I Dream of Zombies (Book 2): Haven (35 page)

“Ellen?”

She suddenly noticed Doctor Grice perched on the end of her bed. Owen and Rita hovered at the side. They were all waiting patiently for her. Only she held the key for them. Only she could set them free from waiting. She remembered the last words of the man in her dream – what if she did not have permission to tell?

“Sorry,” Ellen replied at length. “I feel drained.”

“What happened?” the doctor pushed.

“Nothing,” she replied. “Nothing new. I heard the laughter again, but I could not find the source of it. I still cannot tell who it is – if it’s one voice or more.”

She watched his face crumble. Disappointment strode across it.

“I’m sorry. I tried.”

“Don’t worry, Ellen,” he replied. “We will get there in the end. We will stop these nightmares.”

As if you really want to. You just want me to continue having them
and keep me here every night just so you can find an answer, but what if none exists…?

Doctor
Grice’s words cut into her thoughts: “Did you see or hear the man who warned you before?”

She shook her he
ad slowly. “No, he wasn’t there,” she lied.

Saturday, 14

Martinez, Billy, Eric and Tommy were seated on the floor of the latter’s bathroom, wedged uncomfortably into the small space with their knees drawn up to their chins. At the other side of the door, Bob scratched incessantly at the bottom with his paws, interspersed by the odd, low bark.

“Well, this is cosy,” Billy
remarked.

“I thought it was the safest place to talk. I’d run water too, but we’d probably have the water monitor knocking at the door,” Tommy replied.

Eric nodded. “You know there really is one of those,” he said, and the others chuckled.

“Do you think he’ll keep that up – the barking?” asked Billy.

“Oh yes, that’s a given,” said Tommy, “but it’s good sound cover for us.”

“Maybe they’ll think we’re
playing poker if they saw us all coming into your room,” joked Martinez.

“Or a love-in,” added Billy, making them all laugh again.

Tommy tapped the tiles. “Seriously, guys, we need to get organised. We’ve got a set date for this – Sunday the twenty-second – and we can’t stray from it. She’ll be waiting, like I explained.”

“
I can’t wait to see her again,” said Billy.

Tommy nodded. “You’re telling me?”

Eric prodded him, grinning.

“Anyhow,
I’ve worked out the basics with Leah and Doug. Martinez and I can speak to the guys we trust in the guard,” Tommy continued. “After what happened with Acre that day, I’m pretty sure who will want to get out of this place.”

“Make sure you don’t pick a squealer,” said Eric, “or we’re screwed.”

“You’ll have to trust my judgement on it. If I’m not sure about someone, I’m not going to take any risks. I’ve spoken to Sylvia and Elliott. They’re in. They’ve known the soldiers longer than us, except for you, Martinez, so they can help on who is trustable. I haven’t been able to speak to Ellen. That’s the thing that worries me. The good doctor has her locked up in his sleep study room.”

“No way!” Billy exclaimed.

“She agreed to it,” said Tommy with a sigh. “Ellen didn’t want anyone to get suspicious and agreed to sleep there for the study. She wanted everyone to think she was depressed over Marla. It was only meant to be for a week, but Owen has told me the doctor plans to keep her in there against her will. He’s sedating her a lot. I would have gone to Caballero or the administrator about it, but after what happened to Marla, what’s the point?”

“Who is Owen?” asked Billy.

“He’s one of the nurses there. Anyway, Owen doesn’t agree with what the doctor is doing. He’s really worried, and says Ellen has lost weight and looks tired. He mentioned coming across her records and reckons these orders come from high up.”

“Crazy fuckers,” said Eric. “They’re just dreams.”

“I don’t get it,” Martinez cut in.

“
Long story,” Billy told him. “I’ll tell you later.”

Martinez nodded.

“So, we need to gather as much weaponry as we can, speak to the soldiers who are trustable and plan this escape to the last detail,” said Tommy. “Harold and Peggy want to come with us; also Hanna and my son, Ash. I reckon Barney and Ruth too – I can’t with good conscience leave them in here, but Ruth is so young… I’m in two minds about it. Doug and Leah don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“But
they aren’t your kids,” Eric pointed out.

“I promised Barney I wouldn’t leave him and I can’t separate him from his sister.
Peggy offered to take care of them.”

Eric
shook his head. “I’m thinking it’s all gonna get complicated.”

