The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

"He wasn't in the house! He's here! Here!" Jenni drew back and grabbed up the map and pointed at the national park. "He's here! Safe. With his science class! The zombies can't be out there! He's safe and he needs me and I forgot about him!"

"Okay, okay. Jenni, listen to me. Listen to me," Katie said firmly.

The dog whined a little and licked Jenni's face trying to soothe her.

Jenni tried to concentrate on Katie's face and voice. It was so hard. All she could hear was her husband's voice berating her for being such a stupid whore and a terrible mother.

"This day and everything about it is awful. We're both in shock. We're both scared out of our minds. We're not thinking straight and that's okay. We just need to survive right now. We just need to make it through today and be safe. If we can do that, we can get our heads together and start to figure out exactly what we are going to do. But for now, we live in this moment and make our way to the next. "

Jenni sniffled and nodded. "What about Jason? I just can't leave him there. "

She just couldn't. It would be her last great failure. He was all that remained. Maybe he wasn't her son by blood, but she was obligated to take care of him and love him.

Katie looked at the map for a long moment. "I think we can go get him.

Maybe even stay there if it's clear of the infestation. Honestly, we need to stay away from any area with too many people. A lot of people will not know what is going on. " Katie faltered for a moment. "Hell, I don't know what is going on. "

"Zombies," Jenni reminded her helpfully.

Katie ran a hand over her blond hair. "Okay, zombies, but why? How?

This shouldn't be possible, but I'm seeing it. And if your movies are right and the bite is how it spreads, then keeping away from major populated areas is our best bet. Less chance of infection. So going and finding your stepson and seeing what the situation is out at the park may be our best option for now. "

Jenni threw her arms around Katie and hugged her tight. "Thank you, thank you. I have to make it up to him!"

And she did. She had to let Jason know that she loved him and that she would be a good mother to him. She would learn to do better and be better.

That was all there was to it.

Katie drew back, squeezed her hand tightly and gave her a soft smile.

"We'll be okay. It will be okay. We just need to keep it together. Okay?"

Jenni nodded, relieved. Katie was right. They had to keep it together.

And survive. And go get Jason. She wrapped her arms around the dog and he nestled against her body. And they had to take care of Jack and each other.

Satisfied that Jenni was calm now, Katie shifted gears and the white truck started down the road once more.

"Jenni, I know you're scared. I am, too, but right now, we can't fall apart, okay? When we find a safe place, we can both mourn. Where we can both…deal. " Katie looked at her and smiled softly.

Jenni nodded firmly. "Okay, I can deal. I can be strong. "

"Good," Katie relaxed a little and returned her gaze to the road.

Jenni shuffled the dog and the map and settled down once more. She had a job to do and she had to do it well. It was obvious to her now that Katie was sent to her. Katie was strong and she was going to get them through this.

It would be okay.

"What the hell," Katie murmured.

The truck slowed down and Jenni looked up to see a convoy of army vehicles heading their way. The first few passed them, but then a jeep pulled off the side and they were flagged down by a solider in the passenger seat.

Jenni felt a flutter of excitement. Maybe this is how they would find safety. The army would save them and take them to a place free of the zombies. The men looked strong and capable with their large weapons and thick armor.

A tall black man walked toward the truck and motioned both of them to get out.

Katie didn't look very happy and turned to Jack. "Stay down, boy. Don't bark. Be calm. Lay down on the floor. "