“So you’re the infected girl?” says the gruff macho man. I can practically feel the hard-boiledness oozing off of his greasy, slicked back hair. The dude looks like he just came from some kinda 40’s mobster flick.

We’re already all infected Mr. Macho Man. You silly little guys are just in denial.

“Is that so?”

Yuppers. Infected with the indomitable spirit of humanity, that is! Eyo, can I get a up top?

“I think I’ll pass.”

Well, sucks for you then.

He grimaces like I just insulted his entire bloodline or something and motions to the door. “Before we talk, can you leave your… thing outside? If it’s as mild-mannered as you claim, then it’ll act all docile even if you’re gone, right?”

You mean Rocinante? Coolio, no problemo. You better be a good boy while I’m gone you cutie patootie!

Whine ༼ ༎ຶ ෴ ༎ຶ༽

Aw, don’t be like that pupper. I’ll be back before you know it.

Rocinante trots out (or is it slithers?) of the room, leaving me and Mr. Macho Man to face off all cowboy style.

“… Do you always narrate your thoughts out loud?”

Huh!? You can hear the inner most dark secrets bundled within my maiden heart? Shame on you… you… you lecher!

“I don’t really have a choice when you’re blabbering all about it yourself. Macho Man? 40’s Mobster flick?”

You have a problem with how I cope with these turbo thoughts, big guy? Sheesh, didn’t take you for the type of person to judge. Jasmine was much more polite than you.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“I see,” he says, rubbing his forehead. Now he’s glaring at me. Now he’s sighing. Now—

“Alright, alright. I get it. Let’s get started.”

Should’ve done that earlier. Humph!

“Now, I don’t mind eccentric people Lily. Nor do I mind those who’ve gone mad. What I want to know above all else is if you’ll be a danger to this community. I’m already itchin’ towards my gun after seeing that monster you call a dog, but I haven’t shot it yet because I want to trust you. Trust. It’s a very important value, and without it, we’d all be dead before those horrors above ground. Do you understand me?”

Sir, yes sir!

“Ok. Looks like your noggin is still working, deranged though it may be. I’m going to ask you a couple of questions. All I ask is that you be truthful. Do you understand me?”

Uh-huh.

“Repeat back what I just said.”

Something something asking questions answer with my heart laid bare, right?

“Well, that’s good enough. Now, how long have you been this way?”

What’dya mean?

“You know what I mean.”

Party popper… ok, well, I dunno exactly. It’s an eternity there! All I really remember is that it was a looooooooooong time ago. Long, long time ago.

“I see. And have there been any changes in your body since then?”

Eh, not really. The only problem’s this red red red burrowing in my head head head. But I don’t look like the red people outside if that’s what you mean.

“Red people? Can you elaborate on that?”

Well, they’re red. So I call them red people.

“…I see. And what about your dog? What color is it?”

Blue, you dum dum! Isn’t that obvious?

“Hm.”

What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Moving on, have you ever blacked out or had moments where it feels as if you’ve suddenly lost your memory?”

Nope. Every second, every agonizing moment, I’m awake as awake can be! I can’t stop it even if I wanted to.

“Ah. My apologies.”

Aw, don’t worry about it. I’m used to it by now.

“Alright. Final question.”

Ooooh here we go here we go! I’m super excited.

“Do you know about █████████████████████?”

…

“Lily?”

It’s an eternity in there.

“Lily? Are you ok?”

Drop by drop. We all fall down. We stare at the sky, and we get ever so close to the edge. To the stars. Oh that twinkling little star, grantor of wishes.

“I’m warning you, don’t take another step!”

Do you know what red is the color of?

“Back off. I said back off!”

It’s the color of passion.

It’s the color of hatred.

And it’s the color of ███.

BLAM!

You shouldn’t have done that mister.

Now, you’re all red too.