Chapter 5: Anne [Illustration]

"...What?"

Hoping to have misheard, Daniel's lips turn crooked as he stares at the gelatinous blue girl in disbelief. "S-say that again?"

The slime girl cocks her head, smiling dumbly and confused by the quiver in his voice. "Mama...ate...old mama?"

"You mean...you ate my mother' corpse from the graveyard and followed me?"

The slime claps her hands together over the understanding. "Yes!"

Daniel's face pales while his pupils' contract.

How could this be? He was just at his mother's grave! Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet this creature claims to have desecrated his mother's resting place as if it were nothing! Taking a step backward and breathing unevenly, he feels like he's just received a slap to the face. Even if the slime girl is ignorant, there's no way he could forgive something like that.

"Y-you..."

The slime girl blinks, sensing she said something wrong. As the artist's arms shake and hands curl up into a fist, she quickly reassures him, thinking he'll be afraid of her again. "Ah! But mama won't eat...living...prom-"

"You ate her! W-why would you touch her!?"

Surprised by the outburst, the slime girl recedes in shock. "It...bad?"

Daniel breathes in sharply while tears fill his eyes. His heart pounds with frustration. "Of course it's bad! Do you think I should be happy you ate what's left of my mother? Am I supposed to visit an empty grave now?!"

"But mama-"

"Enough!" he orders, narrowing his eyes in pain. "Just...leave me alone! I want nothing to do with you! You're clearly trouble!"

Cold. Seeing Daniel glare at her unlike anything Amy had seen before, the slime shrinks. There's an urge to run, seeing how she's hurt her son, and yet, she knows well that his mother isn't gone.

Although she might not be exactly the same, the slime can feel Amy, her memories, and her love for her only son. Right now, she carries that love for Daniel, so she can't leave. She needs to be here for him.

"P-please..." she croaks, slowly stepping forward with her hands up, "O-old mama...not gone. Mama is-"

"Stop calling yourself that!" he cuts her off, shutting his eyes. "You can't be my mother! If you're not going to leave me alone, you might as well eat me because I will never...!"

Before the tearful artist can say any more, the slime girl tackles him into a hug, pressing her large chest against him and wrapping her arms tightly around his back. In response, Daniel struggles and slams a fist against the slime girl's back membrane. It does no harm to her gel structure but mentally pains her.

"S-stop! Let go of me, you-"

"I'm sorry, Daniel! I'm sorry I left you so soon!" the slime screams without pause, burying her chin into his shoulder. Her molecular memory begins working in overdrive to piece Amy's regrets quicker. It's the most prominent and complete information she obtained. While there is still plenty of missing information due to Amy's deterioration, these feelings seemed to hold on as if they were intentional.

Immersing herself into those feelings, this gelatinous girl knows that even if she's pushed away, passing on Amy's heart is the least she could do for him.

Breath taken, the artist's pupils quiver by the creature's shift in tone.

'No...She isn't mom. She couldn't...'

His thoughts are disrupted as the slime girl continues, goo increasingly dripping down her form. "The cancer I had, Daniel. I was honestly so scared! I wanted to see more of your paintings, your work! I didn't want to die, unable to watch you take off!"

Tears brim in Daniel's eyes as he shakes his head, desperate to deny what's in front of him. Although this creature has been using Amy's voice, it was broken, too weak for him to believe it to be true. Now, it's as if his mother is actually talking to him.

"M-mom..." he calls, his voice cracking. Logically, he knows this slime can't be his mother, but he hears direct feelings in a way that could only come from the former astronomer.

The slime girl pulls back, but not before cupping his cheeks. Wiping his stunned tears with her melting hands, she issues her final words, struggling to hold on.

"I wanted to see you go to college and be successful! I wanted to be there for your hosted first art piece at your first museum when I was stuck in bed! I'm so proud to see that you're successful now, but I missed that all of that...and I'm so sorry, Daniel. I'm sorry for not being there for you when you needed most! There were so many stories of new planets and stars I wanted to..."

The slime's words slow down as she reaches her limit. Her molecules can only process Amy's memories and regrets so fast without burning out. With nowhere to go, Daniel watches the slime mother accelerate in her descent. Desperately wanting to hear more, he leans forward and grabs the slime's shoulders. "Mom!?"

"...tell...you...about."

Finishing with a low rasp, she slides through Daniel's hands, melting to a puddle around his feet. Too weak to maintain its form and voice, it lies silent and spreads across his wooden floor.

Staring into his hands, Daniel's heart stops as the remaining slime residue slips through his digits.

"No..."

He always saw his mother putting on a brave smile, but knew just how fearful she was underneath that mask. It was so frustrating to see, but more painful to not be able to do anything.

She was the kind of person who hid their sadness so that they might encourage instead. Even so, he knew how she truly felt, even if she never admitted it.

Now, hearing her regrets so plainly, the artist's mind collapses into a mess. The slime girl below him is an even bigger one. He couldn't place faith enough in an unknown creature's words, and who would blame him? Consequently, he might've lost the last semblance of his mother for good.

