We're not Miracles, we're abominations and we belong in the ground, not trying to blend in with the living, it's a catastrophe in the making and you know it.”
Marx didn't know how to comfort her. Maybe she was right. The way she stared out at the vast emptiness like it was salvation, he knew what she meant to do.
“So are you going to jump now?” Vivian broke the silence.
“I don't know.” he answered. “Are you going to jump now?”
“Maybe. It's not going to do to me what it does to you, I can't die anymore.”
“Aye, that you're aware of, have you ever jumped from a mountain before now?”
“I guess there's a first time for everything.”
“In a hurry to be a ghost again are you?' “To feel nothing again?” Marx wasn't sure why, but he didn't want her to leave the world, she was too special, she stood a symbol of hope for so many.
“I feel nothing now, what's the difference?” she scoffed.
“Oh you feel plenty now, the expression on your face when you spoke of your death says otherwise, plus you have your list.”
“My list?”
“Things you've yet to experience, learning to drive and
The like”
“Oh, well you have a list too, you've never eaten at McDonald's.” she laughed. “Tell you what, let's give it a week, we'll do our list and if you still wanna jump, I'll keep you company on the way down.”
“So we're to fix each other in a weeks’ time?” Marx mused as she nodded. “Ambitious. We have a deal.”
They shook hands ready to embark on whatever was to come...
CHAPTER SIX: 168 Hours
“What a difference a day makes. That's what the old-timers say and I have to agree. So much can change in 24 little hours, so much can go right, so much can go wrong. I can attest to that as we started this tale on the worst day of my life. Let's give thought to what a week may do. 168 hours. Oh the possibilities.”
--Marx Ryder
***
“What's that look Marx?” Vivian narrowed her eyes as she nibbled the edge of her tea cookie. Marx peeped down the hall to be certain the coast was clear.
“Time for your first adventure my dear.” He extended his hand to her and she took it slowly.
“Are we about to get in trouble?” she asked.
“Maybe.” Marx replied with a slight grin.
He led her down to Giles's garage where his personal fleet of toys lay in wait.
“Alright, which one would you like to drive?” Marx opened the metal lock box on the wall containing the keys to all ten. Vivian placed her finger on her chin ogling the lot of vintage beauties. She quickly fixed her sights on the 2020 black Jaguar.
“I like this one.” she smiled.
“2020, was a bad year I'm told.” Marx snatched the keys and opened the passenger door for her. She looked on him with suspicion.
“Are we really going to do this?”
“Aye, it's already done.”
Marx had never before himself driven anything other than remodeled golf caddies and jeeps himself, he wasn't prepared for such a touch sensitive vehicle as the Jaguar. He almost crashed into an old mustang just trying to leave the parking spot, but once he got his bearings it was one of the most exhilarating feelings he'd experienced.
When they were away from the busiest part of camp, Marx let the top down and the crisp night air enveloped them. He took Vivian to an area that was still largely being developed and was mostly comprised of empty lots and large old storage units. He stopped the car and looked at her, she was smiling and that was something he didn't often see, he already felt proud of himself.
Marx gave her a quick tutorial and passed her the keys.
“Remember to do as I say, and don't kill us … Or don't kill me shall I say.” they both laughed.
“Okay, don't worry, I've got you.” she rushed out of the car and his smile faded a bit from the memory of the last time he'd heard those words. “Shh, I've got you.” Frankie whispered as she rocked him in the back of that jeep, the last time he saw his mother.
“Are you coming out?” Vivian's expression became intense when she saw his face and he immediately cheered himself and hopped out of the driver’s seat.
“Aye, madam, your chariot.”
“Are you okay?” she asked. Marx was a bit surprised how in tune she was to the slightest changes in his energy. He wondered if that came with the undead thing or had it been a gift from her life before.
“Of course I am, better than Okay.” As he took his seat on the other side, he remembered that he wasn't supposed to care if she killed him or not, but the fact was this week was going to be the best. He was going to break all the rules, have a blast and jump off that bridge a happy man.
"You ready?” he asked and she shook her head and turned the key.
***
When Vivian returned home that night no one was the wiser. She laid her head on her pillow like she usually did to simulate sleeping activity, but she rarely required sleep. Most nights she would talk with Wik and Farouk in her mind, or she'd lay and think of what life would be like in the wild other nights she would pretend she had a human life and make up stories in her mind about what her name was and what her family was like, but this night she thought of Marx. Strange beautiful Marx. Driving with his eyes on her made her feel new sensations, her stomach twisted and she couldn't stop smiling. She liked it.
The next morning Vivian woke to the smell of blueberry pancakes and marmalade. She was thrilled that she'd fallen asleep at all, her mind was so busy.
“Wake up sleepy head!” Jay Dare's voice rang out from her kitchen. She wrapped herself in a white silk robe, pulled her hair into a top knot and ventured out to greet him. Vivian yawned and scratched her head taking a seat on a stool at the breakfast nook.
“How'd you sleep?” he asked and she found herself smiling again.
“Ummm,” she stretched.
“That good huh?” Jay studied her with a raised eyebrow.
“What?” she asked.
