Ex animo, p.18
Ex/Animo, page 18
part #1 of Ex/Animo Series
“SILEO,” he thought to himself.
Aron struggled to sit up.
“Who are you, assholes?!” Aron tried to catch a better view. “Is the emo con back in town or something?”
“What we are is none of your concern, invalid,” his attacker sneered.
“I almost confused him for you-know-who,” another soldier chimed in.
“Yeah,” the first soldier nodded. “Me too.”
“The fuck’s you talking about?!” Aron gnashed his teeth. “Leave us the fuck alone, or I’ll rip out your throats!”
“You got spunk, deviant!” the first soldier laughed. “You’re wounded and could possibly be infected. Therefore–trash.”
The soldier aimed the gun at Aron. Gathering all his strength, Aron lunged forward and bit the soldier’s ankle.
“Fucking bastard!” the soldier shrieked.
He shook Aron off his ankle. Aron lunged to bite again but missed. He got kicked in the stomach.
“Stay down, you savage fuck!” the soldier yelled.
SHUCK!
Aron felt himself losing control over his body. The ground felt hard when he hit. He felt his consciousness slipping away into limbo.
“Let’s go!” another soldier yelled.
“But the scouts-” the soldier said.
“Forget it!” the other soldier pointed to the unconscious survivors. “We have ‘em!”
“You are lucky we didn’t bring out the actual guns,” the first soldier yelled at Aron. “Damn ankle biter! You’re gonna die alone, you fucker!”
“That’s enough, Vance!” the second soldier raised his voice. “Let’s go! Now!”
“Yeah, fine!” the soldier muttered something under his breath.
Aron saw the soldiers run away, carrying his friends over their shoulders.
“No,” Aron pummeled the ground with his fist. “Not them–Please!” he begged.
Thump!
Aron blacked out.
***
SPLASH!
Aron’s face was drenched with cold water; he gasped and opened his eyes. His eyes met with the afternoon Sun; he squinted at the blinding light. A shadow of a man fell upon him. Aron couldn’t see the face.
“Wake the fuck up, survivor,” the man had a deep voice. “We have a cult to burn…”
He squatted and removed his black glasses.
“Jo-Johnny?!” Aron stammered.
“Yeah!” the man exclaimed. “I mean no! But that’s what I–you know what I mean!”
“Huh,” Aron winced in pain. “Awesome.”
The man had long, wavy hair. He was wearing a red T-shirt with a large black skull on the chest and a pair of blue jeans. Aron noticed he had a gun on his belt.
“The name is Roxxer,” he looked tall. “I’m a scout for CRISP!”
“CRISP?” Aron asked in a gruff voice.
“No clue…? Huh,” Roxxer handed him his canteen. “If you’re from around, you might have heard about the ‘deviants.’ That’s us. We’re a resistance formed to help out fellow survivors. We’re against all that Teneka bullshit.”
“Resistance?” Aron continued the gruff voice.
“Under the leadership of Mr. Breaker, we strive to achieve peace, bring back stability, yadda-yadda,” Roxxer paced back and forth. “Basically, we’re making the world a less fucked up place, one step at a time.”
“Mr. Breaker?”
“He used to be a police officer recruited to work under the church of Teneka, but he left as soon as he realized their shit was messed up.”
“Messed up?”
“You know nothing about anything, huh?” Roxxer shook his head. “How the church came to be is still a mystery, and we believe they’re using the motive, ‘surviving the apocalypse,’ as a front to serve a much evil purpose.”
“The apocalypse?”
“Dude,” Roxxer looked puzzled. “You hit your head somewhere?”
“Sorry,” Aron said. “Went Solid Snake for a moment there. Anyways, why are you here?”
“I’m on patrol,” Roxxer crossed his arms. “Looking out for victims and survivors in the area.”
Aron checked the time. It was 2 PM.
“You’re a bit too late,”
“What do you mean?” Roxxer asked. “I got to you before the Demons… the zombies did. You’re safe now, thanks to me!”
“You think a couple of zombies did that to our ride?” Aron asked.
“Our?”
