Zone B -- Forest

[Enel]

As the dawn rises, I turn once more to let Hendy catch up. This time, I watch closely as he approaches.

In the light of day, his eyes look sallow. His skin pale. The sleep deprivation. It must be. He must have trained hard to show no outward signs of tiredness. To not trip, to not sway … to not …

I feel my blood run cold.

I look at his chest.

Then back up at his face.

He’s closer to me now, and he slows his walk to a stop, fixing his blank eyes upon me, waiting for me to ask the question.

“Are you dead?”

He smiles, and it’s not the smile I’ve grown accustomed to. “Depends on your definition, really.”

He says it like it’s nothing at all. “I knew it. I fucking knew it.” I raise my hand slowly. “You’re a God-damn zombie.”

He drawls. “Vampire.”

“Close enough!”

He makes a ‘pff’ sound. “So what if I am. It doesn’t change who I am, right?”

Heh! “You lied to God.”

“No I didn’t.” His voice is technical. “Did I lie? Did I say ‘I’m not alive, Enel?’”

There’s a moment’s silence between us and he keeps walking. He draws closer to me. I won’t step away. But I watch his hand closely as he extends his, and pats me on the forearm. I shiver at the coldness of his touch, but don’t flinch. I am still God.

“C’mon, buddy. We’ve got a safehouse to get to, right? You look like you’re about to drop dead on your feet. And while I’m just fine, I’d rather you not bite the dust just yet.”

I watch him walk ahead of me. A vampire. I knew they existed, but fuuuck me. I never thought I’d meet one.

What’s more terrifying? He could have drunk my blood at any time. Maybe he still plans to.

I can’t help but shiver, as steely as my constitution is. Some things give even God the willies.

I can see the safehouse just ahead, but it looks very far away from where I’m standing.

Vic and Enel going B10 to B12.