This new life, was nothing fancy, nothing to be proud of, and truly not for me. I rather have been in my run-down apartment in the bottom of town, watching some movie about the wild or a horror film, eating sugar smacks, and sleeping in my own bed. But, so much for that!
I remember in high school, that was the highlight of my life. I was ranked at number two in the state of GA's All-Stars of fast-pitch, and I had all the awards to show for it. I had the speed, endurance, agility, stamina, and muscles. I kept myself up with workouts, 5k runs, etc… and I still do.
Hell, it was only a week before the outbreak hit that I graduated from high school. I had a full ride scholarship for fast-pitch at UGA, which I signed three months prior. I already had my room set up, the only thing I had to do was move in. But then this walker fest decided it wanted to show face to the party of life, there went my chance to do anything- talk about luck, right?
The only thing I had time to grab was my bat bag, which I stuffed as many clothes as I could fit into it. I ran like Forest Gump. I didn't have time to be in the traffic jam that was on the interstate. I spent a lot of time hitchhiking and such, I knew the woods, but I guess everyone's knowingness runs out at some point.
Ever since this outbreak, it wasn't easy for me to trust anyone. My trust shot to shit once we met up with a group that claimed to have women and kids, so we wouldn't be the only ones. Long story short, I ended almost dead. My best friend, Jamie, died in my arms, and in the hands of one of the group members. The words she spoke, "Keep going, never stop." haunted me from that day. After witnessing what I did, I knew I had to get out of there, some way or another.
I took the easiest way out, I never killed anyone, truly, I was afraid of guns. My dad was in the Army, guns were always at my house, but I never had the courage to go around them. They just weren't for me. Guns killed my grandfather, guns killed my brothers, and guns killed my father.
Needless to say, as soon as I was brought into Woodbury, I was already planning to get the hell out.
I found this life somewhat hilarious; it was more like a wrath of God. I couldn't shake the thought of new born life replacing all of us. It just didn't seem possible. Though, I'd tip my head to them in a heartbeat.
Woodbury, the one place that I've seen, on this hasty earth, that has life left. It may not be a lot of life, but it is something. I've been here for about eight months now. After the last incident of the other group, I ran for a whole month. I ran and never looked back.
I came up on an old Army base, Fort McPherson, and hid in a foxhole. I remember the constant raining, but the good thing, it slowed the walkers down. When I thought I was okay enough to go adventure on, I got about twenty miles out of McPherson, only ending up getting caught by a group of guys with heavy artillery. I really had no choice but to go.
I already lost everything I had that had any meaning to me. Jamie, her and I were attached to the hip. One thing about her death that I was the least bit of happy about was that she wasn't bit by a walker. She and I both were a handful together. She was one of the chosen ones in high school; she had everything going to for, even in this hell. I just wish that sometimes it was me that was killed and not her.
When I arrived to Woodbury, I noticed strange meanings in the guy that called himself 'The Governor'. I wondered who died and made him king? Something was off about him, and at the best of my ability, I tried my best to steer clear of him.
His right hand, Merle, was a character as well. He was the one that found me, something also wasn't right about him. He was angry, a jerk, and seemed to be an pre-apocalyptic lowlife. He reminded me of my brother-in-law, Damien. Both had that thick southern drawl, pigheaded and thought every woman wanted him. One out of all of the Woodbury ladies there that didn't want him was me.
The Governor ordered one on one times between Merle and I, and it was one too many for me with that bastard. He was like a yeast infection on a hot summer's day. His uncouth remarks about my body frame and build were getting old, but I guess if you didn't get what you thought you could get at the drop of a hat, would turn you that way; that's why most times I ignored him.
On an off day, he'd actually be like he was a totally different person. He wouldn't comment or make snide remarks about me was different, to say the least, but that was once in a blue moon that that'd happen. In a weird way, we bonded by our various differences. He still never got why I hated guns, even though I told him repeatedly.
"I still don't get why ya ain't tha one for guns, Suga Ass," Merle started as we walked through the thick brush. "Ya daddy, brother and ya pa were all military personnel."
"Merle, we've been over this every day for the past couple of months." I said, stopping in my trail, swinging my Louisville Slugger by my leg. "I don't like guns! Period! My daddy, my brother and my pa were all killed in the line of duty."
"Oh, come on! Don't get all bitchy on me now, darlin'." He laughed out. I rolled my eyes and started my walk.
"Merle, now is not the time to talk about my past! It's the past, not now." I gritted, coming onto a clearing to the next town over, our supply town.
