-09-

“Oh, I Know Where She Is, Xander. And I’ll Lead You Right To Her.”

Xapper and Little Defiant spent the next two days thinning out the undead from Redmoose. They still had not found any living survivors. From sunup to sundown, Xapper and Plasmee would eat their fill of rotting flesh, digest, defecate obsidian, and repeat.

Little Defiant and Plasmee were a lethal combination. The neon green acidic goo that Plasmee barfed out was able to melt through solid concrete. And Little Defiant was an ace at aiming and firing her monster companion.

Xapper noticed that Plasmee’s spit was able to melt the zombie’s brains and they would die as a result. However, when the brain was damaged by the spit, the rest of the zombie also melted away. The acidic goo reminded Xapper of his obsidian powered bug swarm bullets. Good for emergencies but the attack left nothing to eat.

Plasmee also had a frog-like tongue that had a range of ten feet. She could pull zombies closer so she could take bites out of them. Or she could use her tongue to rip limbs and heads off with ease. And she would swallow chunks whole like a snake.

Having Little Defiant and Plasmee at his side made Xapper’s job of eliminating zombies less daunting. On the third day of hunting, they found only a handful of zombies. At least, only a few human zombies remained. By midday, wildlife began to challenge Xapper and his companions.

The wildlife horde was mostly squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and deer. No moose or bears had attacked yet. But Xapper was getting tired of hanging around Redmoose and eating zombies. The endless loop of killing and eating was feeling like Fort Blackwood all over again.

Xapper and Little Defiant took shelter in the convoy truck by nightfall. They said little to one another and Little Defiant always fell asleep only minutes after entering the truck. After fighting the wildlife zombies, she looked exhausted but too concerned to fall asleep.

“Hey, Mister Sergeant? Why are we still here?” asked Little Defiant.

“Well, Plamee and I still have zombies to eat,” said Xapper. “But, yeah, this is getting old. I really wanted to head south to see my daughter. But I feel like there is a very important reason why I still hang around Redmoose.”

“Redmoose was my home but not any more,” said Little Defiant. “So we put down a few more zombie animals tomorrow and leave?”

“Yeah, we can take out a few more,” said Xapper. “Then get out of town. Maybe we should focus more on getting supplies from town into the truck. Who knows what the rest of the world is like right now.”

“Too bad there is no power and the phones don’t work,” said Little Defiant. “We could have called someone or used the internet for help.”

“Yeah, that bites,” said Xapper. Little Defiant glared at him. “Figure of speech, sorry. Well, rest up, LD. We got another long day tomorrow.”

🍴🧠

Xapper dreamed and in his dream he found himself floating in space. Xeak orbited around his head. Nar-Goathgeir was before him. The pseudo-pupils of her praying mantis eyes glared at him.

Xapper had a better view of the planet-size bug goddess. From her praying mantis shaped head, a thin torso led to a gargantuan white rear that pulsated and writhed. Each side of her body had a dozen skinny arms with raccoon-like paws.

A pair of black wings flowed from her back like a cape. The wings draped over her abdomen and shimmered like a night’s sky. The wings had a luster similar to obsidian but they seemed to give off their own light in the void of space.

Her exoskeleton was a dark brown with sparkling bits that resembled glitter. On the surface of her exoskeleton were tiny craters where meteorites crashed into her. Her segmented arms and hands were a lighter brown with glistening black between the joints.

Now that Xapper had a better look of her, he was more disgusted with the bug goddess. Her very presence was revolting to him and she made him sick to his stomach. And after all the rotting and gross things Xapper had put into his gut, that was saying something.

“Yeah?! What do you want now, Narry?” asked Xapper. After using the nickname, Xapper felt as if his head was going to split open. “Right, right! No nicknames! Got it! Just tell me what you want and leave me alone!”

The pain stopped and Xeak hovered in front of Xapper. “She wants you to stop the zombies, Xander. And if you keep quiet, she’ll tell you how.”

“Right, right, I’m listening. I don’t got much of a choice, do I?”

“Good. Now, pay attention, Xander,” said Xeak. “There are many gods and goddesses in the universe and they do their own thing. One god’s thing is to use the dead as playthings.”

“And I’ll bet it has a weird name, right Xeak?”

“It does have a weird name, Xander. And this god is dangerous. Just a little piece of the god can control the dead. And that’s what happened. A little bitty piece of the god was brought to your world. And I want you to guess who did it, Xander.”

