Serena

We spend the next few days in the cottage trying to figure out how to get out of the nightmare. Dawson and I completely ignore each other and you can practically feel the tension in the house. We are all on edge, keeping an eye out for when the next attack comes. We just try and keep busy. Kathryn drew a target on the back fence and stand outside for hours at a time, throwing knives at it. Dawson and Nathaniel sit at the dining room table and play cards, while Kylie draws next to them. I sit at the window seat and read every book I can find. I love to read. It takes the stress off my mind. Later in the afternoon, Kylie and I start making dinner. Tonight we make a special treat. We make pasta and garlic bread with salad for the main course, then make a cake for dessert. We have the best time in the kitchen together baking, laughing, and joking around. Finally, an hour or so later, we call everyone to the table to eat.

"This looks great!" Kathryn exclaims, then goes into the kitchen to wash her hands. Kylie walks into one of the back bedrooms to grab something so we sit around the table to wait for her.

"We have got to move. We can't stay here much longer." Nathaniel says. "He will send someone to... motivate us to move."

"You're right. Where do we go next?" I start, but I'm interrupted by a scream. Shuffles and bumps come from the back bedroom and we all jump up. Kathryn throws me one of her bows and I arm myself. She and I walk slowly down the hallway and into the bedroom. In the middle of a room stands a zombie with Kylie held in a choke hold.

"Put her down!" Kathryn yells and pulls put her knife. The zombie snaps it's fingers and Kathryn falls to the floor. I hear two other thumps from down the hall and sure enough, Dawson and Nathaniel have collapsed too. I aim my bow at the zombie’s heart.

"Let go now," I growl.

"No, I can't do that sorry," the zombie replies sarcastically.

"Why?!"

"Because you kids are happy! We can't let that happen, silly girl."

"This is gone on long enough. Put her down or I shoot."

"You see the thing is, I won't put her down. In fact lets tighten this grip!" it cackles.

"No!! Please!" I beg.

"Serena… please… just shoot. It will… die," Kylie gasps.

"Foolish girl! If you shoot me, she goes down with me. I have these really pretty claws that will puncture her and she will die. Isn't that fun?!"

"You are a sick being," I say with disgust.

"Serena… shoot it. Please," Kylie begs.

"No! You’ll die!" I cry, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Please. I get to see Trenton again. That's all I want. Please." Her eyes shine with tears.

"I can't!"

"Are you going to kill us or not?!" The zombie yells in frustration.

"Serena… shoot!" Kylie croaks from Kathryn’s body.

"I'm so sorry," I sob and let my arrow fly. The zombie twists Kylie's neck and she falls. My arrow hits the zombie straight on the heart and it disappears. I throw down my weapons and run to Kylie's side.

"No!! Please come back!!" I cry, grasping her hand. Kathryn shuffles to her feet and comes to my side. She closes Kylie's eyes and leads me out of the room.