Olivia squeezed her husband tight, felt like she never wanted to let him go. He always found a way to make her feel safe and she loved how he was able to protect everyone so well.
“It’ll be fine,” Jon said softly. “We’re not in any danger darling. I’ll just pack this lot away and we’ll go upstairs and wait for the boys.”
“Let’s just stay here for a while.” Olivia hugged her man tighter. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
Olivia felt a warm glow come over her.
Tyler steered the truck in a homeward direction, in the rear view mirror behind him the warm glow of the fire faded to a flicker. He was so glad, like the others, to have left the revolting smell of burning flesh behind.
“I can still smell the fuckers on me,” Tyler said, angrily, sniffing at his shirt. “Damn they are rank.”
Josh gave a little laugh. He then tilted his head so he could smell his own shirt, catching a whiff he gave a gagging expression with his mouth.
On the roof of the cab Stuart felt like he was a mercenary on a hardcore army mission, he certainly looked every bit the part. Before they had set off on this excursion he had changed into an all-black outfit, black jeans and a charcoal knitted sweater, which had leather strips on its shoulders. A black beanie sat atop his head whilst dark glasses covered his eyes. For effect he had dipped his fingers in engine grease, painting several commando lines on each side of his face.
Something caught Eric’s eye, causing him to sit upright and take notice. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he felt it enough to warrant investigating. A bang on the rooftop alerted the two in the cab, causing Tyler to stop the truck.
Hiss!
“What’s up?” asked Josh, peering up out of the window.
“Not quite sure, I think I saw something. Just need you to back it up a little.”
“Sure thing.”
Gears crunched. The truck began to crawl backwards, beeping.
Another bang on the roof and they stopped again. Chains rattled loudly.
“Well?” Josh enquired. “What’s up?”
Stuart removed his dark glasses and squinted into the distance, looked hard into the gloom. “There!” His finger pointed down a dark side street. A dim light emanated from a window on the first floor of a building down at the far end.
Twilight was now upon them and the grey clouds that gathered above cast an ominous gloom over their location. The tall buildings that lined the street had removed all natural light hours ago, total darkness was descending on them rapidly.
“What do you think?” Tyler asked his brother. He saw the light flickering in the distance as well. “Survivor?”
“I don’t know,” Josh said. Eyeing his watch he frowned at the time. “Whatever it is, we probably won’t have enough time to look at it tonight.”
“We’ve got time,” interrupted Eric from the roof. He was annoyed that Josh wanted to steal his thunder. He believed he was the superior scout out of all of them, but felt he was never taken seriously. “Look, it might not be anything, but it won’t take us long to check it out.”
“Nothing you reckon,” said Tyler. “There’s a light coming from a fucking window down there you knob! From a room in the middle of a dead city... and you say that is nothing?”
Josh hated the constant bickering between Tyler and Eric, it was getting out of hand. He needed to put an end to the squabbling right now, or risk trouble on the road between them. There was also not enough time left in the day for them to waste on arguing.
“Ok, stop fighting will you. “Let’s get this done!”
Tyler turned the wheel. Slowly the truck edged closer towards the illuminated window, in no time at all they were enveloped in darkness as the narrow street closed in around them. Tyler was forced to switch on the headlights in order to negotiate a safe path. Stuart removed his glasses, slid them over his beanie.
It did not take them long to reach the source of the light, the street was not blocked and it had been a straight run. Tyler brought the truck to a complete stop outside the building and turned off the engine.
Silence greeted them. Empty vehicles were parked on the side of the road, including a black Mustang GT, a newer model that looked strangely out of place.
Nervously the four men stepped from the vehicle. Adrenaline flowed through their veins, creating an emotional cocktail that quickly numbed their fear. Bravado took them as they slowly, cautiously crept forward towards the light.
Eric stopped suddenly. “How bloody ironic,” he said, looking up. In the gloom before them the establishment’s sign hung across the façade. Before them stood the upmarket 4Horsemen Bar & Grill. The rest of the group immediately got the irony.
Out front the alfresco area looked ready for business. Tables and chairs were all set up and laid out nicely in an orderly fashion, seemingly in readiness for the evening rush. Fashionable umbrellas with a boutique beer logo emblazoned on them covered each table, menus and coasters still lay under ashtrays.
“Flashlights fellas,” Josh said, attaching his own to the barrel of his rifle. It was getting very dark.
Stuart and Tyler reached for their torches. They then invited Eric to head up the search and lead them in, gesturing him forward. One less arsehole if he got killed they both thought.
Oblivious to the mental mutiny, Eric stepped into the breach. Inside the establishment his flashlight revealed a chaotic scene. Upturned tables and chairs lay everywhere, shattered glass and broken bottles gave the impression they had just missed a massive bar brawl.
All four men were left in no doubt what had caused this mess. They were all on edge as a result, hearts beating rapidly and beads of sweat forming on foreheads as they stepped further into the dark.
A bright flash of light hit Eric in the eyes, he immediately raised his weapon and froze. The beam from his flashlight bounced off a mirror on the wall and hit him squarely in the face.
