Chapter Text
Will was working late, like usual, his laptop screen open in front of him as he looked through the list of suspects again. James Gallager, Grace Lee, Adam Chare', Wilbur Donnovan. The names were meaningless to him, just words on a list. He cracked his neck, scrolling back up to the top of the page again. The screen was starting to blur, and he had to dig his palms into his eyes to clear his vision.
Something was wrong; he could feel it in his bones, but he kept working anyway. He put the impending sense of dread down to dehydration and exhaustion. he hadn't slept in God Knows How Long and he was paying for it like all hell.
It was currently 12:49am, according to his laptop's clock. He groaned in defeat, shutting his laptop and bringing his elbows up to rest on the table, he head in his hands.
Then he heard a noise.
It started as a hesitant clack, clack, clack in front of him, muffled by the hands over his head. He put it down to another hallucination, with how animalistic the accompanying breaths were. Will withdrew his hands, dragging them down his face as he peered up at the doorway.
The figure he saw was a pitch black unlike anything he'd ever seen - It's body seemed to absorb the light around it, a deer-like stance described only by the term 'Minator'. It had raven black horns twisted back against it's head, and it stood menacingly on it's hind legs, taller than the doorframe. It had to crouch down considerably just to peak through into the room.
At first glance, he thought it was another of his hallucinations, a daydream maybe, but when it emits a low, hoarse grumble - It's too real. This thing, this beast, is here, he's not dreaming.
The thing sank down onto it's forelegs, slinking through the doorway on all fours before raising back up to full height when inside. With it's movements came the distinct clicking of joints bending too far. It's limbs were gangly, with-holding a wiry strength unmatched by anything human. It's full height was much taller than the doorway, and it barely got through the door on all fours.
Will froze, his hands falling to his sides where he sat. His mouth hung slightly open as he processed the sight before him.
This was The Minator, the one they talked about with such fear on the news and in every safety meeting at work. And it was here, in front of him. Watching him.
It titled it's head, clacking it's tongue as it stepped forward again, sinking back down onto four legs.
Will fumbled for words for a minute, before deciding on: "Why are you in an FBI building of all places?" His voice sounded more confident than he felt.
The Minator paused for a moment in consideration, before skulking forward and effectively trapping him in place. It let out a low hum, grinding it's jaw before bearing it's teeth in an uncanny mimic of a smile. It's teeth were pearly white, and the canines were pointed.
Will stumbled back slightly, breath catching when his back hit a wall. He watched The Minator cautiously, his eyes wide and unblinking.
"Because it was empty." It stated matter-of-factly. It's voice was hoarse and gravelly, a deep, animalistic sound.
Holy crap, this thing can speak?
"And it's 1 in the morning. Better question yet: Why are you here so late?" The Minator asked, somewhat accusingly. It stepped back slightly, giving Will some well-needed breathing space.
Will let out a breath; he aimed it to be a scoff, but it came out more of a breathless huff. "Complicated case. Hang on- why do you care? You're 'The minator'. Pretty much the entire world wants you dead, no less the FBI."
The creature laughed, a menacing growl that sounded like something that would start in one's throat and end up deep in someone else's. "They can't touch me. cowards, they'd probably just run and scream like the rest." - The Minator paused for a second, presumably thinking of something - "But you didn't. you look like you're used to this kind of thing. And you're actually having a functional conversation with me that doesn't involve crying, screaming, or begging for your life. I think I like you." That last sentence sounded almost like a threat, but the way It said it - like it meant every word - well, let's just say praise wasn't something Will Graham received often.
"Put it down to merely my severe lack of self-preservation." Will joked, huffing sarcastically as his brain struggled to comprehend the situation.
The Minator huffed out a laugh, stepping backwards further and out of his personal space. It shifted slightly on It's clawed feet, resting it's weight primarily on it's hind legs.
"I think 'lack' is an understatement. you pretty much threw your survival instincts out the window and substituted them with civil conversation." The thing dead batted, It's amber eyes almost glowing in the dim light.
"what, would you rather me scream and run?" Will asked rhetorically, raising an eyebrow.
"no, I very much appreciate your humanity, thanks." When the minator said it, the sarcastic bite was gone, and its place something almost fond.
Will didn't want to think about it.
Here he was, engaging in light banter with a literal Minator. what. the. fuck. is his life?
"Well, I'm going to head back to my den for some well needed sleep, and I highly suggest you do the same; you look like hell."
Before Will could come up with a snarky remark the thing slinked off, ducking underneath the doorway and scampering away.
Well, It has a point. I'm tired as fuck.