Time First Spotted: 7:36pm
Date of Encounter: 09/03/16
Location: Near automobiles
Weather: Any, Mostly on Clear Days
Visibility: Single, Sometimes Seen by Two Witnesses or Three
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Aftomotuslings
The Aftomotuslings (Afto + motus, Greek for "self" and Latin for "motion," with the suffix of "ling") the Roadkill Borderlings, exist to pick the roads clean. They resemble overly-large possums, with the exoskeleton of that of the common automobile. Their slender bodies help them run at high-speeds, with no bones to restrict their flexibility when making sharp turns. To assist with the Borderling's running, their claws consist of a dark sturdy material harder than diamonds and are replaced every hour. A clear, glassy material protects the Borderlings' unblinking eyes, helping their sight while enduring harsh storms. While the Aftomotuslings commonly appears white or black, they rarely come in red, green and blue. Their midsection, nose, ears and tail consists of a sturdy rubber, reminiscent to that of tires on every automobile.
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Inside the Aftomotuslings' chassis are symbiotic creatures, which has the same texture of their midsection. Each Aftomotusling carries about 6 to 10 passengers inside their hollow bodies. Coating both the body cavities of their larval and mature forms are purple, oily Ichor, which has an odor of diesel fuel. This substance helps the larvae slide in and out of the chutes around the Borderling's midsection, making them appear like entrails.
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Their vocalizations mimic that of car alarms when distressed. Otherwise they emit faint chitters and squeaks.
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Their Appearance
“Because she couldn’t be seen she was safe from snakes, which is why Grandma Poss had made her invisible in the first place.”
Mem Fox, Possum Magic
Where To Find Them
When there's fresh roadkill, look for the Aftomotuslings nearby. One or two Aftomotuslings are seen within the 20ft radius of the carcass, when no one's looking. There are no portals or transitions when they enter our world; they peer out behind cars suddenly and without warning. After their routines, they then disappear behind any automobile nearby. Purple residue, along with paw prints, are sure signs that an Aftomotusling is or was present.
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If it's just their larvae form, they emerge from the center of a single stack of tires before coiling up next to them, giving off a perfect guise of a tire.
Maturity takes about 4 days to complete, and in secrecy. They burrow underground or find recently cleaned, man-made chambers such as basements or underground parking lots and garages. They begin to pupate, covering themselves in a fleshy, rubbery substance. After hatching, the shell quickly dissolves into a dark stain on the floor.
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Effects Towards Our Environment
When not around roadkill, the Aftomotuslings can be seen running tirelessly on roads and highways, oddly obeying speed limit signs although they're not subject to the laws of the land. With their eyelights, and their acute sense of smell, the Aftomotuslings find animal carcasses while not stalling. Once near one, they slow down, tip-toeing while crossing streets and pointing their noses on the body. After pawing at the roadkill to see if it's moving, they release their symbiotes, allowing them to bite down and drag the body to their gooey, purple chambers to dine. They often ignore wounded animals and people.
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Behaviors Toward Witneses
Timid and reclusive, they avoid being near Witnesses whenever possible. One can see the Borderling skittering around behind cars and objects while eyeing on onlookers.
If they're cornered by a Witness, the Aftomotuslings arches their back and claws at their stomachs. Then, it pretends to play dead, falling on its side, eyes dimming. It lays motionless until the Witness turns away or comes closer. Being near an Aftomotusling during its facade will agitate the larvae inside, erupting from its chutes to lunge and bite in defense. When the Aftomotuslings feel safe, they easily get back on their feet and run as fast as possible from the Witness.
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Behaviors Toward Other Borderlings
The Aftomotuslings benefit mostly from Parking Lot Borderlings, but fears Phantom Vehicle Borderlings. Around Parking Lot Borderlings, they walk alongside them, waiting to be cleaned. Once noticed, they lay in front of the towering creature and purr, enjoying every part of them cleansed from any carcass remains.
If a Phantom Vehicle Borderling's nearby, they hide underground until the threat is gone. In a similar fashion to encountering Witnesses, they let out their larvae, biting and pulling at the other's neck until they feel discouraged enough to flee.
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Impure Behaviors
Both the larvae and their mature forms display harassing behavior towards sick and injured animals, but not with people. As they encounter a wounded creature, they bite at the wounds, opening them further and making them bleed to death. The Impure Aftomotusling are prone to stealing, taking carcasses from other Aftomotuslings' noses, starting ferocious fights. They claw and bite, squeak and shriek until the defeated Borderling scampers off.
"Two Borderlings, appearing like possums are seen behind a blue Toyota and a black Volkswagen car this evening, while I was waiting for my meal at the diner. Their heads bob out of the sides, headlight-eyes shining."
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"A man, who owns the Toyota, didn't see the Aftomotusling as he got in his blue Toyota and drove off. The creature was on the other side of the car, but when he left, the thing disappeared."
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