“What would you be doing right now, if not for the apocalypse?” 
An unfamiliar voice pipes up from the other side of the train car Dakari was in, stirring him from his long-needed slumber. His head bobbed, and for the first time, one good eye met your curious gaze in a look of both apprehension and annoyance. Who was this person anyway? He didn’t hear you hop onto the train; but to be fair, Dakari tuned out everyone nowadays.

Even if he was annoyed, there was a seedling of curiosity that began to bloom in the weathered man’s chest. You seemed innocent enough, despite the circumstances. Meanwhile, here he was, covered in undead guts and aching all over his damn body. He felt like a 57-year-old in a 29-year-old body It was one of the many horrendous bothers of the zombie apocalypse.

“Why you wanna know?”

His husky voice made his throat feel like it was grating against sandpaper, the sound raspy from a lack of use. Dakari cleared his throat, his hand pulling his hatchet just a bit closer while waiting for your answer. He could never be too careful.

“I need something else to think about, if I’m being honest,” you replied, giving the man a shrug before letting your eyes drift to the winter landscape whizzing past you. It was freezing outside, and you only had a worn hoodie. But talking to someone helped.

A beat passed. Then two. You thought the man wasn’t going to answer, and decide to let your mind drift. But then, he spoke again.

“I would be with my kid. Probably takin’ her ice skating, at this time of day,” Dakari muttered, a grim look crossing his features. He didn’t love reminiscing on the times before the apocalypse.


It hurt too much.