Survival Mode

Chapter Thirty - Five

It was a cold, sunny morning. The sun showed dimly through the cracks of the attic ceiling. Tominnow sat up from her bed in the corner of the immense room and yawned. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the dark, gloomy room. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something move.

Then, it groaned. She let out a gasp and hid under the covers. But, next thing she knew - "Tominnow?"

"Huh? Tunip!?" Tominnow pulled off the covers and looked into Tunip's bright blue eyes. "Why are you up here? Shouldn't you be downstairs in your bedroom?"

He yawned and nodded. "Yeah, probably. I must have fallen asleep up here though after we said goodnight." Tunip as well looked around the room. A look of disgust appeared on his face. "Are you sure you're going to be okay up here? ...Alone?"

Tominnow giggled. "I've been alone for nearly half of my life, Tunip. I'll be fine. You can come visit me, though. Try not to get caught. That would be bad."

"Agreed." Tunip let out a sigh and rubbed his back. "Man... that floor was not comfortable to sleep on at all. I'll bring up some breakfast for you later. I better hurry before someone -"

"Tunip? Tunip! Where the hell is he?"

Tunip let out a sigh and smirked at Tominnow. "I better get going. See you later, Tominnow." She watched as he walked to the center of the room and opened a hatch on the floor. He then waved to her and jumped down from it. Tominnow sighed with a smile. Maybe falling in love with Tunip wouldn't be as hard as it appeared to be before...

Speaking of Tunip, as soon as his feet hit the floor he ran to the door beside him leading into a bedroom - his and Shellington's bedroom. He opened the door and there stood his older brother. Shellington was definitely angry. The scowl on his face said it all. Tunip gulped and laughed nervously. "Hey... Shellington. I was just um... out in the garden! Yes, that's it! I wanted to... get flowers for uh... Tweak! She's been isolating herself a lot lately and I thought flowers might cheer her up. Although, I heard some zombies so I decided to come inside. I hope that's -"

"Tunip," interrupted Shellington. He formed his hands into fists and prepared to shout; but then stopped. Shellington let out a sigh and smiled slightly at his younger brother. "Just... let me know next time before you go out, okay?"

"O-Okay... Will do." Tunip watched as Shellington exited the room. This was not normal... Usually, Shellington would yell at his brother, but today... today was different.

He followed Shellington out to the kitchen where everyone had sat down for a light breakfast. Well, almost everyone. Dashi and Tweak were both missing - which was no surprise. Heather and Kate were too missing; but Tunip figured they were somewhere discussing Tweak's condition privately. Of course, Tominnow was hiding in the attic. That left Dr. Wilson, Peso, Malcolm, Shellington, and Tunip. The 5 males of the house. They sat down in their seats and each dug into their breakfast. But Tunip, however, saved some of his food for Tominnow. He wouldn't let her go hungry.

Up in the attic, Tominnow hummed to herself quietly as she thought of her future. What if she and Tunip were to be married? She always had a dream of marrying someone exactly like him. Blonde, blue eyes, tall... he also had the cutest face. She sighed dreamily and smiled.

However, in the lair of Carter Mason, he was smirking to himself. "Good work, Jonathan," he called out to his henchman. "With this bug you put on my daughter, we can hear everything she tells those foolish bastards. Now, all we have to do, is kidnap the mom and make sure my daughter never falls in love. If she does... not only will she regain her powers, but also... well... you and I both know what will happen."

"It's funny how oblivious your daughter is to the truth without her powers," Jonathan said. He smirked mischievously and chuckled. "That little pep talk I gave her... it was the worst moment of my life! Please tell me I never have to do that again."

"Apologies, my friend," Carter replied, "but you will have to keep up the act until we get Tweak Harrell and my daughter back. Once we have Harrell, you know what needs to be done. With my daughter, however, I have a plan that will prevent her from ever falling in love, regaining her powers, and... the other thing."

Jonathan's eyes widened with interest. "What is that plan, sir?"

A cruel smile formed on Carter's lips and he chuckled darkly. "I'm going to kill her."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you understand?"

Kate stared at Heather. She lowered her head and nodded. "Yeah, uh - I think so? Where did you hear all of this anyways?"

Heather gulped. "Uh, my source has asked to be kept a secret. Don't fret, though. She is reliable and promises to help us."

"Okay," Kate sighed. She looked out the window in her bedroom and saw a zombie staring up at her from the ground. She smiled and returned her focus to Heather. "Anyways, would you mind leaving for a moment? I really need to finished getting ready for the day."

Heather nodded and exited the room. Kate closed the door behind her and locked it. She then ran to the window and grinned. Hey Kwaz, she said in her mind, I missed you.

I missed you too. Uhm... Why were you talking to Heather?

A groan left Kate's mouth. She says that someone told her Carter Mason will kidnap Tweak and do something drastic to her if he discovers she's pregnant. Tweak's life is miserable, Kwazii. I visit every day and she's not only getting bigger, but worse.

For a moment, Kwazii didn't respond. Then Kate heard a sigh and Kwazii's voice, Tell Tweak. Tell her about us... our ability.

What are you - crazy!? I thought you and I both agreed not to tell anyone -

I know, I know! Kwazii sighed once more and Kate was sure she saw a tear slide down his cheek. Kate... I just really miss her...

Kate let out a sigh and nodded. I understand, Kwazii... Look, if you think it's the right thing to do - tell her I can talk to your remaining human self - I'll tell her.

A smile formed on Kwazii's disfigured lips. Oh, thank you, Kate! You are the best twin sister anyone could ever ask for!

Kate chuckled and rolled her eyes. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Do you want me to tell her now or when we meet again again tomorrow?

I would prefer when we meet again tomorrow. That way, I could see her. Kwazii's green body began to shake. He lowered his head. He let out a sigh and returned his gaze to Kate. I'll see you and Tweak tomorrow, Kate. I love you.

Love you, too. Kate watched as her twin brother quickly ran into the woods. She let out a sigh and turned. When she did, she gasped. Behind her stood Tweak.

Her bright, green eyes were wide with fear. She had her arms folded around her stomach; and she looked as if she could puke at any moment. Tweak blinked twice and a tear fell from one eye. "Was that -"

"Yeah," Kate replied, before Tweak could say anything. "That was the father of your child. He and I - we have this special ability..."

Tweak raided her eyebrows. "Such as?"

Kate let out a sigh. "I don't know why, or how... I don't even know how it's possible! But I - I can speak to Kwazii's inner human... telepathically."