I hesitate opening my eyes, but the smell of Saturday breakfast gets me up my feet. I stretch my arms and let out a loud yawn. It's 9:12 AM. God, I should've already woken up earlier.
"Thank God you're up. Got some eggs and hotdogs for ya!" Mom says as she kicks the door open with a plate of food in hand.
"Can't you knock?" I quickly pull the sheets off the bed and cover my shirtless self up. "And no, I'm gonna eat in the dining table. Like I always do."
Mom couldn't stop herself from giggling. "Oops! Won't do it again."
Mom, stop being a creep.
I catch myself back in bed, staring at the plain white ceiling. I just woke up, but I already feel all worn out. Maybe I could just gobble up Mom's meal and shut myself in my room. After all, it is Saturday.
A sudden vibration catches my attention. I check my phone. Hmm. A fresh SMS from Mark. Wonder what it's about.
"check the news i cant believe it omfg"
Sure, Mark. After all, I don't get texts like this every day. Sarcasm intended.
I decide not to fall for his lame antics. I'm sure it's just one of his ways to pull me out of the house and get some sunlight. I put on a shirt, close my eyes and start to review.
Mark Evans. 16 years old. Son of the CEO of ItaniumTech, a leading research company dealing with biology and chemistry. He might be a perfect jock for a boyfriend or Prom King 2021, but he's got brains, not to mention a soft heart. Even with his high social status, he still made me his closest friend. Now, if he would just stop throwing me to his gang of drug addicts... not that he's one himself–
"Piece of shit Mom stop slamming the door open for once will you?!" My mouth slips, and so does the phone in my hand.
"It's Mark. Thought the alluring smell was enough to get you up."
I groaned, annoyed and sleepy.
"You could've at least viewed the broadcast on that poor little thing on the floor."
"Just... pick it up and show me the o-so-important news flash."
Mark kneels down and picks up what looks like electronic scrap on the floor. Man, I should get a new one. He squints his eyes and checks for any damage he might have caused. "Dude, no offense, but this phone looks like shit. I could buy you a new one."
Mark always cared and looked over me. He would always keep you in his sight. His positive aura would never run out. And in no way would he ever think twice you once you start flashing a frown on your face. And yes, he would break your phone on purpose and try to hook you up a new one. Of course, I'd reject the offer. My conscience wouldn't allow it.
(Oh, and did I mention he's tried that a million times already? You can say that explains why my phone looks like shit, after all the door slams and jump scares.)
"Here." Mark catches my attention and hands me a small gift-wrapped box with a red silk ribbon on top. Are you kidding me? "Dad said he'll kill you if you don't take it."
I tear up the wraps and find myself holding a itanium box with the label "Stop using SHIT". I couldn't hold back my joy, although I told myself to expect it a million times already. "Is this... for real? Or is this another pregnancy test?" I ask in metaphor.
"I won't spend a lot on an itanium box just for a pregnancy test, Keiran. Just... open your new device and watch the replay broadcast." Mark looks away and blushes. I smile back anyway.
I did as I was told. Apparently, the setup process was fast. With a few quick swipes and presses, I was able to browse the web and stream the replay.
"ItaniumTech has determined the virus behind the country-wide epidemic in China that has already taken millions of lives."
Whoa. I didn't know about this. It started of lightly just about 7 weeks ago, and now it's a country-wide epidemic? Just as I was starting to assess the interval of the virus' spread, Mark went a couple of minutes ahead on the stream.
"The virus is able to reanimate certain dead biological organisms, including most mammals–" Mark suddenly paused the video and looked at me with serious eyes.
"ItaniumTech is hiding something from us. Dad isn't letting me read his files anymore. He even deleted my user account on their framework!"
"I..." I paused and evaluated. "The news flash says that the virus is able to reanimate dead animals. Sure, that's an incredible phenomenon, but is there something to worry about?"
"Judging from Dad's actions, I'm assuming nothing's incredible about this. The reanimated might be showing signs of extreme aggression, for example."
I raise an eyebrow. "Which gives me a better reason to not want anything to do with it."
He holds both my wrists tightly. "Are you even listening to yourself? Soon, you might have no choice!"
What is happening to him? One second, he barges in your comfort zone all happy-go-lucky. Then this? Whatever. As an indirect thanks to his awesome gift, I decide to go with him anyway.
"Fine. I'll let this go on. Just.. stop holding me like that, will you? It hurts."
"Sorry," Mark lets go of my wrists and takes a deep breath. "...okay. The article says that the virus brings back animals from the dead. More specifically, certain dead biological organisms. Now, isn't a certain biological organism in front of me right now?"
