Immediate Survivors

by Cenz Barone

  The fire was doing a wonderful job in them keeping all cosy, and over the clutters of whispered conversation and occasional silence Melissa asked Roy “So where have you been sleeping?” Roy smirked as he used a stick to move around the kindling under the fire, and he replied “I sleep wherever I can find a suitable place. My tent is in my back pack. Had the same bright idea you folks did, just raided a shop in a village, luckily for us the downs is popular for camping isn’t. So many small villages near and around, hidden away, makes me glad I spent a lot of time in these parts before all this”. Trying to get more information from him Melissa asked “So you sleep out here by yourself?” still playing with the kindling which was burnt and boiling, glistening in a gold orange with darkened charcoal near it he replied “Afraid so. Not like I have any choice. Spending my youth loving the outdoors sets me up nicely for situations like this” he no longer wished to disclose any personal information. It was the first time he touched upon being in the military.

  He looked to Melissa and then the others as he asked “So are you lot friends. Is that how you all are together, are you friends, colleagues, family what, tell me about yourself”. Kenny answered “We were all thrown together because of what is happening. I am just a student from the outskirts of Bristol down here doing my exams. I bumped into these people over different times”. Roy sat upright and said sounding genuinely interested “Bristol you say? It’s meant to be really bad up there. I heard a report on the radio a couple of days ago said that the army deemed it impossible to take. I think that was the term they used or was it impassable, the news broadcaster on the radio said there was a statement released which said they were trying to get to Wales another way, the entire South of Wales has been cordoned off, there is no way in via the motorways in the South, the bridge is under Military control. The radio described it as like a big army barricade separating Wales and England, I bet those nationalists on either side of the border are happy” he chuckled.

  He then after a pause added “Bristol though, boy I am sorry to hear that, are you going to try and get home”. “No” bluntly Kenny answered, people around him looked at him as Kenny kept his eyes on Roy and elaborated “I know it is bad up there like it is down here. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. It is useless. I made the decision a while ago. What will I do when I am there, I have phoned the house, phoned my families mobiles and nothing since it started, all I have done is messages on the answer phone but no reply, not that I have a phone anymore to check my messages” so much time had passed and due to them being stranded for so long, many found it too painful to think about their nearest and dearest.

  “If there are rescue stations up there like the one I have just been to. Then they will all be overrun and no longer in use. If I go and look for them, I will probably get killed” Kenny said. Roy looked across at the rest of them and shook his head, he learned much more about their others stories over time and said in disbelief “Just students and a policewoman” and he smirked at Elise and said trying to be charming “And a professional lady to”. Cherie was neither of those things, doing odd jobs here and there, but no longer did their identity of the past matter. He then added “What a combination, well good on you all for surviving this long” Roy playfully snickered. Once more there was silence then Cherie spoke up “I am from near Bath” Cherie like Melissa was from that way, so Cherie now thoughtfully spoke about her personal situation as she said “I was heading to London and got caught up in this in a train station in Oxford” she lowered her head.

  Roy trying to be helpful informed Cherie “I heard something similar for Bath, the radio reports were coming in thick and fast at the beginning, like it was for all over. They gave summaries of cities and towns with estimations about casualties and the numbers of dead things when they finally admitted the dead were rising” all were exposed to the same information Roy was sharing, they had all heard similar radio reports and watching it all it escalate on television as the authorities tried to keep information logical and rationale at the beginning, but then just blurted out all the unthinkable things actually taking place in more recent times.

  Roy could see none wanted to go into any significant detail about who they were or their background, and all conversation was always brought to how they ended up in this mess, so much for keeping up morale he thought. So he explained “I don’t mean to pry, I only ask because I can perhaps help inform you about what is happening from wherever you are from”. Nancy interrupted him “It is okay Roy. We heard the same radio reports and watched the news as you”. Roy nodded appreciating this and he added “I just wish I could give you all more positive news but it is spent on me”. Kenny now turned the tables onto Roy and asked “So what about you Roy, where are you from?”

  Without hesitation Roy answered “I am a little place called Aconbury, it’s close to Hereford but I have lived for years in the valleys of Wales. You can probably tell by the Welsh accent. It is still quite heavy, locals always take the piss but in jest” he laughed, thinking about happier times. Kenny followed this up by asking “So how did you end up so far in the Southern central areas, down here in the downs” as Roy gazed ahead, they for the first time saw sadness on his face as he spoke “Same as you lot I suppose. I knew this would be the best place, no people, no big cities or big towns so to me that equates no real threat. The place I am from was not as bad as the others. I was watching it from home as the reports came in from the news like anyone else, biggest danger I faced back then was spilling hot coffee or tea over my body The reports were uh about attacks taking place all of the country” he now began to narrate, just listening to another’s perspective for the group was in a way comforting to think they weren’t alone.

