Anything Could Happen| 2.5 – Heat's Story

It was the yummiest steak she had ever had, bits of tender meat melting away in her mouth. The seasoning—whatever the cook had used—was a burst of energy and excitement upon her taste buds. She couldn't help but smile from every nibble.

"It's so good!" she would occasionally exclaim between bites. I wish I could cook this good…or at least know how to cook something like steak! She glanced across to the table at Heat, whom seemed very flattered by her statements.

"Thank you…" he would mutter, happily though.

He takes pride in his cooking…

Resting her fork on the plate, she asked, "How long have you been doing this? Cooking, I mean?"

He took a moment to answer. "My entire life just about…I started very young, but I don't remember the exact age."

"Did somebody teach you…or did you learn all this on your own?" She reached out for her glass of juice, sipping it slowly as he slightly smiled.

"At the beginning, my grandfather taught me. This was his restaurant and I would watch him cook and slowly pick up his tricks…" He trailed off as his stare flickered over to the windows that showed the outside world. "I left once…when I was just about ten, and when I returned to the island, he wasn't here anymore."

"Oh…" she mumbled. Did the guy die? Should I ask him? No, don't. It's rude. Just stay quiet until he says something.

"It's okay," Heat muttered, looking back at her and noticing her strange stare. "I've coped with his lost by now. I took over the restaurant but people didn't come…"

Because of those scars? How…how did he get them?

"They see something wrong with you and you're labeled a monster for the rest of your life."

Lola felt her heart strings tug in pity. Don't cry…but it's so sad…Don't cry though! You'll only make him feel worse…but such a sad story. She felt a tear well up and tried to blink it away. "I see nothing wrong with you," she said quietly. "And neither should anybody else."

Heat cupped his hands together. "You don't have to act like they're not here…" He pointed one finger to one of his scars. "Because they're obviously here."

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she said, "Having scars doesn't make you any less of a man, Heat. People shouldn't act so cruel over something like that…"

He shifted in his seat. "You are kind."

"No," she shook her head. "I'm just a regular person. Nobody should harass you over those scars…" But they do…like those children…Did they throw those rocks into his windows? Do they call him names as they run by? How far does the cruelty and ignorance of children go? Reaching her hand across the table and placing above his, she smiled and said, "What you need is a friend, and I can be that."

His eyes went wide and he quickly pulled his hand back.

"I'm sorry," she muttered as she returned her hand back over to her. "I shouldn't have done that…"

"N-no," Heat quickly said. "It's just that I'm not use to contact…not since I was younger…" His fingers slowly rose up to his face and traced over the deep lines. "People have a tendency to be afraid of these and therefore fearing any contact…"

Lola frowned. "You shouldn't let them get to you. How about you go out there and show them you're not a monster?" She got up and pointed to the door. "This island is as much yours as it is theirs'! You shouldn't have to coop yourself up in here for their benefits."

"No," he weakly said. "If I go out there…they'll attack me…I only ever sneak out a few times when I need to collect fresh herbs or catch some fish…"

She went for his arm, tugging at him. "Come on!" she whined. "That kind of talk gives them the power!" She pulled again, this time with a little bit more strength. He got up and glanced around nervously.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable going out there."

"You gotta get over it!" she ordered, leading him to the front door. When she opened it, light gushed in. "I'll be right by your side to help you along!"

"Stop fidgeting," she whispered as she led Heat towards the center of the farming village. A few people about had noticed the two of them, gave them horrified looks, and hurried to their houses.

"I'm scaring them," he muttered. "Look how they stare at us…horrified."

"They're just overreacting. Come on, smile and wave at them."

Swallowing, Heat slowly raised a hand and waved at a woman who had a litter of children hiding behind her skirts. Those who had peeped from behind screamed out in fear and ran away and those who had stayed behind sat down and began to cry.

A man approached them, shovel in hand. "I...I…I…I d-don't know w-w-why you're here, z-z-z-zombie, but you need to g-g-g-g-go before you start any more trouble."

She felt Heat's arm tense up.

"He's not a zombie!" she snapped at the man, earning his full attention. "He's a regular man, just like you."

The older man seemed puzzled. "Dear…you shouldn't stand so close to it. He might inflict you with whatever diseases he's carrying!" He made his way to pull her away from Heat.

"Stop it!" Lola gasped as she shook the man's grip off her. "You're the one I should stay away from, acting so cruel to somebody who did nothing to you!" She glanced out at the group of people forming, watching the show. "All of you…you deny this man because of his scars?!"

"It's because he's a zombie!" a young boy cried out from the crowd before he was hushed by his mother.

"She's probably already been infected, that poor girl!" a man screamed from his balcony window.

"They'll infect us too!" a woman screeched, covering her mouth in horror.

The man before them cleared his throat as he narrowed his stare at her. "We've had peace here on this good island for many decades. We're simple folk…and we don't need people like him or you for the matter messing things up. I think y'all better just leave."

A rock was thrown, luckily missing them, but she got the message. They left, running when more rocks and trash was thrown.

"I'm sorry," Heat huffed during their flee.

"It's not your fault," she responded angrily. People like that are the worst.

Stopping, Heat glanced around and quickly motioned for her to follow him down a small beaten path. "Let's head out to the eastern side of the island. I have a boat docked there…we can hide out there for now."

To be continued…

Next time/coming up: Lola and Heat hide out in Heat's fishing boat. Killer is approached for help by some townies.

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