Only the Few (Only The Few Book 1)

by L. N. Denison

  “What made you decide, may I ask?”

  “It was the mention of a hospital, Catherine, and the extra protection. I’m thinking of the long term.” Marcus hung his head slightly. “I can’t protect my people the way I want to from inside this cave. They need a sense of security, so the sooner we start moving, the better it will be for everyone.” With that, Marcus walked out of the chamber, taking a quick glance over his shoulder as he left.

  Hyde shook out the two items of clothing and placed them over her arm. Planting a hand on one of Judd’s shoulders, she pressed down hard.

  “Lie on your back,” she said. “Let’s get these clothes on you.”

  Judd sank to his heels, his face remaining neutral. He groped around behind him with his tied hands and lowered himself onto his back, shivering with cold. A muffled grunt came from behind the gag in his mouth as he adjusted on the cave’s craggy base.

  “Lift your legs up for me, as high as you can.”

  Judd inched his legs upward, causing yet another grunt to issue from behind the gag. With precision and speed, Hyde put the cotton boxers on first, pulling them over his thighs.

  “Lower your legs and raise your arse.”

  Again, he complied, and she got the underwear on him.

  “Repeat what you just did. I need to put the track bottoms on you.”

  He did as she asked, and she finished dressing him. His body shuddered at her touch.

  “I can’t give you a top. I can’t risk untying you,” she said with a hint of regret. “Now stand, we need to get to the main chamber.”

  Judd complied, staggering to his feet. Hyde balanced him before he fell, then led him back to the main chamber.

  Upon entering, the chamber was almost full. They were just in time for Marcus to outline the move back to her barracks in London. He looked over at Hyde and her prisoner.

  “We will be leaving the cave within the next hour—the place we have known as home for the past few months. I have been persuaded by Corporal Hyde, to make the move south. She has again reassured me that we will be safer there. We will be well looked after. If you have any concerns, please tell me now.”

  No one answered. They just stared, worry etched on each and every face.

  “If you have nothing to say, start gathering your stuff... Go.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Everybody scattered after the briefing to gather what little they had to take on the long and arduous journey. Happiness and a sense of achievement filled Hyde’s heart. The sacrifices her comrades made weren’t in vain.

  The corporal turned her attention to Jas, who had Judd on the floor, holding him there with a foot on his spine, her chin raised and arms folded. Wow! Who does this girl think she is? Bloody Wonder woman? I must stop this!

  “Haven’t you anything to pack? We’re heading out soon,” Hyde asked, staring at Jas incredulously, wondering what was going through the girl’s mind. “Are you scared, is that it? Scared of making the move?”

  The girl’s piercing blue eyes were icy cold as she glared back. Hyde fought hard to conceal the smile trying to invade her lips. Jas was clearly at that awkward age, trying hard to prove that she was no longer a child, but her behaviour was having the opposite effect. Looking more like a child than she intended, Jas realised she wasn’t going to win her little game. She answered the corporal’s question.

  “Dad is getting our stuff together. And what I think is none of your business.” Her flippant response amused Hyde even more. It took every ounce of self-control not to give in to her own childish nature and tease Jas even more.

  Marcus appeared out of the gloom and grabbed Jas’ arm at the elbow.

  “What did I tell you?” he shouted. “Be courteous.”

  Hyde jumped at the thwack of Marcus’s hand across the back of Jas’ head.

  The subdued teen rubbed the area and lowered her head to escape her father’s menacing gaze.

  “Get out of my sight, young lady,” he said, pointing towards the exit of the main chamber.

  Jas glared at him, opened her mouth but then closed it again. Her expression darkened as she watched Hyde’s eyes wander toward her father, whose expression had darkened as well.

  He turned to Jas, ignoring the corporal’s gaze. The teen widened her eyes, clearly aware of that look on his face. Hanging her head in frustration, Jas left her father’s sight before he started into her again.

  “She had no right to speak to you like that,” Marcus said as he turned his attention to Hyde. “I will deal with her later.”

