News of the recent murder spread like any other rumor; one person knows something, then four, then it goes from there. People would talk about how awful it was, how horrifying it was, and how exciting this was. They'd claim to care, claim to be sad; they'd even say the most fake, cliche things imaginable.
To be honest, people didn't care that much; no one really liked Keef. Though, it was new news, and since no one was there and no one knew what happened, they could add on whatever they had wanted. Every version of the tale altered just slightly, based on what someone heard or didn't hear. A game of telephone. While every story was different in its own way, every one still had one thing in common: no one knew who did it. Sure, people would make things up, but no one really believed it. It was all "he said she said they said".

"It's all like 'The Smartphone Hour', 'The Telephone Hour', 'Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little', 'Murder, Murder!'..." Carrie laid on her back across her and Dib's desks, staring up at the ceiling. "I don't know if 'Robin Sucks' counts..."

"Carrie, can you go one day without referencing a musical?" Dib poked her shoulder.

"No, Dib. I don't think I can. In fact, I may be like this 'For Forever'." She started to laugh. "No, no, that was an awful joke. I apologize deeply and it won't happen again." She sighs. "Though... I wanna make a music based on like... aliens. And cryptids. Maybe cryptid hunters... like us! I don't know if that already exists, but, hey! Sounds cool, right?" The redhead turned to face Dib. "Speaking of; who do you think did it? Maybe somethin' that isn't even human. Liiiike... a bear. Or a dragon. Or a manticore. Or a griffin. Or a giant."

"That's a very specific list."

"You caught me."

Dib stared at her, trying to read her face for any form of negative feeling or something like that... unfortunately, he wasn't very good at that kind of thing. He had mixed feelings about all of this; sure... it was terrible that someone had died, and it was certainly unexpected, but... he didn't know him too well. He didn't have any real attachments. He didn't even realize he killed him. "...are you feeling any form of discomfort from this? Someone in our class just died... honestly, the least the skool could've done was cancel today. I mean, wouldn't more people be broken over this?"

Carrie shrugged. "Oh, no, I'm terrified. I'm just trying my best to hide it so I don't worry you. But, I do have to agree—everyone does seem to be taking this well... it could be like a Heather Chandler situation. Someone that—let's be real, most people didn't like—dies, possibly from murder, and people just... don't care. Sure, people are in shock, but they don't really care. However, the second someone tries to put them in a good light or get publicity off of it, suddenly, everyone cares. Hey, maybe we're in a Heathers fanfiction or somethin'."

Or Jekyll and Hyde, Dib thought. "Well... let's hope more don't happen. As sole defender of Earth—" Carrie cleared her throat. "—ehh, as one half of a defender team of Earth, I can't let anything else like this happen!" He sat up tall, but Carrie poked his side. "Eeah!!! Hey!"

Carrie giggled.

"Ngh.. anyway.. I don't really know who could've. Any of us, really... honestly? My bet's on ZiM."

Carrie raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "Really. That ball of sadness? He's not in the condition to commit murder. Arson, maybe, but..."

"Are you sure? Where was he yesterday? If he wasn't at skool, then— what, what's that look for?"

Carrie's eyebrows were now together and lowered. "You were at his house yesterday. All day. You didn't tell me why but... you told me that much. And ZiM was here yesterday. You didn't lie did you..?"

Dib lost breath for just a second. "I— no! No, I promise..! Just. Ahh..." despite Carrie being the best possible person to tell about his switching situation, he didn't want to worry her about it. "...just, weird things have been happening. I used one of my dad's new testing thingies and I've been experiencing random blackouts. Nothing serious, just memory loss. I've been told it'll go away... soon... uh, I've been told it's a good thing to have no one around during the blackouts, since the impact to other people could... look... frightening... ahh..." Dib's stomach felt heavy, the feeling rising up to his chest. Lying to Carrie felt like the impact of a turret, but it was something he thought he had to do. And what else could he do? Have her stop focusing on her own problems and work just to keep him from turning into an annoying asshole every night? No, he couldn't have her around him at that time. He couldn't have her influenced by him, couldn't have her hurt by him... and, luckily, she seemed to buy his excuse. He watched her eyes relax and her chapped lips curl up into a soft smile.

"Yeah... alright. That does make sense. I'm sorry... I hope you're alright." She ruffled his hair. "And for the record... I didn't really think you were lying." ... "I'm gonna roll off these desks."

"Don't—" Dib held his arms out to catch her—unfortunately, she rolled towards him and landed on his lap and her chair before he did. "oW—"

"SORRY—" Carried laughed and flailed her hands in front of herself, sitting up in her chair. "I just didn't want there to be any awkward silences. Besides, I wanted to do that."