  Roy said “The scenes on TV, the reports on the radio, it did not really hit the place I was from until 2 to 3 days I think after it began, I don’t know though. I am really unsure, maybe I was just fortunate to have been in a relatively secure location. Everything was so confusing at the beginning though because I was convinced the military had it all under control, especially when they confirmed martial law had been enforced. Of course it was not the case and everything happened so fast, nearby the place I lived they used a localised area as a base for evacuees from other highly populated areas. I think that’s what brought the virus or plague, whatever the fuck it is into our lives. It is not their fault though, in the beginning nobody knew how it spread, but they do now” he coldly said.

  It was like listening to someone describe all their experiences what Roy was sharing, as he went on and said “Calling them the dead things or the infected, or maybe a zombie if you want to be proper helps, it really helps especially when you are confronted by people you knew who have turned. More so when it is people who you loved” he became choked up, but fought against it, all were intently listening and he narrated onwards “Now though, now we are all a little more wise to it, they are distinguishable with their steely eyes and rotting flesh, far more than you people who all look fresh, as fresh as to be expected”. Roy wiped his left eye, his eyes welling up as he said “I know this area because I live around here, I moved here years ago with my family from Wales when I met my beautiful wife, it is her fault I know this area so well” again he laughed but it was a pitiful one. As he added in his narration “It is why I know this place and the surrounding districts, not as well as I like but enough to get around” shedding more light on his own situation, making sense that he moved from Wales years ago with his family.

  “So how did you escape” queried Nancy, herself realising she was insensitive to the fact Roy was alone and had no family with him, the fact he was a distraught family man engineered a sense of empathy to some of the group. Roy just shook his head, trying to not remember but the people wanted to know more to help themselves so Roy went quiet as Nancy apologetically said “I am so sorry I did not mean to...” but Roy interrupted her as he stopped playing with the stick and told her “It is okay, it is fine. I was living with my wife and daughter before
they tragically died, which is a cold way of putting it but it helps me cope. I was watching the news and I knew I had to get out, people I knew were dead anyways so there was no real cause for me to just hang around, so when I got in my car and made my way out of the town, it is like on cue you know. All of a sudden people were running, shouting, screaming like lunatics, the kind of scene that resembles a warzone faraway or a disaster movie. The only place I could think about going to was this area. We use to holiday around here, every summer, not exactly in this part of the downs but another part of the downs”.

  Roy sighed brushing down his coat, trying to keep strong as he stated “It was so lonely, so fearful and so dangerous, I was lucky, a lot of other people were not”. As that reality set in for them all, Cherie gently asked “What about the rest of the people you knew, other friends and family, have you had any contact with them?” Roy just shook his head and answered honestly “I have no idea. Maybe they are alive, maybe they are dead who knows, doesn’t bear thinking about really. When my wife and daughter died I just gave up on the others. Like you people I do not know what the hell has happened to the rest of my family or friends. I came here out of self-interest not interest for them, I just realise you know, realise there is nothing I can do for them, so why risk it, why go looking. No fuck that, I do not want to die, look at me. I am barely getting by. I want to rest and just take it easy, not go out and wrestle those people, fuck it, fuck them all”

  His anger palpable as he tried to calm himself and then added “I cannot worry about anyone else so maybe someone will come to help me, if I do anything else I will drive myself nuts. I am just trying to stay alive, keep strong and hopefully they are to and maybe when it is over they will be okay and we can just put this thing into our family album, even though I have lost my wife and daughter, there are other people I know I want to see again” he was now quiet and they felt for how hurt this man was, but Kenny and Laura, something about him did not sit right. Laura herself already had a bad vibe about him from the get go, but the rest of the group, in particular Nancy were taken in by Roy and his experiences, but Kenny, being a good judge of character just sensed there was something not at all right and normal with Roy. Like there was something deeply disturbing he could not shake it, but what, Laura herself had made up her mind but as of now was keeping it to herself, she thought also it was wrong for her to think like this, especially after all he disclosed about himself.

  Kenny’s biggest problem was based on the look of Roy, here was a fat balding man older man who looked like an alcoholic and looked very out of shape, and he was all mouth and all lonesome. Not so much a threat but more of a sight of feeble ambiguity, who did not seem like he could cope alone out in the unsafe and treacherous domain of these woods, even though he was useful and seemed to know what he was doing. Kenny started to reflect on past things Roy had said which seemed not to merge with what he was saying now. Laura to had similar same doubts but she felt Roy was just insincere, he pushed all the right buttons and ended his short little story telling with a sad throng of bitterness as the others were more taken in by him, Laura put it down to maybe not liking the sort of person she thought he was, maybe like a personality clash.

  Unexpectedly Roy stood up and said “Well it was nice to meet you all, sleep well, if that is possible” none thought he would do this, they thought he would be here for the long haul especially after helping them throughout the day, relaying information about what was happening locally to them and also offloading his very personal story about his experience. Nancy stood up and asked surprised “Why are you leaving, you will fare better with us, you can set up the tent here if you want, we have no problem. I appreciate...” Nancy paused as she looked around at the group and back on Roy, and she said “I mean we appreciate you informing us of what is going on around here and giving us the heads up”. Roy though shook his head, with a polite smile and answered “No its okay, old habits die hard. I have been sleeping out in these woods for so long and it has served me well. I would like to just keep a low profile, for an old man I am impressing myself, try and lose me some pounds” he mockingly gripped his gut and then added “But tomorrow if you want I can show you where the squads were last, you should see it yourself, at least then you will know there is more to fear than those people, plus I can give you a thorough tour around here”. Nancy was just eager for the intelligence she could gain from Roy so graciously she answered “That would be great”. Roy nodded to the rest of the group in bidding farewell and walked away, quietly whistling as he went into the darkness.

