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When Rudo came rushing into the common area with Riyo following right behind, Zanka certainly didn’t expect what would come out of Rudo‘s mouth next.
„I found this videotape while searching for stuff I could use for fighting.“ Rudo had explained what he was currently waving in front of their faces.
Well, that seemed intriguing. Enjin was on board with the idea of watching the tape tonight. They hadn’t had a movie night in a while. Which was probably because it was hard to find movies on the ground; most of them were too damaged to even watch. That’s why everyone was really looking forward to their mystery movie.
That evening a whole bunch of cleaners found themselves in front of the old TV. They even had organized some popcorn. Claiming there couldn’t be a movie night without popcorn.
Rudo started the movie, and eerie music was blasting through the speakers, causing Zanka and a few others to flinch.
„Ohhh this is ‘bout to get interestin‘,“ Riyo, who currently sat beside Zanka on one of the couches, said, nudging Zanka. She knew that Zanka didn’t like horror stories. They had their fair share of sleepovers caused by that.
He almost decided to leave the couch and just go to bed early, but now it felt like a personal challenge. If he couldn’t deal with a simple horror movie, how could he call himself a proper cleaner?
However, a few others just stood up and actually left. And after the first scene started, Zanka really wished he would have done the same….
After a while, Zanka came to the conclusion this movie had way too many jumpscares. His poor heart couldn’t even calm down between them. He was currently covering his eyes but was still looking at the TV through the gaps between his fingers. Too intrigued to not look.
Don’t go in there. Don’t go in there. Don’t go-
„AHHHHH!“ Zanka and a few others screamed. Though his yell was probably the most high-pitched one, which made Riyo laugh. Or maybe she was laughing at the scene on the TV. Zanka really didn’t know anymore. The girl had a weird sense of humor for sure if that slaughter could make her laugh out loud.
Finally, the movie was over. Though, to Zanka’s horror, the worst thing possible was covering the TV screen in fancy lettering.
„Based on a true story.“ Enjin read out loud.
The others were clapping and then started eagerly talking about the movie a bit before deciding to call it a night. Zanka was following Riyo and Rudo in the hallway on their way to their rooms.
Before they parted ways, Riyo called over to Zanka.
„If you’re too scared, ya can come over to my room.“ Her tone was a bit less mocking now. Showing that she cared for Zanka after all.
„Thanks for the offer, but I’m 17 already. A little horror movie won’t make me stay up a whole night.“ Zanka dismissed her offer right away. Though, he didn’t sound that convinced himself.
When he was finally in his room, he let out a sigh. He couldn’t believe that a silly horror movie was still too much for him. Even Rudo was not that affected. And he was younger!
Luckily Team Child wasn’t around long enough since their bedtimes are pretty early, so Bro brought Dear and Guita to bed before joining the movie night. Zanka didn’t even want to imagine the two kids being okay with a horror movie, but they seemed to be the kind of kids that would enjoy them somehow.
Just as he was about to walk over to the light switch, he saw a weird silhouette. That’s when he started sprinting to said light switch.
Zanka let out a big sigh. It was only his coat on the chair and lovely Assistaff leaning against the chair.
He couldn’t believe that he got scared of his own vital instrument.
Zanka decided to get ready for bed right away. Not without leaving the big light on in his room. He was currently brushing his teeth in the little bathroom attached to his room when he heard a sound. It made him still for a bit. The blood was rushing too fast through his ears, so he couldn’t hear properly.
Just my imagination. He told himself, continuing his nightly routine.
Now the worst part was washing his face. Since he had to close his eyes for that part.
He did it quicker than normally to get it over with. Skipping half of his skin care routine. He could practically feel the shadow figures coming in.
When Zanka walked back out into his room, he decided to put on the fairy lights Riyo got him a few years ago. That way he would have some light source even without the big ceiling light. Since he might not be able to sleep because of the movie, he could at least try. And the big light would certainly hinder him.
He went over to grab lovely Assistaff to ease his nerves with his care routine for her. Polishing the wood and then putting new bandages on. Once he was finished, he looked her over. Zanka then decided to actually go to sleep now. Or, well. Try to sleep.
He decided to pull lovely Assistaff down with him on to the bed. Maybe it would help him sleep when she was close. Well, closer than normal. Since every night she was leaning against his bedside table.
Zanka had been tossing around for an hour or so before he drifted off to sleep. Every little sound was causing him to be fully awake again. So it was hard to fall asleep since there were lots of sounds on the ground at night. Like the city nearby was pretty lively even at night. Or the wind that howled around, taking some trash with it, which caused cluttering sounds to echo through the streets.
The next time Zanka opened his eyes, he wasn’t sure what time it was. He had actually managed to fall asleep at one point. Though he had no idea how long it lasted. What woke him up this time was once again another sound. However, it was way closer or it wouldn’t have woken him up. Zanka was a deep sleeper after all.
Zanka didn’t dare to sit up in his bed. He was currently facing the wall, and his back was turned to the window. All in all, not a great position. Though, maybe he should be glad. At least like this he could pretend to still sleep and try to tune out the sounds.
The sounds, however, didn’t seem to end anytime soon. The worst part was Zanka couldn’t even tell himself that it was the wind or something like that because there was no plausible explanation for the scratchy sounds coming from outside.
Then his choker on the bedside table made a static sound showing a call was incoming.
„I can see youu.“ Came an oddly familiar voice from the choker. Though, Zanka was too out of it to think straight, so he didn’t put two and two together.
„Man, Zan-Zan, pleaseee open the window.“ The same voice was heard. More whiny than intimidating this time. The nickname actually got Zanka to turn around.
He let out a relieved sigh at the sight of Jabber at his window. Which wasn’t a good sign at all considering Jabber was a Raider. Though that was way better than what Zanka had imagined would be at his window.
He quickly went over to let the other boy in. Jabber was shivering. Zanka wasn’t surprised by that after the cold breeze came inside too.
„Man, it’s freezing out there, and you ignore me, Zan-Zan. Sooo mean.“ Jabber complained with a pout on his face. Already on his way over to the cleaners bed, making himself comfortable.
„Why’s the lovely lady in your bed?“ Jabber asked.
Zanka’s ears reddened at that comment because he felt a bit embarrassed about the cause. He just hoped Jabber wouldn’t notice it in the dark.
And luck was on Zanka’s side for once because the other one dropped the topic. Tugging lovely Assistaff under the blanket as well. Zanka had to huff out a laugh at that sight. It looked too domestic for Jabber. He then went over too and lay down between Lovely and Jabber.
Jabber had come over pretty regularly, but it was the first time Zanka was really glad about the visit. Somehow having Jabber there beside him eased his mind even more. The other boy was yapping Zanka’s ears off about some ’cool mission‘ he had that day. And the sound of Jabber’s voice in combination with lovely Assistaff beside him was doing wonders in forgetting about the happenings from the horror movie from before.
Jabber pulled him closer. “To warm him up,“ he had said before continuing his story. Zanka must have been pretty tired because he fell asleep in the matter of a few seconds. Jabber following his example quickly after.
The next day during breakfast Zanka got to know that Riyo and Rudo actually had to sleep over in Enjin‘s room because they had heard “weird scratchy“ noises. As Rudo described them, much to Zanka’s amusement. He even had to stifle a giggle.