A big thank you to krut09 for being the best beta! Thank you for making my nonsense make sense! I couldn't do it without you!

Sunlight was spreading its dawning rays over Zombietown as Zed finished getting ready. His new phone pinged, a good morning text from his girlfriend bringing a smile to his face as he stopped to reply.

Morning, handsome! Been missing you so much! Can't wait to see you today. Gar gargiza xxx

Zed couldn't stop the fluttering of his heart as he began typing, eyes lingering over the last two words of her text.

Good morning, my beautiful angel. I'll be there soon,
and you won't have to miss me anymore. Gar gargiza forever xx

…

I'm almost hurt. You didn't say you missed me…xxx

How could I? I spent all night dreaming about you. Like always xxx

Zed! I love you so much. You never leave my thoughts xxx

I wish we could cuddle right now xxx

Me too, princess. I'll be there soon xxx

Hurry! I love you xxx

Love you too. Forever. xxx

Zed shut his phone off, all too familiar with how they'd get lost in telling each other about their feelings. His thoughts lingering over her words.

Over a year together, and being with Addison was still the most magical thing in his world. She was his light in the dark, and he knew she was his one and only. And somehow, he was lucky enough she felt the same.

That didn't mean it was always easy. But it was worth it. She would always be worth it.

He'd do anything for her.

Zed smiled, slipping his phone into his pocket and whistling a tune as he slung his bag up onto his shoulder. Stopping to hug his sister, and wish his dad farewell, he headed out ready for another day.

Stepping out of the front door, Zed shielded his eyes until they adjusted, taking in all that was around him. A lot had changed in a year. Most of the run down buildings were all fixed up, and there was far more hustle and bustle than there used to be. More zombies had been welcomed into new jobs, better paying jobs that they were all grateful for. He smiled and waved as one of his neighbours, Mrs. Sanchez, looked up from her garden, tending to the blossoms blooming in vibrant colours in front of her house. Zed sighed, content. Life was pretty good.

Of course, not everything was perfect, he figured, eyeing the streets in front of him. More Z-Patrol tape was stretched out a few blocks over, several windows boarded up across the building fronts. It had been happening more and more as time passed.

Anti-zombie attacks.

Before, they'd just learned to deal with vandalism, maybe the occasional fire being started. No one dared attack them for fear of bites, or being eaten alive. It was dumb, but it offered some safety, so they weren't going to grumble about it.

But as their rights grew, new legislations being passed as old ones were scrubbed away, some people's hatred now overrode those old fears. They were getting more justice, at least, as the bigots who were caught now faced punishment like any other criminal, but it only seemed to incense them more.

They might be a minority, but they were a vocal one, and one that was determined to cause zombies as many problems as possible. They'd wrecked places more than once, sneaking through the barrier at night to throw rocks, set things on fire, whatever they could to destroy. But they rebuilt. They always rebuilt. And they weren't alone anymore.

Shaking off the thoughts, Zed pulled the straps more firmly across his shoulders, jogging down the steps and, with another wave to Mrs. Sanchez, headed off to meet the love of his life.

Waving at some of his friends on the way past, Zed strolled down the corridors of the highschool. Eliza had already warned him she was going to be late- something about a new code she was writing that had bugged out- and with Bonzo off to see Bree, he was left on his own for the morning rush.

Or rather, almost alone.

His heart thumped harder in his chest as he turned the corner, a flash of white bursting against the crowds of brunettes and blondes.

Addison.

She hadn't seen him yet, still rummaging around in her locker for something. Zed knew a dopey smile was already plastered across his face as he stopped, content to just watch her for a moment. She had been growing her hair out ever since she first revealed it, now letting it rest in soft waves down to her lower back, pink ribbon vibrant as it lay nestled up high. Her cheer uniform was as pristine as ever.

She was beautiful.

Just like always.

Being with Addison was better than anything he'd ever imagined. Every day he learned something new about her, and it only made her shine brighter and had him falling for her all over again. She was brave, and kind, and smart; and he knew he'd only barely scratched the surface of who she truly was.

The thought of what he still had to learn had his stomach doing flips.

