I Dream of Zombies (31 page)

“There’s a herd of dead people further up. We wanted to warn you,” said Marla, raising her voice, but not too loudly.

“Young lady, if you carry on like that you’ll wake the
entire neighbourhood,” replied a well-spoken voice, which was accompanied by the face of an elderly man of about sixty, “unless that is your plan, of course?”

“Harold, don’t be so rude,” a female said, appearing beside him. Marla guessed she was in her early fifties and she was smiling.

“How far up are they?” Harold questioned, scratching his head.

“About five minutes in a barge,” Tommy replied. “We were sleeping and one got through the window. Water was shallow.”

“How long have you been here?” asked Marla.

“About a week,” said the woman. “It has been very quiet here. We keep the boat in the middle of the water, just in case though, and go ashore during the day. We have only seen the odd wanderer.”

“Wanderer?” asked Billy.

“Those things,” said the l
ady with a shudder. “You know.”

Marla nodded. “The water was pretty shallow where we were. The things got into the water and their heads were above it. So we’re moving down. I thought I’d warn you as I saw the light.”

“It’s lucky we had it on. We normally have it off at night, but I must have forgotten.”

“Do you know where we are?”
asked Marla.

Harold
cut in, “You have no idea where you are going?”

“No. We came by road and wanted somewhere to sleep
, away from those things, so we got on this barge, but then we were attacked. I have no idea.”

“The canal goes a long way up. It goes as far as
Bristol. Where are you headed?”

“The refugee centre at
Rickslaw,” said Marla. “Near Pewsey, and that’s near Salisbury.”

“
Well, that’s easy. The canal goes to Pewsey, but I have never heard of Rickslaw.”

“
Do you think there really is a safe place there?” asked the woman.

“We’re hoping,” she replied. “Do you want to come with us?”

The lady glanced at her husband and whispered something. They spoke quietly for a few moments and then she nodded. “I think that would be a good idea. Thank you. I guess we have been lucky so far. Many haven’t.”

Marla nodded. “Do you want to follow us?”

“The water is deeper a little way ahead,” said Harold. “We can stop there.”

“Great,” said Marla with a smile. “That’s good news. I’m Marla by the way, and this is Tommy and Billy.”

“Hello,” said the woman. “I’m Peggy and this is Harold. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Marla replied. “Billy
, go ahead, and Harold, if you can tell us when to stop...”

“Sure can, missy,” he
answered with a nod. “’Bout five minutes ahead. But you should be fine all the way to Pewsey. They can’t swim, you see. Like dead ducks in the water. Safer here than on the roads.”

Billy started the engine and the
two barges moved down the canal. In the distance behind them there was no sign of the freaks, Tommy realised with relief. He hoped the water had confused them sufficiently to distract them from following. “Perhaps our scent is lost on water,” he said, voicing his thoughts. “They aren’t tracking us.”

Marla stared back into the night. “You know you might be right. I can’t see them and we stopped long enough. Maybe they’re working on sound now if they can’t smell us.”

Tommy smiled. “I guess so. Maybe we caught a break at last.”

“I hope so,” said Marla. “At least we can all sleep in peace again once we reach deeper water.”

“This is the life,” said Marla breezily as she walked out on to the little deck of the narrow boat wearing shorts and a blue vest, carrying two glasses of long-life orange juice. “I even have ice cubes!”

“Wow,” Ellen replied, “you know how to treat a girl.”

“Well, I like to treat my sister like a princess,” Marla joked, sitting down next to her on one of the three wooden chairs.

“Where are the boys?”

“Playing cards again and I think Billy is winning. Peggy and Harold, and even Bob are watching. I’m not sure who they’re rooting for though.”

Ellen laughed. “I bet Tommy is none too pleased that he’s getting beat. I noticed he’s kind of competitive, even with Barney!”

“I know! It’s so funny, and then the boy fights back.”

Marla giggled and dangled her feet into the cool water. The sun blazed on her skin as she leaned back and smiled, basking in the simplicity of it. “I never realised that a canal boat was so much fun.”

“Me neither,” Ellen replied, placing her drink down and copying her sister by splashing the water with the tips of her toes. “I should check on Ruth in a minute.”

“She’s okay, little sis, don’t worry. Relax. Peggy’s inside. She’s kind of like a surrogate grandma for the girl, so kind and nice.”

