Photo © 2007 Rachel Cobcroft CC 2.0 BY NC SA
“We’re both dead,” he says, “long dead. But that doesn’t mean we can’t grow alive again!”
She can hardly believe what she’s hearing, of course. A fellow zombie, wanting to be human? Aspiring to be like them? If she didn’t know any better, she would think he was still one of them. But his pallor, his fetor, his unkempt appearance, his bulging eyes, his expressionless countenance, even the moan in his voice, all point to the sophistication that characterize their kind.
How? she wonders, Again human? One cannot undo death, cannot un-lose one’s innocence.
“No,” she says. “They want. We good.”
He shakes his head at her. “You have it all wrong. They don’t strive to be like us, and we don’t fulfill their wishes. They just want to be accepted, to be included.”
“We give them!” she shoots back.
“We give them neither acceptance nor inclusion. Don’t you see? We are the ones who have lost our souls.”
He presses on, and she hears his voice quickening, and wonders how he can talk so fast. “We tell ourselves that we’re better than them, but we only believe it because we hear it all the time. We don’t hold their answers; they hold ours.”
She stares at him a moment, processing his words, almost too much for her. He’s wrong. He’s sacrificing everything she’s worked for, everything she is. She considers destroying him, like the humans sometimes do. Has a zombie ever destroyed one of his own kind?
“You used to be human,” he says. “Have you forgotten already? Don’t you remember what it was like to think, to feel, what it was like to live? What it was like to love?”
She wonders: is that why he’s doing this, betraying their kind, out of some misguided love? Indeed, love was a powerful emotion.
He reaches his hand out and caresses her face. “I remember how you used to be filled with life, how you used to smile at me. How long has it been since we smiled?” And the corner of his lip inches up, stiffly, just a little.
Clearly he is not a full zombie. He is still somehow part human. “You, human,” she says, and she moves to grab him, to attack him as she would a human.
But he does not try to escape. Instead he says, “You can no longer hurt me, my sweet. You can no longer destroy me. I have journeyed to death, and I am on my way back. I’ve met those who have returned to life, and they’ve shown me the way. It all starts up here,”—he points at his head—”in the mind, and here,”—he puts his hand to his chest—”in the heart. None of us has really lost the ability to live; we’ve just forgotten how. All you need to do is to accept it.”
He gazes longingly into her eyes, a stare she just barely remembers. She used to be human, an existence she shed a lifetime ago, an existence that embarrasses her, that she wishes she could forget. His gaze bores into her long-forgotten soul, and she wants to lash out at him, to destroy him. But she also longs for it, for his affection.
She takes his hand in hers and brings it to her lips. She has forgotten how to kiss, but the feeling of his skin against hers reminds of all she has forgotten. She looks to him for a reaction.
“It’s okay,” he says. “You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to live. Don’t ever let them tell you otherwise, never again. Join us, and I’ll show you how.”
Trendy Collection Hub Online – Modern layout with clear product display, browsing was simple.
Hidden Valley Finds – Beautifully curated treasures, browsing feels smooth and enjoyable.
Hidden Valley Finds Hub – Treasures arranged beautifully, browsing feels effortless and fun.
Hidden Valley Corner – Neatly presented finds, making exploration smooth and easy.
TCI Innovation Corner – Inspiring and practical, navigating through products was smooth.
Think Create Innovations – Very inspiring theme, navigation between sections was effortless.
Daily Inspiration Hub – Motivating content and tidy page layout make browsing enjoyable.
Motivation Daily – Inspiring articles arranged clearly with fast, smooth page transitions.
Daily Motivation Finds – Clean layout with uplifting content ensures effortless navigation.
Актуальный список промокодов в Мелбет при регистрации в 2026 году. Действующий бонус код для новичков и постоянных пользователей. Актуальный промокод в Melbet на фрибет. В Melbet подарки ждут каждого зарегистрированного пользователя. Для новичков подготовлены бонусы за первую регистрацию. Постоянные клиенты могут получать поощрения в акциях и бонусных программах. Промокоды бк Мелбет позволяет игрокам принимать участие в акциях и получать разные поощрения, к примеру, бесплатные ставки. В нашей статье мы узнаем, где взять Melbet промокод, как его применять при создании аккаунта и ставках.
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it ;) I am going to return once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
WildFuture Select – Well-structured items with a modern aesthetic create a refined shopping experience.
FutureWild Corner – Attractive visuals and seamless page flow make browsing products simple.
