Part II: Running from Destiny


Somebody's getting fired today.

As soon as Aspen figures out what imbecile allowed Zed Necrodopolis to sneak in and sit in their chair. Their big, leather, special chair they 'borrowed' from Jean-Jacques Auclair, as well as some rare collectible statues and sculptures around the office. Zed Necrodopolis intruded on their space. They're going to need a gallon of lysol and bleach to get the lingering jock-stench out of their office…and they might still have to burn the building down too.

Aspen's closest allies, Alan and Ali, come rushing in, presumably after seeing Zed Necrodopolis casually stroll out like he owned the place. In his own, fucked up way, he did.

That green haired monster always had a way of getting under their skin. Despite popular belief, the two of them used to be friends. In fact, they even went on a few dates back in middle school. Zed would never admit it out loud because according to him, going to the movies alone isn't a date just because it's a date activity, and both people need to agree it's a date before it's a date. But even after that event, they were still friends.

Their father worked for Mr. Necrodopolis as his right hand man, which meant Aspen spent a lot of time with Mr. Necrodopolis, even more so then Zed did, learning the ropes, getting the inside scope on the businesses he ran.

Then, Zed's mother died, and everything changed. Aspen was exorcized from Zevon's side, replaced by Zed, who, according to Zevon, would take over someday. Even though Aspen was there, everyday, watching, learning, doing the dirty work with their father.

It wasn't fair.

The dirty zombies never played fair.

"Was that —"

Aspen cuts Ali off with a glare. "Ali, find out who screwed up and how that walking asshole got in my office."

Ali and Alan exchange a worried look. "Right, whatever you say, boss," Ali says.

"What did he want? Did he hurt you?" Alan asks.

Aspen huffs, their breath blowing a piece of hair out of their face. "No," they grumble. "He was just being an annoying prick."

"Isn't he always, though?"

Aspen glares at him. Zed may be an asshole, but he was nothing if not his father's son. "If we aren't careful," they say carefully, "that idiot will destroy us. We need to do it first, and fast, before he can see it coming."

"Then we probably need to work…smarter. And quieter." Alan suggests.

Aspen looks up at him, urging him with a raised eyebrow to continue.

"Zed may be an asshole, but he's still just a guy. We reclaimed part of his territory after we got rid of Zevon." Alan explains.

Ali snaps her fingers, stealing both of their attention. "We find out what he loves and take it away from him. And then, when he's at his weakest, we strike! Then, Zombietown is ours."

Aspen likes the sound of that. Most of it, anyway. One mine correction is needed.

"Not just Zombietown, but all of Seabrook."


Aspen sends out their most trusted spy: Ali. A little temporary hair dye and a curling wand, plus some makeup, and she's good to go.

The Necrodopolis family owned a boatload of businesses around town, but nothing was more notorious than Zombie Mash. A bustling night club that was eighteen and up and very, very strict with their age verification. Zed Necrodopolis may be an arrogant asshole, but he wasn't stupid. Getting a second degree misdemeanor charge for serving minors wasn't in his playbook.

It only takes fifteen minutes to get into Zombie Mash. The line for the night usually starts around five or six in the evening, despite the club not opening until eight. Ali gets there around nine, finds a group of easy college guys near the front of the line — early twenties, minimum — and flirts with them. They're a little handsy and none of them are cute, but they get her in quickly. And one of them pays her cover.

Ali gets one shot.

Then she sees her, an associate of Zed Necrodopolis, Eliza Zambie. She runs the Necrodopolis's diner uptown. Ali's read her whole file, cover to cover. She knows everything about all of Zed's associates: his little sister, his bodyguard, every person they have documented working for them. She knows them all, as the brains to Aspen's whole operation. Brains, and brawn, to Aspen's leadership. And Alan, well Alan served as Aspen's primary security and voice of reason, not much else.

If Eliza is here, that means Zed Necrodopolis wasn't far behind. Ali turns around, pounding back the contents of her shot glass. The club is packed to the brim with people dancing, shouting, and singing along to the music, but that doesn't stop her from spotting the very head of green hair she was sent to look out for.

