The Surviving Few - A DANDY'S WORLD FANFICTION

Chapter 1 - Sprout's Sorrow

Cosmo meandered about the room. I watched him from afar. It was Vee's idea to descend into the depths of Gardenview. The facility, once our home, was crumbling.

There he was, Cosmo. He had the same face, that tentative stride, but.. he was dead. It was like watching a rabid animal. Instead of foam, a foul black liquid fell from his lips. It made me sick.

"Sprout."

A hushed reminder broke me from my trance. Vee. She had crept behind me.

"Don't be fooled, Sprout. That isn't him."

I know that. I know that isn't Cosmo. Vee had decided to use her stern whisper on me. As if I were some child who needed guidance. I sighed wearily. As irritating as it was, it kept me in reality.

"Yeah. I know Vee. You don't have to tell me again."

My voice seeped with bitterness. I didn't mean for it to, but I couldn't stop it.

"Do you need any more food?" I asked this question quite a lot. As much as Vee was smart and well, egotistical, she was slow.

When she walked she left metallic footsteps behind her, and despite being an automaton, she seemed fatigued. She wasn't made for mobility. This led to frequent injury.

"Oh."

"Well?"

She wore a brief frown, averting her eyes.

"I suppose I could use a bite."

"Good."

I unpacked a morsel of bread from within my scarf. "Eat it. Please."

As Vee bit into the stale meal I went back to my gazing.

Cosmo.

I was pulled into a warm memory.

"Are you okay? You seemed to have dozed off?"

Cosmo was looking at me, his big eyes glittering with concern. I chuckled.

"Okay? Cosmo, look at yourself for a moment. Are YOU okay?"

He would roll his eyes. How many times had we had that conversation?

"I'm okay Sprout." He would respond with a laugh. I missed his laugh.

"Hey Sprout, do you know how to make meringue?"

He would talk often about baking. So much that whenever I saw a pastry I thought of him. It takes dedication to form such a strong association in someone else's mind.

"Of course I do Cosmo. It's not all that hard I can show you."

Cosmo had a habit of flapping his hands when he was excited. You could see it in his eyes, that vigor and energy.

I had raised my brow. "Let me guess. You want me to teach you now?"

"Yesaroo!"

I chuckled. "First you need egg whites," I would open the fridge, unloading the cartons. "Depends on how much you want to make."

I would instruct him, leading him step through step.

He waited eagerly, catching on quickly.

"Woah slow down- you don't want to beat the whites so fast."

I corrected and guided him. Commenting on his technique.

Finally the meringue was finished.

"Does it look alright?"

"Of course it does! Don't think it's even possible for you to mess up Cosmo."

It broke. That memory broke and I felt my skin tighten. Vee was gone, hiding behind a stack of crates. I turned around and- Cosmo- that thing was sprinting at me.