Saturday, December 10^th, 2011

Time Until Human Again = 19 Hours, 41 Minutes

Alex refrained from asking Kudamon for answers, instead spending a while after breakfast showing him parts of the house. As he did so, he made sure to note anything unique about Kudamon’s scent. Aside from the lingering scents of his meal, the whole of him, and nothing besides, smelled of warm computer circuitry. With Bailey keeping his distance still, Kudamon felt safe enough to resume reading the book from before when Alex returned to his room to spend some time studying.

After a few hours, Nathan texted a reminder for the deathmatch they’d agreed upon and Alex booted up his desktop before wondering if anything was going to be wrong with it. As though Kudamon sensed his question, he said, “Another person did what you did last night; their computer was fine. Our way of travel does not involve the operating system, just the computer being on.”

“Still, the light this screen was giving off was intense.”

“A result of the way we travel from our world into yours. You saw the visual representation of such travel.”

“And the glitching electronics?”

“A result of interruptions in the flow of electricity, and data to an extent.”

Alex realized within a moment the implications. “So, you came from somewhere within the internet?”

“I would say yes, if not for seeing you like that. The origin of your current form is no doubt supernatural, so I have to reason that ours is as well.”

Alex hummed in response as his desktop finished booting, showing nothing that would indicate damage, at least to the visual desktop. He then searched a few places within his desktop’s hard drive and ran a hardware check, it coming back with no issues found. When he was satisfied with the state of his system, he opened the programs he needed to play with Nathan, then started a new game on one of the later maps, loading his avatar with ammo and weapons to practice his maneuvering and aim.

The sound of the plasma rifle firing and the death screams of the enemies, though much softer than usual, drew Kudamon’s attention again. “Taking a break?”

“Yeah. A friend of mine wants to do some gaming in a while.”

“Mind if I watch?”

“Not at all.” Alex then gave Kudamon a lift up before needing to dodge a rocket from one of the miniboss monsters.

“Ah, this I have seen before. Interesting how such old software is still in use.”

“It was well-made software,” Alex said while charging the monster and firing back with the game’s biggest gun. “And compact as well. Barely twenty megabytes for all four main parts.” Kudamon made no response; after a minute, a question crossed Alex’s mind. “That reminds me, since you came from a computer, how much space would you take up if I tried to store you?”

“In this form, two to three gigabytes I believe.”

“Wait, really? That much?”

“Most likely. The device I gave you has more than enough to account for that.”

Alex cleared some breathing room in-game and paused before asking more. “And you said ‘form’ before. How many of those do you have?”

“To my knowledge, four. This one, two smaller than it, and one larger.” When Alex’s reply was delayed, and the focus of his eyes tested, Kudamon continued. “The larger one, I would not recommend attempting to access in a place like this.”

“What about the others?”

“Should the need arise for me to recover from a severe injury, I may take the next smaller form.”

Alex felt a hint of concern at how nonchalantly Kudamon said such a thing. “Glad I stopped Bailey from chasing you, then.” Their attention was soon back on the game, and Alex finished up the map before his phone rang.

“Hey, man,” Nathan said through the speaker phone.

“Hey. You ready?”

“Sure. Same room, plasma only for a little while.”

“Got it.” Alex set things up to put him into the peer-to-peer room Nathan was using, and the deathmatch started a few moments later. The circular map was a familiar one, his starting position directly opposite Nathan’s black-armored avatar.

* * *

“Impressive,” Kudamon remarked after Alex later claimed four kills in a row.

Assuming the comment was drowned out by sound effects, Alex gave Kudamon a nod and kept playing. Half an hour later, he and Nathan called it quits.

“You’re getting better seems like,” Nathan said.

“New set-up. Two keys for one direction of movement instead of one.”

“Makes sense.” Nathan paused for a moment. “By the way, what was that voice earlier? Didn’t sound like your dad.”

Alex and Kudamon then looked at each other. “Sound clip. Just happened to play it at the right moment.”

