Red Lightning / (Kas Steddie)

Chapter Three - Zombies

A/N: This chapter contains slight depictions of gore and slight sexual comments. Nothing very graphic.

"Ooo, what's with the pep in your step today , Harrington?" Robin teased, though smiling at the sight. Steve seemed to be a little more energetic today and he'd even done his hair, which he'd somewhat given up on the past few weeks.

"Pep in my- what?" The man knit his eyebrows in confusion for a second.

"Well you're barely crawling, that's a sure improvement. And your shirt is a different colour from yesterday's, I think that's a new record!"

"What are you talking about? I managed to get a little bit of sleep last night, that what you're wondering?"

Robin rolled her eyes. "No longer so much of a zombie, still as much of an idiot."

She jabbed an elbow into her friend's side as he walked past her to find his vest in the break room.

" JESUS- Thanks, uh... good morning to you too . Your hair looks nice today, is Vickie coming over?"

"Oh shut up Dingus, go put on your uniform."

A soft laugh followed him while he walked off to get ready. Though he wasn't thinking about it, Steve did notice that Robin had been right. The past couple of months had been a complete disaster, his lack of sleep had caused him to wear the same shirt days in a row multiple times and he'd constantly been slumped over in exhaustion. Today, though, his few hours of sleep (coupled with a few cups of coffee) had made a minor, but noticeable improvement.

Steve smiled at himself in the small mirror beside the door, adjusting his vest.

Stacking movies that day was still very much lackluster though, and when Robin went for her break, Steve's period of energy completely drained away along with his mood. Every time the door opened and he was greeted with that cheerful little jingle again, Steve's heart would crumble a little bit with the memory of his Eddie Munson arriving unannounced at every chance he got. It's a wonder their relationship stayed under the radar so long.

Thankfully though the day ended, as they usually did, and Steve headed home to an empty house... as he usually did. A rustle disturbed his almost peaceful journey from his car to the front door.

He froze.

It wasn't just a rustle. Coming from the edge of the forest were sounds that told Steve there was something there. The bush shook like the animal behind it was struggling with something.

"... Hello?" He called warily, backing up slowly towards the house.

Steve didn't know what he was expecting, but he felt his stomach twist when he saw an indistinct figure with red eyes rise up and look at him. Its movements were sharp, like a predator.

"Shit-" Steve uttered breathlessly. He stumbled over his own feet trying to unlock his car, but the thing with the red eyes was quicker. It lurched forward, cracking sticks in it's path. It was taller than Steve expected. Around his height. It was thin and humanoid and reminded him far too much of the demons he'd been fighting for like five years.

The man shouted, not able to form words, as if it mattered anyway.

It got to him before he could open the car. The shadow surged through the darkness, footsteps nonexistent on the pavement, and launched itself at Steve, pinning him to the ground. He struggled and squirmed but the creature was strong enough to hold him down.

"GET OFF OF ME, GAH-" He stammered, the thing hissing its protest at him dryly.

It put its hand over Steve's mouth. Instead of eating him or hurting him, it simply sat there, watching him struggle to pry the hand away.