They Walk by Amy Lunderman Page A

endless loop, and no more and no less. None of us say anything, for what feels like forever. I feel a touch on my shoulder and I jump and look behind me, but it’s just Matt. He looks even paler now.
    I know I look the same, even though I’m not even hurt.
    “ Check the other channels.” Gabe says.
    Brian glances at him, but does what he says. He goes through at least all the local channels and it’s the same screen over and over. I don’t even know what to think, but it seems our guess was about right. The things outside are dead, yet there up moving around and apparently it’s not just here.
    I really wish we were able to reach someone, anyone really.
    I hear crying, and look over to Dan, he’s holding a now awake Maria to him and she’s sobbing into his shoulder. We might not be able to get in touch with our parents, but I’m glad Daniel is here with me, and that he’s alright. It’s a small comforting thought, if only everyone was alright. I lean into Matt, and think not for the first time, that I hope he’s alright.
    Brian is still facing the TV, and only steps away when Claire goes over to him. He’s more stunned now than he was earlier fighting those things outside. I see Gabe walking over to the TV, as Brian steps away.
    He’s about to turn it off, when there is movement from the bed.
    “ Leave it on!” Austin yells.
    He’s fully awake now, and pulls himself off the bed. He stomps over to Gabe and while glaring at him he shoves him out of the way.
    “ Hey, watch it.” Gabe says, as he stumbles out of the way.
    Austin doesn’t pay him any attention though he just walks right up to the TV. He’s nose to nose with it, that the rest of us can’t even see the screen anymore. He bows his head, and his shoulders begin to shake.
    “ It can’t be true.” He whispers.
    He goes still for a second, then pulls back his bad arm and punches into the TV. The screen smashes inward, and the room is full of the sound of the metal bending.
    We all yell in surprise, while Gabe, Dan, and Brian run up to him. They pull his hand out, and it’s a bloody mess. As they turn him back to the bed, the towel that was covering his shoulder is bleeding through again. So much so that it drips down his shirt. Maria jumps up and flings the closet door open and begins picking through the clothes. She pulls out some old looking shirts and sets them on the bed. When Austin sits down, she shoves the other guys away and motions for Emily to help her.
    “ I’m sorry.” Austin says, as he hangs his head down. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
    “ It’s going to be all right Austin. Emily and I are going to get you cleaned up. You don’t have to worry.”
    They proceed to wash, bandage, and redress him. The entire time, he just sits there compliantly and has silent tears running down his cheeks. No one says anything to him, either not wanting to hurt his feelings or are feeling the same way. It’s strange to see him this way he’s always been the tough guy at school. But I can see how easy it is to break under the pressure.
    When Austin is finally resting on the bed again, we all go back to just sitting in the quiet. Beside me leaning against the window, is Matt asleep. I take off my hoody and use it as a pillow and snuggle up to him.
    I rest my head on his leg and I close my eyes for a moment.
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
    When I open my eyes again, I’m no longer leaning against Matt. I’m on the floor in front of the window seat, and I must not have slept that long. It’s still light out, and still very bright. I hear voices and I try to clear my muddled head. I pull myself into a sitting position, and my head begins pounding and I have a moment of dizziness. I shake myself and it goes away, and I look for who woke me up.
    It’s Austin.
    He’s standing in the middle of the room yelling at Gabe, who appears to be blocking the closed bedroom door. That seems odd, what did I miss when I was asleep? Their voices