Basil's Black Space Experience

Chapter 1: Watermelons

Basil had never been in such a place before. What had usually been a sunny forest with pastel tones was now only an indescribable darkness and dampness. Trees littered the area, lanky creaking limbs reaching out and grasping at his arms. The only exceptions of the fearful surroundings were the small watermelons he had planted scattered across the dim space. He chose to focus on the fruit, every other sight sent shivers down his spine.

It felt like an eternity had passed with his eyes entirely transfixed on the plants he had grown before he felt a warm presence staring behind him. Daring a peek, Basil turned his head toward the figure behind him. A smile spread across his glum face, mood immediately uplifted. Omori was standing before him, wordlessly. In one hand, he held a shiny knife, in the other he had Basil's missing flower crown. Relief washed over him, dread quickly melted away. Anybody was better than the lonely atmosphere he was facing before, his best friend was a welcome surprise.

"Omori..." He rasped, voice hoarse from several days of disuse. "You came back for me." He swiveled around and launched himself toward the other boy. He stopped just short of crashing into Omori, his eyes averted to his fistful of flowers. "Is that my flower crown?" He asked incredulously, long having forgotten his signature headpiece in the rush. "I'm so glad you found it." He could not mask his unbridled pleasure.

The monochrome boy nodded and reached out. He placed the flower crown in Basil's eager hands. For the second time since he was removed from the Vast Forest, a gentle smile erupted on his face.

"Let's get out of here... I'll follow your lead." Basil said, a familiar anxious energy pitted itself in his stomach. With no sound of nod of acknowledgement, Omori continued his uncertain trek. Gleeful that he was no longer alone, Basil trailed behind him and rambled about random thoughts. As they passed by each melon, Omori slashed through it with his shiny knife. Masking his slight disappointment at his crops being destroyed, Basil continued forward. He would have no use for them after they went home anyway, he comforted himself.

"Growing watermelons has been fun, but I really miss my flowers back at home... How are they doing?" Basil asked, genuine concern and curiosity beating in his chest. "Did you take care of them while I was gone?" He was only jesting, but a part of him truly hoped his flowers were thriving even without his care. He allowed a light chuckle to escape his lips, but Omori failed to respond. He was occupied with the slashing of the watermelons. Basil found it slightly odd, but tried to ignore the strangeness. Basil's mind drifted to the past, he fondly recalled the past few Summer seasons he shared amongst his friends. "Watermelons sure are delicious!" He spoke. His enthused tone matched his face, eyebrows resting high on his face.

"We used to cut them up and eat them all the time at the beach!" Omori had to remember, it was so clear in Basil's mind. The giant sandcastles. Kel and Aubrey splashing each other at the shallow end of the ocean blue. The sticky-sweet mess of hands and the jollity of their watermelon filled stomachs. Another laugh escaped him. "I can still see Kel with those watermelon seeds all over his face! Summer vacation was the best, wasn't it?" Once again, Omori had left the other without an answer. Basil paid the lack of attention no mind.

The two wandered around aimlessly for a while, Basil didn't mention it though, he was still content with having Omori in his company. His loneliness in the Black Space had been unrivaled.

Omori's shiny knife came down one last time. It hit against a fruit, yet it stayed completely intact. Behind him, he heard a wet splatter. A warm, sticky, residue sprinkled onto the back of his neck. Unconsciously, his hand reached back to wipe the liquid from his body. When he brought his hand back forward, he saw that his fingers were caked in deep, crimson, blood. A sigh escaped him as he craned his neck. The remainder of Basil was a fleshy puddle, with small chunks of his mangled body laying against the floor.