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“Tora, let me see!” Poppy exclaimed as she reached across the low table littered with pumpkin guts and carving utensils. She made a swipe trying to snatch the large gourd from the grumpy man. Tora moved faster than she could to move the embarrassment of a Jack-o-lantern out of her much shorter reach. “Toraaa!” Poppy giggled with a fake pout, “I’m sure it looks great! I just want to see! You’ve been grumbling over there focused like you’re doing a surgery! I need to see this creation!” She said as she lunged across the table.
Tora blocked her.” Dammit Bobby! I got a knife in my hand! Ya can’t just jump a guy like that!” He shouted with panic in his voice. She sat back fixing her big brown eyes at him, and he knew he was done for. Of course he was going to show her the monstrosity. He sighed heavily, and turned the pumpkin to face her.
Poppy stifled a laugh. The pumpkin had definitely seen better days. One eye was clearly larger than the other, and the piece that separated the nose from the mouth had fallen off giving the gourd a lopsided gaping maw. She wasn’t sure if he had had trouble cutting the pumpkin giving it a jagged line across the would-be mouth or if it was meant to be teeth.
“Well, it’s definitely scary!” Poppy said brightly while failing miserably at hiding her laughter.
The corner of Tora’s mouth turned down in a frown. “The poor fuck,” he said turning to look at his pumpkin again pityingly. “I didn’t mean to do ya this dirty bro. But it is what it is.” He set the miserable pumpkin on the table. He reached for the large butcher knife they’d used to cut off the tops.
“What are you going to do?” Poppy asked confused, “Wait no! Don’t destroy it!”
Tora took the knife and slammed it home into the top of the pumpkin. “There,” he said turning the murdered pumpkin back toward Poppy, “Dude’s a murder victim of a crazy butcher. Poor bastard even lost his nose.”
Poppy collapsed in giggles. Tora really was clever. “It’s perfect!”
As the couple were lost in a fit of laughter, someone tapped out a tune on the front door. “Put your pants on bro! Miss Editor, please excuse the intrusion, but it’s of the utmost importance!” Tora and Poppy looked at each other, well aware Quincey was at the door.
“We don’t have to let him in,” Tora commented flatly.
Poppy rolled her eyes as she rose from her cushion. “Coming Quincey!” She shouted as she grabbed a towel to clean her hands of pumpkin guts. Poppy turned the dead bolt Tora had insisted on installing to reveal Quincey in the doorway looking desperate. “Come on in.”
“Poppy dear! You’re a doll! Please, where is that grouchy tiger? I need to speak with him! It is of the utmost importance!” Quincey held Poppy by her shoulders looking down seriously.
“Let go of her Quince. I’m right here.” Tora had come to join them in the hall. His face a mask of undisturbed seriousness.
“Ah! Honey! There you are!” Quincey let go of Poppy and rushed to grab Tora. “Please honey, I need your help!” He gasped desperately.
Tora’s brows shot up, “What the fuck Quince? What is it?”
“You know tomorrow is the Balthuman Fright Fest? It’s one of the few actual community events we put on for charity. You know to keep up appearances, and what not? Well this year I’m in charge of it, and it’s going to be a smash! We’re actually raising money for a good cause, AND I have a ton of community partners who have no clan affiliation who are coming to support! It’s a legitimate charity fundraiser!”
“Get to the point Quinceton,” Tora rolled his eyes.
“Well, the main event is going to be a Zombie Fun Run. You know, running an obstacle course while people in zombie make-up tried to catch you? Well the winner gets a $5000 prize. And you may not know, but any civilized person at a charity event, donates the prize money back to the charity when they win.”
Tora stared blankly at Quincey.
“And I just learned that apparently that rat Claude has decided to sabotage my event! He’s a ringer honey! He’ll win, and keep all the money! It will be sooo awkward! Can you imagine? A Balthuman employee winning the race, and not donating it back? It’s the height of a charity event faux pas!”