“What, what, you tell me what.” they laughed. “You getting along well with the new guardian?”
Vivian made it a point to straighten her face as she took a bite of her pancakes that seemed to burst with blueberry flavor.
“He's cool. Kinda strange.”
“Well he's a Colonist so, ya know.” Jay carried on his usual fridge and cabinet check to see if she needed anything.
Jay had been one of her primary care takers since she could remember and he was her best friend, she wanted to tell him that she'd driven a car last night and was good at it, but in Vivian's world there were no real best friends, only people paid to gather information, her innermost thoughts, spy’s of the government who saw her as nothing more than an experiment. She had to remind herself of that every day. She held her tongue.
***
Marx found himself excited to start his day as the sun rose over camp Elbert. He looked to the balcony far across the way for a chance that he might catch a glimpse of young Vivian. He wasn't quite sure what was driving him, her mystery, her darkness, the morbid curiosity he knew he always had about the dead, he knew not what the pull was, all that he knew was that he was utterly fascinated by her in spite of himself. To his disappointment, she did not appear.
He found himself humming an old song he heard as he prepared breakfast for Emery. What a difference a day makes. He thought. Marx made it a point to engage Emery in conversation that morning. He wanted to find out if he was happy at the school and if he had any friends. The fact was Emery had been the picture of physical and mental health since they arrived at Elbert. Children were so resilient. Emery had friends and even a girl that he liked, it was sweet.
After Marx loaded him on to the school van he found himself rushing to clean up and get to work so he could punch in and get the key card to Vivian's place.
“Good Morrow!” he called cheerfully upon arrival.
“Good Morrow
Colonist!” Jay replied with equal enthusiasm. “Hey buddy good news; I got your application pushed through to Elbert. You have a job waiting on you in the Mountain.” he smiled broadly as Marx's smile faded.
“Pardon?” Marx blinked hard still holding Vivian's key. Jay took the key and pat him on the back.
“Yeah you've been doing such an amazing job I gave you a personal recommendation, and I don't do that for many people. They have an opening for you in communications!”
Marx tried hard to hold his composure, but he was visibly disturbed as Jay led him to the door.
“But--”
“But what?” Jay's tone became curt.
Dr. Giles Barker ran into them at the door as he entered with his usual gleeful energy.
“Just the two people I wanted to see.” He took Vivian's key card from Jay and handed it to Marx.
“I'm really pleased with the way Vivian is progressing under your care Marx; it would mean the world to me if you would bump up the amount of time you spend with her.” Marx's face spread into a wide grin, all teeth and dimples.
“But Dr. Barker--” Jay attempted to cut in to no avail; Dr. Barker turned his back to him for a moment.
“We're going to need you to keep a detailed log of the things you're doing, but there's been a real notable difference. Oh and give her the key card, I want her to be able to come and go as she pleases.” Giles turned back to Jay. “I need you working more closely with Wik and Faruke. You have a special touch with speech and I have a feeling we're on the verge of another breakthrough.” Jay narrowed his piercing blue eyes at Marx who still stood smiling, he wished that he had one of those video tape things; he would have enjoyed watching that over and over.
“Alright then, good Morrow gentlemen.” Marx excused himself.
***
Just the feeling of Vivian's hands over his eyes gave him pleasure. Sometimes it was the simple things. Like when she removed them to reveal the food court, they were standing in front of McDonald's.
The golden arches were aglow and Emery was inside seated at a table with Axle, Shannon and Sanchez. Marx couldn't stop smiling. There was the counter with all of the vintage cash terminals and the meal menu with large glowing pictures of stunning sandwiches. Marx turned back to Vivian.
“My family is here.” He was confused.
“I got a little help from Giles.” she explained.
Marx hadn't had the opportunity to see Sanchez in weeks. It was the first time they'd ever greeted with a hug, but it did not feel awkward to Marx, it felt very natural. “Sanchez.” Marx smiled.
“I'm your first officer no longer, call me Luis.” he said. Part of Marx wondered where Stucky and Butch were, but the other part wasn't ready to pal around with Butch yet. So much time had passed since that fateful night leaving Ryder, it was not enough.
As they took their seats Marx looked around. “Where are the clowns?”
“There are no clowns.” Shannon laughed. He noticed that she wore a uniform with the arches on it.
“You work here!” he declared.
As they gabbed away and got caught up they enjoyed the ages old flavors of Big mac's and milkshakes. Emery shoved a handful of golden fries into his mouth and smiled, clowns or not, he was having the experience of a lifetime and Marx was glad he got to see it.
Marx had introduced Vivian as his friend. He zoned in on her eyes and saw not death, but kindness and beauty, such beauty. The images of her tight naked body worked their way to the forefront of his mind, he hadn't meant to see her like that, but he was glad he had all the same.
Marx watched her pick off tiny pieces of her fish and put them in her mouth and do that dainty little chew she always did and he wondered if he should feel bad about wanting her, was it like necrophilia? Was he sick? He had never been attracted to a Ghost and she was alive, she breathed and laughed and ate so-
Marx's train of thought was interrupted by a question he wasn't sure he heard correctly. Shannon was stunned and ill at ease so he was now sure he heard what Axle said.
