Dead love in my hands (Troy Otto story/ Fear the walking dead/ ftwd)

Walk

We had been walking for about a couple of hours. Troy was in no hurry and enjoyed the day, as if completely forgetting about everything. It was quite strange for him. The sun was scorching, but a fresh wind helped to cope with the heat.

"Where do we go next?"

"Well, we have the whole world at our disposal," Troy said and spread his hands.

"I think we should confine ourselves to the ranch area for now."

"And I'd like something new..."

"What do you mean?"

Troy stopped and sat down. His shoelaces on his right shoe came undone, and he began to correct the situation while continuing the conversation.

"You know, Dell... didn't I say that I've seen almost nothing in this world? I'd like to see something.

"Why did you think of that?"

He shrugged, still sitting on one knee.

"I don't know. I realized that I could die. I used to think I was immortal."

"And when did you suddenly realize this?" I grinned.

"You won't believe it when you see the roses this morning. They grew right out of the ground... and in a couple of moments they were already in my hands... And they will dry up soon, no evolution. Unlike us."

"Troy, this is not evolution."

"You just don't understand."

"Maybe. But even if you happen to be right, I don't want to participate in this evolution."

"And it seems that I have a chance to get somewhere outside the United States only in the form of a walking dead..."

"Is this really what you want? Run somewhere again?"

"I want to. But I can't. I am responsible."

"Yes, it is. And there is nothing outside the ranch, there are ruins, you saw."

"Della, I know!" he raised his voice.

"Then what's all this about?"

He shook his head and stood up.

"Troy, you won't leave me, will you? I don't want to wake up one morning and find you gone."

Otto thought for a couple of moments.

"Are you really thinking about that?!"

"Dell, I'm not going anywhere, calm down. At least, without you for sure."

"I really hope so."

Approaching the cliff, we looked down at the dried-up water storage.

"You solved the water problem at the ranch. You've assembled the militia again. People are grateful to you and are convinced that everything will collapse here without you."

"But it's not. Jake could have handled everything without me."

"Troy, you can't loosen your grip. Yes, you've climbed to the top, but that's not the hardest part. The most difficult thing is to stay on it. And if you don't want it, you'll fall."

"You can keep me. As always."

Suddenly, he turned his back to the rock and began to lean back. I reflex grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"You see, you can. As Always!" Otto smiled.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Dell," he took my hands and unhooked them from the collar of my shirt, in which I was still digging, "now I am more confident in you than in myself."