Safe Haven, page 13
The van moved off, it was only seconds before Sue lost sight of Lucy and Shaw in the darkness. Her eyes followed the headlight beams as they cut through the night.
Lucy headed up the three steps of a vacant static caravan and turned on a small lantern which despite its size lit up most of the interior. A few seconds later Shaw walked through the same door. The pair embraced, but it was not the embrace of two lovers. It was that of two friends who shared a powerful secret.
Tears began to trickle down Lucy's face. "Up to this moment I haven't even thought about the possibility he might not come back." She burst out crying, "but if he doesn't it's all my fault. I pushed him to do something because I knew he was the only one who could. I put the welfare of strangers above the welfare of family." She fell down on her knees in a fit of grief. "I was horrible to him as well. I said horrible things. If he doesn't come back, I don't know what I'll do."
Shaw edged off the sofa and knelt in front of her, pulling her shaking body towards him. "Listen to me," he said, squeezing harder. "If he's not back tonight, me and Hughes will head out first thing tomorrow. We'll find him," he said over the sound of her cries. "Jesus, Lucy, this is Mike we're talking about. You said he successfully led the RAMs away from the store. If he managed that, then they didn't get him. If he got to the van, which he must have done, he would have led them out of the city. He'll either be holed up somewhere for the night or on his way back.”
Lucy slowly began to take control of her emotions once again and sniffed loudly before wiping her nose on her sleeve.
"Sorry," she said, repeating the action.
"It's not like we've got boxes of Kleenex kicking about, I think I can forgive you," he said.
"No... I mean for breaking down like that."
"If anybody deserves to lose it, it's you. But I mean what I said. Mike can look after himself."
***
The huge crowd had been assembled at the football fields for over two hours. The PA system was still being set up, but the promise of a big announcement kept the mood upbeat. Rumours were flowing faster than a running tap and the lack of senior figures led to further wild speculation.
Fry was in the same room of the hotel where he had beheaded The Don earlier that day. He was with TJ, the enforcement squad and the fifteen loyal captains that had been recruited for the coup. These men were the only ones privy to the master plan, the grand design for the future that Fry had announced.
Fry held a glass of champagne up to toast. The other men in the room did the same.
"This will be a night no one will forget," he said grinning. "To the future," he said.
The men repeated the words like a mantra before all taking a drink.
"Now, in a few minutes, I'm going to be walking out in front of those men, and I want everyone here on that stage with me." He waited a moment for the words to sink in. This really was a bright new day. The Don had always showboated when he had made announcements, no matter how big or small, but this promise of a better future for all suddenly gained weight with everyone present. "We are in this together, and it's important that everyone in that crowd sees that we start in the way we intend to carry on." He raised his glass again. "When the PA system is all set up, they're going to let me know, but for a few moments, enjoy the food and drink. There'll be more celebrations later, but tomorrow, the hard work starts." He raised his glass even higher. "Slainte."
"Slainte." They all repeated before sipping the sparkling nectar.
"Where did you get to today?" asked TJ as the other men made their way to the banqueting table.
"Y'know, TJ, things to do, people to see," he said with an unnerving sparkle in his eye. TJ looked at him suspiciously and Fry looked towards the men, then leaned in to TJ. "Let's just say Juliet wanted to celebrate...over and over again," he said smirking.
A look of understanding washed over TJ's face. That explained Fry's irritation when he had gone to the house earlier in the day, it also explained why he had been unreachable. TJ smiled, "You sure you’re okay to give this speech?" he asked nodding towards Fry's groin and smirking.
"Wild horses couldn't keep me off that stage, TJ."
"Where is Juliet? Isn't she coming?"
"She's going to meet me there. I said I wanted to spend some time with my men."
TJ gave an understanding nod and clinked glasses with Fry before making his way to the table of food. Fry sat down in the stately armchair. He surveyed the room like a king looking out over his domain. A distant smile remained on his face as he gazed towards the table.
Earlier on that same day he had told the men now assembled before him of his plan, his vision for the future. His vision had included having Juliet by his side, his confidant, his co-conspirator. She was the only person he had ever known who fully understood him. She was the only one who had been able to kindle his true nature. It wasn't love. Two creatures like them couldn't love, but it was a bond more powerful, a bond far more dangerous and passionate. Now, that fiery passion had been doused. Something had been taken away from him and it hurt, and there was only one thing that was going to make him feel better. He still had the physical Juliet, he would always have that, that sweet, beautiful black body in his bedroom. And he still had the Juliet in his head, she still answered him in the same cocky manner, she still whispered advice into his inner ear. But there was a part of her he didn't have.
He looked around the optimistic faces of the men in the room and wondered how loyal they were. Would they understand this burning need for revenge?
"No," whispered a raspy voice in his head.
Being a leader meant making hard decisions though, tough decisions, foregoing personal inclinations and acting with your head, not your heart. The double doors to the large room opened and a man with long curly hair put his head around the corner and nodded towards Fry. For a moment, Fry just looked, still trapped in a world somewhere between reality and dream land, then he stood up.
"Men, our stage awaits!" he shouted out like he was auditioning for a part in Henry V.
