“I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human body”
Word Count: 527
Simon: “I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human body”
Derrick: “...yea?”
Simon: “...yes.”
Derrick: “Well that’s nothing. You’re lucky that it took you thirteen years to see what the world has come to. I lived during the change. When I was ten, I had to kill a six-foot-tall walker with a wrench so I wouldn’t be eaten alive. A behemoth of a creature, he was. It was an intense moment, to say the least.”
Simon: “That must have been...hard...but you don’t understand. I was never exposed to such brutality before, even growing up in this horrific environment. When I saw the body, laying there, lifeless, it changed my perspective on the world.”
Derrick: “You actually think I killed before this stupid apocalypse? I was ten years old for goodness sake. My experience was much worse than yours. When you finally kill something with your bare hands, that should be what changes your perspective on the world.”
Simon: “...well-”
Derrick: “Well what? I was a sane child like you. Young and bold. Looking ahead towards the future, but I guess that all went to garbage, huh? Everything we do now is just so we could claw our way into another day of life.”
Simon: “I meant no offense. I just don’t know why things in the world have to be like this…”
Derrick: “Offended? I’m not offended. Hell, you don’t know me very well if you think you would offend me just by saying something like that. You have a lot to learn kid, and I hope you adapt real soon. Things are only going to get harder from this point on.”
Simon: “Well if you teach me I could-”
Derrick: “Teach yourself. I learned what I know now on my own. I’ve been out here for years. You’re a young boy, you have time. Don’t worry.”
Simon: “I’m not worried, just teach me. I don’t understand why you don’t want to. It would save us time. I would be more efficient and beneficial towards the group. You said it yourself. We need more cooperation if we plan to survive-”
Derrick: “Enough! I’ve heard enough! I will hear no more of this. End of discussion. Don’t question my ways. I am your leader and you will show me respect, regardless if you disagree with my decisions.”
Simon: “You’re right...I just want to be of more use…”
Derrick: “Simon, you’re a very smart boy. Please, understand that I want you to be better. But to help you achieve that, I must let you do it on your own. If I handed out my knowledge to everyone in our group, no one would learn anything. They would depend on one person, me, instead of themselves for survival.”
Simon: “I...never thought of it like that.”
Derrick: “Nothing is as it seems Simon. I’ve been living in this camp for sixteen years and I’ve seen many things. I’m leading this group now and I want my people to thrive after I’m gone or unable to perform my duties anymore.”
Simon: “I understand, sir.”
Derrick: “Please, call me, Derrick. Now get back to the field. We need to collect our harvest before winter. This year is going to be brutal. I can feel it.”
Simon: “I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human body”
Derrick: “...yea?”
Simon: “...yes.”
Derrick: “Well that’s nothing. You’re lucky that it took you thirteen years to see what the world has come to. I lived during the change. When I was ten, I had to kill a six-foot-tall walker with a wrench so I wouldn’t be eaten alive. A behemoth of a creature, he was. It was an intense moment, to say the least.”
Simon: “That must have been...hard...but you don’t understand. I was never exposed to such brutality before, even growing up in this horrific environment. When I saw the body, laying there, lifeless, it changed my perspective on the world.”
Derrick: “You actually think I killed before this stupid apocalypse? I was ten years old for goodness sake. My experience was much worse than yours. When you finally kill something with your bare hands, that should be what changes your perspective on the world.”
Simon: “...well-”
Derrick: “Well what? I was a sane child like you. Young and bold. Looking ahead towards the future, but I guess that all went to garbage, huh? Everything we do now is just so we could claw our way into another day of life.”
Simon: “I meant no offense. I just don’t know why things in the world have to be like this…”
Derrick: “Offended? I’m not offended. Hell, you don’t know me very well if you think you would offend me just by saying something like that. You have a lot to learn kid, and I hope you adapt real soon. Things are only going to get harder from this point on.”
Simon: “Well if you teach me I could-”
Derrick: “Teach yourself. I learned what I know now on my own. I’ve been out here for years. You’re a young boy, you have time. Don’t worry.”
Simon: “I’m not worried, just teach me. I don’t understand why you don’t want to. It would save us time. I would be more efficient and beneficial towards the group. You said it yourself. We need more cooperation if we plan to survive-”
Derrick: “Enough! I’ve heard enough! I will hear no more of this. End of discussion. Don’t question my ways. I am your leader and you will show me respect, regardless if you disagree with my decisions.”
Simon: “You’re right...I just want to be of more use…”
Derrick: “Simon, you’re a very smart boy. Please, understand that I want you to be better. But to help you achieve that, I must let you do it on your own. If I handed out my knowledge to everyone in our group, no one would learn anything. They would depend on one person, me, instead of themselves for survival.”
Simon: “I...never thought of it like that.”
Derrick: “Nothing is as it seems Simon. I’ve been living in this camp for sixteen years and I’ve seen many things. I’m leading this group now and I want my people to thrive after I’m gone or unable to perform my duties anymore.”
Simon: “I understand, sir.”
Derrick: “Please, call me, Derrick. Now get back to the field. We need to collect our harvest before winter. This year is going to be brutal. I can feel it.”
Zombie Apocalypse
I feel as if I've been dropped into the world of the Walking Dead. I really appreciate that you have taken the opportunity to expand this world--that you're allowing yourself to write about worlds and situations that are possible to capture in a podcast (one of the great things about podcasting is that it does not limit the imagination--as long as you can think of sound effects that can focus the listener in a world, you can go anywhere). I like too that you have two different characters here, much like the Heidi/Colin dynamic in Homecoming. You have one character who is clearly older and more in charge, and another who is trying to find his way. The stakes, in this case, are also very high (life or death), which helps to create and sustain tension. It's also working that you have one character who so clearly wants instruction and help from the other, and is getting met with resistance. I wonder if there are other ways that you might continue this dynamic until it is resolved? Also, think more about what these guys would be talking about if they weren't in a moment of tension, just so you can get to know them a little better.
ReplyDelete