“Huh?” Dewey asked, looking from Ichiro to Trips.
“Amp fell on him a couple days ago. Marshall stack,” Trips said, nodding his bearded chin at Ichiro.
“Dude,” Snake said, wincing.
“Yeah. It's kinda bad.” Alexx nodded.
Snake smiled at Ami. “Do me after, will you Nightingale? I got a kickback from those stupid guns last night. Ain't as bad as Ichiro, man, but I could use your sweet, tender, touch.”
Trips gave Snake a pointed glance. Snake smiled broadly at Trips, and Trips sighed and smirked. As they talked strategy, Ami sat down with Ichiro on the pillows in the music corner. Alexx helped Ami get Ichiro’s shoulder out of his armored suit with a lot of painful effort. His shoulder and collarbone were swollen. When Alexx rejoined the group. Ami could see she stood too close to Dewey for Ichiro’s comfort as he closed his pain filled eyes. Ami promised herself she wasn't going to take sides as she put her hand over Ichiro's heart.
“You're not healed enough to go, Bunny,” Alexx said, helping Ichiro back into his armor.
He nodded. “I'll be at HQ. I've still got a crap load to do, anyway. It feels wicked better, though, Ami. Thanks.”
Ami gave him a tight-lipped smile and got up to help Trips in the kitchen.
“Down the car, I’ve got stuff for each of you.” Ichiro stood up. Ami watched him give Alexx a sideways glance. When she failed to meet his eye, he sighed and left the apartment.
Snake dove into the music corner pillows. “Wait, me too, Nightingale.”
Ami crossed back to the music corner, after drying her hands on a dishtowel, leaving Trips in the kitchen.
As Ami gave reiki to Snake, she absently watched Alexx rearrange the books on her shelves, then Trips dove into the pillows next to them.
Alexx glanced over. “Ichiro wants to be Q, to your Bond.”
“What?” Trips blushed. “Whatever does she mean?” Trips asked in his Sean Connery voice as he snuggled Ami’s ear.
Snake rose onto his elbows, glaring at Trips. “Hey, man, I'm getting the healing touch, now.”
“Sorry,” Trips blinked. “Um, my bad. Um, I'll do the dishes.” He started for the kitchen, then stepped back and gave Ami a quick peck on the cheek. “And calculate how to install a bleedin’ dishwasher.”
Chapter 27: Breakup
Alexx stared at the front door as she wiped the same plate dry for the fifth time. She glanced at Trips, elbows deep in wash water. “Maybe Ich needs help.”
“Put it up with the others,” Trips said, glancing from Alexx to the stack of plates in the open cabinet. He plunged his hands back into the filmy water. “So, go find him.”
“Should I?” Alexx asked, as she stacked her plate on top of the others. “I think he’s mad…” she craned her neck, looking into the living room. Dewey was at the table huddled over a map, and Ami was giving Snake reiki in the music corner. She mouthed “About me and Dewey.”
“I knew there was something,” Trips looked down at the lifeless suds, then met Alexx’s gaze. “If you’re lucky a zombie got him.” He cracked a smile. “But I doubt it.”
“Be back in a second.” Alexx hung her dishtowel on the drawer pull and picked up her bat. “Thanks.”
* * *
Alexx scanned the street outside through the murky vestibule glass. She noted there was a zombie-pod less than half-a-block away, but probably too far to notice her; otherwise, it was quiet. She hoped they hadn’t shuffled past the apartment and gotten Ichiro. She dashed down the steps and sprinted toward her Honda.
Ichiro was fine. He sat in the driver’s seat glowering as he unlocked the doors. “Took you freakin' long enough.”
Alexx slid into the passenger's seat and closed the door quietly. “What's going on? There’s a pod.”
“Cha-yah, I know.” Ichiro leaned over the steering wheel turning toward her. “I've been waiting for you.”
Alexx glanced in the back seat; he hadn’t moved any equipment. “Aren't we going to give the guys all the cool gear we have?”
“We aren't doing anything. I am going to give the guys my cool gear,” Ichiro said. The keys to Alexx’s car dangled from his right index finger.
“Ichiro?” Alexx asked, the glint of the yellow metal fob made her glance away from his dark eyes. She pouted. “What's wrong, Bunny?”
“Don't do that,” Ichiro sneered and tossed his keys onto the dash. “We are so done.”
