Meanwhile

June 24, 2075

1026 CDT

The Streets of Northern Winner, South Dakota

Anna Robinson's Point of View

Unbelievable.

“I’m telling you two, this is the correct thing to do,” Rico explains in an arrogant tone.

“But we’re supposed to go up, not down,” I say.

“I’m Squad leader, so whatever I say goes! Defying my orders means I’ll have an excuse to shoot you. Trust me,” Rico says with malice as he stomps towards me.

Unhand my collar, you buffoon!

“All I need is one excuse,” he warns with a look of pure hatred in his eyes as he pushes me away.

“Step aside, bitch,” Nia threatens.

Ow! She tripped me! Assholes, the both of you! The fact that you two are still my squad leaders is unfathomable! Our superiors are stupid. This entire plan is ridiculous! Hmph! It’s like a ghost town around here, regardless we must remain vigilant. I wonder how the other battalions are doing. What if we’re the only survivors? No. If that’s true, then Rico and Nia can just shoot me now.

“I mean, if you don’t wanna follow my orders, then you’ll probably end up like the rest of our squadmates,” Rico snorts as we make our way down some stairs that lead into a subway station. “It’s why you two dumbass bitches need to stay with me.”

Ugh! Such an arse.

“I hate him,” Nia mutters under her breath as she walks next to me.

And? You’re just as bad as him, Nia.

“Then why do you put up with him?” I ask.

“Because he’s all I got, all I’ve had, all I’ve ever known, and all I will know at this rate,” Nia whispers as she rubs her arm. “I can do it, Anna. We might be out of ammo for our rifles, but we still have our pistols. It’d be so easy to do it,” she says in hatred as she violently glares ahead at Rico. “Bang!” She quietly mouths as she points a finger gun at Rico. “The number of ways that we can die is hilarious,” she softly chuckles.

“I despise both of you, but girl to girl, killing him is not in the mission quota,” I say.

“Right, our mission. I completely forgot that there was a reason we were here,” she says in a somber tone. “Sigh, I just feel like we were sent here to die.”

Huh, you might be on to something. No, what am I saying? She is nothing but a low-class peasant. As if I could ever be friends with rubbish like you.

“Despite how much I hate Rico, let me tell you something, i-if you’ll listen,” Nia struggles to say with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

Hmph! I won’t fall for your deceitful two-faced ways. You and Rico can be incinerated and forgotten for all I care.

“Fine, I’ll listen to you, Nia.”

“Ok. Girl to girl?” She says.

“Ugh. Girl to girl.”

This better not be some immature prank.

“A part of me wants to run away with him forever, but another part of me wants to slit his throat in his sleep,” Nia calmly reveals.

Good lord!

“I hate him and love him at the same time. Stupid, right?” She softly chuckles.

“Have you ever thought about oh, I don’t know, simply dumping his abusive arse?”

“What a bright idea. Why did I never think about that?” She says in sarcasm. “Give me some credit, Anna. I’m not that stupid.”

“Well, what would you like me to say? I don’t even like you, and you don’t even like me. You and Rico are such assholes to me because I was born in a Zodiac, and you weren’t!”

The audacity! And of course, all you can reply with is a deep sigh.

“What was I thinking? Someone like you could never understand my situation,” she says in a defeated tone.

“What situation? The situation of being a bully or the situation of being a massive jerk?”

“The situation of being alone! I don’t even know why I’m talking to you! An elegant princess like you will never understand someone like me!” She spews in anger.

What? Oh, we’re entering a dark tunnel now. I think this is where the residents of The Old World put some kind of card or currency inside this machine to legally gain access to the station below, but most people just hopped over the bars…like so.

“I’m an only child and an orphan who grew up in South Olympia,” she continues. “I ate fucking garbage and stole food to survive. Sometimes I did stupid shit to get tossed into jail just so I could get a free fucking meal. Other times I’d go hungry for several nights if I didn’t have the energy to get myself into trouble, and if I was lucky, I’d wake up to someone taking a piss or throwing garbage on me. Shit like that gave me enough energy to start my pathetic fucking day, so when people call me a disgusting fucking whore, skank, or hussy, I don’t even get mad anymore. I mean, why get mad about the truth, right?” She reveals in too calm of a tone. “And school? Why even fucking bother? What the fuck was I supposed to learn? Attending or skipping school wouldn’t change my dogshit life. Ironically, I learned more about life this way. I learned that when you’re born, God, or who the fuck ever created everything, flips a coin. Heads, you’re blessed. Tails, you’re cursed. We both know which one I clearly got, and we both know which one you got. My life was fucked the moment I was born. There were and still are so many nights that I closed my eyes and begged to almighty God that I didn’t wake up because my greatest wish is eternal rest. I often think about a dream world where everything is peaceful and happy, but, sigh, dreams are just fantasies our minds create in our sleep, and the only way we can wake up is with death,” she explains with an empty look in her eyes.

Jeez.

