Chapter 5 Alice: A Little Less Than Nothing [Chapter Five]

How did I get wrapped up in this?

I don't want to be involved with these... Children. Were they even children? Short, thin, weak, much like kids, but the demeanor of the male one screamed adult.

For as long as I've been trapped here, I've never seen monsters like this.

Well, close, but I couldn't really describe it. The ones I've seen could look like this lollipop duo but they were incredibly vicious.

I only encountered a couple but the ones I did meet were weak, much like these two.

They died quickly and gruesomely.

The girl suddenly turned back and flashed another grin. What is it with her and smiling?

I didn't feel like forcing a smile, that was dull.

I was only doing this because I felt sorry for them, that's it. I don't really care about their sugar rush world, but I guess... This was interesting than staying in my cave at least.

I was craving some sort of drink to lose myself in already but I wasn't about to show them that.

The girl was interesting to see. Made of green and blue slime with the consistency of jelly. Two tiny, almost invisible horns poked out of her head, and she did have a rather feminine shape. C cups?

Well, whatever.

The male, on the other hand, reminded me of a science dork with the self-confidence of a shrimp. How he spoke to me like that back in my cave is beyond me. Maybe he has some balls hidden in there somewhere.

His "arms" reached down to below his knees and waved idly as he walked. They were exactly like octopus arms, suckers and everything.

Shaggy brown hair, and a soft baby face. Well, they both had that.

It was an interesting pair, wasn't it?

Something kept my interest in the male though. Mint, was it?

His personality seemed astray. I couldn't pinpoint why, or how though. An enigma to even myself.

I could perhaps be an expert about all monsters down here, but I've only heard stories of the ones up above.

They seemed to believe their world was some sort of target for us, according to what that girl told me.

That wasn't the case though. We couldn't care less about them. The world isn't even open to us, plus we're too busy fighting for our lives down here. The only ones that would be remotely interested could be the demons, but even they only target humans...Humans like me.

I didn't realize I had been muttering until that slime fell back and asked what I had said. Well, opportunity open.

"Tell me about your world." I started. "What is the darkness you mentioned to me earlier?"

She opened her mouth but the male quickly covered it, causing a small pause in our trek.

"You don't need to know." He looked up at me with a look like I just killed his puppy and stole his chocolate at the same time. I can see I'm not trusted.

The girl pushed his appendage off her with a frown.

"If we're going to be traveling together, you're going to have to believe in me." Really, I couldn't care if they told me or not, but I admit I was a little curious about what they were taught. I do know all monsters in that world were born as monsters. It was like an exclusive yacht party; slogan "Pureblood monsters only".

"We should tell her." Caramel gave Mint a pout. The boy seemed to hesitate until he looked up to me.

"How about a trade then. You tell us your story, we'll answer whatever questions you have."

That would not be possible. Simply remembering such a thing was hard enough. Like I'd tell two stuck up little-

"I guess no deal then." I continued walking, passing the little ones. I was well aware they'd follow, if they want to get out alive that is.

We had already been walking for hours, and lucky for them, the smart monsters avoided our little group when they saw me. As they should.

"Hey." Before I knew it, the little slime was walking next to me again. "Do you think we'll be able to rescue the other monsters that were banished before we get away?"

She looked at me with the same eyes a begging animal would give when they wanted food. Green eyes wide, looking at me for a sense of hope.

Too bad I wasn't as hopeful.

"Not possible. They are weak and probably already dead. Plus you're already going to push your time if we keep having unexpected stops. Hurry, else you'll be going home in a deformed body and a broken mind."

Her shoulders slouched and she appeared sad. I wasn't sure at first, but the running slime down her cheeks were tears, and she was crying. "I hope they're not dead. I don't want anyone to die. I know they're not evil."

"Can you say the same for me?" The words came out before I could stop them. The slime seemed to hesitate and I had my answer. Of course, I was. She turned her head away from looking at me and in a quiet voice, she whispered a response. "I don't think anyone is really evil. Some people just need help. And... If the darkness doesn't come from here, then we have to know what's causing the turned, right?"

I didn't have a sufficient answer for her. I took a glance to Mint, who seemed to be staring me down like prey.

He can do what he pleases, I can't be bothered to attack his little friend.

"The Lovenest River is about a day away. We should be able to reach it tomorrow."