Ellen nodded. “I really like her. Actually they’re all great. Our group is pretty cool, I think. You know, after Devan I didn’t really want to talk to anyone. I thought how can I trust anyone? But then it wasn’t even that I did or didn’t trust him; he just took advantage of me.”

“He did. I don’t think you could have done anything
differently. I had no idea he was capable of anything like that. Are you okay talking about this?”

Ellen nodded again. “Yes. I wasn’t, but
I am now. It makes it easier. I was so scared, but then you came and it was alright, yet I still can’t really think about what happened inside the train before you got there. It was terrifying. I had to walk through… them… and there were so many.”

Marla put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sorry I didn’t realise what he was.”

“It isn’t your fault. It isn’t anyone’s, just his. I think there’s something in his past. He was using his brother’s name. I have a feeling something bad happened to his brother and that he was there, somehow.” She let out a sigh. “I think I was a bit naive. You can’t go around believing everyone is good. They’re not.”

“That’s true. But then everyone deserves a chance and you gave him that. You’re not to blame at all.”

“He thought I led him on. He wanted more than friendship, Marl, but I couldn’t give him that. I wasn’t interested.”

“Again, not your fault.”

“What happened last night with that creature, the thing that attacked me, I was able to keep it off and fight back, even though I was petrified. I think what happened on the train has made me stronger. I didn’t freeze like I did in that Happy Eater. I don’t know how to explain. And it’s made me think of those… things… differently. I don’t see them the same now.”

“
Well, that’s good, I think, if you feel better.”

“I do. I don’t want to be helpless anymore, Marl. I want to be able to fight back, like you and Tommy. I don’t want to be the person
who endangers my friends by being weak.”

“You’re never weak,”
said Marla, hugging her, “never. Please don’t worry so much. Just carry on being my intelligent, sweet-natured sister.”

“I just wanted to tell you.”

“I’m glad. Now look, just over there at those wildflowers, aren’t they beautiful?”

Ellen smiled and nodded. “And t
he little mallards, I love them. They’re so colourful.”

“I’d love to swim as well as one,” Marla remarked. “I’ve always been like a stone in the water!”

Ellen prodded her in the ribs. “You’re so not.”

“But birds have the best of all worlds, especially ducks. They can fly and they can swim. What more can you ask for?”

“This is true, but I’d rather be a dolphin!”

Marla laughed.

“Do you know you can teach a dolphin sign language?” asked Ellen.

“No, I don’t believe it!”

Ellen sat up straight. “You can. I read it somewhere. I was thinking of doing something along those lines for a class project.”

Marla giggled. “What, so you’
re going to take a dolphin to school?”

“No, silly, but…” Ellen hesitated and glanced at the riverbank to the right. She raised her hand against the sun and peered across.

Marla sat forward. “What is it?”

“I thought I saw something move.”

“Duck?”

Ellen glanced at her. “
No, something much bigger. A man.”

“Ah, I was hoping we wouldn’t see dead-lookers this far from London. Being here I can kind of trick myself that they don’t exist.”

Ellen leaned back in her chair. “Me, too, but it was only one and I can’t see it now. Maybe when we get to Pewsey we’ll find the virus hasn’t spread that far. Imagine… normal people.”

Marla smiled. “I guess all we can do is hope.”

Ellen squinted in the sun. “It’s still there – between those two trees. It’s a weird feeling being spied on by those creatures. I can’t imagine what they think or feel.”

“That’s if they think or feel anything,” Marla replied. “I’m going in for something to eat. Hungry?”

Ellen nodded as she glanced back towards the figure lurking in the distance.

A
sharp crack broke through Marla’s dreams and she awoke with a start, staring through the darkness. Throwing off her covers, she leapt out of the bed she shared with Ellen and the kids, and ran towards the curtain separating the bedroom area from the kitchen.

“Hold up,” said Tommy from behind her.

She turned.

“You sure you want to go out there dressed like that?”
he asked, raising an eyebrow, accompanied by an amused smirk.

M
arla glanced down at her black vest and knickers, and scowled. She grabbed her jeans from the end of the bed and pulled them on. “Happy now?” she asked. “I am barefoot though.”

“I can see,” he added with a smile. “Cute.”

