Chapter 10: Week Four: Thursday

I awoke inside my room. Such a familiar room. But there was no time to reminisce, the monster was behind me. I ran out of the room and into the hallway that seemed to stretch on forever, no matter how much distance I covered. Finally they could be seen, my family! My mother, brother, and sister were walking down the stairs at a slow pace.

"Wait for me!"

I shouted my lungs out, but it was useless. They ignored me. Again. 

By the time I reached the top of the stairs, they had turned the corner and went down another set of mini stairs. Needed to hurry, the monster was coming closer.

'Don't turn around!'

This thought was repeating in my head, over and over again as if someone was speaking to me inside my mind. Although it couldn't be seen, I could feel it's malicious intent. It wanted me, and not in the fun way. A type of unexplainable fear shot through my body. Another voice boomed through my mind.

'Don't get caught!'

Running down the stairs, I saw them.

They were already walking out the door.

"Wait! Don't leave me!"

Ignoring me. Again. They would rather leave me to the monster. Wouldn't even acknowledge my existence. It was closer now. Ever so closer. Had to hurry...

I ran down the mini stairs just as they closed the door behind then. I tried opening it, but they locked it behind them. Banging on the window, I shouted once more.

"Please! Do-Don't go! I'm right here!"

Tears were streaming down my face. But no one cared. Not the monster growing nearer, nor my 'family' in the car. I banged on the door, over and over again.

"Help me! Help me!"

Finally, they turned towards me. A spark of hope rose within me, only to be extinguished when they stayed in the car. Their eyes were unblinking, faces emotionless. Like they can't even give me an expression of happiness or sadness. Like... I'm not good enough for it.

It was here. It's presence was overwhelming. I could hear the monster breathing hard behind me. Was it excited? Then, a hand was placed on my shoulder. As it forced me to turn around to look at it, it spoke for the first and last time.

"Got you again~"

I turned around and saw it. Taller than me by a good few feet, with green skin. When I gazed upon it's face, pure fear shot through my body. A fear... that was felt once before.

My vision went black and staticy, like an old TV. Although it's face couldn't be remembered, the fear I felt was still there. He brought me closer, and whispered something into my ear. I couldn't scream or cry, I just had to accept it. The terror.

I was jolted awake by something touching my shoulder! 

"No! No! Stay away from me!"

"Jason?"

I took a clear look at the one who woke me. It was Zach. He had this concerned look on his face.

"W-What? What is it?"

"Are you okay? You were shaking and groaning. You had this, awful look on your face."

"It's nothing. Just, leave me be."

"B-But, you're crying."

"I SAID FUCK OFF!"

I made no attempt to mask the noise. I just wanted him gone. Just wanted to be alone. He slumped his shoulders, looking like a puppy you yelled at, and walked away. Me? Crying? Bullshit.

I walked into my bathroom and looked into the mirror. Wiping away my manly tears, I put my mind on better things. My beard. It's only been two weeks since I shaved, but damned if it doesn't look good. And it's fluffyness is unmatched. Sometimes I just sit there, and feel the fur on my face for up to an hour. Not like I'm addicted or anything. That's just nonsense.

When I stepped into the living room Zach was already there. He seemed to want to say something but I interrupted him.

"Let's get started on our workout. You're starting to improve."

That wasn't just me dodging the subject. He truly was getting better. Went from only able to do knee push-ups, to finally completing his first real push-up yesterday. Of course his form still needs work, but it's progress. 

When I said that he smiled, and his face lit up. Which prompted a smack on his head.

"What are you smiling for? You still have a long way to go."

Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have said that. He deflated like a damn balloon. Though, it is absolutely hilarious to see him so down.

Our workout took about 2 hours to finish, mostly because of me. I gave each of us two water bottles and two MREs to eat. These can be eaten uncooked, but the other stuff feels like it should be cooked. But how do we do that?

As I mulled on those thoughts, Zach sat next to me on MY couch and started eating with me.

"Don't get any food on my couch. Or you'll know what it feels like to get put in an armbar."

Although I threatened him with a great time, he looked pretty serious. He stared right into my eyes.

"Jason, what happened?"

"Just drop it."

"No! Tell me!"

"I'm warning you. Knock it off."

Even though I growled at him and he was sure as shit scared, he didn't relent. Was it time to teach him a fucking lesson he won't forget?

"Jason. Even though we haven't known each other long, you are my friend and I care for you. What happened this morning clearly shook you bad. I just want to help you."

Friend? I.. never heard anyone call me that. Sure, people in school technically said it but it never felt real. They never gave a shit about me.

"Alright fine. Your nagging is pissing me off."

I paused for a few seconds to gather my thoughts. But he just waited patiently.

"It was a dream I had when I was young. It always plays out the exact same way. I'm running from some monster, and it scares the shit out of me. I run down a hallway after my family, but the hallway keeps going and going. It only stops when they get down the stairs.

I yell at them, try to get their attention. But they ignore me. Always ignore me. Again."

"What was that last part? I didn't hear you."

I stared into my weird tasting meal. It began twisting into the faces of my family. They look at me with those... same fucking eyes! Those impassive eyes! Like I don't matter! I stab into them, killing them! They roar and disappear. Ah... I suddenly feel such bliss.

"They walk out the door, always ignoring me. Shutting it behind them and locking it. While I'm chasing them, the monster gets closer and closer as my fear rises more and more. I bang on the door screaming at them to help me. But they always ignored me. Again.

