Shira Y.
"I'm here to rescue you."
I roll my eyes and raise the scissors close to his face again, who does he think he is?
His eyes are shifting wildly around the room, is this some sort of sick joke to him?
"Stop fucking lying and look me dead in the eyes."
"I-I can't." He turns his head to the side, does he not understand the situation he's in? I have a pair of sharp scissors pressed against his turkey neck and he's not even doing what I tell him.
I used my free hand to grab him by the collar and pulled him closer to me, "Listen here Jojo Siwa~"
"A-Actually it's Coco." He replies, snarky little bitch.
"I'm not one of your little playground friends, I won't hesitate to slit your throat and make a jacket out of your skin."
Hey, at least I didn't go for the cannibalism route. "I-I know... it's just that y-you.. uh." He gulps audibly and refuses to look at me.
I look down and finally understand what the fuck he was on about. I'm currently topless, therefore this child of a man refuses to look at me.
"Fucking get over your misogynistic ass."
I throw him backward and scrunch up my nose, don't fucking act like a child.
He winces in pain and tries, and I repeat, tries to look me dead in the eye.
This is getting old. "Stay here," I mutter under my breath, just barely loud enough for him to hear me.
I stand up and walk back to the break room and grab Shannon's stupid blouse and put it on. It still smells like her, cheap and replaceable.
Once I look presentable enough to not make a schoolboy blush, I head back to where I left him.
"What the.."
I instinctively tense up when I notice he wasn't where I left him, fuck, I knew I should've slit his throat when I had the chance.
"Relax, I'm right here," my head instantly turns to the direction where the voice came from, and there he is, sitting on the coffee bar with an awkward smile.
"I'm fully dressed, now talk." I need to keep my guard up around him, this bitch made no sound when he moved from his spot on the floor.
I study his features, he isn't muscular, just healthy enough, he has olive skin, his eyes were a shade of amber, sort of like fire, his clothes look tattered though, and his jet black hair a mess.
"Uh.. sure.. yeah." He then shakes his head and looks at me seriously again.
"You might wanna sit down for this.." I grab a chair and do what he says.
I squint my eyes and warn him, "If you try anything funny, I will drown you in the sink with iced coffee and milk tea."
He nods quickly, good, he knows who's in charge.
"I guess I'll start by telling you who I am.. my name's Coco Caligula, I'm 20, and I'm in my last year of college— I'm going to be a pharmacist."
"Wow, I said talk about that shit you said earlier, not your life story." Well, pardon me for being impatient.
"Sorry, sorry. Right, it started a few days ago... it was all over the news, the internet it was... it was terrifying."
His face looks like the one I make when I eat at Chipotle. Absolute horror.
"Everyone was smiling... but not just that, the way they smiled was unnatural, it's like everyone had their personalities erased... It has to be that experiment they were talking about."
I can't tell if he's lying, but he does look seriously shaken. So far the only thing I've learned is that this guy is extremely paranoid, but that's fair enough, considering our current shituation.
Everything he's said just confirmed what I thought. That experiment though... why would that happen now? Especially with the orange bitch out of the picture.
"And? Is that all? It doesn't take a genius to figure that shit out." I snort.
"Well... there's also the fact that most of the students and teachers disappeared yesterday."
"You could've started with that, shithead," he winces at my words.
His figure slumps, "Sorry..."
He sits there silently for a long time, and I can't help but get pissed, this kid was acting on his stupid hero complex earlier, and now he looks like he's been kicked on the shin.
Fucker.
"So why the fuck are you here then?" I keep my tone harsh, I'm not here to babysit a twenty-year-old who gets dejected easily.
His face lights up and he immediately snaps to attention, "I'm here to rescue you."
"You've mentioned," I roll my eyes, great! We're back to his hero complex.
"W-Well, it's just that it isn't safe here, you should come with me."
I almost laugh at him, "I'd rather starve to death and get eaten by an axolotl than go with a guy who literally gets hard at the sight of tits?"
He blushes, even in the dark I could tell he's flustered and confused, "Don't axolotls only eat fish?"
"That's not the point I'm trying to make, dickcheese."
He seriously makes me want to start digging a ditch to hide his body, maybe just throw him in a dumpster.
"Y-You have to come with me, I know a safe place."
"Yeah, does this place come equipped with handcuffs and whips?" I snap.
"N-NO! I'm being serious here," he sounds frustrated, oh well.
I walk so we're inches apart and cross my arms.
"Serious, eh? I didn't know pitching a tent is part of the whole serious schtick." I eye his pants, and of course, my assumption is right.
"SHUT UP! It's a hormonal reaction... it's natural." Coco tries to cover his shame with his hands.
"Uh-huh. For someone who's gonna rescue a 'damsel in distress,' you're acting like a child right now."
He looks away, can't say I didn't expect him to be this way.
He's all talk, just as I thought. He'd probably lead me to my death anyway.