“My friends,” Aron said. “They were taken away.”
“So, it was the church,” Roxxer held up the tranquilizer dart that was on Aron.
“No, they are these men in black uniforms. They’re-”
“Yeah, it’s them–the soldiers,” Roxxer nodded.
“The soldiers?” Aron narrowed his eyes. “You know them?!”
“You bet,” Roxxer nodded. “They’re the reason the church got so powerful. We’ve run into them a couple of times before. Zero out of ten–wouldn’t recommend.”
“It’s not like I planned to date them,” Aron sat up against the rock.
Roxxer laughed.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“Go?” Aron looked confused. “Go where?”
“Where?” Roxxer said. “To our base, of course! It’s just a few miles from here.”
“But-”
“Don’t give me that ‘I’m gonna save my friends from the clutches of an evil church all by myself because this is my fight’ bullshit,” Roxxer narrowed his eyes.
“Wow,” Aron murmured. “You’re used to this,”
“Let’s face the facts here,” Roxxer nodded. “They’re an evil cult backed by merciless, jackass soldiers. The chances of you surviving an encounter are an undeniable zero.”
Aron remained silent.
“Not to mention the zombies!” Roxxer shrugged. “More the reason to come with me.”
Aron thought for a while.
“Fine,” Aron gave in. “But mind you, I’m in it only for my friends.”
“We all are,” Roxxer said.
“What do you mean?”
“Your buddies aren’t the only ones they’ve kidnapped,” Roxxer said. “We hear stories from people all the time.”
“This is like a regular thing?” Aron asked.
“We’ll talk about it when we get there,” Roxxer nodded.
Roxxer pointed to the truck a few feet away. Aron stood up and looked around. He found their SUV by the road.
“Wait!” Aron said. “My stuff’s in there!”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Roxxer grinned. “I’ve already thrown everything in the trunk. I knew you’d say yes!”
“Huh,” Aron narrowed his eyes. “That’s… very presumptuous of you.”
“It was more of a gut feeling,” Roxxer looked sly.
“And I’ve got a gut feeling that we’re gonna be the best of friends!” Aron rolled his eyes.
“Hey! You read my mind!” Roxxer put his hand forward. “Didn’t get a name, by the way.”
“Aron,” Aron shook Roxxer’s hand. “Aron Joestar.”
“Come in, Roxxer! What’s taking you so long?!” a voice from Roxxer’s walkie-talkie demanded.
“Shit,” Roxxer placed his hands on the head. “We gotta bounce!”
***
“This is not some ‘few miles,’”
“Chillax, man,” Roxxer said. “Breathe in the good vibes. We’re here, bruh.”
“Uh-huh,” Aron muttered.
Aron couldn’t believe what he saw in the distance.
“Whoa,” he grew wide-eyed. “A military base?”
“Yep,” Roxxer grinned.
“It’s… huge!”
“That’s what she said,” Roxxer smirked.
Aron glowered at Roxxer.
“Sorry, couldn’t help it,”
“This isn’t half bad,” Aron admitted.
“Worth saying ‘yes,’ right?” Roxxer taunted.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Aron sat back, relaxing for a bit.
They crossed the check post. The man at the booth raised his cap at Roxxer. Roxxer flashed him a thumbs up.
Aron gawked at the buildings in the vicinity. Roxxer guffawed when he noticed Aron. Aron tried to keep his cool by crossing his arms and then realized he was missing an arm to do so.
The truck came to a halt at the parking lot near what seemed like the main base. Roxxer killed the engine and got off.
“C’mon,” Roxxer said. “Let’s get you to the big man.”
“What about my things?” Aron asked.
“We’ll get them later,” Roxxer handed him the keys to the pickup truck. “And if you don’t trust me, then here–you hold onto these.”
“Okay,” Aron took the keys.
“I thought you were gonna refuse,” Roxxer faked disappointment.
Aron appeared humorless.
“Well, anyway, let’s get going!” Roxxer urged. “I’m so fucking dead!”
“Nice going, Rooster,” a man punched Roxxer on the shoulder. “I’m late cos of you! When will you act your age and be responsible for once!”
