“Cool! Windmills,” remarked Barney, “and nice empty fields.”
“Except for that,” said Tommy as a huge construction came into view in the near distance.
As he drove closer, it became apparent that the tall building was surrounded by fencing. Marla guessed it would be electrified and topped by barbed wire. The nearer they got, she estimated it to be about twenty foot high, and it covered some area. As the car drove up the rough gravel road, she noticed a group of people. “This is weird,” she remarked. “Anyone could be inside there and we’re outnumbered. I keep thinking of that gang who attacked us.”
“True,” said Tommy. “But my gut instinct is telling me to trust it. Eric said to come here.”
“Really?” asked Ellen. “There’s wire up there. How will we get out if it’s dangerous?”
Tommy did not respond. Drawing nearer to the high fencing, he parked the car and turned off the engine. The silver Citroen drew up behind them and stopped. Beyond the wire stood men dressed in army fatigues. Right in front of the Mini Cooper was a huge double gate, which looked to be made of metal. Marla and Tommy sat there in silence for a few minutes, turning various scenarios over in their minds.
“There are cameras on the fence,” said Ellen, pointing upwards.
“Yep, they’ve seen us by now,” Tommy deadpanned.
“Are we okay with this?” asked Marla. “Because we can always go back…”
Ellen shrugged. “Back where? What’s the alternative?”
Without replying, Marla gripped her gun.
“They’re coming out,” said Barney, pointing.
Marla spun round in her seat. Sure enough, the double gate was opening ever so slowly. Slipping his handgun into his pocket, Tommy sat still and waited. Bob jumped up and started to bark as the gap in the gate widened and six men stepped out, armed to the teeth and wearing bulletproof vests, helmets and visors. They took up positions at equal distances apart and waited, their eyes fixed on the two vehicles.
Tommy undid his seatbelt. “I’m going to get out.”
Marla sighed. “What if…”
“Instinct tells me they’re okay. I’m going to talk to them. Anything happens, you drive away.”
Marla scowled. “I’m not leaving yo–”
“If you have to, you have to. I’d leave you if…”
“You serious?” asked Marla, flinching.
“Nah, but hey,” Tommy replied with a grin. Getting out of the Mini Cooper before she could say another word, he stepped on to the gravel and slammed the door shut. It locked immediately. Bob barked even more loudly, pressing his paws against the car window.
“Should be fine,” said Ellen.
Marla shrugged as she concentrated on the scene ahead. Why can’t I trust this? Because I’ve been surrounded by the dead for too long, that’s why. She watched Tommy walk up to the nearest of the six army men and say something. Then he pointed to the car and said something else. The stranger motioned to his handgun. Tommy nodded and handed it to him. “Shit,” mumbled Marla under her breath.
The soldier nodded and tapped Tommy on the back. Marla exhaled and smiled at Ellen, who grinned. Everyone watched as their friend strode back to the car, looking cheerier than he had done in weeks. Marla lowered the window.
“It’s fine,” Tommy told her. “It is definitely a government facility and we’re free to stay. They asked if anyone has any bites and I told them no. He could see that I’m fine. There are hundreds of survivors here. We hit the jackpot.”
“That’s great,” said Marla. “Greater than great even. I can’t believe it. We’re finally safe?”
“So we’re staying here?” asked Barney as Bob looked from face to face, wagging his tail.
“Yes,” Tommy replied. “What are you all waiting for?” Turning, he walked over to the Citroen and waved at Billy to get out. Harold and Peggy emerged from the back, and stretched their legs.
“All good?” asked Billy, walking around to the boot.
“Yep, it’s fine. We’re safe, man,” Tommy added with a smile of relief. “But leave the bags. They’re going to bring them in for us.”
Ellen opened the car door and stepped out holding Ruth, followed by Barney and the dog. Marla picked up her bag, slung it over her shoulder and got out of the vehicle, gripping her handgun. Slamming the car door, she turned to Ellen who had a bright smile on her face as she hugged Ruth, who was still sleeping. Jemima was sandwiched between them.
“Welcome to Rickslaw and this place is nicknamed Haven,” said the soldier with whom Tommy had been speaking. “I’m glad you made it here. Good timing as it’s going to be getting dark soon, although we don’t see many living dead make it all the way up here.”
Marla glanced at him. The man had a sturdy build, reddish-blonde short hair and hazel eyes, and she guessed he was in his late twenties. His friendly smile was infectious. “Thanks,” she told him. “So it’s safe?”
“Government building. We’re legit. Look, here’s my ID.”
Marla surveyed it and smiled.
“You need to give me your handgun though.”
“But…”
“You can have it back if you leave.”
“Um, okay,” said Marla, “but I’m used to protecting myself and my sister here.”
“I don’t make the rules,” the soldier replied, “and I don’t know you from Adam.”
“Who’s Adam?” asked Barney.
“It’s a figure of speech,” the man explained, but the boy only frowned harder.
Shrugging, Marla reluctantly handed over the Glock. “That one’s my favourite,” she said. “Take good care of it.”
The soldier raised an eyebrow.
“Ex-army,” she explained with a hesitant smile.
