The Mysterious Rattle 04

Original Idea: Sophiie93

Copy Editor: Leena 

James was sitting on the sofa wondering what he was going to do with his new “guest” when Melany came out of the bathroom wearing a new pair of clean clothes. “Where did you get these?” she said.

“Oh, I just cut down some of my old clothes to fit your body. Don’t worry, I have plenty more, you can keep them” James replied.

Melany’s eyes filled with tears of joy. “Thank you!” she said, both head smiling brightly. She walked over to the small bag that she tried so hard to rescue. Inside were a few scattered belongings including a picture of a pre-mutation Melany and her parents. James couldn’t see much else with all of Melany’s hands roaming around inside.

“It’s not much, but it’s the lead I can do” Melany said, taking a coin out of her bag and offering it to James.

“No, no. Keep them” James said. “You’ve been through a lot today and you lost your house. You don’t have to pay me anything.”

Melany gave a soft nod and pu the coins away.

“Tell me…” James inquired “how did you end up living alone in that house. I saw a picture in that bag of yours. Are those your parents? Where are they?”

Melany’s eyes lowered and her tail made an agitated rattling sound. “Yes, they are my parents, and they are good people… even after…” She stopped. Her faces were twisted in anguish. 

James quickly changed the subject. “Well you were cute before you were a mutant… ER… uh… not that you aren’t cute now don’t get me wrong.”

Melany sighed heavily. “You don’t have to pretend. I know I’m not pretty now. I’m strange even for mutants. I have animal parts and two heads and all these arms, “she said, raising her tail to accentuate her sentence.

James gave her a soft smile. “Well you still look amazing to me. I think you are a very pretty girl and you are being too hard on yourself. I mean, have you been on the internet. There are mutants way more extreme than you.” 

Melany laughed a bit and James laughed along with her, but what followed was an awkward silence. James tried to think of anything to break the stillness. “So, uh… what age did you mutate?”

“When I was thirteen” Melany said. “It’s been seven years. I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve spent most of that time in that house… alone. People aren’t all that interested in approaching me after they see… well… this.” One of Melany’s arms came up to scratch shyly at a cheek. “I’m… not proud of what I had to do to survive.”

James knew better than to ask for more details. He stood up and motioned for Melany to follow. “Come with me. I already ate dinner earlier today but I’d be happy to make something for you.”

Melany followed him enthusiastically. James wasn’t much of a cook, but he did have some leftover fish. He heated it up in the microwave and poured Melany a cup of juice. “I’m uh, sorry you had to live alone al that time…” he said, just trying to make conversation.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m just… an unlucky mutant I guess.” Melany’s right head spoke to James while the left focused on the food inside the microwave, practically drooling.

James couldn’t help but chuckle. “So, having two heads makes it harder to hide what you want, eh?” James pulled the fish out of the microwave, setting it on the table and sitting on the other side.

Melany was thrilled. She hadn’t used forks or hot food in so long. She began scarfing down the fish as if she hadn’t eaten in days, which was partially true. She guzzled the juice and even licked the scraps off the plate. 

“Oh god I’m stuffed,” she said. “It’s been so long since I have been this full. Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it,” James said. “But… do you really have nowhere to go?”

Melany shook her two heads at once, solemnly.

“Well I can’t have you living on the street. You can stay here for now. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Melany protested! “N-n-no! That’s too much! I can sleep on the sofa! I mean I’ve slept on the floor for so long I’m sure it will be-“

“That’s exactly why!” James interrupted. “How long has it bit since you had a good nights sleep?” 

Melany froze and tried to recall the last time she slept on a bed. She couldn’t. She instead just decided to hug James tightly with all her arms. “Thank you” she softly whispered. She walked toward his room bidding him a soft “goodnight” as she entered and closed the door behind her.

Melany was practically paralyzed looking at James’s bed. It was perfectly made, almost as if she was staying at a hotel. It looked so soft. Without wasting a second she took off her shirt and pants and jumped onto the bed, laying down, looking at the ceiling, and snuggling under the blankets. She was asleep in seconds.

Meanwhile, James was setting up his bed on the sofa, recalling the hug, and the tiny bit of Melany’s mutation that he had just noticed. “She has six breasts too?”