Lost In Lucidity

Penicillin and Oxy

"Wes, I just told you that I can't do that."

"Why are you so loyal to her, Val? She's the way she is because of her own actions; you shouldn't be responsible for putting up with her shit and cleaning up her messes."

Kaphila, Six, Val and I sit hunched around the computer, watching as the recording from the helmets plays. We had set the devices off to our sides while we ate, framing the shot almost perfectly to capture our fight like some sort of drama show. I squirm in shame, glancing over to Val to see that she's doing the same. Six notices our discomfort and turns the volume down so we can just watch instead. The scene continues to play out, showing only our violent gestures and expressions as the two of us bicker back and forth. Even with no sound, I can tell exactly what we're saying, the words gnawing at my brain like a hungry worm. I try hard to not let them replay, but the highlights shine through all my barriers.

'She's my mom, Wes, I can't just give up on her.'

'I gave up on my dad, and it was the best feeling of my life.'

As the feed plays on, I study the background carefully. The two of us were snuck up on, and with only one entrance into the room, I want to know what point Mason's group found us at.

'Just talk to me! You can tell me things because I'm your friend!'

'No, I can't! Because you don't like being around me when I'm sad!'

The doorway behind us was open a crack to hear if anything tried to come for us, but I can't see anything beyond moving on the feed. It should be any moment now.

'You didn't talk to us for years, and once all of this happens, that's when you're our best friend again? Cause we can help you get stuff?'

I remember the hurt in Val's eyes and wince, 'you've been holding that in for all this time? All these years and you've thought that of me?'

Suddenly, in the bushes of sundance behind us, I see them rustle. It's not moving like any sort of breeze would cause it to, it's moving like something is inside. I watch as whatever it is scurries up through the ivy on the wall and disappears above somewhere. Another spot rustles its way over by the door. It seems so obvious in the video, how on earth had we not noticed?

'I'm glad you got that off your chest. I'm sorry I'm such a failure of a friend to you.'

'Val wait—'

'For the record, I never minded being around you when you're sad. I don't think you like to be around yourself when you're sad. And if you don't figure that out, it's going to kill you. It already almost did.'

The four of us jump as Val turns to leave in the video. From the fauna next to her, one of the petal sheets erupts from the roses like an explosion and pounces onto her face. Six cranks the volume back up for us to hear, and I reach down to the wide-eyed Lyle hugging my side to cover his ears and shield his eyes. Val screams in surprise as the beast wraps her face like mummy, turning it muffled and choked. She claws and fights but it's useless with how off guard she's caught. She tumbles to the floor as we see the creature constrict her flow of oxygen.

"Val!" I yell as I rush forward to help. I don't even finish my first step before another blanket drops from the ceiling and encompasses me as well.

Just like Val, I don't last long before I'm on the ground, kicking and thrashing and clawing for my life. After barely a minute, Val stops moving, and soon after, myself, the two of us splayed out unconscious on the floor. Seizing the opportunity, the creatures adjust on our faces before worming their way into our throats. I can sense the absolute shock from Six and Dr. Kaphila as they stare, processing what it is that they just witnessed. Once the captain has collected herself, she moves the mouse to the scroll bar and gradually begins skipping through the time stamps.