“That explains it,” the man replied. “Respect to you. But… whoa, you have a dog?”
Tommy bristled. “Is that a problem?”
“Well, except for a couple of military working dogs we have here, he’s going to be the only one.”
“I thought people’s pets were being moved?” asked Ellen.
The guy made a face. “Yeah, but that’s still being coordinated. They’re probably fine, but in various places.”
“Probably?” echoed Tommy.
The soldier shrugged. “It’s not my job.”
“So, is he going to be a problem? I can’t leave him.”
“Nah, well, he’ll have to go into quarantine with you and I’ll check with the commander. It’s up to him, after all. He’s a nice looking dog.”
Tommy eased up a bit. “His name is Bob.”
Marla put her arm around her sister’s shoulder. Barney noticed and grabbed Ellen’s free hand. She grinned down at him. “Everything is going to be okay now, Barney. We’re safe here.”
He gazed back up at her with the hint of a smile. The soldier, along with two others, led the way through the metal gates. Behind them, two of the other men began to check the vehicles as the sixth one stood guard. As soon as they had passed through, the entrance closed automatically with a loud clang. Inside, the facility was huge with about ten levels. All around them the wire fencing stretched. Several warnings of electrocution were fixed to it.
“Don’t touch this,” instructed the soldier, glancing down at the boy. Dotted here and there on top of the fence were cameras. They moved as the visitors walked across the gravel area. Rows upon rows of military vehicles and two black-painted, double-decker buses, of all things, were parked inside and there were petrol pumps.
“It’s huge,” said Ellen as Ruth stirred in her arms.
“Big,” the little girl mumbled.
Ellen smiled. “Yes, we are staying here tonight.”
“Home?” asked Ruth, making Jemima jiggle in the air.
Ellen nodded. Tommy walked beside them, not taking his eyes off the soldiers. “Look!” he said, suddenly pointing. “Isn’t that the coach we were on earlier? Hey, Robert, did that coach come in about a week ago? There was a so
ldier on it called Simon and the driver was a guy named Eric…”
Robert thought for a second and a look of realisation flickered over his face. “Yes, I reckon it did come in then and there is a new soldier by that name…”
“Great. They made it. I’m looking forward to catching up with Eric.”
“I’m so glad,” added Marla. “All this is the best news we’ve had in a long time.”
The group passed between the rows of parked cars and armoured vehicles until they reached yet another wire fence, which was again electrified. A soldier opened the wire door from the other side and they entered. Stepping across the way, the daunting brick building loomed.
Marla imagined it stretched back quite far. “How long has this been here?” she asked.
“Quite long,” replied the soldier, not giving anything away. “It was an army base.”
Tommy furrowed his brow. “I was in the army and I never heard of it.”
“Government secret, but we have no secrets now.”
“Do you know what’s causing the virus or whatever it is?” asked Marla.
“I can’t say,” the soldier replied.
“Ah,” remarked Ellen, glancing at her sister. “Why not?”
The soldier turned. “I’ll leave that to the scientists.”
“Scientists?” asked Marla.
“They’re trying to find a cure.”
“Is that possible? Those things came back from the dead.”
The soldier shrugged and did not reply. Marla assumed it was because he didn’t have one.
“Are there many survivors here?” asked Billy.
“Yes, hundreds,” said the soldier, brightening. “We’ve been able to save a lot of people. The announcement on the radio goes out 24-7, and a lot of folk have made it up here. Some, who were bitten, we couldn’t take in, unfortunately, but most we could. We go out scanning the immediate area most days, trying to find people, and…” Glancing at Barney and Ruth, he paused. “We’re clearing the area gradually.”
“We didn’t see any on our way up,” Marla remarked.
“That’s good to hear, but it’s quietest during the day.
“They like the night,” added Ellen, cringing.
“That they do,” replied the soldier. “Are you hungry?” he asked, kindly changing the subject.
The girl nodded. “We’ve got some stuff left in the car.”
“But what do you crave most?”
“Bacon butty,” chipped in Harold, smiling at his wife.
“Roast beef dinner,” added Peggy with a smile.
Barney thought for a moment and replied, “Eggy soldiers.”
Ellen thought for a moment. “A cup of hot chocolate with cream.”
The soldier chuckled. “You’re easily pleased.”
She blushed and grinned, while Tommy burst into laughter.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh like that in weeks,” exclaimed Marla, nudging him.
“Well, let’s hope it continues,” said the soldier. “My name is Robert, by the way. This is Haven and as the name suggests, you’re safe here.”
***
Robert led them to a pair of huge double doors at the front of the building, which looked to be made of steel. All of the windows were closed. He peered into a small, square screen, which Marla presumed to be a retina reader, and the door opened. Following the soldier inside, they found themselves in a hallway and the walls were painted grey. The floor was just concrete. Straight ahead were two elevators, either side of which was a white door marked ‘Stairs’ in black paint. From where they stood, long corridors led off in both directions. The place was huge, thought Marla. No wonder it was so well secured.
“We’ll take the elevator,” said Robert, pressing one of the buttons.
“Does everyone get the retina scan?” asked Marla as they stepped into the lift.
