Chapter 4

After making sure that Sherry was happy with the makeshift picnic, I turned most of my attention to my partner. Sneaking frequent glances at him as we ate and talked, I watched for the return of his earlier despondency, relieved to see it replaced with light and mirth.

Once we had our fill to eat, I had launched into an explanation of the whirlwind romance between Hugh and Margret McGregor. I told them how they had met down in Texas at Maggie's cousin's wedding where she had been obliged to travel as the Maid of Honor. They first laid eyes on each other at the rehearsal dinner that the Bride and Groom has actually despaired of him being able to attend. In fact, he had been announced to the group as the "elusive Best Man". They fell to talking, at first of the coming ceremony and their duties, and before they knew it they were closing up the restaurant!

The couple ended up talking all through the reception the next day as well and ended with an invitation to view his property (which was an over 40-acre cattle ranch) and also Maggie's last day there before going back home. He picked her up the next day and ended up proposing to her by his pond with a handful of wildflowers. She had agreed and the rest was history. They had been married nearly 45 years now and had two children; a son named Brandon and a daughter named Annabelle. Annabelle had gotten married soon after graduation and had two girls and another little one on the way when The Accident had happened, and my brother and I hadn't been able to be back since, so I didn't know if it had been a boy or a girl.

My listeners laughed at the silly parts (I found I really liked the sound of his laugh; it had such a warm quality to it.) and Sherry looked a bit starry-eyed. It was a beautiful story and one of my favorites growing up. Of course, Gigi Mae's would always be number one for me.

"So that's what you were referring to when you said 'when it's right, it's just right'"? Leon asked. I nodded, and he gave a low whistle. "Wow, three days… and it turned into 45 years. That's pretty crazy."

"Yes, but people can achieve anything if they are willing to put in the work. It's not like they didn't have troubles or disagreements, but they really loved each other and they never allowed those problems to be greater than their affection for the other," I said, partially to emphasize the enormity of their feat and to indirectly impose upon Sherry the requirements for such a happy ending (she was looking a little too dreamy).

It must have worked because she focused back on me and started asking questions about how old the kids were, did I think they would be there when we had dinner over there, were we going to make something to take for it and could she help me make if we were bringing a dish? Laughing, I did my best to answer her.

Sometime later, we started the process of cleaning up the living room and moving things back to their respective places. Sherry pouted a little, but perked up when I told her she could pick out tonight's movie for us. We moved the leftover food to the dining table, and put the blankets and plants back. The bears went back in Sherry's room except for the worn dark brown one that belonged to Chris and went back into Leon's room.

The wind was rattling the shutters and you could hear the heavy pattern of rain on the roof. I stoked the fire and threw in a bit more wood before scanning the room one last time to be sure everything was back to normal.

There was an older TV set by a built-in bookshelf full of VHS tapes on the left side of the room that had the club style sofa and armchairs arranged in a way that let whomever sat on the couch see both the front and back doors and out the large front and the smaller dining room windows at the same time while being close enough to the corner fireplace to receive the benefits. The sofa had a quilt with the Irish Blessing embroidered on it, folded and draped over the back.

In front of the main window was an open area of about eight feet across and ten feet wide; devoid of furniture or rugs. The window itself was bay style with a reading shelf and storage under the long-cushioned bench. It was hardly used for that purpose and was currently turned cushion side down to hold an old gramophone for records and an antique radio on opposing ends. An Ivers & Pond piano stood to the left of the window against the wall.

Feeling nostalgic, I drifted over to the piano remembering all the nights we had listened to mom or grandma play. I had tried to learn, but hadn't really had the patience for it back then. I preferred singing while they played. I lifted the cover and ran my fingers lovingly over the keys. They felt smooth and cool to the touch. Maybe once the snow set in, I would try to learn again. I could always ask Maggie for help if I got stuck. 'It would be nice to play for my little family,' I thought.

I jumped when fingers brushed my shoulder, startled out of my half dreams-half memories, and spun around to see Leon standing next to me with his hands held up and an apology on his lips. I shook my head at him and smiled to let him know I wasn't upset and he lowered his hands back to his sides.

