#aphonicprince

Even still... the things you did... and said... and how far you'd almost gone...

You couldn't bear to think about it for too long. Every time you remembered those terror-inducing events, something inside you died all over again.

You flew aimlessly, index cards in hand, hoping you would have the courage to at least recite everything you'd written before bolting. But the moment you caught sight of Kurloz, you froze, forgetting once again that you were in midair.

The small pieces of paper scattered in every direction as you crashed into the ground. So much for that plan.

"Um." You pulled yourself to your feet. It was now or never. "U-um. Well. Kurl9z."

Kurkitten, Kurly Q, Kurly whirly, Kurl9lly, Kurl9zzykins, Kurly--

"I'm. I. Ap9l9gize-- I mean, what I mean t9 say is, 9r rather what I'm trying t9 say is--"

"Kurl9z?"

You flap your way through the emptiness, occasionally veering to your right. Flying my be difficult, but it was quicker than walking.

Meulin must have taken off in the midst of your confusion, leaving you with a kettle full of boiling water and unanswered questions.

The door... was open.

It dawns on you slowly, at first. Your eyes scan the room carefully, afraid to miss the slightest movement. It was all for nothing. She was gone.

Zany was missing.

She must have escaped when Meulin left the door open. The idea hits you like a pile of bricks and suddenly it's heard to breathe. You never realized how attached you had grown to that small creature. Zany was utterly dependent on you, and having her to take care of kept you from sinking past the point of no return.

"Zany?" you whisper, still desperately searching your room because maybe-- maybe-- maybe you just didn't see her, maybe she was still there--

[[ THERE ARE TW9 SNAKES THAT ARE L99SE S9MEWHERE 9N THE ISLANDS AND THEY MIGHT 6E P9IS9N9US 9H MY G9D ]]

This was a danger that had to be contained or eliminated immediately

You hesitantly step down from the chair you had leaped onto for safety as soon as Monobear had replied to you and try to think who was the best candidate to go hunting for wild snakes.

Kurloz, of course. He was fearless and strong and brave and tall. You stifle your nervousness-- after all, you hadn't talked to him since his mouth got stitched shut-- and hurry to his room.

"Kurl9z? Are y9u in there?"

Battle Theme: This or This

Battle intro: (= 0`w0) < DON’T THINK I’LL JUST LET MEW WIN!

Victory: ( =^-ω-^= ) < S33 I CAN HANDLE MYSELF.

Defeat: (◡‿◡= ^) < HEHEHE LOOK’S LIKE MEW’S ON TOP.~

Assist: (ﾉ◕`ヮ◕)ﾉ < LET’S S33 A MOTHERFURRICKER TRY AND GET PAST US NOW!

Taunt: (◡‿◕= ^) < AT THIS RATE MEW WOULD NEFURR BE ABLE TO PROTECT ME, GET STRONGER!

Reacting to Taunt: ( ﾟ∀(・－・) < NOW NOW PURRLOZ, STICKS AND STONES MAY PURREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS COULD NEFURR HURT ME!~

Tie: (｡≖‿≖｡= ^) < REMATCH?

Maybe it was the quiet that drew you.

Empty churches had a different sort of quiet. It felt heavier, deeper, somehow. A stillness of the heart and a silence of the mind. Although it was empty, it didn't allow thoughts to muddy its clear waters. Exactly what you need after the nightmarish hallucinations-- the only thing that frightens you more than speaking of those events is being left alone with only the memories of the virus to keep you company.

...You like the quiet.

Of course, you don't realize that you're not quite as alone as you once thought until it's too late.