The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

Rolling over in his arms, she rested her hand against his neck, her thumb resting on his cheek and kissed his lips very softly. "Just for a moment," she whispered, her gaze searching out his.

Travis didn't hesitate and kissed her deeply and slowly. His hand rested tenderly on her hers as they kissed. Almost as if he knew the kiss had grown to be too much for her to bear, he drew away and kissed her forehead.

Silently, he laid his head next to hers and drew her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

"Just for a moment," he said, and closed his eyes to sleep.

She smiled, then fell away into a peaceful slumber.

2. Dead Man’s Party Ends

And so the party ended and people finally crept back to their beds, some so drunk they barely found their way. At last, silence descended except for the ceaseless moaning of the zombies.

A steady rain started at some point of the night and many of the guards rushed to get ponchos.

During the brief chaos, a figure made its way to the roof of the city hall, lugging another form with it. Without pause, it shoved the other form over the edge of the roof. It tumbled over easily, its arms and legs flailing, then it landed with a painful thump without uttering a sound.

It did not take long for the zombies to find it and soon a feast erupted in the street.

When the guard returned to his place, he noticed a heavily ravaged body standing in the street, swaying back and forth, it's head turned upwards.

Its mouth was taped shut.

It was Ritchie.

Chapter 21

1. Skin Against Skin

Skin against skin…breath-consuming breath… limbs intertwined… soft moans… gentle whisperings…pleasure building steadily…

Katie's hands slid over the broad shoulders of the man over her and tilted her head back, sighing softly, rapturously.

"Travis…"

His mouth slid over hers in a soft kiss and her fingers tangled in his hair.

Suddenly, something gripped her leg painfully, angrily. She opened her eyes to see Lydia, mangled, bloodied, and dead leaning over them.

"How could you," Lydia demanded in a raspy voice.

Then she lunged forward, bloodied teeth desperate for flesh.

Katie awoke and nearly fell off the bed in her haste to defend herself and Travis. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she pressed the flat of her hand against it to feel the harsh pulse beneath her fingers. Looking around, she realized the sun must be up for a yellowish light was seeping in around the mini-blinds.

Travis was nowhere to be seen and she felt panic billowing up in her.

Resting her booted feet against the floor, she leaned forward, taking deep breaths. Nothing had happened between her and Travis except for their goodnight kiss, but she still felt agonizing guilt. Rubbing her face with her hands, she tried to remove the vision of Lydia lunging forward to bite into Travis.

Feeling like crying, she stood up shakily and grabbed the Reverend's jacket. She slid it on and ran her hands over her hair. It felt tangled and crazed and she pulled out the rubber band to let the curls fall around her face.

Travis entered with his face grim and his gaze haunted. He saw her expression and moved toward her.

"Katie," he said, concerned.

She took a deep breath. "I had a nightmare. "

"Evidently. You look pale as a ghost. " He touched her cheek softly.