literature

Kazooland High Ch.10: Coming Undone

Deviation Actions

giraffesonparades's avatar
Published:
561 Views

Literature Text

Suggested Music listening:
Song: Schism
Artist: Tool
Song: Coming Undone
Artist: KoRn
Song: Rin’ne
Artist: Elfen Lied OST

It was third period study hall. Spine sat at his desk in the computer lab in the library. The room was slightly sectioned off from the rest of the space. About 20 computers sat at separate desks facing one wall. Only half of them were in use at the time. Mostly by students, like Spine, who used their study hall to prepare for upcoming exams or write papers.

Spine’s head was buried in his work, trying to do his research and fight the feeling that he was being watched. He took a moment to raise his eyes, keeping his head down. Scanning the small room and landing on a dead set glare aimed right for him. He jumped slightly in his seat which made Fox chuckle. Grinning through those fanged teeth. Spine frowned and tried to pretend he didn't notice again. But why was Fox staring at him so intently?

“Smokes Brass!” The old lizard librarian hissed. “What are you doing here?” The entire room turned in their seats to see Smokes waltz in. Hands in his pockets and puffing from his arm vents. He gave Spine a sneer before turning to her.

“I gotta do research.” He dropped a laminated hall pass on her desk. She pulled her glasses from around her neck and inspected it thoroughly. He didn't wait for her approval, striding over to Fox's computer desk and signaling for him to stand. “Up.” He growled.

Fox frowned and stood from his chair, which Smokes stole. He plopped down into it and immediately started his Google search. “That was my seat...” Fox quietly protested, keeping his voice down. They were still in a library.

“Get another one bolt for brains.” Smokes laughed heartily, puffing more thick dark clouds.

“Mr. Brass!” The librarian growled. The two brothers turned to her with disapproving grins. “I don't understand what kind of 'research' you are up to young man... but keep the smoking to a minimum. I do have organic students in this lab. I think they would appreciate you not poisoning their lungs.”

Smokes clenched one fist to his side, grinding his teeth and trying to control his temper. Fox noticed his brother’s anger and tried to intervene. “No problems from us lady...” He quickly put in, hoping that by diffusing the situation he could save Smokes from getting in trouble.

She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. “Robots... always the same. I don't even know why the scientists bother...”

Spine arched his back at the comment. Observing the situation intently from his seat by the door. Even if they weren't good students, or good kids, Smokes couldn't help the amount of smoke his body ventilated. Her tone, coupled with the disgust on her face, made it clear the unhindered hate for automatons. Spine huffed a bit of steam, equally as offended at the rude comments, and met the librarian’s annoyed glance.

“Oh no. Not you sweetie... you're one of the good ones.” She tried to cover her tracks with a friendly smile.

Spine was polite and nodded back, still irritated by the robot hate. He tried to get back to his work, ignoring the Brass Bolts’ muttering when a flash of something familiar caught his eye. He turned to their screen. They were trying desperately hard to seal the gap between their shoulders, covering their work. Spine had to arch up, using his height to his advantage, and looking over them. A wall of text was scrolled past and then an image of Pappy. Another image of a shorter, stocky, man standing next to Pappy. And then their mother, Delilah.

He suddenly stood from his seat in shock, letting out a startled grunt. The Brass Bolts turned and gave him filthy looks. “What are you lookin’ at emo kid?” Smokes hissed with a large cloud.

“I-” Spine stammered a moment, shaking his head. “I’m... sorry for the interruption.” He whispered before falling back in his seat.

Fox let out a honking laugh, covering his mouth with one hand before turning back to his brother. “Kids got problems.” He said in a deep mimicking tone and shaking his head.

“Shuddup you ignoramus...” Smokes growled before scrolling again. Falling back to their research.

Spine sat in disbelief, watching them carefully. They were researching Pappy, and Delilah. Why? What did they want from that? What were they trying to gain? The rest of the hour he couldn’t focus on his own work, barely even blinking as he stared at their backs. He strained his ears to listen to their whispers and his eyes to read the text on their screen. Only understanding bits and pieces. Before he knew it the bell rang.

