Episode 11-Sloth (3)

It was the following day. The scarlet sun rose into the ashy sky and illuminated my classroom in ominous red light. There's nothing better than starting the morning in a post-apocalyptic world, and seeing the world choke on smoke and embers. Stellar, really.

"Uueeghhh."

I groaned like a zombie. I felt like one because my muscles were tangled and sore. I looked to my side and saw Aliana sleeping. She was drooling onto her makeshift pillow, and her eyes were crusted over from tears and mucus.

I yawned loudly, stretched, and winced from the pain. My sore body protested from the movement by sending pain signals.

(I miss my bed.)

I miss everything. My house, my everyday life, the friendships I had. It was all... gone. The life I wanted to build and the path I wanted to take was burnt into ashes. Nothing would be normal again. I felt robbed, and I was only allowed to feel despair.

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"Aliana, wake up. It's time to get breakfast."

I looked around for my parents, but both of them were gone. Mom must've been taking care of others while dad would fulfill his assigned guard duty. The only person I had right now was Aliana. I shook my friend awake by grabbing her shoulder. Soon after, she opened her eyes with disgruntled groaning.

"I'm up, I'm up, god."

"Come on, let's go eat."

My best friend gave an irritated groan as her response. Ah, yes, the love and affection every friend desires. We got up and headed towards the exit. I clasped the handle of the door, pulled it open and-

"Top of the morning to ya!"

-was promptly greeted by Ethan Takahashi.

"What in the hell?"

Aliana voiced my thoughts again. The boy before my eyes carried a different atmosphere from last time - instead of the moody, reserved teenager with feral energy, Ethan looked sociable. His dark eyes held no malice; no, they carried sincerity instead.

(That's even stranger.)

No one looked this cheery in the post-apocalypse.

"Guess what?"

"Yes?"

"I got your breakfast for you!"

Ethan passed the wrapped biscuits and the bottles of water to me.

"I offered to deliver your breakfast since your parents were busy."

"How long were you out there?" Aliana asked.

"Just for ten minutes."

(Just for ten minutes? Who waits that long?)

"Anyways, I'd like to apologize for how I treated your mother. My reaction was uncalled for."

Ethan Takahashi placed his arms to his sides and bowed.

"Okay, stop. Thank you for apologizing," I said, "I guess we can eat here."

"Oh no, you can't do that."

"Eh? Why not?"

"We have to meet with Marcus."

"Marcus? Marcus Santiago?" Aliana asked. "Son of a gangster? Like, over six foot tall Marcus? The person who looks like he eats wolves alive? THAT Marcus?"

"Yes."

"Nah, I'm good. Plus, why are you inviting us? We aren't friends or something."

"Ah, if I had a soul, your words would hurt me. I feel like we got on the wrong foot yesterday. Plus, we are in a post-apocalyptic world, so connections are important for survival."

"So, you want to be friends with Marcus just to use him?"

"Now, now, Miss Carter, I never said that. I genuinely want to meet the young man and become acquaintances."

"But what does that have to do with us?"

"The more, the merrier!"

"Uh," Aliana began to say, "I don't thi-"

"Maybe we should!" I interrupted.

"What? Why?"

"It... just seems like a good idea."

(If I want to discover more about this kid, I need to keep an eye on him. This is the perfect chance.)

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Ethan smiled widely. It looked... manic. My heart was beginning to beat harder, and I could feel the blood traveling through my neck.

"Let's go then."

So, we followed Ethan for a few minutes until we entered another classroom. I searched to see if Marcus was here, but there was no one.

"Is he coming?"

"Nope. This is the last bit of our journey."

Ethan said this as he popped open a window. When he did, hot, dry air blew into the room.

"We're going outside? Why?"

"Just follow me. After I get on top, grab onto the rope. Go one at a time. Don't worry; it'll become cooler when we get there."

"What, specify. What are you talking about?"

"I'm being vague on purpose. Also, if someone comes, hide what we're about to do."

Ethan stepped onto the ledge of the window, reached out to his right, and-

"You're going to fall!"

-grabbed a sturdy rope. Ethan looked back at us and said, "I'll see you guys there."

