Chapter 2 (Old Fashioned)
Chapter 2: Old Fashioned
Valentine Evans
October 2020
About 2 years before outbreak
Dayton Ohio
Season 1
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"What are you all planning to do after high school?"
"I don't know, Arwen; probably work at my dad's work."
"Doesn't he work at a gas station?"
"No, Abby told us before that her dad works at a hotel downtown. Val's dad works at the gas station; I've seen him there before."
"Yeah, you're right; I forgot. I'm probably going to work some volunteer hours during college."
"You're all actually thinking about that now?"
"Most people are, Val."
"He's going to end up living in his mom's basement for the next eight years."
"Shut the hell up, Cole. If anything, you'd live with him."
"Not a chance."
"Don't listen to him, Val. I honestly have no idea what you see in him; he's terrible. You don't have to decide your life story yet. None of us actually know what's going to happen."
"It's cutting it a little close to decide now, Aspen. We won't be in high school forever."
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August 2022
About three months after outbreak
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"Just take those old records off the shelf!"
"I'll sit and listen to them by myself!"
"Today's music ain't got the same soul!"
"I like that old-time rock 'n' roll!"
"Yeah, sing it, kid! Don't try to take me to a disco!"
"You'll never even get me out on the floor!"
"Can you believe we've listened to this song about 8,000 times?
"Honestly, Robert, I can."
"Still like that old-time rock 'n' roll; that kind of music just soothes the soul!"
"We're running low on gas."
"We'll be fine. The days of old, with that old-time rock 'n' roll!"
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We weren't fine. Robert always drove too fast; I knew one day it would catch up to him. His head was caught in the windshield, blood streaming down his face, and so many of his bones poked out of his dark skin. It took every ounce of strength to pull him out. I buried him in the highway ditch; it took all night. I took all of his cassettes, even the ones that broke. I fished his Walkman out of the glove box, and I walked on my own for the first time in a long time, listening to the music he loved. I wish I had died that night too.
I thought I could live a life with Robert. But now, I am left with the haunting memories of that tragic accident and the pain of losing him. He was the first person who bothered to look after me when everything began. He always told me I didn't need anyone's help. I didn't need to rely on others, and I'd be okay on my own. I would give anything for that to be true. I wish I could have lived up to his expectations.