“Scared of your own reflection?” Tyler whispered sarcastically, continuing the feud.
“Get fucked,” came the stern reply, in a loud whisper.
“Settle down you arsehole.” Without question, arsehole was the go-to word for Tyler to describe Eric. He felt it was the perfect fit.
“Guys,” muttered an angry Josh, through gritted teeth. “Cool it!”
Eric composed himself, got his bearings. He knew this place and was familiar with the interior, having liquored himself stupid at the 4Horsemen Bar & Grill a number of times in the past. He was an unscrupulous man, entertaining various women here often whilst his wife believed he was at work functions.
Regardless of his background and past secret indiscretions, Eric has suddenly become more useful to the group than any of then realized. He knew his way around inside this watering hole and quickly spotted the rear door.
“Ok, I know this place,” he said, brimming with confidence. “Here’s what we should do...”
“Hang on!” snapped Tyler, “who died and made you sheriff?”
Josh glared at his little brother.
Eric continued regardless. “It is too dark now to leave someone here on their own, so we have to all be in on this one.”
“Agreed,” said Josh. Arsehole or not, it made sense to him. The last thing he wanted was to be alone in this place, especially as the darkness was creeping in. He nodded in agreement.
“I think I know the way up,” Eric said, pointing his rifle in the direction of the kitchen door. “Through there.”
“Ok, I’ve got the rear,” said Josh. “Everyone stay close and be alert.”
As it swung open, the door creaked on its rusted metal hinges.
“I’m really starting to worry,” said Olivia. There was a distinct waver in her voice.
“You were worried a long time ago my love,” Jon said, with a heavy sigh. The moment he spoke he immediately regretted his words. His auburn haired wife thrust a frown in his direction, forcing him to change tack. “They will be fine,” he
said, giving her a calming smile in an attempt to right his wrong. “Honestly darling.”
“Will they?” came her curt reply. “You don’t know that Jon, none of us do. It’s getting dark and they should have been home by now.”
“I know and you are right. But worrying won’t do anyone any good.”
“What would you have me do Jon?” She gave her husband a fierce scowl. “Should I just give up on them and accept that their fate is sealed?”
“Of course not and that’s a little extreme don’t you think?”
“Our sons are out there with two others we care about, stuck in no-man’s land, after dark. That is the worst possible scenario and you simply say they will be fine? Forgive me for caring Jon.” Tears welled in Olivia’s eyes.
Getting to his feet Jon moved to comfort her, wrapped his arms around her and gave a loving, comforting hug. There had been plenty of those on this particular night.
Jon was nervous but had learned long ago how to mask his concerns. He never wanted to deliberately mislead his wife, or any of them for that matter, false hope was not his thing.
He just believed that someone had to maintain a positive vibe and he was convinced that he was that someone.
Sparks burst from the open fire as it crackled loudly. Tiny embers leapt across the hearth, orange flames danced higher warming the house and everyone in it. Despite the warmth nearly everyone inside shivered nervously that evening. The others in the lounge sensed Olivia’s anxiety for they felt it too. They sat in silence as the fire continued to burn brightly, each of them lost in deep thought.
Drizzling rain set in for the night. Outside the air chilled, dropping several degrees as the cold snap arrived and took hold. The grim, forsaken city became a dark gloomy, inhospitable place to be.
Ever so quietly the men combed the kitchen area of the bar. It was slow going as they did everything they could to avoid bumping into anything, they could ill-afford dislodging stacked pots and pans on benches. With almost every step broken glass crunched underfoot.
All clear.
Eric turned to the others. He signaled with two pointed fingers towards the rear then indicated that the stairs were there by walking his two fingers upwards in the air. Tyler gave a masturbating motion with his right hand, directed at his brother-in-law. Stuart got the joke and giggled to himself. Ignoring the gesture, Eric turned and led the way.
“Here,” whispered Eric, shining his flashlight upwards to reveal a set of stairs.
A cleverly constructed barricade blocked their way. Pool cues, broken table and chair legs, along with an array of other pointy items protruded from a tightly wound spiral of barbed wire. The elaborate defensive structure had been carefully constructed and firmly wedged into place.
“Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to keep visitors from calling,” whispered Tyler.
“This will take forever to take apart,” said Stuart, carefully eying the obstruction.
“We will have to go over.” Eric wasted no time, with scant regard for his own safety he clambered up and over. Safely on the other side he took a sarcastic bow. His deliberate, childish attempt to antagonize Tyler had succeeded.
“You’re such a fucking arsehole.”
Once the four men were all on the other side of the barricade they edged their way up the stairs. A dim glow flickered from under the door, providing faint light for them to follow.
A floorboard creaked under Stuart’s Nikes causing the others to turn and glare at him. He exhaled slowly, lifted his foot. Another creak, followed by more intense glares.
Silence.
Closer they crept to the door at the top of the stairs until eventually, they had reached the summit. As they stood in readiness Eric mouthed the words, ‘On three!’
They all nodded.
Eric then started the count.
