“Hmm, I must say a lava bath was a wonderful idea.”

  In Hawaii, “It” swims casually in the burning pools within a volcano. Despite the searing heat “Its” body is fine, not a single blemish or burn in sight. Just as the year before “Its” face is dull, “Its” lightless eyes staring into nothing. Suddenly, “It” remembers. Smiling, “It” teleports to Honolulu, appearing in a random house. The second “It” appears the family goes still, only for a moment though before they return to chatting and existing like normal. As if “It” isn’t there. Used to this “It” reaches into the nearest person’s pocket and steals their phone.

  “June eighteenth. Em? With timezones it should be her birthday right? Hmmm, quick little google search. Yup! It’s the nineteenth there! I wonder if she’ll notice me this time?”

  Taking “Its” time “It” walks to Alice, each step sending it forward by thousands of miles. Occasionally “It” stops to pet a cat or steal someone's meal, opening its mouth so wide it stretches from the top to the bottom of “Its” head before gulping down. Eventually “It” finds itself in front of that same house from a year ago. Looking it up sees the moon’s weak glimmer peering through the heavy black clouds. Before the rain can fall “It” walks through the front door, searching around the messy home for Alice. Eventually, “It” arrives at her room.

  Clean?

  No, more like in the process of being cleaned. Trash bags full of empty beer cans, half finished junk food, and random scraps line the walls next to the entrance door. The one bookshelf on the side has had all manga and anime memorabilia organized and the bed actually has sheets on. Under an especially thick blanket Alice lays outstretched like a spread out starfish. Seeing Alice sleeping so peacefully trepidation fills “Its” mind. Suddenly “It” can’t help but remember all previous encounters with humanity. With all life on earth.

  “It” attempted to join others in games, “It” tried to dine with humans and animals alike, “It” tried to simply be acknowledged but no matter what “It” did, nothing would notice it. Soon enough “It” began to know a new emotion. “It” began to feel…lonely? No longer could “It” simply imagine a new friend into existence or erase anything “It” found inconvenient from time. “It” was an outsider. Looking at Alice’s sleeping face “It” can only wonder, will “I” still be an outsider? Repeating the same question again and again it simply stares until eventually the sun rises.

  “Fuck me freakin ‘ead’s killin me…wait? Ain’t ya tha monster from last year? Guess I must still be dreamin. What up mate. Long time no see, how we doin? Miss me?”

  Standing up and stretching Alice lightly pats “Its” head before moving to the kitchen fridge and grabbing a can of beer with “It” following right behind her. “Want some? Wait, can ya even get drunk? Hmmmm, well ya haven’t eaten me so ya probably don’t eat human. I got some chicken ta go with our beer if ya up ta share. Wait, what was I think? Fuck me I ‘ate mornin brain. C’mere an jus grab whatcha want.” Looking at Alice “It” tilts head before turning “Its” head into a giant mouth and swallowing everything in it with one massive gulp.

  Silence…followed by a clear thwack as Alice promptly smacks “It” in the back of the head. “Hey! Leave me somethin damn it! Better yet! Spit it all back out!” Puffing out “Its” cheeks it looks down with teary eyes. Is this pain? “It” thinks before spitting out everything it swallowed back into the fridge. Seeing the pile of spit and slime covered food in front of her Alice lets out a heavy sigh. “...Well, i got what I asked for. Screw it, c’mon whatever ya are we’re headin out ta tha local chicken joint tagether. This one’s on me.” Scratching the back of her head she starts wandering around the house. As she moves things around and even throws herself on the floor “It” watches on with clear curiosity. “Damn it how in tha ‘ell do I manage ta lose mah wallet every day! C’mon! ‘Elp me out!”

