(1)
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDnImq7FOD
She quietly got up and slid the patio door open. A cool breeze hit my face, as I looked at her dark hair fluttering.
Walking into the verandah, she let the dawnish sun paint an orange hue on her face. I followed as well.
“Ahhh!! It feels so good coming back here! Damn this was the best thing ever!”
I focused on the scenery in front of me. The abandoned houses and ragged roads against the light of the rising sun felt unreal.
Feels a long way from the dark alley where I was trying to save myself. I peeked at the injured arm. Doesn't pain anymore. Hasn't in a long while. So, have I finally accepted it?
My obvious fate?
I smiled and let the dawn breeze cool my face. I tell myself, yes. I have. I'm facing this fate head on. I have accepted what will be.
But somewhere, I know I don't. Somewhere I feel empty. I looked around. At her. Behind the shrine, onto in the orange sky.
Something I need to do.
But what?
Before time comes, I need to do…what? I-
The Loud CLANG and horrid scream suddenly jerked me back to reality. "Oh my God! There-" she pointed somewhat horrified. The gate that we had skipped over broke as a smoking zombie clashed into it, got its head bashed, and dropped dead into the flower bed.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI7EV3O1VP
(2)
“Where’s the spade?” I yelled in quiet excitement.
“What’s going on? What did your mind cook up now?"
She sprinted beside me as we ran to the garden.
“Well…I…I mean it’s kinda pointless though…” some self-depreciation escaped my mouth.
Pointless, is it?
Yes, in the grand scheme of things…definitely pointless.
After all, purpose is only reserved for the living, isn’t it? The rest of us- I and her, and the zombie corpse out in the garden lying still over the destroyed flower bed, and anyone else- we all are pointless. Everything we do, we say, we hope- all pointless.
Because our fate has already been decided. All can we do, purposefully, is to accept it. Accept this gently, and let go.
But no. I know it’s pointless. Like a thousand things in this pointless world. Like me and my rage. Rage against this injustice of fate. But I won’t give up.
Like that one poem you know! Umm…rage against the dying light….do not go into night…. wait…no…was it do not go gentle into the night…? Whatever! I aint just accepting fate’s injustice without fighting back, no matter how pointless it is.
The dawn breeze blew over my shoulders as I dug. And dug. And dug.
It was a shallow grave. I’m no macho man. But it will do. I dragged the zombie old man’s burnt body from the flower bed into the barrow.
“You made a grave?” She looked confused, “What came over you all of a sudden?”
“I just…” now that I had done it and the adrenaline went down…a bit of embarrassment came over me ~
“I just-! Umm…it’s not right you know!”
“What’s not…?”
“All of us are humans. Yes, this apocalypse has brought us down, turned our own against us. Made us lose our humanity. But still-!”
My voice choked. “Still, we are humans. And those who pass away do have the right to a dignified end! I know, it’s impossible, overly risky for anyone healthy, and utterly pointless, but…but that’s just us giving in to the apocalypse!
And I know, they aren’t wrong. It’s no one’s fault that the dead are dying again and again, rotting in roads and alleys. But if we can, and only we can- why should we give in to the apocalypse? To its inhumanity?
I know we aren’t humans biologically anymore, but we still can be humane in our deeds! That’s our rebellion against the apocalypse! Against fate!”
Tears felt down my eyes. I knew I should’ve felt embarrassed, but at this point I didn’t care. It’s pointless I know. But it’s the right thing to do. I don’t even have a day to live anymore, so why should I fret like the living?
“Rebellion against fate, eh?” she gave a sheepish smile, which made me blush. Maybe I still do have a tinge of embarrassment left in me, Afterall?
She walked over to me, and past me to the flowerbed. Kneeling down, she plucked a flower and walked back. “I don’t know much about rebellion and stuff…but ya you’re right.”
A lone tear escaped her eyes as she rubbed it away. “My mom always said that we are human by deeds, not birth. I always thought that was a bit preachy, but now…”
She put the flower onto the grave. “We may be dead already, but we won’t lose. Not to this cruel fate, never!”
She gave a wide smile, and for a moment I lost my words.
“I- um…hey!” But before I could say anything, she suddenly fell onto me. I somehow balanced myself and braced her, “Hey! What happened-” then I noticed, her forehead was burning.
Haa…she let out a sigh. “I think it’s time, isn’t it?”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKbrdSXllU
(3)
The halls seem to feel much colder, the steps much noisier. The head felt heavy. It’s coming, I feel a shiver in my insides as I walked her back to the altar room.
Its time.
