Loud crackle of thunder outside jolting him awake, the hyena buried his head in his pillow. Ugh, now of all times there had to be a lightning shower? How incredibly annoying. The weather app on his phone said there would only be a fifty percent chance for rain. So much for accuracy. Machines were never right about a single thing were they?

Hearing the next door neighbor scream at her kids to head inside now, the chimera let out a sigh of relief. He supposed rain was good for one thing at least, keeping the annoying screechers inside. Fluffy head creature put aside, he let out a yawn. No time to think about that nonsense. He had to get up and get ready for the day.

Reaching for his phone, the food enthusiast scrolled over to his bookmarks. Tapping the anonymous blogger's webpage once more, the chimera pondered. Should he join the investigation team? That monster sushi incident at that new restaurant, he couldn't just ignore that happened, could he? Maybe he should answer the response and join the team.

But, the college graduate shook his head. Or, maybe he shouldn't. What if this was all a scam that this person was hoping on the other side of the screen people would fall for? The internet was the wild west for the gullible and vulnerable. Putting his phone down, he put a pin in such for the time being.

Fixing his bed, the chimera tried to recall what was on the agenda for the day. What did he put on his schedule today? Scrolling through the scheduler app, he almost did a double take at what had been laid out in front of him. Oh, he was making his odd jobs website today, how could he forget? How long ago did he write that down?

Reading the text again, the chimera flinched. Wait, he was doing what today? Making his odd jobs website? When did he put this down on his schedule? He completely forgot that he placed that here! Head practically spinning, he sighed as he put his phone down. It was better to have it ready a few days before than last second he supposed. But, there had been one problem he could not ignore.

This house had no available computers to use. His parent's office was always locked whenever they went away on a long job. And, the only other desktop was in Deigr and Coiote's room. There was no way he's going in there! He bet that machine of theirs was filled to the brim with disgusting dirty pictures of their partners, forget ever using that! And, his college laptop has since been returned. What will he do? There's no way he's making this website on his phone!

Pulling clothes out from the top drawer, the young adult let out a tired sigh. He supposed he had no choice but to go to the local library and borrow theirs for a few hours. When does that open again? Around nine in the morning, maybe? Ah, no, that won't do, his card expired years ago, didn't it?

Locking the restroom door behind him, the chimera could hear his annoying sisters scream from the opposite end of the house. If Deigr and Coiote think they can use his bathroom, they have another thing coming. They have their own that they share with Hase, go away! Why couldn't these two ever learn to use their own space instead of trying to take everyone else's?

Lightning practically hitting the window as the little sprinkler plopped through his hair, the chimera let out a barely audible scream. The storm sure was close. That lightning couldn't strike him from here, could it? He needed to hurry and finish before he was fried into the ground! Soap burning the nicks on his wrist aplenty, the young adult tuned out the pain.

Conditioner practically falling into his eyes, the young adult hurried to rinse the hair cleanser away. Maybe there were hygiene ghosts messing with him as well. Towel wrapped around his head, the screeches from the other side continued. For god bread's sake, can Deigr and Coiote go back to eating their boyfriend's faces already? How annoying.

As the teeth bristles pressed against his sharp fangs, the chimera could not stop thinking about that anonymous comment. Maybe he should join the food paranormal investigation team. Surely it wouldn't cut too much into his odd jobs business. After all, it was highly unlikely people would contact him for weeks or even months. Being the valedictorian at an American culinary arts college was barely an achievement for some people. Bandage reapplied, he reached for a set of rubber bands.

Putting his hair up in two low braids, matching waffle hairpins and earrings had adorned the food enthusiast's hair and ears. Dark blue shirt with a large plate of chicken on it soon covering him with the text Lick That Chicken, a pitch black skirt covered his knees in an instant. Bristles taming the locks, the chimera returned to his room.

"Finally, the good bathroom is free!" Deigr shouted. "Better hurry before--!"

Hearing his pesky sister's feet bolting towards the restroom, the hyena made a run for it. Oh, no, she doesn't! If she thought for a moment he'd let her use Natalie, Leah and his restroom for even a moment, she had another thing coming. Skidding his feet by the door, he reached for his tablet. Not on his door, they don't!

