by catt dahman
When the world went to hell, I, like everyone else, made mistakes, I fought hard, I suffered losses, and I never claimed to be a saint, but I did what my heart told me, all along.
I don’t know what troubles we’ll face in the upcoming years or how long it will be before some communities fight with others and brothers turn on brothers. We’re only human. I hope for the best but know that life is difficult.
My beautiful, brilliant daughter, Hannah, will go out one day to search for whatever she is looking for. I’ll cry. She’s fifteen and will eventually be of age to find a young man, yet that could be catastrophic for us all, something we dread.
I fear that one day I’ll never see her again, either on this side or on the other.
Only four of us know the truth: Kim, Len, George, and I. I think Julia suspects my secret, but she doesn’t ask.
I cursed Dr. Henry Diamond and his hybrid creatures. I killed some and in my hypocrisy, I befriended one in John Ponce. I, also, two years ago, with grim determination, used a scalpel stolen from my brother to remove all the traces of a number on my daughter’s neck.
Hannah was hybrid number 22.
She has been my secret for three years, and she’ll be set free on the earth to find what she was meant to be or to do. Whatever comes of this, I accept.
George has always said every person has the right to live or die on his own terms, that we are due respect for our choices. It may not be the same, but I think George understands my choice.
Something more to the story lies beneath, and it is very important. Understanding the full story explains my choices: I have chosen to keep her secret, to hide it, and to release her into the unsuspecting world.
And to let go of the monster I protected all of this time; that’s very simple.
It’s my terms.
-Fort Worth 2013
Copyright.
catt dahman
©, 2013 catt dahman
[email protected]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book, including the cover, and photos, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. All rights reserved.
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
“Thunder Roll” by Garth Brooks
The characters, places, and events depicted are fictional and do not represent anyone living or dead. This is a work of fiction.
Z is for Zombie Order:
George’s Terms
Event Horizon
Shadow of Doubt
Devil’s Details
Rage
What Lies Beneath
Avenging Angel
End of the Road
Terms Mystique