Tora sighed deeply, “Still not sure what ya expect me to do about it? Need me to go break his legs or something?”
“Tora!” Poppy admonished.
Tora shot her a wolfish grin and wink. “Just kidding Bobby…. Mostly…”
“I’m being serious bro!” Quincey shook Tora a bit to get his focus back. “I need you to enter the race. You can beat that pest. And you’ll donate the money back to the charity so the event will go off without a hitch.”
“No.”
“Please bro! I need you!”
“I don’t get what the big deal is? So what if he keeps the cash? Ya can just donate the difference,” Tora was becoming more disinterested in this conversation as Quincey begged.
“It’s not about the money! It’s the principle! Miss Editor, please explain to this Neanderthal how important this is!”
Poppy stepped up beside the boys. “I don’t know, Tora. It sounds kinda fun. And you would be great at it. I mean what is more festive than running through an obstacle course while zombies chase you? Plus, wouldn’t you hate to see how smug Claude would look if he won?”
Quincey smirked. Miss Editor sure knew how to handle the tiger.
Tora’s frown deepened. He glared at Quincey. “What kind of shit would I have to do?”
“It’s a race. The obstacles will be nothing for you. You even get to shoot a paintball gun at the thugglets! They’ve agreed to help out as target zombies. We have volunteers who will dress up with full makeup as zombies. They chase the contestants and try to ‘kill’ them by taking one of the contestants 3 life flags.” Quincey said brightly.
“Oh that sounds fun!” Poppy interjected, “Quincey, do you need any more zombies? I’d love to do that!”
“Of course!” Quincey turned to her, “We’d love to have such a cute little zombie!”
“Hold up, no. Would Poppy be getting shot by paintballs too?” Tora had gone full body-guard mode.
“Oh no. She wouldn’t have to be on that field. That’s what I have the boys for. Poppy could be with the other’s stalking the field. I may be playing the Zombie King, but I’m not a monster. I’ll give the boys protective gear. Most of the zombies will be normal people,” Quincey answered.
“Fun!” Poppy clapped. “We’ll be there Quincey!”
“Yay! Thank you! Love you both! Okay, well toodaloo you too! I must get going. Lots to do. And the Zombie King must get his beauty rest!” Quincey’s sing-songed as he gave them both kisses on the cheek as he flounced out the door.
Tora turned his predatory gaze to Poppy. “What did ya just get us into Bobby?”
Poppy shifted with a sheepish smile. “Oh come on! It’ll be fun!” Her gaze turned mischievous, “You just have to run from the zombies! We can even practice!” She raised her arms in front of her in the typical Hollywood zombie pose, “BRAINS! MUST EAT BRAINS!” She wailed in her best attempt at a ghoulish voice.
“Nah-uh Bobby,” he shook his head that predator gaze locked on his prey. “Tonight yer the one that better run. Get over here ya little monster!”
“EEP!” Poppy squeaked as she dodged his long arms. She ran for it.
***
Tora padded silently down the hall following the sound of some obnoxious tune coming from the bedroom. Inside he found Poppy in front of her closet mirror bouncing along with the music coming from her computer as she seemed to be deciding between outfits. Tora wasn’t paying much attention to the clothes she held, he was more focused on the sway of her ass. He leaned in the doorway to enjoy the view while she didn’t notice him. He chuckled to himself as he watched her private dance party.
The song screeched out it’s final notes, and voices came from the screen. She was watching some show. He spared a glance to the monitor to see what was playing. He didn’t recognize it, but it looked like it was from the 90’s. “What ya watching?
Poppy startled spun to face him. “Tora! Good gravy, make some noise when you walk!” Poppy set the outfits she was holding aside to pause the show. She gestured toward the screen, “It’s Buffy. ” Tora continued to stare blankly. “Don’t tell me you’ve never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer! You would love it! It’s a badass chick who kills monsters! This is the season 2 Halloween episode. Come, sit, watch. I will educate you in pop culture. I am making it my mission!”
