Rock And A Hard Place Seven-The Hitchhiker

- - - - - fanfic short story

#1
GirlsDeadMonster

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Rock and a Hard Place Seven
The Hitchhiker
Tasha Knight had been walking for nearly five days straight. She had been unable to find a working car or truck. Her foraged two-way radio went silent only two days ago. She had been communicating with a group of survivors holed up in a church in town; they said they had supplies and protection from the walkers, sounded like salvation to her. At least she wasn’t completely alone; she picked up a male hitchhiker on the road.
His name is Carter and he said he’s been walking this lone road for more than a week. He had meager supplies but he was willing to share with her. Tasha had been burned before; a young couple weeks ago stole all her collected supplies while she was sleeping. She had been pissed but still had hope that there was still good in mankind. Tasha always found herself quoting The Diary of Anne Frank lately. It was one of her favorite novels and seemed to apply to her current situation.
“So you think they have enough food and water there, Tasha?” Carter spoke, his voice gruff from her waking him so early. She knew they had to keep moving. She spotted a large herd moving North and she didn’t want to get surrounded.
“Well, he said they had enough supplies and that any survivor that could hear their message should make their way there.” Tasha replied.
“I’m just a little leery of those with their hand out in supposed friendship. You should be too, remember Bonny and Clyde?” Carter was referring to the couple that stole her supplies. Come to think of it, Tasha couldn’t even remember their real names, so Bonny and Clyde would have to do.
“Yes, Carter, I remember. It took me weeks to gather that much food. Even still, we can’t just give up on all of mankind because of a few desperate people. There’s not many of us left; and that’s all they were….desperate.”
“And what does that make us?” Carter had a good point. Will there be a time where Tasha would steal from someone? The world is in a state now that stealing someone else’s provisions especially weapons will lead to their deaths. Without food, water, or guns walkers will surely make a meal out of them. Tasha hoped she would never be faced with that decision.
“That makes us…human.” They walked in silence for two hours before stopping for rest at an abandoned gas station. Carter checked around back while Tasha took the front entrance to make sure it was clear of walkers. Sitting against an empty rack, Tasha took stock of their supplies. They were dwindling fast and with nothing else between them and the small town that housed the church, they needed to get there fast if they were going to survive.
Tasha could already feel the effects of little food; she didn’t move as quickly and her muscles strained at every little task. Carter, at least, seemed to be holding up. They shared a meal and started a small fire on the floor to keep the cool afternoon at bay.
“We’ll rest for an hour then get back on the road.” Tasha let her heavy eyelids close as if gravity itself targeted them specifically. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Carter would still be there when she opened them. Her faith in humanity shaken but not broke; she still trusted that he would be there.
She awoke with a start; dreaming of when the outbreak first occurred and the confusion afterwards. The campfire was out and Carter was gone. Tasha still had her pack because she slept with it on her back, a habit she quickly developed.
“Carter?” She asked the empty air.
“Here; I found a stream nearby and filled up our canteens.” Tasha felt a rush of relief that shocked her. She had been alone but being with another human being sharing in this terrible situation made her feel…safe. Unshed tears pooled in her eyes and she quickly turned to hide it. “Should we get going? We’ve been here for two hours. I let you sleep; you looked like you could use it.” He quickly explained when Tasha looked at him.
“Thanks.” She allowed herself to smile faintly. “We should get going.” The pair walked for miles, the church in town never seeming to get closer to them. They would check abandoned cars on the side of the road but pickings were slim. There was a small truck ahead that Carter was peering into. He broke the glass and seemed to get excited.
“Tasha, do you still have that Swiss Army knife? This truck has a little gas left; maybe I can get it started.” Tasha ran to him and produced the knife with its many different gadgets. Her hopes soared. With a truck, they may be able to get as far as the town, depending on the gas. After some fiddling, the engine roared to life.
“Here, give me your pack.” Carter threw her pack into the empty truck bed and Tasha made her way around the passenger side only to see the truck speed off.
“Hey!” Carter never looked back. Tasha stood there and watched the truck slowly disappear over the horizon. Her body was numb and her mind blank. If a herd of walkers came up behind her, she wouldn’t even notice them. She may even welcome them. Tears silently fell from her eyes. She felt foolish, naïve, and worse…defeated. She struggled so hard to stay alive but for what? Only to be taken for a fool not once but twice?
The thought of giving up was substantial in that moment. Tasha started to feel like there was no point anymore. Perhaps the good of mankind died when the initial outbreak began. And still, Tasha found her feet moving forward; down that lonely stretch of road towards the church. She had nothing now, no food, no water, no shelter, and no weapons. It would be only a matter of time before the inevitable.
Tasha didn’t give up though. In a matter of four days, she found herself walking into the church and was met by a Priest. Eight others were there with enough food and water for them all. She had lost faith, but the Priest helped her to find it again. She didn’t see Carter there and she never would. Tasha didn’t know it, but Carter got lost and took the wrong road. His truck broke down and he ended up back on foot. He would soon try to flag down a car with a man, a boy, and a black woman in it.
He would yell for their help, they would not listen but drive off leaving him to die on the side of the road when a herd passed through. The pack the group would return and pick up would be Tasha’s.
  • 3
I don't have to outrun walkers, I just have to outrun you!
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#2
stickoffury412

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Really cool connection to the Walking Dead , definetly a unique interpretation
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#3
Jenners

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I was so excited to see you posted a new short story. These are always fabulous and it shows what comes around goes around. I loved the walking dead connection. Although, it took me a minute to realize it lol. I probably wouldn't have if stick didn't point it out.
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I love my town; This will not define us. 12/14/12. We choose love.

#4
the Walkin Dude

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As always liked this one, great writing.
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Roll outta my coffin Drink poison in my chalice Pride begins to fade And y'all feel my malice

#5
walkerbait13

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I loved it!! Nice touch tying it in to the show too:)
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#6
Operational Security

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Awesome writing
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#7
GirlsDeadMonster

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Thanks so much.
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I don't have to outrun walkers, I just have to outrun you!
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#8
Jon W

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I like the entire story until this line: "The pack the group would return and pick up would be Tasha’s. "

That just seems ... forced. My suggestion would be to describe the pack early in the story (some foreshadowing, letting the really alert reader 'see' what is coming), then.

The man, the boy and the black woman came back through after the herd had done it's work. All that was left was the stolen pack.

The car stopped and picked it up, then drove on.

(that isn't quite it, but a bit more like that...)
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#9
lone star walker

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I really like your short stories. I heard somewhere that it is very difficult to write a good short story. You definitely have a talent for them! The characters are developed quickly, yet thoroughly. This one would make a great webisode. :zombiethumbsup: Looking forward to the next one.
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#10
GirlsDeadMonster

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I like the entire story until this line: "The pack the group would return and pick up would be Tasha’s. "

That just seems ... forced. My suggestion would be to describe the pack early in the story (some foreshadowing, letting the really alert reader 'see' what is coming), then.

The man, the boy and the black woman came back through after the herd had done it's work. All that was left was the stolen pack.

The car stopped and picked it up, then drove on.

(that isn't quite it, but a bit more like that...)

Thanks for the suggestion. I love to hear honest criticism, I will review my stories more.
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I don't have to outrun walkers, I just have to outrun you!
Highschool Of The Dead full 240316

#11
BitBrit

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I really liked this one, the protagonist survived :)
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