Short Fiction Young Adult Science Fiction Fantasy

Late morning that day, he saw someone walking.
Miles off yet. Coming toward him, along the edge of the road and
staying off the pavement.  Chuck could tell because the highway
was laser straight for miles in both directions.

You could hear anything coming when there was
traffic. And then hear it going.

Walkers made no noise, and took a long time to get
there. A long time to get gone.

"Well Mr. Lazurai, take your time. I''m in no
hurry." Chuck said out loud to no one in particular.

He figured that this had to be a Lazurai as he was
walking.

People told stories about them: they wouldn''t
always kill you right off. If they liked you, then you had a few
days. The people that lived were cursed anyway, as anyone they knew
would leave them alone after that. As what the Lazurai gave a person
could also affect the other people around them. Big or small
community, it didn''t matter. Viruses spread.

Chuck didn''t care. He would not leave Charlene and
she would not leave her baby. So if this was the end, he was as ready
as he would be.

By the time the walker was nearly in earshot,
Chuck had finished off the rest of his lemonade and was ready for a
refill.  But he stayed on that bench in the shade and waited to
meet this person.

His only real hope is that the end would be swift
and painless. For everyone concerned.

- - - -

J. R. Kruze is an upcoming fantasy and science fiction author, credited with a couple of novels and several short stories. Be sure not to miss any of them.

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