Tragic Survival

Rednecks VS Black VS Old VS Me

Godforbid I'm in the Zombie apocalypse. I'm in the zombie apocalypse with 6 hillbillies, 3 African-American churchies and an old lady who already looks like a zombie while still being alive and healthy-ish. It's been roughly a day since I've been with these people, roughly a month since it started, roughly a week since it got really serious and roughly 5 days since Jack died. And it's been rough. The virus hit America first and no one knew why. But from there it wafted through the north and slowly down to my home, Australia. Once it hit Australia everyone knew we were screwed, because Australia's in the south and all. By the time it did hit Australia, America was gone. Except of course me, an Australian backpacker, 6 rednecks, 3 African-American church goes and 1 little old lady.

"Well, I reckon we can haul up in that cemetery o'er there, them fences look big and sturdy," John suggests. He's the oldest and dimmest son of the rednecks. I think he's like 22 and is part of the Ku Klux Klan, which Prudence, the 8 year old hillbilly daughter, told me it means he wants to kill the African-American guys. Except she said it like "Johnny gonna hang em' niggas right up," to which I said "ain't you just the sweetest little thang," in my worst, most enthused southern accent, I got a sad smile from Kenneth, the oldest, wisest, most story filled old man I've ever met. I asked how old he was when we first met and he said "old enough to be dead" which is unfortunate. He's the priest and saved Antwone and Devon, two best mates who attended his church. Kenneth lost his family, friends and church and is "clinging to his lifeline" which I figured was God or something.

"Good eye son. Everybody joining?" Joe asked. I haven't talked to Joe yet. After Prudence's introduction I don't feel overly excited to get overly keen on that family. I found and joined Kenneth, Antwone and Devon first, we bonded, kind of. So I feel obliged not to be friends with people who want to slaughter them. Jack and I found them on our way to Washington and just after getting "settled" Jack went off and killed himself.

"Tale, you coming?" Devon calls, I guess while I was off with the fairies I missed the decision to go to the cemetery.

"Yeah, give me a second," I smile at him, hoping he'll go without me. Hoping it'll be that easy.

"It's not safe-," Devon was cut off by Jason, who hasn't spoken much, if at all since we met these crazy rednecks.

"She'll be right mate," He says, smiling at me. This must be him getting me back after mocking his accent. I smiled back. Devon looks at him, then looks at me.

"Yeah, aight, whatever, be careful," He walks away, looking at Jason sideways. Jason only looks down and back up at me when Devon is gone, still watching from the distance.

"You got this?" Unlike his family he's not so...crazy.

"Ha. You got rid of him so you can lecture me instead. I'm fine, us Aussie's are tough,"

"Zombies aren't poisonous spiders and big ass snakes-"

"Jason, I'm fine. Promise," I say with a nod towards the cemetery. "Your family and Devons devilish stare is waiting for you,"

"What's, uh, what's going on with you and that guy,"

I try to hold in a tremendous amount of laughter building inside of me, until it won't hold anymore and my mouth bursts open with a snort and a squeaky chuckle. I shake my head at him, deciding to go back to camp, that's about enough excitement for me, and began to walk back to the cemetery.

...

In the week that has passed, while we were couped up in this big cemetery, with 7ft iron gates and barbed wire on top of that because apparently some presidents and their dogs were layed to rest in here, I've noticed the difference between Australians and Americans, and I've also noticed the difference between Americans and Americans. And just as my head was about to blow up with uncertainty Naome, the little old lady became known to the rest of the group. For the last week she's only spoken to Kenneth, apparently she's a part of the religious population and watched her husband and grandchild get mauled by her daughter. Which I think is worse than any other sort of death of family witnessed by family. But he's been helping her with her mourning.

Recently she's decided to slowly become part of the group. Which honestly is probably not the best idea right now for her, but for some reason she balances us out.

She tells me she sees me to be married, apparently she gets dreams of the future, and I tell Kenneth she is crazy to which he tells me "people mourn in different ways T".

"Who would bother falling in-love when the world is doomed," John pipes in

"It's so beautifully tragic," I say back

"Not so tragic- or doomed" Kenneth says, "If you don't have love in this then what are you surviving for. New love is a stronger motivation, love has always been the greatest influence on any human being, whether you've had it or not,"

"Niggas don't feel nothing," John says and spits on the floor in front of Kenneth before storming off.

"He needs to go," I say to no one in particular.