That was easy!

He walks up a dark stairwell in the corner, a woman with choppy, silver hair following behind him. Or maybe it was blonde, just really light? She doesn't know, not from this distance. What she does know is that Zed Necrodopolis doesn't pick up hookups at the club. He arranges all his dates with his floozies and keeps it out of his business. Something weird was going on.

Ali brings it back to Aspen the next morning. She hadn't been able to get a clear look at the girl, or see her or Zed Necrodopolis again throughout the night. But everything is noteworthy in their line of work. Even something as simple as a girl with light hair with Zed Necrodopolis, in the one place he never picked up dates.

"You really think this could be something?" Aspen asks.

Ali nods. She placed the large, overcrowded binder, filled to the brim with all of Zed Necrodopolis's known associates down in front of Aspen. "Zed Necrodopolis hasn't had contact with any of his usual flings in over a month, and the girl I saw doesn't match any of their descriptions," she explains.

"And," Alan adds, "this is Zombie Mash. We all know he doesn't mix business with pleasure."

Aspen chews their lip, then nods, knowing the two of them are right. "So what do we think? He's sleeping with her? Or maybe she's a new work-associate."

"I couldn't get a good read," Ali admits. "I combed through every piece of security footage I could get my hands on, but all I saw was the back of her head. Not enough to go off of."

"Okay. Alan, get eyes on Zed Necrodopolis. And try not to get caught, this time. I don't need a repeat of 2019."

"Hey! That was not my fault!"

Ali snorts. "It totally was!"

"Guys! Focus!" Aspen shouts.

Ali and Alan both stop, turning their attention back to Aspen. They're like children; if the two of them weren't so good at their jobs, they'd fire them. Aspen huffs. "Find Zed Necrodopolis, figure out who that woman is and what they're up to." They turn to Ali and say, "You, check up on our good friend Zoey. What's she up to, these days?"

Ali nods. She picks up her binder and says, "You got it."

"We're on it, Captain," Alan adds.

They start to leave, but Aspen scoffs and calls out, "Don't call me that!"


Zed either spends all day being driven by his private security, or being tailed by him. Bonzo Izaki is careful, calculated, and terrifying. His training served him well. He kept Zed's security on a tight leash, until Zed snuck out of his grasp for a personal matter.

Alan picks up on a bit of their conversation. "I'll be fine, dude, go home to your girlfriend and enjoy the night," Zed says. And then they part ways, Bonzo heading home at six pm, leaving Zed at his house. He doesn't stay out for long, heading back to the shopping plaza he owns and going to a flower shop.

Strange.

Alan snaps a few photos from the parking lot. Zed buying flowers was something to write home about. Zed isn't a thoughtful kind of guy. He's mean, cruel, self-obsessed and controlling. The only person he ever showed compassion towards is his little sister.

Zed's next stop ends up being Arowana, a nice restaurant on the boardwalk. This is date behavior. Alan snaps some pictures of him standing outside, jotting down on a notepad his suspicions.

Zed hasn't taken anyone out on a proper date since his college days. Whatever was going on had to be serious, or would lead to something serious. That had to be the only reason. Flowers, a nice suit, and an exclusive restaurant?

A Prius stops in front of Zed, and the next second a woman steps out in a pink gown with short hair that's…white? Platinum, stark white.

Alan snaps several pictures as they hug and chat. He can't get a good shot or look at her face, but he quickly realizes he doesn't need to. He may not be able to get into the restaurant, but he catches them leaving, giggling and holding hands, heading to his car. Alan admits it, she's pretty cute, and the two of them look so happy. He wonders how long they've been dating in secret, and if Zed knows how much he's screwed up bringing her here.

The woman stands between Zed and the car, grabs him down and kisses him. The money shot. It's so perfect, Alan pulls out his phone and snaps an additional picture, sending it off to Ali.

Alan:

Jackpot.

Ali:

No. Fucking. Way.