CHAPTER 24 — My Monster Friend
ELION — POV
Warmth.
That was the very first thing I registered when consciousness slowly crept back into my skull.
Not the old cold that made me shiver. Or the newer hunger, that seemed to want to drink. I woke up completely relaxed.
Just… warmth.
Then I notice, something soft lay across my lap. Something moving?And something seemed to be lightly gripping my hoodie with a small, unconscious fist.
I cracked an eye open and looked down.
Alexiy.
Her head rested on my thigh, pink hair spilling like soft threads across her face, her cheek squished slightly from the angle. She looked younger like this. Beautiful. She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable.
She was so trusting.
She must've crawled onto the couch sometime during the night. While I was playing with FrostWill more. I Also looked over my bloodline shit. I haven't tested out Hemovore yet. And I wasn't sure what the charm stat even did.
For now I closed my eyes as I let the quiet morning continue for a bit longer. Today was going to be along day.
I rested my hand lightly on her hair, brushing a strand back from her forehead.
A part of me wondered if she was getting too attached too fast. This might not be healthy...
But then I thought back to what she's lived through.
What she's lost. I don't know what kind of darker secret she has, but there is something. I can feel it in my gut.
And after what we both survived. The end of the fucking world. Zombie attacks and wanna be warlords with guns.
Now that the world has become like this?
Fast attachment wasn't a weakness.
It was survival.
And… honestly?
It felt good.
I mean who wouldn't want this gorgeous babe draping them over him. I allowed myself ten slow breaths, just watching her sleep.
Then I murmured, "Lexi… hey. Time to wake up."
Her eyelashes fluttered. Her brows scrunched. And then her eyes opened—soft pink, hazy with sleep.
"Mm… Elion?" she whispered.
"Morning." I leaned in a gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
She realized where she was and immediately hid her face in embarrassment.
"I—I didn't mean to… I just… felt safer near you."
"You're fine," I said. "Really."
Her shoulders relaxed, and she sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Then—softly, shyly—she sat up and leaned her head onto my shoulder. Then held my hand intertwined our fingers.
"Are we leaving today?" she murmured.
"Yeah. After breakfast."
She nodded and stood, stretching. Her hoodie slid up slightly, revealing pale skin, and she yelped and tugged it down, when she saw my eyes attracted like magnets locked onto her bare skin, her cheeks bright red.
Cute.
I rose from the couch and went to wake the others.
Breakfast was quick—scrambled eggs, leftover meatballs, toast.
The twins came from the apartment next door, looking a little better after a night of sleep in an actual bed. Danny's hair stuck up in every direction. Delilah was still limping and kept rubbing her arm, wincing occasionally.
Rea sat beside Alexiy, already fully dressed, hair tied tight, looking more awake than anyone.
Everyone ate with a strange quietness… a heaviness. The kind of silence that happens when people know this might be the last peaceful moment for a while.
After a few minutes, and everyone finished eating, I stood.
"Alright," I said. "Final call—anything you forgot, grab it."
They scattered. Bags were zipped up. Shoes slipped on and tied tight. Water bottles filled. Weapons checked.
Lily shoved a blanket into her duffel and then grabbed the tablet from the charger.
"Hey, Elion," she said, waving it. "More messages."
I sighed. Of course.
I took the tablet and unlocked it.
Meso (204 unread → 205)
Message read:
Meso: GOOD MORNING ELFIO <3 I Hope you slept well. I Spent all night making my way to the cabin. I finally arrived! I can't wait to welcome you! I also have a bunch of notes I want to share with you and I have some experiments I want to test!!! I actually killed a bear last night look! I hope you drive safe. BUT HURRY!!!!!!!!! Also also—If you're as cute as your pictures I'm expecting a BIG hello hug and kiss :) See you soon.
I stared at the message. Attached was a picture but I didn't look at it.
Then ran a hand down my face.
"...Oh boy."
Lily leaned over my shoulder, eyes wide. "Can—can I pretend I didn't see that?"
"No," I said, locking the screen. "You're cursed with that knowledge now."
I opened the message box and quickly typed:
Elion: We're leaving now. I also have a bunch of info I want to go over with you. But you should know I found a girlfriend—one of the survivors. She's nice. I can't wait to see you with arms wide open, you did promise to let me pat your head if your actually as short as you say you are :P
I hit send.
And instantly saw the typing bubble appear.
Oh no.
Nope.
Not dealing with that right now. I knew I dropped a bomb when I mentioned Alexiy, but I was hoping the head pats would help lessen the impact... However I wasn't sure what the fall out will be, but that's future me's issue.
I locked the tablet and tossed it—gently—to Lily.
"Hold onto it," I said.
"What? Why me?" she squeaked.
"Because I don't wanna see anything else... It's gonna be a second apocalypse for me." I said seriously.
Lily clutched the tablet like it was a bomb and nodded.
"Okay..."
We loaded the SUV. Some of the bags in the trunk. Extra water jugs. Emergency supplies. Back up ammo. A few blankets. Most of the stuff was safely stored in my Inventory from last night.
Then everyone climbed in:
Alexiy took shotgun, looking determined.
Rea and Delilah took the middle row. So they could react faster.
Sarah, Danny and Lily sat in the back. With Danny in the back as a final line of defense if the worst comes.
