TWD: The Burden We Bear

It's been weeks since Eddie severed his arm, a decision born out of desperation and survival. Throughout this harrowing time, he has experienced a strange mix of fortune and misfortune.

Against all odds, he didn't succumb to blood loss. Miraculously, his remaining arm and leg remained free of infection, and his wounds had been healing reasonably well. But when he regained consciousness after passing out, he found himself staring up at a starless night sky. He stumbled back to the house where he and his group had once sought refuge, only to find it completely overrun by walkers. Panic surged through him as he scoured the city for any sign of his companions, but the streets were teeming with walkers—hundreds, if not thousands, shuffling aimlessly, blocking every possible escape route.

Defeated, he made the agonizing decision to abandon the city. He was consumed by uncertainty, haunted by thoughts of his father, Lee, Clementine, Christa, Omid, Chuck, Lilly, and Carley. Were they alive? Did they make it? The not knowing gnawed at him, a constant ache in his chest.

So, he walked. And walked. He only paused at night, collapsing in exhaustion for an hour or two of restless sleep before continuing his trek. Fighting off walkers had become a near-impossible task with only one functional arm and cracked ribs. Breathing was shallow and painful, and fatigue set in quickly. Food was scarce, but he did manage to find a river, drinking greedily from it despite the risks of contamination. Survival had become his only focus.

For days, he followed the riverbank, it providing him with much-needed hydration. He foraged for berries and edible plants, relying on his limited knowledge of survival. Time became meaningless; all he could feel was the prickling sensation of an unkempt beard growing on his chin and the tickle of a mustache above his lip.

Once, he encountered a lone walker, the decaying remains of a former police officer. With a few well-placed kicks to its already ruined face, he dispatched it, discovering a Glock with six rounds still intact. It was a small stroke of luck in an otherwise bleak existence.

Days turned into an indeterminate blur until he stumbled upon a bridge. Crossing it, he found a truck stop, its interior ransacked and abandoned. Yet, he was fortunate enough to discover a hidden stash of whiskey, potato chips, and canned beans. It was evident that another survivor had once taken refuge here but had left for reasons that Eddie couldn't begin to guess.

He settled at a table, uncorking a bottle of Johnnie Walker, tearing open a bag of Ruffles, and cracking open a can of beans. He ate and drank in a daze, the same fog that had enveloped him since he woke up after losing his arm. When he finished, he plopped down on a couch that had been overturned, righting it before lying on his side, eyes drifting shut as sleep overtook him.

———

*A few days later.*

A woman driving a battered yellow Dodge Ram 1500 cruised along a deserted highway. Her dark skin glistened in the sunlight, and her wild curls, tinged with remnants of blond dye, bounced with every bump in the road. Her captivating green eyes sparkled with determination, framed by freckles that danced across her nose and cheeks. Dressed in a dark blue hoodie, green sweatpants adorned with floral patterns, and white and green sneakers, she appeared small and fragile at just 5'1". Yet, there was a fierce resolve in her expression, a contrast to her otherwise cute demeanor.

As she spotted the truck stop in the distance, doubt crept in—there likely wouldn't be anyone there. Still, she pulled over, driven by the desperate need to scavenge whatever supplies she could find.

After parking, she turned off the engine and retrieved her revolver, only three shots remaining, along with a knife she quickly tucked away. Heart pounding, she aimed her gun in front of her as she stepped out of the vehicle, every sense heightened as she approached the building.

Inside, the stillness was deafening. She searched the dimly lit corners, her breath hitching as she ventured deeper into the stark, silent space. Suddenly, her heart dropped. There, slumped on a couch, was a man eating a can of beans with his bare hand—one arm visibly missing. A scraggly beard adorned his chin, and his long, unkempt hair framed a face that was dirt-streaked and weary. His vacant eyes seemed to stare into nothingness.

In that moment, uncertainty gripped her, and her hands began to tremble. This was her first time alone since losing her group to a horde of walkers. They had shared a camp since the outbreak began, and now she was painfully aware of how unprepared she was for this encounter.

"H-han o-op!" she stammered, voice shaking. Instantly, she regretted her choice of words, realizing he couldn't raise both hands—only one was left.

The man sighed, finishing the last of the beans before tossing the empty can to the floor. He slowly raised his remaining hand, a gesture that felt both resigned and indifferent.

"Relax," he said, his voice low and casual. "I'm not a threat."

Maria blinked, trying to muster her confidence. "Yuh sure 'bout dat? Yuh look like yuh lost yuh way, mi fren."

"Yeah, you could say that," Eddie replied, leaning back against the couch. "Been wandering for a while now. Name's Eddie."

"Eddie," she repeated, still cautious. "Maria. From Jamaica, yuh know? Came to the US, an' den dis outbreak happened."

"Jamaica, huh? That's a long way from here," he mused, eyes narrowing slightly. "What brings you to this hellhole?"

"Mi group thought we could find safety in da states," Maria said, her guard slowly lowering. "But I lost dem all. Now, I'm just tryin' to survive like everyone else."

Eddie nodded, understanding etched on his face. "It's a rough world out here. You can't trust anyone anymore."

She took a tentative step closer, the gun still gripped tightly in her hand. "Yuh not a walker, so dat's a start, right?"

"True. But I don't have much to offer, aside from some beans and a couple of bottles of whiskey," he gestured vaguely to the remnants of his meal.

Maria exhaled slowly, finally lowering her gun. "Maybe I should put dis down then. Mi not lookin' for trouble, just… a way to survive."

"Smart move," Eddie replied with a hint of a smile. "We could use a little more cooperation in this world."

"Yuh think so?" She relaxed, feeling a flicker of hope. "What's next for yuh, Eddie?"

"Honestly? I'm just trying to find a place that feels safe. Maybe we can figure it out together."

Maria nodded, her heart beating a little faster. "Together den. Let's see where dis road takes us."