Pushing herself away from the wall, she allowed herself a small smile in that at least the place was empty. That was a victory of sorts over Will Acre, wherever and whatever he really was.
***
Will turned the key in the lock while giving Martinez a hard look. “You’re not to say a word, understand? She left the building to get her bag from the truck and we haven’t seen her since. Right?”
Martinez forced himself to meet the eyes of his superior and nodded, but he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit. Turning, he moved to join the rest of the soldiers. Will grabbed his arm and made him stop. “Where are you going?”
“To help the others…”
“Did I tell you to do that?”
Martinez shook his head. “No, sir,” he replied through clenched teeth.
Will smiled. “We’re here to take books from that section over there, so let’s do it. Drag a box over from the front and get moving. We need to leave in an hour or so.”
“What about…?”
“No,” Will replied sternly. “No questions.” He turned and walked slowly towards one of the bookshelves and began checking the titles against the list he removed from his pocket.
Martinez swore beneath his breath and strode to the front of the library. Grabbing a cardboard box in one hand, he wandered back, wrestling with his conscience. There had been a zombie in that basement and Will knew it. He could not understand why the man had left Marla in there. She was a good soldier, a brave one, he’d seen that, and she seemed a good person. What had put his boss’ nose out of joint, he had no idea, but at least she had her knife. Martinez bit his lip. At least he’d seen to that. When they got back to the facility, he would have to decide whether to mention it to Caballero. One thing was for sure: he didn’t trust Will anymore and realised he was probably capable of anything. Hence he would need to watch his back.
“You know what you are doing?” Will asked him.
“Sure,” Martinez answered, forcing a smile. “I have my list,” he added, waving it in the air. Turning away, he allowed his face to fall again. If there was a way to get the girl out of the basement without Will knowing, he would try it.
An hour passed, by which time there were thirty-five boxes packed full of books. Will checked them over before calling the soldiers together. “Let’s load ‘em on the bus and then it’s time to go home.”
Tommy looked him in the eye. “Where’s Marla?”
Will shrugged. “No idea, Tommy. Last thing she said to me was that she was getting her bag from the truck. She wanted a torch, I think.”
“Why would she need that? The lights are on?”
“We checked a storeroom and they were out,” Will explained. “Hey, don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll be back. Probably checking her lipstick.”
Tommy scowled, but remained silent. He picked up one of the boxes and walked towards the exit. Marcus opened the door for him while Ian stood guard, covering his back while he headed for the bus. At the same time, Elliott jumped out of the Vector, opened the doors of the bus and set about protecting the area. Tommy placed the box inside the vehicle with a nod to him.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
Elliott shrugged. “Same as. Okay in there?”
“Yeah, no problems. Quiet. Is Marla around?”
“Marla? No, why?” asked Elliott.
“Will said she came out to get her bag.”
“Nah, I didn’t see anyone come out of the library until you, and I’ve been watching it all the time, except when I took a leak. Did you ask Marcus and Ian? They’ve been standing by that entrance all the time.”
Tommy scratched his head. “No, I thought she’d be with you.”
Elliott shrugged again. “Sorry, man, can’t help you.”
Mumbling “Weird,” Tommy headed back to the library, passing Sylvia, but he didn’t notice her. She stopped and stared at him, but he was in his own world, deep in thought. Inside the building, he checked to see where Will was. He was going through some papers on the main desk by the look of it, so Tommy picked up another box and took it outside. On the way, he asked Marcus, “Have you seen Marla?”
The guy shook his head. “No, she was inside with you guys.”
“Okay.” Tommy carried the box to the bus, placed it inside and stood for a second with his hands on his hips. He looked one way and then back to the library building. Where the hell is she? He stepped aside for Martinez to put his box down. “Did you see her?” Tommy asked him.
“See who?” he answered without meeting Tommy’s gaze.
“You know who. Marla.”
“Can’t say I have.”
Tommy stared at him. The guy was acting shifty, even for him. “Can you look at me when I’m asking you something?” he challenged.
Martinez spun around. “You ain’t my boss.”
“No, but I ain’t taking your no for an answer. She went with you and Will, so where is she? You must have seen her go somewhere and these guys out here say she didn’t leave the building, so is Will lying?” Tommy demanded.
“Everything alright?” asked Sylvia, approaching as she detected tension in the air.
“No problem,” said Martinez, striding away.
Sylvia placed her box inside the bus and turned to Tommy. “What’s happened? You two have a disagreement?”
He sighed. “Not exactly, but I’ve asked everyone out here and they haven’t seen Marla…”
Sylvia frowned. “But Will said she left to get her bag. I heard that.”
“I know what he said, but she didn’t.”
“Don’t get angry with me…”
Tommy tapped her arm. “Look, I’m sorry, but something’s up. We can’t just leave without her.”
“Will won’t do that,” Sylvia answered. “That’s crazy.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Come on, lazy arses, get some boxes,” Leroy told them. “Stop chatting like ladies, as His Majesty would say.”
“I am a lady,” Sylvia protested.
“Since when?” joked Leroy.
“Since I could whoop your ass, little boy.”
