“Casey!” Mitchell ran to his daughter’s side. “Is she hurt?” He tired to look for any injuries.

The thump of Casey dropping to the floor had drawn Dodge’s attention but she’d been frozen until Mitchell spoke. She shook her head. “I think she’s just exhausted.” Her fingers twisted together, wanting to help, but not immediately sure what to do.

Mitchell, satisfied there were no obvious injuries, lifted Casey into his arms and carried her upstairs.

Dodge started to follow but Faith stepped in her way.

“She needs food,” Dodge told her.

“Well I’ll make sure she gets it then,” Faith replied in a tone that clearly indicated an unsaid ‘and not you.’

Faith turned and followed her husband, leaving Dodge alone at the base of the stairs.

“Oh, hey, Honey, what are you doing in here?” called a voice from across the room.

Dodge turned to see Pete patting his palomino.

“We were just keeping her safe for you Pete,” Dodge remarked with a sigh, as she walked by him and took seat back at the table.

“Ah, well I’m glad you did. I was getting worried when I didn’t see her out with the others.” Pete patted the horse’s neck and she gave a soft snort. “Time for your dinner eh Honey, let’s get you fed.”

“Hey, Pete,” James the Bear called. “We’re going out scoping locations tomorrow, for setting some traps for those things. You coming?”

Pete turned and grinned at them with his half toothless smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t let him carry a gun though,” Knuckles remarked once Pete was out of earshot.

“We need every hand we can get,” James the Bear replied.

“Have you forgotten how he killed Rusty?” the fair-haired priest replied.

“Well,...” James started and then he paused. He had suddenly realised that everyone was looking to him. Why were they all looking at him? Normally they looked at Mitchell, but Mitchell had gone upstairs and now they were looking at him like he was their replacement leader or something. He wasn’t sure he liked it. He was just here to drink whiskey and shoot shit, but he supposed there wasn’t much to do about it now. There was one pair of eyes not looking at him though.

James nodded at the dark haired priest that sat next to the fair-haired priest. Jimmy and Jasper, they were called. Jimmy stared absently straight ahead, almost not blinking. His eyes looked like he’d been drinking but no one had seen him touch a drop. “Is he alright?” James asked.

Jasper, the fair-haired priest, looked to his right and noted the same thing. “Are you alright Jimmy?”

“Eh?” the dark-haired priest shook himself and seemed to come back to earth.

“I said are you alright?”

“I almost, I thought, I thought maybe I could do it again. If things were bad enough but I prayed and nothing.” Jimmy looked down at his hands.

Everyone else looked at Jimmy in confusion.

Suddenly Jimmy seemed to sense their eyes on him and registered their question properly. “Yes, I’m alright.” But it was said without conviction, and then he got up from the table. “I need to go think for awhile.”

“Maybe it’s him we shouldn’t be giving a gun to,” remarked Knuckles in a low voice as the priest disappeared up the stairs.

“I don’t think he carries a gun anyway,” Jack said. “He’s got that pole thing.”

“So, about tomorrow?” Trevor asked.

James nodded, returning to his map. “Tomorrow we head out, bright and early.”

Around the table, everyone nodded.

“Not bad,” Artemis stared down at the card she’d played satisfactorily. “Plus two intelligence for the zombies and extra points for killing them.”

“That puts us all up another level,” agreed Ares, just glad they hadn’t wasted the luck card. “And everyone gets bonuses to speed, accuracy, and awareness.”

“You know what that means?” whispered Hades.

“Pete’s more likely to hit what he’s supposed to,” remarked Artemis with glee.

“We might draw a gargantuan next round,” answered Aphrodite. “I hope not. I don’t think they’re quite ready yet.”

As if right on cue, come to disrupt any hopes they had of winning, Athena entered the room. She was tall, with long coiling brunette hair. A snow white owl rested on one shoulder. It opened one eye, gave them all a snobby look, and then closed it again. Athena leaned over their game board, glanced at their characters, and sniffed. “You’ll never beat the gargantuan with that lot. That’s worse than your last game, and you lost that one.”

“Sometimes the meek can surprise you,” Ares replied.

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow at him.

“Harrumph,” replied Athena. “Anyway you promised you’d play Mars Invaders with me and Hermes. How long until you finish this one?”

“A few hours,” Ares replied.

“In human time or ours?” asked Athena.

“Ours of course.”

Athena sighed, “Well, I’m going to go rewatch Malcom in the Middle again. Let me know once you’ve lost.”

She spun on her heels and made to leave. Half way to the door she paused. “Oh, by the way, Persephone was looking for you Hades.”

“Persephony,” mumbled Artemis under her breath.

Hades glanced at her and Artemis resumed a look of innocence.

Turning to Athena he remarked, “Well, you can tell her I’m not interested, Cerberus is my dog, and I’m not selling him.”