“Ich, what'd I do?” Alexx pleaded as he stepped out of the car. He opened the back door and leaned in gathering gear. “Ichiro, c'mon. I'm sorry. It didn’t mean anything.”
“Obviously.” Ichiro struggled to put a backpack over his shoulders. He glanced out the back. “Great, now, they’re heading back this way.” He shouldered an oversized duffle, painfully, then closed the door and lifted the hatch at the back of the car. Alexx joined him, looking down at the large metal crate.
“Ich,” Alexx said, watching him as he struggled to lift the container.
He panted and wiped the flop sweat from his brow.
“C’mon, let me.” She glanced at the zombies. They were closer than she expected. “Ichiro, I'm sorry.” Her voice wavered. “I love you, Bunny Rabbit.”
He glanced at the zombies, then pointed at the box. “Take this,” he said, adjusting the bag slung over his good shoulder. “Quiet like.”
Alexx picked up the box and locked the car. The beep of the car lock made the zombies zero in on them.
Ichiro shot her an exasperated glance then marched toward the apartment building under his heavy load.
Alexx adjusted her grip on her bat, eyeing the zombies, and slung the box to one hip. “Bunny, don’t be like this.”
“What?” He turned on her, his eyes cold. He collapsed, panting, hands on his knees.
“Let me help you,” Alexx said, nearing where he stood.
He took a deep breath, glanced at the shuffling pod two car lengths away, then pulled himself up, straining to lift the large canvas duffle over his shoulder before she reached him; then he skipped up the steps to the vestibule, leaving Alexx outside.
“Really? Leaving me alone with them?" Alexx blinked. She arced her bat at the approaching threat then followed him into the building.
Ichiro looked ashen, catching his breath sitting on the vestibule steps.
Alexx propped the box on the lower step and piled the duffle on top. “It means nothing. It meant nothing. It's just….. C’mon Ichiro, I wouldn't do that.”
“Whatever.” Ichiro reached up and jabbed his index finger on Ami’s door bell. The buzzer alerted the zombies toward the vestibule door. “Great.”
Chapter 28: Tumble Dry
Ami watched as Dewey used his Fireman’s helmet to search for Snake who was hiding behind his invisibility shield somewhere in the living room. She rolled her eyes. The new software Ichiro installed on his helmet enabled him to see through walls, but he looked like a blind giant using it. She poured herself more coffee and took a sip. I hope Ichiro’s assortment of weapons and gizmos gives them the advantage they need. If I’m right, the people are still alive at Mount Auburn Cemetery, including the New York contingent. She crossed the room to the dining table where Trips was studying the map on her laptop. He looked up. She smiled, and sat down next to him. If I’m wrong, then going AWOL to rescue them will be the least of your worries.
Trips saluted Ami with his cup of coffee. “The video you’ve compiled has to be right, Ami. They’re alive, and it’s on us, ‘cause no one else is going after a bunch of misfits.”
Ami nodded, then glanced over at Alexx and Ichiro actively ignoring each other. “I have a favor to ask.”
“What? What is it?” Trips smiled.
“I need a little help with the laundry.”
“The laundry?” Trips put the coffee down and tightened the strap on his new wrist rocket. “Can't it wait, baby?”
Ami stood up, “No, it cannot wait.” She raised her voice, “Mrs. Needlebaum is in the dryer, and I
’m not going in there --”
Ichiro interrupted. “Wait. Mrs. Needlebaum is what?”
“In the dryer,” Ami said, defiantly. Everyone turned to look at her. “She's a zombie and I stuffed her in the large capacity dryer when I went down to get my clothes.”
“The hot yoga lady, from the first floor?” Ichiro blinked, a crooked smile on his face.
“Yeah, her. Yeah, me.” Ami paused. “The long cycle on high heat.”
* * *
In the laundry room, the dryer had stopped. Everything was as Ami had left it, a jumble of metal laundry carts in the walkway and Mrs. Needlebaum, zombie, in the high capacity dryer. Ichiro looked through the window. “Did you add one of those dry-cleaning chemical sheets?”
“No.” Ami angled behind Trips. She could tell Ichiro was about to pop the lock on the machine. Trips shooed her back and stepped to the other side of the door.
“Then she might not be dead.” Ichiro glanced up at Trips. They raised their weapons then Ichiro popped the lock.
