I Dream of Zombies (Book 2): Haven (22 page)

Friday, 2

A nurse walked into Marla’s hospital room and placed a vase of flowers on the side table next to her. “They’re wildflowers from the yard outside,” she said before checking the card. “From Ellen, Tommy, Billy, Eric, Barney, Ruth, Ash, Bella, Claire, Peggy, Harold, Sylvia and Graham. Well, that’s a lot of people. I’m surprised all of those names fitted on the card,” she added with a big smile.

“They’re lovely,” Marla replied. Raising herself up in the bed, she winced as the stitches pulled.
She read the name tag on the nurse’s uniform. “Thanks, Eliza.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Like I just went a few rounds with Tyson.”

“That’s to be expected.”

“How long do I need to stay in here?” Marla asked.

The nurse crossed her arms. “Did the doctor speak to you about this?”

“Yes… but I didn’t take much in yesterday.”

“Oh,
I guess he does speak very quickly. Right, the stitches in your hand need to remain in for seven days,” said Eliza. “We’re expecting you to regain full use of it, you’ll be relieved to know.”

“Great. I was worried.”

“The injury was not serious. Neither is your stomach wound. The doctor expects you to make a full recovery. You didn’t injure any organs or anything important. A flesh wound. Not a particularly pleasant one, I know, but nothing to worry about. You were very lucky, Marla. It helped that most of the guard are trained in first aid. You were in good hands as soon as you were found.”

Marla nodded slowly. “I know,” she said softly. “Is there to be an investigation into what happened?”

“Oh, I know nothing about that. We just get you well in here,” Eliza replied. “We expect you to be in here for four days, including today. You’ll have to come back to have your stitches removed, of course, and I suggest you take it very easy. As for your sprained ankle, I’m afraid we cannot make a reliable estimate. Those are tricky injuries. Sometimes it can take a week or two, and sometimes up to twelve weeks. You will need some support on it and try not to twist it in any way or put undue weight on it. You understand?”

“Yes, I do. I thought it was the least of
my problems.”

“Ankles are
strange things,” said Eliza with a small laugh. “I sprained mine at school years ago. It was bruised inside and would keep going. I didn’t rest it long enough. The doctor advises you take a break from working as a guard for a while until you have made a full recovery.”

“Ugh, I hate not being able to do things.”

“I understand, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. As I said, you can leave in four days and we are not worried. There were no complications or infections. You’re fine. You just need to slow down and come back to have those stitches removed. If you need crutches when you leave, we can sort some out for you.”

“I feel like an invalid,” said Marla. “I
was so clumsy, falling down those stairs.”

“From what I heard, you were very lucky
and brave. I’d welcome the chance to relax for a bit if I were you. Right, I’ll bring you some breakfast in a moment, but would you like any books or magazines? We have back copies of most things.”

“I’d love a good thriller to read and some magazines about junky women’s
stuff. You know, something that doesn’t tax my brain. Oh, when can I have visitors?”

“This afternoon if you are feeling up to it. If not, tomorrow. They’re already queuing up, apparently.”

Once the nurse had left, Marla contemplated the black stitches in her bruised palm.
Lucky.
She hoped Will Acre was not so lucky right now.

Saturday, 3

Ellen walked into the room followed by Tommy. As soon as Marla noticed them her face lit up into a gigantic smile. “I’m so glad to see you guys,” she exclaimed. “I hope you know some good jokes because I’m climbing the walls!”

“You better not do that with
a dodgy ankle,” Tommy threw back and Marla laughed loudly.

“Or this hand,” she replied, holding it up. Grimacing as
the stitches pulled in her stomach, she stopped giggling.

“Does it hurt?” asked Ellen, perching on the edge of the bed.

“Only when I laugh, it seems,” Marla replied. “The hand is sore too, but I’m okay. Everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am.”

“You are,”
Ellen said, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. “I was so worried. I think I’ve been badgering Tommy every second to find out about you.”

“Oh?”

“But I didn’t know much,” Tommy added, “and I didn’t want to worry her with the details of our excursions with the soldiers.”

“Ah, that’s cool,” Marla said, understanding what he was referring to. He hadn’t told Ellen what had really happ
ened; he was leaving it to her to say in her own time.

Tommy sat down on the chair by the bed. “Bob sends his regards. He wanted to come, but I
guessed he’d jump all over you and man’s best friend isn’t welcome in the hospital apparently. Billy and Eric want to visit after us, if you’re up for it. All the others are looking forward to seeing you too.”

She smiled.
“That’s nice. It’s good to know people care.”

“Always,” said Ellen. “Never forget that.
I’m so relieved you’re okay.”

“I know and don’t worry.
I’ll be out of here in no time.”

