Page 13 of Invasion of Sorority Z

Like he knows that we’ve finished, Ch’ta jumps up, seating himself into my lap. His honey brown eyes bore into me with an adorable intensity.

“Hello cutie,” I coo, beginning to pet his soft brown fur. “Aren’t you just the most handsome little guy?”

Marrec seems to choke on air. “Hu-nims find pets attractive?” His face sowers at the thought.

“Um, ew no.” I gesture to the little guy in my hands. “Cute, adorable, handsome, those words can mean nice to look at. They don’t have to deal with romantic attraction all the time. Like babies are cute. Does that make sense?”

He nods thoughtfully. “I comprehend. Your words have many strange uses.”

I snort. “You’re telling me.” Giving Ch’ta more scratches, I start to grow tired again. “So, do you guys sleep?”

“Youguys?” he asks.

“Your kind,” I clarify. “People of Aprix?”

“We sleep,” he confirms. “Less than hu-nims, but we sleep. Are you needing rest?”

“I doubt I’ll be able to sleep with the sun coming up,” I admit, trying not to pout. “I haven’t been able to sleep much in my room. It’s not like it used to be.”

Just the idea of sleeping in an ideal location nearly makes me sigh. Picturing an air conditioned, quiet space with dim lights and the most comfortable bed I can imagine… Yeah, I’d do some unthinkable things to have my imagined room right about now. Heck, I’d have done unthinkable things for it months ago.

It’s bitter sweet, living like we have. We’re safer than any person I’ve ever seen in a zombie movie, book, or show, but there’s still a lot to complain about. Mostly, the struggle with peace of mind. We are so secluded that we hardly know anything about the state of the world. We worry a lot, and it’s a heavy toll on our mental health. There aren’t exactly therapists in an apocalyptic world to take the edge off either. There isn’t even any alcohol.

I mean, there was, but the girls and I polished off our three bottles of wine just a few days into the outbreak when we realized that two of our sisters wouldn’t be coming back. Jessica and Robin had gone to the salon the morning of the break out, and their rooms still sit untouched on the second floor. I didn’t know them terribly well, but I can’t think about them without my heart experiencing a strong ache.

It could have been any of us. Any of the five girls I’ve come to rely on in the past eight months. We were eight strong, and now were six… strong-ish.

“Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a proper night’s sleep,” I admit with a shrug. The kitty in my lap nuzzles into my chest, beginning to purr.

Marrec gives this a thought, a troubled look on his kind face. “You could sleep on our craft.” Pointing toward a lit hallway, he adds, “The sleeping chambers are all very modifiable. Temperature and light control are accessible. There is also a plant… It is helpful for soothing the mind.”

Jesus. It’s like he’s trying to make me fall in love and drool all over him. He’s offering me a private, quiet place to sleep and a plant that will let me experience what will be the best nap of the entire apocalypse. Someone with more pride would make an attempt to turn down the kind gesture. They’d say it’s too much. I am not that someone.

“Really?” I ask, unable to hide my eagerness. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“No, you may have my chamber.” Marrec looks far from put-off by the idea of me stealing his bed. “Ch’ta will likely nestle in with you, if you allow it.”

Andthe cat will snuggle me to sleep?Is it my freaking birthday?I will hit my head on solid concrete next if this kind of luck is going to continue.

“I would really appreciate that, thank you, Marrec.” Giving him a smile, I notice his eyes dilate. “Will your friends mind?”

He shakes his head no. “They will not. Terum and Rem are going to stay with your sisters for the day. The rest of us will be here to sleep for a few hours as well. I will take Rem’s room so that you may lock yourself into mine for the safety of your mind.”

Oh jeez. This guy is sweet as candy. “Is your bed real small?” He frowns and then looks down at himself questioningly. I giggle, understanding the confusion. “I know you’re huge, Marrec. I just mean, if your bed is big… we could share it? I don’t want to kick you out of your space. And I feel very safe with you close by. If your buddies are going to be on the ship too, I might sleep better knowing someone I trust is right next to me.”

“You trust me so greatly that you would sleep by my side?” He looks mystified by this. “Truly?”

My face feels warm. “Is that okay?”

Maybe it’s ridiculous to have full trust in a guy so big that he could snap my spine in two without raising his heart-rate, but I can’t help it. I have never felt so secure around a person in my life. And sure, he’s very clearly otherworldly, but what’s so damn special about humans? Nothing.

I’m not going to judge the guy for being an alien, or the fact that he eats zombies—gross—but humans eat some questionable things too. He’s been nothing but calm and gentle with me. I mean, he seriously looked like he might pop a blood vessel when he realized how fragile our heads are. Apparently, bullets can’t penetrate their skin, so I imagine they aren’t very easily hurt.

Yes, he’s huge, and yes, I know hardly a thing about him, but my heart says he’s a good guy. He just radiates so much protective energy, and for some reason, he doesn’t have a problem showering me with it.

So do I trust Marrec enough to share a bed with him? I really freaking do.

“It is an honor beyond measure. To feel the trust of a female. To offer her such comfort that she seeks your presence for protection.”

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