October 30th, 1:08 AM
Never did Ace think his years of baseball would ever mean more than a fun conversation topic or hobby as he got older. His hobby was the thin layer separating him between life and death. Every time he got next to another walking corpse he took his bat and swung hard, at its head. Blood went flying, its skull cracked open, and a loud moan could be heard as it hit the ground and died for a final time.
At first, Ace thought that he was unable to teleport, but after several hours he could use his ability, but not very well. He was suspicious that the shining light he saw had something to do with it, but he had no proof.
Every time he tried to leave, it was as if something was internally blocking him. His head hurt, and he got a splitting headache. He couldn’t teleport more than a few yards away, and he was already exhausted as it was, walking around campus, trying to avoid the shuffling corpses making their way out and about.
It was as if one in the morning was the perfect time to go for a stroll, dead or not.
He hid inside a classroom, tired and trying not to doze off. His entire body was in agony, and he hadn’t slept in almost two days. He ate his trail mix and took two iron pills, hoping that it would make his ability back to its usual self, but he doubted it would work.
Ace tried not to doze off, but it was impossible. Every part of him was screaming I am at my limit. Invictus told him that it was okay to sleep, and that if something happened he would wake him, but Ace did not believe him.
The watch taunted him, saying that dying in one’s sleep was a fitting end for him.
Ace made the mistake of laying his head down on the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom and dozed off. He slept for two whole hours until screams woke him up. He looked through the window of the classroom door and tried to see what was happening.
It was too dark, and he was afraid to use his flashlight to call attention to himself. There were more screams, and then silence.
Should I have gone out? I can't fight all day and I can't save everyone.
You are weak, the watch hissed. You can’t even save yourself.
Ace had long tuned out his various insults and the watch kept going, trying to get any kind of attention from him, good or bad. Ace covered his eyes as a sudden bright light filled the hallway.
The smell of meat seeped through the door and Ace gripped the door handle, confused and hungry. On and off the lights blinked, and Ace simply sat down on the ground, trying to avoid going blind.
When all was dark, he slowly opened the door, lay on the floor, and peeked outside to see Gabriel. Gabriel had easily taken care of the monsters roaming the halls.
They were too slow and dumb, and he could hit them from far away. He had blood on his fine dress shoes and white dress shirt. He had gotten all dressed up for church to only ruin his only good set of clothes.
Why are these so stupid, Gabriel wondered. The ones at the church were much smarter. What’s going on here?
He jerked when he saw the door down the hall open. His eyes glowed yellow and he prepared for another fight.
"Don't shoot," Ace yelled.
The voice sounded slightly familiar to Gabriel but he couldn’t place it. Ace’s voice had slightly deepened, and Gabriel couldn’t tell who he was from far away. Hands glowing he approached Ace slowly, and his eyes went wide as he recognized him.
“You’re alive,” he trembled. “Are you dead? Dead like the others?”
Still laying on the ground Ace shook his head rapidly, not wanting to get cooked alive by a simple misunderstanding. Gabriel glared down at him, paranoid and tired.
“Prove to me you’re alive,” Gabriel barked. “Cut yourself!”
“What, no,” Ace yelled. “Why would I do that!?!”
“They don’t have blood like us,” Gabriel explained. “It’s like a nasty black tar that seeps out sometimes. The newer ones have normal blood, but the older ones don’t.”
“How long have you been out here to notice that?"
“Too long. Now cut yourself or else I will.”
Ace got out his swiss army knife and carefully pricked the back of his hand. Regular, red blood came forth, and Gabriel was slightly satisfied.
He could be a new one, but he’s been gone for months, Gabriel thought. Just be careful.
"Where have you been,” Gabriel asked. “You’ve been missing for forty days.”
“That’s great,” Ace said, relieved. “I thought it had been about two and a half years.”
He’s not well, Gabriel thought. Does he even know what day it is?
Gabriel cupped his hands and a little ball came forth, illuminating the room. He sat at one of the student desks and groaned.
“It’s been forty days, Ace,” he repeated. “Why do you look so different?”
“It’s been much longer for me. I missed you. I miss everyone, even Levi.”
Gabriel snickered. “Must have been bad if you miss him.”
Ace gave a weak smile and sighed.
“Have you seen my dad?”
“No, I haven’t seen Mr. Titanium,” Gabriel replied. “He’s been looking for you! Where have you been!?”
Ace didn’t want to answer, because he knew no one would believe him.
“I’ll tell you if we live through this,” Ace replied. “For now, let’s find my dad.”
“Why? It’s not that I don’t like him, it’s just that getting out of here seems more important right now.”
“You can’t leave either. No one can. We’re stuck in here with those things.”
He sat at the desk next to Gabriel, and he nodded. Suddenly he looked down and felt afraid of Gabriel. His heart beat faster and he reminded himself that there was nothing to be afraid of. He had known Gabriel for years. He still was irrationally scared of him, and couldn’t understand why.
