'Thanks but I just need some time alone,' I replied smiling.
She kissed me on the cheek as she walked out the front to go to her tent. The further from the house I got, the louder the voice in my head became. I panicked, fearing that I wouldn't get far enough away before it came out.
I started to run feeling the urgency to get away. Within minutes I'd reached the very edge of the farm just as I heard it loud and clear.
'You couldn't keep me locked up forever,' he said in that smug voice that not only irritated me but everyone around me.
'You'll not be in control for long,' I bit back.
'Long enough to do some damage,' he laughed.
'I won't let you hurt her,' I hissed angrily.
'Oh, I won't hurt her. I want to enjoy her, she's fun to play with,' he cackled.
'No, you can't have her. She's mine,' I shouted.
'Nothing is truly yours, haven't you figured that out yet?' He taunted me.
'Get out!' I screamed.
'The weaker you feel, the more I'll keep hold.' I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. He was right, if I gave in to my weak emotions, he'd force his way back in, and who knows how long it would be before I saw the light of day again. It was then that I thought, why now? He'd been silent for weeks, why was he rearing his ugly head now? He must want something, and if I didn't agree to it he'd hurt Rowena.
'What do you want?'
'I want the others dead,' he said in that creepy voice I loathed so much.
'Who do you want dead?' I demanded.
'The farm people, their weak minded people who need to die. If you don't help me I'll kill Rowena,' he cackled.
'What do you want me to do?' I asked sadly.
'The others will be wanting to go on another run soon, I want you to suggest Birmingham. Really push the point of why it's a great idea. The rest will take care of itself,' he answered.
I sighed, there was nothing I could do. For the most part he was stronger than I was.
'Alright, I'll do it,' I told him. He laughed as he realised he'd won. I had to agree to it, the others could not lose anyone else. Jade had already lost people because of him, losing Rowena would be too much for her, she'd never recover from it. Not only that I needed Rowena, she was the link to my humanity, I couldn't lose her. I felt the tears burn my cheek as I realised I'd never be free from him, there were occasions where I could take over but he would always be the stronger one. My humanity was greatest strength and my greatest weakness.
I walked back to the farm feeling tired and defeated, it was at that moment that I truly considered ridding the world of such an evil person. No matter what I did, he would inflict his evil upon whoever he wanted. I pitied those who got on the wrong side of him, they would suffer the most.
I went straight to Rowena's tent, I needed her right now. Even though she wouldn't know why, I needed her comfort, her love, to keep me strong in these awful days. I called into her before opening the door.
'Come in,' she said softly.
'Hey, thought I'd see if you wanted some company,' I smiled weakly.
'Sure.'
I sat down next to her, she looked beautiful with her long hair falling free, her hazel eyes looking at me with fondness.
'Are you alright, you seemed a little off at dinner?' She asked fondly.
'I just needed some time alone. You know, I envy your group, you seem to be able to move on from all the awful things you've seen and been through,' I replied sadly. 'It might look easy, but I think we're just good at hiding things. Even I have regrets and things that still make me sad, but in the end you can't change the past. All we can do is make sure that the future is worth living for,' she smiled gently.
'All I see when I look into the future, is you,' I told her shyly. She took me in her arms and just held me, I found myself wanting to cry. She deserved better than this, I knew I could never give her the life she deserved, even if we saved the world and rid the land of the dead, I could never be normal. If we found a place we could truly call home, I could never be her husband or the father to her children. For it would just give him more things to blackmail me with, I knew I should have left, ran as far away as I possibly could, but I couldn't bear to leave her. She was my everything, my reason for living, for having hope. There was no way I could give her up.
Chapter 28
Jade
I knew it the moment I laid eyes on him, there was something special about him. He wasn't like most men his age, there was a wisdom in him. He was handsome, tall, muscular, tanned with shoulder length chestnut hair and baby blue eyes. Ash was a jolly, happy, care-free man. We'd been at the farm for seven and half weeks and I still couldn't pluck up the courage to really talk to him, I felt a sense of guilt. Even though I'd become close to Dom before he died, I hadn't actually told him how I felt about him. We were too busy being parents to Violet, I just assumed that it would happen in its own time. Then he died and I regretted not telling him, I missed him terribly. With Ash I wanted to tell him, I didn't want to wait this time but I couldn't find the words to express my feelings.
We'd spent a lot of time together, Ash actually grew his own weed on the farm and we'd spent many nights smoking and laying in the grass talking. I felt comfortable with him in a way I hadn't felt since Dom, I also felt guilty over Cameron. Was I betraying his memory by wanting to move on? Would he be hurt if he knew how I was feeling? I was sat in my tent mulling things over when Rowena popped her head in.
'Everything alright?' I asked. I'd felt far more worried about her since she became involved with Kyle, I still loathed the thought of them together but I'd promised Rowena I'd try and give him a chance so I'd made an effort to be nice.
'I was about to ask you the same thing,' she replied softly.
'What do you mean?'
She laughed, 'We're not blind mum, we can all tell that you have a thing for Ash.'
