Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Jim pulled at the flesh flaking off his face. It was itching like crazy. He knew he shouldn’t have let himself be talked into wearing so much make up and fake skin. Sure, he looked the part of a zombie, but he was completely uncomfortable and probably having some kind of allergic reaction besides.

The zombie contacts were killing his eyes, making them red. Which okay might be a nice effect for his costume, but he was miserable and his eyes were watering and making his make up run.

And don’t even get him started on the zombie wig. His head itched something awful and he’d began to wonder if it really was new and not used as the Halloween shop guy had claimed.

He had managed to secure himself a spot in the corner of the party, where he sipped lightly at a cocktail with a beating heart. Okay it was really just a cherry but that’s what the bartender had called the drink, the Beating Heart.

Jim was sorry he’d come. No one he’d been told would be there had shown up. The band, the Crimson Ghoulies, were pretty awful.

“Brainssssss.”

Jim rolled his eyes. Ever since he’d arrived partygoers had been coming up to him and yelling BRAINSSSS in his face. He was over it.

But when he glanced over at the latest one, it was someone else dressed in a zombie costume, fairly similar to his.

“Uh, yeah. Brains. Hungry for them.”

The other zombie stared blankly at him. He had his arms outstretched toward Jm.

“Brainsssss.”

“Yeah, brains. I get it. We’re both dressed like zombies.” Jim didn’t recognize the guy, but there were plenty of people at the party he didn’t know. He gestured with his thumb. “Bartender’s there in the back if you want to get a drink. I think he’s got one called Brains.”

The zombie guy continued to stand in front of Jim, his mouth hanging partway open. He smelled too, a bit like rotting flesh. Jim shivered.

“I think you’re taking the zombie thing a bit far, buddy.”

“Brainssss.”

“Beat it, dude. I’m not interested.”

And as Jim was about to turn away and ignore the guy, a hooded figure came up behind him and shoved what looked like a Vulcan weapon straight through the middle of the guy. He collapsed at Jim’s feet, his now oozing flesh beginning to steam.

“Holy crap, what—”

The guy lowered his hood and looked calmly at Jim. “He was indeed a zombie.”

“What?”

“I am Spock of Vulcan, a zombie slayer, if you will. Come with me.”

“Huh?”

Spock sighed. “This area of Earth is about to be overrun with zombies. I have a ship that will take us away from Earth while the zombie apocalypse takes place. You will be safe with me.’ He paused. “Or would you prefer to take your chances with him?”

Jim looked down at the now disintegrating creature. “Oh my God. That’s so gross.”

“Jim.”

He looked back up at the Vulcan. “You know my name?”

“I know everything about you. There is little time and you may wish to remove your costume. Come.”

“How’d you know I wasn’t a real zombie?” Jim asked, moving away from the corner where he was to follow Spock.

“As a slayer, I have the ability to distinguish them.”

“I still don’t understand—”

They got into the lift.

“Other than that guy, everyone else seemed normal.”

Spock nodded. “He is the start of it. Or is among those that are the beginning here in San Francisco. I would rather we leave and get you to safety before the city is overrun.”

“Me? Why?”

“You are…important to me. Once I have gotten you to safety, I will return to do my slayer duty.”

“But—”

The lift opened and Spock grabbed Jim’s arm and tugged him out and down a corridor.  At the end of that was a door and he pulled Jim through.

A ship waited there.

A man Jim thought he had seen before in Starfleet stood outside the doors of the ship.

“You got him, then?”

“Yes, Mr. Scott.”

The door of the ship opened, and a tall, slim, dark skinned woman emerged. She smiled. “Thank goodness, Spock. You got your T’hy’la?”

“Yes, Nyota.”

Jim was brought on board and there were others there too.

Spock pointed. “There is the refresher. You can go in there to clean up. A change of clothes awaits you.”

“Spock, who are these people?”

“My crew. Other zombie slayers. Go, Jim. We are about to leave.”

Shaking his head, confused and a little wasted from alcohol, Jim went into the refresher to shower and remove all evidence of the costume. He ripped at the horrible contacts first.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His heart pounded hard in his chest as he felt movement under his feet. The ship was taking off.

