"Morning, babe."


I whisper this into Frankie's ear as I slip my arms around her waist and rest my chin down onto her shoulder, hitherto placing a kiss on her cheek. Currently she is making breakfast. From what I can observe, this breakfast consists of two frying pans, each containing what appears to be the same style of omelette. Spinach, mushroom, onion and cheese. Yet, as she moves the eggs around; in the pan that's closer to me, with a spatula, that's when I notice that the contents include the stark, undeniable extra ingredient that would never have found its way into a meal meant for a living mortal. That ingredient of course being... BRAINS! Of the human variety, naturally.


She must have found my stash in the fridge and took it upon herself, to incorporate the brains in my breakfast. Hence the need for two different frying pans. My girlfriend is so awesome. That is... I think she's my girlfriend. I don't really know at this point. It hasn't been brought up or discussed. I sort of simply assume that's what her status is, based on the amount of time that we spend together and the fact that we're having sex. Not currently but generally speaking, we take part in the naked tango. On a fairly regular basis, I might add. She also tends to frequently spend the night and there's a growing collection of her belongings, beginning to accumulate within my apartment. All signs that indicate that this is far more than a "friends with benefits" situation and gravitates more towards the budding relationship ranking. Still... nothing's been said one way or another.


"There's coffee in the pot."


"Yaaasss!"


"And I made it the way you like it."


"With vanilla and nutmeg?"


"Is there another way that I don't know about?"


Frankie teases as we separate from each other. A parting of ways that sees her going on a mission to fetch a couple of plates from a nearby cabinet as I grab a cup from an overhead cupboard, before promptly attacking the coffee. Upon filling the cup with the steamy libation, I hold it up to my nose and breathe in deep. My lungs might not require oxygen but that doesn't mean I don't occasionally use them for other things. Like smelling delicious, dark roasted coffee, accented with vanilla and nutmeg. From there, I take a long swallow and cast my gaze over at Frankie, while she serves out the breakfast onto two plates.


"This is beyond incredible. I love you."


The words tumble forth before I realize what I was saying or have even the slightest, most remote chance at stopping them. Oh crap. I was just thinking about how we never gave a proper definition to us and here I go, blurting that out. Needless to say, I was mortified. Frozen in a moment where time seems to stand still and the air hangs heavy with expectation.


My eyes widen in fear... fear of what my unexpected, poorly timed and over-presumptuous statement might summon. It's not like I could take it back or pretend that it didn't happen. Oh it definitely happened, there's no use in denying that reality. Acting like I said something else entirely or that my words weren't directed towards her, most assuredly wasn't the way to go either. I was trapped. Cornered in this moment like a wild animal and there was nothing I could do about it.


Nothing except, tentatively bite my lip and brace for impact. Either that or play dead. Somehow instantly dropping to the floor and curling up like a newly deceased opossum, didn't seem like it would help me out here, during my dire hour of woe. On the other hand, it would definitely distract her from what I said... oh, who am I kidding that would never work. Even if there was a failsafe, risk free option, I sure as heck wasn't coming up with it. This should be painfully obvious by now and if it's not, may I refer you back to the "playing dead" scenario.


Frankie turns to me after setting the plates on the kitchen table and smiles. A smile that turns into a laugh, no doubt due to witnessing my expression.


"I love you too."


Deep sigh. Out of all the ways that could have gone, that was the best one and yet at the same time, also the most confusing. Walking over to the table, I take a seat and watch as Frankie does the same. I feel like I need to say something but I don't really know what exactly. Each and every time, I start to make an attempt, I fail. Yes, I am also aware of the irony here, a few moments ago, words tumbled outta my mouth without any control or hindrance, whatsoever. Now it's the extreme polar opposite from that.


"Hey, I want to ask you something but before I do, I want you to know it's totally cool if you say no. I mean I understand if you can't make it or don't want to do it."


Well that certainly saved me from what was sure to be an awkward and ill worded conversation.


"Okay. Shoot."


"I'm having dinner at my dad's place on Saturday, I wanted to know if you'd like to come? Nothing too major or fancy. Just us... that's if you agree to go with me... no pressure. Anyway, pending that acceptance... it would be us, my dad and my younger brother and sister."


How could I say no to that? One, she had to sit through dinner with my parents, not too long ago and that was sprung on her outta the clear blue. And two... we just said "I love you" to each other for the first time. Ever. Probably one of the worst, most uneventful ways possible. It still happened and means something significantly substantial. Despite it bridging a tremendous gap and surpassing the whole actual ascertaining a distinct clarification of our current status. It was significant.


"Sure, I'll go."


"Really?"


"Yeah, absolutely. I'll make sure to indulge in my daily brain requirement in the afternoon, so I can partake in a normal dinner like everyone else too."


"Awesome. Now my dad will see that you're real and know that I didn't make you up. In order to get him off my back and stop asking about my love life."


"You told your dad about me? What did you say?"