“Whatever you say, Bobby,” Tora smirked. He had inched his way from the doorway to now be standing inches in front of Poppy. He snaked his arms around her to pull her close peppering kisses down the side of her head and neck.
Poppy let out a low hum of pleasure as his breath tickled behind her ear. “Wait! Tora,” She pulled back a fraction of an inch, “before you get me completely distracted. What should I wear tomorrow?” She reached to the side while still in his arms to hold up two outfits. One looked like her old painting clothes, frayed jeans with paint stains and an oversized shirt. The other was a pair of brightly colored tights that she called “Yoga Pants” and black tank.
“Whatever ya want sweetheart. Either will look great,” Tora answered, pulling on his supportive boyfriend hat. He was still getting used to this role, but found it surprisingly easy at times.
“Thank you, but that is not helpful.”
Tora heaved a sigh realizing until this decision was made, he was not going to be allowed to continue his preferred evening activity. “I guess it depends what yer goin’ for. The jeans probably look more ‘zombie’ but yer gonna have a shit time running in ‘em. Those will probably be more comfortable, and be easier to run in.”
Poppy nodded seriously considering his input. “Hmm… Do you have an old white t-shirt I could destroy?”
Tora blinked for a moment as his brain caught up with her plan. “I think I have one in my gym bag. Might be dirty…”
“That doesn’t matter. It’ll make it more authentic!” Poppy chirped, “If I cut up an old tee, and paint some blood and dirt on it. I can put it over my running clothes. And voila! Zombie chic.”
Tora realized Poppy was looking at him expectantly. “Oh, ya want me to get it now?”
“Yes please.”
Once Poppy had her hands on the t-shirt, it didn’t take long for her to shred what looked like claw marks into the front, and splash red and brown paint across the unsuspecting garment. Tora watched as she hung it on her patio to dry.
“There, that will be perfect in the morning.” She nodded satisfied with her work.
“Ya done?” Tora raised an eyebrow.
“Mhm,” she answered.
Tora strode over to where she stood admiring her work. In one swift motion, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. “Now, back to that distraction.”
***
“Hey! Big Bro! Miss Poppy! Over here!”
Tora took Poppy’s hand as he surveyed the scene looking for the voice. It didn’t take him long to spot Pinky, the hair made it pretty freaking easy. Tora wasn’t certain about this whole idea though. There were people everywhere. The Narin City Park had been taken over by the Balthuman Fright Fest. Open space. People in masks. Blind corners. He did not like this at all. Securing this place was a nightmare task. Tora saw family’s walking through the carnival style booths. Loud music pumped through the morning air. Children running around obviously hyped up on sugar before 9 AM. Why in the ever-loving-fuck would people bring their children to a place like this?
Tora gently tugged Poppy closer to him, determined to not lose her in the crowd. They made their way to Pinky who was sitting on a park bench with Brian and Erdene. Brian and Damien looked like they had rolled out of bed wearing whatever they had on the night before. Tora knew they didn’t usually function at this hour. If he was being honest, he didn’t really either. Quincey had some nerve. Erdene bound forward tackling Poppy in a hug. Tora reluctantly released her so she could return the gesture.
“Poppylan! Yay! You’re here! Isn’t this fun! Quincey said you’d be here. Are you really going to be a zombie?” Erdene babbled.
“Yes! Are you too?”
“Not today,” Erdene stepped back and pulled her leg into a runner’s stretch, “I’m going to be running! Gotta represent for charity you know! Quincey wanted someone from Giant Goldfish to represent, and Jacob claimed he has a bad knee or something. So I volunteered!”
“That’s great! You better watch out then! This zombie is on the hunt!” Poppy took a playful swipe toward her friend.
Erdene giggled, “Oh I’m sure! I’ll be careful! These derps are going to be out there too!” Erdene snickered leaning in to whisper conspiratorially to Poppy, “I can’t wait to get to the paintball course.”
Tora mouthed “You’re screwed” above the girls heads to Pinky and Brian who exchanged nervous looks.
