Do I Get Points?

Surprisingly we didn’t have to go through the dunes; we neared a road block that was void of soldiers. At first we weren’t sure if it was some kind of trick or if they had abandoned their post. When we inspected further we saw blood smeared on the pavement the vehicles were still there. We came to the conclusion they had been attacked and we didn’t hang around there long incase we fell to the same fate.

I stayed behind the wheel for a couple of hours while everyone was asleep and the road ahead was eerily empty, we had chosen to take the back roads and those two lane highways, the kind of roads you take for the view not the quickness, we figured they would be less congested with cars and had small towns which meant little to no infection or at least we hoped.

This was the longest day of my life it was like that never ending song that kept looping around this was that kind of stupid crazy day. I had time to think now, I didn’t want to think images kept coming up that I just wanted to forget and so many question kept pouring out and no explanations to accompany them, where would we go, was any other place infected, how long could we stay at any one place, had the city known about what was coming…

“Pull over.” Lina’s voice startled me.

“Why?”

“Just...” she breathed in. “Pull over.”

I pulled over and before I could ask what was the matter she opened the door and lunged out of the car staggering forward as fast as she could, I was confused opening my door I followed her I should’ve just stayed and waited. I reached her just as she bent over and throw up, stepping back a little to give her space and so as not to be caught in the line of fire. I felt awkward standing there I wanted to go back to the truck I should’ve gone back to the truck, but I never said I was the brightest crayon in the box.

“Are you ok?” I asked sheepishly I didn’t know what else to say how about hey I’ll let you do your thing and I’ll see you in the truck. Yeah right.

“They’re dead….” She gasped “They’re all dead! Ady too.” She was gasping for air spouting out word between breaths most of it inaudible best way to describe it she was freaking out, I mean the whole flapping her arms or pacing fanning herself freaking out, then she’d lean forward steadying herself with her knees slightly bent gasping, her voice was getting louder and all I could do was stand there and look at her dumbfounded then she just started screaming. It was the craziest thing I’d ever seen well… ok beside dead people coming back to life and eating everyone it was the craziest

“Hey hey calm down.” I said putting my hands up to try to calm her down. Ok so I’m not saying what I did next would get me points.

I grabbed her “hey stop that!” I shook her yeah that didn’t work she started spewing out word that I didn’t understand loudly and trying to claw at my arms, so I did the only thing I could do, yep, you guest it I slapped her, I didn’t know what else to do its like watching someone have a night terror while they’re awake, so I had to wake her up right? No sooner had I slapped her that I saw flash and I staggered back the left side of my face burned with pain, I looked up just in time to see a palm coming right at me I closed my eyes and felt another shot of pain.

“You asshole you ever hit me again I’ll rip off your arms and beat you with them!” She yelled at me. Yeah great now I can understand her.

“You were…” was all I got out before I felt another blow.

“You left with the fucking keys are you trying to kill us?”

“I came back!” I yelled back, this time I caught her next blow spun her around and held her, that did little to stop her though, she kick at my chins and I almost let go, I forced her down to the kneeling passion and held her there, she cried and to be honest so did I.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what would happen.” I rocked her back and forth for a short time.

I’m not sure how long we sat there in the cold muddy snow, but by the time we got up I was stiff with the cold my body ached, I found myself shivering.

“Yeah so… maybe we should come up with a plan. That is besides beating each other.” I said trying to smile.

“You mean freezing wasn’t part of the plan?” She asked through chattering teeth.

“Well I know crazy wasn’t part of it.”

“keeping you on your toes is all.”

“You hit my face that’s more of a knock out gesture.”

“I didn’t hit you, I… just high fived your face.” She shrugged

“I don’t remember offering my face for that.”

“Sorry, its… well this is all to fucked up, I had to get it out.” Her face was pale from the cold which made her blushing even more obvious. “I didn’t intend to hit you.”

“Yeah, next time let me know ahead of time ok.” This time I smiled genuinely.

