The Biters (Book 1): Time to Run

by Denise Larkin

  "Bristol... near the city... it's... it's bad there now and... and those horrible things are crawling around everywhere." He said as his trembling voice stuttered.

  "So how did you get away from there?" I asked.

  "Well... it was Shirley who was the bravest... she killed a few of those things and we escaped... I don't even know how." Charlie said.

  "I see... so you had a stroke of luck it seems... is that it Charlie? Would you say it was luck or courage?" I said as I watched Charlie's dark, haired head nod.

  "I suppose it was luck, but Shirley got me through it... I didn't even know she had it in her. She killed them all while I stood and watched." Charlie answered.

  "Okay... what about you Shirley? How many creatures have you killed?"

  "Ummm.... about five I think."

  "And what did you kill them with?" I asked.

  "I had a knife and Charlie had a gun that I used twice." Shirley explained as her voice trembled.

  "So, why did you come here?" I asked wanting to find out more.

  "Well... we saw the place in the distance and then... when we discovered we couldn't get near to you guys... well... we decided to climb over the fence... we didn't mean anything by it... we just need some help and some food... we haven't eaten properly for a while you see." I watched as Shirley smirked. I thought she was going to flake out at one point.

  "Okay... right... then I think you should come with us to the house... grab them and bring them inside." I said gesturing to the others to get hold of them.

  Once inside, I watched the pair of them sit down at the table. Shirley slowly, eased herself down onto the chair next to Charlie. Suddenly, she violently screams.

  "Please... please... please.... don't kill us! We don't want to die!"

  I couldn't make out what she was doing and why, but, unbelievably, Shirley's huge self became hysterical as she started growling and shaking violently.

  Suddenly, she fell to the floor and her body got out of control as it rapidly convulsed. Her legs and arms became uncontrollable.

  "What's happening?" I ask the others.

  "Tim... I think she's having a seizure." Lydia stated as I stood there in a trance.

  "What? Explain this Charlie... is she ill?" I asked Charlie as he started to cry.

  "Yeah... sometimes... but she hasn't done this in ages... if she gets stressed it happens." Charlie explained as his weak, pathetic voice became distorted with his cries.

  "Get the Doc now John." I screamed loudly.

  Suddenly, everything was manic around us as Shirley's fits became even more uncontrollable. The stressful screams of Charlie's voice clamber down on me and so, to calm my nerves, I went outside for a moment and I reached inside my pocket for my whisky bottle that no one knew about.

  27. Aiden Lamb - Trapped

  I watched as the doctor saw to Shirley, the huge girl, who now laid still on the floor of the barn. She had climbed over into our territory with her husband. I knew she was trying to be brave, but I also knew that she had probably not thought this out.

  They were clearly harmless and were just trying to find a way to survive. I wanted to make that clear to Tim. I had to make Tim, Lydia, Joe and the others see that fact, because Shirley's appearance had shaken me. It hadn't occurred to me until I'd heard her speak. My heart had shuddered at the sound of her voice.

  She hadn't recognised me, because I had changed since leaving school and going off to university. Now, I was taller and more masculine rather than the skinny kid whom I had once been. I realised that she probably hadn't even seen me in the dark.

  Lately, my fears and anger about the people I had lost in my life had haunted me. I fought so hard with them, that I now, felt a sense of calm to be here at this very moment.

  I helped the others carry Shirley to the house. I watched as Lydia helped Jenny make her comfortable on the bed. She was sleeping. Her features were still the same as ever since I had last saw her all those years ago. She did appear a bit older. There were a few aged lines around her eye lids. Her hair was still long and blonde, but now it was messy and tangled. Her podgy cheeks had dirt smudged on them, but to me she was still the same old Shirley; bitter, strong and brave.

  I turned to Tim. I wanted to make him see that Shirley and Charlie were okay people.

  "Tim, we should let them stay." I said.

  "Why?" Tim replied matter of factly.

  "Why? Because they are good people and they need this... don't you agree?" I couldn't believe Tim was so harsh about it.

