The Ultimate Choice

by Lisa C Hinsley

  “Time to go.” Ed was stood by a small window watching the rain fall. Apparently those purple clouds had caught up with them, and the heavens had opened.

  Cassie yawned and stretched. Had an hour gone already? Rain pounded against the door. “We’re not going to ride in that, are we?” Cassie glanced at Liam. He’d put his roll next to hers again. What was he up to, she thought briefly, and scooted just a little bit away from him. Now wasn’t the time to start new relationships, and his need to be close to her suggested he was after more than simple friendship.

  “Best weather to ride in. Natives will be few and far between. Expect empty roads.” Ed opened the door. A scent of wet dust assaulted her nose. Before long, hopefully, the dirt and grime of the city would be washed away, and maybe they’d get that fresh smell she used to get sometimes back when she lived in her old flat. She’d look forward to rain, opening her window and taking deep breaths. And yet the air never seemed to get clean enough.

  John and Liam were looking to Dan for guidance. He nodded towards the doorway. “Do as the man says.”

  At first the rain was freezing. She could hardly see, couldn’t blink fast enough to clear her vision. But Ed had been right. There weren’t constantly accosted by skeletal French people like they had been the day before. The sight of them earlier, limping out of buildings, trying to crowd them as they approached gave Cassie a shiver. Or was that the cold rain? Didn’t matter, really.

  No one talked. With the sound of the rain to keep her company, Cassie concentrated on keeping her tired legs pumping. She opened her mouth and caught a few drops on her tongue. The water tasted fresh, not tinny like the purified water they drank the rest of the time. Liam stayed near her side. She couldn’t quite figure out why. Was this his version of forgiveness? Trying to bond with her? Or was he setting her up for something cruel? Was he like Dan, not really caring about her. But Dan had saved her from the attack. What was she supposed to think? And Dillon had sacrificed himself for her. Dillon she’d understood – he’d been nice to her from the start. But Dan? It must be because he knows he needs her for the raid. Once he had what he needed, he’d leave her behind in a heartbeat. That must be his plan.

  The rain had soaked through her clothes long ago. And still the downpour continued. Her teeth chattered as she glanced around at the others. All were hunched over their handlebars, as if that would give them any shelter. How long had they been riding in this weather? An hour? Two? She’d lost the concept of time a while back as the pounding of the rain mesmerised her. Maybe Ed would let them break soon. She needed to get the chill out of her bones.

  There was a stink of death in France that seemed to follow them around. Even with the downpour cleansing the land, the impression of decay, of disease stuck. The rain continued all day and into the evening. When Ed finally called for a stop, Cassie wrapped her arms around her body and hoped, prayed (even though the last time she spoke to God had been as a little girl) there would be a fire, a heater, something to warm her up.

  “Dan and John, you’re going to join me taking turns in watching for an attack.” I’ll take the first watch and wake Dan after four hours. Then Dan will wake John after two. John, wake the rest of us up at six.”

  Cassie grabbed a roll and set herself up. “Rat droppings,” she said suddenly. “Look, there’s rat droppings.” She went and grabbed Liam, dragging him over to the spot. “Look they are, aren’t they?”

  She pointed at the piles of black grains along the edge of the wall.

  “So, it’s a few rats. John and I’ll have a game of smash the rat if they dare come in.” He wrapped an arm around her and squeezed.

  Why was he trying to get so close to her? But the warmth felt nice. Even if this was a ploy for something nasty later, she’d just enjoy it for now. She nuzzled in. “Are you sure? I’ve seen some pretty large ones in London. Bastards were almost organised in their attack.”

  Liam laughed. “Organised? Rats? Were you half-starved at the time?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Not so much. It was much later that starvation got me.”

  He frowned and said, “You really will have to tell me your story one day. I’d love to hear it.”

  “Sometime soon? When we’re not exhausted or riding our bikes.” Cassie smiled and put an arm around his waist. “And you promise to protect me from any rats that might show up?”

