Panic, Terror, Fear, these three words come to mind and consume it. I can't help myself. After all, my mom is all I have, well had.
Once we are face to face, I.. I.. I am unable to say anything besides "mom". So many things running through my mind, but I don't have the time to do anything about it. Looking into this blank expression fills me with dread and despair. I reach a hand out, trying to get her to focus, which works, but not in the way I hoped. Her head slightly cocks to the side and a long line of spit and blood begins to run out of her mouth, followed by a shriek or scream that is unworldly. At that moment I knew, I knew things would never be the same again. The scream acted like a trigger, she lunged at me from across the room. Still having the bat in my hands I press it against her chest to keep her body away from mine. Her arms flailing while her mouth searched for a piece of flesh to sink its teeth into.
Mom is a small woman, 5'3, 110lbs soaking wet. But this, disease, has made her rabid. She is easily pushing me back into a corner. As soon as I feel my back touch the wall I know I need to do something. But what? This is my mom, I can't bring myself to hurt her. So, with one solid shove I push with all I have and it sends her sailing across the room onto the floor. Unsure as to weather or not I have hurt her, I watch in awe as she picks her self back up. She looks at me with these cold dead eyes that break my heart even more, since it is such a contrast to the warmth and joy that filled them before. Then comes another shriek, followed by yet another attack. I go to brace myself for the impact, but find my footing unsteady as she crashes into me, causing me to fall over backward with her on top, with only the bat between us. The panic in me has increased ten fold, her teeth and mouth only inches away.
That is when a miracle happens. The front door opens and a strange black man comes rushing in. He sees the situation and approaches to help. As he gets closer I beg him to help me, but at the same time to not hurt her. It all happens so fast, he gives me a quick nod, grabs my mom from behind, as I push he pulls and with our combined effort we throw her across the table giving us both distance and time to get out of there.
He reaches down, grabs my hand, and says "Lets get the hell outta here!" I can't argue with that. So I grab my bag as we head for the front door, taking one last look at my mom as she stands and faces me with those eyes. I slam the door shut and exhale.
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Opening the door was second nature to Lee. Seeing a small walker woman on-top of a struggling young man was not. However, the kid needed help or he was going to be food. My first instinct was to take out the walker and save the life, but as I approached the kid begged me not to kill it. That's when I realized that this wasn't some random walker, but rather family to the boy. So, the next best thing was to separate and save. Putting one hand under each arm allowed a good grip as well as provided some protection from bites. I pulled with all I had and tossed this poor woman away from both the boy and myself. Looking at the kid, I could tell his life had just "hit the fan", but he was still alive and I hoped to keep it that way. I extended my hand and said "Let's get the hell outta here!" I helped him to his feet and headed to the door taking myself outside to "safety" as much as it could be called that now a days. I waited on the boy making sure he got outside safe. Then the thought occurred to me, "What now?". I looked at the boy and he looked back at me. A silence fell between us but we were alive.
_________________ TCollins
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