5
Company of Strangers
Eric lay sprawled on his stomach, squirming under the weight of the other three men who were piled on top of him. His entire body ached as he fought to wriggle his way clear.
They had been caught out by the age old conundrum of the three, two, one countdown that had plagued mankind for centuries. The confusion surrounded the precise go point, whether to go on three, or to go after three. This had caused many a heated argument throughout history and more than a few fights. Without clear instructions prior to the commencement of the countdown, there was almost always chaos.
Believing it was something else, Eric had miscalculated the count, hence his current predicament. As comical as it sounded, whilst he was waiting for the countdown to finish the other three men had all gone early. Why they did so he would never know, but he had been pushed clean through the door and accidental or not, he had been flattened.
Dazed and confused the four men rolled off of each other, slowly got to their feet and dusted themselves off. Blinking, they adjusted their eyes amidst the flickering light that came from dozens of candles scattered around the room. Shadows bounced off walls and danced across the ceiling, ominously taunting the men.
Tyler resettled his glasses and glanced around him. The room was large, yet filled to the brim with furniture, boxes and general clutter, every space appeared to have been used. A large sofa lay against one of the walls, along with two tub chairs and a tea chest. A second sofa pushed up against the opposite wall had been converted into a makeshift bed.
Dominating the center of the room was a table and four chairs, similar to the alfresco settings out the front of the bar. A book lay open on the table-top, two thirds complete and handwritten notes that appeared at first glance to be a series of lists. Hanging off one of the chairs was a red designer label bra and several pairs of matching briefs, other items of women’s clothing were strewn throughout the rest of the room.
Josh’s curiosity got the better of him. Much like the others he was struggling to understand the situation they had stumbled into, nothing made sense here. Reaching for the bra he checked the sizing, he was just too nosey for his own good.
“You lot took your fucking time didn’t you?” came a voice from a darkened corner on the far side of the room.
Heads spun in the direction of the murmur. Feet shuffled as the men huddled together.
The voice was somewhat raspy, with a sarcastic tone. Distinctly Irish, without question female.
Caught off-guard the men fumbled for their weapons.
“Don’t bother,” came the voice again. “If I wanted you dead I would have killed you easily enough already.”
Rising from a large chair in the darkest recess of the room a young woman stepped forward from the shadows. She was petite, attractive in a gothic kind of way, and dressed all in black. She leaned forward resting her hands on an upturned long-handle sword.
Jaws dropped.
“What a pack of bumbling idiots,” she said. Her accent was quite profound. “You’re about as quiet as a herd of bloody elephants. I’m surprised that the entire undead population in the city didn’t hear you arrive.”
As the light flickered across her face, her most distinguishable features became visible. Two bright emeralds shone brightly from the center of each of her stunning, wide, white eyes. Alluring and enticing, yet secretive and somewhat seductive.
“Put your eyes back in your sockets boyo,” she said, raising a dark eyebrow and smiling at Josh. “Anyone would think that you’ve never seen a woman before, or for that matter her underwear.”
Josh forgot that he still had the bra in his hand, dropped it cold. His cheeks burned as his face reddened. Not once did he take his eyes off her, for like a Siren she had captivated him. Josh found her instantly fascinating, yet also dangerous in some way.
Unmoved the woman just stood there, smiling through her perfect white teeth. Removing a hand from her sword she tugged at her ponytail, revealing a red bandana which kept her fringe from falling across her high brow. Her long, straight raven hair accentuated her pale complexion.
Dumbstruck, the men simp
ly stared at her. They were dazed and confused, even more now than they were just moments ago when their three count at the door had sadly gone awry.
“So,” she said, breaking more of the ice, “… anyone for a drink?”
No response. The men simply stood there with jaws open, blinking in the same way a small rodent would only moments before it became roadkill. They each wanted to say something, but felt as though their jaws had been wired shut, that and the fact that their minds were a confused mess right now.
“Alright, please yourselves.” Reaching for a half empty bottle of beer, a lager, she placed it to her full lips and took a swig.
“What the…,” Josh spluttered. “How long… who are… ummm… ahhh…” He was clearly struggling.
She smiled again. Her teeth were indeed perfect. “Well,” she said, sitting back down in the big chair, “it talks.”
Josh took a moment to clear his mind and catch up. Composed himself. “Who… are… you?” he managed, finally.
“Sounds like you’ve already had a few,” she said, sarcastically. Her humor was lost on him.
Josh frowned.
“Seeing you asked so nicely… I’m Siobhan. Welcome to my humble abode.”
Silence.
Siobhan took another swig of her warm beer. Made a popping sound with her lips on the opening of the bottle as she finished.
“Well, it would seem that y’all are about as useless at talking as you are at walking, so I’ll save you boys the effort of thinking up any more intelligent questions. We don’t want to burn out any more of your brain cells now do we?”
She is so perfect, thought Josh. He was totally captivated. So much spirit. So damn beautiful.
“I used to work here,” she continued. “Wasn’t a bad job, as far as jobs go. Had better. The manager was a bit of a prick, but he’s dead now. No loss. He was turned on the first night. Good riddance I say.”
Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series Page 6