Ethan completely jumped away from the window and climbed the rope. I dove towards it and looked out. When I turned my head upwards, I saw Ethan ascending the wall of Garfield High school until he reached the roof. He grabbed the ledge and boosted himself up. Ethan vanished for a second, but he popped his head back out and mouthed, "Come on."

I was at a loss for words.

"Let me see."

I moved and Aliana peeked. I saw her mouth gaping in shock.

"Whatever, screw it."

Aliana practically jumped, and grabbed the rope like a monkey.

"Hey, wait! Weren't you against this?!"

I tried reaching out to her, but she was several feet away already. I felt a sense of dread the further she went. As she neared the top, Ethan grabbed onto her forearm and helped her up. It was my turn.

(I feel sick.)

The feelings of apprehension and dread churned my stomach until nausea settled. The dry air and ash didn't help. I looked behind, but no one was there.

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(It's okay. It's okay.)

I tried to reassure myself, but I saw my hands shaking as I reached for the rope.

"Alicia," someone whispered.

In fear, I looked up. It was Ethan.

"Just grab onto the rope. We'll hoist you."

"A-alright."

I grabbed the rope, pulled it towards me, stepped away from the ledge, and I swung wildly.

"Heek!"

I squealed from fear.

(Dang it, this is embarrassing.)

I wrapped my limbs around the cord and said, "I'm ready."

Soon, I began to rise. As I did, I observed my environment. I haven't been outside in over a month: this was the first time I saw the world without a window barrier. In the distance, I saw hordes of growling flare zombies shambling down the street and biting the air. Their manic, erratic movement caused anxiety to blossom in my heart.

(They can't see me, they can't see me, they can't see me.)

It felt like an eternity, but I was finally near the ledge of the roof.

"Take my hand."

I looked and saw Ethan's face. I didn't have any saliva in my mouth, so my throat ached as I gulped. He was intensely staring as if scrutinizing me. Ethan had the eyes of someone who wanted to pierce my soul and see within; being around this boy made me nervous. I couldn't handle his glare, so I turned away.

"What are you, a cat? Or do you want to admire the flare zombies? Take my hand."

When I turned back to look, I saw his expression had softened. I reached out, and his gloved hand gently grasped mine.

"There you go," Ethan said as I stepped onto the roof. "You made it just in time. The patrols are passing by."

I looked down and saw a jeep driving down the road adjacent to the school.

"Get away from the ledge."

I heeded his orders and crept away. I turned around, only to see Ethan as he walked ahead. Aliana shrugged and followed. We traversed the school's roof until we stopped at one corner. This area allowed us to oversee the synthetic football field below. There was one person staring at this visage: Marcus Santiago, who was sitting down and chewing on meat jerky.

"Hm, you made it."

Is nonchalant response was his only form of greeting. Ethan smiled and took it in stride.

"So, this is your famous hideout. Other men have man-caves, but you have the man-corner. The Marcus corner. Marcus's private place."

"Don't say it like that."

Ethan's laugh resembled a wheezing kettle. As he cackled, he formed a genuine smile. It wasn't forced, and it wasn't conniving - it was an average teenager's expression of joy.

"Okay, let's chill now."

We sat down on the roof, and I expected my skin to burn when it touched, but it was surprisingly unheated. It didn't make any sense. The roof should've absorbed the sun's heat in this type of weather.

"You're probably wondering why it's not hot," Marcus said. "We discovered it after the third scenario. The range of the cooling effect around our stations are erratic, but it's a scenario modulation where they keep the temperature down."

"Yeah, I've heard about that."

(What can't the scenarios do? Also, I didn't think he'd know that.)

I was ashamed to admit it, but I thought Marcus was dense because of his first impression.

"Well, let's eat," I said.

"Wait, before you do, take this. Here."

Marcus passed a saran-wrapped food item to me - it was beef jerky.

"Are you sure I should take this? Isn't this food only meant for scouts?"

"Eh. Who cares. There's plenty anyway," Marcus said while shrugging.

"Thank you."

(I thought we were supposed to ration our food.)

