Somewhere to Belong

Interesting Encounters

As the evening breeze blew through the sleepy streets of Toon Town, every now and then a car zoom passed. Morning birds tweeted as they flew overhead unaware of the darkness that loomed down below. Through a maze of dark alleyways and dead-end streets Pete and a few of his hired goons stalked the morning streets darting in and out of alleys as they passed under streetlights. Above them the city began to stir as the evening moon disappeared below the horizon as the bright morning sun rose to take its place. In the distance a train rumbled by as the small group of gangsters reached the border of the large man’s turf. Puffing on a cigar Pete blew out grey smoke as he rounded a corner only to stop as a loud noise caught his attention.

CLANG!!!!!

“What is it boss?” Questioned a young goon of lizard-like appearance, Pete narrowed his eyes as he pushed the young man forward unaware of another presence lurking in the shadows.

“There was a sound in that alleyway go check it out or I’ll have yer head.”

“Y-Yes sir!” Scampering off toward the alleyway lizard-like goon cautiously examined the area, his tail whipping around behind him. With a sigh of relief he turned toward his boss and shook his head indicating that it was all clear....or so he thought...

“There’s nothing he-AAAAAHHHHH!!!!” The young man was caught in mid-sentence as an inky creature swallowed him from the shadows, shaking in fear the others turn to run but Pete was going to have none of that.

“Get in there ya cowards!” The large man exclaimed pushing the rest of his little group toward the noises as he took a few steps back. Quaking the men swallowed their fear and charged forward only to meet the same fate as their other goon. After a few minutes the gargles screams go silent as a dripping shadowy figure with red eyes took a step closer to the nervous boss. With each stop Pete could hear the sloshing of ink as little black puddles were left behind, taking a step back the cat’s eyes widened as he scanned the area only to see what used to be his men now laying in melted mounds on the pavement. Swallowing his cowardice the large man held his ground as he and the inky toon locked eyes.

“What do ya want punk?” Swishing the cigar in his mouth Pete tried to stay strong but yielded when the melty creature spoke.

“Such a shame that you don’t recognize your business partner Pete.” His voice like nails on a chalkboard, Pete’s eye twitched for a second as he rubbed his ear shaking his head.

“Ain’t never seen ya before mister. Now out of my way I got someplace to be.” The creature’s eyes glowed for just a second causing the cat to stand frozen in fear as the toon came closer.

“I’m afraid you’re going to be missing that appointment.” As the toon began to laugh he extended out his ‘hand’ touching the gangster’s shoulder as toxic ink poured from his touch. Pete could only watch in horror as his body began to twist and melt under the tainted man’s touch. As he crumpled to the ground clutching his sides, the large man could only wail in pain and torment as his once solid body melted away into a mass of bones and tainted ink. With large eyes he peered up at the figure as he thought that he would surely die, but the toon only laughed before disappearing into the darkness. Gasping for air Pete looked upon his mangled body in horror as he was left with a fate worse than death he was still alive but barely, standing up he perked at the sound of a toon walking by. Unaware of the dangers that lurked the large man realized that he needed something to sustain his new form with, something solid...pure...he needed ink....

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Tape off the area! Clear the crime scene!” As the bright sun rose high into the early afternoon, yellow caution tape and red and blue lights were everywhere. Sirens rang through the air as a sleek white police car pulled up to the scene, bright red writing along the sides of the car reading “Toon Town Police Department.” As the car stopped and a young angel stepped out of the car, his six wings tucked neatly against his back as his onyx black eyes scanning the scene for anything suspicious as his fellow police officers darted around the scene.