Rodentia

By Ala Borkoshavski

A little bit after Vincent’s funeral, something arrived in the mail. A VHS tape. 
Without thinking, I played it. It was Leonard Bloom’s cut of Twilight of the Olympians, complete with his original character. A new plucky protagonist… The Rat Man. As I watched this… bastardization of my name, I began to get a splitting headache. I called the producer of the film, told him I hated his guts, and that if I ever saw his face again, I’d kill him, personally. 
The next few days, I was haunted by a voice in my head. It… was my fault. I started acting brash. I started pushing people away… I hid myself away. From everyone that I could hurt. 
The only person I had to confide in was my intern, at the time. A woman named Olivia Finches. When I explained my conundrum, her eyes seemed to widen in terror, and she marched out of the room. So much for a conifidant. 

Later that night, I dreamt I was being ensnared by a serpent. 
Have you made the connection yet?” He asked. 
“N-No…” I found myself admitting. The serpent’s silence bothered me greatly. “Don’t let this happen again,” it whispered. “You’re bound to me. You’re mine. You won’t fail me again.” I awoke in a cold sweat, to find myself in Icarus’ room, the two of us doused in gasoline. A box of matches was in my hand.