Return To Sender

I received a package the next morning. This time it was placed outside of my room, strange considering we were always told our parcels were left downstairs at the reception. A few seconds later there was a sudden jolt in my stomach as I realized the box was the same one that had contained her.

With fingers trembling I peeled back the box and saw her. It was as if she had been risen from the dead, but had come back wrong somehow.

Her once-soft mane had become flat and silken, her smile a grimace frozen to her face. Even her eyes seemed different. As ridiculous as it sounded, she looked unhinged. There was even some brownish-red substance clinging to her. She was a mess.

For no apparent reason I decided my first priority should be to wash her, to clean off the blood and to make her look less neglected. As I ran her under the tap she giggled

“Heehee, that tickles!”

It’s amazing what kind of fancy sensors they put into these things today, I thought.

Once I was done she looked a lot better, but the manic glint of madness would not leave her eyes.

James, what are you doing? You should throw her out, not clean her up!

At that moment the phone rang.

“Hello, is this James Westhouse? This is Michelle, Jarvis’ wife. I know you two were close and was wondering if you would come to his funeral? He always spoke fondly of you. It’s today at 3:00, a low key event.”

“Yes Mrs.Petersburg. Thank you, I’ll be there.”

“Oh, and… this is such an odd request but… can you wear your bowling shirt? He made his Will very clear that he wanted his bowling buddies there wearing the team shirts.”

Classic Jarvis.

“Alright Mrs.Petersburg. Thank you, goodbye- oh, and I’m sorry for your loss.”

I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention that part.

I flopped on the couch, which was painful as the years had worn away at the seat so the stuffing no longer absorbed most of the shock. I carelessly placed Pinkie next to Grump’s cage. He hissed at the mere sight of her, and backed away when I brought her closer.

Deciding the best thing to do was to was put her where she couldn't cause any damage, I placed her in my cupboard.

... Where she can't do any damage? Am I going nuts?