Page 18

EIGHTEEN

NORA HILL

MISTAKES

Day 470

I take another look out of the big windows in the kitchen, squinting through the glass, hoping to catch sight of Adrian making his way back home. I’ve been glancing out there far too often over the past half hour, pacing in this house that feels too empty and too quiet. The walls seem to close in on me when there’s no one here to talk to, not even a bird or breeze to stir things up. Henry is out working, as are Farron and my boys. My joints are aching from sitting too long, and now I’m antsy, drumming my fingers on the counter as I wait.

Normally, Adrian would’ve been back by now—he’s always so prompt, never late without reason. He’s likely out helping Todd or one of the other men with some work, maybe even with Farron, but something about today is making me feel more off-kilter. Maybe it’s the weather; the sky’s already heavy with the coming cold, and the sun, what little there was of it, is sinking fast behind the hills. Winter’s creeping in early this year, and with it, the long nights that make me nervous. I’d prefer to be settled in by the fire before dark, but I also can’t stand staying cooped up any longer.

My eyes shift to the baskets I’ve prepared, sitting on the table waiting for me. One is filled with small comforts—tea blends, balms, and things I’ve made with my own hands. I know Daisy will appreciate them with the baby coming soon. The other is for Mabel, as it’s been too long since I’ve had a proper visit with her, and heaven knows I could use the company. I know the right thing to do is to wait for Adrian to get back. Still, I’m not getting any younger, and the idea of waiting around any longer makes my skin itch.

I sigh, pressing my hands to my hips as if the act alone could push the indecision out of me. The Alden farm isn’t far, and if I time it right, I can finish my visit there and head over to the Davis farm before the last of the daylight slips away. Mabel will fuss, I’m sure, but I’ll stay with her until Todd or Trevor can walk me back. That way, no one will have to worry about me being out after dark on my own.

I contemplate making a decision that I know will have Farron and Henry barking at me later. Before I can second-guess myself, I grab my coat and wrap a thick scarf around my neck. The cold air hits me the moment I step outside, biting at my cheeks and nose, but I welcome it. It’s refreshing after the stuffiness of the house, though I do wish I had a bit more warmth in these old bones. I clutch the baskets to my chest, tucking my chin into the scarf as I set off down the path, the ground crunching beneath my boots. Rolling Hills feels even quieter than usual today, and I quicken my pace, eager to reach the Alden farm before the shadows stretch too long.

By the time I reach the door, I’m out of breath but relieved when I see it swing open before I even knock. Jasper, the big brute of a man, fills the doorway, looking down at me with a frown. His arms cross over his chest, making him seem even larger than he already is.

“Now, Miss Nora Hill,” he says, his voice low and full of reproach, “I know you didn’t just walk all the way here alone with the sun going down, especially when we’re under lockdown.”

I roll my eyes, though a small smile tugs at my lips. He may tower over me, but I’ve been around long enough not to be intimidated. Little Miss Nora Hill has decades on this man. “Oh, hush now, Jasper,” I scold, waving him off. “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, as you well know. I was in a hurry, is all.” I lift one of the baskets, hoping to distract him. “I’ve brought some things for Daisy. Wanted to get them over before it gets too late.”

At the mention of Daisy, his expression softens just a bit, though he’s still got that stubborn look in his eyes. “They’re in the dining room,” he mutters, grabbing the other basket from me. He offers me his arm like a proper gentleman, and I take it, letting him lead me inside, where the warmth of the house wraps around me like a blanket.

We make our way to the dining room, and there they are—Daisy and Eric—sitting together, smiles on their faces as he feeds her a spoonful of something and rubs gentle circles over her growing belly. The sight tugs at my heart, reminding me of days long past when I was pregnant with Addie and Henry by my side as we shared these sort of quiet moments.

