“Oh,” Coleen replied. “I don’t know.”
Riley looked at Coleen. “There is an empty motel across the street. You might be able to find a place to rest there.”
“No,” Fiona intervened. “She can stay with me.” Coleen looked at Fiona as Fiona added, “I need the company.”
Coleen looked at Riley, and he shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll see to it that Lucy is looked after,” he said.
Coleen looked at Fiona as she picked up her son, holding onto her daughter’s hand. “Well,” Fiona mumbled. “Let’s go.”
Coleen and Fiona walked out of the hospital onto the main street that led up to her house.
“So,” Fiona asked as they walked. “Where were you when this infection problem happened?”
Coleen didn’t reply for a few seconds. “We… Well, me and my husband were on a cruise, celebrating our anniversary.”
“What happened?” Fiona asked.
“Somehow, the infection made it onto the ship.” Coleen began to tremble, flashing back to running from the infected on the ship. “Sorry,” she said.
“No, its okay,” Fiona replied. “It’s okay to talk about it.”
“He saved me…” Coleen tried not to cry as she shook out of the flashback. “Who do you live with?” Coleen asked, changing the subject.
“Oh,” Fiona replied. “My husband. He is in Perth on business. He works for a computer company.”
“What? From here?”
“Yes. We moved out here to get away from the city life.”
Coleen lifted her head. She looked out into the vast desert of the outback. “Not a bad idea,” she replied. “Wise choice.”
“I know,” Fiona sobbed. “I hope he’s still alive.”
“I do, too” Coleen replied.
Coleen and Fiona continued walking along the quiet street towards Fiona’s home.
Justin looked out the front of the van. He squinted his eyes into the distance, seeing his mum. She was walking with Fiona towards Fiona’s house. The van pulled up next to her. Justin rolled the window down.
“Hey, mum,” he said. “You okay?”
It took a few seconds for Coleen to speak. “Yeah,” she replied. “I’m okay.”
Justin looked at Fiona as she held onto her son.
“This is Fiona,” Coleen said. Justin gave her a brief nod. “Justin I am going to be at Coleen’s house—the house at the top of this hill—if you need me.”
Tired and low on energy, Justin could only nod. The van continued down towards the town hall. Justin looked at the old hospital. He peered in, looking for Lucy, hoping she was okay. The van made a quick right-hand turn. There, in front of him, was the town hall, a modern building, not huge, but big enough to hold some of the townsfolk for a meeting.
“Here we are,” the man said.
The van came to a quick stop. Standing on the corner of the street was a man who looked to be not that old, perhaps in his early-to mid-20s.
“Meet Harvey,” Andrew said before getting out of the van. He looked at Harvey as he stood there, wondering what to do with himself.
“G’day Harvey,” Andrew said.
Harvey lifted his head to see Justin as he got out of the van.
Andrew turned to face Justin. “Harvey, this is Justin.” Harvey and Justin shook hands.
“Harvey,” Harvey said. “Harvey Townson.”
“Great to meet you,” Justin replied.
“Come on,” Harvey said. “I’ll show you around.” Harvey looked at the old town. The grass was brown with dehydration from where the sun had been scorching it. “So, where you from?” Harvey asked Justin.
“I was from Adelaide.”
“Shit is pretty bad, man, but we got to do what we got to do to survive.
“I agree. I think we are on a scouting mission to a nearby city tomorrow.”
“Yeah, me and Andrew spoke about that earlier. I think it’s a shopping mall we are going to, so we can scout for supplies.” Harvey looked at Justin as Justin wiped his forehead. “Hey, have you had anything to drink?”
It took Justin a few seconds to reply. “Not in a while.”
Harvey didn’t hesitate. “Come on. My place is over there.”
Justin and Harvey walked over to Harvey’s house, a typical outback house. The grass hadn’t been cut for a long time. A white fence surrounded the house with a paved walkway that led up to the front door. Justin followed Harvey into the house.
“Hey, mum!” Harvey called.