  The group went back to sitting around the fire, all were quiet and thoughtful, some minutes passed by and then Elise spoke first “What do you make of that, those squads from what he has been saying and those pictures. It is scary, I don’t understand why you want to go investigate it Nancy, you saw the pictures yourself, what is the point” as Nancy answered “I just need to see it myself. I need to know the area as best as I can. You people can do whatever you want but I am thinking about myself. It would be useful to learn more from him about what is around us. Besides what he described about what other people are doing, I mean it is inevitable it is happening, he calls them death squads but I call them murdering scumbags. People only restrain themselves when there is authority, this is just an excuse taken too far” Nancy said, and Nancy knew from her experiences as a policewoman how much society was not a cesspool of law abiding citizens, she then added philosophically “If people were naturally good there would be no need for the law, take the law away and you are just left with human nature and all its dismal qualities in its most purist of forms”.

  Kenny jokingly asked “You don’t like our species much, maybe you would prefer the dead things” he then smiled as Nancy found his comment amusing, she then said to the group “Anyway, I am going to bed, I need to sleep” Nancy now reminded Kenny “Are you sure you are going to be okay on watch?” as he replied “I am a light sleeper Nancy, just get some rest, we are fine, don’t worry”. Nancy left without a word, everyone was exhausted and so many had hardly slept for what felt like days”. Nancy was limping a little still but had been exercising, knowing she needed to keep using her leg but she needed to take those painkillers the doctor gave her and pass out. Elise and Laura had also been careful with their own injured arms and like Nancy had been necking the painkillers, it was so bizarre, their pill popping but absolutely necessary given the circumstances. Elise also departed to her tent and Cherie went into her pocket and pulled out a cigarette, she lit it up on the fire and inhaled.

  Baxter put out his hand to Laura “So can I walk you to your tent?” his confidence coming through as Laura smirked at him and took his hand, he lifted her up, as Cherie, Melissa and Kenny quietly listened, Laura answered “Let me walk you to yours, I will be going to bed shortly” Baxter and Laura took a stroll towards the tent, Kenny flippantly said with a chuckle “Isn’t that sweet” Melissa shot a glance at him and stated “If you are a good boy I will let you walk me to my tent” as Kenny leant forward and jokingly said “You might be infected for all I know”. Playfully Melissa picked up some brambles and tossed them at Kenny and said tongue in cheekily “Fuck off Kenny”. The mood was good as Cherie was cool and calm listening to the playful nature. How strange Cherie thought to be here acting like good friends with strangers, all around the same age as her and it was like they were camping for kicks.

  Baxter stood beside his tent which he was sharing with Kenny and they were talking quietly amongst themselves as he peeked her on her cheek, and went into his tent, Laura watched him go inside and thought it was sweet, it was cute he was so polite, she was prepared to be far more intimate but Baxter despite his spats of confidence was ever the gentleman. Laura returned as she sat down near Melissa and Melissa said dryly “You were quick to pick up a new guy”. Kenny went into a back pack near him and pulled out a bottle of beer, he used a pen knife to open it up and swigged it back, he was lost in his own thoughts and Cherie placed out her hand for
him to give her one, she did not need to ask as he knew what she wanted and he handed her his, and went for another one. Laura replied to Melissa “There might not be any other opportunities” Laura with a cheeky grin as she added “Baxter is sweet anyways”

  Melissa probed “He isn’t your usual type though is he?” in reply Laura said “Nobody here is” Kenny sarcastically said “Now that hurts my feelings” Laura laughed as Cherie held the bottle Kenny had just drank from and whispered “Kenny, are you sure you are not infected either” and he with a challenging tone said “Why don’t you take a swig and find out” which Cherie did as she blew smoke in his face. Melissa said to him “Are you usually this much fun Kenny”.

  Kenny then stood up overlooking the three girls, as he swigged his bottle of beer “Define fun?” Melissa had no reply to that and then Kenny inhaled the fresh air as Cherie quietly smoked. Kenny now said “Anyways, I best go and take a stroll. You know lookout and all that other random stuff have been doing recently. I will see you all tomorrow morning then, for the breakfast buffet and the tour right, what a great holiday this is” he walked away but Cherie called out to him “Kenny” he stopped to turn and see her looking at him “Stay close” she said.

  Kenny smiled at her, finding her concern touching, but replied in his usual joking way “Yes Ma’am” and off he walked as Cherie smirked and said “He’s such an asshole” as Melissa said “You seem to like him, why do you think he’s an asshole” to which Cherie answered “He’s my kind of asshole”. Melissa finding Cherie’s comment amusing, Laura was rubbing her hands together before the fire as Melissa now asked her “How is your arm anyways?”