World of the Undead

The Rabid Dumpster Diver

The noise of shuffling could be heard coming from the front door, my Dad arrived home. Lately, he hadn't been feeling well but I wasn't able to convince him to take a sick leave from his job.

"So how was your shift today considering your current state of physical health," I said in a sarcastic tone.

"Oh very funny Benny," He said chuckling to himself, "To be honest with you Mija, it was miserable."

After exchanging conversation about how his day had gone he asked a question I had been waiting for ever since I arrived home from school, "What do you think about ordering in today?" 

Recently my Dad had the tendency to order in, he's being forced to work overtime and insists we need the money. I nearly suggested cooking for us both tonight to avoid eating any more fast food but the thought of it left my mind quickly. Rather than arguing about how unhealthy it is I just nodded, the bags under his eyes showed how tired he was already.

"A number 13 with a large coke from Jack in a Box will do," He replied with a curt nod and unlocked his phone to order.

Lately, it's been a lot darker around the house and much quieter, my Dad isn't home as much and my closest friends are halfway across the country visiting some prestigious Ivy League college. Dartmouth? Or was it Cornell? Nevertheless,  I felt like I had been taking plenty for granted, and there was surely something I have been lacking. It caused me to spend a lot of time reflecting, If there's one thing about me it's that I don't like to self-reflect.

"Alright, so the guy delivering our food should be here in about 30 minutes give or take, meaning I'll be in the garage finishing some stuff up, if I'm not out here a few minutes after the doorbell rings come and let me know the food's here."

And recently we aren't as close as we use to be.

As the minutes went by and the clock ticked on I grew bored waiting near the door for the delivery to arrive. With a huff, I tossed my phone to the side, grabbed my Nintendo Switch, and carelessly flopped onto to couch, propping one leg over the other in a comfortable position. Once I had logged on, selected Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and was in clear view of my island I could see that my friends had left a message in front of my home, surrounded by flowers and a few bags of bells.

"We love you, and we'll be back in no time!

with love Isra.

ps I stole the bells from Nino"

The left corner of my lip went up into a half-smile. Isra, Nino, and I have known each other since middle school. I was a scared 12-year-old who had just moved to town and I was approached -or more so bombarded- by a girl carrying a handful of sweet and sour sauce packets desperately asking if I had any to spare. Without further question, I remember handing the two I hadn't used on my tray but, after she had walked away the girl turned around and sat down with me.

"Hey, my name is Isra," she said whilst sticking her hand out for me to shake.

I gently lifted my own hand up and returned the gesture, "Benny."

"Well Benny, I noticed you were alone, and well I also don't have many friends here so I've decided to allow you to tag along with me on my plot to revenge," she said crossing her arms with a wide grin.

I corked my brow towards her.

"Uh, well there's some asshole of a kid who thinks he can just push around the underclassmen, and a part of me wants to do the right thing but the other part of me hopes to humiliate him out of boredom, so are you in?" She asked hopefully