Siobhan gave a perplexed look.
“I’m a qualified hairdresser doll,” Zoe added. “Yeah ok, well I’m probs a little out of practice, but it will come back to me quick enough.”
“Ummm…”
Zoe continued on, trying to sell her services. “Well, how about a relaxing scalp massage to start off with. To help take your mind of things.”
Siobhan succumbed to Zoe’s persuasiveness, the thought of a head massage did sound good to her. Relented and gave her the nod.
An excited Zoe slid onto the bed and knelt behind her client and set about finishing to free Siobhan’s long black hair from her pony-tail. Opened her bag and applied a solution from a bottle, mixed with some water to her hair and began to slowly rub it in.
“God that feels good,” said Siobhan, with a slow sigh, her eyes rolled in her head in ecstasy as Zoe’s fingers massaged her scalp. She immediately began to feel very relaxed. “How long have you… I mean… were you a hairdresser?” she asked.
“I dropped out of school babes, but I was lucky – rich parents and all. They put me through hairdressing college and beauty school and I’ve been doing it ever since. And before you ask yes, I did enjoy it. Totally loved it.”
Zoe’s fingers sent Siobhan to heaven and back. This was the most calm and relaxed she had felt in a long time. Closed her eyes and gave herself to the moment.
“That’s good to know,” she said, softly.
Zoe nattered away like any hairdresser would, sharing much about her own life and her background. Most of what she said was lost on Siobhan who had wandered off into her own little world. She found herself being aroused somewhat by the sensuality of it all.
“Is that nice?” Zoe eventually whispered in Siobhan’s ear.
“Mmmmm…,” came the reply.
Siobhan shivered as a cool liquid was suddenly drizzled over her shoulders. She felt Zoe’s soft, feminine hands begin to rub massage oil over her neck and across her back. She never gave it a second thought, it felt far too good to refuse – better than good.
“You are so tense.” Zoe’s soft voice whispered yet again in Siobhan’s ear. Her breath was warm. The Irish girl shivered and instantly goose bumped.
Siobhan knew she was being seduced, but ran with it. Felt too good to stop, especially when Zoe’s hand moved slowly down the front of her chest and under her bra, cupped her breasts. As sexually excited as she was however, something came over her, it felt a lot like guilt. Just as she was about to say something Zoe leaned around, placed her lips on hers and kissed her passionately.
Temptation. It was almost too great to resist. Reluctantly she found herself saying, “I’m sorry, I cannot do this.” Paused for a moment. Leaned forward, kissed Zoe on the lips again, sliding her tongue inside her mouth. “As much as I want to and I really want to, I just can’t. I am sorry.”
“Is it because of Josh?” asked Zoe.
Siobhan looked surprised. She thought they were a secret.
“It’s ok. I saw you two at the house next door today.”
“You did?” Siobhan blushed.
“Yes. I followed you both when you snuck away and watched you fucking. Damn Siobhan, you two are very hot.”
The sound of footsteps came from the hallway. Siobhan hurriedly slipped her t-shirt back on.
“Let’s keep this our little secret, ok?” Zoe kissed her once more and gathered up her belongings. “Another time doll. I’ll go and wash up.” Tossed her a towel and gave her a wink.
Seconds later the bedroom door opened and Josh stepped inside. He was surprised to see Zoe there, but thought nothing of it. They exchanged pleasantries before she excused herself.
Despite the close call Siobhan managed to explain it away, telling Josh that her visitor had merely given her a girlie makeover. The moment Josh heard the word ‘girlie’ he tuned out.
That night both Siobhan and Zoe struggled to sleep. They lay awake in their own beds lost in lustful thoughts for hours.
26
Mercy
Several days passed and Jon was well on the mend, feeling much better. His wound was free from infection and he was in good spirits, sitting up and trying to give instructions and allocating chores from his bed. He wanted desperately to get up and about but his wife was more stubborn than he was. Jon knew better than to cross her; he also he also knew she was right to insist that he rest a while longer before getting back into things.
