by Fleet, Ricky
“I don’t want you to let me in. Just the girl.”
“Why wouldn’t you want to get in here?”
“I’ve done some bad things in my life. Getting this little princess to safety is one of the good. I’m too tired to keep protecting her, so I need you to do it.”
“And what’ll you do?”
“If I can, I’ll find somewhere to hide. I’ll try and get some strength and head back to the prison. Clarissa’s right, bad things are happening and I need to try and help.”
“What happened to you?”
“I got shot two days ago. I was in the medical wing, but things went to hell and I had to get this little thing out of harm’s way.”
“Who shot you?”
“It doesn’t matter. They’re my problem to deal with. If you could just…”
A heavy thud could be heard through the barrier. Clarissa gasped in shock and started to slap against the stone.
“Please, help me! Mr Hay’s collapsed and the monsters are coming!”
“What do we do?” Sarah whispered. It seemed too convenient that the man’s injury would cripple him at exactly the right moment which best suited an ambush.
“We let them in. If he tries anything, shoot him,” DB replied.
“Please hurry!” begged the girl.
“Stand back, I’m going to move the stone!” DB called to be heard over her frantic pleas.
Pushing at the slab, it refused to budge. “Shit!”
“What is it?”
“It’s jammed. Hold the light on the seam for me,” he said, pulling out his combat knife.
Scraping it into the tiny gap, mud, dust, and the dead foliage cascaded to the floor. Repeating the process all around the rim, he slid the knife away when a decent amount of the debris was cleared. Moving up another step, he ducked his head and put the meaty shoulder to the cold, intransigent obstacle. Pushing with all his might, the stone resisted his efforts at first. Slamming up into it, once, twice, three times, and another layer of soil fell away. His collarbone was aching from the brutal punishment, but the stone shifted a tiny amount. Heaving again, the last of the dirt trickled through the gap and the first slivers of daylight could be seen.
“Keep well back. I’m going to tip it over!”
“Ok. Please hurry!”
“Ready?” he asked the retired police officer.
She readied her pistol, preparing for the worst. “Go.”
Gritting his teeth, DB heaved against the heavy lid. Squinting at the bright light now streaming in, he could immediately see that the man wasn’t lying in wait. He was simply lying; face down and unconscious in the overgrown vegetation of the concealed escape route. Praying the four inch thick stone wouldn’t break, he let it drop to the ground. The same foliage provided a soft blanket and it hit the ground with a soft thud, crushing the bushes and grass.
“Come on now! Get inside!” Denise urged, lowering the gun.
“Sarah. Can you try and scrape away any shit that’s inside the rim? I’ll need to try and drop it back into place or they’ll flood in here and be on us in seconds.”
“You got it,” she said, stealing his knife and beginning to gouge at the more stubborn build ups.
“Don’t try anything, big fella,” DB said, clutching Matt under the arms.
Head lolling against his chest, the soldier had seen enough unconscious people to know this wasn’t an act. The fine sheen of cold sweat on Matt’s brow and the trail of blood leaking from the lower leg was genuine. He was in a bad way. The moans of the eager zombies were getting ever closer as he dragged the prone body into the darkness below. Dropping him as carefully as possible, DB leaped back up the steps and moved to pick up the heavy lid.
“Not today!” he snarled at a zombie that lunged for him. Swinging his massive boot, the steel protected toe caught the creature underneath its chin. Lifted from its feet, the rotting woman sailed backwards and collapsed to the ground.
Hefting the five foot long, two foot wide slab back to a vertical position, DB moved around it and started to climb down the steps. Using his bruised back again, he slowly descended into the chamber. The thick slab grew increasingly heavy as he got lower until he could take it no more and let it drop. From the thunderous impact, DB expected it to shatter and crash down on top of his skull. In spite of its age, the timeworn barrier held strong and sank back into the cavity.
“Wow, that was close,” said Clarissa.
“You’re not kidding. Now we just need to figure out how to get your friend back to the castle.”
DB zip tied the prostrate man’s hands behind his back. The young girl was about to protest, but she knew they were just being cautious of strangers. It was a lesson that had been drummed into Clarissa and her school friends from an early age.
“We could wait until he wakes up,” suggested the young girl.
DB didn’t want to explain that he might not be waking up in his current condition. “No, I’ll drag him as far as I can. Then we can go and get a second pair of hands to help me get him the rest of the way.”
“I’ll get his feet,” offered Denise until the soldier shook his head. He wanted a gun ready to be used at a moment’s notice, just in case the Scotsman turned out to be the world’s greatest actor.
Sarah led the child into the tunnel, with DB in hot pursuit. Shuffling backwards, he had to stop every thirty feet to untangle his knotted back muscles. Beneath the coat, he could feel the thick muscles of the prisoner. I’m glad you’re asleep, amigo, he thought. It would be a bloody affair going hand to hand with him.
Leaving the outer chamber behind, the dull thuds of the starving dead carried down the tunnel in their wake.