He decided to stop, watch a little longer and see if she'd notice him first. He wasn't exactly hard to miss- green hair all but a beacon, even with his fellow zombie classmates- so he figured it wouldn't take her long if she turned around.

And he was hardly going to miss the opportunity to admire how stunning his girl was.

Well, not anymore.

It had taken him quite some time to be comfortable with Addison in public. She, of course, hadn't cared, insistent on being treated the same as any other couple, but Zed wasn't sure; he knew what zombie phobia looked like. He'd seen the uglier sides, and even worse than that.

He could still see the fire burning behind his eyes some nights.

Addison was so precious, the thought of her being hurt was agony unlike anything he'd known before. And she had been. She'd been ostracised, shunned. He'd almost zommed out completely the first time someone had shoved her in front of him, only being dragged down into a kiss by the girl in question enough to keep him from tearing the jerk apart. The way she was stared at, her beautiful hair on show for everyone to see, standing tall (or as tall as she could, something he could never resist teasing her over) and proud as she walked down the hallway, hand wrapped firmly around Zed's as she'd strutted along without a care in the world.

Even Bonzo and Bree had been a little surprised at her boldness, but his Addison refused to back down. Not that Zed had been exactly thrilled about that; especially when it had led to someone trying to push her down the stairs. He'd wanted to run away, to keep their relationship to just them. With her parents, and the school...he couldn't bear to let her lose anymore. Not because of them. He wanted her to be happy, not suffer just because they were holding hands.

That thinking had led to their first real fight.

Neither of them had wanted to back down, but in the end Addison had snuck out of her house at midnight to come and see him, talk it all out. They'd crept out to the light garden and spent hours just sitting together, working through it. The fear, the frustration, everything. And after, they'd stayed there, sharing sweet kisses, content to hold each other and just be.

The day after he'd kissed her by her lockers for the first time. And her smile made all those worries fade away, meaningless in the face of her euphoria as she leapt into his arms.

Zed was drawn from his memories as Addison's locker clanked shut, her books secure in her arms, brushing down her skirt with her free hand as the small stack wobbled precariously in her grip. He bit down a chuckle; she was always the overachiever. He pushed off the row of lockers to finally go over and join her, maybe sneak a quick kiss as they walked to class together-

Hard metal ricocheted off his side.

He grunted, frowning as pain radiated from his shoulder, colliding hard with the lockers lining the walls.

His eyes followed the group of freshman boys as they cackled, smirking at him on their way past. One lunged at another zombie kid, laughing as they flinched away, their friends high fiving him before they turned the corner.

His gut rolled, sighing heavily as he rubbed his arm.

Even Seabrook High wasn't perfect.

Shaking free of the sudden melancholy, he snuck over to Addison's side, lunging and wrapping his arms around her middle as he dragged her backwards. "Gotcha!" He growled playfully, smirking as she shrieked in surprise.

"Zed!" She swatted him as best she could, melting back into his embrace all the same. He pressed a quick kiss to her neck and she sighed. "I hate you sometimes…"

"Love you too." He murmured, letting her go just enough that she could turn around to face him. He brushed a stray white bang out of her face and back behind her ear, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her lips that she returned, her palm resting lightly against his jaw. "Missed you." He mumbled against her mouth.

"So now you tell me." She pouted playfully up, pulling back just barely. "And here I thought I never left your thoughts long enough to be missed."

"I never stop thinking about you," he tugged her closer again, bending down as she tipped her head up at the same time, "But that doesn't mean I don't miss holding you in my arms." He added.

Addison hummed, smiling despite her raised eyebrow. "Whatever you say, gragza." Charmer, she purred.

He rubbed his thumb in small circles against her waist, wondering if she could feel his heartbeat as her palm rested over his charcoal t-shirt, how it beat for her alone. "I'm taking that as a compliment." He teased, the two giggling together as they started closing the gap for a second time.

"Freaks!"

The shout from nearby split them apart, seeing a freshman girl standing smug, arms folded and smirking at them. Addison scowled, flipping her off before dragging Zed down for a much more intense kiss than he'd been planning (though he wasn't complaining in the slightest).