  After looking for just over half an hour the pair find Alice’s wallet on the floor next to the couch under a bra. “Hmmm, I just realized. Neither one a us is wearin clothes huh. God mornin brain is a hell of a drug. Aight, c’mon let’s get dressed before we ‘ead out.” Immediately “It” aggressively shakes “Its” head. “No! Clothes are not comfortable!” Alice nods in response before grabbing a pair of gym pants and extra baggy t-shirt from the clothes randomly sprawled across the ground and throwing them at “It”, “Ya just ain’t tried tha right clothes then. ‘Ere, some lazy pants and a sack shirt. Nothin more comfortable. Now get dressed while I hop in tha shower an de-stink.” Staring at her as she walks away, then at the clothes in “Its” hands, “It” can only ask one question. Is this supposed to be normal? As “It” gets dressed it delves into “Its” thoughts.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I” don’t get it? Humans are supposed to be afraid of the unknown? Those horror stories I’ve read show people running or killing monstrosities like “Me.” Something odd is filling “Me”...is this joy? What will we eat? I hope where we eat gives me a toy. I want to smile like those human children. Would the restaurant people even give me a toy assuming they can see me too? Oh, wait. It’s Alice’s birthday. Do I get her a toy? But I want a toy…maybe we can both get toys? “I” don’t know, maybe “I” should just ask her what she wants.

  “I see ya there starin off inta space whatever ya are. That where ya from?” Shaking “Its” head “It” takes a moment to think over a response. “More like space is from me. Time, life, death, everything. I read some human books, if I had to say what you would call me the closest thing would be azathoth? But I’m not dreaming.” Nodding Alice accepts that without a thought, instead her biggest concern being where the hell she left the damn car keys. After less than a minute she decides, “Fuck it, you an me are walkin ta tha nearest mcdees.” Hearing that name “It” immediately perks up, an ahoge sprouting from the top of “Its” head and wiggling wildy!

  Yay! I get a toy!

  Walking up to the front door Alice grabs “It” by the hand and starts walking with “It.” “So do ya ‘ave a name or I just gotta keep callin ya, ya?” Suddenly, a strong feeling of rejection fills “It”, like no matter what “It” does “It” can’t allow a name. “No, and I don’t want one.” Instantly “Its” hair puffs up with “Its” ahoge straightening up. Despite trying “Its” best to look scary “Its” pink hair and eyes along with it’s small size make it more like an pissy kitten than anything. “Pfft, alright alright guess we’ll stick with ya then.” Nodding “Its” head “It” puts on a small smile.

  Before long they arrive at Mcdees, finding it empty inside outside of the staff considering its early in the morning. Alice ends up ordering a cheeseburger meal while “It” practically demands a kids meal. “Gimmi that one!” After taking a seat in the nearest booth “It” immediately tears open the meal box, completely ignoring the food as “It” grabs the toy. While “It” plays around with and examines “Its” new toy Alice decides to pull out her phone and google what exactly an azathoth is.

  The Blind Idiot God.

  The Eternal Dreamer.

  The Center Of The Universe.

  And now Azathoth’s twin is sitting in front of her as a pink haired and eyed girl wearing a dirty black t-shirt and matching stained sweat pants playing with a toy like a tiny plane. “So what’s god doin visiting me on mah b-day? Am I saviour or somethin that requires hard work cause I’d much prefer ta slug round on tha couch” Putting down "Its " toy "It " lightly scratches “Its” head before responding. “There’s no grand reason other than simple curiosity. This world and those that live within are an unknown, you are the only way to solve those unknowns.” Hearing that all Alice can think is, fuck me I’m special…I don’t wanna be special! “Why me an what can I do ta change that?”

  Calm…cold?

  Suddenly, “It” speaks.

  “All other life ignores me. No matter what I do or say, whether it be destruction or some kind of gift, my existence is, well, non-existent. Even when approaching or assisting you, you live on…except on your birthday. Finally I can ask my questions, finally I can experience unpredictability, and finally I am without myself.”

  The illusion of humanity has completely faded from “Its” eyes, replaced by a cold desire. Instead of fear or escapism filling her head, Alice is left with one thought. Alright, let’s not overthink an jus accept this crapshoot. What am I gonna do here? Say no ta god? Might as well have fun with this.

  “Sure, now eat up. An this time do it proper! No turnin ta ‘ead inta a mouth.”

  And so the duo are left in silence, each enjoying their meal. As “It” eats “It” feels nothing towards the food “Its” eating. Oddly enough, as “It” thinks about the talk “Its” had so far and the talks “It” will have with Alice “It” feels something new. More than desire or a simple wish.

  Excitement?