I felt myself blush a little, I hoped I hadn't been too obvious to Ash. I didn't want him thinking I was some immature girl lusting after him.
'It's alright, anyone can see he's crazy about you too,' she smiled.
'He is?'
'Yes, I've heard him talking to Lottie about you. He doesn't want to push you into something if your not ready, but I think you are mum.'
'But-,'
'I know what your going to say, dad would want you to be happy. I think Ash would be good for you, he's funny, laid back and he smokes weed,' she winked. I laughed, trust my daughter to put the pieces together. She was a smart one my daughter, shame she wasn't smart when it came to her own love life, I thought bitterly.
'I don't know, after Dom died I didn't think I could really care about anyone else in this way,' I confessed.
'I know how Dom felt about you, we all miss him. But you can't hold back on being happy because he died, he too would want you to find love. Now come on, Ash is in the fields smoking a joint, I think you should go to him,' she grinned.
'Are you sure you're okay with this?'
'Yes mum, I just want you to be happy and so does everyone else. Now go on, get,' she laughed. I took a deep breath as I exited my tent, I could feel my palms sweating and my heart racing. It had been years since I'd let myself feel this nervous over a man, I walked over to the fields where I knew he'd be. I think I needed a spliff before I could get my words out, lucky for me there was plenty to be had. I fiddled with the zip on my jacket as I walked, dear Goddess I felt like a teenager again.
I found him sitting just outside the crop fields, he was laying on the grass blowing smoke out of his mouth as he flicked the ash from his spliff.
'Evening,' I said smiling.
'Hey, you want some?' He asked offering the joint to me.
'Sure,' I replied feeling unable to say anything else. I sat down next to him taking care to keep my hand steady as I took the spliff from him. This was the one thing I missed from the old world, I had plenty of this in the old days. Since I had been at the farm I'd had plenty of it a
gain, my tolerance was slowly building back up. I inhaled deeply, feeling the weed taking away my worries and fears. I took a few deep puffs before handing it back to Ash, he smiled at me as he took it back.
'I needed that,' I said calmly.
'I didn't figure you for a worrier,' he replied jokingly.
'I'm not, it's just there's a lot of changes ahead and I think my family and I have gotten too comfy here,' I told him.
'You'll be leaving soon I take it,' his voice was soft but I could detect a hint of sadness.
'We should, but I don't think we want to leave just yet,' I smiled softly.
'I don't want you to leave,' he confessed.
'I know you'll miss all of us, we've become like part of the family here,' I replied gently.
I watched him for a moment, his cheeks flushed a pale pink as he took a long puff.
'I'll miss you most of all,' he told me nervously. Rowena was right, he did care for me in the same way I did for him.
'And whys that?' I asked cheekily.
He took another long puff before speaking, I had to admit I enjoyed seeing him a little nervous. He always seemed so sure of himself and to see him like made me feel more confident.
'I know I've not known you very long, but I think your an amazing woman and I honestly don't want to be without you,' he said shyly.
'I care for you as well,' was the best response I could think of without sounding like blithering idiot. We said nothing for the rest of the evening, we simply sat and smoked while enjoying each others company. The sun set on another happy day, I loved watching as it fell beneath the horizon. Watching as the sky became darker, I could hear the animals in the distance. I had not felt this connected with the world in such a long time, it seemed that for now at least I'd found someone who would make all the dark days that little bit brighter.
It wasn't until the sky was black that we walked back to the farm, I truly didn't want to leave this place but I knew at some point we'd have to.
'Goodnight,' he smiled as we reached my tent.
'Night,' I replied happily.
I'd just sat down when Delilah popped her head round.
'Can we talk?' She asked quietly.
'Sure, what's wrong?' I wondered.
She sat down beside me looking a little nervous, Delilah wasn't the nervous type there must be something really wrong.
'What do you think about Kyle's change in behaviour?' She asked quietly.
'Honestly I'm not sure I buy it, it seems as though the change was too sudden,' I replied carefully.
'I know what you mean, but I feel like he's made a real effort lately.' I sighed, I knew deep down that if he wasn't with my daughter I'd give him another chance. I thought back to the last couple of months, he'd been so helpful, so kind to everyone even Violet. I'd seen him more than once giving her food and bringing her treats back from runs.
'I see your point, it's hard for me not to be biased though,' I admitted.
'Rowena does seem happy though.' 'That's true, I can't deny she's been more laid back, more joyful since they got together and I can't deny that it does make me happy seeing my child like that. Why do you ask?'
'I'm pretty good at judging people and he did a lot of damage when we first left with him, but I'm unsure as to whether he deserves another chance,' she told me.
'You're right, I do think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. It's time to look at the positives instead of dwelling on his mistakes,' I said trying to sound happy.
'Thanks, it's nice to know someone else was feeling confused about this,' she smiled.
'You can talk to me any time, but for now I think I need sleep. It's been a tiring day.'
'Oh yeah, I saw you and Ash in the fields,' she winked.
'I swear you're like big brother, you see bloody everything,' I laughed.
