Facing the Apocalypse: When Your First Victim Is Someone You Knew

Imagine the scenario played out countless times in movies, books, and video games: it's the apocalypse, and society as we know it has crumbled. You've just taken down your first zombie. But this wasn't just any zombie—this was someone you knew very well.

Perhaps it was a celebrity, like Ariana Grande. Or maybe it was a close friend, family member, or even a beloved public figure. In any case, the emotional impact is stark. Yet despite the heart-wrenching reality, the zombie's former identity means little to the battle that lies ahead.

Is it Heartless to Target Someone You Knew?

The idea of targeting a former acquaintance or loved one in a survival situation might seem cold-hearted. In this scenario, you've not only faced a physical threat but also a personal one. The temptation to embrace the pain and mourn the loss might be overwhelming. Would you still go through with the attack? Indeed, the answer is often 'yes.'

One might ask, ‘Would I be sad over them now being dead?’ The resounding answer is a definitive 'yes.' However, the question that follows is more relevant: 'Would I be sad about having to destroy the monster using their body?' The response to this is unequivocal: ‘Not at all.’

Here's the crux: once the change has been made, the essence that the person once was no longer exists. Instead, you are confronted with an enemy that shares a past with you, yet no longer embodies the person you knew. The entity in front of you represents the nightmare that took away your loved one, not the individual themselves.

Why Fight the Enemy?

As a survivor in these apocalyptic conditions, you must choose between surrender and continuing the fight. Would you allow the entity that took your loved one to continue hurting others, including those you care for? The answer would be a clear ‘no’ for many.

If the situation were to fall into your hands, you would remove the immediate threat. You would fight tooth and nail to protect your loved ones and ensure that the cycle of pain stops. Your past bond with that person is no longer a factor. The only thought in your mind will be to safeguard the ones you still hold dear.

Survival Over Reminiscence

Ultimately, the situation reveals the stark contrast between survival and memories. Priorities shift dramatically in a situation of doom. The emotional pain is present, but it must take a backseat to the very real and immediate threat at hand.

The cognitive dissonance of needing to kill the one you once loved is a powerful and unsettling experience. Yet, it's a necessary one in the harsh realities of an apocalypse. Sacrificing these memories allows survival to take precedence. Fear and the will to live overpower the sorrow of knowing that this, too, is part of your grim reality.

Conclusion: Embrace the New Reality

Whichever atrocities the apocalypse has brought upon us, the most challenging part might be the immediate aftermath. Once you face the first zombie that was someone you knew, you're left to redefine your worldview. The enemy remains a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to put old feelings behind and start anew, with a renewed focus on survival and ensuring the safety of those you hold dear.

In the end, survival trumps all, and the survivor's mindset must adapt quickly to the new reality. The first step is acknowledging the pain, then moving forward with the necessary actions for survival. The enemy within the enemy represents not only a past but also a future, one where you and your loved ones can rebuild and find new meaning in a world forever changed.