Broken Dreams (46 page)

“I’ll help you.” Sophie felt horribly guilty. She wasn’t sure if Claire was her friend, or if she even wanted to be. She never really had a friend before. Henry was the closest she had to a friend, and that was compromised years ago when they moved into a relationship.

Claire followed her down the hallway. Sophie stood in the middle of Henry’s room, looking around for a minute.

“Let’s start with his dresser.” She opened the top drawer, and saw the wrinkled picture of Henry and his mom.

She held it up, wondering if she should bring it after what Kellan said. Then she tucked the picture in her bra right next to the picture of her alleged babies.

Sophie went through the rest of his drawers, pulling out clothing that she thought he would want, handing them to Claire. Her hands lingered over his low cut micro-fiber boxers. They were all Calvin’s, D&G, or Under Armour in white, black, gray, or navy blue. She laughed to herself. Typical Henry. She missed that side of the relationship with him. She always enjoyed looking at his body.

They moved on to the closet. When she opened the doors, Claire inhaled with a loud gasp. On the floor of Henry’s closet were his tuxedo, Elaina’s destroyed wedding gown, and her bridesmaid dress. All three were torn, with dried blood all over them. Sophie slammed the door shut.

“I can do this if you want to go.” She was offering Claire an out so she didn’t have to face one of the worst days of her life.

“No, I have to do this. I have to be able to face it.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get upset.” Sophie touched Claire’s arm, then guided her to Henry’s bed. “You sit here, and I’ll toss stuff out to you to pack.”

Sophie went through Henry’s extensive wardrobe, none of it ostentatious.
Again, typical Henry,
she thought. He always wanted to blend into the crowd, to be unnoticed and elusive. Everything was navy, white, black, or a shade of gray.

Once she pulled out everything, she noticed a stack of journals hidden in the back on the shelf. Claire saw her stop, and was curious as to what she was looking at.

“What? What do you see?” Claire stood up. Sophie picked up the journal on the top. Against her better judgment, she opened it and began to read the entry out loud.

October 24th, 2012

Dear Mum,

I met the most amazing woman tonight. My intensions were not good at first, but she took my breath away. Her hair is as black as night. Her eyes bring me to my knees. They are the color of the sky. I feel alive for the first time in a very long time. She is just absolutely the most fantastic woman. She was parked on the street in front of a bookstore that I visited. Her entire physical self was frustrated. Then I saw her dump her handbag out on the ground, looking through everything. I squatted down and asked her if she needed some help. We locked eyes momentarily. She gazed into my chemical-laden eyes, looking just as mesmerized as I was with hers. Mum, I fell in love at that moment. I knew then that she was who I was looking for. I invited her to have coffee with me at a café near my flat. I was so pleased that she accepted. It was such fun chatting with her. I gave her my number so I hope she calls. If she doesn’t, I will find her. I do fear the moment when she finds out about me, my true self. It is such a burden, and makes me feel alone and lost. I don’t even want to tell you what I did. I’m ashamed of my behaviour.

I love you. I wish you could meet her.

Luke.

Sophie and Claire stood silent for a moment. Sophie had no idea that Henry kept journals, let alone journals that were letters to his mom. Claire saw a tear fall from Sophie’s eye and hit the page.

Sophie began flipping through the books. Written in every single entry was
Dear Mum… I love you, Luke.
It was a painful reminder of what he needed. He wanted acceptance, and he needed the unconditional love that a mother gives her son.

Sophie wished she had a mother to guide her, too. She grew up in cold and sterile environments, and had no idea of how to behave properly without the use of all the skills she was forced to learn at the complex. His entries hit home for her.

“I had no idea,” Sophie whispered as she wiped her tears away. “He never told me about this. It looks like he has been journaling for years. So many entries. Wait, listen to this one.”

March 7th, 2010

Dear Mum,

I’ve left for the States, and am on the plane as I write this. I have a job to do. It was difficult leaving Sophie. I fear for her safety. I think she is in much danger there. I am hoping another recruit will protect her like I have. She’s the only friend I have. I ask you to watch over her. I’ll be fine. She needs the strength more than I do. Wish me luck. This job will be dangerous.

I love you,

Luke.

Sophie and Claire looked at each other. Claire looked suspicious. “Did he know about the release?” Sophie just looked at her. “Sophie, please tell me he didn’t. Tell me it wasn’t him.” The silence was long and heavy while Sophie contemplated the response that she wanted to give.