"I was asking if you played?" He repeated the question he had been asking me.

"A little, and very ill," I admitted. "When I was small Grammy and Mom tried to teach me, but I couldn't really sit still well. I wish I had paid attention more. Some of my fondest memories are here listening to them play and dancing with Daddy or Grandpa." I sighed wistfully. "Maybe I should try practicing again someday…"

"I think that would nice. I was so focused on what I needed to do to enter the police academy that there never seemed to be time for anything else, but I've always wanted to learn how to play guitar. It looked fun," Leon said.

"Chris can play!" I answered excitedly. "Maybe he could teach you.. once we find him that is…" I trailed off sadly thinking about my missing brother and being assaulted by guilt for not dropping everything and leaving this second, but also by horrid guilt for thinking of leaving Leon and Sherry alone. It was an awful place to be, pulled so hard in different directions, wanting to stay and wanting to go.

Strong arms wrapped themselves softly around me while a warm finger brushed away a tear I didn't know had fallen. "It will be alright. You said it yourself that he is even more capable than you, which I find hard to believe mind you, so I'm sure he is alright and will be back the second his friends find him."

A small blush warmed my cheeks at the compliment, but the guilt was still gnawing at my stomach. I was his sister, his only family, it was my responsibility to look for him if he was in trouble. I felt like I was letting him down, and I told Leon this softly, unable to meet his eyes and waited for his reply.

It was silent except for Sherry muttering in the corner as she went through tapes trying to decide on one. Then his arms tightened for a moment before he put his hands firmly on the top of my arms and pushed me back enough to look me in the eye. "Then the next time we go into town we should both look for jobs. Tickets to Europe aren't cheap for three people, and there is the issue of passports.. but I'm sure we will figure it out."

For a second, I just gaped at him, my brain seemed to freeze. Then an immense sense of relief, joy, and affection hit me and I threw my arms around him hugging him tightly. "Do you really mean it? You'll come with me?!" He nodded and started to reply, but I cut him off with a quick peck on the cheek and another tight squeeze. "You're the best!" I exclaimed.

Just then Sherry seemed to take notice of what we were doing and asked suspiciously, "come with you where? Are we moving again? I really like it here."

I felt guilty again. She had been through so much, lost both her parents and dragged across half the continent. This was the first stable place we had been in since we escaped two months ago. I was a mom now, and my selfish desires had to come second to what my daughter needed.

I slid out of Leon's embrace and walked over to my little girl, going down on one knee to look her in the eye. "No, love, we aren't moving again any time soon. This is your home now, but I will need to go look for my brother eventually. However, it will take a while to save up enough money for the three of us and he may just come home before that happens." I smiled as reassuringly as I could.

She grinned and hugged me. "I bet he comes home by Christmas!"

"I truly hope so, sweetie," I replied, hugging her back. "Now, did you pick out a movie for us?"

She shook her head and went back to looking through the titles muttering about there being too many choices. I turned back to Leon to find him holding up a record and smiling. "While she's looking, why don't we listen to something?" he asked.

I could tell he was trying to distract me and I honestly adored him for it right then. I replied in the affirmative and he put the record on to play. The soft notes of a song written by John Deacon started playing and he held his hand out to me. I blushed brightly, but accepted it. As he pulled me closer, I asked him if he knew this song. He shook his head and said he didn't know many Queen songs, and had picked it mostly for the title and because he knew I liked them.

I hid my face in his shirt and let him lead me in a slow waltz, smiling to myself. While the music played, I thought about how lucky I had been to have met him and Sherry. Of all the people in the world I had been blessed with these two. 'If this is the reward for walking through hell, I would gladly pay the price for them," I thought.

Freddy's voice crooned out the lyrics as we turned about the room, "you're the first one when things turn out bad, you know I'll never be lonely… you're my best friend," and I decided this was definitely my new number two song of theirs. Second only to "Made in Heaven" that Chris and I had dedicated to our parents when they passed.

