Chapter 9 - Sam: Stalker

Someone's bugging Sam.

Almost a relationship. Well, we're exclusively dating but no definite label. Just dating. Dante is just a sweet guy. He walked me to classes that we weren't in together. Had lunch with me. Introduced me to his friends. He's very attentive too. Everything seems to be very normal for both of us. As if we've been in this road before. The classes ended just in time when Carl sent me a message. No game for me yet. But I have yet to workout because someone wanted to challenge me. 2 weeks from now.
"Did he say who it will be?" he asked.
"No. He was just saying the opponent doesn't want to reveal himself."
"Babe, just be very careful. I don't want you to get hurt." He murmured. Babe? I smiled. Pet names would be sweet. But isn't this too fast? But as I said earlier, nothing seemed fast for both of us. I think he can feel what I'm doing. My hesitation on everything. I can't tell him that I can't get hurt easily. I am parts species. I sighed. He smiled at me.
"You don't have to tell me now. Don't worry." He said as he kept driving. I smiled back at him. We reached the parking area across the Place. I went down without waiting for him but he picked up my bag from the trunk. Then he locked his car.
"Please, let me serve you to make up for all these times I wasn't with you." he pleaded as we walked towards the Place.
"What do you mean? We just met recently." I said.
"You know what I mean. I know you can feel what I am feeling. I feel we were together a long time ago. We just can't put a finger on it." he said as we were half way. I stopped walking. He looked at me.
"All right." Then I changed the subject. "No sweety sweet sweet inside the Place, BABE." I emphasized the word babe with a grin. He held me with one arm and placed a kiss on my cheek A little spark appeared as we continued to walk towards the gate. He finally let go of me as the gate slowly opened.
"Welcome to the Place, Mr. Fitzgerald." I introduced him to Carl and Carl took it from there. I went to the women's locker room and changed into my usual workout clothes. Every time I am far from him, the sensation is only measuring his distance from me. And right now, yes, it's looming over me. I went out of the locker room and headed to the gym. I saw him from the window. He's using the weights while Michel is monitoring him. I tried as much as possible not to work out near him. I would be at the other side of the room. An hour later, he went out of the gym, seeing this, I went to use the treadmill. I popped my headphones on and started running. I was closing my eyes as I focus on running. It felt as if I was running for 30 minutes when someone pressed his lips against my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw Dante leaning against the treadmill. Our chests are slowly starting to glow so I pulled back. I don't want other people see it. He smiled as he straightened.
"Aren't you done yet, miss?" he asked. Obviously teasing me.
"Not yet, sire. Besides, it was only 30 minutes run. I'm still not done." I replied. Still jogging.
He laughed. "You've been running for full hour already, my dear." he whispered. “You have to change clothes. You’re too sweaty, your top is starting to become see-through.” I checked on the mirror and saw that my cleavage was starting to show. I blushed. I excused myself and went to the locker room. As I was walking, I received a message on my mobile phone. It was someone I didn’t know.

You look great, Sam. But you won’t be after I’m done with you.

I looked around. Very much aware of the surroundings. I checked every person. Then I got another message. It was Carl.