Usually, it would end with the monster being right behind me and them driving off in their car. Never even looking at me. Kept continuing for a few years. Had those dreams a lot."

He just listened without interrupting, even as I paused and said nothing for a while.

"Until one night, it's different. More real. It was all so real... It played out the same I ran after them, monster behind me blah blah blah. But here's where it changed, little plot twist. They didn't drive off this time, oh no, this time they looked right at me. Finally they looked at me. But when they stared at me, there was no emotion to them. Just... blank.

That's when the monster came. Right behind me as usual. But it was different like I said, more real. He put his hand on my shoulder and turned me around while saying 'Got you~'. I looked at his face and it just went staticy, like an old TV. Dream ended there, and never had them since until tonight."

"Wow. I'm sorry about what happened. You know, you say they're just dreams but they sure sound like nightmares."

"They aren't nightmares. Not when you have them all the time. They just become dreams. But uh... thanks. Sharing that did help."

"No problem. Friends help each other."

"God you are so cringy. Acting like a damn anime character I swear."

We both laughed and finished our meals while making more small talk. It felt... good. Good to have a friend. Good to have someone care.

"Enough with the damn soap opera, let's get started."

"What's the plan?"

"We're gonna go to the roof and see what's there. Afterwards, we'll go to the 4th floor and clear it. We should be able to get done with the building in a week, maybe two."

Glad he didn't ask a dumb question with an obvious answer. Just before he left, I decided to improve our 'armor' by adding a ton of more duct tape. Tried biting through it but didn't really get anywhere. Hope it works.

That creepy stairwell full of darkness greeted us once more. The only thing that changed was that we had a light. Though, that smell was still there.

"God, what is that smell?" Zach whispered right behind me. I didn't answer, but instead shined my light down the stairs over the railing without caring for any consequences. He was right beside me as we looked down into the depths.

"Guess we found the source." At the bottom were numerous half-eaten rotting dead corpses and a few skeletons. I couldn't see any infected so we should be in the clear to make some noise. We got up to the gate that blocks our path to the roof. I wanted Zach to open it but...

"I can't."

"What do you mean can't?"

"It's like I said. This lock is extremely tough to pick, and impossible for me at my current skill level. The only downside to this lock is it's price, it's very expensive."

"Can we break it?"

"Uh, no. Not with what we have now. If you try, your hammer will break. As for breaking the gate, I don't think that'll work either without proper tools."

"Well, not a big loss. Just hope the key is in the building."

Ignoring the gate we made our way down the dark into the 4th floor. When we stepped into the hallway it was surprisingly clean. There was still blood but it was a fair bit less than our floor. As usual we checked the open doors first. Easy going for a while there. Until we opened a door.

Inside was a body slumped against the wall, it's chest moving up and down slightly. Do these things sleep? Whispering into Zach's ear, I told him the plan.

"This is all you. Go in there real sneaky like and stab the bastard in the head. I already see the questions on your face. Don't worry, I'll be right beside you."

I gave him a little smile and sent him on his way. It seems Lady Luck has smiled upon us by making the door work correctly and not creak. Zach went in and moved slowly. Very slowly. So slow that it felt like an hour when he fina-

*CREAK*

Was that... the floor? I looked at the infected and saw him twitch. He looked like he was going to wake up. We stood there in silence. I could have killed him, but Zach needs to get his hands wet. Luckily, he only twitched once and fell back into his dreams of chasing human brains. 

Zach raised his arms up high, ready to deal the final blow. Only he stopped there. His arms were shaky, and he started to breath heavy. Just like last time, I can't interfere. This is his journey to becoming a badass. He hesitated for just a few seconds before launching a downwards strike into the man's head, cleaving it in two. That sword, is so cool.

He took a few steps back and looked like he was gonna puke. But, a gulp could be heard. He swallowed it down and looked at me with a smile followed by a thumbs up. I was tempted to make fun of him, but... that just didn't feel right. So I returned the gesture.

The rest of the rooms didn't have anything evil inside of them. There was a room that had a bird cage inside, but it seemed it's inhabitant found freedom in someone's stomach. 

When we searched the rooms, we found a guitar in one of them! I adore music and always wanted to learn. Never really got around to it. But this is a sign from Mistress Luck to begin my musical journey, because this person's room was chock-full of instruments. As for the stuff in other rooms there really wasn't anything else that stood out as special or unique.

In terms of food, we hit a little mini jackpot. In total is was 5 cans of tuna fish, 4 cans of spam, 2 granola bars, 4 days worth of rice, 2 water bottlers, more alcohol, and candy. Lots of candy! Also found an unopened box of cereal. Was gonna ignore it, but when I checked the expiration date there was a bit of a shock. March, of 2024. I'll have to grab that from now on.

"Ah, I fuckin love candy!"

Zach on the other hand didn't look as happy as me. He saw me looking at him and replied to me.

"Eh. Candies are good and all, but it's not the best."

"Heathen."

"What?"

I ignored the disgusting thing and grabbed the bag full of candy. This blasphemer doesn't deserve to bathe in it's majestic presence. We walked out into the hall, 'that' fat tub of lard still talking to me.

"Wait, I didn't say I hated it or anything. Just not the biggest fan! I like it and all but some are ju-"

I handed him the candy bag and stopped him from speaking. He was bewildered until he looked in front of us. The door which held the unexplored stairwell opened, and out came... people. 

"Who... are you?"