Jazz looks at me and smiles.
“Love the red hair, girlfriend,” Jazz whispers.
Jazz starts to struggle with his breathing. Jazz stops breathing and dies. He does not move. We surround Jazz. We wait for him to turn. Masterson turns to me. He hands me his knife.
“I want you to prove yourself. I want you to do it. Do it. Do it now. May the Lord give you courage,” he says.
Jazz starts to twitch, rises, and hisses while raising his arms. I try not to giggle. Everyone backs away. I get the attention of the zombified Jazz. I raise my arm with the knife ready, and I bury the knife in his brain. Everyone seems proud of me.
“I knew you had it in you. We lost a lot of people today," Masterson says.
“So much for peace since it looks like everywhere I go is not safe. I knew this place was not for me,” I say.
“I’m sorry we could not keep Luther safe. We do our best. This is the way it is in the new world. Try to have faith.”
“There are not many people left here. What now?” I ask.
“We will board up the entrance. Sheila will escort you back to your home. Don’t worry. Tomorrow is a fresh start. You should get some sleep.”
Sheila escorts me back home. We walk down the bloody street.
“A little girl like you should be escorted all the time. You look so vulnerable. I don’t think you can take care of yourself in this world. You need someone to guard your little ass,” she says.
“I can handle myself because I’ve come a long way. You underestimate me. You would be surprised at what I’m capable of,” I say.
“I’ve seen it all before. I've seen that little girl who can’t hold her own against the dead. They run, scream, and then they give up and die. I just don’t think you have what it takes to survive. I’m surprised you haven’t opted out.”
“I’m one in a million. I’m still here. That’s all I have to say.”
“Don’t worry about it because I can toughen you up, and I will show you how to fight. Things will get better for you. Trust me, Killborn.”
We finally reach my house; I open the front door, and Sheila invites herself inside.
“Make yourself at home, Sheila. Have a seat. Can I get you anything?”
Sheila sits on the couch in the living room.
“I’m good, thanks. I just thought we could get to know each other better. I figure you’re the new girl around here.”
I join Sheila on the couch.
“How do you like it here so far?” Sheila asks.
“Things are getting interesting. I’m starting to realize that it doesn’t matter where I go, that nowhere is safe. Where did you come from, Sheila?”
“I came from the city. I was a personal trainer as you might have noticed my physique. I had a partner, who was killed by the walking corpses, and I watched it happen, but there was nothing I could do about it. She was beautiful. She had long golden hair, pretty blue eyes, a sweet smile, full lips, and a voluptuous body. She was the sweetest person in the world. She was polite and generous. I’m sorry, Killborn. I seem to be going on about someone you didn’t even know.”
“No, don’t be sorry. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I think everyone has lost someone since the world transformed.”
“It was the strangest thing when I watched her die. I never cried, and I didn’t even shed a tear. I watched her die, get eaten by the dead, and I felt nothing, even though I loved her so much. I still haven’t shed a tear for her. I don’t know why, but I think it could have been the steroids that I used while I was in training. I think it might have something to do with it. I’m just guessing. I truly loved her, and I became attracted to women after my abusive relationship with my boyfriend ended. My boyfriend physically and mentally abused me for years. When it was over, I had to seek medical attention. I had a psychiatrist. I was on strong antidepressants. I was a mess, but I finally found Jesus, and I started reading the Bible. I started taking care of my body and became a personal trainer. I became interested in women, and I never looked back.”
“There is nothing wrong with being a lesbian. I have to admit that your life story is a lot more interesting than mine is. I’m happy that you found a way out of your troubled life. I think that I’ve found a way out of mine. I would tell you about it, but I know that you wouldn’t understand.”
“I’m sorry I seemed a little rough on you before. If you want true happiness in life, you always have to go where your heart is. You seem like a good person, Killborn. All of us women have to stick together. There are a lot of great quotes from the Bible. It was nice to sit down for a bit and talk to you. I should get going. I have to get back. I have to make sure things are secure.”
