Nothing else quite compared to the feel of an ocean breeze filling your lungs. It was the very definition of refreshing. Elliot had always loved taking trips to the beach in New Jersey with his friends. Back then, he’d been intent on learning the whole surfing thing, but that sport (if you could call it a sport) was one he never could quite get the hang of. It would’ve been nice to be able to try again, though. Unfortunately, that was no longer an option. Not with zombies lurking in the water.
With all the research he and his brother had done with the underwater cameras, it still baffled him as to how and why any zombie would ever want to spend its time in the water, more or less avoiding hunting for the living. He didn’t try to pretend he knew the workings of the undead mind, though. For whatever reason, some zombies were drawn to the watery depths.
The shores were relatively empty, though, which was a good thing. It made the vacation a lot more enjoyable, even if the group was never totally relaxed. He wasn’t, at least. More than likely his anxiety stemmed from the fact that he didn’t know if he was immune to the virus, and any time spent outside the safety of fortified walls made him a little jumpy. He tried not to be, though. For Rae’s sake. She needed less stress in her life, especially these days.
“Summer nights are nice,” Elliot agreed as they followed the shoreline. He held his shoes in his free hand, walking barefoot in the cool sand. If there was one thing he’d learned over the years, it was to never go anywhere without shoes. “Summer days were more bearable when air conditioning was more constant,” he chuckled lightly. Electricity was precious, even (or especially) at Sing Sing.
When she asked if he was having fun, he turned his head to glance at her and quirked half a smile. “If I wasn’t having fun, you’d be seeing my cranky face, wouldn’t you?” He joked. “Yes, I’m having fun. Are you? I know it’s been a little awkward with… certain people around,” he asked, referring to the most contrary member of their little group.