by Leyton, Bisi
Criteria
(A Wisteria Short Story)
By
Bisi Leyton
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
By Bisi Leyton
Copyright© 2012 Bisi Leyton
No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied for reviews.
By BISI LEYTON
Wisteria (Wisteria Series #1)
Myopia (Wisteria Series #2)
Paranoia (Wisteria Short Story #2.5)
Aporia (Wisteria Series #3)
Criteria (Wisteria Novella #3.5)
Hysteria (Wisteria Series #4) – Coming Spring 2013
Chapter One
Over three years ago, the Nero virus infected 80 percent of Britain’s population, turning otherwise normal people into biters. The biters were violent and angry creatures, only interested in one thing—eating the flesh of the uninfected.
Months after the disease broke out, society fell apart. There was no more government, no police, and no army. There was no shopping, no television, no internet, no mobile phones, and no news about what was really going on.
~~**~~
It was day 846, by Fi’s count. That was exactly how long Fiona Butler had lived in the abandoned Lady Luggard’s School for Girls.
The 400-year-old school had been where the wealthiest of Britain’s blue blood families battled to get their own daughter princesses a place. Most of the students were gone, the teachers were dead, and now Fi and thirty-three refugees lived here. Safe and isolated from everyone else, thanks in part to her best friend Yumi Enoki, also an ex-Luggard student, who told the convoy about the school.
So, for 845 days the dingy and dank headmistress’s room had been Fi’s home. Sitting on the antique bed with her arms wrapped around her legs, Fi looked past the fungus encrusted walls, out through the window, and over the fence.
A teenage boy staggered mindlessly outside. Clearly, he was infected.
Rushing to the window, she drew the curtains closed. Yumi would laugh at her for still being so afraid. For months, Yumi told her there were was no need to cower in the darkness from the biters, because they couldn’t see or smell that far into the compound. Plus, the school grounds already had a ten-foot wall built centuries ago.
Jack Francis, the leader of their group, theorized the mold that grew in here made it harder for the infected to detect them. The boys had set up a makeshift gate at the entrances to the compound eighteen months ago. Though it was useless to stop a swarm of biters, it kept the odd flesh eater from wandering too close.
Of course, if Fi or anyone were standing outside, that would be a different story. They’d be devoured in minutes.
This meant that no one went by the gates if they could help it. While the solitary biter wasn’t a problem, they never seemed to travel alone and once one of them caught the scent of food, then somehow they were able attract, or summon, more of them.
“Poor bloke—that biter couldn’t have been more than twelve when they got him.” Twenty-year-old Jack Francis entered the room. Marching proudly to the window he peered out, squeezing his bright blue eyes as he stroked the light brown patches of hair growing on his chin. He’d been trying to grow a beard for almost three years, but that was never going to happen. “If we weren’t so low on ammo, I’d put him out of his misery.”
“Don’t talk like that.” She shuddered. Even after three years of living with the undead, she’d never gotten used to the notion of killing them.
“You’d feel differently if you actually killed one.” He continued to study the infected boy. “They aren’t people anymore.”
She nodded.
“Don’t worry; I’m not going to do anything.” He smiled at her in a way that always managed to lighten her heart and make her palms sweat.
“No, if you have to—do it.” Trembling, she forced a weak smile. “If it keeps us safe.”
“It’s harmless, so there’s no point risking it.” Leaning against the windowsill, he folded his arms. “Can’t risk you getting hurt, can I?”
She felt her cheeks flush. Watching him, she couldn’t help but admire how strong he was.
Jack never seemed fazed. He had an answer for everything and saw a way out of every situation. Everyone in their group knew they’d all be dead if not for him. Well, everyone apart from Greg. Aside from his brilliant mind, physically he could take any of the guys in the school, but in truth, his body was magnificent to behold. He was about five foot nine and built, but not overly muscular. His long dark hair was woven into a long braid.
While she studied his fine features, she noticed his stunning blue eyes were also traveling down her long, slender frame. Eventually, they fixed on her breasts. Self-consciously, she folded her arms, but not because she was ashamed of how she looked. Fi had always been told growing up that she was knockout. She did it because he had a way of making her feel like she was naked. “Risking what?” She’d even forgotten what they were talking about.
Not answering, his hazy gaze remained on the spot underneath her crossed arms.
“Jack, you should’ve knocked before you came in here.” She shivered under his intense gaze.
“Since when do I have to knock? You’ve always wanted to see me.” Closing the gap between them, he crawled onto the bed toward her. “Or, has that changed?”
With him only millimeters away from her, it took all her concentration not to lose her mind. “We’ve talked about this. It’s not going to happen. Not while you’re with Yumi. She’s my best friend and she’s in love with you.”
“This isn’t about Yumi; it is about you and me.” He curled his fingers through her brown hair.
“There’s nothing between us.” She pushed him away. Not because she wanted to—nothing would make her happier than surrendering to Jack. She knew by now that he wasn’t going to end his relationship with Yumi. “Thanks for checking on me, but you can go now.”
