fameless → ZACH HERRON ✓

s e v e n t e e n

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
( SEA BEAR ATTACK )

     CARMEN GIGGLES AT Aurora. The girl currently sits on the floor as Aurora uses white chalk to draw a circle around them on the floor. After doing so, she tosses the chalk aside, and begins to load the nerf gun that lays beside her.

"Aurora, what are we doing?" Carmen asks, her eyes still focused on the circle drawn on the den floor.

"We are protecting ourselves from sea bear attacks," Aurora says in a obvious tone. Carmen laughs, but stops as Aurora fixes a glare on her. "Sea bear attacks are no joke, Caramel. I once lost my cousin to one."

Not waiting for a retort, Aurora gently pushes Carmen's shoulders until she sits down in the center of the circle. She sits down next to her, sighing contently just as Zach walks into the room.

"Aurora," Zach chastises. "Carmen needs to be resting."

Carmen opens her mouth to argue, but Aurora pulls the nerf gun from behind her, only to point it directly at the boy before he could come any closer.

"Try it. I fucking dare you," She challenges. "I won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

Zach holds up his hands in defense, not making any movement to get closer. "Jonah!" He yells, turning his head slightly to face the door. "Your girlfriend is holding me at gunpoint!"

Jonah runs into the room seconds later.

"DON'T RUN!" Aurora screeches. "SEA BEARS HATE THAT!"

Taking her advice to heart, Jonah slows down, and stops when he reaches Zach. "Why are you holding him at gunpoint?" He asks, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Because Heroine was going to remove Caramel from the safety of this circle, which prevents sea bear attacks." Aurora explains, not dropping the gun.

"I don't see a problem," Jonah says, turning to Zach. "Aurora is keeping Carmen safe from dangerous sea bears."

Zach throws his hands up in exasperation. "Can you at least convince her to put the nerf gun down?"

Jonah laughs as he begins to walk away. "I have no control over her. You're on your own, buddy."

Just as Zach goes to retort, Aurora shoots the gun. A styrofoam bullet hits him in the middle of the forehead, sticking instantly to his skin.

"Oops," Aurora giggles. "My finger slipped."

"If you let me take Carmen back to the living room," Zach begins, struggling to find a compromise Aurora would agree to. "You two can binge watch SpongeBob all day."