When the song ended, I pulled back slightly to say thank you for cheering me up and got locked in his rather intense gaze. His eyes almost seemed to be both questioning and calculating. Unable to look away, I felt this almost magnetic pull to be closer to him and started to push up on my toes as he leaned down towards me. My gaze flickered to his lips and I felt my own part softly in anticipation, my eyes fluttering closed…

"I found it!" came Sherry's shout causing us to jolt and break apart quickly. I turned to see her triumphantly holding up a VHS and looking quite proud of herself. "It was near the bottom, but look what I found!" She held out the movie for us to inspect.

"Oh, that's very nice, dear," I said a bit shakily, unable to read the title due to my slightly blurry vision and thundering heart. "Why don't you set it on the VCR and come help me put something together for dinner?"

Shyly, careful not to look him in the eye, I said my thank you and retreated into the kitchen to hide.

A few minutes later, while Sherry and I were sorting the leftovers into what to eat now and what to eat tomorrow, I heard a door shut and the shower turn on. Mentally kicking myself for where my imagination went, I shoved those thoughts in a timeout corner, and decided it was all Mr. McGregor's fault. I was simply caught up in my own story telling.

We whipped together a simple dinner and had it set out on the dining table by the time Leon joined us again. After we ate, and Sherry took her turn at the dishes, we all made our way to the sofa to watch our evening movie (as had become routine). Sherry once again proudly displayed her find and this time I actually looked at what it was that she had picked out.

"Um, Sherry darling, are you absolutely sure this is the one you want?" I asked cautiously, unsure how she would react to some of the scenes.

"Yup! I've never seen the first one. Only… I think it was four? Yeah, the fourth one in school. I've always wanted to see the first one," she replied with enthusiasm.

I looked at Leon and he just shrugged. "I'm assuming you've never seen it either?" He shook his head and took his spot on the left side of the couch. I sighed and said, "okay, but before we put it in, I have to go get something."

They both watched me suspiciously as I walked into the bathroom, grabbed the box of tissues, and brought it back out with me before taking the right side of the couch. Sherry climbed up in the middle and Leon grabbed the blanket from the back and draped it over our legs. I settled the box on Sherry's lap and hit play.

Two hours, and many crying episodes later, the end credits of The Land Before Time were still scrolling to Diana Ross' "If We Hold on Together". I rubbed Sherry's back gently as she snugged in my arms and handed her another tissue. I looked up and offered one to Leon, but he waved it away, trying unsuccessfully to hide the fact that he too was silently crying. I reached over and softly brushed my thumb under his right eye, catching the tear there before returning my hand to Sherry's back.

"Alright, kiddo. Time to wash up for bed," I said. Removing the blanket and leaving it for Leon to fold, I walked her into the bathroom where we both washed our faces and brushed our teeth. I then sent her to change into her pjs while I picked out a bedtime story for her, looking for one that was especially silly and happy.

Leon joined us and we tucked Sherry into bed and I took the rocking chair by her bedside to start reading. After I finished the book, we both gave her kisses on the forehead and bid her good night. Leon exited first and I followed behind, turning her little lamp on and flicking off the lights with a reminder to say her prayers before falling asleep.

Outside in the hall he was waiting for me, our doors being directly across from one another. "That was a very beautiful movie," he said with a little embarrassment being evident in the way he reached his hand up to scratch the back of his head.

"It is," I agreed. "I'm just thankful she seemed to take it well. It is one of my favorites, but I can't watch it without crying – even knowing what is going to happen. Honestly though, I was very worried it would give her flash backs of Annette's passing."

"She is a very strong little girl," he said giving me that smile I loved. "Kind of reminds me of someone else I know…"

I blushed and once again thanked him for cheering me up earlier. "Any time. What are best friends for?" He replied. I grinned and opened the door to my room, bidding him good night, and went to find my own pjs.

Before I laid down in bed, I went to the window and opened it to get at the shutters. The rain had stopped and as I pushed them open, I was greeted with a picturesque scene of lightly falling snow. It was coming down in big fluffy flakes, swirling in ever changing patterns, and alighting on the ground in a pristine blanket that seemed to stretch for miles. Closing the window, I snuggled in bed and drifted off to sleep with Queen playing in my mind.