"Why do they call it that?" For that moment, the tension in Mint's voice dropped as it was replaced with genuine interest. I couldn't resist a smirk of my own.

"Because of the monster guarding it. She won't kill you if you interest her."

The octoboy proceeded to ask me more questions about the monster, but I didn't find any fun in letting them know right away. I needed entertainment somewhere after all.

Once he gave up and went quiet, I rose my eyes to the sky. "It's going to be dark soon. I'd say we can go another two hours of walking before we have to set up camp. More dangerous creatures come out at night."

The two didn't argue with me, though I almost wish they did. It seemed fun to poke at their soft nerves.

Nerves I could so easily rip out... No, I had to quickly shake that thought away.

After a short while of walking in silence, the girl looked up to me once more. "Why do you walk with your body open like that?" She asked out of the blue, staring as though I were on exhibit.

"Habit." I could only answer with a shrug. Though that wasn't an entire lie. "It's uncomfortable to feel my two halves together when I walk. Irritates the skin."

"I have a question too," Mint chirped up, invading out conversation. "If your entire spine is made of metal, how do you bend over?"

I could only respond to that at first with a snort. What kind of question is that? "The only solid metal piece is the one around my stomach. The rest is shaped like a normal spine. Bend and all. And, before you ask," I made sure to look between both of them slowly. "No, I cannot completely separate my body. But I hope you're satisfied because now you owe me an answer to some questions."

The little lollipops looked at each other before turning back to me. "What do you want to know then?" Mint responded for the both of them. What a dumb question though, what I wanted was obvious.

"I want you to tell me about the turned. Fill me in on what you know."

The octoboy gave me a stink eye but they did owe me, and he knew that.

"It's treated as a sickness." He began slowly. "Nobody knows exactly what it is, but we do know that the ones who get it are ones who break the rules. It takes a perfectly fine monster and turns them into... Well..."

"Us." I finished for him. He didn't have to sugarcoat it, I knew what we were.

Mint cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. That's why we call them the turned. There's not currently a cure, so those that fall to it are banished here."

"Where they die," I added on with a sigh and shook my head. "Whatever this sickness is, it's most definitely not from here. You can be sure of that."

The fog seemed to be clearing up, telling me we were approaching the forest.

I slowed down to look over the trees carefully, though the lollipops didn't seem to be too pleased. Mint sighed, looking around. "What is it? Why have we stopped? Aren't we on a time limit-?"

"Shut up." I snapped unintentionally. "You always have to take in your surroundings to be sure it's safe, especially in a place like this."

Just then, I felt a vibration beneath my feet. Great. "And there's my point."

The dirt shifted as a small creature popped up. Its black eyes blinked before it pulled the rest of its body up, little legs scuffling on the ground. Caramel kneeled down with a sweet smile. "Aw, it's so tiny! What is it?"

Before I could say anything, her friend pulled her back. "Don't get near that thing. It's a scorpion."

A few steps back and I looked across the ground again. "Not just any scorpion. That's a hydra breed. Instead of the heads, the tails grow back and multiply when they're cut off. Don't piss it off."

The little scorpion turned and stared at me in large, watchful eyes.

The ground began to not just vibrate, but rumble now. "When there's one, there's bound to be the following swarm. I suggest we run."

They didn't have to be told twice as they charged into the trees. I twisted my gear to shut my body for easier running and took off after just as the ground split and a massive swarm riled, pooling out of the dirt like a geyser.

I dared to look back to see I was being chased. Well isn't this just fantastic!?

Not being as fast runners, I caught sight of the duo and sped up to fall beside them.

"What do we do!?" Mint yelled out in panic.

"Just run! We have to lose them!"

There's no way to fight something like this. Run or die time.

You'd have to be a firebreather for this, and an advanced one at that. Like an elder dragon.

The duo was lagging behind but I wasn't going to hold their hands.

A white flash jumped out in front of us, causing a stumble and a fall backwards, breaking our escape.

What was that? Not any monster I'd ever seen. It had run behind us and when looking, an odd animal stood before the swarm that had frozen.

A bundle of colorful fur and a long, lion tail. Chimera? No, probably not. The creature's slim legs looked more human, and an array of colors mixed into the creature's cloudlike pelt.

