Necrocide

Chapter 16

It took Aaron a few minutes to compose himself and rise from the floor, but he washed out the shame with a shower. He hated how this was the second day in a row he had to wash blood off himself.

When he finished, he walked back into his living room and pressed the red button next to his dumbwaiter. The doors opened up to reveal another set of clothing almost exactly like the ones he wore earlier. The only difference was that the shirt was light blue and didn't have a hood while the first one was dark green and hooded.

To end his night on a high note, he remembered how Jonah said he owed him some drinks. He left the apartment, picked up Nika, and the two made their way to Jonah's favorite pub in the Commons, holding hands as the elevator descended to the first floor.

"Aaron," Nika asked. "Where were you? You disappeared after the library visit."

Aaron froze. He'd come up with an excuse in the shower earlier. "You wanna hear a secret?"

"Sure."

"I snuck into the memorial service to offer my condolences. Then after that, I hid in the DZI headquarters and watched them work."

Nika gave Aaron a weird look before bursting into laughter. Aaron threw his arms around her to keep her quiet as the moment transitioned from urgent to playful.

"Shh," he said with an awkward grin. "It's supposed to be a secret, remember?"

Nika continued snickering. "Sorry! It's just...you said it so casually. Like if that's not creepy."

"I kinda miss my glory days in the DZI. Guess I'm going through a midlife crisis."

"But you're only eighteen!" Nika laughed harder.

Aaron hugged her tighter. "I swear if you don't simmer down, I will kiss you."

Nika silenced herself before staring into Aaron's eyes. "Go ahead. I'm not known for keeping secrets anyway."

She pursed her lips and pulled Aaron closer for a kiss, but the sound of the elevator doors opening ruined the moment. She placed her pointer finger on Aaron's lips to pause him and whispered "Later," before the two of them exited together.

They made their way through the Commons, which seemed more lively than ever. Strings of lights decorated the walls and people were mingling in groups all around the Commons like a Christmas party. Aaron and Nika passed through them as they approached a small brick building. On the side of the humble-looking building were the words Moore and Kirkman's in neon green.

They approached the green door of the pub and walked in. They were greeted by tables full of patrons, each customer holding a drink. Almost all of them were shouting and drunk out of their minds and some looked ready to kill each other, but Aaron and Jonah went there so often they were used to the possibilities of a pub fight.

"Over here, you two!" Jonah shouted. He and Kat waved from a booth in the corner.

Aaron and Nika made their way over to them. They all exchanged handshakes and hugs before sitting back down.

"So," Jonah said, grabbing his drink. "How have you two been?"

"I wouldn't exactly say fine," Aaron replied.

"No kidding," Kat said. "You look like a Deadman."

Aaron almost choked. "What do you mean?"