Disclaimer: I do not own TSL. If I did, you wouldn't find this fic.
Dark Angel
Chapter 6: Promise me
Zack's POVI walked out the school doors and slowly approached Max who was talking with some friends. Ever since I encountered Cody yesterday I've been sort of fidgety about stuff. Hopefully this won't affect anything.
"Max," I said, "We need to talk."
Max looked at me and turned back to her friends, saying something about calling her back. I wasn't really listening. Girls and their little "conversations." Reluctantly though, they did leave, leaving Max and I on an almost empty campus.
"So, Zack, what's up?" she asked with a smile.
It took every ounce of willpower to suck up every last bit of that sweet smelling rose scent.
I took a breath, "Max, there's something I want to tell you."
Her smile gradually faded as she noticed how serious I was. "What's wrong?"
"There was something I found out yesterday. You were right."
Max shot me a surprised look, "I was?"
I nodded, "Yeah. You were right about the "Cody wasn't dead" theory. I saw him when I got sent to the principal's office."
"D-did he say anything–do anything?" she asked hopefully as she took a sip of Gatorade.
I fell silent. Should I tell her?
"He…he tried to kill me."
Unexpectedly, she spewed out her mouthful of Gatorade shouting, "WHAT?"
I gulped. This is gonna be harder than I thought. "He said that he's going to kill me, and he left a note saying to meet him tonight."
"At where?" she demanded. Boy, it's creepy having Max so tense.
"On Zylac's rooftop." I said.
Max gave me a puzzled look. "Zylac? The company that makes sportswear?"
I nodded. "If I don't come to school tomorrow, don't wonder where I am. I bet I'm in a better place anyway." I said trying hard not to let my voice crack.
"I don't believe it. Look, if you're going then I'm going too."
"No!" I nearly shouted.
"Why not? He's my friend too."
"Well he's my brother, and you shouldn't get involved with this stuff. After all, he only wants my life."
I could see her eyes brimming with tears.
"Okay, for the final time. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not." She said and tried to run off. I grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. Then I did the unexpected. I drew my hand back and slapped her across the face. Well, that stunned her and made her shut up. Double combo. Girls are so stubborn!
"Well I plan on coming back alive." Yeah. That surprised me too.
I pulled her in close, "And promise me you won't go." Tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Then promise me that you'll come back." She whispered and pulled me into a hug.
"I promise." We said in unison as I hugged back.
I had a feeling that that was the last time I'm going to see her.
---
I sat down on my bed as I fingered the key that Cody left behind. Skulls and wings. Not a good combination. Maybe this could be a way to protect myself. I began looking for a length of string. I remembered that mom gave me something for my ninth birthday. I fumbled through drawers until I finally came across what I was looking for: a chain necklace with a peace symbol. Ha, why did I even keep it?
I took the medallion off and replaced it with the key. I then placed it around my neck. Not the latest style in fashion but I didn't care.
I sighed and looked out my window, Zylac clearly standing out against the other smaller buildings. I had this strange feeling in my chest. Both fear and anxiety were there but it has another twist as well. Like the feeling when you found out your math test was on the week after tomorrow or something like that.
Gripping this feeling, I slowly lay down on my bed, thinking about what he said.
I'm going to kill you, Zack. Someday…I closed my eyes as I drifted into another nightmare.
Someday soon…
---
Light was filtering through soft wispy clouds that hung overhead, casting shadows on the land below. I was in the cold stone alleyway yet again, but not alone. A blonde figure was standing in front of me a good distance away, his head hung low. He glanced back and cast a fierce glare at me, his icy blue eyes boring into my skull. He turned back and with one violent, he fell to his knees as he clutched his head, letting out an anguished cry.
I stepped forward, wanting to help but instead, hit something hard. Transparent and hard like a glass wall. I just stood there, watching him writhe in pain. He fell to the ground unmoving as I saw dark red blood gush out from the back of his head. I pounded my fists against the wall, punching it until my knuckles turned raw. Out of breath, I leaned against it, my eyes falling onto my wrist. A blood-red mark was slowly etching a thin line on my skin, writing out a fancy-looking symbol in red.
---
I woke up to the loud blaring of my alarm clock. It was about sunset so I bet good ol' mom set it so I could do homework. Classic. I reached out to hit the snooze button and saw it. It wasn't too visible but I could make it out. Etched in red…was the symbol from my dream.
What the hell is happening? I walked to the dining table, expecting mom to be there, but instead, found a note.
Left early for rehearsal. Heat up some soup. Love, mom.
Ah yes, early rehearsal. Well, that just made it easier on me. At least I don't have to get past her. I grabbed a bus pass and walked out the door.
---
I took the stairs to the rooftop. Gulping down a breath, I pushed the door open and saw…no one.
I cautiously stepped out into the open and looked around. Still clear. Good. I let out a sigh of relief and turned around do leave, only to face icy blue eyes…
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Trivia: In the episode "Poor Little Rich Girl" we see that Zack and Cody have an X-box.
Bonus trivia: In the episode "Fairest of Them All" the hi-tech stereo in the Martins' suite have disappeared and seems to have been replaced by a TV.