Island Time
Chapter 9
Becoming Franky wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I figured that I would have trouble remembering the fact that I should respond when people called out that name. The one thing that was hard? Remembering to call Fang by his newly christened name.
Nick.
Okay, so it wasn't terribly hard. It still was a challenge though. I continually gave everyone that 'Huh?' look when the referred to him as Nick. That and my husband, but that's a different story for another time. Whenever I did mess up though, Fang could easily just pin it on my disease that apparently none of them had encountered before. We were not the only, erm, 'Freaks' there, but we were the only ones with wings. They knew about them though, so that was fine. I think at this point, a year out since the majority of the world was drowned or burned to death, there was nothing that could shock people. Well, maybe a really cool card trick, but who doesn't love those?
Anyways, most of my time was spent holed up in the room assigned to Fang and I. This was mainly due to the fact that I was getting no better, only worse. The whole upper part of my arm has turned a dark, murky black. It kind of reminds me of Fang's wings, honestly. It didn't really hurt to the touch anymore. They had given me some sort of pain pills and I think that Fang's been spiking my drinks with that alcohol that he stole, though I can't say for sure. If he is, I can't find his gain in this, as I'm not really up for any of the 'activities' that might accompany getting drunk. Plus my breath smells like puke. Yeah, there's that. There's always that.
"You up?"
I rolled over to face the door as 'Nick' walks through the door. "Yeah. Did you bring me any food?"
"Yep."
"Right on time."
"Always."
I sat up as Fang set a basket of bread next to me.
"No meat today?"
"Nope, not today. For lunch anyways." He ripped one of the rolls in half before holding a piece out to me. "For you."
I smiled a little, taking it from him. "Thanks."
"You think you're up for a walk a little bit later…Franky?"
"I guess so," I said, frowning. "You know, we're alone."
"I figure it's best to keep up the rouse," he mumbled to me, taking a bite of his roll. "We're going on two weeks here and you're no better."
"I feel better."
"From those pills. You're not actually better."
"Technically no, but if we took some of the pills with us and headed back home now-"
"No, Max. I mean, Frank," Fang said, frowning at me. "I don't want to move you. What if you get worse?"
"Fang, these people can't even help me now! What are they going to do if I get worse?"
"It's Nick, Frank. And I don't know, but more than I could do if it was just us." He stared into my eyes for a moment. "I don't want you to die on me, Max."
"Look at my arm. If you're not going to do something about it, I at least want to get back to my mom and her friends."
"What? So they can experiment on you?"
"Fang, I just want this gone. As shocking as it may be to you, I don't like puking every single hour."
"Max-" He began, slipping already.
"If I have to have one more bible read along-"
"I thought you said that you were reading the bible anyways? Remember? It was one of those books that Dr. Martinez had or something."
"Yeah, but this is a different bible."
"Idiot, they're all the same."
"No, idiot they're not. If they were all the same, why do you think that there are different types of religions?"
"Oh, like you're suddenly big on religion."
"That's the point, F…Nick. I would read it back on the island when I wanted to. Here, it's shoved down my throat."
I got a long stare for a moment before Fang stood up. "Eat your bread…Franky."
"Fang-"
"Nick."
"I just don't want to be here anymore. I know that you're having fun-"
"I am not. I'm saving your life."
"I'm not getting any better, Fang."
"You heard Dr. Troy. If you hadn't came here, you would have-"
"Died, I've heard. He also believes that there's a man that lives in the sky that controls the weather."
"Okay, do you even listen during bible study? They're not Native Americans."
"You're the one that just said all religion is the same."
"Shut up, Max."
"Franky," I said in a mocking tone, which got me the finger. Well then.
With Fang gone, I had to take my walk alone. Which really wasn't so bad. I didn't really want to see him anyways. I don't know what's gotten into him, but I don't care who's wife I'm pretending to be. I'm still the leader. Always.
The compound really wasn't that big, nor was it finished. The walls that encompassed it were still being built and many of the houses were too. The makeshift temple was nice though. I guess. If you like sitting in a place where you're constantly judge by those around you. Personally, I'm not big on that, but hey. We're all different, right?
