Chapter Eleven
Johnny slams face first into the asphalt. He groans and sits up, dusting gravel out of his hair.
“Well, that was annoying as fuck,” he grunts. He stands up and stretches the stiffness out of his bones. “But at least I’m by myself again. Now I have to find this Zoli person. What’s the best way to do that?”
He takes in a quick survey of his surroundings. He appears to be in an alley. He follows the nearby chatter onto a main street. He shudders at the many people marching down the sidewalk, the hatred practically dripping off them. It’s possible that any one of them could be Zoli. But how can he find out?
“No choice,” he sighs, “I’m gonna have to ask around.”
He walks over to a woman loitering against a building wall. She looks at him like he just interrupted something incredibly important.
“Excuse me, do you happen to know somebody named Zoli?” Johnny asks.
“The fuck kind of stupid question is that? Zoli’s not even a name,” she snaps.
Johnny growls, but takes a deep breath and attempts to control his rage. “Thank you for your time,” he croaks and quickly lumbers past her.
I’m not going to get anyway if I attack every asshole that gets lippy with me. I have to control my anger and remain calm.
That lasts a whole twenty seconds, when he slams a mouthy asshole’s face through a window.
He pants as pieces of glass and blood drip from his hand. Then spits and stomps away.
Johnny spends the next hour asking civilians about Zoli, then smashing their faces into nearby objects when they snap at him. There’d be a warpath of blood and bodies behind him if they didn’t heal immediately after.
“Well, in my defense I wouldn’t be getting anywhere even without violence,” he says to himself, “these people don’t seem to know anything about Zoli. Maybe she’s hiding out in Heaven.”
“I’ll ask one more person then find a place to eat,” he decides.
He walks up to a girl reading a newspaper. “Excuse me?”
She lowers her newspaper and turns to him. He flinches at the sight of her face. Though he doesn’t remember her name, he does remember her short, black hair and her small, round glasses.
“Uh oh,” he sighs.
“Indeed,” she nods, “sorry, but you’re going to have to come with me.”
“Do I have a choice?” he asks.
“Of course. You can choose to go the easy way or the hard way.” She takes out a pair of handcuffs to prove her point.
He shrugs. “Eh, I’ll come. I have a feeling you’re gonna take me to who I want to see anyway.”
“That’s good. But I’m afraid I have to put the handcuffs on you anyway,” she says.
“Why’s that?” he asks but doesn’t resist as she locks his hands up behind his back.
“Multiple reasons. Mostly for a precaution, a little for revenge,” she replies.
“Revenge?” he questions.
She shoves his shoulder hard, causing him to stumble forward a little. “You had my arms tied above my head for so long. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that is?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. But I do get glimpses,” he replies.
She growls and grabs his elbow, tugging him none to gently down the road. He struggles to keep up with her without losing his balance.
They walk through the streets like this for many uncomfortable minutes. None of the passersby even bats an eye. Johnny, despite himself, attempts to soften the situation with some conversation.
“Excuse me, Miss. I do not recall your name, but I do however remember what victim you were,” he says.
“How sensitive of you,” she growls.
“Just listen. I remember you. You were not one of my more hated victims,” he explains, “you were just a lost girl who happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, hanging out with the wrong guy. And I could tell you understood that. All you wanted to do was fit in. You just didn’t want to be alone anymore.”
“I was never actually planning to kill you, believe it or not. I just wanted to punish you for thinking that hanging out with assholes is something a girl like you could’ve been doing. You deserved so much better.”
She stops walking and looks at him. “You really think that?”
He shrugs and nods.
She sighs and straightens her glasses. “I knew that. I knew I deserved better friends than those dicks I spent time with. But whenever I tried to make some normal friends, they always considered me abnormal. I didn’t want to be lonely so I thought my only choices were to either conform myself to ‘normality’ or get stuck being friends with people I hate. I picked the latter.”
“But then I discovered that being alone isn’t so bad, if it means being who you want to be,” she concludes, “oddly enough, I discovered that while escaping your house.”
“Sometimes being alone is the best choice, even if it’s painful,” Johnny agrees.
“My name’s Tess by the way,” she says.
“Johnny. Oh, but I guess you knew that.”
“Yeah,” she nods, “well, sorry, Johnny, but I still gotta take you to my master. I don’t really have a choice.”
“It’s fine. I wanna meet her anyway,” he shrugs.
They walk a bit more smoothly this time, the silence not so awkward. But Johnny still breaks it, for the sake of questioning.