We walked back to the car Michelle and the kids were looking toward us as if we were insane, I know I was still sane so I knew who they were really looking at. We got in with cold wet clothes. Marek asked Lina something I couldn’t understand in Spanish, she responded to him in Spanish as well, that’s actually when I first realized that Edmond wasn’t in the car. Yeah ok I know I’d driven for a couple of hours and hadn’t realized we were missing a child, we had dead people trying to kill us a kid wasn’t really on my mind give me a break.

“Um… I know this is a bit late for asking, but where is Edmond?” I asked sheepishly

“We saw his dad’s van and I walked him over to his parent so that he could be with his family.” Lina responded.

“Oh I see… that’s why you were out there walking around.” I replied.

“Why did you punch him?” Michelle asked saving me the trouble of asking if that’s was the guy she had punched.

“Cause the bastard accused me of kidnapping after he ‘drove by’ the day care and didn’t see any one there. Asshole.” She said the last part under her breath. “He told me that I was kidnapping Edmond, and that I was… well doesn’t matter what I was, but he didn’t think that saving his kid from zombies was a good excuse to having taken him out of daycare, then he grabbed my arm and told me he was going to turn me into the police…”

“What? You can’t be serious we saved his kid.” I couldn’t believe it.

“Yeah well he didn’t think so, and I would not have punched him if he wasn’t hurting my arm. What’s worse is his wife was a complete bi… well a witch should’ve punched her too.”

“Man your just punching everyone.” I chuckled.

“I didn’t punch you actually. You don’t punch its not good for your hand, but on occasion it’s funny as hell.”

Great she was having fun punching someone out. “Only you would think of that in the middle of an argument.”

“So what happens now?” Michelle asked she seemed more calm less like a deer in headlights.

“Well first we get some gas.” I looked at the dash board. It was enough to get us to the next town.

We drove about 30 minutes to the next town, it wasn’t to small it had a K-Mart and a Denny’s, the streets seemed empty. I pulled into the first gas station I saw.

“What do you think?” Lina asked.

“We need gas is what I think.” I looked at the entrance to the store the top part of the glass door was shattered.

“Michelle we need you to do something very important. So you need to be brave ok?” Lina looked at Michelle speaking to her clearly and softly. “We’re going to go in and get the pump working ok? You get in the driver seat wait five minutes if we’re not out by then leave, if you hear gun shots count to 30 then leave ok?”

“Can’t we find some other place? I mean there’s bound to be more gas stations right?” Michelle started fidgeting.

“This is important. We’re counting on you.” I knew why Lina was telling Michelle this, I agreed with her, no point in getting everyone killed. “The further we go in the more we’ll alert any living dead out there. So it has to be now, do you understand?”

“Yes ok I can do this.” She seemed to be trying to convince herself.

Crap I thought she’s going to leave us here.

“Tia don’t live please.” Marek pleaded.

“Its ok honey I’ll be right inside. I’ll bring you back a drink ok? Erica you want something too? She asked the little girl.

“I want my mommy.” She replied.

“I don’t think she’s in the store but we’ll call her and have her meet us in the next town ok? Would you like something?”

“Some cheetos.” She replied.

“Ok cheetos it is.” Lina smiled at her.

I popped the trunk and we both got out of the truck and went to the back, I figured now would be as good a time as any to get my gun. We both made sure we had enough ammo before going into the store.

There didn’t appear to be any blood on or near the door, so like at the day care I went first with Lina right behind me, searching behind the counter and then going down the isles one at a time Lina as at the furthest side of the store. I looked down a couple of the isles and looked back at Lina she had her hands up I was puzzled only for a short second before noticing there was a rifle pointed at her head.

“Trying to steal from my store!” said a voice of a man who was partially hiding behind a rack. “Throw your gun down!”

“No sir wasn’t planning on taking anything with out paying for it.” Lina replied “We saw the window of the door smashed out and came in to make sure everyone was ok.”

