The Static

Where Am I?

Doug's legs ached, but he couldn't stop running until he knew where he was, this place— 'not a place' Doug corrected his thoughts, this world? Yes, this world wasn't normal, there was nothing for miles, just static that you'd see on a television, every now and then there would be glitches, but he had no idea what it meant. Doug wasn't built for running this much, he was quite scrawny and had short legs, his arms seemed too long for his body and his head was more round than a bowling ball. His hair was a greyish-black colour, not to mention messy and uneven, his ears were too long, making him look like an elf, and to top it off, his skin was like a literal snowman. The kids at school would joke about him behind his back, they always made him left out. It doesn't help that he was quite weird too, he preferred wild raccoons as friends than dogs, he'd talk to rocks as if they were real people, and he believed in fairies and demons, the only people who understood him, were on the internet.

'I want to go home!' Doug began sobbing, ever since the fire, he'd hardly talked, the workers at the orphanage tried to get him to speak, but he didn't want too. They wouldn't understand what he'll say. His thoughts flashed back to the smoke.. back to the table he and his father hid under, the air whooshing past him as his father pushed him out of the way of the falling beam and- 'what's that?' Doug's memories were cut off by a large, black animalistic looking shape in the emptiness in front of him, he started to walk closer to it, and the ground started shaking. A piercing sound broke its way into his ears. 'it's snoring??'

Something in Doug's body told him not to go closer, but this was the only non-static thing he'd seen in hours. He may not really like animals, but if there's a chance this thing is friendly then he'll take it! As he drew closer and closer, his body began shaking, he was in arms reach of it. As he lifted up his hand his thoughts crammed his mind, screaming and shouting, alarms blared and he couldn't concentrate.. that was until he heard a voice.

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you." The voice was feminine and commanding, a heavy old-style-British accent made it hard for Doug to understand, but he managed.

"Who?" Doug turned his head to where the voice had emerged, expecting some hideous creature, but instead met with a girl about his age.

She was beautiful in every way, well, beautiful in every way on television.. tan skin and silky blonde hair, along with piercing hazel eyes. She wore a hot pink, leather trench-coat, with a black top underneath. She had a long brown skirt that reached down to her knees and thigh high socks. For a second, Doug swore he saw a tiny dog nose instead of her pointed and sharp one, but he must've been hallucinating, because when he blinked it was gone.

The girl stuck out her hand. "I'm Natalia. You must be new here." Her smile was warm and welcoming, he could almost fall into it.

Without realising, Doug had reached out and shook her hand. Then started speaking! "I'm D-Doug. Where are we?"

Natalia shook her head and lifted a finger up to her mouth, pointing to the beast. "We don't want to talk here. It might wake it up." She whispered, taking his hand and forcing him to walk next to her.

Doug quickly nodded, a small shudder rose up his spine. 'I hope she's not leading me to my death..'
He shook his head. 'No!' This was the only human he'd seen in a while, if there's any chance he'll survive, this was it.

They continued to walk through the static, the blank noise numbing their ears. Where she's leading him? Doug doesn't know, all he knows is that something wasn't right, and that he needs to get back home. Hopefully she could help him.