“Yes she would,” Jimmy said knowingly, “Like you said, she’s got a good heart. She’s fiercely defensive of the people she cares about. I feel like I barely even know her anymore. In the space of a few months, she's not the person she used to be.”
“I don't think any of us are, Jimmy.”
“I am.” Jimmy pointed out. “Not necessarily a good thing, I know. But I struggle to recognise Scarlett at all now. No matter how hard I look, I just can't seem to find a trace of the girl she was before all this.”
“But where would she be now if she hadn't changed?”
“We'd both be dead, I know that.”
“There must be something of her you recognise.” Riley insisted. “You said she's got a good heart, right? That must have always been the case.”
“She's always been protective, I guess. But this isn't the same as giving someone the finger for laughing when I trip or drop something in public.”
“It's exactly the same.” Riley smiled. “Just on a larger scale… with more serious consequences. With the world the way it is now, you have to be prepared to do things you wouldn’t have dreamed of before the turn. I’m sure it didn’t happen to Scarlett overnight.”
“But it did.” Jimmy sighed. “At least it seemed that way. I don’t understand how she can live with some of the things she does. How can anyone just put a bullet in the brain of someone they knew?”
“You’re talking about your sister, right?” Jimmy nodded. “If Scarlett hadn’t done what she did, your little sister would be roaming the streets, decaying, hungry. I can guarantee that almost everyone back at the hotel has done exactly the same to someone they loved.”
Now inside the big junk walls, Scarlett took a moment to look around. It was a slum. There were blankets distributed on the ground, presumably where the occupants of this shantytown slept, and almost definitely were originally used to cover the decomposing bodies lined up on the ground. The smell was almost too much for Scarlett to bear as she stifled her gag reflex in an attempt not to lose face. Each of the bodies had at least one bullet hole in its head. Some had more. Scarlett began to feel uneasy as the guard led her to what used to be a small corner shop. The windows were boarded, but there was no door.
She stepped inside and a man Scarlett estimated to be about thirty years old stood before her. They eyed each other as the guard explained that Scarlett had wanted to speak to him.
“What’s your name?” the man asked, scanning her body, observing her for potential weaknesses.
“Scarlett,” she responded, feigning confidence. “I’m looking for medication. Insulin.”
“You’re diabetic?”
“Not me; a member of my group.”
Something about this man made Scarlett’s skin crawl. He stood about six feet tall with short, greasy blonde hair and tattoo covered arms. His hands and fingernails were grey with dirt.
“How many are in your group?” he asked, never breaking eye contact. He was trying to take any power and control Scarlett had away from her. She wasn’t prepared to give him either. She stubbornly held his gaze.
“We’re down to five.” she lied. “We’re just camping wherever we can right now. A few nights ago we got overwhelmed by Roamers. Lost a lot of people.” A few awkward moments passed before Scarlett spoke again, “And who are you?”
“Me?” he asked as he stepped closer, “I’m the reason those sorry pricks out there are alive. I’m The King.”
Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
“The King? I was hoping for a real name. One that doesn’t scream ‘lunatic’.” Scarlett instantly knew she’d hit a nerve as she saw his lip twitch momentarily into a snarl. Then he smiled at her and stepped back. Scarlett had control.
“Mark. My name is Mark.”
“Well… Mark. My friends and I came looking for insulin. You got any?” she began wandering around the small store, looking for any sign that they kept medication in there.
“I’m afraid we can’t just give away our supplies,” he started, following her after signalling to the guard that he could leave, “But we’re open to trading. Although I guess, what with being overrun, you don’t have that much to trade with. There are alternatives…”
“Sorry, Mark,” she said, stepping close to him, “I’m not that kind of girl. Not to mention, it’s getting pretty difficult to survive and I am definitely trying to prevent catching any sort of communicable illness, but thanks.”
She turned and left the store, already beginning to regret what she’d said. She knew that provoking a stranger who was clearly wanting much more than she was prepared to give was stupid.
Mark stalked after her and grabbed her by the shoulder, spinning her around to face him.
“Where d’you think you’re goin’, my girl?” his eyes were menacing. Scarlett quickly realised that she had fucked with the wrong man. He was not about to take no for an answer. “Why don’t you stay? You just got here and we’re not so bad. We have the safety of the walls to protect us from the Stenches. All I ask is that you have something to offer us... and you certainly do.”
Scarlett shook herself free and again stared him in the eye. She was genuinely worried about what he was capable of. But she didn’t want him to know that.
“You think these poor bastards have a chance here? They’d all be better off outside with the Roamers. Those bodies are going to make them sick. I just thought that before you and everyone here dies horribly, you might be willing to share some of your supplies. They’ll only be wasted otherwise.” She turned to leave.
Mark was infuriated. He turned her to face him, forcefully grabbing hold of both her arms and pushing her backwards into a wall so hard that it winded her. He held his left arm across her throat, keeping her still while he used his free hand to unbuckle her weapon belt, dropping it to the floor. Scarlett could barely breathe under the pressure on her neck, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t move him.
The half-dead people around them didn’t so much as give them a second glance as Mark held Scarlett’s face and sprayed saliva over her as he spoke.