  "How do you know they are good Aiden? For all we know they could be murderers! We don't know them... we can't trust them either." Tim said with conviction.

  I could see he was willing to let them leave. I was sure he would send them away as soon as Shirley was better.

  "Why can't they stay for a while? Give them a meal at least and that way, we can get to know them a bit better. Maybe they are just trying to survive just like we are... you have to consider that Tim." I said urgently, trying to convince him that I was right.

  "Aiden, we have children here and we have to protect Jenny and John's home... it's not our place... it's theirs, so they can stay tonight and then we will see tomorrow. If there is anything remotely wrong with them, then I am not going to just chance it. I can't." Tim said.

  He was right in a way, but I was sure. I didn't want to mention that I had once known Shirley and I wasn't sure why. I guess I was waiting for the right time.

  I remembered what Charlie had said about his wife. How she had been in a wheelchair and how she had lost so much weight from starvation. Then she became so brave that she had battled her way through the bad times.

  It had reminded me of how Shirley had once been. Back in the day, Shirley had just been a young, big, overweight girl from school. She had been tormented all the time. Bullied and pushed about, she had still carried on like it hadn't mattered. I had wanted to help her, but the memory screwed with my brain as I stood there staring at her limp body on the bed.

  I remembered how she had sneered at me like I was one of her bullies. I was just one of the other 15 year old kids; who happened to be with the ones who had pushed and tricked Shirley everyday.

  Well, now she was here and I wanted to help her and her husband get through this. She may not remember me, but I remembered her. I wanted to do everything I could not to send them away. I made that promise to myself as I sat there feeling determined.

  I stayed in the room even after Tim left. I sat on the chair next to the bed and watched her sleep. Jenny had gone to get a jug of water. I knew she would be back soon.

  Charlie was being questioned by Tim and Lydia in the dining room. I could hear them talk. They wanted to know where they had both come from, but I knew where Shirley was from.

  I sat there thinking whilst I stared at her face and I realised something. I wondered if my sister had also recognised Shirley. I wasn't sure if she had seen her before at school all those years ago, but then Janice was a few years older than myself and she would have been 18 by then. She had gone away to university to study Nursing. She probably hadn't known her personally, but she would have, at least, heard of her.

  I decided that I would keep this to myself for a while as I sat there and stared at Shirley's weak, ashen face. The paleness of her cheeks had given her a weak, sullen expression. I wondered if she would make it until her eyelids, slowly flickered open and stared into mine.

  Suddenly, her eyes widened with fear. Her mouth opened and loud, piercing screams yelled repeatedly from her lungs. I tried to calm her, but she just fought me until Jenny appeared and injected something into the side of her arm. Shirley's body went limp after a few seconds and I fell back into the chair, knowing that she would once again, freak out when she saw my face.

  28. Lydia Brown - The Past

  I ran into the room and saw Aiden standing by the bed and Jenny holding an empty needle in her hand.

  "What happened in here? I heard screams!" I asked urgently
as I, frantically, looked at Aiden, then at Jenny.

  "Well... I had to give her something to calm her down... she was suddenly hysterical," said Jenny.

  "But why is she like that?" I asked curiously.

  "Lydia, I need to talk to you." Aiden interrupted.

  I stared at him and saw that he seemed upset about something. I noticed how he winced as he walked towards me.

  "Are you okay Aiden? What's wrong?"

  He pulled me outside into the hallway and took a sharp, deep breath before speaking.

  "I know her," he said.

  "Know who?" I asked.

  "Shirley... I knew her years ago at school. She was big then too and she was bullied by everyone because of it. The kids that bullied her were my friends." He said as he paced up and down like a nervous child.

  "Your friends? Did you bully her too?" I asked as I felt disbelief waft over.

  "No... God no... not me... I never did anything, but I never stopped it either. I was always standing in the background though... whilst it went on." Aiden expressed ashamedly.

  "Why didn't you stop it? You just don't seem the type to... well... you know... be a bully." I said honestly.

