The Midnight Within

Chapter 31

Zakk dropped the bags onto the yellowing Formica counter top with a grunt. He had decided not only to get them take-out but stocked up at the store as well. He brought enough food to last them for a week and had emptied out his wallet in the process. His mind was still on Mia and how mad she had looked. He still felt pretty guilty about leaving her the way he did but the less people who knew that Daniel was not out of state the better.

" Are we expecting company? " Daniel asked from the bathroom doorway.

" No. Why? " Zakk looked up with concern etched across his face.

" What's wrong? Someone stop you or something? "

" Or something. " Zakk laughed.

Daniel frowned as he set the tattered Playboy on the bathroom counter, closed the door behind him and walked over to the salmon colored fridge. " What do you mean? What's up? " He grabbed a couple of fresh beers, sliding Zakk's down the counter to him.

" It means that Mia jumped my shit down at Chin'chins. " Zakk popped the top of his can and took a long pull.

" Seriously? I bet she's pissed. Did you tell her where we are? "

" I told her I got this. That you would call her later. "

" Maybe I should do it now. " Daniel opened one of the food containers, he didn't realize how hungry he was until he smelled the grease.

" No. She's been talking to the cops. Clearing her name or something. Trez was looking for you too and maybe you should just go in and tell them what really happened. " By the look on Daniel's face he already knew that was not going to happen. He drained his beer, taking note of the two crushed cans already in the garbage. Great. Daniel had spent his time cooped up by drinking all the beer. " Are you drunk? " Zakk eyed him, trying to gauge how many beers Daniel had already drank.

" No ma. I aint drunk. I just need to get out of this rat trap for a while. It stinks like piss in here and that tigers head is creeping me out. " He shuddered as he glanced back at the moth eaten glassy eyed tiger head hanging over the TV. " And we're out of beer."

" Sure. I can drive your tied up naked drunk ass right down to the station. Spend the night with the other drunks in lock up, because we have nothing better to do. Oh yeah, can't forget the beer, the cops might be thirsty. " Zakk waved a frozen pizza at Daniel. " Stop being so fucking stupid for once. "

Daniel grinned at Zakk's back as he put the rest of the food away. Chester was going to think it was Christmas with all the stuff Zakk bought. " You don't want to go to the Jackle? " You're an asshole. " Zakk looked back at him without a smile.

" And you love me for it. " Daniel arched an eyebrow. He could clearly see Zakk's interest in going to a club. It would sure beat being cooped up the trailer. " You can wear my finger armor."

Trying to hide his own grin Zakk fished a piece of chicken from one of the boxes. " I swear to god D. I am NOT going to play Micky to your Mallory. "

" That's because your Mallory and I'm Micky." Daniel set his box down, ran around the counter and pounced on Zakk's back with a gleeful chortle of laughter.

" Get the hell off me. " Laughing Zakk grabbed at Daniel, putting his friend into a headlock and gave him a thump to the forehead.

" Come on Zakky, You know you want to go. "

" Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this? " Laughing, Zakk dumped Daniel onto the kitchen floor. He helped him up and went back to his chicken. He had spent good money on the take-out and was going to enjoy it if they were to go out clubbing till all hours, although he was not sure he could take even one club tonight without feeling tired. It had been a long day, made longer by the thoughts of what was to come.