The End of Everything (Book 7): The End of Everything

by Artinian, Christopher

  Robyn let out a laugh. “Shoes. It’s if I was in your shoes.”

  “Ah! Thank you. It’s good I learn,” Mila said, smiling.

  “How long have I been here?”

  Mila looked at her watch. “Over three weeks.”

  “Three weeks?” Robyn almost squealed. “Oh God! Wren’s going to think I’m dead. She’s going to have moved on.” She started coughing again.

  “Calm down. Stress is no good for you. When you are better, we will find her. You say the name of the farm you were on was Pear Tree?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “I managed to find the address in the directory of the telephone. You travelled some distance in the river. You are very lucky you did not die of hypothermia.”

  “How far?”

  “Well, despite your lack of detail with regards to direction, I was able to guess which rough route you took from the property. I’d say upwards of eight miles.”

  “Eight miles? Please, I’m going to have to find Wren. She’ll have been looking everywhere for me. Please.”

  “I’ve said we will when you are fit.”

  “Honestly, if we take it slow, I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh, yes, this is a great idea. So, when we find infected, I shall just say to them, ‘Please can you attack us less quickly? My friend is feeling under the weather.’ That will work. And you said you lost your bow. You have no weapons, so how will you defend yourself? You’re not even strong enough to climb a tree. The first time we ran into a group of them, you would be finished off.”

  Robyn looked distraught, and tears appeared in her eyes. “I’m scared I’m never going to see her again.”

  Mila sat there for a moment with her hands crossed in her lap, just staring at Robyn before letting out a long sigh. “There is a car,” she said. “It is a while since I have used it. The fuel light was on red. It might, might get us there and back, but it is a big risk.”

  “Really?” Robyn’s face lit up.

  “This is a very isolated area. The whole reason I bought this cottage was because it was so quiet.”

  “This is your cottage?”

  “Yes. Do you think I am squatting?” Mila asked, smiling.

  “I just…”

  “Never mind. I was an artist. This place was perfect for me.”

  “Was, past tense?”

  “After the outbreak on the continent I couldn’t paint anymore. I didn’t want to paint anymore. My family...” Her words trailed off, and for the first time since Robyn had met her, a look of melancholy swept across Mila’s face.

  “So, what did you do?”

  “I studied.”

  “You studied painting rather than doing it?”

  Mila stared at Robyn in the glow of the flames. “No, I studied killing. This infection … these things took my family from me. I prepared because I knew at some point it would land on these shores and I was going to be ready when it did.”

  “The swords?”

  “The swords. There are many twin sword disciplines, and I studied them all. I found what worked for me and what didn’t.”

  “Well, before I got the bow, I was getting pretty good with a spear.”

  Mila nodded politely. “And when you are alone, and three, four, five of these things come at you all at the same time the spear will save you then?”

  Robyn looked sad again. “I’ve never really been alone. I’ve always had Wren with me.”

  “We are all alone in the end.”

  “I suppose.”

  “But tomorrow we will drive to your farm. We will find your schwester … sister, and then you will not have to worry about being alone any longer.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Stop thanking me. There is no need. Now, how would you like a bath?”

  “What? Seriously?”

  “The stove has a back boiler. I am able to pump water from my well with a primer handle under the sink. I made sure this place was well-equipped. It wasn’t like we didn’t have enough advanced warning.”

  “Our family was kind of hoping the government would get on top of things.”

  “Ah yes, blind faith in politicians. That has never ended badly,” Mila said with a deadpan expression.

  “I would love a bath.”

  “I will go prepare it. Stay wrapped up and drink your tea.”

  “Okay.” Mila left the room, and Robyn let out a small chuckle. Her companion was so compassionate, so caring, yet her manner and speech were curt and bossy. She sat there with a smile remaining on her face as she slowly sipped her tea.

  “There, it is running.”

  “How come you’ve got water but you can’t flush the toilet?”

