𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter Ninety Four ~

"When we say reality, what do we really mean? In the 1800s, the best minds of the age theorized we live in a clockwork cosmos. In the Quantum Age, time and space are suspected to be a holograph. Ancient people believe we rode on the back of four flying turtles or on the horns of a White Buffalo," The man of the tiny television spoke as Luther watched with interest. Klaus reached over to one of the pizza boxes resting on the coffee table, seemingly bored with the program and only caring about the food.

But when he bit into his slice of pizza, he tasted the chunky and sweet texture of pineapple. The one thing he couldn't stand on a pizza. "Why would you put this on something so delicious?" He mumbled. "You know, when we think about it, we are just tiny specks of sand in a desert full of other sand," Luther said, not paying attention to his brother. "It's a garnish for cocktails at best. I guess the real question to ask is, why is it on my pizza?"

"Klaus, are you even listening?" Luther turned away from the television, picking up on his ramble. "Yeah sure, we're insignificant in all things, blah blah blah. Sorry, I'm not a stoned undergrad sitting in freshman philosophy," Klaus threw the half-eaten slice into an empty box, crossing his arms as he laid back on the recliner. Out of the corner of his eye, Luther could tell something seemed a bit off. Everything surrounding the makeshift living room was sand for miles.

"Wait a second, where exactly are we?" the Ape-Man questioned. "We're dead, man. Welcome to my hood!" Klaus answered, swallowing the last of his beer. Luther's eyes widened, hoping that the junkie was playing some trick on him. But the more the words echoed in his mind, he remembered how he died, and how he left everybody, including his new wife behind. "I... I'm dead?" He stuttered. "Yeah, and I'm so glad to be here for your first time 'cause it's kind of a weird feeling," Klaus smiled.

Luther rested his hand against his forehead, trying to accept what had happened, but every time he thought about the circumstances, the more freaked out he became. "Oh my god, Dad killed me!" he gaped. "Oh my god, he killed me too! A lot," the junkie said. Luther grabbed his hand and pulled him close, his eyes the size of saucers with realization. "He's an alien!" "We're trying not to use that terminology here. And I know, it's whoa PC, but you could say he's British," Klaus explained.

But Luther shook his head, claiming what he was saying was true, describing that he was a bug person from outer space and how Reginald had stabbed him with what appeared to be a mantis arm, curved like a blade. "Oh god... Klaus! You gotta go back and warn Sloane and the others!" the Ape-Man insisted. "Non Posso, I'm done with the other side. I belong here," Number Four said as he took in the sunshine beaming down on him.

"All my life, I've been a loser, I've been a freak. I've made mistake after mistake, but all that was a sign. It was a sign that this is my home." Luther scoffed at the explanation, and he fought back the urge to knock him to the ground. "So wait, you're gonna turn your back on our family? What about Dusk? Don't you care about her?" Klaus immediately stood from his seat and stormed over to him. "Of course I do! But everybody dies eventually. They'll be here soon enough!" 

Luther shook his head, turning his gaze back to the still glowing television. And before Klaus could see it coming, Luther swung his head back, punching him in the jaw and sending him flying backward. After a few seconds, Klaus got up and started laughing. "Nice try, big guy! But there's no pain in the void!"

The Ape-man ran towards him, but this time, Klaus was quick to make his attempt at an escape. "Listen to me, I'm not going back down there to get slapped around!" the junkie insisted. "You are so incredibly selfish! You know that?" Luther growled. "Relax, big guy! You'll have all the time in the world to get over it!" Klaus sprinted over one of the sofas, nearly crashing into the TV.