  "Trust me Lydia... I'm not a bully... but I was a coward." Aiden said as I watched him bow down his head with shame.

  "Aiden... I'm sure she will understand as soon as you explain it to her. Don't worry... it will work itself out... I'm sure of it." I said trying to reassure him.

  "I hope so... because now she has seen me... well... I think she is afraid or maybe she's just angry with me." He said with animosity.

  "Don't worry about it... there are more things to worry about these days than that... you were only young back then... weren't you? How old were you?" I asked.

  "I was 15 years old and a stupid, dumb kid... I got involved with those fools I hung around with. I felt sorry for Shirley and I wanted to do something for her... help her... but I didn't and now she's here."

  "Hey... it'll be fine... she will forgive you... I'm sure of it." I lied looking at Shirley at the same time. Somehow, I knew she was going to be bitter with Aiden.

  "How can you be so sure?" he asked.

  "I just am... now go and get something to eat and forget about this for a while... go... or I'll get Tim and Joe to drag you out of here." I said, smiling at him.

  Aiden was a good person. I could see that now. He was pretty genuine and I wanted to ease his pain. I didn't think he should dwell on the past, because we had more worrying things on our plate at present. For one thing, Tim wanted Shirley and Charlie to leave tomorrow, but I wasn't too sure that he was right. We worried that we might need more people to help us survive and Shirley seemed determined about that part.

  I decided to go and chat with Tim. I wanted to persuade him and make him see it my way. I walked into the dining room and saw Charlie sitting there with him.

  "Everything okay in here?" I asked as I walked over and pulled a chair out next to Tim.

  "Yep... everything is good so far." Tim said.

  "Good... hey... Charlie.... Why don't you go in that room over there and sit with Shirley for a while... she's sleeping, but she's going to be just fine." I said pointing to the door opposite us.

  "Hey Lydia... I'm not finished with Charlie yet... I need to ask him some more questions." Tim said.

  "I'm sure you've asked enough for now. Go on Charlie... go see her in there." I said with authority.

  I watched Charlie leave the room. I was aware that Tim was staring at me with a curious, screwed up expression on his face.

  "What did you do that for? Why did you interrupt like that? You know I was in the middle of asking him some important questions." Tim said as I noticed his tone wasn't angry, but it was kind of soft like he was trying to reason with me.

  "Tim... you've been in here grilling him for over thirty minutes... the poor guy was near to tears and worrying about his wife in that room over there... surely..." I breathed in for a minute trying not to get angry with him. "Surely, it can wait until she is awake?" I yelled.

  "I wanted to find out more about them as soon as possible, but you interrupted." Tim said.

  "Well... what did you find out? You must have found something after questioning him for over thirty minutes Tim."

  "He never said much and the only thing I found out was that they had lived in Kent somewhere until this thing broke out… not Bristol… they were in Bristol but they’re not from there. If you'd given me more time... maybe... I might have found out something more."

  "Oh come on... they aren't bad people Tim... if they were you would have sussed that out by now... don't you think?" I said trying to be cool.

  "I guess." He said slumping his shoulders and looking tired suddenly.

  "You're tired. Why don't you go and rest for a while. I can take care of things here... and anyway... Shirley is going to be asleep for a while, because Jenny had to give her a sedative. When she wakes up... well... I can come get you." I said smiling at him as he started to smile back at me.

  "Okay bossy... why don't you join me?" He asked mischievously.

  "Haha... now you're trying it on... aren't you." I said with a cheeky smile.

  "Oh come on... no one will know Lydia." He said reaching out his hand towards mine over the table.

  "Well, I guess not." I said as he got up and pulled me up and out of the chair.

  "Come on... my room is down the hall."

  He hurried me into his room. We had our own rooms, but most nights we would end up in one of them together. He threw me down onto the bed. I couldn't help it, but I knew I wanted him again. He made me feel better too.

