Candy Pop Corpse

17. Coffee Cake Crumble

Sugar cookies taunted me. Their sweet smell brought my attention to a bakery tucked away in the corner of the food court. I sniffed again, then grabbed Charles' shoulders. I wasn't hallucinating; there was an actual bakery. The mere realization made me jump as if I got sugar high from the treats' smell alone. "You were right," I started after a gulp, "this mall does have fresh food!"

He shook his head while sliding my hands off. "Nope. We only came here to search for your brother, right?"

"But no one knows anything! I deserve a reward for treating the um... corpses... with respect, honestly." I had a feeling I'd never get used to saying that word on a daily basis. But at least I was trying. I crossed my arms, tilting my head. Pleading while giving my best puppy stare always worked on Jack.

He cringed back. For a moment, he scratched his neck and looked away. Charles' furrowed his brows when he met my gaze again. "Dammit," he groaned after pushing a stray strand of hair back, "what do you want?"

Instead of answering, I raced to the shop. Finally, I could have fresh-out-the-oven sweets after so long of eating terribly baked snacks! Dib's cake was too chewy and the dummy's cinnamon buns were okay, at best. I noted to pay back Charles for this one day.

I circled around the gross customers while gazing over what smelled good. Cinnamon buns, tiramisu, eclairs, and so much more. After chuckling, I dug in my bag, hoping my wallet managed to stay in place. Alas, my fingers only felt crumpled candy wrappings and loose pennies. Damn! I huffed before turning back. Charles must've had some cash. At the sight of his striped shirt, I dashed to him. "Charles?" I started, tapping his back. "We have a problem."

"What is it?"

I looked to my shuffling feet the moment he glanced back. Somehow, shame weighed on my shoulders. "I... don't have any money," I mumbled.

He laughed lightly. "Ah, no problem. We use a different currency, anyways."

What? I didn't think zombies took that much into consideration. "So, I'm guessing it isn't dollars?"

"Nope." He rummaged in his pockets, then pulled out a keychain. After dangling it in my face, he added, "It's keys."

Huh. That was new. I was expecting bottle caps or trading livestock. "Why keys?"

He shrugged his shoulders, then took some silver keys off. "Gives a sense of sentiment or something like that. Honestly, I can't say for sure since it was like this before I kicked the bucket." Charles smiled at them for a moment. He then repeated, "Anyways, what do you want?"

That bittersweet look in his eyes bothered me. How could a cannibal look so humane? At a bunch of stupid keys, nonetheless. What was worse, none of the zombies I asked had any clue where Jack was. I knew this was a dumb idea. While glaring at the tiled floor, I mumbled, "Sugar cookies."

That had to be the best remedy for my souring mood. Maybe it would fill my appetite, too. I nibbled on my thumb nail. This day wasn't going well. Maybe I had to get closer to the border to hear something new. But what about that rumor about the savages, or the zombies... if they got to him first then...!

"Hey," Charles said, tapping my shoulder, "you're scaring the customers away."

My brows furrowed together, I swirled my head to face him. "Sorry. I'm just worried. What if something happened to him?"

"I don't understand why you care." His back arched as he scowled. "Didn't you say he ditched you?"

I flinched at his harsh tone. A frown perched on my lips as I eyed his keys. "He... did, but maybe he's looking for me."

Charles scratched his neck with a groan. "Well... good luck, I guess. Wait here; I'll get your snacks."

I gave a curt nod before leaning against the shelves behind me and closing my eyes. People's conversations melted into white noise while the toxic, sweet scent of doughnuts seeped into my nose. Disgust festered in my gut when I sniffed and remembered the dream. Jack's disgusted leer still etched itself into my head. Did Jack hate doughnuts as much as he hated me?

**

"Mm, I needed this," I muttered between munching on some sugar cookies. "What're the chances of a bakery being run by zom―"

"Shh!" Charles clamped his hand over my mouth as a battered woman glared at us. "Wasty told you not to use that word. It isn't what we are," he warned.

I looked from him to the others around us. Crowds glanced at me, appearing worried. Parents ushered their children past us while elderly grumbled under their breaths. I knew if I'd let the word slip out completely, they would've changed their attitude towards me in a heartbeat. Sure I would watch my tongue, I looked to Charles, eyes pleading.

After glowering at me for a moment, he caved. The zo―I mean, dead man walking, finally freed my mouth from his clutches. He stepped back, then scrutinized his hand. "Hey, at least you don't bite."

"Don't push it," I hissed while walking ahead. Nothing went as planned today. "I'm in a biting mood."

"Wait, Lulu," he yelled. "Hold on!"

I heard him jogging behind me, but I didn't look back. What Jack said crept in my head, about how... disgusting I was. But what did that dream mean? Why did the doughnut turn into a heart? I didn't understand. Something was missing here.

Just as we left the grocery store's parking lot, I noticed how tranquil our surroundings were. Not a single peep from the people scurrying in their houses nor the pedestrians strolling down the sidewalks. Despite the street lights casting eerie shadows on their faces, they acted like regular people.

One man hauled a dirty trashbag up his steps. I eyed it, curious, until the man stopped pulling. He nodded at me, a grim frown tugging his features.

I waved in return, then faced Charles. He was humming a song I'd never heard before, although it sounded familiar. His voice was low as he stared upwards. Despite his gruesome looks, I couldn't help getting used to having him around. Digging for more cookies, I asked, "Hey, can you tell me more about the keys?"

He scratched his scalp with his skinless hand, then smiled. "It's a little strange, but I'll explain when we get home. For now, how about we tour the city? There are tons of bakeries and the like for you to explore. Maybe we'll find out―"

I shook my head and tugged on my sweater's hem. "I think I've seen enough for today. Can we just go back to the hotel?"

My jaw clenched at the thought of having a good time in Jack's beloved city while he was probably alone, captured or hurt. I didn't have any idea where he was, and that fucking sucked. Staying here would only make me feel worse.

Despite the sugar cookies' sweetness coating my tongue, I still felt bitter.