"Riders Of The Apocalypse"
Part 2
by Osiris Brackhaus & Beryll
Starring Brad Pitt as Famine and Ewan McGregor as Pestilence
---
***NEWSFLASH***
...country that already suffers of an almost 40% HIV-positive population, South Africa has been crippled by the violent outbreak of a mutated string of the Avian Influenza, also known as the Hong Kong Bird Flu. Already forty people have died of the virus, but reported infections number several hundreds and figures are exploding according to local officials. Resistant to common antibiotics, this version of the Bird Flu is apparently lethal in most of the cases, and all flights to Southern Africa have been cancelled to enable at least a moderate chance of containing...
***NEWSFLASH***
-
New York, Upper Manhattan
Soft piano music pearled through the dimly lit restaurant, sparse candlelight scintillating in subtly elegant crystal glasses. Perfectly in line with the sober interior, most guests wore plain black outfits that probably could buy a small house each, and intelligently bored expressions to match.
Rarely had Pestilence ever entered such lofty places, but then again, he had never questioned Famine on his choice of location. And after all, this restaurant was probably the best there was close enough to his current place of 'employment'.
Things really hadn't changed during the course of time, the embodiment of disease thought to himself fondly as he drifted towards one of the waiters to ask which of the tables had been reserved for him and his colleague. Still it was so easy gaining the trust of bright humans if you only presented astoundingly profound knowledge of their field of work. And being the one who basically created the concept of 'infection', that was easy as stealing candy from a baby for him.
The scientists Pestilence had introduced himself to as 'Professor McGregor' had been just too eager to let him 'help', he thought with a malicious grin. They would be so surprised to realize that while trying to engineer a virus that would kill cancerous cells before they could multiply, they accidentally created a virus that would kill off any cell it didn't need for replication, thus effectively eradicating their race. Which, of course, would just be the point of his artistically crafted plan.
Pestilence really loved his work, and this final assignment would be the masterpiece of his glorious career.
It only took a few words to the waiter to find out where Famine was already waiting for him. Merely for the fun of it, Pestilence infected the young man with a rare strain of the good old Black Plague while tipping him for the assistance. Oldie but goldie, he thought.
The embodiment of starvation was sitting at a table for two, absent-mindedly staring into the ruby-red reflections of the candlelight in his glass of wine, a magazine at his side.
"So how's your week been?" Pestilence asked straightaway as he sat down opposite to his colleague. "Everything going as planned?"
Instead of an answer, Famine looked up and smiled. "Hi."
"You look... odd", the inventor of the Plague stated after having had a careful look at his companion. "You look so... healthy."
The incarnation of hunger smiled even wider. "So what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing's wrong." With a wave of his hand, Pestilence ordered himself a glass of wine as well. "But you seriously look as if you've put on some weight, and I'm not talking about the body you're presenting me right now."
"Maybe. What's your point?"
"We're not humans, we're cosmic principles." Politely, Pestilence halted their conversation while a waiter poured him his wine. As the man had left, he continued: "The likes of us don't just change. I'm just curious."
"I think you're too concerned with other people,... err...?"
"Ewan. Ewan McGregor."
"Okay. So, it's Ewan. I mean, that we don't evolve like humans doesn't mean we shouldn't, does it?"
Pestilence grinned and took a sip of his wine, appreciating the excellent quality. "But it means we need a specific reason to do so. And I just wonder what your reason is, Mister...?"
"Pitt. Brad Pitt."
"My, did they run out of syllables where you bought that name?"
"I like it. Indulge me."
Both Riders smiled widely at each other. They seriously liked their regular meetings, even if most of it was merely companionable bitching.
"So what's been making you change?" Pestilence nagged while sifting through the assorted starters on the table. "I'm just curious."
Famine smiled widely at his colleague. "That's none of your business."
"Is it?" Pestilence's notorious curiosity was fully awake. "How fascinating. For you to start having secrets from me."
"We all guard our little secrets. Or will you tell me what nefarious plot you're working on right now?"
"Oh, that's not what I mean. Or does your little secret have anything to do with your work?"
Famine pondered his answer long enough for Pestilence to pick out some tiny, tuna-filled tomatoes and a bit of salad and have a sip of his wine. Finally, his companion said:
"Yes."
