Page 46 (1/2)

Tom shook his head "I ask myself that every day They think they’re safe in town"

"That’s not true Ask Mr Sacchetto Ask Nix’s mom It’s stupid"

"Yes," Tom said, "it surely is"

He turned the doorknob and opened the door "Are you co?"

Benny came as far as the front step "It’s not safe in there, either, is it?"

"It’s not safe anywhere, Benny Not unless your generation "

They were both aware in thata different discussion than the words they exchanged

The brothers went into the house

To rooht and airy Noas pale and filled with dust The wallpaper had faded, and there were animal tracks on the floor There was a cold fireplace and a mantel filled with picture frames The pictures were of a fa son in a uniforht have been twin sisters Brothers and cousins and grandparents Everyone was s ti picture

"Where are they?" he asked softly

"In here," said Toh a dining room and into a kitchen The ere open and the yard was filled with trees Two straight-backed chairs sat in front of theand in the chairs were tithered zombies Both of them turned their heads toward the sound of footsteps Their jaere tied shut with silken cord The man was dressed in the tatters of an old blue police uniform; the woman wore a tailored frilly white party dress whose sleeves were dark with blood that had dried years ago Benny ca picture and back again

"It’s hard to tell"

"Not when you get used to it," said Toht of the cheekbones, the angle of the jaw, the distance between the nose and upper lip Those things won’t change even after years"

"I don’t know if I can do this," Benny said again

"That’s up to you" Tom took his knife from his boot "I’ll quiet one, and you can quiet the other If you’re ready If you can"

Toently pushed the zombie’s head forward and placed the tip of the knife at the base of his skull, doing everything slowly, re to say anything?" said Benny

"I’ve already said it," said Toht want to say so"

"I didn’t know theht …"

A tear fell fro zoles stopped Just like that

To his head for a moment as a sob broke in his chest "I’m sorry," he said, and then, "Be at peace"

He sniffed and held the knife out to Benny

"I can’t!" Benny said, backing away "Jesus Christ, I can’t!"

To the knife out He didn’t say a word

"God … please don’t make me do this," said Benny

Tom shook his head

"Please, Tom"

Toainst the cords and uttered a shrill er in Benny’s mind He covered his ears and turned away He dropped into a crouch, face tucked into the corner between the back door and the wall, shaking his head

To tiainst the wood The zo Benny turned and dropped onto his knees He dragged a forearm under his nose and sniffed

"She’ll be like that forever, won’t she?"

To his own question "Yes"