Authors: K.A. Merikan
“Fuck!” With a sudden hiss Xavier grabbed Clint’s hand and dragged him to the side, desperately pushing the handle on a door that turned out to be open. They fell into the small storage room and Xavier closed the door quietly, leaving them in absolute darkness. The only sounds were those of their breaths. With Xavier silent, his body so close that Clint could feel his warmth in the small space, initial shock transformed into numbness. He heard every beat of his own heart, blood furiously pulsing in his temples.
“What are you–” he mumbled, but Xavier put his hand over Clint’s lips, forcing him into silence. With Xavier’s chest pressed to his back, Clint could feel how ferocious the man’s heartbeat was.
“Don’t say another word,” Xavier whispered, leaning into his ear. “If you get us into trouble I will say you were my accomplice and drag you down with me, you hear me? I can be very persuasive.”
Clint shivered, frozen in place. He couldn’t believe this. How could this man even get into this part of the building? Only authorized personnel and students had keys to the main entrance. Could it be Xavier had an accomplice within the university?
His breath became raspy at the thought of being accused of helping him. If it came to that, he would be permanently expelled and worse. True, there had been zombie body parts missing from time to time, but getting caught equaled facing severe criminal charges.
They heard steps from the corridor and one more time, the professor called out, but then he must have turned back and after a long moment, they no longer heard any more pacing. Xavier’s hand on his lips was shaking, and his chest heaving. Clint had no idea what this man was anymore or what to expect of him. Was he scared, excited or plain mad? Why would anyone need ten zombie heads?
He leaned back, his teeth clattering in the dark. “Why are you doing this?”
“I need those heads and I am
not
getting involved with the Johners, or with the mobs for that matter, to get them,” Xavier hissed, finally moving away. “Come on, let’s finish this.”
“No, you are robbing university students and scientists of necessary specimens,” Clint said in a weak voice. Why was this happening to
him
of all people?
There was a moment of silence that felt like forever, before Xavier finally spoke out again.
“Please Clint, help me. I will tell no one of your involvement. And I promise these heads won’t hurt a soul. It’s for my art manifesto sculpture. I sacrificed so much to get this far…”
“Excuse me, your what–?” Clint’s mind went blank . And since when were they on a first name basis?
*