“Sure, why not? Or at least up to the French border. If I remember my maps, we’re about to embark on a bloody long ride.”
“I know. I’ve made the journey dozens of times now.” Ed grabbed the last bicycle out of the van. “Everyone got one now?” He barely paused. “Then follow me.”
Strangely, he didn’t get on and ride, but walked his over to a large vehicle a short distance away.
“We will ride in this first. The battery’s all charged up. Load your bikes on, and we’ll be off.”
Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.
“We only just unloaded the bikes,” Dillon said.
“And now you’re loading them on here.” Ed pulled open a cargo hold. “We’re going under the channel tunnel.”
The men grumbled, but did as they were told. This time they got to sit in the main seating area, with Ed at the driver’s seat. As soon as everyone was settled, they were off again.
The journey through the channel tunnel only took an hour, but the monotony of the scenery sent Cassie back to sleep. She dreamed of Jack, of completing this stupid mission, marching triumphantly up to her parents’ door, and claiming Jack for herself. They’d get a flat in a breeding block, and Jack would grow up there, happy. With her.
Someone was shaking her.
“You’ll sleep at the drop of a hat, won’t you?” Ed peered down at her. “Time to move, we’re in France.”
Cassie clambered out of the vehicle and claimed her bike and pack. She yawned and stretched as Ed started talking.
“It takes me about twelve hours to bike to Saarbrucken, that’s just over the German border. Usually I spread the hours over a couple of days, or if I’m desperate, I’ll go the whole distance in one day.” He shrugged. “Depends on the circumstances of the ride. But am I right in thinking none of you have actually ridden a bike before?”
Ed glanced about at the shaking heads. “Great. Fabulous. Probably take us at least three days then. Let’s get you on them.” He stood back and leaned against a wall, arms crossed on his chest.
Cassie looked about, were they really in France? They had stopped at the end of a tunnel that looked remarkably like the end they’d entered. But a large concrete plug blocked the exit. Was this to keep the French out?
“Come on. We haven’t got all day.”
Cassie actually learned the fastest, mastering the balance aspect almost immediately. Within an hour, all of them were wobbling about along a clear part of the tunnel.
“You’ll all be experts in riding by the time we’re all done with today.” Ed climbed onto his bike. “Now all you have to do is keep up.”
Ed rode up to a set of large steel doors set in the middle of the concrete plug, and triggered a release. They cranked open, the metal squealing as if it hadn’t been opened in a long time.
“Sealing the French out?” Dillon said with a laugh.
Ed turned back, his expression completely serious and said, “Yes.”
Sunlight streamed in, momentarily blinding Cassie. She put her hand up to shield her eyes.
“Shouldn’t we travel at night,” Dan asked.
“Why would we do that?” Ed pushed his bike out of the tunnel and waited on the outside for the others.
“In case we’re attacked – or ambushed by the French. And what about the local authorities? Surely they’ll notice a gang of foreigners pedalling along their streets?”
“I really don’t think we have to worry about that.” There was a grimace on Ed’s face, and Cassie wondered what they had to expect next. “If you see anyone, just steer around them.”
“Steer around them? Exactly how fast do you think we’ll be going?” Dillon sat on his bike, wobbling from side to side as he tried to get up some speed.
Ed closed the doors, waiting until they sealed shut before mounting his bike a second time. “We will ride for as long as possible. I realise this is new to all of you, so we’ll only ride for six hours. With breaks added in, that should take us into the evening. We’ll find a place to sleep then do the same again for the next two days.” He pedalled off. “And for God’s sake, just try not to get left behind, any of you.”
Cassie sat on her bike, and after a terrifying second when she thought she was going to fall right over, she was away.
France was scary. As soon as they emerged from the tunnel and got out onto the main streets, cycling between buildings similar to those she’d left behind in England, the people started appearing. Maybe they heard their approach, but none were fast enough to catch them. They limped out to the roadside, sacks of bones with a skin cover, holding out their hands and moaning words she didn’t understand.