He drops to his knees and lets his tears loose upon that realization. Frantically, he tries dipping his hands into the squishy puddle to pull the slime together, not caring what the unknown fluid might do to him. His voice goes on, hoarse.

"No...no, no...Mom...? I'm, I'm sorry! You're right...please come back! Please, don't...don't leave me again! I-"

As Daniel's tears drop onto the slime, it immediately becomes nutrients for its starved molecules. It bubbles a little, causing him to gasp and back up. The puddle manages to create a mouth weakly to utter a single word...

"F-food."

...

..

.

Daniel didn't hold back. With frantic steps, he brought out anything he could find. Each meal dissolved by her became a lighter step in his heart. Before long, this gooey existence that had declared itself to be his new mother was back on her feet.

At his round table within the kitchen, he settles the last leftover wings in front of her before slumping, staring at his ceiling with a heavy breath. Closing his eyes, he tries to cool his wrecked brain from the events so far. When his eyes return to watch the slime mother, he dryly lifts his lips. Even though she has a human form, she doesn't bother eating like a normal person would. Rather, she just happily shoves the food into the center of her body, letting divide until there's nothing left.

Finishing the last of the wings and meat overall, she squirms in delight. "Ah! Much...better."

Daniel studies the creature with relief. Huffing, he leans on the table with his chin resting on his hand. So far, the slime girl seems so childish and seemingly innocent, but he won't ever be able to forget hearing his mother's true voice during her plea to him.

He lowers his head, digging his fingers into his scalp while trying to make sense of it. This whole situation is crazy, but at the very least, he acknowledges she means no harm.

At least, not deliberately.

With another breath, Daniel lowers his gaze and places his hands back down. "Okay...look, I'm sorry for stressing you out there. It's clear to me that somehow my mom — Amy, exists as part of you now. Is that how I should take it?"

The slime girl blinks, then frowns, puffing her cheeks. "That's what...Mama said before!"

Daniel snorts and crosses his arms. "Yeah, well, you can't blame me for not believing you."

"So Daniel believes Mama now?" she asks with wide, hopeful eyes.

Hesitating, the artist clears his throat and sits up straight. He grips his knees as he recalls his time with Amy. "I mean...I don't know, I guess? I have no choice to believe. I...always knew how much pain my mom was in, and yet, I couldn't do anything for her. She always told me to do my best and pretended that she was fine...when she wasn't."

The slime girl's brows crease with guilt. She leans forward to grasp his hands. "Mama...didn't want...to make you worried."

Daniel's pupils quiver before glancing away. Since this creature represents his mother, he grits his teeth and decides to voice his complaints directly. "That's obvious, mom. It was so...selfish! You didn't even let me know of your diagnosis until a month later!"

Silence.

Eventually, the slime girl lowers her gaze, biting her lips. "Mama...sorry. Mama...tried to-"

"Stop, I...know. It's in the past. I was just...anyway, what's your plan now?"

The slime girl hums meekly. "Mama...still sorting out old mama. So much...missing. Mama needs to...learn more about world too..."

She pauses, then brightens a little. "Especially learn more...about new stars...and new paintings!"

Daniel's eyes soften, and he's unable to suppress a smile. "One thing at a time. Do you have a name?"

"Mama-"

"No," Daniel cuts through, "An actual name."

The slime girl opens her mouth wide in shock as the thought never occurred to her. Of course, it would be easy to assume 'Amy', but the slime recognizes Amy as an individual she's inherited.

"Mama...not sure. Mama doesn't want...Amy though."

Furrowing her shaped brows, she places a hand on the top of her chest and leans forward. "Mama-no, I am...new mama...for Daniel, so new name...must!"

Daniel blinks, recognizing that the slime girl likes to refer to herself as 'mama'. She might have picked up on that from Amy's memories when he was young. It doesn't bother him, considering there are more stranger things about her.

"How about Anne?" he suggests, studying her reaction carefully. The name should be familiar if enough of his mother is in this slime girl.

Indeed, the slime girl is surprised. As she searches her knowledge bank, she quickly finds out why she feels a sense of familiarity with the name.

"S...sister? No...mama's...twin! Dead!"

Seeing the slime girl shaken, Daniel feels even more convinced that this creature is a form of his mother. Yes, his mother and would-be aunt were actually twins, but the sister died due to complications at birth.

"Mama...killed?"

Daniel widens his eyes. It seems the slime girl doesn't have enough information on the whole picture. He quickly shakes his hands. "That's not your-I mean, her fault. In any case, it's a fitting name since you're her, but not exactly, right? Just like a twin!"

Somehow, that convinces the slime. "Anne...Anne...Anne!"

Repeating her name with increasing delight, Anne moves past the shock of the information and stands up proudly. "Mama is Anne!"

Daniel chuckles easily, but suddenly, Anne's smile fades as she stares at him intensely, causing him to lean back. "Uhm...w-what's wrong?"

Anne huffs. "Mama is Anne...but Daniel must call me mama!"

Daniel grows flustered. "I...maybe at least mom, but I can't call you something so embarrassing!"

