Page 60 (1/2)

"Let’s go ho his tears away

3 Ho many of the evacuees saw as the convoy crested the hill and sped doard the fort Despite the glooht, twinkling in the grayness of the day

Aether in a hts Margie leaned over and whispered to her brother and sister, "Maybe Christht She broke down crying, her gnarled hand, aching with arthritis cupping her forehead It was almost too much for the old wo hands on her

On one of the lead trucks, Bette sat in silence, watching the lights with sad, weary eyes Tired to the core of her being, she just wanted to be so a nurse, who tried to heal the sick, she had been an executioner Yet, itthat could infect so many others She was just so tired

Exhausted, she rested her head back on the seat and watched the twinkling lights grow blurry through her tears

As the gates opened to let the trucks in one at a time, the convoy fell into silence No zombies attacked as they waited Overhead, the helicopters hovered watchfully

As Katie and Travis’ truck passed through into the co her face Travis gently stroked her neck and back, whispering softly to her But they both felt the emptiness that could never be replaced

Jenni was gone

Bruce was gone

Kevin turned his eyes up toward the hen his truck entered He saw the tall, older Israeli wo with keen eyes They shared aunspoken passed between thee and she was gone

As the survivors began to pour into the courtyard, that was once the construction site, the citizens of the fort rushed to greet them

There were moments of sheer joy as family members were reunited

Friends who had not seen each other in years wept as they eed and kissed by strangers

The Reverend found lost reeted him

Unexpected reunions filled the dreary day with cries of happiness that were led with tears of sadness There was joy and there was heartbreak, but it was human and it was real

Finally, the last truck rolled in A beleaguered h the crowd to the redheaded woentleness, Bill put his arhtly, then said, "I need a beer"

Chapter 21

1 Moments

"We must remember that our loved ones have moved on to a place where there is no fear or pain It is ho are left behind, who feel fear and pain Weis over and the salvation to our fears is to love one another and live the best life we can in honor of theirhis forathered around hi heavy and leaden Her Travis walked behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders She felt dizzy, tired, and her body was aching Her hand pressed protectively against the swell of her stomach as she walked toward the hotel

People froreet the newcomers As one manvery still Beside him, Jack pressed to his side Shelley stood behind him, her face pale Katie felt her heart break as she looked into the boy’s eyes and his i the tears free fros falling over his brow His hand lifted to his face as Jack began to whine, pawing at the boy’s knee

"Jason," Katiehi, he buried his face in her neck as he cried

Clutching hier sobbed desperately, his body sinking doard Travis wrapped his arainst him "We’re here, Jason We’re here"

"Mom! Mom! Mom!" Jason’s voice was a screech of pain

Katie kissed his brow and clung to both of them

Shelley wrapped one arirl into a four-way ean to howl

Nerit held out her hand to Kevin as he stopped next to her She stood near the entrance to the hotel watching Travis and Katie trying to coht Jason The cries of pain said it all Jenni was gone She felt the sting of pain in her own heart and her eyes grew ave hi over his shoulder, he saas happening and sighed

"Jenni didn’t make it, did she?"