Nathan gave a quick chuckle. “Sure did. Anyway, I’ll catch you on Monday.”

“Sure thing, man. Good luck with your finals.”

“Likewise. Later.”

Once Nathan hung up, Kudamon was quick to say, “Quite observant your friend is.”

“Yeah. He figured out what happened to me before I told anyone.”

“Is he the kind of person we should hide my presence from?”

“I wouldn’t say so, but for now, probably for the best.” A moment later, Alex added, “The ones I’ll be meeting tonight though? Yeah, we should hide you from them.”

“Not a problem; we have the means to. Though, why do you say that?”

“Just being cautious. I haven’t known them very long.”

“I see. In any case, I will do my best to stay quiet when over there.”

“I appreciate it, Kudamon.”

* * *

The remainder of the day went by faster than Alex expected. Around seven-thirty p.m., Shane texted to remind him that his mother was coming within an hour to pick him up. A way to carry both his phone and the device containing Kudamon was decided upon well before that point, though once it was, Alex unplugged his computer and his father’s, along with the router for the house. The last thing he needed was to come home Sunday to Bailey having torn up the house to get at another creature.

When Carol arrived, Alex left the house via the front door, saying bye to Bailey and locking the door behind him. The onset of nervousness dug under his skin once again, and didn’t waver, despite Carol’s attempts to be friendly and welcoming. The minivan reeked of Shane and his father, two scents that not only made him nervous, but with his hunger now in play, made Carol’s scent much more appealing. The one comfort Alex could take was the fee for his meat, for this month at least, was waived thanks to what happened the month before.

Once at the house, Alex waited for Carol to tell him it was fine to leave; as he neared the dining area door, Michael let him in. Shane was nowhere in sight.

“Evening, Alex.” Despite the werewolf edge, Michael’s voice and tone helped calm Alex’s nerves. “Has everything gone well?”

Alex nodded. “Studied for most of the day.”

“You and Shane both. Yamato should be here within the next hour or two, then we’ll eat and wash up.”

“How’s he doing?”

“Better than he and I thought, which is good. Still has to wear a leg brace and a cast for a while, though.”

“Ouch.”

By then, Carol had come inside and closed and locked the door. “Are you thirsty, Alex?” she asked.

“Little bit,” Alex replied. “Water’s fine.”

A moment later, Alex noticed Michael’s nose twitch, like he was smelling something. “Been working on computers?”

Remembering Kudamon’s scent, Alex answered, “Mine, yeah. Might need to switch out a part or two soon.”

“Perfect time for that. There should be sales everywhere.”

“Yeah. I’ll see what I can find.”

Once Carol had made his water, Alex thanked both her and Michael then made his way to his designated room to wait for the meat to arrive. Kudamon however was quick to get Alex’s attention when he heard the sound of the door closing.

“What’s wrong, Kudamon?” Alex said in a whisper after getting the device out of the bag holding it and checking the screen.

“Is this your safe room here?”

“Yeah. I’ll leave you here when the time comes. I won’t be too long.”

“Do you feel it safe enough for me to come out otherwise?”

This time, Alex didn’t answer immediately. All Michael had noticed were the excess traces from his fur; Kudamon’s body would produce a fresh scent, and both Shane or Michael could notice it. “So long as you stay in here, and out of sight of anyone besides me.”

“That should be no issue.”

I hope so. Alex thought as he held the device away from himself. Kudamon leapt out a moment later, the glowing ring materializing only as long as needed to allow him though. His head swiveled immediately upon landing on the bed, Alex suspecting he was looking for good hiding spots.

“Pardon my frankness,” Kudamon began after a few moments, “but this place is much worse off than your room.”

“I know. I only need it for half a day, though.”

Kudamon gave no immediate reply, instead continuing to swivel his head. The closet was his first choice of places to hide, Alex suggesting the backpack he left ahead of time. “Have both available to me. Just in case.”

Alex nodded before emptying the backpack of its contents: a full change of clothing and a couple books. He then left the backpack on the floor, which Kudamon slipped in and out of with ease.