This was fishing in its finest. For what, I don't know. An interpretation of our standing or social position? Some value or validity, perhaps?


"That I'm seeing a guy named Zane, that works at a morgue and wrestles for the XWF. I left out the zombie part though. Not cause I'm ashamed, he just wouldn't have believed me."


"Yeah, I understand. No worries. I will happily feign being amongst the living for you. I mean, if I haven't come clean and told my own parents the truth, why would I expect any different from you... my... girlfriend."


Quickly, I shove a forkful of brains and eggs, into my mouth. Chewing meticulously slow as I avert my sights, off to the side I wait for her reaction. That's when I hear Frankie giggle and glance back to see her shaking her head.


"You really like having your definitions for things, don't you?"


"Maybe? They do tend to clear up confusions."


"Alright. Then I accept your description and confirm it. Shall I give word to the nearest notary so that this contractual agreement may become legal and binding?"


Another laugh ripples forth from her and as it does, I find myself softly snickering as well. Slightly dipping my head forward, I sink a bit in my chair and lower my focus to my plate.


"Give me a break this is the first time I did something like this."


"Did what?"


"Date someone. Legitimately and seriously."


"You means since becoming a zombie?"


"No. I mean ever. Pulse or no pulse. When I was in high school and still living at my parents house, there were girls that I hung out with and brought over but none that were specifically defined as my girlfriend or partner. Then when I moved out, that eventually manifested into..."


"Fucking with zero strings attached."


"Pretty much. After I became a zombie and relocated here... to Manhattan, things were altered even more drastically, since I basically took on a secluded and solitary existence. For the most part anyway."


"Interesting. Well, as a girl that has been in a few failed relationships, you didn't really miss much."


"A few failed relationships? Is that why you don't like labels or definitions for stuff?"


"Oh no, I've never been fond of those. Still that never stopped me from using them, per my partner's wishes, whenever I was in a committed relationship. Not anything too recently though cause aside from you, I haven't been in a relationship since..."


That's when something peculiar happens, Frankie's voice stops there, leaving her sentence hanging and unfinished. When I look her way, I can see that she wears nearly the same expression that I did several moments ago. She notices me and swiftly flashes a grin.


"Not since college. I haven't dated anyone since college."


It was an obvious cover-up but for what? I don't press the issue, instead I simply stuff another forkful of my breakfast into my mouth and chase it down with some coffee. However, that didn't stop me from wondering what Frankie was hiding, or why she was keeping it a secret from me? I didn't want to question or doubt her, I simply couldn't help it. There was undeniably something more to her story. Something that she was afraid to reveal to me. Even after everything that went down this morning. Which either meant that she didn't trust me or it was bad. Real bad.




"Peter Gilmour!"


"Next week Wednesday, you and I will meet in the ring on the upcoming edition of Warfare. We are slated to take part in an 'Extreme Rules' match. How exciting! This will be the stipulation for my forthcoming fight, coinciding right after I participated in a 'Last Man Standing' match. The powers that be must really enjoy testing a zombie's limits. Well that's alright, since I joined the XWF I've grown rather fond of hardcore matches. Fights that really make you earn that victory. That push you to the maximum capacity and beyond. All in the name of the conquest and vanquishment of your opponent. Too bad Peter Gilmour is alive. Fully susceptible to the zombie virus and death. Unable to withstand the lengths of torture and grueling torment that a zombie can not only endure but also power through and continue onward as it maintains absolute focus on its target. As I mentioned before, while I am far more advanced in the terms of zombies, I still maintain those same properties."


"I will not stop until I've utterly obliterated Gilmour. Till he's motionless in the center of that ring, laying in a pool of his own blood and human gore. No. That man will have to put a very permanent and lasting end to me, in order to stop my relentless pursuit of my target. He'll have to destroy my brain and forever silence the undead abomination known as Zane Norrison. Otherwise, if he doesn't accomplish that feat and put an end to my afterlife, he can pretty much expect to face an unyielding monster, set on destruction. His destruction. I will unleash an neverending, onslaught of agony upon him and do know what the best part is? I won't ever get tired. Or become weak. A mere perk of being a zombie. My stamina is endless. So Peter's got a lot to look forward to in the terms of his inevitable annihilation. Oh yes, he most certainly does. His suffering will be legendary. Even in hell."


"Who better to serve up such a punishment, then a full fledged, card carrying member of the living dead legion. Oh I can't wait to release this fury. To let loose and embrace my true inner demon. The freedom, it's unlike anything I've ever felt. It feel so... good. Y'know a zombie could get addicted to this sort of sensation. This type of reckless abandon. I do hope all my matches mirror this quality in the future. Ha! I say that like it matters. It doesn't matter, regardless of whether the powers that be allow it or not, I've decided to accept my monster and willingly allow it out to play. On a regular basis. After all, it's not like anyone will attempt to stop me. Not if they know what's good for them."

1x X-Treme Champ
1x Hart Champion
1x SOTM November 2018