Chapter 34
“He’s a big lump, that’s for sure,” grunted Winston as he and Jonesy tried to gently lower the unconscious man to the ash darkened fire bed. Luckily, the vast size of the fireplace opening allowed them to work side by side, otherwise the task would have proved nearly impossible. From the chimney above, DB held as much weight as he was able through the rope tied beneath the man’s armpits, playing it out as required to the men below. Clarissa watched with concern as her friend was laid on the rug in the centre of the bedroom. Drops of scarlet trailed across the wooden floor from the wounded leg.
“What happened to you both?”
“Mr Hay was talking about bad people coming. Real bad people. So bad that even he was afraid of them.”
“Well that doesn’t sound good,” Jonesy muttered.
“What could scare a prison full of hardened convicts?” Winston asked, but no one had an answer.
“This should help fight the infection,” said Christina, injecting him in the arm. “I’ll need to pick all the buckshot out and wash the wound. He may still lose the leg, though. It’s a mess.”
“Wouldn’t the medicine be better used on our people?” said Jonesy. He’d seen what these people were capable of. The murder of the guard on the platform was imprinted on his memory like a polaroid picture.
“I think he’s earned a bit of care for saving Clarissa,” replied the doctor. “I’ll also need some blood from you.”
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the only one I know who’s O negative.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I saw the tattoo on your forearm.”
“Shit! Sorry, I mean, shoot!”
“Is that a yes?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“I can always drug you and take it when you’re passed out.”
“That seems a bit extreme to save a convict.”
“Let’s just say I have a soft spot for people that protect children.”
“Ok, you can drain me. I’d better get a cookie, though.”
“Would you like a sticker too?” DB chuckled, ducking under the mantel.
“If you’ve got one, I’ll take it.”
“Can I have one too?” asked Winston.
“Are you giving blood?”
/> “Well, no.”
“Then you don’t get a sticker.”
“This place sucks.” He moaned.
“There’s a couple of spaces going at the prison,” suggested Christina.
“I think I’ll just sulk quietly for a few days. Thanks anyway, Doc.”
“As you wish.”
Braiden came running into the room with a stretcher. “Will this do?”
“That’ll be perfect, mate,” replied Jonesy, inspecting the rigid board. “Where did you find it?”
“It was in a storage room downstairs.”
“They probably had it for any emergencies. One of the castle’s first aiders could use it to get someone to safety.”
“I didn’t think that was allowed anymore? Moving people, I mean,” said Winston.
“In general, no. It should be left to trained medical professionals,” confirmed the doctor.
“Where do you want to do the op?”
“In a hospital, in sterile conditions.”
“Fresh out of those I’m afraid,” said DB.
“I’ll do it in the kitchen then. At least we can clean the stainless steel counters first.”
Winston was horrified. “But what about the food?”
“A bit of blood and human meat? That’s good protein,” Christina replied, her face deadly serious.
“My diet seems more and more sensible as the days go on.”
“You don’t need to diet!” said Clarissa, turning her attention away from her injured friend for a moment to look at the much slimmer Winston.
“Aww, thank you for lying, little girl,” he replied, smiling to show he was only teasing.
“I wasn’t lying.”
“You’re too kind. Did you want to come with me while they help Mr Hay? I can play some games with you until he’s better?”
“Is that ok?” she asked Sarah.
Bouncing with excitement, her fatigue was forgotten instantly as was the way with children. The chance to play a game, any game, was too enticing. Especially after the depravity of the prison. Seeing the child feel completely relaxed in their presence filled Sarah with delight. Amidst such horror, that a glimmer of childlike innocence could prevail was a miracle.
“Of course it’s ok. We’ll look after your friend.”
“Come on, you can pick,” said Winston, leading her away.
Sarah mouthed thank you, and he smiled in return.
“Are we ready to move him?” asked Jonesy.
“While you get him patched up, I’ll go and see our two other guests. I think we might get to the truth about Mr Hay from them without the embellishment of a child’s eyes,” replied Sarah.
“Good idea.”
“I’ll be down shortly.”
**********
Knocking at the door, Sarah listened to movement from within.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s Sarah.”
“Hi, Sarah,” gushed Jack. “I just wanted to thank you for the food and drink.”
“And the wood!” called Carson.
“Yeah, and the wood. We’ve not been this warm in weeks.”
“I’ve got a name to tell you and I want your honest answer about them. Ok?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Matt Hay.”
The gasps and the sound of a dropped mug filled her with dread.
“He’s dangerous,” said Jack.
“Really dangerous,” confirmed Carson.
“I need more,” urged Sarah.
“He’s one of Craig Arater’s lieutenants,” explained Jack.
“So he’s bad news?” Sarah pushed. This was going exactly as she expected.
“Yes and no,” replied Carson.
Sarah frowned at the dark wood grain.
“What do you mean?”
“He was brutal, really brutal. But never towards the women or kids. He always tried to treat us kindly to be honest.”
“But you said he was brutal?”
“To the other prisoners and the guards, he was. Especially the paedophiles.”
“So he’s hurt innocent guards?”
