User blog:Gnomehunter/Day 16: Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray

Write a story about a random monster girl

Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray

'''Ricky was not handling his breakup with Cynthia very well. After two years of a relatively successful relationship, they had found themselves drifting apart. After managing to speak to each other about what was going on, they concluded that separation was the best thing for them. Cynthia packed her things into the car, waving goodbye to Ricky, pulled out of the driveway and down the road. Ricky had done his best to move on, removing her from his social media presence and getting rid of some of the most immediate reminders. But now he found himself dwelling on their years together. Ricky deeply missed her. '''

'''“At least it wasn’t due to one of us cheating. Or would that have been better?” He said to himself. But Ricky knew he couldn’t think about her forever. So he got up from his bed where he’d been laying down, and decided there were going to be a few changes. “Gotta take care of this mess”, he said, picking up an assortment of trash and food wrappers that littered the floor. Next was to pick up his laundry and run it through the wash. Finally, shave, shower, and a clean set of clothes. He took the second half of the day to complete these tasks, but when he was done he felt much better. Ricky finished the day by going for a walk. '''

'''Walking down the street and turning into his driveway, Ricky received the shock of his life. Cynthia? Wa standing on the doorstep, knocking and looking around, as if trying to get in. “Cynthia?” He said, flabbergasted. '''

'''“Oh, Ricky! She turned and ran to him, jumping into his arms. Ricky caught her, amazed by the change in mood. Where she had left him, not out of anger or resentment, but with an understanding that they were no longer right for each other, now she seemed like she didn’t want anything more than to be by his side. She snuck in a kiss, and when they parted, he put her down on the ground. She stood a head taller, owing to his shortness, long curly blond hair and distinctly green eyes. She had on one of his favorite outfits, a soft peach colored shirt and blue jeans. Blue clogs completed the look. But Ricky also couldn’t but notice that some of her features had filled out a bit more. She caught him staring. “Hey there, Mister. Are you just going to stare at me or let me come inside?”'''

'''“Oh jeez I didn’t mean to”, he stammered, “It’s just that you’re so much more beautiful that I ever remembered.” Cynthia beamed as they hugged again, and walked into the house. “So what made you decide to come back?” Ricky asked.'''

'''“My car broke down. I was on the side of the road, trying to call for a tow. As I was waiting there, I thought of you and all the good times we had together. It felt like a sign, and I realized that I couldn’t leave you. That I love you Ricky, and I don’t want to lose you”.'''

“Well I’m very happy to be back with you now”.

'''“And you know, there’s something else I didn’t want to miss either”. Her voice took on a more suggestive tone and Ricky could tell what she was talking about. '''

'''“Why don’t we wait a little longer? I’ll make us something to eat first”. '''

'''“Oh! Of course, I can help”. '''

'''“Why not? We can make a meal to celebrate our reunion”.'''

'''“Or more like our re-onion!” Cynthia said, holding up an onion she’d found in the fridge. Ricky smiled. It really was good to be back together with Cynthia. '''

'''After eating, Cynthia hurried Ricky up to the bedroom. It seemed she was really eager to get down to business. '''

“Oh, gotta get a condom”, he remarked.

'''“What do you need tha-”, she interrupted herself. Oh of course. A condom is important”. Sleeping with Cynthia was not only a joy after the few weeks she’d been gone, but the experience seemed to be even more pleasurable than before. When they were done, they lay on the bed, holding each other tightly. “That was so nice, Ricky. Now I know I made the right choice”, Cynthia said with a happy sigh. --- What do you mean you don’t have the car?”'''

'''“I’m really sorry Ricky! I didn’t mean to lie. But there was an awful crash. They said the car was totaled and it wouldn’t ever run again. Um, a lot of my stuff was lost, and I had no idea where to go. All I could think of was here, and so I came back hoping you would let me stay. But I really do love you. I want to stay, I’ll help as much as I can, I just don’t have a car anymore”. She gave him an almost pleading look.'''

'''“Jeez, well, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.. That’s...quite a tale. But I’m not mad. And I’m glad you’re here with me. Luckily, we still have my car. Or our car”. --- “Do you remember the first time we met?” Cynthia asked, as they sat together on the couch. '''

'''“Yeah, we met each other via Mary, and learned we were both interested in biology. We started working together on our classwork, and that turned to spending more time with each other, until…”'''

'''“We started dating”, Cynthia finished. She took his hand in her own, caressing it as she stared into his eyes, as if trying to memorize his every feature. --- Where was Cynthia? Ricky sat up in bed, glancing at his phone to see it was 11 pm. He walked downstairs, wondering where she could have gone.'''