All the men laughed, it was unusual to see Fry in a state that was bordering on good humoured.
As Fry led the men onto the well-lit stage, silence swept over the audience. The only sound was the generators working to keep the lights and the PA system working. A nervousness fell across the crowd, and they didn't know if they should cheer or clap, but in the end they did nothing.
The microphone shrieked briefly as Fry took hold of it. The lights shone into the faces of all the men on stage, blinding them to the two thousand plus assembled in the crowd. TJ couldn't give an exact figure, but the estimate was over five hundred dead in Inverness. It was a dwindling army, but enough for what Fry needed. The newly anointed leader held his hand up to cover his eyes so he could see into the crowd.
"The Don is no more. Today I took control back for us. He had run this army into the ground. He didn't care about you or me, only himself. How many men did we lose while he was drunk on his own power? And for what? An ever shrinking kingdom, that’s what." Fry's words were greeted with silence. "So where are we now? A bunch of fucking whores beat us back in Inverness. What message does that send out? The Don was asleep at the wheel and we lost face, we lost resources and we lost ground. It's time we gain that ground back. It's time the world hears us roar," he shouted the last words and got yells of support. "Tomorrow we prepare, and the day after we head back north. We send a message. You cross us, you cross into Hell!"
There were more cheers and applause began to ripple.
"The day after tomorrow, we sound a battle cry. From then on, all we will need to do is show up and our enemies will submit. The day after tomorrow, we send a message that everyone will understand. Those women will have headed back to their villages on the coast. Well...their villages are going to get razed to the ground. Those women will pray for death by the time we're finished, because we're going to tell the world that no one crosses us and prospers. This is a new world and only the strong survive." The clapping continued and increased in volume. "I pledge to you, from this day, we will be the strongest!" He shouted as the cheers became deafening. Then he stood back from the microphone and allowed himself to bathe in the applause of the fools he despised so much. They were like children, so easy to manipulate, so easy to use. All Fry wanted was absolute power for himself and his queen.
***
Mike was grateful for the dark. The headlight could only capture a small handful of the horrors that sunlight displayed so openly. These men were both brutal and thorough. There had been countless bodies strewn around the villages they had driven through. They must have been doing these raids over the space of a few days. Now, this stretch of coastline, his stretch of coastline, had fallen victim to them. How many had survived? Not enough for an army. Not enough to take the war to them. War? Yes. That's what it was. They were at war, and he had seen it coming. He had said they needed to prepare, but no one had listened. They'd have to listen now. They'd have to prepare. He brought the bike to a stop as a group of dear crossed the road up ahead.
The reflection of the full moon shimmered in the bay below. Mike looked beyond it and to the small islands. He turned and looked at the brooding cliffs behind. The coast road stretched over thirty miles. It was a wide single track with passing places. Every village should have been easily defendable.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" said Jules. "You can't believe there is such horror in the world when you see something this pretty."
Mike didn't respond, and as the bike moved off again, Jules put her arms around him and rested her head on his back as sadness swept over her.
He'd lost track of how long they had been travelling. It wasn't as straightforward as the times before the infection. There were a lot more dangers than before, and one wrong turn could be disastrous. Some roads were impassable because of pile-ups, storm damage, landslides, and a whole host of things that would normally be sorted out in a matter of hours by the council. This stretch was familiar though; a Highland coast road over forty-five miles long. There had been so many accidents on it. Accelerate in the wrong place, and you'd go over the edge. The crash barriers saved some, but a lapse of concentration could easily be the difference between life and death. Mike knew every curve and incline, and within twenty minutes they had reached the road to his gran's house. As they went down the track and the cottage came into view, he could see candle light flickering in the living room and a flood of relief swept over him. His night was far from over, but he was going to see his family again.
He parked and ran to the house bursting through the door. Emma was already in the porch. The pair flung their arms around each other and didn't let go until his gran came around the corner, followed by Sammy. All four of them embraced, kissed and held each other tight. After a few moments, Jules appeared in the doorway and the family reluctantly let go of one another.
"How's Jake?" asked Mike.
"Same," replied Emma.
Mike headed towards the stairs with Sammy tagging along while Emma and Sue welcomed Jules.
Sammy grabbed hold of Mike's hand. "He'll start getting better now we're all together," she said as they reached the landing.
Mike stopped at the top of the stairs and knelt down in front of Sammy. "I love you so much. You know that, don't you Sammy?" He said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Of course I do silly," she replied and Mike laughed.
He kissed her cheek, stood up and led her by the hand into Jake's room. There were candles all over the house, lighting the surrounds. Mike hadn't been into any of the other rooms, but he could sense the house was full and heard lots of quiet voices. A battery operated night light sat on the bedside table and Jake lay fast asleep. Mike sat down and gently stroked Jake's head, but the child did not stir.
"It's okay now Jakey. We're all back together. You, Sammy, Me, Em, Gran, Lucy...we're all together again. Lucy! Where was she?”
He leant down, kissed Jake's head and gave Sammy another kiss before heading downstairs to find Emma and Sue.
