Roamers (Book 1)

by Viper, Velveteen

  She ran her hand over his head and felt a twinge of sadness when she detected a sore bump, left by the front door at the cottage. She spoke softly to him.

  “You’re a good boy.” She began, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m really going to miss you. And what’s Hope going to do without her personal guard dog, huh? I love you, Number Six.”

  Perhaps it was because Six had seemed even more lethargic for the last few days before they’d left the cottage, or because every time Scarlett checked, there was still food sitting in his bowl, untouched. Whatever the reason, Scarlett knew. She knew what was about to happen when she slid her hand down and came to rest on his chest. She could feel his heart and her arm rose and fell with his breathing.

  “It’s okay, Six. You go if you need to.”

  She sat there and stroked him for twenty minutes before looking at his face again. He was looking back at her, but his eyes became heavy. His heart slowed and Scarlett’s arm stopped moving up and down.

  She let her head fall back against a shelf and closed her eyes. She cried as she held on to Number Six, grateful that he wasn’t suffering, but hurting with the knowledge that supply runs would always be a little quieter, and that she wouldn’t wake up to see Hope patting him on the head while the poor boy just went with it, enjoying the attention.

  Scarlett had the memories to treasure though.

  “Good boy.” She wept.

  Travis tapped lightly on the open door before entering the room. He sat on the floor next to Scarlett, putting one hand around her shoulders, and the other on Number Six.

  “I’m sorry, Scar.” He said, kissing her lightly on the head.

  “I’ve been expecting him to go for a few days now. I’m just glad it didn’t happen on the road. I hate the idea of him dying out there.”

  “Do you wanna stay with him for a while?”

  “Just for a while.” She said, removing his collar.

  Travis nodded and quietly left the room. Once the door was closed, Scarlett allowed herself to crumble. She didn’t know if she could take anymore heartbreak.

  Chapter Twenty:

  “She’s gone!” Scarlett shrieked, frantically yanking Hope’s blankets out of the Wendy house, “She’s not here, she’s gone!”

  Travis ran over to see for himself before darting off in another direction to look for their little girl. Scarlett’s cries woke the sleeping survivors who all rushed over to see what the matter was. Everyone began searching the warehouse, offices and surrounding land, knowing that she wouldn’t have been able to climb the walls, even if she’d wanted to.

  After searching for two hours, over and over, Colin approached Scarlett and Travis who were filled with panic as Riley tried to calm them, explaining that she must be hiding and could even have climbed the gigantic shelves.

  “I’ve just spoken to Elizabeth,” Colin said, pale-faced, “I think we should go somewhere and talk about this calmly.”

  Scarlett and Travis looked at him, eyes severe and unforgiving.

  “Where is she?” Travis rumbled, taking a step closer to him.

  “Please, just come with me,” Colin insisted, “It’s very important.”

  Hope’s anxious parents followed Colin into his makeshift armoury which was set up in the timeworn staff toilets. They had an impressive arsenal, including shotguns, automatic and marksman rifles, pistols and grenades, along with about a dozen fuel cans, full to the brim.

  “I’m only gonna ask this once; where’s my daughter?” Scarlett probed.

  “She’s been taken,” Colin uttered, his voice trembling as though he thought he was about to be killed by his granddaughter’s aggrieved parents.

  “What?” Travis said, taking a step closer, causing Colin to recoil, “Taken by who?”

  “I suppose Elizabeth gave you the usual guff about how we’ve survived for years on nothing other than what was left here?” they nodded, both of them wishing he’d just cut to the chase. “That was a lie. And the reason we’re the only ones here is because they all eventually go to the Stonebrook Industrial Estate.” Scarlett and Travis continued to stare, waiting for Colin to expand his explanation, “We… trade the people we take in for supplies.”

  “Wait, what do you mean you ‘trade’?” Travis questioned, his hand resting on the hunting knife in his belt.

  Colin gulped hard as beads of sweat began to form on his brow.

