will I go back to cracker crumbs and dried meat after this? I’m finally forced to stop when I feel pain emanating from my stomach.

“I’m done now, this was really good. Thank you.”

He just nods and grabs the dishes. Heading downstairs once again. I snatched my bag from the surface of the desk, and funneled in as much of the supplies as it could fit. I must have organized it quite well, more is able to fit than usual.

He comes back quicker than before, this time turning his computer back on.

“I just need to finish a few more things, then we can get you to bed. Is that alright? You’ve got to still have some energy after your nap.”

“Yeah, take your time.”

I lay back into the shirt, getting comfortable while I hear him typing away. He sighs repeatedly, whispering about ‘spelling issues’ and ‘horrific organization’.

“Jesus that took longer than expected.”

The clock hasn’t moved much, it’s been less than an hour. His computer screen returns to black, and the lights from his keyboard fade as well. Without a word he exits the room through a back door. I hear drawers opening and closing, the water turning on and off. When he returns I watch him dig through his closet, coming over to me with a thick hoodie. He lifts me and the shirt up, placing the hoodie underneath. He maneuvers it all into the shape of a nest again. His hands almost coming into contact with me several times. It doesn’t fill me with as much dread this time. It isn’t gone completely, nowhere near that. It’s progress, in a direction I’m not sure I want to go.

His hands pull away, and he grabs another stack of clothes and heads to the other room again. While he’s gone I fix the hoodie and shirt to be more comfortable, it doesn’t take much work. He emerges from the back room, this time wearing a short sleeved shirt, and long sweatpants. It’s almost funny seeing the guy who is always dressed up in something so comfortable.

“I’m headed to bed, goodnight Vi.”

“Goodnight.”

The light flickers off, the light switch next to his bed.

Today was too fucking much. My legs aren’t aching as much. My mind is more where I’m concerned. Asor is just so... odd. He acts unlike any human I’ve come across before. He was kind, understanding, yet still firm. He made me food, he gave me a bed, he gave me my bag. He helped my legs. How did he put up with everything I did? I just don’t get it.

It’s just been such a long day. I can’t even get to sleep. It doesn’t help that my mind keeps flashing back to my bag. How did I fit everything so well? I keep half my bag full of tools. Might as well get rid of that lingering thought. Asor is silent and dead asleep, so he won’t notice my moving around.

I crawl across the jacket, my legs feeling stronger. I dump my bag out, and look through the two pockets.

‘No.’

‘No no no no!’

All my tools are gone. They were there this morning. I always double check. Fuck. He had to have taken them. Shit. I... I can’t worry about this right now. I can’t do anything about it anyways. It would just cause more stress. All of this would be easier to sort out in the morning. I need rest. That’s all.

I began to untense the muscles in my body, trying to relax everything. Eventually the ceiling fades out of view again.

-Asor-

I’ve been watching her for two hours now. Her breathing finally turns to a calm pace. She got up several times, I almost thought she was going to try and leave without tools. Now that she’s sleeping, I can rest without worry.

Rest

-Violet-

He only sighs in response. I should be grateful he has nothing in response after everything. That he doesn’t feel it necessary to speak more, that he doesn’t want to hurt me. Despite how I long to revel in this, how I wish I could be happy about this situation, I cannot.

I have been proven wrong about him being normal countless times, yet this is the one time I don’t believe it. I’ve seen countless other humans get riled up and violent from comments much less hurtful than that. Humans are creatures built on lies. There’s no need for that in my life, and in most borrowers’. Not when your main worry every day is survival. There is no need for falsehoods. The only time you would lie is to a human. Even that is too rare to dwell upon. Regardless of my needless rambling, he is lying. That is the only reason he would say he isn’t mad. To gain my trust.

Then again it seems pointless to go through all of this with malicious intent towards me. Why would he try and help me with my injury just to hurt me in the end. I don’t understand him. He goes against everything I know about humans.

I continue eating the rest of my salami while suppressing the worry in my mind. As I eat he moves away from the counter to the shelves with glasses. He grabs some ice and settles it inside. He returns to the sink and fills the glass with water.