Xapper thought for a moment then it hit him. He flashed back to the girl who had a rave party at Fort Blackwood. The same girl who gave him sass and was dumb enough to call the cops and get herself arrested. Her parents were important figures and they had to clean up her mess.

And all that led to her cursing Xapper with Xeak and an ancient book.

“That Broadway bitch! She did all this!”

“She might have, Xander. But not even Nar-Goathgeir understands what happened. All our Goddess knows is that some foolish human brought a piece of her rival to your world.”

“Well, Xeak, there is only one way to find out. Where is Broadway?”

“Oh, I know where she is, Xander. And I’ll lead you right to her.”

🍴🧠

Xapper awoke the next dawn and told Little Defiant about his dream. At first, Little Defiant only wanted to leave Redmoose. But Xapper further explained how they could end the zombie pandemic and Little Defiant was more open to search for Broadway.

“You really think this Broadway lady made the zombies happen?” asked Little Defiant as she readied Plasmee.

“I don’t know,” said Xapper as he put on his rucksack. “But I want to find her. She had some weird old book that is connected to the zombies and my curse.”

Little Defiant followed Xapper into town and raised an eyebrow. “What did the old book look like?”

“I don’t really know, I saw Broadway using it in a nightmare,” said Xapper. “I’m not one to believe in dreams. But after everything that’s happened, I’d bet good money that Broadway still has that book and—”

“Mommy borrowed an old book from someone and did the magic thing that made Plasmee,” said Little Defiant. “Maybe it was the same old book?”

Xapper stopped just before entering Redmoose. Little Defiant stopped too and Plasmee relaxed in her arms. Xapper blinked hard and stared down at the girl.

“Do you remember what the book looked like?” asked Xapper.

“Super old, like really old,” said Little Defiant. “And it smelled all moldy. And the outside looked like grandpa’s old leather coat.”

“Okay and when did your mommy use the book to make Plasmee?” asked Xapper. “How many days before the zombies came to town?”

Little Defiant thought for a moment and said, “I think three days. Maybe? I was tired and slept in my room after Plasmee and I were put together. That was before the zombies came and attacked mommy and daddy.”

Xapper then had a sinking feeling. “Damn. So not only did Broadway have that book but other idiots too? Oh, sorry, LD, I didn’t mean your parents—”

“They were idiots,” said Little Defiant bluntly. “It’s okay.”

Xapper nodded and he asked Xeak, “Well yarn boy. How many people used that book?”

“How would I know, Xander?”

“Don’t you give me that crap! Your magical ass knows what went down and I need to know! How many other people used that damn book, Xeak?!”

“Hmm . . . well, the Necrophage being summoned and bound to the girl is one. Broadway cursing you is two. And the summoning of the piece of the God of Undead is three. It's three, Xander.”

“Are you sure it’s three and not more?” asked Xapper.

“Do you not trust me, Xander?”

“I haven’t trusted you since you started talking in my head, yarn boy!”

“Sounds like your problem, Xander. Not mine.”

“Alright, prove I can trust you then,” said Xapper. “Where is that Broadway chick?”

“How would I know, Xander?” asked Xeak before snickering.

“You told me that—DAMN IT!”

Xapper, enraged, started to kick a mailbox and scream obscenities. Little Defiant and Plasmee waited patiently as Xapper vented his frustration. After he calmed down, he looked at Little Defiant and apologized.

“It’s okay,” said Little Defiant. “At least you don’t drink that bad smelling juice like daddy always did. That just made him more mad.”

“You know, LD? The more I learn about your parents, the less I like them,” said Xapper.

Little Defiant was about to say something when Plasmee perched on her shoulder. Little Defiant and Plasmee looked at one another and Xapper waited. He learned that the two shared a telepathic bond, much like how he and Xeak communicated.

Little Defiant nodded, pointed north, and said, “Plasmee was asking me what that tall building is in the distance.”

She pointed and Xapper followed her finger and squinted. There was an old watchtower north of Redmoonse. Xapper knew little about the local history but he at least knew about the tower.

“That there is the old watchtower,” said Xapper. “It was built so the colonists could watch out for the Cadanians. Ha! Can you imagine the Canadians having the guts to attack us crazy Americans?”

“Plasmee was asking if it would be a good hiding place?” asked Little Defiant.