  “I swear.” He made a cross symbol on his chest. “I’ll just go and let the others know we may have visitors.”

  Cassie dug in behind the pile of bedrolls searching for a heater. There wasn’t anywhere else to look. The room was very basic, like the others, and she was so cold.

  “Please, let there be a heater,” she said as she tossed the mats to her side. Something solid was hidden under them. She moved the last two rolls and exposed an old electric heater.

  “Oh, thank God.” She grabbed it and moved it to the single power socket in the room. Moments later, she’d plugged it in.

  “Work,” she ordered and switched it on. The machine made some clunks and clicking sounds, and Cassie almost switched it off again, but then the element brightened and took on a red glow. Warmth flooded out, followed by the stink of burning dust, and Cassie held her wet hands up to the heat.

  “Ed, is it okay that I got this heater working?” To be honest, she wasn’t sure if she’d turn it off even if he said no. Her clothes hung to her skin, her hair was dripping wet, and if she didn’t get dried soon, she’d end up sick. They all would.

  “Count your blessings. Not all of the safe rooms have one.” Ed started undressing. “I want everyone stripped down to their skivvies. Give your clothes to Cass. She can get them drying.”

  “What – down to my underwear?” She glanced about at the men. “I can’t do that!”

  “Then catch a cold and get left behind.” His expression softened a little. Maybe he’d seen her shock at his words. “I won’t abandon you. But I would have to leave you behind to stay here. We’d pick you up on the way back assuming you’re still alive.” Ed tossed a sopping jacket and shirt at her. They landed with a wet thump on the ground. He started unbuttoning his trousers.

  “We’ve already seen worse than you in your undies,” John called out from the other side of the room. How could she forget the boiling shower they’d all had at the government centre and her utter mortification at having to strip in front of all those men.

  “Ha ha. I’m sure that made your day.” Cassie picked up some of the clothing, now ankle deep by her side. She needed something to hang them on. The room was sparse – but there was something. Cassie arranged the bicycles around the electric fire and draped the clothes on them. Everything needed to be rung out first, and not only was she freezing cold, but she was stood in an ever increasing puddle. The men had bedrolls wrapped around them. She hung the last of the clothes and grabbed a roll from the corner, heading straight for the bathroom to change in peace.

  With the door closed behind her, Cassie took a deep breath. It really wasn’t that big of a deal, she told herself. A little bit of skin, and as John has said so nicely, not like they’d not seen it before – except for Ed. Or maybe he’d been in one of the white protective suits. Ed as a bubble man – she almost laughed.

  Cassie glanced at the shower. The water would be cold, but she was already chilled right through. Why wait until she was warmed up to dare get under that. She knew she stank. They all did, but that didn’t mean she had to. Moments later her clothes were in a pile by the door, a puddle already forming around them. She pushed aside the shower curtain, and screamed.

  There was a large brown rat in the base of the shower. It lay in a nest of fabric scraps – stolen from their bedrolls? Had this rat been crawling over their bedding? But it was worse than that. This was a mother, busy feeding a squirming mass of babies.

  “Rat!” she yelped, and almost ran into the door as someone flung it open.

  Liam came running in first. He took a look at her and grabbed the bedroll, handing
it to her before raising a booted foot and slamming it down on the mother’s head. Next were the babies. They made crunching sounds, like thin glass being ground down.

  “Guess there are rats here,” he said and turned to go. “I’ll see if I can find something to clean that up with.

  John poked his head around the door. “Fucking hate rats. Disgusting creatures.” He took a good look. “Christ, babies as well?”

  Cassie nodded, unable to stop grimacing. “There’ll be more. You should look out for them when you’re on watch.” How was she ever going to take a shower now? She tried not to look at the mangled mess of blood and corpses in the shower tray.

  “They can be nasty buggers, can’t they.” John stared unblinking at the bodies.

