#splat talks

Moments of silence were not unusual to the stoic squid that always wore a mask.

Steel never found herself speaking out to the emptiness of her apartment in an effort to provide some sound. The old seahorse couple who lived above were too small to make any loud stomping. Below, a family of three jellyfish and their lobster daughter would never make a sound loud enough to go through the walls. Even her own apartment never had a voice as the faucets never leaked, and the boards didn't creak.

Sitting down at the small table she owned, she set down a box decorated with painted flora. A note rested on top which she moved aside in order to open the box. Puffs of steam flew out from the stack of pupusas that rested inside. 

A gift of her own mother's cooking for getting through one year of college.

She took off her mask, and gently pressed her hand against the rubbery scar that remained of her mouth. Any hope that it would heal or grow back was lost years ago. For now, all she could do was ignore the pain whenever she ate.

Bringing up one pupusa, she noticed immediately the small dents made from her mother. Steel couldn't help but give a small sigh. She would have to tell her mother later to work less since it was evident her mother had made them in a tired state.

Earth broke apart as hardened cracked claws continued to tear through it in a hastened pace. Slowly but surely making their way upwards to a light that shone through minuscule patches. Droplets of a blotchy cerulean stained each speck of dirt as it leaked out of their claws.

Eventually as patches turned into gaping holes, they broke their way through the dirt and pulled themselves out. Feeling chilled by the frigid cold air brought on by a luminous sky, shining with lights that started to fade into an orange horizon.

Pushing themselves upward, they became aware of the many noises brought on from trees that towered over them. Hearing noises of chirping coming from creatures with rounded shapes and sharpened beaks. Continuing on their way, they rested a hand against a tree to inspect it’s texture to assure they were free from a world of plastic. An answer was given as there were no smooth edges as rigid bark pressed against their hand. A sign that life was not of lies as it was down below.

Although, what truly caught their attention was a bright glare catching the corner of the eye. With squinted eyes, they turned towards the source of the light. Nearly falling over from its blazing brilliance that churned its way into their soul.

Tears welled up in Subject 10,007’s eyes as they looked towards the rising morning sun. Through brutal trials that tore away at their mind and body, grievous decisions made along the way, and wounds that still leaked with droplets of blood, they had made it.

Feeling a soft breeze press against them, Subject 10,007 closed their eyes. Was this the surface welcoming them upon reaching it? The moving air performing a song for them as wind danced throughout the trees surrounding them.

Sunlight gently touched upon their spotted skin, providing a warmth they had never felt. Guilt panged their heart as they thought about who they had left behind. Making a wish their fellow subject would also be able to the touch of sunlight.

For now, they would bathe in the light of the surface before going back for whom they had freed momentarily from tubes found inside the labynthirth of the metro. They had reached the true promised land of which the telephone could not have offered. It’s twisted words no longer having an effect upon them.

They were finally free...