"Tell me. "
"I should have killed you!"
Lydia nodded and drew back. Her figure began to alter before Katie's eyes. Lydia looked down at her chest as a huge hole opened slowly and her emptiness was revealed. Raising milky eyes, Lydia whispered, "You should have. "
And then she rushed Katie screaming.
Katie awoke, tumbled off the plastic chair, and landed hard on the roof.
Travis was there in an instant, helping her up.
"Geezus, you're shaking," he said with concern.
Katie looked around, terrified. Her fingers gripped his shirt tightly as she swung her head around, looking desperately for the ghoul from her nightmare. But the rooftop was empty except for them.
"Travis," she sobbed.
"I'm here," he answered, his gaze concerned.
"Travis, I let her down," Katie choked out, then collapsed against him, weeping.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, feeling her trembling violently against him. Tenderly, he stood stroking her hair as the woman cried, not understanding her rambling words. But he knew her heart was broken and his broke for her.
At last, he helped her down the stairs back to her room. She walked slowly, weakly, and leaned heavily against him. When he entered, Jenni was just lying down. Seeing Katie, she immediately sprang up and took her from him.
"Katie, honey, what is it?"
Travis released Katie reluctantly and watched Jenni help her lay down.
He stood awkwardly as Katie reached out to Jenni and they clasped hands.
"Lydia," Katie said in a clear voice at last. "She's still out there-one of them. "
Jenni knelt next to the cot and sighed. "I know, Katie. "
Travis said, rather lamely he thought later, "I think she's upset. "
Jenni looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah. " She stood, pushed her cot up to Katie's, and lay down. "I'll take care of her. "
Katie seemed to relax as Jenni curled up next to her and held her hand.
Travis nodded and backed out of the room slowly. He turned and shut the door behind him.
Juan was coming up the stairs smoking despite all the "Thank You For Not Smoking" signs all over the city hall. The recovery team had brought back beer and cigarettes from the grocery store and Juan was a happy man. He hesitated when he saw Travis.
"Ever see Chasing Amy? " Juan asked after a beat.
"No," Travis answered.
"Eh, yer fucked," Juan decided.
"Yeah. " Travis looked at the door.
"Well, I'm off to get shut eye. Loca and I are heading out tomorrow around noon. "
"Take it easy out there," Travis answered automatically.
"As long as Loca doesn't shoot me in the ass, it should be just fine. " Juan grinned and walked on.