“It is anyway,” said Tommy.

“What about Ellen?” asked Billy.

“Owen is going to get her out,” Tommy answered. “He knows what he’s gotta do.”

“I hope he’s reliable,” said Martinez. “I know nothing about him.”

Eric and Billy nodded.

Tommy waved his hands. “My gut instinct says yes. So, guys, the place where we will meet Marla is in between here and Amesbury, where she is living. It’s beside a tennis court, opposite Upavon Golf Club. Leah and Doug told me it’s safe. There’s nothing there and you can see all around you. Plus it’s easy to drive away in two directions and it’s away from the residential areas, so less freak potential. So, any ideas, guys? I have to meet with Leah and Doug later on. How do you reckon we do this thing? We have to get all of us out, and safely.”

“I vote to go first thing in the morning,” said Martinez. “When there are no uglies about.”

Tommy shook his head. “Ah, that’s one thing we’re sure on. Leah and Doug reckon we should leave at 7 p.m.”

“
Now you’re joking?” asked Billy.

“
Nope, it’s the time the soldiers are least likely to come after us. They won’t take the risk at night. And if they do follow, it’s probably the only time we have a chance of losing them.”

“It’s also
the most likely time to get a visit by a zombie, and I don’t mean a spaced-out Avon lady,” Eric cut in.

The guys looked at one another for a moment and then Billy shrugged. “He’s right, you know.
Night – it’s the only time. They’d be crazy to come after us. Caballero’s not stupid. He won’t send a search party out until morning.”

Martinez mumbled
something beneath his breath, but nodded. “We’d have a big head start.”

“That’s the other thing,” said Eric. “Is Caballero definitely not trustable?”

Tommy laughed. “Is the Pope Catholic? The man lied to my face.”

Week 19

Sunday, 22

She followed the road as it curved around the wide open fields and between deep set trees. Above, the branches formed arches through which the dimming light peeked down on them. Every now and then, Marla eyed Nick as she drove. He did not say a word. Day would soon begin its transition to night and it made her apprehensive.

Although
the group had been through the plan over and over, she could not shake off the sense of unease that wrapped itself around her. Only the thought of seeing her sister and Tommy kept her steeled and determined. Adrenalin would propel her forwards, as it always did. Today was the day, as scheduled. Only time would tell if the plan would work.

“
Worried?” Nick asked and she laughed hollowly, knowing his question to be only rhetorical; no answer expected. Just as well, because none would be forthcoming.

Marla
checked the mirror. She wondered how Brian, Kris and Sid were doing in the back of the van.
Probably have as many butterflies in their bellies as me.
Marla refocused on the road ahead where the trees formed another arch, welcoming her beneath them, hurrying her towards her destiny.

***

Owen placed the printout of the photograph he had taken of Ellen sleeping over the single camera directed towards her bed. Quickly and carefully, he managed to tape it, despite his trembling fingers. Every now and then he checked the door, but no one entered the room. There was a chance of Rita returning at any moment if she decided not to take her full break, but he prayed silently that the Fates were on his side and she would stay away.

“Wake up,” he whispered, nudging the sleeping girl. When no response
came, he tapped her cheeks, willing her to stir, but she gave no reaction at all. He hoped her previous dosage of medication was wearing off. With time of the essence, he set about removing the sensors and bands from her face and body, followed by the contraption on her finger. “Ellen,” he whispered. “Please wake up.”

Warily, Owen checked
the door again, knowing it was only a matter of time before they were discovered. If so, it would be easy enough to remove the printout from the camera, but he would have to think up a good excuse for having removed all of the sensors. He shook her shoulders and slapped her cheek hard, although the action made him grimace. Understanding the depth of her sleep and the nature of her dreams, he knew his efforts might be in vain.

Something flickered across
Ellen’s expression and for a second he thought she would open her eyes, but then nothing. It was not to be. Time for Plan B, thought Owen. Lifting her head, he supported the back of it with his hand as he ran his other hand down her back and raised her upper body. She remained in a trancelike state, her head rolling to the side, her eyes wide open and staring blankly.

It
was useless. While trying to shift her body towards him, he remembered a story that Marla had once related. How she found her sister frozen in the impenetrable depths of sleep, staring at the ceiling with her eyes wide open. Concerned, Marla had tried to rouse her in vain and in the end she threw a glass of water over her.

