9: IF

The Unknown Invader

Hissss......Hiiisssss.....

That noise again...

Malaika had only been on the lookout for several minutes, maybe more, and already this was the second time she's heard the unusual hissing. The first time it happened she just disregards it as her mind playing tricks. After all, the possibility of animals surviving out here is none and straight-up impossible.

Yet there was something about it that made her anxious and alert. And she is aware that all those months of training wouldn't let her just stand around and do nothing but wait.

The medic slowly walks down the steps with her shield in hand. Surrounding the courtyard is a deafening silence that matched the rest of the dead land.

That only makes Malaika feel more uneasy. No sound always means something is lurking in the dark. And that's exactly what her instinct is telling her. She can feel the shadows of the lanky dead grass and bushes watching her every move, the looming figures of the giant woman statues, and the tall black gates towering over her like vultures.

The fear spreading in Malaika's psyche keeps her on guard, or that's what she keeps telling herself as she peers over her shoulder for the eighth time.

I know I heard something move in the grass! Malaika thought while glimpsing over the gate. Still no signs of the culprit making the noise. Maybe I'm just imagining things?

Once again, she peers over her shoulder anxiously. Once again, there is nothing. She starts to contemplate on returning to the stairs as she turns her sights back to the dark courtyard.....

......but then she froze.

The culprit was already there. Peeking out from the side of the gates seemed to be a doll. Its head is down, the arms sagging about, and it's moving in Malaika's direct path.

Against her better judgment, Malaika bends down to her knee to get a closer look at the new arrival. The medic knew that all the other dolls have a unique design, but this one was strange-looking. It was a lot bigger than 8, a few inches taller at most. For some reason, Malaika can't see the legs clearly, but the moonlight shine on the optics gave her a clear view of how modern they look. Despite this, Malaika doesn't pick up the red flags.

"Hey...." Malaika speaks softly, "Are you lost, little buddy?"

The doll responds by lifting its head...

.....to reveal dark blank eyes.

Malaika stared for a millisecond before she heard a small click, and is greeted by the brightest lights she had ever seen.

She grunts in pain before shutting her eyes in discomfort, the shock of the luminous eyes causing her to trip and fall behind. Malaika keeps her head down, furiously blinking to make the spots go away. She could sense the doll toning down its lights, but in its place came a new, horrifying sound.

It's almost indescribable. The sickly, slithering fabric grinding and tearing apart assaulted Malaika's eardrums. It's enough to force the nerve to look up at the creature making all the racket. Malaika immediately regretted ever looking up.

GgGggggRrRrrrrEeEeEEeeee....

Malaika gazed upon what she can only depict as the stuff of nightmares.

The...thing...towered over her like a monstrous killer. Its thin, sharp arms outstretched in a threatening way. Malaika would have almost called it a giant fabric snake if it weren't for the fact that it had a human face.

A small, human-like face that stared down at the medic with malice and bloodlust.....

.....as it began to slither toward her.

Malaika almost didn't realize that her body is instinctively backing away from the cobra abomination. It keeps making those scratchy, gargling screeches, sending a shiver down her spine. Malaika's brain becomes overloaded with fear, multiple warning signals screaming at her to get away, getaway, getaway-

The hissing returns, now even louder than before.

getawaygetawaygetawaygetaway

The screeching won't stop, the monster coming at her now faster, faster, fasterfasterFASTERFASTERFASTER-

getawaygetawaygetawayGETAWAYGETAWAY

The hissing growing LOUDERLOUDERLOUDERLOUDER-

GETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAY

GeT

AwAy

FrOm

ThAt

ThInG!!!!

.......Why do I feel light-headed?

Malaika found herself laying on the ground.

It was like a sudden wave of drowsiness had overwhelmed her.

This was not normal.

The downed girl was able to get out one final thought before passing out:

That was not a doll.....

......that was just the tail.

*********

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what-?"

Odette is interrupted by the faint sound of hissing.