“So, Miss Tess. Your… uh… colleague, Jimmy, explained a lot about the Nightmare’s minions,” he explains, “like how this Zoli person has five main zombie minions who can talk, regenerate, and think intelligently- though he wasn’t exactly the best example of that last point. I already know that he and Krik are two of them. So I suppose you’re a third.”
“That’s right,” Tess nods.
“Who are the other two?” he asks.
“I can’t tell you. Lady Zoli’s orders,” she replies, “we’re not allowed to reveal the identities of the other zombie generals, except for the ones you know of course. But I can tell you that all five of them were chosen specifically because of their relationship with you. They were all different in one way or another from your other victims.”
“Yes, I understand,” Nny nods, “Jimmy was definitely different because he was a disgusting idiot who was stupid enough to think he could join me; you’re different because you’re the only person I ever actually thought about letting go, and also because you and Krik tried to escape my house when the universe was falling apart… or something. So how would the other two be different?”
“You’ll have plenty of time to think about that when you’re being interrogated by Lady Zoli,” Tess says as she leads him into a large building.
The hallway is dark and the many doors are closed. But there’s a dim light near the end of the corridor.
Johnny walks along anxiously, nervousness and excitement bubbling in his gut. He’s about to meet the supposedly most powerful Nightmare minion. He’s got incredibly mixed feelings.
They turn into the lit room. It’s pretty empty, except for a table and a couple of chairs on the other side of the room. There is a woman sitting in a chair, her back turned to the pair.
“Milady, I brought Johnny,” Tess announces.
The woman stands up. She turns to them and smirks. “Excellent.”
Johnny is surprised at the sight of the zombie ruler. Unlike the three Nightmare minions he knows, she looks very human, except for her dark red eyes and sharp fangs. Her black hair nearly reaches down to her ankles. She’s wearing a black trench coat with a gray shoulder strap, a dark green tube top, matching short shorts with a leather belt, and knee high black boots. Wrapped around her neck is a black choker with an upside down, red cross.
She looks incredibly excited when her eyes land on Johnny. Her face brightens up and she takes a step forward. In less than a second, her face is inches away from Johnny’s.
“So you’re the famous Johnny C.,” she says, “I’m Zoli. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It might be if you move back a little,” Johnny grunts.
“Oh, yeah. The Lord told me you have some ‘personal space’ problems,” she nods, a seductive grin on her face, “I have to admit, you’re a lot cuter than I imagined.” She runs her thumb under his bottom lip. “And I really like cute boys.”
She presses her lips against his. But to her dismay, except for his eyes widening a little, Johnny doesn’t react in any way. She pulls back and cocks her head at him.
“Is that your attempt to seduce me?” he asks, “if it is then you’ll have to do a lot better than that.”
Zoli pouts. “Interesting. Most of the guys I kissed immediately fell for me.” Her pout suddenly turns back into a smirk. “You’re different from other men. I think I’m falling for you. It’s too bad you’re the Lord’s toy, or we’d have loads of fun together.”
“Ugh. I’d rather be the Nightmare’s toy instead of yours,” Johnny shudders.
She giggles and hugs herself. “Oh, you’re going to turn me into masochist.”
“Milady, please,” Tess sighs.
“Oh, fine,” Zoli groans, “onto business.”
“What business?” Johnny asks.
“Today my job is to convince you to join the Nightmare,” Zoli replies as she walks over to the table. “Have a seat.”
Johnny shrugs and sits down, but not at the table. Instead he sits against the wall beside the table.
“I meant in a chair,” Zoli clarifies.
“I like it better here,” Johnny states.
“Suit yourself,” she shrugs and turns her chair so she’s facing him.
“Alright, let’s make this quick so no more of our time gets wasted,” Johnny growls, “there is no way in hell I am ever going to join the Nightmare. Case closed.”
“Nny, you’re too hasty,” Zoli sighs, “uh, may I call you Nny?”
“You may not,” he states.
“I’m going to anyway.”
“Alright, let me just ask you something super quick,” Johnny orders, “I get why the Nightmare wants me. I’m apparently its toy. But why does it also seem enamoured with Devi, Tenna, and Squee?”
“Well, that’s simple,” Zoli replies, “ever since Squee could write, the Nightmare has wanted him. I’m sure you know it feeds on imagination, and Squee has quite a lot. However, he is also protected by the Daydream, the one thing that can keep the Nightmare and its minions at bay. So Squee is a challenge as well as a meal to the Lord.”
“Devi is great painter, but she is also the first person to ever defeat a Nightmare minion out of pure strength of will. Like Squee, she is also a challenge and a meal. Tenna is a special case. While she does have some imagination, she isn’t really worth the time. But she got mixed up in all this so we figured ‘why not’ you know?”
“Uh…huh,” Johnny mumbles.
