by Hatchett
Martin decided to let it drop but he was still pissed about the deaths of sixty-odd of his men. He decided to let that drop too, otherwise it could set things off again, and right now he didn’t have anyone to put up a fight against Mamba and his men. He had to bite his tongue and accept the situation, but it wasn’t easy. He consoled himself with the thought that he and most of the people from Burlington were still alive and those still here now had the opportunity to start again above ground and help build a new community. Mamba could easily have set off his other bombs and consigned those in Burlington to a long and painful death through suffocation or worse.
“Are you still planning on leaving in the morning?” Evelyn asked. “We’ve got the SUVs, vans and supplies you wanted all arranged.”
Mamba looked at Ahmed, who was staring dotingly at Chrissy. Soppy git. Mamba turned back to Evelyn.
“Yeah, in the mornin’. Got a few beers ta drink first,” he said, raising his beer bottle. “Where’s the vehicles?”
“At the farm where we first met,” Evelyn confirmed.
Mamba looked at Martin.
“Ya betta look after these people. I’ll be checkin’ in from time ta time ‘n if I find another Rev on this patch, I’m comin’ back ‘n sortin’ it out. Properly next time.”
Martin nodded. The warning was clear, although he had no intention of trying to take over.
They spent the rest of the night chatting and drinking and listening to the music. The more he drank, the more Mamba considered staying. Ernie was great, and he was sure that soppy bastard, Ahmed, would jump at the chance of sticking around with Chrissy for a bit longer. More than once he glanced over at Natalie, wondering if he should give her one for the road, but he was struggling to get up any enthusiasm, which was most unlike him. Was it him or was it her? Perhaps it was both of them. He thought he might have to go for a late-night stroll around town to see what he could pick up, especially as some of the famous people had stayed, then he remembered that they’d all gone back underground, and he really didn’t fancy that. Which reminded him. He looked around the room and spotted Basir and called him over. He got up and took him to one side where they could talk in private.
“I want ya ta get some men ‘n go fetch our bombs, then go underground ‘n pick up as many of the guns as ya can. Raid their armoury ‘n see what they got,” he whispered in Basir’s ear. “Take everything ta the farm ‘n put ‘em in the vans.”
“What? Now?” Basir replied, alarmed at the prospect.
“I don’t give a shit when, as long as it’s ‘afore we leave in the mornin’.”
“OK, Boss,” Basir confirmed, and started to head back to his group.
“Hold on, a couple more things,” Mamba said, and continued whispering orders in Basir’s ear.
Basir frowned, then nodded and returned to his group.
Mamba looked around the room, watching his men enjoying themselves. They deserved it. They were hard working and loyal. Then he spotted Faruk and Ismet sitting close together at the edge of the room and talking quietly to one another. The pair of them were mad, no doubt about it, but as long as they did as they were told they were useful to have around, especially as they annoyed Ahmed so much.
Mamba looked towards Ahmed and saw that he’d disappeared. He automatically looked towards Chrissy’s chair and saw that it was empty. He looked around the room, but neither were around. Dirty bastards! He knew where they’d buggered off to and he was tempted to go and interrupt their fun. Instead, he helped himself to another beer.
“We’re making a move,” Evelyn said, rising to her feet as did Ernie and Martin.
“OK. See ya in the mornin’. Don’t forget ta take the fuckin’ PM with ya,” Mamba said, raising his beer bottle.
As they headed for the door, Natalie plonked herself in the chair next to him. He’d forgotten all about her. He turned to her and saw a dirty look on her face.
Well, perhaps he could manage a quickie after all.
72
Day 25 – 08:30
Corsham
Mamba awoke to sunlight filtering through the windows into the room.
He looked across the bed and saw that Natalie had gone. His thoughts went back to the previous night and taking her from behind as he half strangled her. The more he squeezed the more she fought, and he still had a few scratches to prove it. Much more like Ayla. He thought of Ayla and smiled, thinking it wouldn’t be too long before he got his hands around that bitch’s throat too.
