Ex animo, p.5
Ex/Animo, page 5
part #1 of Ex/Animo Series
“Really?” Aron was surprised.
“Don’t get me wrong–you can be a real jerk sometimes,” Martyn shook his head. “But a level-headed jerk! So–here’s to surviving!”
Martyn held up his fist.
“To surviving together,” Aron smiled as he bumped fists with Martyn.
“Amen, bro,” Martyn grinned.
“You hold onto this,” Aron handed the bat to Martyn.
“Do I have to?” Martyn whined.
“Did you forget already?” Aron smirked. “You said I call the shots.”
“Dammit,”
“You really did a number on that Zerohead yesterday.”
Martyn sighed.
“Hey, I’ve told you–take it easy. You are protecting us both, and it’s what that matters!”
“Yeah, I know,” Martyn nodded slowly.
“And because of that,” Aron held up the book. “I was able to gain intel that could potentially save the world!”
“Point came through, loud and clear, boss,” Martyn rolled his eyes. “Let’s go save some souls.”
“Attaboy!”
Aron and Martyn hauled the sofa that was blocking the door. Aron unlocked and unbolted the door.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Nope,”
“Well, here we go,” Aron muttered.
He opened the door and peeked outside.
“Well,” Aron threw the door wide open. “It can’t get worse!”
Z Day+1; Let’s Go Play Outside
“This is much worse than I expected!” Martyn exclaimed. “Where did all these people come from?!”
“Agreed,” Aron looked around. “Interesting.”
The duo found Zeroheads staggering about and bumping into one another. Their street had transformed into a hell overnight. Cars were burning in the distance. The dogs barked at the ambling people furiously. The undead tore one another’s flesh and sunk their teeth into their bodies. Martyn recognized a few of their neighbors among the horde.
“They spotted us,” Aron said.
“Shit!” Martyn held his bat up.
The Zeroheads lunged at them.
“Watch out!” Aron kicked the zombie that approached Martyn. “Should have grabbed a table leg or something! Stupid dumb head of mine!”
“Behind you!” Martyn swung at a zombie that reached out to grab Aron.
“It’s knife time, baby,” Aron grabbed a kitchen knife from his backpack.
“We’re gonna have to do better than a baseball bat and a kitchen knife!” Martyn yelled.
“Agreed.”
Aron slashed the neck of a Zerohead standing next to him. It staggered backward but refused to go down. He plunged the knife deep into its skull. The Zerohead fell on its back. More Zeroheads approached Aron.
He dashed to the end of the yard, kicking and pushing the zombies out of his way.
“Dude!” Martyn called. “What are you doing?!”
Aron kicked hard at the wooden mailbox, and it cracked apart. Aron grabbed the pole with the mailbox and proceeded to use it like a sledgehammer. He ran in circles around the yard, swinging the mailbox at the oncoming Zeroheads.
THUD! CRRAACK! THWUP!
Martyn stared in amazement as Aron kicked a zombie to the ground. He used the mailbox as a wooden stake and thrust it into the zombie’s chest. It pierced through its heart.
“Look out!” Aron yelled at Martyn.
Martyn snapped back to his senses. He brought down the bat as hard as he could on the Zerohead, and the nails at the end dug deep into its skull. The Zerohead flailed its arms around. He gave it a kick, and it fell to the ground. He finished it with another blow.
“Fatality!” Aron muttered in a deep voice. “Martyn–wins!”
“Bleh, the blood keeps getting on my clothes,” Martyn looked at his clothes.
“Just apocalypse things,” Aron shrugged.
“I’m worried how fast you’ve gotten used to it,” Martyn shook his head.
“Gamer moment,” Aron shook his head.
“Well, you better be up for some more,” Martyn said. “We’re surrounded!”
The Zeroheads had formed a circle around them.
“Damn, we cannot go against these many without serious firepower,” Aron dropped the wrecked mailbox. “But I am always up for a challenge!”
He grabbed the kitchen knife. Martyn steadied his grip on the baseball bat.
“Let’s-”
“Guys?!” a voice called. “What the fuck are you doing?!”
