Winters and Josh start their engines, and both give me a thumbs up. I press the roller shutter green button and run for the open door behind Josh.
As soon as the roller shutter is half a meter up, Rabids are coming in under it. The shutter rises quickly and before the Rabids have a chance to attack, Winters is gunning the Defender out of the loading bay, leading the way. Josh hits the accelerator and we fly forward, tyres squealing. Two Rabids hit the bonnet as we exit but both spill off quickly.
Outside, many more Rabids are scattered around the concrete expanse. Winters and Josh speed between them, swerving when they need to, to avoid hitting any. Even the fastest creature is no match for the speeding cars and Winters is soon leading us out of a gate and onto the roads beyond the terminal building.
Before we know it, we are exiting the airport grounds completely and heading for the M25 motorway that will take us out of London completely.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Devon,” Catherine says, taking my hand.
“I love Devon,” I say as Emily climbs over Catherine and me, to sit on the other side of me and she takes my other hand in hers.
Exhaustion starts to take hold of me; I’m completely drained and my eyes won’t be open for much longer. As my eyes flicker, a bright white flash ignites the whole sky. I don’t even have the energy to look behind to see the mushroom cloud rising over Heathrow.
“What was that?” I hear them all ask as I drop off to sleep.
Epilogue
Out of the darkness, a creature’s hand curls its fingers around my arm. I can barely see the beast in the low orange light, but its low Rabid snarls are unmistakable. The strong hand grips my arm tighter as it pulls me into its clutches. I don’t resist; my limbs are paralysed with fear as it brings its teeth closer to my wide eyes.
I tremble as its drooling mouth gapes open, ready to sink its teeth into me. At the last moment, the creature’s head goes back ready to strike and I see Dan’s face staring back at me.
“NO DAN, NO!” I scream.
I am suddenly awake as the bright light streaming into the room blinds me. A dark figure beside me, looks over me, her soothing voice trying to calm me.
“It’s okay Andy, it is only a dream.” Catherine’s voice settles me, and I remember where I am.
My wits return quickly and my eyes focus on the beautiful vision above, looking down at me.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you again? I ask Catherine.
“No, I was awake and please stop apologising, there is no need to. It is completely understandable,” she insists. “It’s nearly ten, we had better get up.”
“Five more minutes, or maybe ten?” I ask, as my hand smooths down Catherine’s naked side.
“Stop it, Captain. I need the loo,” she scolds.
Catherine rises out of bed and goes over to the door to get her robe and my eyes feast on her curves as she goes and then reaches up for her robe.
“Don’t be long,” I plead as she ties the robe and opens the bedroom door.
“There is no time for that now, Mr Richards, Emily is already up.” She smiles as she leaves.
My arms go behind my head to prop it up and I look out of the window, where lush green grass meets the blue sea in the distance. Five days have passed since we arrived on Catherine’s friend's farm in Devon. Her friends have been very accommodating and are happy to have us. I think it makes them feel more secure in their house, which is a short walk away.
Catherine, Josh, Emily, Stacey, Alice and I are sharing this holiday cottage at the moment. The cottage is plenty big enough for us, although it was a squeeze when Winters, Dixon and Collins were here too.
Winters was going to leave first, the day after we arrived. He had been called back to duty by the new military command and was going to leave immediately. Dixon tried to convince him to make his excuses and stay another night when he and Collins would accompany him back, and eventually, he agreed. It did all three of them good to have another night of R & R before getting back into the fight. We had a great night, a massive barbeque and plenty of beers were enjoyed by all. I told my story of events after I was infected, and they told their stories. There were some sore heads in the morning and Winters did not look like he should be driving.
The fight continues, the infection still hasn’t been eradicated from London and there are reports of cases outside the city. I am not sure where it will end if it ever does. Some plans have started to form in my head to make sure we all stay safe but none of them is fully formed yet.
I have an appointment at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital in a couple of days with some military doctors who are experts in viral infections. Winters arranged it before he left, to see if we can get to the bottom of what happened to me. I still haven’t decided if I will keep that appointment, however.
Emily seems to have recovered as well as can be expected from her ordeal, as Josh has. They both have nightmares and I can only hope that they calm over time, as I do with mine. If not, we will look into maybe getting them some help. Stacey is grieving for the loss of her parents; we are all here for her and she seems to take strength from that. Alice, on the other hand, seems to be unaffected, she may be putting on a brave face, though, and I plan to keep an eye on her.
The bedroom door opens as Catherine returns. She sits on the side of the bed, looking at me.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“I will be when you get in here with me,” I tell her.
She stands smiling, then undoes her robe teasingly before dropping it from her shoulders. I pull the covers back and she slides in, on top of me.
The End….…
For more information on Lance Winkless
and future writing see his website
www.LanceWinkless.com
By Lance Winkless
CAPITAL FALLING
CAPITAL FALLING 2 – DENIAL
CAPITAL FALLING 3 – RESURGENCE
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Capital Falling (Book 3): Resurgence Page 24