We didn’t speak to each other the whole time, just sat in silence. As if we didn’t need to speak. Or didn’t have to.
The time passed, with each ticking of the dusty clock, as if whipping us one tick at a time. I stared at her as she observed the floor.
Its time. Its-
“FUCK IT! FUCK FUCK FUCK!”
I was baffled by the sudden outburst of slangs from her, as she stood up.
“I was so near to getting my degree and nothing could’ve stopped me…BUT HOW THE FUCK THIS BATSHIT ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE HAPPEN! OH MY FUCKING GOD…”
“Hey-!”
“FUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK IT ALLLLLLL!!”
She suddenly fell silent. Then with a hearty laugh sat back down. "Feels much much better to get the frustration out, doesn't it?"
I couldn't answer for a few seconds, then broke into laughter. "What was that? Outta nowhere...damn it feels good though"
Standing up, I ran towards the window too. "FUCK THIS STUPID WORLD! AND FUCK THIS ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!
FUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK IT ALLLLLLL!!!"
I giggled back at her. "You are right, this feels MUCH better!!"
We laughed out aloud together, so much that tears escaped our eyes.
"Damn these were some good hours" she smiled to herself, "when I first got bit, I didn't even think to live this through, much less coming back here. Thanks a lot umm..."
She looked at me odd. "Anything on my face?"
"Now that I think about it...what's your name again?"
"My name? Oh that’s-"
Then it hit me. As the light of the sun filled up the room, I looked back to the dark night, the store where we met, and through our journey here. We never asked a name for each other.
I laughed. Couldn't help it, this was too funny. We were so lost in each other that we forgot to ask for each other's names!?
I rubbed my eyes still laughing and said "Josh. My name is Josh"
"Josh huh? That's a nice name." She smirked.
"Wanna know my name, Joshy?"
And I already have a new nickname huh?
"Now that I have told you mine, isn't it only fair?"
She chuckled. "Riya. My name is Riya."
"Riya" I repeated, as if enchanted.
"What's with that blank expression? You don't like it?"
"Huh? No...no! I think it's a beautiful name!"
She smiled bashfully. "I love your name too, Joshy!"
"Joshy, eh? That’s a pretty good nickname...hehe"
I stepped forward. "Riya"
"Josh"
The names of some more soon to be nameless zombies, that's how the world sees us. Nameless, purposeless walking dead that we are. But...
"Riya"
But I remember the name. Keep it in my heart. Even if the world forgets, I do not. I would never. They may not even know it, but I would treasure the name in my heart. It may appear valueless to them...
"Josh"
"Riya"
But to me, now it's one of the most valuable treasures in the world.
We stand face to face. Her warm breath washes over me. I lock my eyes to hers. The distance is closing rapidly between us.
"Josh"
She repeats my name, then softly closes her eyes. I lean in, our lips almost touching...
THUD! I opened my eyes to see her fallen on the floor.
"Riya!"
She slightly opened her eyes, tears pouring on her cheeks. Her mouth trembled, as if to speak.
"Riya! I'm right here!" I held her hand and kneeled to put my ear against her face...
"Josh", she said in almost a voice what some may call 'serene', "it was great to know you. I'm really really thankful..."
Her eyes closed. Her hand that I held slowly started losing heat until it felt colder than ice.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkYCn6MiCS
(4)
"Hey this house is open!" Someone shouted in the background.
In terrible pain, I somehow opened my eyes. Though barely. There lies a body in front of the altar in centre of the room.
Still and dead.
What was her name again?
"Riya" a soft voice played in my head.
Yes. That's the name I promised to remember until the end.
"Someone even dug a grave!"
"Are we going inside, Ryan?"
Some footsteps were heard below.
"We need supplies. This house looks better than others"
People... people are here.
CRICK.
I move my attention to the corpse in the room. No longer still. It is trying to stand up. Movements are rigid, sounding like bones cracking within.
"Hey anyone here!!??" The shouts become louder. I hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
Her eyes are bloodshot red, mouth drooling.
I stand with the last of my strength, and lock the door from inside.
"Hey! Someone here, isn't it? We are humans! We are here to help!" The voice felt so familiar.
Whose it is again? I can't remember.
I let go of the door knob and slide down to the ground.
"Hey!" The knocking on the other side picks up the volume.
"Grrr" the walking corpse growls lightly with its drooling mouth.
I can't keep my eyes open anymore.
She's waiting. Who? I don't know.
But I know she's waiting. On the other side.
I let the last tear escape my eyes as the lights go out.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYJ4DGybnm
****
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rhZbJyXNI
and then Add to home screen.