“What about you big guy?” Erdene turned to Tora, “Are you going to partake of the festivities?”
Tora nodded, “Guess I’m running in this too.”
“Oh hoho, competition, okay. Right on,” Erdene looked Tora up and down mocking sizing him up. “Well, I guess you and I better get to registration. We’ll need to get our numbers.”
“Yeah, and Miss Poppy can come with us. Master Quincey’s been blowing up my phone, we need to get to the zombie tent. Something about make-up?” Damien looked down at his phone.
“Hell yeah! This is gonna be sick! I wonder if they can make it look like I got run over. Ya know, like a fat tire mark across my face or some shit!” Brian interjected.
Poppy giggled. “Our Zombie King awaits! Come zombie brethren, we’ve been summoned!” Poppy seemed to be getting into character. She tugged Tora’s arm, her signal for him to stoop so she could reach him. She pecked his cheek as she whispered, “Be safe, have fun, I’ll see you at the finish line.”
Tora caught her face to return the kiss on her lips. Pulling back he murmured, “You too. Stay close to the boys or Quincey. Keep yer phone on ya.” She nodded with a half salute before heading with the boys in the direction of a large tent marked ‘Zombies Rise Here.’
Tora was left standing with Erdene. “So where do we go?” He asked.
“This way, follow me.”
Erdene led him to a long line of tables staffed by people in bright red shirts identifying them as ‘volunteers.’ Once they got to the front he filled out the little paper quickly, rolling his eyes as he pulled out $25 for the cash entrance fee. Quincey had failed to inform him it would cost him money to participate in this nonsense. The petty side of him considered sending the Quincess a Venmo request. The frightened looking kid behind the table took his money and entrance form, and handed him a black canvas bag.
“Th-there’s a t-shirt and y-your number in the bag, sir. Your life flags are in there too.” the boy squeaked. Tora missed Poppy already. People never seemed as scared of him when she was around. He nodded, moving to the side to let the next person in line forward.
He looked in the bag for his number, and pulled out the black t-shirt. It had red lettering that looked like dripping blood, and read ‘Fright Fest ‘21.’ Tora sighed heavily. Was there any way Quincey would let him out of having to wear this? He closed his eyes in resignation as he pulled it over the tight black long-sleeve running shirt he wore. Next he found the contestant number. Heh, 69… nice. He chuckled to himself, well aware he was a dirty-minded bastard. He then fixed the number to the front with the safety pins included.
Outfitted accordingly, Tora followed the flow of number-clad runners to the starting line. Tora looked around and noticed everyone else seemed to be strapping on white belts with three red flags. He looked in his bag, sure enough he had one too. He figured he’d follow suit. He looked inside the bag to make sure nothing else was needed, but the only other things seemed to be a coupon book and some advertising flyers for Fred and Fran’s Sausages. Tora queued with the rest of the runners, many of whom were stretching which seemed like a good idea.
Tora began stretching to loosen up. He wasn’t thrilled about participating, but he did like the physical challenge. He couldn’t see the whole course, but what he could see looked pretty impressive. Tora figured if Quincey was in charge that no expense would be spared to make the event extravagant.
Music continued to blast cheesy Halloween themed tunes getting folks into the spirit. Tora wasn’t sure when the race would start, but he hoped it’d be soon. The sooner it started, the sooner he could finish, and get back to Poppy. She’d probably look cute even in her zombie make-up.
“Tora my dude, surprised to see you here.”
Tora looked without turning his head, knowing Claude had come beside him.
“Didn’t take the ‘Tiger of Ares Street’ to be the kind for this sort of thing. You hard-up for cash or something bro? Maybe lost a bet?” Claude went on.
Tora took in Claude in his running gear with disinterest. “Ya really do talk a lot, ya know.” Claude took a step back recalling the last time Tora had said that to him. “Yer here too, you lose a bet? Or am I supposed to buy yer concerned about children’s cancer research?”
Claude scoffed, “Oh me? I’m a regular philanthropist. Gotta save those kiddos from cancer.”