“Ha-ha, okay, Tingler,” Roxxer laughed scornfully. “Why don’t you shut up and get going, huh?”
“That’s Shocker for you, jackass,” the man punched him on the shoulder again. “Who’s the clown with you?”
“Aron, meet Shocker,” Roxxer turned toward Aron. “My least favorite person in the whole damn base.”
Aron only nodded in response.
“Did the jackass preacher have a son?” Shocker shook his head and walked away.
“What’s his deal?” Aron asked.
“Don’t mind him,” Roxxer rolled his eyes. “He’s the guy who covers my area for the afternoon shifts.”
“Afternoon shift?” Aron followed after Roxxer.
“Yeah, this whole operation would probably sound lame coming from my mouth because I describe shit like a three-year-old who hasn’t had its milk in four hours,” Roxxer said.
“I don’t–that doesn’t make any sense,” Aron looked clueless.
“The point exactly,” Roxxer shrugged. “But yes, this is a well-organized operation.”
“So, you got him late,” Aron said. “And now you have to answer to your boss.”
“Not bad!” Roxxer complimented. “You’re getting the hang of things here!”
“Don’t lump me in with you guys,” Aron muttered. “I’m only here for some answers.”
The hallways were bustling with people. Aron found several pairs of eyes on him. He glanced around without making it look obvious.
“I’ve never seen these many survivors in one place since the apocalypse,” Aron muttered.
“Survivors?” Roxxer looked confused. “Oh, you mean the refugees.”
“Aren’t these people from around?”
“Some,” Roxxer nodded. “The patrols–we find the others that way.”
“Really?” Aron looked puzzled. “From that alone?”
“We radio too,” Roxxer said. “Give them directions. But it’s less safe since the church has been doing the same. So, we set up a meetup point.”
“And then you pick them up from there?”
“Yep,”
“Huh,”
“But I think the church knows of our base of operations.”
“Really?”
“Too many traps lately,” Roxxer sighed.
Aron thought for a while.
“My guess is you outnumber their force,” he shook his head. “They could be waiting for reinforcements. You can’t keep this going forever.”
“We know,” Roxxer grinned. “That’s why we ask guys like you to join us.”
“So, what now?” Aron narrowed his eyes. “Am I like your scapegoat?”
“No, no, no,” Roxxer shook his head. “I mean, maybe. I don’t know. It depends on the plans.”
Aron looked unconvinced.
“Hey, first things first,” Roxxer patted Aron on the back. “Let’s go get you introduced to Mr. Breaker!”
Aron followed Roxxer to a large common area. He peered to his right and found people having lunch on the benches. He saw a few others being nursed by the volunteers to the left.
“That’s him,” Roxxer pointed toward the front of the room.
A burly man stood by the podium up front. He observed the various activities going on in the hall with utmost interest.
“Mr. Breaker!” Roxxer waved.
Roxxer’s shout got the man’s attention, and his soft expression turned to a scowl when he saw Roxxer. The two approached the man. Aron saw him reach his hand behind the back; he felt uneasy.
Aron put his hand on the holster and turned the safety off on his gun as he approached the bearlike man.
Both he and Aron took out their handguns and aimed at each other.
“What the-?” Roxxer looked horrified. “What are you doing?!”
Breaker aimed the gun at Roxxer. Roxxer backed away in disbelief.
“Give me one reason not to blow your head up,” Breaker said.
The volunteers heard the commotion at the front. They rushed toward the assaulters to protect their leader. But Aron’s gun stopped them in their tracks. Aron appeared menacing.
“I don’t understand!” Roxxer cried out. “What’s going on?!”
“Why’d you let him out?” Breaker yelled. “How did he get a gun? What were you planning to do with him?!”
“Um, introduce him to you?!” Roxxer shook his head. “What do you mean–I let him out?”
“Stop playing around, Roxxer,” Breaker warned. “I need answers, now!”
“I found him on the sector sweep!”
“What?” Breaker studied Aron closely. “Oh, wait! You aren’t him!”
