The Infection: Zombies Awakening (Book 1) - EDITING

Chapter 14 - Prey befriends the Predator (Part 2)

"Kill me." The he says, unhesitant of his words.

Immediately I come to a freeze. "W-What-"

"Isn't that what you want?"

At that moment, I could feel a strange worry overwhelm me. Why was he asking this? It was weird enough that I helped him, yet...

"Isn't that what you're planning?"

"No..." I struggle to explain, "I-It's not like that..."

"If you conquer, then you kill me. Isn't that how it works for you-"

"STOP!" I screamed, and he does so.

"W-Why?" I croaked feeling afflicted. "Why would you think, I-I'd..."

My voice trails off, unable to finish. I bend forward, wiping off tears I now had rolling down on my cheeks. He was oversimplifying things, judging against my race, humans. But even at this point, he already knew what I was asking. The tables have rapidly turned. Why, why did he think I'd kill him?

At first, there was no response.

"It's because, you're a human."

My gaze automatically snaps back to him. "Human?"

"Yes," He answers earnestly, yet at the same time, sounding insincere All his words were spoken in a hollow, empty tone. "Because you're a human. Humans will never do anything that doesn't benefit from them as well."

At that moment, my voices lowered. "W-Who told you that?"

"They did," He recalls aloud, pointing out 'They'. "They've used me, for their own evil purposes. Ever since I've been freed, they're the monsters, but they don't want to believe that, do they? They don't want to admit the truth."

Even without mentioning identity, I already knew who 'they' were, and what truth they were hiding, but I didn't want to find out. I wished I hadn't said anything. I could still picture a crazed Professor Grant standing before me, holding a sedative at the ready-ready to put me down. It still gave me shivers.

"Humans are cruel beings. You fear me, you seek to destroy me. You've looked at me, like I'm a monster; some sort of threat, a danger that must be destroyed. Every human is either scared to death, or tries to kill me, from the moment they lay eyes on me. "

"So I might as well be it." He concludes sharply.

"That's not true!" I argue back. "It was those soldiers that-"

"Those soldiers...." He interrupted, thinking aloud. "They caught me not you. You could've escaped. But no-instead you just had to get involved, and even try to fight them."

I gave this some thought. Unable to respond, I could only gaze up into the darkening skies. Instant memories of the last battle returned: Him drawing the entire soldier's attention. Him killing the leader, who was supposedly about to tranquilize me, then killing the last remaining ground guard who nearly captures me.

But then, I remember another statement of one of the soldiers: Our mission doesn't involve number 16, sir. Permission to execute this infected being? The main mission was to capture Rima.

"Actually," I reform, "I-I was involved. I've always had been from the start."

My voice tightens. "Those soldiers...they were after me. Ever since I escaped Professor Grant's hospital-"

A deathly look was his only response, as if having a flashback currently running through his mind. I then recap what I've learned about him: He was zombie number 16. Professor Grant's one and only experiment that actually escaped the laboratory, as Professor Amy had said. He too, must've been pursued by Grant's men long before. Not that they were able to succeed though.

I shivered at that thought. Just imagining him tearing through Professor Grant' residence...not to mention how many soldiers and scientists he must've killed....so many...

Quickly shaking that scene off my mind, that's when I hear him reply, "That doesn't mean you can help you know."

"Oh, so I have to ask you for permission to help?" I recap, though it was useless. He had a point. He was captured, I wasn't. I had the chance to escape. And now another given chance to do so, yet...

Yet I shouldn't?

Immediately that's when I find an excuse. "W-Well, at least in the end, we've both escaped together--safe and sound didn't we? And it's all that matters!"

I cringe at the last words. Okay, maybe not fully all that mattered... But fortunately, he doesn't seem to focus on that. Instead, another word hits his attention. "Together?"

"Yep." I smile. "So it's equal right?"

"Equal..." He huffs, "But...but why...."

I then felt a scary aura flow from him.

"You're still a human." He states, his eyes staring deep into mines, glowing as red as hell. "I'm humanity's biggest fear. I'm your enemy: Your predator."

At first, I felt a shiver run down my spine. No way.

"I'm not scared of you. And I don't think of you as an enemy, either," I told him. "To be honest, I-I did before, but now I don't. You help me- and so I helped you back. Simple."

"Well, you've wasted your time," He simply replies, bluntly. "You didn't save a life. You saved..."

And with that, his eyes move down to the palm of his hand. "A dead being."

A small lump forms within my throat. Even he knew what he was, and accepted it. But...

"No," I spoke quietly. "D-Don't say that. You're not dead, I know you're not."

"Then what am I?" The zombie asks. That same harshness in his cold, hallow voice returning. "Who am I?!"

I stumble back a few inches or so just by his booming voice. But eventually, I regain my confidence. No way was I going to fall back again. This time, I stare straight into his eyes, declaring "You're not dead. You may not be alive either, b-but,"

I hesitated. "But you just ...you just look, so lonely."

