Imoh

Chapter 2

We travelled around, literally circling Chigwell for two long endless days. After the first night together, she started to ask if we were there yet. That obviously aroused my suspicion, more and more each time, but eventually, I got sick of walking as well. But I was full of doubts and questions and fear. I didn't know her and I don't trust her. She does look like a terrified and defenceless angora bunny, but I should not, cannot afford to be so easily fouled by huge pitiful begging toon's eyes. My life depends on it.

So I took my time to assess the situation, find out more about her before taking this new pet to my home. 

Don't get me wrong, it could have been much worse. But the town is not that bad. Not bad at all.

At the end of a dangerous, desperate and endless wander after my escape from London, I discovered my den by total chance. Leaving my flat in South London centuries ago, only mayhem, desolation and madness was left in the big city. No help to be found. Death and horrors were everywhere. Getting out as soon as possible turned out not to be that easy. I was still naïve and unprepared for what the world has become back then.

I've always hated violence, seeing or even reading about people's suffering. It was like being in my worst nightmare, wide awake and even forced to inflict some of the suffering myself. Push comes to shove, I dug up unknown strength and bravery from deep inside. Honestly, I was scared shitless but a woman has to do what a woman has to do to stay alive.

My beeline flight from the capital took me to the east by chance. When running away, the closest exit is your best choice. Going further away, ever so far away, was all that matter, hopefully leaving the worse behind and never see it again. Being so traumatised, I just wanted to stop it all. Just end it already!

I hate and fear violence, but zombies is my phobia. The ultimate horrifying things. And that's what I had to face after the world collapsed. Typical! Talking about facing your fears! All day, every day. Literally. I was in such a state, what kept me on my feet and drove me forward is anyone's guess.

In my head, there was a raging battle between the desire to lay down, close my eyes and wait for the end to come on side and opposite, the "one more step, another one, keep going, you're almost there" leitmotiv.

The autopilot was running the show because the decisions to hide when required, be quiet at all time and walk forward was not intentional. Since living my home, I got caught, beaten up, left for dead and escaped in extremis several times.

I've never actually been attacked by zombies (I would not be still alive, right?) but seen them form afar and they work was enough.

I saw more blood, dead and not usually visible parts of any living beings that I could ever forget. Saw many things I could not unsee and which stopped me from sleeping peacefully, possibly for the rest of my life. With a bit of luck, the lack of sleep only will kill me sooner than later or, at least, will drive me mad and I will finally find relief and be "happy", up there with the fairies. One can only hope.

That was my state of mine back then. I kept on walking waiting for the end. However, as the days past, the eagerness to find a safe place where I could stop and close my eyes, after that long ordeal of a voyage got the upper hand.

I eventually reached Chigwell. It was a mess but still beautiful. And it seems empty. Those conditions took me out of my stupor and hope came back. Finding a proper home and fast became my whole reason to live. The need to stop and curl up in a hole now was overwhelming.

Okay, maybe not a hole. In such a posh little town, one can surely find their ideal home. Who knows what that looks like but I started frantically looking for it, like in a trance. But slowly, after rejecting so many possible places, the image of what was wanted and needed formed in my mind, by process of elimination.