Chapter 16

"Arrrghhhh!" the Zerohead groaned. "Why am I so pissed seeing your fucking face?"

"How is this even possible?" Martyn panicked.

"What?" the Zerohead's voice was shrill. "You wanted to see me dead just like her–didn't you?"

"I don't get you, Robert," Martyn's voice cracked.

Martyn's fingers turned white as he gripped the baseball bat harder.

"You are here to kill me!" Robert glared at him. "She sent you here to kill me!"

"I-uh,"

"I won't let you!" Robert jumped at Martyn.

Martyn held the baseball bat in front of him, blocking Robert's attack. Robert gnashed his teeth violently.

"Back off, jackass!" Martyn pushed him off him.

It sent him staggering a few feet back. The overhead emergency light flickered. Martyn saw a bloodthirsty Robert, prepared to strike a second time. Robert looked Martyn in the eye. They burned a shade of red—a red of rage and sorrow.

"I need to get out of here!" Martyn thought to himself. "Should I call Aron? Robert may not know there are two of us! We could use the element of surprise!"

"Dude!" Aron's voice rang out. "Duck!"

Without a second thought, Martyn fell flat to the floor.

THWIP!

Martyn looked up to find Mr. Robert collapse on the floor. He saw the handle of a survival knife sticking out of his forehead.

"Stab–one hundred, motherfucker!" Aron celebrated by dancing.

"What the fuck, man?!" Martyn stared at Aron, horrified. "Did you just throw a fucking knife?"

"Nah, nah," Aron shook his head. "Don't thank me."

"For almost killing me?"

"Huh?"

"You are far dangerous than any apocalypse!" Martyn stomped out of the room.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Aron followed him outside. "You found the masks?"

Martyn pointed to his pocket.

"Okay, let's get out of here, then," Aron said. "We've got everything we need–for now."

Martyn nodded, avoiding his eyes. The two heaved the bag of items onto the back of the convertible. Martyn turned back toward the sports store.

"Where are you going?" Aron asked.

"I need a change of weapons," Martyn showed the cut on his arm. "A spiked bat wasn't as practical as I imagined."

***

Martyn remained silent as they drove past their street. He threw a final glance toward their house. He noticed the curtains were drawn at Robin's house.

"Should we?"

"Out of the question," Aron shook his head. "Besides, she already left."

"How do you know that?" Martyn asked.

"Just a hunch," Aron replied.

Martyn grew silent again.

"That guy–Robert," Aron spoke. "Wasn't he the one who lived opposite?"

"Mm," Martyn nodded. "Surprised you remember."

"He seemed different from the others," Aron muttered.

"He said I wanted to see him dead," Martyn mumbled.

"Was he confusing you for someone else?"

"No," Martyn said. "He knew who I was,"

"I rushed over with what I could find at the moment," Aron said. "Sorry if that startled you."

"It's fine," Martyn shook his head. "I was a bit–shaken up."

"Yeah," Aron nodded. "That was unexpected."

"How–are you able to do it?" Martyn faced Aron.

"What do you mean?"

"You killed him without any hesitation,"

"What makes you think that?"

"Huh?"

"I did hesitate at first, but you were in danger," Aron shrugged. "What other reason do I need?"

"Oh," Martyn thought for a while.

"I'd avoid killing as long as my team is safe." Aron nodded.

"Your team?"

"Yep,"

"Mind elaborating a little?" Martyn narrowed his eyes at him.

"No, I don't think I will," Aron grinned. "Ha! Should have taken that shield from your place!"

"That old thing?" Martyn chuckled.

"C'mon, you gotta admit that was an epic DIY!"

"Yeah, more like a DI-why!"

"Make fun of it all you want," Aron shrugged. "I still think it's neat."

"Ahem," Martyn cleared his throat. "Back to the topic, Cap. How do you explain Robert's behavior?"

"You're asking me?"

"Yeah," Martyn said.

"I'm not sure," Aron said. "Did he tell you anything? Like how or why he 'turned'?"

