Episode 8
Snape made it further up the stairs and threw the zombie onto the tarp, causing a stream of zombies to run out from under it. James and Sirius immediately had to start fighting again, pushing and kicking any zombie coming near them.
Frank, Alice, Lily and Remus were struggling to keep on holding on to the tarp, “Barty!” Remus yelled out. Barty and Evan both left the door to help them hold on to it.
The zombies were advancing towards James and Sirius, bumping into Snape along the way, making it so Snape had to fight some of them off too. The veins under Regulus’ right eye became more prominent again and his neck cracked.
Sirius backed into the wall as Snape jumped up onto the handrail, Sirius used his music stand to hit him over the head but he barely flinched. He just smiled at Sirius once again, tauntingly.
When Sirius tried to hit him again, Snape grabbed onto the music stand, blocking him and pulling him closer instead. He used his other hand to fist Sirius’ collar, “Give me your eye.” He growled, putting his hands on Sirius’ face.
Regulus came forward and choked Snape, grabbing him by the neck and pushing him backwards. Snape grabbed onto his hand, “What the fuck?” He strained.
“Why didn’t you die?” Regulus hissed, his entire right eye had gone bloodshot. He mustered up more strength before throwing Snape down onto the tarp. Sirius looked at Regulus in shock and he looked down at his own hand, surprised at the strength of it.
Remus ran and started twisting the doorknobs again, all of a sudden, an alarm began blaring and the rooftop doors were unlocked. “Guys!” He yelled, “The door’s open.” He threw open the door and everyone ran inside.
“One, two, three!” James counted, him and Sirius pushed the crowd of zombies down the stairs together, before running up the stairs and out the door.
“Look! A helicopter!” Frank yelled, a helicopter was near the edge of the rooftop, already hovering slightly above them. “Help!” He ran off towards it, waving his hands frantically.
Everyone followed after him, yelling as loudly as possible and waving their hands. However, the helicopter was too far away to hear them and so it flew away. Lily crouched down and bursted into tears from sheer exhaustion, Remus crouched down next to her, rubbing her back. Sirius ran in last and collapsed against the door, panting heavily. Regulus turned his head towards him, a second later a loud banging came from the other side. Sirius jumped up, looking at the door, another loud bang. Everyone else quieted down, turning to the door. It banged a few more times before it stopped, “He’s gone.” Regulus said.
“Holy fucking shit.” Barty swore.
James turned to Regulus, “Who’s gone?”
“Snape.” Regulus answered, “It’s his smell. I hear his breathing too.”
Alice groaned in frustration, “What the fuck is wrong with him. And that fucking helicopter! What do we do now?”
Lily took a deep breath, standing up again, “Let’s build a SOS sign.” She said softly, pointing at the small one that was on the ground, built by someone else. “A much bigger one.”
The group all somewhat nodded and muttered their agreement before separating to find pieces they would need. “What the hell,” Sirius muttered, going over to James, “What happened? I thought Snape fell from the fourth floor?”
“He did. I threw him.” James said.
Sirius frowned, “Then how did he survive?”
“Maybe he doesn’t die. Or maybe he dies and comes back to life.”
“He’s neither human nor zombie.” Sirius mumbled, “Do you remember that girl at the teacher’s office?”
James’ eyes widened in realisation. “She was weird too.”
“Snape’s like her, isn’t he?”
“I think so.” James nodded.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at James, “Maybe Regulus is the same.”
James frowned as he looked over to Regulus, he was sitting on a chair by the edge of the building, watching the group. “He’ll be fine.”
“You can’t guarantee what will happen.”
“There’s nothing we can guarantee right now. We don’t even know if we’ll live or die.” James smiled at him, jutting his chin towards the group, “Let’s go make the SOS sign.” He walked forward and pat Sirius’ shoulder as he passed him.
“James.” Sirius called out, turning around.
James turned around and faced him, “If Remus were like that, could you just dump him?” He said before walking away again.
Sirius frowned after him.
* * *
“It came and left, didn’t it? A helicopter.” Marlene said, looking at Dorcas, who nodded in return. “Maybe they’ve started the rescues, let’s get to the rooftop.”
“What if that’s the end of the rescue?” Dorcas asked, walking away.
Marlene followed after her, “But it only came once.”
“We don’t know whether or not it'll come back. I don’t think we should go to the roof.”
“If it comes back, will you take the blame? What are you going to do?” Marlene asked.