“I am so sick of people like you expecting something for nothing. That shit didn’t happen before, so what makes you think that limited resources and a few million walking corpses could change that?”
Scarlett gathered all her strength and managed to push his arm away from her throat just far enough to take a gasping breath before using her remaining power to force her knee into Mark’s privates as hard as she possibly could.
As he bent double in front of her, crying out in pain and cursing, Scarlett retrieved her belt from the ground and fastened it around her hips. Before she began walking away, she took advantage of Mark’s position and brought her knee up once more, directly into his face, hearing a crack as she connected with his nose. No one did that to her and got away with it.
Mark composed himself and made the mistake of grabbing her a third time, by her elbow. She snatched it away and swung her fist into his face, knocking him off balance. He clutched at his nose and filled with rage as his hands turned red with blood. Maddened, Mark hit back so hard that the force knocked Scarlett off her feet.
“Travis!” he yelled, “Get your ass out here, right now!”
A few uncertain moments passed before Travis appeared. He stepped out of the small store and started toward Scarlett. He looked dirty and rugged, wearing loose, slightly torn jeans and a black shirt, with a bow and quiver slung over a shoulder. He had stubble on his chin and light brown hair, running messily down to just past his ears.
“You need to show our new friend a little about respect. Ballsy little bitch thinks she can just walk in here and take our stuff. Take her outside. I don’t want her messin’ up my streets. But bring her back here when you’re done with her; we’re not finished.” Mark shot Scarlett a wink and returned to the store as Scarlett allowed Travis to escort her out of the deluded kingdom. At least if he overpowered her, Riley and Jimmy were waiting to help should she need it.
The gate was closed and locked behind them before Scarlett surprised Travis with an attack. She made a grab for his knife, which she’d noticed was tucked under his belt and, holding it to his throat, forced him backwards until he hit the gate.
“Don’t you ever fucking touch me again,” she growled, “you hear me?” she said, pulling him forwards then slamming him into the gate once more.
Travis held up his hands and smiled.
“Whoa, I hear you!” He spoke with a thick southern drawl and the knife remained at his throat as Scarlett removed the weapon from his shoulder and searched his pockets for anything else. “Jesus Christ, you are ballsy.”
“You must know your way around The City.” Scarlett snarled, “We need insulin. You’re gonna help us get it.”
“You kiddin’ me? I ain’t gotta do nothin’ for you.” Before Scarlett could speak, Travis batted the knife away from his neck, spinning Scarlett round and threatening her with the blade.
Riley was out of the car before Travis had the chance to say anything. He ran toward them, his pistol in one hand, aiming at Travis’ head, Six’s chain in the other. Riley struggled to hold the powerful dog back and he lunged aggressively at Travis, growling and barking.
“Don’t make me have to fire this, shithead. Would be a shame to attract Roamers back to The City, right? Or, I could drop this chain. That’s a whole lot of hungry dog at the other end.” he warned.
Travis, sensing that Riley meant what he said, released Scarlett, who turned around to get as close to his face as she could reach.
“Are you fucking deaf? I told you not to touch me.” she shouted, “Six, back off, it’s okay.”
Number Six quietened down as Riley handed Scarlett the lead and they started back toward the car.
“I know where you can get insulin.” Travis stated. They both looked at him, then to each other, and Scarlett sighed.
“Get in the car,” She offered, “But one wrong move and you’re a dead man.”
From the back seat, sat uncomfortably next to Number Six, Travis directed Riley further into The City. On his instruction, they stopped outside a building called The Meadowmill Lodge.
“An old folks’ home?” Jimmy asked, perplexed.
“I guess it does make sense.” Riley reasoned.
Scarlett loaded her pistol and got out of the car. She opened the rear door where Travis sat and pointed the weapon at him.
“Get out.” She ordered.
Travis complied, holding his hands in the air.
“Can I at least have my bow?”
“No. You get your knife, that’s it. But if you try to use it on anything other than the Roamers, I’ll empty this clip into your head. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crystal.” Travis responded belligerently.
They left Six in the car and Travis led the others into the retirement home with his hunting knife drawn. Scarlett followed with both hands on her pistol, which was pressed firmly into his back.
They all stayed as silent as they could while they made their way through reception. In front of them were the double doors which led to the housing part of the building. Travis, shadowed by Scarlett, made his way around the counter and helped himself to a bunch of keys while Jimmy and Riley stood tentatively by the entrance.
“If you’re gonna continue to stick to me like a bad smell, you can at least hold on to these.” He said, handing the keys to Scarlett.
He moved on to the double doors and turned his head to look at the others before simply putting his finger to his lips and slowly pushing through toward the residents’ rooms. They crept through the narrow corridors leading to the medical cupboard. The whole way, Scarlett’s axes tapped against her belt as she sauntered behind Travis. That and the menacing, rasped breaths of the dead was all that could be heard before Jimmy’s fear got the better of him.
“How much further is it?” he questioned shakily.
“I don’t know, Jimmy. It can’t be far.” Scarlett soothed.
“I have a really horrible feeling about this place.”
Travis revolved on the spot, causing Scarlett to bump into him.
