Hush in The Bush

Call It A Night

It had poured straight on him as he scuttled around the pavements. He angled his lips into a smile, slowly looking above the heavy grey clouds crying. It was easing as he shut his eyes to gobble the moment.

“Oh my, I forgot my scarf.” He looked back from the way he had departed. The school cannot be seen anymore. He had enjoyed the view and he promised himself to go back there again. “Nah, if they’re going to see it, then I hope they’re going to be hunting dogs, sniffing around with my scent.” He chuckled and wiped off his wet face. His hands traveled to his back pockets, but he couldn’t find the thing that he needed. Scratching the back of his head, he tried to recall from his memory where he had put it.

“Man, I need some vitamins for my brain. I couldn’t remember at all.” He soughed. “Damn, I really would go for a scolding of losing it. He would totally freak out when he found out.” He couldn’t do anything and he doesn’t want to take his time out of nothing. He was left with the decision to continue his walk, when suddenly he had caught someone looking over him behind an apple tree. Her hands were severely pale as if she hasn’t eaten at all and it was too visible that she started to salivate.

“It's you...Come on, Rebecca. Why are you hiding there?” His voice was heard by the woman.

A sudden clanging of chains came from her back as she staggered to move herself to light. Her feet were locked by it and the chain had surrounded the tree. He walked near to her as if fear is never meant for him.

“I haven’t seen you in a while. Who brought you here?” He tilted his head in order for him to see her clearer. He tightened as she given her a polite conversation even if she couldn't answer him back already. When he realized that it isn’t her saliva that’s been dripping from her mouth, he took his steps backwards quickly. It was fresh blood and the scent of it had wriggled his nose. The woman he’s talking to is his old friend and they have known each other for three years already, not until she had lost her memory from a car accident and become infected afterwards. And soon, she'll be on her final stage to burst. She sniffed all around as she recognized another meal.

“I didn’t expect you to be worse.” He commented.

She tried to grab him with her sharp nails, and was drenched in blood, but she couldn’t reach. She wailed in hunger when she abruptly fell on her knees. The chain was twisted when she started to crawl in his direction.

“Oh, you wouldn’t want to do that.” He shook his head and took his freshly sharpened knife. He was ready to battle as he counted when he was flashy stopped by the door swung open by a man, suddenly appeared like a thief. He was wearing his ragged, insulated down coat that instead of a pocket on its sides were just holes, exposing his burnt waist. “Where have you been?”

His coarse voice sent thunders down his spine. Clearing his throat, he gave him an awkward laugh. “I…am going to come home.” He pointed his way to convince him.

He pulled his black brim hat and now their eyes were focused on each other. He walked towards him but before he could stand a few inches from him, he pulled the woman by the chain and made her fuming. Her bones cracked a couple of times as her limbs stiffened and twirled in a swift. He’s her target now. She was able to clutch his shoe but he simply gave her a whack straight on her cheek as if it was his greeting for her.

“Why did you let her out? And, why are you here?”

“She’s been a bad girl lately and I’m having bad days. I need to cool off and I'm waiting for you. I was expecting that you would go this way.” He explained.

“So, you let her off to wander around for good?”

“Ashton, you don’t have to start acting like a cry baby. She’s alright. She’s still with us, can’t you see? You don't have to worry that much to a person who is about to eat you wholly."

He hysterically laughed about it. “You know what I am talking about, Ale. She’s not just an ordinary-”

“Of course. She just turned like them. Obviously, she doesn't know you anymore and neither do I.” He cut him off and he had identified something to change the topic. "Where's your scarf and the key?"

His jaw twitched. "I...forgot the scarf in my place and...also the key." He lied to him and it was a solace when Alejandro didn't inquire him again.

He unlocked the chain and heaved Rebecca back to the house. Her weight had doubled as she had swallowed greedily much this day. It was a feast for her. "Come on. You don't want to get killed by humans."

Ashton continued standing and let him take her inside. A yell was suddenly heard from.Alejandro when Rebecca had bitten her on the arm, making her to punch her straight. Her head wobbled back, spitting blood on her mouth. A sharp look was there as he stumped outside.

"I'll be taking the key from you once you find that thing. Three days, Ashton. That's what I'm giving you, no more excuses." He started seriously and moved initially.

Ashton sighted Rebecca and saw her looking from the window. It pained him to see her suffer. Even if he wants her to rest already, he let her suffer more by letting her live even if she had become a host already.

"Don't give her such stares. You might be dreaming about her this night, unless you won't sleep. I have recruited some to aid you for next week. You don't have to do the work wholly." He bluffed.

Ashton didn't say a word and followed him to their base. Even if he doesn't want any offer, especially to help him with his tasks, he knows that Alejandro would insist.

"Let's hurry up. I'm hungry for words."

"It's apparent."

The whole journey, Ashton didn't say a word and he was not in the mood to talk with him, keeping his gaze on the ground as he preferred to stare at Alejandro's shoes. His master is also occupied with his notes that were written on his palm. It is his doing nowadays. He doesn't want to have free time for himself and he loves to be colonized by the workload. Alejandro unexpectedly stopped his feet, making Ashton to bump his nose on his back.

"Why did you stop-"

"Run."