Katie's gaze took in the form of something streaking toward her, a flash of red, black and white. She raised the rifle effortlessly and fired. Fine red spray splattered her and the girl and the headless zombie sprawled onto the ground a few feet from them.
"Yep. Still not safe," Ralph said as he stepped into the road.
Katie took hold of the young woman's arm. Laura was staring at the zombie, blood splatter decorating her drawn features and scrawny body.
"…not…fast…enough…" she said.
Katie sighed. "Yes, we were. We were fast enough. We're safe. You're safe. "
She pulled the girl along toward safety. But as they walked, she realized that the young woman so desperately clutching the videotape of her brother's death would never truly be safe again.
3. Down the Rabbit Hole
Katie pulled Laura into the hunting store behind her then looked toward the guys. "I have her. You guys can finish up. "
Travis reached in and took Katie's arm gently and looked into her eyes.
"Katie…" He faltered, as if he wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what.
"I'll take care of her with Nerit. "
He nodded, let go of her, and left the store. The door shut behind him with a loud click.
Laura was shivering violently, her teeth chattering. Katie gently lead her along, trying not to think too hard of the sweaty, greasy feel of the woman's skin.
"Nerit!"
The older woman appeared at the top of the stairs and exclaimed,
"Laura!" and rushed down to them.
"She was holed up in the grocery store. Hiding under the manager's desk,” Katie explained as she helped Nerit guide the catatonic girl up the stairs.
"But Ralph…"
"She's in shock. She probably gave no indication that she was hiding in there. She just kept watching the security tape of her brother dying over and over again. "
"…not fast…enough…" Laura whispered.
Nerit coughed on the harsh smell emanating from the girl, then whispered, "It's okay, Laura. You're safe now. "
Laura did not even glance in Nerit's direction.
Together, they got the girl up the stairs and into a shower. They put her in fully clothed. Her dress was plastered to her skin with her own urine and excrement making a foul paste. The water soon ran hot and cleansing over the girls emaciated form. But she barely blinked, barely acknowledged what was happening. She just clung to the VCR tape and the remote control and stared straight ahead whispering, "…not fast…enough…"
Once the water ran clear, Katie and Nerit undressed the girl. They both winced at her wizened body. Her ribs stood out sharply and her pelvis stuck out harshly beneath her pale skin. Nerit and Katie didn't speak as they worked on bathing the girl. Cleaning her up with clinical aloofness it was if they both could not allow themselves to feel the sheer horror of this woman's mental and physical condition.
Finally, when they were done, they dressed her in one of Nerit's nightgowns and gently guided her to the kitchen. The entire time, the girl did not release the tape or the remote control.
"Sit down, Laura," Nerit said softly.
The woman obeyed.
Katie sat down across from the girl and finally let herself feel the brutal reality of it all. The girl had been starving to death slowly since this had all begun. While she and Jenni had taken refuge with Nerit and Ralph, this girl had been in that office. It was awful, terrible, and Katie felt guilty that she was relieved that she was not this young woman.
Nerit sat down with a small container of pudding in her hand. She opened it and spooned a little out. "Laura, it’s time to eat. "
Laura turned toward Nerit, finally acknowledging her, and opened her mouth.