"Suga Ass, lighten up. Ol' Merle just wanted to get a rise outta ya." He smirked and winked. My nose flared as I turned to him.
"Listen, Merle, I ain't the type of girl you want to push. I've been through enough and I don't need any of your insolence in the matter." I sneered his way, wiping that smirk clean off his face. "Let's get this shit done now, and lets go."
"Yes ma'am." He chuckled. I shook my head, and beginning to walk towards the General Store of the town. He was such a fucking kid. I'm eighteen and I act older and more mature than he does.
"Walker!" The one armed man yelled behind me. I heard a deep growl to the right of me. This, what was a teenager, walker stumble towards me, jaws chomping through the air. I smiled to myself, running up to him, swinging full force at his head with my bat.
Once the walker was on the ground, and not moving, I took out my small knife and jabbed it in the head of the boy. I stood up and head a clap behind me. I sighed agitatedly as I head Merle's gun cling against his metal lining stump.
"Merle, just shut the fuck up." I called behind me, before disappearing into the store. I grabbed a basket and started loading ammo, knives, bow and arrows. For my pleasure, I found some Easton and Louisville Sluggers with bags and balls. I grabbed them all up, putting the bags on my back, holding the basket.
I walked through the store and found Merle looking at some Playboy magazines. I cleared my throat looking at him. He jumped slightly, then grinned, holding the magazine up.
"Looky what I gots here, Suga Ass." He gawked waving the magazines in the air. I saw he had a couple of bags down by his feet.
"Bye Merle, see you back at Woodbury." I smiled sweetly, before turning away. I walked to the doors, opening them quickly. I slipped out of the store, making my way back across the parking lot. I heard the door slam behind me, and the sound of feet shuffling.
"Nice of you to join me, Merle." I called behind me. I heard him grunt, thinking of a comeback.
"Suga Ass, what's in tha bags?" He asked, shaking the bat bags. I groaned, and shook my head.
"Really Merle?" I began, stopping in my tracks, looking at him. "How old are you?"
"Old enough to be ya daddy, Suga Ass." He smiled. I growled, wanting to choke him.
"I'm close to around 45, why?" He asked, walking closer to me, trusting his hips in the air. "You wanna taste of ole' Merle?"
"Oh fuck no!" I yelled, gagging as if it was killing me. "You're fucking sick. You like two times older than me." I put my hand on his shoulder and shook my head, "It would never work out."
I watched him gape as I walked away, making my way back into the brush to get to Woodbury. I felt Merle behind me, but something was actually refreshing; I shut him up. Our walk back to Woodbury was quieter than I expected.
Stepping onto the asphalt, I felt like getting down on my knees and kissing the concrete. I felt someone behind me push me forward. I fell on the ground as pain shot up through my wrist, as the ammo and knives spewed onto the ground. I gritted, getting up and looking behind me... Merle.
"Merle, what are you doing?" I heard The Governor's voice come into the picture. I groaned, holding my wrist, feeling a burning sensation. I twisted my neck, cracking it. I looked at Merle and waited for an answer.
"She was being a bitch the whole way." Merle accused. "She only thought of herself on the run. She got baseball bats, Gov."
I started to laugh, watching the two guys look at me. I smiled briefly at them, shaking my head, looking between the two guys. The Governor looked over at me and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Is that true, Ellis?" He asked me. I licked my lips and nodded.
"I got ammo and knives, also bows and arrows." I began, looking up into his eyes. "I did get bats as well, but Merle was reading Playboys the whole time we were there. He even left the bags at the store. Some right hand you got there, Governor."
I walked away, going to my post on the wall. I climbed up, sitting in an lawn chair. I started zoning out, but only to be interrupted by an uppity Annie Oakley with a bow and arrow wannabe.
"Ellis, is there a new girl that was brought in." Haley said from behind me. I nodded, and looked behind me.
"Oh, okay. That's cool. Maybe Merle will find someone else to fuck with." I sneered, rolling my eyes.
"He still won't leave you alone?" She asked, climbing onto the wall. I chuckled to myself, will this girl ever get lost?
"I don't think he ever will." I said distastefully. I heard her sigh, then lay a hand on my knee.
"Well, maybe things will get better." She smiled. I nodded. Maybe it would, who knows?
"Yeah, maybe." I said, looking out into the open road for any walkers. Luckily, my post was empty and bare. I got down and walked back to my assigned room of Woodbury. I changed into an oversized t-shirt and shorts. I crawled into bed, and let sleep consume me.