As our footsteps echo on the hardwood floor, Daisy’s head snaps up, her face lighting up the way only hers can. “Miss Nora!” she calls out, her voice full of warmth, waving excitedly as if I’ve made her day just by being here. Her joy is infectious, and I can’t help but smile back, the ache in my legs and the chill from my walk forgotten for a moment.

I walk over to the table, setting the basket down gently, the items inside rustling with the motion. “I’ve brought a few things for you, dearie,” I say, my voice steady as I start pulling out the contents. “A few things to help with the pregnancy.” I hold up two jars of dried herbs, letting them catch the light. “This one,” I say, pointing to the jar on the left, “is raspberry leaf tea. I picked and dried the leaves myself before the frost hit, and it’s good for strengthening the uterus. Helps with labor, too, though we’re not quite there yet.” Daisy watches intently, her hands instinctively resting on her belly. “And this one’s peppermint,” I continue, showing the jar on the right. “It should help with the nausea, keep that morning sickness at bay.”

I reach into the basket again, pulling out a small tin of balm. “Now, this here is a balm I made—it’s for your skin as your belly stretches. You rub it in every day, and it’ll help keep things nice and smooth, and prevent any discomfort.” I look over at Eric, who’s watching just as attentively as Daisy, and I feel a flutter of happiness seeing how focused he is for Daisy’s sake. “You make sure she uses it now, you hear?” I add with a wink.

As I finish explaining, I notice the way Daisy’s bottom lip trembles. “Thank you so much, Miss Nora,” she whispers, tears pooling in her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m always crying lately. Damn hormones. It’s just—this is so sweet of you. Thank you.”

I chuckle softly, stepping closer to pull her into a hug. Her frame feels delicate in my arms, and I can feel the depth of her gratitude in the way she clings to me. “No need to thank me, honey,” I murmur, pulling back just enough to cup her face in my hands and wipe away the tears with my thumb. “That’s what we do here—we look after one another.”

I glance over at the door, knowing I shouldn’t linger. “Now, I can’t stay long. I’ve got another basket to deliver to Miss Mabel,” I say, giving her a gentle squeeze before I let go. “But before I go, you promise me you’ll get checked up by Farron soon, alright? It’s about time.”

Daisy nods, wiping her eyes as she gives me a soft smile. “I will, I promise.”

Just as I’m about to leave, there’s a throat clearing behind me. I turn to see Jasper leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his broad chest, that ever-watchful look in his eyes. The basket for Mable is on the floor next to him, and I mentally scold myself for almost forgetting about it entirely for a moment there. “Now, Nora,” he starts, his tone light but firm, “you’re not thinking of walking out of here on your own again, are you?”

I hear Daisy gasp behind me, and I can practically feel her eyes widen. “Nora, you walked over here by yourself? You know it’s not safe. What would Farron say?”

I wave them both off, adjusting my scarf with a small huff of amusement. “I’ll be fine. I’ve done this more times than I can count. But I’ll make sure Trevor or Todd walks me back after I see Mabel. No need to fuss.”

Eric stands up then, his chair scraping against the floor and he offers, “I’ll walk you over, Miss Nora. It’s getting dark.”

But before I can respond, Jasper’s gaze sharpens, flicking over to Daisy and back to Eric with concern. “You should probably stay with Daisy,” he says firmly. “I can take Nora to Mabel’s.”

Daisy, ever the peacemaker, smiles softly and pats Eric’s hand. “Nonsense. Go on, love,” she says. “You could use the fresh air. I’m going to rest my feet anyway.” She presses a quick kiss to his cheek, and he leans down to kiss her growing belly before standing back up.

As they share a few whispered words, Daisy turns toward Jasper, her eyes warm. “Jasper, will you help me up the stairs? My swollen feet need some assistance.”

Jasper, always dependable, gives a curt nod and extends his arm to her. She squeezes my hand as she passes by, once again expressing her gratitude, this time with the gentle pressure of her fingers. “Thank you again, Miss Nora,” she whispers, giving me one last smile. I stare at her disappearing form as she waddles away with Jasper and then turn to face my little guard for the evening.

