A is For... 3/4
Title: A is For...
Pairing: USUK
Rating: M
Warnings: Violence and death and zombies
Summary: A might be dead, but his desire to protect Arthur might just be enough to make him remember how to be alive.
(Warm Bodies AU.)
This chapter: The duo make a run for it.
I am eighteen. I watch as my youngest brother handles a gun. He has worked with one for years, but today he is joining the Armed Forces. Scott is looking at him proudly. I never wanted Arthur to join. He says it is to avenge Emma and our parents. I never tell him he's an idiot. He's doing it so he can die, like we all are.
"You're doing humanity a favor," Scott says. He isn't smiling as he says it. I retch at his fake pride.
"I don't care," says Arthur. "I just want to kill all of the zombies."
I smirk. He is no different from us. Somehow, that is a sad thing.
It is Scott's birthday, but he doesn't come home. He has been out for three days. There is talk he is making arrangements with another human colony. Maybe we'll move, or they'll move here. It could be interesting, but I think it's useless. We'll all die anyway. Why try to connect with more depressing humans?
"I made cake," Arthur says. He must be in a bad mood. He only cooks when he's angry.
"Oh God," I mumble.
Arthur shoots me a glare that I've learned to ignore. He thinks he's so scary, but I know better. For all of his anger and bitterness at the world, Arthur tries too hard to save it. He is soft. He can get hurt. One day, he will be, and I'll be there to help protect him.
"If you don't like it, don't eat it," Arthur hisses. "Besides, it's not like I made it for you. It's for Scott."
"Poor soul."
Again, Arthur glares. I smile. He doesn't mean it, but I do.
Suddenly, Rhye looks at me. "Hey, you."
What?
"Don't fuck this up."
How are you doing this?
"Just let me finish. Pay attention now."
Arthur is being reckless. He goes out searching to kill zombies at any given chance. And Scott always gives him those chances. He doesn't care if Arthur is stupid and gets hurt. I am uneasy, but say nothing. No one listens to me anymore. Instead, I go along.
Arthur is twenty-two. He is dating now. I try to warn him about women, but he never brings her around. I worry she is made up. But then, Arthur comes home with a busted lip and tears in his eyes. His heart is broken.
"Arthur," I start. I have never consoled my brother before. He usually has two emotions; angry and cynical. Even his happy moods are usually him being less angry. "Are you okay?"
"No…" Arthur reminds me of a frightened cat. He skitters away from any comfort I try to give. Still, if he doesn't want to be consoled, then why is he here? "I… I'm so…"
"Hurt? Angry?" I supply.
"Confused," Arthur finishes. He's looking out the window. I'm silent, waiting until he remembers I'm still here. Then, with a sigh he says, "I wish I could garden again. I miss getting my hands dirty and having earth under my nails."
"The fuck brought this on?" I ask.
Arthur looks conflicted. "Rhye, I'm gay."
"Were you expecting some dramatic confrontation or something?" Arthur looks at me. He is still guarded. "Look, do you think it's any of my business?"
"Scott wants people to repopulate the planet," Arthur murmurs.
"Scott is an ass who doesn't know what he's talking about." Arthur chuckles. "Arthur, knock up a girl if you want to make our brother happy, but love whoever you want."
Arthur is smiling. Rhye looks at me.
How are you doing this?
"It's my memory. Now, shut up."
I am in a dull building. I am watching Arthur as he rummages through a cupboard.
"Oh look, Arthur! Lube!" Francis teases. "Now we just have to find you an actual boyfriend."
"I'd rather focus on the task at hand," Arthur replies through grit teeth. He is in a good mood today. "Orders are orders."
"One day you'll just morph into Scott," someone says. Arthur looks troubled by this.
Then, Francis looks sharply at the door. "Did you hear that?"
"Calm down, Francis," I say with a bored sigh. "We're not running again just because you think you hear something. We did that last time, and it turned out to be nothing."
Francis scoffs. "The Kirklands certainly are stuck up today."
Arthur smirks as if he is proud of this. He catches my eye. We share a smile.
Then, there is a noise.
Oh no.
I turn. A zombie with ratty blond hair is charging at me. He bares his teeth as he bursts into the room. I smack him in the chin with the butt of my gun.
No! I don't want to see this! Stop!
I climb on top of a table to shout orders. I keep an eye on Arthur. I see that first zombie stare at him hungrily. Taking aim, I shoot at his shoulder.
Rhye stops. He looks at me. I'm suddenly in my body.
"You want to know how to be human again? Then learn to say good-bye."
No! No! No!
Rhye smirks. "Wow, what an immature zombie. Think you can hog my brother all to yourself?"
