Buzz

        Will POV

"So how did you know Matt?" Gloria asked me. Probably to melt the icy silence.

How did I know him? Seems like a lifetime ago. Was he my partner? No that implies having a relationship consisting of more than survival. Companion? That made it sound like he was my pet, I'm fine with that.

"He was my companion, we traveled together."

Gloria just made a subtle sound of acknowledgement as she continued leading the way through the woods.
"Gloria, where are we going?"

"There's a cottage not far from the camp - about three miles out - where my son used to take his misstreses. Valerie and I visited it after he died. It's got a nice bed and wonderful mosquito net, Lord knows those pesky bugs will eat you alive out here."

I considered asking the question, it was unnecessary but we were both equally bored. Bored was dangerous. One becomes pliant when they're bored. So I asked, "Do you mind if I asked how your son died?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask. Been wondering for a while now", she turned to glance at me, "Valarie killed him. Killed her own husband", she turned and continued walking.

I was stunned. I wanted more information, "Why?"

She didn't turn around this time, just swept a branch out of the way, "You'll have to ask her that yourself. Knowing that girl she'll come see us tonight, to see whether we came here and try to convince us to go back - rather, convince me to go back."

"I thought she didn't like you, that's why she sent guards to take your food to you", I ducked under the same branch.

"No, no, she feels guilty. Feels like she has to make it up to me. That's the only reason I was still in that camp. The rest wanted me out for what my son did", she turned around again with a passion in her old, tired eyes, "Now you listen to me William. My son was a lot of things, a tyrant, abusive, an asshole but he was a good man. He was a good boy", small tears welled in her eyes but she spun around and continued walking.

I couldn't understand exactly what she was going through but I could imagine the emotional conflict she experienced whenever she saw Valarie. On one level though...I could say I understand fully.

My Matt...was a good man. He just got distracted. Distracted by his own emotions...I saw the fear in his eyes when I nearly killed him.

"Will kill me...if it makes you happy, please kill me."

If it makes me happy? Something about that burns my chest. Something about him wanting me to be happy warms up that freezing, aching cavern.

"I think I might be able to start...forgiving him."

"I would. Hate is such a waste of emotion", Gloria smiled at me. I hadn't realised I said that out loud. I smiled back at her and felt a lot of pressure just flow off of me.

Is this how I used to feel?

Gloria nudged me and pointed forward. In the orange glow of the setting sun, just before a cottage stood a cannibal covered in black insects. It was relieving to see one again. Back in the camp one could easily forget that they still existed.