"You've always been a terrible liar, 'Brad'." Pestilence grinned widely. Then he pointed at the magazine at his colleague's side. "Is that really a cooking magazine? You're not really planning to learn how to cook in your old age?"
"Why not?" Famine carefully picked some starters, then looked at his slightly annoying colleague. "So sue me. I like food. Comes with the job."
Pestilence's grin grew even wider, a glimmer of his slightly deranged brilliance showing in his eyes. "Yeah, but with the same job also comes the knowledge of how few days are left. So making plans for the future or even entertaining something private strikes me as exceedingly... well, not in line with our assignment. Death would have a fit if he knew."
Toasting at his friend, he gave Famine an 'Ain't I right?'-look, but his companion only looked back at him in thoughtful silence.
"But he doesn't know, and he won't." Famine seemed oddly uncomfortable, so very unlike his usual, composed self. "So how's your week been?"
"That was the least elegant change of subject I have ever seen," Pestilence remarked slightly disappointed. But he didn't want to press the matter further, at least not right now. "But my week was most satisfying, thanks for asking. Actually, it has been hilariously funny."
---
London, St. Anna Hospital
"Doctor? Doctor Bean!" The nurse's shrill voice easily managed to pierce the clamor that filled the St. Anna's Pediatric ward. "Doctor, your private cellphone!"
Sean turned around, waving a vaguely acknowledging gesture at the elderly nurse. Somehow, this just seemed to be one of those days where everything happened at once. "Can you pick it up for me? I'm coming!"
The nurse gave him a frown but then disappeared into her room without any further discussion. Wonder who is calling me on my phone, Sean thought while he tried to end his conversation with an overly worried mother as politely as possible. I hope the girls are all right.
So when he finally rushed into the ready room, the nurse was standing at her counter, giving him a sour look.
"It's a man", she pointed out as if it was a crime. "He says his name's Brad and he wouldn't mind waiting for the rest of the day..."
"Oh." With pleasant surprise, Sean picked up his phone, not quite able to suppress the happy glow he felt radiating from his face. But he would just ignore Sister Agatha's caustic looks, he told himself.
"Brad?", he asked, "Where are you?"
In her corner, Sister Agatha snorted derisively, probably in disgust at the telltale positive excitement in Sean's voice.
"I'm in London", the young man at the other end of the line replied mirthfully. "Just flew in and wondered if there was a certain doctor willing to spend the evening with me..."
"That's... great." Sean grinned in pleasant surprise. He hadn't really thought this gorgeous young man would ever call again. "I mean, sure! Cool."
"That's nice." Brad seemed as thrilled at the prospect as Sean, a fact that made him wonder once again if that youngster had missed some important part of Sean's looks or age. "Where and when?"
"I don't know, the girls are with their mother and I'm doing long hours at the hospital." Scratching his head, the pediatrician added: "Why don't you pick me up at the end of my shift? We could make plans then."
"Sounds perfect to me. What time?"
"Half past eight?" Sean felt his heart beating in his chest like it hadn't since... well, longer than he could remember.
"Sure. I'll pick you up." Brad hesitated a moment, then added: "Sean?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks. I'm really looking forward to this."
Once more, Sean blinked in flattered confusion. "Why, of course. I'm sure it'll be great."
"Great. See you at half past eight?"
"Yes."
"Bye, Sean!"
"Bye...." Slowly, the doctor closed his cellphone, stunned at the fact that Brad apparently was seriously fancying him. Of all people!
It was only by mere strength of will Sean managed not to do a little happy dance around the table, urgently aware of Sister Agatha's reproachful look.
"He sounded awfully young, Doctor Bean...", she pointed out acerbically, not making a real distinction if it was the 'he' or the 'young' that irked her more.
"Yes." Sean couldn't help but grin giddily at her reprimand. "He's perfect!" And acting on pure instinct, he walked over to the elderly nurse, grabbed her by her shoulders and kissed her.
"See you later, honey", he said to her with a wink, grinning at the completely stunned Sister Agatha as he walked out. "And watch out, some people say love's a disease. You might just catch it too, one day."
