‘We don't know where they are, and so we will have to find them. Try and be as discreet as possible. So, it may be a glorious idea to have two hundred villagers with torches, but it might not be the best idea. He may kill the children if he feels threatened and sees our numbers are strong enough,’ Gary said. They all agreed this was a possibility; not knowing how an undead predator would react was hard to judge. ‘Okay, so what we have to do then, is to walk around, find out where he is keeping the kids. Maybe whilst we are looking, try to find pockets of people to join us. We can’t be the only ones left from the whole of Friarmere Village. There must have been a couple of thousand villagers I would imagine. He can’t be hungry, if he has eaten all of them. So I don’t think he has. If we do find more folk, we will descend from different directions, to not give him a warning. What about that?’ They all agreed that it was a good idea. Especially as they could build on this skeleton plan as they walked back over to Friarmere. Bob seemed to be coming out of himself a little, as the plan was coming together to save his friend.
‘What about weapons? We know we have to use a certain amount of force to kill them, as I tried to stake one and it didn't work,’ Bob asked.
‘Did you?’ asked Laura, ‘I didn't know that.’
‘Neither did I,’ said Gary, ‘that’s worrying.’
‘Yes, we sharpened our drumsticks at the other ends. I picked one up and shoved it in Colin. It doesn't work. He didn’t like it. He kept hitting it, but not touching it. Kind of trying to waft it away. Like it burnt him. Then he ran off, like a swarm of bees was after him.’
‘It wasn't a plastic one was it?’ Laura asked. ‘We have to make sure about this.’
‘No, it definitely wasn’t. Plastic ones don’t sharpen do they? I will show you the other one,’ Bob said. He went over to his bag, rummaged around and took out the stick. ‘I mean, don’t get me wrong, it sent him running, so he couldn’t attack anyone else and it really freaked him out. It didn’t kill him though. I suppose it is really good for poking eyes out. The thing is though, it definitely doesn’t work because I am sure I hit the heart. There!’ Bob put the stick into Laura's hands. ‘It’s not plastic.’
She looked down at the stick in her hands.
‘It’s not wood either!’ she smiled and looked at him. He raised his eyebrows. ‘This is bamboo, Bob. Are you sure this was the other one to the pair?’
‘Yes, definitely it was this one. I was thinking it was nice and light to hold.’
‘Then it is bamboo mate. That is why it doesn't kill them.’
‘We aren't necessarily saying that wood does either, are we?’ Pat asked.
‘No, but at least it means that we haven't had a proper test. We could do really well with all these drumsticks, as long as we don't pick the bamboo or plastic ones.’ Laura said. ‘ What this means is, at least drumsticks aren't out of the mix.’
‘Gary, you bought your flugel, didn’t you?’ Wee Renee asked.
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘Would you play for me? It relaxes me – the sound of your flugel.’
Gary was only too happy to play. He went upstairs to the boys’ room and fetched it. The lights were low and Our Doris gazed into the fire. Gary began to play, not from music but just a rich, slow tune. Melancholy and haunting, that came deep from his heart. They all listened and thought about what they needed to do. Gary’s playing was sweet and after the first tune, Brenda put her hand on his arm.
‘Please play some more. Some more like that,’ She said. Gary played the saddest song they had heard. His flugelhorn sounded like the aching heart of a woman for her lost lover. Our Doris closed her eyes and Bob slowly stroked Haggis, who lay against him on the floor. Wee Renee had her hand on her heart and tears began to stream down her face.
Anne did not know whether they would decide to go Friarmere or not, as it was so obviously a trap. She had told them two days – that included one day of travelling. So whoever hadn’t gone tomorrow night, wasn’t going. Anne had to have a good plan. She would make sure that she could deal with the situation easily the following night. She gathered her children around her.
‘Tonight animals are off the menu. People are on. We have a few houses to visit. Potential children that I have infected. Tonight, this is the priority. The only objective.’ Anne kept her wolves close as she needed them to do her bidding tonight. She just hoped that all of the changelings were strong enough to take the final stage. ‘The infected will be the first. Then we force others to ingest the wonders of our nature.’ She would enter the homes of her future children. Her clan could then take the members of their family currently uninfected and probably objectionable. There would then be new people to force her blood onto. A gift they would so happily relish in time.
