Round Two; Fight!

Another day, another dimension. 

Well, not really. I had been to this dimension plenty of times- observed it in plenty of ways. I admit, I usually spent my time underground, with Temmie and Sammi. Part of me wishes I could stay there forever- but I’d be neglecting my duties as a scientist if I did. So, instead, I visit often. 

This time, however, was different.  

Before I stepped through the rift, I injected steroids into my arm. I let out a few grunts as I did so- it was a painful process, but if I need to be able to defend myself- or my reality- if necessary. 

After taking a few moments to calm down, I power on my drone, and step through the rift. 

It’s bright. Very bright. This time, I wasn’t underground- no. I was on the surface of a small, yet charming town. Humans and demons alike walked around the place- some coming and going to restaurants, others sitting on benches and relaxing in the sun. Just… Enjoying life. As they should. 

I hummed, and stretched, as my drone flew above me and hovered about three feet over my head. It whirred and buzzed as it circled the town’s center, following me loosely as I walked. 

I admit, I was strapped for cash. I fired my only assistant- for doing something that I, myself, would have done- and the money that used to go to him now goes to Temmie. Not that she really needs it; but I’m sure it’s useful to her in some way, since we weren’t officially together, and she could use a babysitter for Sammi. 

Most of my shopping in the town was done through windows, as I peered into the interiors of several stores, a coffee shop, and a bakery. I looked at one of the shops, which had jewelry, and considered buying a necklace for Mariana. But, knowing her, she would lock it in a box and observe it because it’s from another dimension. I shrugged as I continued on. 

I kept walking through the town- and I admit, I lost track of time doing so. Everything was so quaint, and charming- no loud neon lights, no blaring music to remind you that the republic is watching you- just, quiet. 

I had lost myself in my thoughts as I circled the town with my drone, and by the time I brought myself out of it, it was night. Ah. How long was I walking for?

I paused, and leaned against a nearby brick wall to check the time. Eight pm. It had been four hours. 

I sighed, and turned towards the sidewalk to start walking yet again. As I started to do so, I noticed something- my legs were tired. I mean, it was only natural for them to be- I spent so much time walking around aimlessly, after all. 

I glanced over to the street corner, and noticed a few men walking into a bar of some sort. Yes- I could rest for a bit there, then go check in on Temmie and Sammi. 

I stretched my shoulders a bit, as I entered the bar. 

The lighting was a bit dim inside, and it was loud as people talked, laughed, and drank. I went past the tables, towards the counter, and sat down. The bartender was talking to someone else, but I was patient. After all, I wasn’t in the mood to drink all that much. 

I adjusted some of the machinery on my drone as the bartender approached me. 

“Hey, anything I can get you to drink?” I looked up at the woman- a demon, with dark skin and short hair. She was about ten years younger than I was. 

“Oh, could I have a, uh.. Well, what existed during this time period…” The woman raised her eyebrow. 

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing. Can I get Dark and Stormy, please?” The woman nodded. 

“Yeah, just a second.” As she worked on my drink, I heard a familiar voice.

“… I mean, what the fuck was I supposed to say? That it was fine? That kid nearly killed her!” I paused, confused- but the bartender slid the rum my way. 

“Here you go.”

“Thank you,” I replied hastily. I don’t know where I had heard that voice before, but it annoyed me somehow. I shrugged it off as I drank. 

It was like syrup, but much darker in taste and much thinner in texture. After a sip, I paused, continuing to tinker with my drone. Its camera was focused on a group of people- I didn’t care to see who. I turned the camera off, and set it down on the ground next to my feet, while I continued to drink. However, that voice- that familiar voice- it got louder, and as such, much more annoying. 

“Do I miss her? No, not at all. Matter of fact, that fella did me a favor. I’m basically free from that train wreck of a marriage,” the voice said before letting out a loud laugh. It was like nails on a chalkboard to me- why was I so aggravated by it? I didn’t even know whoever this was. I had no reason to be so upset…

“The kid? Yeah. I’ve thought about getting rid of him. Tossing him on the surface for a day or two, let him freeze. He ruined my life,” the man explained. 

“What was his name again?” The woman clung onto him, curious, and smiled. 

“Sammi, we named him Sammi.” I felt myself freeze up. My muscles grinded against my bones, as the woman continued. 

“Oh, that’s such a cute name though! I’m sure he was sweet.” The man scoffed. 