Stop it! Leave me alone!
Rhye's smile fades. "Suit yourself."
I woke up in a panic and then spat the brains out. I was sitting in the cockpit again. Arthur had long since gone to bed. I thought it would be okay to eat. Too bad the brains were bad now.
For some reason I was out of breath. That heavy thing in my chest hurt. It felt like it was hitting my ribs with how fast it was pounding. Was I sweating? Shit, I must look horrible. I didn't want Arthur to see me like this. It's bad enough I'm already dead looking; I didn't want to look like an unkempt zombie.
However, when I turned around in my seat to check on Arthur, that heavy thing inside of me thudded to a stop.
He was gone.
I nearly fell on my face as I leapt out of the seat. My stupid zombie body couldn't move fast enough. All I thought of was Arthur. Rhye's words echoed in my head.
Time to say good-bye.
No. I wouldn't. I couldn't.
It was pitch black outside. In the distance I heard the rumbling of thunder. There were a few zombies shuffling about outside like lost old people. I ignored them. I followed the strong scent of tea I had come to know well over the past days. I just hoped no boneys were nearby and were following that same smell too.
Arthur was near the Departures gate. He was still wearing the leather jacket. He had a fire axe in hand that he swung around wildly at the four zombies that had circled him. He swung at one, embedding the axe in her head. She fell down dead, but took the axe with her. Arthur scrambled to recover it, but the remaining three zombies took that chance to attack.
I tackled one zombie to the floor. This stopped the others as they saw me appear in the group. Arthur pulled out the axe, and then hit another zombie in the face. I grabbed the final zombie and slammed his head down onto the ground until his skull cracked.
I turned to look at Arthur. He didn't meet my eyes. He seemed unharmed.
"I know, A. It's not safe." Arthur was angry. Was it at me? Or was he upset I had found him again? "But you said a few days. It's been a few days. I can't stay here anymore. I want to go home."
I nodded, although I didn't want to. I'd never see Arthur again if he left. He ran away twice now. Who's to say he won't ditch me and flee again?
The zombie I had pushed to the floor got back up. It was M. He looked furious.
"Human! Eat!" I shook my head. I got between M and Arthur. "Eat! EAT!"
Again, I shook my head. M furrowed his brow in confusion. He opened his mouth to repeat himself, but then there was shriek. Arthur turned sharply. At the end of the hallway was a boney.
"Fuck," Arthur hissed. I looked at him. He finally met my eyes. There was terror there. "Run!"
I cast one last look at M before running with Arthur. M watched us go with the same perplexed expression. At least he didn't join the boney in chasing after us. How I wish M could come with us. He deserved to understand this.
The boney was quick. He managed to keep up with us at every turn. We ran into the food court. Arthur knocked over some chairs to discourage it, but it didn't work. We rushed into a back kitchen and burst out onto the loading dock. The door only had a handle, not an actual doorknob. Arthur shoved his axe through the handle across the doorway. The boney slammed up against the door, but it was useless.
"Let's find a car," Arthur said breathlessly. I followed him towards the employee parking garage.
We had only taken a few steps when we were met with a trio of boneys. Arthur swore as he took a few steps back. I moved to protect him, but Arthur was the one trying to pull my out of harm's way. It wouldn't matter. A boney would tear through us both at this point.
Then, a baggage cart ran over all three of the boneys. Arthur and I started in surprise. I looked at the driver. It was M.
"Get…on," he mumbled.
"Like hell I am!" Arthur snapped.
M's blue lips twitched up into a smile. "Like him…"
I nodded at Arthur reassuringly. "Friend."
"Odd friends," Arthur huffed. Regardless, he got into the passenger seat. I climbed onto the back with little grace.
M took off, running over the boneys again. Their bones cracked loudly under the tires. I didn't want to think about the fact that the tables could have been turned and that could very well have been either me or Arthur. I guess this is how someone feels when they are grateful. If I was given the chance to repay M, I'd find it.
The cart lurched to a sudden stop. Ahead of us were a small herd of zombies. There were too many for M to run over like he had the boneys. Just behind them was that cherry apple red Porsche. I jumped off of the cart to stand before Arthur. He had gotten out of the cart slowly, keeping a keen eye on every one of the zombies.
"A…"
I looked over at Arthur. He wasn't able to stay composed. Gone was that tough guise and smirking jokester that seemed to take everything in stride, replaced instead by a vulnerable and scared man. The adrenaline from having been chased must have simmered out. He was emotional.
There was a spark. My chest tightened. Things began to make sense; things like happiness, sadness, pride, and fear. They all touched Arthur so easily, reaching into the very core of him, and contorted his body on a daily basis. It was the superpower I was never meant to know, and yet, somehow it was all becoming clear. I clung to those new emotions tightly, wrapping them around me like a warm security blanket.