Cassie pedalled faster and caught up to Ed. “What are they saying?”
“They’re asking for food.” He was keeping an eye on them, more cautious than she’d seen him before. “Keep out of their reach, and do not stop for any reason.”
The feathery touch of someone’s fingers brushed against her arm. Cassie yelped and pumped at the pedals a little harder. Her backside ached from the seat. The muscles in her legs burned, but there was no way she’d stop. A glance behind told her the others were as unsettled as she was. In England, they were hungry, but not starving. Most of the French citizens looked ready to collapse and die at the roadside.
“You okay?” That was Liam. He’d caught up to her.
“Okay, I guess.” They rode in silence for a moment. “Could this be England, like the Prime Minister said? Could we end up like them?”
“I suppose.” Liam didn’t look at her, he kept a wary eye on the natives his expression grim.
As they left the Calais area, she spotted a child. He – or she, she couldn’t tell – was crouched at the kerb, picking the leaves off a weedy plant. He glanced at them as they rode past, his eyes caved into his head. He put a dusty leaf in his mouth and started chewing.
Cassie pushed ahead to their guide. “Ed, couldn’t we leave behind a few bars of our food?”
“Why would we do that?”
“Jesus, are you kidding me?”
He shrugged and kept pedalling.
“Were you born emotionless, or did the government make you this way?” Cassie nodded over at the boy as he disappeared into the distance. “Give the lad a chance. We’ve days more than we need in our packs.”
“What if something happens and we end up having to walk back. You’ll need your rations then.”
“I just want to give him one.” Cassie couldn’t believe his attitude. How could he not be affected by this poor country, with everyone so starved a boy was reduced to eating the leaves off a weed?
“So he lives an extra day or two because of your kindness. You’ll only prolong his suffering.” Ed glanced at her. “Can’t you see this entire country is about to keel over and die? The Germans are just waiting on the other side of the border, rubbing their hands in glee. All this land, just ready and waiting to be bulldozered and turned into farmland. And what do you think they plan to do to the UK when the time comes?” He shook his head. “Do you think they’d share?” He frowned at her. “That it would cross their minds, even for an instant? You probably think they’d find it their hearts to save us. Well I can assure you, that is not the way the Germans think. And it’s only because they’ve brought their population numbers down, and they’re healthy enough to consider invasion. The Spanish would do the same, given half a chance. But they’re as bad off as the French.”
Ed increased his pace and left her behind. He was shaking his head, as if he couldn’t believe she’d ask such things.
Buildings whizzed by, all joining together into a grey blur. Cassie was so tired now. Her talk with Ed was ages ago. They’d passed so many people now, hundreds of hopeful hands extended to the strangers in their land. The muscles in her legs burned, each rotation of the pedals was an effort, but the thought of stopping terrified her. What would they do to her if they caught her? Rip her apart to get to her rations? Up ahead, Ed suddenly waved at them, and
then disappeared into a side alley.
“Break time,” he said as she swung into the alley. He was already off his bicycle, stretching his legs and back. “I’ll give you a half hour. Eat a mouthful of a nutrient bar and copy my stretches – that is if you want to be able to get back on the bikes again.”
“Oh thank God. My guts think my mouth forgot about them.” Liam climbed off his bike, took two steps and collapsed on the ground.
Dillon laughed and pointed. “Forgot how to walk more like.”
Liam shrugged and pulled his pack off, and sat where he’d fallen. Seconds later he had a bar in his hand. “Go on then, let’s see what you do.”
“All right then.” Dillon got off, propped his bike against a wall and sat carefully.
“No, mate, that’s cheating. You’ve got to take a few steps.”
“Enough bloody joking. Want to be able to ride later?” Ed was standing over them. “Copy me, or you’ll not be leaving this alleyway.”
