Then we got mugged.

You never know how you’re going to react to something like a mugging until it happens. For whatever reason, we fought back instead of allowing ourselves to be victimized by a scrawny, knife-wielding bum who positively reeked. In the end, we were victorious and he fled empty-handed into the night, although the bastard bit my girlfriend and cut my hand before making a run for it. We returned to the hotel we shared, and I tended to our wounds before we spent our last night of happiness together- the night we died.

Dying together didn’t exactly endear us to each other. It was traumatic to wake up and realize our hearts weren’t beating, that we weren’t breathing, and all the other little signs showing that life had left us. And yet, we were still walking around and talking. We were confused, vulnerable, and alone, so we clung to each other. We had no idea what had happened, and no idea where to look for answers. Deep down, as pathetic as it sounds, we blamed each other. Surely this never would have happened had I never come to visit her.

We found answers eventually. While wandering one night, after having exhausted all our money on staying in the hotel, a kind stranger recognized us for what we were. He took us to the others and we learned what we were. For me, it was enlightening. I never would have imagined zombies lived beneath the cities, or even above ground if they were more daring. I immersed myself in learning all about these new found friends.

She didn’t take to our new life as openly as I did. She was disgusted by what she had been turned into, and by me for accepting it. She thought us all an affront to God, forsaken by His grace, and she could not live like that. One night, she built a pyre and tossed herself upon it, after telling us all that we should do the same if we wished to be accepted into God’s embrace. No one followed her example. I mourned. Others mourned with me.

Everyone has that one relationship that all others are weighed against from then on. I still miss her from time to time, and she remains the example of happiness for me. I hope she made it to Heaven like she wanted, but I don’t regret my choice to continue living.

Now you know where I come from, and why I don’t like to talk about it.

Until next time braaiiins…