It was with these new emotions that I brushed my hand against Arthur's. He looked down. Slowly, he took my hand in his. Our fingers wound around one another. We looked into each other's eyes. Arthur's green was so vivid and close; almost as if I could reach out and pluck two emeralds from them.
I stared back at the zombies challengingly, anticipating their attack. They had stopped. They, too, were staring. Their expressions were strange on their dead faces. Did I look like that? Was that confusion or shock or something else entirely? It wasn't one that was normally on a zombie, that's for sure. Many leaned forward to get a better look at our joined hands, trying to figure out this great surprise. It was a huge wonder to them, and I have to admit, even I was shocked that Arthur was holding my hand.
"Let's go," Arthur whispered. He tugged on my hand. "I'll drive."
The zombies parted for us, still locked onto our hands. Looking back, I saw M was staring in awe at the sight. Human touch was never gentle. It was fast and bloody and full of pain. Usually it resulted in death, either theirs or ours. So to see gentle contact between me and Arthur was surely a surreal and fragile moment that no one wanted to disturb, and yet, at the same time, wanted to dissect to the very core to understand what it all meant. Communication and contact were all too foreign to us.
But then we heard the cries of the boneys and the moment was over. We released our hands. Arthur jumped in the car and I rushed to climb in as well. Then, we were off. He didn't leave me behind like I had feared. As he sped away from the airport, I looked down at my hands.
It was raining now. In hindsight, taking a convertible with a busted roof was not a good idea. I continued to stare at my hands. They were pale, almost transparent. Did Arthur feel how cold they were and become disgusted when he held my hand? How I wish I could have felt his warmth.
"Ugh, I'm soaked." Arthur picked at his white shirt. He had taken off the jacket and folded it under his shirt to protect it from the rain. I could see pink skin underneath sticking to the wet material. His nipples were hard from the cold. I just stared. "We have to find some place dry."
I nodded. My feet were in a puddle as the rain had gathered down below. When the rain stopped, Arthur stooped the car and opened the doors. The water flooded out onto the street. Then, Arthur drove off again.
He pulled off of the freeway. I glanced at the car's clock. It was nearly midnight by now. While I wasn't tired, I wondered if Arthur was. I glanced at him periodically. He was too focused on driving. I looked at his hands gripping the wheel, and then I looked down at my hands again.
We stopped in front of a cookie cutter house in a suburb. Trash, empty cars, and once loved possessions littered the front lawns. Many of the houses were boarded up. I noticed a small green rabbit plush lying in the gutter and imagined the little child it used to belong to.
"This is one of the last places my brother evacuated," Arthur explained. "There might still be canned food here."
He drove up onto the lot's lawn and parked it. We got out of the car. After maneuvering over the forgotten items, we made it to the front porch. The door was locked. Arthur sighed in frustration. He eyed the windows instead. My first image was Arthur's hands being cut up by the broken glass.
I rammed my shoulder into the door, pushed all of my weight into it. The door burst open, nearly coming off of its hinges. I stumbled a bit. I looked back at Arthur who simply stared at me with a frown.
"Bloody hell, A." Arthur passed by me, giving me an incredulous look.
The house was frozen in time. Plates with now moldy food sat on a table with utensils and full glasses of milk. All that was missing was a person. There was no ticking of a clock or the hum of machines in use. Chairs still had dents in them from being sat in, pictures were still hanging straight on the walls, and trinkets still lined the fireplace mantel.
I noticed a small pocket watch in the shape of a Spade. I snatched it up and slipped it into my jacket.
"Oh, look!" I tuned and was suddenly flashed in the eyes by a light. I stumbled back a bit in surprise. "It's all right. Sorry about that. It's one of those old Polaroid cameras. See? The picture is already forming."
Arthur held out what looked like a flimsy piece of paper. I stared as an image of me appeared on the front. I looked shocked. I also looked less dead. Before, my lips were nearly blue and blood veins were very visible on my neck and face under my nearly translucent skin. Now, my lips were of a more peach color, and the veins had receded somewhat. I took the picture, still staring.
"It's best to remember things," Arthur murmured. "Soon, they may be gone. This might be the last time you see it."
I gingerly took the camera from Arthur. Then, I pointed it at him. His face was red and he looked away. I took his picture.
It had started raining again. This was a good thing as it would throw the boneys off of our trail if they had decided to keep up their chase. Still, I took to hovering by the front windows, just in case. Arthur had found a kerosene lantern. He took it and wandered around the house. I heard him coming back downstairs, and turned to look at him.