"Addison…" He groaned, cradling her face in his hands. "Gar gargiza forever…"

"Gar gargiza ru, zegraba…" I love you too, handsome, she mumbled, pulling back, only to stretch up for one final peck, leaning into his side. "Come on, we've got class to get to."

"Whatever you say." He said, wrapping an arm around her side as they took off down the hall. A few more people whispered comments they thought he wouldn't catch under their breath, nestling under his skin as Addison's words washed over him as ocean breeze.

Disgusting, isn't it…

She's weird enough, but the two of them...ugh.

Going to eat her face one day, I'll bet.

I mean, a girl like her going out with that thing? It's unholy…

He tightened his grip on Addison, a fraction closer. "I love you, you know." He mumbled, kissing her hair. "More than anything."

"I love you too." She sighed, turning to drop a kiss of her own to his shoulder. "More than words." She hummed. "And definitely more than anything they could say about us."

Busted.

He ducked his head. "Zed," Addison was as patient as always. "They don't know anything. I bet most of them are just jealous." She smirked, cuddling up. "Everyone dreams of dating the football star, after all."

"Addy…" he sighed. His fingers flexed across her waist. "I...it's just…" he couldn't get his thoughts to condense to words that would adequately explain it all. "Me being...it's always gonna be a problem…"

"To them." She grabbed his hand, pulling it back into place as it hovered over her skin. "It's never been a problem to me, and it's never going to be either." Her blue eyes pierced his soul. "I love you, Zed. All of you." Her hand cradled his cheek. "The zombie, the football player, and everything else besides. Gar gargiza."

"Addska…"

Addison opened her mouth until a hiss of 'deadite' was spat their way, stopping to send an incredibly rude gesture back before returning to the conversation. Zed flinched, curling down. "Zed." Addison rolled her eyes. "Look, they're being especially rude because Dad's pushing through another pro-zombie law with the police to get the Z-patrol cut back, allow zombies more freedoms. Not to mention the travel ban is going to be lifted soon." She snuggled in. "Bucky was complaining about it to me, and they're just upset because they don't like the fact that they're not smart enough to get into a college unless there's zero competition from worthy applicants. Or that their precious Seabrook is daring to change." She smiled. "It'll die down again soon enough."

Zed couldn't bring himself to reply.

How could he ever put into words the feelings running through him, instead holding her just a bit tighter, a bit closer. How could he explain that small part that still urged him to push away, to hide before he tainted her with his presence, before he ruined everything good about her? He didn't know how to tell her that she was his world, and the hungry, cruel eyes that followed their every move crawled under his skin, left him sweating at the thought those stares might one day become something more.

Worse.

Addison was looking at him, searching for an answer, but it stuck to his throat, clinging and clogging his vocal chords, barely a wheeze of breath passing through. His thoughts dragged, treacle clumping them together into a messy, incoherent jumble, sliding together without focus.

He loved her so much. The things they said, the people all around them, how long would it be before they did something? It wasn't beyond reason; Zombietown had faced more attacks than ever. Hell, it was only last week he'd been at Eliza's when someone stumbled in, bleeding profusely above the eye from where a human decided they didn't want another zombie 'prowling around' (in their words).

How long until it happened to them?

Until Addison got caught in the crossfire?

The very suggestion froze him solid, bones creaking and the world stuttering, fading out at the edge for a second. She could get hurt. She could be in pain. And it would be all his fault. He'd do anything for her, protect her with all he had, but what if it wasn't enough? They'd turned on her in seconds at the homecoming game freshman year, without a second thought. If he couldn't be there for her, if he couldn't keep them at bay...it would all be because of him. Because she was with him. Because he wanted her. Because he wasn't enough to keep her safe

"It's…" her blue eyes blinked up, confession twisting through his mouth. "I just...make your life harder." The whispers buzzed around them. "If I was human…" he sighed, eyeing the crowds as they hid behind hands and lockers, all eyes on them as they drew to a stop outside the classroom. "You wouldn't have to worry about any of this."