“Yes, but I heard stories of how they used to hurt the prisoners. It was a real horror show according to the rumours. The word innocent doesn’t quite fit if they’re true.”
“Thank you both, you’ve been really helpful.”
“Sarah? Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I’ll have your dinner brought up in a couple of hours.”
Walking away, her mind was as conflicted as ever by the explanation. They feared the man, yet respected him too. Strange, very strange.
**********
“How’s he doing, Christina?” asked Sarah.
“It went well. We took him to one of the bedrooms and made him comfortable. He should be awake soon.”
“I think I need to have a chat with our new guest. Unfortunately, the young girl, Clarissa, has been kept well out of the happenings at the prison so she can’t give us any information.”
“I would say don’t tire him out, but we need what’s in his head. Do what you must.”
“Thanks. I’ll be back soon.”
Leaving the doctor to warm up by the fireplace in the Baron’s Hall, she caught a look of indignation from Mr Vincent.
“Are you ok?” she asked, not really caring about the answer.
“Well if you must know, no. Is it true you’ve allowed a prisoner inside the walls?” he blustered.
“He saved a young child. It’s the least we could do. After the fiasco with Jasmine, it seems they can come and go as they please, anyway. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut,” she snapped, leaving him to stew in his futile anger.
Passing through the unlocked door, she thanked the guard. It was one of the rebels, whose name she refused to learn. He seemed affable enough considering what they had been through. It was easy to be polite when you had been spared banishment, though. Remaining watchful, she studied every shadow for signs of an intruder. The attack had left her more shaken than she cared to admit. It was like the time her old home had been burgled. Returning from work, the front door was locked and it didn’t immediately click that anything was wrong. She’d put the kettle on, popped a bag in the cup and was in the middle of digging a spoon into the sugar when it registered. Picking up a knife, she shakily made her way back to the lounge. The TV cabinet was still there, but the set, the DVD player, and the games console were all gone. Exploring further, the upstairs bedrooms had been ransacked in the search for valuables. Kurt’s decision to install a small wall safe was the only reason her jewellery wasn’t taken alongside the electrical goods.
“Bastards,” she fumed, the pain still raw after all these years.
Weeks of lying awake at night led to a prescription for sleeping pills that weren’t taken. Her home, her personal space had been sullied by the strangers. Now it was the castle, and she felt the same griminess. The familiar taint permeated the stone walls of the vast fortress all around her. Despite the top down search, she still felt watched, as if the threat was lurking inside, lying in wait for the unwary. On more than one occasion, she’d managed to spook herself with a candle. The fluttering flame was a mischievous collaborator, working with the retreating shadows to create the illusion of covert movement. They needed more dogs. Honey did a remarkable job, patrolling the halls with the soft stealth of padded paws. A dozen more would be better. Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Pitbulls, maybe a couple of Cujos too. Coming across the rabid, slavering mutt might make them think twice about hopping the wall in the future. Sam was sat on a stool, rocking away to a tune inside his head. Seeing Sarah approach, he sprung to his feet.
“It’s all been quiet.”
“Go and take a break, Sam. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Thanks, Mum. I’ll make us both a hot chocolate if you want?”
“Make it three. I want to get our guest talking and a nice, sweet drink might be just the ticket.”
“I’ll be right
back!”
Watching him hurry away, she was surprised to see the confidence in his stride. His awkward, gangly gait was gone. Seemingly replaced by an invisible steel cable attached to the crown of his head that kept his posture perfectly upright. No doubt he was emulating the proud soldiers and the way they moved. His shoulders were broadening too. Probably as a result of the weapons training and exercise regime Jonesy had created for them.
“What a way to spend your teenage years,” she muttered, sadly. Preparing to face off against billions of reanimated corpses instead of worrying about social media likes and what movies to watch.
Shaking her head, she unlocked the door and walked in to the room. The warmth of the crackling fire was a welcome change to the chilly hallway. Popping two more logs onto the dwindling flames, she turned to see Matt staring at her.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Like I’m floating,” he replied.
“It’s the after effects of the morphine.” She indicated the makeshift drips hanging from the bed rail above his head. “The doc has got a bit of blood going in to you as well to make up for your leaks. You have Jonesy to thank for that.”
“Jonesy?”
“One of our soldiers.”
“Ah.”
Sarah came right out with it. “Why have you been trying to kill us?”
“Orders from the big boss.”
“And you follow orders to kill women and children, do you? What the hell was saving Clarissa all about then?”
Matt closed his heavy eyelids as the shame grew too much to bear. “There’s a pecking order. Craig was at the top. Either you do as you’re told or you get killed.
“I can’t believe there was nothing you could do. They’re raping kids and women inside those walls for fuck’s sake!” Sarah’s voice peaked in a howl of rage.
“And I did what I could to stop it.”
“Explain! And make it good.”
“I stopped the kids being on the… list. I stopped any brutality towards the women. I took Clarissa away from the worst of the worst.”
“But they’re still being raped!”
“You try telling a few hundred convicts that the meat on offer can’t be touched. They’d have fucked me to death for even suggesting it.”