Once Human

Only The Truth

So. It's been a rough, sleepless night and a long, boring morning, so I decided "what the hay? I'll go for a walk." How could I go from a simple walk, to the alley behind Nautical Diner, getting yelled at by Mike, who pinned me against the wall? Simple.

Mike: You KNOW these could potentially kill you, right?

Me: It was only one. Besides, let me state facts. One of them shortens life spans by 15 minutes, but a mile of walking gains 20 minutes. Technically, I'm gaining 5 minutes of life.

Mike: Still, it's not alright to smoke these. You know what this could cause.

Me: Cancer? Please. Mother died to it. I'm not going to relive the pain.

He shoved me down to the ground and walked over to the door to the Diner's kitchen.

Mike: No wonder mom thought you were a disgrace.

Me: Mike, Wait.

He didn't listen. He just shoved open the door and stepped in, slamming the door behind him.

Me: Dumbass.

I picked myself up off the ground and brushed myself off.

Me(mumbling): Call me a f***ing disgrace again, I'll shove my tail so far down your throat, it'll come out your a$$. Or the other way around. I think I'll just leave.

I was thinking about leaving until I realized what Mike had said.

Me: Wait. How did he know mom thought I was a disgrace? How did my mom even feel that way? The f**k is going on right now?

???: Everything, dear boy.

I spun around and saw Infinite, looming not a few feet away from me.

Infinite: Told you the truth. Ask the girl, now.

Me: No. I already know.

Infinite: The pain you feel will only be stronger if you don't know the real truth.

Me: Fine. You win.

I turned away from him and headed from the alley back to Meggy's apartment, where I shoved open the door and walked over to the fridge. I pulled open the door and stared at what food we had left.

Me: I think I'll pass.

I shut the door and pulled my tail around me. I tried braiding it like a noose, but I barely had any luck with it. The closest I got wasn't even close to the real thing. Just a frayed knot.

Me: I tried to string a noose for some reason. A-Frayed-Knot (chuckling).

Meggy: You really are something else.

I turned to face her. She had a serious case of bedhead. No joke, I could see individual strands of her tentacles sticking up on end.

Me: You had a bad night, haven't you?

Meggy: Don't blame me. A lot has been going on with everything, and the construction outside is killing me slowly.

Me: That makes two of us.

Meggy: Why is your tail knotted like that?

Me: Oh, this?

I showed her my failed noose.

Me: It's a frayed knot.

Meggy: Why were you twisting your tail into a knot?

Me: I wanted to?

Meggy: You don't sound to certain.

Me: Alright. I just want to talk.

Meggy: About What?

Me: Well... it's tough for me to explain. Infinite showed me something I wanted to bring up. Didn't you hang out with Mario and your other friends a while back?

Meggy: That was about three weeks ago. Why?

I undid the knot in my tail.

Me: Well, he showed me you four... discussing about me. It was harsh comments. Only your one friend wanted to give me a chance. The rest of y'all were just saying shit close to how much a disgrace I was. You know that, right?

Meggy: Three weeks is not today, Orange.

Me: I just want to know. Did you say all that?

Meggy: Why are you asking?

Me: I want to know.

She walked over to the cabinets and fished through them for something.

Meggy: Mario said any time he'd see you, he'd kill you,

Me: True. But what you said. Did you say that?

Meggy: This isn't up for debate. I just woke up, and I'm deadbeat tired.

Me: Give me an answer.

Meggy: You wouldn't care what happens.

Me: Just tell me. NOW!

Meggy: WHY WOULD YOU CARE?!?

Me: Meggy. I'd like to know. Is. It. True?

Meggy quickly turned to face me, knife in hand and fire in her eyes.

Meggy: Is it true? Yes. It is. You really ARE a disgrace to society. Everyone hides it from you, because they know what you can do.

I could feel tears in my eyes.

Me: So, it really is about me. I just thought I was a hero. I really did. Now, that you admitted to your harsh words about me, I now know what needs to be done.

Meggy: Was I a good friend?

Me: You worry about that? Of course you were. Not only my friend, but my girlfriend. Two months ago, we first met. After all we've been through, I guess this is it.

Meggy: Honestly, everywhere we went, I had fun. The pier, the Canyon, Even annoying Mike at the Diner. It was all fun.

I smiled as I remembered those times.

Me: Yeah. They were fun. Too bad they ended so soon. Like this, right now. Drop the knife, and I'll burn in Hell.

Meggy: Wh-What?

Me: Nobody wants me here anymore. You said your part, now I say mine, I'm nothing to anyone. I'm just... all alone. I mean nothing to anyone who knows me. I'm only a monster.

Meggy: No, you're not.

She dropped the knife and kicked it away.

Me: Yes. I'm sorry, but I truly am a monster.

Meggy: You're not even CLOSE to that.

Me: And how do you presume that?

Meggy: You saved me from that guy, saved Callie from Octavio, and you quite possibly saved the ENTIRE WORLD from Infinite.

Me: And yet I'm not known by many.

Meggy: You don't need to be popular to be happy. Trust me. I know how it feels.

Me: Please. Let me think for a minute or two. I just need some time to recollect my thoughts.

Meggy: I can give you that. Take as much time as you need. Head out for a walk. Some fresh air might help.

I wiped my tears and hugged her.

Me: Thanks. Really.

Meggy: You're welcome.

I released her from my grasp and headed outside, passed the construction site, and out to the alleyways.