Present-day...

No wonder Anastasia couldn't find a partner. She spent most of her free time lounging about with her hair a mess, typically in an oversized t-shirt covered with miscellaneous stains. Her bold declaration of finding a wife by the end of the year seemed to have had no affect on her behavior, leading Melek to believe that her efforts would bear no fruit.

Melek zipped up his zebra print hoodie. There was a time when he wouldn't be caught dead wearing something so garish. If any article of clothing deviated from solid black, he'd feel genuine discomfort.

Eighteen years ago, Anastasia followed up on her promise to return his jacket and flip-flops. To his surprise, she showed up with a neatly wrapped gift. Melek opened the package and glared at the hoodie, his face softening when he noticed the shit-eating grin on Anastasia's face.

"Get it?" she asked, masking her amusement with faux enthusiasm.

Melek alternated glances between her and the hoodie. "You'd think someone in your profession would be better at lying. This looks horrible."

Her face fell, sending a dagger into Melek's heart. Perhaps all that time alone destroyed his ability to tease playfully. "Anastasia, I didn't mean—"

Her face rose, flashing a toothy smile. "Who's a bad liar?"

Damn. "Very funny. I stand by what I said, though. This looks awful."

"The all black aesthetic is played out. You're unique, Zebra. Why not express your individuality?"

"Individuality? Zebra boy is a nickname you came up with." Melek burst into laughter, causing him to drop her present. He steadied himself, catching it just before it hit the ground.

She lit up. "So you do care."

He sighed, then lost himself in the hoodie's black and white stripes.

Mr. Bartholomew was the only person he considered a friend. But as a small business owner, his days were spent focusing on his store, leaving little time for extracurricular activities outside of spending time with his family. His work ethic was admirable, but Melek would be lying to himself if he didn't acknowledge his selfish desire to spend more quality time with him.

Though he'd never admit it, Anastasia wasn't the worst company.

He rubbed on the hoodie's plush jersey cotton fabric. Upon further examination, it was immaculately sewn. "How much was this?"

"You never ask someone how much a gift costs. Where's your home training?"

Melek put the hoodie on. It fit perfectly, hugging his torso just enough so as to not restrict his movements. "Looks good on you," Anastasia said.

"Honestly, it feels a lot better than it looks."

"Of course it does. I bought it with love!"

"I can tell," Melek mocked.

"I have another surprise."

"What now? You hiding a pair of leather pants behind your back?"

Anastasia mockingly mouthed his words back to him. "You'd be lucky to have me as your stylist. Anyway, that isn't the surprise." She paused. "I'm going back to school!"

Melek swallowed a sarcastic remark. "That's incredible. What are you going for?"

"I want to be a social worker. Seems like the perfect job for someone as sociable as me."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Do you even know what a social worker does?"

"They help families, right?"

"Sure. I'm genuinely happy for you. And thanks for the gift."

"Also, one more thing."

Melek gave her a flat stare.

"I'm moving in with you. College is expensive, and I thought you might need the company."

"Have you lost your mind?"

"I'm neat, quiet, and I can patch you up if you ever come home injured after your nightly activities. Most importantly, I feel like you could use a friend, because honestly, I sure could."

Melek was a master at pushing people away. He was so good at it that he oftentimes did it unconsciously. Anastasia seemed to be made of tougher stuff than most. The type of person that'd force you to like them, through sheer will alone. "I don't know..."

"Did I forget to mention that I'm an incredible cook?"

"Alright, we'll give this a shot."

Shortly after the Zebra print debacle, the uptick in demon activity came to a screeching halt. Though he enjoyed the peace, a hunger consumed him that could only be satiated by seeking vengeance against those responsible for killing his brother.

Months went by without a single demon roaming the streets, sending Melek into a deep depression. He lacked purpose, and an outlet for his suppressed rage. Even Anastasia's much appreciated company didn't help.

He tried a plethora of potential replacements. From kickboxing classes, to Judo and even Krav Maga. But sadly, nothing worked.

Despite her cleanliness and cooking ability being grossly overstated, Melek had to admit that her dedication to achieving her goals was awe-inspiring. After several nights of him coming home to notes and assignments scattered about, Anastasia had graduated cum laude in only three years.

A decade had passed in the blink of an eye. With the help of Anastasia's new position, they moved out of his shitty apartment and got a modest—by New York standards—house in Queens. His detestable supervisor got fired for sexual harassment, leaving an opening that he reluctantly accepted.

They floated the idea of getting separate homes several times throughout the years, but it was for naught. They were so utterly inept at establishing and maintaining romantic relationships that they contemplated marrying each other for the hell of it. Fortunately for the both of them, that never came to pass.

One night, after surviving a particularly rough day surrounded by loud machinery and robotic supervisors, the masked creature appeared in his dream to inform Melek of a demon hunting group located in Covington, Wyoming.

The shock of seeing the creature after so many years of radio silence paled in comparison to its abrupt exit.

He woke up, elated at the prospect of killing demons once more. After spending hours trying to construct the best argument he could muster, he finally embarked on the arduous task of trying to convince Anastasia that moving to a Podunk town in Wyoming was a good idea.

To his shock, she leapt at it. "I owe you my life, Zebra," she said. "I go where you go."

***

"Pick up some paper towels on your way home!" Anastasia yelled, her eyes glued to the Knicks game.

Melek groaned. "I'm not going out for errands. This is Aayan we're talking about. Getting him to talk could lead us to La'el."

"Shit!" she screamed.

Melek jerked his head around, flinching at her outburst. "What happened?"

She smiled wryly. "Sorry about that, they just hit back-to-back threes against us."

"What in the world is wrong with you?"

"Hey, it's my first weekday off in months. How dare you judge me?"

He ignored her, choosing instead to walk toward his car keys resting on the countertop. After grabbing them, he frantically patted his waist. "Damn. Have you seen my water gun?"

The sound of basketball commentary blaring through the TV speakers was all he got as a response. Anastasia had seemingly disappeared. "Hey!" he yelled.

Anastasia re-entered the living room with her hands behind her back. She beamed as she made her way toward him. "Before you go, I have a surprise for you."

"Hell no. Your last 'surprise' left me incapacitated for a week."

"How was I supposed to know you're allergic to cats? Sounds more like a you problem to me. But the past is the past." She moved her arms from behind her back, revealing his water gun resting atop a zebra print leather jacket. "I got your gun nice and cleaned up for you. And I bought the jacket the day you told me about your mission."

Melek holstered his gun. He grabbed the jacket and inspected its lustrous black and white stripes. When he applied pressure to the material, brief wrinkles formed and then vanished shortly after. He went in for a sniff. It was devoid of that strong plastic smell associated with low-quality leather. "Anastasia, this is incredible."

"I thought you needed an upgrade. I mean you're like what, eighty now? You can't keep walking around in a hoodie." Her eyes moved to the top of his head. "But at least you're self aware enough to keep your hair cut low."

"You just had to ruin the moment."

Anastasia gave him a tight hug, disarming him. "Please be safe, Zebra. Kick Adam's ass for me."

Melek hugged her back while holding in a laugh. "Thanks. His name is Aayan by the way."

"Whatever." She spun around and hopped onto the couch. "Love you," she said while facing the TV.

Melek removed his old hoodie and threw it at the back of her head, causing her to audibly gasp. By the time she collected herself and turned around, Melek was already halfway out the door, donning his new jacket. "Love you too," he said with a smirk.