Book 1 - Slit My Wrist, Hope to Die

Chapter 9 - Tate/Alex

"So, how would you want it?" Tate asked.

"Oh," Alex said. "I don't know. I'm really not sure. There's so many great ways to be asked and getting asked to be someones soulmate forever is a once in a life time thing; literally. You know, besides the divorced people and whatnot. Anyway, I guess on the beach with my friends holding up signs saying 'Will you marry me?' and then he proposes right there in front of me. If not, then I guess something casual like a dinner with my favorite dishes and stuff and then all of a sudden pops the question. Yeah. I guess like that. I have many more but I guess I should shut up now.." Alex hides her head by curling up in a ball on Tate's bed.

".. Really?" he asked. Tate got off the bed, rotated Alex and kneeled down next to her. "Look at me."

"What?" Alex muffled. She peeked out and saw Tate's hair covering his eyelash.

"Look," he pointed at the tv, showing the movie Star Wars, and then pointed back to himself. "And now me." Alex looked at the movie and then back to Tate. "I just want you to know, that, if the Empire strikes and attacks us, I want you by my side." He sits Alex up straight. "I want to be your Han." Tate reaches in his pocket and pulls out a ring case. Alex gasps. "Will you be my princess forever?"

      Alex squeals with joy. Tears are forming up around her eyes and she could not get the smile off her face. She reached out her hand and Tate puts on the five carat ring with an old fashin look to it, on to her wedding finger. Alex manages to say, "Yes."

They kiss and hug which feels like forever. Then Tate slips and falls on the floor. They both laugh and Tate pulls her down with him.

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"Whos' that?" Alex whispers. She hides behind Tate who's holding up a sharp, medium size knife. Thoughts race through Alex's head until she says, "Wait, what if that's my mom?" Alex tries to rush pass Tate but he stops her.

"We don't know that. Just stay by the kitchen. Please," Tate gives her the knife. "If something happens, use it. Do not, do NOT hold back."

"Wait, but-"

"Sh. The knocking noise is still there."

      The rhythm pattern of the knocks were off which gave Tate some possiblities: that could be Alex's mother, or any family member, hurt or it could be one of those fucking zombie-like creatures and they're knocking on the door. Then it popped in his head. Zombies. He thinks, "But that's just science fiction. Am I fucking stupid? Well, it isn't that odd since the fucking city is on red alert apprantly. Heh, fine." Tate reached the door and put his sweaty palm on the door knob and pauses. He turns and says normally towards Alex, "Aim for the head. Bash the head in. Remember that, okay?" Alex nodded. He opened the door.

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      Janurary 24

         Today was a special day but it didn't act like it. The black sky was washing down and thunder roared in anger against the hidden sun. The thunder scared the sun badly, so it started crying. The little creatures below were getting wet and that made the hidden sun even more sad, so it kept on crying. Tate didn't mind though because he adored the rain and would walk outside a little bit whenever he can before the rain stopped. He's proud to say that his girlfriend, Alex, loved rain too. I couldn't understand how much they had in common.

        Tate sat on his bed and thought of it all. They were both picky about their food. They both loved science fiction and were both grammar crazy. Tate adored that Alex loved shooting games just like he and that they both loved the same kind of music. It just drove him crazy that he didn't meet her sooner because they seem so right. Tate doubts she thinks the same way though.

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Alex lies on her bed and thinks about Tate, his grin, his laugh, his hair and his stupid humor. She can't believe that they have a lot in common. They both like meat. They both liked fantasy books and just books in general. They're into the same clothing styles and love games. She then laughs at the thought about how he'll never play with her because she doesn't want him seeing her gaming side yet; about how it looks like in action. They adore each other like two little puppies playing together and they can't seem to stop.

"Today is going to be a great day."

"Today is going to be a great day."

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Present

     The body fell upon Tate and pins him to the ground. He yells and starts trying to get the body off his being but it won't budge. It's teeth were near centimeters away from his face, his neck, his cheeks. It keeps snapping at him and it's horrible groans were getting to him. "ALEX," Tate yells. He reaches out. "GIVE ME THE KNIFE, NOW." Alex, looks around her house like it's her first time visiting when she was a young girl, until she finally runs up and stabs the creature in the head. It stops moving. Blood oozed out of the head and onto the well polished floor. "Alex.." Tate mutters.

"Did it work? Did I kill it?" Alex asked. She grabbed the creature's clothes and helped shove it off Tate.

"I'm," Tate paused and tried to catch his breath. "I'm pretty sure you did." He turned the body over to see who it was, or who it used to be, and his heart sank. "It's your grandma, Alex."

"What?" Alex said quietly. She looked over and saw her face. The look on Alex's face shot at Tate's being himself. Alex ran into her room and closed it off. She sobbed quietly into her pillow.

"I better give her a few minutes. To cool down. I guess I'll take her out." Tate thought. While he heard Alex's cries, he dragged her grandmother out of the apartment and into the elevator. Figures they're not gonna use it anyway. Before leaving, he takes the knife out of her head, and closes her eyes. "Rest in peace." He walks back into the apartment and locks the doors. He softly puts his head on the door and closes his eyes. "Fuck," he says quietly. He shuts his eyes tight and tries to shut out the entire world, but fails. He opens them slowly and slowly and quietly walks towards Alex's room. Her cries were softer and shorter. "Hey," Tate greets her as he walks in. "Baby, it's okay. She's in a better place. I swear." Alex turns slowly and looks into his eyes.

"Are you sure?" her voice cracks as she says that sentence.

"Positive." Tate hugs Alex and kisses her forehead. "Come on, get some sleep. I know how you get when you cry. You get tired." He pulls her blanket over her and tucks her in. "Sweet dreams, honeybunny."

Alex shuts her eyes and sniffs. Tate just stands over her, studying her beautiful, stunning face. When all of a sudden she says, "You didn't tell her we were back together."

"I'm sorry. It slipped out."

"It's okay, babe. I liked it." She then rolls over and doesn't say another word.

Tate blushes and goes out to the living room and sits down. He laughs quietly to himself and smiles. He covers his face with the palms of his hands and tries to get the stupid grin off his face but he can't. He just lies back and looks up at the ceiling. For a moment, everything was okay. "Babe."