by RR Haywood
The stench of sex is strong too. Male sweat, lust and semen mixed with blood. All of those smells draw me to take them. Tempting, taunting, goading, provoking.
But I won’t. If there is to be change then it has to start here. The boy was taken with consent, albeit not his but still with consent.
He looks turns to look up at me. Every face in the big entrance hall is fixed on him. The man that was shouting stands quietly with a look of absolute shock.
The aunt look back at him, frozen to the spot. Barely believing what she’s seeing.
‘Jerry?’ She says quietly.
‘Yes,’ he turns back to her, smiling.
‘Does it hurt…are you in pain?’
‘No,’ he shakes his head as I watch intently to see if he will be flat and monotone like Robbie and April or have a greater recall like Reginald and I. ‘I feel fine…I feel great,’ he keeps smiling. His voice is young, unbroken yet.
‘Jerry, do you feel any pain at all?’ I ask him. I don’t need to ask, I know the answer but I do it for the effect.
‘None,’ he shakes his head again, ‘I feel…amazing,’ he adds after a slight pause.
The shock in the room is palpable, an extreme reaction manifesting in everyone staying rooted to the spot, unable to draw their eyes away from the boy.
Jerry stands, a smooth movement using the power of his legs to simply drive upright. Colour slowly returns to his previously deathly white face. He looks round to the assembled survivors, smiling with kindness. This kid should get an award, I know he wants to take them. The urge in him is as great as the rest of us but my will holds him back. Instead he displays kindness and grace, showing them he’s in no pain.
‘Take me,’ a woman steps forward, her face fixed on mine.
‘Sally, what’re you doing?’ The same man shouts in horror, he reaches out to grab her arm, she jerks free, stepping away from him and closer to me.
‘Four men pinned me to the floor and raped me, they laughed while they took me,’ her voice is hoarse and low, full of misery, ‘it hurts, more than anything I have ever known it hurts…take that away, please…please.’
‘Sally don’t do this,’ the man sobs.
‘You watched,’ she screams at him with sudden fury, ‘you watched them.’
‘I couldn’t do anything,’ he cries.
‘You should’ve done something…you should have fought.’
‘Sal, they had a knife to my throat…I couldn’t do…’ his voice snaps off with a sob.
‘Take me, please,’ she begs me.
‘Okay,’ my answer is blunt. It’s her choice and she’s right, the pain will go. The physical pain of being taken like that and the hurt inside too. All of it will be gone.
‘Jerry was unconscious, you’re not so there might be some pain…not much and it doesn't last long.’
‘Just take me,’ she begs, ‘do it…please just do it.’
I step close to her, my mouth flooding with saliva again as my body prepares for the bite. This close I can smell the semen and blood on her, she’s bleeding between the legs and from her backside too. The poor woman, she must be in agony, absolute agony and it defeats me how she’s still on her feet.
Her eyes stay locked on mine as I move in close, our faces just inches apart. My hand touches the side of her face, tender and soft. She closes her eyes, her swollen lips part as I lean in. My hand snakes gently to the back of her head, holding her in place.
Our lips touch. I push harder, sealing our mouths in place as I push my saliva in. My tongue darts forward, to ensure the saliva is pushed in. It feels like a kiss but there is nothing erotic, just a tender moment of one woman saving another. I hold her close for several seconds, silence all around us. My eyes stay open, watching her face. This close and I can’t see the bruises, she looks serene.
The pain and humiliation she endured was awful. The degradation of mankind is too much to bear. This is why we have to change. We’re nothing more than those prisoners otherwise. Intent on causing misery to every living thing that crosses our path.
The seal is broken as I step away. She stays still for a few seconds, her eyes closed. Too late now, nothing will change the outcome.
‘Sal,’ the man cries. She turns round to face him. They come together, crying and holding each other close.
‘Sal,’ he breathes.