Someone wants to play with you now. Already messaged Michel and Gary. -C

Still the mystery sender in my mind, I walked back to the gym. I bumped onto Dante. He immediately held me so I won’t bounce back or maybe it was for him since I am not totally controlling everything. I can easily send people flying with just one gentle sweep of my hand.
“What’s wrong, Samantha?” he asked. He looked at my face and immediately switched to protective mode. The sensation is now in different level. It’s really unexplainable.
“I just have a game.” I muttered. He held me by my shoulder and gently forced me to look into his eyes.
“You know our connection, Samantha. I need to know. The sensation is a lot different this time. And you look worried or something.” he said. He’s right. I know that he can feel everything.
“I’ll just tell you later. I have a game though. If you don’t want to watch, it’s fine.” I said. Seeing the worry on his face, I stood on my toes and give him a peck on his cheek. “Don’t worry.” I smiled. We both went back in the gym to meet with Michel and Gary.
“Your game will be against another advanced level, Sam.” Gary said as Michel is wrapping my hand with a bandage. Dante was just behind me.
“He’s a zombie, obviously and he’s somewhat here for revenge.” Michel added as he tucked the end of the bandage.
“Possibly a colleague of Leon?” I asked. I gave my other hand to Michel.
“Yes, it is possible.” Michel replied. Gary then checked my vitals first. Blood pressure, joints, and even asked me to crush a rock. I did. I am really not controlling everything.
“The game, as Carl said, is to the death. Make sure not to get yourself killed.” Gary said in a mild manner. Dante tensed behind me. I looked up at him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t get killed. I promise you.” I said to him. I smiled at him and looked back at Gary.
“You’re set. So let’s go.” The four of us walked out of the gym as I was fixing my hair and adjusting my still wet top. Dante stayed beside me as Michel and Gary walked in front of us. Before we entered the game hall, Michel faced Dante and gave him something.
“Immortals are not supposed to enter the gaming area. You can just go up to where Carl is.” Dante, obviously hesitant about it, looked at me then at Michel.
“It’s just the rules, dude. Either you’re out of the place or stay where we are asking you to stay.” Gary added. Then we heard Carl’s voice announcing my opponent. His name is Wraak. Dante sighed.
“Can I… just talk with Samantha alone? Just few seconds.” Michel and Gary shrugged their shoulders as they left us. Dante then held me close and kissed me on my forehead.
“Promise me you’ll be a victor in this game.” Dante murmured. He held my face as I looked up on him. I smiled at the tenderness.
“I promise.” I can feel the warmth spreading again. I know he’s really trying to control. “Tell you what, I’ll let you kiss me after my game. Deal?” He smiled at that.
“All right.” Then he kissed me again on my forehead and finally let me go. I walked towards the game hall entrance as he took the stairs to the announcer’s booth.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the belle of the Place, Samantha Wilkins!” Carl’s voice boomed as I enter the hall. Michel and Gary were just standing near the gaming platform. Carl is now telling everyone the mechanics of the game for tonight. Wraak is about 2 feet taller than Leon. Much bigger, more muscly. He’s bald though. He’s got a big scar from his right temple slashed through his face and onto his left jaw. His eyes are yellow. And his skin is almost grayish. Kind of the in between of a walker and a zombie. I checked his arms and neck and found a bite. Tsk. He’s just an hour away from being a walker. And that would be definitely dangerous if I got bitten. It would temporarily weaken me to the point of me getting back to my sickness days: almost vegetative state. Gary whispered in my ear I stood beside him.
“Let yourself loose. Kill this zombie. He wants your head. He has killed 50 of his species when he learned that Leon was defeated by you. As of now, he’s a fugitive. It’ll be a great thing for the zombie authorities if he’s annihilated.” I looked at him. Michel gave me thumbs up. I just shrugged my shoulders and jumped almost without an effort to get on the platform. Damn, I won’t be able to hide my abilities from Dante this time. I closed my eyes and breathed in. Blocking everything around me except from Wraak. He’s hurling curses at me. The bell sounded and as always, my opponent attacked first. But it was different. He was way faster than Leon. I almost flew off the platform when he reached me and slammed me with his fist. And he grabbed me by hair and hurled me upwards. I immediately manoeuvred and instead decided to attack him with a punch and a kick. It stunned him and let him fly off the platform. He shook himself as I straightened. My eyes are now fixed on him. Ready to kill. He flew again to give me a combo of a killing sweep and death grab. But I was able to dodge it. I am now aiming at his neck. Since he’s a lot bigger, I have to either snap his spine or crush his skull. Whatever the opportunity, I’ll do it. So we fought. He wanted to take a bite on me. But I escaped him. And with all my might, I tried to kick him at the back or kick a hole on his head. Few minutes later, he is starting to show signs of slowing down. I narrowly avoided one of his bites. It made me angry too. Feeling irritated, I sent him into coma by distracting him with my speed and landed a sharp kick combo on his nape. His spine snapped and he fell down. Eyes rolling backwards, he is clearly dead. But just to make sure, I stood on his head and stomped at the temple and created a gaping hole sending blood almost everywhere and coloured my white clothes red.
Carl announced that I was the winner. Everyone cheered as some zombie authorities pulled him out of the game hall and some of their high officials are congratulating me. I waved at everyone and immediately went towards Michel and Gary waiting for me at the entryway.
“That was fast.” Gary commented as we walked. He handed me a towel to wipe the sludge off my face and arms.
“And brutal” Michel added. I grinned but my mind was still occupied. Yeah, I admit, without control, I am definitely powerful. I even amazed myself while fighting. I even become irritated and bored when normally I would be silly and make it last longer. Michel and Gary were commenting on how I was able to finish the game. But the mystery texter is still bothering my mind. Thinking about it, my mobile phone buzzed and I checked it. Michel and Gary went ahead.

Nice game, Samantha. Don’t worry. I’ll come get you. And you’ll be dead for sure.

My blood boiled. I am terrified but at the same time angry. So angry that I had to punch the ground to release the energy building in my fist. I created a hole. That moment, Dante came downstairs and looked at me and glanced at the hole I made on the ground.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. He walked towards me very cautiously. I shook my head. “Come on, I know when something’s wrong. You have to tell me. The sensation is very disturbing.” he urged. He was about to touch my shoulder when a force was suddenly flowing from me accidentally sending him flying towards the wall. After that impact, it’s as if I got so weak, I fell on my knees, panting and was about to blackout.

Author's Note

Too fast?