"Oh really?" Her dry voice was matched only by her expression, lifting the end of her pure white hair up. "Because there's nothing about me that Seabrook would dare dislike, hmm?"

He didn't rise to her bait. "They just...they all say this stuff about you. Us. I…" he hung his head. "You shouldn't have to deal with it all."

Addison took his hand, ceasing the endless vortex in his head. "Zed, I don't care about that." She told him, squeezing his hand for good measure. "It really isn't a big deal." She shrugged. "They're just a bunch of prejudiced idiots."

"Addy-"

"I mean it!" She threw her arm out. "They're idiots, Zed! All of them!" Her arm looped around his neck, rising on her tiptoes. "They are morons. Because you are amazing." She said. "You're smart, and kind, and fun, and the most incredible guy I know." She brushed their noses together. "They can say whatever they like. They don't matter. They don't." Addison's lips ghosted over his, a sigh falling from his chest unbidden. "We are all that matters. Everything important? It's right here." She fell back to the floor. "So no more worrying, alright?"

How can I not? "Alright." He sighed. Despite the weight draped over his shoulders, her smile brought one to his face, leaning down to hold her close. "I love you."

"I love you too." She whispered back. A pair of students barged past behind them, knocking Addison forward on their way into the room. She sighed. "I'd better head in." She grumbled, looking back up. "Are we walking home together today?"

Zed shook his head. "I wish. Surprise practice from Coach was put up last night. So I'm gonna be staying after school." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you in English though." He promised.

"Already counting the seconds to it." Addison promised. Another student brushed behind her and she reluctantly stepped out of his arms. "See you then." She murmured and, with a kiss blown his way, wandered into her class for the day.

Zed lingered for a while longer, watching until Addison took her seat before headed for his AP Math class. He mulled over Addison's words. She had her points, but the same unease refused to die, pushing back as dark tendrils crawled down his spine, vines creeping out over his skin. How long would it be until Seabrook was willing to leave them be? To see them as just another couple? It had to happen eventually.

Could they wait that long?

He straightened his spine. Yes. For Addison. He could do it. And, he knew in his heart, she would do the same. Doubting the world was one thing, but he would never doubt Addison. It wasn't something he could fathom. The embers sparked in his chest as he slid into his seat, bag thrown onto Eliza's empty chair beside him. He just had to be patient. Their someday was closer than it seemed. They just had to reach it.

Just a little while longer...

Addison sighed, skipping on her way home. The day had absolutely flown by; the Aceys weren't bad captains, all things considered, and she was happy to let them run it all until next year. Her time would come. Plus, not having those responsibilities meant she got to spend more time with Zed, curled up on his lap during lunch as they chatted with their friends, revelling in Eliza's disgust as they got progressively sappier and sappier, Bonzo and Bree joining in the second they noticed what was going on. It had been pretty great; her classes were hardly difficult, and she'd even managed to convince Zed to play a little footsie during study hall.

She hummed to herself, already planning out her evening; a quick survey of her homework, rattle off the easy bits by herself, then text Bree, and finally spend the evening on the phone with Zed, maybe video chat if they could swing it. He'd been so worried recently, everyone being so obnoxious about them and the changes happening, she wanted to do something nice, maybe surprise him with something- what was yet to be determined- and hopefully bring that smile she loved back in full force.

The thought had a giddy grin spreading over her own face. He was the best part of her day, and the thought of seeing him again, even through a grainy camera capture, had her rushing just that little bit more to get home.

He'd turned her world upside down in the best ways. He'd shown her the worst the world had to offer, the cruelty she'd suspected but never been ready to acknowledge, hiding away from anything that might change her or anyone around her, even though it was always lurking just seconds behind. But he'd shown her the power of change; how there was so much good just waiting to be found, so much new and fun and everything she'd never let herself dream of. Never let herself believe that it could ever be more than a fantasy.

Zed was so much more than she could have wished for.

Her musings were interrupted as footsteps pervaded the fog of her thoughts, consumed by her green haired beau, coming up the path behind her. She didn't pay it much mind, still deciding how best to persuade Zed into being her 'study buddy' (without him suspecting her ulterior motives...again) that night, when a sharp chill ran in a frisson up her spine.