‘It’s okay, it’s going to be okay,’ she says softly, stroking the back of his head, ‘I’m sorry for what I said, you couldn’t have done anything, they would have killed both of us. Know that I love you, I love you so much.’
‘Sal,’ his voice breaks, holding her tightly, arms wrapped round her back. She grimaces as the first of the pain starts, I can see it in her face.
‘Sal?’ He asks with alarm.
‘It’s okay,’ she smiles bravely. She clutches her stomach, bending double and dropping to the floor.
‘What have you done?’ He shouts at me.
‘It’ll be over soon,’ I reply. He bends over her, murmuring and stroking her face. The pain takes her under, her already damaged body simply unable to take any more. She slips away as he kisses her cheeks and forehead, begging her to wake up.
The twitches come quickly, she convulses and again the others stare at her form. The man stays with her, holding her head.
As with the many before her, she sits up and opens her eyes. Again I will her to speak, sending all of energy into that one desire. I don’t know if it works but I focus everything into that one thought. She looks straight at me, the same as Jerry did. Her red bloodshot eyes locked on mine. Speak. I command you to speak. I demand you to speak. I want you to speak. Please. Please speak.
‘Can you?’ I ask after seconds pass and she doesn't look away.
‘Sal,’ the man says to her, ‘look at me Sal,’ he turns her head gently round to face him. Staring into her red eyes, ‘Sal? Can you hear me?’
He leans forward, getting closer and closer to her face, he kisses her forehead, stroking the hair away. Pulls away and implores her again.
‘Not all can speak,’ Reginald says.
‘Sal? Please?’ He begs and leans closer again, his mouth heading towards hers.
‘Don’t kiss her,’ I call out, ‘you’ll turn.’
‘Kiss me,’ she says to gasps from everyone else.
He lunges in clumsily, forcing her head back. I exert my will so she doesn't bite, unsure if she’ll be able to resist with him clamping his mouth on hers. He kisses her greedily, almost distasteful in manner. Pushing harder as he clamps the back of her head. She remains passive, letting him do what he wants but I know her mouth will be full.
Glancing over I see a wry smile on Reggie’s face. We’re turning people through their own choice now. No force needed.
The same thing happens again. He pulls away, staring into the distance as though waiting. The pain comes, he clutches his stomach and rolls to the floor, groaning. He dies. He twitches. He comes back.
I don’t will him to speak. Something about the man annoyed me. Maybe he was right not to fight back if his life and hers was at risk but something about him grated on me. He isn’t that man now, he’s one of us but still. Old habits die hard and the grudge carries over as he comes into the new order.
I turn round to see another of the women stood with lips locked to April. The same tender action taking place as April holds the woman’s head. I wasn’t expecting that and have to blink the surprise away.
Another woman approaches Reggie who blanches in fright.
‘Not me,’ he says quickly, ‘ask one of them.’ He waves to the horde. She looks round in confusion.
‘Come here,’ I cut in softly, ‘Reggie isn’t comfortable with kissing. Are you sure this is what you want?’
She nods back, looking scared and vulnerable. Her hands wringing in front of her, trembling with fear.
‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to, you can stay here…’
She shakes her head, still not speaking.
Her eyes implore me, beg me to turn her, or is that the infection interpreting her fear into a message I want to see? Either way, she’s coming closer, seemingly determined.
She seems unsure, as though the final act of stepping in to kiss me is too much. I move closer to her and she doesn't back away. She closes her eyes.
‘Sure?’
She nods again. I go through the process of pressing my mouth to hers, she opens her lips willingly, letting it happen without hesitation. I push my tongue forward, forcing the saliva into her mouth. Her own tongue darts into my mouth and I have to fight not to bite down. I break away, the temptation almost too great. She looks at me in alarm, like she’s done something wrong.
‘It’s okay…you’ll understand in a minute,’ I say with a low voice. I will my horde to move in amongst the room, but to do it slowly without threat.