The group in Our Doris’s house decided to have their Ovaltine at about ten that night. They had noticed that Wee Renee had been quiet all night, but knew that she was the type that would only tell them in her own time what was wrong. They made plans and were happy with the weapons that they had.
They reconciled the fact that they would have to walk the long reverse journey tomorrow. The same hazardous trek that they had made a couple of nights ago. They were a lot wiser and healthier than they were then, so it should not be as arduous.
Anne visited sixteen people that night. Some were quite resistant to the group’s advances and unfortunately she lost ten of the sixteen people that she wished to make. But she did not consider this wasteful. She was quite used to these people and knew that in the long run they would be detrimental to her cause, so it was best that they were eliminated early in the game. Anne had six healthy new members to add to her group. She would now be in a better position tomorrow night. Anne would be fighting too.
Excerpt from Anne’s Diary.
Tuesday 13 December
I went to deliver the message this evening after my bath. I took five wolves and five of my children with me. I saw the bitch that had ingested my blood. She needs to continue the journey. She has to understand that. The rest of her existence means nothing. She will feel wonderful of course! I will make sure Sophia bites her, to take her through the next stage
. One of my children has a friend in there from Friarmere. They still mean something to this creature and they would like them as a companion. She has opted to keep the human rather than kill her; it really makes no difference to me. Let’s just hope she survives the change. I do not know if she is old or young, but is she worthy? Tonight I visited sixteen people that I have previously marked with my wonderful juices. Ten of these did not make it either by resisting (futile and stupid) or by them not taking to the next stage correctly (Why? Note: More experimentation required). Six of them became new children of mine tonight. I have never been a mother in the traditional sense of the word (passing a baby out of THAT!) but I cannot be prouder or love them anymore than I do!
Again I tried to get in the big house with the walls around it. I love it. I shouted in the camera that this was their last chance to have any money from me and that I would take it from them anyway. But they did not come out to see me. The truth is that I don’t think I will be able to get past their security to take it, so if they won’t give it to me, I won’t be having it! Hmmm….. vexing! All this is quite tiring me out. That led me to drink wine, which I mixed with blood, instead of pure blood, which I usually drink. I should not drink alcohol. It does not keep me fit. It dehydrates me, but I cannot relax tonight. There is so much to do. I am excited about tomorrow!
28 – Parkin
By the time it was light, there was already a hive of activity inside Our Doris's house. Some of them were packing and Our Doris was going through her cupboards finding provisions for the journey. They still had the tarpaulin, sledge, tools, nails and all the backpacks so they would be camping over in Bob's den that night. Pat had been downstairs for a while and had laid out her own and Wee Renee items out, not knowing how Wee Renee wanted to pack them. When she was still not down at nine o'clock
Pat made the trek upstairs to see what was holding her up.
Wee Renee lay in bed. She had the quilt pulled up over her shoulders, and from the door, she was just a lump with a small head on the pillow. Wee Renee was turned towards the wall and Pat could not see if she was awake or asleep. She clumped around the side of the bed and looked at Wee Renee. She was indeed awake but her eyes were sad.
‘Come on Rene, it's time to get up. We will be setting off soon.’
‘Well good luck to you and all. I hope you save them all.’
‘What?’ Pat said. ‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘No,’ she replied, ‘I am not coming.’
Pat dropped herself down on the bed.
‘Why ever not?’
‘I can't do it anymore. I can't be strong for anyone or myself. I’m worn out and tired and sick of doing it. The situation just gets worse the more I fight, not better. We can’t win. I'm sick of fighting. Swimming against the tide. This is not me. I don't want to do it anymore. I just want to hide here, in this bed.’
‘What's going on? You were fine yesterday.’
‘Nothing!’ she snapped.
‘You are a bloody liar,’ Pat said, starting to work everything out. ‘I know you are.’ Wee Rene had cast her eyes down but said nothing. ‘I saw that you were quiet last night and hoped it was nothing more than that. I didn't know it was going to turn into something like this or else I would've nipped it in the bud. Has that Anne put the willies up you?’
