Grey meets Maya

I close the door behind me and take stock of the apartment. Unlike most of the places I've visited, it doesn't look like the occupant here left in a hurry. The living room is tidy, the kitchen looks well-supplied. Whoever lived here must have been away from home when the chaos hit. The implication of the fact that they never made it back is a little bit chilling.

Their loss is my gain, I guess. I walk toward the kitchen and pull my backpack off, ready to start rummaging for food. But...

Now wait a second.

The front door was open, wasn't it?

That means someone was here recently.

If it was an intruder, like me... why didn't they take anything?

If someone still lives here, why would they leave the door open?

Something isn't adding up.

Before I do any looting, I decide to get to the bottom of this. I walk back out into the living room and look around again. At the back of the apartment, just past a small dining area, is a hallway. I approach it cautiously, holding my bat at the ready.

The hallway separates three different rooms, two of which lie behind closed doors. At the end of the hallway is a door that's been left slightly ajar, and it looks like it leads to the master bedroom. I decide to check it out first.

I go up to the door and try to peer around it, but I can't see much. Just a bedside table.

Grey
Hello?

No response.

But there's someone in there.

I don't know how I can tell. I just can.

Living or dead? Or something in between?

Only one way to find out. I push the door open with the toe of my shoe and step in.

Inside the room, lying on the bed in the fetal position, is a woman in her late thirties. She's beautiful. Long, flowing purple hair. Turquoise eyes. A chocolate complexion. But these are secondary observations. Because nestled in her hand is a small black revolver, and she has it pointed at her temple.

Her eyes stare in my direction, but she doesn't notice me. Instead, she looks past me, through me, gazing off into the middle distance. As if viewing a different reality from me. Her mind is clearly somewhere else at the moment.

Grey
I--

As soon as I speak, her eyes snap back into focus. She sits bolt upright, pointing the revolver at me. The sudden threat takes me off guard, causing my instinct to take over -- I drop the bat, holding my hands up to show that I'm not hostile.

Grey
I-I'm sorry. I didn't know-- your front door, I mean-- it...

In a flat, monotone voice, the woman cuts me off.

Woman
Have you come to kill me for my sins?

She keeps the gun trained on me, waiting expectantly for my answer.

I've always heard that you can't reason with someone who has gone insane. But what choice do I have? I stumble out a response as best I can.

Grey
What? I didn't... I'm not here to hurt you. I was just-- I was looking for food. That's all... and I'll leave if you want. I won't bother you again.

The woman doesn't say anything. She just stares at me with a cold and deadened expression that I've never seen in another human being before. It scares the living hell out of me. Maybe even more than the gun does.

I briefly consider whether I can take a step back and slam the door closed before she can shoot me. But to do that, I'd have to leave my bat and backpack behind... then I'd have to make it out of the apartment and down the hall before she could catch up with me.

The odds certainly aren't in my favor.

As I stand there with my hands up, trying to mumble out more apologies and promises, begging her to let me go... her expression slowly softens. Her arm goes slack and finally she lets it fall to her side, setting the revolver down on the bed.

I breathe a sigh of relief, happy to be out of the crosshairs. As I lower my own arms, she tilts her head like a confused puppy, considering me for a moment. Then she smiles broadly.

Woman
Food, you said?

Grey
Yeah. I was-- look, I'm sorry. I'll just--

She stands up, the sudden movement causing me to jump back a little. Her intentions don't seem to be violent though. She holds her arms wide in a gesture of friendliness, and her tone becomes downright cheerful.

Woman
There's food here! Why don't you sit down at the dining room table and let me make you something?

A few seconds ago, this person was ready to kill me. Now she wants to make me lunch?

Grey
I really shouldn't--

The woman shushes me, holding up a single index finger and smiling again.

Woman
Oh, nonsense. A young man like you needs to eat as often as possible! Besides...

She rubs her elbow and averts her gaze, looking ashamed.

Woman
I think you kept me from doing something very silly just now. Consider this my way of showing you gratitude.

Murder-suicide is a little bit more than "silly." Don't you think, lady?

Woman
I think... how does bacon and eggs sound? Maybe some toast, too?

I feel like Adam being tempted to eat the forbidden fruit. Every fiber of my being tells me that staying here with this madwoman would be a horrible mistake... but I haven't eaten a proper meal in a long time... and, well... I DO love bacon.

Before I can betray myself by answering, my stomach does the job for me. It rumbles loud enough for the woman to hear it. She laughs, covering her mouth daintily.

Woman
See? You simply must stay and eat something. I can't in good conscience send you back out half-starving like that.

She steps past me, walking down the hallway, motioning for me to follow.

I cast a quick glance back at the bed. The revolver is still sitting there.

