Hiro decided to wake me up by licking my face repeatedly. I had forgotten what it’s like to wake up because of a dog. Last time that happened, it was on my 18th birthday, crashing at Leon’s place and being woken up by his pitbull. I chuckle as I sit up, Hiro backing up and wagging his tail happily, a small bark urging me to pay attention to him.
I have to look around for a second, get my surroundings in check. It was one of those nights where you have such a vivid dream that you’re not sure if it happened or not when you wake up. But for some reason, none of it stayed with me. I can’t remember what happened in it, where it was, anything. I try to recall something, anything from that dream. It’s the first dream I’d had in some time, and I just want to remember what happened in it.
“Richie, you okay?” I blink, realizing I’m gripping my eye with my hand. I go to look up and notice a slight throbbing in my head. As I try to stand up, Dax rushes over, giving me some support as my legs give out. “Richie, what’s wrong?”
I open my mouth to speak before Logan interrupts, sounding both irritated and worried. “Stop you idiot, if he speaks it’ll make it worse!” I glare at Logan as Dax’s eyes widen.
“Shut up Logan. I can still talk.” Dax turns his head to me and helps me sit on the counter, allowing me to regain my balance. “I just woke up with a headache, nothing too bad. What time is it?”
“About 7:45, why are we all up fifteen minutes early?” Leon sounds irate as he rolls over, slowly getting to his feet. “Everything okay?”
“I just have a headache Leon. Nothing to worry about.”
“His legs gave out too!” I glare at Logan, debating punching him to shut him up. “What if it’s–”
“It’s not the shoulder and if you bring that up again you will have a knife to your throat faster than you can think about fucking Rebecca again.” Leon interrupts him quickly, his voice low and dark. I raise a hand to stop him, but he just stands there, glaring at Logan.
“But, how do you know?” Matt steps out of the changing room in his usual outfit of shorts and a vneck tshirt.
I stand up and start grabbing some clothes. “No signs of a fever. I’m good.” As I’m going through the new merch from the day before, I remember my assignment for the day and hurry up, quickly grabbing a black shirt from the bag and some black jeans, my converse in my hand as I rush to the changing room. “I have to be at the west entrance in 5 minutes, grab my hoodie, mask and katana for me guys!” The items are handed over the door to me by Leon, a small bark from behind the counter reaching my ears. “FUCK! Someone’s on Hiro duty. Leon, you have anything today?”
“No, want me to watch him?”
I slip my shirt on before opening the door, sliding the hoodie on as I step out quickly, my katana being slung over my shoulder in record time. “Yeah, it’d be very appreciated. Pick up our meal tickets by the way.” He yells out an okay as I run out of the door, putting my mask on as I sprint by the food court, attracting a few people’s attention. A few people smirk and nod, realizing I’m late again. I’m about half way there and I can see the line of people on assignment for first shift, my spot towards the middle of the line. I break into a dead sprint as I see the guards marking names off of their list, popping my hood up as I roll into my spot, my feet perfectly lined up with the others as a few people look over, rolling their eyes.
“Devine, you’re pushing it. 10 more seconds and you’d have been late.” The guard checks my name off of the list, looking completely unamused as he moves down the line. The guy next to me is a short haired blonde guy, bright green eyes, not too bad looking for someone with such a huge ego and tiny brain.
“You know you’re a showoff right?” He looks at me out of the corner of his eyes, still facing forward. I chuckle, staying in the proper posture and looking towards the door.
“To be fair, the flip is just because I was late one day and realized it helps me warm up.” I smirk as he scoffs, looking forward again. “I’m guessing you were here 2 days early as always Dakota?”
“I’m never more than 2 hours early, I just like to make sure I’m prepared, unlike some people.” His voice is dripping with hatred, obviously used to being treated like royalty. “Why are you even allowed to do this?”
“Because they only allow one snobby cunt on the hunts, so they asked me to fill in for your ego.” Dakota gasps audibly, causing a guard to look over at us. Honestly, he’s the stereotypical rich snob who drinks tea with some croquet teammates while discussing how his servant should decorate the livingroom. He’d never say anything remotely foul, and acts repulsed that people would think about anything other than tiny finger sandwiches.
“Never want to, Malfoy.” The girl on the other side of me snickers, trying to keep in the required posture. I’ll have to keep note of her, she’s obviously had a life.
Dakota seems completely ignorant of the reference.
