Close Encounters of the Fictional Kind

Another collaborative chapter brought to you by Ismira Daugene & Queenoftheslayers. Please view chapter 1 for more detail on the purpose of these short stories.

Labyrinth (c) Henson, Froud, & Lucas

Chapter 9: The Zombie Apocalypse

Logging on to Facebook, Marie noticed she had an event invitation. She clicked on the link to see that Elise had invited her to the Zombie Apocalypse. In confusion she clicked on the title to find out why the hell Elise would want her to be killed in the Zombie Apocalypse only to find that it was a game being played all over campus. Between the dates of October fourth and October twenty-fifth, people would walk around campus wearing either a red bandana to indicate they were human or a green bandana to indicate they were zombie. The zombie's goal was to change humans; the humans could defend themselves with socks. If a zombie was hit with a sock, they had to freeze for ten seconds. Academic buildings, dorm rooms (but not dorm hallways), and off campus sites were off limits. The game was over when there were no more humans. Marie eagerly clicked the "Attend" button and rushed to her clothes dresser to find a red bandana.

One week later, Elise had a green bandana around her arm and Marie was still proudly sporting her bright red bandana. "You know, it's only a matter of time until someone turns you," Elise commented.

"Not if I can help it," Marie said hefting her knee-length socks that she'd tied together to get extra distance in her swing.

The two roommates had decided they would make each other off limits so they wouldn't have to worry about walking outside the door. "You should just let me turn you so I won't starve to death," Elise commented, mentally counting back to the last human she'd turned. Zombies had to change at least one person a week to stay alive.

"No way! We agreed that roommates are off limits."

Elise rolled her eyes. "Fine, want to go get dinner at the caf?" she asked meaning the school cafeteria.

"Sure."

The two grabbed their ID's and keys before heading out the door. They crossed the street and half way through the parking lot Marie stared at Elise as she lurched forward towards a man who had magically appeared in a swirl of glitter. Elise crashed into him yelling, "TAG!"

Jareth, the Goblin King, staggered back, confused at his scribe's behavior. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked indignantly.

"You are now a zombie," Elise stated matter-of-factly before launching into an explanation of the game.

Jareth nodded smiling and glanced over at Marie's bright red bandana. Marie noticed and slowly shook her head. "Oh no you don't…" she said grabbing hold of her knee-high socks she'd taken to carrying everywhere.

Jareth's smile turned predatory and he started casually toward the girl as though stalking his prey. "I do believe I owe you one after those hunters you almost told about me," he said, his eyes never leaving Marie's.

Marie started backing away and pulled her socks loose to make them available. "Elise… put a leash on your Goblin lover," she commanded between clenched teeth.

"We're not lovers!" both Elise and Jareth said in unison.

In a quick jump forward, Jareth reached toward Marie only to be smacked in the face with a purple and black striped sock. Annoyance gleamed in the Goblin King's eyes as he honored the ten-second rule. Marie meanwhile took off running toward the dinning hall. Half-way there she came across a group of humans. "Quick! Zombies!" she panted pointing back at Jareth who'd started after her again.

The group of humans got a mean look in their eyes and pulled out there defensive socks. Jareth, not noticing, or not caring, continued towards his prey.

When Elise caught up with Jareth, she found him tied to a tree with socks, one purple and black striped one stuffed in mouth. Wide-eyed and giggling she advanced on the Goblin King. She put a fist to her mouth to try stopping the giggles. It didn't work, but the look in Jareth's eyes did work. His eyes were staring behind her in concern. Elise whipped around to find the same group of humans; all of them holding socks threateningly. Backing up slowly, Elise tried to use diplomacy. "Okay, come on, I promise not to turn any of you…"

The humans didn't listen and continued to advance on her. Seeing the gleam in their eyes, Elise turned on her heel and ran across campus toward the English building, which happened to be the closest one, a pack of sock wielding humans hot on her tail.

o O o O o O o

Later that night, Elise sluggishly walked into her dorm room followed by a disgruntled looking Goblin King. After being mauled by the sock bearers, Elise had returned to free Jareth. They stopped at Marie's door. "Thanks for helping us out back there…" Elise grumbled.

Marie ducked her head, "I swear Elise, I didn't think they'd go after you too. I tried to talk them out of it."

"Uh huh…"

Jareth, who was giving Marie a scorching glare, suddenly threw something at her. Marie held up her arms in defense, expecting it to be one of his magical crystal balls. The soft ball thudded off her arms harmelessly though and landed at her feet. She glanced down to see it was her sock. "I believe that is yours…" he said in a deadly whisper.

"Um… thanks for returning it," Marie said gingerly toeing the sock towards her dirty clothes pile. Gonna have to bleach that thing after being in his mouth, she thought to herself.

"Come on Jareth," Elise said leading the Goblin King to her room.

Jareth followed, but not before he used his index and middle finger to point at his eyes then his index finger to point at Marie. Marie smiled and waved at him before he disappeared around the corner. She would deal with the consequences of this later. Right now, it was time to gloat and feel pretty damn good about one-upping the Goblin King.