“Already Dead” Ch. 7

He arrived at her door a hour after he had seen her. He had called his supervisor, who had tore him a new one for being so careless and unprofessional. Never mind the fact that neither himself nor Daniel had ever done this kind of work before several weeks ago. In the end, he was able to convince him that they needed all the help they could get and that it would result in one less houses to visit and distribute medicine to. But now that he was staring down the actual act of collecting her, he regretted his choice.

But he had told her he would, and at any time during that exchange, Alan could have given him a hard no and left him to deal with the girl. Now it was too late.

He had no more choices.

Walking up to the door, he knocked twice, hoping in a sick place that she would no answer.

It took her less than two seconds to open the door.

She looked more put together, or maybe she was just faking it really well. He stepped back as she opened the door and stepped outside, a face mask already on her face. He didn't say anything and neither did she. He considered asking if there was anything more outside of the suitcase and the backpack but she started locking the door, answering the question for him.

She turned around, looking at him expectantly.

“So,” he said, deciding to start running through things immediately, “when a house is cleared, we put a X on the door, indicating that the house no longer has residents.”

“You mean everyone is dead,” she stated plainly.

He nodded.

He reached into his bag and retrieved the spray paint. At first he went to apply it to the door, but thought better of it. He looked at her, considering carefully how he wanted to phrase it.

“If you want me to do it, I will.”

She didn't say no. She simply extended her arm and grabbed the can of paint, which he gave up with no resistance. She shook it for ten seconds, likely longer than what was needed. He wondered what was running through her head, the clacking of the can over and over like a carburetor. At last she stopped shaking, then after another few seconds of silence she raised her arm and drew a wide X on the door.

“Is that it?”

He nodded, grabbing his clipboard and marking the change.

They stood like that, neither one really willing to make a move. It was he who at last made a decision, and motioned to his car.

“I'll have to take you back to the center. There isn't much training involved, but enough that I can't just have you start right now.”

She simply shrugged, realizing that that wasn't likely the response she wanted to give. Awkwardly she looked back at the door, focusing on the X instead of on the door itself.

Then she turned back around and headed to his car.

She did not look at the house as they went to leave.

She would never get another chance to see it.