What on earth...? I should know all the monsters in this world, so why didn't I know this one?

It snarled at the swarm, barking something in an animal language.

¨It stopped those things?" I heard Mint exhale out in disbelieve.

The colorful creature barked once more before opening its jaws and blasted a fiery inferno directly into the heart of the small scorpions.

The squealing that ensued after was enough to make the ears bleed. The swarm that was originally so powerful now fell apart. The creatures that hadn't been blasted retreated into the ground once more, vanishing from sight.

When they were gone, the odd monster huffed and suddenly whipped around to look at us.

Tall white devil horns, and sharp red eyes glowing from behind its fur. Not a creature from down here. I looked to the duo in hopes they knew this one, and the girl seemed to appear upset.

Did she know him then?

Caramel pulled herself to her feet and began to approach the creature, which growled, fur ruffled in response.

"It's you, right?" Her voice shook in fear. "You saved us. Are you really a bad guy?"

I wasn't sure what on Earth was happening but the monster appeared to calm down. Then it began to change before my very eyes.

As the long horns shrank, the coat of fur seemed to dissolve until only a tuff of colorful hair remained on his head.

The creature, in fact, looked weak. Weaker than I had expected.

Caramel kneeled before the creature and offered out her hand. Something didn't seem right about this though. I reached for my gear and opened my body, just in case.

It looked to be a young boy, small and frail, just like the duo. I took a glance to Mint but he was staring as well. Did he know this guy too?

Whoever he used to be, it didn't appear like he was himself any longer. His primal stance, like a terrified dog, and the flicking of his long lion tail only hinted to suspicion within.

Now I didn't know what this was, but I knew animal body language, and I knew he was going to attack.

"Look out!" I shot out my spikes to charge but without warning, Caramel jumped in front, blocking me from my kill.

What's with this brat?

"Move aside, he's dangerous. Not your friend any longer."

But the slime only looked at me with stubborn eyes. The creature behind her lowered his body down in preparation for a hunt.

"Don't hurt him! He saved us, remember?"

"He's a monster." I drew my spikes closer but the annoying girl merely backed even closer. If she wasn't going to move, she was going to get hurt.

If not by the monster looking at her like a meal, by me instead.

He suddenly lept, fazing through her body and coming out on the other side, covered in green and blue goop.

Of course... She's a slime. Slimes can't be hurt easily.

He shook his head too clear himself and there I took my opportunity. The bothersome duo would probably hate me if I hurt him, so I suppose showing mercy was my only choice. I wrapped the ropes of my spikes around his body to contain him in a protective bind.

"Now, would anyone like to tell me who and what this is?" I first looked to Mint, then to Caramel. The boy snapped and writhed but it didn't do anything to my hold.

"I know him." Caramel looked to him with an unreadable expression. "He was a candy maker and storekeeper back in our world. He was so nice, but a victim of the darkness. I didn't know he could do all that though!"

"He's probably a hybrid," Mint added on. "Hybrids are rare at least. A mix of a lion and a dragon it seems like."

Looking back to the boy, I raised my eyebrow. "Doubtful. A transformation like a werewolf, hm? What are we going to do with him?"

This all felt familiar, but I pushed the memory out of my thoughts.

I'd gladly kill him at their word, he was annoying me already.

It seemed like they didn't know either. Caramel lowered her eyes to the ground. It seemed like she wanted to say something. I cleared my throat to catch her attention and crossed my arms. "I bet you want to bring him with us. Am I wrong?"

She snapped her eyes up before nodding slowly.

Of course, she did. I couldn't be bothered to argue, we already lost too much time with this damn attack. Pulling him into the air, I carried the boy above my head. "Fine, let's keep going. We don't have time for this. The sun will be setting soon, we need to set up camp."

In what concluded, we found our way to a clearing where I kept the little hybrid pinned to a tree while the duo gathered all the sticks they could find to bring back. It was already dark by the time they had found enough for a fire.

I only watched as Mint tried his hardest to ignite one. It was getting cold quickly, I could do for one as well, not like it'd ever let that be known though. Perhaps this candycorn could be useful in the end. The first sparked as he rubbed a stick between his tentacles. Then quickly blowing on it, the fire spat to life. Caramel moved to cuddle up beside it, her eyes already threatening to close.

