Free Parish by Nicole Murphy Page B

I got to say.” Jake narrowed his eyes at the tent before looking back to his children. “So, are you all okay so far?”
                  “We’re okay Dad.” Wren smoothed Jamie’s hair.
                  “I don’t want to go to the swamp.  It’s not going to be safe.” Jamie lifted his eyes to look at his Dad.
                  “What do you mean, buddy?” Jake stooped down.
                  “I don’t know, Dad, it’s just a weird feeling I have in my tummy.” Jamie rubbed his belly slowly.
                  “We’ll be okay big guy.” Jake reached out and took Jamie’s hand.  “I know it’s scary right now, but look, you see the soldiers?” Jamie nodded as his eyes flitted over the camo covered people.  “See, they’re out and they’re helping people.  They’re going make sure all the monsters go away.”
                  At the mention of the soldiers ridding the area of the zombies, Wrens shoulders visibly tensed.  Wade walked around and sat opposite of his siblings in order to maintain the line of sight between them and the medical tent.  He ate slowly as he watched.  Jack continually scanned the area, hoping he was wrong about this place and these people.  After a few moments, Emily and Artemis found them.
                  “Is everything alright?” Jack asked as Emily rubbed her forearm over her forehead and shifted her weight from foot to foot.  Artemis appeared to be less than thrilled.
                  “You tell him, I…I just can’t right now.” Emily threw her hands up in the air, shaking her head she made her way over to her children.  Jack watched as she walked away before turning his attention to Artemis who seemed to stand almost two feet taller than him.  Artemis took a step forward a lowered his stature a bit to get as close to Jack’s ear as possible.
                  “We need to leave, immediately, without drawing attention to ourselves.” He practically whispered.
                  “What? Why?” Jack replied, keeping his voice low.
                  “They’re picking out anyone too old or too young, too weak or people who have lost it and they’re killing them.  That ain’t no medical tent over there, that’s a slaughter house.  Doc had to pretend to be on board, but it ain’t safe for us, not with your little one.  They don’t want kids under twelve.” Artemis backed up with a nod before sidestepping around Jack and grabbing himself something to eat.
                  Jack turned and looked at their little group, his eyes falling on Jamie.  His mind couldn’t wrap around the idea that soldiers would willingly turn their weapons on citizens or that they would take the life of an innocent child.  Sure, Jamie needed protection, but didn’t they all?  Everyone needed help in this.  No one has eyes on the back of their heads.  He swallowed hard as Emily’s eyes met his.  They held each other’s gaze for several moments before Jack turned around and started to evaluate their situation and their new problem.  They had to get out, they had to save Jamie.
                  “Hi, folks, I’m Smitty.  I was told to come show you where you’ll be bedding down tonight.”  Smitty appeared to be no more than eighteen years old.  He was obviously not a soldier but he was sure trying to look like one.  He didn’t stand like a soldier, nor did he walk like one.
                  “Nice to meet you, Smitty.  I’m Emily, this is my husband Jack and our children Wade, Wren and Jamie.  That is our dear friend, Artemis.” Emily stood up and extended her hand to the awkward teenager who gave her a sloppy sideways high five instead of shaking it.
                  “Cool.” Smitty smiled as his attention wandered over Wren, who crossed her arms over her chest and cast her eyes to the