Jon sighed. “Of course I want to believe.” He turned to his family and others seated in the bistro. “All of us do.”
Heads nodded.
“But without anything to go on but rumor, I honestly think it is a bit of a wild goose chase.”
“We respect your opinion Jon, but our minds are made up.” Vincent got to his feet, slower and more carefully this time. His entourage did the same. “This latest revelation with the Four Horsemen is the last straw for us. We will leave within the hour, while there is still good light in the sky. I would ask you to join us, but I fear I already know the answer to that question anyway.”
It was done and decided. Farewells and goodbyes followed as the two groups exchanged handshakes hugs and kisses. A veil of sadness descended inside the bistro, lingering long after Vincent and his crowd left to gather their belongings.
Minutes later Gerard appeared at the door. “What did I miss?” Having just finished his watch he had indeed missed everything. “What?” he said, in response to the looks thrust in his direction.
A long, uneasy hour passed.
Outside in the carpark those from the Oasis started to gather together. Numbers quickly swelled as the remainder filtered out from their rooms to meet at the assembly point. Tension was replaced by excitement as they prepared to head out.
“Remember Jon,” said Vincent as the two men shook hands, “without hope, there is nothing. You have got to have faith.” He smiled. “Should you change your mind you know where to find us.”
With that Vincent turned, gave a final wave and led the procession out onto the road. Within minutes they had completely disappeared from sight.
Spirits at the motel were down, morale had plummeted as the stark reality of their harsh, bleak world hit the Armstrongs hard. This unexpected turn of events had got them all thinking. Musing. That night the ten remaining residents at the motel reflected on their own future. They all thought about what Vincent had said.
There had to be more to life than this. There had to be!
The group remained at the motel for the next three days and nights and time passed with the same reflections and thoughts on their minds. A roller-coaster of emotions, deep thoughts and questions. Amongst it all, faith emerged.
Josh sat in silence out on patrol lost in his own thoughts. Sitting in an abandoned SUV just up the street he peered though the dirty windscreen in the direction that the Oasis group had headed days before. The road ahead was now deserted, nothing stirred. Day after day the same scene repeated itself, regardless of who was on watch.
Time dragged.
Outside another beautiful day had dawned and a warm gentle breeze swirled with carefree abandon. The early light was good and getting better. Long shadows emerged from their slumber, creeping ominously from the darkness.
With a loud yawn Josh cracked his fingers, stretched his arms out in front of him. Leaning back deep into the soft leather of the driver’s seat he raised his weary legs and rested his boots on the dashboard. Dipping two fingers into the open jar of peanut butter he had with him, he scooped out a decent measure. The flavor lingered long in his mouth as he licked and sucked on his fingers. Breakfast was served.
His mind wandered. Vincent’s parting words as he left for the docks had impacted greatly on him.
Without hope there is nothing.
Josh sat in silence for an hour. The sun had risen in a blazing inferno giving way to a clear rich blue sky. The cheerful morning light lit up the lonely grey city below. He found himself dozing on and off during his uneventful shift, with the warm rays of the glorious sunrise enticing him to nap. He shook his head trying desperately to snap himself awake.
Thoughts exploded in his brain as he pondered the possibilities. His thoughts turned to the island and the possibility of other survivors. He daydreamed about the ship.
What if it was real?
Part of him wondered if they had indeed made the right decision not to leave with Vincent and his group. Anything was better than how they were living now.
He could barely remember the days before everything turned, not in detail anyway. It was rare to have the time to reflect, such was the brutal and unforgiving nature of this harsh new world. Survival depended on keeping one’s wits about them and remaining vigilant at all times. They had to face each new day as it arrived with the utmost courage and determination.
Josh reveled in this rare opportunity to put that aside just long enough to remember. Laughter that was one of the things he missed the most. A montage of other memories slowly came flooding back, unlocked for the first time in a very long time. Family life, carefree days, working at the sports store, partying with friends. He turned his thoughts to more recent events, more specifically Siobhan and Zoe who were back at the motel. Shook his head in disbelief at to how lucky he was, quietly chuckling to himself.
A slight gust of wind disturbed a pile of trash on the sidewalk. Papers rustled in the breeze and an old rusted Coca-cola can toppled and rattled as it rolled into the gutter. Josh looked up and movement caught his eye, outside to his right.
Somewhat startled, fear and adrenaline coursed through him. Dropping the jar of peanut butter it hit the floor with a thud, he grasped for his rifle and slid down as far as he could go in his seat in a desperate attempt to conceal himself. Closing his eyes he refocused, controlled his breathing, slowed his heartbeat and suppressed his fear.
Footsteps. Growing louder, getting nearer.
He refused to be frightened. Slouching as low as he could Josh listened intently, the footsteps sounded different, not what he expected to hear at all. They had a steady rhythm that was constant, but not fast. There was no scraping or dragging along the ground. They sounded, normal – human-like.
Slowly, ever so cautiously he pulled himself up. Through squinted eyes he peered through the side window of the SUV. Shapes on the road were heading straight for him. He cursed as he slid back down in his seat, he was trapped.
Think. Think. Think.
Slapped his forehead.
