Winter Smith (Book 2): The Secrets of France

by Strange, J. S.

  “I’ll go and get us something,” Connor said. He looked at Winter. “Do you want to come with me?”

  Winter nodded. “I don’t mind.”

  “Well, that’s sorted then,” Violet said. “You two go and find something to eat. Zach and I will stay here and keep guard without any weapons.”

  “Maybe we’ll try disarming the guys carrying baseball bats,” Winter said.

  “Good luck with that.”

  Winter and Connor left Violet and Zach behind, and headed down the train tracks. They walked either side; afraid their feet would get caught in the gaps. They walked slowly; worried they might come across the men from earlier, or other people who would not take well to strangers.

  They finally emerged from the tunnel into another station. It was deserted, except for two train carriages and kiosk buildings on the three platforms. Winter spotted a sign that read Confians – Fin d’Oise.

  “Do you have any idea where that is?”

  Connor shook his head. “Nope, but if we keep heading down we’ll be in Paris in no time.”

  “Do we want to go into Paris?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  They headed towards the train carriage. Winter saw that the doors were locked. She pressed the button, almost expecting it to open, but nothing happened.

  “Follow me,” Connor said.

  They walked a bit further down the platform, until they came across a window that had been smashed.

  “Looks like this one has already been looted,” Winter said.

  “Let’s look anyway.”

  Connor climbed through the window first and into the back compartment of the train. It wobbled slightly as he jumped in. He held out his hand and lifted Winter through.

  Being on a deserted train, abandoned and left to rot, was incredibly eerie. There were no lights on. No commuters crowding the narrow walkway. There were left behind newspapers, weeks old, with headlines that didn’t matter anymore. Connor stopped at a food trolley. He looked in the first tray and saw that it was empty. The second was better.

  Winter saw French equivalent packets of Quavers, McCoy’s and Wotsits. Connor grabbed them, the packets rustling, when they heard a footstep behind them.

  “What was that?”

  They peered through the glass and into the next carriage. It was dark inside, but Winter thought she could see a shadow.

  “Shit, do you think it’s the men with the bats?”

  They saw the figure moving closer. Winter couldn’t make out if it was a man or a woman. They seemed to be carrying something big on their back. Connor took Winter’s hand and began to climb under a nearby seat. Winter squeezed in next to him.

  They heared heavy boots coming closer, until the door opened and the person walked in.

  “I know you’re there,” a woman’s voice spoke. “Come out and maybe I’ll kill you later.”

  Chapter Nine

  They stared at the boots that were ten feet away from them, before looking at one another with fear. This hadn’t been a good idea.

  Before Winter could say anything, Connor was climbing out of their hiding place. His back was turned as he squeezed out from under the seat and knelt on the ground. Winter crawled forwards and looked at Connor, afraid of what she might see if she looked at the woman.

  “We’re not here to do anything but take some food,” Connor began.

  But the woman stared at Winter. “Winter? Winter Smith?”

  Winter was torn between anger at being recognised, and confusion. Why would anybody care who she was now, when everything else was going on? But the voice had sounded familiar, and Winter dared to believe it was true.

  She turned slowly to face the woman, who was short and slim. Her face was masked, and a black hat drew back any hair that Winter may recognise. The girl seemed to be thinking the same thing. She took off her hat, so her flat, wavy brown hair fell around her shoulders, and then she took off her mask.

  Winter gasped. Missy Founder stood before her, alive and well.

  “Missy.” Winter breathed. “How?”

  Missy sank to her knees too, apparently unable to comprehend what was going on before her. She looked at Winter and reached out a gloved hand, but didn’t touch her, almost afraid she would disappear.

  Winter almost expected this to be a trick. Maybe she had finally cracked, and was now hallucinating, taking comfort from her old friend.

  “I didn’t know if you had survived. I’ve been trying to keep my ear out, trying to hear any rumours about you being back, but when you’re underground you’re kind of cut off from everything,” Missy said, smiling slightly. “I never thought you would just walk into my train carriage and try and steal my food.”