Yeah I know that was a lye but I didn’t say anything I ducked down going along one of the isle hoping that I hadn’t been seen so that I could… well I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.

“Throw your fucking gun down.” The voice said more forcefully.

“No sir.” Was Lina’s reply. She’s crazy I thought. “But I will put on the safety, don’t shoot, look I don’t have my finger on the trigger, I’m just putting the safety on.”

I could only imagine her doing this, fuck she’s going to get herself shot what now what now, my mind raced quickly.

“I Said…” he was cut off.

“Yes sir I heard you. Would you want to put your gun down cause you went to see if someone was ok in a store and ended up in my situation?”

“I… uh… well…” he stumbled over his words.

“Sir I’m going to turn around very slowly ok don’t shoot, there we go I’m turning I still have my finger off the trigger, there we go. Hello” She was calm I couldn’t believe it she was about to get her head blown off and she was calm.

“What do you want?” said the voice, mean while I was getting closer to the end of the isle.

“Came for gas and some snacks sir, paid for not stolen. Now I’m putting my gun away ok?” she’s asking questions you’re fucking kidding me! I was screaming in my head.

“Keep your hands up!”

“Ok, hands up finger off the trigger. Are you the owner of the store?” she asked I started sneaking out of the isle I guess he must of nodded cause I didn’t hear a reply before Lina started speaking again.

“Can I buy gas for my truck?”

“Cash only!” Came the harsh reply

“Yes sir cash only. Now don’t freak out, not going to hurt you.” I saw her eyes dart my way and understood I back up put my gun away and my hands in the air.

“But my friend is right behind you.” She pointed

The man swung his rifle around and I could see his face, he might have been in his late 30s some what heavy and starting to bold.

“Sir we came to see if you were ok. And since you are we’d like to buy some gas.” I said trying to be just as calm. “We tried to call for help but our cells ain’t working.”

“Gas only?” Said the man.

“And snacks sir we can pay cash.” I said, and to my surprise he lowered his rifle and started to the front counter. I looked at Lina and she looked back at me with relief on her face, she put her gun away and I followed the man to the front counter.

“So what’s happened here?” I asked trying to relieve some of the tension

The guy looked at me before answering “People been coming through town, some of the first ones were just in a hurry then some came through that had blood on them. Most of the town people are leaving, and damned teenagers are raiding stores.”

“That what happened here?” I pointed at the door.

“Some thing like that.” Came the reply and Lina appeared with some food in her hands.

“That’ll be $23.54 plus gas.”

“Do you have 30 bucks on you?” Lina asked me. I pulled out my wallet and gave her $40 she put in another $20 to pay for the food and gas, we walked out and waved to Michelle who I’m sure was on the verge of hyperventilating.

Lina opened the passenger door. “Thank you Michelle you can sit back with the kids and relax.” She handed everyone a drink and some food after Michelle had settle in between the two children, but before Lina closed the door I noticed a bundle on the floor I left the gas nozzle on the blazer and leaned over to grab Lina’s Laptop case.

“Is this charged?” I asked her.

“Yeah why you feel like e-mailing someone?” she asked

“They sell movies at the gas station you think?”

“I don’t know, I doubt it, why?”

I didn’t answer I left the case on the seat and went back into the store, and called in before walking in, just to let the guy know that I wasn’t going to take anything with out paying and I didn’t want to get shot.

The man said that they did have a couple of movies and I asked for any kids movie he might have, he had Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo I bought them both. I ran back to the truck grabbed Lina’s laptop.

“What are you doing?” she asked

“You’ll see.” I popped in Finding Nemo and placed the laptop on the center counsel so that the kids could watch.

“Ah, ok well that charge won’t hold forever but if we find a store we can buy an adapter for the cigarette lighter.” She smiled.