It was a meager meal, but the bread, meat, and water were divine. The bread was somewhat hard on the outside, but its inwards were white, soft, and slightly sweet. The meat contrasted this by being salty, and... meaty, I guess? The water was also refreshing, even though it was lukewarm - it was like a shower of rain, hydrating the world below. It eradicated my thirst. As I ate, though, I noticed Marcus stealing glances at me. I was slightly uncomfortable, but Ethan broke the tension by speaking.

"Hey, do you want some of my food?"

Ethan ripped apart his bread and offered it.

"But shouldn't you have it?" Aliana asked.

"I apologize if I'm being rude. I have a hard time eating."

"Is it anorexia?"

"Aliana, why do you ask blunt questions?"

"Bruh, like, let's just get to the point," Aliana countered.

"I don't mind her straightforwardness. I find it refreshing, especially when connivers surround you. Anyways, I have trouble keeping food down. It's a disposition of mine. I don't have anorexia."

Ethan gave us his bread but kept his meat jerky as he said that. As we ate, I observed him. He opened his mouth, and I saw a set of sharp canines. As Ethan's teeth tore into his ration, he emitted the feral energy again.

(He reminds me of something.)

The way the light hit his eyes, the way his dingy teeth tore into the jerky - Ethan possessed a savage aura. It made me think of...

(Flare zombies.)

Maybe it was the trick of the light, but his eyes appeared somewhat yellow.

(I'm just imagining things.)

After we ate in peace, we had nothing left to do. I noticed Marcus was uncomfortable and jittery as if he wanted to escape this situation. Aliana appeared very awkward, and Ethan looked emotionally dead as he stared at us.

"Uh, what should we talk about?" Marcus asked.

"Has anyone heard of "Layers of White?" It's a Japanese story."

After Ethan said that, his wheezing laughter returned.

"Wha? What's that?"

"Oh, it's just a manga. You probably never heard of it."

"Oh, I have."

I looked at Aliana and saw her stern expression; her arms were crossed over her chest too. She was in her serious mode right now. Ethan looked as if he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Uh, how did you know?" Ethan asked sheepishly.

"Juniper Actias based her VTuber model from a character in "Layers of White." I learned it from her wiki. I know a lot about YouTubers and streamers."

"What is Layers of White?" Marcus wondered.

"It's nothing," Aliana said.

"Okay, well, I was joking. I didn't think anyone would know," he amended. "Seriously, what should we talk about? Like, any ideas?"

After that, Marcus, Aliana, Ethan, and I pitched topics.

"Uh, cars?"

"Games?"

"Crack cocaine?"

"Art? Wait, what? Ethan, why do you want to talk about drugs?"

"Talking about drugs is funny. When I was younger, I'd make a lot jokes about it. Don't get me wrong, you shouldn't do it, but it's cool to talk about it. There are loads of social and chemical science that make it interesting. Also, I once made this joke where I mimed sniffing white bead crumbs. Good times."

"Uh, sure," Aliana said. "How about we talk about something else?"

"Like what?"

"The scenarios, I guess?"

When she mentioned that, I was reminded of the present. I tried to forget whenever I could, but the scenarios were always there. As of this moment, I felt like a regular teenager - sneaking onto a school roof, a place where we shouldn't be, snacking on food, and talking about random things. Even if it was a fleeting moment, I still felt it. Feeling was the scarcest thing in this numbing world.

Now, I was taken away from this illusion. I remembered the frightening crimson sun, which resembled a bloodshot pupil. I looked up and saw the hazy atmosphere above. Everything was dyed in a ruddy glow. When I focused, I could hear the moans of the undead and how they cried. I can't believe I became used to it. What did that make me?

"You know, this kinda feels akin to High School of the Dead. Never watched that anime, but it feels similar."

"Yeah. You know, I was wondering, Marcus, how the heck did you discover this?"

"Uh, well, my group explored the high school. We found a stairwell leading to the school roof, and I found this hiding place. I wanted to come back but didn't want anyone to know, so I snuck a rope up here. It was hard, but I made a contraption that lowers the rope near the classroom."

"Cool. Why were we invited here?"

"It was Ethan's idea."

Everyone looked at him.

"Well, you see, I just wanted us to know each other and talk about random things. Honestly, I thought it'd take more convincing, but you came pretty easily. Anyways, let's go back to the topic we chose."

"Okay then. Aliana, why'd you wanna talk about the scenarios? Why talk about something which screwed up our lives even more?" Marcus inquired.