'The rain pelted against the broken panes and dribbled down to the floor making the way slick and treacherous. Lightning flashed across an unforgiving sky and illuminated the shapes that moved against the rough boards thrown hastily up in mock defense of a place that had long since lost its battle. The breath in my lungs burned as I sprinted towards the door in the middle of the hall and what I hoped was a safe space. The moans and cries of those things seemed to echo all around me.

I slipped in what I hoped was just water, but a glance down revealed it to be the remains of a half-chewed body – its entrails spewed about like snakes in a pool of blood. My stomach rolled, but I held it in, knowing that any weakness on my part could very well be my end at the hands (or claws) of whatever had left behind this unfortunate meal.

I slowed my steps and tried to control my breathing. Save for the occasional bolt of lightening and the glow from the fires here and there, I could see nothing else outside the cone of luminosity from my flashlight. Before me the hallway loomed dark and empty, appearing to all to be clear of obstacles, yet something told me that I was not alone.

Disregarding those outside on the walkway, I strained every sense to locate the danger I could feel pulsing all around me. In the distance, a ping like the striking of a metal pipe resounded and I froze in my steps. A soft purring sound could barely be heard over the wind whistling through the haphazardly arranged boards over the windows and around the jagged edges of glass. It swirled the stagnant air about me, thick with the smell of decay and rust.

A chill ran down my spine as I felt a warm slimy substance drip upon my bare shoulder. Tilting my gaze upwards, I could barely make out the shape of something on the ceiling. Terrified and yet morbidly curious if this would prove to be just the other half of the officer, I slowly brought the beam up and was greeted with a screech from a creature of nearly inexpressible horror.

It was twisted around on all fours, long claws digging into the ceiling to hold it aloft, its limbs all raw muscle and taunt oozing flesh. Where it should have a face was nothing more than a pulsing, mucus covered brain, a huge jaw full of razor teeth, and a long tongue that had been hanging down like some sick version of a carnivorous plant.

Fear shot through me and every instinct told me to run. It knew I was here and even though it seemed averse to my light, it would not hold it in sway long. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, slipping in the pools of water and other viscera.

Reaching the door, I wrenched it open and slammed it in the face of the creature. My side cramped hard in protest of the sudden dash, and I had to shield my eyes from the change in atmosphere. This room, wherever I was, was well lit and seemed to have escaped most of the carnage. Just to be safe, I backed away from the door and took in my surroundings.

Like many of the other rooms, there were desks in here still set up exactly as they had been left, but one thing caught my eye before anything else: the jacket hanging on the wall under the giant S.T.A.R.S. logo, the one that perfectly matched my own except in color. I was staring at my brother's desk.

I could see his guitar leaning against the wall near his chair, the CD of music I had burned for him open next to his computer. It looked like he could walk in at any moment, plop in his chair, and ask why I wasn't in class. Tears stung my eyes and I blinked them rapidly away, stepping forward to run my hand lovingly on the worn leather of his coat.

Just then I heard a noise from the left of the room, over by the copy machine. I whipped toward it and saw the familiar back of my brother standing up from the lower drawers of a filing cabinet. Relief flooded through me and made me almost giddy.

"Chris!" I shouted joyously making my way into the aisle towards him, "I've found you!"

As he turned towards me, I noticed something was off; his head was cocked at an odd angle and his arms hung listlessly at his sides. There was no reply from him save a low moan of pain, and as he turned fully to look upon me, I saw his eyes where the same milk white of the other once humans I had encountered.

My muscle all froze up, I could feel my brain trying to engage my arms to lift my weapon and protect myself, but the absolute horror and disbelief I felt had opened a pit under me sapping any strength I once had.

"No-o, no.." fell feebly from my lips as I stumbled back a few steps. Unable to do more than stare at the once beloved face of my brother, now rotting and sluffing off in patches as he slowly advanced towards me; his arms raised in the mockery of what should have been a welcoming embrace.

"Please, God, no..." I whimpered, as I felt my back hit the opposite wall. I slid down it, too weak to do much more than lift my arm to cover my face and pray for a swift end, but I still could not suppress the scream upon feeling his now clammy and bloated touch on my skin and wept as the pain consumed me and everything faded to black…'