“I’m in here!” she called back.
Justin tagged along behind Harvey.
“Mum, this is Justin,” Harvey said.
“Oh, hi. Nice to meet you,” she said. “Who are you?” she then asked her son.
“It’s me, Harvey,” Harvey said again. Justin frowned and looked at Harvey. “Mild Alzheimer’s,”
Justin didn’t reply. He looked at Harvey’s mum as she continued trying to keep the place clean.
“When we going to Perth so see my mum?” she asked. “We are due to go soon. I’m going to go and pack my bag.”
Harvey walked up to his mum, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Mum, she’s dead,” he said softly. “Remember? I told you yesterday.”
“What? No! Is she…?”
“Yes, mum,” he replied softly.
“Oh, now I remember.”
Justin stood by the entrance to the living room.
“Who are you?” she demanded of Justin. “Get out of my house!”
Justin didn’t respond.
“He’s with me, mum,” Harvey said.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry,” she replied.
Justin looked at Harvey. “I’ll meet you outside.”
“I’m sorry,” his mum called.
“It’s okay,” Justin waved.
Harvey gave Justin a brief nod. Justin walked out of the house. He felt a slight break from the intense scorching sun as he stood underneath the open porch. He sat down on the wooden steps, hunching his legs up. A few minutes passed. Justin looked out into the old town. People were going about their day, trying to ignore the fear of what was happening in the major cities. Justin was awoken from his daydream by the sound of the old door shutting.
“Sorry about that,” Harvey said.
“No, it’s okay. It’s not her fault.” Harvey looked at Justin as he stood up and asked, “Where are we going now?”
“Let’s go meet the town mayor.”
Justin and Harvey walked along the path towards the front entrance to the hall. The building was old. Some of the windows didn’t even have paint on them. They hadn’t had any work done on them for a long time. Justin focused as he followed Harvey into the building. One small reception desk was in front of him. A set of steps led up to the next floor. Harvey looked up the tatty stairs for the mayor’s office. The wooden door came into view. He took a shallow breath giving the door a gentle knock.
“Come,” a voice was heard from the other side.
Justin strolled in behind Harvey.
“Oh. Hi, Harvey” Mayor Hudson Green said.
Harvey struggled to speak for a few seconds. “Hudson, this is Justin.” he finally said. “Justin Collins.”
Hudson looked at Justin who stood by the entrance to the office. “How are you?” Hudson asked.
“Oh, hi,” Justin replied.
“Justin is coming on the food missions tomorrow,” Harvey said.
“Good,” Hudson replied. “We need the help. We are just about managing to make ends meet in this small town. Water is low and so is the food storage. Managed to stop a few looters earlier.”
“I think Andrew Parker is coming to see you very soon,” Harvey said. “About the mission tomorrow.”
Before Hudson could respond, a screech was heard from outside. Hudson peered in between the tatty metal blinds. The only sound that could be heard in the office was the squeaking of the metal as it ran along the string foundations.
“Speak of the devil!” Hudson exclaime
d.
Justin looked down the stairs as Andrew shot up them. He didn’t even knock; he just barged into the office.
“Not disturbing anyone, am I?” Andrew asked.
“Oh, no. Not at all,” Hudson replied. “I was just getting to know Justin here.”
“Yeah, he is a good kid,” Andrew replied. “We found him while out searching for survivors near Adelaide.”
“Did you find any?” Hudson asked.
“Not many,” Andrew replied. “Only Justin, his mum, and some ship boy called Stuart. Justin also rescued a girl from the infected and risked his life to gain some insulin from a cruise liner, which is where he found his mum.”
“So, what are the plans for tomorrow?” Hudson asked.
“We’re going to head to Melbarton,” Andrew replied. “Then to one of the fuel depots, see if we can find some fuel for some of the vehicles.”
“It’s going to be touch and go?” Hudson asked.
“It is,” Andrew affirmed. “But I think Justin, here, is going to be a valuable asset to this town.” Andrew put his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “Boys,” he said, “Can I speak to Hudson alone, please?”
