I shrugged。 〃Just scared。〃
She relaxed a little。 〃That was the scariest movie I think I've ever seen。
I'll bet we're going to have
nightmares tonight。〃
〃No doubt about that；〃 I said； trying to keep my voice normal。 It was
inevitable that I would have
nightmares； but they wouldn't be about zombies。 Her eyes flashed to my face
and away。 Maybe I hadn't
succeeded with the normal voice。
〃Where do you want to eat？〃 Jess asked。
〃I don't care。〃
〃Okay。〃
Jess started talking about the male lead in the movie as we walked。 I nodded
as she gushed over his
hotness； unable to remember seeing a non…zombie man at all。
I didn't watch where Jessica was leading me。 I was only vaguely aware that it
was dark and quieter now。
It took me longer than it should have to realize why it was quiet。 Jessica had
stopped babbling。 I looked
at her apologetically； hoping I hadn't hurt her feelings。
Jessica wasn't looking at me。 Her face was tense； she stared straight ahead
and walked fast。 As I
watched； her eyes darted quickly to the right； across the road； and back
again。
I glanced around myself for the first time。
We were on a short stretch of unlit sidewalk。 The little shops lining the
street were all locked up for the
night； windows black。 Half a block ahead； the streetlights started up again；
and I could see； farther down；
the bright golden arches of the McDonald's she was heading for。
Across the street there was one open business。 The windows were covered from
inside and there were
neon signs； advertisements for different brands of beer； glowing in front of
them。 The big