‘No it wasn't Anne,’ Wee Renee took a deep breath, then said after a moment, ‘it was one of the other people that was there.’
‘Who was that?’ Pat asked.
‘One of the women I worked with for years. You will have heard me talk about her, named Carol.’
‘Carol was one of those?’ she asked, shocked.
‘Yes, Pat.’
‘Which one was she?’ asked Pat.
‘The one with the wee dowager's hump,’ she said.
‘Oh, right. I noticed one was young. I don't suppose that is who you are talking about.’
‘No, she is just slightly younger than us. Carol was a lovely lady.’
‘Was she in Melden Silver Band?’ Pat asked.
‘Yes, she played the baritone.’
‘Well this shouldn’t surprise you then.’
‘Anyway, I saw her and she clocked me as well. I have been thinking about it all night. I haven't even managed to save one of my friends after everything I've done. I don't want to bother anymore, what's the use? What's the use at all?’
‘I can't believe this is my Rene saying this. You will get your Mojo back, don't worry.’
‘It’s just been a bit of a kick in the guts to see Carol. I am right at the bottom of the chip pan this morning, Pat,’ she said. ‘I can't go with you all. I would be a detriment to the group. I think there are a couple who going to remain here. I am going to stay with them. I might get my sparkle back, and then I would be useful here. Especially if Anne comes back. I would also like to see Carol. I know it is probably out of the question, but I think I would like to see if she is fully beyond hope. If there is one small chance that I could save her, and she could be human again, then maybe that would be worth it.’
‘Have you heard yourself? This is exactly what Carl was saying and you helped talk sense into him!’
‘Aye, it’s hard to take your own advice, Pat. I do understand his need for some kind of closure now though. So for the moment I have to stay here. I won't be going over to Friarmere.’ Pat put her hand of top of the lump of quilt that was Wee Renee. ‘There is too much unfinished business. I feel so low, Pat. I just don't know where I am going to find the last bits of energy. There is no fight in me.’
Pat thought for a moment. She looked towards the curtains that were still closed. She looked way beyond their fabric, towards Friarmere. She thought about Melden, Anne, wolves and Rene’s friend. She couldn't think of going on that journey and leaving Rene here.
‘I will stay here with you,’ She said quietly.
‘Pat, I don't want you to. You wanted to go back to Friarmere.’
‘Yes, because I thought you wanted to go as well. I’m alright here, Rene. I bet whatever happens, I will still be fighting and doing good somewhere. The fact is I would be a detriment if I was there constantly worried about you, you silly bugger. So let's get you up and help the others get off. Make sure they will be as comfortable as possible. Get your nightie off, get some clothes on and have a wash. I will sort you out some breakfast. It'll be alright now, don't worry, you've got your old mucker Pat with you.’
Wee Renee felt a little better confiding in Pat. She did not want it broadcast that she was low, as she did not want to bring the rest of the group down. They had to face an awful task in Friarmere, and the journey alone was dreadful. She lay back down, then thought what are you doing Wee Renee? You are just sinking back into your dark place. Get up and get on with the bloody mangling. She sat up, threw her quilt back, dropped her feet to the floor and stood up.
When she went downstairs, there was the smell of bacon wafting around the sitting room. Everyone was in an awful rush. People darting one way or another, putting stuff down then picking it up again. No one knew what they were doing, all running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
‘Let's get all this sorted,’ Wee Renee said. They were all glad she was here to take control. She started to help people to get their bags together.
‘What about you?’ Gary asked.
‘Oh, I am not coming,’ said Wee Renee matter-of-factly. ‘I think we need some people here. I don’t trust Anne. Pat has agreed to stay too. We will see what help we can be. At some point we will come back, don't worry you haven't got rid of us forever.’ Quietness descended on the group, as the fact sunk in. They would not have Wee Renee and Pat with them.
‘Are you sure about this? Can't we persuade you?’ asked Gary.
