Sketching

Out in the emptiness, things had been silent and calm.

That was until the cente-beast's awakening.

It dragged itself around, one leg hanging loosely as it pulled it along going back to the place it had been born. Naturally, it had been built to hunt down all signs of life, and as far as it concerned itself, those small bags of mechanics contained human life, giving it enough cause to obliterate it.

It hadn't counted on more arriving, and damaging it so much it would have to retreat, but more it hadn't counted on finding the corpse of the Fabricator machine lying limp and destroyed, its large red eye shattered, the talisman not in its true place.

The beast's eyes darted off to the distance, spying the destroyed bridge, and further off the obliterated factory, where it had been born.

Electricity sparked angrily around the beast's neck and mechanics as it roared in rage, seeing its creator and home gone.

Its head swivelled about angrily as it turned its body around, looking out across the landscape. Then somewhere in its mind, something snapped in place, causing the beast to pause before making its way towards the south.

If it was going to avenge its maker, brothers and sisters, it would need another of its kind. It hadn't been the only one awaiting its wake up call. It had a brother, a companion, and he too was waiting to be awoken.

The beast took off as fast as its damaged body would allow it too.

Life had too end, or its purpose would fail.

"So you're not sure 'bout what it means...?" 8 asked, scratching the back of his head as he stared down at the inky drawing I held. The same one 6 had drawn for me a while back. It didn't take much for me to ask his if I could keep it.

I shrugged one shoulder, not looking up at 8 as I stayed sat on one of his legs. He didn't seem too bothered about it. "Well, I do... But... I just don't understand how that could be my purpose... How would my purpose involve me fighting a beast, anyways? My own shadow scares me sometimes."

I smiled as 8 chuckled, my head bopped slightly as it rested against his large chest whilst he laughed.

"Yeah, but yer gettin' better at fightin', now." I sighed slightly.

"Only by a minimum amount..."

He hummed briefly as he shrugged and, once again, the early morning air filled with an enjoyable silence, which I found rather sweet for the morning.

Me and 8 sometimes spent moments like this, when not practicing fighting, or learning new words and reading. Just sitting and enjoying each other's presence. At this moment, we were sitting between a few books, piled upon each other to our left. The sun was not quite out yet, so we kept a candle lit, not far from where we sat. In front of us was an open book, from which I had been helping 8 to read from, and just by it was my small bag, which contained a few pieces of paper that I had brought with me, as well as 6's drawing. This was just by the fallen bookcase in the past human's living room, not far from the old record player.

Eventually, 8 did speak up.

"I haven't seen ya drawin' that much..." I shrugged one shoulder.

"I haven't really had time." It was a little bit of a lie, and I knew that. The only reason I wasn't really drawing much was because I just seem to have lost my edge. I can't think of what to draw, and I don't always feel like drawing. Yet at the same time, I still itch to draw. What a very peculiar feeling...

"...Ya have time now." 8 pointed out.

"But I'm spending it with you." I smiled wrapping my arms around one of his forearms, gazing up at him as he smiled back down. I yelped slightly as his other arm snaked around my back and pulled me closer to his chest.

"Yeah, But I really wanna see ya draw somethin'. I didn' really see many of your drawings- Well, a-ap-appreciate them as much as I maybe should have..."

I shrugged slightly. "Well..." I hadn't draw in ages... Maybe I could try a little sketch of some sort, and if 8 really wants to see...

"Alright. I guess I could sketch up a little something..." He embraced me tightly as he grinned.

"You're the best, z'." He rumbled gleefully. I laughed slightly. I had never really though 8 could be so enthusiastic about watching someone draw.

Once he let me go, I reached for my bag and grabbed it by the fabric, pulling it closer to me. I carefully un-did the button on the front and opened the top, before reaching in and pulling out a piece of folded paper.

I opened it, trying my best to sort out the line down the middle where the paper had been folded, or any other creases which had appeared. I frowned in disappointment when I couldn't quite get it to a perfectly straight piece of paper, which is what I secretly desired.

Ah well, It's only a sketch, and nothings ever perfect, right?

I lay the paper down on the wooden floor and reached for the chalk in my belt. I spun my legs around and lowered myself onto my belly, resting on my right arm and holding my chalk with my left hand. I saw 8 shuffle closer, watching me curiously as he also lowered onto his belly, right next to me.