Fang and I were staying with the Richards. Ronnie and Sharon Richards to be exact. All their children had died recently, though they haven't mentioned what illness overcame them. I think that there are probably many sicknesses around here, given the fact that there is no longer modern medicine. It made me miss my island, being around all these people that I didn't know nor did I know what they could be carrying. I think though, given all the illnesses that had sprang up in the past year, they weren't too worried about whatever it is that has afflicted me. This is probably due also to the fact that Fang told them I had been bitten by a dog, which is how I contracted it. They think that it's not airborne, so I'm not contagious to any of them.
That doesn't mean that I feel safe here. I mean, those people had been ready to kill both Fang and I before they found out that we are, apparently, a very happy, religious couple that has no place to go. I'm not sure why I couldn't have just been injured and him been my brother, who was looking after me, but you know Fang. He probably thinks that us being 'married' means that we can have sex. We can't, so he can keep dreaming.
"Hello, Franky."
I nodded at the man who passed, though I didn't speak to him. Mainly because I didn't know his name, but also because I think here, women can't directly speak to men who aren't related to them. At least, that's the vibe I'm getting, given the fact I have yet to see it done. If I was perfectly healthy, I probably would have already challenged this, but I'm sick and these people are helping me. Kind of. As soon as I'm better, I'll probably denounce all of them. You know, in a very religious way and stuff. Obviously.
I saw random people out and about, but they were all busy. Fang and I didn't have any jobs here, as we were new. I'm sure eventually they'll assign us stuff and I hope for their sake that they leave cooking to the guys around here, if you know what I mean. After all that they've done for me, it would seem almost criminal for me to cook for them.
I made my walk short because my stomach was beginning to hurt again. When I got back to my assigned house, Fang was nowhere to be found, but Sharon was cleaning up around the house. She called out a greeting to me, which I returned.
"Do you need help or anything?" I asked, though I felt very sick. I wanted to sleep. Sharon glanced at me.
"Oh, Franky, you don't look good at all. Come on; let's go lay you down, hmmm?"
She made me go back to the room Fang and I were using. After giving me a few more pills, which I don't think was a very good idea; she made me go to sleep. Before I did though, she mentioned that they had changed me onto something stronger. Oxy something…Co…something hard to say when you've taken as much medicine as I have the past two weeks. When I woke up, it was to Fang's face in mine.
"Nick."
He just stared at me, not even congratulating me on getting it right in the first shot. "No more pills."
"Huh?"
"They're just freaking shoving anything down your throat. No more. You're going to screw up your body."
"Fang-"
"God, what did they give you now?"
"I dunno."
"Max, you just don't take pills from-"
"Franky," I told him. "My name is Franky now."
"You just called me Fang."
"And? I'm on drugs. I can say what I want."
He shook his head, which was still weird to see, as he no longer had his long hair. I was kind of missing it.
"Shut up…Franky." He wouldn't move from his position in front of my face and it was kind of freaking me out.
"Uh, Nick? Personal space? Ever heard of it?"
He blinked. "You are talking really loud."
"You're the one with your face in mine."
"We're married, remember? I can do what I want to you around here."
I sat up a little, moving back from him slightly. "Yeah, have you noticed that?"
"Noticed what?"
"It's like…women are submissive around here."
"I know. Shock to my system after being with you for so long."
I made a face. "It's just…weird. The world's over, but these people still choose to live like this."
"Like what?"
"Like…fearing God and stuff. This place really gives me the creeps."
"They keep forcing you to take damn pills, I'll give something to creep them out." Fang shook his head when I tried to correct his cursing. "Max, I'm having a bad day, okay?"
"Aw, did the other men not respect you?"
"Shut up."
I stared at him. "Where did you go anyways, Fang?"
I got a shrug. "Just out."
"What were you doing?"
"Helping."
"Oh God," I said, laying back down. "You're turning into one of them, you know."
"One of who?"
