I pass Matt’s house and then Shaun’s and I approach Sam and Kiersten’s house.
Our main entrance is secure and being guarded by two guards on each of the platforms that are on each side of our main entrance as I approach our main entrance.
I wave to the guards and they wave back. I pass Brody’s house and the other homes in the cul-de-sac where Chris’ old house is in.
I remember being attacked by Chris and his girlfriend when things started getting crazy around here and then I immediately remember the interaction with Chris when I killed him.
I stop running and start to feel what feels like a panic attack. A strong feeling of remorse and regret comes over me and then I remember killing Chris and why I had to kill Joseph and why I had to kill Tyler.
I think to myself, “Kill or be killed. Only the strong survive, and I’m still here. If I didn’t kill those people, then I’d be dead, Lauren would be dead, and so many other people I care about would be dead.”
My breathing normalizes and I feel a sense of relief and some of the weight I was feeling lessens.
I start running again and exit the cul-de-sac that is near our main entrance. I run back to our cemetery and clean off the leaves that are covering our graves.
More and more leaves fall on the graves as every day passes and we get closer to winter.
The graves in our cemetery look good, after I remove all the leaves, weeds, and debris that was on them.
I look at Bobby G’s grave and say, “Hey dad, hope you are doing well. It’s been crazier and crazier around here, but what else is new. I guess living in a zombie apocalypse isn’t easy.”
I look up into the oak tree that is in the back of our cemetery and I look for the white bird that has previously been there.
I’m kind of disappointed as the bird isn’t there this time. Part of me wanted to believe that my father was reincarnated as that white bird and that he’s still looking out for me.
“I’m afraid that I’m becoming a monster as I’ve killed several people since this all started. I know it had to be done, but I can’t help but feeling bad about it,” I say as I look up into the sky.
“I just wanted to stop by and say hello. Wish I was able to see you more before the zombies came. We had our fun trips and good times, but it would have been nice to see you more than once a year around the holidays,” I say as I look at Bobby G’s grave.
“If you could provide any guidance or help along the way, it would be appreciated... But I hope you know I am thankful for everything you did for me,” I say as I look at the flamingo statue at the top of Bobby G’s grave.
I start to get emotional and as a tear is about to fall from my left eye I hear a bird chirp, squawk, and then tweet as it flies over me and then lands on a branch of the oak tree at the back of our cemetery.
My tears go away, and a big smile comes on my face. Maybe it was a coincidence that the bird came at the exact time I was at my dad’s grave, but I like to think it was my father saying hello.
I say goodbye to my father, Keith, Kat, Jerri-Lynn, and Buck and then I run to Bobby G’s house.
I blend up a protein drink in Bobby G’s kitchen and I sit down on one of the barstools that are next to Bobby G’s kitchen counter.
“Come in Ryan are you there Ryan?” asks someone over the radio.
I look at the radio that is sitting on its charging station and I recognize the voice over the radio.
I hesitate to answer the call over the radio because I feel that the person calling for me is Brad.
“Ryan?” asks the person over the radio.
I’m worried about the radio call waking someone up, so I quickly grab the radio and answer, “This is Ryan. Why are you calling so early Brad?”
“I’m sorry, I’ll make it quick. I want to meet with you,” replies Brad over the radio.
I’m not sure what to do as I feel like Brad was being shady the last time I talked with him over the radio and when we recently went to the stadium.
“Why do you want to meet?” I ask into my radio.
“It’s important, but I can’t say why over the radio,” answers Brad over the radio.
I think about what to do with Brad.
“I’ll come to your place to meet, but it’s important that we meet soon,” says Brad over the radio.
“Who are you coming with?” I ask into my radio.
There is silence over the radio from Brad.
The seconds of silence make me start to feel anxious and then Brad replies, “I’ll see if I can get Faith away from the stadium and I’ll come with her.”
I think about Brad coming here with Faith and I feel that’s fine and a safe thing for us.
“That’ll work, when are you coming here?” I ask into my radio.
I take a sip of my vanilla flavored protein drink and think that the protein shake is quite bland, and it needs fruit or something else in it.
“I don’t know, but hopefully in a day or two,” answers Brad over the radio.
“Okay, just let us know before you come,” I reply into my radio.
“I will, bye,” replies Brad over the radio.
