Kilney leaves the house the next morning. He spent the entire day thinking himself into circles. It got so bad that the house had to threaten him with bodily harm.
He chuckles now, as he walks to the park that is close to Ramshackle’s house. It’s a Sunday morning and the park is empty. The quietude settles him and he’s able to drift aimlessly, walking around the trees, breathing the fresh earthy smell, the sun a welcome warmth on his face.
He doesn’t remember the last time he had spent any time in a park. He doesn’t remember if he likes walking in parks or if it’s something that got left behind in pursuing an ambition. There is so much humans just leave behind, he thinks, as they grow through life. They leave pieces of themselves and pick up pieces of others.
Kilney has never been a philosopher but Ramshackle makes him think about things differently. Because he’s in a good mood, he cautiously allows himself to think about what the house had told him just as it had conjured him some walking shoes and trackpants.
There could be a third option.
Could Ramshackle’s question have an answer that wasn’t a yes or no? It occurs to him, as he sits on a swing, arms winding around the chains, that there most definitely is a third option. He could join Ramshackle.
Kilney is unable to stay in the park, following an idyllic route, once he has had his epiphany. He races back to the house and is ushered in as soon as he knocks. He finds himself in the kitchen. He is alone so he takes Ramshackle’s advice and summons him.
No matter how affected Ramshackle has been by humans, he is still an entity and as such has spent the time Kilney has been thinking, doing nothing. So, he isn’t excited or nervous as he makes his way to the kitchen.
“I think I know what I want to do,” Kilney says without preamble.
Ramshackle spreads his hand in invitation.
“Let’s do this together.”
The breath leaves him in a rush. “What do you mean together?”
“You won’t get anything if you trade places with me. You want to understand humans, not become them. I want to help you, not become you. Let’s do this together. Let’s find a way to help humans without killing them.”
Ramshackle sputters from shock and awe. He isn’t sure he agrees with Kilney’s assessment of him not wanting to be human. But having a companion who isn’t as immovable as a house sounds like a great idea. There is only one problem.
“I feed on humans. If I don’t kill them, it will kill me. Not immediately but eventually.”
Kilney makes a dismissive gesture that affronts Ramshackle. It may not matter to Kilney much but Ramshackle would very much like to stay alive.
“You are an entity Ramshackle. I’m sure we can figure something else out to satiate that hunger. What if a successful transaction, without a human soul, could feed you just as well? You haven’t tried anything differently but with me and house guiding us, we can achieve whatever we want.”
Ramshackle goes quiet. He hadn’t been feeling nervous or excited before but he is now. Is it because with Kilney present, he has to keep a form? He already knows he feels more when he is in a human form. Could he really have the best of both worlds with Kilney by his side?
“House, what do you think?” he asks loudly.
We think Kilney is right. It is time we tried something new.
22 of 26 of an ongoing series The Dream Maker. You can read all posts here. Written as part of #BlogchatterA2Z.
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