Mrs. Needlebaum’s bony hand grasped the edge of the dryer. Her skull emerged, and a putrid perfume hit their nostrils. Everyone groaned as Ichiro cut through her spinal cord with one fell blow. The severed head rolled to Trips' feet with a wet thud, a single clouded eye looking up at him. The torso hung limp out of the jumbo machine. Little of the flesh remained on her bones. Trips pulled her body out with a clatter and closed the door.
“Gross. Poor Mrs. Needlebaum. She was so hot,” Ichiro said, looking at Trips.
Trips curled his lip. “Hot out of the dryer, maybe.”
“No, really, dude, she was.”
Alexx peeked out from behind Dewey. “Oh, are those Gaiam Organic Capri's? Think they'd fit me? Her femur bone looks long.”
Ami and Ichiro said in unison, “No, Alexx!” Then Ami noticed Ichiro slam the dryer door and turn toward the corpse to regain his composure. He hadn’t meant to say anything. They’re really on the outs. Kicking at the head, he mumbled to Trips, “We should, you know…”
“Yeah, nasty,” Trips said, wrangling a laundry cart to collect the body.
“Okay, well, we'll just head out,” Dewey said, chuckling.
“Oh, that was bad,” Snake said, backing toward the door.
“Just go. Meet you outside.” Trips grimaced, poking at a leg with his sword.
“Meat chew outside?” Snake said, a glint in his eyes.
Trips stood up and tossed a gooey scapula into the cart. “Meat chew... Yeah, hah, hah, hah, I get it. Go.” He pointed at the door with a bone.
“There’s a pack of zombies out front,” Ichiro warned. He turned to look at Snake and Dewey. “I’d help you, but--” He tapped his shoulder. “You should be careful too, Snake.”
Snake rolled his shoulder. “I’m good, brother. Ami fixed me up.” He turned to Dewey. “We’ll check on the z-pod. Come on Dewmeister.” Snake and Dewey skipped down the crumbling back stairs to the street. Alexx bolted through the door running after them.
“Is she okay?” Trips looked from the door to Ami. “Ich?”
Ichiro pushed the squeaky cart of Mrs. Needlebaum to the door. “Yeah. I’ll be outside.”
Trips used a couple of baby wipes to clean up and held the door as Ichiro rolled the zombie cart over the broken linoleum to the exterior door. “Two minutes. I'll be along.”
He turned his attention to Ami scooping her into his arms. “So, you’ll be able to hear us.” He pushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “You were very brave, my darling.”
“Ha, well, you be careful. Especially with your new toy, there.” Ami glanced at his wrist rocket.
“Safety is on, I think. No wait. Kidding.” He smiled. “Be home before you know it.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure the coast was clear and gave Ami a warm lingering kiss.
Ami broke away and sank into his chest. “I'm going to cry if you don't stop.”
Trips swallowed and whispered. “We’ll be back, all of us.”
Chapter 29: Ride With Me
Trips checked his watch and sighed. It was past noon. His attempts at a daybreak raid completely thwarted, he jumped down the last of the uneven concrete steps outside Ami’s building into the scrubby backyard and drew his sword. I’m sure they’ve taken care of the zombies out front, but it’s a good idea to stay armed.
As he rounded the corner into the alley, he saw Alexx leaning on the brick wall next to the recycle bins. He lowered his sword. “Whoa! S'up? You startled me.”
“Ride with me,” Alexx whined, getting too close.
Trips pushed past her. “I thought we were all going together,” he said, skirting by the trashcans. And just like that, he had a lump in his throat. Her anxiety is catching.
“Just tell them you have to ride with me.” Alexx choked away a sob. “I can't.”
Trips looked up and down the street. “Geez, okay, okay. Calm down.” The zombies were gone. He steadied his gaze on Alexx’s glassy brown eyes. “Just get to the car. I'll tell 'em.”
Alexx nodded, and ran to her car as Trips headed to Dewey’s truck. He shouted over the Hemi engine. “Nice dispatch of the zombie throng.”
Dewey shrugged. “They moved on.” He hitched a thumb toward the back seat. “Hop in.”
Trips glanced from Dewey to Ichiro in the backseat. “Riding with Ally.”
“Everything okay?” Dewey asked, glancing at Ichiro in the rearview mirror. Ichiro turned away and adjusted his sunglasses, ignoring their conversation.
Trips rolled his eyes and shrugged. “I'm just going with her. Meet you at the gate. Don't go in without me.”
Dewey throttled the engine. “We're dropping Ich at HQ, so you’ll probably get there first.”