The guards hand out papers to everyone in line, showing groups and destinations. There’s 2 groups today, one going to the hospital in town, and one going to scavenge the cars for oil. The groups seem split by me, Dakota’s side going to the cars and the girl’s side going to the hospital. I’m informed by a guard’s voice in my ears that I’m allowed to scavenge a few places in town on my own or go with the group. I nod and the voice goes silent again, a group of guards heading to the fortified doors.
The light streams in brightly, both groups heading out into the air, headed in the same general direction. I chose to stay with the group until they split off on the edge of town in my head, happily walking with the group. As I’m walking, I realize I forgot a bag for anything I find, putting my hand up to the headpiece and pressing the button to call HQ.
“Hi, this is Richard Devine, I happened to forget a bag for supplies, would someone bring the backpack that says RIOT all over it to the west entrance?” There’s a sigh followed by a confirmation with an eta of 1 minute. I quickly jog back to the entrance, grabbing that and thinking. “There’s a set of keys in the dorm, can you bring them here?” The guard looks confused before nodding to another one, the second guard jogging to the court.
“What are the keys for?” I’ve met this guard before, I think he’s been here for a few months now. He’s always confused as to my requests but goes for it anyway.
“Well, there are keys to a few buildings, making access easier and safer, along with the keys to my bike.” He sighs as the other guard hands me my keys, closing the door behind me. I walk to the parking lot, putting my leg over my bike. It’s 100% electric, so less noise occurs. It’s supposed to sound like a jet, but I had to modify it after the outbreak.
My uncle was a friend of the CEO of Harley Davidson, so I was able to get my hands on an early model of the electric bike announced before the outbreak. The engine purs as I click the keys on, pulling them out and fastening them in my hoodie’s inside pocket, making sure my bag was on tight enough to not fall off as I pulled the handle back, going towards the road and surveying for any possible hordes. I turn the handle back again, going towards town at a faster rate than my feet could have. The towns only about a mile out from the mall, but it’s all hills. After a few seconds, I pass the group, nodding to them as I speed up, dropping over the top of the hill and seeing the town. There’s a few stores like CVS and RiteAid, the hospital, a couple of family businesses and some houses. For the most part, it’s small and cozy. There’s another town about 5 minutes down the road, much bigger with some larger stores.
I look up at the hospital and notice a small crowd out front, trying to get into the main entrance. It’s kind of a comotion. “Richard to Groups Alpha and Beta, there’s a horde out front of the hospital, medium sized. They appear to be trying to get into the main entrance. There might be a comotion inside, precede with caution.”
“Alpha to Richard, threat acknowledged and group alerted, over.” I start speeding up, going along the road towards the town. “Alpha to Richard, request for communication.”
I press the button on my headset again, easing around a turn in the road. “What’s up?”
“A member of Group Beta seems to think there might be some false information in your last statement.”
“Let me guess, Dakota cried out that I’m not authorized?” I hear a sigh from the other end, no reply. “S'what I thought. You’re authorized to slap him if he gets too annoying sir.”
I can hear the smile in his voice as he replies. “Acknowledged and accepted, thank you.”
“No problem Ed. If any problems occur, notify me and I’ll provide backup.” He confirms and clicks out, leaving me to the road. Okay, maybe the road’s more like a 10 minute drive, but it’s because I’m only going 60. My mask lights up a notification in the upper left corner, alerting me of something. “Read alert.” The mask beeps and reads the alert into my headset, the notification dimming and allowing me to see in that area agian.
“Weather Advisory: Heavy rain storm inbound for 10:30 AM in your region. Flash flooding possible, be alert.” Fuck. It’s really gonna storm today? I would have worn my heavier hoodie if I knew that 15 minutes earlier. I look at the display on my mask, the time flashing 8:10. It’s only been 10 minutes and the day’s had more action than the last week. I’m probably going to head out around 10, try and miss the storm.
I quickly park my bike in the same spot as always, putting the carp over it. I found the carp in this alley the first time, and I figured I should leave it there in case I need it whenever I come and park in town. It’s the same town I always go to, about half the distance if you cut through the woods. The road was built through the forest, so naturally it winds around rather than going straight.
I look around, the coast clear. Usually growlers hide when a storm comes in, so buildings are a bit more risky today. There’s a tattoo shop, an old concert venue that has a restaurant, and another apartment I’d like to check out today. I have about 2 hours to search 3 places. I speak quietly into my mask. “Shuffle the playlist pop-rock on volume level 5.” My mask’s lights gently pulse as a chime plays, some music playing faintly in my ear. I test my hearing by tossing a few pebbles, still hearing them clearly over the sounds of Fall Out Boy. I nod, making sure my katana’s secure and the backpack isn’t going to interfere with my access to the weapon as I walk towards the old venue.