"Uh, to complain, I guess? I dunno. I'm just feeling emo."

"Maybe we can talk about ourselves. Such as our attributes. Like, what we were before the Fall, and how that helps us. I'll go first. I kinda have aggression issues, so my attribute increases my strength whenever I get pissed," Ethan admitted. "How about you, Marcus?"

"Ugh, mine is the worst. One of them is just "gangster." It's common too."

"Rip. Aliana?"

"Mine also sucks. It's literally the most worthless attribute you can ever have: it's called [Fps Gamer.] I think it means "first-person-shooter" or "frames-per-second." Either way, I can't use it. Like, what can I do with it? No-scope monsters?"

"Aliana used to be a heavy gamer before the Apocalypse," I explained. "Like she said, she was part of the gaming community."

"Alicia, how do you say that in the most boomer way possible?"

As Aliana said that, I noticed Ethan scrutinizing her. His serious demeanor returned, and he used his nerve-wracking, soul-piercing stare. I needed to divert his attention.

"Okay, my turn. My attribute is called [Artist.]"

Everyone turned to me.

"What does that do?" Marcus asked with genuine interest.

"Oh, I just draw well. Nothing much."

"Art is more profound than that," Ethan stated. "In ancient history, we've used art to represent a myriad of things: fables, symbolic events, prominent figures."

As if his gaze couldn't become sharper, Ethan's glowering increased.

"Art was also used in spellcraft. Quite interesting, correct?"

"Y-yeah," I said.

"Aside from that, how about talking about our lives before the Fall? I was your typical loser - I didn't do enough schoolwork, decided to read all the time, and slept too much."

"Ethan is my spirit animal confirmed - minus the reading, replace it with gaming instead," Aliana joked. "Okay, what else? I want lore."

Ethan stared at the ground with an aura of melancholy.

"I should be honest since I mentioned it yesterday. After the first scenario, I lost my mother."

Ethan pursed his lips after saying it.

"Heh. I wished I'd lost my parent," Marcus added.

"Marcus?! Don't be a jerk!"

(How insensitive can he be? Ethan lost his mother.)

Or did he? There's a chance Ethan's lying.

"I-I'm sorry. It was wrong to say that. I shouldn't have made it about me."

"It's okay. I can understand. Imma be honest, but the relationship with my mother was sometimes strained. Still, I regret it. Marcus, mom or dad?"

"Dad, sadly."

"You guys got bad parents?" Aliana said. "I guess we're the lousy parent gang."

"Yeah," Ethan said with a joking smile. He looked at me and said, "Lmao, Alicia, you have caring, loving parents? Pffft, what a loser. Having a healthy childhood? Rip your origin story. You gotta have abusive parents or be an orphan. Then you get to be the main character in an anime."

I actually laughed. For some reason, Ethan trying to lighten the mood was funny, even though he's joking at his own expense.

"So," Marcus said, "what did your mom do to you?"

"I don't know if I should say," Ethan pondered. "Well, when I was younger, she was your typical Asian parent. My mother wanted me to succeed: so she created unrealistic expectations. If I didn't do well, I'd get hit sometimes. I remember, when I was seven or eight, she kept me awake all night to complete one assignment."

"Wow," Aliana said. "That's... evil."

"Maybe," Ethan said with a pause. "But unlike other parents, she changed. When I was a teen, she made an effort. She read books about childhoods and how they affect the kid. When I was in my high school years, she said she'd be proud even if I got a B. She didn't place pressure, and I did well."

"I'm glad it got better," I said. "I'm sorry that... she's gone."

Ethan nodded.

"I think out of every human I knew before the Fall, she deserved happiness," he said solemnly. "My mom had me when she was in her mid-twenties, so she was pretty. That got her unwanted attention, loads of court time, and two restraining orders."

"It must've been tough. Your mother was strong," Marcus added. "Did she have anyone?"

"No. All she had was a bratty kid holding her back. I'm making her sound horrible, but I wasn't an easy child to raise either. It wasn't until I was fourteen did I finally calm down."

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My blood boiled. Someone was pouring their heart out, and the Constellations saw it as nothing but backstory.