Smokes and Fox were the first to push out of the room. Smokes had grabbed Fox by one ear and was practically dragging him out the door as his brother protested in pain. Spine stayed in his seat until they were gone. Once the room was clear he jumped from his seat and ran to the computer they were using. He had to check it, had to make sure that was what he saw. Looking back in their browser history his oil ran cold. The accident. That’s what they were looking into. The fire that killed Delilah and nearly killed Pappy. He quickly scanned newspaper and magazine articles, obituaries, research papers. All of them describing the explosion, the fire, the survivors, and the victims. One man was spoken about a lot. A Doctor Brass.

Brass.

That must be their father.

Spine leaned back, his hands hovering over the keyboard. Their father was in the same accident as his mother? But what was the connection?

“Mr. Walter you’re going to be late.” The lizard librarian hissed.

Spine snapped back to reality, turning to the clock. He only had a minute to run to his next class. “Thank you!” He mumbled as he turned to his own desk, throwing his things into his backpack and dashing out of the room. He couldn’t be late!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Aw Spine are you still moping?” Rabbit teased from the end of the lunch table. Spine growled. His head dropped on his arms on the table. “Come on. It’s your first tardy... she didn’t even write you up.”

“It doesn’t matter... She knows it.... I know... I was...” He sniffled slightly, his eyes tearing up. “LATE!”

Rabbit frowned at his brother, rubbing his back gently. “Hey buddy it’s okay... At least I didn’t flunk my math test. That’s good news right?”

“Jimmy is so late.” Jon interrupted with a huff. He practically stood on the lunch table as he stared over the crowd towards the fencing.

Spine slowly raised his head from his arms, turning to Rabbit and giving him a concerned frown. “Jon... I don’t think... you should hang out with him anymore.” His tone was cold and flat. His words surprised his three brothers and drew their attention. He couldn’t look them in the eye. It was hard enough saying it.

“But he doesn’t have any other friends.” Jon pouted, climbing down from the table and holding his lunch box tightly against his chest.

“It’s not... him I’m worried about.” Spine cleared his throat. He sat back on the bench and ran a hand through his black hair. Taking a deep breath he clenched his hands into fists and rested them on the table. Trying to concentrate his nervousness into his public speaking mode he only used for student council events. “It’s his brothers. They...” He closed his eyes. “They were investigating Pappy, and mom.”

Rabbit spit out his drink, spraying the table and those sitting across from him. Hatchworth and Jon sat wide eyed, staring at him in disbelief. “What do you mean? Why?” Rabbit stammered as he wiped the spittle from his chin.

“I... I don’t know.” Spine responded sternly.

“What do they want with Mom?” Hatchworth practically pushed Jon off the bench as he tried to get closer.

“I don’t know.” Spine huffed with a bit of steam, starting to feel crowded.

“We should talk to them.” Rabbit clenched a fist. Standing on his bench and scanning the eating area.

“And say what?” Spine flashed those bright greens angrily. “I don’t know what they are up to. But it can’t be anything good... “ Rabbit and Hatchworth seemed to calm, listening to him closely. He was always the voice of reason. “What we should do now is just... stay back and keep an eye open. And Jon, I don’t think you should hang out with Jimmy anymore. I don’t want them to-... hurt... you?” He turned and slowed, realizing that he had disappeared.  “Where did Jon go?” The three of them began to search the area but he was long gone, already running towards the fencing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Smokes puffed heavily from his arm vents. Staring down at Jimmy as he was trying to dig a hole underneath the fencing. “Are you even listening to me Jimmy?” He snarled, but continued to be ignored. “I’M TALKING TO YOU!” He bent over, grabbing the lunchbox Jimmy was trying to force through the new hole in the dirt and ripped it to the other side.

“Hey! That’s mine!” Jimmy growled, reaching through the gaps in the fencing.

Smokes puffed angrily, tossing the lizard cowboy lunchbox in one hand. “You have to ask him about her. What he knows about mom. What he knows about us.”