"It's late and the bed upstairs isn't too shabby. I'm going to sleep."
I nodded. Turning back to the windows, I settled in for a long night. I was out of brains to eat, so I'd be unable to visit anymore memories.
"Um…" Arthur hadn't left yet. I looked at him. He was shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He wasn't looking at me. "This house is a little odd. D-do you want to come upstairs? Y-you'd take the floor, of course. A-and don't think it's because I'm scared or anything like that. I'm doing this because, well! What if you broke something in the night? What a mess that'd be in the morning."
I tilted my head. Arthur was being nice to me. Sure, he taught me to dance and read me my comic books, but that was to pass the time. Now, it was as if he was trying to keep me close. I would never object to that.
I followed Arthur up the stairs. He had taken to the master bedroom. I lay down on the carpet while Arthur got in the Queen sized bed. I could hear a hard thumping in my ears. Arthur was tossing and turning in the bed.
"My clothes are still wet." He got up. I turned my head to look at him. "They'll have to hang dry overnight. L-look away."
I nodded and did as he said. I could hear him dress. My curiosity got the better of me. I shifted my head just enough to get a look.
Holy shit.
Arthur's pale back was bare to me as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. I saw how his bones and muscles moved. After seeing the human body underneath the skin, the blood and organs and the tissues and sinew, it was strange to see it moving in tandem. Arthur was beautiful. Then, he took off his pants.
Hoooooly fuck!
I looked away quickly. I could hear Arthur finishing up lying out his clothes to dry. There was a crippling need in my chest that made me want to tell Arthur how beautiful was. Again, I was unable to.
"That's better." Arthur got back into bed with a satisfied sigh. I changed a look at him. All the bare parts of him were covered by the blanket, and all I saw was his face. He was smiling. "Hey… Thank you for saving me back there… I don't think I'd have made it otherwise. And… I'm sorry for running away again." I nodded. "I wonder how much further you're going to change. I can see in your eyes that you're trying so hard. It must be difficult."
I gulped. He was being so nice again. Why couldn't I do anything for him?
Then, I felt something heavy in my pocket; Rhye's watch. I reached in and pulled it out. Silently, I said farewell to Arthur.
"What is that?" Arthur asked.
"Sorry…" I reached up and placed in on the nightstand.
Arthur stared at it, unable to speak. He reached out and took it. Then, he pulled it to his chest. Slowly he began to curl up into himself. I watched as his face crumpled with the pain.
"Somehow… I knew it…," was all Arthur said before he turned his back to me.
"A... Arthur… S-sorry," I tried. My voice was weak. Then, I couldn't speak anymore.
I was met with Arthur's back, covered up by a thick blanket, shutting me out.
If I could sleep, I would. But I couldn't. I stared at Arthur's back for hours. He was asleep now.
The dead do not dream.
I am in a warm and sunny apple tree farm. The fields are golden with summer around me. In the trees are ripe fruit and singing birds. I can feel the breeze on my skin. Nearby is the sound of talking and laughing.
"If you could be anything in the world, what would it be?" It is Emma. She is sitting in a circle with her brothers on the grass, sharing an apple.
"I'm happy like this," Scott says casually.
"You're no fun," Rhye scoffs.
"I'd want to be a doctor," Arthur says. He takes a bite of the apple. "Then, I can help exhume the planet."
"What does exhume mean?"
"It means to revive," Arthur starts.
"It means to unbury," Rhye cuts in suddenly. "Like a dead body."
Then, Scott notices me. "And what the fuck are you doing here?"
"I dunno," I say. It's so easy to talk now. "I have no idea where I am. Is this a memory?"
"No, you dumb shit," Rhye says. "You're dreaming."
"Really?" I smile.
"What do you want to be?" Emma asks.
"I've never really thought about it. Maybe be a superhero."
Rhye and Scott laugh at me. "You can't be that."
Arthur gets up and stands beside me. "This is A's dream. He can be anything he wants."
"He wants to be with you," Rhye says with a knowing smile. "Don't you understand is feelings? But it's not going to work, zombie. Not after you ate me."
I look at Arthur. I take his hands. They are warm in mine. We share a smile. "You and me. Together. That's my dream."
Arthur brushes a hand across my cheek. "I think you should wake up now."
I jolted awake. I actually had dreamt. That hard thumping consumed my head. I almost didn't notice that it was morning and the sun was shining. All I saw was an empty bed.
The house was empty again. My jacket was left, draped over a chair. Arthur's picture was left on the table as well. I ran around the entire house, but I couldn't find Arthur. Then, I rushed outside. The car was gone.
He left.
I was alone again.
Hoshiko2's cents: One chapter left. Hope to see you then.