Satisfied that I'm no longer in immediate danger, I shrug, pick my bat back up, and follow her into the dining room. As long as she doesn't have that gun with her, I don't see the harm in staying. But I'll be keeping an eye on her... and if I see her heading back to the bedroom, or doing anything else suspicious... I'll be out of here as fast as possible.

In the dining room, she pulls a chair away from the small table there, beckoning for me to take a seat. I softly lean the bat against the table leg and sit down. As I do, I smile awkwardly up at her, unsure of what to say or how to carry myself.

Woman
I'll have you know that I'm an excellent cook. You won't be disappointed!

Even if I /was/ disappointed, I'm pretty sure I'd keep it to myself. Pissing her off is the last thing I want to do. My only goal is to eat quickly and get out of here.

The woman walks into the kitchen, but as soon as she does, she comes back out again, holding my backpack in her hands.

Oh great. A reminder that I came here to steal her shit.

Woman
This must be yours, right?

Grey
Uh... yeah. I was--

She hefts it in her hand, and then sets it down next to my bat.

Woman
Feels empty. Not much luck, huh?

I shrug, trying to keep the conversation as neutral as possible.

Grey
Guess not.

Woman
Then when you leave, you should definitely take some food with you as well. How does that sound?

I gawk at her, totally baffled. She smiles and blushes, waving a hand through the air as if to brush away my confusion.

Woman
Don't worry about it, okay? There's plenty here for me. This is the least I can do!

Grey
If you insist...

Woman
I do.

She winks at me and spins on her heels, heading back into the kitchen again. Like a child coming downstairs on Christmas morning. I've never seen someone so excited to cook a plate of eggs.

Once she's out of sight, I prop my elbows up on the tabletob and rub my eyes with the heel of my palms. In my mind, I try to replay the exact sequence of events that brought me to this table, but I keep coming up blank. I live in a city full of walking corpses, and this is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.

The woman pokes her head out of the kitchen and calls out.

Woman
How do you like your eggs? Scrambled? Fried? Poached? ... Something else?

Grey
Oh, uh... fried is good.

Grey
...

Grey
With runny yolks, too.

Making special requests? I think maybe I'm getting a little too comfortable with the situation.

The woman smiles warmly, clutching at her breast.

Woman
I should have guessed ... five fried eggs, coming up!

Grey
...Five?

But she's already disappeared back into the kitchen.

After a couple minutes of waiting, I hear a sizzle, and the smell of cooking bacon finds its way into the dining room. My mouth begins to water. In spite of my reservations, I can't help but feel a little bit excited too.

The woman starts singing to herself while she works. I can just picture her hopping around in the kitchen, keeping an eye on everything, timing it all just so, putting it all together with utmost care. Just for me.

I haven't been treated this well since--

The woman comes back out, carrying two plates. She sets them both in front of me. One is piled high with fried eggs -- five of them, just like she promised. On the other are three pieces of golden-brown toast, buttered to perfection, and what must have been at least half a package of bacon.

Grey
Wow.

She sits down in a chair next to me. I glance over and realize that she hasn't served herself anything.

Grey
Aren't you gonna have some too, uh...

I realize that I don't know her name yet. I trail off and the woman's eyes widen a little bit. She throws her hands up in the air, an exaggerated display of feigned shock.

Woman
Oh my! Where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself... I'm Maya.

She holds a hand out for me to shake. It takes me a few seconds to register this, but she waits patiently for me to return the gesture, grinning ear to ear all the while.

I reach out, a little hesitantly, and take her hand in mine, gripping it firmly. It's soft and warm and light and she doesn't grip me back at all.

Grey
Grey.

I let go and she folds her hands in her lap.

Maya
Grey... what a beautiful name.

Grey
I dunno. I always thought it was kind of... kind of grey, I guess.

Maya laughs, a fluttery little giggle that makes her eyes twinkle.

Once again, I can't help but notice -- even through the strangeness of the situation -- how shockingly beautiful this woman is. Her skin is perfectly toned. Her legs are long and slender. Her hips are just wide enough without being fat. Her facial features are sharp and angular without being manly. Her breasts are large... to say the least. Her body bears the perfect distribution of weight to all the right places. When she speaks, it's deep and textured, but undeniably feminine, ladylike. And in her gaze, there's something indefinable, a calculating hunger or barely-concealed animalism, the one and only crack in her wholesome facade.

She's like some ancient Egyptian sculpture come to life, or an oil painting given form, or, or...

Maya
Are you going to eat?

Grey
Yeah... sorry. But aren't you having some too?

Maya
Oh, no. I haven't been feeling very well lately. I can't... well, it doesn't matter. Please, just go ahead and eat... don't worry about me.

Grey
It's just... you made so much. I'm not sure I can eat all of this.

Maya
That's all right. Just do your best, okay?

I pick up the fork and set to work. Maya's eyes follow me the whole time.

