Game of Tag

"What the actual hell was that?" Qing Qing's jaw hung open as she stared at Poly, now back to regular hand puppet size.

"That was Poly!"

"Poly? Actually, nevermind that, we've got more Black Legs incoming!"

Following her gaze, I spotted them. Dozens of those spider-like monsters scaling the ravine walls. Their legs clicked against stone as they bounded between buildings, red eyes fixed on us.

Ten's words echoed in my head: "Like moths to a flame, the more Lobak you use, the more Rust you attract." So if these Black Legs were anything like Rust, they must be drawn to chimu. Which meant...

I caused this. I gripped Poly tighter.

Qing Qing tapped her earpiece. "Command, requesting immediate backup at-"

"No! This is my mess. Let me clean it up." A grin spread across my face as I held up Poly. "Plus, it'll be good bonding time with my old friend here."

"Are you insane? There's at least thirty of them!"

"Yeah?" I cracked my knuckles. "Then they better bring more."

I tossed Peng straight up, its cylindrical body spinning in the air. Just as planned, Qing Qing released me to grab the flailing penguin, leaving me in free fall.

The wind whipped past as I fell, but my heart soared. A Black Leg launched itself from the ravine wall, jaws snapping. I thrust Poly forward, meeting those razor-teeth with a grin.

"Let's play tag, you eight-legged freaks!"

Poly's jaws clamped down, ripping through the Black Leg like a scissor to paper. Black liquid sprayed as the creature's body went limp. Using the momentum, I grabbed its leg and swung, hurling myself toward another monster leaping at me.

This was it. This was what I dreamed of playing in that empty orphanage playground. No kids to exclude me, no whispers of "demon hag." Just a simple game of tag.

"You're it!" I slammed Poly into the next Black Leg's face.

I bounced between them, letting gravity do half the work. Each punch with Poly sent another monster plummeting into the ravine.

The rush was almost intoxicating. Finally, playmates that wouldn't run away screaming. Sure, they were trying to kill me, but hey, that's what makes this game of tag all more fun.

The final Black Leg screeched as Poly's jaws snapped through its throat, black liquid spraying across my face. I wiped it off with a grin, savoring that last satisfying crunch.

Then gravity kicked in.

Ah. Right.

A blur of motion, then strong arms caught me. Qing Qing's wings beat steadily as she adjusted to my weight.

"I should lecture you about making me drop you like that. But holy shit, that was incredible!"

I opened my mouth to answer, but stopped as Poly began dissolving into sparkles. The ratty puppet that had kept me company during those lonely nights at the orphanage, now fading away after becoming something amazing.

Thanks, old friend.

Wait a second... First, the daikon keychain and that bowl of natto. Now Poly. I glanced at Peng, tucked safely in Qing Qing's other arm. What else was that penguin hiding?

I grabbed Peng, prying at its beak.

"PENG!" The penguin flailed wildly, wings smacking my face.

"Hey! HEY! Both of you cut it out before I drop- GAH!" Qing Qing's wings fluttered as she struggled to keep us in the air. "That's it!"

She flipped me upside down, dangling me by my ankles. The city spun below as blood rushed to my head.

"Flip me back! Flip me back!"

"Nope. You stay like that until you promise to behave."

"Fine! Just flip me back!"

Once upright, I shot Peng a death glare. The penguin had somehow wormed its way onto Qing Qing's shoulder, looking smug.

Just you wait, Peng. Just you wait.

***

Back at Qing Qing's place, she barely made it through the door before collapsing face-first onto the floor, wings splayed out.

"Ughhhhh. My arms are killing meee."

"I'm not that heavy!"

Qing Qing rolled onto her back, jabbing a finger at me. "You weren't heavy until you decided to manhandle your companion mid-flight!"

"I just wanted to see what else was in there!"

"Peng." The cylinder waddled over to Qing Qing, settling against her side. 

My fist clenched. One quick punch. Just one...

No. Deep breaths. No punching penguins.

"...Sorry, Peng. I shouldn't have pried you like that."

"Peng!" It bounced over and headbutted my knee. Not hard enough to hurt, just enough to say 'apology accepted, you violent moron'.

"Aww, how touching. You two made up." Qing Qing's voice dripped with sarcasm as she remained sprawled across her doorway.

I bent over her, grinning. "Need help there, Tactical Girl?"

She lifted one arm, making grabby motions with her fingers. "My hero."

"Not so fast." I crossed my arms. "First, explain what the hell this place is. Who you are. Everything."

"Sure, sure."

Her casual agreement seemed suspicious. But when she wiggled her fingers again, I reached down anyway. Big mistake.

The moment our hands connected, Qing Qing yanked. My world spun as she redirected my momentum, springing to her feet and dragging me toward the door. Her foot shot out, kicking Peng up, landing in her free arm.

"What the- Where are we going!?"

"If I'm gonna explain stuff, why do it in my boring house? Besides, it's been forever since I had a friend I could do this with!"

"Do what?" But she just laughed as we burst through the front door.

The night air hit my face like a splash of cold water. Above us, the inverted city glowed with paper lanterns, their light reflecting off the ravine walls. Qing Qing's grip on my hand was firm but gentle as she led me through winding streets.

A friend, huh? This time, the word settled warm in my chest.