I turn to leave but he grabs me by the arm and pulls me back. I almost fall over, but I stop my self by grabbing him back and I get my balance back.
"Please, I just want to save everyone I can."
Now that sounds like shit you'd hear from a Netflix protagonist wannabe. Or you know, a guy who watches way too much anime.
I tear my arm away from him and snarl.
"What will happen once you run out of food? I doubt pastries and sweets will last long, even if you bake, you'll eventually run out of baking supplies." His voice is indifferent still, yet his eyes are large and demeaning.
I sigh loudly, he does have a point. I'm not safe here. Eventually, I'd run out of food, and coffee sure as hell ain't gonna keep me alive.
I can probably take shit from the supermarket, but they will spoil eventually, no matter how long I try to make them last.
If I come with him my chances of survival are higher. A bigger group is riskier and yet at the same time better.
If I say yes to this kid and let him lead me around, that's basically giving him the power to kill me.
Something about him seems trustworthy enough, but he could turn out to be a dick.
I scratch my head frustratedly and bite my lower lip.
Fuck.
I'm probably gonna regret doing this, but...
"Fine. Take me wherever you want. But I'm not swearing any loyalty for you bitches. If we're ever in a life or death situation, I am not gonna be buddy-buddy with your lot. Don't expect me to risk my life for you."
I breathe heavily and watch his face light up and his indifferent expression turns into a wide grin.
He hums a soft unfamiliar tune and offers me his hand. "Well, I guess that's as good as I'm getting, huh? But that's good enough for me."
I take his hand begrudgingly and shake it.
My life is in the hands of this perverted kid.
~~~
"Exactly why are we here?"
We're in front of Fjord University, the most prestigious school in Jersey, which isn't saying much.
It's half past midnight now. I nicked all the shit I could carry. I just took whatever shit I left at my office that I thought would be useful, emergency pads, an unused notebook, soap from Shannon's locker, and some other bits and pieces. I ended up using Jay's old backpack that he forgot, it screamed teenage angst, like MySpace realised into an object.
I tied my hair into a high ponytail so it didn't bother me as much, meanwhile, Coco took some bags of our locally sourced coffee beans with an apologetic smile, which I so graciously replied to with my middle finger.
We left the coffee shop, the place my sister and I built together, and trod off to where he wanted us to go.
Our walk took about an hour, I suggested we "borrow" a car, but he pointed out that it'd be riskier if we did.
So here we are now. In front of a tall ass university that's predominantly made of bricks, it looked like a fucking death house in the dead of night.
"It's safe here. We've been hiding in here since yesterday, we didn't think it'd be safe to go out, and I guess you're proof of that."
Right, the Chads that attacked me earlier were probably going around town looking for people to harass.
"And who exactly is 'we'? You haven't particularly talked about that."
He looks at me, surprise written on his face. Is he seriously this dense? Did he actually think he already told me?
"Oh sorry... guess I forgot to mention that," No jizz, jerlock, "there's about 8 of us, plus you."
I groan loudly, I can barely handle this sack of shit, how the hell am I supposed to live with 10 of him?
"Why do I have the feeling that you just insulted me in your head?"
I ignore him and glare at the building. Tall ass bitch.
We walk through the wide-open gate and into the nightmare school.
The darkness, it's just like back then. Infinitely unending darkness that consumed me, forcing me to wander aimlessly.
I shake away my memories, it's not the time for that, reminiscing is useless in a world like this
The ground we walk on is of marble, every inch of the entrance hall covered in beautiful perfection. Everything is calm, just like the city, yet this calmness feels oppressive as if there's malice seeping through everything.
Everything about this campus disgusts me, the tacky floors, the ugly vomit-green walls, the faint mustiness in the air— it just screams hell.
I thought I'd never set foot in one of these shitholes ever again, but here I am, willingly breathing in toxic air again.
One of our regulars goes here, I think his name was Tudor, poor guy's parents were probably obsessed with England, he wasn't even British.
Anyway, Tudor is Bryam's boyfriend, I guess? I don't know what else to call them after I found them hooking up in MY office. He thought I was gonna fire him back then because he was sucking face with another guy, bitch, if I'm gonna fire you, it's gonna be for almost leaving a stain on my table. He's lucky I felt bad for Tudor getting dragged into his promiscuity, that kid is way too apologetic for his own good, one of those Golden Retriever Boys, ya know.
Enough about Bryam. What matters right now is if I'm getting raped or not, 'cause by the looks of this place, it's pretty deserted.
"Hey, don't think that you're gonna have your way with me, if that's what your planning, I won't hesitate to break some bones," I usually don't threaten people I just met, but morals be damned.
He turns to give me a curt smile, "I know, I know. I'm not tricking you, I promise, the others are probably at the cafeteria. Please don't castrate me yet, we're almost there."