Dorcas shrugged, “Nothing.” She stopped in front of Pandora and Narcissa, Pandora had found a hand truck and laid cardboard over it for Narcissa, holding her up. “We can’t make it to the roof anyway. How can we carry her up there?”
Narcissa groaned, trying to sit up slightly, “Just leave me and go.” She said.
“Really?” Marlene asked.
“Yeah,” She nodded, “You should just go.”
Marlene deadpanned, “You mean it? You know me, don’t you? I’ll leave you.”
Narcissa hesitated.
“Should we?”
Narcissa looked down.
“Should we not?” Marlene asked again before rolling her eyes, “Don’t try and act tough.”
“I’m not going to die from this, will I?”
Marlene sighed, “Fuck, I don’t know.” She faced Dorcas, “We should at least put up a sign or something. How would anyone know we’re in here and save us? Doesn’t this building have a rooftop? Is there no way up there?”
Dorcas raised an eyebrow at her before looking at Pandora, who frowned in thought. “They’ll be able to see us up there.” Marlene added.
“Well, there is a ladder that leads to the roof-“ Pandora started.
“Right? There is! Where is it?” Marlene said excitedly, pointing at her.
“Outside.” Pandora answered, smiling.
Marlene smiled back widely, “Outside?”
Pandora nodded, “Outside.”
“Come here, you idiot.” Marlene muttered, picking up a stray arrow on the floor, running at Pandora. Pandora dropped the hand truck and Narcissa fell to the floor in a heap, “Outside, you said? Where all the zombies are?” Marlene called out, continuing to chase Pandora around the centre.
“Stay back!” Pandora yelled, running away.
Dorcas looks at Narcissa sprawled out on the floor and the retreating figures of Marlene and Pandora, exhaling a big sigh.
* * *
“This is way too big.” Frank said to Alice, trying to break apart a wooden desk.
Barty picked up a massive metal frame of a table, “How’s this?” He yelled, laughing.
“Put it down!” Lily yelled out.
Everyone was gathering long pieces of wood and anything brightly coloured, bringing them towards the middle of the rooftop. “Frank get up there and see how it looks.” James said.
Frank climbed up a small ladder onto the box vents, squinting down at the letters. “Well, the ‘O’ is a bit narrow.” He started. They continued to kick and move the pieces. “The ’S’ over there is a bit short.” After a bit, Frank climbed back down and stood away from the letters with Barty.
“Guys look at this!” Barty called out, waving them over, “We did a good job.” Everyone else walked over to them, standing in a line as they admired the big ‘SOS’ sign. “What does SOS mean anyway?” Barty asked aloud as the group scattered off again, squatting down in front of the sign.
“It’s a distress signal.” Lily answered, she was sitting on a chair, arms crossed. Remus sat on a chair near her and Alice stood next to him, leaning against the back of his chair.
“I know that. But what does it stand for?”
Remus frowned, “It doesn’t stand for anything. SOS is just SOS.”
“That makes no sense.”
“That’s just how it is. It has no meaning.”
Barty narrowed his eyes at him.
“Why’d you ask if you're not going to believe me?” Lily asked.
“I thought you’d know.” Barty said, standing up and putting his hands on his hips.
“I do know. Search it up, you'll see that I'm correct.”
“How can I? I haven’t got my phone.” Barty muttered.
Sirius walked over to them, “What’s wrong?”
Barty blinked at him, “I asked what SOS meant but they’re telling me it doesn’t have a meaning.” He glanced at Remus, “Just say you don’t know.” He muttered.
“I do know, it’s true.” Remus argued.
“It’s true.” Sirius agreed. Remus looked at him in surprise.
“It is?” Barty asked.
Sirius nodded, “Yeah, he’s right. Why don’t you believe him?”
Remus nodded at Barty and he glanced at the pair of them suspiciously, “Hey Regulus,” He called out, going over to him instead, “What does SOS mean?”
“This cunt.” Remus said, standing up.
Evan followed after Barty, smirking back at Remus. Regulus shook his head, “There’s no meaning?” They heard distantly.
“Let him be.” Sirius said, “Is it true?” He turned to look at Remus.
“What?”
“SOS doesn’t mean anything?” Sirius asked, “It’s not an acronym?”
Remus frowned at him, “You don’t believe me?”
“No.” Sirius smirked, turning around to walk off. Remus shoved him lightly before walking back over to Lily.