“He did know it was going to happen, but he didn’t know when. He had the virus in his refrigerator the entire time he lived in this flat. That was one of the main reasons why he wouldn’t allow Elaina to come here. He was to establish an army, so to speak. Every recruit was to become established within their community. A pillar, of sorts. They were to make friends, acquaintances, and lovers. Then when the release happened, the community would fight alongside him to keep it at bay.” Claire was about to interrupt when Sophie held up her finger. “When Henry met Elaina, he was doing his job.”

“Holy shit. So he was with her so she could help do his job?”

“No! No. Absolutely not. Elaina showed Henry such love, compassion, and devotion. She made him feel things he had never felt before. He spent the first year of their relationship fighting with himself. Henry fears Roger and the power he has, but he loves her so much. Can you not see that?”

“I don’t know anymore.” Claire was very concerned for Elaina.

“I corresponded with him quite regularly. The night before he bought her ring, he told me that he was going rogue if she said yes. But he was still going to make it look like he was doing his job. I secretly hoped they would break up and he would get back into the program. I needed him to protect me again. But he had made a decision that could have gotten himself and others killed.

“He didn’t want to drag Elaina into it. Because of the program, he feared committing to her. But once he decided that he couldn’t picture his future without her by his side, he asked her to marry him. He’s completely smitten. He would do anything to protect her. He would fight to the death for her. He would slit his own throat for her, if need be. Elaina is everything Henry has wanted in his life.”

“Does she know?” Claire softly asked.

“No. She thinks it was happenstance.”

“Wait…”

“He had seen her in his area. He felt she looked strong, physically, and she was strong-willed.” Claire’s jaw hit the floor. “He did whatever it took to establish a connection between the two of them.”

“You have
got
to be kidding me.” Then it dawned on her. “He slashed her tire. Oh, my god! He stole her cell phone!”

“Listen to me.” Sophie grabbed Claire by the arms. “Henry’s initial intention was to recruit Elaina. But the moment he looked into her eyes, he knew that he didn’t want to do this kind of work anymore.

“The next day, he talked to me. He told me he was seriously considering going rogue. Over the next year, he saw the beauty in things. He saw the beauty in living a true life. It was secured in his mind that the program was unethical and disturbing. When Elaina accepted his proposal, he was done. He was desperate for a proper life, and he felt Elaina could give that to him.

“He misstepped several times. Missed calls, didn’t turn in reports, and he refused to give the injection. Roger made Gunther fly up and try to intimidate him. He stalked him for ages, then he eventually had enough of his threats and Henry physically fought him.”

“The bar fight…” Everything was falling into place. “He got into a bar fight with some built, older guy. Elaina and I were there. Henry had taken us out for some fun. Marc was out of town on business. Was that him?”

“Yes.”

“The bartender just threw them out.” Claire filled in the missing details. “He begged her not to call the police. She made him stay at her place that night.”

“The next day,” Sophie continued, “Henry came back here. Someone, probably Gunther, broke in. The only thing that was gone was the virus. Gunther stuck around and tracked Henry. He followed his every move. And then, on their wedding day, he injected someone.” Claire’s hands were shaking over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

“That sick son of a bitch! He killed Marc!” Claire felt a rage that she had never experienced before.

“That’s why he wants to find Gunther. And when he does, Gunther will be begging Henry for his life. You can count on it.”

Claire was in shock…and fuming. “If Henry doesn’t kill that fucker, I will. And you can count on
that
!” Claire stormed out of Henry’s room, and Sophie was left in her wake. She finished packing up in silence, and headed out to the living room where Claire and Thomas sat waiting for her.

“Alright then. Do we have everything?” Sophie looked around the living room, dropping the journals in a box. There were a lot of bags and small boxes full of supplies. Luckily, they were able to put all the weapons and ammunition in one trunk. It was a little unorganized and was a tight fit, but they got it to work.

“I wish we could go back to mine, Nick’s, and Elaina’s apartments. There are a few things I would love to get for the three of us.”

“Well, let’s get loaded up.” Sophie wasn’t ignoring Claire’s request, but she also wasn’t going to say yes yet. She didn’t know the area, and wasn’t sure if they would be able to find the gas they needed.

Claire stared at her for a few seconds, wondering if she was going to give her a response.

“I’ll stand guard. I want you and Thomas to bring the stuff down. We’ll put the trunk in first so we have access to it, if need be.” They grabbed the interior trunk and followed Sophie out the door. She made sure to lock it just in case.

About a half-hour later, they were all ready to go. Sophie stood looking at the back of the truck. It wasn’t completely full so they could definitely squeeze in more stuff. “Claire?”

“Yeah?”

