Chapter Text
3:45pm, November 28th
POV - Bob
Bob sat on the couch staring at the TV. Bored. He was so bored. IT was annoying that he couldn’t go anywhere cause the police were still looking for him! He wanted to go into town with Tabby even if it was just to walk around. But he couldn’t. So he was bored out of his mind with nothing to do except watch TV, help around the house and wait for Tabby to get home.
However, with all his free time he had a lot of time to think. Think about himself and his actions. Think about everyone he’s hurt… And think about Tabby… It was funny how the person he swore he’d kill when he had fully recovered was… Someone he started liking. He genuinely enjoyed spending time with her. She wasn’t all touchy feely, but she still was fun to hang out with.
And around a week ago. He didn’t notice at first, but he started to like her. More than just as a roommate he was forced to put up with. More than just a friend. It was kind of corny, but he was starting to have feelings for her. The person who saved his life and put up with his murderous intentions for almost a month. These feelings were so alien to him. He has never had them before and it was strange.
He felt shivers run down his spine every time they accidentally brushed their hands against each other while on the couch. He felt his stomach flutter ever so slightly when she got up close and personal whenever he had tried to stab her. His face got beat red every time she pinned him to a wall. Y’know. Cause he tried to stab her.
These feelings. They were going to be… Problematic if he was going to have to kill Tabby. He also needed to get in touch with the cult. They didn’t know he was alive and probably assumed he was dead. Perhaps he could sneak out while Tabby was gone and get in contact with them… Yeah that should work.
But first he wanted to figure something out first. He got to his feet heading over to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and grabbed the tub of red liquid he had been wondering about since he had first seen it. At first he thought it was kool aid, but the iron smell immediately made him doubt that claim. He popped off the lid and took a sip.
…
…
It was blood…
POV - Tabby
Walking through town there wasn’t much to do. Besides the occasional breaking news around the year nothing happened. So it was often pretty boring. But now that she was living with a wanted cannibal. Things had started to liven up. It made having to deal with the occasional murder attempt worth it.
She noticed something. Well somethings… Two small kids running down the sidewalk in… Halloween costumes. Wasn’t halloween like a month ago? What were they doing still wearing costumes? Maybe they were just going to a costume party, but then where was their mom? Or any adult accompanying them. As they got closer she recognized them from the news. They were the kids Bob had been chasing all Halloween. Skid and Pump… She thought those were their names, but she can’t remember for sure.
Anyhow they were running straight at her in an. Odd manner? Of course these kids were much more nimble than she was and could probably manage to run like this somehow, but it still confused her. And then they were right in front of her. She swore she just blinked and suddenly they were standing in front of her looking up at her like a couple of hyper puppies wanting to play.
“Uh… Hey kids? What’re you doin’ out here?” She tilted her head to the side looking down at them. They were both looking up at her then at each other with excitement on their faces shaking their hands in a hyper manner.
“You look so cool! Are you also dressed up for a spooky month?” The one in the skeleton costume exclaimed first. Pointing at the bandages covering half of her face. She ran one of her hands over to bandages a tad self conscious, but the kids were just excited.
“Nah this is how I always look. H-hey… Uh why are you wearing halloween costumes? Wasn’t Halloween a month ago?” She motioned at their costumes to which they both looked at themselves before back at her.
“It's spooky before christmas!” The one in the pumpkin costume replied, the both of them doing a sort of dance. It looked like fun. “Hey! Can we walk with you? Please please please!!”
She thought about it for a moment, “Sure what the hell! What’re your names, kids?”
“I’m Skid and that’s Pump!” Skid responded quickly. She nodded and turned and started walking down the sidewalk again the two following after her. Doing laps around her running around excitedly. Occasionally running up ahead and doing that silly little dance. Each time she felt herself smile at the two’s goofiness.
Skid slowed down for a bit walking alongside her, “What’s your name! I bet it’s super cool!”
“Tabby, my name's Tabby.” She leaned down patting him on the head. He playfully swatted at her hand giggling, “Oh looks like we’re almost to where I was headed.” She stated, pointing over at the Candy Club. The two kids got even more excited than they already were which she didn’t think was even possible.
“Kevin! We’re gonna see Kevin!” Pump exclaimed, jumping up and down. Running ahead the two kids waited for her just outside the Candy Club. She picked up her pace and caught up to them walking inside the store with them. Kevin as usual was at the counter leaning against his hand looking bored. Very bored… But once he spotted Skid and Pump he jolted up right, his eyes narrowing in a glare.
“Oh no! You two already cause-” He slowly trailed off, as he noticed her hovering over the two kids. Looking down at him. “Heyy Tabby…” He slowly waved, sinking down into the collar of his uniform. Maybe it was the fact that she was extremely tall, but he always was antsy around her. It was strange, but she did her best to ignore it.
“Heya Kevin. Can I get a few chocolate bars?” She paused looking down at the kids, “You two want anything. I’ll pay for it.” She was already taking out her wallet as Kevin turned to get the chocolate.
