“Follow me,” said Robert, walking ahead.
Looking up, Barney tapped Tommy lightly on the arm to stop him walking. Bob immediately stopped by the side of the boy who whispered, “Are we being split up? This place is kind of scary.”
Tommy shook his head. “If you don’t want to be on your own, you won’t be. Okay? And don’t be scared, it’s safe here. You get me?”
Barney nodded. “Are you sure? Promise?”
Placing his arm over the boy’s shoulder, Tommy nodded. “Come on, we should catch up with them. And stop worrying. This is a safe place. My instinct tells me so.”
“What’s instinct?”
“Gut feeling. You know, when you feel something right here, whether it’s right or wrong,” he explained, pointing to his own stomach.
“Is that why I feel sick if something seems bad?”
Tommy smiled. “You’ve got it. But nothing bad is going to happen here. Learn to trust your instincts.”
Barney smiled. “Bob makes me feel good.”
“Well, there you go.”
“And I trust him… and you.”
Tommy grinned again. “And I trust you too. Let’s catch up with the others.”
Barney puffed out his cheeks and nodded. Bending down, he stroked Bob’s ears and the Labrador swished his tail.
“You will find that every room has a washbasin and toilet,” Robert continued, “and just about everything else you will need. We will organise fresh clothes for you, if you need them. We don’t have a lot, but we have some. We just need your size. Later, your bags will be brought to you. Water is recycled here, but we don’t have showers or baths. It would use too much water. We ask that you minimise waste. You will also have to stay in separate rooms during the quarantine period and they will be locked. Someone will check in on you several times a day and bring meals, so don’t be scared. You can ask for books and things. There is an information booklet on the desk inside. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
Everyone nodded.
“Can we stay together?” asked Harold, grasping his wife’s hand.
“Yes, but it is at your own risk.”
“Thank you,” Peggy replied, hugging her husband.
“What about the children?” Ellen asked.
“We have to do the same and keep them separate, unless one of you volunteers to look after them,” Robert explained. “Again, that will be at your own risk, of course. After the quarantine period is up, we have facilities here for children and schooling.”
“Really? I’m a teacher,” said Ellen.
Robert smiled. “Great, we can always do with more. But, anyway, there are nurses here and a nursery for youngsters. We might even be able to find someone to care for the little girl full-time. And the boy even.”
Barney glanced up and squinted at the strange man, wondering why he was talking about him as if he was not there. He stood straighter, trying to look bigger than he was.
“I can take Barney and my dog,” Tommy offered.
The boy glanced up at him and then at the soldier with a worried expression. “Please, I don’t want to be left alone.”
Robert nodded at him. “Sure, kid. There is an emergency alarm in each room if anyone needs help,” he added, looking at the adults.
“I’ll take Ruth,” Ellen offered.
“I’ll sort out some things for the kids…”
“You’re being very through and careful,” Tommy remarked.
“We have to be,” Robert replied. “Anyway, get some rest. Relax. You all could do with it, I imagine. You’re safe here, so don’t worry about what’s outside. They can’t get in.”
“Are you sure?” asked Ellen.
The soldier smiled. “There are many of us. The whole facility has cameras. Like I said, we haven’t seen many of them up here, and we’re surrounded by fields and woods. They all appear to be in the towns and cities.”
“What happens when the cities run out of people?” asked Tommy.
“I think that’s far off,” said Robert. “I’m hoping the scientists find a cure by then. Anyway, these are your rooms.”
“Thanks,” said Marla. “We appreciate you taking us in.”
Ellen smiled.
“Enjoy,” said Robert, walking away. “I’ll just wait over there while you get settled, and then I’ll lock you in as I need to get back on watch, so goodbye. You’ll find books and things inside. Don’t forget the alarm if you need anything. Oh, and someone will bring your belongings. Don’t worry. We have to check them – it’s routine – and keep any weapons, but you’ll get everything else.”
Everyone nodded as the soldier strode away to the end of the corridor where there was a metal chair waiting for him.
“Well, thanks again for getting us here, and we’ll see you in a week,” said Harold to the rest of the group. Peggy smiled and wiped her eyes.
“No worries. Thanks to you for helping us find our way on the canal,” Marla replied, giving Peggy a hug before the couple wandered into their designated room.
“I’m going to pick my bed,” Barney announced, heading into the place he was to share with Tommy. Bob ran around his heels, wagging his tail. “Cool, it’s real big!”
“Sorted,” Tommy called out with a grin.
“Well, I’m beat, so I guess I’ll see you guys in a week,” said Billy, shaking hands with Tommy. “Glad we all met when we did. Seems we really lucked out in the end.”
“Yeah, thanks for all your help, mate,” Tommy replied.
“Yes, especially on the train,” Ellen added. “Helping them find me.”
Billy shrugged. “No sweat,” he answered before disappearing into his room.
“And then it was just us,” Marla noticed with a smile. “I dunno about you guys, but I feel kind of calm for the first time in weeks.”
Ellen nodded with a smile as she glanced at the sleeping Ruth. “I hope she’s going to be alright.”
“She’ll be fine with you.”
