The World's Last Breaths: Final Winter, Animal Kingdom, and The Peeling

by Iain Rob Wright

  “We’re going to freeze to death,” said Jess coolly, as if stating a fact.

  Steph nodded. “Unless we do something about it.”

  “Then let’s do something about it,” said Harry.

  25

  “What the Hell do we do?” asked Nigel, still shrouded in shadow.

  Harry thought for a moment. “Steph, you’re absolutely sure that there’s nothing else we can burn? What about in Graham’s place upstairs?”

  Steph shook her head. “Nigel already checked. It’s like a closing-down-sale up there. Barely enough furniture to fill one room. We’ll burn what’s there, but it’s not much.”

  “Hey,” said Old Graham from the floor. “That’s all my worldly possessions you’re talking about…actually on second thoughts, you may as well burn it.”

  Harry thought again, shivering as he did so. He wondered whether he was as cold as he felt or if it was just his mind exaggerating. Before he had time to decide which, his musings were interrupted by Jess.

  The girl asked a question. “What about the supermarket?”

  Harry looked at her. “What do you mean?”

  “Yes,” Kath chimed in from the other side of the room. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean,” Jess said, impatiently, “that the place is full of, like, a thousand cardboard boxes, plus all the bags of coal in the warehouse. If we grab one of the trolleys we can cart it all over here. There’re painkillers and other stuff, too, that we could give to Peter.”

  Old Graham piped up from his resting place in the middle of the room. “Don’t bloody forget about me!” he slurred. “I could use some pain relief too.”

  “Then we have a plan,” said Steph.

  “Not yet we don’t,” Kath objected. “That is supermarket property you’re talking about. I can’t just let you in to ransack the place. It’s theft.”

  Jess cursed out loud. “God sake, Kath, you still don’t get what’s going on, do you? Screw the supermarket! Our lives are more important.”

  Kath snickered. “That’s debatable.”

  Harry was starting to see why Jess hated the woman so much – she was wretched indeed – but before things got out of hand again, he decided to butt in. “Come on, the both of you. Fighting isn’t helping. Enough people have already gotten hurt tonight.”

  “Yeah,” said Kath, rubbing the swollen cut on her forehead. “I’m well aware of that, thank you very much.”

  “Look,” said Harry in his calmest tone. “We’re lost without you here, Kath, and if you were kind enough to let us into the supermarket then we’d all be in debt to you. Our survival would most likely be down to you and we won’t forget that.”

  Kath seemed smug, as if her previously sour expression was just painted on and was now melting in the heat of the candle she held in front of her. “Well,” she said. “I guess I can’t just let you all freeze, but I hope you realise the sacrifice I’m making. I have responsibilities that can’t be taken lightly.”

  “Thank you,” said Harry. Resisting the urge to slap the woman. “So, you’ll give us the keys?”

  Kath laughed, as if someone had tried to convince her that the world was made of mashed potato. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “The store keys are to remain with an authorised key holder at all times.”

  “What are you suggesting?” asked Steph.

  “That should be obvious. I’m going to have to be present at all times. I’m coming along.”

  Harry bit his lip, seeing no other way to proceed. If the woman wouldn’t hand over the keys, he would have to take her along. The alternative was to manhandle her, and he wasn’t sure he could do that.

  “I also must insist,” Kath continued, “that Jess is to remain here. Her employment was terminated earlier tonight and ex-employees are prohibited from entering the premises. Petty vindictiveness is all too common these days, I’m afraid.”

  Harry caught the sight of Jess about to explode and quickly moved the conversation on. “Okay, that’s fine. It’s too important that Jess stays here, anyway, to keep watch over Peter and Damien. We can’t risk her going outside.” Jess seemed to settle down, but Harry couldn’t help but wonder how long he could keep the two women from each other’s throats. “Okay. Let’s just get to work. Sooner we do this the better. I’ll go ask Lucas if he’s up for the trip. Nigel, would you be okay to watch over things here?”