He got up and walked to the window and looked out. Despite the sun, it looked cold with a coating of frost on the nearby shaded area of grass. He wondered if he would miss this place. Probably not. A bit too quiet for his liking. He needed somewhere with a little more action. Somewhere like London.
He moved away from the window and packed his gear before taking a shower and dressing for the day ahead.
Mamba was finishing off some food in the lounge when Natalie arrived with a small farewell party, ready to wave them all off. She was wearing a polar neck sweater, probably to hide the bruising. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have known that they had spent the night together because she was now all business. There was absolutely no question of her wanting to come along with him, and to be honest, he didn’t want her to.
“Where’s Evelyn?” Mamba asked.
“Already at the farm, making sure the vehicles are still all fine.”
“We ready ta go?” Mamba asked.
“Yes, everything’s ready,” Natalie replied, a little too eagerly as far as Mamba was concerned.
Mamba gave the order for everyone to get ready to go and called Basir over.
“Ya done what I asked last night?” Mamba asked, taking Basir to one side.
“Yes, Boss,” Basir confirmed. “All done.”
“Cool. Let’s go.”
Mamba looked around and couldn’t see Ahmed.
“Basir! Go get Ahmed.”
“Where is he?”
“In his room.”
Basir signalled to Dev and he shot out of the room and up the stairs.
Natalie left with the farewell party, as Mamba waited for Ahmed.
Mamba waited just outside the main door on the pavement looking around at the nearby buildings. It was still a shit town as far as he was concerned, and he was looking forward to getting out of there.
He saw Ernie hobbling towards him and smiled at the old man.
“How’s it goin’ ol’ timer?” Mamba asked.
“Could be warmer,” Ernie replied.
The door opened and slammed shut and Mamba turned to see Ahmed and Chrissy arm in arm. Well, that was stretching the truth a little. Chrissy had an arm wrapped around Ahmed’s thigh and the soppy git had a stupid grin all over his face.
“Come on lovebirds,” Mamba said. “Time ta go.”
He turned back to Ernie and stepped forward to shake the old man’s gnarled hands.
“Thanks fer yer help, ol’ man,” Mamba said.
“You take care, now,” Ernie replied and winked, turning and heading off towards his home.
“Might see ya when we come back,” Mamba said to his retreating back.
“I doubt it, son, I doubt it,” Ernie said over his shoulder as he shuffled along.
Mamba watched him go for a few seconds before turning away.
Most of Mamba’s men had gone towards the church or gone through the rear garden of the Hunter’s Arms to reach the field and follow the path to the farm.
This time Mamba turned left.
“Where are you going?” Chrissy asked. “That’s not the quickest way.”
“I thought we’d take the scenic route,” Mamba replied, continuing to walk along the main road.
Ahmed shrugged and followed, dragging Chrissy along with him.
Mamba walked past the turning to Station Road on his right and jumped over the next roadblock of cars and followed the main road out of town towards a three-way roundabout which offered two options. Mamba walked straig
ht on into Laycock Road. There was a long row of large trees to his left and between the gaps, he could see some of his men ambling along the path in the field beyond. Behind him, Ahmed and Chrissy were constantly laughing and joking and talking absolute drivel, and it was beginning to piss him off. They were like a pair of loved up teenagers.
“Ya two need ta get a room.”
“We had one until Dev dragged us outta it,” Ahmed retorted. “Why we goin’ this way?”
“Fancied a change of scenery,” Mamba replied.
“It’s all the fuckin’ same,” Ahmed pointed out, and he had a point.
They passed a few large houses on their right before more fields took over.
“No zombies,” Mamba mused.
“There’s another roadblock the other side of the farm,” Chrissy explained.
They passed another sports ground on their right, and Mamba kept a close eye out for his men on the other side of the hedge. They were walking along in groups of three or four, seemingly without a care in the World.
The three of them came to a small turning on their left and Mamba asked if it was the right turning.
“Doesn’t matter,” Chrissy advised. “You can get to the farm down here, but the main drive is just a little further on. They’re both about the same distance to your cars.”
