"Well then, you need to come with us, back to our camp, as you don't have anyone around here. You can join our group and I won't take no for an answer. You look like you would fit in well,” he said as if challenging me to refuse his offer. He looked me up and down, probably taking in the multiple tattoos that adorned my neck, arms and hands.
My heart beat faster and I was desperately trying to think of a reason not to go with them but without giving up my family I could not think of one. I nodded my head slowly forcing myself to smile.
"Great thanks," I accepted his offer, picking up my backpack. I followed Deacon back out of the store, we passed by Will who had a look of annoyance on his face.
The bright sunlight outside caused me to squint and close my eyes. When I opened them, I was surprised at the sight before me. There were three Land-rovers outside, each with four or five men standing around them, then there was what I can only describe as an army truck. You know the ones that you always see going down the road with army men sat in the back, only in the back of this one there were seven women.
The women looked petrified but did not say anything or even move from their seated positions.
"Will, you and the new guy are in back with the bitc... I mean women," Deacon barked as he got into the front of the truck.
"Everyone else, shop is empty, check out the store room."
After around 10 minutes the men started coming back, each carrying a bag or two full of stuff, along with some large black boxes that took two men to carry, apparently the stock room was well stocked.
As we pulled away Will whispered to me, "I think these are yours.” He handed me my sweets and with that he positioned himself in the middle of two women, sat down and closed his eyes.
CHAPTER 3: A New Home
During the journey I sat quietly trying to remember the route we were using to see if I could work out where they were taking me. I lost track after about 30 minutes and just sat there with my eyes closed, thinking about Kelly and the kids, hoping that they were safe and wondering how I would be able to get back to them and how long it would take. I vowed to get away as soon as I could. I planned to slip away in the night.
The journey itself was uneventful and we arrived at our destination after about 5 hours. There was a nervous chatter going on with the women. One of them was crying, some were trying to comfort others, and the rest just had dazed looks on their faces. For the first time I started to wonder what I really had gotten myself into.
I got out of the truck and looked around. We were in an industrial estate. The enclosure we were in was framed by large fences, I would guess they were about 10ft tall and completely surrounded us, the gates were made from the same fence but were on wheels for easy movement. There were maybe six or seven zombies at the fence near the gate. They must have seen us drive in. I held my hand above my eyes to shield them from the sun and saw a few dozen more sluggish forms coming towards the fence.
I walked towards the fence and the zombies got more excited the closer I got. They were moving faster and pushing harder trying to break through. I got closer to the gate pretending to look at the zombies but I was trying to figure out what security they had on site. A zombie shuffled over clawing at the fence trying to get to me. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a shirt which was stiff from the blood, gore and dirt all over it. His shoes were missing as was most of the skin off his feet, I could see some bone on the top of his foot and his toes were missing from his left foot, leaving bloody stumps. The stench from this man was not too bad and I had a feeling he had died and rose again quite recently.
The others were moving closer too and I in turn moved faster to see that there were two heavy duty chains holding the gate to the fence and these were held together by the biggest padlocks I had ever seen. I don't think I’m going to be able to pick these ones. I'll have to figure another way out.
The next zombie to make it to me had long dark hair. One look at her had me throwing up my food. She was naked and had bite marks over all of her body, her throat had been ripped open and most of the soft flesh from her breasts, stomach and thighs was missing. She had a line of entrails coming out of the hole in her stomach. Huge chunks of flesh were missing from her legs and in some places the skin just hung in flaps. I could see dark purple marks on her ankles and wrists. Had somebody tied her down and let this happen to her? Once I finished throwing up, I wiped my mouth with the back of my sleeve. What kind of people could do this? I asked myself.
"Get the women into the big hall," Deacon shouted.
I jumped in my horror at seeing a zombie like this. I had totally forgotten where I was. As I turned I noted three guard posts on this side with one man in each and even though I couldn't see the weapons I assumed they had guns.
The men started to herd the women along by pushing them, some more forcefully than others into the building. One woman fought back and was pushed to the ground roughly. Will went to help her up and she spat in his face.
Deacon grabbed the girl by her hair dragging her to her feet, she screamed in pain and fear but nobody moved to help her. He dragged her towards the fence where more zombies now gathered and pressed her face against it. She screamed some more, exciting the zombies so that they were falling over each other to get at her. I walked forward, towards him, this guy was a piece of work, treating a woman that way. Will looked at me and shook his head, no, just slightly. The look in his eyes stopped me, I needed to keep my head down here and get back to my family.
"Let this be a lesson to you other fine ladies. It's my way or the highway. You fight back and so do we." Deacon laughed as if what he had said was extremely funny. "Just do as I say and we will have lots of fun together." He pushed her face hard again into the fence, zombie’s fingers brushed her face, she began to sob and say the Lord’s prayer. Deacon turned around and walked into the building, leaving her on the floor, crying, whilst his men went and grabbed her.
The other men were laughing and joking and continued to push the women in behind Deacon. As we got to the door I noticed my hands shook with anger and, if I’m honest, maybe a little fear.
