Somewhere in the rural U.S, a small group of people travel back to their homes; a collection of tents, isolated from anything but a city 25 miles away. Most importantly, it is far from the walking dead. From the direction the travelers approach from, a dozen different people slowly dig a deeper ditch. As a woman in front of them approaches, those waiting on the other side of the ditch slowly lower a wide plank. The group slowly enter, worn down by the long journey and the heavy contents of their packs. As the group's final member takes a step off the "drawbridge", a round of applause from a small crowd brings a smile to their faces. They leave their packs on the ground, and the crowd surrounding them quickly gather them, empty them, and return them. The woman in front exhales forcefully, before starting to take slow steps towards a stone pit in the center. There, the remains of a boar is placed next to a small fire and a spit. Impressively, the woman is strong enough to lift the boar onto the spit by herself. She quickly feeds the fire a few logs, and slowly roasts the creature. After it has been fully cooked, she skillfully slices strips of meat off it, feeding those nearby.
"Courage is wealth. Even as we take strides to return to a more dignified life, we must never grow complacent or resent this world. And never forget that mercy and kindness is the entirety of community. Or that a king who never leaves his castle, will never see the beauty of the hunting grounds."
Her smile is virulent, and somehow, a ray of hope seems to spread among the people surrounding her. After finishing her own share of the boar, she walks towards a tent, motioning for her traveling companions to follow. After they arrive, she slowly kneels on a soft patch of grass. And slowly slides up one of her sleeves. Just above the wrist, you can see a small section of missing flesh.
"I've been bit, and it's only a question of time before I become a zombie like the one that attacked bit me. I've traveled with you for most of the last year, and I think the people here are willing to listen to you in my absence. Once I've left, let them know that I was bit, but left for their safety."
"Courage is wealth. Even as we take strides to return to a more dignified life, we must never grow complacent or resent this world. And never forget that mercy and kindness is the entirety of community. Or that a king who never leaves his castle, will never see the beauty of the hunting grounds."
Her smile is virulent, and somehow, a ray of hope seems to spread among the people surrounding her. After finishing her own share of the boar, she walks towards a tent, motioning for her traveling companions to follow. After they arrive, she slowly kneels on a soft patch of grass. And slowly slides up one of her sleeves. Just above the wrist, you can see a small section of missing flesh.
"I've been bit, and it's only a question of time before I become a zombie like the one that attacked bit me. I've traveled with you for most of the last year, and I think the people here are willing to listen to you in my absence. Once I've left, let them know that I was bit, but left for their safety."