The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

"I would insist on you laying back down, but I don't think that will work. "

"Absolutely not. " Katie fussed with her greasy, matted hair and threw up her hands. "Ugh!"

"Okay, you can take a shower, but I'm staying right here and you're leaving that door open. If you fall I need to be able to go in immediately. "

"Fine…fine…"

She stumbled about a bit and he considered helping her, but figured she wouldn't appreciate it. Grabbing up a fresh pair of jeans and a white tank top, she managed to get herself into the bathroom.

There was a gentle knock on the door and Travis opened it. Nerit stood there with her yellowish hair falling over one shoulder and one hand holding her flannel robe shut.

"How is she?" Her voice was anxious, then she saw the empty bed and heard the shower. "She's up?"

"And lucid. And feisty. Weak as hell, but she's okay. "

Nerit clasped her hands together and smiled. "Oh, thank goodness! I woke up fearing the worst!"

"Honestly, I almost put one between her eyes. But, luckily, she spoke. I was so convinced she was gone. "

Nerit hugged Travis and looked toward the open bathroom door. "I must tell Ralph!"

She scurried off and Travis hesitantly walked toward the door.

Maybe I'm dreaming and she died and I shot her and I'm dreaming, he thought for a moment.

And then he saw her outline behind the shower curtain and the tension between his shoulders lessened.

Again, for a moment, he saw a flash of Katie sitting up, eyes dead, screaming, and trushing toward him…

But that hadn't happened.

He stood with his back to the bathroom and hands in his pockets as he waited. He was still afraid. Afraid of what had nearly happened and he was shaken.

Katie finally emerged with her wet hair up on top of her head. Damp little curls spilled over her brow and her shoulders poking out of the tank top were a little bonier than before. The men's jeans she was wearing slung a little low on her hips and showed that she had lost a little weight. But despite her delicate appearance, Travis knew she was going to be okay.

"I need to talk to Jenni," she said, ignoring his obvious examination of her appearance.

Feeling a little embarrassed and awkward, he nodded.

Taking her arm, he helped her down the hall. He knew she was feeling weak because she did not protest. They entered a small room where the CB radio was set up and a man in his forties with a wide, pleasant face looked up.

"Hey, you made it!" He gave her an enormous grin that lit up his rather plain face.

Katie nodded and said, "You're Bill, right?"

"Yep, that's me. I take it you want to call your friends?"

"Please," Katie sat down heavily in a chair and Travis steadied her with one hand. "Then I want to eat something really bad. "

"Sure thing, give me a moment. " Bill messed with the dials and started talking.

Katie looked up at Travis and laid her hand over his. "Thank you. For watching over me. For making sure I was okay. "

Travis felt a little flushed and nodded. "No problem. Really?"

"…she's up and talking," Bill said into the microphone.

It sounded like there was a brief struggle of some kind on the other end then a voice said, "Katie! Katie! It's me!"