The sisters continued to make small talk for a while and then Ellen got up abruptly. “I have to head off now as I have a class to teach, but Tommy is staying for a bit.
He has something he wants to talk to you about.” She glanced at him with a knowing look before hugging Marla. “I’ll come again tomorrow.”

“Great. Look forward to it, little sis,” Marla answered. “Bye.” She watched Ellen leave the room and then turned to look at Tommy. “So
, how’s things? Is there going to be an investigation?”

He
laughed. “Straight to the point!”

“Of course, and thanks for not telling my sister. It would worry her so much and I don’t want her to think she isn’t safe here.”

“Do you think she is?”

“I don’t know, Tommy.
I mean who is Will Acre working for?”

“I’ve no idea,” Tommy replied. “Caballero says he’s going to kick him out soon as, and find out what happened. He’s going to get what he deserves.”

“Well, that’s good news. I hope they do the right thing. He’s dangerous.”

“The whole group
who went out with us agrees. They are all on your side, Marla; all of them. Martinez basically saved your life.”

“I know. I need to thank him.
”

“I’ll do that.”

“Thanks, Tommy. I guess it’s ironic that the knife he let me keep speared me in the end.”

Tommy chuckled. “That’s sod’s law for you.”

She tried not to catch his laugh. “I think that’s always working.”

“
But how are you feeling
really
?” he asked more seriously.

“Really?
I don’t know. I get the feeling that someone thinks I’m trouble and wants rid of me, and it almost happened, so I’m not being paranoid. I don’t know who to trust. I’m scared, Tommy. Part of me thinks I should leave.”

“Where would you go?”

“I’ve asked for a transfer to another facility.”

Tommy
coughed and tried to hide his disappointment. “Okay. So, where would you go?”

“Where my mum is,” Marla replied. “
I’m going to speak to Ellen when they release me from here. I’m worried about all those tests she’s doing anyway. She looks tired.”

Tommy nodded. “She was telling me about them on the way here. Said the dreams are lasting longer.
The doctor wants to give her drugs to keep her under longer, so she can’t wake up so easily.”

“What?”
gasped Marla. “She didn’t tell me…”

“I don’t think she sees anything wrong in it. She wants to help them.”

“But what’s the point of making her dreams longer? They’re nightmares. That’s cruel.”

“I don’t know, but maybe you can talk to her about that when you get out. If you get transferred, it won’t be an issue anyway.”

Marla sighed and leaned back against the headboard. “I guess so. I thought everything would be okay here. When I came out of quarantine, I felt so happy, Tommy. I felt so… normal.”

“I know.”

“Now I’m worried about Ellen.”

“You always worry about other people, but maybe you should take some time to worry about yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, I can see that. You’re scared and wanting to run.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

Tommy nodded. “Maybe,
but it shouldn’t have to be that way.”

“What else can I do?” Marla asked. “Is someone going to try something every time I’m out on patrol? What if this isn’t an isolated incident? What if Will Acre isn’t the only one we can’t trust? Someone must have given the order. I keep thinking about the things Robert said. He mentioned people not being what they seemed. He also mentioned a Doctor Sleep
who wanted to read minds and I didn’t even listen, because it sounded so crazy, but maybe he was talking about Grice. What’s going on in this place, Tommy?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t
want you to…” He stopped and looked away.

“Don’t want me to what?”

“It’s nothing. I should be going. You need to rest, the nurse told us, and this conversation can’t be good for you.”

“Oh.” Marla looked at her hands. “I was hoping you’d stay longer. It’s quite boring here. And Ellen said you wanted to talk to me about something?”

“That was just the business with Will Acre. That’s all. I’ll visit you tomorrow. After patrol.”

“Okay. Deal,” she added with a smile.

Week 14

Sunday, 4

Ellen’s dream

Digging into the remnants of her inner strength, she finally manages to wrest her eyes away from his devouring stare and his desire to consume her – flesh, bones, muscle, emotions, identity…  everything. She turns and plunges into the waiting dark, recognising it, having been here before. She has always been here.

Knowing what lies ahead,
she runs without fear; it represents salvation. Feeling this, she knows no care. Behind her the foul creature wails; the noise building, layer upon layer, destroying the silence, smothering the air in vengeance for her denial of him. He will come; she can feel it.

Yet there is another and he waits here in the pitch black, as quiet as a mou
se, as enduring as time. He is here, so close. She knows. And she runs.

Laughter
leaks out of the walls, hurtling forward like a child without a care in the world. It stops her in her tracks and she spins around on the spot, searching for the origin of it. Where are you? Who are you?

The darkness fails to answ
er and she sighs. Behind her, the demonic thing approaches, so she sprints. All around her the very walls tremble, dust falling in a cloud, sweeping over everything. A tremor surges through the corridor, which is now a dim tunnel and there is soft earth beneath her feet. Her toes sink in and she relishes the warmth; the only source of it in this icy world.