  “Look, I had no idea they’d been back since you all got here…”

  “Who, Colin?” Scarlett asked as the fear for her daughter’s life seemed to make every cell in her body feel fragile and despairing.

  “We ain’t gonna hurt you, we just want our little girl back,” Travis assured him.

  “Th-they’re slavers,” Colin confessed.

  Scarlett’s knees gave way and her head felt giddy as she allowed the information to sink in. she steadied herself on one of the dirty ceramic basins while Travis, showing a great deal of restraint by not attempting to hurt Colin, instinctively helped himself to an empty holdall, filling it with weapons and ammunition.

  “Where are they, Colin?” Travis enquired gruffly, his voice lower and more menacing than Scarlett had ever heard before.

  “They’re about ten miles north of here; I can show you on a map. I swear to God, I didn’t know, Scarlett,” he promised, “I would never have--”

  “Leave her alone,” Travis interrupted protectively.

  “I don’t understand,” Scarlett said weakly, “What could they possibly want a three year old little girl for? We have men in our group, strong women too – why would they take Hope? She’s just a child. She’s just a child!” she bawled, her legs and hands shaking.

  Travis slung the holdall over a shoulder, picking up a jerry can before using his free hand to stabilise Scarlett. He helped her out the door without another word. They were going to find their daughter… along with whoever was responsible.

  Travis practically dragged Scarlett back into the warehouse. Her legs were like jelly as Travis lowered her onto one of the picnic tables. He crouched down in front of her and tried to bring her back to reality.

  “Come on, Scar, pull yourself together,” he took hold of her face and made her look at him. Her eyes were watery and unfocused. “She’s gonna be fine, but we need to find her before she’s not.” Scarlett met his gaze, but was unwilling to contribute. “Get up.” Travis ordered. She didn’t budge, “Jesus,” he whispered, “I need you with me, Scarlett, please. I don’t know what we’ll be faced with when we get there and no one else is strong enough to leave yet.” Travis began getting noticeably angry, “Are you fucking kidding me? You survive the apocalypse for five years, always looking after other people, and now you’re refusin’ to save your own daughter from a bunch of assholes who trade supplies for people? Hope needs you and you’re just gonna fuckin’ sit there feelin’ sorry for yourself. You asked Colin what they could possibly want a three year old girl for. I guess he didn’t have the balls to tell you, but you remember what happened to you at The City? What that prick tried to do to you?”

  With that, Scarlett raised her head. Her eyes started glistening with something else as a deep rage spread throughout her entire being. Slowly, she stood, turned to face the table and began rummaging through Travis’ bag. She retrieved two sawn-off shotguns, loaded them, and spun back around to look at Travis.

  “Anyone who lays a finger on our baby is going to have their shit seriously fucked up.” she said, strapping the weapons, along with her axes, to her belt.

  “That’s my girl,” Travis responded, hurriedly flinging the holdall onto a shoulder while Scarlett picked up the fuel can.

  Colin’s directions, along with the spot he’d circled on the map, led them to a manufacturing estate with a sign outside the gated development reading Stonebrook. Travis pulled the car over and switched off the engine.

  “So, what’s our approach?” Scarlett asked as she checked the number of rounds in her pistol, replacing it in her boot when
she’d established that it was full.

  “I say we sneak in. Take ‘em by surprise.” Scarlett nodded and took a deep breath. Travis turned to face her and put his hands on her cheeks, “She’s gonna be fine. You hear me?”

  “What if she’s not?”

  Travis raised his eyebrows, begging her not to think that way.

  “You hear me?” he repeated.

  Scarlett nodded, “I hear you.”

  Silently, the pair slipped over the wall behind one of the factory buildings. Once grounded, Scarlett attached the silencer to her pistol while Travis, holding a small torch in his mouth, soundlessly loaded a bolt into his crossbow before slinging it over a shoulder and pulling out his hunting knife.

