Dead Winter

by Aline Riva

  Chris had grabbed the bathroom first, taking a shower and then grabbing a thick towel and wrapping it around himself. River bumped into him as he felt his way carefully along the upper hall, and she placed a hand on his arm and guided him to a bedroom where there were two single beds.

  “It's a fairly small room, its got dark red wallpaper with flowers on it, and the curtains are black,” she told him, “The beds are spaced apart so we won't bump into each other and that lovely smell in the air is beeswax polish. The furniture in here is old, dark wood. It looks antique.”

  “Thanks,” he said with a smile, grateful for her help and for being his eyes as she steered him over to the closest bed.

  “I'll go back to the bathroom and get your things,” she told him.

  Chris climbed on to the bed and laid down, giving a weary sigh.

  “Thanks, River,” he said warmly.

  River left the room and made her way back to the bathroom, but she didn't need to go inside. Christian's clothing had been left outside in a neat pile and as the sound of running water came from within, Joy stood there, tapping on the closed door.

  “Hurry up in there, I want to use the bathroom next!” she called out.

  On the other side of the door, as he slipped gently into warm water and gave a sigh as the scented bubble bath filled the air, Mickey called back a reply.

  “I won't be long, Joy. I'm just having a quick shower!”

  River's eyes flashed with annoyance.

  “That cheeky bastard will take all night. I bet he's having a bath!”

  As she walked off again, Joy looked about the upstairs hallway. She had grabbed the room at the end – admittedly, it was slightly bigger than the others, but all the rooms were equally comfortable. She had found that room and put her stuff down in there, only to see Mickey's coat draped over the chair by the dressing table. Damn it, they were sharing again, she thought with a smile, as suddenly she didn't object to his company, certainly not like she had back at the furniture store... And she couldn't swap rooms now anyway, because River and Chris had the room with two single beds and Poppy and Sage had the smallest room, there was a single room left empty by the top of the stairs, but she was sure she would find an excuse not to take it, she thought with a smile. It was undeniable. Fuck the differences between them. So what if he was a criminal? It was a different world now, and she liked the man, there was no point denying it... Even the time he was taking in the bathroom wasn't annoying her now as she spoke up again.

  “Mickey?”

  “What?” he called back.

  “Are you having a shower? I can't hear the water running now...”

  “It's a very quiet shower,” he called back.

  Joy resisted the surge to laugh out loud as she leaned down, looking through the keyhole. You liar! Ran through her mind as amusement sparkled in her gaze. She could see him in the bath, he was sitting there in the steamy bathroom with water up to his chest as he laid back, relaxing as he soaked away the day as if he didn't have a care in the world...

  Then Joy straightened up, stepping back from the door, aware that she had actually just spied on Mickey in the bath. She hadn't looked at his toned arms or thought how attractive he was with his dark hair dripping wet, of course not... Well, maybe she had noticed those things, she thought as she smiled, then she turned away and went back to her room. She would give him ten more minutes before she had a go at him for taking too long when everyone else needed to use the bathroom, mainly because, if she was honest with herself, she liked him.

  Half an hour later, Sage had knocked on the bathroom door. Then River joined her, telling him to hurry up.

  “Is this a matter for the police?” Joy said, joining them as amusement danced in her gaze.

  “I won't be a minute!” Mickey called out.

  From the room beyond came the unmistakeable sound of a bath draining.

  “Hurry up Mickey, other people want to use it!” Joy said sharply.

  The door opened. Mickey was wrapped in a big, warm bathrobe he had snatched off the back of the door, and his hair was still damp as it fell in his eyes and he pushed it back with a sweep of his hand.

  “I wasn't long!”

  “A quick shower, was it?” she said doubtfully, looking in as the bath water continued to drain away.

  “I'm off to bed,” Mickey replied, “Goodnight.”

  As he walked off down the hallway, Sage went in first, as River waited outside. Joy walked back down the hallway slowly, giving Mickey a minute or two to settle into the room before she went in, as she pictured the look on his face when he realised she had chosen that room, too...

  The fire was switched on in the main bedroom as artificial flames flickered and the heat filled the room. The lamp was on and Mickey was resting on top of the covers, leaning back against pillows as he sipped from a glass. He sat up straight and set the glass down as Joy entered the room and closed the door behind her.

  “Oh,” she said, “I thought this was my room.”

  “There's a spare room at the top of the stairs,” Mickey informed her as he reached for the glass again, then he indicated to the bottle of whiskey next to the bed.

  “Look what I found in the night stand!”

  “Good for you,” Joy said flatly, “So, what are we doing, are you going to be a gentleman and take the smaller room?”

  Mickey sipped his drink and set it down again.

  “I'm much more comfortable in here, thanks.”

  He politely smiled. Joy did not as she walked over to the bed and stood there with her arms folded.

  “It's just that I think maybe we're safer if we stay in pairs.”

  He thought about it and then looked at her, mildly confused. She smiled. He was suddenly a bag of nerves as he realised that had been a heavy hint indeed. He reached for his glass with his weak hand, taking another sip then setting it down clumsily as his face flushed.