The laugh
ter comes in waves; already almost deafening, it increases, the tumult clamouring around her ears. Raising her hands, she shuts out the noise, but then she hears him: “This is a warning. This will be the last warning before the end.”

He is here.
So close.

But then there is nothing but
the dark.

***

A scream penetrated her dream, sharp and piercing. Her body jerked on the bed and her eyes sprang open. Coughing, she sucked in the air deeply.

“Ellen, I am here. You are alright.
It was you screaming.”

Hearing Rita’s voice, Ellen opened her eyes wider and tried to focus on the face looking down at her.

“Honey, stay still for a sec,” said the nurse as she carefully removed the sensors. “That was the longest time yet. You were dreaming much longer than previously.”

Ellen nodded slightly, her mind barraged by layers of images, blurring and fading in this reality. If only she could have stayed asleep longer and seen who had given her the warning.

Rita moved away from the bed as the outline of Doctor Grice appeared. “You did well, Ellen,” he said. “A little longer again.”

“I didn’t see him,” she replied, her throat dry.

“Give it time,” he replied. “We have all the time in the world.”

Monday, 5

The doors of the facility opened and the armoured vehicles moved out one by one; the black-painted bus in third position. Tommy sat in the first of the two Land Rovers with Martinez and Commander Caballero. In the other one were some soldiers he didn’t know. Sylvia, Elliott and John travelled in the Vector.  As the heavy metal gates clanged behind them and they swept down the winding country road, Tommy gazed out of the window and through the lines of green, leafy trees. It was a relief to be out of the facility. Sometimes it felt as if the walls were closing in on him.

“
Our plan is to go as far as possible today in the time allowed,” said Caballero when he turned the truck on to the A338. “Reports from the helicopter crews over the last week have led us to believe there are survivors there.”

“
I just hope it’s not too busy,” Martinez commented.

The commander nodded in understanding. “I second that. The population was 40,000 and no one was evacuated.”

“That sucks.”

Tommy continued to gaze
out over the peaceful scenery, lost in his thoughts, which tended to turn to Marla when he forgot to tell them not to. He blinked and cleared his head.
No distractions and definitely not the complicated kind.
Instead, he focused on a freak crossing the field with a lurching gait.

“You’re quiet,” said Martinez
.

Tommy shrugged. He liked the guy and respected him, especially since the
library incident, but he didn’t feel in the mood for conversation. It was too early in the day and he had not been able to get enough shut eye. Staring into space instead of sleeping had become his forte lately. There always appeared to be too many things pressing on his mind; words that needed to be said, and yet he never seemed to have the balls to say them. Still, it wasn’t Martinez’s fault, he reasoned; only his chicken-shit own. “Feeling a bit mashed today,” he replied.

“You too? I was talking to Sylvia and she reckons it’s to do with atmospheric leisure…”

Tommy chuckled. “Atmospheric who? I think you mean pressure.”

“Uh, yeah, maybe. She said it a
ffects your mood, so when it’s heavy, you feel down, and when it’s light, you feel up. All sounds a bit girly to me.”

“There could be something in that,” said Caballero. “It’s a dull on
e today. The clouds look heavy – could rain, although it wasn’t forecast.”

“Well, maybe.” Tommy
gazed out at the sky. It did seem to be threatening rain, which would cut short their trip. “Where do you get weather forecasts from nowadays?”

“Army radio,” replied Caballero. “We’re kept informed.”

Tommy shrugged and nodded.

“My ex-wife used to come out with some weird stuff all the time,” said Martinez. “And algorithms, whatever the hell they are.”

“That’s to do with maths – nothing weird,” Tommy told him.

“Ah, must be something else cos she couldn’t add up to save her life. It was
one of them ‘isms’ though. And she was into fortune telling. Hell, something called I Ching. I remember cos I’d be like ‘I Ding, I Dong, so long’!”

Tommy
laughed. “I didn’t know you were married.”

“Yeah, briefly. Five
months.”

“What happened?”

“She caught me with a girl who lived around the corner,” Martinez explained. “Sheer bad luck. She came home early from work one day – caught us at it on the kitchen table. Wobbly old thing that was.”

Caballero chuckled. “What did she do?”

“Took me for everything I had,” Martinez replied with a wink. “Marriage is like a deck of cards. In the beginning all you need is two hearts and a diamond, but by the end you wish you had a club and a spade.”

The truck filled with laughter until it crossed
a bridge over the River Bourne and on to London Road. “We’re going to be passing Bishopdown about now,” Caballero announced, “and soon we’ll be entering Salisbury.”

“This is when I hate being the ones
at the front,” said Martinez, looking out over the river, sparkling beneath the sun’s rays, set among beautiful trees.

Tommy leaned forwards as they headed over a roundabout and passed a fitness club on the le
ft. “Look, freaks by the roadside – four of them.”