Ed took them through a few poses, Cassie tried her best to copy, but her muscles were screaming out for relief. When finished, Ed took his food bar and walked to the end of the alley. He tucked himself into a shadow and kept watch.
“Oh my God.” Dillon collapsed flat and closed his eyes. “I’ve never been so bleeding tired or sore in my entire sorry life. Is it me or is everyone’s backside bruised to hell?”
“And only another ten hours of riding to go.” John gave Dillon’s bum a soft kick. “Imagine how you’re going to feel then.”
“Don’t forget another twelve hours back to the tunnel,” Liam said. He leaned up against a wall and rubbed at his thighs.
“Noooo,” Dillon wailed. “My butt will break. I swear, I’ll have to hover above the seat for my own protection.”
Cassie took a bar from her pack and sat near Liam, and nibbled at her food. The taste was dense. Kind of nice at first, but then it left a sour aftertaste in the back of her throat.
For a while no one spoke, just ate, and rubbed at sore muscles.
“Going to feel this in the morning,” Dillon said.
Dan watched as his group chatted. Cassie wondered what was going through his mind, but then he glanced up the alley to Ed. Their guide now sat cross-legged at the alley entrance, keeping watch. Then Dan’s eyes moved to Ed’s pack. He glanced up at her, she lowered her eyes quickly, and tried to control the burning sensation of a blush rising. She hated him.
Cassie risked looking up. Dan had one finger on his lips as he moved over to the pack and opened it. He then indicated at his eyes and pointed down the alley at Ed. Cassie gave a slight nod and kept an eye on their guide. But why should she help him, she thought as she watched the government man. Dan had done nothing but repeatedly abandon her and how could she forget that he left her to the infection. But he did obsessively protect himself and those he considered family, and if that meant she might survive a little longer by proxy, then she would help him, but just this once. She was a tool, she decided. Simply there to help him to his goal, whatever that might be. Did that apply to the rest of them? Not John, the two were too tight for that. But Dillon? And Liam? She decided they’d be dropped in a heartbeat, if Dan thought it would help him to his goals. Dan was not such a nice person.
Ed stirred, uncrossing his legs.
“Are we leaving soon?” Cassie said, glancing at Dan. He was already sat away from the pack, a smug expression on his face. Obviously found what he was looking for.
“Can’t hang around too long. The natives will find us before long, and you really don’t want to be involved in that.”
Cassie wondered what he meant by that. A vision came to her – all the people trying to catch them on the street, hands out for food, what if one of them were caught? What if one of them fell off the bike, it would only take an instant… She shivered. With that, she stood, almost falling straight back down as her muscles cried out in protest, and limped over to her bike.
“Bloody hell. I hurt,” she said.
“You’ll be a lot worse by night fall.” Ed sat on his bike, ready to go already.
“Cheery, Ed. Real cheery,” Dillon said.
“Great incentive.” Liam pulled up next to Cassie, stood so close he almost lent up against her. Maybe this journey would go some way to forgiveness. She smiled up at him as she mounted her bike.
“Just think ahead to the next food break,” Ed said and grabbed his pack.
“Great idea,” Liam said. “Talking of which, time for another bite?”
Ed shook his head and pedalled his bike up the alley a short way.
“Oh God, my bottom!” Cassie almost jumped straight off. Pain shot through her backside. “I can’t do it.” She looked over at Ed, hoping desperately he’d let them sit a little longer.
“Then stay.” Ed turned away from them and pedalled out of the alley.
“Nice guy, isn’t he,” Liam whispered. “Although a bit repetitive with the whole ‘I’ll leave you behind’ line.”
She thought of saying his precious leader, Dan, had a habit of saying the exact same thing, but in the interests of newly forming friendships, Cassie giggled.
Riding a little more slowly than when they left Calais, the group set off once more.
Two breaks later, and Cassie felt as if she were ready to die herself. As evening approached, Ed had taken mercy on the group, and pulled them all over and into another small alley. Cassie assumed they’d sleep there for the night, curled up on the cold ground, but Ed produced a key from a pocket and let them into a small bare room. He walked his bike inside and beckoned to the rest of them.
