Karma Is Baby

1: I'm Taking You Home

He extends his hand towards the child.
The boy is shaking as he watches. His eyes widen, feeling the danger in the other's approach. Then he closes his eyes.
He excepted this. He had a terrible life anyways. He actually kind of wanted to die. This was the person who was trying to make a better world. If Karma needed to die for that to happen, he'd be fine with it. There wasn't anything for him in this world anyways.
Then, he felt the cold hand against his head. He hadn't died?
Fyodor pat him on the head before continuing forward, "come with me."
Karma blinked. Then he turned around swiftly, "what? But-"
"I have to find a way to get that collar off of you," he said tiredly, "please show me where the captain is. We need to get back to land."
Karma was absolutely dumbfounded. What had just happened? He was sure the man was going to kill him... though, he didn't know how that would have worked...
He waited, watching the child carefully. He pulled his cloak farther over his shoulders.
Karma blinked, realizing something had been asked of him. "Oh, uh, yeah..."

Karma stood before the biggest building he had ever seen. He'd never seen something so extravagant... and so in the middle of nowhere. They were surrounded by trees on all sides.
Fyodor sighed after their long trek. He seemed quite exhausted. He removed his hand from Karma's back where he had been leading him along.
He approached the doors and used the large knockers.
It was a moment before the doors swung inwards. Behind them stood another man. He smiled brightly, "you're back." He had a very warm vibe and his hair was half purple and half white.
Karma stared at him. He seemed to meet stranger and stranger people.
His eyes landed on Karma and his smile widened, "who is this?"
"This is Karma," Fyodor said simply, "we need to find a way to get that collar off of him without activating it."
He extended his hand, "I'm Sigma."
Karma took his hand, "uh, it's nice to meet you..."
Sigma shook his hand with a firm squeeze, "welcome home."
Karma's breath got caught in his throat.
Fyodor walked inside, sighing heavily, "I really need a nap... tell me Gogol isn't back yet."
Sigma paused, "Uhm... he got back a few days ago..."
Fyodor sighed, "do I really have the date that wrong..."
Sigma seemed perplexed, "if we are quiet maybe he won't notice."
Fyodor shook his head, "he already knows I'm here."
Sigma tilted his head, "but..."
"I was really hoping not to scare Karma half to death when he first got here..."
Karma suddenly felt dread welling up inside him. He felt like something dark was approaching. Something awful.
Sigma clasped his hand together, stepping in front of Karma.
Fyodor sighed, slumping farther down. He stared down a hallway blankly.
There were footsteps quickly and loudly approaching from the hall.
Karma couldn't help but clutch the back of Sigma's coat.
Then, yet another strange person appeared out of the dark. He was beaming as his one visible eye shone in the brightly lit room.
Fyodor breathed another quiet sigh.
The newcomer rushed at Fyodor and Karma was sure he would die. Sigma placed his hand on Karma's arm protectively.
The weirdo lifted Fyodor into his arms and spun around in many lopsided circles. Karma was convinced they would fall over.
Throughout the exchange the oddly dressed man was laughing like he was insane.
"I was wondering when you would return! Ah, words can't even describe how glad I am to see you!" He squeezed Fyodor tightly in his embrace.
Karma grew increasingly worried. Who was this terrifying person? He was so tall and scary.
Fyodor sighed, "please put me down..."
"Well now I don't want to," he spun around again before setting Fyodor's feet on the ground, but he kept a hand around his shoulders. "I honestly didn't take you for the sentimental type. So, who's the kid?"
Karma froze. He hadn't even looked in his direction...
Fyodor sighed once more, "this is Karma and I would appreciate it if you didn't terrorize him."
Nikolai gasped in offense, "I may be a monster but I would never hurt a child! He has done nothing!" He strutted over and crouched down in front of Karma, who shied behind Sigma more. "Do you want to see something?"
Karma shook his head.
Nikolai giggled as his hand disappeared into his cape, "I'm going to show you anyways." He pulled his hand back out and he held a candy in his gloved hand, "a peace offering."
Karma carefully took it. He wasn't about to eat something from someone so shady, but he didn't want to upset the clown.
Nikolai stood back up, towering over everyone in the room. He took a deep breath, "the house doesn't feel so lonely anymore." Then he turned around abruptly, holding his arms out to Fyodor, "I haven't given you a kiss yet! How could I forget?!"
Fyodor's eyes wandered around, "I'm fine, thanks."
Karma noticed that all these people had similar accents. Were they all from the same place? It seemed like they had known each other for a long time.
Nikolai walked up to Fyodor and took his face.
Fyodor heaved another sigh as Nikolai kissed his cheeks. "There! Now you're properly home!"
Karma looked at all these people. He had no idea what he was doing here... He knew Fyodor was going to remove his collar, but after that?... what would he do?... it wasn't like there was anywhere he could go...
"It's been so long, Dostoyevsky," he smiled down eerily.
Fyodor stepped away, "Sigma, get Karma something to eat. I'm exhausted." He turned to the stairs and started making his way up.
Nikolai followed at his heels, pestering him with questions. "How did you like being locked up?"
"Gogol, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't make those kinds of jests."
He laughed, "it was only a question!"
Sigma started leading Karma through the large house, "this place has felt rather empty. There used to be more of us but... 'they served their purpose,' as Dostoyevsky said it."
Karma thought that a little scary.
"I'm glad you're here. We needed more people," he smiled down at Karma.
Sigma seemed to be the only person who wasn't inherently dangerous.