Days Nevermore

In Denial

Davis stood at the fountain and filled one of the bowls Dallas got for the dog with water. As soon as he placed it in front of the dog, the four-legged new member began drinking it. His stomach started to fill and look awkward against his emaciated frame again. One of the women from a small group walked up to Davis and must have asked a question. Davis nodded his head, and the woman began to examine the dog. She gave his ear a scratch and as I turned the corner towards the holding cell, they disappeared behind the building’s brick wall. I opened the door to see Dallas leaning back in the desk chair with his feet propped up on the desk. His cowboy hat over his face with a quiet snore coming from beneath it. I smiled, knowing all too well the desire to sleep. It’s been a long three days. Letting him catch a few Z’s, I quietly opened the door to the cells and made my way to holding cell two. Quiet sniffles came from the girl inside. I grabbed a chair and turned it backwards and sat on it facing her. She looked at me, sadness on her face and a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over. “Please, I’m no threat to you.” She sobbed. “I need to judge that for myself.” I told her. “Just a few simple questions. Then I’ll determine if you’re safe enough to stay or to kick you back out into the world.” “Please don’t!” she pleaded, I held up a hand in an attempt to quiet her outburst. “Then answer these questions truthfully and honestly. Lying will only give you strikes. Three and you’re out. Am I clear?” my face remained stone cold. She nodded as fresh tears ran down her cheeks. “Age?” “S-Sixteen.” I nodded, “Name?” “Stephanie Haymer.” She wiped her cheeks. “Where are your parents, Stephanie Haymer?” she looked down at her hands and her lips wobbled with a threat to sob. “They’re.. they’re dead.” She wiped her cheek again. “How long have you been alone?” “Since my birthday last year. Until, of course, those slime balls kidnapped me.” She sniffled, wiping her cheek again. “How did they kidnap you?” She looked up at me, “From my house. Th-they killed my parents. They were ransacking my home. And I hid in the closet instead of under the bed. I thought maybe if I could keep my parents downstairs I would forever be safe upstairs. But they found me. Forced me into bindings and kidnapped me. My poor parents were just lying on the living room floor where they’d shuffle around like a couple of rabid dogs.” I blinked at her a little credulous. “I’m sorry, what? Were your parents eaters?” She looked at me, a little irritated at my question. “I-I don’t know what they were. At least not at the time, but they were alive! They murdered them!” I looked at her, pitying her. “They were already dead, Stephanie. Those creeps just put them out of their decaying misery.” She stood up and looked at me with teenage rage, “No! I refuse to believe it! All because my crazy neighbor trespassed and bit them?!” She squealed as tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the floor. “Your neighbor was dead too. They only bit your parents because they’re ravenous, mindless, eating machines. They know nothing else.” “No! You’re wrong!” I sighed and shook my head. Standing from my chair, I gave her an empathetic look. “Until you can come to terms with this fact, you will remain here. Your thoughts will only hinder your ability to think clearly. Let me know when your reality kicks in.” I walked towards the door. “Someone will be by with some food and drink.” I closed the door behind me to a now empty desk.

I walked outside and let out the breath I never knew I was holding. I returned smiles and waves to those who passed me and made my way to my office. Unlocking the door, I stepped in and looked around at the overly tidy room. You would think old habits would die with the events going on today, but that training of spotless and overly organized just sticks like the strongest super glue. I sighed and made my way to the comfortable desk chair and plopped down. It hugged my body like an old friend that hasn’t seen me in a while. I sighed again, tapping the top of the desk with my fingers, the silence deafening. “Welcome home, Whitaker.” I stated, unsure I still belonged to such a position. I rested my head against the back of the chair and closed my eyes for a moment.