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Dib didn't even notice the rain, he couldn't even hear it. Just the constant ringing in his ears.
How cliche that it had started to rain when he had made his way to the scene.
He must have been running at some point because his legs were on fire. They gave way under him when he finally stopped.
They felt like jelly, in fact he couldn't feel them at all.
All dib could do was stare. Stare at the outcome that he could have prevented; that HE KNEW he couldn't have prevented.
The grass below him was soaked through. He was sinking into the muddy ground. He almost wished he could sink deeper; that the ground would swallow him up and end him.
Instead he just continued to kneel on the ground. A puddle forming around the indent from his knees.
The once proud scythe, that had always seemed to defy gravity; was now wilted and dripping water. It was almost like it was trying to block out his view. A pathetic attempt at something.
His left hand gripped the wet grass, as if his own body was trying to ground him.
The other hand was balled up. Knuckles white, nails digging so harshly into it that a trickle of blood was going down his palm.
Part of him believed this wasn't real. That he really was insane. That he was probably having a mental breakdown and would soon wake up in a padded room, strapped into a straight jacket.
But the other part knew this was real. That what was staring him in the face was happening.
Gaz…his dad…classmates he had only just started to get along with…gone. All gone.
The school before him was a smoking husk of what it used to be. He could still hear the crackling of the fire as the rain slowly put it out.
Just moments ago he felt the heat of the fire, and could hear the sound of it roaring. He could even see the orange glow in the distance when he had rushed to the scene.
It was almost surreal.
Everything had been normal this morning. It had been parent teacher interviews, and for the first time his father was going to be there in person.
Dib of course was late, he had fallen asleep and only woke up to a call.
That dreaded call. A familiar voice sounding over his phone. It sounded playful as it talked.
Then the video call came and all dib ever knew was turned upside down.
The video on the screen, the normal sounding voice as it explained what was going on. A laugh at dib's reaction.
All until the phone was dropped on the floor and dib was running out of the house.
The rain had started by then.
Dib was too focused to hear the soft splashing sounds of footsteps come up behind him. The ringing in his ears stopping him from hearing how they came closer and closer.
It was only when a shadow loomed over him, that he noticed.
Dib knew who it was, his body knew who it was, his brain knew who it was. But there was a small part of him that hoped, that hoped it wasn't him. That it was someone, anyone different.
The boy slowly lifted his head up to the owner of the shadow. Staring right into the eyes of the reason why everything was like this.
The person was a boy much like himself. Not much older. He was holding an umbrella, bright pink with a black handle.
He sported a deep magenta shirt with long black sleeves, a purple/violet squared scarf, simple black pants, and a peach and gray pack back.
His boots were a clean and shiny black. Dib could almost see himself in them if he tried looking hard enough.
But dib knew this was no boy, no human being.
The boy just looked down at the pathetic sight before him Not saying anything, looking cold and calculated.
Dib spoke up first. His voice cracking, sounding so hoarse; as if he hasn't spoken in weeks.
"You…."
His voice no longer cracking, rose in anger "freakin Alien!! I hate you!".
He was shouting now " YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!!'.
The boy with the umbrella just sighed, a small smile forming on his face.
Dib's voice went from angry to a pitied whimper. He trembled as he spoke "I thought we were friends?".
A sob bubbled up from his throat. It ripped through him as starred at the monster over him. Looking, looking for any sort of remorse or emotion.
"W-what else do you want from me?". It was a question dib didn't want answered.
It was only when the umbrella was moved overhead that dib noticed he was crying. The cool rain had disappeared, leaving only the hot tears that freely flowed from his face.
The boy smiled now, a cheerful yet soft smile as he bent down slightly so he could be at eye level with dib.
"Shhhhh dib, it's ok" he cood as his hand gently grasped dib's arm, the one that had it's hand balled up.
The young man moved his hand up to dib's wrist. Grasping it firmly. The motion causing dib's hand to uncurl.
Deep red marks from his nails are present on his palm. Droplets of blood pool around them.
"You tried your best~" he smiled. It was so soft and light. It made dib sick.
Tears still steamed down his face as he looked to this...this demo...no...alien.
The boy alien then grasped dib's hand, his own nails (claws) digging into dib's marked palm.
Dib let out a hiss of pain as the alien let go just as suddenly as he grabbed it.