[Use your own bathroom.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Ugh, I thought you'd be cooking your stupid experimental breakfasts already by now!" Deigr cried.

[Who asked you for your unneeded opinion? You can forget me making you coffee today. You know this bathroom is for Natalie, Leah and me only. Go use yours.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Why did the three of you have to get the best bathroom in the house?!" Deigr cried stomping off.

Reaching for a key from his pocket, the food enthusiast clicked the privacy tool into the hole. Maybe it's about time he keeps this door closed at all times when it's not in use. Natalie and Leah had their own keys for this door, right? He sure hoped so. Maybe he should go make some copies at the mall just in case. Returning to his room, an orange apron with the text, Chef of Silly had been plopped over him.

Heading for the kitchen, the hyena cruised through the cabinet. What should he make this morning? Gazing at the calendar on the fridge, he studied the written text in silence. Leah, Hase signing off acting training camp for the rest of the week, he could feel a somber wave flow through him. Ah, they would be gone until next week, huh? Natalie's little signature underneath such as well, he could feel the emptiness kick in. Everyone was disappearing.

Removing a set of eggs from the fridge, the hyena placed his hands on his chin. Maybe he could make some meaty chicken omelettes. That sounded like a good idea. Cracking his knuckles, he removed a small container of fowl from the freezer. Little strips plopped into the microwave, thunder clapped down from the heavens once more.

As the chimera set down the cooking spray, the young adult cracked the eggs over the frying pan. How many omelettes should he make? Would three do? Four? Maybe three would be enough. Cracking his knuckles, he dropped the chicken down into the black dome of doom. Rain pitter pattering upon the window, he broke into a shiver. Was he about to visited by a chicken wing monster? Please, no.

First omelette fried and ready to go, the food enthusiast quickly let the second and third one simmer. Meaty goodness ready, he set the table. Yet again, another culinary masterpiece. Condiments set on the table, he turned on the kettle. Which tea would be perfect for a stormy day like today? Earl grey might do.

As the kettle had screamed upon the stove, the chimera drummed his fingers on the table. His odd jobs business was supposed to start towards the beginning of next week. Should he just go to the public library and make the website today? Maybe he should. The lightning storm would stop shortly, right? It had to. Pouring the tea, he drummed his fingers on the table as everyone barreled in.

"Smells like chi'ken," Varg said, yawning. "Someone making omelettes?"

"Chicken in omelettes? I swear, Siorc has a screw loose!" Coiote cried. "How he graduated that college as a valedictorian is beyond me! These experiments are low bar!"

"If ya don't want it, go eat at yer boyfriend's house," Varg said, arms folded across his waist. "I bet if he cooked ya a chicken omelette, you'd be eat it out his hands."

"So what if I would?!" Coiote cried. "You guys need to stop being so nice to him. I bet he only graduated because they were tired of him and his stupid experimental dishes!"

Pesky sister spewing incorrect information as always, the hyena folded his left hand into a fist. Excuse him, how dare she say that about him! He worked so hard every single day to get the top scores! First of all, it's called mixing flavors, not experimenting! But, he guessed her food palette was just a plain omelette with nothing but cheese in it! Who asked her for her opinion? She wouldn't know good food if it hit her in the face! Reaching for his tablet, he scribbled away.

[For your information, I was the valedictorian, and I studied hard to earn that achievement. Unlike you who graduated with the bare minimum of credits at a community college. But, we're just going to forget that for the sake of it, aren't we?] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. He then scribbled some more. [Make your own breakfast instead.]

Coiote grabbing three tins of yogurt, the chimera rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. Good, drown herself in that liquid sugar ooze. When she complains about her weight, it's not his problem, that's for sure. Seating himself down in the chair, he sipped on some of the tea. But, eyes soon wandered off towards his wrist.

"What happened to yer wrist?" Varg asked in a concerned tone.

Inquiry coming his way, the hyena continued to sip his tea. There was no way Varg would believe him if he mentioned the monster saws that attacked him while attempting to use chopsticks at the sushi restaurant, would he? But, what good would lying do? Setting down the cub, he scribbled away.

