The Skeleton in my Closet: a Grian VS NPC Grian Fanfiction

Chapter 18, Mumbo

"It'll be okay, I promise."

Grian took a breath and left the room. I had a sick feeling in my stomach looking at... the other Grian. NPC Grian.

I decided to follow Scar, who went into the kitchen.

"Hey Mumbo. Do you remember how to make healing potions? Grian needs one."

"Yeah. I'll... I'll help you make some."

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After drinking the potion, Grian raced about like a madman, going to and fro with redstone components and wiring, bits and bobs, and pieces of who knows what. He was focused. Determined.

After a while of racing around, he finally stopped.

"Mumbo, I'm going to need your help with this next bit. Can you please ask NPC Grian to join us in the basement?"

At the mention of his name, my stomach turned a little.

"Y.. yes Grian."

I shuffled into the living room, where NPC Grian still sat. He seemed nervous, and even more so once he noticed me.

"Is it... time?"

"I guess so... Grian wants us in the basement."

NPC Grian took a deep breath. Now he seemed more than nervous. Scared maybe. He wobbled slightly as he stood up, and followed me to the basement.

Inside was a massive array of wiring and tubing, lining the walls and covering the floor. Most of which was attached to something lying on one of the two tables in the center of the room. I couldn't quite tell what it was.

Grian looked at NPC and nodded. NPC took another breath and stepped over to the second table. Laying down upon it, he closed his eyes.

Grian scooped up an armful of the dangling cables and hustled over to the second table. I shuffled up next to him, and saw he'd begun peeling back the artificial skin on NPC's scalp. Underneath was a switch and a capsule, both coated in fluids that somewhat resembled blood.

Grian took a breath. "Are you ready, NPC?"

"Do what you must," NPC shuddered. "Just... Don't let him forget me."

A single tear slid down Grian's cheek, and without wiping it away he flicked the switch. NPC immediately froze, his chest no longer gently rising and falling with his breath.

Grian twisted open the capsule, and pulled out NPC's motherboard. He set it aside on a workbench, and started attaching the cables to the inside of NPC's head.

I immediately became transfixed on the motherboard. It was rectangular, made up of square segments, each attached by a silver tube. It looked so... fragile.

How easy it'd be, to just... get rid of it. He's so vulnerable, like I was....

I felt a pool of rage filling within me, and I reached for a nearby mallet. The weight of the tool felt good in my hands as I raised it above my head.