Another Grave

    I killed a man. I actually did it. I'm still a little foggy on how I got here but I suppose I should fill you in, huh? I know how this sounds, but it's not as bad as it seems... I guess.      Anyways, my name is Hal. Short for Hallucination. My sort-of-friends gave me this name I did not come up with it myself. I'm 18 and I guess I kind of died? I don't remember much on what happened, only an accident on my way to my last day of High school and then I woke up. The problem here is that when I woke up, it was not only after being confirmed dead by paramedics, not even after the autopsy. Nope. It was after being embalmed and at my own funeral. Anyways, that's confusing for everyone. My mom was crying begging me to come over to her, my dad was shaking in disbelief and my friends, well. You can imagine. It wasn't easy for me to understand and media began freaking out over the up-coming Zombie Apocalypse. Like I would eat any one. The perks of being dead is that I don't need to eat or sleep. The cons of being dead is that I can't go home and need to run from my own home town.      So that's how I got here. Standing over another corpse. You see, there's others like me. The only thing is that some of them raise and seem to be themselves in the same way I am. For others, they aren't as lucky. They raise ready for blood same as this man, so if I come across one I find it my civic duty to put them down. This wasn't his fault, not really. I'm sure he was a nice man. I followed his funeral party and watched them bury him. It was a decent size with a crying mother and child. Other than that, I only know his name as it appears on his grave, Thomas. Rest in peace for real this time, Thomas.       I finish my job and place him back in the casket and re-dig the grave glad that I no longer feel fatigue or muscle pains. One benefit of a newly dug grave is the loose dirt. Makes it easy for them to crawl out and easy for me to hide the marks of any fight. I start my walk back to my temporary home ready for a hot shower.     "Hey, Hal. How was the latest kill?" asks Asher, my roommate. Like me, he is different. An outsider to the world we all know. Only, he had the benefit of being born into this world. He says his family comes from a line of trolls. They use so kind of faery magic to hide their appearance and make them seem more human. Asher has his usual glamor, as he calls it, allowing him to look like an ordinary twenty-three year old guy. I roll my eyes at him as I collapse in the chair nearest to the kitchen where he is cooking his latest disgusting smelling meal. "I hate it when you act so casual about it. They were once living beings, too." I call back. We have this discussion almost every time. Asher might be kind from time-to-time, but he still doesn't always understand human lives. Not that I blame him. Troll Kind can live for a very long time and their views on death are much different than how humans view death. He peaks out from the kitchen, his curly black hair frizzy from the heat of the stove, and smiles at me. "You know, this is what? You billionth kill? You should be used to it by now. Billionth? Thirty six. I have put thirty-six souls back into their graves. I shake my head "I'm going to take a shower. I'm leaving tomorrow." I say, deciding that I don't want to hear his usual "You're not human anymore" speech. Asher chooses to go back into the kitchen and not respond. I'm not going to lie, I'll miss him. For the past sixth months since my funeral, Asher has taken me in. Giving me a place to stay and teaching me about his world, now my world. But every day, more of these risers show up more to the south-west. I live in a small town to the North of Ohio and frankly, there aren't many deaths up here. If I really want to find out more about myself and about the Risers, Ashers and our world, then I need to travel. He gave me some tips on where to go and groups to find and I am ready to move on. I peel off my grime covered clothes and take a quick look at myself in the mirror. I'm covered in mud and dirt with a bit of dried blood. Corpses not really bleed that much considering they are dead and their heart is not pumping, but I always manage to get some gross fluid on me. I run my hands through my short hair. I used to pride myself on my healthy, long hair that resembled my mothers, but since I had to run away, I also needed less of a risk of anyone recognizing me. I've also started sporting some fake glasses when I go out and wear a long trench coat and dark pants to keep myself covered and unnoticeable. After my shower, I sit at Asher's desk and look over the maps and journals again. They tell me where to go, who to ask for and have information on some of the creatures I might meet on my journey. "You know, you can take those with you." Asher says, walking in so suddenly it causes me to jump. I glare up at him, "Haven't you ever learned to knock? Were you raised in a cave?" I jokingly jab at him following with a small smile. He smiles back, but his eyes have a sad look in them. You know, you can stay for a bit. When Jack gets back we can come with you. It could be like a little road trip, just the three of us." Asher offers. Jack is his boyfriend and has been away with family for the past two weeks He is also a human. He is aware of what Asher and I are, though. They have been offering this for months, but I always refuse. "Look," I say "I appreciate the offer and I don't know how I can ever repay you guys for all you've done for me, but Jack is a human and I don't want to put him at risk and I know you won't either. Anyways, I'm tough and can make it on my own." Asher nods solemnly like always and starts to leave "Um Asher," I start, "Thank you. For real. I'll miss you guys, ok." He looks back at me and laughs. "Well, kiddo I'd give you a hug if I knew you wouldn't stab me" I laugh and take up his offer, giving him a short one-armed embrace before sitting back down and getting back to my journals and maps. It's not too long before the sun rises and I start my journey. Asher drives me to the nearest bus stop, I wave my good bye and well, start my new journey.