“How far is it to the three flats?”

“Nick’s and Elaina’s are in the same building less than ten miles from here. Mine is a few miles from that.” Claire was getting excited, but she didn’t want to show it.

“On a normal day, how long would it take to get there?” Sophie was contemplating the drive.

“Well, in crazy traffic, it took about twenty or so to get to Elaina’s, and another fifteen to get to mine.”

“Oh fuck it. Let’s try it.”

Claire grabbed Sophie and hugged her. “Thank you! Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.” Sophie smiled. Thomas wasn’t thrilled, but he had no choice.

“I want Claire in the front so she can navigate.” Everyone got in, and they took off. “We will need to stop for gas soon so be on the lookout for possible sources.”

Chapter 27

t took about an hour before Sophie, Claire, and Thomas got to Elaina’s and Nick’s apartment building. Excitement raced over Claire’s skin. There was one thing in particular she wanted to get from Nick’s apartment.

“There! Right there!” Claire was frantically pointing at the plain, brown brick building that looked like a dormitory. Sophie pulled up to the front entrance. They sat there for a few moments, looking around and checking out the area. It seemed relatively untouched, but they knew better than that.

“Thomas, get out the sniper rifle.” Claire and Thomas both looked at each other, worried about what Sophie had in mind. “Claire, where are the flats?” She pointed. Elaina’s was on the third floor, Nick’s was a basement apartment. “Okay. Here’s the plan. I’m going to sit up on the roof of the truck and pick them off as I see them. You two will go inside. You have ten minutes per flat. Any longer than that, I may have to leave you. Come out after each one.”

“Heard,” Claire said. She and Thomas loaded their guns.

“One of you take an axe and a flashlight, as well. Spare your ammo.” They all got out and Sophie hoisted herself up to the roof of the truck. “And no more strays!” she yelled as they marched off into the building. Claire waved at Sophie, acknowledging her command.

***

The door was unlocked. Claire wondered if it was Henry’s doing when he came out to get them supplies several weeks prior, or if it was left unlocked by the residents. The front lobby looked clear. Claire looked at Thomas.

“Ready?”

“Can I say no?” he said, nervously.

“What?”

“I’m jus’ scared.”

Claire smiled warmly at him. “Remember the medical building? You were awesome there.” Thomas nodded. “Come on. What do we have to lose?”

“Nothin’, I guess.”

Claire stepped through the door and began creeping toward the stairwell. Thomas followed behind, watching their backs. Before they made it to the door of the stairwell, they heard a couple of shots fired outside. Claire grabbed the handle and paused. She turned back and looked at Thomas.

“Be ready.” Claire pulled open the door and the smell of death wafted out at them. She let go of the handle, allowing the door to slam shut, before she vomited. Thomas handed Claire the axe, then pulled off the long-sleeved button-down shirt he borrowed from Elaina’s father’s closet.

“You think she’d be mad if I tore this up?”

“I doubt it.”

Thomas tore off the sleeves. He helped Claire tie one around her nose and mouth, and Claire helped him tie one on himself. She opened the door again. The smell was still exceptionally strong, but the shirt helped filter it some. They only needed to go down one flight of stairs, but it was pitch black. Claire clicked on the flashlight and screamed.

“Shh!” Thomas hissed.

“Sorry…,” she said. There were two true dead bodies rotting at the foot of the stairs. They had to have been there for a couple of weeks. It was a horrific, gory mess. “How do we get past them?”

“We jus’ have ta step over ‘em.”

Claire shuddered. She felt bile threatening, and it took all of her might to keep it down.

They descended the stairs and Claire pulled on the door. She could barely get it open far enough to squeeze through because the oozy, decaying bodies were blocking it. She flashed the light down the hallway, then grabbed Thomas’ arm. There were a half-dozen undeads roaming, bumping into each other at the other end of the hall.

“We need to go to the end.” Her voice was dripping with fear.

“I’ll get ‘em.” Thomas handed Claire the axe, pulling the gun out of the back of his pants. He pushed past Claire, making it about halfway down the hall before shooting all of them, not missing a single time. He fist bumped the air. Claire shined the flashlight on them to make sure they were true dead.

“Nice work!” she shouted.

When they got to Nick’s door, Claire turned the knob, hoping it was unlocked. No such luck. “Shit. Now what?”

Thomas tucked his gun in the back of his pants, and grabbed the axe from her.

“Stan’ back.” He raised the axe, and came down hard on the door handle. The metal on metal sound was deafening in the heavy silence that was around them. He hit the doorjamb a few times and the door popped open. Quickly, he pulled out his gun, and Claire pointed the flashlight around the apartment.

