Fiction on Acid

Immediate Connection

TW: Chernobyl disaster

Elmo wandered throughout the disaster site and dread pooled in his stomach. He was not especially excited for work today, to say the least. He was lucky, though. Elmo was chosen for this job because he was immune to the immense amounts of radiation pushing at his skin. It was a gift and a curse: He wouldn't die here, but he was always chosen for the jobs that nobody else wanted—for a good reason I guess.

However, walking alone into a disaster site had this strange tranquility to it. It was similar to walking through an abandoned building with friends. It felt like nobody could stop you. It was freeing.

But enjoying the surroundings was the complete opposite of what Elmo was here for. The email sent to him specified:

We ask of you to investigate Chernobyl's Elephant's Foot. We choose you for this brave task only because we know you are immune to radiation. With your help, you may allow us to discover something brilliant. You can be one of the faces of science.

We are not forcing anything of you; the choice is yours. Still, consider this a strong recommendation. If you sustain any injuries we will be willing to pay for the hospital bill, as well as $200 to keep in your pocket.

Yours Truly, Cleetus Ligma

Elmo took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. He could do this, and no risk would get in his way. $200 wasn't much for this dangerous journey, but Elmo decided that it was because they trusted him. That's so sweet.

Anyways, Elmo was interested in this "elephant's foot." He had heard of it before, and the pictures were entrancing. He was excited to have the chance to finally see this monstrosity up close.

😍😘😳😍😋

Charging his way through miles of rubble and radiation, Elmo finally reached the maintenance corridor underneath what used to be Reactor No. 4. This is where the so-called Elephant's foot is.

Elmo took one step closer. He took one glance at the Elephant's foot and suddenly felt a massive wave of radiation. Of course, it didn't affect him biologically, but it nearly knocked him off his feet. Wait... no... that wasn't radiation.

Elmo felt embarrassed as he realized that his red cheeks had become mysteriously redder. It wasn't radiation that almost knocked him down. It was the feeling of his heart beating faster and his head feeling lighter. The blob on the floor was beautiful, and it was like you could see a fading glow, as if it's cheeks had brightened too.

No, it wasn't radiation that gave Elmo butterflies. This was... love.

He wasn't the type to believe in these kinds of things, but Elmo truly thought that this was love at first sight. It couldn't be mistaken for anything else. This strange feeling coursed throughout his entire body. He grew redder with each passing second of staring at the Elephant's foot. At this point, he was practically glowing.

And in that second, the elephant's foot started glowing too. It had responded to Elmo's strong emotions. His eyes reflected the beast in front of him, and the radioactive mass whispered in his ear.

"Come closer."

Though it was only two words, Elmo understood more than that. This elephant's foot was lonely down here. People would only come to take pictures, and even then they were heavily protected, like they were hiding from her. She yearned for attention closer and more important than that. She wanted to be cared for. She wanted an intimate bond.

So here Elmo was, standing alone with no camera, looking at the elephant's foot with glowing eyes that matched the glow on his cheeks. "Ellie..." he started. The connection was instant.

Elmo heard a voice ring in his ear once again. "Shhh... your presence makes me happy on it's own."

Ellie said that, but Elmo thought that she deserved more. She was lonely for so long, and he wasn't just going to stand still to please her. Elmo was going to make her happier than she had ever been in her entire life in this sad, destroyed place.

"No, tell me," he said. "What do you truly want?"

Ellie had no ears, no eyes, no mouth, no nose—no facial features at all. However, Elmo could make out that she was crying. He could feel her emotions as if they were his own. Though they hadn't known each other for long, there was this link between them already, and it was growing stronger.

She started talking again. "I want... a friend."

Elmo went to put a hand on what may or may not have been her shoulder. "I'm here. I'll be your friend." It did make him slightly disappointed, though. Deep down he wanted more than that, but he supposed that friendship could suffice for now

Ellie screamed, making him jump back. "No! Stay away! You could get sick or die like everybody else!"

"No," Elmo said. "I'm staying right here. I'm not going anywhere." Ellie didn't seem to calm down, so he continued. "There's a reason I was sent here, you know. You won't kill me or get me sick."

She relaxed, and Elmo got closer to her again. This time, she did not push him away. "I don't even know your name," she said.

"It's Elmo," he responded.

"Elmo... that's a pretty name." Ellie shifted, leaning into his touch. "Elmo... I didn't tell you the whole truth earlier."

He paused and turned his head to look at her directly. "What is it? You can tell me anything."

Ellie sighed. "I..." She hesitated, and it felt like she looked into Elmo's eyes for reassurance. He softened his expression in return.

Looking away, a single tear shed from some place on her body that Elmo assumed was her eye. He gave her a few seconds to collect herself. After Ellie had calmed down, she started laughing uncontrollably. The laugh sent chills down Elmo's spine.

"You see, Elmo..." she said. "I absorb the people I love."

Love...?

There, she said it. Ellie said that she loved him. After saying that she just wanted a friend, Elmo hid his dismay. Yet, now she was in front of him, confessing her love.

He didn't even consider that it was a platonic love confession. The way she said it—it didn't feel like that. Elmo heard the passion in her voice.

That passion hugged his heart tightly. So tight, in fact, Elmo didn't feel the corium blob engulfing his body whole. The heat on his cheeks remained as he realized that he would never see society again. He didn't need society. He was becoming a part of Ellie, and Ellie was part him. He would treasure this embrace for the rest of his life—in which he only had 10 seconds left.

"Any last words?" Ellie asked, her voice soft.

Elmo smiled. "I love you too."