Pairing: USUK
Rating: M
Warnings: Violence and death and zombies
Summary: A might be dead, but his desire to protect Arthur might just be enough to make him remember how to be alive.
(Warm Bodies AU.)
This chapter: The duo make a run for it.
I am eighteen. I watch as my youngest brother handles a gun. He has worked with one for years, but today he is joining the Armed Forces. Scott is looking at him proudly. I never wanted Arthur to join. He says it is to avenge Emma and our parents. I never tell him he's an idiot. He's doing it so he can die, like we all are.
"You're doing humanity a favor," Scott says. He isn't smiling as he says it. I retch at his fake pride.
"I don't care," says Arthur. "I just want to kill all of the zombies."
I smirk. He is no different from us. Somehow, that is a sad thing.
It is Scott's birthday, but he doesn't come home. He has been out for three days. There is talk he is making arrangements with another human colony. Maybe we'll move, or they'll move here. It could be interesting, but I think it's useless. We'll all die anyway. Why try to connect with more depressing humans?
"I made cake," Arthur says. He must be in a bad mood. He only cooks when he's angry.
"Oh God," I mumble.
Arthur shoots me a glare that I've learned to ignore. He thinks he's so scary, but I know better. For all of his anger and bitterness at the world, Arthur tries too hard to save it. He is soft. He can get hurt. One day, he will be, and I'll be there to help protect him.
"If you don't like it, don't eat it," Arthur hisses. "Besides, it's not like I made it for you. It's for Scott."
"Poor soul."
Again, Arthur glares. I smile. He doesn't mean it, but I do.
Suddenly, Rhye looks at me. "Hey, you."
What?
"Don't fuck this up."
How are you doing this?
"Just let me finish. Pay attention now."
Arthur is being reckless. He goes out searching to kill zombies at any given chance. And Scott always gives him those chances. He doesn't care if Arthur is stupid and gets hurt. I am uneasy, but say nothing. No one listens to me anymore. Instead, I go along.
Arthur is twenty-two. He is dating now. I try to warn him about women, but he never brings her around. I worry she is made up. But then, Arthur comes home with a busted lip and tears in his eyes. His heart is broken.
"Arthur," I start. I have never consoled my brother before. He usually has two emotions; angry and cynical. Even his happy moods are usually him being less angry. "Are you okay?"
"No…" Arthur reminds me of a frightened cat. He skitters away from any comfort I try to give. Still, if he doesn't want to be consoled, then why is he here? "I… I'm so…"
"Hurt? Angry?" I supply.
"Confused," Arthur finishes. He's looking out the window. I'm silent, waiting until he remembers I'm still here. Then, with a sigh he says, "I wish I could garden again. I miss getting my hands dirty and having earth under my nails."
"The fuck brought this on?" I ask.
Arthur looks conflicted. "Rhye, I'm gay."
"Were you expecting some dramatic confrontation or something?" Arthur looks at me. He is still guarded. "Look, do you think it's any of my business?"
"Scott wants people to repopulate the planet," Arthur murmurs.
"Scott is an ass who doesn't know what he's talking about." Arthur chuckles. "Arthur, knock up a girl if you want to make our brother happy, but love whoever you want."
Arthur is smiling. Rhye looks at me.
How are you doing this?
"It's my memory. Now, shut up."
I am in a dull building. I am watching Arthur as he rummages through a cupboard.
"Oh look, Arthur! Lube!" Francis teases. "Now we just have to find you an actual boyfriend."
"I'd rather focus on the task at hand," Arthur replies through grit teeth. He is in a good mood today. "Orders are orders."
"One day you'll just morph into Scott," someone says. Arthur looks troubled by this.
Then, Francis looks sharply at the door. "Did you hear that?"
"Calm down, Francis," I say with a bored sigh. "We're not running again just because you think you hear something. We did that last time, and it turned out to be nothing."
Francis scoffs. "The Kirklands certainly are stuck up today."
Arthur smirks as if he is proud of this. He catches my eye. We share a smile.
Then, there is a noise.
Oh no.
I turn. A zombie with ratty blond hair is charging at me. He bares his teeth as he bursts into the room. I smack him in the chin with the butt of my gun.
No! I don't want to see this! Stop!
I climb on top of a table to shout orders. I keep an eye on Arthur. I see that first zombie stare at him hungrily. Taking aim, I shoot at his shoulder.
Rhye stops. He looks at me. I'm suddenly in my body.
"You want to know how to be human again? Then learn to say good-bye."
No! No! No!
Rhye smirks. "Wow, what an immature zombie. Think you can hog my brother all to yourself?"
Stop it! Leave me alone!