We got in and drove away from that place unsure where to go, just not back, but away from anywhere really. We drove for a couple of hours before seeing a sign that a town was less than 20 miles out, since there was no objection we went there. It must have been 7 when we reached it, it was dark, we could tell that this town was smaller than the last one.

It was kinda weird, people were walking about normally, they seemed to have no idea of what was happening outside of theIr little town. I could tell there was no out break of zombies, they just walked about happily, I pulled in to a restaurant and through the window I could see people smiling. Nothing was wrong in this perfect little town it was as if all of what had happened earlier was a bad dream, it made me uneasy, but we had to eat.

We walked in and everyone stopped talking looking up at us, I couldn’t figure out why till the hostess came up she was wearing a dust mask, that’s when I realized we didn’t have ours. Ever since the campion virus was announced every one wore masks to keep out germs so that they wouldn’t get that nasty flue.

“I uh… sorry we don’t have ours you would happen to know where I could buy some?” that seems dumb now, but at the time if you didn’t have a mask most people avoided you like you were a leper.

“Oh we can sell you some here, I’m sure you wouldn’t wear them while eating anyways. How many?”

“Five. Ah you take credit right?” I asked unsure, since the man at the gas station in that last town had asked for cash.

“Yeah we do. Follow me.” She said and led us to a booth. “Your waiter will be with you shortly.”

“Uh ma’am do you have a phone?” Lina asked

“Sure right this way.” The lady replied. Lina grabbed Erica’s hand and they followed the lady.

While they were out our waiter came, I already forgot his name but we place our order of drinks while we looked at the menu. Lina came back with a sad looking Erica.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“There was no answer at her house and the mobiles went straight to voice mail.” Lina answer, she patted Erica’s back trying to console her.

“Did you leave a message?” I asked looking at the little girl

“Yes I told them where we were and gave them the number here.”

Our waiter came and we ordered our food I told them “Order what ever you want, eat till your tummies hurt.”

Lina looked at me and I knew that she understood that this might just be the last good meal we’d have for a while if this place wasn’t safe. We ate and drank and Michelle even got the kids singing silly songs.

During our dinner I started thinking, where we could get some good supplies for if we had to run, we needed out door supplies, sleeping bags, food, out door clothing, I wasn’t sure what would happen but I knew that if shit really did hit the fan, we might have to walk and camp out, so many things that could happen. I was trying hard to not look worried for our small group.

“I’ll be back have to go to the rest room.” I said

“Um leave the keys if you don’t mind.” Lina said. “We should get this copied you know.”

“Yeah I’ll ask if there is some place opened.” I left her the keys; I was annoyed that she’d think I’d leave her.

On the way up I saw the hostess “We need to get some keys copied do you know of a place around here.” I asked her.

“There’s a sporting good store up the street, they copy keys.” She replied.

I grinned she had giving me more information than I’d asked for, a sporting good store could I be this lucky? I started back to the table, but then I figured I should use the restroom, I tittered back and forth for a while I’m sure I looked strange cause people shot me looks, so I settled on going to the rest room first then telling Lina the plan.

When I got to the table I felt giddy. “Guess what?” I asked Lina

“What?”

“Guess.”

“Uh you learned dancing isn’t your thing?”

“What?” I asked puzzled

“You were dancing in the middle of the floor.”

“Oh.” I felt dumb. “No no there’s a sporting good store up the street.”

“Ok…. You want to go play sports?”

“No camping supplies.” I said and I watched it dawn on her.

“Oh ok, think we should get this kids to a hotel they looked tried, could we go tomorrow?” She asked.

“There may not be tomorrow, who knows what will happen, if this will turn into zombie town or if we’ll be ok here for a while or forever.”

“This is true.” She said biting her bottom lip.

“I could drop you and the kids off at a hotel and go shopping, as well as get a key of the truck copied.” I suggested.

“I think we should stay together, if anything does happen we’re not looking for each other.”