Whatever it was, it's coming closer. And it does NOT sound friendly.

Without thinking, she scoops up 1 and places him on top of a pile of books. Before 1 could ask her what in the world is she doing, Odette opens up another book arranges it on top of 1 face down.

"What are-?" "Shh!" Odette cuts him off in a whisper, "Don't let them see you."

1 reluctantly shuts up. He's left with no choice but to sit down and watch Odette flash him a reassuring smile before turning her back, no doubt ready to face the intruder. She only smiled like that to keep me calm. 1 thinks helplessly, Odette, please don't do anything audacious!

The aforementioned human readies her shield and scans the library for anything out of the ordinary.

The hissing had stopped, but it wasn't quiet again. Odette's grip tightens.

And that's when she saw it.

There, roaming out in view next to the fountain was a dark grey doll. Or, at least, similar to one. Odette is certainly not falling for it. The person who made it obviously did a shoddy job at making it look convincing. Maybe from a far enough distance, but not up close. The head is kept down, the arms not even moving. The size is way too big to be normal, it barely reaches the height of the fountain seat. Heck, from the way it slides and slithers instead of walking, it was lacking a pair of legs.

Odette gets in a defensive stance, standing still even with the fake doll inching closer to her. All she can do now is wait and see how it will strike. The decoy soon stops right next to Odette's leg. Then it does something....odd.

It gets taller. And taller. Until the head reaches up to Odette's chest. The young leader is confused but stays alarmed.

Then with a click, the doll lifts its head.

One second was all it took for Odette to reel in the poorly-made mouth and the dead, blank optic eyes that were way too modern to belong to any of the 9 ragdolls.

That one second was all she got before her vision is obscured by a blinding blue light.

The flickering beam also captures 1's line of sight. The oldest stitchpunk tried to look away, but it's too late. His pupils grew wide as dinner plates, his entire body staying perfectly still. The mock-doll has him paralyzed.

The final thing 1 heard before his mind turns to static was Odette's painful screams.

The woman falls to her knees as she clutches her eyes in agony, dropping the shield in the process. She gasps for air, silently begging for the stinging to stop.

The soreness refuses to diminish, causing Odette to growl under her breath in irritation. Keeping her eyes closed, she uses her hand to pinpoint the dropped shield.

By the time she found it and put on a steady grip, the flickering light stops. Odette throws caution out the window and raises her shield high. Odette gets set to bring it down onto the doll bait once and for all-

-But then she stops. And stares. Not at the decoy, but behind it. The thing that has it attached to like a tail. Odette didn't move. She couldn't move. She can't move. Yet it wasn't because of the hypnotic lure this time.....

......this time......

....it was out of pure fear.

Run.

Odette's instinct tells her as she takes in the horror that is the cobra-like beast covered in fabric. The mere appearance kick-starting a flashback of being attacked by an India Cobra many years ago during a school trip to the zoo.

RUN.

It's demanding this time. Odette's fear-filled black eyes make contact with the singular red eye of the humanoid face. She recognized the face of the porcelain toy from the factory.

The crude mouth covered in red strings made it more menacing.

RuN.

Odette becomes more distorted. The panic overload of the nerves and the pounding heartbeat prevents her from thinking straight.

The beast slithering towards her ever so slightly makes her body shake and tremble. It hovers over her, sharp tools for arms ready to strike.

She's finding it harder and haRdEr tO BrEaTh-

W H Y C A N T I

R U N!!!

The same word repeats in her head over and over like a broken record.

runrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrunrun

The cobra beast lunges at Odette with a bloodcurdling shriek.

RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUN

Odette barely dodges out of the way and with enough time to use the shield to block its razor attacks.

Go away! Get back! Stay away from me! That is what she wanted to yell, but the terror deep in her gut has manifested up to her throat, leaving nothing more than a squeak to be heard.

runrunrunRUNRUNRUNRUNR U N R U N R U N R U N

W H Y A M I N O T R U N N I N G !?

