Chapter 6 #2
“Can you really promise me that?” she asked.
“Because look—” She gestured out through the two-way glass window, pointing to the pizzeria floor.
Kids who had been previously jumping all along the red vinyl booths were now sitting still and melancholy.
Sure, the table was a mess, with partially devoured pizza, but there was no joy coming from the area like there usually was.
It was somber. Tawny then pointed to one of the monitor screens that showed a static-like view of the arcade area.
No one was there. She pointed to a few other screens, adjusting the cameras as the feed flickered before me.
Everyone in the pizzeria was sitting at their tables just waiting.
It was very out of character for Big Top on any evening.
How boring.
I ignored the demon’s voice and watched the arcade camera, seeing one of my little rat friends scurry across the celebration print carpet and made a mental note to make sure he made it out safe later.
Tawny let out a loud, dramatic sigh. “I know you mean well, kid. But this is now the second time we’ve had an altercation take place.
And I got Lavender calling in, demanding to work opposite shifts as you, this redheaded skank threatening to sue if we don’t let her back in the pizzeria, and that mom from the other day calling nonstop, trying to say we got rats.
” Her expression softened. “This is your last chance, Crissa. If one more thing happens, I’ll have no choice but to let you go. ”
My body slouched forward as I realized the severity of my situation.
“I’m sorry, Tawny. I promise I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
This job is way too important to me, and interacting with that group is not something I plan to do voluntarily.
Please, just keep scheduling me and Lavender on different shifts, and I’ll do everything I can to keep my distance. ”
“I’ll take your word Crissa, but this cannot happen again. You hear me? No one comes in here and fucks with business. Understand?” Despite her kind but worn features, Tawny really did scare the shit out of me. And I did not want to cross her.
“Understood.” I paused, hesitating for a moment. “Hey Tawny? Would it be okay if I took a quick smoke? I’ll get back to work as soon as I can… I just…need a second.” I picked at my fingers.
Tawny nodded. “No problem, kid.”
“Thanks, boss.”
Barreling out of the back door, I pulled the cigarettes out of my uniform pocket and couldn’t get one lit fast enough.
The cool air and first inhale of the cigarette were pure bliss.
The sky was cast in a pink haze as the sun was still setting.
I exhaled at the beauty of it for a moment before my gaze drifted over to the dark corner of the alley where the man attacked me.
“What did you do to him?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
What any demon would do. I devoured him.
I felt sick. “But…if you were in my body, does that mean I ate him too?” I whispered to myself, gagging at the thought.
Oh, you were very much a part of that, dear human. Would you like to know how he tasted?
“No,” I snapped. “I don’t want to know anything.
” Zeth’s words were laced with a tinge of humor, followed by laughter.
I tried my best to ignore him, smoking my cigarette, but I couldn’t look away.
Sick, morbid curiosity clawed up my spine, and before I knew it, I was standing in the dark corner.
I hadn’t been out here in the daylight since then the gruesome event, but even then, I expected there to be a mess.
Blood, bones, bits of the man scattered about…
something. Instead, there was nothing. Not a single remnant of what occurred.
“How did you get rid of his body? There’s no way you didn’t make a mess.
” A few of my rat friends sat nearby, nibbling on a leftover pizza slice they likely dragged out from the trash.
Oh he was so delectable. Just ask your little vermin friends. They seemed to truly enjoy the scraps and leftovers, leaving nothing behind. Such useful rats.
One of them scampered out from behind a cardboard box.
I watched him run by and the vision Zeth described unfolded in my brain.
I stared down, seeing numerous rats picking the darkened alley corner clean of human remains.
They gobbled the man’s body up, licking the blood clean from the concrete while gnawing at his bones.
“You’re sick,” I breathed, fighting back tears.
You are the one who befriended these creatures.
You gained their trust, and they rely on you now.
If anyone is sick, it is you, human. Your actions have interrupted their life cycle and now they must rely on you to survive or they will die.
