Nicholas dropped the rifle on the ground, staring at his [i]dead, undead, then dead again[/i] mother. Her voice replayed those words over and over again in his head, even as he felt his face heat up with anger and humiliation at Mattie's string of obscenities. He took several deep breaths through his nose, trying to get his breathing and his anger under control. His head was fuzzy, his vision not blurred but not focused. He looked at Mattie as she backed toward the exit, and he felt like he might cry.

"Don't go," his voice betrayed him and he choked on his words. "My mom was sick. I didn't know this would happen. My sister..." he stopped, realizing now that everyone he knew was probably dead. He hadn't had the opportunity to check up on any of his other friends or relatives. He just knew that now, his immediate family was dead and there was a girl getting ready to haul tail out the door and down the street at any wrong move Nicholas made or wrong tone of voice he used.

"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt," he said, rubbing his moist eyes with his fists. "God. I just wanted to save her."

He looked at Mattie, and again he begged, "Don't go..."