  Steph grunted. “What would we ladies do without a man to protect us, eh?”

  Harry leaned in close to her and spoke so that only she could hear. “After what you’ve been through tonight, there’s no way I’m going to leave you on your own. Nigel’s a big guy and I’d feel safer with him around. It’s more for my peace of mind than it is yours.” Steph seemed affected by Harry’s words but he didn’t have time to wonder about how she felt about it.

  “I’ll keep em safe,” said Nigel. “You can count on me.”

  Harry reached forward and shook Nigel firmly by the hand. “I know I can. Thank you. And if that piece of shit upstairs tries to get free, you have my permissions to throw him on the fire.”

  Nigel nodded and Harry made towards the stairs, starting to climb them one by one. As he ascended, he thought about whether or not this really was a good idea, to leave the modest safety of the pub and venture out into the snow. After what Jess and Jerry had said about their friend, Ben, and with Peter being thrown through the window, Harry half-expected to meet a fire breathing dragon outside. Not to mention giant plumes of impossible fire climbing into the sky while people burn to death on crosses. But without a well-fuelled fire, they were all doomed. There was no choice involved in what he had to do. The risk of death was better than the certainty of it. Whatever was outside, he would just have to face it.

  It was time to start facing problems and doing something about them.

  “Harry Boy, I take it you’ve been informed of our grave situation?”

  Harry entered the bar area to find Lucas. The man was watching over Damien. “Yeah, they told me,” Harry said. “Nothing’s going right tonight, is it?”

  “You can say that again. Still, I’m guessing you’re a fella with a plan.”

  Harry nodded. “And you’d be right. Kath and I are going to go raid the supermarket for supplies. I wanted to ask you to come along.”

  Lucas’ reaction was unexpected. The man seemed suddenly afraid. “Well, are you sure that’s the best course of action, Harry Boy? Should I not stay here and keep an eye on the womenfolk?”

  “Nigel will do that. Plus, Jerry is by the fire with Peter.” Harry moved forward and placed a hand on Lucas’ shoulder. “I really need your help. We need the bags of coal they sell at the supermarket and I won’t be able to carry them all on my own. We’re going to use a trolley, but we will still have to lift it over the snow.”

  Lucas shuffled uncomfortably, but seemed to come round to the idea. “Well, okay, I guess. I have little choice in the matter, do I? Can’t let an honest fella like yourself down. Bring on the snow, I say.”

  Harry patted Lucas on the shoulder again. “I really appreciate it. We’ll be fine. Quick in and out, military style. Like you said earlier, I’m Major Jobson and you can be Captain Fergus.” Harry snapped off a mock salute and stood straight.

  Lucas chuckled and returned the salute. “Sounds like a plan. I just can’t help but worry about bumping into something unpleasant out there. I’m not the bravest of men, you know?”

  Harry understood the man’s fear; in fact he felt it himself. “I’ve been trying not to think about it too much,” he admitted, “but it’s either a quick trip to the supermarket or a slow wait until we freeze to death. I’d rather die trying than trying to die.”

  Lucas clicked his fingers and did a little jig. “I like your spirit, Harry Boy. When do we depart?”

  “No time like the present.”

  26

  A baseball bat and a handful of kitchen knives was the best they could do. Harry hadn’t expected guns or a flameth
rower, but he’d hoped for something a little more intimidating than kid’s toys and cutlery. Still, what they had was better than nothing.

  “Right,” he said, handing the baseball bat to Kath and arming himself and Lucas with a chef’s knife each. “The plan is to get across to the supermarket quickly and quietly, sticking together at all times. Once we get there it’s over to you, Kath, because you know where everything is.”

  Kath nodded and took over. “Our main priority is, of course, the coal, so we will gather that first. However, nobody touches anything else without my say so.”

  “Would you mind if we breathe the air?” asked Lucas.

  Kath planted her hands on her hips. “If you’re not going to obey my rules then we can forget this whole thing, right now.”

