Chapter 82
Myrrdin? What happened? Are you
I ended the call with Sara.
There were no easy answers to the questions.
Only suspicions, all of them too horrible to voice. The underside of my jaw tingled as I struggled to keep myself from vomiting, eyes still glued to the spot my foot had impacted the ground. Beneath my boot was a piece of dark red tissue that was stretched to the point of tearing. A mix of yellow-black liquid pooled under my foot. Almost camouflaged by the red lighting, a thin veneer of pink-and-red flesh extended outward. It cut off with a horizontal abruptness at what, I assumed, was the region barrier. From there, it expanded outward into the region.
I recalled my bike into my inventory, and cautiously placed my other foot down, fully prepared to throw myself back through the barrier if it did something I didnt like. The pink flesh retreated with a gurgling slide, unrooting itself and revealing asphalt beneath.
I took another step, then another. The flesh skirted away from me as I walked into the district, forming a perfect circle around my feet.
My armor has Eldritch resistance. Its being repelled because its Eldritch.
The feeling of wrongness was overwhelming. I passed what was once a metal city bench that was now dripping, four flesh medallions hanging from thin ropes of skin, the skin itself petechial, marred with stretch marks and abrasions. I found myself fighting to avoid mentally calculating the logistics of it. On the ground next to the bench, a simple blue pacifier lay lopsided, partially immersed in the flesh layer of ground.
Beyond it was a trail of clothes that were strewn about, as if the previous wearers had simply disappeared.
My mind struggled to connect the two scenesthe small city block Id ridden my bike through countless times, and the twisted hellscape before me. The two images didnt connect. I knew that there was a little Mexican place with a car theme on the corner, but the flesh covered even what remained of the sign.
When Dad was alive, wed eat lunch there every Sunday, and go to Marble Slab for ice cream after.
There was a tiny playground, just a slide and a swing that Iris frequented after those outings, rushing to the slide the moment we emerged from the restaurant, trying to maximize the number of times she could go down it before it was time to leave.
I struggled to make sense of it in my mind.
This was supposed to be a correction. At some point, there was a lesson to be learned.
What the fuck was the lesson in this?
Movement.
I spun, searching for the source. Just down the street, an ankle-high wave of flesh rippled, and a metallic object reflecting light appeared at the top of the wave, landing flat. The wave came again, carrying the object another few inches along the ground and struggling to raise it up to the curb.
Keeping careful watch on my surroundings, I jogged towards it. The flesh became less reticent as I passed, more daring. As if cognizant of my destination, it began to raise before my feet, sizzling as it made contact, trying desperately to trip me.
It nearly succeeded more than once, my heightened Agility helping to restore my balance and keep me moving in the right direction.
The flesh around the object intertwined and transformed into a jointless finger, pushing the object up onto the curb. I intercepted it, recognizing the object before I grabbed it. It was smaller, less vibrant than the monster or User cores had been.
nove(l)bi(n.)com
I pressed a hand to my forehead and found the mask instead. I made a mistake, Kinsley. I thought I had it all worked out and handled. Then someone died.
The core you sent?
Yes.
Someone you cared about?
No. Then after a moment. Maybe. I dont know. It doesnt matter.
It wasnt your fault.
One of the cores came close, and I kicked it away, sending it skittering across the fleshy ground. I hated it when people said that. My voice was cold. Yes. It was. People like us dont get to make mistakes.
I could practically hear Kinsley throwing her arms into the air in frustration. Fine. How exactly does that translate to this?
For now, whatever happened to them is contained to the region, I said, tapping my fingers against the wall. The question is what happens after they fortify?
Best guess?
Whatevers happening here spreads to the surrounding regions. But
What if fortifying changed them back? Kinsley realized.
Exactly.
It took her a long time to respond. Meanwhile, I kicked away several cores and lux orbs, setting their progress back by minutes.
Matt. Listen to me. Im not there. I cant see it, I have no idea how bad it would be if whatevers happening there got out.
I know.
But I can tell you that I trust you. I trust your judgment. Maybe more now that I know youre human and dont always get it right.
I rolled my eyes. I thought you were getting antsy. And what you just said doesnt make any sense.
Trusting and wanting to not be left in the dark are two different things. But thats irrelevant right now. Go with your gut. WhatShit, Ive gotta go.
There was a beep indicating the voice communication had ended.
With Kinsley gone, I stared out at the wasteland of encroaching flesh.
And made the call.