  Without another word, he left, leaving her staring at his retreating back. Hyde looked down at her feet to assess the only belongings she had left: the bergen and rifle, both of which were ready to go.

  The pitiful, half-naked mess that was Captain Malcolm Judd groaned, squirming as he tried to escape his bonds.

  “Think yourself lucky, sir. You should be dead right now. I saved you from death—but make no mistake, I will make sure justice is carried out in London.” She was glad he was unable to answer, or look at her. With his body language, and the muffled sounds trying to push through the gag, she could only imagine the verbal abuse he would be throwing at her if he were able. As a precaution, she checked his bonds, making sure there was no possibility of escape. He began to whimper as the rope cut deeper. A glimmer of compassion rose within her, but she couldn’t forget what he’d done to her—or to Marcus and his people. She just couldn’t.

  ~

  The twenty-or-so people ready to begin the daunting journey to the capital milled about in the main chamber, their faces etched with concern. The fear and reluctance to leave the cave haven were clear.

  Apart from the distress it was causing the others, food and water was the only immediate issue. The group was going to have to scavenge as they went. Hyde had some ration packs left, which would keep them going for a day or two, but that was it.

  Chattels and malnourished children by their sides, the men and women waited patiently for the order to move out. Hyde stood soldier-like at the front with her bergen on her back and her rifle pointing downwards, awaiting Marcus’ re-emergence with the half-dressed prisoner. Judd was treated to a mixture of booing, jeers and hard dirt clods thrown at his upper torso and head. He was held firm by Marcus, who began talking into his ear.

  “You will take everything that is thrown at you, Judd. You’re going to wish that you were dead by the time I’m finished with you.”

  Most of the dirt clods had hit Judd’s face and neck, some of them managed to draw blood. Hyde didn’t take pleasure in watching the unwarranted display of violence, and didn’t partake. Instead, she stood firm, waiting, ready to lead the survivors out into the open.

  “People, we need to go—this scallywag will be dealt with in due course,” Marcus said, pulling Judd away from the crowd and heading toward the cave’s exit. Hyde and the others followed.

  ~

  The fresh air filtered through Hyde’s lungs as she drew a deep breath and prayed she’d arrive in London with every one of these people safe.

  Heading towards the front of the group, she took out the compass and held it out in front of her. The needle fluctuated a bit before settling on north, north-east.

  “We need to head this way, sir,” she said, taking the lead.

  Marcus yanked Judd along by the scruff of his neck, not caring if the prisoner stumbled. The others followed in lines of two, dragging their suitcases and children along behind them.

  The kids were becoming restless after a little under an hour of travelling, but it was too early to stop, and so far, the journey had been obstacle free. Even though the group of survivors had long since passed all known areas that the sub-humans would consider living, Hyde remained ever vigilant. It wasn’t just herself she had to look after now, it was the twenty others behind her that she had to consider too.

  “I know we haven’t been travelling long, but are we able to stop for a short period to feed the kids?” Marcus asked in a whisper
, his daughter hanging back from him. Hyde felt perplexed, why would he ask? These were his people. She was only leading the way, nothing else.

  The corporal shrugged, “We can stop if you like, sir, you’re in charge.”

  Hyde slowed and awaited his response. Marcus tapped her on the shoulder and grabbed hold of her ruck’s strap.

  “We stop now,” he ordered.

  The incessant whimpering, whining and outbursts from behind had obviously gotten to him, forcing the premature stop. Hyde looked around for somewhere suitable to rest, but the group was too exposed where they were. The place was just one wide open space.

  “We can’t stop here, sir. It’s far too open,” Hyde explained. “We need to get to somewhere with a bit of shelter.”

  “Look around you, Hyde, does it look like we’re going to find shelter? There’s nothing but dust and ash for miles...” Marcus waved his hands for emphasis.

  “We are wide open here, sir. I don’t like the idea of stopping in such a vulnerable location, but if needs must.”