Mamba decided to continue walking to the main entrance, spotting the other roadblock that Chrissy had mentioned and a gathering of zombies on the far side of it. He was sorely tempted to go and stab a few but time was moving on and he had the urge to get away.
They turned into the main driveway and continued walking. Mamba looked to his left and saw a grassy field and about a hundred metres on the other side of it was the industrial barn they had used for their first meeting with Evelyn. He could also now see the rear of the other outbuilding which bordered the quad area.
The driveway followed the edge of the field, and although he could’ve probably halved the distance by walking across it, he couldn’t be bothered and was quietly enjoying the leisurely stroll. It gave him more chance to look around and think.
Mamba had assumed that there was just one farmhouse and a load of outbuildings and barns from what he had seen in the dark the other night, but he could now see that there were a number of other newer dwellings, all fairly large and modern and sitting in good sized plots.
As he neared the first of these newer houses, the door opened, and Evelyn stepped out, closely followed by Martin. They were both deep in conversation and Evelyn laughed at something Martin said.
She must have spotted Mamba and the others out of the corner of her eye because she suddenly turned and following a short, surprised pause, waved and started in their direction, leaving Martin waiting at the gate.
“Didn’t know ya lived here,” Mamba said over his shoulder as Evelyn headed towards them.
“Didn’t you? I guess it never came up,” Chrissy replied.
“Why doesn’t Ernie live here too?”
“He likes his own space and he’s closer to the shops where he is. Well, was closer to the shops, but now he’s just closer to the centre of things. He doesn’t like to walk so far these days.”
“Coulda fooled me. He seems ta be everywhere. ‘N how old is he really?”
“No idea.”
“Mamba. Hi.” Evelyn said as she came up to him and gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek.
Mamba frowned. He wasn’t expecting to get up close and personal with Evelyn. As she stepped back, she noticed his frown and wrongly assumed it was Martin’s presence in the background.
“I invited Martin to stay over in the spare room,” she explained. “We had so many things to talk about last night, by the time we decided to get some sleep it was the early hours and it wasn’t worth him returning to Burlington.”
Mamba nodded and they all continued along the drive, Martin tagging along once they reached him and said ‘hello’.
They turned left and saw the old farmhouse on the right before turning the corner and entering the large quad area. Now they could see all the various vehicles Evelyn had procured and lined up. There were a two BMW X5’s, a couple of Mercedes GLE’s, an Audi Q7, a Range Rover Sport, a Volvo XC90, a Land Rover Discovery, a VW Touareg and two transit vans. None of the vehicles were new, but they looked in decent enough condition.
“All the food and stuff has been put in the vans,” Evelyn said helpfully.
“They look great, thanks. I’m havin’ the Range Rover,” Mamba said, wandering over to take a closer look.
He opened the driver’s door and ducked inside, spotting the keys sitting in a tray in the centre console. Grinning, he edged back out of the vehicle and turned back to Evelyn, who was looking around the quad with her eyes narrowed.
“Summat wrong?” Mamba asked.
Evelyn’s attention flicked back to Mamba.
“No, of course not, everything’s fine,” she replied, with a small smile on her face.
A shot rang out and Evelyn’s smile disappeared.
“Ya must think I’m fuckin’ stupid,” Mamba said.
Evelyn looked down and saw her blood begin to seep through her clothes as Chrissy and Natalie started screaming and shouting behind her. Evelyn looked back at Mamba and grimaced as pain ripped through her body.
“H-how did you know?” Evelyn managed.
“I don’t trust anybody,” Mamba replied with a cold smile and pulled out his pistol. “Hurts don’t it?”
Evelyn fell to her knees with tears running down her face.
Martin went for a concealed weapon on his ankle, but Mamba was quicker and shot him in the chest as he stood back up.
Mamba then turned towards the barns.
“Ya can come out now!” he shouted.
Faruk, Ismet and half a dozen more of Mamba’s other men came out of all the buildings surrounding the quad, all of them holding bloodied knives.