  “Yes. That is most unfortunate. Seems I should have had the foresight to empty the cesspit tank before the apocalypse struck. I have dug a big hole in the back, and each day I empty my bucket and cover it with earth. It is the best I can do.” There was a look of frustration on Mila’s face.

  “Well, all things considered, having running water is pretty amazing.”

  “I suppose. I thought I had planned everything so well, but there are things that you don’t think about until after they happen.” Robyn smiled. “I have amused you?”

  “You just seem like Wren in a lot of ways.”

  “I see. I look forward to meeting her.” The two of them sat in comfortable silence for several more minutes, losing themselves in the stove’s soothing orange flames. Mila eventually climbed to her feet. “Come, your bath should be ready.”

  Robyn put her mug down and slowly rose. At first, she was a little unsteady, but Mila went across and supported her arm. “Thanks,” Robyn said as she steadied herself.

  “I will help you into the bath then you can have a nice relaxing soak.” Mila guided Robyn down the hallway and into the bathroom. Several sandalwood candles were burning, and a thick towel had been put up at the window to avoid the light being seen from the outside. Robyn slipped her top off and was about to remove her knickers when Mila said, “You have very nice boobs.”

  Robyn froze. Oh shit! This is Susan all over again. What do I do? “I’m not gay!” she blurted.

  Mila’s left eyebrow rose, and a smirk appeared on her face. “This information may be useful at some point, but having painted a hundred naked women in my life, I was merely commenting on what nice boobies you have. In the spirit of sharing, I am not gay either. I also prefer my sexual partners to have a bratwurst and two meatballs, yes?”

  Robyn stood there like a deer caught in headlights, scared to respond … not knowing how to respond. “Err…”

  Mila burst out laughing. “You British. All so uptight. Your humour extends to toilet and fart jokes but no further.”

  “Sorry. I had a weird experience once. My imagination just ran wild for a moment.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you are irresistible to lesbians everywhere,” Mila said, the broad grin threatening to reach her ears. She turned around. “Now please get into the bath. When I know you are safely in, I will leave you in peace, and whenever you are naked from here on in, I shall avert my gaze. This is agreeable, yes?”

  “I’m sorry. I was—”

  Mila turned back around. “I am joking. Get into the bath, Robyn. I just want to make sure you don’t lose your balance.”

  Robyn slipped her knickers off and raised her foot, ready to step in. She wobbled a little and Mila immediately grabbed hold of her arm. “I suppose I’m still a bit unsteady.”

  “This is why I am here. You are not fully recovered, and the last three weeks have left you weak.”

  Robyn grabbed Mila’s hand tightly, and she slowly climbed into the hot bath. Mila’s bicep flexed as she took Robyn’s weight. She finally sat down in the steaming water and lay back. “Oh, God! This feels so good.”

  “I have laid fresh clothes out for you for tomorrow as well as a pair of pyjamas.”

  “Thank you so much, Mila. And sorry about before.”

  “No. It was good
that I learn. I will not compliment any more British women on any aspect of their appearance in fear that I send out the wrong message.” The smile was back on her face.

  Robyn smiled too. “Very funny.”

  “Yes! Yes, it is!” Mila let out a short excited laugh and clapped. “Now, enjoy your bath, and shout me when you are ready to get out.”

  Robyn nodded and watched Mila exit the bathroom, leaving the door open just a crack, then reclined further into the bath. She inhaled the sandalwood aroma, sinking deeper into the water. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so relaxed, so soothed. She sank her chin, then her mouth beneath the surface of the water until it was just below her nostrils. She closed her eyes and stayed like that for how long she did not know, but when she opened them again, the water felt slightly cooler and the candles had burnt down quite a way.

  She reached across for the soap and began to lather herself, symbolically washing away the sickness of the last few weeks. Tomorrow was a new start. Hopefully, they would find Wren. Granted, the chances of her still being at the farm were next to zero, but Wren was one of the cleverest people Robyn knew. She would have left a clue or maybe even just told Cynthia and Stuart. Yes, the weird hippie meth dealers. Who better to entrust with a secret? Robyn smiled to herself. One way or another, she would be on the path to seeing her sister again soon.