"Okay, Father, I'm done confessing my sins. Let's move on. Brother Marcus, how about you?"

Marcus chuckled at the religious joke.

"Well, we didn't have great parents either. Our mom quickly left us after giving birth. We never saw her face. Dad wasn't normal as well. He didn't teach us how to play ball - he taught us how to kick, beat, and punch. Father of the year."

"Us?" Aliana pointed out.

Marcus froze and said, "Let's say my dad isn't great. We should stop talking about him since he's the King."

"Alright," Ethan conceded. "Aliana? How about you?"

"Eh? Me? Hell nah. I'm not part of this therapy session everyone's in."

"That's okay. A proper therapist doesn't force patients to talk about certain subjects if they're uncomfortable. How about your hobbies? Alicia said you were a gamer. What did you play?"

"Well, I loved first-person-shooters and horror games, so Resident Evil and Dying Light were my type."

Aliana continued. I wanted to listen, but my attention was elsewhere. I was focused on Ethan Takahashi and his expression.

(Wait...)

No. Ethan didn't really.

(Did he use his past against us?)

Did Ethan lower his guard so we'd lower ours? By telling his past, we'd feel open to telling OUR stories.

Right now, his face formed a neutral expression as if collecting information. It would flicker to interest, but he was mostly neutral. Aliana - the cautious one - didn't know because she was too engrossed in her memories.

(Is this a trap? Did he do this on purpose? Did we say too much? We fell into his trap. It was a trap all along. How do I stop this?)

If I stopped Aliana, Ethan would know I was suspicious of him. If I didn't, he'd discover more about her. Could Ethan use that information? How would he use it against her? Aliana rambled on for minutes until she was breathless.

"God, sorry, I ranted."

"It's okay. I'm Asian Dr. Phil right now."

(No, you're not. You're freaking Palpatine.)

"Well, I gotta go," Marcus sighed. "Come on. You can't be here without me."

"Is the King strict with you, Marcus?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah. He feels... pressure. He doesn't want to lose me, but he's so suffocating when I'm around him."

"Damn. Well, I guess we'll meet at dinner, right?"

Marcus and Aliana tentatively agreed while I stood silent.

"Oh, also, guys, don't be nervous, but I might bring someone new into the group."

"What? Who?"

"Uh, you'll meet her. She should wake up around seven PM."

"Uuhh, okay? Playboy much?" Aliana joked.

"Nuh-uh, don't lump me with the horny kids. I'm not like them."

"You literally brought up hentai," my friend countered. "Layers of White."

"Okay, let's forget that!"

Ethan was full of energy, as if ready for an adventure.

"Bad parent gang, roll out!"

Ethan did a freaking parkour roll and sprung to his feet when he stood up. He walked ahead, leaving us in the literal dust. Marcus called for him.

"You know you can't leave without us!"

"Fuck!"

So, that concluded the first meeting of our breakfast club.

***

I had a great breakfast - I also learned more about Aliana. I felt bad, though. It felt wrong to glean information from them, but it had to be done. I also felt wrong for telling them about my past.

(Why did I do it?)

I have a secretive nature, yet, I was loose-lipped. Perhaps I felt comfortable because they were kids my age?

(Anyways, I have to wait till evening. She'll be awake by then.)

Very soon, we'll add another member to the lousy parent gang, plus Alicia.

(I should contact George.)

I crept outside of the school and activated my TMNT walkie. I used my Japanese communication skill and readied the commlink.

-!Bzzt!-

"Burning Charcoal to Red Warrior, copy."

-!Bzzt!-

"How were your first days of school, Ethan?"

George spoke Japanese, but my skill translated it.

I smiled.

"It was nice."

My joyful expression melted away, though.

"I don't want to ruin it. But I have to."

"We're almost done with our preparations. We'll cut it close, but the army will be ready in a few days. You give the word."

(So much.)

So much burden on my shoulders. So much power. I didn't deserve it. I finished my report with George and cut communications. I crept back into the school until I saw Alicia, Marcus, and Aliana.

Regret panged within my chest. The depressive weight was back, crushing my soul. Even if they didn't hear it, I wanted to say it. Even if they couldn't understand it, I wanted them to know one day.

"Gomen'nasai."