They respond immediately. Gently walking forward with respectful looks. None of them look threatening and for a minute I give thanks none of the inmate we turned are amongst them.
The frightened girl clutches her stomach, the old woman moves to her side helping her to the floor. She lowers the girl down and stays with her, smoothing her face and muttering soft words. The girl doesn't say a word, not the whole time but goes under quickly, almost willingly.
Is that something new? If the host is willing does it take less time to turn? Sally went quickly, so did her husband.
Some of the survivors back away from my group who tactfully move away, others make a decision and step forward. I can’t believe this is happening, that they’re giving themselves willingly. The battered women are the first, the trauma of what they went through and seeing Jerry and Sally coming back seemingly normal but without pain.
Their willingness prompts their husbands and partners to go with them. The bond of love binding them together.
Every one of the communicators asks them if they’re sure before they do it. That isn’t my will, that’s them learning from what I did and copying me.
‘Are you okay?’ The old woman asks the girl as she sits up to open her eyes. The girl, the same with all of them, looks at me first as if seeking me out to pour their love and devotion towards me.
‘I’m fine,’ the girl smiles at the old woman. I didn’t will her to speak. I didn’t will anything. It was done without me.
The husband of Sally is the only one that doesn't have the ability to speak. Of all the survivors who give themselves willingly, they all talk, apart from him. Maybe he can speak but chooses not to, sensing my dislike for him.
Several survivors remain human. The old woman being one of them. She stares round at the abused women who stand with almost serene smiles.
I stay quiet. Content to watch the interactions. The survivors asking the new hosts if they hurt, what it felt like. The new hosts all answer the same, there is no pain, even the agony inside is gone now. Just a nice warm feeling. None of them mention the hunger which is a deceit but an important one. Try telling them we’re all fine and don’t feel pain but we’ve got this urge to rip your face off and eat your brains.
‘Mildred? Are you coming with us?’ Sally asks the old woman.
‘No dear,’ Mildred answers, ‘it isn’t for me, I’m too old to change now.’
‘No Mildred, your age doesn't matter. This fixes everything, you won’t feel the pain from your arthritis.’
‘I may not feel it, but it will still be there,’ Mildred replies, ‘will it not?’ She turns to ask me.
‘I don’t know,’ I reply with a glance to Reginald.
‘We have a chap who suffered from diabetes, he says he doesn't have diabetes now but we simply don’t know how it works yet,’ Reginald explains.
‘I see,’ Mildred says. She seems to think for a minute as her eyes become distant, ‘no…no this isn’t for me,’ she snaps back to the present.
‘Are you going to stay here? This place isn’t safe now,’ I say.
‘I er…well I don’t know,’ she looks about, ‘we may have to find somewhere else.’
‘Remember what I said, others won’t be the same as us, they might still come for you if they see you, or smell you.’
‘Or hear you,’ Reginald asks, ‘you’ll be safer with us…far safer.’
Another couple, listening to the conversation, change their minds and step towards April. A low conversation takes place. They both nod resolutely, minds made up.
Mildred watches the kiss taking place. April and another both pressing lips to the couple who then step away and hold each other tight. They go to the floor, entwined as the pain takes them. Again the turn is much quicker as they seem to submit without struggling.
‘I’ll go with you,’ Mildred says quietly, still watching the couple on the floor, ‘but I’m not kissing you my dear,’ she adds with a sad smile, ‘something’s are just not done. Is there another way?’
‘If you have an open wound,’ I reply, ‘or if you don’t wish me to do it, then Reginald will oblige with respect and dignity.’
‘Me?’ Reginald says in surprise.
‘I’m sure you’re a charming man, but no…I would rather not kiss anyone, would a prick in my finger suffice?’
‘Yes,’ I nod. She draws a hairpin from her hair, holding one finger out she pricks the end. A tiny bubble of blood comes from the hole, making my mouth fill with drool.
‘Here you are,’ she offers politely.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Quite sure,’ she nods firmly.