It’s nothing too big, just something for bands to stop by when they just want to do a smaller show. A few good bands played here while it was running. Motley Crue, Styx, Boston, Poison, a lot of bands that’ve died down a bit since the 80’s. They still know how to rock, but the fans have settled down a bit. The stage is pretty simple, sturdy wood with no roof, some places for lights, amps above the center of the stage and along the sides, and a large field surrounded by wood fences. The white lawn chairs that were roped off are now lying around lazily, the rope frayed and broken. The towers for soundbooth and VIP members are still standing, only a few beams damaged. The restaurant itself is closed up, the windows sealed off with wood boards that are rotting due to weathering. The building itself is moderately sized, only taking what it needs and leaving the rest to the concerts. It’s 2 stories, the second story more dining tables and a viewing balcony for people to spend more for. Around this time of year, it would’ve been done up for Halloween, the second story becoming the best haunted house in a few hour radius. It’s weird to think that this place was the best at it, but it’s because New York City is about 5 hours away. No one really cares to try until they’re about this far away. There was a huge one that was the greatest in the country in the city every year, tickets being like $75 a person. You had to walk through by yourself and it had a process of wavers and recording you reading it on video along with a safe word and things like that. That was awesome the year I went, but it was nothing compared to Tags in the long run. This place made it so that it was scary but still fun, and had some really good food downstairs. In reality, I think it was just better because of the sentimental value to me.
I look at the sign falling apart on the roof, “Tags” written in a unique style along with the hours and contact information below it. There was no movement in the windows from what I could see, so I pried one of the wooden boards off of the window, making sure to set it aside quietly.
The inside’s just like I remember, the tables neatly organized and the counter undisturbed. The owners must have made it so that they could go back after this because everything was untouched. Even the boards were put up from the outside. The only thing is that it’s darker than I remember, the windows letting through very little light. I click the button on my mask gently, pausing the music in my ears. It’s quiet, only the sounds of a breeze outside reaching me inside of this building. The wall is covered with pictures of fans meeting the bands they had here, usually signed by the band as well. I look towards the bottom right corner, smiling as I find the one I’m looking for.
In the picture is Brett Michaels and the rest of Poison with 2 people. His arm is around a woman, about 30, with long, dark brown hair in a perm. Her shirt is from the Bon Jovi tour that year. To Brett’s right, next to the drummer is a boy with short brown hair and a black shirt with a faded Poison logo on it bought from the Salvation Army. He smiles bigger than any of them, a small gap between his front teeth on top. The picture is signed “To the raddest 10 year old we know and his mother, you guys rock! Hope to see you soon Brenda and Richie!” and all of the band’s signatures blow the note. I gently take it off of the wall, hugging it for a moment before putting it in my bag and looking around the place a bit more.
There weren’t any growlers, but I managed to get a couple of shirts and a few packs of Pepsi that were still good. There’s also a huge collection of vinyl from the 80’s, the cardboard signed by the bands over the faded artwork. I only grab a few of them, leaving the rest for another time. Metallica’s black album, New Jersey by Bon Jovi, and Master of Puppets are the three I grab for the next week, promising to return them. I quickly find a notepad and a pen and scribble down a note.
Dear Tags,
Thank you for your many memories before things went to hell. Due to circumstances, I’ve taken a few things from the store. I found a few packs of Pepsi and some shirts from the back. I have borrowed your vinyl of Master of Puppets, the black album, and New Jersey and hope to return them asap. I have also taken the photo where this note is placed of my mother and I with Poison. I hope things can go back to normal soon and I can see more shows here.
I look up while writing the note and notice a guitar on the wall, looking as good as ever. It’s a black Fender, the strings still intact. The case is below it with several spare strings in it. I walk over and examine it, gently placing it in the case and latching it shut. I go back to the note, continuing where I left off.
I have also taken the Fender on the wall with the case and strings. It might take a bit for me to give it back after things go back to normal, but you will be getting it back.
Best Wishes
Richie “Epicness” Devine.
I take a thumbtack and put the note where the picture used to be, grabbing the guitar case by the handle and climbing out of the window, placing the board back in place. The time on my mask says 8:53, and I sigh, realizing I spent a little too much time in there. I’ll have to raid the apartment later, I already have a bit too much on me anyway. I guess I’ll stop into the tattoo place and fill my bag the rest of the way. I jog to my bike first, setting the guitar case under the tarp and jog to the tattoo parlor, my hood falling from on top of my head.
