Luminous Nights

Stormy Night

"Well, we'll just wait it out. The storm should be gone in no time," Riin said, convinced.

"Maybe it's a good thing you've never been a weather forecaster in your past life," I retorted, "Have you seen the storm outside?!"

     The rain outside spilled violently over the terrain, as if a huge bucket were being poured down on us from above. I'd doubt any weather forcaster would've predicted this one. It's truly a strange sight. Rainfall like this hasn't happened in forever. It's one of the reasons why a town I once could call home had deteriorated into what is now an empty wasteland. Only deserted buildings were what remained left of the town.

     "Well, even the best weather forcasters get things wrong time to time! I'd say I'm on the same level as them," they smiled. I watched as they walked over and planted themself back on the mattress.

     Not even for a second would I have believed a storm like this will pass through in a couple of hours, especially with the lack of credibility Riin is holding up. I don't even bother to roll my eyes at the thought.

Riin slouched back, and in response the mattress made a squeaking sound. "Hey, besides, even if we are stuck in here, it just makes it more the worthwhile to get to know each other!"

"Yeah, whatever," I said, not bothering to hide my lack of enthusiasm. What's more to know about them? That they're an undead bastard who may be the most annoying person I've met in 4 years? ... And the only person I've met in 4 years.

     "Oh come on, Roy! It won't kill you to have a conversation, I promise. Now get over here with that scowling face of yours!"

     As if that would actually convince me to talk. Despite it all, I gave in and sat on the mattress with them. Not because I wanted to, but it would get them to shut up faster in the end.  "I don't understand why you're so eager to talk to me," I spoke.

     "Why aren't you? I can't seem to think that there are many instances there are out there to have a friendly chat with someone. Plus, wasn't this your idea?"

     They were waiting for a response, but I didn't give one. The absense of sound fills the room as we sat in silence.

They study me intently as if there's more than what I'm showing to them, like a layer beneath me. I feel irked by this. They act like they know me more than myself and nothing could get under my skin more than such presumptions.

They spoke, "I see it in your eyes, you know. You just can't bring yourself to admit it."

     I'm confused by their comment. What could they even be referring to?

"I doubt it," I replied to the claim. What could be shown in my eyes after all? I'll admit, I've always had a hardened shell, but to see through that in the short time while we've interacted? And all this time I thought the coming of the apocalypse squeezed the compassion out of me. They must be bluffing.

Or maybe I'd soften in the face of them, unlikely, but a feasibility.

"If you think that, then... What am I really thinking?"

"Oh, it's easy to see," said Riin surely, "you're lonely! Filled to the brim with resentment and mourning."

"Are you serious?" I said, incredulous. Although we both knew I knew better than that.

It doesn't take long to see how long I've been in these ruins alone.  But I'm not going to let my guard down just because they're trying to mess with my personal problems and emotions.

"Are you going to prove me wrong? No?" They questioned. It's clear they're spewing nonsense in an attempt to brainwash me. Why should I have to prove otherwise?

"I shouldn't have to prove anything." I said grimly.

"Oh, well now that's just denial." Riin said. I scoffed at how confident they seem to be about all of this. They seemed to pick up on that too.

"Hey". They sat close beside me. "It's okay if you're lonely, I'll stay. We both don't have anywhere else to go. If you want my company you can just say so," they say, in an attempt to try a different approach to weaken my guard.

As if I forgot they were a zombie. Would I really live with a zombie in my poor excuse of a house? Times are seriously getting desperate now. But, looking at it differently, maybe they really do mean it. Perhaps I would, if it meant I could be happy.

"It's not like you have a choice," I mumble. "You'll die out there by another survivor if you keep lurking about."

"And would that really be so bad for someone like you? One less zombie am I right?"

"God, I don't know. You were never that much of a threat to begin with. You're just lucky I haven't shot you for being such a pain in the ass!"

     They smile, "So you admit it! You want me to stay!"

"I never said that! Do you just filter out everything I say except the sanguine parts?" My face felt flushed. As much as I wanted company, Riin gets exceedingly more annoying with every passing minute. Especially with that amused look on their face. How can zombies even smile with their rotting teeth?

I darted away from their gaze. "Even if you were to stay, how can we be sure there is enough food for the both of us here?" I said under my breath.

"Ha! Well, considering I'm already undead, I don't need it as much as one who's alive would," they said, "I'm more worried about you."

"Worried about me?... I'll have you know I've been doing absolutely great before meeting you, thank you." I retorted.

     What makes them want to care for me? This is a person that barely knows me! How can you be so sure to trust me when I was the guy to potentially shoot a bullet through your skull without a second thought! Why would they want to stay unless they were just gonna eat and infect me in the end? The more I get to know them the more questions they leave me with. Especially a big one that I've had since the moment they fended off those zombies for me.

     "...Why do you trust me so easily?"

Riin blinked, and without hesitation, they said, "Well, I had a feeling I knew I could."

Mixed feelings flood into me. I want to shout at them and exclaim, 'what sense does that even make?!' but I know I can't, because I knew what they meant. And so instead, I sat there and nodded in understanding, Maybe that's why my fingers froze when I could've shot them.

     The night was approaching, but strangely enough, I felt as if I could sleep near them without any danger or precautions. Do zombies need sleep? I wouldn't know, but slowly I found myself nodding off. Will they still be here when I wake up? Or was it all a dream? These days have been strange, but an unique experience nonetheless.

     The rain kept pouring onto the roof of the shed. It won't clear for a while, but that's okay. I never thought I'd be here with a zombie, but, the company is nice.