Zombies'n'S**t Ep. 58

Getting Serious Now

Once we were all seated around the fire, Sophia spoke, somewhat tentatively, "So I have an idea to figure some of this out.  To see if the memory issues John had are going to be the same across the board."  We all gave her our attention and she started slowly, "So far, the only evidence we have is that John forgets everything about me, or at least the first couple of hours after meeting me.  You remembered everything else about your current life, just not me, right?"  She looked at me expectantly and I nodded carefully, "Yeah.  I remembered everything back to when I fist woke up like this until right before the attack on your people."

Sophia grimaced and nodded, "Okay, so the sunrise might be the the triggering mechanism for the lapse in memory.  If not, what I have in mind will banish that as part of the situation."  Katherine shifted and leaned forward, "Tell us what you have in mind."  Sophia took a deep breath and looked at each of us in turn, "We wait until the sun comes up."  Carl rolled his eyes and I smacked my forehead while Katherine, the only mature one of us asked, "What you are saying is, we wait for the sun to rise, just to see if we all forget you and start attacking you.  You realize how dangerous this is for you?"  Sophia swallowed and nodded, "Yes.  If you forget, I can try to run or you guys get me.  But my hope is that I can remind you of all this and we have a solution to this whole Apocalypse thing in one go."

The three of us looked at each other, and considered.  Sophia, somewhat exasperated, said, "You guys won't really have to worry about much, not like I can fight back and actually kill you.  Everything you guys have told me about faking being dead when someone damaged your head shows that already.  The best I can do is try to run.  No risk for you at all."  Katherine spoke somberly, "What John told you is true, dear.  Being one of us is a terrible existence.  Despite how childish these two act, they are good people.  I would rather not have turning you into one of us on their conscience.  Especially John.  He has no memories of better times to comfort him, he only knows this misery we share."

Sophia took that in stride and leaned forward as well, "I will run really fast."  Again, the three of us looked at each other.  Much to my surprise, Carl and Katherine both turned to look at me.  I stuttered, "W-What?!"  Carl spoke first, "I understand what she's doing and think she is on the right track.  We could almost fix everything, at least for the living.  We owe it to them after all we've done.  Besides, even if it fails and we turn her, I can move on.  My guilt won't cripple me.  You, on the other hand..."  He trailed off, then shook himself and with renewed passion said, "I love you, man.  But let's face facts, you are struggling to hold yourself together as it is.  If this doesn't expose the effects of revealing ourselves to the Normies, then it might show us if your memory is finally crumbling.  Either way, more information couldn't hurt.  But I can't see you tear yourself apart with guilt of turning her.  It's up to you."

Katherine had been nodding and added, "We are okay with this, but we won't do this if you arn't comfortable with it."  Sophia pipped up earnestly, "We can also have you leave the room as the sun is rising, to make sure you wouldn't be involved if it does fail and they turn me."  I grimaced and spoke weakly, "Sophia, this isn't the only problem.  We sometimes eat you guys.  These two are unlikely to, but it is a potential complication to your plan."  She nodded, having been told this already, "I know, John.  I know."

Everyone was watching me again as I turned it over.  They were right about one thing, this could definitely change almost everything.  Things wouldn't be the exact same as before, but they would be as good as we could get.  We would still be what we are, rotting piles of gore, but the normal people might be able to return to life and bring the human race back from extinction.  There would be social problems aplenty, to be sure, but we could rattle the world with this; if it worked.  Thoughts kept nagging at me, though.  Humanity had done it to itself, this we knew.  The signs of this very building showed evidence of war; bullet holes pockmarking the walls, the burned out husks of cars and buildings.  The city center was still heavily irradiated near a crater where some kind of bomb hit.  It was so irradiated, even the teeming dead never went near it.

If one did go in, only a feral would come out.  Humanity was vicious, self destructive and violent to the max.  I had been told by those who lived before the current situation the myriad of social issues that had never disappeared, even after hundreds of years of human civilization.  And in some cases, some would get worse.

I could feel the potential future of the world settling on this decision.  It was unlikely the world would have this opportunity again.  More likely, the human race would go extinct long before then.  Either because we would kill them off, they would turn against each other or, much more simply, they were unable to survive this new environment.

I also knew, without a doubt that both Katherine and Carl would say no to Sophia if I did.  Despite Sophia's suggestion that only Katherine and Carl get involved, I knew they would follow my lead on something like this.  I hated myself for that.  They knew I would still feel unreasonably guilty for allowing them to destroy her.  In effect, this experiment that could save humanity would only happen if I agreed.

Whooo, boy.  The world rested on my shoulder.

And I didn't want it there.

But how could I allow the most violent and destructive race to continue killing and destroying everything around them?  How could I condemn an entire race to extinction?

I looked up at Sophia.  Her eyes were earnest, desperate and agonized.  Why?  I don't know.  I looked away quickly, unable to face her.  The room was filled with the intangible sense of surrender when I did.  I barely heard a choked sob from Sophia.  It seemed she understood Katherine and Carl pretty well and knew If I didn't agree, neither would the other two.

I steeled myself for the pain I was about to potentially inflict on Sophia, Katherine, Carl and the entirety of life on this miserable little rock we called home.

I looked up and gave Sophia a hard look.

"Let's do this."

Author's Note

IMPORTANT: Okay folks. This one was a bit long, but I need anyone who is actually reading this to chip in. Because I do this with little to no forethought, I have no idea what will happen. I need help. What do you all think should happen. Should it work? Should it not? Should the memory issue only be for John? Should they eat her, or turn her? Should the memory loss effect everyone? What? If anyone is reading this, please put your thoughts in the comments below (as well as any critisims, suggestions, corrections etc). I will put up the next episode next Wednesday afternoon (March 21st, 2018).

Reviews

[unspokenguilt]

I suppose im too late to suggest anything but i would hope it would work!

[wagonburner]

Sorry, nobody was around when I made the decision. I probably should have given a lot more time, knowing you folks aren't plastered to this. Damn hindsight, 20/20 bullshit.....muttermumblegripe

[wagonburner]

Remember, throughout all of this, there have been a few hints tucked away in a few episodes that might change a few things. I will re-read everything before I make the final decision. Again, all two people who probably read this drivel. Unless I am way off the mark and far more people than I realize actual do read this.