“It’s... my lunchbox! I don’t want to ask him!” Jimmy let out a slight high pitched squeal. Starting to have a fit as he watched his brother toss his things. One hand slowly raising to his hair and getting a good handful. Unconsciously tugging at it as his face turned to uncontrollable grimaces. “It’s mine. He won’t be my friend anymore. It’s mine. I can’t ask him. That’s. Mine!”

“Smokes stop... you’re making him upset.” Fox was unusually quiet from the sidelines.

“I don’t care if he’s upset.” He gave the lunchbox a final toss before catching it in both hands. “I want to know what they know.” He bared his teeth and started to compress the tin box between his hands. It crinkled in the force, the metal whining.

“NO! Stop! That’s mine!” Jimmy started to panic more, both hands tugging on his blond hair. He stopped forming words, instead squealing and screaming in protest. Crying and stomping his feet as he breathed heavily.

“Smokes. Stop it.” Fox took a step closer, trying to break the stare down between his brothers. He tried to snatch the lunchbox from Smokes’ hands. His older brother only chuckled as he lifted it above his head. “You’re being really mean....”

Smokes paused his laughing a moment and snarled at Fox. A huge cloud of smoke billowed from his face vents, encompassing his entire head in the smog as he continued to let out that deep snarling laughter.  It only stopped for a brief moment, his eyes flashing a blood red, then flickering.

Fox held his breath and watched intently as the smoke dissipated. If he was still ‘seeing red’ they would have more problems to worry about.  He tried to hide his sigh of relief when the air cleared around him and Smokes seemed to be normal. His eyes returning to dark green as he blinked angrily at them.

Smokes let out a hard cough, clearing out more dark clouds. Then he bent at the knees and sank towards the grass so that he could be at eye level with Jimmy. “Listen T0 m3 boy...” His voice box glitched slightly, making him sound darker and raspier. His hands still crunching the lunchbox. “If you don’t ask him, then I’m going to. And you wouldn’t want me to do that.... would you?” He raised a hand and clenched it into a tight fist. Fox and Jimmy both froze and stared at him wide eyed, surprised by the threat. He sounded just like Boss, and that was terrifying.

Jimmy shook his head and turned his eyes away. His hands still firmly grasping his hair as he softly cried. “No... no I’ll be good. I’ll do it... please... don’t hurt my friends...”

“Good. See?” Smokes turned happily to Fox. Giving a crude smile out of the corner of his mouth. “Everything worked out. And nobody had to get hurt.” It was at this point that Smokes noticed his brother’s worried stare. A mixture of confusion, empathy, and fear. It threw him off his game, having to take a step back and stammering a bit. “Don’t look at me like that.” He tried to cover it up with anger.

“Dude... you need to cool it.” Fox put up both arms, palms flat to try and wave the bad feelings away. Smokes could tell he was afraid when there was no joke attached. Fox always joked.

“I’m fine.” Smokes bit back. He turned to Jimmy, crying in the grass and instantly felt remorseful. But he wasn’t about to show weakness and apologize. Instead he carefully started to unbend the lunch box as best he could before dropping it at his feet. “We are leaving now so that golden boy can come over here...” His commanding tone missing its previous churlishness. “Don’t forget to ask him.” He waved a hand before storming off and shoving his hands in his pockets.

Fox watched carefully as Smokes hung his head low and his shoulders arched forward, marching away. He recognized that stance in his brother. He was feeling terrible about what he said, he just didn’t know how to say it. Fox turned to Jimmy on the other side of the fence and let out a sigh. “You know he doesn’t mean it...” He always tried to apologize for Smokes, he seemed to be the only one that really understood him. “This whole thing has him on edge....”

“... yea...” Jimmy sniffled, wiping the oily tears from his eyes. “He needs repairs.” Jimmy was so quick to forgive.

“I know... but he’s not going to ask for them.” Fox lamented and turned back to watch Smokes climb the hill. More and more of the dark clouds pouring from his vents, the problem getting worse.