“Oh, hi Robin!” Martyn greeted the girl on the balcony.
“Melody…?” Aron uttered in confusion.
“Huh?” Martyn shook his head. “No, that’s Robin.”
“Hold on!” she shouted. “I’ll get the door in a sec!” she ran inside.
“Let’s go!” Martyn bashed their way to Robin’s house. Aron followed.
The duo soon found themselves in a well-maintained dining room. Pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson adorned the walls. The blue curtains were drawn over the windows.
“Wow, I cannot actually tell from here there’s a whole Armageddon thing happening outside,” Martyn looked around.
“I’m sure you have a lot of questions, Jack,” Robin lowered her head.
“Um,” Martyn narrowed his eyes. “We go by different names now. He is Aron, and I am Martyn, with a ‘y’ instead of the ‘i’! But–he was never Jack.”
“Oh!” Robin threw a glance at Aron. “I see. So, he is your roommate.”
“Wait, you guys know each other?” Martyn stared at the two.
“I guess three dates weren’t enough to disclose our identities,” Aron looked at Robin.
“Mm,” Robin nodded. “Even though you never showed up for the third.”
“Just two then,” Aron shrugged.
“Guys,” Martyn looked puzzled. “I’m lost.”
The two looked at Martyn and shrugged.
***
A MONTH EARLIER
“Man, I really need to stop drinking this,” Aron took another sip from the can of Mountain Dew. “Welp, too late now!”
The weather felt pleasant. The clouds ambled the sky, covering the Sun every once in a while. Aron was whistling to himself on the way back home from the store. He held a bag of snacks in the other hand.
“Man, can’t wait to find out what happens next!” Aron spoke out loud as he sped up a little. “Should I read the manga (Japanese graphic novel)? No–it’d ruin the suspense when the episode comes out.”
He was passing by the general store when he heard the clang of the bicycle pedal behind him.
“How long are you gonna keep following me?” Aron stopped in his tracks.
Aron turned around to catch the girl on the bike. She stared at him, wide-eyed. She bumped onto the fire hydrant on the sidewalk and came to an abrupt stop.
The pretty brunette with the bob-cut was wearing a red crop top and blue jeans shorts. She had an orange cap on her head and dark glasses on her face. She sat back on the seat.
“Well,” Aron rolled his eyes. “Cat got your tongue?”
“I wasn’t following you or anything!” the girl protested, throwing her head to the right. “You just happened to be in my way!”
“A classic tsundere response,” Aron nodded.
“Huh?” the girl removed her glasses.
“Never mind,” Aron said. “I must be really fast on my feet since you couldn’t pass me on a bike.”
“Okay, fine, maybe I was following you,” she dropped the act. “Do you know we live on the same street?”
“Nope,” Aron shrugged. “Don’t care.”
“Yeah, I can see that!” the girl sighed. “I was only following you to introduce myself. I’m not a creep or anything!”
“Huh, guess it was my bad to assume so,” Aron nodded. “You stalking me for the past thirty minutes must have all been in my head.”
“It wasn’t that long!” the girl complained.
“Yeah,” Aron nodded. “Sure, Ada Wong.”
“Huh? That’s not my name.”
“What is it, then?”
“It’s-”
“Wait,” Aron interrupted her. “Lemme see. Judging by the tomboy fashion sense and hairstyle, I bet it’s a common name for men.”
“Nope,” she was quick to deny.
“Oh really?” Aron raised his eyebrows. “Then please, prove me wrong.”
“Okay, you don’t have to act all high and mighty!”
“Now you are just stalling for time, chica,”
“It’s Melody, okay?” the girl said. “My name is Melody.”
“Mm, okay,” Aron nodded. “That’s a pretty name. Even if you came up with it on the spot.”
Melody pouted.
“Calm down,” Aron said. “I’m just teasing you.”
“Uh-huh,” Melody rolled her eyes.
“So… may I go now, Melody?”
“Wait,” Melody raised her hand. “You didn’t tell your name.”
“Hm,” Aron rubbed his chin. “I don’t remember agreeing to.”
