AnYi 安亦

---

The last thing you touched (other than the keyboard, mouse, screen, etc.) is trying to kill your protagonist. Explain why.

---

Gerald misses their old life; the life before the attic. They miss the days in which Cara would seek out their company after a ‘long day’ – whatever that meant – and they would curl up together in front of the magic box. They shared so much laughter, so many tears, and such an army of friends and allies. Of course, those allies dropped off over the years; Barbara was lost in Greece, poor pup, and the twins, Harry and Barry, never made it back from the cleaners. Then there were the disappearances that – at least at the time – seemed more mysterious… no-one explained or even addressed the gaping hole in the room left over. Now it makes sense. Cara need not question where Benji went, or Samantha, or Raggy – who was around before even Gerald’s time – for she already knew. They were over there, in a box, in the corner. This whole time.

And now Gerald is up here with them. But Gerald’s story is not quite the same as the others’ – oh, no; Gerald has hope. You see, during their banishment to the attic, Cara said something that rang of a promise. She mentioned a mythical land known as “Uni”, and that she might need Gerald again when she ventured there. Gerald longed for this trip to come – if they knew what a day was or how many there were until this trip took place, they’d have been counting them.

Counting or no, though, their wait was at an end; even as they reminisced, light spilled into the room from the trapdoor. Gerald could feel the excitement brewing in their down as Cara’s head emerged through the glow. She looked different – taller, maybe – but still identifiable. A muffled voice carried through the trap behind her, and she simply sighed and rolled her eyes. She straightened and looked around the room before unfurling the small black cylinder in her hand into a series of black bags. At first Gerald was excited to be stuffed into one. They understood after the donation.

Being left alone all this time was one thing, but to finally have their hope validated only to be thrown away like they were nothing… An unbearable rage ignited within them – so hot they feared their outer skin would simply melt. ‘If we ever meet again, traitor… I will be your final duvet as well as your first.’