A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 9: Newfound Hobby

Randel's hand rested on the bottom of the unglazed window, a cool breeze blowing inward from it as he viewed the blackness that covered most of Pepperland.

He had been in the bandstand for an hour now, and he still didn't feel like coming out.

"What do we do now?" He asked himself quietly, barely being able to spot the creature, which was floating above the liquid some distance away.

Randel's gaze focused on it, seeing just how much it looked like himself.

It was only when it waved back at him that he took a step back.

"It... Ugh, whatever..."

Sighing heavily, Randel stepped away from the unglazed window and sat down up against the wall, being able to hear the crashing of the small waves of goo outside.

It didn't sound very threatening, but Randel knew better.

Randel's gaze fell on the few instruments that were strewn about the area in front of him, along with Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band's uniforms, but he didn't focus on them for long.

A single small drum with its drumsticks resting on top of it sat a few feet away from him, and he simply stared at it.

Ringo loved to play the drums.

Randel hadn't ever thought about playing them for himself. In fact, he never even thought about spending his time playing an instrument.

He sighed.

"It's just too bad that... that I have to do this under... these circumstances."

Reaching forward, Randel pulled the drum towards him and studied it.

It was a dark shade of red, both of its flat sides white.

Glancing up to make sure that no one was coming into the bandstand, Randel picked up the drumsticks, placing one on the ground as he held the other.

Randel brought the stick down on the white surface of the drum, and the sound produced made him tilt his head in curiosity.

He quickly tapped the top of the drum with the stick this time, and the sound that accompanied it was different from the first hit.

Humming, Randel placed the drumstick on the ground and rested his hand on the drum.

"I guess... It can be done like this too, right?"

He brought his hand down lightly on the white surface, the musical sound still resonating from it.

Randel sighed, rhythmically tapping on the drum as he looked around.

It was rather calming.

He closed his eyes and just focused his hearing on the rhythmic beats, trying to forget what had happened earlier. However, not even this could soothe him completely.

Pepperland was still in trouble, along with both Randel himself and all who were outside.

Out of all of them, Ringo was the one that he was the most worried about.

Randel was willing to do anything if it meant that he would be spared from this, but he knew that the creature wasn't intent on doing that. 

It did not care who fell victim to the liquid. At least, that's what Randel wanted to believe.

What if it was waiting for him and Ringo to...

The very thought made Randel freeze up, stopping the beats as his eyes shot open.

There had to be a reason why a giant wave hadn't come crashing down on them yet.

It was playing with them.

Letting out a loud sigh, Randel tood up and looked out the unglazed window again, listening to the waves that crashed down on themselves before they really had the time to form.

The creature was still in its previous spot, and it once again waved at Randel, and, even though he couldn't make it out, he was sure that it smirked at him.

Randel tore his eyes away from it, not willing to look at the creature.

Instead, he focused on the ocean of ooze in the distance, seeing how the grass underneath it was still as green as ever.

He sighed, looking at the inky blackness that was slowly taking over Pepperland. 

Randel shook his head.

They wouldn't be safe forever, Randel knew it to be true.

Drumming could only keep him focused and calm for so long.