The tattoo parlor was originally someone’s house, but they bought it and remade it into a tattoo parlor. It’s nice looking from the outside, the red vinyl puts the words bring your skin in the windows along with a phone number. The door’s open a bit, a small light coming from inside. I open the door slowly, trying to quietly walk over the wooden floor and see what the source is. I was in here several times with my friends, only ever getting my industrial piercing done here. I know there’s some comfortable furniture in the room I’m in because I was there many times, chatting with the owner. I step back into the room where piercings were done, a guy in a black beanie and light gray shirt looking through one of the cupboards.
“What are you doing here?” My voice scared the hell out of him, causing him to jump and turn around. His glasses have thick rims and fit his style well. He has a wonder years shirt on and some black skinny jeans. There’s a tattoo on his wrist, looks like a semicolon.
“I’m trying to find some supplies, food and stuff…” He looks worried, not finding anything in the cupboards. “What’s with the mask?”
I sigh and slide my bag off, reaching into it and pulling out a spare mask, tossing it to him. “Put it on now, it might save your life.” He looks confused but does as I say anyway. “You alone?”
His voice is a little bit higher in pitch than mine, but that might just be from the shyness he has. “The rest of my group was killed by those…things a few weeks ago, I’m on my own.”
“You’re apparently quite lucky if you’re alive with no weapons or bites.” I raise an eyebrow, stepping to the cupboards to his right and clearing out all of the ink and needles. “You’re coming back with me.”
He looks shocked and worried, his eyes going wide. “W-why?”
“We have a base. You’ll be safe there. You do have to work your share, but it’s the closest to home we have now. Can you step back for a second?” He looks up and realized I’m waiting to get into the cupboard he’s in front of before stepping aside quickly. “Thanks. But I’ll radio HQ quickly and you’ll be set.” He nods as I put the piercings and supplies into my bag, zipping it up and pressing the button on my mask.
“Richard to HQ, there’s a survivor here, says his group died and he has no weapons on him. Bringing him in for the basics.”
Amanda replies and speaks into my ear. “God dammit Richard. Is there an ETA on your arrival?”
“I’m almost done gathering from the tattoo shop about 15 minutes from base then we’ll be on my bike headed back.” I look the guy over as I grab the tattoo machine from the front room, being followed closely.
“Okay, bring him in and we’ll process him.” I press the button and notice the confused look on his face, quickly finishing up.
“My mask has a communication device, I had to talk to Amanda and alert her to your arrival. You’ll have to meet with her, but you’ll make it in.” He nods, still standing there. I hand him the bag and smirk. “You’re riding on the back of my motorcycle and that means you wear this.”
He silently puts the bag on and nods, waiting for me to tell him what to do.
“You’ll like it there. I’ll make sure you bunk with us for the first week at least. We’re stationed in the mall.” He nods, his posture relaxing a bit.
“I haven’t been there since a few months before this happened.” Luckily, he seems to have calmed down a bit.
“Yeah, you’ll feel right at home man. My bike’s right around the corner, stay alert and quiet, we’ll be out of here before the rain hits.” He nods as I start walking towards the door, feeling him staying close behind me as I walk. The bike is 2 buildings down, and we get there easily. I pull the tarp off of the bike and pick up the guitar, forgetting how to fit this on. “Take the backpack off.” He looks shocked but hands me the bag quickly. I open one of the cases on the side and place the bag inside before putting the guitar on him, tightening it and padlocking the cover. “Hold on and do not let that fall off, okay?”
“Yeah, got it.” I climb on the bike and feel him climb on after me, his arms wrapping around me tightly as I start the motor again. We quickly take off, going over the roads as the sky darkens. I radio to the other groups; “Has the rain started in town yet?”
Ed replies. “It’s going to in a few minutes, we’re about to head back.”
“Good. I’m about to go through town and wanted to double check on it. Any problems?”
“We couldn’t get into the hospital itself, but we did find a shed with supplies in that, we only took about a third of the stuff and locked the rest back up.”
“Several cases. Most everyone in the group has a jug full to carry. I think I hear your bike.”
“Yeah, that’s me, I have a survivor on the back and HQ has been notified and approved of him.” I turn onto the straight shot to the base, seeing the hospital on my left.
“Group has been alerted and will not panic.” I hear Dakota complaining in the background and chuckle.
