As The World Ends

Chapter 18 - Cold Pizza and A Breakdown

"I can't do that," Jay said sharply.

Erin crossed her arms. "Why not?"

"Well, to put it simply, you're a cabbage-headed arrogant fool, and I don't want to interact with you if I don't have to."

Shaking her head, Erin frowned. "But you're my commanding officer."

"I am well aware," Jay muttered. "Seeing as there is nothing I can do about it, I'm stuck with avoiding you as much as possible." He shifted impatiently, looking like he desperately wanted to be literally anywhere else.

"Could you at least maybe not be unkind about it? I'm trying." The soldier looked down at the floor, lifting one hand to tug on a lock of ginger hair.

"Try harder. Being a smart-mouth is a choice, be careful when you make it." The commander turned and began to retreat back into his room.

Erin's hand shot out to hold the door in place. "Okay! Okay. Fine. I'm... sorry."

"For what?" Jay prompted. He sounded like he was regretting some very notable life decisions.

"For being rude and disrespectful to you and other superiors." Erin dropped into an exaggerated bow, still gripping the metal door.

Jay sighed. "And?"

"And I won't say anything like that to you again."

They raised an eyebrow. "Just me?"

Erin straightened from the bow and gave them a goofy smile. "I won't hurt anyone's feelings... as long as they don't deserve it."

Jay sighed. "Well, since you're here, I need you to go assist John."

"Why," Erin demanded indignantly.

Pressing two fingers to his forehead, Jay moved to shut the door again. "He needs a break and you're available."

"But-"

"And I am, in your own words, your commanding officer. He and Robin are in their room, now shoo." Jay made a shooing motion with the hand that wasn't gripping the door handle.

Both of Erin's hands returned to her side and she ignored the faint outline of fingers left on the metal. "Fine." She muttered and trudged away, scowling.

"Make sure to knock before you open the door," Jay called after her.

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"What do you want?" John sounded dead tired, like he'd been awake for a week. The shadows under his eyes and his scraggly, greasy appearance made it look like he's also been punched in the face at some point.

"Jay ordered me to help you out."

"With what?"

"I dunno, all he told me was that you apparently need a break."

John dragged a hand wearily down his face. "Yeah, I guess. Come on in."

Erin stepped inside, eyes immediately going to the figure lying in a fetal position in the bed farthest to the left. After a brief moment of process of elimination, she decided that the figure was Robin.

"How long has it been since they moved?"

"Hm?" John rubbed his bleary eyes.

"Robin. When was the last time they got out of bed?"

"Oh. I don't know. Maybe..." John stopped to count out the days on his fingers. "Three? Four days? Something like that." He swayed, barely able to stand.