“You’ve become completely obsessed with conspiracies and things that aren’t true. I mean look at your reading material.” She pointed at the bookshelves.
“So you think I’ve become some wacko?”
She just told me everything I needed to hear. I now knew I had to walk a fine line, even with my friends. There were places for people like me, and no matter how much I hoped my friends wouldn’t volunteer me for one, I was no longer sure.
“It’s not that. I just think that you’ve become obsessed with a possibility that’s unrealistic.” She looked away. “The government’s trying their best to capture the rogue zombies, but their first mission was to get everyone vaccinated. We all know that a zombie floating around here or there isn’t that abnormal, and unfortunately, they can still rip us apart.”
“So Gavin was just another casualty of war?” I questioned, ignoring her statement about a rogue zombie. We had a horde attack us, not a straggler.
Her eyes softened and she reached for my hand.
“I think you know the answer to that.”
“I know what I saw.” I pulled my hand away from hers and wrapped it around my beer bottle that was unfortunately empty.
“You’re wasting your life. He never would’ve wanted this.”
“Then tell me… why wasn’t I killed? Why did the zombies leave me alone?” My pulse was racing. “Why was there a horde of zombies and where did they all go?”
“Sometimes bad things happen, and it doesn’t mean anything beyond the obvious.” She turned her face to look back at me. “I’m only telling you this because I care about you.”
“Our histories are being constructed right now, and I want to ensure my story is heard,” I said, kicking my legs out in front of me.
“And what story is that?” she asked.
I glared at her.
“It’s the story of truth. Not just what some want represented. If we don’t start acknowledging the things that are going on around us, history will repeat itself, and the next time, it might not be possible to stop. What I witnessed was unstoppable. They were on a mission. It didn’t matter that we were vaccinated. They used their strength, not their disease. I lost my best friend, my world, Abby.” I gulped away the tears. They wouldn’t help. Only the truth would help.
She shook her head and moistness formed on her lower lids.
“I care about you. We all do.”
I needed to watch my step. I had to maintain control and that was even more evident with every one of her pity glances. I had to change my tactic.
“I get it.” There was no point in arguing. All I could do was discredit the naysayers. It was unfortunate I had to add my friends to that list. I nodded and plastered a pretend smile on my lips.
“I’ve upset you. I can tell. I’m just so happy to be able to visit with you. I didn’t mean for it to go this way.” She patted my knee and let out a sigh. “How about if I take off…if you promise to meet with me again soon.”
“Sounds perfect. Are you busy Friday?” I asked.
A huge grin spread across her face. “Really?”
“Yeah. Totally.” I stood up and tossed the pillow I had been holding back onto the couch. “You’re right. I need to start participating in life a little again. It’s what he would’ve wanted.”
I was surprised how easily the lies slipped out.
“Maybe a little of the old Becky is coming back,” she said, hopping off the couch, hugging me.
Impossible.
“So does the afternoon sound good on Friday?” I asked, smiling.
“Absolutely,” she said, and gave me one last hug.
We walked to the front door and with every step the anxiety began turning to excitement. I was ready to start my evening.
I waved goodbye as she climbed into her car and drove off. Closing the front door, I locked the deadbolt and ran to the basement door, almost giddy with the prospect of tonight’s adventure.
Let the games begin.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to say a simple thank you to Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and all of the other avenues available for the indie publishing world. It allows the art of storytelling to continue to flourish in unexpected ways!
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BOOKS BY KARICE BOLTON
LUKE FLETCHER SERIES
HIDDEN SINS
BURIED SINS
REDEMPTION – Sept. 10th (pre-order available)
ISLAND COUNTY SERIES
FINDING LOVE IN FORGOTTEN COVE
LOVE REDONE IN HIDDEN HARBOR – Coming Soon
BEYOND LOVE SERIES
BEYOND CONTROL
BEYOND DOUBT
BEYOND REASON
BEYOND INTENT
BEYOND CHANCE
BEYOND PROMISE
BEYOND the MISTLETOE – Holidays 2015
AFTERWORLD SERIES
RecruitZ
AlibiZ
UprisingZ–Coming Soon
THE WITCH AVENUE SERIES
LONELY SOULS
ALTERED SOULS
RELEASED SOULS
SHATTERED SOULS
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY
AWAKENING
LEGIONS
CATACLYSM
TAKEN NOVELLA (A Watchers Prequel)
THE CAMP