* * *

It was nearly an hour later when both Alex and Kudamon’s attention were stolen by sounds beyond the door to the room. A door opening; Michael exchanging pleasantries with Yamato; and Shane helping his father with getting their meat inside. Alex’s stomach was two hours hungry by then, and when Shane came knocking, Kudamon bolted under the bed and out of sight.

“C’mon. Dad goes first this time,” Shane said. Alex closed and set aside the book he was reading before noticing Shane sniffing at the air. Suspecting he noticed Kudamon’s scent, Alex kept quiet; Shane didn’t bring the subject up, instead escorting him to the kitchen, towards the huge cut sitting on the kitchen counter, and its accompanying scent of warmth.

Michael waited until both of them were nearby before taking his first piece, ripping it from the slab with little regard to its size. He then looked at Shane, his signal to get his first piece, which was near the same size as his father’s. Alex then went, taking a piece only two-thirds as large; once his head was distant enough, Michael went in for more.

“You don’t have to be so reserved about how much you take,” Michael said after noticing Alex’s portions were getting smaller.

Alex didn’t verbally respond, instead using his next opening to take as big a piece as he thought he could get. After several tugs, Shane spoke up. “Here, let me.”

Michael stopped and held him at bay with a stern tone lacking growling. “Shane, let him do it. We’re not in any rush.” Alex waited for Shane to step back before trying again, adding some twisting of his head to help tear the sinew and fibers. What he finally pulled free was a piece larger than his muzzle, to which Michael said, “There you go.”

Alex then stepped back and nibbled on the piece, his eyes and attention wandering as Michael took another piece. Within a few seconds, his attention landed on Kudamon, the part of him that was peeking around the corner of a nearby doorframe.

He leaned out of sight just as quickly, Alex worrying he’d be found or his scent noticed if he stayed nearby too long, yet also wondering why he was there. For now, at least, neither Shane nor Michael had noticed, and when Alex failed to notice Kudamon’s scent after a few minutes, he relaxed some.

* * *

“Looks like we have a lot left,” Michael said once he and Shane and Alex all satiated their hungers. “You want a few steaks to take home, Alex?”

“Uh, sure. Two’s fine.”

“We can spare three I think.”

Alex agreed to the one extra before washing the blood and related liquids off his paws and muzzle. Shane didn’t bother, instead getting what they needed to clean the blood drops from the floor.

As Alex offered to help, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a sudden increase in brightness coming from Shane’s room; he’d seen the door closed on the way to the kitchen. What’s making that… He stopped himself mid-thought. Oh, crap.

“Hey, Shane?”

“Yeah?”

“You have any really bright lights in your room?”

“Bright lights?” Instead of asking what Alex was talking about, Shane stood up and looked in the same direction he was. Michael did the same a moment later. “The hell’s that light coming from?” Shane asked before making his way towards his room. Alex followed him, but was held back from getting too close.

When the door was opened, the pure white light inside washed over Alex’s eyes, forcing him to shield them. Shane did likewise, though didn’t take his focus off the source. Alex had no doubt it was a computer. The situation was too similar.

By then, Michael had joined them to see what was going on; like Shane and Alex, he said nothing. Alex though glanced at Michael’s paws when he came close, expecting to see his revolver, but it wasn’t there. His pulse however was elevated.

Shane then tried to turn his room lights on, but they refused to work. From his position, Alex could see only one active electronic device, and it was glitching, like Kudamon warned him.

“Shane,” Michael at last said, albeit in a lower volume. “What’s causing that light?”

“My computer. Something from it.”

“What something?”

Shane gave no answer, and the light vanished a few seconds later. Alex un-shielded his eyes just in time for Shane to turn his room’s lights on, and then growl at something.

A yelp of fright, with a childish voice to it, followed. “Please don’t eat me.”

That was all Alex needed to hear, but before he made his move, he noticed Kudamon zip past him and into the room.