  Robyn finished washing then slowly climbed out of the tub. As grateful as she was for Mila’s help, she had to regain some independence, start doing things for herself again. She felt shaky as she placed her first foot on the bath mat, but when the second was down too, things were a little better. She sat down on the edge of the bath and despite steam still floating in the still air, influenced only by her movements, she felt a sudden chill. Robyn took the towel and dried herself vigorously. She smiled again as she walked over to the pile of clothes Mila had laid out. Despite her stern manner, she was obviously a big kid at heart as the Muppet pyjamas suggested. Robyn put them on and wrapped herself in the thick towelling robe before heading out of the bathroom and down the short hallway.

  A sound made her pause outside of the living room before entering. Oh my God! Mila’s crying. Robyn stood in the entrance, beginning to shiver again despite the warm glow of the fire. “Mila?”

  Mila looked up, startled. She had been staring into the fire behind the glass doors of the multi-fuel stove, and it took her watery eyes a few seconds to focus on the figure in the doorway. She jumped up from the armchair, immediately drying her eyes with the heel of her palms. “You should have shouted; I was going to help you out of the bath.” She pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose.

  “Why were you crying?”

  “The heat from the fire. It irritated my eyes, that is all.”

  Robyn took a step into the room and shivered once more, wrapping the robe tighter. “Yeah. There’s a name for that where I come from. It’s called bullshit. Now, why were you crying?”

  “Come, we must get you into bed, you are cold.” Mila walked across and started to guide Robyn to the sofa, but Robyn pulled back.

  “No! First, tell me why you were crying.”

  Mila’s brow creased and her nostrils flared with frustration. “Please, get under the covers then we will talk. Do not undo the good work we have done.”

  Robyn glared at Mila but finally gave in and climbed under the thick, fresh blankets. She remained in an upright position, and reacclimatising herself to the smell of the fire caused her to cough several times, but when she settled, she looked towards Mila who had done her best to make sure there was no trace of tears left on her face. Her sad eyes spoke volumes, however. “Now, please tell me what’s wrong.”

  Mila walked across to one of the armchairs and slumped down. Her gaze fell towards the fire once more, and she did not speak for a moment, but when she did, her voice was distant. “I have been alone for a long time. Long before the outbreak. Having you here … it felt normal. It reminded me of what I have been missing. I never intended to be a crazy hermit lady. But when Deutschland and the rest of Europe fell to the infection, I just cut myself off. I didn’t mean to, but I did.”

  “That’s only understandable. You were grieving and stuff.” I wish Wren was here. Grieving and stuff. Yeah, really great way to comfort someone, Bobbi.

  Mila dragged her eyes from the flames and looked towards Robyn. “I fell out of love with the world. She had betrayed me. Does this make sense?”

  “Err… Yeah.” Robyn pulled the blankets tighter around herself as a shudder, unrelated to her pneumonia, rippled down her spine. “That’s … the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  Mila let out a short sorrowful laugh. “Not me. The saddest thing I’ve ever heard was the dialling tone on the telephone when for the briefest moment I had forgotten that meine mutter und schwester were dead. Then that plastic clunk as I placed it back in the cradle. Those are the saddest sounds in my head. They will always be the saddest sounds in my head.” Another tear formed in the corner of her eye.

  “I’m sorry. Was that what you were thinking about when I came in?”

  “No. I was thinking about you. I was thinking of how having you here made me feel normal. Even though you have not been well, having someone to care for und share the house with made me feel glücklich … err … happy. And now I am about to lose it all again.” She wiped another tear away with the tissue she still grasped in her hand.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean you are going to find your sister and be with her, and I will go back to being alone.”

  “Well, why?”

  “What do you mean why? That is just the way things will be.”

