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Chapter Nine<br />
Nathan<br />
ERIC RETURNED QUICKLY CARRYING SEVERAL boards in his arms. “I found these in the shed. I took as<br />
many as I could carry because they’re really starting to gather around the church. I don’t think anyone<br />
should go outside anymore.”<br />
“They must know we’re in here,” I said. “It’s just a matter of time before they get in.”<br />
Gary pulled the toothpick from his mouth, frustrated. “But Eric just said we can’t leave.”<br />
“He said he didn’t think we should,” I said, looking to Skeeter. “Doesn’t mean we can’t. It isn’t<br />
safe here.”<br />
He igno<strong>red</strong> our discussion, and began climbing the stairs, never taking his eyes off the door.<br />
We all followed. The silent hopes to find nothing were louder than the stairs that creaked in a slow<br />
symphony beneath our feet.<br />
Gary gripped the doorknob and pulled, using his body weight as leverage. None of us could be<br />
sure if the walking dead had enough coordination to climb or even twist a doorknob, but just one<br />
mistake meant death. I didn’t want to take any chances, and neither did these men.<br />
Skeeter lifted his fist, and knocked his knuckles against the door. “Hello It’s Skeeter McGee.<br />
Anyone in there”<br />
The footsteps that we’d heard before had been silent for several minutes.<br />
Skeeter tried again. “I have a gun, and I’m prepa<strong>red</strong> to shoot. Identify yourself.”<br />
Nothing.<br />
“Let’s board it up,” Eric said, repositioning the wood in his arms.<br />
Skeeter held up a hand, signaling for Eric to wait, and then he held his ear against the door. His<br />
eyes targeted me, and then he shook his head. “I don’t hear anything. Don’t tell me those things know<br />
how to hide. I’m going in.”<br />
Skeeter put his hand over Gary’s, and I grabbed his arm. “What are you doing What if there’s<br />
several in there What if they overpower us and get downstairs”<br />
Skeeter smiled with his mouth and frowned with his eyes. “I ain’t gonna let that happen. Just like I<br />
ain’t gonna leave those things walking above us. If we’re going to ride this out in this church, it’s got<br />
to be secure.”<br />
I sighed, and let go of his arm. “All right. Gary”<br />
Gary reluctantly released the doorknob, and Skeeter went in. I checked behind the door, and then<br />
my eyes scanned the large, empty classroom before they touched on what Skeeter had already seen.<br />
A young woman, early twenties, was lying next to a fallen end table and an open window. Blood<br />
marked her trail. Her arm had been chewed on, in several spots down to the bone.
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