A story I'm working on, kind of Object show-ish, taking inspiration from Objectified and the Four Moons Initiative. I'll update more as I continue.
“Hey, pass the popcorn, Bowl. You’re hogging it.” “It’s literally in my head! How am I hogging it when YOU put it in there?” It was a normal Tuesday night for Bowl and Key. They were watching Wheel of Fortune and sneaking popcorn while TV cooked dinner in the kitchen.
“Shhh. Not so loud, Bowl. TV is going to be mad if she finds out we are eating before dinner.”
Just then, an impossibly bright light filled the room. Bowl closed his eyes instinctively, but the light was so powerful that it provided no relief. Suddenly, there was a loud BANG from the kitchen, followed by a shatter of… Glass? Bowl and Key look at each other, confused. Key nervously walked into the kitchen, taking careful steps. “TV?” she called. “Heyyy, is everything alright in there?”
Key screamed, and Bowl ran into the kitchen to see what was wrong. The source of the commotion was immediately apparent. “OH MY GOD!” His eyes widened in undisguised mortification at the sight of TV, screen shattered, dead(?) on the floor.
“What the heck happened? Does this have something to do with that light? What are we gonna do? We can’t afford to have TV respawned!” “Key, calm down. We’ll get through this.” Key was teetering on the precipice of full-blown hysteria, on the very cusp of tears.
Something was off about the kitchen. Bowl looked out the window to see nothing but darkness. “What the… Is it a power outage? Key, check the radio. You know, the one we used to listen to monster truck rallies on?"
Key nervously ran into the living room to grab their emergency radio. She turned it on and carefully turned the knobs until she heard something other than static.
“This is your emergency broadcasting station. There appears to have been an intense solar flare, which temporarily disrupted all electronics due to its strong Electromagnetic Pulse. I apologise to all of those who had cellular and electronic friends. Rest assured, complimentary revivals will be made readily available for those in need once this is all over.”
Key sighed. So they will get TV back, that’s a relief. “Dang, a Solar flare? That’s what that bright light was? No wonder it hurt so bad.” Bowl scowled, rubbing his eye.
“This is still concerning. Without electronics, or even the internet… People tend to go a bit… Crazy? This could easily spiral into a Purge or something.” “Wow, Key. Even if that sounds insane, it rings with a peculiar truth. Let’s gear up.”
The two began to prepare. Key dug in her closet and whipped out her old baseball bat from when she was in a junior baseball league, and Bowl started packing foods that wouldn’t spoil easily and didn’t require heat or cooling. He also grabbed a kitchen knife for good measure. Finally, they were ready.
Key turned the front doorknob slowly, as if some creature that’s sensitive to noise was on the other side. She peeked out and immediately shut the door, eyes wide. “What’s up?” asked Bowl. “I was right! PEOPLE ARE TEARING EACH OTHER APART OUT THEREEEEE!”
Key didn’t want to leave. “But isn’t that why you brought out your old bat? For defence?” “I know, I know! I’m just scared!” Key trembled. “Key, you’re such a wuss.” Bowl sighed. “Shut up, Bowl!”
“Whatever! Let’s just head out before someone decides to break in and force us out.” Bowl nudged the shaking Key aside, hand outstretched to open the door. “Bowl, no!” Key tried to stop him, but the door creaked open.
It indeed was Hell out there. Pyromaniacs were trying to burn things to no avail, some were just running around, screaming their heads off hysterically, and someone was even crying in an alley, rocking themselves back and forth.
“Yeesh, Key. You were right, they really are acting like animals. It’s literally just the internet.” “Bowl, that’s REALLY insensitive! You forget some people are part animals. People also died! Remember, TV?”
Bowl scoffed. “Yeah, but we’re gonna get her back when this is all over. They’re also gonna get whoever they lost back too. Besides, why do you care about the monster objects? Now get behind me.” Bowl motioned behind him.
Key hesitantly obeyed, gripping her bat tightly. “Ugh, my hands are clammy.” “Well then, chill the heck out.” Key glanced at Bowl. “How are you so calm?” Bowl just laughed and started walking.
“Hey, not funny! Answer me!” Bowl was about to respond, until he got pounced on by a bestial object. He pinned Bowl to the ground and had His claws to Bowl’s ceramic. Bowl tried to reach for his pocket knife, but the object knocked it out of reach. Key tried to get a good look at the person, so she could possibly get him arrested for assault.
The object was a bestial can of soda, and his ring pull was already popped open, exposing his sweet, fizzy innards. His assigned animal was kind of hard to distinguish. Was he a meerkat? No, his claws were too short. His tail looked like some kind of stoat or ferret.
“Just give me the bag, and I won’t kill you and your rather pathetic companion. Aww, look at her! She’s shaking like a chihuahua, poor thing.” Key was indeed shaking, but she tried to keep her face straight.
Key, despite her fear, managed to steady her voice. "Hey! Leave him alone!" she shouted, pointing her bat at the soda can. The object didn't so much as flinch. He just grinned, exposing his sharp teeth. "Or what? You'll hit me with that toy bat?"
Key tightened her grip. "It's not a toy!" she argued, her thoughts going a hundred miles an hour. "And I know how to use it!" She was bluffing, mostly. Her junior league days were a long time ago, but she didn’t care. As long as this thing got off Bowl!
Bowl, from beneath the can, struggled to speak. "Key... Don’t try to help… I’ll just give him the bag."
"No!" Key refused. She wasn't going to let some soda can push them around. Especially not one that insulted her shaking.
The can chuckled. "Your little friend is smarter than you. Now hand over the goods." He pressed his claws a little harder against Bowl's ceramic, a small crack beginning to form. Bowl winced, struggling to try and get the bag off of him so he could turn it in.
That did it. Key wasn't going to let Bowl get hurt. She raised her bat, aiming for the soda can’s top. But he was fast. He dodged, and Key's bat hit the ground with a thud, stunning her with the vibration for a second.
With the can off him, Bowl used the distraction and managed to get a hand free and grabbed the kitchen knife. With a swift motion, he stabbed the soda can in his side.
The object yelped, red soda spraying out. He stumbled back, clutching his wound to try and block his sweet insides from escaping any further, his eyes wide with pain. He looked at Bowl, then Key, a snarl forming. "You'll regret this!" he spat, and then he turned and ran off.
Key rushed to Bowl's side, dropping her bat. "Are you okay? That crack, is it bad?"
Bowl pushed himself up, wincing a little. "I'm fine. Just a chip. That guy... He was serious." He looked at the knife, sugary red liquid dripping off. "You were right, it's not just the internet. These people are dangerous." He turned to face Key again.
She helped Bowl up, her own fear forgotten in the face of Bowl's injury. "We need to get out of here. Find somewhere safe." Bowl nodded, retrieving the dropped bag and the knife. "Let's stick to the shadows. And next time, Key, don't be a hero. Just listen to me."
Key scoffed, a small, shaky laugh escaping her mouth. "Whatever, Bowl. I just saved your life. Just lead the way."
Together, they started to walk into the chaotic street, sticking close to the buildings, trying to avoid the notice of the crazed people around them.
