The latest release is out! Rod and Tod is being serialised here on Nocterna Books. See what the two mischievous clouds are up to as they put other worlds in peril by creating and mutating new creatures.

Download the third part right here: Chapter 1 Part III Rod and Tod

The first, and all the other parts are available by clicking here.

 

Alternatively you can read it below:

Rod and Tod Chapter 1 – Crude Creations (Part III)

The sludge answered instantly, “I’ve been here for ages. I mean I don’t have any evidence to support this statement, but if one looks at my complexion and colour, it would suggest that I have been here for quite some time. To counter your question, pizza box, why is it that we can suddenly talk and why is it that we have no recollection of our past and that we have only been sentient beings for about ten minutes. Either that or we are incredibly shy because we were not speaking to one another earlier, or perhaps we are very rude for the same reason I just gave.”

“Well I haven’t been rude. I started talking as soon as I could,” said the encyclopaedia.

“I don’t doubt that for a second,” said the sludge.

The three entities were silent once more, although only fleetingly, as they were mulling over the sensation of being alive.

The pizza box lid flapped once more, “Shall we go then? I assume we will have to stick together, as the humans who occupy this world will not take kindly to our existence. I am of course basing this on the fact that my first meaningful memory is of a pair of people sprinting away from me in terror whilst I uttered my first words.”

“How do we even know what humans and this language are? It is like all this information has been shoved into our…” The encyclopaedia ceased momentarily before continuing, “Brains I suppose.”

The three chuckled at the prospect of having brains, but all considered the danger of some trickery at play here. Finally the sludge broke the laughter, “I propose we see what else we can do. If we can talk and think, some humans are incapable of that, then we attempt to move. Besides, I’m not keen on all this rain that keeps hammering down on us.”

The pizza box and encyclopaedia shook around indicating that they were nodding in as best a fashion as they could muster.

“I’d better go first then, as I suggested it. I don’t want to be seen as a wimp – how I even know about that term is a mystery.”

The pizza box and encyclopaedia grumbled at the sludge.

Slowly the goo began to lift off the ground and take shape. At first it resembled a dog, then an oversized ant, a giraffe and lastly the sludge settled for a humanoid form. It now resembled a plasticine figure that had been made in a primary school classroom. It had no features whatsoever, that was until the sludge used its hand to carve in some eyes, a straight nose and a line for a mouth.

“No. You look like something out of a cartoon show, make yourself cooler than that,” said the pizza box.

The sludge saluted and within seconds had grown a series of spikes on his back.

“Now you’re a walking hedgehog!”

“I haven’t finished yet, book. Take a gander at this.”

The body shuddered until the head popped back inside it. Eventually the entire figure transformed into the shape of an egg. Arms and legs popped out of each side, and strangely enough, some blue eyes appeared on the front of the egg, followed by some red lips.

“I had just enough colour to produce my eyes and lips. What do you think?”

“You’re a walking egg. What happened to the spikes, I thought they were cool?” said the pizza box.

“Oh I still have them. I shall merely use them when necessary. I happen to like my form. I’m an egg because I’m just so intellectual and clever and the spikes are my secret weapon that I may unleash in the blink of an eye.” With that the egg shot out the spikes from behind and then popped them back in. The egg/sludge was grinning wildly now, “From this moment forth I shall be referred to as ‘Eggo Maniac’. A name that will strike fear into the hearts of thousands.”

“Why do you want to strike fear into the hearts of thousands?” said the encyclopaedia.

“I don’t know, it just sounded good. Anyway you’re detracting from the point. Perhaps it is your turn to rise up and take your true form, old book.”

The pages of the encyclopaedia flicked back and forth as it decided what it would be. The book now hovered over the saturated paving stones and the pages continued to sway from side to side.

Eggo Maniac watched keenly, as did the pizza box. Eventually the pages stopped.

“What country are we in Eggo Maniac?”

“England, part of the United Kingdom.”

The encyclopaedia bent in half and then folded itself once more, then again and again until it was too tiny to be visible to the naked eye. It spoke briefly, which was mildly disturbing, as it was not currently visible.

“I’m afraid that’s not my homeland mates.”