  “I got attacked in London by some huge ones.” The gore was drawing her. She wrapped the bedroll tighter about her and concentrated on John. She really didn’t need to look again. “The little bastards were very good about what they did. I think they’re probably more intelligent than we give them credit for.” She took a deep breath. Before John could open his mouth to argue, she said, “I’m just saying be careful.” Cassie turned, unwillingly, but unable to stop herself and found her eyes fixed on the clutter of rodent bodies. Something was wiggling under all the blood and gore. Liam had missed one.

  “Intelligent? Rats?” He laughed. “You’ve got to be joking! They’re just rats for Christ’s sake.” He’d spied the movement as well. “They’re just hungry like us, and looking for a bit of food.” He glanced over his shoulder. His complexion had gone a little green.

  “Maybe you should get some air?” Cassie suggested.

  “Could be you’re right,” he said, and backed out of the room. “Liam,” she heard him say in the main room, “one of the little ones is still alive.”

  There was a sound of ripping, and then Liam appeared, dressed once again in his wet clothes. He’d torn off the top layer of one of the bedrolls. Maybe he’d found the one the mother had shredded for her nest. The baby was trying to squirm out from under her mother’s body. Liam put the heel of his shoe on that one first, and then scooped up as much as he could in the fabric. “I’ll back for the rest in a moment.”

  The shower was still full of too many lumps to wash away. Cassie held the bedroll around her and grabbed her clothes. One-handed, she hung her clothes out by the fire. Liam had gone off down the street somewhere, he came back in, dripping wet once more, and went back into the bathroom for the rest.

  “Try rinsing the tray out now.” Then was gone off to wherever it was he’d found to dump the first pile of little bodies.

  The water made short work of the blood, but it still took a little courage for Cassie to get in. Visions kept appearing, of the daddy rat as he sneaked about the bathroom, trying to figure out where his family was, and finding her instead. He’d attack for sure. Cassie rinsed quickly and got out.

  “Bathroom’s free,” she said, and sat near the fire to dry. Her stomach rumbled hungrily. She took out the last of her day’s nutrient bar and munched thoughtfully. How had the rat got in anyway? From where she sat, Cassie traced the skirting boards, searching for holes. There were none, and the door was in one piece. Maybe there was a hole in the bathroom wall? Cassie got up and went in. No holes – at least none she could find. She even checked the ceiling, in case they’d dropped in from up high. There was one more place to look. Cassie dropped onto her knees and opened the doors to the cabinet, quick before she lost the nerve. Supplies were piled there, undisturbed. She pulled out a few things and checked the panelling at the back, but found nothing. “Huh,” she muttered, and put everything back.

  Liam opened the door and came through. He tossed the bloody rag in the shower base and turned the water on. Red stained his hands. “Let’s hope that’s all of them,” he said.

  “But how did she get in?”

  “Who knows? Maybe the British government have got loads of spies wondering around in France, and the last one of them to use the room let the rat in. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

  There was a moments quiet, then Cassie asked, “Why are you being so nice to me?” Cassie stepped closer to him. “I don’t get it. You should hate me, but…” her voice petered off. And then, in a whisper, “You seem to kind of like me.”

  “Because life is too short. That’s one thing that living with Dan and his family taught me. You draw me to you, and I can either turn that to hate, or I can see it for what it is.” He took a few steps towards her as well. “No one should be alone. Not in this world.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. Before she even realised what she’d done, Cassie pushed up against him and wrapped her hands around his neck. His lips were soft, his kiss tentative. Suddenly he pulled back. There was a sheepish glow in his eyes, and a flush on his cheeks.

  “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to shower.”

  The rest of the evening went by in a blur. Liam sat with her, helped her as she adjusted the clothes to get them dry, and later to sort out whose were whose for handing back. And when the time came to settle for the night, Liam snuggled up against her, and for the first time in her life, she slept safe in the arms of a man.

  Chapter 25

  In the depths of her dream, someone grunted. Cassie rolled over, unsure if the sound was real or not. But then a loud bang reverberated through the room, and Cassie sat up in an instant, her eyes open wide as she searched the room for intruders. She looked first to the door. They’d been discovered again. There was another group of French people lurking by the door. Was there a secret exit from this room? Would they escape this time? There was no one stood by the door – so where had the taser bang come from?

