"Tonight!"
**
Jared stepped down the stairs, into the makeshift prison. Slumped in the corner next to the bloodstained floor sat a figure holding a cold compress to his head, Jared opened the cage himself and walked in.
"Thomas, my friend" Jared began "What happened? I can't believe what I’ve been hearing?" not giving Thomas a chance to respond, "Attempted rape? are you serious? you are better than that!"
"I did not do that" Thomas pleaded "I don't even remember how I got there"
Jared sat down next to Thomas arms resting on his knees he held his hands together between his leg, hunching over looking at the blood on the floor.
"What do you remember?" Jared asked
"I remember Becky telling you about McCormack" Thomas thought for a second "How is he?"
Jared's leg began bouncing up and down involuntarily, a nervous twitch which he had had since he was a young boy, something was troubling him. He really wished to seek council from his friend who sat beside him but given the circumstances he really could not.
"He is fine" Jared lied. "Then what happened?"
"I was going to escort her back to her quarters, like you instructed"
"Go on"
"Becky insisted she took her back, so I let her being your sister and all, she outranks me, and I thought it would be less intimidating for her if a female walked her home"
Jared nodded along with the sentence understanding so far.
"Now I am getting hazy" Jared looked directly at him and asked, "How did you end up at her digs?"
Thomas had no clue
"I remember after they left, me and Dominic sat in the bar having a few drinks. Talking shit"
"What sort of shit?" Jared asked his leg bouncing up and down even more
"Normal stuff, some deep stuff, it seemed a little odd" Thomas mentioned
"Odd how?" Jared questioned
"I did not drink much, but I remember feeling drunk, the room spun I was out of control"
Jared stood up, he knew as well as anyone what alcohol could do to a man if consumed irresponsibly, he realised that this story may have substance.
"Did you know he has a kid?" Thomas asked
"Who does?" Jared asked
"Dominic"
Jared shook his head and sat back down
"It's the last thing I can remember about what he said"
Jared looked at him to continue Thomas ran his hand through his hair racking his brains trying to remember exactly what Dominic had said to him.
"I got up to take a leak and he grabbed my arm and said, Things have to change. When Maisie is older, I want her to have a choice"
Jared looked alarmed, he did not know what to think, he stood back up pacing the cell rubbing his chin.
"Maybe he lost a child?" Jared suggested "Maybe he was talking metaphorically"
"I dunno, he definitely sounded like he was talking in the present tense" Thomas responded
Was Dominic in on it? surely not? they had been friends for many years before. did he help Chloe escape? had he killed an innocent man? he was spiraling, he punched the wall hard splitting his knuckles, he thought some more.
How did Thomas end up at the scene? I guess Dominic could have carried him and planted evidence he was strong enough. But could he feasibly carry him all that way without being spotted? and why would he? he was loyal to the Knight family, he has been right there ever since their father had been killed in a car accident more than twenty years ago. It did not make any sense to him. He refused to believe it, not without more proof. He tucked his cut hand under his armpit, an old primitive instinct, which does nothing to alleviate the pain.
"I will let you out of here" Jared said "But you are to keep an eye on Dominic, and you report back to me"
"Of course," Thomas replied
He could clearly see that Jared was still very animated, deep in worry, "What happened with McCormack?" he asked again tentatively
"Galahad is gone, McCormack was the sole remaining survivor"
"How?"
"They were hunted" Jared could barely say the words without pacing around "By people in masks"
Thomas was shocked, he made a muffled grunt but neither of them said anything as they made their way upstairs.
**
Drew sat in the load bay of the pickup, He could hear Linkin Park through the rear of the cab, he found himself singing along to the chorus of One step closer. The wind whistled through his hair, the fresh breeze soothed his skin, he had a smile on his face. He could feel it, he was one step closer to finding Sarah. He just knew it. Someone had given him a sign, and although he was eager to get on and find her, he was glad Marcus talked him down. This way they could plan properly, achieve more than just his goal. If not, he had accepted in his own head that he was going in, the others knew it and they would not stop him. He had delivered them sanctuary, and in return he was given Chloe and she held the key to his next move.
