The Surviving Few - A DANDY'S WORLD FANFICTION

Chapter 2 - I'll Miss You Forever

It isn't fair. The elevator creaked, and I held Boxten tighter. I'm scared, to say the least and I know he is too. I'm not so bubbly anymore.

"Is everyone ready for the next floor?" Vee was centered in the middle of the elevator, talking with her leader's voice.

I wanted to protest, to lash out. Why do you want us to go back there? To continue? We've lost so much it really can't be worth it. Still those words sat at the bottom of my throat. I just held Boxten and tried to stop my claws from shaking.

"Vee are you sure we should continue? I think it would be better if we went back up to the surface.. we've found a lot of resources and.. I think we'll have enough food for another day or so."

Shelly had stepped up, something she didn't do often. She had a way with words, and a bravery I wished I had. I gave her a grateful smile.

She glanced back at me and smiled back. It was especially good because Shelly could convince Vee of almost anything.

Vee gave a sigh of reproach. "I suppose you're right Shelly.."

Vee always had to come on these trips because she could reverse the elevator's trajectory. She knew her way around the electronics of the crate, and as she unscrewed panels I watched from afar.

I was still cradling Boxten. He had relaxed in my arms, so I'm glad he found it as therapeutic as I do.

"Hey Boxten.."

"Huh-"

He looked up as if broken out of a trance.

"Will you help me? When we go back up.. there.. I want to.. do another.. uhm.. ceremony. To remember him.."

I know. No one liked Shrimpo. Back when things were.. normal he was always stirring up trouble. He was irritating.. frustrating and.. confusing.

But I.. liked him. He saw me. Somehow no one else saw me like he did.

The memories resurfaced.

"I HATE YOU GOOB." He had been having an especially rough fit that day. "Huh- Me? What'd I do?"

"YOU'RE TOO NICE. I HATE NICE THINGS."

"But- why?" At the time I was confused.

"YOU TRY TOO HARD GOOB. BEING NICE GETS YOU NOWHERE. BE MEAN LIKE ME."

He seemed almost upset but.. as he continued.

"WHEN YOU'RE NICE EVERYONE WALKS ALL OVER YOU. DON'T LET THEM DO THAT. I HATE WHEN PEOPLE WALK."

Through his confusing speech I figured out what he meant. "Wait.. you want me to be- to stand up for myself?"

"I HATE PUSHOVERS. BUT I ALSO HATE PUSHERS. PUSH BACK GOOB."

He was. Giving me advice that day. Advice that no one else had given me. I decided I would stick around.

Day after day we spoke. No one else willingly talked to Shrimpo. Just me. We were friends, I think.

"GOOB."

"Shrimpo!"

"YOU'RE TOO FLUFFY. SHAVE IT OFF."

I giggled. "Why would I do that?"

"BECAUSE. I DON'T LIKE IT."

For a moment I considered actually doing it. I thought it would be funny so I did it. I shaved some of my fur. The next day I went to Shrimpo with a big grin. "Ohhhh Shrimpo!"

"WHAT-" He turned to me, and then something strange happened. His expression was confused then, upset, but not in his typical way.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT." He sounded almost distressed. His bravado had melted into panic..?