Aaron was curled up on the floor with a pillow, already half-asleep.
Not perfect spacing, but we made it work:
The strong ones up front. The less experienced protected in the middle and back. D
I typed Meso's coordinates into the GPS.
It showed it was about nine hours away.
Get up to the mountains. We had to go through ruined suburbs. Down the empty highways.
It was a long road. But one that was needed.
The engine rumbled beneath us as I pulled out of the garage.
The sun was bright, morning fresh.
Time to move.
After fifteen minutes of silence, Rea finally asked:
"…Elion? Where… are we actually going?"
I took a breath.
Time for the talk. They needed to know a little about Meso.
"My bestfriend's cabin," I said. "It's deep in the mountains."
Delilah perked up. "Your friend?"
I exhaled again. They deserved to know if they were going to live there...
"Meso…" I began slowly, "is someone you all need to understand before we arrive. Because one wrong step and you might die."
The entire car froze.
Even Alexiy looked at me sharply.
"What?" Aaron squeaked from the floor.
I cleared my throat.
"Okay. Everyone listen carefully. Because what I'm about to say is extremely important for your survival. I'm not exaggerating. This is life-or-death information."
All eyes on me.
Good.
"My friend Mesopotamian — yes, that's her real name — Is… crazy."
Silence.
Actual, complete silence.
Then:
"Crazy how?" Lily whispered.
"Like she's insane... A little," I said.
Aaron peeked over the seat. "A little?"
I sighed.
"Okay. She's a sociopath."
The reaction was instant:
Sarah sucked in a breath.
Delilah's eyes widened.
Danny stiffened.
Rea's hand went toward her gun.
Lily muttered "oh god."
Even Alexiy leaned away from me slightly.
I kept talking.
"She's not evil. She's not malicious. But she sees the world differently. She cares about… like, three people. Maybe four. And the rest? She doesn't care enough to hurt them—but she won't blink if something happens. And if something gets in her way..."
"So…" Danny whispered, "…she might kill us?"
"Only If you piss her off," I said bluntly. "Or lie to her. Or annoy her."
Silence again.
I continued:
"She escaped three psychiatric and detention facilities before she turned eighteen. She's also on the FBI's most wanted number 8 I think..."
Delilah made a tiny squeak.
"...She had a horrific childhood," I added. "That's why she is the way she is. I won't get into it since it's not my story, but she's smart. A certified genius, hacked the government, made some new inventions. She's the controlled kind of crazy. She's not some tantrum-throwing psycho."
Lily slid lower in her seat.
"Not helping…"
I lifted a finger.
"But, with me? She's fine. We've known each other for years and I know her better than anyone. So long as I'm there, she won't lash out. I'll handle her. I always have."
Alexiy looked at me softly.
"Is it… safe to go to her?" she asked.
I let out a small, wry smile.
"Honestly? Being with her is one of the safest places we can be in the apocalypse."
"…How," Rea murmured.
"She doesn't die easily," I said. "She won't let me die. And she doesn't tolerate threats anywhere near her territory. The safe house were going to is one of many she made to hide from the government."
Then I added:
"Just… remember these rules: First, don't talk unless spoken to, and jeep answers short. Also don't lie, it's like she can smell when you lie. Second, don't touch anything. And I mean anything, she's super OCD when it comes to her stuff. And finally... If she stares at you for too long—just look away and stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements. She won't harm you. I promise."
The car absorbed that with utter terror.
Lily broke the tension:
"I saw one of her messages," she whispered. "It started with: 'I pulled a zombie's heart out with my bare hands and put it above my mantle.' She attached a picture. I didn't open it."
A cold shiver rippled through the car.
I chuckled and turned up the music on Alexiy's phone—the soft type, meant to calm nerves.
Alexiy looked at me again.
"You're not scared?" she asked softly.
"Nah."
"Why?"
I glanced at her.
"Because I know her. And she knows me. We may have only ever talked online, but 4 years means we can have a lot of conversations... Let's just say that this, heading to cabin with any survivors was already planned. Just like how we have a few plans or idea prepared on what to do next. "
Her looked me in the eye with a serious face, but she smiled.
"Well… you said you'd handle it, right? Besides… I'm your… wife now…"She whispered the word so quietly I almost didn't catch it. "You'll protect me… right?"
I glanced at her—her eyes soft, hopeful, trusting.
Always trusting.
I reached over and squeezed her hand.
"Of course," I said. "I've got you."
Her blush hit nuclear levels. As her ears turned a bright red.
She looked out the window, smiling like an idiot.
Rea noticed. But just looked away, thoughtfully staring out the window. Sarah smiled faintly. Lily giggled exaggeratedly, as Aaron and Danny fell back asleep.
I kept driving.
The sun climbed high. Mountains grew closer. Trees thickened on either side of the road.
The world expanded.
And somewhere ahead—waiting in that cabin—
Was Meso...
My friend. She was my 'partner-for-the-end-of-the-world'. The girl who might kill everyone in this car if they pissed her off…or who might protect them fiercely if she accepted them. She's a good girl, just a little broken, a little hurt. Just like me... I knew I couldn't keep her under control I could only hope.
It depended entirely on how this goes.
But that was a problem for Future Elion.