Echoed Voice and Other Short Stories

This fanfiction is a companion to Dead Redemption.

This story is written by Violet. Please leave a comment, I like to hear different responses :)

Echoed Voice
We all sat by a campfire that night, with a victory of things Dempsey managed to get a hold of. I hate the American, I blame him and any other of his kind for Lilith's death, but he made a good find. He showed us all this new thing, as he called, "Hot Dogs", which is meat wrapped into a soft, squishy, flat bread bun.

Dempsey also managed to find these delicious, chewy white clouds called "Marshmallows." I haven't eaten anything with sugar for 10 years. It was a delightful sensation.

Then we all conversed. It was a zombie-free night, Sam took a rest, I presume.

"Anyone have family back at home? I mean, to get back to when this is over?" Dempsey asked with a chuckle, stuffing his hot dog in his mouth and swallowing.

"I have son. Name is Skye. He real ass, hates me." Nikolai said glumly.

All of us laughed in amusement to the drunk Russian's poor grammar.

"I have wife, two daughters. Tyno and Natalie. Emperor took Natalie away, then sent her to America to a family whose child was killed in war. Never seen her since. Wife is named Gennifer. Her father was American, given name by him." Takeo quietly said.

We didn't laugh. I frowned. Takeo's daughter was taken away by his own ruler. Cruel.

"I have a son and a wife. My son's name is Mason, my wife is Tanya. We're pretty happy together." Dempsey concluded.

They all stared right to me, Dempsey's face twisted into a smirk.

"C'mon, Edward, we shared about our family. Tell us yours." he hissed. I stayed silent, and eyed the dark green grass glittering in the moonlight. Fragile, like my past.

"Fucking Doc will just tell stuff about organs and blood. His family is probably dead and he doesn't want to share." Nikolai joked. Takeo and Dempsey laughed and nodded.

Anger flared into my eyes.

"I have family, and I do have a life you shwiens!" I screeched, throwing a pan onto the ground and angrily glaring at Dempsey.

"All you had to do is tell us." Dempsey said calmly, then rolled his eyes. I sat down, putting my hands into fists and shoving them into my pockets.

I think briefly.

"You want to know so bad? I'll tell you, and I hope you understand that all of this is serious.

My parents were murdered when I turned 16. When my sister turned 12, she was killed by fever, and I could do nothing to help her. I fell in love and got married to my wife, Lilith. I was dragged into the Nazi Party, and forced to work by an abusive boss. Americans attacked the town Lilith and my, then four years old, daughter Xena lived in while I was away.

Xena was tied up with ropes and her lips were duck-taped together, while they murdered my wife. I held her in my arms as her life melted fragilly away into the floor, and I saw my sister Antoinette in her eyes as her body turned cold as ice. I got Xena and I out of there, but when I watched the news that night, everyone but my daughter had died in the village. I didn't sleep for weeks. And now, I don't even know if Xena is alive anymore." I blurted out, tears coming out of my eyes.

They stared at me, awestruck and saddened. Dempsey looked away with a frown. I turned away, regretting I told them. I hoped they didn't realise any of my secrets.

No, they wouldn't have. I bit my tongue to keep me from sighing in relief, and grabbed my sleeping bag. I abruptly left, to find a spot nearby to sleep.

It was going to be a long night.