Nikita too was seemingly doing better. Her injuries were emotional, but she had shown no visible signs of grief to the others. Having successfully suppressed her feelings, despite hurting inside, she remained stoic.
Josh had taken the helm whilst his father was out of action. This was not a huge undertaking as the role was more of an overseer than anything else. Until now he had not actually stopped to think about how harmonious their group had been all this time. There had only ever been minor misunderstandings, never anything major and he could not recall there ever being a single fight amongst them. Everything ran smoothly, everyone contributed and got on.
The only tension of any note was purely sexual at this particular moment. All except for the three members of the group involved were oblivious to it. Siobhan had managed to avoid Zoe, but could not stop thinking about their encounter. She and Josh had made love several more times in the neighboring house, away from prying eyes.
Siobhan volunteered for a work detail with Zoe to check on food supplies, seeing this as an opportunity to sort things out between them. As the two girls worked they talked quietly and openly. Whilst there was an attraction they both agreed that for now anyway, they would keep things at a purely friendship level. Anything more might complicate things, especially for Siobhan who stressed how much she liked Josh. They kissed, nothing more than a soft touching of lips.
Stores were surprisingly low and the stock-take showed that their food supplies were running out. This was due to many provisions being relocated in the neighborhood as part of the overall escape plan. They were in desperate need of replenishment.
Normally it was Jon who would lead a party to the supermarket he used to manage, but in his father’s absence Josh was now in charge. He handpicked three others to accompany him on an urgent food run and Tyler, Stuart and Eric stood next to him in readiness.
“Alright,” said Josh, standing at the dining table with a piece of paper and a pen. “Place your orders people,” he said with a smile.
Ever since their first trip to the supermarket Jon had introduced and insisted on this ritual. Each person was entitled to place an order for any one item of their choosing. Some opted for chocolate, others a fizzy drink and a few tried their luck for alcohol or cigarettes. Most orders were for more practical items like toiletries or feminine hygiene products.
Josh gathered the final orders then grabbed the keys to the supermarket, said his goodbyes and headed off with the other three men. He wanted desperately to give Siobhan a farewell kiss but instead he merely raised his eyebrows at her and smiled. As he walked away he chastised himself for being so lame.
At a brisk pace it took the three men just over thirty minutes to reach the supermarket. They circled around the back and made their way to the loading dock. A large semi-trailer that had been reversed up to the roller door lay abandoned. Everything was quiet.
Stuart was buzzing with excitement, he was the only one of the four not to have made this trip before and the surroundings were all new to him. Like Tyler he was carrying his bow and also a backup melee weapon, his axe which was slung through his belt. The young blonde haired lad was a rather careless individual sometimes and when he accidentally kicked an empty soda can sending it clattering along the landing, everyone knew who was responsible before even looking.
“Sorrrrry,” he said, quietly. Got it in before he was told off.
Josh gritted his teeth, shook his head slowly. He continued to the rear door of the supermarket, unlocked it and ushered everyone quietly inside. Locked the door behind them. Ther
e was well-founded paranoia in his actions.
“Alright you two,” Josh said to Tyler and Stuart, “I need you to find two shopping trollies.” Grabbed his brother by the arm, nodded in Stuart’s direction. “Quietly.”
Tyler smiled. “Okay bro. And no wonky wheels either, I know the drill.” The two boys disappeared in search of the trollies.
Josh had always hated shopping, today was no exception. He hurried things along as best he could once the boys returned and in no time at all both trollies were fully loaded with supplies including all of the special orders. Jon had made things simple and safe at the supermarket, reducing as much of the risk as possible. The warehouse had been blocked off from the public area which meant there was no longer any need for them to venture out into the aisles. All the supplies they needed were safely and securely stored in the rear of the complex.
In the early days survivors had smashed the front windows to gain access before proceeding to loot the store. This had left the premises vulnerable and on more than one occasion creatures had wandered inside when the Armstrong group had come to get supplies.
