Chapter 10

The Zerohead was suddenly kicked away by his roommate. Aron sat up straight, panting.

"Sorry, couldn't get a better angle sooner," Martyn grinned as he pushed his phone into his pocket.

"You… son of a bitch," Aron panted. "You were taking pics while I almost got killed?"

"Sorry, dude," Martyn shrugged. "Couldn't resist taking one from my POV."

"Asshole," Aron muttered. "Anyways, I don't think she's done."

"Yaargh!" the Zerohead growled again, lifting her head.

Martyn swung the bat hard.

SPLAT!

It hit the zombie on the back of the head.

"Watch it!" Aron complained. "You got blood all over my clothes! And the floor too!"

Aron observed the body. Martyn remained silent.

"Help me up, will you?" Aron looked up at him. "My knees are still shaky. Ugh, I hope I get used to this!"

Martyn pulled Aron up by the hand. Aron found him staring at him silently.

"Mm, you know what? It's getting dark outside. We gotta board up the windows. And after that… we'll talk."

They got down to defending the house from the Zeroheads. They left the Zerohead's body in the backyard after having an argument over whether it should be buried or not.

The Zeroheads outside had smashed their windows. The two broke off the legs of the tables and chairs to board up the downstairs windows. They hung up dark blankets over it.

Everything rechargeable was put to charge. The two gathered supplies they found useful. They hammered down some nails to the end of the baseball bat.

"Your dad call yet?"

"No–nor did Ma," Martyn shook his head. "They didn't see any of the messages."

"Mm," Aron nodded.

"Hey," Martyn's voice trembled. "You think they-?"

"I don't know," Aron sighed. "You saw what's going on out there–it's pretty much deep in hell mode. Worrying about the unknown is only gonna slow us down, and now isn't the best time for that. This fight is far from over. We gotta try and live on. And if you're not feeling it, then do it for the sake of those who didn't have a choice."

"'This fight,'" Martyn murmured. He was surprised to find Aron calm.

"Something else that's been bothering you?" Aron inquired.

Martyn remained silent for a while.

"Are we doing it right?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Killing those people-" Martyn's voice broke off.

Aron thought for a while.

"Normally, it is wrong to take a life. But here, we are not up against something common. We are up against something that can put an end to humanity if left unchecked."

"But-" Martyn said. "Would there be a better way?"

Aron sighed.

"Maybe. But, right now, we gotta survive to make sure that future gets to play out."

Martyn didn't appear satisfied by his answer.

"Maybe praying would help?" Aron suggested.

"Praying?" Martyn looked at him questioningly.

"Yeah, something to lift the weight off… when you gotta kill."

"Oh," Martyn narrowed his eyes in surprise. "That­–sounds helpful, actually. Thanks."

"You're welcome, bud," Aron nodded. "And about the-"

Before Aron could finish his sentence, the power went out, leaving them in complete darkness.

"Of course, the power goes out first!" Martyn sighed. "Followed by the cell phone service and the Internet."

"Oh shit!" Aron exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Martyn turned on the flashlight on his phone.

"The many anime and series I had left to watch! And my meme account-!"

"Dude," Martyn stared at Aron in disbelief. "You gotta get your priorities right."

"Those were my only priorities!"

"Now, now," Martyn consoled him. "You can meme as much as you want after the apocalypse-"

"But there would be none left to enjoy them!" Aron whined.

"Damn," Martyn stared at him with wide eyes. "You don't sound that positive now."

"You took everything from me, apocalypse!" Aron pumped his fist. "You better square the fuck up."

"You are something else," Martyn shook his head. "I wonder how's Robin doing."

"Who's Robin?" Aron asked.

"Who's Robin?!" Martyn stared in amazement. "Really?"

"Never heard of him," Aron scratched his head. "Is he a friend from college?"

"It's a she!" Martyn glared at his roommate in disbelief. "And she lives next door!"

"Okay…" Aron nodded. "To the left, or right?"

"The Wilsons!" Martyn looked annoyed.

"Oh yeah, right," Aron said. "Forgot the other's owned by the plant-crazy guy–Dave."

"I'm impressed by your lack of knowledge of your own residential surroundings," Martyn said.

"Yeah, and I'm impressed with big words that make you sound smart," Aron scoffed. "What's her deal?"

"You know who Mr. Wilson is, right?" Martyn narrowed his eyes. "That dude is a war hero, and everybody thought they knew everything about him and were shocked to find out he had a daughter and that too our age! Apparently, she was away for college or something. Haven't talked much to her myself–just met her a few weeks back. And she's kinda cute."

"Chick is the daughter of an ex-military," Aron said. "So what?"

"Nothing at all," Martyn sighed. "Just surprised by your lack of-

"Attention–I get it," Aron rolled his eyes.

"Shit!" Martyn slapped his forehead. "Should have checked on her sooner."

"Interesting," Aron rubbed his chin. "You into her?"

"What? No!" Martyn frowned. "She's super friendly. I never thought of her that way."

"Okay, I believe you," Aron teased. "How about Sherry then?"

"I may have a different answer for that," Martyn smiled sheepishly.

"I see," Aron grinned. "Sounds like your little 'date' went too well."

"Despite the unfunny jokes you made to belittle me, I had a wonderful time."

"I see," Aron nodded. "So, what's the verdict? Nut and go?"

"I'm more of a 'protect-and-care' guy in case you haven't noticed!"

"Wholesome," Aron smirked.

"I hope she's-" Martyn wondered. "Wait, I have her number!"

"Oh, look at that," Aron sneered. "My brother is a player now."

"Shut up," Martyn rolled his eyes as he tapped at his phone.

"I'll be on recon,"

"Huh?"

"On the balcony," Aron pointed upwards.

"Okay," Martyn nodded.

Aron made a dash to their room to get his binoculars. Martyn tried Sherry on the phone. A ringback tone played over the phone. He was about to hang up when the call connected.

"Hello?" an upset voice of a girl answered the call.