  Winter laughed a laughter that was genuine, that was warming. It was something she hadn’t done in a while. “Sorry about that.” She grinned. “But we’re starving. We’ve only just arrived. About, what, seven hours ago?”

  “Maybe a little longer,” Connor nodded. His expression was dumbfounded, his eyes flickering to Missy.

  They stared at one another for a few moments, taking each other in. Thoughts ran through Winter’s head of the last night she had seen Missy alive. It was the night that everything had changed.

  “Who is this?” Missy smiled, holding out her hand to Connor. It took Connor a few seconds to shake it. “He’s dashing.”

  “Connor Getty,” Winter said. “My date at the party where I last saw you.”

  All three of them remembered it: the music being cut, the blood spilling across Olivia and Nathan Smith’s new flooring. They remembered the gargling sounds as they came face to face with the dead for the first time. They remembered celebrities dying, zombies wearing designer clothing, and complete chaos as they escaped the house Winter had lived in.

  “An amazing first date!” Missy exclaimed. “And, my god you survived!”

  Connor nodded, smiling for the first time. “I survived.” He glanced at Winter. “Barely.”

  “Missy, you’ve got to tell me what happened,” Winter said. “I thought you were a goner. Your friends? Conrad, Perkins…did they survive?”

  Missy shook her head, her body slumping. “None of them did. I watched them all die. It was horrible.”

  “Then how did you survive?”

  “Government helicopters,” Missy answered. “They flew down and I leapt and got on board. Oh, it was so scary, Winter. I’ll never do drugs again.”

  “You shouldn’t do them anyway,” Winter said. “But I’m glad a meeting with the dead has made you realise that drugs are bad.”

  “Tell me about it,” Missy said. “Anyway, I got on board the helicopter and flew away from that scene. I worried for you, Winter.”

  “You did?”

  Winter was surprised. The pair had never really got along. They were friends, sure, but they were never close. Missy was always insulting Winter, trying to be better than her, reminding her that she wasn’t normal for the life she was living. It had affected Winter greatly, but it hadn’t just been Missy. It had been her friends, their lifestyle.

  “Of course,” Missy nodded. “We might not have been sisters, but I grew up with you, and you with me, so I worried for you.”

  Winter realised she hadn’t given Missy much thought since that night, but feebly said, “Me, too.”

  “When we got to Paris, I knew instantly something wasn’t right. It wasn’t as bad as it is now. I’ve been underground for almost two weeks now, so I dread to think what is happening. But it went downhill pretty quickly.”

  “What happened?”

  Missy sighed. She got up, and sat on one of the chairs. Winter and Connor sat opposite, resting their arms on the table.

  “I was put into accommodation for the first week. Then I was moved into a camp near The Louvre. The camps were for survivors, and they were supposed to be a temporary place to stay whilst survivors were re-homed. That wasn’t happening, and people started to get tired of it. We were fed only two meals, no snacks
. We weren’t allowed any money. We weren’t allowed to find jobs. And we weren’t allowed to be out of camp any time past nine PM. It was a nightmare there, and as more survivors arrived it started to become over crowded. There are lots of camps dotted around Paris, but they’re all just as bad as the next.” Missy shook her head. “I hear it’s worse now. Earlier curfews, and more people disappearing.”

  “Sounds awful,” Connor muttered.

  “It was. Communal showers were a nightmare,” Missy said. “The camps were guarded and patrolled by Blitzers. Have you come across Blitzers?”

  “We have,” Winter nodded. “They killed someone in front of us.”

  Missy shuddered. “Evil beings. They work for V. They’re ruthless. They’ll shoot you if you do one thing wrong. They were continuously telling people off, attacking people, just for the sake of it. It was horrible. People started fleeing. Those who were caught were killed, or taken away in the back of government vans…”

  “Taken where?” Connor interrupted.

