A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 4: The Voice

Randel prodded one of the roses on the bush next to him. It had been a few minutes since Ringo lest, and Randel's had since then calmed a little.

Maybe, it was just a nightmare after all. 

Randel sighed as he laid back on the ground, staring at the sky as he forced the memories of the dream out of his mind for now.

"I really need to stop worrying."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Randel sat up instantly, eyes opening wide as its voice echoed through his head.

"W-wha... where are you?"

The creature seemed to sigh.

"I'm not around you. I'm in your head. And, just to let you know, I'm getting stronger."

"Y-you're not real."

Randel breathed deeply, starting to feel a weight form in his mind.

"I'm not going to attach myself to you, but I suppose that I should make you think twice about seeing our conversation last night as nothing more but a figment of your own imagination."

Gulping, Randel slowly laid back down again, placing his hands on his stomach.

"I just love how they're all telling you not to worry about me, especially that Ringo," the creature's voice said again.

The mention of the Beatle made Randel tense up for a moment.

"What are you going to d-do?" He asked, trying to sound brave.

It laughed.

"You'll see. But... There is something I'd like to talk to you about."

"You're not g-going to Ringo as well."

The creature chuckled, and it made Randel shiver.

"I wasn't going to do that anyway. Now, I am actually curious about you two, I'll say that. You're a couple now, huh?"

Randel blushed lightly.

"W-what are you implying?"

"Oh, I just think that it is... rather very embarrassing if you ask me."

The creature made a sound in disgust.

"I can't stand to think about it. Love is nothing more than foolish pride, and it makes me sick."

Randel glared up at the sky, not focusing on anything but the voice echoing through his head.

"You shut up."

"Oh, did I anger you?"

Randel grunted.

"Just shut up and leave me already."

"So, you don't want me to... tell you when I'm coming back?"

That statement made Randel take in a breath.

"W-when... when are..."

"I'm not telling you. But, once I do get my body back and... change it, chances are..."

There was a pause.

"Pepperland won't even be here anymore."

That made Randel's heart drop into his stomach.

"You get away from here."

It laughed again.

"I'm not going away, Randel. I'm not letting this chance of revenge slip through my hands so easily."

Randel sighed heavily.

"Anyway, " the creature started, "I have to get going now. It's not going to be long before I gather enough energy to fully rebuild myself."

The laugh that followed  was cold.

"I look forward to meeting you again."

And just like that, the weight that was forming in Randel's mind faded away completely.

It was silent again.

Randel sat up, breath light as he ran over the conversation in his mind, trying to comprehend it. 

This was for real now.

But, how would he tell anyone about it?

They would just think that all the worrying and fear was making Randel crazy. Who would believe that the creature had talked to him?

He wasn't even sure if Ringo would believe him.

"Okay, c-calm down, everything's s-still fine..."

Randel sat up and looked around, only to see nothing out of the ordinary for Pepperland. Though, given what had just happened, Randel found himself appreciating so many details about it.

"Oh, may god have mercy on us all..." he said quietly as he laid down in his back.

The creature could return at any time, and when it did, Randel could only guess as to what it was going to do.

He gulped again, hands shaking.

Randel tried to think about other things, but no matter how hard he tried, the thought of the creature kept it's place in the front of his mind.

It was only when he saw Ringo walking up to him that he felt himself calm down.

"Oh, You're back," Randel said as he got up on his feet.

"You feeling better?" Ringo asked in a caring voice.

Randel lied.

"Yes."

 He took in a breath.

"So... where are we going now?"

"Well, my friends and I were thinking about going to the bandstand on the hill with you. I mean, i would think that you're interested in playing some instruments, right?"

The question made Randel momentarily forget about his troubles.

"Why yes. That sounds nice."

The pair began to walk together to the hill that the bandstand stood on.

Randel could not stop himself from looking around nervously. Even now, right next to Ringo, the thoughts of the creature reappeared in his mind.

It could come back at any moment.

Sighing, Randel focused in front of him as he saw John, Paul, and George all come into view.

There was no way that it could return so soon.

Right?