"Well, ghh.. you crushed me..." he gave a pained smile, turning to face her. "Hey... how about we go out soon this week to catch the killer? Like you said; could very well be a paranormal link. Besides... we could have. Y'know. A date..?"

"I'd love to..!" Carrie huffed, her smile dropping a bit. She rested her head against Dib's left shoulder, twisting her ring around. "...do you think anyone else will get killed..?"

Dib shook his head. "Probably. But, y'know, as one of the two defenders of Earth... I won't let 'em get to you." He put an arm around her, smiling sweetly.

"And me with you.."

Dib vowed right there to keep his work partner, best friend, and girlfriend safe. There's no way she'd get killed or even hurt; she'll stay alive by the end of the story.

Frighteningly, however, he had no control over what Pilot did.

That night, the tattered and torn Dib woke up early. He laid in bed for a while just pressing his fingers together—his thumb going from index, to middle, to ring, to pinky... over and over. He was still amazed at the fact he could feel everything... he liked it. He liked the feeling of everything. He liked the smell of everything. He liked the sound of everything.

He hated the existence of everything.

Sure, he sounds like some edgy bitch, but he was the worst version of Dib. Of course he'd have a distaste for the world and its inhabitants; he'd already killed one person!

And by that night, two.

And by the end of the week, four.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

That night, he went back to ZiM's house. ZiM, as usual for this time, was sitting on his couch watching trash TV; he wasn't exactly expecting Dib, but was happy to see him nonetheless. What he definitely wasn't expecting was Dib having a dark red substance on his hands and boots. Dib told him to dismiss it, but the smell was a bit too strong for ZiM.

"My apologies, darling—I'll get myself all cleaned up before my arrival next time."

"You'll have human blood on your limbs again? But why this time? You're against human death, I thought." He paused. "Then again, you did say you dislike humanity..."

Dib twirled around once with his arms out. "You're right! I am! ...for now! That's why this is just frommm... dragging someone's found cadaver across a street into a dumpster. It'll be alright!" He sighed, flopping to the floor. Pretty much every single word was a lie; including the dumpster part! The poor soul would be found outside a store door seven hours from then.

"..mmmhh. I'll never understand you, Dib." ZiM shook his head.

"Oh, but you must! ZiM," Dib began, standing up and taking ZiM's hands. ZiM flinched a bit at his gloves getting dirty, but did nothing else about it. "You're going to be the reason I'll get so successful soon... not just in business! Besides, I promised you I'll keep you safe from those mean doctors... but still! Success in life! You've inspired me, ZiM, to live life in the best way possible... doing deeds how I please with no remorse! And still, I'd like to make certain people pay for what they've done in the past."

"That is a fun way to live..." ZiM looked away slightly from Dib's face, which was gradually getting closer.

"Exactly! See, you already understand something! And ohh, since you're not fit at the moment to do something terrible, I could just help you! Help you so much... who's been getting on your nerves recently? Who shall I persuade into leaving you alone?"

"Why have you started talking all fancy-like? You've been speaking... differently." ZiM kinda just skimmed over the question.

"Just is an easier way to speak, small one. Now, the question?"

"Uh..." ZiM shifted where he sat—he didn't really have an answer, but not because no one bothered him... he despised so many people, but in this situation? Everything was just escaping him. "Well, I... uh." But he had to give an answer or else Dib wouldn't back off. "There's this stink worm in my fifth period... he makes fun of ZiM's skin and then threatens me. I've tried getting revenge, but for some reason he'll never come to my house." ... "I don't know his name, exactly..."

"Ah, I'm sure I'll figure it out." Dib grinned, then pulled ZiM into an awkward hug. "Besides! Anything I do? No one will know it's me. They can't know! In fact, I'm surprised you were able to recognize me, ZiM."

"...you have the same gross smell..."

"Mh. Of course. It's a good things human's don't have your superior senses, then."

ZiM smiled. "I am superior!"

"You are!" Dib grinned. "Far more than any of them. For the time you have left, I'll make sure that stays true!"

Oh, if only Ghost knew of Pilot's plan. Ghost, and Dib on his own, would never even consider this. But, Pilot was sure of his success; not even Ghost, his goddamn other half of mind didn't know he was a criminal.

And who did know?

ZiM sighed, trying to not feel so uncomfortable anymore. He really did think Dib was being genuine and nice, and thought he shouldn't be so unfair to him... as much... anymore. "...thank you, Dib."

"Please," Dib grinned. "Call me Pilot."