I let out a long sigh and stuff my hands in my front pockets, see that's the difference between me and other women, is that I buy my pants from the twink section, unfortunately, Shannon did. Fucking fake pockets.
After walking around for about 2 more minutes, we finally make it to French doors with a "CAFETERIA" sign next to it, talk about gaudy.
"They should be in here, please don't insult them too much."
Who does he think I am? I only insult him because he's a fucking perv.
I watch as he opens the door and we're immediately greeted by a colourful cast of weirdos.
I didn't know what I expected to see, but it certainly wasn't this. Suddenly, I have the urge to turn around and walk back to my café.
Their heads immediately go to Coco, ignoring me completely, I guess it's better than getting flocked around.
It feels weird, I haven't seen a human being all day, but more than that actually, why weren't there any animals either?
Surely they shouldn't have been affe—
"Hey, Sistah! How you doing? Come on, give Daddy Drew a hug?" I physically cringe when this... thing... interrupted my thoughts.
The other eight people's attentions snap to me, they all look pretty roughed up, but I guess that just comes with the whole world "ending" thing.
"Ah, that's right. This is Shira, guys. I found her on the other side of the city," he grins towards me.
Not knowing how to react, I stand there like an idiot and say, "Yo."
And now I have the absolute pleasure of hearing all of their life stories.
"'Ello! I can definitely feel a certain energy from you, the universe has already told me you will be most useful to us." A girl around my age says with dream-filled eyes. She's probably one of those.
"Alright, let us all introduce ourselves in a mannerly fashion, let the signs of the stars tell us who goes first." Correction: she's definitely one of those.
"Oh honey, I do find you absolutely fabulous, but could you be more clear? Daddy Drew doesn't quite understand what that means."
I'm willing myself not to scream, I have to get along with these people, not commit genocide.
"Who knows what she means; I'll just go first. My name is Harriett, but please call me Rye." Rye's accent almost made me choke, he sounds like one of those narcissistic British guys, but he doesn't look it.
Rye has a tattoo on the back of his right hand, a serpentine creature that wrapped around to his wrist. He looks older than me and at the same time younger than me.
"The name's Alek. Stay out of my business and I'll stay out of yours, got it?" He looks young, younger than Jojo Siwa over there.
His accent sounded a bit Russian, but who am I to say that? I've never even met anyone Russian. His hair is grey, with few specs of black, did he dye it or was it natural?
And of course, the annoying ones decided they'd introduce themselves next.
"Well, come on Trucy, we can talk all about her aura later. I'm Daddy Drew, but please, address me as Drew, I've a feeling you don't take well to my flamboyant nature.. but! No matter, I do hope we get along."
He smiles at me and I let my mouth hang open... he's sharp and considerate, I'll give him that. Just for that comment, I think he's the most trustworthy person in this room.
Drew is wearing a fitting shirt, he doesn't look skinny or buff, he just looks happy.
"Mhmm, darling! The way your eyes sparkle rival the stars in the night skies... yes... I can see it, you will be most wonderful to be around. My name is Trucker, but I insist you call me Trucy." Poor girl. She's probably a victim of a conservative.
Now I feel sort of bad for her. But before I could even say something more to her, another girl pushed her away and gave me a sharp smile.
She doesn't say anything, she stares at me vacantly, she's a ginger, very roundish. Somehow I feel like she's the most dangerous out of all of them.
She grips her scarf tightly, "I'm Berry. Nice to meet you," her voice is dry. She's so cutthroat with everything she does, and that's dangerous.
I give her a simple nod and two people approach me next. One of them has short hair that hangs above their shoulder, everything about them looks matching, and yet at the same time all the colours screamed out at me trying to catch my attention like a horde of elephants coming right at me. The other looks to be in their 60s, they look like they should be in a nursing home.
"Hey-Hey! My name is Medieval, but I prefer to be called Diev! I'm a caregiver, this over here is Mr. Cory, and yes, he is in the house. Also, my preferred pronouns are they/them,"
"Gotcha." They give me a meek smile. They're really sweet from what I can tell.
"Also, do you think Alek is single? If he is, you think he'd go for me?" I swear I could see eyes in their eyes, I just shrug it off and smile to the old man, "Good evening sir, I hope you're doing okay, considering what's happening."
"Ah, no no, although it's a bit of a shock, ain't nothing like the war of '79, I'm sure it'll all let up sooner or later, you be careful with yourself lassie, be careful of depraved boys," the tone of his voice is jovial, what a sweet old man.
Wait, the war of '79? I don't remember a war happening that year. Is he talking about the hippies? Or the cold war?
I'll have to ask him later.
"Welcome to the... group?" Coco scratches his head, trying to come up with something.
He looks at the others for help and Diev perks up almost instantly, their face lighting up.
"How about the resistance?" They say with a bit too much enthusiasm for my taste.
Everyone nods along in agreement, somehow their little ragtag group is united.
And just like that, I've been plunged into a school full of potential crazy people.