'''“Cynthia?” He called. No answer. He stepped out the front door, looking out down the street. The moon illuminated the ground, but he couldn’t see anyone. And she didn’t have a phone either. Fear crept in as he began to feel as if he was being watched. Losing his nerve, he turned back inside. Ricky was about to call the police when he saw that a note had been left on the kitchen counter. ‘I’ve gone for a walk. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be back later’. Ricky found that his sense of unease was barely any less, but at least he knew...well, he knew she had gone somewhere. He managed to fall asleep early, hoping Cynthia would be there when he woke up. '''

'''Opening his eyes the next morning, Ricky found Cynthia laying next to him, sound asleep. As he shifted, she opened her eyes. '''

'''“Good morning”, she said softly. '''

'''“Babe! I was really worried”.'''

“But I left you that note, right?”

'''“Yes, but I couldn’t call you, and you couldn’t have called me. We need to get you a new phone, at least”. --- Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for all of June, the summer was in full swing and made for warm (but buggy) nights. Ricky and Cynthia spent many nights walking together in the afternoon and evening. But one night, Ricky found himself waking up, this time at midnight, wondering where Cynthia had gone. He found the same note left on the counter, tried to call her but got no answer. Stepped outside on the front step, the moon illuminating the street before him, as big as he had ever seen it. And the same creeping feeling that he was not alone. But this time, Ricky was not about to let it get the best of him. He walked forward, determined to figure out where Cynthia had gone. He locked the door, and paced around the house. Finding nothing, he began to walk down the street. The feeling lingered. He turned around after a while, and returned to the house, unlocking it and opening the door. But he locked it, and stepped inside. He stalked through the kitchen, using just his phone light to see, and made his way to the bathroom. Then he turned around, stalking back to the door, staying low to the floor. Standing to take a peek out the window, he spotted a shadowy figure on the doorstep. '''

'''“AAAAHHH!” Ricky screamed. It vanished. He ducked down, then after a moment, owned the door quickly. There was a small girl, clad all in black, huddling on the doorstep. He stared at her, as she sat there almost motionless. Finally a light went on in his head. “Cynthia?” She looked up to meet his gaze, purple eyes staring back, wide with fear. '''

'''“I didn’t, I didn’t  mean to lie”, she said quietly, her voice shaking. '''

'''“Would you like to come in?” Ricky asked. She followed him inside, and he turned on the light, gesturing for her to join him on the couch. “You know”, he started, “I knew from the start that this was too good to be true. Cynthia was driving to California for an internship. I realized I didn’t want to travel so far away, and we just sort of figured out that it might not work out for us. When you came back I wanted to believe. But there were too many coincidences and weird details. I guess, I just wanted to believe. For a while at least”. The girl sat there, glancing at him but looking away when he looked in her direction. '''

'''“I’m a Doppelganger. I take the form of a man’s ideal woman. I wanted you to love me. I just didn’t think there was any other way someone would like me”. He now noticed a faint shadow hovering around her feet, changing and shifting as if it were alive. '''

“So you realized that I was sad about losing someone, and you tried to take her place?”

'''“Mhm”. '''

'''“Well, I have to say you did a pretty good job. Really gave me some good memories of Cynthia. But now...how about I get to know the real you?” The girl looked shocked.'''

“You still want to be with me?”

'''“I think so. You cared for me, and now I think I’d like to return that, for the person you really are. Do you have a name?”'''

'''“Kate”. '''

'''“Well, that’s a very cute name, Kate. I suppose now I know why you were so much more enthusiastic about sleeping together”.'''

'''“Uh-huh. Hey, now that I don’t have to pretend, can we do that again? I bet it could be better this time.” Ricky laughed.'''

'''“I think I can do that”. He picked Kate up, finding her much lighter, and carried her to the bedroom. He lay down with her on top. She was much shyer this time, but Ricky found the experience to be just as enjoyable. '''

'''In the morning, he woke up, this time laying next to Kate’s small form, her arms wrapped around him as she slept. He kissed her on the head, feeling more fortunate than ever before. '''

ok so I clicked "roll for waifu" like 30 times, skipping over some monsters I'd already used for this very challenge, some that I didn't like, and a few that piqued my interest until I settled on the Doppelganger. Sweet girl, afraid no one will like her so she takes the form of some former partner or crush. I think there's a lot of potential heartbreak tied to this monster, but she is an undead type, and I'm kind of fond of the idea behind her. Being able to accept her for who she truly is.