Part 26 — Message

Zap's phone buzzed, causing him to wake up at 5:00 in the morning. It was a voicemail from an unknown number. He inserted his earbuds and listened to it. It was a static and unrecognizable voice.

"FUCK YOU AND XIN FUCK BOTH OF YOU WE'LL COME FOR YOU SOON YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR ASSES BEFORE WE BEAT YOUR ASSES UP WE'RE COMING PREPARED NEXT TIME AND YOU WON'T BEAT US SO YOU BETTER PRAY THAT WE DON'T REACH YOU SOON—"

Zap quickly removed his earbuds. "Ah, shit! Did I lose my hearing?! What the fuck?!" Zap's yell caused Xin and Azyra to wake up. They rushed over to his room.

"Dude, what the hell is going on?!" Xin said.

"I'm already starting to regret being here..." Azyra muttered.

"Just listen to this." On maximum volume, Zap replayed the voicemail. When he finished, Azyra's pistol slid out of her sleeve and into her hand. "Now, I don't know which one it is," he said. "But I'm pretty sure it's one of those two."

"Well, let's—" Xin started.

"Hey. They might be out of the hospital by now. Grace sure would be. Blake? I don't know. It's been a while—6 months—so they might've been out any while now, and they could be anywhere. Being prepared could mean anything. Stronger, more ranged weapons, friends to fight with them—whatever it means, it can't be good."

"Well, fuck them," Xin said. "You know, when I got rid of my pistol, it doesn't mean that I got rid of it permanently—give me a second." She ran over to her room and came back with her pistol. "Azyra's going to fuck them up, and I'll be right by her, fucking them up and anyone they bring."

"Good to hear," Zap said. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to go out and buy something."