  Hyde held up her hand to bring the group to a standstill, but they didn’t know what the solitary hand in the air meant, only Marcus did. As soon as he stopped, the group followed suit.

  Hyde took off the bergen. Crouching over the bag, she raked around to find what was left of the ration packs. There were ten small pouches. As there were only five children under the age of ten in the group, she decided that splitting three of the ration packs into quarters would do as a meal for the kids. The adults had no need for food now.

  “I suggest we only stop for a short period, sir,” Hyde said. “We need to cover as much ground as possible before sunset.”

  Marcus nodded in agreement. “Do what’s necessary, corporal.” he replied in regimental fashion. “Just get us to London in one piece as you promised.”

  Hyde couldn’t recall making such a promise. The word ‘promise’ never entered the equation, but who was she to argue? Marcus was technically her superior, and questioning him would be classed as insubordination.

  ~

  The only drama of the day had been when Judd had made a half-arsed attempt to escape. He hadn’t got more than a few paces before Marcus brought him down. Afterwards, Marcus resorted to tying the captive’s feet, so that he could walk with short steps but couldn’t run without falling.

  As the shadows started to lengthen, Hyde heaved a sigh of relief. She spotted what looked like a ruined church in the distance, its beautifully sculpted arches and turrets reduced to a silhouette of ruins that stood against the crimson skyline. It looked like the perfect place to stop for the night. A signpost declared the area to be ‘East Witton’.

  “Can I suggest that everybody wait here, while I investigate for potential hazards. Keep the children as quiet as possible, just in case,” Hyde said.

  “Go ahead,” Marcus finally replied as he waved her away. “Just wave if the coast is clear, and we will come.”

  A craggy man-made wall lined the single-track road that led to the church. Marcus checked the wall’s stability before sitting on it.

  “This is a good opportunity to take the weight off, I suggest you all take it,” Marcus said as he perched Judd and himself on the edge of the wall. Jas and the others followed their lead.

  ~

  Slowing her pace as she approached the church, Hyde surveyed the area, her gun ready to fire. The main ruin seemed to be sound; many of the pews were intact, but scattered. Shards of stained glass glistened in the fading sunlight. Patrolling the nearby cemetery with its mouldering headstones, and the small stream weaving its way through, everything was quiet. The ruin would provide just enough shelter with the use of her tarpaulins to protect at least the children from the elements. Turning on her heels, Hyde hurried back toward the others. She stopped half way and waved the group forward.

  Marcus smirked as he lurched to his feet, pulling the captain up with him.

  “Let’s go,” he grunted.

  Hyde waited for the others to join her, and for once, felt a sense of achievement. She was doing what she had been tasked to do: finding survivors and bringing them to safety. Imagining the kind of reception she would receive on returning to the barracks only made her more determined to complete the mission.

  Marcus approached with a puzzled look on his face. Hyde tried to assess what he was thinking, as she grinned like a Cheshire cat, then giggled like a little school girl. He furrowed his brow but said nothing. Her smile faded as she contemplated what he might be thinking. He must think I’m an idiot, standing here, making stupid noises like a kid! She berated herself as Marcus reached her, but still, nothing was said as he brushed past her with the prisoner.

  ~

  Hyde led the survivors into the structure that proved to be an excellent windbreak. The addition of the tarpaulin would shield the most vulnerable from any rain. She slipped the bergen off her shoulders before pulling out the two large rectangular sheets. The only drawback being, she had nothing to secure them with.

  “Ladies, do any of you have underwire in your bras?” she asked, craning her neck over the wall.

  The response she received was one of bewilderment. The women glanced around at each other before shifting their gaze back at Hyde. The puzzled expressions were soon replaced by looks of disgust. Hyde could only guess that they were thinking of the fact that they might have to bare their breasts in front of the men folk and children. The corporal furrowed her brow, her patience wearing thin as she waited for at least one of the women to reply.

  “It’s a simple question—yes or no?”

