My Zombie Family (MZF) BL

'Girl in a Cave'

While the mysterious girl chipped at the rock, Noelle rested her head, hearing the occasional kik, kik, kik! While dreaming, she thought of many things: the village, desserts she'd never seen, and her Pa's joyful laughter while playing with her rabbit. Silly dreams, she'd think, if only she could remember them once she awoke. With a glint in her eye, the Zombie girl became enthusiastic. The stone had started to come loose. She began chipping cautiously, who knows how much time passed?

With the stone now within reach, the nameless girl grabbed a pair of tiny pliers and attempted to pull the rock. Steady she was, but not alert enough. She fell back, splitting the ore in two! One half lay embedded in the rock while the other stuck to her pliers, almost breaking itself from the girl's nervous pressure. "Oh no!" She panicked wildly. Quickly, she placed the ore piece into a small pouch and tied it, wearing it like a necklace. The girl wondered what to do with the other half. Until her eyes landed on Noelle, snoozing off, leaning against the wall. A chuckle and a small smile appeared on Noelle's face.

'She must be been dreaming something nice.' Thought the Zombie girl.

The Girl lifted her glasses and smiled shyly, feeling a sense of gratitude. A blessing? Yes, she was feeling immensely grateful. She didn't know who or what was watching her from above. But whatever it was, had been listening to her silent pleas and sent Noelle down to meet her. Even if the two weren't real friends, she was grateful she was given the chance to meet her in her 'own' way.

For as long as she could remember, she'd known loneliness very well. Down in the cave, she'd never receive visitors, nor knew the comfort of connection. Lest the few errands she'd run for her brother, there was never a means to see him. He would always be busy. The Zombie girl's brother had always been smarter than her; how could she ever understand? All she needed to do was assist her brother by remaining in the cave. Throughout that time, she'd convince herself that things were ok. She was ok. It was needless to want more, and yet, she felt herself betraying her resolve, wishing for more. Behind her hollow eyes and vibrant smile was a child who became attached. A child who wanted a friendship, a connection.

And meeting Noelle only proved to be all the more true.

She smiled, happy that she might have found that within Noelle. Even if it was one-sided, she still felt grateful. Feeling inspired, she returned to the ore, carefully removing it from its base and wrapping it up within a second pouch. It was time to wake Noelle.

"Noelllee..."

"Noeeellllleeeee..." A voice called out. Far, yet near.

"Go away... Papa...Noah?" Noelle rubbed her eyes, waking up to the mysterious girl smiling widely. "Papa Noah? Who's that?" asked the girl, becoming rather curious of her newfound friend. "Huh? Oh, you finished?!" Noelle instantly got up and went to check if the ore had disappeared. She hoped to see it before it got taken away, but alas, she grew tired and fell asleep. Approaching where it once stood, a visible frown spread across her face, seeing the ore removed. "Looking for this?"

Noelle turned toward the voice to see her companion holding a pouch, shaking it enthusiastically. Confused, Noelle wondered what it could mean. Suddenly, the Zombie girl knelt beside her, placing the necklace cautiously around Noelle's neck.

Noelle at first had no idea what it was. But she was curious. Heeding the words of the elder zombie, she carefully opened the pouch, and there was the beautiful gem. Her eyes widened in shock as she cried out, "But! - How?!" Bewildered and confused, she didn't know what to say. "When I was excavating it, my pressure went wack! And... it cracked into two so... Now you can have this other half." The girl smiled shyly.