The Days Are Tired (Book #1 of the Dark Skies series) - A Zombie story

Chapter 7: Fix me

Why was this happening to us?

Mark stood in the middle of the room; a few people staring because of the commotion we had just made. I went up to him pulling him towards a part of the room that held two chairs in a fairly empty corner. 

As we sat there the white interior of the hospital made me feel unclean and detached. I didn't belong here.... no person did. 

I watched as Mark suddenly rested his head in his hands. He sat still in his chair, the only sign that he was alive was the steady movement of his chest.  I cling to the familiar movement; the subtle rise and fall. 

"Mark," I said.

He still didn't move and continued to hide his face from me. I found myself reaching out and removing his hands from his face. Before he could turn away from my searching eyes I let go of his hands and gripped his shoulders.

"Talk to me Mark - tell me what's going through your head right now." I just wanted him to feel better.

 I don't know how to fix this.

I don't even know if this is something that can be fixed.

"Bri, I don't know what to feel right now... I can't believe it. I killed him and I.." Mark said in a hushed whisper.

 He couldn't even keep talking, he just started crying. I found myself reaching up and bringing him into my embrace. Holding on to him tightly. I also looked around to make sure nobody heard his confession of murder. 

This was the best I could do for him. The only solace I could offer. I didn't even know how to comfort myself let alone him. 

He shook his head and proceeded to look away from me, not wanting to meet my eyes. I just wanted everything to be better and go back to the way it was earlier today. I just can't deal with this right now. 

Why was this happening to us? Hadn't we already been through enough? 

As Mark unraveled in my arms I felt as if nothing would ever be okay again. 

Mark never cried, even when his aunt had beaten him so badly he couldn't go to school for a week. I snuck through his window to see about him when he'd missed a few days. Dark purple spots dotted his pale skin and his cheek was swollen. 

I bawled my eyes out and Mark ended up being the one to comfort me. 

How do I help Mark when he is my rock - my foundation?  

He's gotten a few chips and cracks every now and then, but he was still as strong as ever in my eyes. I need him to be my rock right now! I don't know how to be someone else's rock. Or how to be dependable and easy-going. 

That has always been Mark's forte. 

Suddenly a bustle started in the quiet waiting room. I looked over to find about a dozen or so people limping into the room. I felt my eyes widen as the people walked closer. They were really wounded - large chunks of flesh seemed to be missing from their arms and legs.

"Help us!" A blonde woman who didn't seem to be injured at all yelled in the middle of the group. "We were attacked!" The sob that tore through the woman caused my heart to stop for a moment. She was carrying a small child with her - that laid limp in her arms. 

"Help my child - please!"

What the heck had happened to them?

I looked at Mark who had gone stiff in my arms. Some more people came with gurneys and took the woman's child and the rest of the people into the back and upper rooms. The woman sat in a chair - exhaustion clear on her face. A couple of people approached her asking if she was okay and what happened.