When they reached the barricade of cars they were greeted by two armed soldiers and two women dressed in blue gowns, each of the women wore a blue facemask to protect them from infection. These four new faces didn’t seem quite as friendly as John and it was clear to see that until a contamination check was conducted, they wouldn’t be enjoying the new stranger’s hospitalities. Morgan was surprised that the two armed guards didn’t request that the group relinquish their arms; for now they seemed to be content to stay behind the group and watch their every move. “We need to check each of you for infection. Please follow me?” The older more officious nurse asked. Each of the group where shown to a cubicle, made up of plastic sheeting, which looked similar to the fabric of the tent they now stood in. Each was asked to remove all of their clothes; there was no threat of force so they were happy to do as instructed, even Lindsey. The stroppy teenager seemed to enjoy getting naked in the cubicle opposite Jordan’s, and when she caught him looking over her naked form she couldn’t resist smiling.
The inspection didn’t take long, and they were all allowed to get dressed and told to assemble back together inside the tent. “The area leader will be here in a few minutes to brief you.” One of the soldiers told them, as the two nurses strode outside, leaving just the armed guards behind to keep an eye on them. Their wait for the leader wasn’t long, and when he appeared they were surprised to see that he wasn’t a soldier. Everyone had assumed that someone in charge of a couple of hundred people would be either a serviceman or member of the constabulary. “Good morning, welcome to Canvey Island.” The man greeted them in a sincere manner before going on to add, “My name is Ian Jessup and I have been elected as peer to our survivors.” Kathy smiled at the man, despite her reservations she felt that she could trust him, “Hi Ian, I’m Kathy and these are: Morgan, Jackson, Penny, Gerard, Letitia, Shanice, Jordan, Lindsey and her brother Cole.” Ian went down the line shaking each of their hands, “Well I’m very pleased to meet all of you and would like to take the opportunity to invite you to become residents within our safe haven.” Kathy’s smile faded and was replaced by a more serious expression, “I’m sorry Ian, but we need to know more about this place and the rest of you before we can make a decision like that.” She instantly felt eased by his smile, whether it was practiced or not, “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything else.” He then beckoned them all to sit down, so that he could tell them more about their prospective new home.
Ian began briefing them with relish, “There are two hundred and twelve accounted survivors at present. Each of those are under my jurisdiction. About a quarter of these men and women have been taking the island back street by street, each day and we would hope that over the next week we will have regained full control of the whole Island. Each day we remove the infected, extend our borders and find more survivors.” “Ian please? I have a question.” Shanice suddenly interrupted him. Her father shook his head in disapproval. “Oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be rude.” She swiftly apologised. “No, no that’s alright darling, I would be offended if you didn’t have questions for me. Go on ask away.” Shanice paused for the briefest of moments with a finger pressed to her lips in thought. Kathy began to smile, knowing that the little girl had far more than one question to ask. Finally Shanice decided on her first, “How are you still finding survivors after this long?” Ian smiled towards her, “That’s a good question. How many people used to overfill their shopping trolleys every week?” His answer didn’t seem to placate Shanice, “What about other people stealing it though? In London that is all everyone is doing.” The portly leader laughed, “This isn’t London Shanice. You have to think of Canvey as one big village, everyone knows everyone, we all try to look out for one another.” Shanice sat smiling from ear to ear, “Wow nice people. I thought they had all gone.” Her statement caused a ripple of laughter to spread across the rest of her group. “You said one quarter are clearing the streets. Do you mind me asking what the rest of the survivors are doing?” Gerard asked from behind his daughter. “Another quarter liberate food from abandoned houses and are also responsible for the growth of fresh food. A third quarter is made up as a workforce for construction purposes.” “Why that leaves a whole quarter?” Shanice shot out across the room, making sure she got the question in first.
