Becca by Jennie Taylor

Becca.”
    “I feel so bad for them. I wish there were police to call. Dad would have known what to do.”
    “You would have put the rest of us at risk. Would you want to risk Bridget?”
    “No. Not her and not you. None of you guys.”
    “You have done such a good job keeping us safe. Don’t beat yourself up just because there are some people out there that you can’t save.”
    “I guess. I love you, Tasha.”
    “I love you too.”
     
     
    Sunday, April 17 th  
     
“Becca!” I heard Bridget scream from downstairs.
     
    I jumped out of the bed, grabbed the gun, and ran down the hall. When I reached the top of the stairs, I raised the gun and pointed it down into the living room as I started down. I stopped about halfway down.
     
    “Dad?”  
    “Hi.” he said.
     
    I dropped the gun and bounced the rest of the way down the stairs, across the room, and slammed into him, almost knocking him over. I wrapped my arms around him and sobbed as he patted my back and told me to calm down.
     
    “Wh-where’s Mom?”
    “She’s not doing too good.” He nodded over at the sofa.
    “What’s wrong? Is she... infected?”
    “She’s dehydrated, been vomiting and had diarrhea the past few days.”
    “Hi Mr. Lang, it’s good to see you.” Tasha said. She’s at the top of the stairs, tugging her shirt down.
    “I’m going to go get dressed, Dad. I’ll be right back down. Don’t go anywhere.”
    “I’m not leaving you.” he promised.
     
    I stopped to pick the gun up on my way up, then hurried up the stairs to our room. I have been sleeping in panties and a little cami, and I feel a little embarrassed that Dad saw me in just this. I slid some clothes on, ran a brush through my hair, and hurried back down.
     
    Bridget was sitting on the edge of the sofa, talking to Mom and Dad. Mom seemed to be awake, but not really up to a lot of talking. Amber and David were sitting across the room, Tasha was standing near Dad.
     
    “Mom.”
    “Hi honey. How have you been?”
    “Good. We’re all fine.”
    “Becca thought she was dying.” Bridget told her.
    “I got a little scrape while fighting with one of the infected ones.” I explained. “But that was a few days ago, and I haven’t gotten sick yet, so I think I’m safe.”
    “Have there been many show up here?” Dad asked.
    “None so far. We were in town, getting food.”
    “And she sent us back to the car.” Bridget told them. “She went exploring.”
    “I didn’t go exploring.” I said. Dad looks upset at me. “Dad, I didn’t. I heard voices. I couldn’t just leave people there if I didn’t have to, but I sent Bridget back to the car with Tasha so they wouldn’t be in any danger.”
    “Were there people?” he asked.
    “I... can...”
    “It’s probably better if we explain that later on, Mr. Lang.” Tasha told him.
    “Where’s everybody else?” I asked.
    “We were too late.” Mom said. She closed her eyes and looked away.
    “Let’s let your Mom rest.” Dad said. “Come for a walk with me, Rebecca.”
    “Let me get some shoes.” Bridget said.
    “I just want to talk to your sister for now, Bridget.” he told her. “Just to see how things have gone.”
     
    We went out onto the porch and he spent a minute stretching and looking around. We walked down the road a little before he started talking.
     
    “It’s bad out there. I guess you know.”
    “Yeah, Dad, I know.”
    “The only people we’ve come across that weren’t infected were just about crazy from fear.”
    “I can relate.”
    “But you’ve done good here, Becca.” he patted my shoulder. “You’ve kept them safe. Bridget was telling us about some of it.”
    “I’ve just... tried my best.”
    “I’m proud of you. Is there anything we need to discuss away from the others?”  
    “Like what?”
    “Like what happened with the people you went to check on in the town?”
     
    I told him the whole story. How the guys were treating the women, how I got scraped