Kendall Zelenko (likeivory) wrote in undeadsiegeic, @ 2015-08-11 19:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | kendall |
WHO: Kendall
WHERE: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHEN: February 2016
WHAT: Epilogue. Freedom.
Sand was sand no matter where in the world one stood, or so it seemed to Kendall. It all felt the same to her. Soft and warm (sometimes hot) between her toes, bursting up into the air like little fountains as she walked along the shore. Rio de Janeiro was ever thriving, ever alive. A cacophony of voices, many of them speaking Portuguese, surrounded her. Laughing voices. Happy voices. No fear, no bloodshed, no zombies. It was the sound of freedom. There was also no snow, which was another plus. Kendall had fallen in love with Brazil the moment she stepped off the plane. Most of the survivors, she suspected, had retreated to areas very unlike what Kamong had been, avoiding beaches and jungle areas in favor of big populated cities, colder temperatures and not an ocean in sight. The beach was where Kendall belonged. The only thing different she sought after was a view of mountains rising high into the sky. Enough of a difference to mark a change in scenery, but enough of the same atmosphere that she felt at home. And Brazil felt amazingly like home. Her flip-flops clacked against her feet much more loudly now that she was on the boardwalk. A golden orange sun shone huge and bright at the edge of the horizon, slowly bowing to allow the moon its time to reign in the sky. Night was just as lively as day here. Smiling at the view, Kendall removed her sunglasses, having no need for them now, and took the path that would lead her to the little bar a block that rested at the edge of the beach. Apart from the language barrier, the bar was better than both of Kamong’s put together. The only thing that was missing was her best friend working behind the counter. They kept in touch, but it wasn’t the same. Kendall was surprised the first time she realized she missed her friend. Who knew when life would allow them to hang out in person again. But at least she had Wyatt. That was one constant in her life that she was grateful beyond words to have. Over a year into the relationship and she had yet to tell him she loved him, but he had to know by the way she looked at him. Maybe she did appreciate the cat-calls and flirty comments from other men in this city, but that didn’t mean she was going to give them the time of day. In the end it was just a confidence boost. Her heart was chained and it made being in a new place that much easier. She reached the bar, which had no door, just an open facing of wall that overlooked the ocean, and hopped up onto one of the empty stools in front of the counter. A wave to the bartender invited him over, she ordered a Caipirinha in her broken Portuguese, and settled back to watch what was going on on the tiny television positioned over the bar. She couldn’t understand a word of what was being said, but that didn’t matter. Nobody recognized her in this country. She’d done maybe one interview over the past six months, which had been awkward and annoying as she had to listen to the interviewer - stationed in America - ask the questions in English, the interviewer in Brazil translate it for the South American audience, then provide an answer to the question, which was then translated. It hadn’t garnered her any fame here (though she wouldn’t have protested if it had), but it was more about the money than the fame. Buying a house here had been expensive but worth it to not have to live out of a hotel. A glass was slid her way and she nodded a thanks to the bartender before lifting it to her lips. Cold and refreshing, it was just what she needed to start the night. “Cheers,” she said to herself. The word caught the attention of a guy sitting a few stools down from her. He grinned and lifted his glass in a salute, which Kendall returned with a wide smile of her own. Freedom felt good. |