Henry pushed Nick out of the way. “Elaina! Elaina, please say something.” I saw the business end of a Sig in my peripheral as I started to come to. “Stand down! Stand down, now!” Henry was screaming. He was aiming his Sig at someone.
I rolled over, and saw Nate aiming his gun at my head. I saw Sophie put her Sig up to Nate’s temple. Henry jumped up. I tried to get up, but my body wasn’t cooperating. I felt like an upside down turtle.
“Stand down now, Nate, or you will regret it.” Sophie had a calm demeanor and spoke with confidence. Nate still focused his weapon on me.
“It got her. I saw it get her.” He said it so quiet and calm that it was creepy. Henry grabbed my arm, pulled me up to a standing position, and looked into my eyes to get my attention.
“Elaina. Did one of them get you?” I started to shake my head.
Claire was going around me, looking for wounds. “She’s clear.”
“You’re just saying that!” Nate yelled, still focusing his Sig on me.
Claire stood up and inched her way between Nate and me. “Nate, please listen. She isn’t bit. She’s just in shock. Now lower your weapon.” Sophie still had her Sig at his temple. “Everyone, please. Just calm down and lower your guns.”
Claire was so brave, trying to diffuse the situation. She reached out for Nate’s Sig and slowly took it from him. She immediately passed it to Henry, and he stuffed it into the back of his pants. Sophie put her Sig down. Nate stood there, shaking. Sophie cleared her throat and tucked the stray strands of her bleach-blond Barbie locks behind her ears.
“You do that to her again, and I will kill you!” Henry raged.
“Henry, calm down.” He glared at Sophie. “Well, now, that was the most excitement I have seen in ages!” She waved at Nick. “Come, Nick. Let’s raid.” Nick followed her without taking his eyes off of Nate, mumbling all sorts of obscenities and threats.
Henry grabbed me, and held me close to him. I was too stunned to cry. All I could get out was, “It was a child.”
“I know, love. I should have said that we were apt to see a child out here somewhere just to prepare you mentally. I’m sorry. That was my fault.”
“Henry, this is not your fault,” Claire spoke sincerely to him. It sounded like she had a change of heart.
“I should have prepared everyone more. We have to head back to our place and rethink our strategy.” Claire stepped over the rotting true deads and headed into the family’s apartment. I heard her relay Henry’s message of heading back to his apartment. Nate still stood in the same spot.
“Elaina, love, say something.”
I opened my mouth and it hung there for a moment until words started flowing. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Henry held me so I could look into his eyes. “Love, it’s okay. This isn’t exactly a picnic in the park. We’ll go back and figure out something, yeah?” I nodded my head.
Nick, Claire, and Sophie came back out of the apartment, their arms loaded with nonperishable food items, medical supplies, linens, and clothing.
“Check it out, Henry.” She held up a box of Junior Mints. “Your fave!” She was proud of her find. Henry smiled at her. I admit, I couldn’t continue to stay mad at her. After all, she did play a role in keeping Nate from killing me.
Henry wrapped my arm around his waist, holding me firm at his hip as we walked slowly back down to his apartment.
***
We made it back unscathed. No undeads were roaming around in the stairwell, thankfully. Henry walked me back to his bedroom, and sat me down on his bed. “Are you all right, my love?” He was rubbing my face with his thumb.
“I think so. It just scared me. And seeing that child… It was overwhelming.” I was staring off, looking at nothing.
“It’s okay, love. I agree. Seeing a child as an undead is heartbreaking. That wasn’t my first.” I didn’t want to ask how many children he had seen like that. The thought of children being purposely turned into undeads just for training purposes made my stomach twist into knots. He looked just as upset about it as I did.
One by one, everyone came into the bedroom. Nick found a bottle of whiskey and a small juice glass in Henry’s cabinet. “Here. Have some. It will help soothe your nerves a bit.” Nick poured me a drink. I took a few sips. The fire burned my throat, but I could feel it relaxing me. I knew alcohol was not the answer, but Nick was right. I needed something to soothe my nerves.
I managed to choke out a few words. “I’m sorry, everyone. It took me by surprise.”
Claire sat down beside me and stroked my hair. She took my hand in hers. “It’s fine. As long as you weren’t hurt.” I shook my head. “Then that is what matters.” She smiled.