Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series
Page 40
A worried look came over Tyler. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead to be honest.”
“Well, you’ve done bloody well to get us here anyway mate. We would have been mincemeat if it wasn’t for you getting us all here in one piece.”
“Yeah, but what now?” Tyler asked in return, shrugging his shoulders.
“I dunno, but we can’t stay here for too long. We’re exposed out in the open here.”
“True that.” From his vantage point at the fountain Tyler could see straight down each of the four connecting roads that led to the square. He stood with his back to the route from where they had come from, staring down the way ahead. Stroking his chin he took a moment to get his bearings.
Thoughts.
Memories.
Boisterous laughter erupted from the fountain, a water fight had broken out. A few of the group were splashing each other, amusing themselves during the rest period. They were easing tension, chuckles and cackles reverberated loudly.
“Hey, keep your noise down guys!” yelled Tyler, angrily. “Do you want to draw attention to us?”
Red faces popped up everywhere. An awkward silence followed.
“Alright folks,” said Josh, calming the situation. “Rest up and chill out for a bit while we figure out our next move, but please keep the noise down.”
“We sure as shit don’t need another attack right now,” said Tyler.
“I know.”
They rested in silence for the next half an hour. Replenishing, rehydrating, and sheltering in the shade. Nothing stirred and all was quiet. The calm of the deserted city was a far cry from the buzz of the Stadium they had just left.
Chewing on his lip Tyler continued to think. He paced back and forth with his fists tightly clenched over his mouth as he deliberated on the route to take next. Finally it came to him.
It was time to boogie! Tyler pursed his lips and gave a whistle and signaled for the others to follow him, before setting off slowly on the road ahead. Josh scrambled to his feet and fell into line with the rest of the group.
The morning unfolded like a flower blooming into a bright, colorful afternoon. Tree-lined streets afforded the travelers some protection from the hostile sun and they plodded on for the remainder of the day in a quiet and orderly fashion. The route Tyler had chosen was laborious and slow anyway.
Cresting a rise in the outer suburbs of the city, they came across a possible refuge. Ahead of them in the mid-afternoon haze stood a large motel sign, beckoning them to enter. Their pace quickened once they set off again.
Whilst they had come across this place purely by accident, Tyler took full credit for its discovery. He thought back to the night before and the events of early that morning with mixed feelings of pride and anxiety with pride winning out. He felt it again as he led the group on into the motel and uncontrollably his lips curled into something that resembled a smile.
“This looks as good a place as any for us to rest for the night,” said Josh. Life experience had told him that things were never as they first appeared, not now anyway and especially not here in a place like this. They still had to check it out fully.
Slowly, the last stragglers caught up and they all huddled around out the front in the carpark. There was an air of expectation and a sense of relief amongst them. Collective sighs rang out.
“Tyler, Siobhan and I will check the office,” said Josh, reassertion himself in charge. “I need two more teams to clear all the motel rooms. The groups picked themselves with little or no fuss. “Alright, let’s move. The rest of you keep a lookout and stay safe.”
Crouching low the search groups edged forward through the carpark, moving from vehicle to vehicle. As the others set off to check the rooms, the trio entered the main reception area. The motel’s front doors stood slightly ajar and floorboards creaked as they stepped inside. They moved like chameleons.
Rounding the reception desk Josh motioned to the others with a nod. “All clear!” he whispered. Turning the handle he pushed hard at the inside door and stepped through. The room was dark and dank. Siobhan shivered in the cold as she entered. Silence greeted them, save for the creaking of the floorboards.
Slowly they advanced to the far end of the room. Josh followed his pistol around a corner into a short hallway. Methodically, deliberately he led them deeper inside as they set about clearing each of the rooms that opened up to the corridor.
Grasping the handle of her double-edged sword Siobhan stood with her back against the wall outside the last room. So far it had been an uneventful search with no sign of life of any kind, anywhere. She watched as Josh leaned on the final door which creaked open. He entered gingerly and she followed him inside into the dark room. Silence greeted them.
Click!
Josh switched on his flashlight and panned the tight beam of light around the room. Nothing, it was empty. He directed the light above the bed and motioned to Siobhan who moved to the window and threw open the curtains. Eyes burned and dust particles wafted in the bright sunlight. Everything remained quiet and still.
Something stirred inside Josh, a feeling that they were not alone. He had the sudden sensation that something was behind him and spun around quickly, aiming his pistol expecting something to be there. Tyler stood at the door and raised his hands.
Siobhan placed her hand on his weapon, pushing it down. “We’re scaring ourselves now Josh.”
“You’re right.” Josh lowered his pistol and along with it, his guard.
Suddenly, a thin bony hand emerged from under the bed. Fingers, old and wrinkly gripped tightly around Josh’s ankle causing him to leap in terror of his life, with a sudden shriek of alarm. The hand did not let go and unable to break free he panicked, tried to run. His actions only succeeded in dragging the undead attacker, an elderly woman from under the bed. His feeling had been right all along.