We stand up. Sheila is on her way out.
“I enjoyed our time together. You’re a decent person. We should do this again sometime. We can do it at your place next time.”
“Thanks. It will be my place for sure. I have a nice place. I enjoyed this conversation, Killborn. This could be the beginning of a sweet friendship. Friendships don’t last long these days. We should get together soon.”
Suddenly, we hear a noise.
“You must have heard that,” Sheila says.
“This house has a lot of animals running around,” I say.
“You can never be too careful. There might be an intruder or one of the dead here,” Sheila whispers.
Sheila slowly makes her way to the kitchen. I follow her. The noise came from the basement, but she doesn’t seem to know for sure. Sheila slowly turns to walk to the basement door. She looks at me and turns the door handle. She quickly opens the door, and Norman storms—out of the door! Norman grabs—Sheila by the head with both hands. He lifts her off the floor, opens his mouth wide open, and sinks his mouth onto Sheila’s mouth. I can hear a grinding sound as he tears Sheila’s mouth and tongue off. Her jaw is disfigured from Norman’s bite. Sheila sounds like she is choking as he continues to eat Sheila’s face off. Her body convulses as Norman continues to hold her up with her feet off the floor. Norman drops Sheila, takes his hands and sinks his thumbs into her eye sockets. Norman slams Sheila’s head on the floor continuously and manages to crack her skull open. He tears Sheila’s skull apart. I can hear the skull crackle and crunch as Norman separates the pieces. Sheila’s brain is visible, and Norman sinks his teeth into Sheila’s brain. I vomit on the floor as he continues to take bites out of Sheila’s brain, and I can hear Norman chew his way into Sheila’s brain.
He seems to enjoy the brain, and it must be a delicacy for Norman. It might just make Norman more intelligent. He starts to eat her insides as he tears out her intestines. He chews away at the intestines as if they are sausages. He tears out the liver, swallows it, and he seems to love eating liver. Norman pulls out the heart and sinks his teeth into the heart as blood drips down Norman’s mouth. He devours the heart and continues to eat up her stomach.
Norman chews up her muscular thighs like corn on the cob. He takes bites out of her neck and almost decapitates Sheila. He takes his time to enjoy every bite. Norman stands up since he is finished with her. He ripped Sheila up nicely. I drag what is left of Sheila and throw Sheila’s body parts down the basement. It’s time to get some rest, and I think it’s time to make my exit from Luther, but I will deal with it tomorrow since it has been a long night. I get comfortable on the couch.
Morning is finally here, and I’m ready to go. This place is not what I thought it would be. I walk out the door, and there are very few people left alive in Luther. They are burning the dead as I walk down the street looking for Masterson. I see that the front gates of Luther are being fortified. I randomly ask people where I can find Masterson, and a resident of Luther tells me that he is in his church, so I walk to the church and open the door to find Masterson standing on the altar.
“We will prevail. Don’t let the attack intimidate you because we will continue to grow,” he says.
“I just came to let you know that I want to leave, Masterson. T
his place is not safe, and I don’t believe in any of the crap you preach.”
“The Lord said to be nice to your brother and sister. The Lord said you shall not kill, cheat, or disrespect others. Those who eat the forbidden fruit will be punished. Those who betray their leaders will never be free. We shall love our neighbor; we shall not judge, and we shall not break laws that are given to us.”
“Did the Lord actually say that? I’m not familiar with the Bible. I’m not religious at all.”
“The Lord said something similar. It could be that some words were changed around. It’s the thought that counts. We will not judge thy neighbor. I love religion. I have a passion for it.”
“I want to thank you for letting me stay here. I appreciate it. I should move on with my life.”
“You can’t make it out there on your own. Why leave, when you are just getting settled? We have lost a lot of people, but we can grow again. Anywhere you go, you will be under someone’s attack.”
“Are you going to stop me from leaving?”
“I won’t stop you, but unless I give authorization, you will not be able to leave.”
“What exactly do I have to do? What do you want from me?”