“I’m going to be completely blunt with you. The Nightmare only wants Devi, Tenna, and Squee for sustenance,” Zoli explains, “But, Nny, you’re different. You’d be kept alive. The Nightmare likes you, it finds you interesting. It would take care of you. You would be protected way better than the Daydream. You could have anything you’d ever want. You could be happy. And all you’d have is give yourself, body and soul, to the Nightmare.”
“Happy as a slave?” Johnny spits, “isn’t that the estranged mother of oxymorons?”
“Okay, so the Nightmare would control you, but you wouldn’t be a slave because you’d be paid,” Zoli argues, “join us, Nny. Join us and be awarded protection and happiness.”
“Alright, let’s get something straight, Zoli,” Johnny snaps, “the only reason I came here was to kill you, so the Nightmare would leave me alone. I have no intention of joining you. I am a slave to nothing!”
“Ha! Kill me?” Zoli guffaws, “you think it’d be that easy? I was created for the sole purpose of capturing you, Nny. I can never be killed.”
“Why? Because it goes against your purpose?”
“Not just that.” She kneels in front of Johnny, and shows him the choker around her neck. “You see this? This represents my loyalty to my Lord. I live to please the Nightmare. That alone gives me enough strength to be invincible.”
“Get it through your thick head, you crazy demon bitch!” Johnny shouts, “I will defeat you. All of you! The Nightmare will not win.”
His pupils constrict so much they’re nearly invisible. “Nobody fucks with Johnny C.”
Zoli flinches, despite herself, as she looks into his eyes. Those aren’t the eyes of a human.
They’re the eyes of a beast.
“Lady Zoli,” a voice sings down the hall. Zoli immediately regains her composure as a zombie slides into the room.
“You. I remember you,” Johnny states, “you’re that asshole that was hanging with Tess at the movies when we first met. You’re one of the zombie generals?”
“Dillon,” Tess sighs.
“What’s this? A party? And I wasn’t invited?” Dillon gasps sarcastically.
“Stop trying to be cute, Dillon,” Zoli snaps, “you better not be here empty handed.”
“And I assure, Milady, I am not,” he smirks and reaches behind his back, “I caught a little fag-lit.”
He whips out Squee, holding the boy off the floor by his shoulders. He tries to squirm out of Dillon’s grip, but he digs his fingers into his arms. Squee yelps and hangs there, trembling.
“Squee!” Johnny exclaims.
“Excellent work, Dillon,” Zoli squeals. She skips over to him and gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Eh, it was easy,” Dillon laughs and shakes the boy back and forth.
“Dillon! He’s just a kid. Be a little nicer,” Tess snaps.
“Aw, Tess, you’re too soft,” he scolds, “so what if he’s a kid? He’s still our enemy. And I’ll be as rough as I want.” He makes his point by smacking the back of Squee’s head.
Johnny’s eye twitches angrily.
“Dillon’s right, Tess. You are too soft,” Zoli agrees. She bends down and examines Squee’s face. “So you’re the great, imaginative Squee. Not very remarkable looking, are you?”
She begins to reach forward to touch his face, but before her fingers can even make contact, a great shock travels up her arms. She exclaims in pain and jumps back, cradling her hand.
“Milady?” Dillon exclaims.
“Open his jacket!” Zoli demands. Dillon quickly opens Squee’s sweater, and out tumbles Shmee.
“An agent of the Daydream,” Zoli hisses, “no wonder I can’t touch him.”
“What now, Milady?” Dillon asks.
“You can touch the boy,” she observes, “it must be because you’re not as closely connected to the Nightmare as I am.” She reaches into her coat then tosses him a pair of handcuffs. “Fine, then you lock him up. Leave the bear where it is.”
“Yes, Milady,” Dillon nods. He lets go of Squee for a split second to catch and open the cuffs. Squee tries to use the chance to escape, but Dillon catches him by the back of his sweater. “Nice try, fag-lit.”
As Dillon fiddles with the cuffs and tries to hold onto Squee at the same time, Zoli turns to Johnny and smirks. “Two down, two to go. Now Krik just has to capture those girls and we win.”
“Krik is going up against Devi and Tenna?” Johnny exclaims then scoffs, “good luck with that. Those girls are a force to be reckoned with. And I wouldn’t underestimate Squee either.”
“Why’s that? We already have him,” she points out.
Nny smirks and nods at Dillon. Zoli turns around and squeals, “Dillon!”
Dillon is still fiddling with the handcuffs and holding onto Squee, or so he thinks. But when he looks up, he sees his mistake. At one point, Squee managed to slip out of his sweater and escape the room, completely unnoticed.
