21 Days

II: The Pact

                Jay hates the sound of the church bells. He’s not entirely a hater nor is he a fan. He just hates the hypocrisy that loiters around that place. He’d seen many people act all nice inside, playing pretend to be religious in front of God and doing bad deeds afterwards. He was a victim of these people’s judgment. Since he was a kid, he was interpreted to be faking things. They all thought that his skills was because his father has connections and because of that, he was a prey to rumors.

                He’s not that great but why is he the captain?

                He looks like he’s up to no good.

                It was the same old. He does well at school, nobody notices, he does bad and he’s getting all the attention. Probably, it was the reason why he turned out like this. He wanted attention and by doing unpleasant things, he’s getting them.  

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                Another sound of horrible warning alarm woke Jay up from his slumber. This time, it was coming from the city. He slowly opened his eyes and the sweet scent of Jake’s perfume wafted through his nostrils. The stench of blood and gore still lurks in the air and one thing people don’t notice about Jay was his sensitivity to smell. There’s this one time he was presented with a durian and he got sick in the stomach for days. He started to wonder how he would survive in that nasty state of the city wherein everyone looks and smells toxic.

                He looked at his wristwatch and it shows 8 pm. Outside was dark and the vivid screams of people wanting help echoed through the night. It’s been hours since he was stuck in that place. He then remembered what happened with his father and he wondered if it was a dream. He shot up from where he was lying. He didn’t even notice that he fell asleep on the floor. He spotted Jake, just leaning under the slightly open window and seems to be sleeping as well.

                He looked outside and spotted the same black van, there he concluded that none of the things he had seen earlier were dream.

                It’s true after all. Jay said in frustration. That’s when the times he felt like crying. But being the tough guy, he repressed his swelling lids and started hitting his forehead on the wall next to the window. By this time, he could barely notice the stench wafting the air. What he felt was heavy and he doesn’t understand how to express it.

                On the other hand, the faint sound of Jay hitting his forehead made Jake conscious; he slowly opened his lids and noticed that the area was already dark. He looked outside and noticed how it was already deep in the night and then his eyes landed to Jay, whose expression was being hidden by the darkness.

                Jake could care less. He’s not good at comforting and Jay seems not the type of person who needs one. Also, the grudge he felt from those two years he’s been isolated because of Jay remains inside him.

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                “Should we try and escape here?” Jay suggested after few more hours of waiting.

                ‘Sure. If you’re confident enough of your skill I don’t see why not.” Jake said.

                “No. It’s you who needs to be confident. You’re a wimp.” Jay said with raised brows but Jake is not buying it.

                Without more words coming from Jake, they started finding whatever could help them with defending themselves from those creatures. Jake found a bat underneath a desk. It belongs to one of his classmate who was a member of the baseball club meanwhile Jay found a piece of wood at the back of the classroom.

                “Shall we go?” Jay invited and Jake could only nod.

                “I think it is safe to go by the front door.” Jake whispered. “I’m just gonna remove the desk and open the door. Back me up because we don’t know what we’ll see once we opened the door.”

                “Stop blabbering. I know what I need to do.” Jay hissed.

                Jake took a deep breath and slowly moved the desk away from the front door. He had to do this really quiet so that he won’t get much attention from those beings that could risk their lives. It was challenging mostly on Jake’s part because he also doesn’t trust Jay. What if that person swung that wood on his head instead of those zombies? But Jake needs to trust Jay. He doesn’t leave with any options.

                The moment the desk was set aside, Jay came into position and while crouching, Jake started to open the door slowly. He twisted the knob and was able to put the lock away with only a small click. And then he nervously opened the door, Jay taking a few steps forward and Jake following him in a crouch. Jay was vigilant, although it was dark on the corridors with the emergency lights on, he could see silhouette from afar, walking at a slow pace and growling lowly. The smell of the dead was stronger now that they were near and Jay’s stomach lurched. He had to take a step back causing him to bump on Jake who was startled by that contact.

                Jake hissed.

                “What the heck’s wrong with you?”

                “T…The smell. I can’t.” Jay said as he rushed inside once again, gagging and breathing haphazardly.  

                Jake rolled his eyes and waited for Jay to come back. He’s now aware of Jay’s senses and how it was really sensitive. After collecting himself, jay returned, the handkerchief now covering half of his face. Jake could only look in wonder. He looks like a strange character from a video game was the first thing he thought.

                The corridor was quieter now but there were still few of those creatures that remain.

                They checked every classroom to see if there were still students or other people that might be sheltering inside, saving themselves from that scary situation.

                Jay stood in front of the elevator and almost pressed the open button if only Jake didn’t see him. He looked at Jay with wide eyes and shook his head.

                Jay just heaved a defeated sigh.

                “Do we like still need to whisper here?” he asked with nonchalance in his voice. “There’s barely anything.”

                Jake didn’t say anything. He just shrugged and went on for the stairs. Jay lazily followed him. Least did Jake know was there was something lurking in the shadows. He was already about to take the step downstairs when the thing came, standing just inches away from him. It was growling and grabbing.