----
***NEWSFLASH***
... response to the alleged Chinese fleet in the northern Street of Taiwan. Japan has called the military movements a completely unnecessary antagonism towards western countries, with Japanese officials pointing out that despite the imperialistic motives of the US involvement in the current crisis, they would not let Taiwan be used as a lever in international warmongering. Urging all parties to remain open to negotiations, the UN declared in a....
***NEWSFLASH***
... like a civil war. Sparked by the unexpectedly violent
reactions of the Marseille police towards anti-globalization demonstrators,
the current unrest seems to be the final outbreak of a conflict that had been
festering for decades in the suburban regions of France's major cities.
Though not completely unexpected, the ferocity and scale of the crisis defies
all explanation. Whole blocks seem to be fighting in the streets with no sign
of a white flag any time soon, especially not as....
***NEWSFLASH***
... speak of a human tragedy unheard of in the history of mankind. Thousands of refugees trying to flee the Southern African countries struck by the mutated Avian Influenza are held at camps as the neighboring countries rigorously deny entry even to their own citizens. There are confirmed reports of the main post at the Mozambique / South African border having been literally overrun by hordes of fugitives despite the Mozambican order to shoot down any trespassers. Casualties of the incident are rumored to number well over six-hundred, though that figure pales to virtual insignificance compared to the exploding cases of Bird Flu fatalities in the last days.
Having gained a certain measure of control over the epidemic with the draconian stop of all air travel to and from Southern Africa, experts now warn of the realistic possibility that given its incredible resilience, the virus could travel airborne for hundreds of miles, thus spreading across....
***NEWSFLASH***
Doctor Bean heard his date arriving long before he could see him.
Shaking his head, Sean took his bag and stood up from the bench where he had been sitting. His mood wasn't as elated anymore, Sister Agatha and her constant glare had made sure of that. But still he looked tremendously forward to his second date with Brad. Even having a second date with that gorgeous man was more than he had ever dared think of, even a date in the very first place.
If only his date had chosen a less spectacular vehicle to pick him up, Sean was sure it would have saved him a lot of stupid remarks the next morning.
So, when Brad's small, ramshackle VW stopped in front of Sean with an ominous screech of its rasping engine, the pediatrician’s grin was somewhat pained. Sean just managed not to look over his shoulder to see who of the staff was now staring at his back.
"Hey dear", the doctor said when he sat down in the passenger seat. Despite his close-to-dying car, Brad looked splendid, his clothes looking as if he could afford a new car three times.
"Hey", the blond man replied surprisingly shy, smiling softly. Then, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on Sean's lips, just a little sign of affection.
With half the hospital watching, Sean would have loved to disappear instantly.
"I - Is everything ok?", Brad asked worried as he noted Sean's reluctance, but the doctor only shook his head.
"It's fine, perfectly fine." Sean gave him a smile and returned the kiss, this time much less chaste than the one Brad had given him. "At least now, there won't be any rumors tomorrow morning."
The 'food industrial' blinked without understanding, earning a soft laugh from Sean in return.
"Never mind. It's absolutely fine. But we should leave before people start thinking this is a rehearsed show."
Still not having a single clue what his friend was talking about, Brad started the engine and drove on, much to Sean's surprise without a single explosion or the exhaust pipe falling off.
"Wow. It feels very odd to say this, but your car sounds much better."
Brad snickered softly. "Maybe you're just getting used to it."
"Maybe." Watching his companion for a long moment, Sean added dreamily: "You look as stunning as ever."
"Huh?" Completely ignoring the traffic, Brad turned around and stare at his friend. "You really think?"
Now it was Sean's turn to gasp in astonishment. "Have you ever looked into a mirror lately? You could easily be working as a model, and you wonder that I think you attractive?"
"Oh." Incredible as it was, Brad seemed to be genuinely surprised. And flattered. "Why, thanks. I also think you are very... attractive."
"Watch the road!", Sean yelled suddenly as a parcel-laden man suddenly stepped onto the street.
But much to his surprise, Brad smoothly drove around the sudden obstacle without even so much as taking his eyes off Sean.
"Shouldn't - shouldn't you be watching the traffic a little more?", the doctor asked, staring over his shoulder at the equally stunned pedestrian.
"Oh, don't worry. The car knows the way pretty much by itself."
"Even the pedestrians?" Sean didn't sound convinced but didn't really want to dwell on the subject. "So tell me, where'd you come from this morning?"
