The footsteps approach where Jimmy lies, and the body on top of him shifts as the man prods at it, testing for signs of life. It seems like an eternity before he turns away, moving on to inspect the next body, but still Jimmy can't move, gripped by terror and the certainty that it still isn't safe to escape.
Until at last, the footsteps are far enough away that he can drag himself out of the pile of corpses, blood staining his clothes and skin, and he makes a break for an alleyway that leads out of the square. Unarmed, terrified, shellshocked, he puts as much distance between himself and the town square as he can.
But where can he go? He can't risk taking refuge with a neighbor. Not looking like this. Not when he was on the List. If they don't know yet, they will sooner or later. No, he has to get away from the settlement entirely. But he can't go without supplies. Even just a knife, for self-defense. Jimmy stays low, and heads back toward his aunt's house, hoping it hasn't been looted yet. And all the while, he keeps a wary eye out for other people, for any sign that he's being pursued, and his back itches as he expects a sniper to take him down at any moment.
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Until at last, the footsteps are far enough away that he can drag himself out of the pile of corpses, blood staining his clothes and skin, and he makes a break for an alleyway that leads out of the square. Unarmed, terrified, shellshocked, he puts as much distance between himself and the town square as he can.
But where can he go? He can't risk taking refuge with a neighbor. Not looking like this. Not when he was on the List. If they don't know yet, they will sooner or later. No, he has to get away from the settlement entirely. But he can't go without supplies. Even just a knife, for self-defense. Jimmy stays low, and heads back toward his aunt's house, hoping it hasn't been looted yet. And all the while, he keeps a wary eye out for other people, for any sign that he's being pursued, and his back itches as he expects a sniper to take him down at any moment.