CH. 73 - Night of the Fleshrovers
Eventually, the sun goes down as they are all gathered in the dining room once again for dinner. The class sits around talking as Vanessa brings them plates with brisket sandwiches on them.
“Now this is a real family recipe! And a bit of education. When you live out on the farm, you have to make do with what you have available at any given moment. Due to these circumstances, many farmer’s diets will consist of the surplus food grown locally.” Vanessa says with a smile as she passes out the sandwiches.
As the class listens with smiles on their faces and some even licking their lips hungrily, Sugawara sits anxiously. Too many thoughts are racing through his mind to hide, and the others notice.
“You okay, Sugawara?” Hisana asks. He looks up, surprised by her question.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine! I just.. Need some water, haha!”
He grabs his cup with an awkward smile as the others shrug. Sugawara walks towards the kitchen, where the water jug is on the counter, to fill up his cup. As he does, he hears what sounds like Joseph and Piper talking around the corner down the hall a bit. Sugawara perks up and listens intently.
“...their flesh isn’t as nice as we thought.” Joseph says with a disappointed tone.
“Well, that’s fine, it’s not a big deal. Anyway, we cooked it up to serve to the kids. Tryna put some meat on their bones!” Piper says with a smile and crossed arms before they both laugh a bit. Sugawara gets a horrified look.
‘Flesh..? Human flesh?!.. Cooked up!?!’ he thinks as he slowly makes his way back to his seat with a frightened look.
“Took you long enough! We wanted to wait to eat until you got your water. Now let’s dig in! This sandwich looks delicious!” Haru says excitedly, licking his lips.
Sugawara gets a shocked look as he stares at Haru picking up the sandwich. He stares nervously as Haru slowly brings it up to his mouth. Sugawara struggles with what he just heard as he watches Haru get ready to bite. He suddenly opens his eyes and yells at him.
“Don’t eat that! It’s human flesh!” He says loudly, but not enough to bring total attention to himself. Haru stops and looks at him confused.
“Human flesh?” Haru asks. Sugawara looks nervous as he nods.
“Guys, I think something bad is going on here… All day I’ve been seeing strange things and hearing the family talk strangely about us… I think they might be cannibals!..” Sugawara whispers to the group. They look at him confused and doubtful.
“Sugawara… I don’t think they’re cannibals…” Chizuru says softly.
“They’ve actually been really nice to us so far.” Alice says as Airi looks at her.
“Yeah, well, it’s your fault he’s so scared! You’ve been trying to start rumors all day!” Airi says, pointing an accusing finger at Alice, who looks at her shocked.
“What? Me? No way!” Alice says, not fooling anyone. Kitaro smiles at them for a moment before looking at the others.
“It would be kind of cool if they were though.” He says.
“That’s right, haha!” Tsuki agrees with a laugh. Sugawara gets frustrated with his friends not taking him seriously.
“No!.. You guys aren’t listening to me!.. I’m serious!..” Sugawara says as Haru places his hand gently on his shoulder.
“Look, if something is going on, we’ll make sure to protect you so you've got nothing to worry about. Besides, we’ll be gone tomorrow morning anyway, so let’s just calm down and go with the flow for now, okay?” Haru says, trying to calm the situation down. Sugawara looks frustrated but nods anyway. Haru stares at him for a moment before looking at the sandwich with a side eye.
“… Sorry, human flesh or not, this sandwich smells way too good. I gotta eat it.” He then grabs it and begins eating the sandwich. Sugawara is stunned and gags a little at the sight as Haru gushes over how good the food is.
‘Fine, don’t believe me. I’ll find proof!’ Sugawara thinks with a determined look.
After dinner, the class is sent off to bed in their assigned rooms. As Haru cuddles into bed happily, Sugawara sits next to him still with a nervous look. Piper approaches their doorway and prepares to close the door for them.
“Have a good night kiddos, sleep well. Oh, and one more thing. Make sure not to leave your rooms in the night no matter what.” Piper says seriously. She pauses for a moment before smiling softly. “Unless you want a very unwelcome surprise, heheh.” She says with a smile and an old lady giggle as she closes their door. Haru looks at the door with a confused look.
“What was that about? Oh well, it’s a good thing I spend most of my night sleeping, right? Haha!” Haru says with a laugh as he rolls over. Sugawara looks concerned as he lays down before getting a determined look.
‘I will find proof.’
In the middle of the night, Haru snores as he sleeps soundly. Sugawara sits up before quietly getting out of bed. He heads to the door before trying the handle, but it doesn’t budge.