I'd imagine they would be exhausted after today. The only good thing about having to run today was we got closer to our destination. I couldn't contain a yawn either.

Tomorrow though, we'd need to find some food.

I wouldn't be too bothered about making the angry candy-boy my dinner but Mint and Caramel wouldn't approve, would they?

Taking a glance to him, he seemed to already be sleeping. How could that be comfortable? Tied to a tree and sitting up, but nope, he was passed out.

Why did I even care about these ones? I barely even knew them.

I admit, my curiosity peaked. So this was a darkness victim, hm? I was feeling an urge to study him, to find out what caused this behavior. What was it?

Should I cut him open, draw his blood? Was it an implant, a parasite, bad food?

I was taken out of my thinking when I spotted young Mint eyeing me suspiciously.

Had he caught me staring at the boy?

Likely.

No matter. I wouldn't be allowed to experiment even if I had my materials.

How bothersome this would be, keeping myself from drawing blood just to satisfy the duo.

I leaned back into the tree and sighed. Caramel was already sleeping comfortably beside the fire. If only I could still sleep so easily. You had to be on guard at all times in a place like this.

I rarely sleep these days, only doing it to keep myself alive.

Mint crossed his legs and spaced off as his eyes moved back to the fire.

I examined him a minute before opening my mouth. "What brought you guys down here?"

He blinked each of his three eyes individually before chuckling. "You're looking at it. Caramel tried to stand up for our friend there." He looked to the young boy in my hold. "But the world isn't all sweet treat and laughter, is it? Fear controls people, and people were scared of the turned and those who tried to protect them."

"Your world sounds like hell." I couldn't help a scoff. "I think I'd rather be free down here than living somewhere as 'safe' as your world up there."

His answer was a gentle hum. The boy looked up to our starless sky as though he were looking for something. A minute or so passed before he leaned back into the dirt, a frown curved on his lips. "What about you? Will you tell me what happened anyway? What's up with this world? I feel like I'm in the dark... Literally."

"Our world is without leaders. The true result of anarchy." This world I could talk about. My past, maybe not yet. "The demons fill in for leaders somewhat. They're immortal, powerful, and dangerous. Demons straight from hell themselves. But they don't hurt us. Well, not all of us..."

God, the demons. I couldn't stand them. "They control us to an extent, but we're free to murder and rob as we please, as long as we stay in this world, and never rebel against them. Helping you would be falling under the second option."

He blinked once more and brushed some of his curly hair out of his face. "You're not like them. You don't want to kill, or at least, you're mentally there when you do. What's wrong with all the others? Why aren't they like you?"

That was a question I've been wondering myself for so long, and even I don't yet have an answer. The others are like animals. Blind bloodlust, that's what they live off of. "I couldn't tell you." I closed my eyes. "I think it's because of who I once was though. They were born as monsters, put into this world from children to grow up in a murderous being, and nobody stopping them. But I was a human long ago. I had a home, and a family, and friends. I can't say for a damn second I'm as stable as you claim though."

For as long as I've been here though, I've never met another ex-human as mentally sound as I was. I truly was the only one of my kind in this world. That loneliness does stuff to you. I had my Ale to distract myself from that, to make me drunk enough to even forget my name for a while, but after so long, a tolerance had grown, and it's harder to get drunk. Maybe these two did save me, but I wasn't going to say that aloud.

If I had spent any more time alone without that distraction, I may have lost my mind as well.

Mint appeared unsure on what to respond, and I don't blame him. I wouldn't be able to say anything either. I released a sigh and relaxed against the trunk. "Get some rest now. I promise I won't gut you in your sleep."

The octo flashed me an annoyed glance but rolled onto his side, using his appendages for pillows.

It seems like I was the only one awake now.

This world... These monsters... How can I tell them that I wanted to be a hero?

All these memories swirling in my head, I couldn't stop thinking about who I once was.

Will I ever see my friends again? And the soccer team, what happened to them in the ten years I've been here?

And if not that, I want to at least see where my family was buried. Are they together?

I couldn't answer these things on theories like I could about this world.

I had to know, I honestly couldn't stand this world.

I'm tired of eating monsters for dinner, I'm tired of the blood, of the horrors around me every day to the point I could no longer sleep safely.

I suppose I want to be a hero, and make my escape with them. Wherever this duo was going, it had to be better than here, right?