“I’m almost fucking done, so don’t be rude!” She angrily whispers. “My life was and is still shit, until one day, I met Rico and his family,” she says in a slightly joyful tone. “He was my first friend, my only friend, and my lover. He made my life less shitty. Made me feel like a princess who finally found her knight in shining fucking armor until his eldest brother got drafted. His brother was killed by zombies, of course, and as you can guess, Rico was devastated by it,” she says in an agitated tone. “He grieved and grieved and grieved, and I did my best to comfort him until his grief turned to anger and he took it out on me.”

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My God…

“I was hurt, of course. Physically, mentally, and emotionally if you need clarification, scoff, your majesty,” she rudely explains. “But I took the abuse because if I fought back, I’d be alone again, and I didn’t want that. Being alone hurts too much, even more than the beatings. His frustration increased as time went on, and he continued to take it out on me. But it’s not his fault,” she chuckles. “It’s a combination of the Royals and the zombies. Simple math, really.”

“What do you mean, it’s not his fault? How could you say that? He doesn’t have to hit you. He chooses to!”

“Yeah, I know that, damn it! I’m not stupid, ok?! I’m just damaged. I’m cursed, and my illness is irreversible. Nobody gives a shit about a little garbage-eating fucking girl like me anyway,” she replies with a smile.

“Ugh! No damage is irreversible! There’s always a way to fix things!”

“Hmm. The only way to fix things is if I stab him in the fucking throat,” she contemplates. “I chose to be his punching bag because I didn’t want to be alone. I only do what he says because it makes him happy. He wants me to break a bitch’s ribs? I’ll do it. Support him in a fight? I’m his dirty little cheerleader. Grab a bitch by the hair? I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I’ve been doing dirt since I was born, so it suits garbage like me. If Rico is happy, then I’m happy, because that means he won’t hit me. It means I can happily reminisce about the time we first became friends. Happiest moment of my life before his brother got drafted. Before the beatings…”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not! You’re just happy that you weren’t born in my situation!”

Well, what do you want me to say?! Of course, I’m lucky, and I am perfectly fine with that! Still, peasant or not, it’s such a sad story…

“Nia, I…”

“I’m sorry, Anna. I’m being me. The real me. I’ve been Rico’s punching bag for so long that I’ve completely forgotten what it was like to be myself. I-I know you’re trying to make me feel better, and I appreciate it,” she says with a smile. “I’ve never told anyone this before because I’ve never had anyone to tell it to. Although, high-class royalty like you associating with a lowly peasant like me is somewhat intriguing,” she reveals. “Anyway, enough about me. Tell me, what was space like?”

“The Zodiacs were considerably admirable. Mother Gaia, Hephaestus, Prometheus, Athens, Sarpedon, the moon, the sun, hurricanes, the River Thames, dust storms, The Himalayas, volcanoes, The Great Pyramids, The Grand Canyon, The Great Barrier Reef, and small portions of what’s left of The Amazon Rainforest are all visible. We could stargaze for hours on end, and it never got old. The food was exquisite, the school was so fun, and the boys weren’t the cutest, but they had potential. We even had hot tubs and astonishing tanning booths!”

Oh, how I do miss home. I’d give anything to return to where I truly belong.

“Must be nice,” Nia says with a faint smile.

I think I did something wrong. What is this feeling? I think it starts with a p?

“Hey,” Rico calls out to us from several meters down below at the end of the stairs. “Get down here, you stupid fucking bitches,” he orders with an intense look of hatred in his eyes.

A full view is impossible due to the lack of sunlight, but this has got to be the filthiest place on Earth! It’s making me shiver. There seems to be a long train that stretches from the ominous-looking tunnel on our nine to the ominous-looking tube on our three. It’d be wise to avoid a fight with the undead here at all costs. And the tracks behind this train appear to be vacant. The opposite side resembles an identical stairwell like ours.

Why are we even down here anyway? I’m the only sane one left. Or maybe I’ve always been the sane one. Of course! It’s only natural due to my former Royal status. Nothing can ever change my bloodline, and nothing ever will.

“You are so unnecessarily rude, Rico,” I say. “Why do you keep disrespecting us for no reason? Did your mother not love you enough?”

I should keep quiet, but damn it. I’m so fed up with you!

“As Squad leader, I can say and do whatever the fuck I want, whenever I want,” Rico retorts with a glare.

“Well, as Squad leader, the least you can do is call us by our correct names,” I say.

“Names? Pfft, ok,” Rico says. “Ugly girl number one and ugly girl number two bring your asses down here now!” Rico orders, ending his sentence with a finger pointing toward the ground in front of him.

“Rico is losing it, Anna, but I can’t live without him. I love him so much that I’ll kill him before he snaps if it comes down to it,” Nia quickly whispers as we carefully tread down the stairs.

Goosebumps on my arms? Not good. The cold eeriness and silence aren’t helping either, even though I don’t sense any zombies nearby. Our breathing and our footsteps are the only audible sounds I can currently hear, but… that can change at any moment.

