The First Days (As the World Dies #1)(63)

"My name is Katie. This is Travis. Our friends Ralph and Bill are here, too. We're going to take you somewhere safe."

The woman shook her head violently, but her eyes never left the TV.

"…not fast…enough.."

Katie looked over at Travis. "This isn't going to be easy."

He looked perplexed and out of his depth. "Just tell me what to do."

Katie edged forward and reached out to the woman. "We're going to take you away from here. Please, give me your hand. You can take a shower and eat some food."

The woman again shook her head; one bright blue eye fastened determinedly on the TV.

Katie looked at the image replaying once more on the grainy black and white set. Sighing, she said to Travis, "Get ready."

He blinked, confused.

Katie twisted around and ejected the tape from the VCR.

There was a hoarse scream and almost immediately the woman was on her. Her bony, desperate hands clawed at Katie's, trying to wrest the tape from her fingers. Travis grabbed the bone-thin woman about the waist and lifted her up into the air and over the desk.

Kicking and screaming, the woman languished in his arms. Her body twisted into odd angles and dried bits of excrement fell from her dress and legs.

Katie gagged but managed to get to her feet despite the woman's kicks.

The woman's eyes were wide, terrified, uncomprehending. Katie handed her the tape.

The woman instantly went limp, holding the tape against her heaving chest along with the remote control. Her eyes wide, staring, unseeing of anything beyond the black and white image replaying in her mind's eye, she began to murmur, "…not fast…enough."

Katie took hold of the woman's arm and Travis set the woman down slowly. The woman swayed, but stood, staring blankly.

Ralph and Bill stood in the doorway, both wearing looks of utter shock and revulsion. Finally, Bill said, "It's Laura Matthews."

"Shit, I opened the door and nothing ran at me or answered when I called out. I didn't think to look under the desk," Ralph said remorsefully.

"I'm sorry, Laura hon. I didn't know you were hiding."

Laura didn't move. She showed no recognition of her name.

"She had a son?"

"Younger brother. She basically raised him after their mom died." Bill shook his head sadly. "We dumped his body with the rest of them a few days back."

"How did she live?" Bill looked amazed.

Ralph pointed toward a water dispenser tucked near the desk. "Probably drank water. Don't need food as long as you got water. At least for awhile."

Laura just stared, slightly swaying.

Katie gently pulled on her arm and Laura stumbled forward, but managed to walk. Katie carefully led her through the store, trying to not smell the utter reek of the girl or look into her blank eyes.

Once outside, the girl shuddered and grabbed tighter to the tape and the remote. Katie looked at Travis to see that he was quite ashen. She somewhat smiled at him and they began to walk across the road.

The shriek was what made her jump and drop the girl's arm. A flash of movement had her twirling around, gun raised.

"Shit!" Travis fumbled with the safety on his gun.

Katie's gaze took in the form of something streaking toward her, a flash of red, black and white. She raised the rifle effortlessly and fired. Fine red spray splattered her and the girl and the headless zombie sprawled onto the ground a few feet from them.

"Yep. Still not safe," Ralph said as he stepped into the road.

Katie took hold of the young woman's arm. Laura was staring at the zombie, blood splatter decorating her drawn features and scrawny body.

"…not…fast…enough…" she said.

Katie sighed. "Yes, we were. We were fast enough. We're safe. You're safe."

She pulled the girl along toward safety. But as they walked, she realized that the young woman so desperately clutching the videotape of her brother's death would never truly be safe again.





3. Down the Rabbit Hole





Katie pulled Laura into the hunting store behind her then looked toward the guys. "I have her. You guys can finish up."

Travis reached in and took Katie's arm gently and looked into her eyes.

"Katie…" He faltered, as if he wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what.

"I'll take care of her with Nerit."

He nodded, let go of her, and left the store. The door shut behind him with a loud click.

Laura was shivering violently, her teeth chattering. Katie gently lead her along, trying not to think too hard of the sweaty, greasy feel of the woman's skin.

"Nerit!"

The older woman appeared at the top of the stairs and exclaimed, "Laura!" and rushed down to them.

"She was holed up in the grocery store. Hiding under the manager's desk,” Katie explained as she helped Nerit guide the catatonic girl up the stairs.

"But Ralph…"

"She's in shock. She probably gave no indication that she was hiding in there. She just kept watching the security tape of her brother dying over and over again."

"…not fast…enough…" Laura whispered.

Nerit coughed on the harsh smell emanating from the girl, then whispered, "It's okay, Laura. You're safe now."