  Marcus grinned. He seemed to know what she was enquiring for, and clearly thought it best to intervene, before the hostility between the women grew and he found himself breaking up a fight.

  “She needs the underwire to support the tarpaulin. Hand them over ladies, don’t be shy. It’s not as if you’ve got something we haven’t seen before, and that includes you, Jas,” he said as he turned to face Hyde. “Very innovative, corporal, well done.”

  She wasn’t sure she liked Marcus’s tone, but a compliment was a compliment, and she took it for what she hoped it was.

  “The wires will hold the tarps up for a while, but I doubt they’ll withstand the wind all night. I need as many wires as I can get to anchor them into the walls,” Hyde explained.

  One by one, the women of the group dug around under their tops pulling out the underwire from their bras and handing them to Hyde. Marcus then dragged Judd over to a tree stump a few yards from the church’s ruins, shoved him down in front of it, and pulled his tied hands back over the stump to secure him.

  “Jas, come here,” Marcus shouted as he held Judd down wearily, stopping him from moving. “Bring me that long scarf of yours.”

  Jas shuffled over to their belongings with no sign of urgency, much to her father’s annoyance.

  “Hurry along, girl,” he snapped.

  The teen made a rather pathetic effort to pick up her pace, unravelling the scarf and dragging it along in the dirt behind her. Once she reached her father he snatched the scarf from her, shook it off and shooed her back to the shelter. Marcus secured the scarf around Judd’s waist to ensure he couldn’t get up. The remainder was tied around his neck, pulling on his spine. Marcus was clearly trying to make him as uncomfortable as possible.

  Judd would remain left open to the elements, and his gag would remain in place. The only time the gag would be removed would be for food and water, although he wouldn’t be allowed to talk. Marcus had made it clear that he had no qualms about ripping the tongue from his head if he uttered one single word.

  ~

  The tarpaulin was erected, and the children were under it. The women washed up by the small stream that ran through the cemetery. The men watched over the children, Marcus over Judd, and Hyde watched over all of them. The group had enough food for tonight’s meal and a small breakfast in the morning, but that was it. From the next day onwards, the survivors would have to live off the land. Pheasa
nts were abundant in these parts and would make a good meal. The dust storms had bypassed a clutch of areas, this place being one of them, meaning that grass and trees were still flourishing in some of the wooded areas nearby, which was good news for the wildlife that had made it through the bombings. Moles, nocturnal creatures and the odd surviving domestic pet would provide sustenance as well. Hyde wished she had a bowl of the stew she’d been served up in the cave, but she knew they had to make do with what they had.

  She split the rations off again, dividing most of it up for the children, and giving just enough to each adult to keep them going till morning. Judd’s ration was miniscule compared to everyone else’s. His gag was removed, and Marcus shoved the morsel of congealed corned beef hash into his mouth. The prisoner was finding it difficult to chew the piece of food, which was mainly gristle.

  “Hurry up, will you,” Marcus barked. “Don’t make me gag you before you’ve finished.”

  Judd murmured as he forced the last little bits of chewy corned beef hash down and swallowed hard. Marcus grabbed hold of the prisoner’s face and stuffed the rag back in his mouth, not even offering up any water to wash down his meagre ration. Looking down, Marcus scrutinised Judd in his helpless state.

  “Sleep well, captain,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Muffled growls came from Judd as he struggled to push out his gag to speak.

  ~

  The October chill was biting hard. The women and children huddled together under the tarpaulin, trying to keep warm. Marcus, the other men and Hyde stayed within the church’s boundaries, each taking turns on watch until morning. Hyde was glad of her smock now, it was a great relief from the wind. She’d volunteered to take first watch over Judd, thinking it was her right to do so, as she had been one of his victims.

  She talked at him for most of her shift, berating him and all that he stood for in the hopes that her words might make him feel guilty for his crimes. She felt sure he would never atone for what he had done, but that didn’t stop her having a go all the same. All he managed for a response were a few grunts, though it was clear by the look in his eyes that all he wanted to do was tell her to fuck off.