Kindred zombie

As Joe hiked up the trail, his thoughts returned to Marsha. Her beautiful auburn hair falling upon his chest, the small hands grasping him in joy; the pain of these memories made him clench his teeth and push harder up the hillside.

Joe remembered that they had planned this trip together; worked out evey detail of their getaway. Marsha had been so excited as she hugged him and planted a wet kiss on his lips.

 "Oh...it is going to be so much fun baby." Marsha softly spoke in his ear with unspoken promises of wild love making in the forest. "We can finally get away from everybody and all their rules."

Joe's chest heaved with the warning of oncoming tears and he mumbled incoherantly into the chilly air. He pushed onward until he entered the clearing which was supposed to be their rendevous point. But of course, she wasn't here.

The car accident had ended Marsha's life instantly. She had been on her way to Joe's house, with a sack full of movies and take out. "Just down the street.." he whispered to himself. "Just down the street..." The crazy druggy had hit her head on sending her into a tree by the road side. Joe would love to believe that Marsha never felt a thing--but whose to say what she endured.

As he lay his backpack upon the ground, Joe looked around the clearing and inhaled deeply. "Oh Marsha.." Joe lay back onto the ground allowing the slight breeze to waft up over his body.

The moon was huge this night and very red. He loved how the moon and stars sometimes came out before the sun set. Things like this reminded him of how much Marsha loved the strange aspects of nature. Joe felt as if he was not alone; and for a moment, he reached out beside him and rubbed the earth. He imagined Marsha lying beside him staring off into the wild night sky. He could hear her small voice rambling on about the constellations and odd stories about the stars and what they meant to her. Joe loved to be entertained by Marsha's random tidbits.

He gasped and brought his hands to his mouth as if he could catch his breath and send it back down. His sorrow welled up inside him and he rolled over and curled into a ball. Joe wept.

Night fell quickly as Joe  rose from the ground and scrambled to finish putting up his small tent. He seemed well prepared for the night with his big pile of fire wood and rustic cooking utensils. After completing his shelter for the night, he pilaged through his backpack looking for matches. By the time the sun set, Joe was resting comfortably by his small fire. The night made noises periodically bringing Joe back from his catatonia but when silence fell again; he was back to reminicing. After a while; Joe fell asleep in the entrance of his tent with his backpack for his pillow. The moon gazed down on Joe's tear stained face.

"Joe!" a sweet voice called. "JOe!"

Joe bolted upright wiping the drool from his face. "What?! Who?!"

A dark sillhoette blocked the moon. A figure stood above him.
Joe was scared but realized that it was woman. As he squinted, he could see features in the face; but something was wrong. Joe pulled himself up and crawled closer until he could get his feet underneathe himself. The closer he got, the more defined the features were. Joe stopped moving when he realized who his visitor was.

"What's wrong Joe; I told you I would be here, silly." The voice was raspy but sweet. She giggled.
Joe's face softened and he tilted his head. "Oh Marsha...oh my god." Joe's heart ached as tears ran down his cheek. He walked forward for a moment then stoopped. The realization of what he faced took root inside him. He became very frightened.

Marshed turned to the side revealing herself more fully in the moonlight. She was beautiful and pale except for the fact that she was missing an arm. Her lips were blue and her skin was pale white. Below her hairline was a gaping gash running from her left eye up to meat her matted hair. She hobbled as she turned an hugged herself with her remaining arm. "Oh Joe...I am so sorry."

In the light of the deep dark night, Joe stared at Marsha; truly a kindred soul...a kindred zombie. Yes, that is what she was. There could be no other explanation for her being here. But something strange stirred within him and he gagged at the thought. Joe's feelings were the same despite the thing which stood before him and he walked up to his deal girlfriend. As the breeze passed by them, he could smell the remnants of her perfume...odd and slightly stale.

Marsha's milky eyes met his and she smiled. "I am cold Joe. Would you hold me?"

Joe hesitated then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her cold body close to his. It took all of his strength to keep from weeping again....weeping like a baby. Wild emotions swirled inside his as he stroked her dry hair.

He remembered wishing for her return. He remembered crying at her grave, clawing the earth in desperation. He remembered the nights without her calls. Beyond that smell of the grave, beyond that rotting flesh; there was still his beautiful Marsha. Oh, how he loved her with all his being. He had known from the beginning that they were meant to be together.
Marsha fidgeted and turned her face to him. Her blue lips quivered. Her right eyebrow lifted and Joe knew what she was thinking. Joe didn't know if he could handle it. But as he shifted against her, he felt his desire was still for Marsha. He blushed and sighed.
"Come sweetie." Joe spoke gently as he took her hand. "Let's roast marshmellows."
Marsha followed him to the fire shambling in the moonlight.