Them Heartless Bastards!

×~CHAPTER 1~×

×|============~°∆°~============|×

A DEAD MAN WALKING

×|============~°∆°~============|×

~~~~~~

--- ∆~[FREEDOM NEWS]~∆ ---

A grim sight unfolded in an unmarked location in the midwest state of Nuhtin. Seven individuals were found dead in front of a lone wall in the middle of the Grand Plains. There were three men and four women, all slumped over dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives deduced that this was an act of execution. The individuals could not be identified, but as they were executed in an estimated 70 miles off the city of Yellowater, it is presumed that the victims are residents of said city.

The bodies of the victims has been taken to the city for further identification. Although, a peculiar mystery has boggled the minds of our detectives. As the victims were laid out in a sort of line, one spot from its middle appeared to be missing a body. A trail of blood could be traced more than 3 miles away. However, the trail abruptly stopped with no other tracks left behind.

One of our detectives commented, "Out there somewhere, A dead man is walking."

------------------

~~~~~~

He huffed somewhat in a rhythm as he walked, each breath growing heavier with every step. The thud of his leather boots echoed on the ground, accompanied by the crunch of dry earth beneath his feet.

There he was, Carlos, the executed man. Walking in the dirt road. Amidst the vast grasslands of the Grand Plains.

Not a tree insight. The lands couldn't spare a shade. Not even in the most scorching of days.

However, the heat didn't bother him. Even in his uneven jaunt, he still crossed the miles. Despite the pain of his burning skin, he still looked onward into the horizon.

The strong breeze that came and went was the only aid he had.

"Yellowater... Yellowater..." He mumbled again and again. "How does their water taste like...?" His mind wondered in a scramble.

Time seemed moved faster than he could walk. The sun rose from the east, then fell as swift to the west. Yet, little did he knew or care of the days that past.

Yet still he strolled the plains. Now instead of the burning rays, he felt the coldest breeze.

"How long has it been...?" He wondered, his legs yet to stop moving.

The plains looked too similar from the last. He couldn't tell how much he had cover from the time that just blitzed by.

And the moon, just like the sun, rose up from the east and fell as quickly to the west. And in a blink, day broke. And in a single step, night fell.

Day to night. Night to day. Day to Night. Night to day. Hot to cold. Warm to cool.

Then... He stopped. It was morning in a windy day. Trees accompanied the road in the side. Long, strong oak spanning across. The plains had disappeared, and in front of him was a city.

"Welcome to Yellowater!" The large stone archway read.

Carlos stared at the archway. The distant rustling of leaves covering the silence.