  “Fine,” said Lucas. “Although, we could just tie you up like our young friend, Damien, then take the keys for ourselves.”

  Kath’s face dropped in horror.

  Lucas chuckled. “Just pulling your leg, lass.”

  Harry slid off his stool and straightened himself up. “Okay, Nigel, you keep an eye on everything here and we’ll be back as soon as we can. Jerry, you make sure that Damien stays tied up nice and tight.”

  “No,” said Jerry. He was holding the fire poker down by his thigh and shaking his head. “I’m coming with you.”

  Before Harry had time to object, he found that Jess had beaten him to it. “Are you insane?” she said.

  “No, I’m not,” Jerry replied. “Just tired of being useless. That’s all I ever was when Ben was around and I’ll be damned if I’m going to carry on being like that now he’s gone.”

  “That’s very…noble,” said Harry, “and we all understand you wanting to honour your friend, Jerry, but there’s no need to take the risk. We’ve got it covered.”

  “Dude, I don’t know you and you sure as hell don’t know me, but one thing you’ll learn real soon is that all of the shit me and Jess told you about is real. None of you have seen what’s out there. But I have.”

  “What’s your point?” said Harry.

  “My point is that I’m more qualified than you to go out there and face down the crazy, so what right do you have to tell me anything?”

  Harry shrugged. He didn’t have the energy for this. “We don’t have time to argue, so I guess you’ll be coming along, too, then.”

  Jess placed a hand on Jerry’s shoulder and nudged him to face her. Harry couldn’t hear their conversation, so he decided to take the remaining time to check up on Steph. She was standing behind the bar, relighting candles that had gone out.

  “You okay?” Harry asked her. “You’ve been through a lot tonight.”

  She smiled at him, her features so tired and faded that she looked like a shivering ghost in the candlelight. “N-no more than normal,” she said, chattering. “This place was never exactly The Ritz to start with. I’m used to trouble.”

  Harry took her hand and felt a jolt run through his skin when he felt her squeeze back. The room was freezing, but her palm throbbed out heat. He smiled at her. “You don’t have to pretend, you know?”

  Steph’s eyes welled up as though a tap had been turned loose somewhere inside of her. “You mean I should just be honest and say that I think we’re all going to die tonight?”

  Her words hit Harry like a punch to the kidneys. Just when he’d started to find some strength and positivity inside of himself, Steph had lost hers. It was tragic because he knew that his strength had, in part, come from being around her. He’d taken advantage of Steph’s emotional strength and now the poor girl was drained. He squeezed her hand tightly. “No one is going to hurt you, Steph. I promise. I agree, some weird business has been going down tonight, but things will work out. Don’t be scared.”

  Steph laughed and wiped at her nose and face. The skin of her wrist glistened as she pulled it away. “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself, huh?”

  Harry smiled. “Something like that.”

  “You just get back here in one piece, okay! Then I’ll stop crying.”

  “Okay, deal.”

  Steph let go of Harry’s hand and pushed him away. “Well, get going then.”

  Harry turned around and saw that Jerry, Kath, and Lucas were all waiting for him. They formed an orderly queue by the door. Lucas still seemed reluctant to go outside and Harry couldn’t say he blamed the guy.

  It was time to get going. A sheen of ice had started to form on the wooden surfaces of the tables and snow drift was gathering around the front door wherever it could find the thinnest of cracks. Whether or not they went outside, the weather was coming in to get them sooner than later.

  Harry marched to the front door and placed a hand against the bolt, ready to slide it across and yank open the door. For one quick moment, he lost the nerve he needed to continue, but he took a breath and forced the fear deep down into his gut. “Let’s go,” he said finally, pulling open the door and stepping out into the snow.

  Outside, the landscape was blank as an unused canvas. Harry could see nothing but white. A white so pure that its gleaming intensity made his eyes ache. But, despite the blankness, there was movement everywhere. Shifting, dancing specks of snow swirled in the air, each individual flake part of a greater never-ending whole. A blizzard. Harry thought about rushing back inside, regretting the plan already, but when he looked over his shoulder he could no longer see the pub.