Siobhan swung her sword impaling the creature through the torso pinning it to the floor. Tyler slid to his knees. Grasping the thrashing head of the woman with both hands, he slammed his boot into her shoulder and heaved with all his might. Her moaning stopped abruptly as her head came away from her shoulders, blood gushing over her white blouse.
“Are we done here?” Tyler said, tossing the skull aside. Picking up his discarded weapon he walked out of the room.
“Fuck it all!” Josh was disappointed in himself. He had let himself down and this was a very close call. He backed out of the room slowly keeping his eyes fixed on the dead creature.
Retracing their steps they made their way in silence back to the reception area. The motel appeared to be safe from threat and once the others returned with their reports, this was confirmed.
Tyler gave a whistle, then a wave. Those on the far side of the carpark responded by scurrying over to the motel. For the remainder of the afternoon everyone got themselves sorted. Rooms were allocated, night-watch rosters were agreed upon and perimeter alarms were strung up.
The long hot day dragged on, finally dying in a blazing sunset. Slowly the shadows descended. Darkness was gathering.
Josh opted to take an early watch. He figured that a short first shift would then allow him to have a much needed unbroken sleep later. As night fell he gathered his weapons and a blanket in readiness.
Siobhan embraced him before he left. “I’m going to bed now,” she said softly. “Stay safe. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Zoe and Siobhan had claimed the main bedroom. It had taken some time to clear away the body of the creature and clean the mess up, but it was worth the effort. The room was secure and away from all the others and that afforded them with the privacy they needed in order to keep their relationship secret.
Tyler unrolled a blanket on top of his bed and lay down. He was still too wound up to sleep though, thoughts consumed him. Good thoughts and bad ones that had troubled him for a while now. Some, like those of Nikita and the girl saddened him. Other thoughts, such as those people who were responsible for Nikita’s death enraged him. He took
relief from the fact that the Commissioner was now dead. The silence around him provided some level of comfort.
He had a new ideology, a new outlook and new creed by which to live. A new lease on life. Swallowing a groan Tyler wrestled with all the memories of death that had haunted him. Gritted teeth his teeth. Thought deeply to himself.
Tears are nothing but a waste of salt water.
At that moment the floodgates opened, there was nothing he could do as emotion took him. As his best defenses crumbled Tyler curled up in a ball and sobbed himself to sleep.
39
Dawn of Dreams
Morning.
Josh had woken early, a lot earlier than he normally would. He lay on his side resting his head on his arm watching the two girls dozing next to him. Siobhan slept soundly wrapped tightly in Zoe’s arms, causing him to smile contently as he recalled their encounter from the night before.
Siobhan was beautiful, he was completely captivated by her beauty. From the moment he had first met his Warrior Princess he had felt something for her. Until now he had not been quite sure what it was, infatuation, lust, he just wasn’t sure. He now knew categorically that loved her, of that there was no question. Truth be known, he totally adored them both.
Their relationship had evolved and taken on a whole new form now that Zoe was in the mix. It had become a little complicated, but it was simple too. All they had to do was maintain the relative secrecy and privacy they had managed to so far and they would be fine. Even in this cruel new world where there were few taboos, their relationship was sure to raise a few eyebrows amongst the others.
Siobhan’s chest continued to rise and fall as she slept. Her breasts were her most striking feature, firm, full and perfectly proportioned, Josh simply loved them. What he liked about her was her flawless milky-white skin. She was perfect, inside and out and he was smitten.
Placing a hand on her stomach he stroked her velvety smooth flesh he leaned forward and tenderly kissed her awake. Keeping her eyes closed she smiled giving a slight mumble that sounded like a ‘good morning’. Sliding his fingers down to her waist he tugged at her shorts, obligingly she lifted her hips wriggling as he slid her pants and knickers off.
“Mm… morning lover boy.” She bit back a smile.
“Morning beautiful.”
“Didn’t get enough last night huh.”
“I could never get enough of you.”
Josh kissed her passionately. She kissed him back, drawing his tongue inside her mouth. He pulled her shirt over her head and kissed her again. She opened her legs and let him take her on the bed.
Zoe stirred. “Morning lovers,” she said, in a tiny voice.
Siobhan gasped with pleasure, opening her eyes wide.
“Come here beautiful.”
The two girls kissed and embraced tenderly, lovingly, passionately.
Sweat dribbled into Josh’s eyes as he pleasured both girls in the dark of the dawn that morning. He fell into a deep sleep when they were done, waking sometime later when Zoe shook him.
“Wake up sleepyhead.”
Morning had well and truly broken, the rising sun was filling the bedroom with light. Josh sighed, then gingerly stretched his back, rolled out of bed and dressed himself. The two girls were already clothed and were feasting on crackers for their first course of breakfast. They were both glowing.
Zoe struggled to contain her smile. She had never felt this way about anyone before and now that she was desired by two people whom she cherished, she relished being the center of their attention. With so much ugliness and misery in this new world she took comfort in the fact that she was indeed a part of something beautiful.
“Enjoy your breakfast ladies,” Josh said cheekily. He finished lacing his boots then stood before them. “I’ll fetch your coffees.” Raucous laughter followed him as he left the room.