The food is amazing. The eggs are just right, not burnt on the underside at all, fully done but with yolks that still run. The bacon is crisp and crumbly without being overcooked. Even the toast seems to be a cut above the typical fare... I never knew it was possible to make toast so well.

Maybe it's all just the hunger talking. Maybe it's because, in the back of my mind, I'm all too aware that this might be the last meal of eggs and bacon I ever get a chance to eat. Whatever the reason, though, this is one of the best meals I've ever had. I tear into it, eating so quickly that I'm practically inhaling it.

Maya holds the side of her face in one hand and watches me like a sports fan watching the championship game... or maybe more like a lioness watching her prey. The attention starts to make me a little uncomfortable.

Maya
So how old are you, Grey?

In between bites, I give a terse response.

Grey
21.

Maya
Ahh... did you turn 21 recently?

This time, I don't even bother to pause, answering through a full mouth.

Grey
Few momfs 'go.

Maya
I hope you didn't get into too much trouble!

I just shake my head no.

Maya
Do you work, Grey?

Grey
School.

Maya
Aha! I thought you might be from the campus. What are you majoring in?

I take a moment to look at her. She's still staring at me, waiting for me to respond. Is she just making small talk? Or does she genuinely want to know me?

I finish swallowing so that I can give her a real answer this time.

Grey
Mechanical engineering.

Maya nods, rapt, the tips of her fingers playing on her cheek.

Maya
What's it like? Do you learn how to work on cars? Things like that?

I chuckle a little bit. Usually that question annoys me, but from her it's actually kind of endearing.

Grey
It's not like being an auto mechanic... it's more about... the design of machinery. All kinds. I'm more interested in robotics, myself.

Maya
Wow... you must be really smart then, huh?

I'm not good at dealing with compliments, so I go back to eating my food.

Maya
How are your classes going? Are you doing well?

I /was/ doing well, I guess. But my academic record might as well be ancient history. I set my fork down and laugh a little bit, joking the question off.

Grey
Let's just say I haven't been to class in a little while.

Maya frowns and puts her hand on mine. She suddenly looks very serious.

Maya
Oh, Grey... you have to go class! Your studies are very important, you know!

I look her in the eye, trying to gauge whether she's just playing along with the joke. But she's definitely in earnest. I'm not sure how to break the news to her.

Grey
Maya... that was... I mean-- I'm pretty sure classes are cancelled right now.

Maya takes her hand from mine and leans back in her chair, the realization washing over her.

Maya
Oh... of course.

The exchange serves as a fresh reminder that Maya isn't quite all there. My interest in leaving as quickly as possible renews itself.

I go back to eating. Maya is quiet for a few minutes, looking a little embarrassed.

As I go to take another bite, I realize that there's nothing left. I can't believe it, but I've eaten everything she cooked for me.

Maya
See, I knew you could do it. They say a young man's stomach is bottomless. That's the truth!

I burp a little bit, feeling bloated. I don't know about other "young men" but my stomach certainly isn't bottomless, and now I'm starting to regret having eaten so much. In any case, though... it's time for me to go.

Grey
I really appreciate this, Maya. But I really should--

Maya
So were you doing well?

Grey
I'm sorry?

Maya
In school. Before all this awfulness began. Were you doing well?

I'd really rather not continue this conversation. Simply leaving would be rude though, especially after what she's just done for me. And she's not all bad… even if she is a little bit off-kilter. Besides, going around outside on a stomach like this would probably be dangerous. I wouldn't be as quick or agile as I need to be. So it wouldn't hurt to stay here for a couple minutes and end the conversation gracefully while I digest.

Grey
I was doing pretty good, yeah. I made the dean's list last semester.

Maya gives me a golf clap that somehow manages to not be patronizing.

Grey
You know, Maya... there's a church down the road from here...

I'm not sure why I'm about to do this. It isn't my place to invite her. And her very presence could be a danger to the others... there's no telling when she might snap. Maybe being around other people will help her, though. Whatever's wrong with her, I know the isolation certainly can't be helping.

Grey
There's a lot of people there. A police woman and everything. It's safe... and they'd welcome you with open arms if you wanted to go.

Maya
Is that where you live?

Grey
No. I still live in my old apartment by the college. But I've been visiting the church a lot, and it's a good place. I think you'd like it there.

Maya rubs my shoulder and smiles that radiant smile of hers.

Maya
I appreciate the offer, Grey. But I need some time to myself right now.

I decide to let the matter go at that, and use it as an opportunity to leave.

Grey
Well then, I should probably--

Maya
Oh! I nearly forgot!

Good lord, it's like she's purposely trying to keep me trapped here.

...Maybe that's exactly what she's doing.

Maya
You're going to take some food with you, right?

Grey
Oh... oh no, thank you, but no.