Rhye's smile fades. "Suit yourself."
I woke up in a panic and then spat the brains out. I was sitting in the cockpit again. Arthur had long since gone to bed. I thought it would be okay to eat. Too bad the brains were bad now.
For some reason I was out of breath. That heavy thing in my chest hurt. It felt like it was hitting my ribs with how fast it was pounding. Was I sweating? Shit, I must look horrible. I didn't want Arthur to see me like this. It's bad enough I'm already dead looking; I didn't want to look like an unkempt zombie.
However, when I turned around in my seat to check on Arthur, that heavy thing inside of me thudded to a stop.
He was gone.
I nearly fell on my face as I leapt out of the seat. My stupid zombie body couldn't move fast enough. All I thought of was Arthur. Rhye's words echoed in my head.
Time to say good-bye.
No. I wouldn't. I couldn't.
It was pitch black outside. In the distance I heard the rumbling of thunder. There were a few zombies shuffling about outside like lost old people. I ignored them. I followed the strong scent of tea I had come to know well over the past days. I just hoped no boneys were nearby and were following that same smell too.
Arthur was near the Departures gate. He was still wearing the leather jacket. He had a fire axe in hand that he swung around wildly at the four zombies that had circled him. He swung at one, embedding the axe in her head. She fell down dead, but took the axe with her. Arthur scrambled to recover it, but the remaining three zombies took that chance to attack.
I tackled one zombie to the floor. This stopped the others as they saw me appear in the group. Arthur pulled out the axe, and then hit another zombie in the face. I grabbed the final zombie and slammed his head down onto the ground until his skull cracked.
I turned to look at Arthur. He didn't meet my eyes. He seemed unharmed.
"I know, A. It's not safe." Arthur was angry. Was it at me? Or was he upset I had found him again? "But you said a few days. It's been a few days. I can't stay here anymore. I want to go home."
I nodded, although I didn't want to. I'd never see Arthur again if he left. He ran away twice now. Who's to say he won't ditch me and flee again?
The zombie I had pushed to the floor got back up. It was M. He looked furious.
"Human! Eat!" I shook my head. I got between M and Arthur. "Eat! EAT!"
Again, I shook my head. M furrowed his brow in confusion. He opened his mouth to repeat himself, but then there was shriek. Arthur turned sharply. At the end of the hallway was a boney.
"Fuck," Arthur hissed. I looked at him. He finally met my eyes. There was terror there. "Run!"
I cast one last look at M before running with Arthur. M watched us go with the same perplexed expression. At least he didn't join the boney in chasing after us. How I wish M could come with us. He deserved to understand this.
The boney was quick. He managed to keep up with us at every turn. We ran into the food court. Arthur knocked over some chairs to discourage it, but it didn't work. We rushed into a back kitchen and burst out onto the loading dock. The door only had a handle, not an actual doorknob. Arthur shoved his axe through the handle across the doorway. The boney slammed up against the door, but it was useless.
"Let's find a car," Arthur said breathlessly. I followed him towards the employee parking garage.
We had only taken a few steps when we were met with a trio of boneys. Arthur swore as he took a few steps back. I moved to protect him, but Arthur was the one trying to pull my out of harm's way. It wouldn't matter. A boney would tear through us both at this point.
Then, a baggage cart ran over all three of the boneys. Arthur and I started in surprise. I looked at the driver. It was M.
"Get…on," he mumbled.
"Like hell I am!" Arthur snapped.
M's blue lips twitched up into a smile. "Like him…"
I nodded at Arthur reassuringly. "Friend."
"Odd friends," Arthur huffed. Regardless, he got into the passenger seat. I climbed onto the back with little grace.
M took off, running over the boneys again. Their bones cracked loudly under the tires. I didn't want to think about the fact that the tables could have been turned and that could very well have been either me or Arthur. I guess this is how someone feels when they are grateful. If I was given the chance to repay M, I'd find it.
The cart lurched to a sudden stop. Ahead of us were a small herd of zombies. There were too many for M to run over like he had the boneys. Just behind them was that cherry apple red Porsche. I jumped off of the cart to stand before Arthur. He had gotten out of the cart slowly, keeping a keen eye on every one of the zombies.
"A…"
I looked over at Arthur. He wasn't able to stay composed. Gone was that tough guise and smirking jokester that seemed to take everything in stride, replaced instead by a vulnerable and scared man. The adrenaline from having been chased must have simmered out. He was emotional.
There was a spark. My chest tightened. Things began to make sense; things like happiness, sadness, pride, and fear. They all touched Arthur so easily, reaching into the very core of him, and contorted his body on a daily basis. It was the superpower I was never meant to know, and yet, somehow it was all becoming clear. I clung to those new emotions tightly, wrapping them around me like a warm security blanket.