'You can't get anything passed me,' she joked as she exited my tent. I laid down in my tent mulling over the events of the day, I felt happy knowing the Ash felt the same. I'd found someone truly special in Ash, it made me want to stay at the farm all the more. I shook my head, it was early days yet for all I knew he could do my head in within the month.
I thought about Kyle and Rowena, Delilah was right he did deserve another chance. I made a point of telling myself to start being nicer to him, he really had been a great help these last couple of months. I fell asleep so easily that night, my heart felt whole again and my mind was clear for the first time in a long time.
Chapter 29
Roy
It had been almost six months since they'd voted me their leader, in that time I'd done a shake up of the troops that had belonged to the General. Fortunately for us most of them were genuinely afraid of him and were overjoyed when I'd killed him, there was only five who were found to be loyal to him. I had to kill them, publicly. I lined them up and shot them all myself, I stood silent as their bodies fell in a heap on the ground. No one mourned their deaths, it was lucky that they'd had no family here. I told my people that day, we were now free, we could live in peace and that I would always do what was best for them.
Willow and I had been together for five months, and they had been the happiest months of my life. She was my second in command, my best friend as well as the love of my life. On the morning of the 15th September 2016 I awoke to a glorious sight. Willow had just got out the shower and was wandering around our room naked.
'A fella could get used to this,' I joked. She turned to look at me, she was so stunningly beautiful. Her ivory skin glowed in the morning sunlight that was peeking through the curtains. She was slender but toned, her sage eyes sparkled in the mischievous way that made me want to laugh. Her russet curls had grown so long, they almost reached her bum.
'I bet you could,' she laughed. She came over to me and bent down to kiss me, it was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. I'd had girlfriends before I went in the army of course, but I'd only had one since joining and it didn't last very long. What I felt for Willow was indescribable, it was as though I'd never been whole until I had her in my arms but I never knew what was missing. She shared the burden of leading these people, she made me laugh and smile when I felt sad or stressed. Her touch was electric, it sent shivers down my spine.
Just as she was about to climb back in bed there was a knock at the door.
'What is it?' I called.
'Major General, we've got word on the radio,' Jack said urgently.
'Give me ten minutes,' I called back.
'It sounds urgent, you better go,' Willow told me.
I nodded and jumped out of bed, we'd been trying for the last three months to reach people on the radio but had no luck, until now it seemed. I walked quickly to the command house, people greeted me happily as I walked by. Many times people had tried to reward me for leading them into a life free of fear, but I always told them the same thing; that their happiness was all the reward I needed.
Even now the bakers brought me fresh loaves to eat and fresh drinks, I thanked them and told them it wasn't necessary but they insisted. The sun was shining on this mid September morning, it would be growing cold soon.
Thankfully I'd prepared my people for the winter. We manned the power stations, so most of the houses whose heating ran off electric were now on. For those whose house had been gas central heating, we provided them with electric plug in heaters. We also had people in the water plant, life was as normal as it could be in this world.
I walked into the command house, which held what little technology we had including our radio and all the files that Ronald had. I saw Tyreece sitting by the radio looking slightly unnerved, he handed me the radio then went to stand outside the room.
'This is Major General Roy Hannibal, who am I speaking to, over?' I said nervously.
'This is Lieutenant General Tobias Corbin, we're trying to reach General Ronald Hawthorn, over,' he answered.
'I'm sorry to tell you, but he died six months ago, over,' I told him sadly.
'Who is charge of the
island now, over?' He asked worryingly.
'That would be me, I've taken over care of the people and all operations. Over.'
'Did Ronald brief you on the mission we were working on together? Over.'
'Do you mean operation Rising Phoenix? Over,' I answered carefully.
'What did General Hawthorn tell you about the mission? Over,' he asked carefully. 'He told me about the need to find the Lockwood's as they were on the team of people who were involved with creating the virus, and it is believed that they hold the key to synthesizing a vaccine. I was also informed to search for their children as they would know the location of the Lockwood's laboratory. I am aware that the other scientists who were on the project were unable to create a cure, they only succeeded in making a mutated strain of the virus, over,' I replied feeling tired.
I had not had to answer to anyone else since the General's death, and I was suspicious of anyone who was in league with him. Though it did occur to me that he could have been acting of his own accord.
'It seems you are well informed on the mission, over,' he told me with a thoughtful tone.
I had to find out if they were aware of what the General was doing to his people, if these men were anything like the General then I wanted nothing to do with them.
'I must ask, were you aware of the General's method of dealing with people? Over,' I asked nervously. He sighed, 'We became aware of his unorthodox methods but were unable to deploy any of our men to resolve the issue. It is with great regret that many people suffered at his hands, we can only hope that your methods are more humane than his were. Over,'
'I assure you that my treatment of the people in my care is far more humane. Over.'
'I shall relay this information to my superiors and get back to you with further instructions, over and out.'
'Over and out,' I replied. I was left feeling quite unsure of how to feel, on one hand they seemed appalled at the General's behaviour but on the other hand they hadn't told me too much about themselves or what they wanted. I opened the door and told Tyreece to keep watch on the radio, I informed him that I'd have someone come to relieve him in a few hours.
Dead World Rising (Book 3): The Cure Page 28