Leroy laughed and winked. “Hey, I’m not so little, if you’d like to know.”
Sylvia tutted and stalked off.
“You’ve got a special way with women, you know that?” asked Tommy, trying to get his mind off Marla. She had to be in the building; perhaps she was just in the toilet or somewhere.
Leroy smiled. “Yeah, I know.”
Tommy accompanied him back to the library, but there was still no sign of Marla.
Soon all of the boxes were on the bus and Will wandered over from the main desk. “All set to leave?” he called out.
“Not without Marla,” Tommy stated. Martinez glanced between him and his superior.
“Didn’t you find her outside?” asked Will coolly.
“No, I didn’t, and all the guys outside didn’t see her leave.”
“Perhaps she left by another door…”
“Like where?” asked Tommy. “Is there a back door?”
Will nodded. “Yeah, it’s at the back, down there to the left.”
“Right, I’ll just go and check then.” Without waiting for a response, Tommy stomped past the other man.
“I’ll check the ladies’ toilets,” Sylvia offered. “No problem.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Leroy.
“The ladies’ loos?” she asked, surprised. “Is that how you get your kicks, Lee?”
“Safety in numbers.”
Sylvia sniggered and wandered away, with him trailing behind.
“Right, are all the rest of you ready to go?” Will asked.
The soldiers nodded and sat down on the tables to wait. Outside, the sun was lowering in the sky. Martinez checked his watch: 3.15 p.m. – later than expected.
Tommy veered to the left and paused before opening the door, always imagining there to be something behind every one he encountered lately. He s
tepped out into a completely empty car park, save for a huge dustbin and a manky looking pigeon pecking the ground. Squinting in the dying sun, he stared at the bird for a moment before walking forwards. With a squawk it flew into the air. Wish I could, he thought, as he checked the area.
No sign of Marla, but then he’d known that before opening the door. No way would she have come out here. If she had left, she would have taken the front entrance in common with anyone else who had half a brain. Taking a last look, he headed back inside and closed the door. He walked straight back to Will.
“She isn’t out there, and it isn’t something she would have done. Anyone would have gone out the front because it’s guarded. Makes no sense for her to go out the back.”
Will looked him in the eye. “So you’re calling me a liar, soldier?”
Tommy gazed at a point slightly to the right of the man’s head and hesitated. He was heading into deep water, he realised, but the situation made no sense to him. Like a jigsaw with a missing piece or an item of pre-packed furniture with that one bit missing. He stopped his imagination from leaping around and focused on the matter in hand. “Where is she then?” he asked.
“You tell me, she’s your friend. You know her better than any of us,” suggested Will, turning the tables.
At that moment Sylvia appeared with Leroy. “She isn’t in any of the toilets, up or down. I didn’t check the staffroom because I saw no reason. Want me to?” she asked.
“No,” said Will. “We need to go. We can’t wait for someone who has gone against orders and wandered off.”
“I don’t believe it,” Tommy insisted. “It’s early…”
“Then what do you believe, soldier?” Will challenged.
“She was with you and him,” Tommy continued, pointing at Martinez. “Now you say she left, but no one saw her go. Martinez, did you see her leave?”
In response, the man looked away.
“So it’s a mystery then,” Tommy concluded, staring straight at Will, who had to realise by now that he didn’t believe a word he said.
“I’m not taking your shit, soldier. Everyone get to the trucks. We’re leaving. Now! Anyone who doesn’t follow will get left behind.” With that, Will grabbed his gun from the desk and strode towards the entrance.
“Fuck this,” mumbled Tommy as he watched the man’s back disappear out the door. The other soldiers stared at him, their expressions split between confused, amused and irritated.
Sylvia approached and nudged his arm. “There must be a logical explanation,” she offered. “She’ll show.”
He shook his head. “Something is wrong. I feel it in my bones. He’s hiding something… Can’t you tell?”
“He’s the boss,” she said, “until we get back to the facility. Why would he lie to you anyway?”
Tommy shrugged as he watched the other guards leave the building, all except Martinez, who seemed focused on something else. He made to leave and then did an about turn and wandered straight back to Tommy. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Will left her in the basement. He has the key.”
“What?” gasped Tommy, taking a step forwards. Anger seared through his brain.
Martinez stepped back and raised his hands. “I couldn’t do anything, man. He took her gun and threatened me. He told me to search her, but I didn’t take her knife.”
Sylvia covered her mouth with her hand. “What are we going to do?”
“The bastard!” cursed Tommy, barging past the other man.
“Wait!” Martinez urged, grabbing his arm to pull him back. “Calm down, right now! We have to pretend everything is fine. Then you challenge him. I’ll back you up. Okay?”
“He’s right,” Sylvia said.
Tommy gave in and pulled himself together just as Marcus entered the library. “You guys alright?” he asked.
Martinez nodded. “Yeah, I was joking with Sylvia here and Tommy thought I’d said something offensive, but, you know, she’s a hot lady.”
Marcus chuckled. “You’re the pits, Martinez. Hurry up cos Acre wants to go. Everyone is waiting.”