He looked at Frances, she looked back at him and smiled too, a big warm welcoming smile. He thought about the near miss with her in the woods, and he knew she was thinking it too. He felt bad about it for sure, and of course it would have been a huge mistake, in his head he thanked her, his emotions were running high, he had been losing faith in himself, he had Marcus telling him Sarah was dead, he had Paul suggesting that she may not want to be found. He had needed that connection, no matter how small it was, she did not resent him, she did not hate him, she took it in her stride, and she understood him. Even if he did not understand himself.
Seamus passed Drew a bottle of water, he took it gratefully and had a long swig. It was good, not as fresh as his beliefs of success but fresh enough to quench his growing thirst. He handed the bottle onto Chloe, she was falling in and out of sleep, exhausted again from all the recent events, she was able to relax for the first time in a long time.
Drew looked back over his shoulder as the woods grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing in the distance.
**
Jared, Nico and Thomas were sat around an oval table there was a knock at the door,
"Enter!" Jared boomed and a man holding an assault rifle entered the room.
"What is it Leach?"
The man called Leach answered with a stutter.
"We found a woman, wandering around, near an old burnt out barn about eight miles south of here" He informed "We found remains of people in the barn"
"Galahad?" Jared asks
Leach shook his head
"Not sure, we got our squires to take a look, but they could not identify any of them, they were too far gone"
Jared's leg started bouncing again he forced his hands onto his thigh to try and stop it, he needed to hide it, he could not seem week in front of anyone other than his inner circle.
"What did you do with her?" Jared asked, Thomas and Nico remained silent.
"We brought her in" Leach said "But she was wearing this.
Leach threw something on the table, Jared picked it up and dropped it promptly back onto the table, it was a mask, a pig’s face stared back up at him.
35
Night had fallen and they were all sitting around the fire they had created using the timber from the unit they had first broken into, and some items from the auction unit, and diesel from the forklift. It was a chilly evening, some of the group had blankets wrapped around them to keep the cold off.
Skutterz had joined them for the festivities, also to see how Shy was getting on with Doc James after her amputation. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and were toasting the new place with some wine that Dieter, Rocky and Tommy had found at a nearby brewery called Buckfast. There was plenty to go around for everyone, so they were drinking from the bottle. It did not have the nicest taste, but it was not very often they had days to celebrate such as this one, and with Chloe joining them, Drew had a renewed sense of optimism. So, he drunk along, nonetheless.
Paul was playing his guitar, whilst people sang al
ong if they knew it, Clifford was cooking something up using an old camping gas cooker, it was quite surreal. Omar and Rachel appeared to be talking again, the grief of losing William still evident, but their relief that Jeremiah and Cayla were still with them and that they felt safe with the gates and the tall fences, nothing should get in.
Chloe sat beside Drew quietly, nervous around all the new people. She did not know who to trust and who not too, she only had Drew's word that they were ok. He took a swig from his bottle.
"How do we get in?" He asked abruptly still looking at the flames flickering in the dark light
"The Knights village?" Chloe asked already knowing the answer
Drew nodded
"I had help to get out" Chloe said "We dug a hole under the fence line"
"I am going in to find Sarah or information on her whereabouts" Drew said "Can you help with that?"
"Yes, if we can get in, I have a few trusted associates inside" Chloe answered "But you have to help me with something too"
Drew turned to face her, is this what Marcus had said about, make sure you give everyone their chance to right some wrongs? for redemption? for retribution? he nodded again.