“Or, we can talk.” He sat on the bed next to her.
She didn’t just want to talk to him and he knew this; she was addicted to his caresses and his sweet lips. “Listen, I should go and help with the chickens. Yumi gets mad when I don’t do my bit.” She slipped off the bed.
Jack yanked her back. “You can’t get away from me that easily.”
She tumbled onto the burgundy covers and lay there for a moment, deciding whether or not to follow through on her promise to leave him, even though she knew it was an empty threat. Next thing she knew, his copious lips brushed against hers. “Jack, why can’t you leave her? If you don’t, it will be over between us,” she muttered as convincingly as she could.
“So, you want me to leave?” His breath was hot against her face.
She shook her head.
“Then shut up.” His blue eyes shone as he took her top lip between his teeth before pushing his tongue into her mouth.
Fi groaned as she caressed his broad back. “I love you.”
“I love you so much, Fi.” Lifting her up onto his lap, his mouth moved to her neck. “You know I’d never let you go. You do know that, right?”
Hearing how possessive he was over her made her chest heat up and filled her with a deep feeling she knew must be pure joy. “I do.”
“I promise when the time is right, you won’t have to worry about Yumi.” He undid the first button of her
blouse. “I’ll tell her.”
“You’ve said that for over two years.”
“Jack?” Suddenly, Monty Diop, Jack’s very short Senegalese friend and second in command, burst into the room.
“Idiot!” Jack cursed as he let go of Fi.
“Why didn’t you knock?” Hastily straightening her clothes, she moved away from Jack.
“I did and you didn’t answer. I’m guessing you were busy—again.” Monty glanced at the pair dryly. It hadn’t been the first time he’d caught them together.
Fi wasn’t concerned he’d tell Yumi; after all he and Jack went way back, but his judgmental attitude made her mad.
Jack joked about Monty being jealous, and that he secretly liked Fi. She didn’t see it. He just treated her like rubbish.
“Leave the princess alone, or Yumi will kill you.” Monty was the only guy who got away with talking about Fi like that.
Grabbing his shirt, Jack stormed to the door, dragging Monty over to it. “Get out!”
“We’ve got visitors. I thought you might want to know,” Monty said as the door slammed in his face.
“What?” He swung the door back open.
“Visitors?” Fi’s face lit up. “That’s great!” They hadn’t had any new people in their group in over a year. “Where are they?” Excited, she started to put on her boots.
Jack stood gawking at Monty as if he’d just learned he had Nero. “How many?”
“Four,” Monty replied, not sounding pleased. “Only two guys.”
“Wait here, Fi.” Turning to her, Jack kissed her forehead. “I don’t want you or anyone mixing with them until we know what they want.”
“Isn’t it obvious? They want somewhere to live.” Moving past Jack, she headed to the door. “They’re survivors.”
Monty stepped in front of her. “He said you can’t go anywhere.”
“Monty—move.” She laughed at his pathetic attempt to intimidate her. “Or I’ll flatten you.”
“Really?” Monty cocked his eyebrow and crossed his arms, flexing his muscles in the process. “I’d like to see you try.”
Walking between Monty and Fi, Jack held her shoulders gently. “Fi, please just hang out here until we know more about these people. Not everyone out there can be trusted.”
“I get it. They need to meet our criteria.” Fi repeated what Jack had told her last time they had new arrivals. “I know, genius, but we outnumber them, almost nine to one.”
“I don’t want her down there.” Monty gave Jack another nervous look.
“What is it?” Fi wondered at Monty’s sudden nervousness.
“Just stay here. This isn’t a joke, Fiona.” Jack stormed out.
*****
Fi didn’t know how long she’d been waiting for Jack to get back. The sun was starting to set, so it had been at least four hours, but she couldn’t be sure, as she didn’t have a working clock in her room. Part of her wanted to charge out and see what was going down for herself. She desperately wanted to see the newcomers, but she shuddered at the thought of going against Jack. She trusted him and if he said wait, she would. She needed to trust that he’d keep her safe. Plus, she was hoping he’d stop back later and they’d pick up where they’d left off before Monty disturbed them.
The sound of banging interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in.” Fi rolled over.
Standing at her door was Yumi, nineteen years old and average height, but very skinny with short black hair and an eternal tan. “You heard?” she asked, betraying a slightly exotic accent.
“The new people? Yeah. Have you seen them?”
Darting to the bed, Yumi pulled on her arm. “No, but we’re going down there now.”
“No, Jack said—”
“I want to see them before Jack and the other guys get carried away.”
“Carried away how?”
“You know how Jack can be when he feels threatened. He’s a bit insecure and it’s going to be worse since there were two guys and we don’t need any more guys here.”
“Why do you keep putting him down like that? We’d be dead if Jack didn’t take control. Left to Greg, we would still be rummaging our way through Essex, starving or dead.”