Lily laughed at Sirius who had nearly toppled over, “The sun’s about to set. Let’s start a fire.” Lily said, walking off. Barty and Evan carried over a stack of small pieces of wood and Lily handed Remus the stick she went to pick. She scattered small pieces of twig on top of a wooden board, “Spin this repeatedly quickly on top of it, once it catches smoke, blow on it.” She instructed the group.
Remus sat down and started spinning the stick between his palms. “The sun’s going to set before this works.” Evan mumbled. Everyone formed a small circle around the soon to be fire, other than Regulus who stood up behind them.
Remus sighed, “Next.” He said, dropping the stick and shuffling backwards. Frank swapped in, sitting where Remus was just sitting, Frank spun it extremely quickly, focusing.
“You’ll get tired, slow down.” Barty snorted.
Evan hit his arm, “The fire won’t start if he does it slowly.”
Barty frowned at him, before turning to Frank, “Do it faster. Come on. Faster. Twist is faster.” He barked. Frank glared at him before dropping the stick, holding his wrist in pain. “What’d you do?”
“I don’t know, I can’t do it.”
“Okay, step back, I’ll do it.” Barty said, shuffling into Frank’s spot. He grabbed the stick and held it upright, spinning it slowly, James, Evan and Frank next to him all stared at him incredulously.
“Should we kill him?” Evan asked Frank.
Frank raised an eyebrow at Barty, “Are you praying?” Remus snorted as Barty opened his eyes and looked at Frank.
“Stop praying. Rub the-“ Evan started, “Just get out.” He said, pushing Barty and grabbing the stick instead. Evan started spinning it quickly, “Oh stop, wait, is that smoke?” He asked excitedly.
“It is! It is!” Lily said, “Quick!”
There was a flurry of excitement from everyone as James quickly cupped the pile of small leaves and twigs and blew on it gently. “Is it catching on fire? James?” Sirius asked.
James groaned as the smoke went out, he looked up and shook his head. “It’ll do it, move.” He sat up and started spinning the stick.
Regulus exhaled, shaking his head at them. “Hey.” He called out softly, the group didn’t hear him, focused on the stick instead. “Hey.” He repeated, louder. Everyone turned their head to look up at him, he reached into his pocket and took out a lighter, “Use this.”
Sirius' eyes widened at the hand and Evan and Barty looked at each other in shock. James stared at him, confused. “I smoke.” Regulus said. James blinked at him, smiling faintly at Regulus, eyes lit up.
“You had that all along…” Evan mumbled.
Alice and Lily blinked at each other, having a silent conversation. “You don’t want it?” Regulus asked.
James immediately leaned forward, taking the lighter from Regulus’ hand, lighting the piece of wood on fire.
* * *
“Chin down. Extend your left arm. Don’t stick out your chest too much.” Dorcas instructed. Marlene nodded, she smirked as she held up the bow in the arm, pulling the string back.
She tucked her chin in, “Holy,” She muttered, “This is so damn sexy.” She made a kissy face, nodding as she posed with the bow in her hand. Dorcas deadpanned at her and Marlene frowned, putting the bow down. “What’s with the face?”
“Don’t bother if this is your mindset.” Dorcas said.
“Stop being cocky about shooting some stupid arrows.” Marlene muttered in reply, smiling as she put up the bow again. Dorcas tucked her hands into her pockets as Marlene shot an arrow, missing the target and hitting the white frame around it instead. She pouted, “Why did I miss?”
Dorcas raised her eyebrows, “Did you think it was easy?”
Marlene sighed, grabbing another arrow. “Anything is easier than studying.”
“You get into the top universities if you’re in the top one hundred.” Dorcas snapped, Marlene’s eyes widening at her, “But if we’re one hundredth in the country, we can’t go anywhere. We can’t make the national team, get into college or a corporate team. There’s nothing we can do.”
“Everyone knows you’ll make the national team.” Marlene said, putting the arrow into the bow and pulling the string back, “You’ll go to college just by shooting arrows so stop whining.”
Narcissa was napping on a chair behind them and Pandora had been reconstructing the stretcher, but she looked up as Marlene said that, frowning at her.
Marlene shot the second arrow and missed again, “Shit.” She mumbled. Dorcas looked down sadly, licking her lips. Marlene looked at her confused, before her face dropped slightly as she scanned Dorcas’ face. “Did you not?” She asked softly. “You didn’t make the national team? You can’t go to college?”
Dorcas walked off, going to sit on the chairs away from the rest of them. Marlene looked at Pandora, who shook her head sadly. “What about you?” She mouthed, asking Pandora. She shook her head again, looking away from Marlene quickly, waking Narcissa up to move her to the new and improved stretcher.