“He was coughing all night...” Jimmy turned back to digging his hole so Jon could slip his lunch through more easily. “He’s going to go ‘red’.”

Fox frowned and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to admit it, but it was true. “We’ll keep an eye on him... try not to stress him out....” He turned back to Jimmy, watching him continue to dig the hole. As if the incident hadn’t happened. “Are you... okay?”

“I’m okay.” Jimmy responded too quickly, not thinking of the question as he continued to dig.

“You pulled out a good chunk of hair this time.” Fox pointed out concerned. “Nothing out of place? You... you can think okay?” Jimmy didn’t answer this time. Only shaking his head as he was too focused in his work. Fox let out a sigh and shook his head. One brother turning into a loose cannon while the other pulling away from being able to communicate. Was he the ‘normal’ one? “Smokes is already at the tree... Ask Jon if you want, don’t like... push it. It’s not worth losing your friend over.” He shifted his weight onto his other foot, waiting for Jimmy to respond, but he only shook his head again. “Okay I’m... I’m going to go now.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Again no response. Reluctantly he began to march up the hill. He paused a moment, not looking back. “You know... you are the best one of us at making friends... ya know that right?” He blurted it out, not wanting to wait for Jimmy to respond before running up the hill.

Jimmy lifted his head at the comment, completely confused. He was never the best at anything.

“SMOKES WAIT UP!” Smokes slowed his pace, not turning his head as Fox trotted beside him.

“Is he... okay?” he huffed trying not to show too much concern, but you could hear it in his voice. He never meant to hurt him.

“Yea he’s okay.... What about you?” Fox asked, folding his hands behind his back and leaning forward so that he could look Smokes in the eyes. Making sure it wasn’t red again. His brother’s glare downcast, trying to evade eye contact.

“I said I was fine...” Smokes wheezed before going into a small coughing fit.

“You don’t sound fine....”

“I sound fine... enough.” Smokes started to hack more. They reached their tree and he took his usual spot leaned against the trunk. Struggling to get the built up clouds from his vents.

“Your fans... they keep freezing up.” Fox instantly went for the screwdriver in his pocket. He reached forward, pointing it towards Smokes’ grills. Smokes could barely speak, only gasp as he grabbed his brother’s wrists and held him back. “Really? You’re not going to let me fix it?”

“Pi.... piss off...” Smokes heaved.

“Fine. FINE! Choke... whatever....” Fox crossed his arms angrily and plopped in the grass. Waiting, listening intently and only relaxing once Smokes seemed to have caught his breath again. “... sooner or later though, you are going to need to ask for repairs.”

Smokes kept his head turned away. Reclining once more against his tree, taking shallow gasping breaths and crossing his arms over his chest. “.. You know my policy on asking... Boss for... anything...”

“Yea yea...” Fox pulled his knees into his chest, watching as Jon ran up to Jimmy. “I get it...”
Sorry for the long hiatus! I'm back now. Spent a good week writing this, hope its alright. Smokes has turned into my new favorite. He's not taking things well and that's becoming quite obvious to his brothers. Its always believed he's the leader, taking care of them, but what about when he needs to be taken care of?
Also I was asked to put some suggested listening. So there you go. :3
Suggested Music listening:
Song: Schism
Artist: Tool
Song: Coming Undone
Artist: KoRn
Song: Rin’ne
Artist: Elfen Lied OST

Previous Chapter 9: Connections

Next Chapter 10: Robots like you

On tumblr X
© 2013 - 2024 giraffesonparades
Comments8
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Eclipzcis's avatar
eeeee! oved it, what a mean librarian though :( poor all of them. nooo, Smokes, get it fixed :,( I'll fix it for you. and awww, Fox was being so nice :heart: I love love love this fic so much, can't wait for more! :D also omigosh, you're into most of my music, I love Tool, Maynard's just awesome, have you heard stuff by his other bands? And Korn are just awesome and Elfen Lied is an amazing anime, it made me feel so sad though ;-;