Harvey gave Hudson a nod.
“Hey, where is he sleeping tonight?” Hudson called.
Justin stopped and looked at Hudson as he stood behind the desk. Both of his hands were palm-down on the green leather in the middle of the desk.
“There is some room at the motel across the street,” Andrew said “Go find him a room, Harvey. Oh, and get him some food.”
Harvey nodded. The door was pulled closed.
“Good kid, there,” Hudson said.
“Yes,” Andrew replied.
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“We’re going to Melbarton, like I said.”
“But why there?”
“There is a huge mall there. Might be some supplies there.”
“Well, let’s hope we find something; people are going to lose faith.”
“Yeah, I wish we look for a closer town…”
“How do you mean?”
Andrew looked out of the window onto the town. “Somewhere newer. Maybe a good distance from the outer cities so that if help does come, we stand a better chance of being found.”
Hudson looked at Andrew. “No. Too much of a logistical nightmare.”
“Why? We have the vehicles at my mining plant.”
“No, no, no… Too dangerous.”
“Hudson, look at this town. We are low on food and resources.”
“It’s a no, and that’s final.”
Andrew stared at Hudson.
***
Justin and Harvey approached the motel.
“Here we are,” Harvey said.
Harvey and Justin walked up to the motel. It was like the American ones: two floors and plenty of rooms. Justin and Harvey entered the reception.
Desni, a young, black female with long, straight, black hair, greeted them. “Hey, Harvey.”
“Hello, Desni,” he replied. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “Well, I guess so.”
“Why aren’t you with your family?”
Desni took a minute to word in her head what she wanted to say. “Oh, I think its best if I look after the motel.”
“How many people are staying here?” Justin asked.
Desni looked down at the computer. “One, but I think he left to get back to his family in Perth.”
Harvey turned looking at Justin. “Plenty of room, then,” he said.
Justin gave a brief smile as Desni handed a key to him.
“Here you go,” she said “Room 216. Top floor.” She looked into his eyes. Justin nodded and turned around.
“Here,” she said. She handed Justin a bottle of water. “It’s not much, but drink it, I managed to keep some hidden when people came looking for supplies.”
Harvey nodded as Justin smiled at her. They walked outside and up the stairs.
“I’ll try and find you something to eat,” Harvey said.
Justin nodded as they arrived at the room. Justin opened the door. The clean smell was still in the room. The bed had been made. There was not a single crease in the bedclothes.
“It’ll do,” Justin said.
“We are leaving before dawn,” Harvey said. “I’d get some rest. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Justin could only look at Harvey as Harvey slowly turned around and left the motel room, clicking the door shut behind him. Justin slowly walked over to the bed. He looked down onto the old, brown carpeted floor. It had a distinctive pattern about it, like it hadn’t been changed in a long time. Justin laid down on the old tatty quilt; it was too hot to go underneath them. He closed his eyes.
Chapter Fifteen
Justin looked out the side of the helicopter. The sun will be coming up soon.
“Welcome,” Andrew yelled, “to Melbarton.”
Justin looked down at the houses as they flew over them. He thought they must be empty. No signs of life could be seen down below. He looked up and saw the mall in the distance; the huge building slowly got bigger and bigger.
“Remember what I said,” Andrew yelled. “In and out.”
“Let’s do this,” Harvey said.
Justin and Harvey slapped their palms together. Justin looked down at one of the entrances to the mall. The shutters were down. He looked at the infected people as they shuffled around the outside. The helicopter pilot flew above the roof of the building. Justin held onto the baseball bat which he was given. He also had a black handgun in his back pocket. the helicopter lowered, and Justin and Harvey stepped off. They walked towards the grey fire exit door. There was no way to open it, though
“Agggh, fuck it!” Harvey let out.
