“Just forget it, bro.”
Lloyd released a sigh, slapped his hands on the top of his thighs and stood up, making a noise as he straightened his back. He was getting old.
Lloyd shuffled to the kitchen and could see that Marvin had boiled water in a pan for his tea. He made himself a drink without milk, and then went back over to his brother.
“Today,” Lloyd said, and took a drink from the reasonably hot beverage.
“Today?” Marvin looked confused. “What about it?”
“We're gonna try the farm and supermarket today. The longer we leave it, the more it's likely that somebody has gone and beaten us to it. If we start to struggle, as far as food is concerned, we're gonna have to risk driving to many towns, start raiding pubs, houses and shops, and I don't wanna do that, man.”
“I need to get some kind of food down my neck and a cup of coffee first, before I go anywhere,” said Marvin.
“I'm not saying that we're gonna leave right this very second. I just want us to go early so we have enough daylight to play with. The early worm catches the bird.”
“The early bird catches the worm,” Marvin corrected and shook his head at his brother with a smile.
“Whatever, man.”
“I wonder how Junior's going to take the news.” Marvin looked at Lloyd.
“He doesn’t know that this is going to happen today. I didn’t want to frighten the boy. I just hope he's okay staying behind with Joan and Gordon.”
“Hell be fine,” Marvin snickered and began to scratch his balls, making Lloyd turn away and twist his face in disgust. “With Joan here he'll have someone with their head screwed on. That Gordon's a bit of a worry, though.”
“You and Gordon are gonna have to sort this out.”
Marvin shrugged his shoulder and sniffed, “He doesn't like me, and I don't give a fuck.”
“As a group, it'd be more beneficial if we all got on.”
“I don't know what his problem is.”
“Maybe it has something to do with attacking Kelly in that hotel, back in Blanchland, and the way you killed that Jory bloke...”
“Everything I do is for the benefit of the group,” said Marvin. “Like I mentioned before, Jory had already been bitten when I killed him.”
“I know, man, but it was the way you killed him.”
Marvin sighed and said, “Look, I don't want to get in a fight with you.”
“Neither do I.”
“So let's just drop it. It's done.”
“Okay,” said Lloyd, “but I'm still concerned about you and Gordon.”
Marvin not only had mistreated Kelly and brutally killed Jory; he had also been caught having sex with a female Runner in the shed where the canisters were kept. Gordon had seen him, and only kept his mouth shut because it was his word against Marvin's.
They both heard a door open and could see Junior leaving his room, rubbing his eyes as he shuffled towards the pair of them in the living room.
“Sleep well, son?” Lloyd asked him.
“Okay.” Junior sat down opposite his uncle and father. He was fully dressed and like the other two he had put on the clothes that he wore the night before.
A couple of days ago, they had searched every caravan on site.
Fortunately there were no Runners.
It appeared that everybody had fled and there wasn't a soul left behind. They managed to find scraps of food, drinks and some clothes, but most people that had left the site had packed up and tried to take everything, food and clothing, with them. However, Gordon and Joan’s caravan seemed to have clothes.
Lloyd cleared his throat and said, “Junior, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Oh?” The teenager looked over at his dad. “What is it?”
Lloyd flashed Marvin a look and gave a flick of the head, telling Marvin to leave the caravan so that he could speak to Junior in private. He needed to explain why he and Marvin needed to go out.
Marvin slowly stood up and went for the door.
He shut the door behind him and sat on the step, smiling as he heard the raised and protesting voice of his nephew.
Marvin giggled as he could hear Junior almost in tears. Marvin shook his head at his nephew’s behaviour. “Fucking pussy,” Marvin snickered to himself. “I swear if that was my son I’d fucking disown the cunt.”
Chapter Four
After eating some scraps from the cupboard, including crisps and a few chocolate biscuits, washed down with tea, Gordon and Joan decided to sit outside on the steps that led up to the caravan. They spent minutes talking about their past, and Joan admitted that she was kind of glad that her partner wasn't around anymore to see the world, or at least the UK, the way it was.