Owen
carefully laid the sleeping girl back down. Grasping the glass of water by her bed, he repeated what Marla had done. Ellen’s body jerked and her head thrashed. Although her eyes were already open, they suddenly widened and the indifferent expression showed recognition. She coughed and blinked, staring at him, questioning. Owen replaced the glass on the side table and gestured for her not to speak. “I have to get you out of here right now,” he said.

Wiping her face, Ellen
swung her legs over the side of the bed and nodded, looking confused. “Why? What time is it? Doctor Grice said I can’t leave until we finish the study in a couple of days.”

Owen sighed. “He’s not going to let you leave, Ellen.”

“But he…”

“Tommy is waiting and I told him I would bring you right to him
now. Can you stand?”

“
Yes, but, I don’t get it.” She paused and yawned. “I’m sleepy. Why do I have to see him now?”

“
He told me to tell you I know Marla is alive; that you’d trust me then.”

Ellen
looked Owen squarely in the eye and then it dawned on her that she might be able to. Perhaps he didn’t trust Doctor Grice either, but how did Tommy come into it? She rubbed her forehead, feeling tired. The alternative was to stay here. If they were caught, the worst thing she could imagine happening was ending up back in this room again. The doctor wouldn’t harm her, his prize guinea pig. The decision was a no-brainer. “I need my clothes,” she stated simply.

He
tugged her rucksack out from under the bed where he had hidden it behind the valance. “It’s all here. Hurry, because I don’t know when Rita will be back. She’s on her break.”

When
Owen turned his back, Ellen put on a pair of socks, black leggings and a long, black T-shirt, followed by her green and white trainers. Fastening the rucksack, she slung it over her shoulder. “Are all my belongings in here?” she asked.

“
Yes. I borrowed your key. I got Tommy to help me, so most of the things you came here with are in there. He has your sister’s things.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“Because I don’t like what’s happening here.”

She nodded and looked him in the eye. “Thank you, Owen.”

“Sure, but we
really
have to go now.”

He opened the door slowly and peeked out down the corridor.
Seeing no one, he stepped out and held the door for Ellen, who closed it without making a sound. She pushed her damp hair behind her ears and looked around. Her breath stuck in her throat. Owen led the way towards the stairs and she trailed him quietly. As he opened the stairwell exit, there came a scraping as the lift jolted to life, moving upwards. Without pause he closed the door, leaving them in darkness.

“I’m not turning on the light,” he whispered. “Your eyes will
get used to it and I don’t want anyone to see us. We’re heading to the fourth floor cos it’s the first one with no soldiers.”

“Where do we go from there?”

“Come on.”

Holding on to the centre rail with
her left hand, Ellen turned with it, shuffling forwards to find the first step of the flight down. However much she squinted, her eyes failed to make out anything in the dark. Bumping into Owen, she wavered and he grasped her hand to steady her for a moment. Then she let go, determined to make her way independently and not be a burden. As her foot hit thin air, Ellen stumbled slightly, weighed down by the rucksack on her back, and she gripped the rail until she found solidity. It was slow going until both of her feet rested on even ground. Regaining her composure, she wandered forwards slowly in the pitch black.

She felt Owen’s
hand take hers again as he moved forwards, reaching out for where he believed the door to be. “The things I do,” he mumbled and Ellen smiled, knowing the joke was for her benefit. Finding a handle, Owen pulled it towards them.  Light blazed and Ellen automatically closed her eyes. Squinting, she followed him into the brightly lit corridor. At the farthest end a group of three men were standing and talking while in the middle a child sat on the carpet playing with something. The door behind him was open. Ellen looked at Owen in expectation. He walked confidently, she following, and strode swiftly towards a room three doors down. Removing a key, he opened it.

“What’s in there?” she asked.

“Empty,” he whispered, gesturing her towards it. Once they were inside, he locked the door, pocketed the key and pointed to the other side of the room. “Window!”

Ellen
hurried towards it and looked out into the fading sunlight. The dark was coming, bringing
them
with it. How many she could only guess, but she assumed they had increased in number since she was last out there, lost. Turning to face her companion, she asked, “Where are we going exactly?”

“We’re leaving
Haven,” he responded. “They won’t let you leave here of your own accord, as you’ve probably started to realise.”