I take her hairpin and prick my own finger. Blood comes out and I quickly press my finger against hers. She watches with interest as I hold them in place, gently moving the wound round to ensure the blood gets mixed.
‘Oh,’ she looks down, feeling the first sensation.
‘Let me help you,’ I guide her down to the floor so she’s resting her back against the wall. ‘Go with it and it’s much easier, breathe deeply and relax.’
‘Okay dear,’ she closes her eyes, taking a deep breathe in to slowly exhale. She goes very quickly. One minute she is breathing calmly then she isn’t. The infection kills her easily and brings her back just as quickly.
Within two minutes she is standing up again, her eyes red and bloodshot. She smiles at me and flexes her wrists. Tentatively at first, then harder, rotating the joints. She lifts one foot off the ground, moving her foot round in small circles.
‘No pain,’ she marvels.
The last four or five refuse to offer themselves, the urge to just take them is so strong, so very strong. But I gave my word and I must honour it. This is the point where I prove we are different and not the same monsters that haunt them in the hours of darkness.
I draw the others away, sending them out into the hot evening air to gather outside. The last few say farewells to their associates they’d been hiding with this. The hosts try one last time, urging them to turn. They refuse, the fear in them too great to submit.
Outside the vast crowd accepts the new hosts with barely a flicker. The communicators being the only ones to express anything akin to emotion.
As the sun starts to drop we move off, traipsing through the once perfectly manicured lawns to head into the town and the vehicle ferry port.
I know Reginald wants to turn more, or rather; he wants me to turn more while he watches from a safe distance. But that is no longer the way. I’ll defend myself and my group, and I’ll take those that are offered but I won’t take anymore by force.
Unless I find those prisoners.
Twenty-Two
‘I don’t want to go through the city, try and find a route round if you can.’
‘We’ll have to go through it at some point, unless we find something else on the way,’ Clarence replies having taken the map from Nick due to the lads pissing about too much.
‘But I fucking hate Portsmouth, the place is a shit hole…it was bad enough when me and Dave went through it days ago, god knows what it’ll be like now.’
‘Give me a minute,’ he mutte
rs examining the map, ‘how we gonna get the fuel back?’ He asks suddenly.
‘Oh…shit didn’t think of that, I guess we can drive a tanker back if we find one, you drove the last one didn’t you?’
‘Yeah but that was lucky, I doubt we’ll find another one.’
‘The docks must have shit loads of ships going in and out, they need fuel so there must be tankers.’
‘I think a lot of is piped, plus you're thinking of Southampton, that’s the commercial docks, Portsmouth is a naval docks.’
‘Okay, we’ll try Portsmouth first and if that doesn't…’
‘What about the refinery?’ Lani cuts in.
‘Refinery?’ I ask.
‘Fawley, the big refinery in Southampton, it’s huge, like the biggest in the country or something…we studied it in school for environmental studies.’
‘Why did you do a refinery for environmental studies? Nick asks.
‘Impact on the surrounding land, they got a marsh thing next to it, you know one of those places that birds use, salt marsh! That’s it, a salt marsh.’
‘Dave? You’ve got experience of refineries, what do you think?’
‘How does Dave know about refineries?’ Lani asks.
‘He blew one up once,’ I reply.
Clarence starts chuckling, shaking his head, ‘it was seen by the astronauts on the space station,’ he adds.
‘No fucking way,’ Cookey exclaims, ‘shit…that’s fucking awesome.’
‘Are they still up there?’ Blowers asks, ‘the astronauts I mean?’
‘Oh shit yeah,’ Nick says, ‘they must be…poor fuckers.’
‘They must be able to get back down, like with a one of them pod things,’ Cookey says.
‘Nah it’s all controlled by Nasa, they have to work out the re-entry approach and the time, all that kind of stuff, otherwise they burn up or land in the middle of the ocean,’ Nick explains.