My first thought was that she thought I’d run off, but then looking around and thinking about earlier that day, it seemed like the events of that day was so long ago and we were years away sitting at a dinner in a small town. “Yeah ok lets get going then, don’t know when that place closes.” We got the check with our masks and extra food for Walker who we’d left in the truck.

We found the store no problem it was a fare size for a small town, the guy at the counter told me a lot of people came out here for the out doors, he was surprised that we bought anything and everything we could think of, especially since this was the off season he looked some what suspicious at us.

I sort of felt like a kid in a candy store. We got hiking packs for the three of us, and small packs for the kids, even Walker got a dog pack so he could carry his stuff. At first I wasn’t sure how we could afford this, but then I figured worse comes to worse we’d be running for our live, like we are now, or we would end up paying a hell of a bill, either way we’d have some cool shit.

Everyone got a new sleeping bag for up to zero degree weather, we all got compasses the kids got little ones for there wrist, coats for the weather, socks, water purifying tablets, me and Lina had good boots on, so we bought some for Michelle and the kids, a small tent, fire starters, matches, flashlights that didn’t need batteries, pocket knives small ones for the kids even, water bottles, 2 binoculars and 3 monoculars, sporks, plates, first aid, toiletries and other stuff I can’t remember, no cook ware though we got ready made food, we stocked up on food.

Once we had gotten to a hotel and rented a room we set about dividing everything into packs, the kids and Michelle would only carry their sleeping bag, one packet of water purifying tablets, a small flash light, matches and a small fire starter, one packet of food, pocket knife and a wrist compass, as well as a flash light. Lina and I would carry the rest, I wasn’t sure how she’d fair at the time.

That night was a long one, the kids cried for there moms and dads we had to buy Erica a stuffed animal so that she would feel left out cause Marek had his favorite bear, hell even Michelle cried, I let Lina handle that one.

I slept on the floor with Walker at my feet in my new sleeping bag that night I was as happy then as I am now that I got it, not that I did much sleeping, I kept jumping at little noises out side, and inside, I knew Lina didn’t get much sleep either, the kids would take turns waking up and asking for mom. I think that was the hardest thing for her to do. She couldn’t tell them that they weren’t coming cause she wasn’t 100% sure. How would you explain that to a child anyways oh sorry you mommy and daddy are dead, not coming ever gain so deal with it. All that could be said was that they were coming soon they were just busy and not to worry.

The kids were up by 8; how do kids do that get no sleep and they’re still up at the crack of dawn.

“Tia when are we going home?” Marek asked Lina

“I don’t know, when it’s safe I guess.”

“What’s a tia?” Erica asked.

“A tia is an aunt.”

“Then why doesn’t Marek call you aunt then?” she asked

“Cause in Spanish aunt is tia.”

“What are tias” she asked

“A tia is some one that will take care of you when your mom and dad are not around. Right tia?” Marek said looking at Lina.

“That’s right. We help mommies and daddy’s when they can’t be there.”

“Are you my tia then Lina?” asked Erica, Lina looked at me.

“No she can’t be your tia, cause she’s my tia.” Marek said sounding annoyed.

“Well Marek, the thing about being a tia is that you can be a tia to more then just one person, you can always love more than one person, it makes it fun for everyone.” She explained to Marek. “Erica do you want me to be your tia?”

The little girl just nodded bashfully. “Well then I’m your tia or aunt what ever you like to call me ok. From now on I’m yours and Marek’s aunt ok?” they jumped up and down and hugged Lina.

I laid on the bed and watch a movie on TV, Michelle laid in her bed staring blankly at it too. Lina bathed and washed the kids before cleaning up herself she made sure to blow dry their hair, that they had brushed their teeth, she had them put on there new boots, to break them in so that their feet wouldn’t hurt later, she made sure that we bought them half a size bigger for them she said it was cause kids feet grew fast. I tried to talk her into buy then a size bigger then but she said if you buy boots to big it rubs on there feet and hurts them. They did need some better winter clothes though, and I found myself wondering where we could get kids clothes. Never thought that would happen with kids that didn’t belong to me but here I was worrying about them.

