Luminous Nights

Shut In

     "I think you've been up there long enough," the zombie says, giving an amused smirk, "You did say you wanted to talk some more about me." They pause in their words, looking up at me now.

"...And that door looks as secure as it's gonna get. Why don't you come sit down?" They gestured over to an area on the matress.

     "I suppose I did say that," I say, strolling on over to where they were sitting and taking a seat beside them for myself. Despite everything, I kept my distance.

     And despite everything, my knowledge of them was limited.

     "Who even are you?" I questioned with both curiosity and cluelessness residing in my voice.

     They smiled in response, "I think you'll need to be a little more specific than that," they say,  "Regardless, I haven't said a word about me yet. It's Riin. they/them."

     "Riin, The rat bastard zombie I'll have to deal with for who knows how long." I say blantantly.

     "That's correct!" they hum, "And you are?.."

     I stare blankly for a second.

     "...Roy."

     I haven't said my own name in ages, never even thinking about it. I lost myself throughout the apocalypse.

"I go by he/him."

     "Mmm, and I suppose I'll be saying that name many more times to even be able to count," Riin smiles.

"Uh huh, like I'm letting a zombie back into my shed again." I roll my eyes.

Just then, a loud,  booming sound of thunder errupted from outside.

"What the hell?" I muttered as I rushed toward the door and listened for the sounds beyond the soundly protected wall.

It was a thunderstorm. And it wasn't a very forgiving storm either.

I sense Riin's presence behind me, as they casually lean over to look me in the face.

"Well, what d' ya say we do now?" Riin whistled, their hands relaxed inside their pockets. I sighed in response.

"We're stuck in here."