  “Really?” he said, looking genuinely surprised.

  “Or I could go and sleep in the spare room,” she added, “Or you could.”

  She walked over to him and he shifted over on the bed, shyly glancing at her as his face flushed. It had come as a total surprise that a man like Mickey could actually be shy when it came to women. He was looking away as she sat beside him.

  “I know the world's gone to shit,” he said, “But surely you'd prefer to hang on for someone better?”

  As their gaze met, she saw real insecurity in his eyes.

  “It's just that I've never had much luck with women,” he said, “And this is a desperate situation and I may not be around for long – you may not be around... none of us may be around for long and -”

  “Shut up,” Joy said softly, and she put her arm around him, drawing him close.

  That was all the encouragement he needed as they shared a kiss that was quick and clumsy and as she drew back, he started to smile.

  “I'm a little out of practise,” he said as his face flushed again.

  “It will come back to you,” she assured him.

  He wrapped his arms around her as they shared another kiss, this time deep and passionate. As the fire threw out heat she shed her clothing almost as fast as he took off his robe. Then they were beneath the warm covers, his hand closing over hers as he breathlessly thrust into her, whispering that she was beautiful, his voice trembled as he said it, and she silenced him with a kiss. He breathed hard, running a hand over the contours of her body and kissing between her breasts, aware that he was out of practise. It had been a while since he had been close to anyone and he hoped it didn't show. They were close and he was panting as she held him and he thrust a few more times.

  “Oh shit... sorry!” he gasped, separating from her quickly, losing control as he came sharply over her stomach.

  She saw such uncertainty reflected in his eyes as he met her gaze.

  “As I said, it's been a long time.”

  “It was fine,” she told him, pulling him close as they lay t
ogether, “It's also been a while for me, you're not alone with that!”

  He turned on his back, giving a heavy sigh.

  “I'm glad we met. Even though it's crazy to think Curtis died this afternoon and here we are, making love in a strange bed in a strange house that we broke into. But I guess that's what life is like now, people die every day and all we can do about it, is be glad we're still breathing.”

  He turned his head and their gaze met.

  “As much as I hate to admit it,” Joy said, “You're not wrong, Mickey. I just hope we all stay alive long enough to get back to the village.”

  “Once I've found my sister, I'll come back for you,” he said.

  “I wish I could believe that.”

  “I mean it!” he insisted, “I will come back for you.”

  Then he fell silent, thinking on things Joy did not know about him, and as a copper, was better off not knowing...She saw it as he looked at her, a flicker of something in his eyes, something her police instinct told her he was hiding from her.

  “What is it you're not telling me?”

  He forced a smile and swerved the subject.

  “It's random. I have a middle name. I'm Mr M. F. Silk.”

  Joy laughed as she hugged him closer.

  “What's the F stand for? Felon or Fucker?”

  “Actually it's Ferdinand. My grandfather's name. I told you, I come from a good family, I come from money, Joy. And I get a horrible posh middle name for it!”

  “Yeah, you smell of well laundered money,” she agreed, “The upper end of the criminal class.”

  “No I don't, it's bubble bath!” he said, and they both laughed softly, then Joy slipped out of his arms and then out of bed and grabbed his discarded robe and put it on.

  “I'm grabbing a shower while the bathroom's free,” she told him, then she left the room.

  As the door closed behind her, Mickey sat up and took another sip of his drink, then looked to the fire, deep in thought: He had to reach the weapons stash – and then find his sister. He just hoped his sister hadn't got to it first, or all the scheming and plotting to kill her husband for her, and to also take out his gangland rival in the days before the outbreak, would prove to be a complete waste of time...

  Morning came peacefully. The sun rose as the icicles dripped outside, tapping from the guttering as snow began to melt. Now the branches of the trees looked bare and stark against the winter sun, green grass poked through the blanket of white and the sun shone in the winter sky, its light slowly bringing with it the promise of a thaw and eventually, Spring.

  Mickey woke Joy with a soft kiss and then they made love again, and this time, it was tender and slow and they took their time. Downstairs, Chris and Poppy were at the table while Sage insisted on making breakfast. Everything came out of tins in the cupboard, but beans and tinned tomatoes and mushrooms felt like luxury. River joined them, and as breakfast and the scent of coffee filled the room, it felt deceptively normal. No one wanted to leave. To stay more than a couple of days was dangerous, it would be too tempting to stay much longer, at least, until the food ran out... But the village was on their minds as River mentioned home, and Chris agreed two days was more than enough time to feel ready to take on the rest of the journey.

  Poppy went outside to the walled garden, gathering up the snow still piled in the corner where the garden was in shade, and started to build a small snowman. Sage watched her from the window. Mickey and Joy came downstairs together a short while later, and they seemed oblivious to the look of surprise Sage and River shot them as they laughed together, and Mickey paused to put his arm around her waist and briefly give it a squeeze. Then Mickey cooked while the others went through to the front room. Everyone appreciated a place to wash and get warm and rest and change their clothing, it even like heaven to take off their heavy coats and warm gloves. Normal life had felt like a distant dream for many weeks, and now it was suddenly back, even for a short while, it felt like a miracle.