“I got all the food I need, thank you.”

His arm moves towards me, and I flinch away just after he hesitates. I can’t keep pretending I’m okay with him grabbing me whenever the chance presents itself. I don’t get another chance to bring it up as he nods to the cup.

“Your legs need some more cold to ease the soreness. You also need to put a little pressure on it, so would you prefer to climb in? If not I can put you in myself.”

I’m able to wrap my arms around the top rim of the glass, it’s just barely shorter than me so it’s difficult to bring my weight over the edge. His hand rests underneath me once I get my legs off the counter, in case I fall. Even if I did it wouldn’t cause as much damage as the trap. It’s less than an inch drop.

After about a minute of his eyes burning through my back I’m able to swing my injured leg over the edge and slide into the glass. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, going into a glass as tall as me, something I wouldn’t be able to climb out of easily. I hate feeling so trapped, even though I climbed in myself. I feel like an animal in a zoo, trapped and constantly watched. I barely catch the corners of his mouth rising into a smile as he turns away to grab a soft rag for after.

His demeanor was so firm with me, yet he treats me with such kindness all the same. How can two polar opposite things about him coexist?

“I’ll clean up our lunch while you rest.”

“Was that your lunch? I thought humans needed more than that.”

“I... was planning on getting some more food later. I’m more focused on you eating and healing right now.” He hesitates before speaking, I’m not sure why.

“Why not now while you’re on your break?”

“Since you’re so insistent, I suppose I can in the meantime.”

-Asor-

She was so scared of me less then ten minutes ago, and somehow she’s already back to lecturing me. However she is right. I need to eat more, my stomach only reminds me after she does. I don’t know how I keep forgetting my basic needs. Despite how annoyed I am with her lecturing, I still appreciate it. Constructive criticism perhaps.

I head from her cold body to the cold freezer, retrieving a microwave TV meal. I bought them specifically for times like this. Not for when I have an injured borrower in my kitchen, I would have never thought of that. For when I forget to eat, and need something quick. It’s basic and somewhat bland, but it’s food.

Icing works best for twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, and repeat. While this cools I can dry her legs off. Then let her rest in my desk while I eat.

I slid the small plastic tray onto the glass tray in the microwave, and set it for ten minutes on low. My eyes drift back to the small girl, silent as she watches me walk around. I can only hope she recovers well and fast. Like she said, it’s easier for us both if she returns to her abode.

This is the most eventful, and likely best day I’ve had in years. I don’t do anything, the days just fly by and blend together. I don’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday. I just take the day off, after persuasion from my boss. It does give me more time to work on my veterinary degree. I always take the holiday shifts, except for when the office is closed. I have to hold back the pressure in my eyes, I shouldn’t cry right now. Taking care of someone shouldn’t be the most exciting day of my year.

She helps me reflect, and take care of myself. She sees me as someone who deserves to feel well, to be more than what I am. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so horrible if she had to stay with me longer.

No.

No.

She wants to leave. I have to let her get back to her normal. And myself to mine.

“Uh, are you okay?”

Ah shit.

I can feel my face getting warm.

“I’m... alright, sorry about that. I was just thinking. I didn’t mean to stare.”

She turns away from me, and the microwave beeps. It’s been ten minutes already? God I didn’t even notice the clock changing.

I grab the tray with a hot pad and place it on the stove. The airflow from under the burners should help it cool quicker. I glance over to Vi again. Might as well get her out of the glass.

“Want to climb out on your own or do you want me to lift you?”

Her legs move as soon as my sentence is over, but she slips in the water.

I grab the rag and reach for her with my other hand. Her legs slip again as she backs away.

“You’re going to slip if you try to climb out again, come here.”

-Violet-

His hand closes in on my vision, I can’t overpower him normally, let alone when I keep slipping on the glass. My small punches and kicks do nothing.

“What’s going on? I’m just trying to dry you off. Please stop fighting me. I just want to help you.”