“English owned, unregistered by the French, it’s one of our safe places. There’s a bathroom over there. You probably won’t want to wash as there’s only cold water.” Ed checked the alley before locking the door. He took a bedroll from the corner and laid it out on the floor. He sat down after a long bone popping stretch. “Take one, it’s your bed for the night. There’s a heater back there as well, but I don’t think we’ll need it tonight.”
The room had a musty stink that was almost overwhelming. Cassie wrinkled her nose and made herself breathe in.
“How much further to go?” Dan asked as he took a roll for himself.
“Well, we’ve only done five hours today.” Ed shook his head, as if in disgust. “Normally I wouldn’t even stop here. I’d be most of the way to Germany by now.”
“All well and good. How far to go from here?” Dan sat down.
“At least another two day’s travelling at this pace. Probably three.”
“Shit.” Liam slid down a wall and sat with a bump on the floor.
Dillon shrugged and disappeared into the bathroom.
Cassie grabbed a roll from the corner and laid hers out on the other side of the room. The padding was thin and it stank of damp, but it was better than sleeping on concrete.
“Mind if I come set up next to you?” Liam hovered beside her.
“Sure, I guess?” She frowned. Cassie was really glad he wanted to be near her. It was a big change from when she first met him and he was unable to cope with the deaths. But this was such a complete turnaround. What was he up to? Was he going to do a Dan, and punish her when she least suspected it? Even the kiss, while sweet, wasn’t really him. It was that drug they pumped into the van. She gave him a generous smile as he lay his roll down. Pay attention, she reminded herself.
If she looked out the small window in the door, Cassie could just see the sun setting over the French red roofs. She gave an enormous yawn and returned to her bedroll. Her entire body was tired. Even the pinky on her left hand was tired. And achy, she was sure there wasn’t a muscle on her that didn’t hurt right now. She curled up and gave a little shiver. The room wasn’t warm as Ed had suggested. Maybe she should go and see if that old heater worked.
“I found this old blanket over with the rolls. It’s a little moth-eaten and doesn’t smell the best, but… would you like it?” Liam hesitated for a moment, and then laid it on he
r anyway.
“Thank you,” she said and watched him as he settled on his own mat. Maybe he felt bad about the way Dan treated her. After all, she hadn’t known the group was in the greenhouse when she was there. She’d just been trying to survive, like them.
Her eyelids drifted closed, and the black sleep of exhaustion took over.
“Wake up,” someone whispered harshly in her ear. There was a hand clamped over her mouth. “Don’t say a word, and don’t scream.”
Liam. He’d muffled her. Was this it? Was this the reason he’d been nice to her – rape? She shoved his hand off her face.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she replied, also in a whisper – for now. When she figured out what he was up to, then she’d raise her voice. Oh yes, she’d wake the entire neighbourhood.
“There’re people outside.” He pointed over towards the small window. “They’ve been gathering.”
Cassie sat up. Dawn was already approaching. Jesus, felt like she’d only just closed her eyes. There was stiffness in her bones as she clambered onto her knees and crawled a little closer to the door. Something moved on the other side of the window. Backlit by the dim morning light, she could see movements – shadows of people milling about in the alley. Lots of people.
“Why would they be here?” She stared wide eyed through the darkness, not wanting to think about the reality of the situation.
“I don’t know… attack us, I guess. I was about to wake the others. Maybe Ed knows. For all we know it’s something the French do in the morning.”
“What – gather in alleys?”
Liam tried to smile back at her, but gave up and crawled over to the other side of the room. He clamped a hand over Ed’s mouth, waking him in the same manner he’d woken her. Both men fixated on the window.
“Fuck me, they found us.” Ed nodded at the others, not taking his attention from the window. “Wake them.”
The Ultimate Choice Page 17