Tora deadpanned. The charity this event benefitted was actually LGTBQ+ Homeless Youth. Before Tora could tell Claude to fuck off, the music cut off, and Quincey’s voice rung out over the sound system.
“WELCOME GHOULS AND GOBLINS TO THE FIRST ANNUAL BALTHUMAN FRIGHT FEST!” Quincey stood atop a stage at the center of the festivities. Tora could tell from here Quincey was decked out in full movie quality special effects make-up. Quincey wore a full costume looking like some French king in heels and powdered wig. Only Quincey could wear something like that and it not look ironic. “Today we’re going to get things started with our ZOMBIE RUN!” A cheer went up from the crowd and runners. “Runners! Last night, zombies rose from the grave! They’re hungry and have a taste for the physically fit!
“You will need to race past the zombie hoard while completing all the obstacles! You must complete all the obstacles and cross the finish line! The runner who crosses first with the most lives intact wins the $5000 prize! You each have 3 lives,” He held up a white life belt with the red flags, “You must wear this with the flags visible at all times. The zombies will be trying to catch a flag to ‘kill’ you. You may run and dodge, but NO hitting our lovely zombies. The course includes nine parts! First you will start on the zombie slope where you will face the zombie hoard until you reach the barbed wire crawl! The wall climb comes next, followed by the plunge into the blood bath! If you’re still alive after all that you will mount the giant hay pyramid that leads to the firing range! You must hit 3 target zombies, and receive a go-ahead from a ref before moving to the cargo net. Then comes the tunnel of doom where you better watch out for those zombie sneak attacks! Finally an all out sprint through the graveyard to the finish line! Keep it safe out there everyone! Now, If you could all turn your attention to the lovely Cordelia , she will give us a shot-gun start! Take it away Cordy!”
Cordelia stepped up on a stand beside the starting line. She too was dressed as some kind of zombie royalty. “Okay you blood-bags, I want a clean race out there.” She raised a megaphone to her lips and used the other hand to raise a starting gun. “ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GOOOOOO!”
Tora took off with the rest of the runners jockeying for position. It didn’t take long for “zombies” to start attacking. The first obstacle was a downhill slope filled with zombie volunteers working together to corner runners and steal their little red life flags. Tora dodged them easily. The zombies were going after the slow, and the shrieking first.
Tora reached the end of the slope among the front runners. A muddy pit with netting, and what Tora hoped was fake barbed wire was the next obstacle. He dove under the net and soldier crawled, cursing Quincey all the while. He felt a hand at his side. Shit! The zombies had catwalks above that they could reach through. Tora rolled to avoid the sneaky bastard, fairly certain he hadn’t lost his precious flags. He made it to the end, covered in mud, but flags intact.
He wasn’t sure where anyone else was. Strangers surrounded him at the front. He was certain Claude and Erdene had to be close though. Unless they’d been taken out early. He didn’t have time to spare another thought as the next obstacle rose before him. A two story wall with little lengths of rope hanging down. He obviously had to go over it. People were already surrounding the bottom trying to get up the slick rope. Zombies lurked at the bottom taking out the weak who couldn’t make it over the wall.
Tora put on a burst of speed. He vaulted over struggling participants, he took hold of the rope halfway up the wall. He pulled himself swiftly to the top. He was in the lead now. He felt pleasantly warmed up now, but swore again as he saw the next challenge.
A giant above ground swimming pool stood at the bottom of the wall. But it wasn’t filled with water, it was filled with red liquid. This was a nightmare. He’d had dreams he’d been drowning in blood, but he never thought it would be so literal. The blood pool was surrounded by zombies waiting to take out hesitant contestants. Tora grit his teeth and dove in. If he swam he’d reach the end faster.
He didn’t dare open his eyes under the stained water. He relied on his momentum to carry him in the right direction. The water was icy. His muscles protested the frigid plunge, but years of training kept him from cramping up. Finally, his hands hit the soft side of the pool signalling he’d reached the end of the bloody swamp.
