In the inky void of the cosmos “It” exists in peace. Floating carelessly it passes by the countless stars and planets brought about by “Its” thoughts. Reality is nought but a dream for it to see as it pleases. “It” is known by choice, its title of “Author Of Fate” given to it by the life it thought up. Time flows only as the ink in its “pen” dictates, the existence of others guided by its hands only. “It” is everything, at least “It” thought it was.

  One fateful day, while wandering “It” came across earth. Earth is separate from “It”, something it can’t control. Life “It” didn’t create and fates it neither thought up or controlled. So, “It” felt a new emotion. “It” felt curious. So “It” took a human form and decided to get to know these things “It” had no part in creating.

  “Yo Jerry gimme anothah pint a whiskey an we’ll be settled for tha night!”

  “Nope, no more for ya lassie. Wouldn’t want ya leavin in a wooden onesie, at least not one I can be blamed for chuckin ya in.”

  “Ya’s just jealous cause ya know I”d rock that onesie so hard god’s gonna send me back ‘ere to spread tha greatness a mah gorgeous face round.”

  “Sure, now pay up.”

  In a small pub down in northern Ireland a lone woman sits, grumbling along to the elderly barkeep in front of her as she’s forced to pay instead of just “adding to her tab” as usual. She’s wearing a green sweater to deal with the chilly night winds, her shoulder length brown hair matching her boots and contrasting her pale white skin. Exaggeratedly she pulls out an oddly cute pink wallet from her jeans, putting on a silly smile the second she sees her ID.

  “I forgot! It’s mah bday mate! Ya wouldn’t go chagrin a lassie as pretty as me on ‘er bday right?”

  Cleaning an empty cup Jerry the barkeep doesn’t even bother looking up.

  “Pay up, you get a ten percent discount though.”

  “Deal!”

  Before he can change his mind the woman pays up, booking it out the front and heading home as fast as she can. With a slight skip in her step she hums her way home, occasionally stopping to try not to throw up on the side of the road. “Ugh, fuck me I may ‘ave ‘ad a lil too much ta drink.” Her face is a beat red, even so the heavy bags under her eyes remain eternally visible. Looking up at the sky, then at herself a single thought managed to form. “What ‘ave I done with mah life? ‘Ittin thirty yet ‘ere I am drunk off mah arse on tha way ta an empty ‘ome.” Gripping her head she moves to the nearest lamppost on the side of the road and takes a seat, carefully leaning her back against it.

  The moon sits in the center of the sky, its gentle glimmer shining down onto the empty streets of the small town, clouds swirling as the stars shine among the purple and black water color skies. It feels everything is moving, everything but her. “I don’t want ta go ‘ome…” As she hugs her legs she remembers the empty beer cans sprawled across the floor, the moldy dishes filling the sink, and the horrible smell. Soon, she can’t help but cry, losing herself to her mind. “Is this normal for a human?” Clear as a bell, neither masculine nor feminine. Even so, the sudden voice radiates a gentle beauty.

  Inhuman?

  Standing in front of her, appearing from seemingly nowhere “It” stands. “It” is human, at least close to it. “Its” short hair, just like its eyes are a soft pink, its skin a sickly white. “It” isn’t too tall, only being five foot seven inches. Male or female? “It’s” neither, “Its” crotch is completely smooth, “It’s” body is perfectly androgynous. “It” tilts “Its” head in confusion, “Its” eyes are full of light yet completely devoid of life.

  “Human? What’s ya on about mate? Wait? Why ya built like a doll? Fuck me I’m seein shite ain’t I?”

  Again “It” tilts “Its” head in confusion.

  “Doll? Seein shite? Human, did I do something wrong?”

  “...Stop calling me human, okay? Names Alice! Now what’s ya deal mistah…miss? Whatever ya are.”

  Step.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “It” draws closer, its eyes shimmering brightly.

  “I desire to understand humanity. I desire to understand you. A curiosity within me flares with the unknown, desperate to be sated.”

  Step.

  Alice can see “It”, the shadow hiding the illusion of humanity.

  “Alice. You will help me, now tell me. How do I begin to understand?”

  Step.

  What can she say to “It”, this horrid monster pretending to be like her.

  Silence.

  “...Fuck me I’m too drunk for this shite. C’mon, help me home an I’ll do whatever ya want ya freakin monster.”