  Lucas, Jerry, and Kath were following closely behind, linking arms to form a human chain. Each of them seemed worried. They were looking for Harry to lead them.

  But lead them where exactly? These people’s safety is in my hands and I don’t even know what to expect.

  “You alright there, Harry Boy?”

  Harry turned to Lucas. “I’m just…thinking.”

  “Well, perhaps you’d like to do your wonderings some place a bit warmer. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s a tad cold out here this evening.”

  Harry nodded and started moving. The snow enveloped them past their knees. They had to swim through it more than they did walk. It wouldn’t be long before the snow was deep enough to swallow a man whole. The effort of each step left them panting.

  Several minutes passed.

  The snow went on forever.

  “Do you have any idea of where we’re going?” Kath shouted from the back of their human chain, struggling to be heard over the howling wind. “We should have been there by now.”

  Harry had been thinking the same thing.

  “We’re lost, aren’t we?” said Kath, accurately reading in on the meaning of Harry’s silence. It had been more an accusation than a question.

  Instead of Harry answering, Jerry did. “Yeah, we’re lost,” he said, “but Harry’s not to blame.”

  Harry raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, I’m not to blame?”

  “I mean that the snow made us lost.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” said Kath.

  “Come now,” said Lucas, stopping and halting everybody in the line. “Let’s hear the boy out.”

  Jerry prepared to give his explanation. The others gathered around close, each of them shivering, except for Lucas who seemed to be coping slightly better. “It’s not normal snow,” Jerry explained to them. “It’s magic snow.”

  Nobody spoke, although the incredulity was clear on their faces.

  “Yeah, yeah,” said Jerry, deadly serious. “You don’t believe me, I know, but I’m telling you that this snow is unnatural. It’s a force being wielded by something evil.”

  Harry decided to humour the boy. “Wielded by who?”

  “Who you think? The guy in the robes and hood. The guy with the flaming sword. The snow is just his tool to trap us or get us lost and confused. Then he comes to kill us, just like he did Ben. I know you think I’m full of shit, but something killed my friend.”

  “Okay,” said Harry, trying his best to remain open-minded. “But, if you believe that, what the hell are you doing out here?”r />
  Jerry smashed a fist against his open palm. “Because me and the monster out here have unfinished business. If he turns up, I’ll be the one to face him while the rest of you make a run for it.”

  “Why would you want to do that?” asked Harry asked. “You’re just a kid, not Rambo.”

  But Jerry seemed perfectly sane as he spoke. “I need to take responsibility instead of letting other people do things for me. If this is the end of the world then the least I can do is make it hard for the bastard who started it. I’m going to give him the arse-kicking of his life.”

  “Erm….fellas?” The group turned to face Lucas, who was looking at them queerly. “That bastard in question,” he pointed over Harry’s left shoulder, “is right over there.”

  Harry spun around to see a shape in the distance. The dark silhouette of a man, taller than a man should be, was gliding towards them, slowly and methodically, as if it had all of eternity to reach them. In the last year there had been many nights that he had jerked from a nightmare, but this was the first time he’d ever felt like he was drifting into a nightmare.

  And that nightmare was coming right at them.

  27

  “I’d better go check on Old Graham,” said Steph, leaving Jess and Nigel to look after Damien and Peter. Harry and the others had been gone for almost half an hour. With the exception of Kath, Jess missed having their numbers around.

  She turned to Nigel. “Best settle in. It’s already been a long night.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” Nigel replied.

  The two of them slid down on either side of the fire, leaving the middle clear so that its warmth could reach Peter on the sofa. Damien was still tied to a chair, though not as close to the fire as the rest of them. They’d dumped an assortment of blankets on him to keep him. Jess pulled a duvet over herself and let out a shiver.