When I got back into town, I found that Hell had followed me there.
The Dead were walking and the Screamers were screaming, and everyone was in a panic. They were all looting and fighting and crashing their cars into each other; shooting at anything that moved; setting everything on fire.
It was all chaos, but I didn't care about any of it. I was in shock, I guess. It was all just like a bad dream.
So I just went home and went to bed.
After a couple of days I came back into town again, to look at all the damage, and see who was still alive.
I ran into my cousin Mike while I was there, and he talked me into joining up with his group of survivors. I said yeah, cause I really didn't have anywhere else to go.
I have been back to Truman Lake a few times since, to look for Barbara. But she was never to be found. Only sign of her was the dried blood on the dock.
Now I think about Barbara every day. Looking back on it all, I regret that I had to kill her. She was so beautiful, I wish I could have forgiven her, just that one time.
What would it have mattered?
I think about how the Dead folks will return to their homes, and wonder if Barbara is on her way. I kinda hope that she is.
I miss those soft lips.
