I’m so sorry. I didn’t make it home in time!”
Lydia drew back and kissed Katie softly. “It’s all right, Katie. I promise. ”
“I’m so sorry. ” As Lydia gently wiped her tears away, Katie gazed at her, pleading with her gaze for forgiveness.
“Katie, it’s all right. I’m not trapped in that body. I promise. And my death…I barely recall it. But, darling, listen to me. Listen carefully. There isn’t much time now. ”
Katie blinked, her hands resting on Lydia’s shoulders. “What is it? I’m listening. ”
“You came here for a reason,” Lydia started.
“To save these people,” Katie answered.
“No. For another reason. You don’t know what it is yet, but you will when the time comes. ” Lydia’s expression was filled with sadness.
“Lydia, you’re scaring me. I don’t understand. ”
“When the time comes, you will know what to do. ”
“What do you mean? Why are you telling me this?” Katie’s brow furrowed.
Fear welled up inside her.
“Because, you will give the one you love the gift you never gave me,” Lydia answered .
Katie woke up with a start. Travis was deeply asleep beside her, his back to her. Shivering, she pressed herself up against him, her hand seeking out his. Her heart was thundering in her chest and she was terrified. Her gaze swept over the people in the boutique. Everyone was sleeping despite the excitement of the coming exodus from the mall.
Finally, she forced her eyes to close, her arm snaking around Travis’ waist. She clung to him, her heart still beating hard in her chest. He rolled onto his back in his sleep, his face tranquil. Snuggling into his side, she stared at his profile, trying to calm herself. It had been wonderful to dream of Lydia, but her words had shaken Katie.
It may have been a dream, but she felt strongly that Lydia warned her.
She did not want to even think about something terrible happening to Travis.
Beyond her husband, she could see Jenni curled up in a ball on the cot next to them, snoring softly. Her friend’s black hair fell around her pale face. Jenni looked like Snow White with her white skin and raven hair.
Her red sweater set off her looks beautifully.
Closing her eyes, her heart still thudding in her ears, she tried to sleep.
* * * * * The gate slid open soundlessly and the explosive detonated with a loud thump. Flames erupted, setting the zombies near the gate on fire. They staggered back, setting more zombies on fire and a small stampede followed as the primitive fear of fire sent the undead scrambling backwards. The secondary explosives, that had been tossed out on a line, also exploded, setting more zombies on fire. The two trucks roared out of the gate and down the street, crunching burning zombies under the tire treads.
The Senator looked out her window at the mall and the burning zombies.
“I hope the doors hold,” Raleigh said softly.
“I’m sure they will,” the Senator answered.
The trucks roared into the gray dawn.
3. The Floodgates Open
Thomas jerked his head up when he heard a distant thud. The zombies at the wall were instantly whipped up into a frenzy. Some of them stumbled toward the sound, while others quieted down and continued to stare at the barricades and moan.
“Did you hear that?” he asked the soldier next to him.
The young private with the shocking red hair tilted his head. “Yeah. What the hell was that?”
They both looked toward the direction of the noise. The mall rose up in front of them, imposing and silent with its blacked out doors.