  “They don’t have to be, Mila.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, maybe Wren and Georgie could come here. Maybe we could find a caravan or something and set up here with you. Or maybe we could all head north together like we were going to do originally. You saved my life, Mila. We’re friends. Me finding Wren doesn’t change any of that. Why do you possibly think I would leave you alone? We’ve found each other now.”

  Mila’s mouth dropped open a little. “You are inviting me to be with you?”

  “Yeah. Or inviting my sister and Georgie into your house,” Robyn said, smiling. “Either way, you’re not going to be alone if you don’t want to be.”

  Mila sprang up from the armchair and ran across to Robyn, kneeling down, throwing her arms around her, and hugging her tight. “Thank you. Thank you, Robyn.”

  “It’s me who needs to thank you.” Robyn could feel the tears fall from her friend’s cheeks onto her. “I promise. You’ll never be alone again.”

  chapter 5

  Spicy Mexican bean soup for breakfast would never have been Robyn’s first choice, but today she didn’t care. She could not get it in her mouth quickly enough. When she had finished, she could take her tablets, get dressed, and their journey could begin.

  “I would still prefer it if we waited a few more days. You are not ready for this,” Mila said from the opposite armchair as she ate her soup in a more sedate manner.

  “Please! I’ll be fine. I’ll take it easy. I won’t do anything stupid. But I really need to do this.”

  “I make one condition.”

  “Okay. What?”

  “You have to be honest. If you feel too unwell, we return and head out another day. You are still recovering. You have further to go before you are better.”

  “Okay, okay. I promise.”

  Mila nodded, finished her soup, collected the empty bowl from her companion, and within ten minutes they were both standing by the door. “Remember what I said now!”

  “I will.” Robyn looked down at her clothes; she was wearing suede boots with faux fur lining, a pair of Mila’s jeans, a thick woollen jumper with a picture of Santa Claus on it, and a winter jacket. “I didn’t miss anything, did I? It is still summer?”

  “You need to stay warm. Better to take a layer of clothing off tha
n have nothing to put on, yes?”

  “I suppose. It’s just…”

  “What?”

  “You’re in leathers, and you’ve got those cool swords. You look like a character out of The Matrix. I look like my gran’s mini-me. All I need is a pair of glasses on the end of my nose and to smell like cheap hairspray and someone would struggle to tell the difference.”

  “Ah yes, because when I was selecting these clothes to make sure you would not get cold and aggravate your already weak constitution, how they looked was my primary concern. When you feel like a warrior again, you can dress like a warrior. Right now, you are weak like a frail old lady who insists on going out to collect her pension even though everyone advises against it. So, I dress you like an old lady.” Mila nodded before placing her fingers on the handle.

  “So what does that say about you?”

  “I do not understand.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t normally be seen dead in this, but you actually own it. What does that say about you?” Robyn asked with a cocksure smile on her face.

  “It says I am a good granddaughter. I bought it for my grandmother’s Christmas present but never got the chance to give her it. It is a pity; she would have liked it. It is very warm.” Mila smiled and reached out, grabbing the jumper just below Robyn’s chest.

  “What are you doing?” Robyn asked.

  Suddenly, Jingle Bells began to play, and the front of the jumper flashed with red lights. “She would have enjoyed singing along to this also.” Mila laughed and clapped. They both stood there until the tune finished.

  “The one saving grace is nobody cool is going to see me in this.”

  “Ah, yes. For this reason alone, it is good that billions of innocent human beings have died horrible deaths.”

  Robyn closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think what I was saying.”

  “We have all been guilty of that. Now, let us go on our little adventure,” Mila said, opening the door and flicking her rucksack onto her shoulder.

  The cool morning air rushed in to greet them and immediately Robyn was grateful for the thick clothes. She stepped outside, and despite feeling a little chilly, it was revitalising to experience the sun on her face and the breeze against her skin. She paused and looked around. The small white cottage was on the side of a hill. A cobbled path led down to a long brown track that disappeared behind a clump of trees. “Wow, you really are isolated here, aren’t you?”