red hill - jamie mcguire

life flooded my thoughts as well. My boss, who was a huge asshole, but his wife and children were
very sweet; my cousin Brandon and his six kids; our neighbors; Mrs. Grace, my second grade teacher.
It was possible that almost everyone I’d ever known was dead. Or . . . a version of dead.
Joy was just pouring the steaming, dark coffee into a mug when I returned to the kitchen. “I meant
what I said last night,” she said, encouraging me to sit. “You and Zoe are welcome here for as long as
you like.”
I added creamer and sugar to my cup and swirled it around with a spoon. “I appreciate that. But
don’t you think it’s dangerous to try to see this through in town We just came from Fairview. We
were inside the church with several other people. The sick were trying to tear it apart. I left with Zoe
because it’s only a matter of time before they got in.”
“I couldn’t imagine leaving here. I don’t know where we’d go.”
“Do you know anyone with some land near here Out of the way That’s what I was hoping we
would come across.”
Joy thought for a minute. Instead of answering, she took a sip of coffee. Her eyes were kind, the
light blue in her irises even more pronounced bordered by her silver hair, but they also gave her
away. She was holding something back. I didn’t know these people, but if I had a chance of learning
whatever it was that she was keeping from me, it was in that moment, while I had Joy alone.
“I understand. You don’t know me or Zoe. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Joy frowned, clearly conflicted. “Oh, it’s not that, Nathan. I’m just not sure.”
“Sure of what”
The basement door opened. “Your little girl is awake, Nathan. I tried talking to her, but I think
she’s confused. You might get down there before she gets too upset,” Walter said. “Bring her up for
some breakfast. We’ll try to keep her mind off things.”
I nodded with an appreciative smile, and then left the table, hoping that wasn’t my only chance.