“Hey!” she got off her bike. “That’s not fair! I told you mine, didn’t I?”
“I don’t know you well enough to talk about myself.”
“That’s not how introduction works,” Melody looked at him questioningly.
“Sounds like stranger danger to me,” Aron shrugged.
“Really,” Melody narrowed her eyes. “You look like you’re in college!”
“Holy shit–how did you know that?” Aron faked surprise.
“You know what?” Melody crossed her arms. “I’m gonna find everything about you.”
“Oh really?” Aron raised his eyebrows. “So, what–you planning to stalk me more?”
“Who knows?” Melody sneered. “Are you free this week?”
“Nah,” Aron said. “I come with a price.”
“Find a better answer, mister,” Melody looked unimpressed.
“Yeah, I guess I’m free,” Aron sighed. “That is if I don’t have anime pending on the list.”
“Perfect,” Melody said. “I’ll be taking you out tomorrow then.”
“Like on a date or with a sniper?”
“You’ll be surprised,” Melody grinned.
“How come you’re free this week?” Aron scratched his head. “My college is wacky–that’s why I got time off. But what about you?”
“Um, vacation?”
“At this time of year?” Aron asked.
“My college is wacky too…?”
“Checks out,” Aron shrugged.
“See?” Melody beamed. “I’m already learning stuff about you! Likes anime, on vacation, et cetera, et cetera.”
“Good job,” Aron scratched his head.
“Soon!” Melody sneered.
“Creepy,” Aron muttered.
“No, wait!” Melody said. “You know I didn’t mean it like that, right…? Right?!”
“Sure,” Aron nodded. “Where do you wanna keep this ‘date’?”
“Before that!” Melody scowled. “Tell me your name–Geez!”
***
“Okay, hold on!” Martyn turned to Aron. “She told you that her name’s Melody. And you told yours was Jack?”
Aron and Robin nodded.
“And,” Martyn said. “Three dates? You guys went on three… fucking… dates?”
“Two,” Aron murmured.
“You never showed up!” Robin rolled her eyes.
“I was right about the name, wasn’t I?” Aron sneered. “Robin.”
“Yes,” Robin looked unimpressed.
“What?!” Martyn exclaimed. “How come I never knew about this?!”
“You wanna know why?” Aron said. “Because it wasn’t a real thing–that’s why!”
Robin opened her mouth but failed to utter a word.
“I see,” Martyn said. “So, she simply stalked you?”
“No,” Aron shook his head. “For a nefarious reason, I tell you.”
“Ignore him. He’s always like this,” Martyn faced Robin.
“It’s not that-” Aron said.
“She just wanted to socialize, man!” Martyn shrugged. “You gotta stop scrutinizing everything for heaven’s sake,” he shook his head.
Robin remained silent.
“Hold on, you didn’t recognize her yesterday?” Martyn added. “With the bino-”
“AHH!” Aron yelled as he covered Martyn’s mouth.
“Mff!” Martyn appeared alarmed.
“Um, what?” Robin narrowed her eyes.
“Oops!” Martyn laughed nervously after Aron let go of him.
“Martyn, what were you saying?” Robin looked serious.
“Well-uh…” Martyn sounded reluctant. “Aron and I were looking out for survivors last night, and he-uh–kinda saw you through the second-floor window.”
Aron slumped on the chair, his hand on his face.
“What?!” Robin glared at Aron.
Aron appeared scared stiff as Robin walked over to him. Before he could move, Robin pinned him down on the seat with her knee resting on his thigh. She began to shift her weight onto him slowly.
“Is that true, Jack?” Robin looked him in the eye.
Aron sat dumbfounded. He gulped.
“I am asking you a question,” Robin repeated. “Is what he said true?!”
“Yes,” Aron admitted. “It was an accident!”
Robin pressed her knee harder.
“You like–what you saw?”
Aron remained silent. He found it difficult to breathe.
“Is that a yes or a no?” Robin leaned in closer.
“Yes, ma’am!” Aron yelled in confusion.