"Them! These…people. Next thing you know, you're going to be quoting scripture-"
"Actually-"
"We are so not staying, so get it out of your head."
Fang laid down next to me, smiling a little. "What's wrong, Frank? Are your pills making you cranky? Aw."
"Shut up."
He stared at my arm. "I'd kiss you, but that thing is a major turn off. Just saying."
"Fang."
He kissed my head. "Nick."
"We're alone."
"I don't care." I got a kiss on the mouth this time. "Mmmm. Your lips taste funny."
"Thanks," I said dryly as Fang moved to lay on his side next to me.
"Say, Franky?"
"What?"
"…Do you really want to leave?"
"Yes."
"M…Franky."
"Nick, I seriously want to get back to the others. We've already established this stuff isn't contagious, right? And even if it is, they'll quarantine me, I'm sure."
"I dunno, Max. We're kind of in deep here, ya know?"
I rolled my eyes, which gave me a headache. Fang might be onto something, them trying to drug me with these pills. "No, you are."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You're the one that's working with these people. What do you do anyways?"
"Help harvest and stuff. It's fall, apparently."
"I thought you told me it was winter before?"
"I'm not sure, really." He stroked my stomach. "Plus, as soon as you get better, they're kind of counting on you helping out with the children."
"What?"
"I told them you couldn't cook and, after insisting that yes, it was true, they decided that you could help the teacher."
"Fang, I don't know how to teach," I said, deciding to play along with the idea of us settling down with crazy, overly religious creeps. Yeah.
"You don't have to. What is there to learn? You just tell them about how to add and stuff. You're good with simple math. We at least know that much."
I sighed a little, closing my eyes. "We won't be here that long anyways. Right?"
Fang paused. "I do kind of like it here."
"Fang, what about the flock?"
"I'm not staying let's stay forever, but…I did want a vacation. Plus, they're medicating you." He smiled at me a little. "Who doesn't love medication?"
"You're the one that doesn't want me to keep taking pills."
"Well, I think that they're giving you too much, true, but come on. I would gladly take pills."
"I'm sure," I mumbled, suddenly remembering my theory of Fang putting alcohol in my drinks. "Actually, Nick, I wanted to ask about-"
"There you are, Nick."
Fang sat up as the door opened, trying to make it seem like he didn't want to jump my bones only seconds before. He failed.
"Do you need help with something, Ron?" Fang stood.
"Yes. We're leaving the compound to collect wood. I figured you'd be up for joining us? Unless Franky is sick and you must tend to her."
Fang glanced at me, but I just shook my head.
"I can go," he said, heading out of the room. Ron nodded at me. "Oh. Uh, Frank? You'll be fine, right?"
That wasn't what Ron wanted, I could tell by how he shook his head. Fang asking my opinion? God forbid. No, really, it's probably in their bible.
I don't know how they do it here. I mean, I thought that life on the island was boring, but this place was beyond that. Like drink cyanide or arsenic for fun kind of boring. Yeah, that bad.
I spent the rest of my time somewhere between sleeping and contemplating leaving Fang here with these freaks and taking off for home on my own. Of course I wouldn't, but it was still a fun thought to entertain. And did Dylan cross my mind? Maybe. But Fang's not Angel, so he'll never know unless I tell him when we're in a fight. You know, the usual way he finds out things.
Once again, I was woken up to come eat, though this time it was by Sharon. I actually ate dinner with her at the table, though we had to wait until the guys came back first.
"So you decided to finish dinner on time tonight, huh?" Ron called out, making his wife look down. What is wrong with these people? Fang sat down at the table next to me, running a hand across my arm as he did so. This had to be a culture shock to him seeing as I control most of his life.
"It looks good," Fang told her. He had been talking more around here, which I can only add up to the fact that he was comfortable. Here. With these stupid religious chauvinists. Can't say I'm surprised.
"Hn." Her husband cut into a piece of meat on his plate. "Franky, Nick here was telling me about how you got separated from your group."
I glanced at Fang. "Yes. We've tried to get back to them."
He nodded a little. "They're probably all dead, the flood he told me about. Did they all have wings too?"