Ian was finding the little girl amusing and he was amazed that being out in the open hadn’t destroyed the innocence and bravery that was so common amongst children. “We have people of many ages, some are too old to work, others look after the ill, and a few are rostered as guards and a small few go the school just up the road.” The mention of a school caused an instant elated cheer from Shanice. It took a few minutes for her celebrations to die down, and the tent to grow peaceful once again. Ian carried on with his welcoming speech, before another barrage of questions were aimed at him. “The area was lucky when the virus first broke out. We didn’t have a recorded case for the first two days, and that came from a visitor to the area. As over half of the population had already left the Island it took the virus longer to spread. We walled up the roads and closed all of the flood gates on the sea wall. Since then we have pushed the infected back, bit by bit. All new arrivals or rescued survivors are given two days to adjust to their new way of life, we then give them a job which they are paid for in supplies.”
“What if someone doesn’t want to work?” Kathy asked whilst Ian was getting his breath back. “Unfortunately they have to leave the Island, Kathy. Everyone has to pull their weight here, it is the only way we can survive.” Gerard stood up, “Isn’t that a bit harsh Ian?” The engineer couldn’t help but protest at the leader’s previous reply, his faith wouldn’t allow him to remain silent. “I’m sure on your own travels you have struggled for supplies with just a group of a dozen. Try to imagine the responsibility we have for feeding over two hundred.” Gerard chose to stay silent, it was true that at times things had been tough for just the few of them, he couldn’t imagine the resources that were required to feed as many as the Island had so far sustained. “Now if you would like to follow me, I have arranged a tour for you to see what we are trying to achieve here.” Ian told them as he moved off towards the front of the tent.
The group all stood and followed Ian; eager to see a protected area and hoping that it would feel like past times, before Day Zed was released. Kathy and Morgan were the last to exit. “Is this for real?” She whispered to him. With a gentle squeeze of her hand he whispered back, “I certainly hope so babes.” Ian stood waiting at the open doors of a requisitioned bus; the rest of their group were already inside. For every one of them it was a joy to hear the engine start up, without fear that zombies would stumble around the corner, chasing down the source of the strange man made sound.
Ian deliberately took his time in pointing out everything that he thought was relevant. Every landmark and point of interest that they passed, he was only too happy to go through all the history of each place. He seemed to bask in his role as Canvey’s apocalyptic version of Willy Wonka. He knew without having to ask that this group of individuals must have been pushed to the very limits, just to have made it here. In his mind he had already picked which of the group would be soldiers, and who would help to rebuild things. He wasn’t stupid and knew that one day supplies would run out, meaning they would have to go further afield; for that the Island needed Kathy and her friends.
“What’s that?” Shanice asked Ian as she pointed out of the window at what looked like row upon row of factories at the beginning of an industrial estate. “Oh there’s nothing there Shanice, just some old factories.” Ian lied. Shanice shook her head, “No there, where the men are standing. The ones wearing the white coats.” Morgan looked in the direction of Shanice’s finger and spotted the three men wearing full protective bio-hazard suits. The soldier snapped his head back to look at Ian, instantly seeing that the man now looked decidedly worried. “Stop the bus?” Morgan shouted down to the driver, but the bus kept moving forward; the driver was ignoring
the soldier. It wasn’t until Morgan and Kathy simultaneously pulled their handguns out and aimed them at Ian’s head that the bus began to brake.
Morgan didn’t waste any time in moving forward and was upon Ian in less than a second. “Tell us what’s there?” He demanded. Sweat rolled off the brow of the overweight leader, “It’s a lab for Christ’s sake. We don’t let new people know about it. Not until they are ready.” Ian looked like he was about to cry with fear, but he continued knowing Morgan wasn’t finished, “It’s where we keep the smarter ones.” Morgan dropped his gun back down to his hip, “What smarter ones? What do you mean by that?” Ian shook his head, “We have found three that have begun to develop new skills.” “What sort of skills?” Penny interrupted the pair. Ian looked across the line of shocked faces, each one staring down upon him, “Moving slightly quicker, and hesitating at traps. Two of them have picked up basic objects and the other attempted to open a door using the handle.” The group stood open mouthed at his reply, it was Morgan who broke the shocked silence, “So you’re saying the fucking things are evolving?” “Yes, I’m afraid they are Morgan.” Ian had to concede.
THE END.
The events and characters in this book are fictitious. Certain real locations and public figures are mentioned, but all other characters and events described in this book are imaginary.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims damages.
This electronic edition was published 2015 by Charles Smith.
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Day Zed - Box Set: Volumes I and II Page 41