I smiled and lowered the chalk down to the paper, holding the paper still with my right hand. I wasn't quite sure what I was drawing. Something just jumped in my mind very suddenly. A spark seemed to erupt within my mind, running down into my hand.

That's when I felt it.

I got it back. The feeling which had encouraged me to draw in the first place.

Hmm, maybe a few darker lines there...

Oh, better add some more in the corner for some contrast...

Can't forget that line there...

Hmm, is that too dark...?

I observed my drawing as my hand continued to flow up and down and all about the page.

After a little while, I pulled back and looked down at my drawing.

It was rather simple. One of the life-forms which used to inhabit the earth. If I recall correctly, it was a flower. I'm not sure which kind (as there were apparently many kinds of flowers according to the twins), but it was rather simple. The flower centre, a few petals, the stalk, two leaves and of course the ground. The picture was shaded in some way. For some reason I liked adding smaller lines where the shadows would be, and criss-crossing them over each other. The style was 'cross-hatching' according to 6 and 4.

"Wow..." 8 mumbled, looking down at the drawing. "It's real pretty, 0." I blushed. I casually rubbed the back of my neck as I chuckled.

"T-thanks, 8..."

"It's a flower, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, but I'm not sure what kind..."

8 shrugged. "Just a flower I guess..."

I nodded slightly, muttering in agreement briefly. I then stared down at the drawing, loosing myself to thought.

"I wish it was still around..." I muttered. 8's looked over at me, and made a small noise of confusion and question.

"Life." I replied. "You know... Flowers, birds, bugs... I wish I could see at least one of those up close... Alive and breathing..."

I gasped slightly, feeling 8's arms slide onto my shoulder and pull me closer to him.

"Yeah... I guess we jus' gotta wait... I mean, once that beast is gone, we can work on bringin' life back... I hope..."

I nodded, clutching to him tighter as he mentioned the beast. "So do I 8..." I sighed, looking down at my drawing, "...So do I..."

I don't want her to be sad.

All I want is for 0 to be happy and smiley... My dear Z'...

Our talk from earlier seemed to have made her a bit sad, so I wanna cheer her up. I jus' gotta find her the right gift!

Once I find it, I'll go to the library where she said she was spending time with the twins, and I'll give to her to cheer her up.

But what am I gonna get her?

I can't go outside to look 'cus 1 made it very clear he don't want anyone to go outside 'cus of the beast, but what if there's something really nice for her out there...?

I could always draw her somethin'?

...Nah, that's stupid... I ain't ever drawn in my life, and I'm not sure I will in any other situation.

Hmm... What could I do for her...?

Just at that moment my walked into something. I stepped back into reality and looked down. There was a box looking thing, made out of wood, and decorated in some blue paint, that came up to my waist jus' about.

I looked around. Not far from em was a mirror, which towered over me, that was slightly circular. A few more circular, smaller boxes were placed neatly by the wooden frame holding up the mirror. I looked back to where I had come from.

I t looked like some of the ceiling had fallen in from during the war, creating a small hole in the ceiling, letting through a few rays of sunlight, as well as a few planks of fallen wood, leading to the window sill and down to the floor as well.

I turned my attention back to the box.

I wonder...

With a bit of hesitation, I placed a hand on one of the top corners of the box and gently began to lift it up.

I gasped slightly as the sun's rays caught on the objects inside, creating a warm and rather pretty sparkle...

I then immediately knew what to give 0...

I smiled, watching the twins as the ran back and forth, flickering and clicking at what they found.

They were not only thrilled, but also very welcomed to find that this house had a library, and even now they were still discovering what secrets it had to offer.

I loved the library. A place where the past and fantasy worlds of the mind could come to life.

It fascinated and had endured me as much as drawing did.

A sudden flash was brought before my eyes, snapping me out of my peaceful thoughts, filling my mind with fear as I fell back off the book I was sat on.

I sighed in annoyance and sat up to see 3 and 4 flicking and smiling in amusement to my short lived panic.

"I don't really see what's so funny, boys." Both twins spun around as 11 walked over and around the book towards me.

