seven o'clock

Though having been sleeping soundly, the soft click of the door shutting is enough to jolt Carson from his dream. His eyes open wide and he scans the dim room from his position on the floor. It takes him a second or two to remember where he is, and he rolls onto his back, his shoulder sore from sleeping on such a hard surface.

Suddenly he's totally alert and sits up straight. The door had been ajar the last he knew and it was closed now. A sweet scent hits his nostrils and he blinks. He recognized that smell. He'd always loved it and for a moment it hits him hard with a wave of memories.

Getting to his feet, Carson looks down on Jess, seeing that she's still asleep. Putting a hand on the doorknob, he hesitates. He didn't even know why he wanted this. Maybe because he still felt as though he'd left things unfinished. And now trying to sort things out and turn things around, he just...wanted... He shakes his head. He wasn't even sure.

Exiting the small room, he squints in the hall lights. He knew he must look a mess in the clothes he'd slept in, he hadn't shaved since two nights ago, and his hair was matted.

Carson shuts the door softly and pads in his bare feet down to the infirmary. Looking inside, he sees that Rick's office light is on, but he's out of sight. The only person in sight is Misty. His eyes growing dim, he just watches her, remembering so many times that he'd just walked in uninvited to give and receive a kiss...to tease and flirt...to make plans for a date.

The reality seems so dark and cold compared to the memories.

He starts to turn and leave. This was stupid. She wouldn't want to talk to him, and it would only cause his wound to hurt more.

But something stops him again. He knew his conscience's prodding...so many times before he'd ignored it. Would he again, and be left with even more questions?

Swallowing the hated fear, he turns back around and before he can back out again, he knocks his knuckles softly on the door. "Morning..."


Jen, her mom and stepfather all smile their good morning to Katie, welcoming her as they would anyone else in their home. Even though Phil had explained to him the dangers that were happening, they had given their worries to God, and had decided to proceed with caution, but not fear. Katie was welcomed both as a friend and as a protector.

Jen grins and offers Katie some orange juice. "Thanks for everything, Katie. We really appreciate it. And I know Kyle probably slept better last night, knowing you were here." She nods. "I'll definitely call you if anything strange at all happens, or we run into trouble.


Brent's eyes fly open as he hears the pounding on his door. Straining to hear, he realizes that the pounding was followed by Charlotte's voice.

Literally rolling out of bed with a thud, he scrambles on all fours to the window, throwing it open and looking down to the first story to see Charlotte on the porch. His hair was askew, his tee wrinkled and crooked. "Woman!"

He squints in the sunlight, the brightness giving him an instant headache. His words are mumbled as he still tries to wake up. "Leave and you spend the day alone. But for pete's sake, don't break down the door. That's why I gave you a key."

Bret leans on the open window sill, crossing his arms to form a place to rest his head, still mumbling. He didn't even realize what late time it was. "Besides, I said seven o'clock..."