Back: A Bethyl Survival Story

A Long Road

A Long Road

I get off the tracks and head into the woods. Mostly cause I'm more comfortable there. I don't know where I'm headed now, I guess it really doesn't matter since I'm alone. If ya think bout it, I'm no different than the walkers. We both meander around aimlessly, we kill to survive, we have no permanent home to stay in: new discovery.

Man is Walker. Which means, Man is already Dead!

The day grows shorter as I stumble along, hating life and what's left of it. I can't imagine what I'd be doing in my old life. Getting drunk, getting high, getting in fights, getting some tail. Yep, pretty much how it was back then. Never thought of settlin' down, havin' kids, a home, a dog. Never wanted any of that. Would it have changed? Would I have eventually foun someone for me that I could love and take care of. Sit down at dinner at night with and talk. Lounge in our livin' room watchin' t.v together or just enjoyin' each other's company before falling asleep? Protectin' them or helpin' get better when they're sick or injured. Come to think of it, I already had all that. With a sweet, caring, stubborn, strong willed blonde who got ripped from my life. I shouldn't think of things like that. He was only 19 at least. Hell I'm about 34-35 now. That's just sick. Not right for anyone.

Stopping at a big tree, I start climbing it. Since there's no house around, gotta stay somewhere I guess. Believe it or not I've slept in a tree before. As I find the best branch, I sit firmly against the stock and grip my feet on either side of the big branch. I was a good fifteen feet up, so no walkers, unless their Shaq should be able to get me. It doesn't take long for me to start to feel drowsy. Soon I slip away into the blackness and find myself in the best dream I've ever had.

Her eyes on mine. Her hair blowing in the gentle breeze like a butterfly flitting through the air. She's sitting across from me in this fancy restaurant. She's all dolled up in a gorgeous red dress- strapless and with heels. Her lips are lined with rouge lipstick and thin lines of eyeliner edge her oceans. She's laughing at something. Wait, is that me? Am I dressed in a white dress shirt and a black pants. A tie? I'm wearing a black tie? What the fuck is this? Some damn romance novel? But hey, I look good. I must've told her a joke cause she's laughin' at me. God, how I love her laugh. Sure she gigglin' all the time, but tha' laugh is contagious. Her face goes serious. What on Earth did I do to ruin that moment? Wait what am I doing? Am I leaving? I see myself get up and walk over to her. I better not hurt her! If I do I'll kill myself in this dream. I start to get down on my knee. Wait my shoes not untied what am I??? Wow that's a big ring? Where the Hell did I get that. Shit! Did I just propose!

I wake up with a jolt and almost fall out of the tree. Damn it! I didn't get her answer. It's dusk right now and I need to get a move on. As I slide down the tree, I end up ducking my leg up. I don't know if it's cause in getting old, not enough calcium or if it's me just being a dumb ass but I really hurt my leg. I try to walk on it, but I'm in too much pain. Great just my fuckin' luck!

I hobble for a few miles. Tellin' myself I'm not a pussy and can go farther.

As I step upon sight of a shack in the distance my leg hits a trap. Not a bear trap on the ground, but a swinging trap that hoists me in the air upside down. I smack my head against the tree that the ropes attached to and I'm knocked out instantly.