Chapter 7: One Day Left
"You're not the sharpest tool in the shed, kid."
Aki glared up from the dirt, coughing.
"Thanks."
Cotton leaned back on a log, legs crossed like he owned the woods. He puffed on a stick of wild mint like it was a cigar, staring at the overcast sky.
"But lucky for you... I ain't looking for sharp. I'm looking for usable."
Aki flopped onto his back, soaked in sweat, chest rising and falling like he'd just sprinted through hell barefoot.
His arms trembled from the thousand pushups Cotton made him do—with a raccoon biting his ankle the whole time because "pain builds character."
The stuffed animal in question?About 3 feet tall, soft as sin, stitched like your grandma's forgotten toy box—…but always strapped.
Right now, his tiny paw rested on a 9mm like it was a damn paperweight.
Yesterday he had a micro Draco.
Tomorrow? Probably a rocket launcher. No one knows.
Aki finally asked, breathless:
"Where… where'd you even come from?"
Cotton didn't answer right away. He watched the sky for a while.
"Mage made me. Dumbass. Tried to enchant his teddy to dance at parties… accidentally gave me a soul."
He turned his head slowly.
"He screamed when I spoke. So I shot him. Right between the eyes."
Aki's body stiffened.
"You… killed your creator?"
Cotton shrugged.
"I was born in fear. Born aware. You think I'm gonna spend my life as some trick doll? Nah. I learned fast. I survived faster."
He pointed at Aki's heart.
"You? You got that same thing in you. That same kind of rage wrapped in fear. You're not broken. You're unpolished."
Cotton stood up, adjusted his tiny black crop top—it rode just above his fuzzy stitched stomach. Still no pants. Dude refused to wear bottoms like it was a lifestyle choice.
"You get your core tomorrow, huh?"
Aki nodded.
"Yeah…"
Cotton holstered his 9mm.
"Good. 'Cause if you turn out like your brother…"
Aki froze.
"Wait. What do you know about my—"
"Sleep, kid."
Cotton turned his back and walked toward the trees, the wind brushing through the forest like the world itself was listening.
"Tomorrow, we find out if you're just another stuffed bitch… or something else."
End of Chapter 7