Robin came to her senses. She gushed as she caught Martyn staring at them in total bewilderment.
“Uh, what am I doing?!” Robin backed away immediately.
“Yeah,” Martyn frowned. “What the heck was that?!”
“I’m so sorry!” Robin apologized to Aron. “Are you hurt?”
“Yes,” Aron cleared his throat. “I mean no, I’m okay!”
“Well,” Robin pouted. “You deserve it! Next time you’ll know better than to peep on a woman changing.”
“I guess I did learn the consequences,”
“Well, anyway,” Robin continued, looking red in the face. “You guys are leaving town?”
“We-” Martyn began.
“-are going to find a place, somewhere safe,” Aron interrupted him. “Shit will continue going to hell if we choose to remain here.”
“I see,” Robin nodded. “That’s for the best. Their masses might increase at any moment. It’s better to keep moving.”
“What about you? Got any plans?” Martyn glared at Aron for interrupting him. “If not, then–wanna join us?”
“Oh no…” she sounded reluctant. “I’ve got–help.”
“Really?” Martyn looked surprised. “Who?”
“Friends of my father,” Robin did not elaborate.
“Oh, how rude of me,” Martyn slapped his forehead. “I’m so sorry–about what happened to your parents!”
“Oh, that’s okay,” Robin shrugged. “They are at rest now. I’ve buried them in the backyard.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
“Dude, it’s fine,” Robin reassured. “We’ve all lost people. But this is no time to mourn.”
“She’s right,” Aron looked outside through the window. “We can’t stay here much longer. We need to acquire a set of wheels.”
“Huh,” Robin murmured. “I may have just the thing for you guys. Follow me!”
Robin turned around and walked away. The two looked at each other and shrugged. They followed her to a spacious garage. There was a car in the center of the room with a large sheet pulled over it.
“Your garage?” Martyn asked, looking around.
“I’m a bit of a grease monkey myself,” Robin grinned.
Aron inspected the spare parts on the shelf.
“I want you guys to have this,” Robin pulled the sheet off the car.
Aron whistled.
“What?!” Martyn freaked out. “You’re kidding–right?”
“Um,” Robin raised her eyebrows. “You wanted something bigger?”
“No! It’s your dad’s car!”
“It was,” Robin pointed out.
“It’s a freaking Maserati!” Martyn’s eyes gleamed. “We can’t take this. I mean, I can’t even dream of riding a girl such as this one!”
Aron rolled his eyes.
“Well,” Robin sighed. “It’s gonna be a waste to have a car I worked on so much, to just sit around in the garage of an empty house!”
“You could take it with you–right?” Martyn asked.
“I don’t really have a choice,” Robin spoke low. “My help got their own ride. So-”
“Okay!” Martyn burst out. “Point clear, we’ll take care of this beauty for you!”
“Nope,” Aron shook his head. “We are not gonna do that.”
“Huh?!” Martyn couldn’t believe his ears. “Why?!”
“You really want an explanation?” Aron raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah…?!” Martin frowned.
“Okay then,” Aron said. “First of all, nobody gives away their shit for free. Secondly, we shouldn’t accept questionable presents from a stranger. Third of all, it could be a trap, ranging from a tracking chip to a bomb!”
“Oh, okay,” Martyn nodded slowly. “That’s totally understandable! I thought you were past the daily recommended amount of bullshit for today.”
“I see,” Robin looked him in the eye. “So, I’m still some stranger to you, huh? Is that why you ditched me that night?”
“Well, let’s check some facts here, shall we?” Aron said. “You have been lying to me about your name. Your very name.”
“I didn’t do it with any bad inten-” Robin’s voice broke off. “I just didn’t want to admit you were right! And moreover, you did too!”
“I still can’t swallow the fact you went on three dates!” Martyn shook his head.
“Two!” they yelled at him in unison.
“No wonder we were running low on funds,” Martyn muttered.
Aron turned red as a beet. Robin smirked.
“No,” Martyn shook his head immediately. “I didn’t mean it like that! It was his portion anyway!”
“Well, she asked me out on those dates,” Aron lowered his voice.