узнать больше водкабет
FutureWild Finds – Attractive visuals and smooth navigation create a seamless shopping experience.
Adventure Picks Hub – Exciting layout and smooth navigation make browsing effortless.
FutureWild Studio – Trend-forward theme and clear page structure improve the overall user flow.
Journey Explorer Hub – Well-structured adventurous layout with easy and enjoyable navigation.
Explore Your Journey – The adventurous layout feels engaging and browsing is effortless.
CopperLaneGoods – Easy-to-use setup, nice outlet offers, and browsing feels pleasantly smooth overall.
CopperLaneSelect – Smooth browsing with well-labeled categories and appealing outlet choices.
CopperLaneFinds – Good set of products here, and the clean design helps keep browsing stress-free.
Shop SoftPeak – Curated items are presented nicely, layout is simple, and navigation is easy.
SoftPeak Selection Online – Easy to navigate, curated selection well-arranged, browsing feels natural.
Букмекер Мелбет неслучайно пользуется популярностью среди игроков. Если вы желаете делать ставки на UFC, воспользуйтесь сайтом оператора Мелбет. Здесь предложена одна из лучших росписей в режиме Live и в линии. Обширная вариативность ставок – на исход, продолжительность состязания и формы досрочных побед, а также сравнительно высокие коэффициенты сделают вашу игру наиболее насыщенной. Для поддержания интересов клиентов, букмекер Мелбет предлагает разнообразные бонусные программы, которые дают определенные привилегии игрокам. Они могут выражаться в фрибетах, бонусах к депозиту или в виде кэшбэка. Чтобы открыть доступ ко всем бонусам от букмекера, используйте мелбет промокод на депозит. Бонусы, которые предлагает букмекер действующим клиентам, можно использовать на ставках по любым спортивным направлениям. Если вы интересуетесь смешанными единоборствами, на сайте Мелбет можно найти порядка сотни предложений по заключению пари на актуальные матчи. Выбор ставок доступен как в линии, так и в Live-разделе. Чтобы воспользоваться бонусами от букмекера и перейти к заключению пари на спорт, необходимо создать личную учетную запись на сайте. Рассказываем, как это сделать.
“Clear writing, thank you! The Marketing Analytics on Hashnode was very helpful”
WildflowerHub – Well-structured layout and pleasant navigation for natural-themed items.
PeakBloomHub – Smooth interface and products displayed in a clear, appealing way.
WildBloomVault – Browsing feels natural with well-arranged floral products.
нажмите vodkabet
FashionSelectionHub – Well-laid-out pages, easy navigation, and chic collections.
Outlet of Fresh Value – Liked the organized layout; everything opened fast and without hassle.
StyleChoiceHub – Organized structure, modern layout, and smooth navigation throughout.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this info.
PureTrendCenter – Organized layout, user-friendly design, and stylish picks throughout.
FreshValue Choices – Smooth browsing with nicely organized categories and fair pricing.
Outlet Value Picks – Good balance of prices and presentation, and browsing felt natural.
TPH Picks Hub – Great presentation of items, moving through pages felt natural.
Trendy Purchase Finds – Well-laid-out products, moving through categories was easy.
Trendy Purchase Picks – Loved the modern setup, exploring products was fast and easy.
Highland Craft Choices – Well-laid-out products, making shopping quick and enjoyable.
Highland Craft Picks Hub – Beautifully displayed crafts, with smooth and comfortable navigation.
Highland Craft Online – Well-organized items, browsing feels natural and satisfying.
узнать больше kush casino
Daily Offer Zone – Listings look clean and appealing, and browsing through them feels smooth.
Best Offer Picks – Plenty of great options available, and navigating the pages feels smooth today.
goldenartstore – Smooth pages with clearly arranged products, made browsing a breeze.
Offer Zone Online – Many good deals are visible, and the browsing flow feels straightforward.
бездепозитные бонусы в казино за регистрацию без депозита Игровые автоматы, также известные как слоты, представляют собой один из самых популярных видов азартных игр в казино и онлайн-платформах. Их принцип работы основан на случайном выпадении символов на вращающихся барабанах, что определяет исход игры. Современные игровые автоматы предлагают огромное разнообразие тематик, бонусных функций и способов выигрыша, делая процесс игры увлекательным и непредсказуемым.
SoftStoneEmporium Hub – Smooth browsing, products are neatly displayed, and the site feels inviting.