Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 85 - Come Into My World (Era)

NATE

Once we left Virginia behind, Jorge coasted to a stop underneath the shadow of the Washington Monument. Then ushered me behind the wheel.

"In case you have to find your own way back home. Driving will keep your eyes open. While taking note of our route....and surroundings"  He explained.

Though I'm positive that he used that excuse as a diversion for me? So I'd stop silently leaking any more than I already was. Over leaving Daryl, plus the rest of our family and friends....behind.

D.C is eerily....and spookily  quiet.

Yup, a few Walkers are wandering around here and there. Some cars haphazardly clutter streets that are strewn with rubbish. Most had been blocked off with humongous, tall and deep sandbag barriers. Cargo containers as well.

It's the masses of weeds sprouting up through the cracks in the roads and sidewalks that are sending shivers through my body. The previously manicured lawns and gardens of the Mall have become nothing more than overgrown....jungles.

Any minute now, I expect a tumbleweed will blow itself across our path. Instead, a flurry of paper and leaves does the job.

It isn't a chill of fear, so much. Can't really describe the emotion running through me right now? Jorge's experiencing pretty much the same as well, I think. I'm feeling it coming off him in waves that crash headlong into my own.

Unwittingly, I've slowed right down. Barely topping ten MPH until we reach the Arboretum on the other side of the city.

Two centuries ago, when DC was first founded? It was looked upon as the main seat of power for the Western world. Almost the entire  world. And today, three years after our old lives ended....it's all but deserted.

Mother Earth is quickly reclaiming what belongs to her, once more.

What'll it all look like? Another three years from now....a hundred or so. Will any breathing human still be around to see?

"Does the world suddenly seem so much bigger to you, corazón?"  Jorge asked quietly, somberly.

"It always did. But now....? "

Can't finish. Just don't know how to, I suppose?

The Oracle couldn't either.

*

Came to an abrupt halt again. Just over the border to Maryland.

Had to use the bumper to laboriously nudge aside the concrete traffic barriers that were blocking the highway. And push them back again. To stop any ambulatory speed bumps from wandering through after us.

An hour or so (plus a pee stop)  later, we traversed one of the longest bridges I'd ever been on. Towering over the Chesapeake Bay. And soon we'll be crossing another smaller one to get off Kent Island.

Finally, we're making really good time. As this side of the highway is pretty much devoid of abandoned cars and Walkers.

We're halfway to Delaware. And right about now?

Daryl will be setting off the first explosion. To get the herd walking in the direction we need them to take. Our first formal  declaration of war against Negan and his so-called Saviors.

"I just don't understand why...."  I begin.

"Why you're driving on the wrong side of the road again, hermanita?"  He smirked.

I make no attempt whatsoever this time. To steer the Explorer back to the other  side of the empty road. And I refuse to call it the right side. Because, as far as I'm concerned?