Anne shuts her eyes tightly. "No! You used...to say mama!"

Of course he did, but that was when he was a child! The artist clears his throat and tries to change the subject. "L-look, putting that aside, I have to figure out what to do with you from now on. Obviously, you have to keep yourself hidden in front of others and if you're going to live with me...uh shit, how is this going to work?"

In terms of his living space, it's pretty minimal in order to maximize his storage and work area. It's fine because he's single and usually spends his time in the studio. Now though, his mother is going to be living with him.

"All...good!" Anne chirps. "Mama...share room with son!"

Daniel's mouth opens. "You're...not serious are you? Even my mom wouldn't make such a suggestion!"

"Mama...not same! Daniel is...mama's son. Mama wants to...spend close...to son! No...excuses!"

Just as he is to protest, his phone buzzes in his pocket. With an annoyed grumble, he stiffens when he sees he has an appointment with a prospective client in an hour for a custom piece. He's supposed to meet them at a museum soon. It's probably for them to best describe what they want through an existing work.

Daniel stands up from the table, twisting his lips. "Shit...look, we'll talk about this later! For now, just uh...stay put. Don't go out and lie low, okay?"

Anne slumps. "Work?"

Daniel hums. Admittedly, it's probably not the best to leave Anne alone so soon. However , the client he's going to meet is rather big and it took some time for her secretary to set up a meeting. While there's no guarantee he'll accept the commission, he's not about to let go of an opportunity that might break his normal portrait flow.

He sighs. 'It can't be helped.'

"Mama...lie low! No...attention!" Anne reassures, then raises her arms. "Hug?"

The artist flinches and chuckles nervously. "Um...that's..."

His excuse trails off as he catches Anne's sparkling eyes. Of course, he hugged his mother plenty of times, but definitely not a slime girl. Upon staring between her arms, his face flushes at her voluptuous figure which jiggles slight as she waits for him to come close.

"L-look, Anne, I-"

The slime mother's face immediately drops at the addressing and her arms quiver. Quickly, Daniel stiffens and corrects himself.

"I mean, mom, sorry! Aha ha...Anyways, I'm going to meet a potential client so I can't afford get wet or sticky."

Anne perks back up, accepting the addressing. She hums easily and motions with her hands. "No...problem! Mama...leaves...no residue!"

Come to think of it, Daniel recalls he never got wet or sticky when Anne first grabbed him. It was only when she melted into a puddle did he feel a little wet on his shoes, but when she reformed, it's like anything left on his feet returned to her.

So then, his only real concern is her figure. Technically speaking, she's naked but also more or less an outline. For example, she barely has formed nipples on her chest! Despite that, Daniel remains aware how attractive this slime girl has shaped herself. But with such high expectations in the slime mother's eyes and unable to hurt her again as he did before, he pushes through his concerns as a man and hopes for the best. "J-just a quick one, okay?"

Anne cheers as her son hesitantly enters her arms. With a giggle, she wraps them around his back and presses herself firmly against his front with a slow hum. In response, Daniel shivers as he feels her breasts wobble against his own chest. He shuts his eyes, trying hard not to think about it. For her sake, he hugs her back.

"Hehe, mama's...baby~" Anne whispers into his ear as she closes her eyes and swings.

Daniel's face turns beet as he sway with her motions, her curves compressing in and out against him. Swallowing, he pulls away after a few seconds and clears his throat. Is he feeling hot because Anne is oddly attractive or because she's embarrassingly touchy?

Both?

'What are you thinking, asshole!' he slams himself. 'She might not be exactly like mom, but she's now the closest to one you have!'

Coughing, he presses his hands on her shoulders and stares at her firmly. "O-okay, I've really got to go now! Remember, stay hidden!"

Anne nods, her smile wide with satisfaction. She brings her arms together. "Good...luck!"

Daniel smiles easily at one last time. Although he hesitates again on leaving her, his phone buzzing with the second reminder pushes him off.

Once he leaves, Anne's eyes twinkle. She takes the opportunity to explore her son's apartment more. Since she's still not used to walking with legs, she lets her feet melt into a puddle and glides leisurely around the place.

Coming from Amy's death, she takes in everything that was missed in her son's life: His art, new techniques, and photos of places he visited. Most amusingly, she found some recipe books in kitchen drawers he gathered in his attempt to cook for himself, but there was one place that interested her the most.

In his personal room, she sees a small desk with a computer. Recalling Amy's experience with even bigger, advanced computers, she knows that much of the world and missing information can be obtained through the magic of the internet. Excitedly, she moves to sit in his chair and wakes the computer from standby.

Immediately she's greeted with a login prompt. At first, Anne frowns and figures she'll have to wait for her son to return, but then she recalls a combined phrase that her molecules assigned to a shared Netflix account.

'herryPapperIs@Hagwert934'

Surely Daniel uses a different password for access, but since it comes to mind, the slime decides to enter it. Unfortunately for her son, this is indeed the password. Further, he left his browser open since nobody else uses the computer.

Anne would soon become enlightened, to say the least.