The Monster Keeper - Chapter 1
-pretty much sfw (contraception mentioned), you show up for work the day after the rift appeared, learn about your new duties, and meet your first monster- 1068 words
You had only been working at the zoo for a few months but you were already getting used to the routine. So when you showed up early in the morning for your shift and your boss was already there waiting for you you knew straight away that something was up.
“Good morning (name)” he grinned.
“morning,” you looked at him suspiciously, “what’s going on?”
“Come with me and I’ll explain.” You dropped off your things in your locker, picked up a clipboard off the side and attached a radio to your belt before falling into step beside him. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the incident yesterday?”
“Of course.”
“Well as you know a huge focus of this establishment is conservation and with people being how they are I was certain that these creatures would likely become a myth again if we weren’t careful, so as soon as I heard the news I sent some friends of mine to rescue as many as we had space for. We’re keeping them in our temporary storage for now, just until we can find new homes for the other animals.” You didn’t speak for a moment, taking in the news. Your boss filled the silence “Most of our keepers will have their work cut out for them looking after the regular animals, and after some discussion we have decided that you should be in charge of our new guests.”
“What?!” you exclaim, shocked out of your silence, “I’m sorry but I hardly think I’m qualified-“
“None of us are, these species are entirely new to us all. You are one of the few members of staff who did not assist in the capture so perhaps they will be more inclined to trust you.” You understood his logic but it still seemed unfair. Something told you that the real reason for the decision was that you would be the easiest to replace, but you decided not to say anything. Besides you couldn’t help feeling excited despite the possible danger. The chance to work with creatures you had only read about in stories wasn’t exactly something you could turn down.
“Alright, I’ll try my best, but if I get eaten it’s on you.”
Your boss chuckled “sure”
You reached the temporary storage pens, or the holding cells as you called them. They were hardly fit for anything to live in, just concrete sheds with barred doors like a jail cell.
“I know they’re not ideal,” the boss admitted, “we’ll find better enclosures for them as soon as we can, and that’s part of your job too. We have no idea about any of their preferred habitats, besides the obviously aquatic creatures.”
“So basically I need to find out everything about how to care for these creatures by myself.”
“Pretty much. But if you need anything you know how to get hold of me.” You already knew you wouldn’t be contacting him for anything other than a genuine emergency, there wouldn’t be any point. He would just give you a corporate pep talk and encourage you to sort it out yourself.
“well I think that’s everything, see you later (name)!”
“see ya”. And just like that you were left alone with a clipboard, a radio and 20 concrete boxes concealing beings from another realm. As you were gathering your courage you heard your boss over the radio, “one last thing, are you on any form of birth control at the moment?”
“what??”
“if these creatures can’t get what they need they will try to escape, and we both know that they will succeed.”
“I had my tubes tied last year if you must know, but I’m not sure that I like what you’re implying.”
“Just keep them happy, I don’t care how you do it.”
You sighed, tied your hair back out of the way and approached the first building.
You don’t know what you were expecting, but it wasn’t this. Within the sad, grey, concrete cell there stood a unicorn. It shone iridescent even in such dim light. You felt your chest tighten, hating to see such a beautiful creature kept like this, cowering in a corner. You slowly reached a hand through the bars of the door, fearing it would try to bolt if you opened it.
“It’s alright,” you spoke softly, “I don’t know if you can understand me but I promise I won’t hurt you.”
-I understand you- you heard a voice in your head, neither male nor female. It reminded you of a river, or perhaps distant music. As the unicorn approached, you felt an irresistible urge to bow before it, and so you did. When you raised your head you were looking directly into its eyes. -I believe your words, you do not feel evil-
“thank you,”
-but this place… I fear it will hurt me and others like me whether you mean it to or not-
You nodded, it was right, “I know, but still I will try my best to protect you. The other people who work here have put me in charge of all the creatures from the rift so please, help me take care of you until we can find somewhere safe for you to live.” the unicorn gently placed its cheek against your outstretched palm, its coat velvety soft. You took that as a yes. “I have to ask you some questions to work out what you need, sorry if some of these seem silly.”
-not at all, I will be happy to answer them- Over the next few minutes you learnt as much as you could, scribbling notes on your clipboard. You’d write up a proper chart later, you told yourself.
“so, what do you eat? Is it the same as horses?”
-yes that would be fine, oats, grass, do you have apples here?-
You couldn’t help smiling, horses were horses it seemed, “yeah we have apples, I’ll get you some!” The unicorn whinnied softly and nuzzled into your palm. “I’m sorry but I’m going to have to leave for a while, there are so many other creatures I need to check on and I want to make sure that everyone is safe, but I’ll be back later, and I’ll bring as many apples as I can get my hands on!”
-Thank you, do not worry I understand, I too was a guardian-
You look into its kind eyes and nod in understanding.