“Okay.” Trips shouted. He tapped Ichiro's window. “Thanks for the swank swag.”
Ichiro adjusted his mirrorshades in acknowledgement, unsmilingly.
* * *
Trips looked up at the opalescent sky as he opened the driver’s side door of Alexx’s car. A storm was predicted for the afternoon. “Storm’s brewing. Looks like a doozy’s coming.” Trips slid into the driver’s seat and reached for the ignition. He turned to Alexx. “Keys?”
She handed him Ichiro's gold and black Playboy Bunny key fob.
“Oh, boy,” Trips said, starting the car. “What's going on? Did he do something to you? Did he hurt you?”
“You've got to talk to him for me.” Alexx daintily daubed her nose. “Trips, please.”
Trips pulled out into the street. “Okay, but what did he do. I'll kill him if he raised a hand to you.”
“Oh, please, he wouldn't do that.” Alexx swiped her hand through the air, dismissing the thought. “Trips, he won’t even look at me. He hates me.”
“Look out!” Trips plowed through a wandering zombie. White and yellow goo splattered the windshield. “Och. Sorry.” He hit the trigger for the window washer fluid, raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Ah, you added the orange stuff, excellent. It really cuts through...and Ichiro does not hate you. He's totally into you.”
Alexx threw her head back and sobbed. “Not anymore.”
“Alexx, just tell me...what the fuck did he do?” Trips ran the stop sign, cut down a back alley, then took a left onto Howard Street, passing by the narrow brown and gray triple-deckers in the wrong direction. “I'll talk to him, okay, but why, woman?”
“Why do you think?” Alexx paused, swallowing hard. “Because of Dewey.”
“Dewey? Did he mess with you?” Trips glanced at her, and then tilted his chin to the side, considering. He steeled his jaw. “He's big, but...I could take him.”
“No!” Alexx wailed as they barreled down the cobblestoned street.
“Alexx stop crying!” Trips shouted. In the back of his mind he was factoring the exponential relationship between the car’s speed, his rising anxiety and the sobbing female. He needed this to end right now or they’d crash. He clutched the steering wheel with his left hand and wagged his right index finger in the air.
“You stop crying this instant! Do you hear me?”
“He hates me! He loves Ami, but he hates me!” Alexx sobbed, stomping her feet on the dashboard.
“Don’t say that.” That was one of Trips' private fears that Ami would return to Ichiro, that underneath it all, they were still in love. He had nightmares about it. “It’s not true.”
Alexx was in a full tilt wail as Trips looked over at her, taking a turn too wide. “There, there,” he said mechanically. “Shall I pull over to comfort you?” He miscalculated and swerved into the father of a zombie family. “Ugh. See what you made me do?” The daughter chased after the car. Trips zoomed away, wrenching her arm off. “We'll get caught if I pull over. Is that really what you want? I’m AWOL, ya know.”
“No!” Alexx sobbed and tore another Kleenex from the packet. Her mascara was streaking down her cheeks and her red lipstick was a smear on her chin. She was a mess.
Trips bypassed the checkpoint at Harvard Square, crossing to Eliot Street. “Are you having a nervous breakdown? Because I’m about to.”
Alexx stomped her feet on the dashboard and wound into a ball, offering a wailing response.
“Maybe you should talk to Ami.” Trips steered the car, white knuckled, onto the sidewalk to avoid smoldering cars. A pack of snarling zombie dogs gave chase. He lost the pack of dogs, and muttered, as he feathered the clutch, “Women! Fixing to drive me mad.”
“I flirted with Dewey,” Alexx whispered, between gulps of air.
Trips put a hand to his ear and squinted. “What? Didn't hear you? What?”
Alexx blubbered, “I didn't do anything!” then dissolved into wailing.
“Seriously, didn't understand.”
Alexx said something unintelligible, saliva streaming from her mouth, as she stomped and flailed.
Trips squished into the driver’s door to avoid getting clocked and raised his voice. “What are you saying? It sounded like 'ip fart doody.' Use your words Alexx! I can't understand what you're saying.”
Alexx caught her breath and wiped her mouth smearing her lipstick across her cheek. She gave Trips a hard look. “I flirted with Dewey, stupid! Ichiro's gone mental! He says he's had enough, and there's nothing I can do. He won’t even listen!”
Boston Under Siege (Book 1): Virus: Page 18