“Good god. What a slob. We’ll have to talk about this.” They stepped inside, Thomas looking around at the mess.

“He left it like this?”

“Looks like it. There’s one thing I want to find. Be on the lookout for an acoustic guitar.” They slowly worked their way through the tiny, chaotic apartment. “Looks like a tornado ripped through here.”

“There!” Thomas pointed over by the bar stool.

“Yes! That’s it!” Claire said enthusiasm. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Nick’s face when she showed up with his guitar.

“Is tha’ all?”

“I don’t know. Maybe we can get…” They heard the telltale click of the hammer of a gun behind them. They turned around, and saw a man pointing a gun at them. Claire and Thomas both raised their guns in response.

“I suggest you put that down.” The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it.

“This is my boyfriend’s, and I’m bringing it back to him.”

The man laughed. “Your boyfriend’s? I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that one over the past few weeks.”

“Listen, asshole,” Thomas growled as best he could. “Do you really think we’d go through a pitch black stairwell, walk down a pitch black hallway, shoot six undeads, bus’ open this particular door just to steal a fuckin’ guitar? Don’ you think if we really were just lootin’, we would have just hit the apartments closest to the fuckin’ entrance?” Claire couldn’t believe her own ears. She was pretty sure that was the most Thomas had said in her presence.

“Thomas, shut up!”

“Claire?” She hesitated, not knowing if she should even acknowledge that he knew her name.

“Yeah…?”

“Holy shitballs! I can’t fucking believe it!” The man came closer and closer. They still had their guns up and ready. “It’s David!”

“David!” Claire wasn’t too sure who he was, but she was going to play along.

“Who the hell is this?” David asked, looking at Thomas.

“He’s a friend of mine. We’re staying together.”

“Are you…?” He pointed back and forth between Claire and Thomas.

“Oh. Oh no! He’s a little too young for me. Family friend.”

“Right. Aren’t you still with Marc?” It hit her then. David was one of Marc’s co-workers.

“Uh…” There was an awkward silence. “Well, our ride is waiting so we’ll get going now. It was nice to see you, David.” Thomas still had his gun ready and watched David carefully. Claire started walking toward the door.

“Wait. You said the guy that lived here was your boyfriend?”

“Uh, yes. Yes, I did.”

“But I thought…”

Claire snapped. “He’s dead! Okay! Is that what you want to hear?” Claire’s voice rang out, echoing in the darkness. “He’s fucking dead! I had to shoot him!” She collected herself. “Is there anything else you need, David?” Clare stood stiffly, holding her cries in.

“No. I’m…uh, sorry to hear that. Marc was a good man.”

“Thank you,” Claire choked out. “Let’s go,” she directed Thomas, but David wasn’t finished talking yet.

“My girlfriend is gone, too. She lived here, three doors down. I came here to find her, and she was one of those…things. I’ve been hanging around here, wallowing in self-pity. I haven’t left her apartment in a week because those things in the hall appeared so I guess I owe you a thank you. I only have two bullets left.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Claire was all business. She took another step toward the door.

“Uh, can I ask one last thing?” Claire stopped and took a deep breath. “Do you have any smokes? I haven’t had a smoke in weeks, and I really could use one.”

“I don’t smoke, but Nick does. Feel free to look around, take what you want. I’m sure he won’t mind.” Hoping it would get David off their backs, she was happy to allow him to loot Nick’s apartment.

“Oh, cool! Thanks, Claire. I hope you…well, I hope you survive.”

“You, too, David. Come on, Thomas.” They calmly walked out the door, stepped over the fresh true deads, and ran down the hallway. Thomas opened the door, and they stepped over the two decaying bodies, ran up the stairs, and back out the front entrance. They stopped once they got to the truck, and Sophie jumped off the roof.

“Who was tha’?” Thomas’ breathing was still labored.

“I have no idea, but we need to get out of here.” She opened the truck door and pushed the guitar in the back, deflecting the question. She just wanted to get home to Nick. Sophie and Thomas looked at one another and shrugged.

“What about Elaina’s flat?”

“Bad idea. Let’s just go back to the house.”

“Skipping yours as well?” Sophie asked.

“Yes! Let’s just go!” insisted Claire. Everyone got in the truck, Sophie slammed it in gear, and they sped off.

***

They had driven for about ten minutes and Claire was still acting rather odd. Sophie thought maybe she could get her to talk about it.

“So what happened back there?” Claire dissolved into a puddle of tears. Sophie looked back at Thomas, and he shook his head. “Claire talk to me.”

