Beyond The Dead/ Issue 40

We Were Friends Once - Issue 40 of Beyond The Dead
Anthony made his way out of his warm house. Almost immediately opening the door, he felt the cold breeze rub against his cheeks. He had forgotten to shave once again, as he rubbed his chin hopping to make it warmer. He walked on the concrete sidewalk, and made his way towards his car. He smoothly opened the car door, and began entering it. He always wanted to enter and start a car as if he was taking his driver test.

He began to drive towards the front gate where he seen Gio, Walter, and Ryu. Gio sat looking miserably, as Walter had a hat on covering his eyes as he lay back in his chair sleeping. Anthony waited for Ryu to open the gate, but Ryu instead begin walking down the steps.

Anthony: What is it? I got places to go!

Ryu: Look, this is my only moment to actually have a word with you in private…

Anthony: Fine, hop in…

Ryu: Gio, keep the place locked down!

Ryu does a motion with his hand, signaling Gio to wake Walter up. He opens the car door, and sits comfortably in the warm heated car. Anthony begins to drive off as the gate opens.

Geo stands up slowly, but still tired as hell. He walks over to Walter who is slowly snoring. He taps him on the solder immediately awakening Walter.

Walter: What’s going on? Walter looks around.

“Where’s Ryu?” Walter asks.

Gio: He went with Anthony… Something about wanting to talk with him in private… But Anthony looked like he was in a rush.

Walter: Damn, I guess we’re stuck, until the next shift… There’s an awkward silence between the two as they sit in the cold weather.

“So, what you use to do before all of this?”

Gio: Oh, I was actually a professional soccer player!

Walter: Professional? Damn, you must have made some good money!

Gio: Yea, but I guess that doesn’t matter anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: Yea, nothing in this world really does! Beers, music, food, and love are all I can think of.

<p class="MsoNormal">Gio: Come on! There got to be something else!

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: I honestly can’t, but doesn’t surprise me; I’m a pretty slow person anyways.

<p class="MsoNormal">Gio: Oh, whatever! I’m sure you’re a smart person!

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: I don’t think I need someone second opinion…

<p class="MsoNormal">Gio: Oh- sorry…

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: No need to say sorry, it’s cool! Just in a grumpy mood right now!

<p class="MsoNormal">Gio: Yea, I see that!

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: What you trying to say?

<p class="MsoNormal">Gio: I was just agreeing with you!

<p class="MsoNormal">Walter: Alright… Walter looks ahead as he sees to multiple men make their way towards the front gate ready for their shifts.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well nice meeting you!” Walter immediately races down the stairs and begins to walk fast towards his home.

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi stood in front of Ryu’s front porch as she began to knock on the door. Slowly the doorknob turns, and Ryu leans on the side of his door to support himself.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: What’s up?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: You mind if I come in?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Sure, why?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: I need to discuss some things with you in private…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Well what are you waiting for? Too cold out here anyways…

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi enters Ryu’s warm conditioned home. Probably the second best home in the neighborhood she imagined.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Wow, I’ve never knew how organize and nice you kept this place!

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Well you haven’t been in here before, so I don’t blame you! Ryu sits down in his leather chair, as he rests his feet on top of the glass coffee table.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re welcome to take a seat!” Dessi sits down on the larger couch and she enjoys herself.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You were going to say?” Ryu finally gives the spotlight to Dessi.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: You’re aware of the Nadine situation, right?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Of course! Why wouldn’t I?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Well just making sure…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Let me guess, this is about her?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Yea…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: So?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Can’t there be any thing you can do?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: I don’t know honestly… What do you have in mind?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Well… You have known Anthony for a while now…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Wait, you’re not saying I should talk to him right?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Just let me finish!

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Okay, all yours!

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Well, you been his second hand man throughout all this, and it just doesn’t make sense for such a sweet girl like Nadine to get exiled! I mean, she doesn’t deserve this at all!