He walked into the large crowded kitchen and recognised a few faces from the warehouse. People were taking it in turns to squeeze Jules before passing her on to the next friend. She looked overwhelmed. Mike went across to Emma and his gran who had been joined by Jenny.
"Quite a trip you've had?" Sue said, her face lighting up once again to see Mike.
"You could say that Gran... Listen. I'll tell you all about it later, but I've got a lot to do. Where's Lucy?"
"What do you mean, you've got a lot to do?" asked Emma.
"Em... You think those people are going to let things lie? They'll come back here. They'll finish things off this time. Now where's Lucy?"
Emma's shoulders sagged. Couldn't she enjoy just a few moments? Was that too much to ask? Her family reunited. "She's in the village. She's working out of the camp ground," she said.
Without making eye contact, Emma turned and walked away.
"She's been through a lot, Mikey," said his gran, putting a hand on his arm.
"We need a meeting tomorrow morning. We need everyone there. I'll get the word around the village. I'm heading there now," he replied.
"You're going out? Now? Your family need you, Mikey. Emma, Sammy, Jake, Me. We need you."
"Listen, Gran. I need to go find Lucy. We'll be back later. I promise. I love you, Gran, but this fight isn't over. They'll be back, and this time, they won't be looking for prisoners, they'll be looking for revenge."
His gran stared into Mike's eyes. The flickering light of the candles danced in them.
"I know these men, Gran. Their souls are stained black with death and hatred. When they come back here, the revenge they'll reap will be devastating." The flames continued to reflect in Mike's eyes.
"You look just like him," said Sue.
"Like who?" asked Mike.
"Your father."
Mike's anger flared at the mere mention of the man. "I am absolutely nothing like my father," he hissed. "I never want to hear him mentioned again. That man was dead to me long before I..." he broke off.
"Long before what?" asked his gran. Then it dawned on her. The doubts, the suspicions, the small clues trailing like breadcrumbs across the years suddenly made sense. "Oh dear God Mike, tell me it's not..." she trailed off this time.
" I'll catch up with you later, Gran," he said.
"At least now I know what happened that afternoon, all those years ago." She didn't try to meet his gaze, she just walked away, forlorn.
"People shouldn't drink and swim Gran...it can get them into all sorts of trouble," his voice was soft and eerily calm.
Mike stood there for a moment. His features unchanged, the hellish flames still lashing their reflection in his eyes. Finally, he broke his stare into nothingness.
"Jules," he called. "I'm heading to the village. You want to see your brothers, meet me outside in two." Jules nodded an affirmative while still having questions fired at her by welcoming friends.
Emma was in the utility room looking out over the moonlit bay. There were no other occupants. There were no candles. Mike walked up behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"This will never be over, will it?" she said. "We'll always be fighting or running."
"I know that's what it feels like, Em...but it will be over." She leant her head against his. "We're always going to have to have our wits about us, but we're never going to have to fight men like this again."
She turned to look at him. "Fight them?" She stood back to see if his face was serious. "Fight them Mike?" She kept his gaze, and he saw the glisten of tears in her eyes. They shimmered in the whiteness of the moon. "Oh Mike!"
She reached up to his cheek and gently stroked it before turning to leave. More tears formed as she walked away. She climbed the stairs and passed Jake's room. The door was ajar and she looked in on her little brother. Sammy had curled up next to him and fallen fast asleep as well. Emma carried on to the next room. The large floor area was littered with sleeping bags. Sarah's was nearest the door and Emma laid down beside her.
"What time is it?" whispered Sarah, still half asleep.
"It's late, shhh. Go back to sleep," replied Emma.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jules waited as the Kawasaki engine came to life, then climbed on. The bike tore up the hill and cut through the calming whoosh of the gentle waves. The noise of the machine scared any wildlife from the road long before they reached the village. As they arrived at the campsite, Jules's brothers rushed up to meet them. Andy hung back until Mike had walked away, but then flung his arms around his sister.
"I've missed you, you little pissants," she said as she squeezed each of her siblings in turn.
Mike looked across to a large static caravan with a generator rumbling away outside. He saw Lucy in the fluorescent light changing a dressing on someone's shoulder. He watched her for a moment. The last time he had seen her they had argued. They were both at fault...well...he was probably more at fault, but they had argued a lot lately. He was still crazy about her and hoped she felt the same, but something had been amiss, like she was under more stress than usual. That didn't stop him wanting to be with her more than anything though. He'd just left his gran, who he hadn't seen for weeks to come straight down here. That was love...infatuation even.
Mike walked into the makeshift infirmary just as Lucy had finished with her patient. She was about to move onto another, but then she saw him. For a second he was scared. He couldn't read her face. Then it broke into that smile he loved so much. She took the stethoscope from around her neck and walked over to him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the one small bedroom of the mobile home that remained unoccupied. She closed the door, took his face in her hands and pushed her lips against his. They both wanted the kiss to go on forever, but eventually, Lucy pulled away.
"I'm sorry,” she said. “I was insensitive. I should never have said those things."
"I'm sorry too, Luce. All I've been thinking about all day is seeing you again," he said breaking into a warm smile. "Listen, we need to talk." The smile left his face.