“I believe she just wants to borrow him for some test of some half mortal. Talk to her yourself though. I’m not your messenger.” With that Athena left the room.

Casey awoke to find herself alone in her room. A plate of food sat on a chair next to her bed. It had obviously been cooked by Billy and it’s aroma was not an unwelcome one. Still she hesitated. Then slowly she took a bite. Then another. The world felt different somehow. She had been out there, in the battle. She had contributed something. Today was a new day. She would do better. She ate slowly, finding things easier with no one watching. She let the food give her energy, energy she knew was important if she wanted to do better. But nothing changes in a moment, and Casey was still exhausted. With her belly full, she soon fell back into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She slept right through the night and didn’t awake again until well after breakfast. Once again someone had left her food beside the bed. Once again Casey hesitated. But there was no one there but for her own reflection across the room, which she avoided looking at. She knew she needed to eat but if she looked at herself she feared she might change her own mind again. Instead she focused on thoughts of Dodge, of the way the woman had ridden a horse, so strong and beautiful. She nibbled at her food and got through about half of it before she started to feel too much like some sort of ravenous animal. She pushed the plate away. Small steps, she would have to do small steps. That was enough for now. She took a deep breath and slipped out of bed. She dressed and cleaned herself up. Then she went looking for Dodge.

She found the main room of the saloon deserted. Indeed most of the building was empty it seemed. She looked out the front door. A tumbleweed rolled down the street and dust swirled in the wind, but nothing else moved. She found no one until she wandered into the saloon kitchen. There Billy was cooking something, and her mother was chopping vegetables.

Her mother came over and wrapped her in a hug. “Ah Casey, I was so worried. Don’t ever scare your father and I like that again okay?”

“Okay,” Casey replied meekly, still scanning the room in case Dodge was hiding in a corner or something.

“And stay away from that woman. She’s no good ya hear?” Faith spoke more sternly now.

Casey only nodded this time.

“Good.” Faith returned to her chopping.

“Where is everyone?” Casey asked.

Billy answered. “They went out scoping for locations to trap the undead. They’ll be back later.

Casey nodded. Her mother handed her a bucket. “Now be a good girl and go feed the pigs.”

Casey didn’t see Dodge all day. Her mother sent her to bed early, with food, before the scouting group even got back. Evidently she was to eat in her room, at least for now. Casey wasn’t sure if it was her mother’s idea of protection or punishment. Either way, she didn’t see Dodge for all of the next day either. The group went out scouting each day early and returned late and Dodge always went with them.

On the third day Casey was out feeding the pigs again when she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She turned and when she saw it was Dodge she couldn’t help the smile that lit up her face.

Dodge’s own face, in contrast, was an expression of stark seriousness. Dodge made her way over to Casey and leaned on the fence next to her. “I’m sorry I didn’t come talk to you earlier. How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you,” Casey replied, her own smile falling away at look on Dodge’s face.

Dodge continued. “I’m sorry for putting you in danger...”

Casey shook her head and grabbed Dodge’s arm. “No, you didn’t. That was the best day of my life, well perhaps except for the very last little bit.”

Dodge glanced at Casey’s hands on her arm and then she looked down at the dirt by her boots. “I’m sorry. I knew you hadn’t eaten much. If you’d passed out in the middle of that attack or fallen from the horse, things could have...”

Casey withdrew her hands. “You think I’m weak,” she observed sadly.

“No. ” Dodge shook her head. “But, well...”

“I don’t eat enough. I know. I know that now. I think I knew that before but... I’ll do better. I’ve been doing better.” And it was true, Casey had been trying, eating a little bit more each meal, trying not to stare at her own reflection too much, trying not to worry.

“It’s not that.” Dodge shook her head. She gave a frustrated sigh. “I just don’t want anything to happen to...”

Casey balled her fists angrily. “Look. I helped the other day. I helped defend my own town. Did something I never thought I could or would. That was me up on that horse, shooting down the undead.”

Dodge finally met Casey’s fierce eyes with a look of surprise.

“I did that,” Casey continued furiously. “And yet everyone is always treating my like some child. Like I can’t even do my own hair right or or....”

Dodge looked at her wide-eyed and then slowly but surely a smile started to form.

“Oh, that was child-like wasn’t it?” Casey suddenly stopped and wrapped her arms around herself, realising what she must sound like.

But in Casey’s outburst, Dodge had seen something else, something that looked a lot like strength. Strength and determination. It was there. She smiled, “I guess we all put our foot in it sometimes.”

Casey looked at her in surprise and her arms dropped away in a relaxed and curious manner. She stared up into Dodge’s eyes. She watched as Dodge’s lips parted slightly.

Then Dodge leaned forward and-

“CASEY!” a voice called. Her mother.

