Again armed with the knives strapped underneath his coat, Respin went the next night as promised to Serfin’s home. During the past forty-eight hours he had pondered about everything. In the end, he had decided to partake in this revenge plan of Serfin’s. He didn’t doubt that his new friend would gladly kill Amaris’ murderer or die trying. So, he needed to be there to save Serfin if the need arose but there were still those nagging thoughts. And you of all people think you can save him, they mocked. You’re just a curiosity. Nothing more than a walking joke. All you can do is roll over and die. After all, you couldn't save Amaris.

He and Amaris had since the earliest days the idea to try everything they could to sort out all differences just by talking. If there were conflicts, it seemed to be the wised of actions to talk. At least Amaris always managed to speak others down, when they tried to harm Respin. Yet his sixth-sense told him all words in the world to be in vain against those who kill for joy. Besides, it would not bring Amaris back.

—

Once he was almost past the last building of the settlement, his cottage belonged to he was stopped by Felder. The strange look on the older Menkar's face didn’t bode well.

„There you are!” Felder said breathless. „I need your help.”

„I'm sorry but I've no time at the moment,” he replied but trailed off once he noticed the others worried expression.

„It's about my Shellturtle,” he continued as if Respin hadn’t said anything. „It's sick.”

„Sick? What does it have?”, he asked alarmed.

„I don't know, that's why I'm asking for your help, idiot!”

For a few moments he considered his next steps. Serfin doesn’t live that far off and I’ve still plenty of time. If this doesn't take long, that is. But then again I could never live with myself if this small turtle dies. Besides, I can now finally take a look at it's patter…

„I'm going with you but I don’t have much time,” he told Felder.

„It won’t take long, I’ll promise,“ he replied with a strange triumphant smile.

—

The way Felder took Respin along was longer than he anticipated. Respin had always thought that Felder would live close by in one of the bigger housings. But he seemed keen on leading him a good distance away from the last habituated buildings of the settlement.

„Where are you taking me?”, Respin asked somewhat concerned. „I’ve thought you live in one of the better housing-complexes.”

„I do live in a better housing-complex!”, Felder replied accusatory. „Way better than your shabby cottage 'n that's why I take you here.”

„Do they not allow pets in the housings?”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

„So to speak…”, he replied and stopped in front of one of the many decrepit buildings, left behind by older generations.

The building was an ancient housing-complex, build in a style probably older than the current Empress. The placement of the windows as well as the colour flacking off it created an unsettling feeling. To add to the awfulness there was also a garbage heap next to the building. It seemed to house plenty of vermin, which gave Respin unpleasant flashbacks.

Felder moved on but Respin hesitated. His sixth-sense was tingling. It told him that there was something off. That there was something in this decrepit building, which meant harm to him. But he ignored the warning. He reasoned it had something to do with the building being abandoned and in a bad state of repair. And there were also his memories of those giant garbage lizards, that had once invaded his home despite Respin keeping it clean.

„What’s the hold up, Smoothy?“ asked Felder annoyed and turned around.

„This isn't a good place to keep a Shellturtle,” Respin said meekly. „Their shells can be easily damaged by falling debris.”

„But this was the only option for me to keep it,” Felder said and moved right behind Respin. A moment later he placed his knobby fingers on Respin’s thin shoulders. „Wouldn't want it to be eaten, now would I?” he whispered to him.

„I… I don't think so,” stammered Respin.

„Than what about the hold up? I've been in and out countless times 'n nothing ever happened.”

Respin swallowed hard and took a deep breath. There was no time to waste, considering the Shellturtle’s health and his meeting with Serfin. So, he went right in with Felder following close behind.

They walked for a few minutes through the dark building and although Respin could see just as well in the dark as any other Menkar, he wished for a flashlight. But Felder seemed keen on not wasting anymore time and pushed him forward without allowing much of a conversation to take place.

Dark corridors entwined with broken staircases and empty elevator shafts. The smell of dust and some fungi growing in the less savoury corners of some rooms made Respin sick. This was no place for a Menkar let alone a Shellturtle.

He's running you in circles, Respin's sixth-sense whispered, while Felder pulled him through room after corridor after room. Finally, they reached the room the Shellturtle was in according to Felder.

This is a trap!, his sixth-sense hissed. As far as Respin could tell, there was no movement whatsoever in this room. The only thing alive were Felder, him and the fungi that emitted a soft blue glow that made varying darker instead of brighter.

„Where is it?”, he asked thin-voiced.

„Huh?” grunted Felder and cleared his throat afterwards. „Oh, yeah. The Shellturtle's over there, in that corner. Go ahead. Have a look.”

„I… I don't feel so well…”

„What now? Afraid the ceiling falls on your smooth head, huh?”

Respin turned around. Not only to face Felder but also to run. But a second after he had turned a blinding light pierced his eyes. Groaning in pain Respin raised his arms but a heartbeat later he was thrown to the ground. He tried to fight Felder off but the other Menkar was much stronger than him.

Suddenly, an old rag was pressed against his mouth and nose. The sweet smell of Fluxberries invaded his nose and made him gasp in panic.

„You won't die from that,” Felder explained, his grinning face right above Respin's. „Fluxberry juice mixed with two-thirds of water merely knocks you out for a bit.”

Upon his words Respin felt already his conscious slip away. The last thing he saw was Felder’s malicious grin.

—

Serfin looked out of one of the cleaner window of his cottage. He had heard from Amaris that Respin was always punctual and most often very early if they agreed to meet. But now the small, frail-looking hornless Menkar was running awfully late. The day before they had agreed to meet before the moon would rise. Yet the horizon was already glowing in a faint blue shine.

Frowning Serfin decided to give Respin another fifteen minutes, then he would go and look for him. And, somehow despite the odds or rather because of them, he knew exactly where he would have to go first.