After that, there came a long silence. What I said was completely hurtful, yet it had to be revealed; even if it meant me being zombie-munch soon enough.

Though fortunately, only a deep exhale was all I heard from him.

"Lonely..." He murmurs to himself, "That's what I will and always be-nothing but lonely."

"No," I shook, "I-it doesn't have to be that way. Really, it doesn't."

I then find myself gazing into the distance saying in all honesty, "I-If we didn't had such a rough start from the first place, then maybe-just maybe we could be friends."

"Friends...?" He repeats, slowly. The boy continues to stare at the distance, having a deep red tone in his eyes; as if he was thinking hard.

"What is...a friend?"

"Friends are people who you can be with. Friends talk to each other; understand each other. And better yet," I turn to smile at him. "They're always there for you, and have your back."

Immediately I spot a hint of interest in his eyes; something that showed that he wanted, needed a friend. But suddenly, it fades, the moment his head lowers. As he now gazes down to his leg wounds, disappointment crept into both his expression and his voice.

"Friends..." He mutters to himself. "They don't exist."

"H-Huh?" I gawked, "What do you mean-"

"There are none." He repeats emotionlessly. "And even if I want one, I'd never be able to. I'm the dead, the diseased, the enemy. Nobody needs me. Nobody wants me."

His red eyes intensify, as he states, "I'm alone, and I've always been this way. I have nothing. All that is left is; my freedom."

At that moment, I begin to feel tears form in my eyes, finding myself unable to look back at him. Now I get it...

All this time, this infected being--no this boy really was alone. Ever since the day he escaped, he was alone. Travelling in these lone lands for how long, with no interaction between humans or even others like him; being attacked by humans here and there for who knows how long.

And all this time, he was thinking that nobody needed him, nobody wanted him as a friend. That was just so...so...Sad.

"No'" I found myself saying aloud. "No way..."

Somehow, these words were uncontrollably spilling out from me; my heart. "You're not alone. I know you're not."

He raises an eyebrow. "And how would you know-"

"B-because..." I interrupted. Unable to hold it in, I've finally announce, "BECAUSE, I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND!"

That's when it was his turn to pause. Complete and utter shock is in his expression, as he looks at me, speechless. We sat there, two kids beside a truck, suddenly looking, really looking at each other. And that's when in happens again; his face changes. Not extremely, but suddenly I had the feeling I was looking at two faces. The one I knew, the one that was my first memory, a second face lurking just beneath the surface. His eyes looked sad again, empty of life.

Immediately I dropped my eyes. I found it hard to gaze into his eyes, unable to bear his vague sadness.

I had to catch my breath as well. I knew I've kind of gone over the top. I knew that just by doing that, could result in death. I knew that this was one of the most insane things I've ever done in my entire life.

But, I had to say it; I had to let him know, that he wasn't dead, or alone.

"Why," He asked, coldly. "Why do you want to be my friend? Is it only because I look all 'sad' and 'lonely to you?!"

"No," I say, "It's because-t-to be honest..."

And just like that, he had thrown me into his own interrogation. if I was going to ask him questions, he'd ask me back.

Now I wished in hadn't started the conversation. But, no way was I turning back at a time like this. I then look up at him, forcing a smile. "I want to be your friend. I want to understand you, talk to you and learn many things from you. That's why I didn't abandon you before."

"Even enemies, can become friends." I added, "If we just take the time to know each other then it'll work out! I promise!"

But, there was still a hint of disbelief, discouragement in his face.

So that's when an idea pops up in my mind. "I'll introduce myself then. I came from a small town called Galleo. My name's Rima, Rima Orlume."

He only gives a blank expression to this. "Your name?"

"Uh huh!" I nod, although now it was my turn to be curious. "What's your name?"

He froze for a moment." I dunno."

"Don't you have a name?"

"I dunno."

I take a moment to think, before asking, "D-do you remember your name?"

This time, he takes even longer to analyze, before replying with a different word. "No."

"Oh..." My voice trails off. This conversation was leading to nowhere.

"What is...a name?" He asks.

"A name," I try to define, "Umm, I-it's supposed to be something important-"

The zombie then flashes at me angrily which makes me stop. A shiver goes running down my spine, as well.

"Important?!" He growls, only noting that word which made him furious. "Why is it so important to have a name anyways?"

I gave that some thought. How to explain.....

Just then I recalled this all too familiar scenario, where I too, had asked this;

It was back when I was 5. I had to do an assignment on explaining how my name was important. Okay, I sort of sucked at it as well apparently. I even wonder myself, why a name was so important! Yet, just when I turned to dad for help, he'd turn to look at me passionately, and say;

"Because, a name is something that we truly own; they don't get old and die, they can't be taken from us. They're wholly ours, since each and every different name, holds something important in them." A second later I realize then, what I've just thought was said aloud.

