SCP 1471 [An anomalous life]

XVI

I felt a distant knocking, as if someone was knocking on a wooden door with their knuckles.

--ake up!

I felt myself being lightly shaken on the couch and gradually woke up.

What a bizarre dream I had.
I dreamed that Mal0 and mom knew each other and got along well.

I yawned and stretched after sitting up.
My mouth was pretty dry and I had a pain in my stomach, but it was probably hunger so I didn't think much of it.

I turned my head over the couch to see Mal0 placing glasses on the living room table, while my mother was looking for something in one of the kitchen drawers.

(Oh...)
(That wasn't a dream.)

I got out of bed groaning under my breath.

My phone slipped off my stomach and fell onto the blanket I just realized I had on me, I paid no attention to it, I had more important things to deal with right now.

Mal0 turned to see me, carrying three pairs of knives and forks in her hands.

-You woke up! -She exclaimed, as she arranged everything neatly on the table.

-Ah...
-Yes, haha... -I laughed, somewhat nervously.

-Sit down, dinner is almost ready. -She said, while she moved a chair for me to sit next to her.

-Oh, thank you. -I mumbled, walking to the table and sitting down in the place she offered me.

Moments later mom appeared, a steaming plate of food in her hands.

Steak with mashed potatoes and some gravy.

She placed it in front of me, then quickly returned to the kitchen to help herself to another portion for herself.

Finally she brought Mal0's plate, which she was waiting eagerly as she wagged her tail.
Her plate had larger portions of food than ours, though.

She sat at the opposite corner of the table, facing me and Mal0 as she looked at us with an expression that was hard to understand.

The dinner table was very quiet, probably due to the fact that an anomaly from another universe was sitting right beside us.

Only the clinking of utensils with dishes could be heard.

I tried a bite and had to restrain myself from devouring the whole thing in a second, it was really good.
The meat was tender and juicy and although the mashed potatoes were a bit salty it was delicious.

-...
-It's very tasty. -said Mal0, interrupting the silence.

-You don't have to say it. -I replied with my mouth full.

-...
-The potatoes are a bit salty though. -The woman admitted, poking her food with a fork.

-It's all right! -Mal0 exclaimed.
-I didn't cut the pieces of meat properly either, haha.

-You helped with the cooking Mal0? -I asked, surprised that mom had accepted her help.

-Mhm, I took care of cutting the potatoes and the meat! -She nodded.
-Then Mom took care of....

A sound of a fork dragging on the ceramic plate made me jump in my seat.

-I'm sorry! -she exclaimed, interrupting herself.

-...
--It's okay, Mal0.... -Mom murmured, shuffling in her seat.
-You can call me whatever you want, I don't care. -I added.
-You can call me Miss, Mom or Lauren if you want.