Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 24, Leeched Life

Sayori stumbled back, pressing her back against the wall. She was too stunned to speak. She wanted to scream but her fear seized up her vocal cords. All she could do was stand there agape. The... thing whipped its tail back and forth, as if it was wagging it playfully. Its face expressed content, joy, and excitement, but Sayori could feel a sinister intention within. 

"What's wrong? You seem distressed friend."

"Yeah, no kidding! And don't call me your friend! Just what the hell are you!?" 

"Hmph, I guess that's a fair reaction. Well, you see-" The thing was cut off by a distant female scream. It came from above. Realizing what's happening, Sayori positioned herself over the hole and held out her arms.

"I've got you! I've got you!" She called out. Suddenly an unknown body collided with Sayori with such a force that they were both sent to the ground. 

"Oh goodie!" The thing cheered. "Fresh meat." It whispered. The two girls struggled to stand back on their feet. 

"Ashley?"

"Sayori? What are you doing down here?"

"I could ask you the same thing?"

"I was searching the area when I heard a scream. I came over here and found this hole. Next thing I knew the ground caved under me and I fell."

"Well, that sure sounds familiar..." Sayori trailed off. It was only then that Ashley chose to take in her new surroundings, ultimately finding her new future tormentor. She shrieked in terror, beginning to cry and panic at the sight of the monster.

"What the hell is that thing!?!?" 

"You know it's rude to talk about someone when they're right in front of you." 

"Okay, what the hell are you?!" The thing smiled.

"A question for later. If you want answers, then you have to play along."

"W-what do you mean?" Ashley stammered.

"As your friend, Sayori I believe, was made painfully aware, I am excruciatingly hungry. The lack of proper nutrition has made me oh so very weak and frail. So what I want you two to do, is to feed me." 

"Does it have to be human?" Sayori worried.

"No, no. It just has to be fresh! Blood, meat, I'll eat data of any kind! You just have to feed me, and then I will do anything you ask me to." The thing extended his hand. "Do we have a deal?" Ashley and Sayori both looked at each other, and then back at the creature. 

"Alright, I'll bite." Ashley declared. "I'll get you some food, you tell us who and what you are." The creature chuckled. Ashley stomped her foot on the ground. Red sparks crackled in the cool air, and a virus crawled its way out of the dirt. As soon as it got its legs out onto the ground, it was snatched up by the monster. Immediately, the being ripped into the virus, clawing open its flesh and tearing it apart using its fangs. Blood splattered across the floor and walls. Ashley and Sayori gasped as they both stumbled back. When it was finished, the beast had left nothing of his meal. 

"More..." He growled, and on queue Ashley created more viruses. One by one, each virus was snatched up by the thing and torn to shreds. No longer did Ashley create them out of control, she created them out of fear. It continued to laugh as it fed, turning the browns, greys, and blacks of the cave to the same shade of red as himself. "Ahaha, HAHAHA, YES!" He yelled in triumph, standing and raising his fists to the sky. "Now then..." He turned his attention back to the two girls before him. "What is it that you wanted again?"

"Um... w-what are y-you?" Ashley trembled.

"Ah, a simple question. Well, you see I'm what's called a data vampire."

"A data vampire?"

"Yes, a very special kind of virus. One of a kind really. Able to leech the sustenance off any piece of data. I guess that's why I was named in such a way."

"What? Vampire?"

"No, Leech!" The entire time, Leech seemed to be acting out his whole exposition, as if he were on stage giving a performance. "I leech off of other's nutrients, I steal other's abilities. Well maybe not steal, more like, copy and transfer. But you get my point. And you wanna know the best part? The more I consume, the stronger I get!" 

"Um... okay. Good to know." Ashley tried to play everything off cool, but internally she was dying. "How did you end up down here anyway?"

"Sorry kids, but I'm feeling a bit drowsy after that meal. Cracking open a few skulls really wears you out! I'm just gonna take a quick nap and rest up. Not like you'll be leaving anytime soon." Leech curled up on the ground and began to snore. The girls both breathed a sigh of relief. They turned to each other and began to panic whisper. 

"What are we going to do?" Asked Sayori.

"I don't know. Did we just make him stronger? What is he going to do to us once he wakes up?" Ashley asked back. But like clockwork, an iron ladder began to descend from the hole, their own little Deus ex machina. A voice called out from above. 

"Sayori, Ashley? We're coming to save you guys!" 

"Shhhhhh!" Ashley hushed. "Just make it quick. And be quiet!" Leech began to toss and turn, and Ashley covered her mouth. Soon enough the ladder made touch down, and Yuri climbed down.

"Yuri? What are you doing down here? We have to go!" Sayori panicked. 

"Would you relax? I told you we're to save you."

"And keep your voice down!" Ashley pleaded. 

"You too? Seriously, what's gotten into you guys? Nothing's even down here."

"Are you serious?! Do you not see the-" Ashley cut herself off, as she looked to her horror to see that Leech was nowhere to be seen. She trembled as she pointed at the iron bars. Now realizing their situation, Sayori too began to panic, causing Yuri to further become frustrated and confused. She walked over to inspect the iron bars. 

"What? There's nothing here!" She turned her back to face the other girls... "You two are completely alone!" Not noticing Leech standing right behind her...

"Oh, I wouldn't say completely alone." Yuri gasped, but before she could react Leech's tail wrapped firmly around her neck. "You know girls, I have to thank you for all you've done for me. But all things considered, I still feel a bit peckish!" Leech slammed Yuri against the bars, knocking her unconscious. He let her go and her body slid down to the ground. Ashley and Sayori began to cry and frantically tried to scramble up the ladder.

"Please god help us!" Screamed Ashley.

"He's going to kill and eat us too!" Shrieked Sayori. Leech bent down and made a small incision on Yuri's ankle. A tiny droplet of blood trickled out, which was scraped up and licked off by Leech. 

"Ah, delectable." The two girls managed to climb up the later to safety, however Uraraka from class 1-A decided to descend back down. She needed to grab Yuri, using her zero-gravity power she could easily pull her up to the surface. She climbed down and immediately got to work. She picked Yuri up and made her weightless.

"Don't worry, I've got you." However, she looked up to see Leech, grinning devilishly at her. He had his arm and hand outstretched, and a small pink cluster of energy in his palm.

"Hello." He said cheerfully. She gasped and braced herself. A massive blast of energy shook the earth. The hole was expanded into a grand crater. Dust and dirt filled the air, along with pulverized stone. No one could see what was happening. Nobody was entirely sure what was happening. The only thing they were all sure of, was that whatever was down there was now free.