NECROMANTIC

nineteen.

For a long moment, after Marcus said 'I'm like you' nobody moved, or spoke. Rob and I were frozen in place, staring at this cheerful looking stranger with wide eyes, and frowns of confusion, apprehension, shock and defensiveness. Marcus simply looked at us, his gaze alternating between the two of us in turn, that smirk on his lips, an almost expectant expression on his face. Like he was just letting the information sink in, and he had all the time in the world.

Eventually, I managed to swallow, my throat tickly, dry, croaky as I stuttered out "You're – you're what?"

"Like you." He replied simply, before cocking his head to the side and arching an eyebrow. He looked almost amused. "Or were you asking me to repeat my name? I just assumed you were looking for confirmation of my last point, seeing as that's the most shocking, but I could be wrong, I-"

"Shut up." Rob said suddenly, making me jump a little, and I glanced back at him to see him staring at Marcus in horror, and frustration, eyes dark and troubled, jaw tight with tension. "What did you call me?"

Marcus chuckled, and shook his head. "I called you Zombie Boy, Rob." He chuckled again, before shrugging. "My sense of humour is dark, I'm aware. I'm also an agitator. But I mean no harm, really."

"Who are you?" my voice was quiet, wobbly.

Marcus frowned, snorting a laugh. "I just told you, Sarah-"

"Stop!" I yelled suddenly, and I noted, with a little delight, I managed to wipe that smirk form Marcus's face, and make him jolt a little. I took a step forward, and Rob's hand shot out to grab my arm and pull me back, but I shrugged away from his hold. I stood defiantly, hoping the wobble I felt in my knees wasn't something that anyone but me was aware of. "I know your fucking name. I know what you said. That's not what I'm asking." I said, doing my best to keep my tone calm, level, but threatening. "Who the fuck are you? How do you know our names? How did you find us?" I paused, before swallowing. "And what do you mean you're like me?"

"Ok." Marcus said, after a moment, nodding. He held both his hands up, palms held flat out toward Rob and I. He paused, before lowering his hands. "I guess I maybe didn't go about this the best way." He smiled. "Call it my flair for the dramatic."

I folded my arms across my chest, fixing him with a stony expression. I felt Rob's hand on my shoulder, and I could feel him taking a stand just behind me. Hopefully with the same expression. I hoped we looked formidable and take-no-shit.

Marcus's smile wavered before going out altogether, when he realised we weren't going to budge. "Ok. Well... my name is Marcus Knox. I'm... I'm twenty years old. Not from here. I'm actually... from Lynn? I only arrived here last night... looking for you. And a couple others."

I couldn't help it. "Others?" popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"Yeah." He nodded. "Three, here in Salem, if the research I've done it right. You, a twenty-six year old primary school teacher, Zara Taylor, and a twenty-one year old waitress, Olivia Conners." He paused. "There's more, of course. So far, I'd take a guess at about sixteen altogether. The others... they're other places. Further away. At college, or moved across the country." He shrugged. "Mostly girls. About three guys, give or take. The gene is obviously predominant in females."

"What are you talking about?" Rob said, before I could.

Marcus's eyes flickered up to Rob, briefly, and like he couldn't help it when he did, he smirked, before he looked back at me, and the smirk was gone. "Sarah... what you can do... seeing the dead, the power of resurrection..." he pressed both hands to his chest. "I can do it, too."

I was glad Rob was right behind me, because if he hadn't been, I would've fallen flat on my ass. Instead, I fell onto his chest, and his arms wrapped around me, keeping me upright. Safe.