Maya
Please, you really should take something. There's way too much of it here for me to eat all by myself. The power's been off and on... and I just know if you don't take some, it'll end up going to waste.

I sigh. How can I turn down free food?

Maya hands me my backpack.

Maya
Go ahead and take whatever you like.

I stand up and wait for her to do the same, but she just sits there.

Grey
Aren't you going to come with me?

Maya
No, you go ahead.

Grey
You trust me that much? What if I took everything you had?

Maya
Oh, I wouldn't mind.

I stare at her. She smiles up at me, dead serious. I could rob her blind and she really wouldn't care at all. Hell, it would probably make her happy.

What is wrong with this woman?

{Take some food}
{Just go}

----

{Take some food} (Maya path +1)

Whatever. I'm not going to take very much anyway.

I head to the kitchen and root through the refrigerator. The selection is a little bit surprising. Deep-fried jalapeno poppers. An industrial-sized vat of mayonnaise that clearly gets used enough to justify its presence. At least ten cartons of leftover Chinese takeout, age indeterminate. Beer out the damn wazoo. A case of 24 jelly donuts. The vegetable crisper is full to bursting with ketchup and mustard packets from fast food restuarants. How Maya eats like this and maintains a figure like /that/ is utterly beyond me. {{NOTE: There's two ways to go here. That's one. The other is to have the fridge filled with hippie-dippie/organic/fair-trade health food type stuff. Remember this is Naomi's apartment -- how does Naomi eat?}}

I shrug it off and start loading some of it into my backpack. There really is a lot of food here, and I'm able to fill the main compartment of the backpack without really making a dent in Maya's reserves.

As I close the refrigerator door, I notice the pans that Maya used to cook with sitting in the sink. They're the only dishes in sight. Is Maya really tidy, or has she simply not eaten in awhile?

The question tumbles around with all the others filling my head. Maya has a charm to her that I can't deny, but the outbreak hasn't been good to her mental state.

I head back out, determined to leave for real this time.

Maya
Did you get everything you wanted?

Grey
Yeah. Thanks so much. But I really need--

{go to 1}

---

{Just go}

I'm not sure I feel comfortable taking her food like that. The invitation to root through her kitchen unattended is just a little too chummy for two total strangers like us. In any case, I really want to get out of here as soon as possible. I shake my head and throw my backpack over my shoulder.

Grey
I'm sorry, but I think I've eaten enough of your food already. And I really have to g--

{go to 1}

---

{1}

Maya
Do you know how to play gin? I could teach you.

Goddamn it.

Grey
I'm sorry, I just can't--

Maya
It's a really fun game, you know.

Grey
I have to--

Maya
Won't you stay awhile, Grey?

Her voice is as cheerful as ever, but now there's a note of pleading underneath that makes it pathetic. And though she still smiles, it's no longer genuine, her lips trembling at the edges.

Grey
I'm sorry. I just... I really should be going.

Maya
Do you have to?

I can't contain my mounting frustration anymore. The words come out with a clear edge of anger to them.

Grey
Yes, Maya, I have to. My girlfriend's waiting for me.

Maya winces like a scolded child, the smile dropping off her face. Her voice goes low and flat again, just like when we met.

Maya
I understand.

I suddenly feel ashamed for acting like this. Maya cooked for me. She gave me her food out of the kindness of her heart. Ultimately, she's nothing but a scared and lonely woman... and I'm an intruder in her house who doesn't even have the courtesy to stay for a card game.

But she held a gun on me.

Well. Maybe that's my fault.

Then again, she's a little crazy in other ways too.

And my girlfriend really is waiting for me.

I look at Maya again. She's sitting there in the chair, hands folded neatly in her lap, looking down at the ground.

She reminds me of an older version of Sara. The way she can't keep eye contact when she's sad. The way her breathing becomes odd and arrhythmic when she's trying not to cry.

The way she guilts me into making bad decisions.

Grey
Maybe some other time, yeah?

Maya looks up, a glint of hopefulness in her eyes.

Maya
Yes. Come back sometime and I can teach you how to play. Or we can play some other game... or I could just cook for you again. Whatever you like.

Grey
That sounds fun.

Maya
You're a very nice young man, Grey. I... I hope I see you again.

I'm not going to make any commitments. I decide to draw her attention away from whether I'll come back.

Grey
Well, you're a very nice young woman too, Maya.

She blushes hard and cups her cheeks in her hands to hide it. I can practically hear her heart rate go up from over here. It's adorable.

Maya
Young? Didn't anyone tell you it's wrong to lie?

Grey
No lies. You're prettier than most 20 year olds, you know.

She doesn't reply, obviously too taken aback to form the words. So I leave her there, smiling broadly and still blushing at the compliment.

I did mean it.

Maybe she will see me again.