“What happened in the Catacombs Shannon?” It was out of the clear blue and an immediate heaviness blanketed them all. “I'm still your brother and I'll always love you, I simply must know.”
The timing was deplorable, but it was a question that had haunted Marx's dreams and he too had to know. He looked at Shannon for answers.
Shannon shifted in her seat, her shoulders slumping. She made the Frankie face when she was sad, she looked like a blonde Frankie, freckles and green eyes with lashes for days, but she was far from Frankie and Marx could always feel that.
She held Luis's hand under the table and gathered herself. “When the rock slide happened I was trapped, my feet and my hoses in the back of my suit were caught. I was caught but my suit was uncompromised. Millie was with me as was Lana, but Lana was hurt, pinned under the rocks to her waste and being crushed.” Shannon wiped tears from her eyes. “She bled from her mouth,”
Vivian stood and extended her hand to Emery. “Why don't we go have a look at that sweet game room they've got in the back?” Emery looked to Marx and he nodded.
“Aye, it's a good idea.” he agreed and gave the boy his voucher card. “Be easy.” Marx urged as they walked away.
Shannon took several deep breaths and continued. “Millie tried desperately to free Lana, but she wasn't strong enough, the stones were so heavy,” Axle was pained by her words and Marx rubbed his back.
“Millie said she was going to try and find you, to bring you back to help us but I begged her to free me first, so that might at least have a chance to defend myself, I could feel the ghosts touching my back and I realized that my body was plugging a gap in the rocks, the side we were on seemed safe, but the other...” She sighed and shook her head.
“Aye, she freed you.” Marx said.
“Aye. She removed her gloves to make haste, but I could feel them clawing at my back. And while she was moving the rocks one of them tore my suit.”
The story had become clear to Marx. His heart breaking yet again, it seemed a never ending well of pain. “So you ran when she freed you.” It wasn't a question, but more of a confirmation. Shannon crumbled in a heap of tears in Luis's arms as he whispered in her ear and stroked her cheek. Aye, she was as far from Frankie as could be.
***
Vivian smiled instinctively when she saw him. “You came.” she beamed as his hair took to the wind. He had a nervous look on his face.
“Did you doubt me?” He asked and she shook her head. She wanted so desperately for him to touch her; it was a yearning she felt deep down whenever she saw him lately.
“So what's it going to be?” she asked rubbing her arms from the chill.
Marx looked down into the darkness below. “We've not finished your list yet.”
Vivian knew what was left to be done, only one thing and if she could have it from him she would die a happy girl.
Vivian closed her eyes as he moved closer to her, her heart jumping with excitement, her lips parted in anticipation. Instantly her body warmed as he slipped his arms around her, his mouth on hers a second later, her breathing quickened at the sensation of his tongue rousing hers, it was strange and glorious. She ran her long fingers through his hair and melted into his embrace. His heart was beating against hers and when he pulled away, he took her breath with him.
She opened her eyes and he was watching her.
“What are your thoughts?” he asked touching her cheek.
“It was... My heart feels big.”
“Aye, so does mine.” he agreed “You've worked your spell on me Vivian; I have no wish to die, but instead to live, with you. Let us go someplace unknown to the world, we'll start our own civilization and teach our people not to fear the Rehabilitated, but instead embrace them.” Vivian's heart swelled more hearing his words.
“That's a beautiful thought, but we both know The Mountain will hunt us to the ends of the Earth and beyond. They'll never let me go.”
“A moment of freedom with you is better than a thousand years of captivity. I'll be leaving here soon, Please say you'll come with me.”
“I can't leave Wik and Farouk. And what about Emery?”
“He's my son, I'll not be leaving him behind, we shall all go.”
Vivian's mind was racing, the chill of the night overtaking her again and at that moment in his arms she realized that being parted from Marx wasn't even a viable option, that their fates were as entwined as the fibers of the rope on that bridge and from here on in, there would be no letting go.
***
Marx rose early the following morning; he propped upon his elbow and studied the lines and curves of Vivian as she slept. He fought himself not to kiss her awake and indulge in the pleasures he'd experienced last night. Having her was like a drug, he felt stronger, sharper, exhilarated, and he wanted more, but he exercised extreme restraint and eased out of the bed, got dressed and left her Condo before Jay made his scheduled appearance.
Marx felt invincible, bounding down the stairwell from platform to platform, skipping all the stairs between. Memories of the things they'd done flashing through his mind as he moved. It took him only five minutes to reach his place to shower and change his clothes and another three to make it to the lab for work.
When he walked in he saw one of the lab assistants.
“Jay Dare want's you at silo seven today.” she said, never looking up from her microscope. Marx was intrigued, silo seven was the body warehouse, it was where the rehabilitated were kept. He wondered what he'd be called upon to do this day.
Marx took the keys to one of the lab vans and headed over. He had been waiting for another opportunity to get close to the Nec-V vaccination in hopes that he might be able to take some for his mother. When he got there he had to ring a bell because he didn't have the clearance code to a single door in the entire medical research facility outside of Vivian's gilded cage, and his own.
All Things Zombie: Chronology of the Apocalypse Page 42