“Rico, I demand you to explain your suspicious and questionable actions,” I say. “Ow!”

“Rico!” Nia yells out as she checks on me.

Damn it! He smacked the shit out of me! Bastard!

“You’ve forgotten that I’m permitted to murder you if you continue your insubordination.” Rico reminds as he taps his pistol. “But royalty like you is too good for something as merciful that. If it comes down to it, I’ll make sure that your execution is long and painful, a fate that all royals should meet. Now, we’re all gonna sit inside the subway car and wait, but first,” he explains as he extends his right hand out. “Your guns. Let me hold on to em’. I’m the best shot here, remember?”

No way! Access denied!

“Here,” Nia immediately gives in as she slides her gun across the floor.

You imbecile!

“Anna,” Rico says as he taps his gun. “Don’t you trust me?”

“N-. MMM!” I say.

Unhand your filthy palm from my mouth, Nia!

“Anna, the captain knows what he’s doing. He’s our superior, so that means we must obey his orders,” Nia practically begs.

It can’t be! Your eyes say, “If you die, then I’ll be left all alone with this wicked man.”

“Fine! I concede!” I say as I slide my gun across the floor.

“Thank you,” Rico smiles as he kicks our pistols to God knows where. “Now let’s all chill inside this subway car. Please.”

We’re so screwed! He must weigh 136 kilograms of pure muscle. Running around in the dark isn’t an option either! Damn it! Why am I, a blessed child of the old ones being forced to live in this hellish nightmare? This is unbelievable! I hate Earth, I hate Olympus, and I hate Rico! I don’t hate Nia as much anymore. Huh. Strange.

*

I was wrong. This cable car is the filthiest place on this hellish earth. The windows are smashed, there’s blood from the ceiling to the floor, tons of rubbish lying about, damaged seats, and broken glass everywhere, but thankfully there are no corpses from what I can discern.

Being able to see anything down here is a miracle at this point. Sunlight continues to make its way down here, albeit very dimly.

“Hell yeah. This will do,” Rico says as he lies down on the floor and stares at the ceiling.

“Rico, what are we doing down here?” I ask.

“We’re giving up, so just relax, ok?” The fool answers in a carefree tone.

“Give up? Relax? My ears must be deceiving me because I’ve never heard you say something as idiotic as that! We should be up there fighting right now! Why are we hiding?!” I ask.

“Watch your mouth, Royal bitch,” he grumbles.

“Or what? You going to shoot me?” I ask.

“Don’t tempt me. Besides, why do you care about other people? You’re not and will never be a true Olympian. You’re a true fucking royal pain in my ass,” he insults in a sharp tone.

“I care about completing the mission, and I am very aware that I will never be accepted as an Olympian because of people like you, but…”

“Because of people like me?!” Rico snaps back. “You mean victims?!”

“How many times do I have to tell you?! I didn’t have anything to do with Azrael or Rion!”

“Yeah, well news flash princess. Your people were the ones who destroyed Rion! You know what? I don’t even care anymore. What’s the fucking point?” Rico says in frustration. “Woah. Jackpot!”

No. You have got to be kidding me.

“Beer. Someone left a fucking full bottle of beer here!”

Don’t…Sigh, take it to the esophagus.

“Hey, Nia!” Rico says as he snaps his fingers. “Fuck is wrong with you? If you’re mad about something, then you need to open your damn mouth and speak!” he violently demands.

“Why?” Nia says with an intense glare as she pouts. “It’s not like you ever listen to me.”

“Because you’re so fucking boring!” He says with a slur. “We-we both know that mouth of yours is only good for one thing,” he provokes with a drunken laugh.

How cruel!

“Listen, you two. In case you haven’t noticed, we are FUCKED, with a capital fucking F,” Rico drunkenly rants. “As Squad leader, I order that we sit down here and wait for the pain to go away. I’d share some of the beer, but there wasn’t much to go around,” Rico says as he sits himself up against the wall.

Nia was right, Rico is losing it, but we can’t do anything as long as he has the gun.

“Hey…Nia,” Rico calls out.

“What?” Nia responds in an irritated tone.

“I don’t think we’ve had a threesome with a girl yet. We sh-should change that,” he reveals with a disturbing smirk.

Huh?

“Anna, take off your shirt,” Rico demands.

You can’t be serious.

“What did you say?” I ask.

“Come on, you heard me. Take off your shirt,” he repeats as he begins to stand up. A dumb whore like you clearly needs specific directions, so start with unbuttoning your uniform,” he requests with the creepiest grin I’ve ever seen in my life!

“No, you’re insane, Rico. You’re not fit to be the Squad Leader, and you never were you heartless freak!”

Woah he made a big dent in the wall with his fist. Gulp.

“I won’t fucking ask again,” he orders in a sinister tone. “Take…” he continues as he points the gun at me. “off your shirt now, Anna Robinson.”