“We ran into someone in Nick’s apartment. It was David Tasker. He was one of Marc’s co-workers, and a royal asshole. Marc said he was shady…a smooth talker and a scammer. I just wanted to get out of there, in case he tried to pull something.” She pulled off the shirtsleeve, which was draped around her neck, and covered her eyes with it.

“Did he say something unkind? Because we can go back and I’ll take care of it. I’m quite ready for a fix.” Sophie had a sadistic enthusiasm that only she could pull off.

“No! Jesus, Sophie. He was asking me about Marc. I don’t want to talk about it, alright!” She covered her face and put her head against the window, trying to block out her thoughts.

“Alright then.” Sophie was gripping the steering wheel. “I still need a fix,” she mumbled.

“Dammit! Thomas, give me her pack!” Thomas swiftly grabbed Sophie’s pack and tossed it up to Claire. “Thank you!”

“Sure, no problem.” He was leery of the attitude in the front of the truck. Claire pulled out the needle and vial, tied off her arm and began a draw on herself.

In less than a minute, Claire was tossing a vial at Sophie. It was as silent in the truck as it was outside on the streets. She pulled the truck over and threw it into park. After she tossed back the vial, she laid her head back on the headrest, closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and let the mini high whisk her away for just a moment.

“We had better get moving. It’s going to be dark soon.” Sophie’s eyes popped open and looked over at Claire. Her eyes were shiny and bright again. Claire thought of Nick when she saw them.

“Right. So much for that high,” she drawled. Sophie thought that if they didn’t sleep so long, they could have completed the travel that day. “I’m not too keen on driving through the night again.”

“We need to get back. I don’t want them to worry so much that they leave to try to find us.”

“Claire, I’m not driving through the night. Period.” Claire was ready to throttle her.

“Okay, Queen Sophie. Where are we going to camp out then?”

“I don’t know!”

“Well, maybe your royal bitchyness should fucking decide!” Claire really wanted to get back to Nick. She wanted to feel his cool arms around her body, wanted him to whisper in her ear that everything would be okay, even though she knew it was a lie.

“Really, Claire? Are we going to get snippy?” Thomas was looking between Sophie and Claire.

“Yes! Yes, I will get snippy if I damn well want to! Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I don’t want to do this anymore?”

Sophie laughed, then grabbed Claire by the collar. “Has it ever occurred to you that you have a choice, and I don’t?! This is my life! So shut the fuck up before I kick you out on the curb!” Sophie let go of her shirt, shoving Claire back into the seat.

“I can’t believe that you think I have a choice.” Claire crossed her arms.

“Fine, we’ll do it your way.” Sophie slammed the truck into drive and roared down the street. She was easily going sixty miles an hour through the city. Thomas was cringing in the back. Sophie swerved around herds of undeads, hitting a few in the process.

“You know, you have a blatant disregard for these people!” yelled Claire. Sophie didn’t respond verbally but, instead, accelerated. When Claire looked at the speedometer, it was hovering over eighty. “Will you slow down?! You’re going to kill us all, you crazy bitch!”

Sophie laughed. “Kill us all,” Sophie said to herself. “I’m already half-dead!”

“
I’m
not, and neither is Thomas. And we don’t intend to be any time soon!” Sophie stood on the brakes. The truck screeched to a stop. She threw it in park, opened the door, walked angrily to Claire’s door, yanked it open, and wrestled her out of the truck.

“You are a goddamned maniac, Sophie!”

“Drive!” Claire stood there glaring at her. “I said drive!” Sophie bellowed. Claire turned and strolled to the driver’s side. Sophie jumped in the passenger side and buckled up. Thomas was barely breathing in the back. He was seriously thinking about walking back to the house.

Claire quietly got in, put on the seat belt, adjusted her mirrors, and casually put the truck in drive.

“Alright then. You decide. It’s your choice and you lead the way, princess,” Sophie snapped. She slowly accelerated, acting oblivious to Sophie’s demand that she was now the leader. Anger was rolling out of every pore in Sophie’s body. Claire continued to drive casually, which made Sophie even angrier. Claire smiled. It was something Elaina would have done.

“Just fucking drive!” Sophie bellowed.

“Aye, aye, captain,” Claire said. She jammed down the accelerator, and they took off.

As the night rolled in, so did a thick, heavy fog. Claire was having difficulty seeing what was in front of the truck, forcing her to drive about twenty miles per hour. Sophie had calmed down for the time being. She and Thomas were leaning out the windows as two extra sets of eyes for Claire.