“Two candy cans please!” They chimed in looking at Kevin excitedly. Kevin glanced back at them. Then at her before looking under the counter and pulling out two Bocadon bars. Well that's what the packaging said. He rang them up on the cashier as she pulled out a $10 bill handing it to him. He returned her change and handed the kids the candy cans while he gave her the chocolate bars.
“Thanks Kevin!” The kids chirped before heading towards the door. Tabby waved at Kevin and followed the two out the door. Outside was a group of teenagers. Three were wearing hats while the other wore a demon horn headband. Skid and Pump stared at them for a moment. Tabby was about to ask what was up when one of the teens spoke up. Specifically the shortest one.
“Oh look, it's the losers!” He sneered, glaring down at Skid and Pump. The other three frowned at him, the one wearing a beanie even rolling his eyes. “What are you two doing here?” He stepped towards the two, raising his hands to go and grab at them.
“Roy! Leave ‘em alone.” One of them piped up. The tallest out of the bunch. And also the only one not wearing a hat. Roy looked back at them glaring.
“Stay out of this Rowan! You guys never let me do anything anymore.” He grumbled, crossing his arms in a pout.
“Roy, everything you try to do is dumb and dangerous. How many times have we had to bail you out cause you thought you’d get away with something?” The one wearing a beanie spoke up. The group glared at Roy disapprovingly.
While Roy was distracted she took the chance and scooped up Skid and Pump who seemed confused. The two jumped startled, but got back to smiling when she put them on her shoulders. Normally she doesn’t let anyone touch her shoulders, but she’d make an exception for these two. They held onto her head for support as she turned and walked away from the group.
“Do you two know those guys?” She asked, glancing between the two.
“Yeah… They’re meanies. Rowan, Ross, and Robert are nice now, but Roy’s still really mean!” Pump spoke up, throwing one of his arms out to emphasize what he meant. She nodded and kept walking down the sidewalk.
“Well I’m gonna walk you two home. Cause I also gotta get home. Sounds good?” The kids nodded and gave her a thumbs up. Their smiles grew wider. “So what street do you live on?” Once she had the name of the street she was off. Walking a bit faster than she usually did to speed things up. Soon she came up to Skid’s house and let him off her shoulder.
“Bye bye Mr. Tabby! Bye Pump!” He waved at them before waddling off to the door. Pump and he waved back at Skid before continuing down the sidewalk to Pump’s house. Pump humming quietly rocking side to side.
“Hey Mr. Tabby?” Yeah kid?” “Why do you wear those bandages?”
The question caught him off guard and he nearly stopped him in his tracks, but he remained calm and looked over at the kid, “That’s a touchy subject. I’d prefer to not talk about it…” Pump just stared for a moment before slowly nodding. Eventually he reached Pump’s house and let him off his shoulder.
Pump ran up to the door ringing the doorbell before turning to Tabby, “Bye Mr. Tabby!” He waved excitedly. Tabby waved back; turning and starting to walk in the direction of his cabin. He couldn’t wait to get back and lay down. And with the sun starting the set in maybe 30 minutes he needed to get home before dark.
Being out in the woods after dark might as well be a death wish. He had seen and heard plenty of hikers die brutal deaths because they were out after dark. Tabby only managed to stay alive when he went out because he made his trips short and sweet. As well as carrying a shotgun on him.
Her thoughts swirled around for a bit before settling on… Bob. The murderous cannibal he had been living with for around a month. Despite several murder attempts he was a sweet guy. He made delicious food as well. Honestly he couldn’t imagine going back to eating stuff that was microwaved or ramen after trying everything Bob has cooked. It was too good tasting.
Perhaps he could ask Bob to teach him how to cook or something. Eh, who knows. But it might be good to know how to cook if he was actually gonna kick Bob out when he fully healed. He wasn’t sure though. This was the best month he’d had in years. Eating properly. Having a healthy amount of sleep. And Bob was sweet aside from the murder attempts. She had felt more at ease hanging out with him than she had in the past 23 years she had spent alone.
Of course she had Henry coming out from time to time to visit her, but they weren’t that close. Even if he was his brother. They had grown distant as the years passed, spending less and less time together. Neither minded that they had drifted apart, but Henry came to visit to make sure Tabby wasn’t alone. She didn’t have anyone. No friends, nor family. Not even coworkers.
Once she realized she had made it home she came back from her spaced out run around thoughts. Wiping a tear from her eye she climbed the stairs and walked in, “Hey Bob. I’m home.” He looked at the couch expecting to find Bob, but there was no one there… Perhaps he went to bed early. He headed over to Bob’s room pushing open the door and finding nothing.
Now he was starting to freak out. Desperately checking every room in the house eventually coming to the kitchen. Her tub of blood out on the kitchen table. No. No no no. He wasn’t supposed to find out about that! He rushed over to it, staring at it. Did Bob run away because he found this? No please. Please let that not be the case.
…
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Please…