Page 93 of Bound in Ashes

“I know you are, darling,” the sheriff said.

He patted her shoulder, his face regretful.

And in the next breath, his expression turned hard.

“But how much more sorry would you have been if things had gone differently?”

“I thought…I was in…I was scared…I didn’t know…that…”

“I know. You didn’t know what to do. You were scared. You weren’t thinking. And you put us all in danger.”

“I—I didn’t⁠—”

“She was just afraid, Sheriff Hayes,” Asia said.

I squeezed her hand again, but she didn’t look at me.

But she squeezed back. Just once. But it was enough.

“I know she was afraid, Asia,” the sheriff said, turning his gaze on her. “But that doesn’t change what she did.”

“Well, she’s spent the night in jail. I’m sure she’s learned her lesson. Haven’t you?” Asia said, looking at the girl.

She nodded frantically.

“Yes, sir. That won’t happen again.”

“I know it won’t,” Hayes said, and the coldness I saw in his eyes brought a chill that had nothing to do with temperature.

“Go on. You know what happens now,” the sheriff said.

“Oh no…not that…I’m sorry!” the girl said.

She was near hysterics now, and two of the sheriff’s deputies grabbed one of her elbows and led her through the crowd.

The crowd that was still deathly silent, something that seemed appropriate now.

The crowd spread wordlessly, letting the deputies lead the girl—dragging her, really—down the stairs of the sheriff’s department and off the sidewalk.

I noticed another walk in, a zombie next to it.

It had a thick collar around its neck, and the deputy was leading it.

My stomach dropped as I watched what was unfolding.

“You can’t⁠—”

“Be quiet, Asia,” I said.

She looked at me, eyes pleading, but I just shook my head.

There was nothing she could do. There was nothing any of us could do.

“We can’t just…”

“Quiet,” I said.

She looked at me, eyes pleading, but I said nothing. I just looked at her, hoping she would understand.