Casey looked back at the saloon and then at Dodge. “I should go.”

The next few days were quiet and sunny, and nothing attacked the town, but out on the plains and up in the hills, battles were bloody and everyone agreed, the creatures were getting smarter. Dodge still went on scouting and hunting trips. They tried a few test runs but drawing the creatures into one location where they could trap them was hard and their black powder was limited. Dodge suggested they could try and wash them down the river but Trevor rightly pointed out that would spoil the water supply downstream. Days went by with no new plans. The dark-haired priest seemed especially despondent, and nothing anyone did or said seemed to cheer him up.

Dodge found ways to see Casey. They’d go for walks in the evenings and talk about things and the more Casey heard about Dodge’s life the more she wished she could go with her. The more she started to imagine another life, one on the road. Their cheerful moods in contrast with the rest of the group did not go unnoticed however.

One morning Dodge stopped in the kitchen to pick up a bag of apples. Faith was in there alone, cleaning the dishes. She looked up as Dodge walked in and she spoke with an icy chill. “I know you’ve been spending time with my daughter, corrupting her mind with twisted fantasies.”

Dodge straightened her spine. Plainly and calmly she replied, “Casey is happy when she’s with me. And she’s doing better than she ever was since I’ve been here. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

A muscle twitched in Faith’s jaw. “She might seem that way to you but how would you know? You weren’t here before.”

“I saw what she was like when I got here. I see the way she interacts with you. The way she yearns for your approval and you never give it. You criticize every little thing. You can’t even tell her that hair looks nice.”

“If I criticize her, it’s because I know she can be better. Because I want the best for her,” Faith shot back in a louder voice.

“She doesn’t need to be better. She needs a mother who loves her.” Dodge’s voice was raised to almost a shout now.

“What would you know about that? I don’t see your parents anywhere? Where are they hmm?”

Dodge faltered and even Faith realised in the moment she’d said it that it had been too much. She’d gone one step too far.

They stared at each other for one long silent moment. Then Dodge, grabbed the bag of apples, turned, and fled.

Faith sat on the stool next to the kitchen counter and closed her eyes.

Not long after, Casey poked her head into the kitchen, “I heard shouting. Is everything okay?”

Her mother stood at the sink again. She turned to look at her daughter and noted that she’d tied a small plait in the front of her hair again. It was uneven and hung slightly at an angle but she supposed it was kind of pretty and it did suit Casey. “Just a slight disagreement. Nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, okay.” Casey turned to leave.

“Casey.”

Casey looked back expectantly, and Faith could also see, a little timidly. Faith hadn’t realised before that that was her doing. She’d just assumed that Casey was timid, but Dodge had rightly pointed out that Casey was a different person when she was around Dodge, and Faith had noticed that.

“Your hair looks nice like that.” The words were spoken honestly without hidden meaning.

It took Casey a moment to register what her mother had said.

The surprise in Casey’s eyes bit through Faith’s soul like a knife, and she hoped she was not too late to mend what she had broken.

Casey stood in front of her mirror. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind. Her fingers traced her braid and she leaned in to study her face. It was the first time in awhile that she had dared look at herself again, scared it would undo all the improvements she’d been making over the last several days. Her mother’s words had emboldened her. And now as she faced her own reflection again, she could see that she was still very thin but there were things that were different too. Her frown lines seemed less obvious, and her skin looked less dry. She looked healthier. A part of her gut twisted in fear as her gaze fell to her stomach and her hands instinctively tried to smooth the fabric down. But then she thought back to Dodge. Her imperfect but alluring form. Dodge wasn’t slim, nor was Venus. And yet, both were beautiful. Casey had found her eyes drawn to them. The way Dodge moved, the way she spoke, Dodge was... oh Dodge was... Casey’s mind wandered, her gaze no longer fixed on the mirror in front of her.

“Are you lost in there yet?” From the doorway the real Dodge had returned to interrupt her thoughts.

Dodge stepped across the threshold to the room, turned and shut the door. Casey watched as Dodge slid the bolt across. Then she turned and faced Casey. “Come back to me.” She took a few steps across the room. “I’ll show you how beautiful you are. Or perhaps,” Dodge touched one finger to her own lower lip and with a sensually teasing glint in her eyes whispered, “Perhaps I’ll eat you instead.”

Casey saw the playfulness in Dodge’s eyes and something else, something she’d not seen before, something she knew she wanted. Something that looked an awful lot like love. She smiled back. “Mirrors don’t-”

Casey’s words were cut off as Dodge leaned forward and pressed her lips against Casey’s own. And in that kiss, Casey truly did become lost.

Some time later, Casey rested on her bed. Clothes scattered the floor of her room. Her head lay peacefully on Dodge’s slowly rising and falling naked chest. Everything seemed perfect. Then there came a sudden rattling at the bedroom door.