3 and 4 lowered their heads slightly; their hood's slightly covering over their eyes in a pitiful.

I couldn't help but 'aw' gently. "I'm sure they didn't really mean it, 11." I spoke up. 3 and 4 looked up in unison and smiled slightly, nodding, before rushing over grabbing one of my hands each, shaking them.

I chuckled slightly, "See, they seem to be sorry. And I accept their apologies." The two boys flickered at each other happily before hugging either side of my waist. 11 chuckled.

"So it seems..."

There was a thud. The twins immediately stood stock still, clutching my waist as all of our heads turned to the source of the noise.

My expression of shock melted into one of joy and love as 8 lumbered his way, hands behind his back. The twins backed behind me and 11 slightly and embraced each other as 11 frowned darkly, the closer he walk over to us.

He gazed down at me with a lop-sided grin as he stopped right in front of me. Though, I was happy to see him, my thoughts pondered as to why he was here anyway. He never came into the library, unless 1 was of course, but not really at any other time.

"8? What are you-?" I was silenced when 8 smiled wider, pulling out an object from behind his back.

I gasped in amazement.

I had heard of these before. Diamond rings, I think... It was an amazing shade of light navy blue, glistening on the honey-gold rind which also sparkled.

He passed it over to me. "Here. Ya were lookin' a bit glum earlier, so I thought I'd find ya a little somethin'..." Still clutching the ring, I threw my arms around 8 and hugged him passionately.

"Oh, 8! It's wonderful! Thank you so much..." I quickly pecked him on the cheek before releasing him. He chuckled gently; lightly touching the place I had kissed him.

"Eh heh... Yeah..." He coughed slightly, "W-well I gotta go... O-one wants me, so... yah... see ya... later..?" I nodded and waved goodbye.

I sighed as he left before turning back to see 3 and 4, with matching smirks and folded arms, their hips slightly curved as they seemed to rest on one foot, the other's slightly pushed away from their body's.

"What...?" I questioned them, wondering what was going on in their heads. They grinned before unfolding their arms and bringing 3's left hand and 4's right hand close together. They connected the tips of their index fingers and thumbs together, into a heart shape.

I smirked, "Yeah yeah, say what you want." Oh the irony of that sentence being they were mute, but still, I continued, choosing to ignore it. "I love 8, and there's nothing much to be done about that." Both boy's flickered at each other for a brief moment before facing back to me and shrugging. They then continued to explore the library. That's when I turned to 11's glaring eye.

11 was almost like a mum too me, (despite me being a lot taller than her) and you could almost see that motherly streak in her. Mostly in the fact that she was very protective of me as well as her strong dignity and strength in general. Too make things a little more bad, she has a strong hatred towards 1 and 8 and even a bit for 9 in some cases. As I said before, she only ever said she was the reason 1, 2, 6, 8 and most dearly to her, 5, had died in the first place. When she first found me, I didn't even know they had died before. I didn't know much then, and connecting to the past, I still don't know much. But I digress.

So, after witnessing that scene between me and 8, I think she got a very strong hint on what was going on, mostly because me and 8 hadn't really told anyone. We just kind of guessed people would figure out in due course.

Like 11, 3 and 4 just did.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay? You didn't hit your head, right?" I rolled my eyes slightly.

"I swear on my soul. I'm perfectly fine. I just wonder if you have a problem with me and 8 being together?"

She scoffed slightly, crossing her arms and sticking her hips out to the side slightly, "Well, of course I do!" She sighed, "0, this is 8! You honestly can't trust him, it won't end well!"

I sighed slightly, "Well, it's been fine so far-"

"Yeah, so far! But what about the future?" I sighed in annoyance.

"11... I'll be fine. Please, just trust me with this. I-I've never felt this happy in my life. I-I'm sure it'll be fine, I promise!"

11 opened her mouth, but then, after maybe thinking, closed it with a sigh of defeat, before placing a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, z'... But believe me, if 8 does one thing wrong, or if you get hurt in anyway, it's his butt that's gonna pay!" I chuckled along with her, slightly nervously, before she left, leaving me alone.

I lifted the ring in my hand up towards my face and smiled widely, tracing the edges of the bejewelling stone with my finger.

I sighed in happiness before walking away with it to my room.