Monsters

Chapter 2

Zed, Age 21

I hold Zoey's hand as we walk home.

"You can't seriously be considering accepting all this." Eliza said, more of a statement than a question. I roll my eyes.

"Of course I'm going to accept. If the princess is counting on me to protect her, then I will do it with pride and honor." I tell her, my chest inflated with said pride.

"Yeah, yeah, that's very noble of you and all that junk. But really, why, out of nowhere, would she select a zombie to be her personal guard? She has a freaking army to protect her, for Z's sake!" Eliza countered. For some reason, I'm irritated by her statement.

"The army is to protect her from the masses. I'll be there for one-on-one protection." I try explaining calmly.

"Mhm. And what was it you two talked about when she excused herself and you took off after her?" Eliza asked with a tone like she knows something. I let go of Zoey's hand and step right in front of Eliza threateningly. She is slightly startled from my sudden shift.

"Why can't you just be happy for me?! Why does everything have to be some big conspiracy?!" I yell. Her brows knit together in anger and she gets back in my face.

"Because something's not right! And you're too blinded by her good looks and charm to see it!" She yells back. I grit my teeth and avoid her gaze. She sighs and shifts her weight, putting a hand on her hip. "I'm your friend and I don't want to see you get hurt. I just think you should look into it a little more before jumping in with both feet."

I look at her and I can tell she's just trying to help. I sigh and nod slightly before taking Zoey's hand again as we continue walking. We reach our block in Zombietown, I quicken our pace slightly to get home.

"I guess I'll see you at the Coronation tomorrow?" Eliza asks. I nod.

"Yeah. See you there." I respond monotoned. Her brows furrow but she doesn't argue. Zoey waves goodbye to Eliza before walking up our steps and in the front door.

"Dad? Are you home?" I call. Zoey doesn't say a word as she immediately runs to her room to pack.

"I'm in the kitchen!" I hear him yell. I enter the kitchen to smell the canned cauliflower brains frying in the pan over the stove.

"Yum, canned brains, again." I grumble sarcastically. My dad chuckles.

"You'll get over it." He teases, then sighs heavily. "Work was slow this week. We have to make do with what we have." I plop down at the table.

"I know Dad. I'm joking." I assure him. He nods in response, dumping the fried mixture on a metal tray and setting it on the table.

"Zoey! Dinner!" He yelled. It's not long till she comes barreling in and jumping into her seat next to us. I scoop out my portion and Dad helps Zoey with hers. I poke at my plate nervously. How am I supposed to bring this up?

"You ok Zed? You've barely touched your food." My head shoots up to meet his worried eyes. I clear my throat.

"Yeah! Actually, um, I need to talk to you about something." I start.

'Might as well just get it over with.' I think. Dad puts his fork down and gives me his full attention, his face evident with his concern.

"I was dubbed a Knight by the Princess today." I tell him, laying it blatantly out in the open. He stares blankly at me for a second, I gulp, then he bursts out laughing.

"Very funny, Zed! Now, eat your food." He shakes his head with a chuckle.

"He's telling the truth Daddy!" Zoey chimes with a huge grin. "I got the meet Princess Addison too! She's so pretty and nice! She's not anything like what the kids say at school. But I was scared for a second. I thought she was going to hurt Zed." She rambled as Dad shakes his head in disbelief.