Symbiote Boyfriend Spite (special preview)

I go inside and the house feels oddly empty. Not like before, but there was a strange sensation that I wasn’t alone. I shake this feeling off and go into my room. As I get ready to sit down to work I can’t concentrate. I look around my room, seeing the dirty clothes everywhere. I huff, deciding to procrastinate and do my laundry. I gather up everything then head downstairs. I look at Harlan’s room and decide to see if he has any laundry or clean sheets.

I go inside, picking up the clothes on the ground and adding them to my basket. I see his watch lying on the bedside table as well as a small bag when more money in it. I shake my head, wondering what he’s hiding.

I reach down, grabbing a towel and it’s stuck. I yank, pulling it hard and out from under the bed rolls the pill shaped canister I had seen when Harlan first showed up.

“Oh shit,” I huff and pick it up, intending to set it back.

Whatever was inside swirled red and white like a possessed peppermint candy. The canister shivered and shook. I quickly set it back down on the ground and wipe my hands down the front of my shirt.

“Pick me back up, Max!” Someone shouts.

I drop the laundry basket and turn, looking around.

“Max!” The canister lurches and I scream. I fall backwards, hitting the door as it slams shut.

“Shh!” The canister snarls. “Be quiet. It’s ok.”

“What the fuck?” I scramble, trying to get up, but I only end up making things worse for myself. I have no grace, no elegant way of moving my body. As I’m trying to get up, I slip on the dirty laundry and fall again. Only this time, it twists my ankle.

I cry out in pain and grasp my leg. “Shit!”

“Hey, calm down,” the canister growls. “I don’t mean to sound like a cliche beaten to death with a dead horse, but I mean you no harm.”

“You’re a talking...thing!” I snap. 

“Fair,” the canister scoffs. “You don’t know me. But I know you.”

The pain in my ankle is almost overwhelming. “What sort of creepy bullshit-”

“Shh,” it whispers. “I know how much you hurt,” it says. “How lonesome you are. Ever since Jack vanished, since your uncle lied to you.”