Evelyn saw them coming and realised why none of Mamba’s men in the quad had reacted or reached for their weapons as the shot rang out. They knew all along what was going to happen.
Natalie was still crying with a hand across her mouth as Chrissy tried to charge at Mamba but was held back by a thoroughly confused Ahmed.
Mamba turned his pistol on Natalie.
“It was fun while it lasted,” he said as he pulled the trigger and Natalie crashed to the floor.
The others in the group who had accompanied Natalie turned and fled. Mamba took his time and shot each of them in the back. When he was done, he turned back to Evelyn and Chrissy.
Ahmed still looked confused as he held Chrissy in his arms, her kicking feet off the ground. She was snapping and snarling and trying to get free, but Ahmed was far too strong.
“Let her go,” Mamba ordered, as Evelyn rolled over onto her side and was still.
Ahmed did as he was told, and Chrissy wiped herself down and stared hatefully at Mamba.
“Now I know where the phrase ‘poison dwarf’ comes from,” Mamba said, with a smile.
“Bro, what’s goin’ on?” Ahmed asked.
“Evelyn ‘n her little group were signed up members of the Rev’s little cult,” Mamba replied. “’Cept when we came along, they thought they could use us ta get rid of the Rev ‘n take everythin’ over ‘emselves.”
Ahmed looked horrified.
“Nah, man. That can’t be true.”
“It is fucking true!” Chrissy spat, turning to face Ahmed. “You really think I would be interested in an animal like you or Natalie would be interested in a piece of shit like him? Get real!”
Ahmed was stunned.
“Even if you kill me,” Chrissy continued, laughing, “Thaddeus and the other Disciples will take over again. And you thought we’d banished them to Wales! Ha!”
Chrissy laughed louder.
“They won’t be doin’ anythin’,” Mamba said, grinning. “They’re all dead.”
That stopped Chrissy in her tracks.
“You’re lying
!” she hissed.
“Ya want ta do the honours?” Mamba asked, looking at Ahmed.
Chrissy frowned then felt a searing pain in her back. She tried to reach around but couldn’t feel anything except a warm liquid spreading out. She pulled her hands back and looked at them, seeing her blood all over them. She turned and sneered up at Ahmed, hatred written across her face.
Ahmed smiled back cruelly as he held his bloodied knife in front of her.
“Now ya know what it feels like ta be stabbed in the back,” he said.
They both watched as Chrissy sank to the ground, tears of pain running down her cheeks.
Ahmed stepped forward and stabbed her a couple more times in the chest.
“Jus’ makin’ sure,” he said with a grin.
“Load up everyone,” Mamba shouted. “We betta go afore these fuckers turn.”
“That’s why ya didn’t shoot ‘em in the head,” Ahmed said, with a knowing smile. “Yer gonna let ‘em turn. But what ‘bout the villagers?”
“Fuck ‘em,” Mamba replied, as he headed for the Range Rover. “They gonna have ta learn ta survive ‘emselves. Basir!” he shouted, “did ya get the guns?”
“Yeah, Boss,” Basir confirmed, from a few metres away.
“Let’s go then,” Mamba said, getting into his Range Rover and firing it up.
Then he suddenly got back out.
“Wassup?” Ahmed asked.
“Forgot. Wanna try summat.”
Mamba headed over to the X5 which Basir was in.
“Got that rope I wanted?”
“In the boot,” Basir replied.
Mamba went to the rear of the vehicle, opened the boot and pulled out a long length of rope. He laid it out on the floor then pulled the two ends together and used his Bowie knife to cut the rope in two.
“What the fuck ya doin?” Ahmed asked.
“Grab this,” Mamba handed over one of the sections of rope as he dragged the other along the ground towards Evelyn’s body.
Mamba took his bit of rope and tied one end tightly around Evelyn’s right arm and told Ahmed to use his piece of rope to do the same with the left arm.
“Ah! Ya gonna tie her up,” Ahmed said, doing as he was told.
