The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

She leaned her forehead against the steering wheel. "I just don't feel good all at once. "

"Nothing got you?" Travis asked, his voice edged with fear.

"No, no. Nothing touched me even. " She stared at him through a blond curl falling over her eyes. "I just don't feel good. "

"Let me drive," Travis said.

"Okay," Katie answered. Her strength was leaving her fast. She slid over into the passenger seat. The wound she had received when sliding down onto the road sent a sharp pain through her limb and she grimaced.

Travis came around and got into the driver's seat. He touched her forehead again gently. "You feel feverish. You better rest. Here, drink some water. "

Katie smiled at how sweet he was as he buckled her in and handed her the bottle of water. "Thanks. "

His hands were rough, but very cool on her face and neck. "Katie, are you sure…"

"Yes, yes. I wouldn't lie about that. "

He nodded and ran his hand lightly down her cheek to her neck. "Rest. "

Katie took long sips of water and watche

d the road begin its neverending scrawl beneath the tires of the truck. The tank now full, the truck sped down the road that would lead them to Ralph's tiny little town and his hunting store.

She was feeling worse and worse and closed her eyes. She must have dozed because she woke with a start. "Pull over!"

Travis slammed on the brakes and Katie flung open the door and threw up her breakfast. Heaving, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"It may not be safe, Katie," Travis said, his hand on her back, a comforting gesture, yet she knew he was ready to yank her back inside.

"Okay, “ she said, and threw up all that remained in her stomach. She slammed the door shut and wiped her mouth off with a kerchief Travis handed her.

Travis drew near her, his hand on her face, then her neck. He saw her wounded forearm. "Katie, what is this?"

"Scrape. I caught it on the truck when we jumped down. "

He looked at it and nodded. He poured water over it and found a napkin in the cup holder to cover it. "Just a scrape?"

"I would tell you. I don't want to be one of those things," she answered softly.

Travis smiled at her so sadly and said, "I know. But you're scaring me. "

Weakly, she took hold of his wrist and forced a smile onto her lips. "I'm sure it’s nothing. Just something I ate. "

Then she passed out onto his lap.

Dimly, she was aware of being carried. She heard Nerit and Ralph's voices. Another voice- the policeman, she thought-was also talking.

"I'm afraid," Travis said at some point.

They put her into a very cold bath, someone's hands keeping her head above water. She tried to talk, but felt too weak.

"She wasn't bit. That's not a bite," Ralph's voice said firmly.

"But there was zombie blood and guts all over that truck," Travis said and she heard a catch in his voice. "What if…"

Katie's head swam and her body felt so hot.

"Katie," a voice insisted.