“So what's your plans after they get this thing under control?” Gordon asked her.
“Plans?” Joan tittered. “After what I've witnessed over the last couple of weeks, I'm not making any plans. Is there a point?”
“I suppose you have to try and keep positive,” said Gordon. “I'd like to go back to Gretna once this thing is all done and dusted. Not too sure my job will still be there when I return,” Gordon tried to joke, turned to Joan and could see she was a little emotional. He continued to speak, “I don't know how it'll work, you know, the government trying to get businesses up and running again. Sometimes I think about the hospitals and other emergency services and—”
“Gordon,” Joan interrupted. “Please ... shut the fuck up.”
Gordon Burns smiled and took no offence from his telling off. Joan was upset and he was waffling. No wonder she snapped.
Gordon looked around the site and could see it was the way it had been for the last few days: barren and quiet.
He took a side-glance at Joan and could see water forming in her eyes. He decided to stand up, make himself scarce and give her some time to herself, but the three Dickinsons stepping out of their place and heading towards Gordon and Joan put a stop to this.
Joan wiped her eyes as she had now clocked the three males making the short walk over, and cleared her throat.
“Morning, losers,” was Marvin's greeting.
Neither Gordon nor Joan responded.
“Hey, guys,” Lloyd spoke up. He had his arm around his teenage boy. “How're we doing?”
“Good.” Gordon nodded. “We're doing good.”
“Me and Marvin were talking. That trip we talked about... We're gonna do it right now.”
“Okay. Is it still you and Marvin that are going?” Gordon gulped. “I'm definitely up for it, if you want me on board.”
“I think two's enough, man. And I’m sticking with the plan that it’s just me and Marvin. I hope that’s okay.”
“So me and Joan are on babysitting duty?”
“Hey, fuck you,” Junior stepped in. “I don't need a babysitter.”
“Yes, you fucking do!” Gordon snapped, taking Junior by surprise.
A squabble broke out between Gordon and Junior and Lloyd asked for calm, whilst Marvin stood back and watched with a wide smile on his face, enjoying the show.
The quarrelling died down and Lloyd said with exasperation in his tone, “Right, now that you both have shut the fuck up, I'm gonna tell you what’s going to happen. You guys are going to stay put.” Lloyd pointed at Gordon and Joan. “Not because you're both useless, but because of a few reasons.”
Gordon sighed, “And what reasons would they be?”
“Firstly, we need as much room as we can get with the jeep to put potential supplies in there, so the less passengers the better. I’m taking Marvin with me because if I leave him here with either you two,” again he pointed at Gordon and Joan, “I dread to think what could happen.” Lloyd glared at both Gordon and Joan. “You hate him, I get it. I know he hasn’t done himself any favours the way he has behaved, but we need to work together to survive, man.”
“Me and Joan could go instead,” Gordon suggested. “If anything happens to you, then Junior will be an orphan.”
>
“No, I'm going.” Lloyd was adamant and appeared to be grinding his teeth with anger.
“So you're saying that you and Marvin would do a better job than me and Joan, is that it?”
“Look, man, I don't wanna start an argument, okay?” Lloyd rubbed his hands up and down his face, growing tired of the discussion. “But me and Marvin have bigger balls than the pair of you.”
“Charming.” Gordon walked away and went back to the caravan, hearing Marvin sniggering in the background, leaving Joan alone to face the three Dickinsons.
“Sorry, Joan.” Lloyd held his hands up. “That didn't come out the way I wanted it to.”
“Maybe you should go and see how he is,” Marvin snickered at Joan and put his hands in his pocket. “Maybe a quick gobble or even a quick knee trembler will calm him down.”
“You're so sad, aren't you?” Joan sighed.
“What’s going on?” asked Lloyd.
“Those two are fucking,” said Marvin. “She's opening her legs for that weedy cunt and doesn't have the decency to share it about.”