Marlene sighed, putting her bow and going to Dorcas, sitting down but leaving a chair space between them. “You won’t die if you don’t go to college.”
“I really like shooting arrows.” Dorcas said softly, staring straight ahead. Marlene looked over at her, “All I ever did was archery. I don’t know how to do anything else. As long as I can keep doing it, I don’t care whether I go to college or join a corporate team. But now, there’s nowhere for me to shoot arrows. I’m only 18, but there’s no hope.”
“If the zombies kill all the archers, you’ll automatically make the national team.”
“Stupid idiot,” Dorcas snorted, “You call that a consolation?”
“It’s hope!” Marlene grinned. “At least you have possibilities. It’s impossible for me to get into college even if I live. Those exams? Fuck it. My answers are always C or D.”
“Why C or D?”
Marlene looked over to Dorcas, “I pick C if I’m not sure and D if I’m clueless.” Dorcas watched Marlene, amused. “I swear it’s like I avoid all the right answers.” Marlene jumped up to her feet, “Alright, enough whining. Teach me how to shoot arrows. Even if I suck, it’s better than you shooting alone.” Marlene smiled at her, walking off.
Dorcas smiled slightly after her, “I don’t shoot arrows alone, I shoot with Pandora.” She mumbled. Marlene picked up her bow and turned around, pretending to shoot Dorcas with it. Her smile widened at her, laughing lightly.
* * *
The sun had completely set and the fire was burning brightly, everyone was sitting around it to keep warm. “So Barty,” Evan said slyly, “How was your audition?” He had his legs out across Barty’s crossed legs.
James was on the other side of Barty, with Sirius next to him. Remus sat a small distance away from him but still next to each other, with Lily leaning against him. Alice was next to her, then Frank. Regulus between him and Evan.
“Be quiet.” Barty hissed, peaking everyone else's interest.
“Oh, come on. You’re such a good singer, they should've picked you.”
James grinned, “You sing? Sing for us, Barty.”
“Forget it. I don’t want to sing.”
“I love that song, you know.” Remus said.
“How do you know what song it was?” Barty muttered.
Remus smirked at him, shrugging innocently.
“Go on Barty, it’ll cheer us up.” Lily said, smiling.
Barty rolled his eyes but Evan nudged him a few more times, so he sighed heavily before singing the first few lines of Soul Love by David Bowie. Evan joined in slowly, Regulus turning to him, confused. It wasn't long before everyone else was singing along, smiling at each other. Regulus stared directly into the fire, his eyes watery.
“It really is a good song.” Lily said softly, once the song was over.
“You said it sucked.” Remus argued.
Lily scoffed, “Well now that I’ve actually listened to it, I think it’s nice.”
“When did you start smoking?” Alice asked Regulus.
Regulus turned to her, “Since I was fourteen.” He answered, “I had no friends and no outlet to relieve stress.”
Everyone else looked over at him, “Did you ever need a friend?” Lily asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t tell.”
“You were always hiding behind a wall.” Remus said, “Wearing your headphones and not saying a word. I assumed it was cause you didn’t like us.”
Regulus glanced around at everyone, waiting expectantly. “I never disliked you guys. I just didn’t have any friends.”
“I thought you wouldn’t talk to us because you thought we were beneath you.” Alice admitted.
Frank frowned, “There were a few times when I wished you weren’t around.” Regulus blinked at him.
“I thought you were the closest. You’re the top two students at school.”
“That’s why I didn’t like him.” Frank sighed. “No matter how hard I tried, I was always second. But it’s okay, I think I was able to come in second thanks to Regulus.”
“Hey, second place is good too.” Barty said, “I can’t even come in twentieth in our class. Right?” He asked Evan, putting his hand out. Evan nodded, shaking his hand.
Lily laughed, “Don’t compare yourself to Frank.”
“I was just saying. Why are you always jumping down my throat at anything I say.” Barty teased, “Do you like me?”
Lily glared at him, “Screw you, Crouch.” James snorted, immediately looking at Regulus who made eye contact with him and smiled, James got up and went to sit next to him instead.
“I’m just going to put this out there so you don’t get hurt,” Barty said, “I like someone else, so don’t like me.”
“I don’t like you!” Lily cried. “I’m not interested in you whatsoever.” Remus laughed, raising his eyebrows at James, who helped Lily shove Barty in the arm.
Frank nodded at Barty, “Barty, who do you like?”
