Anyway, I knocked on their apartment door, and he answered. He's a tall guy, a few years younger than me. Really pale and really quiet, although I guess I'm not one to judge.
Messenger: Hey, uh...Zombie, right? [He nodded, not saying anything] Um...not sure we've actually met before. I'm The Messenger. Poe's roommate. ...Don't know if you know Poe, either.
Zombie: I know her. How is she?
M: Uh...she's...she's doing okay. Been better, but I think she's doing better than she has been recently. Um...you mind if I come in for a bit? [He nodded and let me in] Uh...there's this thing I kind of like to do. It's, um...sort of an interview. I interviewed Muad'Dib the other day, and was wondering if you'd mind if I interviewed you.
Z: Why me?
M: Because.... [It was a good question, actually] I don't know. Why not? I've interviewed everyone who's agreed to it. Muad'Dib, Nee-chan, Poe...Caper....
Z: I see. I don't see why not then.
M...Thanks, I guess. So it's Zombie, right? What made you choose that name?
Z: I didn't. Muad'Dib did. My first name's Rob.
M: ...You let Muad'Dib choose your-- [My brain suddenly connected what exactly he just said] Rob. So Rob Zombie, then. And you just...were okay with this.
Z: I couldn't think of a nickname of my own. Zombie works well enough.
M: All right, well, um...how long have you been involved in all this, Zombie?
Z: Seven months two weeks five days. If you want specifics.
M: That's...not even as long as me. Huh. Expected longer. Anyway, how exactly did you get involved in the first place?
Z: It's complicated.
M: Uh...okay. Care to elaborate just a bit more, or are you just gonna leave it at that?
Z: I was studying to become a doctor. My roommate was... I don't remember. A film major maybe? A teacher assigned some homework and he started getting a little odd.
M: I...think I see where this is going. [He never elaborated or came back to it, but it was a Marble Hornets story, most likely.
Z: They recruited me. For my talents.
M: Okay, I guess that leads into my next question pretty well. What are your talents? What exactly is it you do?
Z: I like to think of myself as an interrogator.
M: Um...okay? Not quite sure I follow. What exactly do you mean by that?
Z: I'm a torturer.
[This...threw me for a bit, I'll admit. Caught my off guard. Pretty sure it showed on my face, and it took me a few seconds just to choke out the stupid response I did.]
M: ...Oh. [He just nodded once] That's, uh...oh.
Z: Do you have any more questions?
M: Um...against my better judgement, yes. Um...why, exactly?
Z: Why what?
M: Uh...why exactly do you do it? Torture? I mean, it's...it can't be easy. Unless it's fun for you, in which case, um....
Z: I don't really have a choice.
M: Can I ask why not?
[He'd been pretty calm and collected the entire time, not showing much emotion. As soon as I asked him that, though, he started looking really uncomfortable and anxious, like he was about to have some sort of breakdown. He looked down as he answered]
Z: They have my sister.
M: [After a few seconds, I put my hand on his shoulder as a...gesture of comfort or something along those lines] I know how you feel. I'm here instead of my brother.
Z: Not to try to be difficult, but you hack computers don't you? Hardly the same as causing others pain. This is not what I studied to do.
M: What...what did you study to do, exactly?
Z: A doctor. I mentioned that already. I was quite good. Or so I've been told.
M: So...I'm guessing that you've...got a lot of regrets, huh? Um...how do you deal with it?
Z: Muad'Dib helps. And I read a lot. Watch crime dramas. Take myself out of it as much as I can.
M: I guess it would help to have someone as optimistic as Muad'Dib around, yeah. [silence] So, um...anything else you'd like to share?
Z: [Just like that, he was calm and collected again] What do you need to know?
M: Um...the only thing I can think of is asking for more details on your job and I'm...not particularly eager to dive more in-depth into that.
Z: [He nodded] Is Poe still using the ointment I gave her?
M: Um...I...don't know. I haven't noticed one way or another, and this is the first I've heard about it. What sort of ointment?
Z: For her cuts. She really can't run the risk or them getting infected.
M: [It didn't click until I was transcribing my recording that I hadn't known Poe had any cuts.] Ah, right. Um...he...doesn't send her to you, does he? Screwtape?
Z: Those cuts are one of my specialties, though. And he doesn't leave the room like some of the others. He must be learning from me.
M: The room?
Z: My room. When I work. Most people find it uncomfortable. Screwtape always watches.
M: [My hands balled up into fists at this point. The bastard is...sick. Disturbing] Ah, right. Um...thanks. For the ointment and everything. I'll make sure she uses it. [he nodded] Well...thanks for talking with me. I appreciate it.
[He nodded again, and I excused myself from the room. Make of all that what you will.]