Odette fails to notice a small round can rolling next to her. It let out a loud HISS! sending a huge cloud of white smoke to engulf the pilot.

She took a spur of the moment to register her surroundings and made a desperate attempt to cover her face.

It's too late.

There was nothing Odette could do to stop herself from inhaling the smoke and collapsing on the ground.

There's now a new sound echoing through the library.

Footsteps.

Big ones.

Bigger than the girls.

They're coming closer...

Her entire body now dazed and immobilized, Odette uses the last of her strength to take a glimpse at the one responsible before helplessly passing out.

A tall man stood before her, carrying a knocked-out Malaika over his shoulder.

*********

"See? Just like I predicted. I told you they would come back!"

"But, it's still not everyone Cera..."

"And it still counts, 5."

Cera really wished the rest of the night would stay this peaceful.

Bit by bit, some of the others did manage to come back. 2 and 8 were the first to return. "Malaika offered to take 8's place for lookout so he can get some rest." 2 had explained.

"That's Mala for ya." Cera sighs, gently shifting her body so her front is facing the dolls. 6, meanwhile, rolled out from Cera's arm to meet up with 2 again. The bespectacled girl listens in on 2 huggings 6 and starting a cheerful chat with 5 and 9. He's absolutely mesmerized by the lightbulb staff that the aforementioned duo had built together.

"We made it out of your broken candle hat." 5 mentioned.

2 laughs, "Oh ho, how resourceful! And very clever too!"

Why do I feel like I'm missing some context here? Cera ponders, feeling perplexed. Regardless, she can tell that 2 is proud and very impressed.

8 was not interested in joining anyone at the moment. Instead, he's focusing on more important things like How to find a good place to rest without making eye contact with the human he attacked earlier today.

Easier said than done.

He could almost feel her gaze at him, sensing his paranoia and internalized shame. What's the point in talking to her if she's plotting my demise anyway?

Cera felt a little awkward around 8 since their first encounter. And she knows his feelings are mutual, she still has plans to hit him upside the head later. For the moment though, she's keeping a sharp eye for bullying tactics of any sort from him.

So far, he's not doing anything but shuffling about. Not even interacting with the other dolls. This is odd since he's probably searching for a spot to lay down, but the way he's doing it it makes seem like he's trying to prevent being near anyone around him.

Is he-is he avoiding everyone out of guilt? Cera wondered. If that's the case, then I almost feel sorry for the guy.

Despite everything, the brunette understands that 8 was only doing his duty as a guard when he attacked her. Doesn't excuse the rest of his actions, of course.

Glancing again at the lonely guard, she groans internally in defeat, nearly incredulous at herself for what she's about to ask.

"D-do you want to lay next on me, 8?"

8 whips up his head up to stare at her, his expression screaming: "Are you crazy!?"

Cera quickly explains, "Look 8, I'm simply asking because I hold nothing against you for your assault on me today. You were only doing what you had to do, after all."

Before the big guard could rebuttal, something happens that shocks even Cera. 6, who was listening to their conversation, actively takes 8's hand and guides him to the girl.

"Relax." The striped doll says calmly, "She's really soft." He demonstrates this by leaning against Cera's stomach.

Wait a minute, wasn't 6 like, terrified of this guy?! And why is 8 going along with it!? Cera's confusion skyrocketed but decided to hold them off for another day.

8 is still hesitant at the offer, turning to Cera for her approval. She nods at him. Go ahead.

The guard sighs with great relief and flops his body onto Cera's belly.

It wasn't long until 7 came into view. 3 and 4 did not hesitate in running up to hug her out of worry; curling their heads up to her neck like cats. 7's usually used to surprise hugs from the twins, but it didn't stop her from being taken aback by it after what happened. Nonetheless, she returns the hugs.

"7..!"

"Welcome back."

9 and 5 walk up to greet their lost friend bearing grins of absolute alleviation. Cera also joins in, "Good to have you back, 7."

All this warm reception only eats at the warrior's regret. They shouldn't act this way, not after her attempted murder.

