Unstoppable: Revitalized

-10-

"What the fuck are you doing in my house!?" I shouted, watching his chest take a large, deep breath before taking another puff, smoke leaving through his nose as he seemed to ponder.

"The boss' orders. I'm supposed to keep an eye on you for today, and come over whenever needed, or whenever your summoned to us. That won't be for a while, though. Basically, I'm here to make sure you live like a normal person, despite what happened to you."

So, all that stuff really happened. No. I'm supposed to be dead. How? How?! HOW AM I NOT DEAD?! I DIED SO MANY TIMES! HOW?!

"How am I alive?" I kept my question blunt, with no way round besides the truth.

"Quiet. Let me finish this, and then we'll talk." He threw me a mean stare as he got to the halfway point, letting the smoke settle.

"No, you'll get out of my house before I call the police, and have you arrested. Leave, now. Also, why didn't you sleep on the sofa? That's my parents bedroom, asshole."

"Where are they?" He asked, dropping more ash on the floor as the end continued to crackle away, twisting and burning at the seams.

"They're... well, they're- they- dead, Callum. Fucking dead." I couldn't muster a full sentence over it yet. The wound still felt fresh, the same fresh as that bat he owned made me feel. Callum's face softened slightly, eyebrows returning to normal

"Huh. Well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"Thanks, I guess. But I'm serious, get out."

"Not my call to make, Adam. Do you want to stand out here and freeze, or do you want me to explain how you work?"

I didn't argue. Instead, I kissed my teeth, spun round, and walked myself back into my own house, the tea I wanted still the first thing on my damaged mind.

Back inside, we both took a seat at the table, food suddenly being the last thing I wanted. Callum leaned back, putting his feet on the table at an angle, enough so I could see his face. He was dressed smartly: Blue jeans, not a crease in sight, similar to his white T-shirt that curved around his muscled arms, with the strands of blonde hair just sitting above his eyes. He looked almost identical to the first time, a stark contrast to where I was now.

"You, Adam, were given something. Something from a private lab, one you definitely don't remember. We're very curious to see how you've come so far without it tearing it's way out of you. And so, when we found a list of potential marke candidates from an unnamed source, we found most went to your school, Moresby High. Sure, we knew you had been infected with the experiment but you were one of many. Most of them are either dead, or missing, which means currently you re the most valuable asset we have. Still, we combed over everything, and you didn't stand out. Well, not on the report. The lack of grades but high teacher praise was something... Anyway, moving on: I've been at the school for the same time as you, keeping tabs on all I could. Sure, I work for money, but I'm still a student. But, they do pay very, very well. And sure, The Boss has me looped in with a few dealers at the school, but he hopes to take over, and take that research they'll do on you for himself. At that point, they could make thousands of you. You'll be free. So, just sit back and enjoy life. I'm sure The Boss won't leave you empty handed. You'll be compensated for your trouble"

"So... I'm a lab experiment?" I left the conversation more confused than I thought I would.

"No, you were given a lab experiment. And now it's a part of you. You aren't dead, nor is there anyone left in your immediate family to ask. You are the last one." He sat his legs down, using them to head back towards the door, shutting it. Through the glass, I could see another cigarette, the end lit in a matter of seconds.

I'll save my questions. The answers will be just as fucking vague. I just need him to clear off.

It took me an hour to realise that my unwanted guest was going nowhere, no matter what I wanted. Reluctantly, I accepted my situation: A prisoner in my own house, yet I had a merciful guard. He seemed more like a security camera, simply keeping track of my movements. He gave me room, peace, and stayed out of my way. We did eat together though, as he'd brought bags of food he'd unpacked. I walked into the kitchen, smelling something, and saw him working away. I thought about saying something, then reminded myself of my situation: A paid off house, and a large chunk of money my parents left me. I had a few government handouts, but that chunk wouldn't last forever. Sooner or later, I'd have to find work. Time flew, and before I knew it, I was sat opposite him at the table, cracked but still sturdy, eating something he'd whipped up. He must've been able to tell I wasn't in the mood to cook. I kept checking my body relentlessly for anything, but still came back with nothing. My chest didn't feel hollow, my brain didn't feel numb, and my body didn't feel empty.

It was though. When my brains hung from my head, and a knife touched the back of my neck from the front, I felt it. I felt how much it hurt. This doesn't make sense, none of it does.

"Why not be adopted, Adam?" Callum broke the silence, immediately snapping me out of my delusions and back to reality, flinching slightly as I did.

"Hm, pardon?"

"Why not be adopted? Plenty of kids with no parents find great ones. Hell, I did it, mine aren't great, but they are better than nothing. I have my own place now, but having people in your corner does help." Callum mulled as he took a bite, keeping his eyes on me.

"It's- It's never been that simple. I couldn't leave this house, nor could I let someone else sleep in that bed- that I knew of. I need to adapt, to learn, and the only way I can do that is by being here. Besides, the walls keep me company." I gestured around me, the house enclosing us in the arms of warmth and peace.

"I can't argue with that. If that's how you wish to be, I won't fight with you about it."

Once we ate, I stood up to head to the bathroom, and by the time I got back, everything was washed up and packed away. Callum stood by the sink, tea towel in hand, before folding it up and stashing it away.

"Christ, you did that quick." I marvelled, and he took notice, facing me.

"I used to be a pot washer. Easy money once you figure it all out. But, I've seen all I have to. I think it's time for me to go. I appreciate you making it easy for both of us, by the way." He began towards the front, unlocking the door and stepping out, the sunrise just behind us. He didn't look back, his shoes crisply clacking against the floor.

"Thanks, Callum."

"Don't thank me." He called out behind himself. "Thank The Boss. He told me to keep an eye on you."

"I'm guessing you don't disobey him at all?" I joked around, but he turned, a blank stare on his face for a few seconds, before continuing on, walking out of my sight. He'd finally left, giving me some time to figure out what I was going to do next.