4.1 Surprise

MAYHEM ON EARTH

Steve’s apartment was located at the edge of the city of Rencia—near the Walls. After a hard day of work at the lab studying the Blucteryhem with the rest of Dr. Lazzie’s team, Steve returned to his apartment. He could finally relax. There were many developments taking place. Lots of research meant equally as much workload, but it was worth it, knowing that it meant humanity was one day closer to finding out how to defeat their enemies.

A fatigued Steve opened his door and entered. He knocked on the wall to turn on the lights. Finally, some peace and-

“Surprise!” Drake and a few others sprang out from behind walls and furniture and shouted.

Steve nearly cursed and fell back a few steps, almost hitting the back of his head on the door frame. He fell down, grabbed his chest, and started hyperventilating. As soon as his brain processed that it was his friend Drake who had somehow secretly snuck into his home, he tried to slow down his breath and not panic.

Drake ran over on his crutches and asked him if he was fine, putting his hand on his back calmingly.

“I nearly had a heart attack!”

After a few seconds, he looked around. He recognized a few faces from work and realized he just embarrassed himself.

“Uh… Why are all these people here?” he asked Drake.

“Why do you think?” Drake smiled. “We came here to throw a surprise party for your birthday!”

It took a moment for it to click in Steve’s mind. “My birthday?”

“Yup. You told me before that it was today, so I gathered all your friends and we prepared this for you. We must stay cheerful and remember to have fun especially during times like these.”

Steve remembered. “Oh, right! It is my birthday! I was so busy with work, I forgot all about it.” He got up and walked into the living room where everyone was gathered. He noticed faces he’d never seen before. “You gathered all my friends, huh?”

Drake added guiltily, “Ah, well, about that. I decided to invite some of my friends also. It’s not often that we have this kind of gathering, after all.”

“Ahahaha!”

Steve turned to look at a fat, shabby-looking middle-aged man. He ran to Steve’s bed in his bedroom and jumped onto it with a bottle of alcohol and laughed heartily with a deep voice.

“Time to get this party started!” He held up the bottle. “Who wants to enjoy this here beautiful rum? Drake?”

Drake shook his head, turning down the offer.

“Oh, come on. It’s an Apocalypse. It don’t matter much. Oh, well. Help yourself.” He opened the bottle and started gulping it down.

“Some of your friends, huh?” Steve quoted. “Are you sure this isn’t just an excuse for you to get together with your friends?”

Drake looked insulted. “Of course not. I have your lab friends here also. And food. Especially food. We saved up our rations for a whole week for this.” He gestured his arm toward the dining room as if presenting to a king.

“Uh-huh. Well, I have been busy and stressed lately, so this is a nice break. I just wish you had told me beforehand. I don’t like surprises. You know me. I’m more of a timid, fainthearted fellow, unlike you.”

“Aww, don’t say that. I think you’re great for building up the courage to talk in Smummr the other day. And you have your own skills that are meaningful. Like your persuasion skill and understanding people’s minds.”

“Thanks. I’m glad I gave the speech, but I’m never doing that again. Also, how are you telling me you’re proud of me for that when you didn’t even listen to the speech?”

“Urk. Well… I listened to the beginning,” Drake put his hands up nervously and defensively, careful not to open any of his wounds with his movements. “Look. I’ll make it up to you for that and scaring you. I’ll tell you a secret.”

“A secret?!?” the fat man on Steve’s bed yelled excitedly. He came over to them. “Ooh! I’d like to hear it.”

“Uh… This is…?”

“The name’s Joseph Striker. But you can call me Joe. Hope you don’t mind me eavesdropping just now.”

“Come on, Joe. Please conduct yourself, at least in front of my friend,” Drake complained.

“Aw, come on, Drake. I’ve been working my butt off lately, and now I finally have a break. Let me enjoy it to the fullest. I ain’t causing no damage, physically, at least. I’m over with that.”

“Uh, so what do you do for work?” Steve asked.

“I work at the People’s Welfare department, and I’ve gotten pretty high up in the corporate ladder in a short period of time, might I add. My job is to raise morals through speeches, advertisements, creating welfare programs and other stuff.”

Steve could not imagine this man giving a good speech.

“While I have to say I’m pretty good at my job—just look at the numbers—it’s not quite the one I wanted. I originally wanted to join the Defense Militia and fight with Drake, here, but those sons of bi-… I mean, those idiots at the city Registry told me that, apparently, obese middle-aged criminals on parole ‘aren’t qualified’,” he made air quotes with his hands, “to join. Can you believe that?” he said grumpily as he took another sip from his expensive bottle.

Steve blinked. “I’m sorry, did he just say ‘criminal’?”

“Okay! Moving on,” Drake changed the topic, “Let me tell you two a secret.”

“Ooh. Yes!” An excited response from Joe. Steve was less interested.

By now, everyone else in the room was engaged in their own conversations or eating. Alarmingly, the food was half done already; there were some greedy individuals amidst the crowd who probably only came for the food. But that was to be expected; such people exist at every party.

“Alright. Let me tell you two my name,” Drake smiled secretively.

His name? Steve thought. He and Joe leaned in.

“See, the name you two know isn’t its full form,” Drake said quietly, “Drake is more of a nickname. My real name is,” a dramatic pause, “Draiknoli. Draiknoli Vandigg.”

“Huh?” Steve said. “That sounds weird.”

“I gotta agree,” Joe stated. “Never heard that name before. Where’s your family from?”

Drake tried to remember. “I think Eastern Europe.”

“Makes sense. Sounds Russian-y.”

“No,” Steve commented, “it sounds like the President named him.”

The three laughed.

* * *

After an enjoyable party, everyone parted and headed home. Drake was the last to leave, offering to clean up Steve’s house with him. Steve turned down the offer: Drake couldn’t help much with his injuries. Drake then left for his apartment feeling content with his handling of the party and enjoying the memories that were made. This had been a great opportunity for him and Steve to get to know each other, as well as all their other friends. It was different from talking at work.

It was now, after they had all gathered, that Drake realized how many friends he had. There were so many people dear to him. In fact, he had more friends now than before the Apocalypse, oddly. Drake remembered the feeling he had during the battle with the Gorilla—the feeling of fear of what would happen to his friends and family if the Mayhem continued its path. He had originally joined the Militia for revenge against Mayhems, but now, he was beginning to question his choice. He couldn’t just die fighting recklessly. There were people who cared about him—people that would miss him if he were to die. Not to mention, they were among people who depended on the Defense Militia for their survival: the whole of Rencia. Although he didn’t really care too much about Rencia, he still had to do his job properly, at least for his friends. And that meant staying alive and killing Mayhems.

Drake remembered his conversation with Doctor Poll on the rooftop and his conversations with his father. They had warned him to be careful in the Militia; they knew it was dangerous, even more so for someone possessed with revenge. He didn’t consider what they said. He realized now that should have.

If he wanted to get revenge and protect his friends, then he had to change his mindset. He had to focus on the result that is killing Mayhems rather than charging into battle without a second thought. He had already learned how to fight. Now, he had to learn how to win.