Julie Grigio thinks that I can't remember anything. Well, to be honest, I can't. Not a lot, anyways. But I do remember something from my first days as a member of the undead.
I do remember the first person I killed.
She looked so much like Julie. Her eyes had the same defiant shine, and her hair was the same shade of silvery blonde. Well, now i think about it, I suppose that's normal. I learnt her name from Julie. She was called Audrey Grigio.
She was Julie's mom.
I remember the feeling of her warm blood spilling over my mouth as I bit down into her shoulder. It tastes so good. I remember her screaming out, but not after I tore into her throat, cutting into her vocal cord, and hitting an artery or two in the way. Her screams were now reduced to nothing more than a muted gurgle.
I remember thinking, 'if I leave enough, she'll wake up and follow me back to the airport. If I leave enough…' But of course, I don't. Really, can you blame me? I go for the good bit like always.
I tear Audrey's lower jaw off the rest of her head in one swift movement, and I hear the dull sound of bones and tendons snapping. A spray of bright crimson blood hit my face, but I don't flinch. Her body falls to the ground with a sick splat.
Reaching a grey, shrivelled hand into what's left of her head, I take out a wet, grey lump and chomp down on it.
And then, I have memories.
I remember music, movies and strawberries. I remember a boy laughing along with me, sitting in front of a black and white television, watching a cheesy sitcom. Time twist and swirl around us. There are scenes- snapshots- of my life, swirling round and round. Me getting married. Me holding up Julie proudly, like a scene from The Lion King. The plague starting. People turning into mindless, shambling creatures that are only capable of monosyllabic sounds. Me walking out in the rain. A pain in my shoulder.
Then it ends. I stumble away from the matted corpse hazily, ignoring the stream of blood dripping down my chin. I feel better- not necessarily good, but not as dead.
That's about as good as it gets.
Then I meet Julie. I know I remember her from somewhere. Julie was special. She made me feel almost alive. I can't tell Julie that I was the one who got her mom. I can't possibly. Call me selfish, sure- but I Julie's all I've got. I can't possibly lose her. So when Julie shows me the Polaroid picture of Audrey, I ask, 'Who is…that?'
'That's my mom, R. She was called Audrey.'
I feel a sinking pit of guilt in my stomach, and I am somewhat relieved that my dead, glassy eyes are unable of showing any human emotion. 'Did she… die?'
'Yeah.' Julie's eyes clouded over. 'A zombie got her.'
I don't say anything. What can I say?
I can't possibly lose her.
