The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

"I saved him," Jenni said firmly.

Jason looked at her finally, horrified at what she had done. "But you killed him. " She was so sweet, so kind, so nice, he couldn't fathom it.

"I saved him. He won't have to know what it feels like to be torn apart.

He won't have to know what it is to be living dead. I saved him. "

Jason looked down the stairs toward Jack who was waiting for him.

Pressing his lips together, he nodded. "I get it. But, Jenni, you're a Mom.

You're sweet. You shouldn't kill. "

Jenni put her arm around him and they descended the stairs, Juan at their backs, guiding Tobias’ sobbing widow.

"In this world, Jason, we all have to kill. "

He sighed softly and put an arm around her.

They reached the bottom and Jenni turned to the widow. "I'm sorry. "

"No, no, thank you," the woman said softly. "You did the right thing. He just couldn't accept what is happening. "

Peggy came and led the widow away.

Jason looked at Jenni for a long moment, studying her, then said, "I'm glad you're my Mom. "

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. She then made a face and stuck out her tongue. "Ewwww…go take a shower!"

Jason gave her his best sullen look. "Fine. You're so bossy. " He trudged away, glancing back at her a few times. She stared down at the gun, running her other hand over it gently, her expression distant.

"This is one fucked up world," Jason told Jack.

The dog woofed in agreement and they walked on.

Chapter 13

1. A Taste of Hell

Katie sat at the kitchen table taking a long sip of her very hot, slightly bitter coffee. It almost scalded her tongue, but it felt deliciously good going down. Nearby, Nerit was finishing up the breakfast dishes. Katie had offered to help her, but Nerit had gently rebuffed her. The last few days, it was fairly obvious that Nerit had enjoyed nursing Katie back to health, fussing and fretting after her, and making sure she rested.

Despite her abrupt return to the realm

of consciousness, she had still remained weakened. Dizziness, nausea and the occasional fever had haunted her up to thirty-six hours ago. Now, at last, she felt stronger and the sickness was finally behind her.

The old hunting dog strolled in, slow and steady on his stiff legs, and up to his water bowl to get a drink. Katie let her fingers brush over his back as he passed her by and wondered how Jack was doing. She had been able to talk to Jenni for twenty minutes the night before and she couldn't remember if Jenni had mentioned the dog. Jenni had mostly talked about how they had corralled the zombies and how someone had been stupid enough to try to "save" his family from the mass of zombies. That, of course, had not ended well. Jenni also talked of how they had fixed up the fort, roping off areas as "living" areas, while others were strictly security or construction related.

Katie had seen Travis making all sorts of drawings and writing down odd equations. She knew that he and Juan spoke a lot late at night. Though he hadn't said as much, she had a feeling Travis had plans to make their new home even more secure.

Standing up, holding her cup tightly in her slim fingers, she strolled over to the counter and leaned her hip against it.

"Nerit?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Why won't you and Ralph come to the fort?"

Nerit hesitated in drying a plate and looked up at Katie. "This is our home. "