7.
Outside, Chris was sitting with his back against the hot brick wall going over his notes, trying not to look at the picture of the little girls arm. He assumed that the Doctor wanted to talk to Katrina about her ‘condition’ so he wasn’t curious as to why she was being held back.
“Catch a cold?” The familiar voice hammered Chris on the head like the barrel of the rifle the man was carrying. Jerrid? He’s everywhere. He took a deep breath before looking up at the gargantuan man. Ugh. He was dressed in his camouflage, dirty from a day’s work. The rifle butt was peaking out over his right shoulder.
Chris jumped up to his feet and brushed off his butt. “No actually.” He waved his Moleskin at Jerrid. “I was just talking to the Doctor.”
“I see.” And before Chris knew it the journal was out of his hand and in Jerrid’s. He started to flip it open when Chris made a grab for it. Chris knew Jerrid wouldn’t let him have it back; it was the gesture to show Jerrid he wasn’t welcome. Jerrid spun on his heels so his back was to Chris.
“Not much in here kid. What kind of writing is this anyway? Some kind of short hand?”
“No, I just can’t write fast enough. Give it back.”
Jerrid dangled it above Chris’ head like a bully and the picture fell out. Jerrid bent down to pick it up. He unfolded it and glared at it, turning it around in his hands. He made a funny face and looked up a Chris. “Is that the Dawes’ girl’s arm?” He handed the journal back to Chris, still holding on to the picture.
“Yes.”
“I never did get a good look at the real thing, but that’s just as nasty as the Doc said! Poor girl.” He folded the picture up and gave it back to Chris who stuck it back in the Moleskin and pulled the elastic around it.
“Jerrid, hey.” Katrina was coming through the door shielding the sun with her hand.
“Hey kid.” Jerrid reached in his pocket and pulled out an extra pair of sunglasses and tossed them to Katrina. “Catch. Where are yours?”
“I always forget. Never used them before, you know.”
Jerrid nodded. “Just give ‘em back to me later tonight at Stumps. You’re going right?”
“We’re thinking about it.”
“I was only asking if you were going.” Jerrid threw daggers at Chris with his eyes.
“Jerrid!” Katrina glared at him. She knew that Jerrid was joking for the most part, but she could feel that Chris was uncomfortable.
Jerrid threw his hands up in the air to surrender.
“What’s on your shirt? Is that blood?” She leaned in to inspect it. She was always fascinated with the watch-keeper’s job and at one point wanted to join Jerrid before she left Forest hills. He wouldn’t let her.
Jerrid examined the stain on his chest. “Me and Greg were just having a little shot practice. Few birds is all.”
Katrina didn’t believe him for a minute, but there wasn’t enough blood to assume they were successfully patrolling for zombies. Chris on the other hand, hadn’t noticed the blood in the beginning and didn’t care who’s or what it was, just the fact that there was more than a paper-cut’s amount and it was still relatively fresh was enough to give him the shivers.
“Where are you kids headed?”
“I think we’re just going to go back to Mama’s. The long way, I wanna show Chris a bit of the town.” She watched Jerrid’s face for a reaction. “When’s the last time you seen her anyways?” Katrina waved her finger in his face.
“When’s the last time I was in that building Katrina?”
“Fair enough, but you need to go see her on her territory.”
“I know. I’ve seen her around town of course, but I’ll try tomorrow maybe. I would appreciate if you guys could try and stay out of the forest from now on. You should know better Katrina.”
Before Chris could respond Katrina opened her mouth. “I know, sorry Jerrid, I should have told Chris. I didn’t. He knows now.”
Chris put his hands on his hips and nodded. “Sorry.”
“Okay.” He glanced over at Chris. “I have enough to deal with already. Gregory was ready to shoot your ass. You’re lucky we’ve met and I recognized you!” Jerrid was now the one waving his finger in Chris’ face.
Chris wasn’t so sure about that. “Yes sir,” Was the appropriate response.
“Okay then. Maybe we’ll see you at Stumps.”
“Yeah. I might show up a bit later. I’m just going to give the forest a once over before I come.”
“Right. See you then, maybe. If not, tomorrow at Mama’s.” Katrina winked at him.
Chris started to take a few steps towards Mama’s to show he was more than ready to leave. Katrina obediently followed and waved at Jerrid who was already walking away but raised his hand towards her without looking. “Here, we’re going to go this way—“ She pointed at a small gap between the Doctor’s office and the next building. Chris didn’t know where she was taking him, but he didn’t care; he was excited to see more of the town.
No comments:
Post a Comment