Tora burst out of the blood. Did the water suddenly feel thicker? Tora spat. Adding iron to the water was going too far, Quince, He thought. The liquid certainly did seem like real blood. Tora cringed as he leapt out of the pool. Before he could orient himself again, blood curdling screams split the morning air. Holy shit, people are taking this seriously. Tora looked around the bodyguard in him unable to ignore such a sound.
From behind, a decaying hand shot out at his face. He felt the air move as he dodged with barely enough time to spare. A putrid smell assaulted him. Damn, people really took this too seriously. Tora straightened, finally able to see the zombie that attacked him. This fucker didn’t look like the other volunteers with their cheesy make-up and fake blood. This guy looked like a 4K mofo who just rose out of the grave.
“What the fu—“
The zombie leapt faster than any human could. He slammed into Tora knocking him to the ground. The monster’s claws dug into his neck. Tora brought his forearm down on the crook of the zombie’s arm while shifting his weight to throw the zombie off him. He didn’t waste a second. That fucker was trying to kill him for real. Tora slammed his foot into the zombie’s face feeling the sick crunch of bone. Tora took off. Shit, shit, shit.
As he ran, he saw other people being attacked. Zombies weren’t going for the “life” flags. These bastards were ripping people's throats out. Fear clawed its way up Tora’s spine. He had no idea what was going on. Screams filled the air. Cold fear took hold of his throat as his brain finally kicked into gear. Poppylan.
Tora sprinted further into the course. He hadn’t seen Poppy yet, so she must have been stationed further in. A large mountain of hay bales had dozens of zombies mauling contestants.
“TORA!” A woman shrieked. Tora turned toward his name. It wasn’t Poppy calling, but Erdene who was trying to fight off a small zombie that looked like a familiar teenager with hair like that dumb kid girls in high school were so obsessed with. Beerber?
Tora ran to Poppy’s friend punching Boober in the face. The two didn’t stand around, but took off away from the haystack of doom. They sprinted down the path looking for a way out away from the carnage.
“What the hell is going on!” Erdene shouted.
“I don’t fucking know!” Tora roared.
“Where are we going?” Erdene panicked.
“Away from there!”
“Good call!” Erdene put on a burst of speed to match Tora’s longer strides.
Ahead a gang of monsters surrounded something Tora didn’t want to look too closely at. He peeled to a stop, Erdene ran into his broad back unable to stop in time. Instinctively, Tora threw out a protective arm signaling Erdene to stay back. A dark haired zombie rose from the gruesome feast. He turned toward the two with an evil grin. Glasses sat askew his rotten nose. The dead eyed monster moved toward them.
Tora grit his teeth preparing for a fight. He drew his fist back.
“Wait no!” Erdene grabbed his arm. “It’s Jacob! Jacob! Stop it! What’s going on!”
Zombie Jacob kept silent. He trudged ominously toward them.
“That ain’t your friend no more.”
“Jacob!”
Jacob was close enough now to reach out and touch them. He swung a decaying hand out. Tora blocked him. This was definitely not Jacob. This was way too strong for that little prick. Tora shoved him back with a kick to the gut.
“Tora no! You can’t hurt them! Please!” Erdene grabbed his hand. “We have to figure out what’s going on! Come on! Run!”
Tora followed the lilac haired girl. “Oh god, oh god,” Erdene muttered to herself.
Tora hit the breaks causing Erdene to spin. Their eyes met both filled with fear. “Poppy” they whispered in unison.
“Oh god,” Erdene whimpered.
“We have to find her,” Tora stated determinedly. Erdene nodded, motioning for him to lead the way.
They had made it to the paintball field. A long line of tables filled with stocked paintball guns stood in front of them. Erdene rushed forward taking a gun she locked and loaded it.
“It’s paint!” Tora growled exasperated.
“Fine, don’t take one!” Erdene shouted taking aim over his shoulder and opening fire.
