Survival Mode

Chapter Eight

It was now the evening time and zombies were beginning to wake from their day's sleep and attack more humans roaming the streets of Burkland. Peso was in the kitchen cooking up a dinner, Doctor Wilson was reading the paper in the living room and Dashi was reading a book in the chair beside him. Shellington, Tweak and Kwazii were upstairs discussing if they should consider continuing to homeschool Tunip during the zombie apocalypse. As for Tunip, he said he would be hiding away in his bedroom for the remainder of the night.

Dashi found this awfully strange. She placed a book mark in her book and stood to her feet. She turned to her father who was watching her every move. "I will be upstairs. I want to check on Tunip - see if the boy is alright." He nodded his head to her and Dashi exited the room.

She came to the door of the bedroom - which was closed - and knocked. Tunip did not answer straight away. Dashi knocked once more. This time, the door opened slightly. Tunip could be seen from behind the door. "What do you want?", came his small voice.

Dashi smiled at him. "I want to speak with you. You seem a little lonely - sad, possibly. Would you please allow me in?"

Tunip was pondering this. He released a sigh and opened the door fully. Dashi smiled to him gratefully once more and entered. Tunip quickly closed the door behind her and looked to her. "Make it quick. Please."

Dashi nodded her head. "I will. Now, is there anything you would like to tell me?" Tunip shook his head. Dashi crossed her arms and gave him a look of sympathy. "Tunip, please. You realize you could tell me anything. You are supposed to tell an adult everything."

Tunip released one more sigh before looking straight into Dashi's eyes and beginning to sniffle. "I asked Shellington a question after you left your daddy's office this morning. He got angry with me and threw a book at me. Then he told me he hated me...sometimes."

The room fell silent. Dashi was shocked by Shellington's actions - that was, if Tunip was telling the truth. Dashi nodded her head to Tunip and smiled. "Don't you worry, Tunip. I will speak with your brother right now."

A smile came upon Tunip's lips. He suddenly ran to Dashi and pulled her into a hug. Dashi smiled too and wrapped her arms around Tunip's waist. As the two pulled away, Tunip released a sigh and looked down with a smile. "You are like the sister I never had.

Dashi gave him a small giggle. "Aww. Isn't that sweet? Well then, Tunip, you are like the brother I never got to have."

The two smiled to each other once more. Dashi stood and turned leave until she heard soft singing. She turned to Tunip, who was now sitting on his bed, singing a quiet song. A smile came to Dashi's lips. He was such a cute boy.

She then came to Kwazii's bedroom where Tweak, Kwazii and Shellington were talking. Dashi opened the door and smiled to the three. "As much as I hate to interrupt your session, but I must speak with Shellington."

Tweak waved her hand in nonchalance. "No worries. We weren't discussing anything too important anyways."

Dashi nodded her head and motioned for Shellington to follow her. In doing so, Kwazii waved his own hand to gather Dashi's attention. "Ms. Smith - or Dashi, whatever you prefer - when will dinner be finished?"

Dashi shrugged her shoulders. "When I was in there earlier, it seemed about thirty minutes. But, that was almost ten minutes ago so you may want to check." Kwazii nodded his head. Dashi and Shellington went further down the hallway into a small library. As soon as they had arrived and closed the door, Dashi began to glare at him.

Shellington felt awfully uncomfortable by this. He gulped and chuckled nervously. "Is...Is there something I could help you with, Dashi?"

She was furious by his obliviousness. She pointed directly at the door, as if motioning to another room within the mansion. "I was in Tunip's room before Tweak's. You know what he told me?"

Shellington released a sigh and nodded his head. "It was the incorrect and immature thing to do, I understand that now. But, what he accused me of was - well - okay, yes, it was completely my fault."

Dashi nodded her head assent. "Exactly what I believed. You should apologize to him, Shellington. I suggest you do. Tunip's feelings are extremely hurt due to your actions toward him."

Shellington nodded his head. "I will, Dashi. I promise." She smiled and began to exit the room. Shellington quickly grabbed her arm in order to stop her. "Wait. There is something I must take care of first."

Dashi released a sigh and turned. "Alright. Go ahead. What is there you want to tell me of?"

Shellington began to rub the back of his neck in hesitance. "Err - Well, Dashi, I wanted to apologize for this morning. It was extremely rude for me to go off and pressure you like that, and I am sorry. I saw how hurt you were."

Dashi could feel her cheeks burning up. She smiled to him. "That was kind of you, Shellington. Thank you so very much. I suppose you could say I am not fond of speaking of the topic."

Shellington nodded his head. "It sort of is becoming obvious now. If you will excuse me, I think I am going to return to Kwazii and Tweak. We're really considering stopping the process of homeschooling Tunip for awhile - or at least till the zombies leave."

Dashi nodded her head to him. "Okay. I will see you, Kwazii and Tweak later on for supper." The two exited the room. As Dashi walked past Tunip's bedroom door, she heard singing again. This time, the singing was louder:

"I'm waking up to ash and dust

I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust

I'm breathing in the chemicals

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus

This is it, the apocalypse

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones

Enough to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive -"

The singing stopped. Dashi felt as if she was the cause of this, until she heard a familiar sigh. Then came Tunip's familiar, small voice, "I wish you were to help me complete the song, mommy."

Dashi's heart shattered by his words. She covered her mouth with a hand while tears slowly filled her eyes. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mommy. The word continued to repeat in her head. She released a sigh and quickly got up to her feet.

Come on, Dashi. Be the strong girl you always have to be. Dashi began to walk down the hall and to the kitchen. She smiled to Peso and Doctor Wilson as if absolutely nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Carter Mason watched as zombies filled all of Burkland. A pleasure filled smile reached his lips and he turned to Jonathan Hughes who stood from behind him. Jonathan returned the disgraceful smile.

Carter took one more glance out the window. His smile displayed victory and confidence. Carter's lips parted as he spoke in an extremely soft whisper, "This is it, the apocalypse."

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Author's Note: It may be a little short - sorry for that - but I am preparing for a big chapter. I hope you all are super excited! :) Now, I want to explain a few things to everyone because I know someone specific is going to question me. XD

Shellington said their parents were drug addicts. But according to Tunip's words, it seems as if their mother was actually something... well, somewhat different. I will leave you to ponder on that.

Did anyone else notice Carter repeat a line from Tunip's song?

Posting another chapter soon! ;) By the way, I do not own the song "Radioactive" by I think... Imagine Dragons... I'm not quite sure anymore. XD