Killer ↠ 10K | Z Nation

25. Casualty of War

"Here we go," Addy says and we head towards the pub. Warren and Vasquez already went inside to scope the place. Murphy is in disguise, being that of a woman, floppy hat and sunglasses as well.

"So this is a real working restaurant?" Doc says, gaining the attention of the barkeeper, a plump older woman.

"Well, except for Black Summer, we've been in continuous operation since 1967. We've had a limited menu at times. Where are you folks from?" She brings us over a tray of ale.

"New York," Warren states.

"New York? I didn't know anybody could still be from New York."

"Upstate. The city has gone 100% Z."

"Long drive," the lady comments, serving us each of our drinks. "What was it like out there?"

"Nothing but Zs and those soon to become Zs."

"Wasn't there anybody safe? Anywhere?"

"There are. Few and far between."

She nods in understanding at Warren. "So what brings ya to California?"

We are interrupted by some commotion outside. Vasquez stands up in alarm. "Bounty hunters."

"Busy day," the barkeeper says, keeping a light mood. The door opens and a bunch of men smelling and looking like they rolled around in cat piss enter. They looked like they could hold their own but I knew our group was still more skilled than these bunch of hicks. I notice an unsteady figure with a sack over their head. Odd.

"Can I get ya boys some tea?"

"Got some brown liquor?"

"Oh, I think I can squeeze some out of the still."

"Are you Auntie?" one stops her.

She pauses, turning back around. "I am."

"We heard you're the one to talk to about the Murphy." The man unveils the figure. Clearly, it's a Z with blue dye on its skin. "We're here to collect that bounty."

Auntie looks upset but smiles nonetheless. "Let me get those drinks for ya."

She returns with the liquor, serving the men. The Z won't take its gaze off of Murphy sitting in the corner, his face concealed. This is going to get harder and harder to hide.

"Hey," one of the men calls out to Warren, gaining her attention. "We're celebrating over here. How about I buy you a drink?"

"No thanks. I already got one."

"Well, if you won't come drink with me," he says, standing up with his glass and sauntering over towards our table. "You won't mind if I just mosey on over and have a drink with you? I'm going to buy you a drink. Hell, drinks for everyone."

10K puts his hand on my thigh almost protectively. I don't even know if he realized he did the action.

"Don't worry about the Murphy. We have him sedated."

The rest of the men crowd around us, getting particularly close to Addy and me. We uneasily sip from the glass of alcohol brought to us.

"Let's toast! To the Murphy!" We echo quietly.

One of the men with longer dark hair approaches our Murphy. "Hey shy girl, how about a dance? It's a slow dance." When the man grabs for him, he swats him away, gaining the attention of the main bounty hunter.

"Shy girl. Think fast."

We slowly stand up, each of our hands on a weapon, preparing to step in. When the man tosses something for Murphy to catch, we all aim a gun. They return the gesture.

"That's interesting. When shy girl moves, my Murphy moves the same way. Like they're connected or something. It's interesting. Why don't you take off that hat?"

"No."

"Take off the hat."

Murphy looks around at the situation we are in. Sighing, he starts to pull his hat off.

"Wow, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're the real deal. You wouldn't be hiding any bites under that dress, would ya?" When Murphy doesn't answer, he just gets angrier. "Take off the dress."

Murphy pauses, shaking his head, and pulling his sunglasses down. In the next instant, the faux Murphy lunges for the leader holding Murphy at gunpoint. We spring into action, taking advantage of the element of surprise.

"That'll be enough of that!" Auntie says, pointing a shotgun at us. "Please." We comply, holding our hands up. I'm looking around, unable to spot 10K.

"10K!" I yell when I spot him on the floor bleeding. My hands instantly go over the bullet wound. "He's been shot." Addy and Doc join my side.

"Don't move kid, I'll try to stop the bleeding."

We work to try and slow the wound, but I see the defeated expression cross Doc's features.

"You've gotta be able to do something!" I yell, looking panicked at 10K.

"Way out of my league, kid. I'm sorry."

"Take over," I tell Addy, rushing out of the restaurant, my chest feeling heavy. I fall to my knees, dry heaving, not able to catch my breath. Why is it always 10K?

There's a tap on my shoulder. It's Warren. "Bex, it's time to come inside. It's not safe to be out here anymore. There's a nuclear submarine coming to the shore."

The submarine has doctors, including the one that altered Murphy. I go with 10K, as there's only one spot left. Doc stepped aside, knowing that I'd be the only one other than him to truly look out for 10K.

"Bex...ley," he groans on the stretcher.

"I'm right here, Tommy." I grab ahold his hand.

"Bexley Rollins?" the woman named Dr. Merch says. "You're Murphy's niece."

"Unfortunately," I mutter, my gaze not leaving my partner.

"It's time to go. Both of you." Someone starts to pull me away from 10K, causing me to struggle in protest. "Don't worry, we'll get him back to his friends in one piece."

"I am his friend! Let go of me!"

There's a sharp pain and then...nothing.

"Get up!" I awoke to the sound of Murphy's voice. "It's time to go."

I sit up, still groggy from whatever they sedated me with. "What's going on?"

"I bit everyone on board. Now I'm calling the shots here. We're ditching this sub." He helps me up and down a hallway.

"Where is 10K?" I ask, looking around.

"He's already on the escape boat. He made a miraculous recovery. The miracle of medicine, right?"

I stare skeptically but follow nonetheless. In a turn of events, he's actually telling the truth. "10K!"

"Bex," he says, coughing a bit. His skin is sweaty and he looks pale, but otherwise seems unharmed.

"Let's go, Captain." Murphy signals for the boat to start. When we are several feet along, there's a loud explosion behind us.

"Did you really blow up a nuclear submarine?" I ask, looking behind us.

"Casualty of war, Bex."

"