Masterson approaches me, and he starts to touch my face. He is such a phony.
“Why should we lose such a beautiful face? The Lord works in mysterious ways. The Lord brought you to us. I don’t want you to leave, Killborn.”
“I’m sure you say that to all the women. You have kind words, but I have to go. This place isn’t for me.”
“I can’t take a chance. The last person we let go was a disaster. They came back with a small group and attacked us. If you want me to let you go, you will pay for it.”
He takes his hands and starts to move them around my body.
“I believe in the Lord, but right now, I have the Devil in me. The Devil makes me do things that are wrong. We all do things that are wrong. The Devil must make you do things that are wrong, Killborn. We are all sinners. Do you have the Devil in you?”
“I do have the Devil in me, and I have done things that are disgraceful. I have more of the Devil in me than you would expect. Do I have to pay with my body? Is that what you are about?”
“Take your clothes off. Don’t make me do it for you because I have the Devil in me. You won’t like me when the Devil takes over.”
“I have the Devil in me too. You should take your clothes off too. It’s only fair,” I say.
“That burning red hair of yours must be the work of the Devil. When you were born, the Devil must have been there with you. You surprise me, Killborn.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Masterson. Do you like to live dangerously?”
“I love your danger talk, girl. It gets me going. Have you ever been with someone like me?”
“There is only one way to find out.”
Masterson starts to take off his pants and puts his pants on a chair while I take my pants off, and he doesn’t waste any time as he starts to pleasure me. I reach in my pocket, and I grab my knife. Masterson is too distracted to notice.
“You taste good, baby. I will never let you leave. I can’t wait to get inside you.”
I thrust—Masterson in the brain with my knife! He makes a strange noise while suddenly stiffening up. He won’t turn into a zombie since I killed his brain. I’m not sure if he had a brain. He certainly did not know how to use it. I move away from him, and pull my knife out of his head. I’m impressed with this kill. I managed to thrust the blade all the way in. Masterson deserved every inch of the blade.
I think that I will surprise Norman. I can’t let Masterson’s organs go to waste, so I will have to cut him open and take his organs. I place Masterson on the ground, take my knife, and I start to carve open Masterson’s body. I could vomit right now, but I will fight the urge. I have to make this quick. I make incisions on the body, tear off the skin, and I cut away at the organs. The liver is a must because I know that Norman loves it. I place what I manage to cut out on the bloody floor. I put the organs together, and I use Masterson’s shirt to wrap the organs, and I will leave when there are fewer people outside, so I will wait until it gets dark outside.
The time has come, and it is finally dark outside as I walk out of the church, and I make my way back to the house. I open the door, and Norman is standing in the living room. He groans as I go to the kitchen table and empty the organs onto the table. I try to make two small piles. The organs are cut up into pieces since I had a hard time cutting them out into one piece. Norman will have to settle for chopped liver, mixed with other organ pieces. I walk to the living room to get Norman. I escort him to the kitchen. Norman growls as he looks at the bloody table. He picks up the flesh with his hands and puts it into his mouth like jam. Norman enjoys his treat. This is Norman’s dessert.
A couple of hours have passed. I will have to wait until tomorrow night to make my escape. I can’t let anyone see Norman. I won’t be able to get to my truck that easily. I will have to leave it behind. It starts to rain hard. I have to prepare for my exit. I start to pack my things.
Suddenly, an alarm goes off! I run to look outside my window, and I see that the people of Luther are running around like chickens with their heads cut off again. They must have found Masterson’s body. I’m their only suspect, so I grab Norman and run out to the backyard. I pull Norman as fast as I can. The rain causes bad visibility, but I manage to find a sewer, and I struggle to lift the top off. I push Norman into the sewer. Several guards spot me, and they are about to shoot as I jump for my life, and it’s a long way down. I pull Norman with me, and we move as fast as we can through the sewer, which smells awful. I don’t know where I’m going, so I will go until I find an end.