It was with these new emotions that I brushed my hand against Arthur's. He looked down. Slowly, he took my hand in his. Our fingers wound around one another. We looked into each other's eyes. Arthur's green was so vivid and close; almost as if I could reach out and pluck two emeralds from them.
I stared back at the zombies challengingly, anticipating their attack. They had stopped. They, too, were staring. Their expressions were strange on their dead faces. Did I look like that? Was that confusion or shock or something else entirely? It wasn't one that was normally on a zombie, that's for sure. Many leaned forward to get a better look at our joined hands, trying to figure out this great surprise. It was a huge wonder to them, and I have to admit, even I was shocked that Arthur was holding my hand.
"Let's go," Arthur whispered. He tugged on my hand. "I'll drive."
The zombies parted for us, still locked onto our hands. Looking back, I saw M was staring in awe at the sight. Human touch was never gentle. It was fast and bloody and full of pain. Usually it resulted in death, either theirs or ours. So to see gentle contact between me and Arthur was surely a surreal and fragile moment that no one wanted to disturb, and yet, at the same time, wanted to dissect to the very core to understand what it all meant. Communication and contact were all too foreign to us.
But then we heard the cries of the boneys and the moment was over. We released our hands. Arthur jumped in the car and I rushed to climb in as well. Then, we were off. He didn't leave me behind like I had feared. As he sped away from the airport, I looked down at my hands.
It was raining now. In hindsight, taking a convertible with a busted roof was not a good idea. I continued to stare at my hands. They were pale, almost transparent. Did Arthur feel how cold they were and become disgusted when he held my hand? How I wish I could have felt his warmth.
"Ugh, I'm soaked." Arthur picked at his white shirt. He had taken off the jacket and folded it under his shirt to protect it from the rain. I could see pink skin underneath sticking to the wet material. His nipples were hard from the cold. I just stared. "We have to find some place dry."
I nodded. My feet were in a puddle as the rain had gathered down below. When the rain stopped, Arthur stooped the car and opened the doors. The water flooded out onto the street. Then, Arthur drove off again.
He pulled off of the freeway. I glanced at the car's clock. It was nearly midnight by now. While I wasn't tired, I wondered if Arthur was. I glanced at him periodically. He was too focused on driving. I looked at his hands gripping the wheel, and then I looked down at my hands again.
We stopped in front of a cookie cutter house in a suburb. Trash, empty cars, and once loved possessions littered the front lawns. Many of the houses were boarded up. I noticed a small green rabbit plush lying in the gutter and imagined the little child it used to belong to.
"This is one of the last places my brother evacuated," Arthur explained. "There might still be canned food here."
He drove up onto the lot's lawn and parked it. We got out of the car. After maneuvering over the forgotten items, we made it to the front porch. The door was locked. Arthur sighed in frustration. He eyed the windows instead. My first image was Arthur's hands being cut up by the broken glass.
I rammed my shoulder into the door, pushed all of my weight into it. The door burst open, nearly coming off of its hinges. I stumbled a bit. I looked back at Arthur who simply stared at me with a frown.
"Bloody hell, A." Arthur passed by me, giving me an incredulous look.
The house was frozen in time. Plates with now moldy food sat on a table with utensils and full glasses of milk. All that was missing was a person. There was no ticking of a clock or the hum of machines in use. Chairs still had dents in them from being sat in, pictures were still hanging straight on the walls, and trinkets still lined the fireplace mantel.
I noticed a small pocket watch in the shape of a Spade. I snatched it up and slipped it into my jacket.
"Oh, look!" I tuned and was suddenly flashed in the eyes by a light. I stumbled back a bit in surprise. "It's all right. Sorry about that. It's one of those old Polaroid cameras. See? The picture is already forming."
Arthur held out what looked like a flimsy piece of paper. I stared as an image of me appeared on the front. I looked shocked. I also looked less dead. Before, my lips were nearly blue and blood veins were very visible on my neck and face under my nearly translucent skin. Now, my lips were of a more peach color, and the veins had receded somewhat. I took the picture, still staring.
"It's best to remember things," Arthur murmured. "Soon, they may be gone. This might be the last time you see it."
I gingerly took the camera from Arthur. Then, I pointed it at him. His face was red and he looked away. I took his picture.
It had started raining again. This was a good thing as it would throw the boneys off of our trail if they had decided to keep up their chase. Still, I took to hovering by the front windows, just in case. Arthur had found a kerosene lantern. He took it and wandered around the house. I heard him coming back downstairs, and turned to look at him.