“He was as annoying and attention seeking as his mother.” My heart pounded in my head, as I slowly turned to face the group. No, it couldn’t have been-

It was. 

Bryce. Bryce Sampton. 

I felt like I wasn't in control of my body, as if my soul had left and the only thing inside of me was a demonic, swelling rage. My hands balled into fists, as the group continued to laugh and chat, not noticing me fuming. I got up, and approached, my footsteps like earthquakes on the wooden floor. 

“What did you say?” The group stopped laughing and chatting, as they all turned to me. Bryce’s expression twisted from confusion to hate, as he pushed the woman off of him. 

“You… Are you stalking me now, you piece of shit?” I ignored his question, firing back with my own. 

“What did you say about Sammi?” He narrowed his eyes, and scoffed. 

“Depends. Which part upset you the most?” My entire body was shaking now- My fists begging me to smash them against the demon's face. 

“You wanted him dead, didn’t you?” Bryce balled up his hands into fists. 

“I’m not saying I wanted it, but it would’ve made life a lot easier.” Without thinking, I grabbed Bryce by the collar of his shirt, and brought the wrath of god through my hand as I punched him as hard as I could. The entire bar was silent now, watching the fight unfold. Bryce held his nose- I think I broke it. 

“You… You motherfucker!” He snarled, unsheathing his claws as he rushed towards me. I wasn’t in control of my body at this point- the steroids, the rage- it had taken over. He slashed my chest and my arms, cutting them deeply- but I didn’t feel it. I grabbed him by his horns, and tossed him into a nearby table with enough force to break it. He let out a cry as I did, and I slowly approached him as he lay on the ground, breathing heavily. 

“Tell me,” I snarled, “How it would make life easier.” He slowly got up- reeling from the pain- and panted. 

“You…” Before I could react, he grabbed me by the throat, his claws starting to sink in. I fell back, onto the ground, trying to force his hands off of my throat. He didn’t stop. He just kept squeezing. 

“YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! YOU TOOK MY WIFE- MY HOUSE- MY SON- EVERYTHING!!” I gasped and gagged as he dug his claws into my flesh, my eyes widening. This was not how this was supposed to go- this shouldn’t have even happened. And now, I was going to die, like a fucking idiot, at the hands of the man who I had cucked. 

I tightened my grip on his hands, as he continued to strangle and stab me- and kept making it tighter, and tighter, and tighter, until-

Crack.

Bryce let out a howl, letting go of my neck and grabbing his left hand. It was concave- I had crushed it. 

I gasped for breath, and backed away, a warm sensation coming from my neck. It was blood. I knew it was blood. 

“YOU FUCKING MONSTER,” he screamed, charging back towards me. How has he not had enough yet? I stood up, trying to take a defensive stance- but he went for my insides. And he went hard. 

I gasped, eyes wide, staring down at the man’s one working hand. He was deep inside my stomach and intestines, his claws having dug in. Even he didn’t expect it to go so deep, as we were both frozen, while I stared down at my bloodied midsection. 

He looked me in the eyes- a look of surprise- and retracted his claws. This did even more damage, as it tore the soft tissue of the intestines that his claws were stuck in. I fell to my knees, and grabbed my stomach, gasping for air. Fuck. 

Bryce backed away from me slowly, realizing the very real damage he had just done. I wasn’t sure if he was finished with me or not, but either way, there wasn’t much I could do. I regained my composure, and slowly stood back up, although faltering a bit. He backed away, as the steroid induced craze I suffered was about to kick into overdrive. 

The bar stared in silence- a few well meaning people trying to hold me back, and keep me still until help arrived. But I had no need for their helping hands. 

I snarled, rushing towards Bryce and pinning him to a wall. His reflexes were fast, but my fists were faster. I hit him, over and over and over, the blood on my hands being his now, too. 

I don’t know how long I attacked him for, but I know that by the end of it, he was unconscious on the ground below me. People had pulled me off of him, as I stumbled back over to the bar, away from their grabbing hands. I sloppily picked up my drone, accidentally smearing my blood onto it as I held it by my waist, and opened a rift. I let myself fall through, and the last thing I remembered was hitting the cold floor of my lab. 

-

It’s bright. Very bright. 

I opened my eyes slowly, and let out a soft groan, as I felt a gentle hand touch my cheek. 

“Good morning, you absolute moron.” Mariana. Thank god.

“Oh, hello honey…” She opened her mouth to question me, but, as she started to do so, I closed my eyes once more and drifted into sleep. 

I had avenged Sammi.