“Time to go,” said Josh. He peeled the wrapper from a Snickers bar and took a bite.
The return leg of the journey proved to be slow and noisy. With two fully laden shopping trollies in tow they rattled and clattered all the way down the street. There was no quiet way to wheel a shopping trolley, not now, not before, not ever. They had attracted the attention of a few lone creatures early on, but managed to pick these stragglers off relatively easily. Josh and Eric eliminated the threats allowing the two younger boys to continue on unimpeded, pushing their loads ahead of them.
These food runs were always perilous as trouble could be lurking behind any doorway or around any corner. However, as far as the Armstrongs were concerned the reward - which was considerable - far outweighed the risk. They had to eat and therefore this was something they simply had to do.
Stuart couldn’t believe his luck. He was truly having a clumsy day. The wheels of his trolley had gotten caught in a rut on the road causing it to topple over and he too fell to the ground. Goods were strewn everywhere and red-faced with embarrassment he picked himself up and started to repack the cart. Tyler ran to help his friend.
“For fucks sake!” screamed an unsympathetic Josh. He continued on in a low, angry voice. “Hurry up! We are not safe here.”
Their worst fears were realized almost immediately as the ruckus they had created had attracted unwelcome attention. As was usually the case it started with a moan, a new world early warning sign. More moans echoed dully. Something in the shadows stirred and then suddenly they came, one after another, ghastly looking creatures pouring out from the nooks and crannies in every direction.
In an instant the men were surrounded and were quickly corralled into a tight spot next to their trollies. Tyler and Stuart were crapping themselves and frantically continued to pick up the spilled items. They no longer cared about packing things carefully, instead they simply tossed shoved and crammed as much as they could as quickly as they could inside. There was now genuine panic amongst the men.
Josh summed up the situation quickly. They were quickly outnumbered and with far too many creatures for a full confrontation, there was no other way to do this than blaze a trail forward. In this instance retreat, or at least fleeing was the best form of attack. Making a run for it was their only viable option.
“Eric, we need to keep moving.” There was urgency in Josh’s voice. “I need you to help me carve a hole.” He thought for a moment, surveyed the way ahead before pointing ahead of him. “There!”
“Gotcha,” replied Eric, cocking his pistol. He was working hard to rid himself of the used car salesman reputation that had plagued him right through the turn. It was hard, but he was making a determined effort to become a trusted and contributing member of their little community. Hearing how people perceived him as an arsehole had hurt and he vowed to change. The jury was still out as to how successful he had been with this transition.
Josh turned his attention to the other two. “Once we give you the signal, push your trollies as fast as you can. Do not stop, do not even look behind you. Just keep running. We’ll cover you.”
Nods. Hands gripped the steel handles in readiness.
Shots rang out as the encircling throng closed in. More shots followed, then a pause. Moments later came a metallic pinging sound. Eric had swapped his rifle for his baseball bat and was swinging vigorously at the creatures ahead of him.
Seeing the opening appear in front of him Josh signaled for Tyler and Stuart to make a dash for freedom. “Now!” he yelled.
Pushing their trollies with all their might, as if they were starting a bobsled race, they sped off. Initially it was to be more of a slalom as they weaved and dodged through corpses that were scattered across the road ahead, but once free of these obstacles the way ahead was clear.
Stuart was still visibly upset about spilling his trolley and he took his frustrations out on the creatures in his path. He trampled and kicked the skulls of those creatures that were still alive, taking far too much enjoyment in finishing them off. He was now lagging behind his friend.
Tyler froze when he heard the scream behind him. He was well clear of any danger himself as he had run for his life and as he turned his heart sank. In front of him he saw Stuart down on one knee, clutching at his lower leg. His face was a dreadful mix of agonizing pain and total fear. It became apparent to Tyler immediately just what had happened.