“Robert seems nice,” Ellen added. “I hope everyone is that friendly.”
Tommy nodded. “He seems so, but I’d feel more comfortable if he let me keep my gun. Can we trust these people?”
Marla shrugged. “Do we have any choice?”
“I guess not.”
“Look, if we don’t like it, I’m sure we can leave…”
Ellen’s eyes widened. “And go where? At least here there is a massive fence and guards. I feel safe.”
“Me, too,” Marla agreed. “I think we should give it a chance. Life has been so crazy lately that we are all paranoid. We’ve been outside with those things for far too long.”
“You’re right,” said Tommy. “What am I thinking? I’m looking forward to getting some kip without worrying about freaks jumping me, although Barney might give me a run for my money!”
Marla grinned. “Ah, he’s a good kid.”
“Yeah, he reminds me of my son a bit and he’s starting to come out of his shell after everything that’s happened. It amazes me how strong he is.”
Marla stepped forward and gave the big man a hug. “Thanks Tommy. I’m so relieved we made it here. I don’t think we could have got here without you.”
Feeling lost for words for a moment, Tommy simply nodded awkwardly and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll see you girls in a week then. Don’t miss me too much,” he joked, before slipping inside his room. The sound of Bob barking softly sailed out.
Ellen leaned against the doorframe of her own room and glanced inside. The walls were painted white and there was a wooden floor with a rug in the centre. Two beds sat at opposite sides of the room, each covered in white sheets and with two pillows. There was a window at the far end, framed by black curtains. The room also contained a wardrobe with two drawers beneath it, a desk and a table, complete with a notebook and two pens. A red button perched on the wall, labelled ‘Help’. Ellen spotted another door inside, which she assumed led to the sink and toilet that Robert mentioned.<
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“It’s better than I was expecting,” said Marla, “and I guess we appreciate the small things now.”
Ellen smiled warmly. “I think I’m going to fall asleep straight away. I’m going to miss you. Going to be weird not seeing you for a whole week.”
“I know, but it’s for the best and it might go quickly. We’ll have proper food…”
“You’re so practical thinking!”
Marla laughed. “Seriously, I’m going to miss you loads, little sis, and Tommy. I’m just putting on a brave face. I’m not used to being alone now.”
Ellen leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “See you soon, Marl. It feels strange to be able to go to sleep without worrying about those things outside.”
“I know. We’re lucky. I hope all goes well with the little one.”
Smiling, Ellen glanced at the still sleeping Ruth. “Me too, and I’m hoping our nightmares will stop now that we feel safe.”
Marla kissed her back. “Night, little sis, sleep well.”
Turning away, she waved to Robert before heading into her own room. Closing the door, she leaned back against it and surveyed the clean, neat space. This would be her home for the next week; a time of silent reflection and waiting. Taking off her heavy boots and dirty socks, she walked barefoot across the cool wooden floorboards and gazed out of the window across the sea of green beyond. It was still. Peaceful. Beautiful.
Breathing in deeply, Marla stretched her arms above her head as a feeling of blissful calm washed over her, and she smiled briefly as her thoughts turned to Tommy. She would miss him. Over the past weeks she had felt closer to him than anyone, apart from her sister. The journey to Haven had been long and arduous, but it had been worth it in the end. Now there was nothing to fear; the dead were far away, and she could imagine they no longer existed.
While Marla had no idea what the future held for them all, it now appeared brighter, more colourful, and the three of them were together. She gazed up at the dying sun one last time before drawing the curtains. It was time to sleep, secure in the knowledge that nothing would disturb it and that the dead could only harm her in her dreams.
To be continued in book 2: Haven.
Thank you for buying this book. I hope you enjoyed it.
Please leave a review on Amazon – your feedback is welcome and valued.
About the author:
Vickie Johnstone is the author of 14 books. She lives in London, UK, where she works as a layout sub editor on magazines and enjoys editing self-published novels. Some day she hopes to live by the sea with some cute fluffy cats and a lifetime supply of Milky Bar chocolate. One of her children’s books, Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle, was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Awards 2013.
Books by the author:
3 Heads & a Tail
The Sea Inside (Cerulean Songs, book 1)
I Dream of Zombies (book 1)
Haven (I Dream of Zombies, book 2) – coming in May 2014
The Kiwi Series
Kiwi in Cat City (book 1)
Kiwi and the Missing Magic (book 2)
Kiwi and the Living Nightmare (book 3)
Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle (book 4)
Kiwi in the Realm of Ra (book 5)
Kiwi’s Christmas Tail (book 6)
Smarts & Dewdrop Mysteries
Day of the Living Pizza (book 1)
Day of the Pesky Shadow (book 2)
Poetry
Kaleidoscope
Life’s Rhythms
Travelling Light
Others
The Gage Project charitable children’s anthology, published by Inknbeans Press
Author links:
Blog: http://vickiejohnstone.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4788773.Vickie_Johnstone
Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorVickieJohnstone
Kiwi Series website: www.kiwiincatcity.com
Twitter: @vickiejohnstone
Kiwi Series Gift Shop: www.zazzle.co.uk/kiwiincatcity
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