The warm skin beneath me changes to cold counter. A towel appears in his hands. He gently moves the rag around my bottom half, drying my legs and the cuffs on my pants. After he seems satisfied with how dry my legs are, he cups my back in his palm. What is he grabbing me for now?! I feel so trapped around him, regardless of how gentle he handles me.

“I’m gonna bring you to my desk, if that’s alright. You can rest in one of the drawers while I eat. You’ve got to be tired after all that’s happened today. I can imagine it’s been a lot for you.”

Oh. He’s... giving me space. It’s like he could read my mind.

I nod slowly and he brings me towards the stairs, stabilizing me as he heads up to the second floor. I’m placed upon his desk while he grabs a shirt from the back of his closet. He stuffs the left drawer with the shirt, making a small nest. It looks much more comforting than his coat pocket or my hammock.

He shifts me into the drawer, yet he doesn’t close it.

“I’ll be back soon, please rest for now. You surely need it.”

“I will.”

Bland

-Asor-

I haven’t gotten that many calls this morning however, whenever one does inevitably come in Vi tries to crawl off of my desk. My patience has run out by her fifth try.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

Her eyes fill with fear, yet I don’t feel very guilty. She should have known I would have tired of her actions. Instead of bringing her back to the center of my desk, I nudge her gently into my palm and deposit her in my coat pocket. I button the pocket, which should be near impossible for her to open; especially with how high up the opening is.

The phone rings, taking my focus away from my injured ‘prisoner’

-Violet-

I have a few things going for me in his pocket. First is that I usually sleep in a hammock, so I’m typically comfortable suspended in fabric. It would be much better if the interior fabric wasn’t so scratchy. Second is that I don’t get bored as easily as the humans I’ve been cursed to deal with. Unfortunately, neither of these parts cease my desire for freedom. I can just barely sink my claws into the fabric, climbing up to the button clasp. The phone clicks against the receiver. He seems to sense my weight moving, undoing the button and gently pressing me back down. A singular finger pressed against the top of my head, barely touching my ears. I immediately fall back to the bottom of the fabric cage.

“You shouldn’t even be using your legs to walk right now, let alone climb. You know better little mouse.”

“You know my name. Don’t call me that.”

“Right, sorry. You know better Vi.”

It will probably take a while for me to get used to being near someone with so much power over my life. It feels so uncanny to be held by something so big. I can’t shake away the image of him finding me under the ‘pantry’. His hands, face, everything about him can cover my vision so easily. It’s impossible to see all of him with one glance, having to look up and down him feels so demeaning. I don’t know if I’m scared of him anymore, or just unnerved by his presence.

I haven’t talked to other humans before, let alone been so close to one. Do all of them act this way? Am I lucky that he doesn’t want to hurt me? Am I unlucky that he’s so damn stubborn? Maybe it’s both. With how nice he’s been to me despite everything, it also makes me wonder how I was so terrified of him.

I’m brought out of my thoughts when the phone rings again. Right. That’s why I was so scared. How could I think for a second that this wasn’t absolutely petrifying? Everything around me is so loud. His voice, the ringing, even the typing from his computer. And yet, it’s almost nice being sheltered from it all. Being held so far from everything. Somehow being close to him in this way makes me feel safe from him.

Despite all of the conflicting thoughts in my mind, one rings out the loudest. ‘It’s not as bad as it could be’. I’ve been through a lot, worse and better in their own ways. It’s not like dwelling on it all will get me out of this either. Time passes quickly when you’re questioning the decisions that got you where you are. I can only guess it’s been several hours by now.

This is only based on him forgetting that I’m here. He reached his hands into his pockets. He let out a soft gasp as one brushed against my tangled hair. His hand pulled away as quickly as it arrived.

“Sorry. You’re so quiet that I forgot you were there. Aren’t you bored?”

“I guess I could use something to do. It’s not exceedingly interesting to be stuck in the dark for hours.”

“Let me get you a book, that should help you pass the time.”