“You’ve got just a minute to go get your coat, Eric dear, or I’m leaving without you,” I tease with a little grin, watching his boyish smile tug at the corners of his lips. He rushes past me carefully and pulls a coat from the closet near the front door. As he slips into the coat, he adds a woolen hat, tugging it down to cover his ears. His breath is visible in the cold air when he opens the door. A gust of wind sweeps inside, biting at my cheeks.

“After you, Miss Nora,” he says, stepping aside with a flourish, his arm extended towards me. I chuckle and step out onto the porch, pausing to look at the late afternoon sun as it barely peeks over the horizon, casting a pale, golden hue over the fields stretching before us.

Eric closes the door behind us with a soft click, quickly falling into step beside me and immediately offering me his arm. “Let me carry the basket for you, Miss Nora,” he offers, his voice soft and genuine. He takes the woven basket from my arm, and I feel the relief immediately in my joints—these old bones don’t carry weight as they used to.

“Always such a gentleman,” I smile, patting his arm as we start down the path toward the Davis farm. The dirt road is lined with the skeletal remains of trees, their branches bare and swaying in the cold breeze. “Daisy’s really lucky to have you by her side, Eric. How are you feeling with everything?” My question is gentle, but I sense a subtle yet immediate stiffness in his body.

He glances at me, and his brow furrows as if he’s working through a jumble of emotions. He turns back to face forward again after a moment. “I’m... I’m a mix of things,” he admits after a pause, his voice low. “I’m so excited to be having a baby with Daisy. She’s... God, she’s the love of my life. She’s everything. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

I hear the joy in his words, but there’s a tremor underneath it. He hesitates before continuing. “But I’m terrified, too. Terrified of being a father, especially with the way things are now... with the world the way it is.” He sighs deeply, the sound heavy and full of doubt. “Rolling Hills has been a safe haven for us since we arrived. It feels like we’ve found something close to normal here. But with the recent attacks...”

His voice trails off, and I glance at him, seeing the tension in his jaw, the way his hands flex nervously. “I’m scared, Miss Nora. Scared of what might happen if I can’t protect them. What if something happens to me, and I’m not there for Daisy? For our baby?” His words catch in his throat, and he quickly swallows, as if trying to fight back tears.

We walk in silence for a moment, the only sound is the crunch of our boots on the frozen earth and the wind rustling through the barren trees. I give his arm a reassuring squeeze, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath his coat. “Eric, fear is natural—especially now, with everything all of us have lost. But you’re not alone in this. Daisy’s not alone either. We’re a community here. A family. We all watch out for each other, no matter what.”

He swallows again and nods, his hand coming up to squeeze mine. “You’re right, I know that. I know you’ll take care of Daisy, and so will everyone else. Hell, Jasper and Peter practically wait at her feet as much as I do.” He lets out a low laugh and shakes his head as we finally start to approach the Davis farm.

We hear a noise, faint at first, coming from the side of the house near the garden. It’s a rustling, something shifting just beyond our view. Eric straightens, his body tense again, but not alarmed. “Probably Trevor or Todd,” he says, giving me a sidelong glance. “I’ll go check it out.”

“Be careful, dear,” I caution, though I don’t feel the danger creeping in yet. It’s just Trevor or Todd, I tell myself. It has to be.

Eric starts toward the noise, calling out, “Trevor? Todd? You guys out here?”

The noise grows louder as we approach, but still, neither of us is on guard. We should be. We should have known better, especially with everything that’s been going on these last few weeks. Isn’t that the whole reason we have a buddy system in place?

Suddenly, from around the corner, the shuffling figures emerge—grotesque and rotting. Zombies. Four of them, their lifeless eyes locked on us, their mouths hanging open in hunger. My heart skips, then hammers wildly in my chest.