                “JAKE BEHIND YOU!” Jay yelled. His voice echoed into quietness as his and Jake’s eyes met.

                “You asshole.” Jake hissed and went for a hit on the thing approaching him. “RUN!”

                The two of them started running down the stairs. Series of heavy footsteps followed in sync with the hungry growls of those things.

                “Watch out for the back dumbass.” Jake cursed under his breath and Jay sneered angrily.

                “How about I end your life here?” he threatened as he swung his weapon on the approaching thing behind him.

                “Then you’ll die with me. Unfortunately, your lackeys are nowhere to be found.” Jake said frankly.

                It was great that the number of these things decreased because of the commotion that occurred outside earlier. The sound of yells and gunshots that rang on their ears attracted these beings into following the sound and because of that, mostly was gathered outside.

                They made it to the first floor with tired and aching arms. They had to sneak their way into the first room they saw to take a rest. It was the faculty room and the scene was far worse than it was on the third floor. The tables and walls were covered with blood and the once sparkling clean place was now filled with demise.

                “Check the other door if it is locked.” Jay said behind raspy breath and Jake followed.

                What stopped him from heading towards the door was the sight of a dismembered leg lying on the ground. Jake’s stomach clenched and he held a vomit that left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Jay was able to make sure that the door was locked properly. He also put a piece of paper on the small glass pane on the door just to make sure. Once done, he spotted that Jake stood standing in one corner, staring at something with utter horror.

                Aside from the dismembered leg, there was a destroyed body lying in a corner. The head was gone and the innards were dug up. For someone with weak stomach, they won’t be able to bear the sight. The body belongs to a woman, she was wearing a pink top and the last person that Jake remembered wearing a pink top was Ms. Maricar, the nicest among the teachers. Jay was behind him and was already struggling with his breath.

                Because of such things, the two had to survey the area to make sure of their safety. Once they were sure that the area was safe, they had to watch out for the windows as well. Jake covered the windows with the curtains so they won’t be seen from the inside. They still doesn’t know the ability of those beings and they should be wary.

                The two boys found themselves sitting in a room, with a dead body and the unending smell of death. Jay winced when he realized that the end part of the wood he’s been holding earlier broke and poked the skin of his palm. His knuckles were also skinned and bruised because aside from the weapon, he had to use his hand since he’s mostly confident with the strength his fists have.

                “You good?” Jake asked.

                “Yeah. This is nothing.” Jay said. “I’m hungry but the disgust would just make me want to throw up again.” He cringed.

                “How about some mint?” Jake offered and Jay looked at him.

                That’s when the time he realized that he was a horrible person to Jake. They were in an uptight situation and Jake never thought of avenging himself even when he has the most chance. Jay suddenly felt shy as he took a mint from Jake yet because of his pride, he never uttered even a small thanks.

                ‘You must be feeling horrible being stuck with me like this.’ Jake chuckled. ‘I’ve hated you all my life and cursed you yet the fate has been playing with me, he left me with you… Of all people.’ Jake shook his head.

                “You sound like you’re making me a horrible person.” Jay muttered.

                “You are a horrible person.” Jake pressed, his eyes glaring. Then he heaved a sigh. “It makes no sense arguing with you. We’re in a crucial situation and the best we could do is cooperate.”

                “Well it’s your fault, you’re blaming me.” Jay shrugged.

                Due to annoyance, Jake snatched away his handkerchief and the moment the smell went into Jay’s nose, he started gagging. He glared at Jake and used force to make him return the thing.

                “We should make a pact.” Jake demanded.

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                The inclusion between Jay and Jake’s pact were of the following:

1.       They must stick with each other and stand behind each other’s back.

2.       Whatever one has must be shared with the other.

3.       No secrets related to wound infection or being sick.

4.       No betrayal.

“How confident am I that you won’t betray me?” Jay asked as they discuss the pact Jake wanted.

“I am not like you.” Jake said seriously. “You seem like the type who would push me away when you see a crowd of these things approaching you just so you survive.”

“But you see my efforts earlier how can you be so judgmental?” Jay said angrily.

“That’s barely it. You would understand one day.” Jake’s lips perked up and quickly disappeared.

                It wasn’t a rule and there are no consequences when you break it. Just for Jake, it was an assurance that this person who he doesn’t trust would abide by their written rule and cooperate with him. After all, the situation they were in was difficult and crucial and aside from the undead, there was no one around them.

                “It’s not necessary for you to make stupid s**t like this.” Jay pointed out.

                “I just want to.”

                “What do we do next? How about we find somewhere where there’s a lot of food?” Jay said.

                “That’s a good idea. Is a mall convenient or a supermarket?” Jake asked.

                “That will be hard. Considering the amount of those things lurking around, do you think we’d make it to the mall alive? What about the convenience store in the corner? That’s the first place we should be scavenging.” Jay said.

                Jake looked at him and for the first time, he makes sense. But then, it was Jay after all, he was the captain of the basketball team and it was mostly him who decide what the team must do to win. He knows about strategies maybe that would play a convenient role for their survival.

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