Tora spun to see zombie versions of his thuglets being pummeled by bright pink paintballs. Erdene seemed to be a fair shot, and the barrage of paint did seem to slow the monsters. Tora snatched a gun and joined her in pelting fucking zombie Pinky and Brian. Once Tora and Erdene had effectively blinded the zombie thugs, they ran.
Tora saw a flash of wavy brown hair, and the same bright leggings Poppy had been wearing earlier. As he got closer he saw Poppy was fighting something.
“Poppylan!” Tora cried.
“Wait no! Tora!” Erdene tried to grab him before he took off.
Tora didn’t spare a moment to consider the possibilities. He ran on instinct. An animal part of his brain kicked in seeing Poppy in danger. He reached her. Tora wrapped his arms around her pulling her away from the assailant. He spun her around securing her behind him. He swung using his turn to add momentum to his strike. His fist connected with a face. Unlike the other zombies he’d punched, this face was still warm. He pulled back to see Claude cursing as blood poured out his nose.
“What the fuck Claude!” Tora bellowed.
Claude’s eyes went wide in horror and indignation. He pointed behind Tora. Tora turned his head in time to see Poppy dive for him. He caught her wrists in his larger hands.
“Poppylan!”
She was cold. Her usually soft pink skin was discolored and felt like leather. She growled.
“Stop it! Poppylan!” He tried to hold her still, but she was too strong. Tora started panicking. He couldn’t hit Poppy!
Suddenly, Poppy was thrown to the side. Claude had come from behind her, and landed an expert side-kick that knocked her aside.
“Thank me later,” Claude’s voice was thick after having his nose broken. He started running the way tora had come. It took Tora a split second to realize he should follow.
Tora ran after Claude. Erdene waved from the edge of the path. “This way!” She called. The two men veered to follow her into the forested area. “We need to get off the course!”
The trio came to a halt in a hidden clearing. Erdene doubled over breathing heavily. “What is going on!” She huffed.
Tora glared at Claude. “What do you know,” his deep voice rumbled menacingly.
Claude’s gaze darted between the large man, and any available exits. “I—I don’t know! I don’t have anything to do with this!”
“But you know who does,” Tora moved closer to glower down at the smaller man.
“I—I—“ Claude stammered, “I don’t know! But I, um, think Scharch might know something.”
“Why.”
“He’s been talkin’ crazy lately. Like magic and shit. He said he had a surprise for the fight fest,” Claude said in a rush.
“Where is he?” Tora demanded more than asked.
“I’m not sure… but I think he was here somewhere,” Claude answered.
Tora nodded and jerked his chin to Erdene motioning for them to move. Tora and Erdene started toward the path.
“Wait! You can’t just leave me here!” Claude whined.
Tora looked over his shoulder, “Don’t hold us up if you insist on coming. I ain’t saving your ass again.” Tora paused, “And if you ever lay a finger on Poppy again, zombie or not, your ass is mine.”
The trio exited the woods into the carnival. Civilians had mostly scattered now, but zombies were still gathered around corpses in sick feasts. Screams in the distance continued, but they were able to move into the open without being noticed. They moved quietly through the colorful booths turned massacre. Erdene still clutched her paintball gun.
Tora threw an arm out pushing the others back behind a temporary wall. A group of zombies limped by. They seemed to be heading back toward the obstacle course. Tora peeked around the corner to see what looked like all the zombies headed back toward the field. He motioned for the others to be quiet, and follow him. Crouching low, they stalked the monsters back toward the end of the field.
A large cargo net came into view first. The zombies parted to pass the obstacle, and went through a dark tunnel behind it. The tunnel looked like it had been made to be part of the course. Tora had a bad feeling they’d need to go that way to find Scharch.
Tora and the others watched the twisted zombie parade. From this distance, Tora could make out the bright leggings and wavy brown hair that was his Poppy. Tora felt his throat clench. He knew he had to save her. He left cover and ran silently down toward the tunnel. He heard Erdene squeak and Claude hiss behind him before they too followed.
