Children's books are really weird, man.

Like, they're all sunshine and butterflies, but when you look up the origins to what they're based off of, they're all death and darkness. Pinnochio, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid. What kinda sick twisted crackhead thought it'd be funny to traumatize kids like that? I get you're trying to "teach kids moral lessons", but like? I don't think I'd sleep too well at night knowing rats are gonna crawl outta my eyes if I don't eat my vegetables.

Sorry if this seems like a tangent.

It's just that Chewy and I were reading this picture book I found in the attic called Little Susie's Big Adventure. It was covered in crusted glitter and stains from age old baby food. Trust me, it looks like a waste of time, but...well, it is a waste of time. Truth be told, I had hoped that if I read through this, I'd be able to tap into some sort of past memory that could help me out here and ease my mind in the process, so it's a bit of a win-win, right?

"'One day, Little Susie went to the park. Little Susie was a shy and clumsy little girl that never knew how to take care of herself because she was oblivious to everything in the world!' Chewy, are you seein' what I'm seein'?" I looked down at the dusty chupacabra in my lap. "This don't sound too good right now, man."

As expected, he didn't answer. He just stared up at me with his black plastic eyes, giving me the same oblivious look that Little Susie had.

"Fine, then, be like that. 'Little Susie walked around the park, not paying attention to her surroundings and then she bumped into a big strange man. Little Susie's parents taught her not to talk to strangers, but she didn't listen to them. "I'm sorry, sir. My name is Little Susie!" she said, holding her hand out to the man so they could shake.' Hold up. Chewy, why would this stupid little girl introduce herself to a complete stranger? Scratch that, what is she doing at a park all alone? Susie, get outta there! It's a trap!"

Chewy fell onto the book.

"You probably want me to keep reading, huh? Pick yourself up and listen. 'The man turned around with a quick whoosh. He grabbed her by the neck and...' Chewy! What kinda kids' book is this?! '...and began to drag her away. "Help, help!" she screamed. Little Susie knew better not to talk to strangers. No one answered her call and she was never seen again. Now kids, this is why you don't talk to strangers. Always listen to your parents, stay in school, and never talk to strangers. The End.'"

See what I mean?!

Ugh, so much for unlocking past memories.

Chewy was still as silent as ever. I assumed he was probably still mad at me for accidentally dropping him when we got outta the attic. Well, at least he's here now. The void of loneliness that was gradually worsening inside of me was quelled by his plushy presence.

"Are you sure you're not a human, Chewy?" The soft material of his body felt like clouds between my claws. "'Cause you'd be a helluva lot easier to use for human contact."

Human contact...

I can't keep putting it off, can I?

It's only been an hour since I teleported out of the attic and sure, I found stuff to keep me busy and sure, I had some (emphasis on some) closure with Eliza, but my situation didn't seem to be getting any better. No good would come out of sitting around and wasting away either. I've never been someone people would call "a man of action." I was more of a go with the flow and see where life takes me kinda guy. If something didn't go my way, it just was what it was. No use in fighting against it.

Nothing like a literal demonic form to throw you into the fray, I guess.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

The sound of a broken clock hanging above the couch was the only thing keeping the house from being deadly silent as my mind wandered.

"Through human contact is the only way to end your contract."

What a lazily written phrase.

...um. No offense to Eliza if she wrote it or anything, but really? The answer is right there. Human contact. I've contacted humans, I've talked to humans, I've killed humans. Never said the contact had to be positive.

And about this contract.

"You think it's the monster form, Chewy?" I mumbled, holding him up in the moonlight. He didn't know. Of course. Turning around on the couch, the peeling old-timey wallpaper clouded my vision. I scratched my curse into the wall hoping to understand it better if I looked at it.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

It really isn't as simple as I thought it was.

So I carved the phrase into another space on the wall.

"It could be the contract of being a monster..."

And another space.

"Or maybe just being isolated from the world?"

And another space.

"No, that doesn't make any sense..."

And another space.

"Eliza wouldn't make anything that simple."

And another and another and another until all four walls were covered in my curse from the edge of the ceiling to the floor. My fingers bled underneath my bent nails. As I spun in a full circle, surrounded by those eleven simple words, nothing was coming to me. Great. All I know is Eliza messed up with the resurrection. She was supposed to kill me on sight too. So if she didn't do it herself...

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

No...

No, she wouldn't do that.

I stalked towards one of the walls again, my bloody fingers reaching and tracing over the two words I didn't want to see. They ominously stood atop one another.

"Your end."

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, dragging against all of my insides.

All this...was just a fancy way of telling me to end my own suffering? So "through human contact is the only way to kill myself?" You've gotta be kidding me. That's not right.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

I have to make sure. I have to find my human contact just to be sure. Even if it works and I...I die or if something else entirely happens, I don't mind. Things work out the way they do for a reason.

Human contact can't just be anyone, can it? Of course it can't or else the curse would've been lifted already. It has to be someone I know. Someone that already means something to me.

The memory of my horrified mother and sister plagued my brain.

Eliza wanted to make it quick by giving me to my family, but probably miscalculated how my own confusion would play into the mix. Yeah, that's it. I just did it wrong. Maybe I have to try again. I'm calm now, I understand most of what's going on, and I'm sure I'll be able to explain everything as long as they listen. If I can tap into my mother's brain again and talk to her, I can fix everything.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Just stay calm, Zypher.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Just stay calm.

~~~

A/N: What's the strangest children's book you've ever read? I haven't come across any that I can remember, so I'd love to hear from y'all lol. One vote = one F in the chat for Zypher