Justin looked across to see a ventilation system. He looked at the metal grate on the front of the vent. He pulled it off and put it down on the ground, trying not to make too much noise. He looked at Harvey, who was climbing into the vent. He shuffled down it. The only sound heard was of the metal flexing back and forth as he climbed down. Justin soon reached the bottom of the vent. He looked to see another metal grate. He looked out into the upper offices and rooms of the mall. He shuffled the grate. It was firmly attached. He took a deep breath, looking in and around at whatever he could see of the corridors. Justin grasped to the baseball bat as he crawled out of the vent. He stood up and looked into the offices. Chairs were out of place, tea and coffee cups were just left on the table. Justin walked along the open corridor, soon arriving at the stairs that lead up to the fire exit. He looked to see that the coast was clear all the way to the very top. Harvey was there waiting for him to open the door. Justin climbed the stairs. He could hear his footsteps echo as he climbed the stairs. When he arrived at the fire exit, he pushed the bar down, opening the door. No alarm went off anything—must have been deactivated earlier. Justin looked at Harvey.
“Let’s do this,” he said.
Harvey and Justin walked through the corridors. They caught glimpse of one of the security rooms. Justin slowly walked in, followed by Harvey. Justin and Harvey looked up, seeing a line of televisions. They were in the CCTV room. Justin looked at the line of screens. He could only make out the figures strolling about. Because there was a restriction on power, all of the lights inside of the mall were out.
The figures were just like the ones on the cruise ship: heads down, staring into nothingness.
“We’re going to have to be quick,” Harvey declared.
They turned around, heading towards the main door that led back out into the shopping mall. Justin lowered the handle down slowly. The lock clicked, allowing them to leave. Harvey looked to see a cleaner’s broom. He put it in between the door so it wouldn’t lock shut. Justin held onto his bat tightly, edging towards a balcony that looked down onto the mall. They crept over to it, squinting their eyes and trying not to use the torch. They looked down over the side together.
“Wh
oa!” Justin gasped.
“Fuck, Jesus!” Harvey groaned.
Justin and Harvey looked down to the lower floors of the mall. In each and every corner, shuffling in every direction, were the infected.
“Let’s do this,” Harvey said.
Harvey and Justin ran to the spiral staircase. They tried to keep their footsteps to a minimum.
“What do we need?” Harvey asked.
Justin pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket. He unfolded it, trying not to catch the attention of the infected. “Medication, water bottles, food.”
They looked seeing a small food mart. They edged towards it, grasping their bats. The shelves in the store were empty. The occasional tin of cat and pet food was all that was left.
Then, Justin turned his head to look across to the other side of the shopping mall. He could see a green cross glowing in the dark. “Come on,” he ordered.
Harvey followed Justin. They made it to the other side without being seen. Justin entered the pharmaceutical store. He stormed through towards the back of the store as Harvey started collecting some of the medication. Justin entered the rear of the store. He looked at a line of drawers that were filled with medication. He went straight to ‘I.’ Luckily, there were a few boxes of insulin for Lucy to help keep her going for a few extra weeks.
“Justin!” Harvey gasped suddenly.
Justin looked at Harvey and saw that he was waving him over to move onto the next store. Justin and Harvey slowly walked towards the exit of the pharmacy when something captured Justin’s attention from above. The top of the shopping mall had a huge dome roof. Justin looked up and saw the light of the purple morning sky slowly start to fade away. The sun was climbing.
“Shit,” Harvey said. “We got to go.”
“No, we can’t,” Justin retorted. “There might be another food store in here.”
“No, we can’t look. It’s too dangerous, man.”
One of the infected started to snarl. It was like it could hear them.
“Come on!” Justin snapped.
Harvey looked at the snarling infected. “Fuck it,” he uttered.
Harvey and Justin zig-zagged between the infected. The mall was already starting to lighten up. Justin looked ahead to see a small shop: a newsagent. There were some papers on the stand. Justin stormed over to it. He was in luck; there were plenty of chocolate bars and sweets left.
Fear The Outback (Book 1): Fear The Outback Page 20
