Tales Untold

The Disappearing Act 18

Adrien

He stumbled into the back room, closing the door behind him.

"Spots off."

Tiki appeared before him, and he ran a hand through his hair.

"Eat something."

"What are you going to do?"

"Switch out." He admitted, tossing a slice of cheese into the air.

His kwami was there in seconds, catching the treat before it could hit the floor. He was starting to feel hungry himself, despite the nauseating scene he had just witnessed.

"I need to speak to you and Marinette tonight." Tiki sighed, finishing her cookie.

"Do you know what's going on?"

"I'm starting to."

She frowned, and it made him sick with worry. She didn't seem too happy to have figured it out.

"Claws out. Tiki, I need you on standby."

She gave an affirmative nod, and he paced back into the bakery. The creature was still scarfing down whatever it could, eating bits of glass it had scattered across the pastries without a care, much like Marinette had. He shuddered once more, glancing through the display. One untouched cake caught his attention, left sitting alone in the corner. He made his way to it, gingerly picking up the cake stand. He turned, face to chest with Tom. He swallowed, slowly looking up at the man.

"Tom... step aside."

He didn't answer, staring down at the cake. Adrien shifted uncomfortably, his hand slowly drawing his baton from his waist.

"I know you're hungry. But I need this. Move."

He started to reach forward, and regretfully he swung his baton. It struck Tom's side, slinging him into the back wall of the bakery. He turned towards the creature, waving the cake slightly near it to get it's attention.

"Hungry, right?"

The creature slowly stood, and Adrien could have puked at the food that was smeared across it's face and chest.

"That's it. You want this right?"

He was suddenly thrown off balance as someone slammed into his back, their legs wrapping around his waist and one arm dug into his throat. Their other hand reached forward, trying to grab at the cake. He awkwardly stretched, trying to keep it balanced.

"Get off!"

It was like having to deal with zombies. Ravenous, hungry zombies.

"It's mine!"

He turned his head at her voice, flinching as he saw Marinette. Luka wasn't far behind, blood dripping from his lip. He didn't remember busting his lip. He tried to pull her off of him, but she clung to him hard, and it slipped from his fingers. The cake stand shattered, the cake becoming nothing but a mashed mess. Marinette leapt off of him, diving toward the pile. He yanked her back, glaring at Luka.

"She bit me!" He snapped defensively, and Adrien tossed her towards him.

Luka wrapped his arms around her tightly while she kicked and screamed. The creature was in front of the pile, shoving greedy handfuls into its mouth. He simply didn't have a choice. He readied his baton, slowly kneeling in front of the creature. It snapped jaws towards him threateningly, and he waited. Upon realizing he wasn't after the cake, the creature continued it's ravenous eating. He timed it as best he could, suddenly shoving his fist forward as the thing had opened it's jaw wide to cram in more. It started to snap it's mouth shut, teeth digging in painfully as he pressed the button. The baton extended, relieving the pressure. The creature choked on a cry, flailing it's arms desperately towards him. He let go of the baton, closing his eyes as he shoved his hand farther into its mouth. He hated these things. His hand hit something hard, and he grabbed it, pulling it from the creatures throat. The diamond was filthy, covered in God knows what. He threw it on the ground, his foot hovering over it.