‘She locked it?’
He turns and looks around before coming to a window. He softly slides it open and sticks his head through. His eyes widen as he remembers he’s on the second floor. He steps back with a nervous look before looking back at Haru. Sugawara watches Haru sleep so peacefully and gets determined once again.
‘I won’t let anything bad happen to you, my love.’ Sugawara turns back to face the window and sees the tree next to the window. ‘I can make it!’
He thinks as he props himself up on the windowsill. He readies himself to jump and catch the branch, but as he jumps, he completely misses the branch and instead slams into one beneath him before crashing through a few others and into a bush at the base of the building. He sits up a bit and rubs his head.
“Ow…” Sugawara groans.
He gets up and shakes it out before quietly running around looking for something as proof. After a bit of sneaking around, he sees a small shed a little away from the main house. He looks determined as he quickly makes his way towards the shed.
He goes to the doors only to find a chain with a directional lock keeping the doors closed. He stares at it for a moment before getting a subtle idea and trying the directional lock. On the first try, he opens it. He is slightly surprised but focuses on the mission and pulls the lock off, followed by the chains.
As they fall to the ground, Sugawara grabs the handles to the shed and begins to pull them back. His eyes widen as the doors slowly creak open completely, revealing multiple bloody blades and weapons along with a shelf in the back lined with bloodied human heads. Sugawara stares in shock and horror as he falls backwards with a scream. Shiori instantly wakes up in a panic before getting out of bed, waking up Hikigaya in the process. They rush outside and find Haru and Touma standing there too, looking around.
“Over there!” Shiori shouts as they see Sugawara scrambling to his feet and running their way. They rush towards him as he falls into Shiori’s arms first.
“What’s wrong, Suga??” she asks with a panicked and concerned look.
“L-look…” Sugawara says, frightened, as he points to the shed. Before they can look in the shed, suddenly Joseph steps out of the house with a shotgun in hand and points it at them. They stare, shocked and stunned as he shouts.
“Get down!” Joseph commands with a sharp tone and even sharper gaze.
Suddenly, a large deer comes running out of the bushes in the dark and charges at the kids. Joseph snaps his fingers as a green flame appears around his hands then onto his gun. The group drops to the floor as he fires and blasts the large deer charging them. The deer falls back as it squeals and thrashes on the ground after the attack. The group looks up at it in shock as Shiori’s eyes widen.
“What is that?..” she asks with a quiet but slightly frightened tone as the deer props itself back up but now its head is hanging off to the side in a broken, unnatural way. The sound of cracking bone and contorting flesh is heard as its body grows grotesque. Now, looking wrongly put together with large muscular front legs and short back ones as blood pours from the wound in its chest.
It then stands up on his hind legs as its hooves turn into human hands. Everyone watches in horror as it grabs at them a couple times with its human hands before screeching and charging them on its two hind legs. Sugawara screams as Touma steps in front of them and delivers a heavy punch to its body. Bones crunch under his impact as blood pours from its mouth. Touma pulls back as the monster reels from the attack, staggering.
“All of you, inside now!” Joseph shouts as two more deer come leaping from the darkness. Haru picks up Sugawara in his arms and begins to run back towards their rooms as the others follow. Joseph fires again and again as they run, gunshots echoing through the night. The rest of the class all come out of their rooms with worried looks as Piper steps out of the main house.
“Kids, come inside, hurry!” She yells as they all do as they’re told. Haru, Touma and Sugawara run ahead as Shiori looks at Hikigaya.
“Should we just do it?” She asks.
“Yeah. Whatever happens after doesn’t matter.” Hikigaya says with a determined look.
Shiori nods with a matching look as they both stop and turn, prepared to fight with their powers and revealing to the others who they are but before they can, Vanessa leaps off the roof of the house as her fist glows with the same green fire. She shouts as she slams her fist into the ground between Joseph and the creatures, causing a small shockwave and crater, throwing the creatures back.
Hikigaya and Shiori are startled before their wrists are grabbed by Vanessa and Joseph and are pulled into the house with the rest of them. As soon as Joseph slams the door shut behind him, there is loud banging on the door and walls.
“What is going on??” Milo asks, terrified.
“What are those things??” Airi asks, holding onto Riley, who’s obviously scared.
“What was that scream?” Tsuki asks with fear lining his voice. The class gets worried and erratic in the situation they’re now in with everyone trying to get answers. Piper shushes them with a concerned look and tries to calm them down.