Eric’s reaction is instant—he moves to shield me, drawing the small combat knife from his belt. It’s tiny, far too small to handle so many at once, but he charges at them without hesitation. “Get back, Miss Nora!” he yells, his voice rising above the guttural growls of the undead.

I stumble backward, my legs feeling like lead, panic rising like bile in my throat. Eric lunges at the first zombie, slashing at its neck. The knife tears into flesh, and the creature staggers, but it’s not enough to take it down completely. They surge toward him, hungry for blood. He fights with everything he has, hacking and slicing, his breath ragged with effort. Each strike is wild and driven by desperation, but there’s only so much a man can do against a horde with nothing but a small blade.

I can’t move. I should help. I should do something , but this old body betrays me. Heat floods my veins, and I suddenly feel like I’m on fire. Sweat drips down my back, soaking my clothes despite the freezing air. My hands grow numb, tingling as if they belong to someone else. My heart pounds so violently I think it might burst from my chest. Pure terror. It paralyzes me, rooting me to the spot.

One of the zombies grabs Eric by the arm, sinking its teeth into his flesh. He lets out a sharp cry of pain, yanking his arm back, but the damage is done. Blood pours from the wound, staining his coat. He grits his teeth, stabbing the creature in the skull with a swift, vicious motion. It collapses, but the other three take its place. His movements slow, and I see it—he’s running out of steam, out of time.

Even as everything is starting to feel slow and heavy in my body, I swear I can still feel my heart as it drops down into my stomach. What kind of awful sort of joke is this for the heavens to play? In the blink of an eye, everything changed, and Eric’s worst fear has come to life.

Just like that.

As the world seems to be closing in on me, I hear a shout come from the other side of the yard. I turn my head, vision swimming with fear and exhaustion, and spot Todd and Jay sprinting toward us. They pull their weapons out as they run our way, and without hesitation, they dive into the fray, hacking at the remaining zombies with brutal efficiency.

The tide turns quickly. Todd’s axe buries deep into a zombie’s chest, and Jay decapitates another with a single powerful swing. The remaining infected fall, one after the other, until the air is filled with nothing but our gasping breaths and the soft thud of corpses hitting the ground.

It’s over. But not without a cost.

Todd’s face is pale, his eyes wide with horror as he stares at Eric’s bleeding arm. “No... no, no, no...” His voice cracks, and he drops to his knees beside Eric. Jay is watching with wide eyes, and I almost wonder if he’s thinking of his grandpa right now, remembering one of the worst nights of his life.

“You need to hurry,” Eric chokes out. “You need to get it over with. Stop me...stop me from turning.” Eric sits on the ground, clutching his arm, blood seeping through his fingers. His face is pale, but he shakes his head slowly, like he’s still trying to wrap his mind around what just happened. Tears are streaming down his face before he breaks out into awful, guttural sobs that rack his entire body.

“I’m okay. It’ll be okay,” he whispers, but the lie is thin, transparent. We all know what’s coming. “Promise me you’ll take care of Daisy and the baby. Promise me.” Todd and Jay both promise him, and I open my mouth to do the same, but nothing comes out. My mouth is dry and my body still feels like it’s not my own.

My legs feel weak. The heat intensifies, my vision blurring at the edges as my heart races faster than ever. My chest suddenly throbs, pain shooting through it like fire. My neck aches, and I can’t breathe. Something’s wrong. I try to focus, but the world starts to spin.

I look at Eric, then Todd and Jay. Their faces blur together, fear and worry etched into their features. Eric is still crying, I think, his hands trembling as he looks at me, sorrow clinging to him like a shadow.

Then everything fades. My body feels heavy, my heartbeat echoing in my ears like a drum. The pain in my chest and neck grows worse, but my thoughts drift, soft and distant. I think of Addie, my sweet girl. Maybe...maybe I’ll see her again, wherever I’m headed.

I just hope Holden isn’t there.

The world goes black, and I fall into the quiet embrace of oblivion.