Chapter Eight
Mortality
Mortality, plural. Definition: the state of being subject to death; the quality or condition of being mortal; the rate of failure or loss; mankind, humanity; certainty of death.
Death was always constant. The loss of life was always the same. The only difference was how and why a person died. The circumstances differed, and each person would die in different ways and for dissimilar reasons. But this world… changed that. Everyone was entitled to a noble death, to die in a dignified manner and be remembered as strong, powerful and influential. But death, now, was tainted with the prospect of becoming the very thing they tried to protect themselves from. Death was not that far away, and all of them would die sooner or later, but the question of what would happen when the last of them went down like a sinking ship was never far from their mind. The last remaining person was certain of their death; a bullet to the brain.
The fear of death would never disappear, and until their final moments, it would remain until the moment they took their last breath and the fear would dissipate and fade away with their soul.
Glenn was in abyss between life and death. It was a dark place, where day and night were the same, and the only light to guide him around was a tiny golden orb, similar to a flash light in pure darkness. He was able to hear people talking but it was echoed, and faded in and out like a broken radio. He could hear Maggie talking to someone… was it him? She was speaking slowly, almost inaudible. He tried to respond, but his cries and shouts were left unanswered. Her voice continued to echo around him as he moved around the space he was currently in.
His skin felt numb but electric at the same time. It was a strange feeling, one that he was sure he had never experienced before. His body felt light and weak despite the electricity coursing through his body.
The darkness turned into a shocking bright light, and Glenn shielded his face. It was like staring at the sun for longer than you should, and despite protecting himself from the intense brightness, Glenn found that even though his eyes were closed, all he could see was white. It lasted for a minute before the light darkened until it was a normal light.
Glenn opened his eyes and found that he was at the prison. The prison was empty, and the grounds outside were unoccupied of walkers. He called out names, hoping that someone would hear him and come out. But when no one came, a flutter of fear overwhelmed his heart. He walked over to the wall that bore his and Maggie's name and felt tears fill his eyes.
"Maggie!" He shouted, unaware of the person standing behind him.
"Glenn?"
At the call of his name, Glenn turned around and his mouth opened as the person smiled. Dale wore his fisherman's hat and had his beloved rifle hanging from his hand.
"Dale?" Glenn asked in disbelief. The older man nodded and narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"I wondered where you got to," Dale said, stepping closer toward him
"What are you doing here? What is this place?"
"What do you mean?" Dale asked. "Are you alright?"
"Where is everyone?" Glenn asked, franticly.
"Glenn… calm down," Dale said, reassuringly. "Everyone's inside… everything is okay."
"No it's not!" Glenn said. "You're dead!"
Dale laughed, shaking his head. "How can I be dead if I'm right here, talking to you?"
"You died…" Glenn said. "You were ripped open by a walker."
Dale's face fell and he narrowed his eyes at Glenn. Glenn remained looking at him, never once straying his eyes away from him.
"You're dead, Dale." Glenn said defiantly.
The sound of a door screeching open and shut caught Glenn's attention and he watched through the metal cage as pairs of legs ambled out of the prison and out into the courtyard. The faces of those who he thought he would never see again were in front of him; Ed, Amy, Dr. Jenner, Shane, Jacqui, Jim, Otis, Patricia and Jimmy. He scrunched in his face up and shook his head as it suddenly dawned on him. Dale went to stand in front of the line of people.
"No… no," Glenn said. "This can't be happening. No… I-I… No!"
"Glenn…" Shane came forward.
"No."
"You have to accept it," Shane said. "This is like we've never left. We're alive here. We've been given the chance to live in this new world… and when time comes for the others to arrive, it will be like how it was."
"No."
"The sooner you accept it, the sooner it will become normal."
There was a crackle of lightening in the distance, and Glenn turned towards the prison ground. He heard screams and the call of his name coming from the skies and the sky, once clear and neutral, turned dark and thunderous. Thick clouds appeared out of nowhere and another ear-splitting crackle of lightening shot through the sky.
"What's happening?" Glenn asked, turning back towards the group.
"What always happens when it's time," Dale whispered. "You're dying."
As Maggie stared at Glenn's face, so calm and peaceful, she held his hand tightly. She closed her eyes for a moment and gently placed a kiss on his hand.
"I love you," Maggie whispered. "I love you so much. Please, wake up."
Silence filled her ears and she stroked his face and smoothed his hair. She willed for him to open his eyes, say something or squeeze her hand… but she was happy that he was still breathing.
Then Glenn went into shock.