Almost without realising, she sped up.

The footsteps followed.

Red flared at the back of her skull. Fighting her breathing, she gripped the straps of her backpack, taking her time to cross the road and duck down a side street, taking the longer, more scenic route back to her house.

It didn't take long for the clatter to catch up.

She couldn't let them know. It would only make it worse. It wasn't the first time someone had done this. Intimidation tactics over her hair, her boyfriend, whatever they felt was too 'new' for Seabrook, they'd already done it all; shouting at her and trying to scare her into submission. Even leaving creepy notes on her balcony for a month until she caught them in the act with a well timed bat to the head, putting that problem to rest permanently, the restraining order more than helpful in that regard.

So Addison threw her head back, tossing her white hair over her shoulder and carding her fingers through it. Zed loved her hair, and even if she wasn't thrilled, she could learn to love it. Someday. With enough time. And she would. Her hand curled around the ends, tangling it up in her fingers as the people continued to follow her.

She turned down another road, crossing for a second time and trying to ignore all the comments she just dreamed of flinging in their faces. But it wouldn't help. So Addison kept walking.

Until something grabbed her arm.

She gasped, wrenching back and swinging as hard as she could. Some guy with dark hair and green eyes rubbed at his cheek, eyes watering with something dark hidden in their depths. "Now that wasn't very peppy of you." he chided, voice low. He had friends, Addison noted, several guys and a couple of girls, all nodding along with exaggerated pouts. "And all I wanted to do was say hello."

"Well now you have. So goodbye." She snapped, already stepping away.

His hand closed around her forearm again. "What's the rush?" he cooed, stepping into her personal space. "Me and my friends just want to hang." his free hand knocked a stray white lock back over her shoulder. "I mean...you're so unique, we want to know all about you…"

"Oh do you?"

"Of course." He smirked. "I mean, you're so pro-zombie, we want to know all about it." he inched nearer still. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she heard more footsteps behind her, his cronies circling. "We just want to help Seabrook be more...inclusive." his eyes were chips of ice. "Isn't that what you're all about?"

She stood her ground. "One more step and I swear to god you'll regret it."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Zed ran a hand through his sweaty green hair with a heavy sigh.

Coach had been brutal at practice. No one could imagine a jovial guy like him being so rough, but he could be a slave driver when he wanted, and he'd definitely wanted to that day. The drills had been long, and intense, and there had been no mercy shown.

But, somehow, he'd kept up. Leading them all as they ran, caught, and practiced until they were ready to collapse. Like a real Captain should.

And wasn't that a trip?

Zed Necrodopolis, teen zombie, was being considered as the next Captain of the Mighty Shrimp Football team. The first zombie ever to not only make the team, but even be a potential candidate for the position.

He'd been dreaming of it for so long. The thought it might be reality someday had his insides doing flips.

A grunt ripped out of him as someone shoulder checked him into the lockers, the open door scraping his arm as he fell forwards.

"Oops." He looked up to see two of the team looking his way. One pouted, despite the glitter to his stare. "My bad."

"We didn't hurt you, did we?" The other asked. "Should we go fetch the nurse?"

His scrape throbbed as he smiled, grabbing his stuff ready to go. He could always shower and change at home the way he did before. "Nope!" He put on the brightest smile he could muster. "Nothing to worry about."

"Shame." The first dropped his pout, features settling into a smirk. Zed swallowed, forcing his feet more firmly into the tiled ground. "Guess I'll have to work harder."

"Maybe work on your tackles instead of trying to harass team members." The words were out before he could process them, and not for the first time Zed cursed being friends with someone like Eliza.

The first one stiffened as a snicker came from his partner in crime, glaring until the sound stopped. He turned back to Zed, eyes darker than before. Shit. Zed felt unease begin to coil around his ankles. "Think you're so funny, huh?" He muttered.

"It's been known to happen now and then." He really needed to shut up. He really did. It wasn't helping any.

"Funny looking maybe." He snorted. The two started back towards him, Zed slowly closing the locker door as they approached, shoes clacking on the tiles. It echoed around the room. The very empty room. "Or maybe just a joke in general."