“Had to slap him at all?”
“Not yet, but he might get it in a minute if he doesn’t stop.” I laugh quietly, the guy on my bike only hearing my half of the conversation. I still don’t know his name.
“Okay, well I’m about up to you guys, if you slap him do it while I can see it.”
“Fair enough. See you back at base.”
I end the communication and focus on the road, a few small drops hitting my mask as I speed up, flying past the group. I feel the grip on me tighten as I speed up, going over the hills easily as it starts to sprinkle. Within a minute, we’re under the parking area at base, the guards noticing us and opening the door.
I grab my bag from the storage slot and take the guitar case as I guide the guy into the doors. “The offices next to the theater are where you’re supposed to go, you can take off your mask inside of the building. Do anything they ask you to without hesitation, everyone has to go through it. You good?”
“Yeah, I think so.” I take my mask off and pull my hood down, smiling at him as he takes his mask off.
“Good luck man.” I nod as we split up, walking towards my room and setting the guitar case down on my counter causing Dax and Leon to look my way. I smirk as I set my bag on top, Hiro sniffing my pants happily. I toss my hoodie on the shelf and unzip the bag, pulling out the tattoo supplies and setting them into another bag for the shop.
“Now, this stuff is not just stuff. Most of it is stuff we’ll return and get different ones of. I went to Tags and got these things for myself and I plan on putting them back. Okay?” The guys nod, understanding where I’m coming from. I pull out the shirts, showing off the band logos as they watch. I then pull out the vinyl, causing a gasp from them as I show off the cases. “These are going back after a week, got it? Do not touch them.” They nod again, eager to listen to them. I pull out the photo of me and Poison and set it up on the shelf closest to my sleeping bag facing me.
“Is that….?” Dax goes quiet while Leon nods.
“I met Poison with my mom when I was 10. The photo was hung up in the restaurant part of Tags for years and I had to bring it back with me. Once again, it’s off limits.”
“Don’t blame you.” Leon is quiet too, recognising the value of it.
I smile and pull out the Pepsi, tossing a can to each of them and pulling one out for me. “You guys are lucky, the other two are off doing whatever and you get some fresh Pepsi!” We’re Pepsi people. Coke is okay, but Pepsi is better by far. “I have 3 Pepsi cases and 1 Mountain Dew case. The dew’s for special occasions.” They smile and sit back in their spots, sipping the drinks I just gave them. Clearing off the counter, I put the guitar case on my lap and unlock it, pulling the Fender out and strumming it gently. It sounds like it was tuned then never played, the strings still needing to be loosened up. I check an internal pocket and find a pick, smiling as I play a few chords before putting it back. “It’s also mine, off limits. But, there’s some news you guys should hear.”
They both look up, still sipping their drinks. “A, we can get some new ink or a new piercing, got a lot of shit for the shop, you’re welcome. B, we have a new roommate.” Both of the guys stop sipping, setting their drinks down and leaning closer. “He was raiding the shop for food and happened to not have any weapons or anything. He’s being profiled right now and will make it through by tonight. He’ll get the spot that Zach had before he got promoted, okay?”
“Why is he rooming with us?” Leon nods and agrees with Dax’s question, looking at me.
“Well, we have the capacity for 3 more people, and his shirt has the bird from The Wonder Years on it. Leon, you’ll probably be the first person he opens up to. He’s shy and we gotta let him open up on his own.” I watch as Leon smirks, leaning back and smirking while he sips his drink cockily. “Hiro behave well?”
“Yeah, he’s actually really well behaved, you’d think he was an adult dog by the way he acts.” I nod and pick up the bag with stuff full of supplies.
“Leon, wanna run this down for me? I’m gonna chill here for a few. It’s gonna downpour tonight by the way.” He puts his hands out and I toss the bag to him. On his way out he turns around.
“I get first dibs if I do this though.”
“I don’t care, you needed your lip redone anyway. Ask if they can do it now.” He nods and heads out, leaving me with Dax. “Where are the other two?”
“Logan’s in the infirmary, he had an upset stomach. Matt’s helping out the pet supplies with Brie.” I nod and pull the guitar out, just doing some warm ups as Dax and I talk about random shit. The thunder is audible from our room and Leon comes back shortly, joining our general dumbassery as we sit around and relax. I feel like something’s going to happen, and time seems to be taking forever to go by. Within half an hour I’m playing Crazy Train again, having a chorus of three guys belting out the lyrics. This is what rainy days are now.
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