Yumi’s face fell at the mention of Greg.
“I didn’t mean that. It’s just—” Fi saw that she’d upset Yumi.
“Greg did the best he could. He was the only one who agreed that we should head to Lady Luggard’s and barricade ourselves in here. Remember, Jack wanted us to go to Luton Airport?” She headed to the door. “Now, after Greg’s gone, it miraculously became Jack’s idea?”
“Jack got us here in the end.” Fi wasn’t going to argue with her. “Did you and Jack have a fight? Is that why you’re talking about him like this?” She was a little irritated that this was the girl Jack was still with. Yumi didn’t even sound like she liked him.
“What happened to him was wrong.” Yumi squeezed the bridge of her tiny nose, obviously irritated by the same conversation they’d had so often. “Things would’ve been different if he’d been here. He deserved to be here.”
Greg ran away from the group as they were heading to Lady Luggard’s, after trying and failing to attack Jack. He was great guy once, but he slowly seemed to lose his mind as the pressures of trying to keep the large group alive got to him. That and he was too fat to run.
“If Greg was here, we’d have a lot less food, that’s for sure. Man, he ate like a pig.” Fi covered her mouth after the words slipped out. “Sorry.”
“Is that why you hated him?”
“I couldn’t stand him because he was a slob, but I hated him because he was going to get us killed and because he treated everyone like dirt. Especially Jack—he was threatened because Jack was a better leader. Why the hell any of you thought he could be any kind of leader, I’ll never figure out.”
“At least Greg didn’t murder anyone.”
“Jack didn’t kill Greg. It was an accident.” Fi leapt up and marched toward her. “And, if you think that, why is he your boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend?” Yumi rolled her eyes. “My relationship with Jack is complicated, but don’t ever call him my boyfriend. Jack would still have taken over as leader. Either way, I’d be stuck with him.” Forcing a smile, Yumi opened the door. “I don’t want to talk about Greg anymore. Let’s go and see the visitors.”
“Yumi, we’re not done—”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore!”
Fi frowned, not sure what to say next. “Why are you with Jack if you don’t want him?”
“Never mind that.” Yumi shook her head and hugged Fi. “I’m complaining about nothing.”
“I don’t see why you’d complain about him. You can pretty much do whatever you like because your boyfriend is in charge. You’re like the First Lady around here.”
“So? Monty’s basically his second in command, so that makes you what?”
“Nothing is ever going to happen between me and Monty.” Fi resisted the urge to gag.
“I see the way he looks at you.”
“Nothing is ever going to happen! Even if he was the last man on earth, I’d never do him.” Fi scowled at Yumi. “I’m tired of having this conversation over and over. Just leave it.”
“I’m your best friend, so that means I can talk about things you don’t want to hear.”
“You didn’t want to talk about Greg and I dropped it, so do the same for me.”
“Greg was different,” Yumi whispered as her face turned red. “Greg saved my life twice, and I repaid him by siding with Jack.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Come see the new people with me and I’ll forgive you.” Yumi’s expression brightened. “This guy kind of looks like Prince Michael.”
“You're joking, Prince Michael of Devon”
He'd been at one time the hottest single royal. Fi couldn't open a magazine without seeing his face or butt plastered on at least half of the pages.
“Wasn't he dating that singer Persephone Sinclair at one point?” Fi recalled.
“Yeah, but that didn't last long. He dumped her for some movie star.”
“You can't seriously believe it was him.” Fi rolled her eyes. “The royal family are locked away so tight they can't even use the loo.”
“It's not Prince Michael. This guy's far too young. I mean Michael's got to be at least thirty. This boy can't be more than fifteen or sixteen.”
“Okay, let’s go see.”
“Plus, there’s even a hotter blond—according to Penny.”
“I’m sure Penny has got her claws in him already.” Fi tried to sound more enthusiastic, but all she wanted was get back in time to see Jack.
“Yeah, but have you seen yourself compared to Penny? Once he sees you, trust me, he will be completely smitten. As long as Jack lets them stay.”
“He will once he’s finished asking them questions. I mean, he let Colette and Tamara in last year.”
“But they were girls.”
A few minutes later, the girls were on the steps leading down to the cellar. As they descended, they heard a thud followed by a grunt.
“Steven, are you okay?” A girl Fi had never heard cried out from below. “Are you crazy? You hit him.”
“Shut up!” a guy with a deeper voice shouted back. It was belonged to the massive six-foot-tall Brian Kemble, one of Jack’s inner circle.
“Go to hell!” the unknown girl screamed.
“Ah, crap!” Yumi looked panicked.
“Tell me, how did you find us?” Jack’s strong voice rang through the nearing darkness. “How many more of you are out there?”
“What are they doing?” Fi whispered.
“I don’t know. Jack said the guys were just going to talk to them and find out why they’re here.” Yumi crept forward.
“We didn’t know anyone was in this place,” another girl sobbed. “We were lost. I—”