“It’s okay, kids, we’ve got you. There’s no need to panic.” Piper says calmly but obviously worried. She looks at Joseph, who gets a frustrated look before turning to look at Sugawara.
“We told you to stay inside, didn’t we?” he asks without raising his tone but obviously quite upset. Sugawara looks upset and regretful about his actions. Riley speaks up with an offended look, not letting go of Airi.
“Don’t you speak to my Sugawara that way!” She says before Sugawara stops her.
“No, he’s right… I-I’m sorry.. it’s all my fault. I thought… you were gonna eat us, so I wanted to find proof and protect my friends…” Sugawara admits softly. Joseph gets a surprised look and looks at his daughter and wife. They too are quite surprised hearing his words.
“Eat you? What on Sol are you talking about, boy?” Joseph asks.
“Well, all day I’ve been seeing and hearing you do things that were weird and kinda… cannibalistic?..” Sugawara says timidly. Jospeh puts his hands on his hips as he gives him a look.
“Name one thing.” Joseph says as Sugawara thinks.
“Well, first I saw that room with the bloody hooks and hanging body.” Sugawara says, looking at the others.
“Kiddo, that room is where we hang the animals we harvest when it’s time, and the bag was filled with parts we can’t leave hangin'. We try not to show that place to the kids since it can be a bit much.” Piper says with a slightly frustrated exhale.
“Just a part of farm life.” Vanessa shrugs. Sugawara looks at them with a shocked look.
“But I heard you talking to Joseph about doing it tonight instead of tomorrow!” Sugawara says.
“That was about the fleshrovers. My family has been fighting them for decades. We were gonna stop them tonight while you slept since you were obviously getting suspicious about our actions. Apparently it wasn’t about what we thought, though.” Vanessa explains. Sugawara gets embarrassed as he sweats before remembering something else.
“Well, what about earlier when Mr. Joseph was dragging the body into the cellar??” he asks. Piper and Vanessa look at Joseph, who is taken off guard by the comment. He stares at them for a moment before looking away guiltily.
“We’ll talk about that later.” Joseph says. Vanessa shakes her head before crouching down before Sugawara.
“I’m sure we could spend all night explaining everything to you, but right now we have bigger problems.” Vanessa says softly.
“Thanks to that scream of yours, all the fleshrovers in the area are comin’ our way. What was that about anyway?” Joseph asks with a furrowed brow.
“When I was outside, I found a shed, and inside I thought I saw a bunch of human heads on a shelf, but I guess that probably has a reasonable explanation too…” Sugawara says while looking down with a doubtful look. Vanessa looks at him confused.
“No, that doesn’t, actually.” Vanessa says. Sugawara looks at her confused. Joseph turns away as Piper glares at him.
“Joseph! I told you to throw those damned heads away! Trophies from the fleshrovers you’ve killed is gross!” Piper says firmly. Joseph sweats and looks nervously before deflecting.
“We’ve got more important issues.” He says while looking out a window with a worried look. “Thanks to Sugawara’s scream, the seal wasn’t able to be finished. And knowing him, he’ll definitely show up tonight.” Joseph says ominously.
“What are they?” Shiori asks with a serious look. Joseph pauses for a moment before explaining.
“They are Fleshrovers. Humans cursed long ago, losing their minds and consuming human flesh, turning them into these body morphing monsters. Their skin is thick, and their transforming abilities make it hard to actually kill them, but our family created an enchantment that can put them down for good. We can enchant any weapon or tool with it.” He lifts his shotgun up with a determined look.
“Tonight’s the night we drive them off our ranch for good.” Joseph says with a serious look before he turns to Piper. “Stay here and protect the kids.” Joseph says as Piper looks worried. Shiori steps up with Hikigaya behind right her.
“Wait, we can help.” She says boldly. Some of the group perk up seeing this. Chizuru’s eyes light up as Ryuji and Lucy smirk, knowing what they can do. Surprisingly, Touma stands up too.
As these kids step up, Haru watches them closely as he holds Sugawara in his arms. Subconsciously, he tightens his grip around Sugawara’s shoulder. Sugawara notices this and looks at Haru, noticing the look on his face. In his eyes, determination and envy wells as he wants to join them, but knowing there is nothing he could do, he doesn’t.
“No way, you kids should stay here where it’s safe. We can handle it.” Joseph denies them.
“You have no idea how many are out there, and from the sound of it, tonight might be worse than ever. You’re going to need the help.” Shiori says back.
“This isn’t our first time fighting monsters.” Hikigaya says firmly.
