Misunderstood Monsters

Chapter 30: Death Anniversary

"So, what is everyone planning to do for Mother's Day?" Billy looked around the table expectantly.

No one answered. Molly awkwardly ran her fingers through her hair.

"Anyone?"

"They probably don't have time," John said quickly.

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Observation duty for the 939s was a little bit more... mentally stimulating, Dr. Buck supposed, after that containment breach. Most of them were still fairly quiet, but seeing the children run about and play, joyfully shouting now that they didn't have to keep their voices down, was both grating and... a bit of a relief, a break from the usual bleakness (although she'd never admit that to anyone).

She absentmindedly took another sip of coffee, glancing down at some document on the table, when a low, gruff voice caught her attention.

"Wonder where the scar-faced b*tch is right now."

She set her mug down, eyes carefully scanning the screens showcasing every inch of the 939 pack's containment cell. Off in the corner were a pair of large, hulking specimens.

The second spoke in a rougher, snarling voice. "I have no idea. Do you think she's watchin' us now?"

"Don't ask me, I don't have a f*cking clue."

"Well", said the second in a voice like poisoned honey, "haven't you heard what day it is?"

"Nope. Ain't got no clue about the date nowadays. I ain't no gossip."

"Why, you'd know the answer if you just listened to the unshed monkeys around us. It's the day before Mother's Day."

The first one almost seemed to stare for a second (as much as an eyeless creature can stare), before bursting into laughter.

"Oh man! Her ancestors must be giving her h*ll!"

Dr. Buck glanced back at Dr. Collingwood. "What are they talking about?"

"I haven't got a clue," the other researcher said, almost robotically. Her eyes darted away from Dr. Buck.

The second laughed even louder. "I did her mother the greatest favor, didn't I?"

"Indeed! I have no love for humans, but she did deserve better than the scar-faced, born-out-of-wedlock daughter of the Scarlet King she got."

A snarl so feral that Dr. Buck was honestly shocked that it didn't come from the monitor made her turn to look where Dr. Collingwood had been sitting. The seat was empty. She twisted in her seat to look behind her. Dr. Collingwood was pacing around the room.

"Is there something wrong, Molly?"

"I'm fine."

The gruff voice drew Dr. Buck's attention back to the monitor. "Are we entirely sure that it's a wise idea to let them hear?"

The snarling 939 laughed, louder than ever. "Speak louder! Let them know! Let them all know! Let them hear about how Dr. Molly Sarah Collingwood, such a sweet, kind, perfect little angel, killed her own mother!"

Dr. Buck almost jumped a mile as an inhuman shriek escaped Dr. Collingwood's lips.

"SHUT UP!"

The snarling one went on, shouting for all the cameras to pick up. "Weren't you in that house, Molly? Why didn't you hear your mother? Why didn't you see her?"

Dr. Collingwood was gripping the edge of the table near the door. Her knuckles were white and her face was red. "SHUT UP, YOU- !"

"Why didn't you hear her scream? Why didn't you cry out for help? Oh, because your ears were the ears of a pathetic hu-"

Whatever the 939 had to say was drowned out by a furious roar and a crash as Dr. Collingwood suddenly overturned the table she was gripping like it weighed nothing, tears streaming down her face.

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!"

The 939s paused this time, tilting their heads.

"Huh," said one. "She finally heard us."

"I doubt she wasn't listening before. She just decided to put on airs and be all high and mighty and pretend she didn't care. Now, how many humans have been killed for such arrogance?"

A real sob escaped Collingwood's throat, and before Dr. Buck could even think of what to say or do, the door had been opened and the younger researcher had bolted down the hallway.