"There is a young girl in there, fourteen years old, we shared a house" she began "I made a promise that I would come back for her"
"If we can"
"Thank you"
Frances walked over and perched down on the other side of Drew
"This seat taken?" she chuckled and sat down "Seems like Tommy and Matty are getting friendlier towards Hannah after walking out on their nan" Frances pointed at Hannah smiling and laughing away with Tommy whilst she sat between Marcus' legs
"Maybe it’s the god-awful wine talking?"
Frances agreed in part "To be fair, it is a weight of off their shoulders, it is not the way they wanted her to go, but she was going that way anyway"
Drew did not say anymore on the subject, he scanned the faces of everyone around him, gauging the atmosphere of the people around him. He drank some more wine, thinking to himself. He had yet to formally discuss a plan with anyone, and he was not going to force anyway into going along with him. He took a breath and stood up.
"I'm going into the Knights camp, as soon as possible" Drew tried to keep his voice calm and authoritative "I am going to find Sarah" he turned towards Sam, who was sat on a empty turned over paint tin. "I also am going to attempt to get your guns back" he looked out towards the silent crowd, a distant owl hooting, and the flame of the fire crackling the only noises to be heard "I want your help"
There were murmurs, people unsure as what to do or say taken a little off guard, they had only just got used to the idea of being secure.
"I will help you" Frances said standing up to show her support. Followed by Connor. Committing to what they had promised Drew before. There was not much more movement before Sam stood.
"You get my guns, then I shall stand with you" He said, inspiring others to do likewise.
Alex, Seth and Mitch stood with their Captain.
Drew saw Hannah pulling on Marcus' arm, trying to get him to refrain from joining. He shrugged her off his sense of duty and obligation overriding his care for her. Hannah stormed off, Marcus attempted to go after her, but was cut off. Seamus stopped him in his tracks, seizing the opportunity to go after her himself. Leaving only two remaining seated.
"I would love to join you" Skutterz said "But I cannot get involved in this conflict"
"Why not?" Frances asked
"We have an understanding with the Knights" he declared "Well Kev does"
"What is the nature of this understanding?" Sam demanded
"We are to take care of their young, after birth up until they are old enough to become squires or if they are girls, back through the system"
"What do you get out of it?" Frances questioned "Why do you take the children?"
"They leave us be and it is to keep them safe and well, also so the mothers don't get too attached to the children, so they are ready to go again" Skutterz explained "It's barbaric and I do not agree with it, one day it will change" he paused "If you kill Jared, bring me his head" He smirked,
"Oh, there is something I may be able to help with" Skutterz said remembering something else
"What's that?" Drew asked
"Do you have a picture of her?" Skutterz asked "I have a contact a little way from here, he is an artist, if you don't find her, then I can get him to make some flyers to try and find her"
"Who is this contact?" Drew questioned.
He pulled a picture that he carries in his wallet of both he and Sarah stood in front of Stonehenge, many years ago. Drew walked over and handed Skutterz the picture.
"The artist" Skutterz smirked once more taking the photo.
It left one person left unvoted.
"What's it going to be?" Drew asked
Paul placed his guitar on the floor beside him and spoke calmly.
"I will not" he said "And it is not fair for you to ask any of these people to help you either" he moved his hand in a circular motion "How could you ask them to risk their lives, to find one person"
Drew did not answer, he could feel the heat of the fire on his face, some of the others, fidgeted nervously, sensing confrontation.
"Because she is important to me!" Drew snapped back
"Her life is more important than the rest of ours?" Paul asked putting Drew on the spot.
"Of course not!" He defended himself
"But you would risk their lives?" Paul asked forcibly, Drew could not answer before he spoke again "Look around you, what good is all this if we are dead, trying to find someone regardless whether she wants to be found or if she even can be? think of the consequences"
"I need to do this Paul, I am sorry" Drew replied, "I understand your position and respect it, but I am doing this, I cannot fail her" he said "Not again"
Paul did not say anything else, he picked his guitar back up and started strumming, playing another song, to lighten the mood. Drew excused himself and walked away.