“But when the
sleep tests are over in a few days, they’ll let me go…”

Owen shook his head. “They’re never going to let you
go. It’s in your file and I’ve read it – the other secret one that Grice has on you. He lied to you. This is a government project, Ellen. The word comes from high up, but there’s no time for this. I can fill you in later. Right now we have to get out.” He opened the window and leaned out.

She followed his eyes to the ground. “But we’re
four floors up.”

“T
hat’s why I have a rope,” he replied, taking a length out of the wardrobe and unfurling it to the ground. He then secured it to the window.

“You’re joking?”

“They won’t let you walk out the door, so come on. No one knows I have the keys to this room, but we don’t have time to debate this. Once Rita finds you gone and the photo I stuck over the camera, that’s it. All the guards will be looking for you.”

Ellen
frowned, deciding not to ask him to explain about the photo right now, and took a deep breath.

“Give me your bag,” he said. “I’ll carry it.”

“You’re not coming?”

“Yes
, I am, but the only thing I need to take is myself. I’ve got a wallet full of photos and that’s all I need. Now go down first. I’m going to hold the rope in case my tying skills are crap.”

Under any
other circumstances Ellen would have laughed, but instead she took in the scene below. “What if the guards come? There must be some down there.”

“Not
at this time and not there. I planned this with Tommy and the others, but we couldn’t put you at risk by telling you. Come on, time is passing.”

Nodding,
Ellen passed Owen her bag and raised herself up on to the windowsill. Swinging her legs out, she gripped the rope and lowered her body down. For some inane reason she thought how her junior school PE teacher would have been proud. She had always been one of the last to be picked for any team, but here she was showing a natural deftness for rope climbing. In no time at all her feet hit solid ground and she backed against the wall. She watched Owen clamber down.

“What about the rope?” she asked when he was standing beside her.

“Have to leave it.” He gestured for her to move behind him as he crept forwards to spy around the corner of the wall. Several guards moved there, between the building and the fence. He hoped one of them was Marcus, as planned, but where was Tommy? Owen imagined his mouth to be as parched as the desert. There was no time for delay. A piercing wail cut through the silence and Ellen jumped. “What the hell?”

“Fire alarm
,” Owen responded. “A distraction. All planned. The guards are moving. I see them heading away from the fence and towards the building. There’s just one now – Marcus. They’ve all gone inside, except for him. Great.”

“What are we waiting for?” she asked. “We’re sitting
du–”

“Me!
”

Ellen
gasped as Tommy walked into view, carrying two rucksacks, one of which she recognised as her sister’s. Bob kept to his heel, being surprisingly quiet. Marcus followed behind.

“The others are leaving now. Ready?”
Tommy asked. “Sorry, Ellen, but we couldn’t tell you any of this because of the dream monitoring, in case they had a way to–”

“Read my mind?”
She looked at him, incredulous.

Tommy shrugged. “We
weren’t sure. Marla is waiting. This is the day she planned, so we have to go today.”

“Marla…?”

Owen nodded. “Tommy, we can’t just stand here. Rita didn’t come back and the rope is hanging.”

“I hear you
,” he answered. “Come on, all the guards went inside after the alarm, except for those who are with us. I just carried on walking around and told them I couldn’t go in cos the noise would freak out Bob.”

“What about Barney and Ruth?” asked Ellen.

“With my ex-wife and son. We’ll see them soon,” Tommy replied. “Come on. No time.”

Ellen, Owen and Marcus
followed him along the side of the building, staying close to the brick wall and keeping an eye on the fence. The piercing alarm cancelled out all other sounds, and they kept moving lest it stop as suddenly as it had started. Ahead, all of the facility’s vehicles waited, offering themselves up for choice, but there was small chance of starting one without being seen or heard. Tommy led the way between them, using their steel frames as cover. From his position he could make out three guards standing by the main entrance plus two on the right-hand side and three others to the left. The latter three he recognised: Elliott, Ian and John. But where were Sylvia, Leroy and Martinez?

Tommy
removed his SIG Sauer handgun from his rucksack and passed it to Ellen, followed by the Remington pump-action shotgun; the same weapons he’d brought with him to Haven. Knowing Owen had never fired a gun in his life, he did not bother the young man with his other reserves. Next he removed a grenade and gripped it in his left hand. Soon the orderly trail of vehicles ended and all that lay between them and freedom was a vast amount of concrete, with five of Caballero’s guards blocking their escape and their friends at the side.