“Fuck off!”
“Yep. While we're in our caravan on a night, those two are at it like rabbits. She's probably already sucked him dry, dirty cunt.”
“Pathetic little man,” she mumbled.
Joan should have walked away but didn't. Walking away would have meant that he had got to her and she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
“Just leave it, man,” Lloyd said, trying to keep control of his older brother without having to physically touch him. “We need to go soon.”
Marvin ignored his brother and glared at Joan. “I bet you take it up the arse as well, don't you? I bet Gordon has already got his brownie badge.”
“At least it's better than fucking a female Runner.” Joan smiled and could see Marvin's face turn to anger.
“What's she talking about?” said Lloyd.
“Nothing,” Marvin huffed. “She's just a cunt.”
Joan remained tight-lipped. Even if she did tell Lloyd about what Gordon had seen, he probably wouldn't believe her and Marvin would no doubt deny it. It’s the reason why Gordon had kept his mouth shut.
Marvin stepped forward, towards Joan, but she never flinched when he approached her. Ignoring protests from Lloyd, Marvin leaned over and whispered in Joan's ear, “Last night I heard you both at it. I was standing outside your bedroom window, wanking off. I think I actually came when he did.”
Joan took a step back, face aghast, and palmed Marvin under the chin. He fell to the floor, shocked, blood running down his chin. He had bitten his bottom lip, but luckily nothing was broken, and Lloyd and Junior stayed quiet and stared in shock.
Clearly embarrassed and angry, he turned and spat to the floor. “You fucking slag!”
“You asked for it,” she said calmly. “Now that's two women that have put you on your arse in a week. Not great for your reputation.”
Marvin knew she was referring to Kelly who had put Marvin down when they were in the woods, when they first met.
“Kelly got lucky,” he scoffed.
“Bollocks.”
“And just look what happened to her afterwards.”
“You are such a sad and pathetic man,” Joan laughed, riling up Marvin.
“You're on borrowed time, whore.” Marvin scrambled to his feet and stood up straight, checking out the damage to his mouth.
Joan walked away, back to the caravan. “We all are, Marvin. We all are.”
Chapter Five
“So what do we do when they're away?” Gordon asked Joan.
She had returned to the caravan, cussing under her breath about Marvin ten minutes ago. She had told Gordon that she had words with Marvin, but was vague about it, and had struck him. She was beginning to calm down.
She finally answered Gordon by hunching her shoulders. She didn’t know.
Joan Burnley was sitting on the couch of the place. The curtains were open and it was a grey day outside, but at least it wasn't raining.
Gordon was standing over Joan and gave off a sympathetic smile. She looked up at him and asked what was the matter.
He said, “I know it's hard, but try not to let that prick get to you.”
“Easy for you to say,” she huffed. “Anyway, you've snapped at him a few times.”
“I know I have, but you have a sharper temper than me and he knows it. That's why he picks on you more. Plus...”
“Plus?”
“Well,” Gordon was unsure whether to finish off his sentence, “I think he fancies you as well.”
“Don't make me sick.”
Gordon sat down next to her. She knew he meant well, but she wanted him to go away and leave her alone for a few minutes.
She said, “Marvin said that he heard us having sex last night.”
Gordon's eyes went wide with surprise. “So they know?”
She nodded.
“Okay.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “Not really a big deal, is it?”
She continued, “He said that while we were doing it, he was masturbating outside our window.”
“Sick bastard.” Gordon tucked in his bottom lip and shook his head. “He's probably saying that to make us paranoid. From now on, every time we do it, we’ll think that he's outside, listening. Ruining it for us. That's what he wants.”
“Maybe. But he definitely heard us last night. Otherwise … how does he know we're doing it? Anyway, that’s when I put him on his arse.”
“You don't wanna piss that guy off too much, Joan.”
“Fuck him.”