“Another one there,” added Martinez, pointing
in the opposite direction. “We’re not alone then.”

“And it’s only
just gone ten.”

Caballero was silent as
he drove the truck further down London Road. The three of them looked over at Salisbury Crematorium on the left-hand side, anticipating it to be full of the dead of a different kind, but the grounds were empty. Tommy leaned back in his seat and considered all of the good reasons why he had agreed to come out here until he was fine with it.

At Chafyn Grove School, they continued
on to Churchill Way East, a dual carriageway.  Of course, both lanes were devoid of traffic. On either side residential houses and once well-kept gardens were set back from the road with pavement in between, but there was no access to them. Litter blew everywhere. Caballero kept driving while keeping an eye out for the first turn off. In the distance something burned, its origin hidden from view. Smoke rose in a thin spiral.

“Wonder what’s causing that?” Martinez asked, voicing everyone’s thoughts.

Caballero shrugged. “Could be anything.”

Tommy po
inted out the window. “More freaks – in front of the houses all along this side. Have you ever seen so many out in daylight this early?” he asked, and the commander shook his head.

“
There’s more in the gardens. Look!” said Martinez. “They’ve actually heard us and they’re getting up.”

Caballero took the first tu
rning on to Kelsey Road: a tree-encircled area appeared on the left and homes to the right. Tommy gazed out. The first few houses looked intact, but further along he noticed the doors of almost every house were wide open. Some of the windows had been smashed in; wooden boards half torn off. “This is looking bad,” he said. As he stared, figures rose in the front gardens and heads appeared behind walls even further down.

“Jesus!” exclaimed
Caballero, hitting the brakes hard, which made the other two men glance at him. His eyes were fixed on the other side of the street where the park was crammed with zombies. Bodies lay sprawled, dotted across its entire width.

At
the sound of the engines, the figures on the grass peered upwards and struggled to stand, trembling on their weakened leg muscles, stretching out their arms as they made to balance. Behind the Land Rover, the Vector, bus and second Land Rover ground to a halt. Straight ahead the street was littered with the staggering gait of the dead. They swaggered out of houses or shifted from behind trees and into the centre of the road, where they all turned to look at Caballero, Martinez and Tommy, who were gazing out of the windscreen in disbelief. The commander grabbed his radio and spoke into it: “Reverse!”

It crackled to life. “Abandon the patrol?” asked a voice on the other end.

Caballero paused. “No, reverse and continue down the dual carriageway.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Shit, I’ve never seen so many, except at the church in Amesbury,” said Tommy.

“Yep.”
The commander watched the creatures approaching his side of the truck from the park. They seemed to be moving faster than the ones in the road. With their hands outstretched, they bumped against one another, and Caballero began to smell them. In his mirror he watched the other vehicles reverse on to the dual carriageway. Once the Vector had cleared the way, he began to drive back slowly. Hands banged on the side of the truck and Tommy felt grateful for being so high up. He peered down at the assembly of rotting heads, blood pouring from their withered, gashed skin and eye sockets. As diabolical as they were, he couldn’t prise his eyes away.

By the time
the Land Rover eventually straightened on the main road and was driving behind the Vector, Kelsey Road was literally heaving with the dead. “Maybe coming here wasn’t such a great idea,” Martinez proposed.

The convoy carried on to College Roundabout. All the way it was the same story: the gardens and pavements were littered with zombies,
rising from the ground at the sight and sounds of the trucks. Those without legs crawled along in ravenous desperation, leaving crimson stains as they dragged their entrails behind them.

Caballero looped it back on to Churchill Way East, heading in the opposite direction behin
d the other three vehicles. This side, which ran alongside the heart of Salisbury, was worse. The dead lined the pavements, filled the grass areas and generally loitered, raising their glazed eyes as the living passed by.

“It’s like a queue at a fast-food joint,” joked Martinez, but no one laughed.

“The town is completely overrun.” Tommy sighed. “It’s hard to believe and it’s daylight. And how many more are inside the buildings?”

“We had disappointing news from the helicopter crews about this, but they did see survivors near the cathedral. I hoped that if we came this early we could make it through
and help them. I think it’s too risky now I’ve seen what it’s like on the ground.”

“Are we going back
to Haven?” asked Tommy.

Caballero nodded. “It’s too dangerous for us. We would need to come back with more men and vehicles.
A solid plan is needed for this. It’s not an easy in and out job like the smaller places we’ve been to. I was too optimistic.”

“Shame we can’t check out the cathedral,” said Martinez. “Big place like that could hold a lot of people.”

“Hopefully they’ve barricaded it and whoever is in there knows what they’re doing. All we can do for now is go home.”

“Shame,” echoed Tommy as he gazed out the window at the pavements laden with bile-dripping freaks.