UnEarthed

Chapter 12

It's a blazing hot day and Hope, Trojan and Max sit at the island bar in the kitchen eating whatever they pull from the fridge.

"I cannot believe she came back." Hope groans.

"Why are you so threatened by her?" Max asks as he shoves a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"Who said I was threatened?" Hope scuffs and glares at the two men.

"No, baby.... You're not threatened." Trojan replies and pats her back. "You're clearly jealous."

Hope abruptly stands from her barstool. "I am far from jealous of her." She washes her bowl out in the sink and places it in the dishwasher before slamming it shut. "I just don't understand why you men are so eager for her to be here... she could possibly be responsible for the zombie outbreak."

"We don't know that. We know her father was involved somehow. He could've kept Kenzy in the dark the whole time." Max replies.

"Max, you are so naïve." Hope snickers.

"No, I am not!" He stands and walks up to Hope. "And I would appreciate it if you would stop talking to me like I am a child. I may be the youngest but I am not stupid. I know we need Kenzy. Trojan and Rob know we need her. You need to pull your head out of your ass and realize it too."

Max steps back, slightly proud of himself for finally standing up to Hope. He loves her like a sister but she can be very demeaning and he has had enough.

"Max..." Hope gasps but is otherwise speechless.

Trojan sits at the bar, bowl in hand and continues eating while watching the action, wondering who will throw the first punch. He is disappointed when Rob walks in with Kenzy, putting an end to the showdown.

"When you three are done eating, meet Kenzy and me in the barn." He orders and leaves the house with Kenzy trailing closely behind him.

"You've got to be kidding me." Hope complains. "She's already up his ass."

"Hope, don't start. He told her to go to the barn." Max says and tosses his leftover food in the trash before leaving the kitchen.

"I'm on your side, Boo." Trojan jokes and winks at Hope but she just rolls her eyes and leaves him standing there. "Oh, she wants me." He mumbles to himself before following the others out of the house.

Rob gets everyone's attention. "We have a lot of training to do and are losing hunting time to do it so get focused on what needs to be done now." Walking over to the covered cage, Rob pulls the tarp off. The ugly, dead girl growls and slams against the cage wall trying to scare Rob. "Kenzy, you are going to kill this today."

Kenzy takes a deep breath. "Okay..." Feeling her hands shaking, Kenzy stands firm hoping the others cannot see how terrified she is.

Max smiles at Kenzy and steps closer to her. "Don't worry, we're all here to back you up."

"Oh please, Max. Can your flirting get any more obvious?" Hope snaps with her hands perched on her hips.

"Well, it's not as obvious as your jealousy." Max replies.

Everyone, including Kenzy laughs at Max's comeback. Unable to come up with a good stab, an intense anger comes over Hope. She stands inches from Kenzy's face hoping to intimidate her.

"Wow, I'm starting to think you enjoy standing so close to me. I would say it turns me on but you're far from my type." Kenzy begins her sarcasm.

"You think you're so smooth. I warned you about your attitude." Hope threatens and holds up her unusually large pink nail file.