“Well, Jim, you wanted excitement and adventure. Guess you’re about to get it.”

He got in the shower, closed his eyes and let the water wash away the grime of the make up. But then he opened them quickly. If there were zombies out there, he’d better be on his guard.

After he was finished and dressed in the clothes left for him, Jim exited the refresher.

Spock waited for him. “Teach me,” Jim said. “I want to learn to be a zombie slayer.”  

What is this place?

Jim stood before the stone structure. It was many stories high and had a large arch opening here at the base of it.

The Beast of Vulcan.

He’d come here seeking adventure after being bored for weeks. His mother had brought him to this planet while she worked there in a lab. Jim had been on Vulcan for three years now and had finished his education, near the top of the class, quite a feat for a Human.

He was old enough, now, to leave on his own and seek his own path in life, which he intended to do, but his mother had asked him to stay just a bit longer, and Jim was bored.

And he’d heard about this place.

A place where a legendary beast was hidden within. Or so the stories went. Some didn’t believe it and most never bothered to go there. Some that had were chased away. None had ever managed to get to the top where it was said the beast lived.

 Jim intended to do just that. With his backpack of survival supplies at the ready, Jim headed toward the arch, determined.

In the middle of the first floor was an old stone staircase. Jim had been told that this was once a mighty fortress, pre-Surak times. Jim climbed it, being careful to watch for weak spots, yet there were none.

The second floor seemed to be a series of old empty rooms devoid of furniture or anything. It was hauntingly lonely, Jim thought.

This time the stars to the next floor were on the side, so Jim made his way to the third floor. So far he had seen nothing nor had he been attacked, but he could hear the faint sounds of movement above him, on another floor.

“The beast?” he whispered.

Of course there was no answer and Jim expected none.

The third floor was similar to the second except there was an ancient table in one room. He also noticed far more evidence of insect activity. He found the stairs and went to the fourth floor. The sounds above grew louder and somehow for ominous.

Jim thought he heard low growling as he moved from room to room but he couldn’t see anything. He was grateful for the flash light he’d brought with him as there were no openings or windows on this floor and he’d be in darkness otherwise.

He was about to put his foot on the stairs to the fifth floor, Jim thought there were two more floors after that for a total of seven, when a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Ahh!”

“Jim, it is me.”

Jim turned, heart in throat, to stare at Spock. “Damn it, you scared the crap out of me.”

Spock gave him a disapproving look. “I followed you, for I knew you could only be up to no good.”

“Well. Not always.”

“Yes, always. Jim, this place is not safe, please leave with me.”

“But there’s only three more floors until I reach the beast.”

“The beast is merely an illogical legend. It does not exist.”

“I heard growling,” Jim suggested.

“Likely your stomach for you failed to eat this morning.”

Jim sighed. “But, Spock…no one’s ever gotten to the top.”

“It is a broken down old dwelling that could crumble under your feet at any time. I would like us to make it to Starfleet Academy in one piece.”

Jim let his words sink in. “Wait. You’re coming with me? But I thought the Vulcan Science Academy—”

“I turned them down in favor of Starfleet.” Spock paused. “And you.”

Jim smiled and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend. “Now that’s most excellent news.”

“Leave this place, Jim. If it is adventure you seek, we will surely find it together in Starfleet.”

Jim looked at the stairs going up regretfully. “All right. But it might have been fun. Beauty and the Beast, you know?”

“I suppose you are the beauty.” Spock directed him toward all the exits.

“Duh, of course.”

“I can find no illogic in that statement. You are singularly attractive.”

When they reached the ground floor, Jim switched off his flashlight.

“I am relieved,” Spock admitted.

“You aren’t afraid of the beast legend, are you, Spock?”

“Not truly, no. But there are tales within my family that one of my father’s brothers came here and never returned.”

They stepped outside and Jim saw that Spock was quite relieved.

“You really were worried about me going up there, weren’t you?”

“It is logical to be cautious and concerned where one’s mate is involved, Jim.”

Jim smiled. “All right. Let’s go home then. I am hungry.”

And as Jim and Spock walked away from the Beast’s lair, on the seventh floor, looking down, the Beast roared.