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: And I’m here becau- Ryu doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence, as he is quickly cut off by Dessi.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: You’re here because it’s your house…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Okay, Miss Smart Mouth!

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: As I was saying before I got interrupted… Dessi rolls her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You need to have a talk with him; tell me, when was the last time you said anything to Anthony?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Honestly, I don’t know at all!

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Which this is why, you could defiantly do something! Step up! What’s the worst he’s going to do to you? Y’all been together since the first day y’all met at the gym…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Look, I would love to! But, I just don’t think I can do something like that… I know how Anthony is.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Tell me, what’s your deepest fear?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Honestly… Losing my love ones, yours?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Death. She has loved ones out there that could potentially be alive Ryu! Imagine if you were in her position! Images of Nadine family crying runs throughout his head.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Honestly… I just can’t do it! Dessi stands up, and Ryu follows her same routine, as they both walk towards the door.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dessi: Look, I understand… But please, give it some thought. Please?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu nods his head yes, as he politely opens the door for Dessi. Dessi waves at him, looking disappointed. “Should I do the right thing?” Ryu asked himself.

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu sat in Anthony car as Anthony drove down the dark street.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: So, why are you out so late? This is dangerous!

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: Well first of all, it’s not of your business, and second of all it’s not dangerous enough for you to agree to tag along…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Well, you let me know that I was still allowed in your car…

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: I let you know, you could hop in my car because you’re my friend… Now please move on the part where you wanted to talk to me. Ryu rolls his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Look about Nadine… D- Do you really think that it is the most appropriate punishment?

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: Of course… How many times do I have to say it?! We don’t tolerate shit like this around here.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Around what? This is a fucking apocalypse! What the fuck, do you think this is?!

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: Excuse me?!

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Yea, I said it! You’re just an ignorant prick, who doesn’t care. You’re fucking dealing with people lives, and do you even realize how fucked up you’re in your head!

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony continues to drive, as he pulls in a B!g Lot parking lot. He proceeds to head towards the area where multiple biters roam around. Anthony and Ryu sit in an awkward silence as Anthony looks towards Ryu. Both man, cringe their eyes as they stare each other down.

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: I expected better of you Ryu… Anthony looks outside where all the biters continue to roam, despite them in the car.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why Ryu? Why must you have the need to talk all this shit about me? I’ve helped you out so much, and you just pay me back like this!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Because… You’re not the same dude I met back at college…

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: And how so?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: I’ve already explained that in the car…

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: Get out of the car…

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: What?

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony: I said get out of my fucking car! Ever since Lionell came, you changed! You don’t agree with shit! What the fuck type of friend are you!? Anthony enters out of his car, and is followed by Ryu. Multiple biters see them, and begin slowly walking towards them. Limping step by step on the hard pavement.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ryu: Honestly… You need to start asking all the same questions you asked me, about yourself… I’m not even sure, you even know you’re self yet!

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony quickly pulls out a knife, and runs towards Ryu. Stabbing him in the gut immediately; Ryu falls down to the hard ground as he lets out a shriek causing more biters head their way. Ryu gasp, as it’s getting tougher for him to bleed, as blood begins to slowly exit his body through his mouth. He looks down on the stab wound and can’t help but think about what Dessi him her most scary fear is. Death.

<p class="MsoNormal">Anthony looked at the bloody blade, and couldn’t believe what had done. He looked at the gasping Ryu, but knew he couldn’t take him back or else, word would’ve spread Anthony was a killer. He hopped in his car, and looked at the dying Ryu begging for help as multiple biters begin to tear against his flesh. Ryu couldn’t stop screaming. The sun rise began to come in view, as Anthony started his car, and begin to get the hell out of there. Anthony was now a killer, but what he was about to do wouldn’t even matter. He didn’t head back towards Misty Forrest, but instead kept going the same direction he was originally going.

<p class="MsoNormal">Last Issue: Issue 39 Next issue: Issue 41

<p class="MsoNormal">