"Got that right at least." His friend added. "Just one big joke…" he spat to the side. "A thing like that as our 'star player'? Biggest laugh I've had in a while."

That was it. They were new. Freshman just added to the team. He sighed inwardly, searching out strength that sounded so much like Addison, and lifted his chin. "Is there a problem here guys?"

"Yeah." All of a sudden metal grating was digging into his back, jersey fisted as he was pinned to the wall. A hand slammed by his head and it took all he had not to flinch. "I'm not too keen on sharing my team with disgusting dead-eyed freaks. Not a big fan of getting my guts ripped out and all."

"Well technically speaking-"

"Shut it." He was shaken. "You really expect to swan around like you own the place, huh? The precious Zombie Captain," he never thought words could feel wet, but these all but dripped with a sneer, "with his stupid zombie smirk and going on and on about zombie pride and freak flags…" he laughed. "It's pathetic."

"Yeah, cause that's me…" He smirked.

One of them raised an eyebrow, "You saying it's not true?"

"Who me? Never." He was still looking for that confidence his Dad would roll his eyes at. "I mean, just thinking about it all logically, it sure sounds like it…" he said slowly. "I have Coach's respect, and considering your attention to my Addy- not that I can blame you, she is perfect- and how we're so good together, seems like the only reasonable conclusion." The sarcastic bite wasn't really there, but his knees were unlocking, so Zed would take what he could get.

The boys weren't fazed. "Good together?" They sneered. "You know we're all taking bets on when you finally snap and end the little priss for good?"

No.

"Oh? You didn't know?" They stepped up, ice cracking over Zed's skin as metal once more pressed into his spine. "Everyone knows how your little romance is going to end; the white haired weirdo dead and bleeding, with your hands dyed bright red." He hissed. Zed could feel his arms begin to shake. "We all know it's gonna happen." He laughed. "I can see the headlines; selfish zombie kills idiot activist. More on page 5."

"Take that back." His voice was harder than he knew he could make it. "Or else."

"Or else what?" He turned and slammed Zed back, hard, fisting his jersey with a vicious smile. "What you gonna do, zombie, huh? Gonna tear my skull apart? Gonna smash that little band and show me who's boss? Go on, what're you gonna do?" Zed's blood ran as rivers of steel. "That's what I thought." His friend came, slamming his palm by Zed's head. The flinch wouldn't be held back this time, the pair's laughter echoing in the empty room. "Just a pathetic, worthless thing. So happy to fuel his own selfish wants, putting the girl he loves at risk before he'd ever dream of doing the right thing." He shook him, kicking him in the shin. Zed winced. "Look at that, Mase, looks like it has a few feelings left after all." He smirked. "Can still hurt a little the way it likes to hurt us."

"Yeah, right…" Zed spat as best he could. "You know you're just saying this because everyone likes me more."

"I'm sorry, you think that's real? You think anyone really agrees with anything you stand for?" One- Jerrod maybe, he couldn't exactly bring himself to care- shoved at him again. "Forget it. The only reason you're still here is you happen to be a freak who's useful. Don't mistake that for liking you, zombie."

"Yeah." Mason apparently, smirked, kicking out and laughing as Zed grunted in pain. "Like we'd ever support a monster like you." He leant down to meet Zed's eyes. "You're just a drooling, brain eating, brainless freak, who we have to put up with. The second you step out of line? Well…" he grinned, all teeth and ice. "I can't wait for that day."

Jarrod was already snickering. "None of us can."

Zed stood to his full height as best he could despite every muscle in his body quivering, mind screaming to runrunrunrunnowrunnow.

"It's only a matter of time…" His eyes cut right through Zed. "Maybe then Seabrook'll get a real leader for this team." He puffed his chest out. "Might even volunteer; at least that way we can get this all back on track where it belongs."

"So that's it." Zed could feel some of his nerves jangle just a little less. "You know, whilst I rock the green, it doesn't seem to be as good of a look on you, so might want to rethink the style choice."

Blank looks greeted him before the morphed to scowls again. "You wanna try making sense?"