“Ack! I-I didn’t even realize,” Dillon stammers.
“The bear is gone too!” Zoli exclaims, “quickly, after him! We can’t let him get away now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dillon nods frantically and tries to run out of the room, but slams into the doorframe instead.
“You are a hopeless idiot,” Zoli barks and chases after him, “Tess, come on. Help us find him.”
“Yes, Milady,” Tess sighs. She starts to chase after them, but Johnny interrupts her.
“Nothing much has changed, huh? You’re still hanging with assholes,” he comments.
“Not like I have much of a choice,” she growls.
“Everyone has a choice. Even a not-so mindless zombie,” he argues.
Tess doesn’t say anything in response. Just runs out of the room.
Johnny shrugs and continues trying to break out of the cuffs.
Meanwhile a few feet down the hall, Squee ducks into a random room and hides under a nearby table. He clutches Shmee to his chest and lies as flat as possible. His heart leaps into his throat when he hears loud, frantic voices and heavy footsteps.
“He couldn’t have gotten far. And he doesn’t know his way around here,” Zoli shouts, “find him quickly.”
“I’m looking, I’m looking,” Dillon squeaks as he runs down the hall. Tess lags behind him, peeking into every room. She stops a second when she looks in the room Squee is hiding in.
She walks in and right over to the table he’s under. Squee grips his mouth as he stares at Tess’ shoes. But to his relief, she leaves soon after, closing the door behind her as she catches up to Dillon and Zoli.
Squee sighs with relief. He waits until the voices disappears then crawls out from under the table. As he stands up, something catches his eye on the tabletop. He looks over and notices a silver key. He quickly picks it up and looks it over.
“Do you think this unlocks Johnny’s cuffs?” he asks.
“It’s too dangerous to check,” Shmee replies, “we don’t know when they’ll be back. We should escape while we can.”
“I don’t know my way around here. And besides, I can’t just leave him,” Squee argues.
Shmee sighs. “Fine. But be quick.”
Squee smiles and moves the bear to his head. He peeks out into the hall, listening carefully, then runs back to the room.
Johnny grunts and groans as he fiddles with his handcuffs. “It is much harder breaking out of cuffs when I can’t see what I’m doing,” he comments as he strains to look behind his back.
He notices someone enter the room and his stomach does a flip. “Squee?”
“Yeah,” he nods as he quickly walks over.
“What the hell are you doing?” Johnny shouts, “you escaped! You shouldn’t have come back for me! It’s way too dangerous!”
Squee flinches. “I-I’m sorry. It’s just I found this key and-and I thought maybe,” he whimpers, unable to finish his sentence.
Johnny sighs. “Alright, alright. Quit snivelling. Just unlock me already so we can get out of here.”
Squee nods and bends down. He sticks the key into Johnny’s cuffs and turns it every which way, but it doesn’t budge. He begins to feel a bit of despair, when the cuffs finally unlock. Johnny throws them off and stands up.
“Alright, let’s get the hell out of here,” he growls. Squee nods and they race out of the room and down the hall.
They move quickly but cautiously, ready to duck into a room if need be. Fortunately they make it out of the building without getting caught. But as soon as they step out of the door, Zoli’s angry voice reaches their ears. The boys rush down the alley and duck behind a nearby building, just before Zoli and her zombies turn the corner.
“I can’t believe we fucking lost him,” she shouts.
“I’m sorry, Milady,” Dillon sighs.
“It doesn’t matter. I have minions crawling all over the place,” she smirks, “he won’t get far.”
Johnny snarls. She only has Tess and Dillon with her. I could jump out now and slice her throat before anyone knew what was happening. Slice her throat and finish her off, right now.
Johnny tenses up as he prepares to charge Zoli. But before he can, Squee suddenly grabs his arm and stops.
“Don’t go,” he whispers, “Shmee says it’s dangerous. There are more of them.”
“More of who?” Johnny asks. As if on cue, a large group of zombies turn the corner and follow Zoli into the building. Johnny groans at the many familiar faces of his victims. There are too many of them. He’ll never get to Zoli now.
“Fine, no choice,” he sighs, “we’re going to have to abort the mission for now. Come on.”
To his dismay, Johnny forces himself to turn around and lead Squee away from Zoli and her zombies. Squee is relieved about it though.
They jog down the alleyway and take a quick peek at the main road. Johnny allows his heart to feel heavy for a few seconds when he realizes every other person he looks at is one of his past victims. They’re everywhere, and they no doubt know who they’re looking for.
“We’re in trouble,” he admits.
Squee sighs and looks at the sky. “I hope the girls are having a better time than we are.”