Breaker lowered his gun immediately. He signaled the others to stand down. Aron looked puzzled but kept the berretta trained at Breaker.
“Sorry. I don’t know how I messed this up–you don’t even look thirty!” Breaker continued ranting embarrassedly. “You can keep that gun away, kid. I confused you for someone else. Someone real dangerous!”
Aron lowered his gun. Breaker appeared ashamed of himself.
“Roxxer,” Breaker sounded stern. “I hope you were only late because you had to help out this fine gentleman.”
“That’s–right,” Roxxer nodded, half-relieved. “He was in deep shit when I found him.”
“The usual?”
“Yep, but not robbed. His buddies were kidnapped.”
“Damn those bastards,” Breaker looked genuinely upset.
“So, I helped him out,” Roxxer nodded. “Asked him to join us, and here he is!”
Aron glared at Roxxer, but he was ignored by him. Breaker walked over to Aron.
“A fine decision, young man!” Breaker placed his hand on Aron’s shoulder. “Any other would have gone after them on their own and get themself killed.”
Aron stepped away from Breaker; his hand slipped off Aron’s shoulder.
“Look, I know you are confused,” Breaker sighed. “But we’re the good guys, just trying to be the hope others lost when all of hell began to rise!”
Breaker studied Aron’s face for an answer.
“You sound a well-off resistance against a problem that began only four days ago!” Aron finally spoke.
“Four days ago?” Breaker guffawed.
“Huh?” Aron looked at Roxxer.
“I was right,” Roxxer crossed his arms. “You did hit your head!”
Aron stared in silence.
“It has been weeks,” Roxxer said.
“Huh?!” Aron was baffled.
“The church popped up a month ago, forcing people to repent and join them-” Roxxer said.
“-And watch the sinners turn into ash,” Breaker completed the sentence.
Aron looked at him.
“I know because I was once with them,” Breaker sat on a chair nearby. “They kept us in the dark and used us only when they saw it necessary. And the things they demanded of us…”
Breaker’s voice trailed off.
“They’re full of crap–yes,” Roxxer chimed in. “But they predicted the apocalypse! And you know the rest.”
“I don’t understand,” Aron said. “None of this was on the news. Why are you not leaving this place?”
“You’re an outsider, huh?” Breaker stopped Aron. “It makes sense now.”
Aron waited for an explanation.
“The political influence, media…” Breaker said. “They were in control of everything. And they still are. No news. No communication. No phones–nothing. It was too late when we realized it was no ordinary cult. People like me were made to keep our mouths shut as they went on with their tyrannical rule over the innocent.”
Breaker looked disgusted.
“And as for the ‘leaving’ part…” Roxxer said. “The ones who tried to cross the border suffered the same fate as your friends.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Aron protested. “We entered fine-”
“Some did attempt an escape, promising to radio us,” Roxxer nodded. “But we never heard from them again. We don’t know what happened to them.”
“Earlier, it was just the Church we had to look out for,” Breaker said. “Now there are the Demons too, and it led us to the decision. To stick together and face them, rather than getting picked off one by one.”
Aron slumped into the chair nearby. Breaker and Roxxer dragged their chairs over to him and sat facing him.
“Tell you what, kid,” Breaker appeared thoughtful. “Not all hope is lost–yet. We may have an ace up our sleeve.”
Aron looked at Breaker. He placed his gun into the holster and put his hand forward.
“Name’s Aron,” he said.
“Breaker,” Breaker shook firmly.
“Just for clarification,” Aron narrowed his eyes. “These are made-up names, right?”
Breaker guffawed again.
“Our past lives mean nothing to us anymore,” he said.
“Huh,” Aron turned to Roxxer. “I wonder what you were before all of this.”
“We-we don’t do that here,” Roxxer laughed nervously.
Breaker laughed heartily.
“Now, Roxxer,” Breaker turned to Roxxer. “Show him to the dorms, please.”
“Roger that, boss,” Roxxer saluted.
They stood up.
“Now you go get some rest, kid,” Breaker gave Aron a pat on the back. “We are holding a meeting in the evening. You can meet the others there.”
