Chapter Text
Oh, God.
At some point, you had sunk onto the couch in front of your television, eyes never leaving the screen. Oh, God.
It started with the frantic calls from your best friend-
“Eli! Jesus, I’ve been trying to get you for hours.” Nicole was always the calmer one of the two of you, you were immediately put on edge.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Are you ok?” You had stopped in the kitchen at her worried tone, forgetting the dirty dishes on your tiny dining table.
“Have you been watching the news?” She asked, a little breathless.
“No, you know I’m not a fan. Was there another shooting or something?” C'mon Nic, spit it out.
“Turn it on. Now.”
You gave a small huff before moving around the bar separating your kitchen from the living room, and turning on the tv with the remote found on the couch arm, switching to the local news station.
ANCIENT BARRIER LIFTED: MONSTERS FROM MT. EBOTT SEEK TO JOIN SOCIETY
You try to articulate something to your friend on the other line, but sound refuses to leave your mouth. “Look, Eli, I’m coming over, ok? This must be a big deal for you, and I don’t want you to be alone for this. See you soon, love.” She hung up.
You sit there, the feeling of thousands of spiders crawling around your insides, unsure if you want to laugh or vomit. You’re not sure how long you’ve been staring dumbly at the tv, reading the varying headlines: MONSTER KING AND QUEEN TO HAVE TALKS WITH GOV., and CHILD THAT HELPED DESTROY BARRIER TO BE MONSTER AMBASSADOR-
You’re jolted by your phone trilling again- you ignore it. When it chimes for three texts in rapid succession before trilling once more, you know it has to be your mother. That acidic bitch. She must be loosing her shit right now.
You think the first tip she got that you were different was when you were a child. Your favorite movies were monster movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon and Godzilla, the only toys you ever wanted were “boy toys”; action figures from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gargoyles, Street Sharks. The first time you touched yourself you were eleven, and it was to a poster of Goliath, his gray wings spread regally. Of course, Mother Dearest walked in the moment you climaxed.
The next day, you were in the psychologist’s office. Teratophilia, the shrewed, God-loving woman had said. A sickness of the mind, for sure. A sexual attraction to the deformed or monstrous.
Then it was Little White Pills everyday after that. Sure, they worked. You weren’t attracted to “monsters” anymore, but then again, you weren’t attracted to anything anymore. They day of your 18th birthday, you stared your mother dead in the eye as you poured that wretched bottle of pills right down the kitchen sink. That same day you sought out a different shrink (one that would work with you on your… condition rather than make you feel like a pariah), took your meager savings and moved out. Life was… relatively normal for the first time in a long while.
Until now, five years later, as you watch the faces of different monsters flash across the screen. The knock on the front door signalled Nicole’s arrival, and it took longer than it should have to get the strength to stand.
Immediately upon opening the door, Nicole drew you into a tight embrace, not saying a word. You couldn’t move, practically using Nic to stay upright, the emotions raging inside you too much.
They’re real. Tangable… obtainable.
You weren’t sure if you were filled with glee or horror.