The Melancholy of a B.H. 3

This feat of companionship would be…difficult.  I could tell.

Because there were more problems than just my hunger one.  Somehow, my reputation had spread through most parts of the galaxy.  Stars would send their tiny comet messengers, saying I wasn't welcome whenever I approached their system.

One day, I lost my temper.

"Who CAN I visit then?!" I snarled, grabbing the small comet by the throat.  "Who CAN I go see that I don't pose a threat to?!"

"C-calm down…c-c-calm d-down!" The boy choked, hardly able to breathe.

"I will release you when you answer my question," I replied icily, grip tightening slightly.

"S-Su-Sup-p-perm-ma-massive…"  The comet's blue face began to turn a lighter tinge, as he was completely being strangled now.

"Hm?" My antennae perked up, intrigued, and my grip slackened.  "Continue."

"Super…massive…Black…Hole…" The boy wheezed, taking in huge lungfuls of air.

"Ex-excuse me?" I parted my longish hair, looking curiously at the comet.  "Are you…saying that…there are more of me?"

The boy looked up at me, giving me a look of utmost terror, before quickly looking down at his feet and replying, "Well…y-yes, sir.  Us comets are travelers, you see. I've been to other galaxies before, and they have a few other, um…black holes.  B-but not all of them are the same, s-sir!  Y-you…used to be a star, didn't you?"

I blinked, a tad impressed, responding thoughtfully, "Well, yes actually…I was."

The comet managed a slight smile, which quickly turned into a look of horror as soon as he looked up at my face again.

"I-I can tell because o-of your antennae, s-sir…they're fr-frayed, because of your explosion…you're called a stellar black hole, sir."

"I see…" I mused, and then looked down at the comet, trying to smile kindly.  "Thank you, boy.  You've been a good help, so I'll spare your life."

The comet slumped, heaving a great sigh of relief.

"Th-thank you, sir…"

"But tell me…where can I find this other black hole?"

"In the center of the galaxy, sir…"

"Could you perhaps take me there?"  It wasn't a request.  It was a command.

The comet's eyes suddenly got huge, shaking his head fervently.

"I wi-wish I could, sir, b-but…nothing has ever wanted to see him!" He replied, almost yelping.  "Y-you don't know, sir.  You don't want to know about him!  H-he's hungrier than you." He looked down, wringing his hands nervously.

I blinked, thouroughly surprised.

"Is he now…?  I suppose I can see why you would be so nervous.  But…you will take me most of the way, yes?"  Once again, a command.

"I-I don't—"

"Say…" I interrupted, almost having to bite my tongue to stifle the laughter.  "If you can't help me…a little comet like you would…make a nice snack, don't you think?"

The boy's eyes practically went planet-sized, violently beginning to tremble.

"Wh-what?  O-o-oh!  I-I d-don't kn-know wh-wh-what came o-ov-ver m-me th-th-there!  I-I can ta-take you!  O-o-of course!"

I concealed a grin, placing a hand over my mouth for a moment.  When you instilled fear it seemed that you got what you wanted from your underlings.  I would have to remember this.

"Thank you. But…we need some ground rules to establish before we begin.  If you start to feel comfortable around me…just, don't.  For your own safety.  Fear me.  I am, and always will be, a killer."

The comet nodded, trembling only slightly now.

"On that note, let's keep a good distance between us while we're traveling.  If you get too close…let's say I'll get hungrier more quickly."

"Y-yes sir…"

"And another thing.  I'll allow you to call me by my name, alright?"

"…Black…Hole?" He squeaked, sounding awfully unsure of himself.

I nodded slowly, trying to look encouraging.

"Yes, that's fine.  What is…your name?  Or is it just Comet, or something along those lines?"

"I-it doesn't really matter what you call me, s—er, Black Hole.  M-my friends call me Cheruv, though—"

"Then I shall call you that as well.  And the last thing…when I go hunting, I will be killing all sorts of things.  Don't try to stop me.  I'm not really…all there when I'm hungry.  Got it?"

"Un-understood."

"Well…" I took a deep breath, and released it in a sigh.  "I suppose I'll go get a meal, then we can leave.  I'll be back soon…wait here, alright?"

Cheruv nodded deeply, standing a little taller now.

"Yessir—um, Black Hole…"

I sighed again.  Youth.  Looking to the nearest solar system, I began to walk to it.

"W-wait!"

Antennae twitching, annoyed, I faced the comet again.

"What?"

"…That's my system…"

"And?"

"M-my friends are there…and…I don't want them to be eaten…" As Cheruv spoke, his voice got meeker and meeker with each word, until his voice was just a mere whisper.

"Son, do you think I care?" I asked with a laugh, coming over to give him a pat on the shoulder.  "I'm hungry.  I don't know them.  I'm going to go and eat most of them."

"I-I…yes…ok…" He whispered, eyes beginning to get watery and face turning pale.

"Now, now!  Don't cry, boy!  I'll be back soon," I said firmly, giving him another reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning on my heel and leaving.  "Oh…perhaps you might want to…look away and cover your ears?" I suggested, not bothering to turn and look at the comet again.