  He kissed me hungrily on the lips and I moaned as his hands slid underneath my shirt. I could feel him touch my breast, because I wasn't wearing a bra. These days, I didn't have one on, because I couldn't find one that fit.

  I moaned as I felt his lips go crazy over my own. I put my hands under his sweater and stroked his back as he lay on top of me. He kissed me passionately and I ached for him.

  Suddenly, we heard screams in the distance and it shook us both by surprise. We shot up instantly at the terrible sounds of someone screaming.

  "What was that?" I said as I pushed Tim away.

  "God damn it! I think it's someone screaming" Tim paused bitterly. "I suppose we better go and check it out."

  "I guess we should Tim. We can get to this later... Come on." I said smiling at him as I grabbed his hand and pulled him up from the bed.

  "I guess we have no choice." He said impatiently as we walked out into the hallway.

  By now, the screaming was getting louder and I started to freak out. What was going on? Surely, Shirley wasn't still angry with Aiden?

  I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about until I saw Jenny run out of the room; nearly bumping into us.

  "Jenny... what's going on?" I asked urgently.

  "Oh my God Lydia... it's Shirley and Charlie... they... they..."

  "What Jenny... what?" I screamed as I grabbed and shook her by the arm.

  "Go see for yourself... you'll know what I mean when you see." Jenny said as she shivered and started to cry.

  "Come on Tim... let's go in there... Jenny.... Wait here." I said watching Jenny nod.

  I opened the door and we saw Aiden standing there. He turned to look at me and I saw that he'd been crying.

  "What happened?" I asked him looking around the room and then without realising, I saw a body on the floor. There was blood everywhere. I felt sick.

  "Aiden... what happened here?" Tim was the first to get it out of him.

  "It wasn't my fault Tim. Shirley went wild and then I tried to calm her down, but she kept trying to punch me, so Charlie came around her other side... he tried calming her down... It all happened so quickly... we didn't see until it was too late." Aiden said collapsing onto the chair crying.

  "See what?" Tim asked.

  "Shirley got hold of the empty needle on the bedside cabinet and stabbed
it into his neck... I don't think she meant to do it to him... I think it was meant for me. But Charlie tried to help me by coming around to my side of the bed to hold her down and then, he got it instead."

  I could see Charlie's body pouring with blood and Shirley was in a deep sleep on the bed once again. I knew that Jenny had probably given her a sedative to calm her down, but it had probably been too late for poor Charlie. I couldn't stop staring at Charlie's poor body, sprawled out on the floor. His neck was slit across the middle as blood seeped from it. I knew he was dead and I feared what might happen next until it did.

  "Tim... Aiden... move... quickly!" I screamed loudly.

  It was then that I saw Charlie's arms start to move; grabbing onto Aiden's ankle and tripping him up onto the floor next to him!

  "Aiden!" I screamed.

  29. Tim Sparks - The Unspeakable Truth

  I acted instinctively and managed to pull Aiden away from Charlie as Lydia stabbed a knife into his head. Charlie laid still as blood seeped from his neck.

  It was crazy. I had hoped that we could get away from this horrible way of life for a while, but I was wrong. It seemed to follow you wherever you went these days.

  Aiden got up and stood by me. I watched as both of his hands touched his head; his fingers rifled through his hair in a stressful motion.

  "Hey..." I said trying to get his attention. "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah... I think so... I'm just in shock... I can't believe it really." He said as he rubbed his eyes. I thought I saw some tears, so I looked away because I didn't want to embarrass him.

  "What happened Aiden?" I asked.

  "Em... well... it all happened so quickly."

  "Why did Shirley react the way she did? Did you do something to her? Tell me Aiden!" I shouted.

  I tried to keep calm, but I felt he was keeping something from me. The thought got me riled up.

  I knew I had gotten Aiden's attention with the sound of my voice. He, suddenly, stared at me so seriously that I thought he was going to pass out.

  "Didn't Lydia tell you?" He asked me.

  I turned to look at Lydia as she stood near Shirley's distraught figure laying on the bed. She turned to look at me. She seemed upset.