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.”
read this https://arch.credit
a href=”https://discoveryourpurpose.click/” />PurposeInsight Hub – Inspiring presentation with clear grouping of material improves navigation.
topshopcentral – TopShopCentral delivers a curated range with clear details that make shopping smooth.
pin up jonli kazino https://pinup5013.ru/
Northern Peak Selections – Product display looks appealing, shopping is easy and enjoyable overall.
a href=”https://discoveryourpurpose.click/” />Discover Purpose Flow – Clear structure and inspirational styling create a pleasant user path.
Northern Peak Premium – Items displayed nicely, shopping the site feels effortless and smooth.
Northern Peak Selects – Products arranged neatly, shopping experience is convenient and enjoyable.
shopwiseonline – ShopWiseOnline presents a selection of carefully chosen products that are easy to explore.
a href=”https://discoveryourpurpose.click/” />PurposeDiscovery Lane – Encouraging content and simple navigation give the site a supportive tone.
<Golden Harbor Choices – Everything appears tidy and dependable, navigation flows naturally.
a href=”https://discoveryourpurpose.click/” />Discover Purpose Pages – Uplifting layout with tidy content blocks offers easy readability.
<Golden Harbor Finds Hub – Neatly presented goods, browsing feels fast and intuitive.
<Golden Harbor Online – Everything looks organized and accessible, browsing flows effortlessly.
Magnificent web site. Plenty of useful info here. I’m sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!
click reference https://etherealtrade.xyz
Visit Website https://usdai.cloud
shop top finds – Finds are neatly displayed, navigation is simple and pleasant.
finds picker hub – Selections are well arranged, browsing is simple and enjoyable.
daily best finds – Products appear solid, browsing feels fast and enjoyable.
оригинал dyson фен купить https://www.fen-dn-kupit.ru .
Currently it looks like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
ремонт бетонных конструкций антикоррозия ремонт бетонных конструкций антикоррозия .
инъекционная гидроизоляция многоквартирный дом https://inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya1.ru .
Timber Crest Picks – Lovely curated display, browsing the gallery was very enjoyable.
Future Inspired Goods – Sleek items presented in an organized way.
TimberCrest Goods – Gallery has a creative and inviting vibe, items are well-curated.
Tomorrow Living Finds – Fresh designs presented in an orderly way.
Timber Crest Hub Online – Artistic gallery atmosphere, items are thoughtfully presented.
Next Future Essentials – Everything feels modern and easy to browse.
Sustainable Lifestyle Hub – Browsing feels responsible and effortless, with excellent products.
Great site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!
Premium Ethical Finds – Quality is evident in every item, with fast and dependable delivery.
Conscious Essentials Hub – Shopping is pleasant, thanks to quality items and ethical practices.
Fashion Finds Daily – Collections are impressive, browsing feels effortless and smooth.
Fashion Finds Online Market – Wide selection available, exploring the site is simple and enjoyable.
Fashion Finds Hub – Trendy items displayed nicely, shopping experience feels smooth today.
everydayshoppinghub – EverydayShoppingHub delivers a smooth, reliable browsing experience with an intuitive design.
trendymarketplace – TrendyMarketplace delivers a friendly, easy-to-use platform with a reliable feel.
topdealscentral – TopDealsCentral feels professional and user-friendly with simple, effective navigation.
ChicChoiceHub – Fast browsing, appealing products, and intuitive site design.
TrendExpressHub – Well-organized items, fast navigation, and pleasant shopping flow.
TrendSpotHub – Clear layout, stylish products, and effortless navigation for users.
More about the author https://plasma.credit/
I really like reading a post that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
weblink https://hlp0.cloud
Golden Root Market – Quality and attractive items arranged neatly, with easy browsing.
Golden Root Hub Online – Collection arranged nicely, making it easy to discover valuable items.
Golden Root Picks – Items presented attractively, with browsing that feels natural and enjoyable.
shopthebestfinds.click – Best finds look appealing, site navigation feels simple and intuitive to use.