  Missy shrugged. “I’m not sure. We never saw them again, though.”

  Winter dreaded to think of the fate of those people. “What about the dead?”

  “Oh, they’re here,” Missy nodded, eyes wide. “Yeah, they’re flooding Paris. People are living alongside them right now. It’s a gruesome glimpse into what the next few years are going to be like. It’s no wonder people are calling it The Dead Years.”

  “Well, hopefully it’ll only be a problem this year,” Winter said.

  Missy shook her head. “Believe me, the dead are beginning to outnumber the living. They’re a creation of V, did you know that? I learnt that whilst at camp. I heard the Blitzers talking. They started to tell us that if we were against V, against a ‘new world order’, then we would be killed. I could see they were brainwashing people, making people believe that this was a good thing. That’s why people are still doing normal things up there in France. They’re brainwashed.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh, yeah, definitely. They’ve been led to believe that a change was needed, and a drastic one at that. They’ve been told that the dead are necessary to get rid of the weak, and keep the strong. People are believing that sadly.”

  “But there are people on the run? There are people fighting against V?”

  “Oh, yeah, there are people on the run.” Missy nodded. “But they’re found and killed before they can do anything. But there is one group I am trying to find. I just haven’t worked out a plan for it yet.”

  “Who’s that?” Connor asked.

  Missy peered out of the foggy windows, as if she feared they might be being watched. She leaned forwards. “There are a group of people called The Union. They’re pretty serious, and word on the metro is V is pretty wary of them. They’re getting resources and connections they are not supposed to have. Nobody knows how, but they’re against V and that’s all that matters. I know they’re recruiting, because they aim to take on not just V, but her new government, new world order and the Blitzers.”

  Winter exhaled. This was crazy. How had the world gotten like this?

  “And where are The Union?” Connor asked.

  “They’re somewhere in the centre of Paris. They’re hard to get to. The Blitzers usually find you before you find The Union. They can’t travel or escape where they are, because they will be killed, and they know they’re on to something.”

  “Is that why you’re here?” Winter asked.

  “So you’ve seen we’re far out, then?” Missy asked.

  Winter nodded. “I assumed we weren’t near. We haven’t walked that far since we came underground.”

  “I don’t know where we’re going, but I know France is behind us. Travelling underground is just as dangerous, but I’d rather be down here than up there. Blitzers are attacking any house they think survivors are living in.” Missy shook her head. “I’m here because I’m scared to go and find The Union. I know a few people down here, but not many, and I don’t want to get killed.”

  “We were almost attacked,” Winter said.

  “You were?”

  “Yes. They were carrying bats. They said we infringed on their territory and they were more than willing to bash our heads in with their weapons.”

  Missy laughed, which shocked Winter. Seeing the look on her face, Missy stopped. “I’m sorry, but that’s just Keiron. He’s not trouble! He’s just protective and wary. He’s safe.”

  “You know him?” Connor gasped.

  “He’s one of the few I know! I made a deal with him! I’d have the train, and when he needed any he could come for food. I told him I wouldn’t go anywhere near his tunnels, and he would stay away from mine. He agreed and let me get on with it. But we see each other regularly. He doesn’t really mind me going up there if it’s for something important.”

  “Like what?”

  Missy swung the backpack off her back and unzipped it on the table. Inside were metal trays, food, bottled water and bedding. She was also carrying a small handgun and two daggers. “He gives me weapons when I need them. He’s hoping to get to The Union, but he’s in no rush. Unlike me. Maybe that’s why he likes me. He knows I’m not sticking around long, and he knows I’m not a threat.”

  “With weapons like that, I’d consider you a threat.” Winter laughed.

  Missy flicked her hair. “Let me introduce you.”

  Winter’s heart skipped. Connor looked fearful. “We can’t meet him. He won’t take kindly to us.”

  “We’re already off on bad footing with him,” Winter said.