Lina washed hers and my boots to get the dried blood off them. “There clean” she said.

“Michelle you should get up and get ready.” She said sitting next to Michelle and putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Why? What’s happening?” Was the reply it sounded more irritated than confused.

“We’re going to go have breakfast.”

“I don’t want any.”

“You really should eat you know.”

“I SAID I DON’T WANT ANY.”

I looked at Lina and knew that she was about to explode but to my surprise she spoke soft and clear but with the you better do it tone, how do women do that really I’d like to know.

“That’s just fine, get up and get ready we’re eating.” She didn’t wait for a response she turned walked to the chair and started putting on her boots. The kids came and sat on the other side of me.

Michelle threw back the cover and for a second there I thought that there would be a fight cause she just stood there giving Lina a look of that said I want you dead, but Lina didn’t look up she just kept doing her thing, Michelle stormed off to the bathroom slamming the door, and shortly after I heard the shower running.

“Where do you guys want to eat?” She said finally looking up

“Uh…. Well…. How about where we ate last night?” I stumbled over my words, another trade that women managed was the nothing is wrong let’s keep going.

“Sounds good. You should clean up too Josh you’ll regret it later.”

“Yes mom.” I sat up straight and grinned. “Have you seen my spiderman undies?”

She rolled her eyes “You mean the ones with the holes? I burned them.”

“Those were my favorite” I whined mockingly the kids laughed.

Walker started pacing back and forth. “Think he needs a walk.” Lina pointed at him. “I’ll go while you get ready.” she didn’t wait for a reply.

After Michelle was done and out, I went in the bathroom and took a hot shower, letting the hot melt away my knots, after I was done I looked at the steam up mirror wish that horrific days could be covered up just as easily. After I was dressed I stepped out Michelle was on the phone dialing number. Erica was crying.

“What’s wrong?” I asked throwing my towel down and moving toward her quickly.

“Mi… Mi… Michelle said my mommy and daddy are dead. That they left me.” She sobbed.

To tell you the truth up until that moment I had never wanted to hit a woman ever, hey yeah I know I slapped Lina but some times people need a wake up that was different. I looked at Michelle and she didn’t look up from the numbers on the phone. I breathed in and out a couple of times before turning to Erica.

“Well honey we don’t know where they are. But I know that they’ll do anything they can to find you.” I hugged her, I wasn’t sure what else to say, Lina should be able to fix it I thought, come to think of it where is she. She was sure going to be mad I might want to go talk to her.

“Hey why don’t you and Marek watch Monsters Inc. I forgot something in the car.” I gave Michelle on last stern look before I left.

Lina was at the Blazer taking some things out; I walked over to her, Walker running around the truck. “What are you doing?”

“We should throw out the mats with blood on them, we don’t know how this spread, other than bites right, if the vids are any indication its through body fluids.” She had a bottle of anywhere bleach spray.

“Yeah that’s true.” I leaned up against the blazer

“You know we should tell the Sheriff that they might get zombies.”

“Why for? They’re fine they don’t have them yet the wont get them.” Was my reply

“But they might, we don’t know how it started in ours, they need to be prepared.”

“I think they know what is happening in other cities. Not like they’re completely cut off here.”

“We don’t know how much they know.”

“Ok say they don’t know what’s happening, if we tell them that Zombies are real I think they might throw us in the nut house. And I don’t know about you but I don’t like hugging myself.”

“We can’t just leave them unprepared.”

“Ok lets say we do go up to the Sheriffs office and tell them that we have two kids with us one of them is yours and the other some kid we picked up from day care. They’re not going to listen to anything beyond that, they’ll just see that we have a kid that isn’t ours and think that we’re crazy cause we threw in zombies. They’ll call it kidnapping”

“So what just leave a small town with out warning?”

“I think they know something is up, they’d have some way of dealing with it, I’m sure.”