Drew opened the gate that connected the units to a joinery factory next door, presumably what all the timber was for. He stepped from the gravel around the side of the building onto tarmac, a car park for the workers, that lay empty. The moonlight shone onto a sign advertising the company, the words were fading away from years of sunlight, he guessed the owners had not got around to replacing it beforehand. There was a picture of the companies a work, a beautiful oak staircase curving as it went, up to a glass gallery. It looked spectacular but now wherever it is just another piece of meaningless construction, no one would ever appreciate it now.
He strolled around the side of the building, his thoughts rushing to the forefront of his mind once more. He stopped, he found a ladder attached to the side of the building, with a gate at the bottom and a cage around it, leading to the roof of the factory. He opened the gate and climbed up.
He swung open the gate and stepped out onto the roof, amongst a maze of extraction pipes, filtration and air ducts. It was quite gloomy on this side of the building, in the shadows of the box shaped equipment that sat up there out of the way, gingerly he stepped over or around the obstructions, occasionally catching his feet on items he could not quite see, until he got to the front of the building, directly above the sign he was looking at from below. Staring out into the distance awash in the moonlight. He stepped up onto a ledge breathing in the cool night air, his minds conflict inflicting invisible pain. Was it worth it? carrying on? it would make it easier and safer for the others if he were not here. He looked down at the tarmac below. One step further would do it he thought. It would end this constant questioning. He closed his eyes and prepared himself.
"Drew?" came a voice behind him.
Drew opened his eyes, turned himself around, Chloe stepped out of the shadows, and approached him, calmly.
"I can't do it Clo, I can't go on like this" Drew spoke his voice trembling.
Chloe walked forward sh
ivering holding herself against the cold. She offered out a trembling hand to him, to come back from the ledge.
"I'm putting everyone at risk"
"Jumping is not going to help" Chloe said "Besides it's not high enough your only break a leg"
Drew could not help but chuckle, he took her hand and she pulled him close and held him tightly.
"But don't ever do this again, talk to me" Chloe demanded.
Drew said nothing, just nodded in agreement. Chloe sat down on the ledge, her legs hanging over the side, she invited Drew to do likewise. He sat next to her, nervously slightly embarrassed he looked down fiddling with his thumbs.
"Paul is right" he finally said "I'm putting myself before all these people"
"What I have heard and picked up on, is that they like and respect you, you are one of them and they will help you" Chloe reassured him.
"But I am putting them in danger, I will fail them, I am a failure"
"Don't be silly" Chloe snapped at him.
"I am, I fail everyone" Drew said forcefully letting his tears spill out "I failed my parents and brother before all this began"
"That was out of your control, you cannot bring that up now"
"Ok, but I failed Martin, I failed Sarah, I'm failing Marcus" he looked at the floor below "And I failed you" Drew said
"You found me?" Chloe said bemused
Drew composed himself for a moment. "I was not looking for you"
Chloe didn't say a word, she leant her head onto Drews shoulder, she did not blame him in the slightest, she understood and accepted the fact that she was not a priority to him, she was just grateful that she had found him once more, she did not want him beating himself up and feeling guilty about it, as she too wanted to find Sarah.
Drew put his arm around her, Chloe snuggled in party for comfort and partly for warmth, they stared out into the horizon waiting for sunrise.
36
Sam sat in the front pew of St. Thomas and all angels church, contemplating the task to come, he had discussed the outline of the plan to break into the Knights village, find Drew's friend, get the guns and steel some transport out. His part of the scheme was to draw the Knights out, get them off guard. hopefully enough for Drew to take his team in undetected. He believed his part was the easy part. With Mitch, Alex, Seth and a few of the others, he was sure he could come over quite convincing, the Knights would want to know what he wanted. He knelt on the prayer cushion that was tucked away under the seat before him, behind where a priest would stand at the altar, was a statue of Jesus, nailed to a cross.
After The Turn: Redemption Page 21