  Scarlett took the lead as they searched for a way into the factory. Travis gestured toward a partially open metal roller door. The gap was just big enough that they could squeeze underneath. Travis laid on his back and poked his head through to make sure it was safe before following Scarlett after she lowered herself down onto her back and shuffled in.

  Once inside, they stood and observed the scene. They were positioned behind a disused iodising bath and took note of five people, all quite clearly slaves, doing various chores including cleaning weapons and clothes. Scarlett and Travis looked at each other, shrugged and stood, Scarlett pointing her pistol and Travis with his crossbow. The men just stared at them, with one holding up his hands. They were all injured in various ways, having obviously been tortured.

  “We ain’t here to hurt you,” Travis whispered, “We’re just lookin’ for our little girl.” before Travis could say another word, one of the men made a run for it, further into the factory, “Shit.”

  “Travis, hide somewhere.” Scarlett said, “Let them catch me, then follow me.” she looked to the remaining men, still aiming her weapon, “If you want to live, you’ll let them think I’m alone.” The men nodded dimly. “I mean it. These sickos have my child. If you cooperate, we’ll get you out of here.” Scarlett holstered her gun, confident that they would comply.

  Seconds later, the scared slave returned accompanied by one of the men in charge. He was shirtless, and Scarlett noticed a large nipple ring in the left side of his chest. Scanning the rest of his body, she saw that he was carrying a small handgun.

  The slave who alerted him almost said something, but was promptly interrupted by another whispering hastily in his ear.

  In that moment, Scarlett did her utmost to look demure and frightened as the individual approached, even managing a few tears.

  “Who the fuck are you?” the stranger demanded, pointing his pathetic weapon at Scarlett.

  “Please… please help me,” Scarlett sobbed as she raised her arms in submission and he unfastened her weapon belt, dropping it to the concrete floor, “I just needed some shelter, I’m sorry.”

  “Come with me,” he insisted.

  He took her by the elbow and steered her back the way he came.

  He pushed her into a dirty, dank room. A table stood at one end and resting on it were a number of small metal objects, which Scarlett assumed were used to punish the slaves if they didn’t carry out their orders. Once the door was closed behind them, Scarlett threw her free elbow behind her, digging the man in the ribs so hard that he bent double. Scarlett turned to face him and kicked out one of his legs, knocking him to the ground and catching his gun as he fell. Grabbing his hair, she pulled violently to make him look at her.

  “You say a word unless otherwise instructed and I’ll tear your fucking head off. Where’s my daughter?” she snarled.

  “What?”

  He yelped as Scarlett pushed his head violently into the door.

  “My daughter, you fucking moron! Where is she?”

  “I don’t know!” the man yelled, panicked.

  Scarlett made her way to the table and helped herself to a scalpel. Crouching down in front of him, she held it to his throat.

  “You keep your fuckin’ voice down, or I swear to God, I’ll rip off your little boy’s toys and wear them as earrings, you hear?” she threatened, “Now, I don’t want to have to ask you again. Where is my daughter?”

  “I’m not telling you shit, you crazy bitch.”

  Scarlett calmly placed her left hand firmly over his mouth before using her right to slowly thread the blade through his nipple ring and abruptly ripped it from his chest, having to force all her weight against him as he squirmed in pain.

  “You think I’m crazy now? I’m not even in first yet.”

  She dropped the bloodied nipple ring and drew her pistol as the door gradually opened behind her, relaxing when she saw Travis. He closed the door behind himself and, being familiar with the art of torture from his days in The City, wandered over to the table and picked out a pair of pliers. He slowly approached the man and stood above him, staring him coldly in the eye.

  “Hold him down,” he rumbled.

  Scarlett took the man by his arms and yanked him forward before kneeling behind him and locking her arm around his throat, just loosely enough that he could breathe.

  Travis crouched in front of him and forcefully took the man’s hand into his own. With his other hand, Travis held the pliers up as a warning.

  “They’ll be looking for me by now,” the man reasoned, “They’ll hear me scream and come running.”