  Missy smirked. “Believe me, Keiron is safe. I’ll introduce you to him.”

  Missy stood and handed them both a packet of crisps. Connor took his and opened them immediately, whilst Winter was too nervous to eat. They were about to meet a man that Winter thought was dangerous. But there was no arguing. Missy was certain the meeting would go well.

  Chapter Ten

  They headed out of the carriage and dropped down into the tracks below. Connor had finished his crisps and had taken another pack.

  “Don’t open them here,” Missy urged. “The sound multiplies.”

  “What’s it going to attract, the dead?”

  Missy looked at Connor. “It might.”

  A chill swept over Winter. The dead were underground with them. Nowhere was safe. There was no refuge.

  Missy locked the train with a key and began to lead them back down the tunnel they had come from.

  “We’re with two other people,” Winter explained. “Zach and Violet. Can we bring them along, too?”

  “Of course,” Missy said. “If he meets you all he’ll take to you better.”

  Winter wanted to argue that the last time he met them all they had almost been killed. Instead she said nothing.

  They walked further down the tunnel, Connor leading the way. Winter thought he was brave to be so eager to meet a man who had tried to assault them when they had first met.

  Winter stopped at the wall they had left Violet and Zach hiding behind and peered over. Missy shone a torch into the faces of Violet and Zach.

  “What the?” Violet winced. “Who’s that?”

  “It’s me,” Winter said. “Missy, shine that torch somewhere else.” Missy moved the torch to the wall, so the light didn’t shine directly at Violet and Zach. Violet blinked the light spots out of her eyes and looked at Missy. “This is Missy. Believe it or not I knew her from London.”

  “Well, what a lovely reunion you guys are having,” Violet said. “Any reason why she’s here?”

  “I’m introducing you to Keiron.”

  Violet blinked. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

  “The guy that tried to kill us with a baseball bat,” Connor said.

  Violet looked at Zach with surprise. “Did I just hear that right?”

  “You’re taking us upstairs?” Zach asked.

  Missy nodded. “Keiron is lovely.”

  “Oh, yeah!” Violet exclaimed. “
That threatening, murderous streak is a great personality trait.”

  Missy shook her head. She wobbled on her tiptoes as she peered over the wall. “Trust me, you’ll want to meet him.”

  Violet looked at Winter. “You’re going with it?”

  Winter nodded. “Afraid so.”

  Violet exhaled. “Fine.” She tapped Zach’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  The two climbed slowly out of their hideout and jumped down to the tracks. Missy shushed them, and repeated that the dead were underground.

  “And whose idea was it to come down here?” Violet asked, though they all knew it was hers.

  They began heading out of the tunnel and up towards the entrance to the metro, where they knew Keiron and his gang waited.

  “Now, let me walk before you,” Missy said. “He knows me, so when he sees me with you he’ll give you a chance.”

  “A chance?” Winter gasped.

  “He’s going to be fine!”

  Missy led the way, and soon they were walking towards the group of men in black, tattered clothing and towards Keiron and his steel baseball bat.

  “Missy.” Keiron smiled, holding out his arms. Missy hugged him. “How are you?” His eyes flickered to the group behind her, and Winter saw his grip tighten on the bat. “Well. If it isn’t the intruders, back on my land again.”

  “Hey, this isn’t your land…” Violet began.

  “Don‘t,” Winter sighed.

  Keiron laughed. “She’s a mouthy one, ain’t she?” He turned to Missy. “So, you gonna tell me who these people are?”

  “They’re on our side,” Missy said, nodding reassuringly. “Trust me. They’re here to bring down V, too.”

  “We are?” Violet mumbled to Winter.

  “Wow,” Keiron clapped his hands. “A geek, a white boy with an afro, a mouthy tart and a socialite. What are they gonna do for us?” Missy slapped Keiron’s arm playfully, and he laughed along with her. “I’m only kidding. If they’re on our side, that’s good enough for me.”