Gordon heard a door slam outside and could see Marvin getting in the passenger side of the jeep. “I hope that prick doesn't make it back.” Gordon could see that Lloyd was walking over to their caravan with Junior by his side. “Lloyd and Junior are on their way over,” Gordon announced.
“Right.” Joan stood up and went to the door. She opened it and greeted the two males.
“Sorry about before,” Lloyd said as soon he saw Joan. His head was dipped and he looked genuinely sorry for what his brother had said to her. “That’s me and Marvin about to head out.”
“Forget it.” Joan smiled thinly. “I should never have hit him.”
“He probably deserved it.” Lloyd said with a wry smile. “But that's between us.”
Lloyd then turned to Junior and placed his hands on his shoulders. Junior had his head lowered and was becoming teary, but trying hard to fight it because Joan and Gordon were present.
“Son, look at me,” said Lloyd.
Junior slowly raised his head and sniffed, “What?” He spoke with attitude, trying to save face because of his little breakdown. But nobody thought any less of him because of this. He was only fourteen for Christ's sake!
“Me and your Uncle Marv are gonna go out now and see if there's anything we can bring back. We've got plenty of gas for the caravans, and that's great, but if we've got no food to cook, or any food at all for that matter...”
“How long are you gonna be?”
“Dunno. We could be out all day.” Lloyd thinned his lips and his heart numbed when he saw how upset Junior was becoming. “We'll come back with something. Whether it's gas, food, drink or medicine ... well come back with something.”
Junior said, “If you come across any chickens at that farm, don't kill them. Try and bring them back here. Then we'd have an endless supply of eggs. I could make a pen and...”
Junior's tears fell freely and now didn't even try to stop himself from crying. There was no point now.
Lloyd embraced his son and rubbed his back. It felt like he was a little boy all over again. He would sometimes forget how frightened his son must be with this new world thrust upon them.
“If I lose you...” Junior sobbed on his dad's shoulder.
“You won't lose me.” Lloyd tried to appease his boy.
“You can't say that for sure.”
“We're in the middle of the country. This area isn't as populated
as major cities or large towns. There's nothing here for them.”
“But ... Blanchland.”
“Sure, we might come across a few, but if me and Marvin thought that this was a suicide mission, we wouldn't be going in the first place. If we see a horde of those things, we're turning the jeep around and heading back.”
“Just try not to bring any back here,” Joan joked, trying to lighten the situation.
“We won't.” Lloyd smiled at Joan and broke away from his son. “On our way back, I'll make sure I'll come back with my foot hard on the gas pedal.”
Lloyd leaned over to his son and kissed him on his forehead. “Make sure you don't play up Gordon and Joan.”
“Dad.” Junior wiped his eyes and now looked embarrassed. “I'm not a baby anymore.”
“You are to me,” Lloyd laughed. “And if I here you've been up to no good, you'll be on the naughty step when I return.”
“Hurry up!” Marvin yelled from the jeep. He had wound the passenger window down and had his head out of it. “You're wasting fucking time with this soppy shite.”
“Better go.” Lloyd looked at Junior, Joan and Gordon. “We don't want Marvin having a stroke now, do we?” He then revealed a cheeky grin. “Then again, it wouldn't be the end of the world if he did, would it?”
Gordon and Joan both laughed and said no. They wished Lloyd luck and then he left.
A minute later the jeep had left the site.
Chapter Six
The black Hyundai jeep exited the caravan site and turned right, now moving along the long country road. Neither Lloyd nor Marvin knew the name of the road, but they were aware that there was a farm not so far away.
The journey was made in silence and only words were spoken once the pair of them clocked the entrance of the farm up ahead, on the right. Lloyd had his crowbar on the back seat of the jeep and Marvin had decided to carry light and had a small knife in his pocket.
“Need to be careful,” Lloyd said and began to slow the vehicle down. “If people still stay here, then we could get attacked.”
“Every man for himself now,” Marvin sniffed. “If they look weak, we can kill these folk and take what we can.”
The Monsterland Trilogy [Books 1-3] Page 31