He pulls out a large book, several inches thick. Stretching upwards untucks his dress shirt, he tucks it back in with an unnecessary sense of urgency. Why would it be such a big deal, warranting that reaction? Having a shirt tucked in is so uncomfortable as well. He doesn’t bring anyone over or do any video calls, so the point escapes me.

His phone rings, and I don’t get enough time to tell him I can’t read. Although, maybe that’s a good thing. I don’t need him to think any less of me. He also doesn’t have much entertainment in here, so it’s better than nothing. I don’t have the strength to open the cover. Never mind. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked for anything, this is more of a hassle than I wanted. He takes notice of my struggles, and opens the cover. He scoops me up without much thought as he sets me on the first page.

I do appreciate the delicacy with which he treats me, however this is offset by how often he grabs me. He never asks if he can despite how much he seems to care.

Thankfully there are some diagrams in the book. This is much better than expected. The top right of the page has five rodent tails, only one of them is similar to mine. None of them are as small as mine either. This isn’t very intriguing, although he doesn’t have much to do around here. Perhaps this is the best he can do.

On the counter he has a small television. He watches something called ‘News” on it. Nothing good ever happens there. Is he determined to be bored and sad? I find myself more enthralled by my own thoughts than I do the diagrams in his book.

“Vi? I’m on my lunch break, so we can get some more food in you.”

“I want to leave after.”

“If you can walk I’ll let you.”

“I’ll crawl if I have to.”

“You won’t make it far.”

“That’s only if you find me.”

“You’re so stubborn.”

“You’re one to talk! If you would just let me leave, you could go back to your empty life!”

“Empty?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about! Don’t act like you ever do anything! All you do is sit at your desk and talk to people who yell at you and couldn’t care less about you having feelings! It’s helpful as hell that you stay cooped up all the time, but you have to be miserable! I’ve never seen you talk face to face with another goddamned human! The only interesting thing you do is leave the house once a month for food! And even then you only started that this year!

He doesn’t move or talk for almost a minute. I fucked up. He’s definitely going to kill me now. I don’t even think when my hand slaps against my mouth and my tail creeps between my legs.

“I... I didn’t mean that... I’m sorry.... I...”

I begin to slowly back away, my hands returning to the front of me. As if I could block what was sure to happen.

-Asor-

I’m unsure how to feel. She’s right I’ll give her that. I can’t fault her for getting fed up with me. She just wants to go home. Now she’s terrified, and her only focus is on apologizing. She’s shaking. Her eyes are watery. I slowly bring my hand to her side. Her pace quickened. She doesn’t get far on her still healing limbs. My hands circle in front of her, and she falls into them. I gather her close to my chest. One hand still held her tight, while my other rubbed her side with the back of a finger. Her eyes were still wide with fear. They stared straight ahead, through my hand. Her breathing heavy, filled with almost sobs.

“Shh, it’s alright Mousey. Let’s get some food in you, yeah?”

I headed out of my room and towards the kitchen. Her eyes flitted up to me, a tear slowly running down and landing on my hand.

She blinked, as if she couldn’t understand what I said. This only brought more tears rolling down her face. I let her continue to try and understand that I don’t want to hurt her, and that she’s safe with me.

I arrived at the kitchen, and settled her atop the counter. She watched me turn away to the pantry. I grabbed some more of the crackers from earlier. I have way too many of them, and I practically live off of them right now. I get salami from the fridge, only stopping for a moment to consider bringing out cheese. I got some expensive stuff from the store several days ago and I don’t wanted her getting hooked on it. For now she just needs some protein and carbs. I can get her some greens with dinner. I made some small ‘cracker sandwiches’ and gave her the smallest one. She wouldn’t be able to eat an entire one anyways.

She doesn’t even move towards the food.

“Please eat. It’s lunch time for both of us. You must be hungry by now.”

“Why aren’t you mad...?”

“You can think what you want about me. I can’t blame you for how you perceive my life. It may seem boring to you, but I... am fine with it.”

I can’t help but hesitate. I hate lying.

“No. You should be mad at me. That’s how this works. You’re a human!”

-Violet-