The group wandered outside: Marcus first, followed by Tommy, Sylvia and Martinez. Will was standing by the Vector talking to Ian with the others gathered around. He turned at the sound of footsteps approaching. “Time, gentlemen and lady,” he said sarcastically while eyeing Martinez with some wariness. “Let’s go. Same teams in each vehicle as before.”
“I want the key to the basement first,” Tommy announced as everyone’s eyes narrowed on him.
***
“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” said Marla, pacing between the two doors, back and forth. “Jeez,” she moaned after a while and took the decision. “Right – that’s gotta be right!”
Wandering over, she stopped and took a deep breath. Well, it’s now or never, Marla, as it’s taken you this long to decide. Biting her lip, she pulled on the handle, but it didn’t budge. “Son of a…” she muttered. “Pissing hell!” Resting her hands on her hips, she brought herself back down to a calm place and resisted the urge to kick something. “Left it is then.”
Striding over in the gloom, she grasped her knife, took a deep breath and turned the handle. This time it gave way and opened outwards to reveal a narrow corridor. About the width of two not-too-bulky men, she estimated. It was also, predictably, as black as pitch. Just my luck.
She could only see immediately in front of her, so it was impossible to fathom the length of the corridor or where it led. With some trepidation, she entered without letting the door close and felt along the wall. When her hand bumped a switch, she pressed it, to no avail. That would have been too damn easy.
Squinting in the dark, Marla waited for her vision to adjust to make out anything… anything at all.
***
Will glared back. “What are you talking about, soldier. Get yourself in the truck!”
Tommy raised his gun so the barrel was pointed right between the other man’s eyes. A split second afterwards all of the other soldiers had their own weapons aimed on Tommy, all except Sylvia and Martinez. “I want the keys to this place,” Tommy repeated.
“I told you I don’t have them,” Will responded. “Now lower your gun. Do you know how much fucking trouble you’re in?”
“Why did you lock Marla in the basement and take her gun?” asked Tommy, raising his voice.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. She left.”
“But no one else saw?” said Tommy.
“What’s with you, Martinez?” asked Marcus. “Why are you just standing there?”
Martinez scowled. “Because I was with them and I saw what he did. He led us into the basement, right into the middle. He had a torch and we had flashlights on our guns. That was the only light down there. Then he took her gun and made me search her. She’s down there in the dark.”
“Are you joking?” queried Marcus.
“Why the hell would I?”
Marcus turned to Will, looking stunned. “Is this true?”
“Of course it isn’t,” the man answered cockily.
“So, if we check the library, we won’t find Marla’s gun, and if we check your pockets we won’t find some keys?” asked Tommy, not budging an inch.
Will didn’t reply.
Marcus lowered his gun. “So she’s in the basement alone?”
“Yes, but when I searched her, I didn’t take her knife,” Martinez replied, glaring at Will. “You made me leave her! You!”
Leroy holstered his handgun, stepped forward and grabbed one of Will’s arms. Marcus took the other one while Will spat at his feet and barked, “I’m your commanding officer!”
Ian rested his gun on the floor and checked Will’s pockets, but came up empty handed. “No keys,” he told Tommy.
“Where are they?” hissed Tommy.
Will shrugged.
“I won’t hesitate to shoot you!” Tommy yelled.
“Fuck! Fucking zombies!” gasped Ian, gaping at the sight across the road. “Fucking
timing, fuck! I’m going to sort them out,” he added, striding off with his handgun raised.
Will glared back at Tommy. “I had orders and I always follow them.”
“Who from?” Tommy demanded.
Will replied with a silent smile.
“The desk inside,” said Sylvia after a moment. “He was checking papers there. I’m going to search those desks.” As she ran towards the library, John and Elliott gave chase.
Tommy continued to stare down his weapon at the man whom he now detested more than anyone else on the planet, living or dead.
***
Marla stared down the corridor, trying to decide if to walk down it or not. It appeared even darker than the basement and its narrowness was a disadvantage. Every possible scenario of where it might lead had passed through her mind, yet it was clear that no one was coming to find her. If they were, they would have returned by now. Her group would only stay so long and maybe send a search party tomorrow, but she didn’t trust Will at all. Perhaps he was intending to return to finish her off or he’d send someone else even.
What was his plan… to leave me here to starve to death?
Knocking paranoia on its head, Marla backed into the main room and closed the door quietly. Slipping her knife into its sheaf in her pocket, she checked the boxes on the nearest shelf. Feeling for one that would prop the door open without being too heavy to shift, she picked it up and did just that with it. Then she removed her knife again and steeled her nerves. The corridor did not appear any lighter. Gloom loomed like doom only a few feet ahead, but it was worth trying to find another way out. Sitting around waiting was not something she was good at.
Here goes.
Holding the knife in a slightly raised grip, Marla took slow and even steps into the darkness. Then she stopped and listened to the air around her. Hearing nothing at all, she wandered forwards a little more, and even more. Out of the murkiness a flight of stairs appeared to float upwards. Marla felt a flood of relief wash over her, but she didn’t allow herself to rush. She glanced behind her, but it was too dark to see the propped open door.
I Dream of Zombies (Book 2): Haven Page 18