They cannot be creatures. Too fast. Too normal.
Chewed his lip and closed his eyes tight.
Four Horsemen? No! They couldn’t be, not like this.
His eyes burst wide open.
Survivors!
Before he could react to anything they were upon him. Footsteps surrounded the vehicle, passing by slowly. His heart sank like an anchor. Cursing again under his breath Josh made himself as small as he could.
“How far to go dad?” came a voice from outside the SUV. That of a young boy.
“We’ll be there sometime tomorrow son,” came the reply. A man’s voice, deep and husky, sounding somewhat exhausted.
Footsteps.
Josh sat up slowly. Relief washed over him.
Survivors!
Suddenly there was a sharp metallic tap at the window of the SUV. Josh nearly jumped out of his skin with fright. He found himself staring down the twin barrels of a sawn-off shotgun. Both barrels were cocked and a huge finger twitched at the trigger.
“We know yer in therr,” came a booming voice from outside the window. It was heavily laced with rolling R’s, distinctively Scottish. “We saw yer from the road laddie. Now we don’t know trouble, so put doon whatever weapons yer might have and step oot slowly.”
Realizing that the game was up Josh complied. Slid his rifle to the floor on the passenger side, unlocked the passenger door and slowly placed his feet out onto the road. Hands raised.
“Easy,” said the Scotsman. “Nice and slow.”
All at once the sun disappeared, lost in an eclipse behind the man mountain. He towered above Josh who himself was considered tall at six foot two. The man cut an imposing figure on the road that morning, any morning for that matter. The shotgun he wielded made him appear much more threatening.
Josh’s eyes darted around him as he studied the situation. Whilst there was a lot of tension in the air, for some reason he did not find it menacing. Flanking t
he Scotsman were two other men, standing in his shadow with their weapons drawn. All about them people on the road continued onwards, walking past seemingly unconcerned.
“You’ve got a lot of pluck sitting oot here on yer own laddie. What are yer doon here?”
“I’m,” Josh bit his lip, instantly became conscious of the need to avoid exposing the others back at the motel. “I’m resting.” He was a shit liar.”
“Resting aye…” said the gigantic Scotsman, with an air of skepticism. “In a truck in the middle of the road. Oot in the open. Exposed.”
“Like I said. Resting.”
“Yer shitting me. Going to stick with that story are we?” Shook his head. “Do I look stupid to you?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Take a good look laddie. Do I?”
“I said no didn’t I?”
“Listen,” the shotgun shifted as the big man spoke, “we honestly don’t give a flying fuck who yer are, nor for that matter what yer doon oot here. As long as yer not a threat to us we really don’t give a shit.”
Josh blinked slowly.
“Now, I’ll ask you again. What are yer doon oot here?”
Footsteps pounded on the road as the procession continued to pass by.
Josh thought long and hard, then relented... “Ok. Truth is, I’ve been keeping watch.”
Deep chuckles.
“Keeping watch? Hell laddie, we saw yer long before yer knew we were here. Yer doon a piss poor job.”
“Yeah, that would appear to be true sadly, but that’s the truth of it. There are others, family and friends, all of us just trying to survive out here. We are certainly no threat to you or your people.”
Rubbing the thick stubble on his massive jaw the Scotsman snorted like an angry bull.
“What’s yer name boy?”
“Josh. Can I put my fricken hands down now?”
“Aye Josh.” The man mountain lowered his weapon and the other two men next to him did the same.
“So, what about you guys?” asked Josh. “What the hell are you doing out here on the road?”
“Well, we’re not tourists, that’s for bloody certain.”
Laughter.
“Why are we out here?” Snort. “We have all had a gut-full of trying to survive we’re heading to the docks. There’s this ship…”
“Fuck me!”
“What’s the problem laddie?”
Josh blinked slowly. “Tell me about the ship.”
“The ship? All we know is what we have heard. Why the interest?”
“What have you heard?” Josh’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s all the fuss with this ship anyway?”
“I need to know!”
“Alright, calm doon. All we have heard is that there is a ship that comes every once and a while to take survivors to an island. This place is said to be a sanctuary. We don’t know much else except for the rumor that it is due again in the next few days.”
“I see.” Josh’s heart pounded with excitement.
“Why the interest?”
“We have heard the same. So, how many of you are there?”
“Um… sixty eight at last count. We tend to pick up stragglers along the way.”
The Scotsman’s group had been on the march for days, endeavoring to take the quickest possible route to the docks from the other side of the city. Many of the travelers looked weary. Despite their exhaustion they had pushed themselves on driven by their beliefs of what awaited them. The ship.
“My name is Billy, by the way.” Thrusting out a gigantic hand he almost crushed Josh’s as they shook.
Reaching into the SUV Josh retrieved his rifle and the jar of peanut butter. He was now anxious to get back to his group to relay the news. Having gained a fresh perspective on the whole issue of the ship, he had hatched a plan.
“Yer welcome to join us. Yer group too, if yer want.”
“Thanks Billy,” Josh said, with newfound confidence in his voice. “If it’s all the same, I think we will take a rain check.”
“That’s fine laddie. The offer is there though.”
“Well, you never know. We might actually see you there, at the docks.”