Her sullen expression doesn't go unnoticed by her human friend, "Hey, you still bothered by, uh, you know-" "What do you think?" 7 snaps calmly in response. Slipping out of the twins' grasp, the pale doll saunters to a nearby tall book pile and leans against it. Cera stammers, "Y-you're right, that was a stupid question. Sorry."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize." 7 said softly, 3 and 4 catch up to hold her hands, full of empathy. Likewise, 5 and 9 lean next to their warrior friend to give her encouragement.

2, 6, 8, and Cera kept their distance but invested and listening.

"Everyone...I'm sorry...for what I've done tonight." 7 sighs softly, "Running away, disregarding my duty, causing that...fit with 1," She puts her free arm on the back of her head, ashamed. "It was wrong of me to do, and I never should have abandoned you guys. Not ever, not tonight." The twins let go of her hand, surprised. They're not used to her being this open and emotional in front of everyone. Doesn't stop 5 from giving his long-time friend an affectionate hug. "We have you now, 7." The healer said gently, "That's what matters." 9 nods in agreement, patting 7 on the shoulder. "Better to have you return now than never at all." The young stitchpunk adds, shooting his crush a radiant smile; 7 returns a soft one.

"What do you think she meant by having a fit with 1?" 8 abruptly asks Cera out of nowhere.

The cuddle pile immediately break off, feelings now very awkward.

"8!" 2 scorns at the guard, "They were having a moment!"

"What? I'm only asking, and I don't get to do that much!"

The question left Cera with the unfortunate knowledge that 2 and 8 weren't there when 7 nearly killed their leader. Should they find out, and there could be a high chance it will end with 8 finding a way to murder his fellow fighter.

The human spilled out the quickest answer she can muster to 8, "7 and 1 had a verbal fight, that's all. They both left to calm down for a while." 8 stays silent for a bit before letting out a, "Oh, OK."

2 and 7 on the other hand, gave the girl an odd look. Cera notices and attempts to explain herself.

"Look, I get how you're feeling. You got angry and you wanted to cool off somewhere, yeah? Happens to everyone."

7's not buying it, "Cera, I get that you're trying to help but-"

"No, really!" Cera interrupts, "You'd be surprised at how many times Malaika would lose her cool when treating someone."

"Oh?" 2 got intrigued, "How does that happen?"

"Sometimes she deals with people that get these real nasty injuries from doing something really stupid. That tends to send her off. I should know, I was one of those people!"

8 chuckles at the idea of the sweet Malaika yelling at Cera in anger.

7 just scoffs, "Sure, next you're telling me Odette does the same thing."

She didn't expect Cera to drop her smile and replace it with a frown of uncertainty.

"Well, here's the thing....," Cera sucks her breath in, "I don't think I've ever seen Odette get mad."

7's optic pupils couldn't shrink any smaller. What.

"Upset, yes. Frustrated, definitely. But never outright furious."

WHAT.

"So you've never seen her get angry at all?" 2 asked. Cera pushes her blue glasses back up, "So far, no. And if she did, I probably wasn't there at the time. That or her tranquil fury is freakishly strong."

It took the warrior every ounce of her power to not quiver and shake. Just how messed up does 1 have to be too enraged the sole human known for showing little to no anger?!

What Cera says next shook 7 to the core, "If anyone did drive Odette to that state, they'd have to be pushing some really serious buttons to do so."

Dammit, 1! How do you manage to piss off literally everyone who's ever met you!?

5 fiddles with his buttons all nervous and tense, "Yeesh, remind me to not get on Odette's bad side."

7 is suddenly aware of her mouth moving and speaking out loud, "Funny how you mentioned that..." Shut up, you i***t! They'll pound 1 to dust if you confess!

Too late. All eyes are on her now. Each one bearing a curious expression. "Did something happened, 7?" Cera asked directly.

She doesn't get her answer. At that moment, a spine-chilling agonized scream echoes across the dark library.