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She dreamed of Lydia. She dreamed of the first days. She dreamed of the oncoming zombies. She dreamed of her child. She dreamed of Travis.

She dreamed of Jenni.

It was one of those horrible nightmares where you dream you wake up and the world is dark and frightening. In her dream, she sat up in the bed, the covers falling around her waist. Instinctively, she knew she was not alone and looked around the darkened room, trying to see into every shadow.

Her heart began to beat harder as she heard a soft noise near the corner of the blackened room. She stretched out her hand to turn on the lamp.

Again she heard a noise, like a footstep or a shuffle, and her fingers strained to find the knob to turn on the lamp.

Breathing harshly, she leaned sideways off the bed, trying to find the lamp on the stand next to it. Desperate to fill the room with light, she groped blindly in the darkness as her heart beat harshly in her ears.

Her fingers found the tiny knob and she began to turn it just as something grabbed her wrist. With a scream of fright, she twisted the knob and light flooded the room.

Jenni stood over her, gripping her arm tightly, her dead eyes staring at her intently. Her sickly pale skin and dark hair were wet with water.

Katie screamed in terror. . .

. . . and woke up.

Jenni still leaned over her, holding her arm, staring down at her. Katie screamed again, this time with the terror of knowing she was awake.

The apparition of her friend screamed, too, letting go of her arm, jumping back and whirling around. Jenni’s long black hair fanned out around her as she twisted this way and that as Katie continued to scream.

“What? What?” Jenni looked around the room with her large dark eyes.

“What?”

“You! You. . . you. . . you. . . you’re dead!”

“Oh, that! Oh, I know that. ”

“I dreamed you were a zombie!” Katie rambled from where she was curled up against the headboard staring at Jenni in shock and fear.

“Oh, God. I’m not!” She she did look very alive. Her skin was pale, but pink, her eyes dark and brilliant. Her long dark hair fell over her red sweater in silky long tresses. Laughing, she slid onto the bed. “You’re such a stupid dork. ”

Katie blinked then swallowed hard. “You’re dead,” Katie repeated.

“Yeah. I know that. ” Jenni laughed. “It was so dramatic, wasn’t it?”

“But you’re here,” Katie said, not blinking, just staring. “And this isn’t a dream?”

“Not a dream. I’m here. Only for a short time. I’ve been saving up all my energy just to push through tonight. Not too easy to do. ” Jenni looked around the room, then back at Katie. “I’ve always been nearby, but I was waiting. ” Leaning over, she checked the clock, looked satisfied, and sat back.

“Jenni, oh, God, Jenni!” Katie suddenly realized she truly wasn’t dreaming, She flung her arms around Jenni and felt flesh and blood in her grasp. Clutching her best friend tight, she burst into tears.

Laughing with joy, Jenni clutched her close, and kissed her cheek.

“You’re here! You’re here! I can feel you!” Katie was laughing and crying at the same time. She gripped Jenni’s face between her hands and kissed her long and hard on the forehead. “Oh, my gawd, Jenni, you’re here. ”

“I know! I am! Isn’t it cool? Only for a little bit, but good to be here. And look at your tummy!”Jenni snuggled up to Katie, holding her tighter. “You look so good, Mama. ”

Katie sobbed with joy and clung to her best friend. “Oh, Jenni. I’ve missed you so much. ”

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here now. I’m here to save you and Travis just like I promised. ” Jenni drew back and touched Katie’s check very gently.

“What do you mean?” Katie demanded, hearing the seriousness in Jenni’s tone.

Jenni glanced at the clock again, her fingers gripping Katie’s hand. It was beginning to not feel as real as it first had. “It’s almost time. Crap. I forgot what time was like. It’s different on the other side where all time is the same: past, present, future. ” She sighed softly. “I thought I had more time. ”