  “Do you really think that bothers us? Let’s just say you’re lucky it’s me with the pliers. I’ve known Scarlett here a long time and believe me when I say she is fucked up,” Travis took hold of the man’s index finger nail with the tool and continued, “I’ll give you one last chance,” he announced, his voice low, “we’re lookin’ for our little girl. She’s three years old, tall for her age, dark hair and the prettiest fuckin’ bright blue eyes you’ve ever seen. Where is she?”

  “As I already said to your wacko girlfriend, I can’t tell you anything.”

  Without a second thought, Travis quickly tore the nail off. The man screamed and Scarlett pushed her hand over his mouth.

  “Unless you’ve got something useful to say, shut the fuck up.” She growled in his ear. “This asshole doesn’t want to talk, honey… Shall we try step two?”

  “I think you might be right there, sweetheart,” Travis replied, never breaking eye contact with the man in front of him, “In case you ain’t yet realised, there ain’t nothin’ we won’t do to find our little girl.” he told him.

  Travis wandered to the corner of a room where a bucket stood, filled with murky, dirty water which had collected over time from a leak in the tin roof. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out an equally dirty rag, folded it in half and waited as Scarlett forced the man to lie down, while she sat on his chest, locking her legs around his arms and holding his head to the ground.

  “Oh God, please don’t do that!” the man begged.

  “You got him?” Travis asked as he laid the old rag over the man’s face and picked up the bucket of water.

  Scarlett nodded and struggled to hold their captive while he squirmed and thrashed underneath her as Travis slowly poured the nauseating liquid over him. He choked and gagged, desperately trying to turn his face away.

  Travis stopped and threw the bucket aside and Scarlett stood and watched as Travis removed the rag and aggressively sat the man up, striking him against the wall.

  “You ready now?” he questioned.

  “Alright, I’ll tell you! Just please, let me go!”

  “Talk,” Travis snapped.

  “She’s probably being kept in the office block next door,” he gasped, “that’s where the women go.”

  “Why do they want her?”

  “She’s not old enough yet, but she’ll probably be here for the same thing as the other girls… Repopulation. The guys who found her also said something about needing her to bring someone to us.”

  Travis squeezed out the old rag before shoving it in his mouth.

  “You’re goin’ nowhere.” He stated. “If our daughter ain’t there, we’ll c
ome back for another chat, you hear?”

  Travis reached into his bag and pulled out a bunch of cable ties. He used them to secure their prisoner’s hands and legs together and left him there.

  The worried parents made their way stealthily back out the way they came. Once outside they kept to the rear of the buildings, mindful that they could be spotted again, whether by a slave or one of their keepers.

  They approached the office block and Travis cursed under his breath upon noticing that the back door was chained. They had to go around to the front. Travis lead, his 'bow glued to his chin ready to fire, while Scarlett followed, one axe drawn in preparation to swing.

  In front of the building was a vast concrete car park with faded lines outlining the spaces. There was only one vehicle; a delivery truck. One side of the truck had been left open and Scarlett could see that it was half full with supplies. She noted it in her mind, thinking that they could potentially make their get away with it once their daughter was safe.

  Travis let himself in through the glass door which had been left ajar and Scarlett pulled it to behind herself.

  The ground floor appeared empty. There were papers scattered on the floor in front of the reception desk and an empty water cooler stood in the corner. They made straight for the stairs, checking carefully round each corner as they moved quickly but silently.

  Upstairs had only a few doors placed either side of a single dark corridor. On each door hung a handwritten sign which Travis whispered to himself as he passed them; armory, watch room, supplies. The final two doors were of the most interest to Travis: dormitory and a room chillingly labelled as Repopulation. Travis took a deep breath before turning to Scarlett.

  “If that asshole was tellin' us the truth, our little girl is in that room to my left,” Scarlett gave a nervous nod before Travis continued, “...And the people who took her are in the room to my right.”

  Before Scarlett could respond, a loud shriek followed by hushed voices sounded from the re-population room. She immediately burst through the door and the blood drained from her face on observing the sight which greeted her.