Stuart stared at the blood that was flowing over his fingers. As he gripped the wound on his calf muscle his head was filled with a thousand thoughts, one of which was greater that all the rest.
How could I let myself get bitten!
It was a simple mistake, one that would cost him his life. He struggled to his feet, removed his quiver, stuffed it and his bow into the trolley. Loading an arrow to his bow he released it into the forehead of the creature that had just given him a certain death sentence. His face was as white as a ghost.
“I’m sorry mate,” he said, mournfully to his best friend. “It’s over. I’ve got no hope. You have to save me man. I don’t want to end up like that!” Pointed in the direction of the creature he had just killed.
Tyler’s hands went to his head, slapped himself on the forehead in total despair. He was fully aware of the situation and it tore him apart inside. He knew that as soon as the infected blood in Stuart’s system took hold he would spasm and life would drain from him. Sometime later he would rise from the dead, a lifeless version of his former self. There was indeed no hope for his friend.
Falling to his knees Stuart pleaded frantically for Tyler to take his life. He desperately wanted to avoid turning and knew that only by permanently destroying his brain, was transformation averted. He begged for a merciful death.
“Please!” Stuart pleaded once more. “You have to save me!”
Tyler reached behind him and withdrew an arrow from his quiver as he walked slowly over to his friend, loaded the projectile and aimed it at his head. Stuart felt relieved, smiled in an expression of morbid gratitude. A tear ran down Tyler’s cheek, his fingers began to shake as he came to the realization that he could not take his best friend’s life, regardless of the situation. Releasing the tension of his bow the arrow simply fell to the ground.
“I can’t!” Tyler cried out, shaking his head. He was grief stricken.
“You have to!” screamed Stuart. “Tyler! You have to! Honestly, it will be…”
Crack!
The sound of a single gunshot finished his sentence his sentence for him. Tyler watched in horror as his friend’s life was extinguished. Stuart’s eyes closed and his head fell to his chest, his body slumped and he died on his knees in the middle of the road.
“Nooooooooo….!” Tyler screamed at the top of his lungs.
“It had to be done,” said Eric, who was standing behind him, pistol in hand.
If looks could kill then Tyler
’s glare would have torn Eric apart, extracting a savage revenge for taking his friend’s life. Even though Eric was right, it had to be done, nothing could stop the outpouring of emotions from Tyler, as he vented his feelings of hatred, resentment, anger and rage.
“You absolute fucking arsehole!”
Eric pretty much dismissed the outburst, there were more pressing issues at hand. He knew Tyler was angry at him, furious in fact, but he also knew that he had done the right thing. He turned his attention to the next important task, their journey home. Reached for Stuart’s abandoned trolley and set off for the compound. They were not out of danger just yet.
By the time Josh arrived Tyler had started to compose himself, but only a little. He was devastated. Nothing was said between the two siblings, they just turned and made their way together in the direction of home.
That night was another somber one in the compound. They had gone so long without losing anyone and with two deaths in the space of a week it was understandable that there was a lot of emotion overflowing. Olivia consoled Tyler for most of the evening - he was still in shock.
Eric was feeling terrible for what he did, despite knowing that he did nothing wrong. He was more worried about what people thought of him than the life he took, giving scant regard also to the feelings of Tyler and others. Oblivious to his true feelings, Rebecca comforted her husband in their bedroom.
Everyone was struggling to come to terms with what had happened and one by one they retired to their rooms relatively early that night. As the last of the lights were extinguished inside the Armstrong compound movement went unnoticed on the street outside.
Two figures dressed all in black were standing in the shadows on the far side of the intersection and went completely undetected. One of them peered through a set of binoculars observing the house on the corner. After a few minutes he turned to his companion, before they both vanished into the night.
The compound had been discovered.
Little else stirred that evening, the city remained quiet right though until the early hours of the next morning. Moonlight shone brightly, wisps of cloud drifted high overhead in the night sky, casting eerie shadows onto the silent wasteland below.
Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series Page 27