“Fine! We’ll leave them to their fate.” She turned back to bleaching the carpets and seats.

“Um Lina…” I was unsure how to start this one.

“What?” Came the annoyed response

“Michelle sort of told Erica her parents are dead” I cringed, Lina had stopped all movement.

“She did what?” Lina looked at me with this your shitting me look, again something I’d like to know how woman do.

“She told Erica her parents aren’t coming.”

“How’s Erica?”

“She’s sort of crying.”

“Sort of you don’t sort of cry, she either crying or not.”

“Hey I didn’t tell her, and yes she’s crying.”

“Ahhh.” Lina throw the bottle down and slammed the door storming in the direction of our room I followed her.

“Wait what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.” Was the reply, which to me means one of two things, I’m going to pretend to be really nice and tell you you’re a bitch nicely or two beat the shit out of you with out letting you know what’s coming. Sorry but I kind of hoped for the second one.

Lina burst through the door. “Take the kids to the truck will you Josh.”

I wanted to say nah uh I’m not missing this, but I grab the kids and took them to the car, I made sure walker was with them so that they’d have something to do.

“Stay here we just need to bring out our stuff ok?” I told them and started the engine so that they weren’t sitting out in the cold and ran back in.

“…. Can’t believe you would tell a scared little girl that! What kind of care taker are you.” Lina was saying. Great I thought she opted for the talking approach.

“I’m not getting paid to take care of them.” Michelle pointed to the door.

“Don’t be a fucking moron, you knew what you were doing! What are you twelve, an eye for an eye? I make you get ready you give me more work to do.”

“No one’s making you look after them! You have to pretend to be all nice and sweet ‘yes I’ll be your aunt’” she mocked Lina.

“So you have to be the bitch and fuck with the heads of 4 year olds?”

“And you have to pretend to be a hero, I saw you freak out yesterday, you’re a pansy ass bitch that doesn’t know where to hide, your crazy.”

“And you’re a fuctard that needs to make kids feel miserable so that you feel better about what you did yesterday.”

“Yeah well I saved those kids.”

“You didn’t save any one Sarah did, you’d be dead if it wasn’t for her.” Lina pointed at her. That’s about the time Michelle slapped her. Lina reacted in a split second a flash of hand and arm and Michelle was toppling over the bed heels over head. I was stuck to my spot Lina stood there ready for the next round.

Michelle’s head came up slowly from beside the head. “You hit me. You made me bleed.” She sobbed.

Lina walked over to her squatted down by Michelle’s side grabbing her hair and yanked it back.

“Lina come on she’s done fighting.” I started forward, but stopped immediately because Lina had taken out her gun and placed it right under Michelle’s chin. “Wait, Lina put that away.” I said putting my hands up palms facing her.

“I should’ve left you in the closet. Next time you feel like being a bitch remember this moment, because I won’t hesitate again.” She pushed Michelle’s head forward, stood up and put her gun away.

“Hey…”

“Grab our stuff lets go eat I’m hungry.” Lina huffed before I could get another word in.

Lina picked up the kids packs and her own and headed out the door. I grabbed everything else making two trips. Lina was leaning on blazer by the time I shut the trunk door.

“How about you not leave the kids alone?”

“Just making sure you two were ok.”

“Let’s get going.” She said

“What about Michelle?” I started; I felt bad now that I want Lina to teach her a lesson.

“Leave her, she wants to act like her shit don’t stink well then let her. But I’m not going to let her hurt these kids any more.”

I opened my mouth to argue but couldn’t find the words instead I said “Ok, I’ll be right back though.”

I ran back to the room, Michelle was sitting on the bed crying. “Listen we’re leaving, we’ll be at the restaurant from last night eating breakfast if you change your mind. But you’re paying for this room after today if you don’t.” She simply nodded but didn’t move.

I thought that me telling her that we were leaving her would get her moving, so I guessed that maybe she did want to stay by herself.