Barty smiled lightly, jutting his chin at Evan next to him. “Shut up.” Evan said. “No, you don’t.”
“Pandora’s constantly telling me how cute she thinks we would be together.” Barty argued, “I like you, Evan, and you like me. I know it.”
Evan looked away from him, rubbing his face with his hands. Sirius and Remus exchanged a knowing look before Remus quickly looked away.
“Pandora? From archery?” Alice asked.
“My sister.” Evan mumbled, “The traitor.”
Barty snorted, “She’s incredible, and she knows you better than anyone, other than me maybe. And even she says you definitely like me.”
“Fine, then I like you, just don’t talk to me.” Evan mumbled. Barty broke out into a grin and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Evan’s cheek, who quickly swatted him away. The rest of the group started laughing. “I really hope Pandora’s archery thing went well, I haven’t seen her since.” Evan said, changing the subject.
“What archery thing?” Remus asked.
“Try-outs for nationals.” Barty answered.
“Won’t she? I thought she was the best.”
“Her and Meadowes. Pandora’s been told she was an archery prodigy ever since she was a child. So my family’s only ever cared about whether or not she made it onto the national team. They gave me no attention.” Evan said.
“I give you attention. Don’t be sad, lover.” Barty teased.
Evan pushed his face backwards until Barty was lying on the floor, Barty bursted out into laughter, doing a sit-up to get back up. “Thank God I have Barty.” Evan snorted, he looked over to Regulus.
Regulus inhaled, they had silently started playing some sort of game where everyone was just sharing things they had never told anybody. He didn’t know when it began, but he did know he wanted it to end. “I don’t really have anything to say... I guess, I wouldn’t really know, but it feels like I have friends for the first time.” He smiled slightly at Remus who smiled back at him.
“Remus,” Sirius started, taking a deep breath, “and I... just want some water.” He said, his voice strained.
“Boring!” James teased. “Come on, be completely honest.”
Lily smirked, “Yeah, be completely honest. Do you like someone?”
Sirius’ eyes widened, before nodding hesitantly.
“You do?” Remus asked.
Frank and Alice both looked over to Lily who sat up a little straighter, smiling at them.
“Yeah.” Sirius answered.
Remus narrowed his eyes at him, “Well don’t keep everyone waiting.”
Sirius frowned at him before looking at everyone else who was leaning in, “Why don’t you share with the group who you like.” Sirius snapped.
“I like you.” Remus answered easily. James and Lily immediately looked at each other excitedly. Alice's eyes lit up as she looked over at Frank who smiled back at her, only Barty’s jaw dropped.
However, Sirius’ face dropped. “Stop it.” He looked around, “He’s just joking. He doesn’t mean it."
“You know I’m not joking.” Remus said. “I like you, Sirius. And I don’t know why you won’t accept it.” Sirius huffed, getting up and walking away to the edge of the rooftop, facing away from the group.
“Remus.” James called out, Remus looked at him. He jutted his chin towards Sirius, looking back at Remus and nodding at him. Remus sighed, but got up anyway, going over to Sirius.
Barty frowned at Evan, “Did you know?” He whispered.
“You have to be the only one who didn’t.” Evan deadpanned.
“What? Everyone knew?” Barty asked. Alice shook her head at him, rolling her eyes. “How is it that everyone knew?”
Remus hesitated, “Sirius.” He said softly. Sirius turned around to face him. “I’m sorry.” He said, though he wasn’t sure what he was apologising for. “I’m not asking for you to like me back, and I’ll stop bringing it up. It’s fine.”
“How can it be fine?” Sirius asked. “I don’t know how to do this, Remus. I’m sorry, we’ve just, been friends for so long and James, he-“
“James knows, Peter did too.” Remus tried, “But if you don’t like me, that’s fine. I-"
Remus’ stopped and eyes widened when he saw a hand on the ledge behind Sirius, Sirius frowned at him confused. "Remus, are you-" Snape pulled himself upwards and over the ledge, onto the rooftop.
Snape immediately put his hand on Sirius’ shoulder and shoved Remus onto the floor when he tried to grab him. Regulus stood up abruptly, scaring the group, they all looked over to where he was glaring and saw as Snape slammed Sirius to the floor, getting on top of him and desperately reaching for his face, Sirius pushed at his shoulders, trying to keep away.
“Sirius!” James yelled, jumping up and running to him.
“Give me your eye, asshole.” Snape muttered angrily, his hand was on Sirius’ closed eye, pressing into it.
Sirius screamed out in pain.