"China", Brad replied, truthfully if not counting in his Manhattan dinner with Ewan.
"Didn't they close their borders?"
"Officially, they did", Brad replied with an unreadable expression, just adding a little more to the mystery surrounding the young man in Sean's eyes.
"Oh. Okay. Do they really have this terrible famine you hear of in the news? Is it really that bad?"
"It's worse", the blond man replied somewhat gloomily. "Much worse. Can we talk about something else, please?"
"Sure. Sorry, I didn't want to upset you." For a second, uneasy silence spread between the two of them, then Sean asked: "So what about tonight? Where are we going to get dinner?"
Brad shrugged. "Don't know. It's your town."
"Hmm... Traveling as much as you are, you've probably seen enough restaurants to last a lifetime." Once more, Sean eyed his friend warily, not really believing such a guy could be seriously interested in him. "What about we stop at a supermarket and go to my place?"
"You can cook?" Once again, Brad took his eyes off the road to stare at his companion in unveiled awe.
"Well, until now, nobody has died from my food", Sean laughed mirthfully. So having to run his own household did prove useful after all. "I could make us some lamb stir-fry, with green beans and red peppers, now how does that sound?"
"That sounds wonderful..." Brad seemed simply stunned by the prospect. "I'd love to be able to cook as well..."
"So, there's at least one thing I won't have to feel inferior to you, then." Sean laughed gently. This guy was just too cute to be true. "If you turn left at the next light, we'll get to a decent shop. And I'll try to get you enough food to make you happy."
"That might be quite a lot", Brad replied mirthfully, and Sean's heart jumped at his smile.
"I'm able to feed three teenage girls, so I think I'm up to the challenge." Tonight's premises looked better and better, Sean thought to himself, and there's no reason to expect any change in tendencies for a long time to come.
----
Laden with two plastic-bags full of groceries and fresh meat, Sean stepped out of the supermarket and looked for his date. Somehow, and hardly believable as it sounded, he had lost sight of Brad in the shop and was now hoping the young man would be waiting for him outside in the cool evening air.
With a certain relief, he spotted Brad's blond hair close to where they had parked his car, so Sean walked over, taking great care to not lose his precious a second time.
"So here you are", he said cordially as he approached Brad, "I was already wondering if I had lost you!"
"Oh I'm sorry! I just wanted to... I mean..." Smiling a bit awkwardly, Brad suddenly produced a long-stemmed red rose from behind his back. "Here. For you."
Stunned, Sean at first didn't really know how to react. Fumbling with his two bags, he took the offered flower, still wordless by this astoundingly obvious gesture.
"Oh my...", Sean mumbled. "That is very.... Thank you."
"I thought it was appropriate." Brad's grin had changed from insecure to boyish, not diminishing his devastating effect on Sean one bit. "Hope you like it."
"Like it?" Setting down the bags on the floor for lack of better options, Sean hugged him, placing a smacking kiss on Brad's cheek. "I love it. It's beautiful." Realizing that there was no florist in the vicinity of the parking lot he knew of, Sean added: "Where you got it from?"
"Huh? From the supermarket..."
"Didn't know they had such roses...." Sean tried hard to remember if there had been anything this splendid among that wilting array of lonely flowers in the supermarket. But probably, he had just overlooked the real stuff.
"Yeah." Brad seemed a bit embarrassed, though Sean couldn't really figure out why. "Must have been the only one."
"Probably." Apparently, odd things just tended to happen when your mind was filled to the brim with nothing but that gorgeous man you were dating.
Gods, I'm seriously dating a man, Sean thought as he watched Brad put the food into his car. Not that it was the first time for Sean to have a relationship with a man. But this time, he felt, it was real dating, that kind of overture to an relationship that just might end in marriage, a cozy little cottage and one-point-five-kids. Apart from certain obvious biological difficulties, that was, of course.
"And now you gonna make dinner?" Brad asked with a child's glowing anticipation as Sean entered the car.
"As soon as we're home, yes."
"Home..." There was something odd about the way Brad repeated the word, but Sean didn't ask. There were just too many things that were odd about this man, and hopefully more than enough nights that could be shared with old childhood memories.
But apart from feeling terribly surreal, tonight seemed to become a wonderful evening.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Osiris Brackhaus & Beryll
go to PART 3