The Lightkeepers

23

hand through it. Ellie gathered up the blankets and glanced out the window. I studied the landscape

as intently as she did. As we passed each landing, we paused to study the outside world.

We stopped in the foyer, glancing at each other. The space was dim. I raised my brows,

tilting my head in the direction of the door. She maneuvered the blankets into one hand as I gripped

the pistol we kept near the entry, checking the magazine, and took the safety off. Locking eyes

with Ellie, who stood with one hand on the door handle, the other clutching the blankets. I held up

three fingers. She nodded her understanding and stood firmly. I assumed my position, gripping the

pistol tight, my finger ready at the trigger, the barrel angled down but ready to spring up. Ellie

counted down quietly.

She pulled the door in and I immediately stepped through, gun raised. I spared a hard glance

toward the left as I came out, not seeing anything other than the picnic tables and tree. I cleared

the space in front of me and then my right. Ellie followed me as soon as I crossed the threshold

and shut the door.

I swiveled around, satisfied with our surroundings. Dropping my arms to hang loosely at

my side, the pistol was still gripped in my right hand. I found myself grinning at Ellie as she shook

out the blankets, my hair flying everywhere, catching on the wind. I shivered, rubbing my legs

together. A moan sounded from behind. My head snapped in its direction. It sounded too close for

comfort, maybe a few feet away. From around the back corner of the keeper ’ s quarters came a

zombie, dressed in a tattered white gown and a torn, gauzy veil. Blood splatters stained the dress ’

shredded front. The hem of the dress was battered and ripped into shreds, painted dark with dirt

and mud. For a moment, my body locked and seized. She rushed at us.

Not real, not real, not real. I brought the pistol up and shot, a loud bang emitting from the

weapon. A sharp ringing filled my ears. Bits of flesh and blood flew sprayed the air, her arm nearly

coming off. She continued to come at us. I heard distant shouts from above, probably Henry ’ s, but

couldn ’ t make out what he was saying. The ringing overpowered his voice. I took a shuddering

breath and lined up the spot between her glassy eyes in my sights. Exhaling, I squeezed the trigger.

The zombie toppled over, twitched, and remained on the ground. Ellie cried out. Another shot rang

through the air. I spun in time to see a second zombie fall to the ground as Ellie clutched her

shoulder.

No, no, no, no, no, no.