  Ed was over by the bathroom door, his taser in one hand. Seconds later there was another bang.

  He must have noticed her watching. Or maybe he realised the discharge would wake everyone up. The other men were all on their feet in an instant.

  “Everything’s all right now. I got the slippery bastard.”

  Cassie tried to calm her heart. Panic had rallied it into a rapid fluttering beat. Liam was somehow already fading back into sleep, while she lay there wondering how it had got in. There were no holes, no gaps in the walls. She’d checked. And it was in the bathroom? Cassie squeezed her eyes shut. She needed the sleep more then she needed to worry about where a damn rat came from. A light sleep found her, a disturbed sleep where the images of the destroyed mother rat and her babies flashed before her. They were on the move, lurching on ruined legs, ever closer…

  Liam gave her a squeeze, lifting her out of sleep. She managed a smile, grateful the dream might now fade. She closed her eyes for a moment to be greeted by little bloody rat corpses.

  “Oi, it really is time to wake up,” he whispered in her ear, and then placed a soft kiss in her cheek, his bristly beard tickling her skin.

  “Don’t be surprised when you use the toilet,” Ed said loudly.

  Cassie wandered in first. To the left of the door was a pile of rat corpses. There must have been half a dozen. “Jesus!” She retreated back into the main room. “Where the hell did all of those come from?”

  Ed had a long red scratch on his face and a few more on his hands. “Bastards caught me by surprise.”

  “But where did they come from?” she asked again. She was not going to be brushed aside by him.

  “I couldn’t see. They leapt out of the darkness.”

  “Comforting.”

  “It’s safe now. Want me to come in with you?” Ed took his taser from his pocket and stepped closer.

  “You’re kidding? No, no, I’ll be fine.” Cassie retreated into the bathroom and away from the stares of all the men.

  She sat on the toilet, enjoying the satisfying sensation of weeing when she heard a splash. Cassie frowned and stretched her head forward so she could see into the hand basin.

  Nothing there. With a sinking realisation, she realised the sound had come from below her.

  Her bladder contr
acted, and Cassie lurched off the toilet, pulling up her trousers even as she fell forwards.

  “It’s in here!” she screamed. “Help!”

  The door flung open. Ed must have been right there, waiting on the other side. Did he know what was going to happen? Did he let her in there knowing a rat might swim out of the toilet as she used it? How dare he!

  Over the rim of the toilet a wet rodent face appeared. It grabbed onto the seat and pulled the last of its body out until it was balanced on the rim.

  “Die, vermin.” There was a bang as Ed got it with his taser. A cheeky smile floated across his face.

  “You knew that might happen, didn’t you!” She kicked him in the shin. “It could have… bitten me down there.” She waved her hands around, winding up to hit him, maybe. “How could you?”

  “Cass, love. I wasn’t sure exactly where they were coming from.” He rubbed his shin where she’d got him. Good. She’d have hobbled him given half a chance.

  “Well, what other bloody hole could all of them have crept through?” She pointed at the pile of rodent bodies.

  Liam and John stood at the door. Both wore smirks.

  “It’s not funny! Why are you both laughing?” Cassie stamped her foot. “I’d like to see what you’d have done if a rat had taken a bite out of your privates.”

  “But it didn’t bite you, did it?” Liam said. “Come on. Isn’t it time we all smiled about something?”

  “No.” But Cassie took a deep breath. If she was quick, she could give all three of them a kick. Bloody cheek, the lot of them.

  The toilet water bubbled.

  “There’s another one on the way.” Ed pushed Cassie out of the room and took aim. “Seems the little buggers know we’re here now.”

  “Told you they were too intelligent, must be the same here in Europe as it was in England. They’ll gang up if you’re not careful…”

  Liam grabbed her from behind and pulled her away. “Let the man hunt. He’s getting a kick out of shooting them. Can’t you see that?”