"It's late and the bed upstairs isn't too shabby. I'm going to sleep."
I nodded. Turning back to the windows, I settled in for a long night. I was out of brains to eat, so I'd be unable to visit anymore memories.
"Um…" Arthur hadn't left yet. I looked at him. He was shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He wasn't looking at me. "This house is a little odd. D-do you want to come upstairs? Y-you'd take the floor, of course. A-and don't think it's because I'm scared or anything like that. I'm doing this because, well! What if you broke something in the night? What a mess that'd be in the morning."
I tilted my head. Arthur was being nice to me. Sure, he taught me to dance and read me my comic books, but that was to pass the time. Now, it was as if he was trying to keep me close. I would never object to that.
I followed Arthur up the stairs. He had taken to the master bedroom. I lay down on the carpet while Arthur got in the Queen sized bed. I could hear a hard thumping in my ears. Arthur was tossing and turning in the bed.
"My clothes are still wet." He got up. I turned my head to look at him. "They'll have to hang dry overnight. L-look away."
I nodded and did as he said. I could hear him dress. My curiosity got the better of me. I shifted my head just enough to get a look.
Holy shit.
Arthur's pale back was bare to me as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. I saw how his bones and muscles moved. After seeing the human body underneath the skin, the blood and organs and the tissues and sinew, it was strange to see it moving in tandem. Arthur was beautiful. Then, he took off his pants.
Hoooooly fuck!
I looked away quickly. I could hear Arthur finishing up lying out his clothes to dry. There was a crippling need in my chest that made me want to tell Arthur how beautiful was. Again, I was unable to.
"That's better." Arthur got back into bed with a satisfied sigh. I changed a look at him. All the bare parts of him were covered by the blanket, and all I saw was his face. He was smiling. "Hey… Thank you for saving me back there… I don't think I'd have made it otherwise. And… I'm sorry for running away again." I nodded. "I wonder how much further you're going to change. I can see in your eyes that you're trying so hard. It must be difficult."
I gulped. He was being so nice again. Why couldn't I do anything for him?
Then, I felt something heavy in my pocket; Rhye's watch. I reached in and pulled it out. Silently, I said farewell to Arthur.
"What is that?" Arthur asked.
"Sorry…" I reached up and placed in on the nightstand.
Arthur stared at it, unable to speak. He reached out and took it. Then, he pulled it to his chest. Slowly he began to curl up into himself. I watched as his face crumpled with the pain.
"Somehow… I knew it…," was all Arthur said before he turned his back to me.
"A... Arthur… S-sorry," I tried. My voice was weak. Then, I couldn't speak anymore.
I was met with Arthur's back, covered up by a thick blanket, shutting me out.
If I could sleep, I would. But I couldn't. I stared at Arthur's back for hours. He was asleep now.
The dead do not dream.
I am in a warm and sunny apple tree farm. The fields are golden with summer around me. In the trees are ripe fruit and singing birds. I can feel the breeze on my skin. Nearby is the sound of talking and laughing.
"If you could be anything in the world, what would it be?" It is Emma. She is sitting in a circle with her brothers on the grass, sharing an apple.
"I'm happy like this," Scott says casually.
"You're no fun," Rhye scoffs.
"I'd want to be a doctor," Arthur says. He takes a bite of the apple. "Then, I can help exhume the planet."
"What does exhume mean?"
"It means to revive," Arthur starts.
"It means to unbury," Rhye cuts in suddenly. "Like a dead body."
Then, Scott notices me. "And what the fuck are you doing here?"
"I dunno," I say. It's so easy to talk now. "I have no idea where I am. Is this a memory?"
"No, you dumb shit," Rhye says. "You're dreaming."
"Really?" I smile.
"What do you want to be?" Emma asks.
"I've never really thought about it. Maybe be a superhero."
Rhye and Scott laugh at me. "You can't be that."
Arthur gets up and stands beside me. "This is A's dream. He can be anything he wants."
"He wants to be with you," Rhye says with a knowing smile. "Don't you understand is feelings? But it's not going to work, zombie. Not after you ate me."
I look at Arthur. I take his hands. They are warm in mine. We share a smile. "You and me. Together. That's my dream."
Arthur brushes a hand across my cheek. "I think you should wake up now."
I jolted awake. I actually had dreamt. That hard thumping consumed my head. I almost didn't notice that it was morning and the sun was shining. All I saw was an empty bed.
The house was empty again. My jacket was left, draped over a chair. Arthur's picture was left on the table as well. I ran around the entire house, but I couldn't find Arthur. Then, I rushed outside. The car was gone.
He left.
I was alone again.
Hoshiko2's cents: One chapter left. Hope to see you then.