  Silently “It” pulls Alice up, picking her up into a princess carry. As if Alice was lighter than a feather “It” doesn’t struggle at all. “How do I take you home…Alice?” Hesitating, she barely manages to respond. Is the redness on her face the alcohol or the embarrassment? “Just follow where I point, If I talk I might puke on ya’s.” And so the pair walk to Alice’s home, whatever people they may come across ignoring the duo, or more like they’re unable to notice the pair. After just under fifteen minutes the duo arrive at Alice’s home.

  The front yard is a mess, more resembling a weed filled wild land than a part of civilized society. As for the house, at least externally it appears clean. The red brick walls are aged, small chips lining their crevices and the square window’s brass frames are dust free with the black curtains inside the home making it impossible to see what’s within. As they walk in through the front door they hear water drip down the gray tile roof. The first thing the pair see…is an overwhelming mess. Looking at the “Thing” carrying her Alice blushes again. “Is this what a human home is like?” Hearing that question a cold calm overtakes Alice as her thoughts take over.

  Human home huh? …I don't think any other person would live here willingly. When was the last time I cleaned? Fuck, I imagined this thing but I can’t imagine returning to a clean home? Have I really sunk that low…I just…I just feel so overwhelmed. Where do I even start? What can I even fix?

  “Alice, why is your face like that?”

  Does “It” know concern for others yet? No, “It” still is moving on that hollow curiosity. “It’s nothin I’m just feeling a bit sad. Put me down on tha couch over there please an thank ya.” Taking the first right down the entrance hallway the duo find themselves in the living room. Just like the rest of the house its small, the only things in it being a mid sized brown leather couch and a small flatscreen being held on a table directly across it. All across the carpeted floor trays of microwavable food lay sprawled across partially hidden by the heaps of clothes. After placing Alice on the couch “It” simply sits on the ground, crossing it legs and resting “Its” head against “Its” hands. Seeing “It” stare so intently Alice lets out a heavy sigh before responding.

  “I thought I would be somewhere else in life. Met a nice man, get a good job, and keep a clean house yet here I am stuck workin in a shitty cafe unable to catch me a man while makin more an more of a mess. Not all bad though, least there’s a nice drink after a rough day. Plus ain’t no sour mood gonna stop me from wearin my silly lil grin.”

  Looking at Alice “It” tilts his head. “It” doesn’t understand her, unable to come up with a question. At least, not until “It” sees her smile. At her last word, “It” sees something almost magnetic. Her words come out with a somber chill but in her eyes is a playful light matching the silly grin overtaking her face. Finally, “It” feels something other than curiosity. “It” feels…desire?

  “Why do you smile Alice?” “It” asked as it leaned towards her, a weak spark of life flickering in “Its” eyes.

  Letting out a sigh Alice looks to the roof.

  “Because I feel like I’d like I’d go insane if I didn’t.” Looking at Alice “It” tilts “Its” head. In response she lightly laughs. “Considering I made ya up maybe I already am insane? I don’t know…there’s just something inside me. It makes me feel scared and empty, it feels like there’s nothing I can do but suffer. Sometimes though, when I smile. Even if it’s fake, it feels like everything will be okay. Maybe I’m just tricking myself but a little lie like that…it’s okay right? God I’d give anything for a hug right now.” Suddenly, “It” has another feeling. Without thought, letting instinct guide “It”, “It” stands up and wraps “Its” arms around Alice, hugging her as tightly and gently as “It” can.

  Silence, then the whimpers begin.

  Alice hugs “It” back, tears rolling down her puffy eyes. “P-please…please don’t leave me! I don’t care if you're fake! I just don’t want to be alone! Please!” Yet again another emotion appears, leaving “It” unable to understand. “Alice. I don’t like this. How do I make it stop?” Not concern, instead “It” feels disgust. “Just promise me…even if this is just a dream. I don’t want to spend my birthdays alone again. Please see me again every year.” Before “It” can say anything Alice falls asleep. Letting go of her “It” examines her face.

  “It” understands nothing. Not why she cries, not she wants to spend her birthdays with “It”, or what this human is thinking. “It”...feels? Desire? Curiosity?

  “It” smiles.

  “Very well Alice. Every year we shall spend together from now on.”

  With a glimmer in “Its” eyes it floats up, phasing through the roof and flying high into the sky.

  “Humanity…earth…it’s all so interesting.”

  Under the moon’s ever present glimmer “It” idles away, the stars beyond enjoying a new freedom as “It” begins to indulge.