His hand went up to dib's chin. Gently cupping it so his fingers were lightly pressing on his throat.
He leaned closer to dib, all while dib closed his eyes, looking down as if doing this would make him go away.
The soft small smile soon grew into a crooked sadistic grin. One lined with too many teeth, teeth too sharp for any human.
Eyes glowing as they looked down at the crying human.
"It just wasn't good enough" his voice dropping to a chilling robotic tone.
Dib managed to open his eyes, looking up at the person who did all this. His eyes blurry from tears.
"Zim" he croaked out.
Zim moved his hand up to dib's cheek, cupping it softly.
"What a nice look for you, to think, the world's best defender, now on his knees in the mud, crying like a child".
"I…you….you said that….that I-i was".
Zim chuckled softly "yes I did didn't I? I told you that I saw great potential in you, that you were special to me. Well I didn't lie~".
He looked past dib to the scene he had created.
"Of course you're only human, gullible and stupid. So easy to wrap around my finger with pretty words. I was a bit worried, you know? When at first you came to me, telling me you knew what I was"
Zim started to move his hand up dib's face, towards his wet hair. The motions resembled petting.
"But it was dashed after seeing how stupid the rest of your kind was. How they didn't believe you. How they ostracized you and threw you away. So it was smeets play to trick you into comfort. Of course you being the son of the world's most influential scientist was a bonus".
Zims hand begane to run through dibs hair, at times scratching it too hard. Leaving red marks on dib's scalp.
All dib could do was focus on the pain, it was better than thinking about anything else.
"I had my fun with this planet, I must admit it was enjoyable to see you thrive and even more so to see you crumple. But my mission needs to be complete".
Dib looked up as Zim had stopped petting him. Zims cruel smile still plastered to his face. He glanced at the umbrella, a pang in his heart at the memory.
Zim had been holding the same umbrella that day when Dib had grasped zims hand.
Becoming flustered and red when zim had grasped back.
The warmth that spread through his body at the look zim has given him. The warm smile that was kept on his face as they walked, still hand in hand.
Now it was just a cruel reminder of how foolish dib had been. How he let himself be tricked by kind words and a warm smile.
Dib was snapped out of his thoughts as zim pulled the umbrella away, the cold rain once again falling back into his body.
"I would stay longer and watch you act like a sad little worm baby, but! I have things to do. Of course you're more than welcome to stay here. Not sure why, there is nothing for you here now".
Another wicked smile, all teeth and eyes flashing a glowing pink.
"Or" waving his hand in the air.
"You could come with me. Who knows? You might be able to get revenge of sorts~ now doesn't that sound better than sitting in the mud and waiting for something that will never happen. Really where else will you go? I'm the only one who has seen real worth in you. The only one who believes in you. No one else will care dib. No human will care. No one is going to believe you. Poor dib, probably be thrown into a crazy house if you try and tell them about me".
Zim chuckled "or you can keep your mouth shut and play sad child for the world, have everyone feel bad for. All while getting saddled with your father's responsibilities, something I remember you never wanted. Well that is until I take over this ball of dirt".
Dib turned around to the scene that had crippled him. He could hear the faint sounds of sirens off in the distance.
If he stayed, he would be all alone. If he stayed no one would believe him. If he stayed he would be blamed and thrown away if he even tried to expose zim. If he stayed he would be thrown headfirst into a future he never wanted. If he stayed….he would still be human.
He looked up to zim who had stopped smiling and was tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.
Zim sighed disappointedly, turning around and starting back.
He stopped however when he heard the shuffling of feet and the splash of movement. He grinned, not even bothering to look behind him.
"Come now dib, I have lots of work to do. I promise you I'll show you just how special you can be".
With that, Zim begane to march off, his boots splashing in the puddles.
Dib slowly began to shamble his way after him. Tears not having dried yet as he numbley followed the figure in front of him.
He could hear the sounds of the scene slowly fade from his ears. Being replaced by the static of rain.
He knew he shouldn't have followed zim…that monster…no that alien. But…what else choice did he have? It was better than being alone, better than being forced into something he knew he wasn't ready for. Better than being human.
Zim all the meanwhile, smiled and hummed to himself. Who thought that this small dirt ball of a planet could give him so much fun. He was glad he chose this mission.
It seems at least one thing on this spinning ball of dirt was worth the trip.