The air outside was calm and warm. A gentle breeze disturbed the leaves around him, aside from the rustling all was quiet. After the turmoil of the previous day Josh welcomed the calm.
Movement outside the motel attracted his attention. Colin had emerged from a room on the far side, he had risen early and was stretching his legs. The two men met in the middle of the carpark and greeted each other with a simple “Morning.” They were joined shortly afterwards by Gerard, who was coming off his watch.
“Morning chaps.” The former accountant yawned, setting off a chain.
“Hey,” replied Josh. Colin nodded, finishing a yawn. “Uneventful night?”
“Nothing to report at all. Almost too quiet.”
“Well,” Josh cracked into another yawn, extended his arms in a stretch, “I suppose we should take a bit of a stroll and have a look around this place. Things look different in the daylight. Let’s see if we can find some food as well, people are going to be starving when they wake up.”
“I saw a couple of storage sheds out the back on patrol last night,” said Gerard. “There might be something inside these, but they are all padlocked. Hopefully there’s a bounty behind those doors there.”
Gerard led them to the rear of the motel where they found a small cluster of free-standing storerooms. Each was indeed padlocked securely and none appeared to have been opened for quite some time.
After a quick search the men tracked down implements in order to help force entry. Josh used an iron bar to shatter the first padlock and together the men pulled hard on the door. It failed to budge. They heaved again with all their might until eventually the door creaked on its rusty hinges and opened a crack.
Taking a step back Gerard armed himself, aiming his rifle at the opening, he was not prepared to take any chances. A narrow ray of light pierced through the crack lighting up the interior, it was clear.
Forcing the door some more they managed to widen it just enough for each of them to step through. As they squeezed inside their eyes widened, smiles broadened. Box after box of food appeared before them and stacked floor to ceiling was dried and tinned food. Coffee, tea, fizzy drink and snack food. They rejoiced in silence high-giving each other.
Josh stared in amazement at the treasure before him. Then he spied something even more exciting. “Mini-bar supplies!”
A thunderous pounding at the door woke Jon and Olivia with a start. For the first time since they had abandoned their home they were enjoying a sleep in, taking full advantage of the comfortable mattress beneath their weary bodies.
“Come quick to the bistro,” came a voice from outside the door.
Pounding continued on other doors. Same message delivered with the same urgency.
One by one the survivors filtered into the small restaurant dining area. Drearily they staggered inside yawning and stretching, totally unaware as to why they had been summoned.
In an instant tired and weary eyes burst to life gleaming with excitement. No-one could have imagined such a wonderful surprise to start their day. Laid out before them was an array of food and drink that stirred the appetite in each of them. Stomach’s rumbled.
“Good morning guys,” said Josh, addressing the gathering. “As you can see, we made a great find this morning. I’m sure you will all agree that this is a much needed windfall for us. We were lucky to find it.”
“What a feast,” said Zoe, staring at the tables before her that were covered with mouthwatering treats.
“Whilst there’s enough for everyone, we still need to be careful. We do not know when we will find another haul like this.”
“We should ration it,” interjected Olivia.
“One step ahead of you Mum,” Josh said. He beckoned everyone forward. “Let’s go guys.”
Eagerly they filed past the tables as Gerard quickly did a head count. Most of them gratefully took their quota, slinking quietly back to their rooms to devour the treats, a handful remained behind at the bistro. Despite a voracious hunger, at best they simply nibbled and sipped, they were well aware of just how precious food of any kind was at this time and they savored every morsel.
With a loud swish Zoe swung Siobhan’s sword through the air. She was an excellent student, eager to learn. Her physique was neither athletic nor muscular, but what she lacked in strength she made up for in willpower and aggression. The sword was still clumsy in her hands, heavy and difficult for her to wield.
“Timing…,” instructed Siobhan, “is everything.”
Swish!
“Better. Much better. This time, follow through and lift your elbow higher.” Siobhan acted out the motion with a stick in her hands, throwing a glance at her apprentice. “Again. Let’s go!”
Zoe grunted, then obediently followed the instruction. There was a steely determination that reflected in her efforts. Another grunt. The sharp blade cut once more through the morning air, through the misty silence.
Siobhan worked her student hard over the next few hours. She was committed to providing Zoe with the necessary skills she needed to defend herself in close combat. There was a certain softness to her that made her vulnerable, more vulnerable than any of the others and exposed to harm. Siobhan would not allow anything to happen to her new friend and lover.
The pair had been working tirelessly together, rehearsing drills on a daily basis ever since they left the Armstrong compound. They did so in secret, training in private so as to not draw any attention to themselves. Zoe had now become familiar with a wide array of weapons, showing particular ability with a rifle – deadly in fact. Her steady hand coupled with her calm and relaxed persona under pressure gave her an edge and she had begun to develop as an expert marksman. The group always needed sniper support when exposed in the open and Zoe was determined to become a valuable asset to the team, desperate to contribute in a substantial way.
In Siobhan’s eyes she was ready with the rifle, but for now it was sword practice. Her friend was nearly there with several vital maneuvers and was well ahead of where she had expected her to be.