Plin Ch 4.17
by Aoi‘Thibeau Coutin is a psychopath.’
Hugo repeated the phrase in his head. It was enough of a psychopathic trait to book a horror thriller for a budding couple’s first movie date.
The bigger problem, however, lay in Hugo and Plin’s current surroundings.
A single seat in a vast theater that could accommodate 300 people, booming surround sound, and an overwhelmingly large screen.
Watching a horror thriller in such an extremely luxurious cinema was practically inviting a heart attack.
Whoosh.
A sharp gust of wind blew from behind.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of footsteps on crisp snow came from the front.
The damn surround sound was incredibly realistic, immersing the audience in the movie’s environment.
The buttery aroma of popcorn was the only comfort. Plin was holding a super-large popcorn box, bigger than his own torso. It hadn’t even been ten minutes since the movie started, but they’d already eaten more than half of it. Plin diligently picked out one popcorn at a time.
A steep, craggy ravine appeared on the screen.
The panoramic view of the winter ravine was spectacular. Frozen solid, with its streams exposed as if time had stopped, it was painted in shades of red and yellow, like autumn leaves.
<Wow, look at that beautiful ice ravine. There must be some special minerals in this area. The lake I saw in Furkland was the exact same shade of blood red.>
<I don’t know… It’s kind of creepy.>
The camera zoomed in on an icicle hanging from the ravine wall.
Bits of pale pink flesh clung to the crimson tip of the icicle.
Hugo and Plin simultaneously scooted closer to each other. The leather sofa creaked softly. Plin wiped his sweaty palms on his knees.
Hugo was more focused on Plin than the movie.
His own hands were already clammy. At this rate, he might actually crush the fox. Even in the darkness, Plin’s white ears were clearly visible. They were flattened against his head, instinctively trying to hide.
Hugo was ready to take Plin out of there if necessary, but Plin’s bright eyes were fixed on the blue-tinged screen, completely engrossed, even forgetting to blink.
Hugo swallowed and turned his attention back to the screen.
<Damn, what is all this…? Caden, did you see that?>
<…Ash, let’s just go back. Something’s not right here. We didn’t see a single mouse on the way up. It’s been weird since then.>
<Yeah, something’s definitely dangerous…>
Ash, never one to heed the advice of his sensible companion, rummaged noisily in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He took a few pictures and recorded a video.
<Ash, this is not the time!>
<Just three minutes. This is huge!>
< Wheeew >
A thin, whistling sound, like a breath of wind, echoed ominously.
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Why? Why did it feel like there was a draft on the back of his neck…? Hugo shrugged and looked to his side. Plin, like a frightened turtle, had also drawn his neck in.
Just in case, he placed the back of his hand on his neck.
It wasn’t his imagination. There was a draft on the back of his neck.
4D…?
He booked a horror movie… in 4D? Had Thibeau Coutant lost his mind? Hugo cursed Thibeau internally, calling him a psychopath over and over again.
The movie focused on the screen of Ash’s phone. A red dot blinked, indicating that it was recording.
Thud!
The sofa suddenly vibrated.
“Yipe! Are you okay?”
Hugo yelped and then checked on Plin.
“Yes… I’m fine. The sofa just moved, right?”
Popcorn rained down on Plin’s lap, spilling from the box he’d been holding. Plin calmly placed the box on the floor, popped three smaller pieces of popcorn into his mouth, and offered two larger ones to Hugo. Hugo opened his mouth and ate them directly from Plin’s hand.
“I’m glad you’re okay. If you’re scared, you can hold my hand.”
Plin seemed outwardly calm, but his white hair was standing on end. A sidelong glance revealed that his tail was also puffed up like an exploded dandelion.
Plin didn’t take his hand but subtly shifted closer to Hugo. His ear was almost brushing against Hugo’s cheek. A faint scent of soap emanated from him. He must have showered and rushed out without properly drying himself, because the tips of his fur were slightly damp and curled.
<Shit, that scared me… Why would a bird hit my hand?>
Ash grumbled, picking up his phone from the floor. The dark screen lit up. The red dot was still blinking, recording.
He wiped the snow off the screen and continued filming his surroundings.
As ‘Ash’ turned around, the phone’s screen showed ‘Caden’ lying face down on the icy ground.
The image shook unsteadily.
<Caden? Caden!>
Ash rushed towards ‘Caden’. The body, with two holes in the back of its head, filled the screen. They were his eye sockets. Red pools of blood filled the empty spaces.
<…C-Caden.>
Ash instinctively backed away and looked around nervously.
There was no one there. Knowing he was alone and helpless, he approached ‘Caden’’s body again.
That’s when it happened. ‘Caden’, his eyes gouged out, sat up in an unnatural way, his legs straightening first, then his bent back.
<Caden, y-you’re alive…?>
‘Caden’ turned his head 180 degrees towards the voice that called him. The horizontal crease in his neck was grotesque. A thick, bloody fluid oozed from the holes where his eyes used to be.
“Aaaah!”
Hugo screamed and instinctively looked at Plin. But Plin was gone.
“Plin?”
“…..”
“Where’s Plin?”
“I’ll just be here for a second…”
A small voice came from below. Below…?
Hugo bent down. Plin was huddled behind the sofa, as if hiding.
“Plin, what are you doing there? When did you hide there?”
“Just a minute.”
Plin’s voice was filled with tension. Hugo could understand. He’d almost screamed himself just now. Still, he felt a little hurt that Plin had hidden behind the sofa instead of seeking comfort in his arms. Hugo rested his arm on the back of the sofa and said seriously, as if imparting an important piece of information,
“The ghost will say boo if you stay there.”
“Kng…”
“Come here. It’s better to stay with the living… oof.”
Plin suddenly lunged into Hugo’s arms, momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
Hugo patted Plin’s trembling back. After a few pats, Plin seemed to regain his composure and hesitantly pulled away.
Hugo caught Plin’s arm as he moved away. Their eyes met.
He took a deep breath and pulled Plin into a tight embrace. It was a sudden, impulsive move. Plin blinked. Even though his eyes were dark brown, the light from the screen reflected in his pupils, making his expression clear. His eyes held a mixture of surprise and confusion.
“…I told you… to hold my hand because I was scared.”
Hugo offered an excuse, and Plin slowly nodded. His ears twitched with the movement. Hugo curled his lips inward, suppressing a smile, and bit down hard. A dimple appeared on one cheek and then disappeared.
“Sorry about this movie. Is it too scary?”
Hugo wrapped his arms around Plin, holding him close.
He not only hugged him tightly, pressing their chests together, but also lowered his head, burying his face in the crook of Plin’s neck. His already unruly black hair became even more disheveled.
Popcorn crumbs from Plin’s sweater transferred onto Hugo’s shirt. The salty, greasy stains on his usually meticulously clean and fragrant clothes didn’t bother him in the slightest.
“It’s fun, though.”
Plin whispered in his ear as if there were other people present.
“Really?”
“Yes. The wind and the moving seats are amazing.”
Hugo pretended to release Plin, loosening his grip, but instead, he lifted Plin and settled him on his lap, Plin’s back against his chest.
“Let’s watch it like this.”
Hugo wrapped his arm around Plin’s flat stomach. Plin placed his hand in Hugo’s.
Hugo’s body was firmer than the sofa, and less comfortable, but Plin relaxed against him.
On the screen, ‘Ash’ was frantically running away, leaving ‘Caden’ behind.
***