Although this doesn't leave any negative impact, however, leaves him deep in thought. The sun continue to blaze above our heads, as we stand there in the wide open abandoned fields of dryness. So I also added, "Anyone can have a name."

"Anyone...?"

"Yes," I say softly, "Even you, if you want."

This part, he took some time thinking. But unexpectedly in the end, I then hear him mutter. "I want one; A name."

I then raise my gaze up to him. Realizing that he was staring straight back towards me, I then quickly shift my eyes to another direction. What should I say? What name should he even have...? Not many ideas came to mind for me, nor did I have any clues on how to even respond. But maybe...

"M-Maybe I can give you a name?" I suddenly suggest aloud. But before I can think, I could see his mood enlightens as he gives this a second thought. "Really?"

"What should it be?"

Now I was in trouble. God, how could I forget the 'think-before-you-speak' reminder at a time like this?!

"I-I don't know yet..." I admit, feeling myself in a sad defeat.

"But," I quickly bring an upside (no matter how small it was). "I promise, I'll help you find one."

Though instead, he seems to focus on another word I've said just now. "Promise...?" He asks. "What is...a promise?"

Snap. Almost forgot that he was a zombie there. I explain anyways. "A promise is like a deal; a declaration that something will be done, despite whatever may come! All you have to do is seal it-with a promise."

"So it's always best to keep a promise no matter what!"

"And besides," I added, giving him a confident look. "Like I promised before; I'll help you find a name, because it seems really important to you, isn't it?"

"Even though I don't know where to begin with, one thing's for sure; hopefully, it should be a name for you to remember."

Suddenly, that's when his expression lights up. "Remember....." He repeats.

That's when a smile then crosses his face. "Remember...That name sounds fine."

"E-eh?"

"I like that name." The zombie (Remember) declares; now saying it with a more determined voice. "Remember."

I couldn't help but giggle a bit. Smiling back, I agree, "Yes, Remember sounds perfect!" In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of enjoyment at least: As if all my fear was swept away. Finally, 100% comfortable after a long treacherous day, I was already enjoying talking to him. And I had to admit, Remember wasn't such a bad name. (Besides, I'm sure he'll 'remember' it).

"So from this point on, my name's Remember." He beams proudly.

I then froze. The way he said it: It didn't really sound awkward or scary or anything like that. It sounded so...... so human.

I could only smile back replying energetically, "Your welcome! What're friends for?"

All at once the ghoul froze, another struck expression of question entering his mood. "Friends?"

A sudden flash of extreme intensity reflects upon Remembers darkened eyes. "I'm...your friend now?"

"Yep! " I reply however, then coming to a freeze. Wait a minute....

"I-If it's okay with y-you." I quickly added, my voice softening. Crap, just ran straight into answering without a single thought again....

More worries began to ponder within my mind; Even if I'm accepting him as my friend; was he going to accept me back? Just remembering how things went before. I simply helped him jumping without thought or question, almost ended up losing his trust-And even my own. But I was lucky.

"I-I just thought that it'd be great if we could be friends." I admitted.

My gaze then returns back to the floor. "But you probably won't accept it after what happened, huh."

Remember shrugs a bit with this, which made me feel even tenser. I shouldn't have rushed into things. On the other hand, he himself didn't really decide whether he wanted to be my friend either. What would he say now?

I bit my lips, waiting for his honest and final reply.

He was still looking at me, when a sudden spark flashes within his eyes.

"If.....if you still want to," He hesitates, "I-if it's still okay...."

But unfortunately, that's when his whole body then slumps, as if unable to find the words to say. Turning to hide his embarrassment, he then asks, "H-How do I become a friend?"

There was a long pause. I couldn't help but look back into his lost expression, feeling his need, the skills in becoming....a friend.

"It's easy."

A look of confusion is still in his eyes, the moment he wheels back to me.

"Becoming a friend is real easy!" I exclaim, smiling. "You simply just say my name. In the beginning, that's all you have to do. You don't call me 'human' or 'girl' or anything like that. You just look into someone's eyes, and call them by their first name, Remember."

He gawked at me for a while now. Though eventually, he then came to realization of what to do, and slowly came to smile back as well. "R...Rima...."

"That's it!" I cheer.

"Rima." He says again, though firmly this time. His eyes gaze into mine's with a new shine I had never seen before. At that moment, nothing but pure compassion filled me within.

I was so proud of him. My eyes soon began to grow blurry at the same time. And in a flash he appears right before me. A smile then crossed his face, as if he was trying to say 'thank you' though most likely didn't even know of the words existence. So instead, he stretches a hand towards me.

At that moment, I can feel a great feel of happiness the moment he gives in to being friends. And with that, took his pale cold hand, into both my own. This time he doesn't react, but instead gleams sadly. "Rima, your hands, they're so...warm."

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