“He’s right!” Tsuki speaks up. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes!” Tsuki says passionately. The class looks surprised as they remember that night.
“That’s right!” Suiyoubi says.
“Holden Manor.” Kitaro says too. Alice looks shocked as she slams her hands into her forehead, throwing her head back.
“I can’t believe I missed that! I was too busy crying!” Alice shouts. Shiori and Hikigaya are surprised by their class’ support but smile, nonetheless. Vanessa turns and gives Joseph a soft look.
“Touma did hurt one of them with only his bare fist. That’s got to be enough to at least slow them down for us. And I know you won’t admit it, but your enchantment isn’t as strong as it used to be.” She gives him a sympathetic look as he looks down, slightly frustrated.
“I suppose my energy is fading in my old age…” Joseph admits. He looks at the three of them before sighing. “Fine, you three can come, but the rest of you stay here and stay safe with Piper.” He gives a commanding point to the group as they stay together, low to the ground. “Let’s go.” Joseph says with determined eyes.
He leads them downstairs as they follow close. They go into the freezer room down below the house where Sugawara had seen him drag the body into before, but this time they go in from inside the house.
“Alright, listen up. These things are tough and can only be killed by the enchantment or removing their heads. Since you don’t have the enchantment and probably can’t remove their heads, just focus on body shots and limiting their movement so one of us can come in and follow up.” Joseph plans for them as they nod.
“Mr. Joseph, if you don’t mind me asking, why are they here and why build a farm here if you knew they were?” Hikigaya asks.
“When our family made the ranch, we had no idea of the curse that befell those poor victims, but once we did learn, our ancestors were far too bold or too damn stubborn to give up land so easily. So they stayed and fought, as we will do tonight, but this time will be different. We will bring down the Alpha Rover and stop them from ever coming back.” Joseph explains. Shiori listens intently but suddenly stops. The others notice her stopping and look at her confused.
“Everything okay?” Hikigaya asks.
“I sense one. A monster is in here with us.” Shiori says in a whisper. Suddenly, a shadow of a figure steps out from behind a shelf towards the outside entrance. Hikigaya, Touma and Shiori stance up, ready for battle before Joseph opens his palm at them.
“Wait, he’s a friend.” Joseph says as the shadow figure steps closer and into the light. A tall, odd looking man steps out with a slightly hurt look from being called a monster.
“Hey. Why’d you have to call me a monster?..” he asks with a wave and a silly tone in his voice.
“Guys, this is Philip. He’s a friend of the family.” Vanessa explains. Philip smiles and waves at them as they look confused by his appearance.
“Is he okay?..” Hikigaya asks.
“Yeah, why does he look like that?” Shiori asks. Phil is shot through the chest by their words and turns to stone as Vanessa smiles and shakes her head.
“He’s technically a fleshrover too. That’s why he looks a little different.” Vanessa says. Phil turns back to normal with a smile.
“Yes sir! A long time ago, after Joseph had hurt me some, Vanessa found me wounded, but I was too weak to get away. And instead of killing me, she bopped me on the head with her enchantment, and somehow I’m not crazy no more!” He says happily. Vanessa looks away with a soft look in her eyes as she thinks of that night years ago.
‘He was only a boy when that happened. I just couldn’t bring myself to hurt him any more than he already was…’ She thinks to herself.
“So why not do that to the others?” Shiori asks.
“It’s hard enough to defeat them, let alone do that, but I have tried, and it doesn’t seem to work.” Joseph says as he looks at his hand in disappointment.
“Since I’ve been gone, I’m sure things have been harder, but I’m here now. So let’s do this!” Vanessa says, clenching her fist. Shiori looks at her for a moment before speaking.
“Ms. Vanessa, could you show me the enchantment?” Shiori asks.
Vanessa nods, a little surprised by her request before igniting her hand with a snap. Shiori looks at it for a moment before closing her eyes and hovering her hand over the flame. After a moment, she opens her eyes sharply as the flame jumps onto her hand. She steps back as the others stare in surprise. She closes her fists, deactivating the enchantment for a moment before reactivating it at will when opening her hand.
“Nice.” She says with a proud smile.
“There you go again.” Hikigaya says with a smile as Shiori smirks at him. Touma watches but doesn’t seem to mind much.
“Well alright then. Everybody ready?” Joseph asks. They all get together with determined looks as they stand by the door, Phil preparing to open it to the outside. “Let’s go.” Joseph says, clutching his shotgun before Phil opens the door and the team rushes out.