"No," Martyn shook his head. "This might not be related, but he said that I wanted him dead, just like she did."

"'She'?" Aron frowned. "Who is this she?"

"I'm guessing his wife," Martyn said. "Ex-wife. Name's Karen. They divorced not long ago, and she took the kids. He was pretty much devastated–kept to himself all the time. I hadn't seen him in weeks!"

"That doesn't answer anything about turning," Aron said. "But it might explain why he was different."

"How?" Martyn asked.

"His mental breakdown. It could have triggered some kind of a mutation. You did see his eyes, right?"

"Yeah, they were red–like on fire!" Martyn said. "And another thing–I didn't see any bite marks on him."

"Really?" Aron looked at Martyn. "That's weird. The woman we encountered yesterday had hers on the leg–pretty gruesome. Maybe the same case?"

"Yeah, could-" Martyn stopped abruptly.

Aron caught him staring outside. There was a bus to their right, burned and destroyed. A dozen zombies roamed the scene.

"Was that-?" Aron didn't finish the sentence.

"No freaking way," Martyn sat back, flabbergasted. "How?"

"What's wrong?" Aron asked.

"It's Sam!" Martyn replied.

"He–turned?" Aron asked.

"Yeah, but his arm," Martyn murmured.

"What about it?"

"He has it!" Martyn stared at Aron in horror.

Aron burst out laughing. Martyn frowned at him.

"Sorry," Aron smiled. He turned his eyes back on the road. "That was unexpected."

"I'm serious, dude!" Martyn gritted his teeth.

"You need to chill," Aron shook his head. "You're so on edge–you're seeing things."

Martyn remained silent for a moment.

"You're right," Martyn touched his cross pendant. "May his soul rest in peace."

"Mm-hm," Aron murmured. "Be a DJ and throw some bars on the stereo. It's gonna be a long journey."

"Sure thing, chief," Martyn connected the aux to his phone.

The car cruised along the highway and continued down the path to Texas. They stopped at the gas stations along the way to make sure they were at least half tank full. The duo only dealt with the Zeroheads they encountered at the stops.

"Dude, getting hungry now," Martyn pointed out. "And I don't wanna eat chips from gas stations anymore."

"Same, bro," Aron peered at the GPS. "Look at that; we just passed the border."

"We're in Texas?" Martyn asked in wonder. "Already?"

"Yep."

Martyn took out his cell phone to check for service, but there was none.

"It's a wonder this thing works," Martyn studied the GPS. "You know, even with the cell service going down."

"Give it time," Aron sighed.

"There you go," Martyn rolled his eyes. "All doom-and-gloom."

"Just being realistic," Aron grinned. "I do hope the Internet still works."

"Why?" Martyn asked sarcastically. "To post travel stories?"

"Nah," Aron narrowed his eyes. "I've got some OurTube to watch besides anime."

"You only watch 'let's plays,'" Martyn smirked. "I don't see how that helps with surviving an apocalypse."

"No one said it would," Aron said indignantly. "Maybe sometimes I'd just like to watch a loud Irish man yell into a microphone cos that's solid entertainment!"

"Geez, dude," Martyn raised his arms in defense. "I was only tryna make conversation."

"Yeah," Aron said. "Well, props to you for learning culinary stuff online. It may haven't always been good, but–edible. Kudos!"

"I'm not gonna make you something ever again," Martyn shook his head.

"Really?" Aron laughed. "This chef can't take criticism?"

"That wasn't criticism,"

They drove past the sign that read, 'Welcome to Texas.' They reached Burkburnett.

"Did this thing break?" Aron tapped the iPad furiously. "I was so sure this thing had the entire country on Maps."

"Get off that!" Martyn yelled. "Eyes on the road! You are gonna get us both killed!"

"You said you were hungry," Aron rolled his eyes. "I am looking for a place to make a stop."

"Yeah, just let me-" Martyn stopped abruptly. "Hey, watch out!"