The Last Colony

Part 42

Death stood talking to his restless zombie horse. All around them Death Stalkers were climbing onto their electrical bikes. Sean stood uneasily by Death, wincing from the weird sound that Death was making to calm his horse. He could understand it now. Death had this weird ability to produce powerful sound waves from his palms. He guessed the virus had a lot to do with that, but there was more that he hadn't noticed before. The reason Death was so pale and resembled an albino was because he was technically a zombie. Injecting the virus in little by little had let him build up an immunity but it had its price. He didn't fear death... because he already was dead. Sean could smell it on him now like cologne. He didn't know how he knew, but it was like he could just sense it about him. Looking to the living skeleton's hanging in the tree, he could see the green virus within the core of their bones. He could see how they worked. Lowering his eyes to the ground, Sean inhaled deeply. He hadn't heard anything from Anti in hours. Was something wrong? Ever since the arena, he felt so different.

Death tugged on the chain to his collar gently, stating to him firmly. "Time to go. Come on." Sean moved closer, letting Death help him up onto the horse. The thick grey padded blanket on the skeleton horse made sitting on it far more comfortable than it normally would have been. The sheer ashen sheets draped over the horse bellowed in the breeze and Sean adjusted on him. Death swung up behind him, holding his chain tight. Riding up beside them on a living grey horse, Lilith shot him a bitter look as she trotted by. He'd gladly switch places with her. Zero rode up on a bike beside Death, informing him seriously. "We are ready when you are." Death nodded without looking at Zero and kicked the sides of his horse to get it moving. The horse went into a trot, snapping at anyone who it thought was close enough to bite. Death kept it reined in though. Taking the lead, they rode through the thin wooden gates. Over his shoulder, Death purred into his ear. "I know you're still sore at me. But it doesn't have to be that way. You know deep down that I had to do it."

Sean didn't give him a reply. He didn't feel like chatting with people that saw him as a bioweapon. Death's hand wrapped around his waist, stroking his stomach over his shirt as he continued on. "You should be thanking me. I made you stronger, did I not?" Sean slowly looked over his shoulder, finally breaking his hours of silence to say in a low voice. "The biggest mistake that humans make is believing they can control something they made. Didn't you learn that watching movies? Playing games?" Death brought his lips to Sean's neck, kissing him before he purred out. "I was a scientist. Not a millennial. And your wrong, I can control you." Sean winced as he felt the sharp talon of Death's ring across his stomach. Sean's eyes drifted to the horse who was champing on its bit as it tried to break the metal. Sympathizing with the horse, he told Death darkly. "For now. Nothing lasts forever." Death led the Death Stalkers miles away from their base to wait along a roadside. Death's horse shifted from foot to foot, chomping on its metal bit restlessly as it pawed the dirt road with a hoof.

Beside them, a Death Stalker informed Death coolly. "They should be leading the thing this way." Death grinned, telling them excitedly. "This will be the last test. If he can control this. We'll send him to lead the hoard." Sean shook his head, grumbling out under his breath. "What makes you think that I'll do anything for you? You already sent Mark away. You've got nothing to hold me here." Death grinned, telling him confidently. "Don't worry about that, Sweetheart. Just focus on the task at hand." Sean reluctantly admitted to him. "As I told Famine... I don't know if I can. Part of me is... missing." Death rolled his eyes, mumbling out. "You'll be fine." Sean shook his head. Death wasn't listening to him. Looking down at the reins on the zombie horse, Sean licked his lips and discreetly tugged on the rein farther up to bring the horse's head up. The horse obeyed and without leaning forward, Sean reached out to try unbuckling the bridal. Death was busy asking a Death Stalker if they were all in position just in case of a failure. He wouldn't notice until it was too late. Zero noticed though and gave him a timid expression. Even the zombie horse seemed to understand and stood still to let him finish.