  While Chris and River talked in the front room, Sage was piling food from the cupboards into boxes as Joy took them outside to the open van. Mickey stood guard outside with the gun ready, but the view to the road was clear and nothing lurked as the melting snow started to give way to greenery once more. While this was happening, Poppy looked out through a barred gate to the view of a field beyond the house. All she could see was an empty field where snow was slipping away as grass rose above it as in the distance, trees stood close, bare and dark against a brightening sky.

  She reached up with her gloved hand, pulled back the bolt and opened up the door. As she stepped outside, she looked up to see birds flying overheard, she watched as they flew off looking dark against the sky, then she wandered out further into the field. And the undead woman in ragged clothing stumbled from woodland close to the house, sniffing at the air and then turning her head as dead eyes spied the child in the field with her back turned. A low snarl came from her mouth as she dropped a split jaw and teeth long and sharp shone bone white against winter sun. Poppy heard the snarl and turned, saw the creature and screamed as it ran at her.

  As Poppy screamed, Chris jumped up from his seat.

  “Where's my gun?” he said, then as River dashed from the room he hurried after her, his shin smacking against the coffee table in his haste to follow, then he reached for the frame of the open door, got out of the room and hurried down the hallway, counting steps to the kitchen as he heard her reach it first and wrench open the back door.

  She saw the gate open, as Poppy ran and the undead woman tore after her with a hand outstretched, making a swipe to grab her.

  “No!” River gasped.

  Mickey had run around the back way as Joy followed and Sage cut through the house, as Sage entered the kitchen and saw the open gate and Poppy running from the creature, she reached for the gun propped up by the back door and rushed out.

  “Let me help!” Chris said, tugging at her shoulder.

  “No, let Sage go – you can't see her and she's almost on top of Poppy!” River said in panic.

  Mickey was out the gate and trying to take aim.

  “Poppy, run!” yelled Joy as she beckoned to her.

  Poppy did run, looking back as the creature gave chase and she stumbled and fell and the zombie lunged as Poppy screamed. A spray of shots cut through the air as Sage yelled her sister's name.

  Chapter 8

  Sage lowered the weapon. The zombie was sprawled across her sister and bleeding out on the snowy ground. She ran over to her as Poppy struggled, pushing the creature upwards, only to see open dead eyes as she screamed again. Sage gave the body a kick and it rolled free, then she reached for her sister and pulled her to her feet.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I didn't mean it, I'm sorry!” she wept.

  Sage grabbed her by the shoulder and looked at her frantically, searching for tears in her warm clothing or scratches or a bite.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No!”

  Sage was trembling as she placed her hands on her shoulders and turned her back towards the open gate.

  “Get inside and stay there – we never open this gate again!” she said sharply. Poppy was still crying as Sage led her back inside. Mickey closed and locked the barred gate, pausing to look through, but no more creatures were in sight. From inside the house, Sage was still lecturing her crying sister saying, Nowhere is safe out there! And Poppy was still crying, she had been through a nasty shock and River silently guessed that while the kid probably needed a hug, it was understandable for Sage to be so angry. Poppy was all she had left and she had nearly lost her...

  “Is she okay?” Chris asked.

  “Yes, thankfully she wasn't hurt,” River told him as they went back inside, then she closed the door firmly, shutting out the once inviting garden, putting another barrier between them and the gate that led outside, where too much danger lurked.

  The rest of the day was spent in a sombre mood, Poppy had almost been tor
n apart and it served as a sharp reminder that all it would take was one creatures to find a way in and it would spell disaster. Now the home comforts this place provided felt like no more than a mockery of their wish to find a small corner of life where hell had not descended. It would not change overnight. Threats were out there, and would find ways in given the chance. There was no such thing as a safe world any more.

  By now the larger van was packed up with all they could take from the house, the kitchen had been emptied of everything worth saving and one more night would be all they could spend in this place before moving on towards the small seaside town where they hoped to find Mickey's weapons stash. As shadows fell and the smell of what could be their last good home cooked meal for a while spread through the house as River and Chris made the most of the food available to feed everyone, Joy stood outside the house on the driveway as Mickey came out to join her. He was carrying a gun and as he glanced at her, he spoke up.

  “You've been on watch long enough, let me take over.”

  Joy's gaze was still fixed on the road at the end of the lane.

  “I've seen nothing,” she said, “But I know they're out there.”

  “And hopefully miles from us,” Mickey reminded her, “It's isolated out here, the one Sage shot today was probably the only one to wander this way in a long time.”

  “It just doesn't feel as safe as it did.”

  “Nowhere is safe,” he replied, “It's ironic, we thought the world as it used to be had gone insane, political dramas, people starving, pollution reaching crisis point... That was nothing compared to this. The only good to come of it – if it's over in a year – is that maybe we get the chance to start again and this time make the world a decent place for everyone.”