"Try to go along with what he asks ok? I'll explain more later, just keep quiet and nod along," Will warned me.
"Why are you here?" I asked him, so far he didn't seem like such a bad guy.
He shook his head slightly and continued through the door. It was then that I noticed all eyes were on us.
"Welcome, welcome all newcomers. My name is Deacon and I am the boss around here." He sat down on a big black leather chair on wheels and laughed as though he had said something funny.
"New guy, come here." He pointed at me and beckoned me with his hand.
I walked over slowly, my instincts were telling me to run and get away as fast as I could but I knew, with all the firepower against me, I would not get far.
As I got to his side he stood up and gestured to the women in front of us. "Take your pick," he said
I feared that it was a test that I would not be able to pass and was terrified of the consequences, for the women and myself.
I shook my head, "No thank you." I said quietly, through gritted teeth, my anger bubbling inside me.
He pulled out his gun and held it to my head. "Take your pick or I will splatter your brains all over this floor and then I'll take your pick for you. I’m sure the ladies would prefer a real man anyway, but for now as a show of kindness to you I'll let you have first pick," he said. "Once you have been with us a few days you will need to earn your keep before getting another girl so don't wear this one out too fast." He chuckled.
Throughout the whole conversation everybody in the great hall was silent, even the women seemed to be holding their breaths to see how it would play out. I saw Will off to my right and he gave me the slightest of head nods and discreetly pointed to the left. I did feel like I could sort of trust this man so I nodded my head and stepped forward towards the women. I looked at them one by one. They were of all ages and ethnicities. I saw a g
irl at the far left who seemed to be doing worse than the rest. Tears stained her face and she was holding her left arm up to her chest as if it was causing her pain. Her top was ripped down the front so that her bra was visible and her jeans were dirty especially at the knees. This girl must have been in her early twenties and my heart was breaking looking at her and thinking of Poppy. I felt a much stronger urge to get home and ensure that Poppy would never fall into the hands of a man like that.
I pointed to her. "That one."
"Her? That whore? Are you sure? She's been round most of the men, in fact I just finished with her myself last week before we headed out on the supply run where we found you. She’s not much of a goer," Deacon offered. Some of the men laughed and made cat calls at her.
She physically flinched, I could see the look of horror on her face that she was trying really hard not to show. My blood was boiling, I so wanted to grab the gun and put a bullet through Deacon’s eye but I would take my time and try to get out of here alive.
"Yes that one," I confirmed. "I like the damaged goods type. Easier to control," I said trying to sound convincing and dangerous. It must have worked.
"Jimmy? Get her will you? Take her to the new guy’s room."
"It's ok I'll take them," Will said. "I miss this girl myself." He grabbed her roughly by the arm and pushed her out of the room.
Guess I was wrong by thinking he was the good guy.
Will walked her out of a small door on the opposite side of the room that we had just entered through. I followed quickly, fearful that he might take out his impatience on the girl.
Before I walked through the door, Deacon called out, "Have fun tonight new guy, you get your first job tomorrow."
I nodded my head slowly, trying not to show any hatred or fear, just compliancy.
I walked through the door to find Will had taken the girl to the end of the long corridor full of doors on either side and she was pinned against the wall by his body. They both talked in hurried whispers and I realized that Will wasn't pinning her, he was trying to support her. I got closer and he stood up fully, pulling her up with him.
"Let's go," he said gruffly.
The girl led the way through another door and up some stairs. At the top of these stairs was another corridor that mirrored the one below. She led us about half way down and opened up a room numbered 182 that looked like it used to be office.
One double sleeping bag and two pillows were in the top right hand corner on a double blow up mattress on the floor. A small desk and chair were in the other corner with a long dead leafy plant.
"You have a bucket in the corner should you need to relieve yourselves but there are toilets at the end of this corridor." Will pointed to a door further down the corridor.
I nodded my head and moved into the room. The girl sat in the chair. Will surprised me by coming into the room and closing the door.
"I saw you checking out the gate and looking for guards." Will took a menacing step towards me.
"I, I.... Yeah I was. I need to get back home it's vital that I get back ASAP. I need to find my family and get them to safety, please don't tell Deacon," I pleaded, not really wanting to lie anymore, and something in my gut told me that I could trust this guy.
"You told Deacon you didn't have a family? Listen, you seem like a good guy...?" Will said leaving the end open for my name.
"George, my name is George and I lied to Deacon because I had a feeling that he was not a good person," I answered truthfully.
“Ok George, I won't say anything to Deacon but you have to do something for me. I need you to look after Nia here, she is family and I need her safe and NOT with Deacon. Could you do that for me?”
I nodded my eyes darting quickly to Nia and then to Will again.
Will turned to Nia. “Have a good night I'll see you in the morning.” With that he left the room.
CHAPTER 4: Making friends
Nia was on the floor with her legs crossed. So I sat down opposite her. She had drunk about a quarter of a bottle of water and held it out to me.
I took the bottle from her, opened it and took a long drink. It felt quite refreshing even though it was now lukewarm.