All I did was supply them with a meal. You are the one who led them to it.
I bent down and reached out, my fingertips grazing over a particularly plump one of my little friends, realizing Zeth was controlling my limbs.
That one there has grown particularly fond of the crumbs you are always bringing out here. Imagine him trying to find scraps all on his own with a belly like that. He'd be dead in a week.
I wasn’t sure if I would ever get used to how Zeth could control my body.
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Without Zeth’s help, I took a drag from my cigarette and exhaled. “These little guys are the only real friends I have.” My hand dug into the pocket of my costume and I sprinkled a few crust crumbs onto the ground. More rats ran from the dumpster to where we were.
You are friends with rodents and not other humans.
“If given the choice, would you choose to be friends with humans?” I asked.
Zeth didn’t answer. I picked up one of the rats and held him to my face.
“Exactly.” I kissed the tip of his nose.
“These rats were there for me when no one else was. I can tell them anything. They listen and they don’t ask me questions. And they don’t judge me.”
Interesting. But tell me, human, why are they here? Couldn’t they find better food hunting for themselves out in the wild as nature intended?
I stumbled over my reply because I really didn’t know why they were here.
“Oh, uh— they’ve always been here, I guess.
When I started working at the pizzeria, they were already scampering about.
I’d see a few here and there when I’d take my breaks, so bringing them the crust crumbs just seemed like the right thing to do.
Eventually. they got used to seeing me around, and I think they just began expecting a treat from me.
” A couple rats had climbed up the leg of my costume and were now sitting in my lap.
I gently petted along their backs, feeling their spines.
“Over time, we became friends.” My shoulders lifted in a shrug.
It really was as simple as that. “I trust them and they trust me. And trust is the most important thing in a friendship.” I paused.
“Something most humans can’t seem to grasp. ”
Hmmmm…intriguing.
I let out a faint laugh. “To be honest, I’ve often wished I could just take all of my little rat friends and smoosh them together to make one perfect friend, ya know?
At least then I could have a human-like friend to talk to.
Then, I wouldn’t be alone.” I continued, chuckling lightly.
There was a small squeak from my lap. “Not that you guys aren’t already perfect.
” The little rat wiggled around, scratching at the fabric of my uniform as I admired their cute tendencies.
As I thought about the concept of a perfect friend for a moment, the idea settled into my brain.
But you are not alone, Crissa. I am here.
“For how long?” I asked. “Not forever.”
I pushed the rats off my lap before standing to head back inside. Before I reached the back door of the pizzeria, it swung wide open, revealing dark curly hair and freckled skin. Features I knew all too well. Lavender.
My cheeks flushed at the sight of her.
“Oh good, I’m glad I caught you before you left.” Her voice was chipper, and she wore a big smile plastered on her freckled face. The smile reminded me of the ones we servers wore on the floor working with customers. Forced and uncomfortable.
I am curious to see what this human wants.
Ignoring Zeth’s voice, I lifted my hand in a tight wave. A polite enough gesture for the situation, even though I had nothing to say to her.
“Can we talk for a second?” Lavender stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. She was blocking my only way in, staring at me with those piercing blue eyes of hers.
You should ignore her.
Zeth’s words were a command in my head.
I’ve seen the pain she caused you, felt the ache in your heart. She cannot be trusted.
I did my best to shove out the demon's words, but his gravely tone drowned out the other sounds. And I was becoming annoyed.
“Crissa?” Lavender asked as I stood right in front of her. “Hey, you okay?” I didn’t speak. She tucked her coiled hair behind her ear and cocked her head. “Can we talk for a second?”
To think, just a year ago, we were close.
So close to one another that we felt like sisters.
Now, all I could do was try to not choke on whatever sickeningly sweet perfume she was wearing.
I’d never smelled it before, but it made my stomach twist and turn.
I took a step back and nodded while trying to hold my breath. “Fine. But it needs to be quick.”