'The roof? Are you fucking crazy?'
'No.' His voice cracked with grief. 'Just tired. Sick and tired. If this is living, then I don't want to live anymore.'
He pulled free and walked toward the red door to the fire escape. Carson followed him, unsure of what to do. The plush carpeted hallway was silent. There was no sign of Ramsey or Bates.
'Hold up, dog. What-you want to be a fucking zombie?'
'No, I just don't want to live anymore. I'm tired, Carson.'
He pushed the door open and started up the stairs.
Carson began to panic.
'Kilker. Hey, man, don't do this. Come on, fucking stop it. We can't go out there. The birds will tear us to pieces!'
They reached the top of the stairwell. Kilker pointed to the protective gear hanging on the wall. It looked like a cross between a beekeeper's outfit and the clothing worn by somebody working inside a nuclear reactor.
'Then put one of these on. That's what Quinn and DiMassi and Steve do when they go out to the helicopter. The birds can't get through them. I won't need one.'
He put his hand against the door and closed his eyes. Then he took a deep breath, paused, and steadied himself.
Carson grabbed his shoulder.
'Don't.'
'I have to. I can't do this anymore, man. It hurts too fucking much. Let me go?'
Carson stared into his friend's eyes, and saw that he meant it.
Swallowing hard, Carson let go. Kilker turned back to the door and suddenly, Carson jumped him from behind.
'Mr. Bates,' he shouted. 'Mr. Ramsey! Help!'
'What are you doing?' Kilker grunted as Carson wrapped him in a bear hug.
'Well, I'm not letting you commit fucking suicide,
asshole. You're not thinking straight, Kilker. Something's wrong with you. You need to see Doc Stern.'
'Get the fuck off of me, Carson!'
'Help! Bates? Anybody? Somebody come quick!'
Below them, a door slammed and footsteps echoed in the hall, running toward the stairwell.
Kilker slammed his head backward and Carson's nose exploded, spraying them both with blood. Screaming, Carson dropped to his knees, cradling his nose in his palms.
Kilker shoved the door open and ran out onto the roof.
Bates charged up the stairs.
'Carson, what the hell is going on? What are you doing up here?'
'It's Kilker, Mr. Bates!' Carson winced as blood poured through his fingers. 'He's lost his fucking mind and went outside.'
Bates ran to the door and looked out through the thick glass window in its center. Kilker ran across the wet roof, his body hidden beneath a swarm of undead birds. They covered every inch of him.
He didn't stop running until he disappeared over the ledge.
Bates sighed. His fist clenched until the nails dug into his palm.
Carson stumbled to his feet. 'Is-is he ...'
'He is.'
'Fuck-Kilker ...'
Bates nodded, then turned to the wounded man.
'Get down to sick bay and get your nose fixed up.'
Carson hung his head. 'Am I in trouble, Mr. Bates?'
'I don't know, yet.' Bates shook his head. His voice was hushed. 'I'm too tired at this point to decide anything. Just go get your nose taken care of, okay?'
'Yes, sir.' Carson slumped down the stairs, dripping blood in his wake.
Bates looked back out at the roof and watched the rain. His conversation with Forrest ran through his mind.
'Something bad is coming.'
'What's that, sir?' Carson called from the bottom of the stairwell.
Bates didn't reply.
Frankie awoke from the nightmare, opened her eyes, and looked around.
