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Ray Garraty woke up with the birds singing by his window. The weather was good, the temperature in Maine at the end of August was very pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold, it was perfect. He turned to the side and could see Pete, still asleep, with his legs tangled with his and with the left arm resting on his waist.
He tried to get up gently, but even the slightest movement seemed to wake Pete, who pulled him to him.
“Hey you.” Ray smiled.
“What time is it?” Said Pete, yawning.
“Dunno, probably early, my mom said she would arrive two hours before them.”
Pete swallowed dry. By them he means The Long Walk publicist and journalist team. Sometimes it seemed a miracle that they both made it through the long walk alive. Right at the Massachusetts border, when only he and Garraty remained, they looked at each other and, almost telepathically, stopped walking at the same time.
They didn't know if they would both be killed by this, but it didn't matter. Either way, the two only felt the air return to their lungs when they heard the major shout, "Meet the victors of the 19th Long Walk!"
It seemed too good to be true, and it was. Apparently, for the past five days, the entire country has been moved by the tragic story of the star-crossed lovers who, in order to survive, would have to sacrifice their soulmate. So, when the two stopped walking and the public went wild, it was impossible to kill the newest sweethearts of America.
However, this came with a price. As every year, the winner was expected to work on the publicity for the following year's walk, and never in his wildest nightmares could Ray have imagined how torturous it would be.
The torture began early. As soon as Ray was discharged from the hospital, it was a struggle to get home. Fans surrounded the hospital, clamoring for an autograph, a photo, a statement. They even needed the soldier escort to get into his mom’s car.
The month that followed was hellish. Smiling and waving in interviews, repeating how grateful they were for the state's generosity and kindness. Ray felt like a puppet. He often considered giving up this pretense and simply screaming how much he hated it all. Fortunately, Pete was by his side, constantly reminding him of all that was at stake, of the constant danger of what could happen to them and his mother if he didn't cooperate.
Now, in August, they theoretically had only one more interview to compose the advertisement for the 20th long walk. This last interview, however, would be the worst of all. Apparently, the marketing team thought it would be an excellent idea to capitalize on all the hype the poor star-crossed lovers had received across the country.
“I just- this is so fucked up.” Ray ran a hand through his hair. "One thing is to go to schools and barracks and say all that nonsense that signing up for the long walk is every citizen's civic and moral duty, but welcoming them here into our home is just too much, Pete."
"I hate it too, but it's not like there's anything we can do," Pete said, caressing the other's face. "Today is the last day of this whole shitty circus, and then we'll finally be at peace."
Not long after, Ginny arrived, greeting the boys with a smile on her face.
“So, today is the last interview?” She started.
“Well, Pete is seeing it from that point of view too” Ray grumbled.
-x-
“Okay, let's just do a sound capture test first, we’re going live in 30 minutes"
Oliver Weissman was a tall, thin man with shaved brown hair. He was the leader of this team, who had just set up a pseudo-set in the living room. Weissman had also been responsible for the reporting while Ray was still in the hospital. It was a grueling week of filming, detailing the most unscrupulous aspects of his recovery, with numerous close-ups of his raw feet during dressing changes. Garraty definitely wasn't excited to see him again.
The afternoon program "America for the Americans" premiered a few years after the war, and the segment presented by Weissman, "Weissman Around," consisted of Oliver Weissman visiting various locations around the country to show how wonderful the regime was.
"Okay guys, all set! We're going live in 5...4...3...2...1 and..." He turned to one of the cameras, the one with a flashing green light, and flashed a huge fake smile. "Good afternoon, United States of America! Welcome to another Weissman Around."
Ray’s headache just got worse. What a circus. What a circus.
“Today I am not alone, but with a very distinguished companion."The cameraman beside Pete and Ray signaled a countdown to 5 for them. "With you, the star-crossed lovers, the winners of the 19th Long Walk, Raymont Garraty and Peter McVries!"
At that, the camera next to them turned green. They were being filmed. Live.
Instantly, Ray felt completely paralyzed. It was impossible not to remember Olson telling him about the boy from the walk two years ago who froze in fear at the start and received his ticket at 9:02 AM. Ray hadn't been paralyzed at the beginning of his walk, but now he was.
“It’s a pleasure, Oliver!” Pete’s voice took him out of his daydream. Oh Pete, you have no idea how much I love you, Ray thought, smiling for himself.
“Yeah”. Ray agreed nodding.
“Americans want to know how the last few months have been for the country's lovebirds. Are you still in the honeymoon phase or have you already become a boring, old-fashioned couple?”
“Well, what can I say? Everything Garraty does gives me butterflies in my stomach and yet I feel like I’ve known him since forever.” Pete replied.
“You know, your beautiful love story touched the entire country. During the five days of the walk, people of all ages gathered in community theaters to watch and cheer for you. Many wore t-shirts with your names on them. How does that make you feel?”
“I never wanted to be famous, Ray neither, so I guess it’s all a little odd. “ Pete chucked. A little odd? This is the third house we've had to move to in an attempt to escape the stalkers who follow us everywhere we go, that’s very odd!
“Also, I couldn't help but notice that you're from New Jersey, Pete, and you're from Maine, right Ray?” Both of them nod so Weissman continues. “Then, at the end of the day, the long walk was a cupid for you! Can I call the major a matchmaker?”
Pete feels Ray sighing angrily beside him.
“Well Oliver, I wouldn’t put it this way but we give thanks to the State and the opportunity it provides” Pete faked a smile as he recited the military motto.
And with that, more minutes of stupid questions and empty answers stretched on. Pete answered most of them, sometimes Ray answered, mostly monosyllabically, he could hardly wait for it to end.
Weissman laughs “Okay okay, just one more question.” He cleared his throat. “In the last mile, you two went quiet, just staring at each other. Mind tell us what was going through your minds back then?”
Pete makes a move to answer, but Ray, surprising himself, takes the question for himself.
“When it was just the two of us left on the walk, I knew the winner would be either me or him. The mere idea of living in a world where Pete McVries wasn't alive was simply intolerable, so at that moment I made the decision that he should win. I just wanted to enjoy my last moments looking at him as much as possible.” Ray said, looking into Pete's eyes. “I just couldn't have guessed that Pete would have the exact same idea as me.”
For a moment, they forget it all, just focusing on each other. Their bliss, however, was interrupted by Oliver Weissman. “So sweet… Another result of the Major's kindness. That's all for now, folks! Join the long walk! The love of your life is waiting for you! Registration opens this fall. That's all for now!”