[I was attacked by possessed saws while getting sushi with my friends yesterday.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said.

"And, why didn't ya tell us about this earlier?" Varg asked, arms crossed around his chest. "They didn't cut ya deep, did they?"

[Not really. But, it's fine, I'm right handed anyway. And besides, if I have to, I can just turn my hands into hyena paws while cooking if absolutely necessary.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said, but a loud yawn soon interrupted.

"Good morning, something smells good," Pira said, yawning. He then seated himself at the table, pointing. "What happened to your wrist, kiddo?"

"Some saw ghost at the sushi restaurant attacked him," Varg said, biting into the center of the omelette as he finished such sentence. "Man, this chi'ken omelette's real good."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Pira asked, tone concerned. "What if you had been seriously injured?"

Flurry of concerns coming his way, the hyena held in a sigh as he bit into his omelette. What were they all so worried over? It's not like he had bled out at the sushi restaurant. It was just a little cut, it would heal. And, besides, if it had been more serious, it's not like anyone would believe him, would they? Of course they wouldn't. He'd be locked straight into a cushioned room if he spoke about it.

[It's fine, it's just a small wound.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said. He then scribbled some more. [The saws didn't cut that deep.]

"If you say so, but you need to tell us if something like this happens," Pira responded in a serious tone. He then shifted gears. "So, what's up on the agenda today, kiddo?"

[I'm going to the library to make my odd jobs website. But, I need to renew my library card to use their computers.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said.

"Ah, right, I paid for a Circle Space subscription for you, forgot 'bout that," Varg said. He then turned towards Pira. "Thought ya said we're turning the empty study on the second floor into a computer lab."

"My coworkers are coming over to expand that room in a couple weeks," Pira said, nodding. He then turned towards Siorc. "You should take the water bill with you just in case you need proof of residence. When do you think you'll be back?"

[I'm not sure, it might take awhile to make the website. I might be back late tonight.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said.

"In that case, I'll drive you there," Pira said. "When do you want to go? I don't work until noon today."

[How about ten thirty?] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said.

"Sure, fine with me, kiddo," Pira said, nibbling into the rest of the omelette. "Your chicken omelettes turned out great. You really know how to make anything taste delicious."

Finishing the rest of the meaty egg goodness, the chimera strutted off towards the sink. Plate rinsed out, the chimera could feel his phone buzz in his pocket, but he ignored it for the time being. It was probably some scammers attempting to tell him he was some long lost Nigerian prince or something, best to ignore it.

Device continuing to buzz in his pocket, the chimera almost wanted to put the creature on silent. Man, these spammers never knew when to stop, did they? Shaking his head, he kept scrubbing. Maybe it was one of his group chats popping off. He swore he put all of those on silent. Well, oh well, he'll deal with that later. He had a kitchen to clean up.

Frying pan scrubbed until it was practically sparkling, the chimera put the cooking tool away. Birds chirping beside the window, the food enthusiast closed his eyes. Looks like the rain storm is finally over. At least for now, who knows for how long? Loud screams immediately kicking in outside, his eyebrows twitched. Those annoying neighbors never knew when to stop screeching, did they? Why couldn't they just play inside like every single other child their age?

Returning to his room as all the plates had been washed, the chimera flipped through an older volume of a food fantasy manga. Ridiculously drawn chefs screaming food attacks at one another as they cooked, the young adult groaned. Man, this all so unrealistic. No one ever shouted like this while he was making dishes for a grade back at culinary school! He bet the author who wrote this didn't cook a day in his life!

Returning to the blog post comment again, the chimera stared at the invitation once again. Should he reply to it? But, the hyena shook his head as he closed the browser application. No, not just yet. Shouldn't he wait a couple days before jumping into this? Maybe it was better if he waited at least a little while. Apron put away in his drawer, he gazed at the clock. Ten minutes until go time. Raincoat packed into a shoulder bag, he slipped into his loafers.

Pira waiting for him at the door, the party of two headed out towards the garage. Utility bill handed off to him, the chimera took a long deep breath as the van's engine rumbled. Please, don't let there be any water ghosts at the library near the fountains.