The tunnel was empty. All the zombies had gone to the other side. Tora ran through the pitch black tunnel, eyes trained on the light at the other end. He knew Erdene and Claude were behind him from the sound of their feet pounding on the thick plastic pipe acting as the makeshift tunnel.
They emerged on the other side to find zombie versions of their friends staring them down. Erdene tried to take a step back then jumped closer to Tora. They were surrounded.
Quincey’s gaudy dress had become more dingy, his wig abandoned. Dead eyes looked out from the blond’s once handsome face. Blood and gore covered the scene. Tora didn’t know what to do. There were too many of them to fight. And these were his friends! He didn’t want to fight them!
“Hey Quince, ya don’t wanna do this. Come on, it’s me,” Tora tried, knowing the thing in front of him wasn’t capable of reasoning.
“Pops, come on girl, it’s me!” Erdene’s voice shook.
“Shit,” Claude muttered.
The zombies surged forward as one. Tora and the others tried to keep them from splitting them up. Tora swung for all he was worth. He pounded his fists into dead flesh, uncertain who he was fighting in the throng of dead bodies. Screams and roars filled his ears and he felt cold hands claw at him. He tried to keep space to move, but there were so many he felt like he was suffocating.
Above the roars and screams, Tora heard someone clapping. Suddenly, the zombies stopped. Still surrounded, Tora looked up toward the stage where the winner’s platform stood. A red headed bastard stood clapping with a smug smile twisted on his lips.
“Scharch you bastard! What did you do!” Tora shouted.
Scharch chuckled, “What tiger? Don’t you like my surprise? Isn’t it spooky?”
“You psycho!” Erdene shot.
“Ooh, feisty,” Scharch winked, “It’s amazing really. For so long I followed orders, trying to get a scrap of power. When it was at my fingertips all along. Chaos is a seductive master.”
“Turn them back, Scharch!” Tora bellowed.
“Now, I can’t do that. My master ordered this to happen. These creatures do their will. You see, nothing is what it seems. The real powers have yet to reveal themselves. This is just the opening act. When the time comes, this here today will look like child’s play. You’ve always thought you’re so much better than the rest of us tiger, but you’ll learn. You’re nothing more than a dog who’s tried to bite his master.” Scharch shook his finger, “Naughty, naughty, the master is going to teach you a lesson.”
Tora ground his teeth. What was Scharch talking about? Chaos… Tora looked around trying to find clues. Something wasn’t right. Scharch was distracting him.
Behind the red head trophies for the winners stood. They were made to look like zombies, but the one in the middle seemed different. It had two faces… and were its eyes glowing?
Tora shifted slowly trying not to let Scharch see his hand move toward Erdene. She noticed as he motioned for her paintball gun. Tora didn’t take his eyes off Scharch as the cool metal slid into his hand. He wasn’t sure what this would do, but he had to try something.
“He can try, but I’ve never been much for learning,” Tora stated as he raised the gun to his shoulder taking aim. He fired rapid shots expertly over Scharch’s head hitting his target every time. Bright pink paint shattered across the two faced statue knocking it from its perch.
“NOOO!” Scharch screamed as the statue shattered on the stage below.
A deep rush like thunder went through the crowd, and the crowd surrounding them lost their ghostly pallor. He’d done it. Tora had broken the curse.
***
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Tora,” a sweet voice called from far away, “Tora time to wake up. We’re going to be late.”
Tora’s eyes flew open. He was tucked in Poppy’s comfy bed, a Totoro plushy halfway tucked under his head. Tora blinked rapidly. He sat up looking around confused.
“You okay?” Poppy asked as she pulled on colorful leggings.
Tora wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Uh, yeah.” He ran his hand through his messy bed head.
Poppy looked concerned, “You sure? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Tora’s mouth pressed a thin line. “More like a zombie,” he muttered. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. What the fuck kind of dream was that? “Hey, Bobby?”
“Yeah?”
“We ain’t watchin’ any more of yer crazy Halloween shows before bed, ‘kay?”