I’ve been walking in the sewer for a long while. It’s dark and smelly in the sewer. I spot an easy way out, and I can see the outside. There is a gate with a broken lock on it, and I make my way out of the sewer. Luther is finally behind us. I make my way through a forest as Norman keeps up behind me. The day goes by fast; it is dark, I’m exhausted, and I have no supplies. I can’t make a fire, and the only thing I have is my knife. I will sleep next to Norman. It will be a long night, so I grab Norman and hold him tight.
Morning is here, and the sun shines as much as it can through the forest. I feel like shit this morning, and I’m hungry. Norman and I travel through the forest. I’m in search of food. I walk everywhere, and there is nothing to eat. I don’t see any animals anywhere. The animals of the forest just disappeared. We continue to roam the lonely forest, and I spot a couple of zombies nearby. They spot me and start to pursue me. I grab my knife and pierce one of the zombies in the head while Norman struggles with the other zombie. I watch as Norman tries to keep the zombie away from me. Neither of them tries to eat each other. It’s more of a holding match. I walk up behind the zombie and shove my knife into the side of the head. Norman just looks down at the zombie and continues to walk with me.
The night arrives, and I still haven’t found anything to eat. I haven’t seen any sign of life. I’m trying to find my way out of the forest. I’m in too deep to turn back now, yet I’m sure that I will eventually find a way out. We settle on the ground since I need a rest. I feel weak, and I’m thirsty, so I hold onto Norman, and I will try to get some sleep.
A few days have passed. I’m lost in the forest, and I feel nauseous. I take the time to stretch out my body. I have never gone this long without eating. Norman and I continue to walk through the never-ending forest. I feel faint, so I drop down to my knees since I must catch my breath. Norman groans as I look at him, but he doesn’t seem to understand what I’m going through. It starts to rain so hard, and I’m not surprised. There must be something about a zombie apocalypse, which causes so much rain.
We continue to roam the forest until I fall on my back. I’m exhausted, and I don’t know if I can go on like this. Norman watches me as I stare up at the sky, and I can breathe better from down here. I love the fee
ling of the rain on my face. Each drop of rain feels like a cool pinch, and I can stay here for hours. I open my mouth, and let as much rain in my mouth as I can since I hate the feeling of being this thirsty. Water has never tasted so good. Norman continues to watch me, and he must think I’m a total weirdo. I wish Norman would come and join me as I enjoy the rain.
I would love to have him by my side. It would be so romantic if Norman cuddled with me. I doubt he gives a shit, but I do, and it feels like we are the only ones in the world. The world would be peaceful without other people and other zombies around. I should get up and continue on my way, so I slowly get up. I still feel very weak, but I feel much better than I was. We walk through the forest, and it seems like we are going in circles. This journey is exhausting, so I stop to take another break under a tree. Norman is lucky that he doesn’t get tired. All he does is stare at me as I sit. I’m so hungry and drowsy as Norman stands above me. I can feel my eyes getting heavy. Fatigue overwhelms me, and I can’t fight it, so I close my eyes.
I suddenly wake up, and Norman is still standing above me. I’m starving, and I would love to eat bacon and eggs right now, with some sausages. I grab Norman to help me up. It doesn’t look like there is any rain coming down. We continue to walk through the mysterious forest. Several hours have passed, and it starts to rain again. We walk for a while until I finally see an exit from this strange forest. I’m relieved that the sun suddenly comes out as Norman and I continue to walk out of the forest. On the horizon, there is a large farm and a large house. I see crops, and all sorts of animals roaming around.
This place is hidden from the rest of the world. I take Norman back to the forest to hide where we can’t be seen. I observe the area for several minutes. I see people walking out of the house, and they tend to their farm chores as kids play around the farm. I look at Norman as he groans. The farm has everything that we need. I don’t take my eyes off the farm since it’s like a dream, but I hope that I am not dreaming. I see an old man in a wheelchair. The old man is talking to an older woman who may be his wife. The children continue to run around as other adults tend to their chores around the farm. This farm is full of friendly looking people, and the farm is perfect for Norman.
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