"I mean, jealousy is a tricky thing to handle, but doing so brings such great rewards…"

"You think we're jealous? Seriously? Of you?"

"Well it sure sounds like it." Zed forced his smirk back into place. "After all, I've got all you want: I'm lined up to be Captain, Coach actually likes me, I have the most amazing girlfriend in the world-"

"And who would that be? You can't mean that other freak with the white hair?" Jerrod snorted. "Yeah, sure, amazing."

"You wanna say that again?" Zed growled, lunging forward as the boys skittered back.

Laughter filled the empty locker room. "Oooh, look at the big bad guard dog coming out to play!" Zed snarled, clawed hand reaching. Their eyes went wide. "The fuck…"

"Leave her out of this." He growled. "Or else."

"What? You gonna attack? Got to protect your precious princess?" Mason mocked as Zed lurched towards him, rage bubbling under the black tar coating his limbs. "How long until you do the same to her?"

Fire bled to ice in the space between heartbeats.

"You're not her hero. You're the villain in every story." His voice sounded so far away all of a sudden. "How long? Do you think you're gonna protect her from the whole world? We all know what you're like, what she's like. She doesn't deserve to live if she's happy to associate with things like you. Better off joining the undead."

"Yeah. I mean...I'm sure there are plenty of people more than willing to help her along with that, since she loves you dead eyed freaks so much...and girls like her look so pretty when they cry, at least, that's what I've been told. Maybe I should find out for myself."

Leave her alone.

Not her.

"It's all on you." His words were so sharp, a blow landing hard in Zed's ribs. "I'm not gonna sit by and let you taint our town. My family knows what's right and you two? Ain't it." Why was everything so cold? "I bet you think it's all so sweet, star-crossed lovers, the epic fairytale."

Don't mock us.

"But I'll tell you what the reality is: That chick doesn't have a clue. She doesn't see what you really are. Deluded herself. And you let her." He clicked his tongue. "You've signed her death warrant, y'know? Everyone knows hanging with zombies is hazardous. How much longer do you think she's got? Really? Sooner or later, well...I'm sure she'll find out how risky it all is soon enough. When her pet zombie isn't there to protect her. When it leaves her to deal with the consequences of all his actions. And isn't that just so romantic? Mase?"

"Absolutely. A love story for the ages; a selfish zombie gets another freak killed, because he couldn't handle that the dead don't belong anywhere but rotting in a grave. Still," There was laughter. It echoed. Was he underwater? He didn't remember going underwater. "He'll learn. She'll learn. All too soon." A boot planted against his chest, ribs creaking as he staggered back. "Guess whose noose just tightened, Captain?" More laughter. Boots were echoing, getting ever so slightly fainter each time. It was hard to tell through the rushing in his head.

No.

Zed dropped to the floor, shaking. His legs wouldn't work, crumpled beneath him as their laughter rang through his ears. But worse thoughts plagued his mind, echoes and whispers slipping through the cracks down to his core.

You've signed her death warrant.

Girls like her look so pretty when they cry...

Guess whose noose just tightened, Captain?

Nausea swirled in his gut, stomach clenching as their words lingered in his ears.

Time was irrelevant, Z-band pulsing against his wrist as his chest heaved and spasmed. His bruises throbbed, stomach tight and jaw aching. His uniform suddenly felt too tight, shrinking down around him, compressing tighter and tighter.

He couldn't breathe.

He couldn't breathe.

His hand gripped at his jersey, ripping and struggling against the padding and layers. It was too much. The weight crushing, compressing against his chest, choking the air out with a steady thump, seizing around his whole body as he flailed against his confines.

With clawed hands, he ripped free, padding shredding as his Z-band whined over his skin, crackling through his veins until he lay, sprawled and half slumped against the wall. Sweat ran icy cold over boiling skin, molten fire on the ice in his heart. Acid made his vision swirl, and he felt sick to his stomach. Zed couldn't move. Couldn't think. His body was shaking, the metal of his band clattering against the locker room floor as everything fuzzed and warped around him, his entire being swallowed up inch by inch.

"How much longer do you think she's got?"