Chapter Text
“Wait, wait! Don’t-“
A loud thunk, as the old TV was thrown into the dumpster along with other heaps of trash.
The human, a large, grumpy one, wiped their hands of dust and dirt, scoffing at the grime on their hands. The TV could only helplessly watch as it was left there, the human turning their back and walking away.
“Wait! Come back!” The TV cried out, to no avail. No one could hear his woes, yelling feebly to nothing. “Don’t leave me here! Do you not like my programs? I’ll spice it up! I’ll show the 6pm show at 5!”
Still no response. The human was gone, leaving nothing but the buzzing of the city from outside the alley. The TV wasn’t used to this, to the strange new sounds. He was only used to his human’s quiet apartment.
…his human. They were coming back, right? Surely this was a mishap. Surely they didn’t mean to leave them here. They meant to get rid of that skinny doppelgänger! That fraud, trying to replace him!
He’d like to see how far she’ll get! She’ll get thrown out someday, too!
…
It felt so quiet, despite the noise of honking cars and chattering humans and monsters, shuffling to and fro. His human could have at least turned him on before abandoning him. He thought his shows were quite tasteful, thank you very much!
…
“How long has it been?” The TV asked himself aloud. He didn’t like not having anyone to talk to. No one he talked to could hear him anyways, but that didn’t make him enjoy it any less.
He felt lonely. His human was taking a long time.
“…are they coming back?”
…
It was nighttime now. Light rain was pouring steadily down from the sky.
Was it safe for him to get wet? Why didn’t his human close the dumpster cover!? What if he short-circuited!?
…well he was actually glad it was open. He could look up at the sky from here. And it was better than darkness.
“…I hope you’re back soon…”
…
The sun was rising again. He felt cold and damp, but alive. That was something, right?
But his human… they weren’t back…
“…they’re not coming back, are they?”
…no. It had been so long. They weren’t coming back.
He felt stupid. What did he do wrong!? Was that skinny imposter really so much better than him!? What could she do that he couldn’t!? Nothing, that’s what! He was already perfect! His human was brain dead for thinking otherwise!
“I’ll see how far they get without me!” The TV snapped! “Soon they’ll come crawling back! I’ll wait!”
…he’d wait a long time.
…
It was nighttime again. The moon was nearly invisible, barely shining any light.
…
It was midday. The cars on the road were honking like crazy. What was going on? He wished he could see.
…
Sunrise. The air smelled of barbecued street food.
…
Midnight. The moon was full.
…
It was too cloudy to see what time it was. It was snowing.
…
Midday. The snow was gone.
…
Too much trash was piled on top of him. He couldn’t see.
…
. . .
The world felt like it was passing by in a blur at this point. It had been so long. He knew his human wasn’t coming back at this point, but somehow, he still managed to cling onto the smallest sliver of hope.
The dumpster was probably nearly full. He couldn’t see anymore, heaps of garbage blocking his view. Was the trash collector coming?
Dread suddenly welled up inside of him. No. No, I can’t be taken away! That was a stupid thought! The dumpster’s barely full! No need to take it out this week!
He didn’t want to spiral. It had been so long since he felt anything, the sudden fear inside him was overwhelming.
A noise suddenly snapped him from his thoughts. It sounded like a human. A young one. It was crying.
The noise approached, loud, heavy footsteps following behind.
My human!! His heart leapt in delight. They’re back! They’re finally back!
The crying of the younger human clouded his excitement. It sounded so desperate, so scared.
“D-don’t cry-“ he struggled to find words. It had been so long since the TV last spoke.
The crying was very close to him now, practically above him. It made his heart ache. He wished he could see what was going on.
A loud bang suddenly sounded from above, making him jump. What was that!?
The crying still continued, but he felt as if the older human was no longer here. What’s happening!?
“H-hey, it’s okay. Please stop crying.” He tried reasoning with the empty wall. The crying continued.
Did his human… leave a child here?
First him and now a child!?
It felt like bile was rising in his nonexistent throat. That heartless bastard.
The more the young human cried, the more his heart wrenched. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want this at all.
No one had to suffer the way he did.