"Yes," I answered, not sure what else to say. Dang Fang. What did he tell this guy? Fang cleared his throat.
"Max? Are you not hungry?"
"My stomach's killing me, actually." I stood up. "Uh, excuse me."
I rushed out the door where, behind the house, I vomited. Fang was there for me very quickly.
"Hey, now, you're alright. What are you even throwing up? Your stomach should be empty."
After I finished, he handed me a cup with water in it.
"There you go," he mumbled as I took a sip. I had his hoodie on, so Fang made me take it off so that he could see my arm. The blackness had grown. Fang took a deep breath.
"In the morning."
"In the morning what?"
"In the morning I'm taking you home, back to the island."
"How? I won't be able to fly long."
"I'll," he paused, looking off. "I'm going to have to leave you and come back with help."
I nodded a little bit, trying to comprehend this. "You'll take me to the coast and go back and get a boat or something?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
Fang kissed my head. "Right now though, Franky, come back inside and rest. I'll wake you up in the morning when it's time to leave."
"Will we tell them?"
"No, of course not. We're going to leave while they're asleep. You think you'll be able to fly out?"
"Yeah."
"Once we get to the coast, I'll kill you some animals, gather you some food, and make sure you have enough water. I shouldn't be gone long. Alright?"
I nodded a little bit. "Alright."
It wasn't that hard to leave. I mean, here in this weird religious place, everyone went to bed rather early. There was some guys that guarded the place, but Fang, who had been guard a few nights ago, knew how to get around them.
"I feel so much better, just getting away from them."
Fang shook his head, flying close to me. "I don't know. I liked it there. I mean, I could do without the religious stuff, but even with it, I liked it."
"That's because all those guys were so hell bent on controlling their women."
"Yeah, it's a nice dream for me to have, huh?" Fang smirked at me a little. "Me being in control of this relationship. I love the idea."
"You stand alone on that one. And I do not control you that much. Really, I think we're pretty equal."
Fang nodded a little in the darkness. "We are, in some aspects. In others though, you're very much in control of my life."
"But-"
"It's okay, Max. I rather like it."
We flew in silence for a few more minutes before I got dizzy. I didn't tell Fang though, but he realized how I was feeling after a few minutes.
"Max, you're flying so freaking slow. What's up? You tired?"
"No, I'm-"
"Come here." Fang got under me, waiting for me to stop flying. When I did and he caught me, I almost feared I would bring Fang down. He found his footing, or, uh winging, and began to fly again.
"I've got you. You can't quit digging your nails into my neck."
I released him, settling into his arms. "Sorry."
"Did you really think I'd drop you?" Fang looked down at me as you would a child that was scared, with his knowing smile. Since when does Fang smile so much? Maybe it was those painkillers, which Sharon had hopped me up on before bed, mind you.
"No," I mumbled, closing my eyes. "Fang?"
"What?"
"My bag is very uncomfortable."
Fang had to move his hands around so that I could slip it off. "Better?"
"Much," I said as I sat it on my stomach. Fang shifted me in his arms again, sighing a little.
"I don't want to leave you, Max. I really don't."
"It's fine, Fang. It's for the better. It's the only way to get me back to the island."
"Maybe I should try and carry you-"
"It won't work. We tire ourselves out flying there. Even if I flied half and you carried me half, it'd still be way too much."
"Max, you're rationalizing."
"Good!"
"No. It's just not that simple."
I stared up at him. "It's not the first time you've left me and, shockingly enough, I actually want you to this time. If it's the only way to save me, you have to do it."
"What if it's not though? What if something gets you while I'm gone?" He was looking out at the night again. "I'll never, like, get over that."
"I'll be fine."
"I don't know."
"Fang, you were the one that came up with this plan."
"Yeah, but the closer we get to it, the more freaked I get. I just keep thinking of you, here, waiting for me. I know if the roles were reversed, you'd never leave me."
"I would too."
He looked down at me. "If I show up there without you, your little boy toy will be angry with me."
I blushed. "Dylan and I are friends."