Robert shook his head as he pressed for level six. “Just soldiers, scientists and officials, not the regular Joes…”
“…like us,” finished Tommy.
The soldier nodded. “We need to keep the building secure. If there was any kind of breach, we would be in big trouble.”
“But there’s the electrified fence outside,” said Billy. “It looks as if no one could get in.”
“We can’t take any chances,” Robert replied. “These facilities are like the last safe places; our last stand against whatever it is that’s out there.”
“What caused it?” asked Tommy.
“As I said before, I don’t know. The scientists are trying to find out. The UK is in shutdown mode, basically quarantined, until we find a cure. The outside world is just going to leave us.”
“But that’s wrong,” remarked Ellen, as the elevator stopped and the door opened. “We’ve helped other countries during wars.”
“This is different,” the soldier explained, walking out into a green-painted corridor. “This isn’t a war, but a virus. Everyone is scared, between you and me. The world governments cannot risk this spreading. It’s already in some European countries, but you’ll be told about this in the introduction meeting you’ll be attending after quarantine. The administrator will tell you everything that has been happening, seeing as there was a media blackout, plus you’ve been out there alone for some time.”
“But why?” asked Ellen. “Why did the internet get shut down and the mobile network?”
“To avoid a mass panic and…”
“But it made us panic. We didn’t know where to go,” Marla argued.
Robert nodded. “I can imagine. Everything happened too fast. Arrangements were made to evacuate people and coordinate it all, but they were too slow. National level was required, not just for London. Meanwhile the virus was spreading across Europe. The government couldn’t afford for certain people – criminals, gangs and terrorists – to take advantage of the situation by organising themselves, so the means of coordination were shut down. There is looting and violence happening across the country, but small-scale. The government and we, for example, are still able to access the internet and other communications. This decision was taken thinking it was the only way to maintain order or a semblance of it. But the administrator will explain all this. The important thing is that you are safe here.”
“What about our families?” Peggy asked, stepping forward.
“Yes, don’t worry, you will be asked to give details and addresses, and last known whereabouts, and we will try to track them. We reunite families also, by moving them safely.”
“Fantastic!” gasped Ellen. “Marl, we can get in contact with Mum.”
Marla smiled and then frowned. “Our brother is overseas…”
“We’ll be able to find him too,” Robert replied. “The main thing is to keep you safe, which means you cannot leave this place as we will not be responsible for your safety. We have no idea how many of the living dead are out there. Many towns and cities were not evacuated in time. Some facilities were even overrun. Basically, we are battling to keep order – it’s like a war in some places. You can’t imagine. The police and army, and all our resources are spread thinly. The government wants to try to find a vaccine to reverse it…”
“Is that possible?” asked Billy.
“We don’t know. But we do know the UK was the worst hit. It started here. There are no cases in America so far, for example. So we need to stop it spreading and take control of the situation. Imagine if it crossed into every country? The entire human race would be at risk of extinction.”
“Just like the dream,” said Ellen.
“You had it?” asked Robert, stopping.
“We both did,” Marla answered.
Robert looked surprised. “So you’re in the five per cent,” he said. “That’s the percentage of people who had the dream, or so we estimate. It might be lower.”
“Is it the same for everyone?” asked Marla. “Our dreams were exactly the same.”
The soldier nodded. “Down to the very la
st detail… weirdly.”
“But how is it possible?” Tommy enquired.
Robert shrugged. “No idea, and I didn’t have it either.”
“You’re lucky,” said Ellen, grimacing.
“Do you still have it?”
Ellen nodded. “But it doesn’t bother me so much. I’ve seen worse in reality, so I can sleep now.”
“I see,” Robert replied, frowning. “Come this way. This is level six, where your rooms will be eventually. You will also be eating on this floor. There are survivors on all levels and you should remain on your one mostly. Each one has exercise rooms. During the daytime we allow limited numbers of people outside on a rota, according to levels. As you know, there is no television any more…”
“I don’t miss television,” said Ellen with a half-smile.
Robert chuckled. “I can’t say I do either. We do have a cinema where we show DVDs. Okay, these rooms are free. They are cleaned once a week. If you need anything, you just need to ask the facilities people on this level. But you’ll find a folder full of information in your room…”
“It’s very organised,” said Marla. “But what do you mean about our rooms being on level six eventually?”
“Don’t be afraid, but we have to monitor you first to make sure you are not infected. These will be your rooms, but I need to take you into quarantine first.”
“But we didn’t get bit,” Harold protested.
Robert nodded. “Yes, but we don’t know you, and we only half understand this virus or whatever it is. We have to keep you in quarantine for a week. Then we will know that you are healthy and you can join the main population here. When this outbreak began, many facilities like this were overrun because we didn’t realise the virus reveals itself differently in people – they turn at different rates.”
“I’ve seen that,” said Ellen, remembering the train.
Harold sighed. “I guess it’s fair,” he agreed.
“It’s routine,” Robert replied, walking them back to the elevator. Once they were all inside, he pressed a button and the lift moved downwards. “Okay, this is us,” he announced as the doors opened again at level three. The group stepped out into a white-painted hallway. Doors ran down either side for as far as the eye could see.
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