“Aye then. We’ll keep an eye oot for yer.”
Josh nodded. A thought came to him. “Oh, hey Billy. Just a warning. There’s this faction out here who go by the name of the Four Horsemen. They are a ruthless pack of bastards and if you come across them do not hesitate to use that.” Pointed to the shotgun.
Billy place two fingers to his forehead and saluted. “Many thanks young Josh. We’ll see yer around then.”
Josh spun around and set off back to the motel with a spring in his step. He could not wait to tell the others. He watched over his shoulder as the pack of refugees led by Billy, snaked off into the distance.
Outside, the day started to turn as a thick layer of dark grimy cloud cover began to roll in. Rain was still a way off, yet the temperature drop signaled that it was indeed coming.
Jon sat in noticeable silence, looking somewhat pensive. His chin rested on his hands, hot tea steamed in a cup next to him. “This is a lot to take in,” he said, with a sigh.
Shadows danced off the walls as the sun disappeared for an instant. The threat of dark clouds could not dampen the mood at the motel, not now as there was a buzz of excitement in the air.
Jon sipped his tea. “I don’t know. It is a good argument, I will give you that. Life is indeed hard now, very hard. Harder than it has ever been.” Shrugged his shoulders. “I’m torn here. Our safety, your safety has always been my number one priority. We have lost loved ones recently, which pains me deeply. I just want to be certain that this is indeed the right choice for us all.”
“We have all lost people we love,” Colin said, getting to his feet. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my own family.” Clenched his fists. “Enough talk I say. Let’s just get the hell out of here!” Taking his seat he sucked in a lungful of air, held it in then slowly exhaled.
“Gerard?” Jon turned to his most trusted advisor.
“Well it does make sense Jon. This cannot be the sum total of our lives.” The former accountant looked around at the group. “We deserve better than this. Life has to have more meaning. Hope give us purpose and I am sure that I speak for all of us when I say that we could do with a big dose of hope right now. We have nothing at all to lose Jon.”
Tea slurped. “So, are we all agreed on this?”
All heads nodded. No exceptions.
“Alright then. Get a good night’s sleep everyone. We will leave at first light tomorrow.”
Dusk came. With it, the cold front swept in enveloping the city in its gloomy grasp. Icy rain pelted down, quickly turning to sleet.
Zoe’s lips pouted.
“You have a very sexy mouth gorgeous girl,” Siobhan said, leaning forward kissing Zoe on the lips.
Josh swallowed.
Siobhan’s finger traced the neckline of Zoe’s shirt. Took hold and slid it over her head.
“Do you find her attractive?”
All Josh could do was nod. He was fully aroused.
In one smooth movement Siobhan unclipped her blonde girlfriend’s bra, then removed her briefs. Zoe stood naked in the dimming light.
“How much do you want her?”
Josh stared. Heart pounding, blood pumping.
“Make love to her now sexy boy,” Siobhan whispered, seductively in his ear. “I want to watch.”
Josh’s eyebrows rose. Without hesitating he took Zoe there and then on the bed, performing all night long for both girls’ pleasure.
Showers passed and the day dawned bright. Rain had continued right throughout the night, cleansing the dirty dusty streets. The merciless sun had returned, burning a hole through the brilliant blue sky above.
Josh ran his fingers through his hair. “Listen up!” he said with an air of authority. “You know the drill. Keep to the center of the road. Stay clo
se and stay alert.”
Tyler then led them off in the direction of the docks, setting a cracking pace. There was an air of excitement amongst the group that trailed along behind him. As they walked along the empty streets each of them began to envision what life might be like on the island. There was a pep in their step that morning as hope escorted them on their journey.
Only thirty minutes into their trek they came across the first of the stray creatures they were to encounter that day. Out front Tyler acted decisively. Slinging his rifle over his shoulder he armed himself with his to hatchets and dispatched the threat swiftly, taking out the undead that had meandered aimlessly across their path. Without uttering a single word he wiped the blades clean, swapped them back for his rifle then continued on.
In the tense hours that followed the group fended off many more similar attacks. Alarmingly, the further they travelled towards the docks, the more creatures they encountered. Strays turned into small packs of a dozen or more, slowing their progress somewhat as they took the time to dispose of them.
Cresting a small rise the travelers stopped in their tracks. Hope escalated to a new level.
Josh tapped Tyler on the shoulder, motioning with his hand in the distance. “There!” In the direction he pointed, lay the docks.
Spirits lifted.
Standing between them and their destination was a mass of ugly concrete and bitumen. Winding streets, a sea of shipping containers and a light industrial zone.
“We have to keep moving,” said Josh, taking a swig of water. “The roads here should be ok. Just keep your eyes open guys.”
“Not far to go now,” Olivia said, placing a comforting had on her husband’s shoulder.
Jon managed a smile.
With weapons drawn they pushed relentlessly forward. The sun beat down hot. Over the course of the next few hours excitement levels waned as the travelers baked in the blistering heat. They trudged on in pursuit of their goal feeling buoyed by the sighting of the docks. They suppressed their weariness as they continued to fend off creatures along the way.
Then the shit hit the fan.
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Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series Page 42