‘No, love. For various reasons, I know my place is here for the moment. That will change. I need to get my ducks in order.’ She smiled at him. ‘You won't persuade me. You will be just wasting time, if you try to. So let's get you all sorted and off, daylight is burning away, friends.’
‘I’m not going back either,’ Freddie said. ‘Our Doris isn’t fit enough. Brenda needs to stay with her and I need to stay with Brenda. I’m sure you understand everyone.’ They did. No one imagined the three of them would be coming. At least Anne couldn’t get them inside the house.
Pat was in the kitchen. She had made Wee Renee a bacon sandwich and cut off all the fat for her.
‘Here you are Rene, nice and light for you.’ She smiled at her, as she passed over the plate. Pat put her hand on Wee Renee’s shoulder. ‘I have put a bit of brown sauce on and here’s a nice cup of coffee. Are you feeling a bit more like yourself, Rene?’ Wee Renee nodded and smiled back.
‘I’ve told them we aren’t going. I’ve squared it with them,’ Wee Renee said quietly.
‘Alright love,’ Pat replied. Wee Renee felt her eyes starting to fill up, but quickly blinked away the tears. No one saw but Pat.
Our Doris was in the middle of making a mountain of sandwiches, in a world of her own. She seemed to be in some kind of regular, vigorous rhythm, with slicing, buttering, filling and bagging.
Pat walked into the living room, trying to locate Bob.
‘Where is your bag?’ She asked. He pointed to his backpack on the sofa. She stomped over to it. Her feet were pushed so far forward into her open toe slippers, that most of her toes, were off the slipper and onto the carpet. Leaving two inches of spare slipper at the back. She had several sandwich bags in her hand, which she shoved into his backpack. ‘I have put plenty of our favourite sandwiches in, braun. Also, some of my best-loved biscuits, fig. You'll like them. You have the same taste buds as me.’ She slapped him firmly on the back and trudged back to the kitchen. Laura smirked at Sue, who did a silent giggle. They both quickly looked away before Bob noticed.
‘W
hat have we all got?’ Danny asked.
‘Tinned salmon or cheese.’ Our Doris replied, who was carrying a tray piled high with sandwich bags. She stopped suddenly with her tray, looking crestfallen.
‘You do like tinned salmon, don’t you? I’ve put salt, pepper and vinegar in it.’ They mostly nodded and she continued.
‘I have sliced up a couple of parkin cakes as well. They are in two foil parcels. Divide it up. I have got some drinks here for you too.’ There were some pouches of orange drink, with straws taped to them.
They all stuffed their bags full of the goodies from Our Doris. Not knowing when they would get food again, this was precious. The one good thing about this weather was that as it was so cold, it would keep it fresh for the maximum time. Pat could not see Wee Renee in the living room, but she found her in the kitchen eating a bacon sandwich with one hand and getting the raw meat out of the fridge with the other. On the kitchen counter she had a bag full of the drugs that she had been given by Terry.
‘When they set off, I am putting this meat out,’ she said.
‘Let's do it together. We will sort it quicker,’ Pat offered. They got some of the chemicals and syringes out that Terry had given them. He had written the directions on a piece of paper from the surgery. They quickly injected each chunk of meat with the cocktail that he had devised.
‘I am going to put some outside here. Some outside Jennifer's house, we know they are there a lot, and some outside Beverly’s. Jennifer and Beverly are in that house, on their own. We will pick up some more from the shop after we see what effect this has tonight.’
Maurice knew that there was going to be a trap. He had seen a couple of the vampires out on the hunt, when he had been on the wander the other night. Maurice only saw vampires now at night. He hadn’t seen any normal people in the dark for nearly a week. If there were any left alive, they were very sensible. It was so desolate and uninteresting now. All that they wanted to talk about was how much they loved being a vampire, blood, killing and how marvellous Norman was. Those were the only topics of conversation and he was bored with it. He still made conversation however, just to snoop. What he had picked up, was that there was a plan hatched up by Norman. He had somehow got a message to the group that apparently had gone over to Melden. Maurice had found out and had been tipped off, that any day now they would be back. Norman was planning to eliminate everyone.
Silver Banned: Book 2 of the Saddleworth Vampire Series Page 17