"Right." He sighed. "I love you more than him, you know."
"How do you figure?"
"He loves you because he has to. He's been programmed to. He was made to. Not even him. He's the clone of the one made to love you." Fang looked down at me. "I love you because I want to. Not because someone told me that I was made for you. I just know that I am. And if I'm not…Fuck it. I like being with you."
"Language."
"I'm professing my undying love for you and you're getting onto me because my language?"
"I don't like cursing."
Leaning down, Fang kissed my head. "Shut up, Max."
We landed around sunup so that Fang could rest.
"You think that they know we're gone by now?"
"Probably," he told me, running a hand through his now shaven hair. I was learning to like it. It reminded me of when he got it cut that time in New York. Besides, it was too long before. It made him look like a girl.
"They'll flip when they see your hair," I told him from my spot leaning against a tree. My arm felt like it was on fire.
"Not as much as they will when they hear that Max is a zombie."
"I am not. And what are you talking about?"
"Gasman thinks that the people turned into zombies. Zeds, I think is what he called them."
I rolled my eyes. "I am not a zombie."
"You want me, babe? Want my brains?"
"Ha ha."
He came closer, sitting down right next to me. "I want your brains, Max. In fact, I want more than that. I want all of you. Every inch."
"I'd shut up now if I were you."
"No can do, Max." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I love you."
"You've said it enough for the day, thanks."
"I'll never say it enough." He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't frowning at me either. "Max, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"If you are, um, you know, infected…you don't expect me to die a virgin, do you?"
"What?"
He gave me a solemn look and I wasn't sure if this was a joke or he was serious. "If you're going to die, we don't have much time. If you die, I'm going to have to get out there hard, you know. No pun intended."
"Wait, so you're asking me to…so that you won't die a virgin?" He nodded. "That makes no sense."
"I always planned on, you know, being with you. If you die before we get that done, I'm just making sure that you know that I'm not going to be mourning you for years and years. I'm getting laid."
"You're an jerk."
"I'll never love again, Max," he said, which tipped me off that this was meant to be a joke. "You are the wind beneath my wings. Quite literally."
I stared at him. "If I'm not infected, this conversation just set back our sex date by months, if not years."
Fang just sighed. "I figured as much."
I closed my eyes, leaning against him. "Fang?"
"What?"
"…If I do die, it's not like we're married or anything. I don't expect you to go out and screw every girl on the island the day after I'm in the ground, but I expect you to move on."
"That's where you're wrong, Max." He looked down at me. "Max and Fang might not be married, but Franky and Nick very much so are. Nick loves Franky. He'd freaking cut off his balls for her."
"She'd divorce him if he had no balls."
"What?"
"Yeah."
"Even if he did it to save her life?"
"Even so."
When we got back to the first coast that Fang and I had landed on all those weeks ago, a few days had passed. He immediately went to work gathering me meat and sticks to build fires. He was leaving me most of the supplies in his bag. Really, about a day ago, he should have taken off. He was stalling though, not wanting to leave me alone.
"Fang?"
"Hmmm?"
It was afternoon and Fang was napping.
"You should go now."
"I told you. It looks like it'll rain. I'll wait."
I looked up at the one cloud in the sky. "Fang, are you a Soviet?"
"I don't even know what that is, so no."
"'cause you're stallin'."
"What?"
"It's something I heard at school, once. When I was there before you came back."
"Hn."
I watched him for a second before tentatively poking my arm. The pain that shot through me made me wince. Fang glanced over before shaking his head.
"You know, Max, that's not helping you get any-"
"What's that?"
Fang sat up and looked at what I was pointing at in the sky. Whatever it was, it was flying at us at a rapid speed.
"Shit," Fang said and for once, I didn't correct him. Standing up, Fang was ready to pounce on whatever it was. "Max, go hide."
"What?"
"You're sick," he reasoned.
"Fang-"
"Go-"
Then it landed. I blinked. Fang's eyes turned to slits.
"Dylan?"
He pulled in his wings. "I told you I'd come for you."