“Well, I supposed it could be,” said Xapper. He then glared at the tower and sniffed. “If you set yourself up right and have enough rations, have a place to sleep and do your business, you could hold up there for days—”

Xapper and Little Defiant looked at Plasmee and she nodded. Xander wanted to kick himself, he completely forgot about checking the watchtower. Xeak chuckled.

“Hehehehe, took you long enough, Xander.”

Xapper took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Whatever, Xeak. I ain’t even mad anymore. Come on, LD, let's check it out.”

Xapper and company made their way to the tower. They followed the old cobblestone road that dated back to colonial times. Redmoose was an old town and was soon to be extinct. As far as Xapper or his companions knew, they were the only living survivors.

They came close to the watchtower and Xapper noticed something glistening in one of the tower’s windows.

“I think we’re being watched, stay alert, girls,” said Xapper.

Little Defiant and Plasmee got into their combat ready position. Xapper placed his hand on his peacemaker. They came closer and closer to the tower until a rifle shot rang out. Xapper drew his revolver but then looked behind him.

A zombie squirrel was sneaking up on them. It was blown in half. Another squirrel then leapt at Xapper and before it reached him, it was shot to pieces in midair. Three more squirrels attacked from their hiding places and each one was shot before it reach Xapper and company.

Xapper looked back at the tower and titled his hat at the shooter watching over them.

“If that is that Broadway girl, she’s a crack shot,” said Xapper. “Right, Plasmee, you eat those ones and I–”

“Big bad moose charging! Run!” screamed Little Defiant.

Xapper turned in time to see a charging moose that was three times the size of any other moose he had encountered. It had no fur or skin. Its red muscles were exposed and they pulsated. Its body generated enough steam to create a cloud in its wake. The raging red moose was about to trample Xapper, its white eyes filled with madness.

“Awh! Hell’s bells!” cried out Xapper as he fanned the hammer of his peacemaker.

The moose was almost on top of Xapper, his bullets embedding into the red muscles but did not phase the rampaging beast. A rifle shot echoed and the moose’s front right knee exploded. The moose fell and as it collapsed. Xapper dodged out of the way as the super zombie moose hit the cobblestone.

Xapper shelter his revolver and drew his bat. “LD! Plasmee! Forget the squirrels! Melt this sucker’s legs before he gets back up! I’ll crack him open!”

Xapper then commenced beating the downed red moose in the head. Plasmee fired her acid and Little Defiant aimed at the legs. The moose became a squirming mess of broken bones and melted flesh.

Xapper then cracked open the skull. “Sharing is caring!”

He reached in and tore out a piece of brain. He then tossed the piece to Plasmee. She then caught it with her frog-like tongue. Xapper then grabbed a piece of brain and ate it.

It tasted sweet like strawberries. For the first time a zombie’s brain actually had flavor to it. And it tasted good and he wanted more. Plasmee too made a happy little call and wanted more.

Xapper then recalled something and between sharing the brain with Plasmee, he asked Little Defiant, “You know about Mad Marco, LD?”

“I do, burp! Excuse me,” said Little Defiant as Plasmee got fatter. “He is the big bad moose who eats people.”

“Well, we’re eating him right now, I think,” said Xapper. He waited for Xeak to comment. When the doll stayed quiet, Xapper smiled and nodded. “Yeah, we eat him now!”

“Plasmee is getting full, can you finish?” asked Little Defiant as she sat down.

“Sure but I’m getting oddly full after just one brain too,” said Xapper as he continued eating.

Xapper had to eat all of the brain before Mad Marco perished. And the super red moose brain filled him up good, which left Xapper perplexed. He had eaten dozens of human zombie brains in a row and never got this full from them. He did not worry about it for long because Xeak stayed quiet.

After a couple minute food nap, Xapper and company proceeded into the watchtower. Upon opening the door, Xapper found several car batteries all along the floor. There were wires everywhere, all along the floor, the walls, and on the ceiling. There were some dimly lit lights above with the wires.

Xapper carefully navigated through the clutter to the stone steps. More wires, cables, and lights lead up the stairs to the keep. Little Defiant followed and copied Xapper’s careful movements.

There were cables overhead and Xapper followed them all the way up to the keep. He smelled something cooking. It smelled like spam frying in a pan. And sure enough, when he reached the top keep of the tower, there was a small electric stove with a pan cooking spam.

Xapper looked past the pan and spam and met eyes with someone huddled in a corner wearing a pink hoodie.

“Took you long enough,” said Broadway as she cocked her rifle.

To Be Continued . . .