Waking up in strangeness

The morning light shone through Kaida's eyelids. She winced, groaned, and opened her eyes.

She was in her car. Somewhere off the highway. Far out of town.

Out of town.

For a second, she saw it again. The traffic jam on the bridge. The fires, the hysteria.

The people looking to the only cop on the scene for help.

When the screams started.

And the gunfire.

And the moans.

She shivered.

*Protect and Serve.*

She looked down at the badge on her chest.

*What a joke.*

The really sick part? Maybe her nightmares were better than reality.

She wiped the drool from her mouth with the back of her hand. The comedown from caffeine and adrenaline was a-

Something blocked out the sun.

Kaida jumped, and reached for the gun she left behind a lotta miles and a lifetime ago.

It was a waitress. Just a waitress. The badge over her heart said "DIXIE".

Kaida frowned, and rolled down the window.

And the woman said, "Officer...are you all right?"

Kaida looked at the other woman.

And started to cry.

-ATXW-

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