“Think you could shut the hell up? You’ll have a horrible feelin’ you’re being chewed on if you don’t.” He growled.
“Leave him alone.” Scarlett scolded, “He’s afraid.”
“Then he should’ve stayed in the fuckin’ car.”
“Listen to me, you’re only here because we needed medicine. We know where to get it now, so I’d say your usefulness has run its course. Want me to shut you up?” she threatened, reminding him of her pistol when she poked it into his chest.
He turned back to face the direction they were travelling, defeated.
“Please, Scarlett.” Jimmy begged, “I want to go back.”
“Hey,” Travis started, his voice raised past a whisper, “You’re gonna get us all killed, you dumb prick!”
Scarlett shoved him, “You don’t get to talk to him like he’s a piece of shit.” She hissed.
Before Travis could respond, he saw Scarlett’s face flick from hostility to terror as she quickly fired her pistol over his shoulder, hearing the thump of a body crumbling to the floor soon after.
The roar of the gun alerted the other Roamers to their presence and the corridor was quickly filled with the sounds of hands slapping against the wooden doors.
“Can we just get the medicine, please?” Riley piped up.
Travis didn’t disappoint. He continued to the large medicine cupboard and signalled to Scarlett for the keys. She handed them over and Travis quickly unlocked the store room. Inside was enough medication – not just insulin – to last a few months. Each of them loaded their bags with whatever they could carry and they made their way back to the entrance, stopping only when Travis was ambushed by a Biter which had managed to slip through a bedroom door. He swiftly slid his knife upwards under the elderly woman’s chin, wiping the blade on his shirt before continuing.
Back at the car, Scarlett was having a hushed discussion with Riley, while Travis and Jimmy waited inside the vehicle in silence. The pair finally got in, Riley in the driver’s seat, and Scarlett turned toward the back.
“Are you okay?” she asked. Jimmy nodded, and she turned her attention to Travis. “I wouldn’t usually admit to this, but I was wrong.” Travis scoffed and shook his head. “I think you should come back with us.”
“What?” he said.
“I think you’ve got something to offer us. In return for your skills, we can offer you food, water and a real bed. What do you think?”
Travis shrugged before giving a subtle nod.
Travis returning with them meant two things: firstly, that Jack would know that Scarlett, Riley and Jimmy had been out, and secondly, he would try to make Suzanne leave.
Try.
Travis said nothing on the slow drive back to the hotel. Instead, he sat awkwardly between Jimmy and Number Six in the back seat, staring at his lap. As they approached the gates, his eyes widened. Compared to the shit-hole he’d just come from, a rundown hotel was like the Ritz.
Scarlett slowed down to allow Chino to open the gates. She drove inside before parking in the exact same spot that the car had been in for weeks. She switched off the engine and removed the key, giving a deep sigh before she got out of the car.
Riley, Jimmy and Travis followed suit as Jack came storming out of the huge oak door, gun in hand.
“I’m sorry, guys,” Chino began, “he was looking for you, asking where you were.”
“It’s okay, Chino. We’ll handle him.” Riley asserted.
“Where the fuck have you guys been?” Jack demanded, “And who the hell is that?” he said, noticing Travis and looking him up and down.
“Jack, this is Travis. We found him while we were out on a run.” Riley explained, trying to keep Jack calm.
“A run? A fucking run? For what?”
“We needed medical supplies,” Scarlett said, seeing no point in lyi
ng – he would probably search them and their bags anyway. “One of our residents has diabetes.” Jack angrily approached Scarlett, wanting to frighten her. She didn’t move, “You can’t just choose who we do and don’t let in, Jack.”
Number Six became more and more worked up by the aggression that Jack was showing toward Scarlett as she kept a tight hold on his collar.
“Is that what you think, Foxy?” he spat, “I am trying to protect our people from being woken in the night by something chewing on their legs because we were too soft to tell the sick ones where to go. I’m trying to protect our supplies and the people who gather them. I’m trying to protect our future, Princess, and if you and these dumbasses insist on opening the door to anyone, you’re putting all of us at risk.”
“We can’t just throw people out for being sick, you dumb fuck!” their faces were so close that she could feel Jack’s breath, “Riley and I took it upon ourselves to get the lady what she needs. Jimmy didn’t even know until this morning. Besides, Jack, we now have four holdalls full to bursting with medicine.”
“You’re being stupid, Fox.”
“I’m being human!” Scarlett yelled, desperate to get through to him. “If we don’t keep hold of our compassion and the need to help the people who can’t help themselves, then what the fuck are we doing? Protect the people who need protecting, Jack.”
Jack looked to Chino and Mouse, silently hoping for some back-up. None came.
“She’s right, man,” Chino piped up, “The day we lose our humanity is the day I give up the fight. We’d be no different from those dead assholes outside.”
Jack looked at the ground; angrily running his fingers though his hair. They’d never seen him so pissed before. He shot his dark gaze back at Scarlett.
“I want you gone. All of you.” He hissed, “If you can’t play by the rules, you can go be fuckin’ heroes somewhere else. You can take your hillbilly with you.” He said, directing his eyes toward Travis.
Roamers (Book 1) Page 7