"I'm glad you picked me. I normally stay with Will, have been with him since I came here, but for some reason Deacon took a shine to me last week. This is what I get for fighting back." She pointed to her bandaged arm. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“I chose you because you reminded me of my daughter, I had this strange urge to protect you, and also Will pointed to you. I really want to get out of here and back to them, so what can you tell me about this place?"
Before she could answer there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and stood there was a young boy of about 18 or 19.
"Deacon told me to bring you this and said not to get used to it, tomorrow you will have to eat in the hall." The boy seemed nervous and gave me a small smile after his speech. "Enjoy," he said handing me a tray with two bowls of porridge, an apple and a bottle of water.
"Thanks, it looks great, I’m so hungry, thanks…?" I didn’t know his name.
"William, but everyone calls me Billy," he replied smiling. "Oh, hey Nia." His smile got wider when he noticed her. “Are you ok?” he asked her then he eyed me suspiciously and stood up straighter, puffing out his chest as if to make himself seem bigger and more menacing.
"Hi Billy, I’m fine thanks." She gave him a little wave. Her cheeks turning pink.
I decided I liked this kid. "Well, Billy, thanks for fetching me my food and tell them that I look forward to sitting with them all tomorrow to eat breakfast, it will be good to meet the others." I returned his smile.
He moved away. "See you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you in the morning," I called to his back, closing the door with my foot as my hands were occupied with the tray of food.
I sat down opposite Nia again, placing the tray between us. She picked up her bowl and began eating really quickly, I realized she must be starving. I started taking slow spoonful’s, aware that my stomach was still tender after chucking up its contents by the gate earlier.
By the time I was half way through my bowl Nia had finished hers and was eying up the apple. "You can have the apple," I told her.
"You sure?" she asked already picking it up. "We, I mean the women, are not normally allowed any fruit." She rolled her eyes.
"It’s ok honestly, I don't want it and I would hate for it to go to waste. No one will know." I reassured her with a smile.
"Thanks." She gave me a small smile, the pink returning to her cheeks.
"Right then, what can you tell me about this place."
Nia took a bite of her apple and chewed it thinking about what to say next. "The women's jobs are to cook, clean, wash the clothes etc., basically we are at the beck and call of the men. I work in the kitchen. We prepare meals and clean up after them. Meal times are at 8:30am, 1:30 and 6:00pm. Although there are small meals available if for some reason you cannot make it at those times. At all times we have two guards in the kitchen, one to watch over us and the other to visit the supply room. Only Deacon’s most trusted men are allowed into the store room and those who go on supply runs. None of the women or children are allowed into the store room, seems they don't want us to have weapons or extra food." She laughed at this. "Even if we did escape the warehouse, he has guards around the fence line at all times looking for those... things, we would never get past the guards," she said bitterly.
"How long have you been here?"
"Um, about four months, I think. But I never give up hope that one day we will get out of here and be free to live where we want to. Plus, I still want to take Deacon down for what he has done to others and for what he has done to me, I need my revenge.” Her eyes got watery and she got that far off look on her face.
“I promise to try to help you get your revenge and get out of here,” I said holding her hand for support.
Feeling awkward at not knowing wha
t else to say or do to comfort her, I took off my shoes, and t-shirt, leaving on my black jeans, I got under the sleeping bag leaving it unzipped for her to get in too.
"It's been such a long day for me I think I'll go to sleep now. Goodnight Nia." I let out a big yawn, and lay my head on the pillow. Her eyes widened a little as they took in all of the tattoos on my arms, chest and stomach.
Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I felt Nia get in beside me, it felt strange to have a woman that I didn’t know get into bed with me, but we were both tired and cold and that was that, for the next day I would do what I needed to, to survive.
CHAPTER 5
I didn't sleep well throughout the night, I was worried sick about Kelly and the kids and was anxious to get started on a plan to get out of this place. I knew first I would need to gain the trust of Deacon or at least get a little friendlier with him.
I got up at 7:00am, trying not to wake Nia, I slipped out of the sleeping bag and drank a little water.
“Morning,” Nia said and gave a huge yawn.
“Morning,” I replied. “Sorry if I woke you I couldn't stay there any longer.”
“No worries, I have to be getting to the kitchen to get breakfast ready anyway. Don't forget Breakfast is at 8:30. Try to talk to Deacon this morning and convince him to take you on a supply run, get the scope of the land and check out his guards. Good luck.” She stood up and pulled a grey v neck jumper over her head. She tied her long jet black hair into a pony tail.
Taking me by surprise she walked up to me and gave me a quick hug. “We will get you back to your family ASAP.” She gave me small smile and slipped out through the door.
I used the bathroom at the end of the hallway and was surprised to see how clean they were. The grey walls and floor made the whole room look dark but the toilets and sink areas were spotless. I used the toilet and afterwards, as I washed my hands I looked at myself in the small round mirror above the sink. Tired eyes looked back at me. I splashed water on my face to wake me up a little and then wiped it with a paper towel.
George (Book 1): The Long Road Home Page 2