Why Dont You Just Drop Dead?

19

I check out all my pockets. Each panel has around 2 pockets and there are 2 panels on my legs. That means I have-

"So. What now." Pete asks.

I look up at the guys faces. My black eye has finally gone down and I have had a good night sleep.

"I have a new formula working for Pete, can we try it out?" Patrick lightens up.

We all shrug and follow Patrick, who runs ahead like an excited puppy.

When we enter the lab he is standing there, a green liquid in a glass between his finger tips.

"So. This has been a long work in progress. It could return you back to being... You." Patrick grins.

Pete takes the vile and inspects it.

"Just... Back to who I was?" Pete asks.

Patricks eyes glimmer as he nods violently. "Isnt it exciting!"

"And youre sure it works?"

Patrick nods again. His hat almost flies off his head with excitement.

"I dont want it yet."

Everyones mouths drop open. he has been desperate for the cure for a long time and his desperation for seeking revenge...

"I mean, I want it, dont get me wrong! I want it so bad it hurts. But... Only when all this is over. This can be used as an advantage."

"What if it expires, in a sense?" Patrick looks hurt.

"Then so be it. Weve lost Joe and losing my power could ruin us and put us at even more of a disadvantage."

Patrick takes the vile and uses it to filter the light between the window and his face. He sighs and puts it down.

"I know this is huge. But please? We need to wait."

"Okay Pete. Just remember I did this for you. I created it for your use."

Pete nods.

Theres a natural silence.

"What would- what would happen if someone else drank it?" I ask.

"Dont drink a foreign substance again. Please." Andy chuckles at fond memories of me throwing up violently.

The air hangs heavy as Pete and Patrick have a silent conversation, sharing brain waves.

"Andy, lets go practice?" I hope to trigger a conversation.

"Fine, lets go. Looser makes dinner!" He shouts.

I chase after him and into the fighting hall.

"So, Pete denied it!" I laugh, whipping my hand.

"Well, you cant blame him, we would all be dead if he returned!" Andy laughs, throwing a stake in turn.

"He has wanted it so much for so long..."

"He was more fuelled on the idea that its now his life and only goal. They basically gave him powers and he is just bored."

I duck and jump and throw a stake, Andy copies.

"He... He just wants something to do thats special. A challenge."

My heart burns at the thought. He must be lonely and a little sad.

Andy goes to collect his stakes and I follow to collect mine.

"I feel sorry for him... Almost. If he wasnt such a doosh sometimes." Andy laughs.

"How many did you hit?" I ask.

"12."

"13. But really, he is a little... Troubled."

"Youre telling me."

"But what a life, being a-"

A stake flies past me, grazing my shoulder, stopping me mid sentence.

"What was that for?"

"Dont mention that term, he can smell when someone mentions it."

"Oh."

I throw stakes again, this time in silence. Andy throws too, hitting the dummy quicker. I twist a stake between my fingers and think. Pete, poor Pete.

"Look, its late. Im going to check if the whimps have sorted out their sorry asses. Good game, Ill cook." Andy says, walking out.

***

"Im thinking of growing a beard." Pete clings onto his face with a smirk, walking past Patrick and I on the sofa, back and forth.

"Right." Patrick laughs.

"But not a grey one, a normal beard."

"What if you die when your beard isnt perfect. You will die with a bad beard and will be shunned in the after life!" I laugh.

"I will only die properly when I have the perfect beard."

"But what if when you die it is wonky!"

"It wont be wonky. I wouldnt let it. Do you think a beard would suit me?"

"It would make you look very handsome." I laugh.

Pete holds his chin like he is thinking and spins on his toes. "Hm, is it worth it? Who knows!"

"Apparently beards soak up blood extremely well."

"Ah, then I shall not acquire a beard as I will lose nutrition in my beard if I do!"

I laugh at the joking going on and Patrick shakes his head.

"Please dont grow a beard Pete." Patrick sighs.

"Party pooper." Pete pouts.

I smile, about to put in another comment but Andy shouts at us.

"Come on losers, food! Pete, you can blend your own shit, I cant be bothered." Andy shouts.

Pete rolls his eyes before jumping over the sofa and to the blender.

I sit at the table with the guys and we eat.

"So, what life did you leave behind to join this one?" Patricks asks after a moment and a few mouthfuls.

I chew on my food.

"Was it as fun as this?"

I laugh almost too loud, "it wasnt as fun as this!"

"But, what was it then?"

"So. I worked in the coffee shop and researched vampires too much in my free time... And I had this terrible friend who wouldnt believe me and just used me for attention. I had parents who only asked me about my day to talk about theirs and were otherwise too rich to talk to me. They had the idea that I needed a normal life and therefore didnt support me at all, not even with all the money they had. So, it was okay, maybe a little... Very repetitive. Wow that sounds a little depressing." I laugh nervously.

"Well, do you prefer this life?" Patrick asks.

"Well, do I prefer having proper friends and a surprise a day? Hell yeah!"

I stick some more food in my mouth. Thy are all staring at me and I cant help but laugh, my food almost spilling from my mouth. I stick my hand in front of my mouth to hold the food in as I splutter with laughter. The guys get caught in it too, laughing hard.