Nudging him, she wandered ahead.

“What is it?” asked Billy, rubbing his head and sitting up on the kitchen sofa. He squinted
at them.

Marla shrugged. “Did you not hear that sound?”

“No, I was away with the fairies. What was it like?”

Tommy strode past and opened the barge door, catching sight of Peggy and Harold’s boat immediately. The lights were out and it was silent. He peered out into the dark to the right. The riverbank was clear.

“Anything?” asked Marla.

“All quiet,” he replied, stepping forward to
peer around the door to the left.
All good.
Walking out, he stood on the wooden deck and did a circular check, all around and back again.
Nothing.
Whatever it was that made the noise he couldn’t see it.

“I definitely heard something,” said Marla, rubbing the side of her face. “Clear as day.”

“Or night,” added Billy with a grin. “Maybe it’s just an animal lurking around. We are out in the sticks.”

She frowned. “I was sure it was like a bang, but it woke me up, so I can’t
be totally certain what it was.”

Tommy tucked his body back inside the boat and closed the door.
“Whatever it is it’s gone now.”

“I’m going to get my boots on and keep watch,” said Marla, switching on the kettle. “With a little help from Mr Caffeine here.” She took a mug out of the cupboard.

“I’m with you, Marla,” Billy offered, “seeing as I’m awake now. It’s gone 3 a.m., so make me one too, can you?”

She nodded and glanced at Tommy. “Three?”

“Can’t a guy get some sleep around here?” he asked. “I’m going back to kip for a bit.”

“Need you
r beauty sleep, eh?” Marla joked as she fixed two coffees.

Tommy grinned to himself as he swept the curtain across and found his bed again.

Billy pulled on a T-shirt, followed by his socks and boots. Marla poured the hot water into the mugs and stirred the contents. Placing them on the table, she took a pew next to Billy. “Good idea,” she remarked, jumping up. “Just getting my socks and DMs, and a clean vest.” Within minutes she returned in a new top of the same colour and her long hair tied back. “Now for that coffee.”

“Do you still have those shitty dreams?” Billy
enquired.

“Oh yes. The little buggers don’t seem to want to leave me alone. You have them?”

“Never.”

“You’re lucky.”

“I guess. Is all this less scary because you had those dreams?”

Marla thought about it for a second. “No,” she said with a smile, “I’d say it was more scary. Thought I was going nuts at one point, super paranoid
, cos right from the first one I knew something was wrong, mainly cos Ellen had the same dreams, and loads of other people. I just knew. I ended up ringing Tommy, scared stiff, asking him to get me loads of guns and a big jeep. Yeah, don’t laugh. I was kind of hoping it was paranoia, but then, when it all started for real, well, I dunno… Guess I had to switch something off to get a grip on it. I almost see it as my job, like when I was in the army, except these things aren’t people.”

“Know what you mean. I keep thinking about my family and wondering if they are okay.”

“I wanted to ask you,” Marla admitted, “but I was just waiting for you to say something, just in case.”

“Case of what?”

“I didn’t want to bring up bad memories by putting my foot in it.”

“Oh.” Billy smiled. “I’m sure they’re okay. My dad – the copper – and my sister were evacuated. I know that for sure, because I spoke to them. She lives in Leeds. He was visiting her when all this shit happened in London, and he chose to stay up there. He wanted me to go to
o, but I made the mistake of staying. I didn’t want to get fired from my job,” he added, laughing. “I’m a train driver.”

Marla giggled. “
Figures! But, as if job security really matters now?”

“You know! I’m not sure why I’m laughing…”

“Because it helps,” she replied. “You either laugh or cry, I think, in tense situations.”

“Tommy laughs a lot.”

“Ha, he must be really tense!” Marla joked and Billy laughed. “So, you know your family are safe?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding, “but I’d love to be able to speak to them. Some other relatives are in the States and others in Manchester, but we’ve never been close. Me, my sis and my dad, we were just really tight.”

“So no wife or anything?”

He smiled. “No. I did have a girlfriend. We were living together until last year – few years we were together, but then it just fizzled out.”

Marla nodded. “Same here. Funny how that happens.”

“Yeah, well,
I felt like crying at the time, but your advice on finding it funny is kind of preferable.”

“You’re a funny guy,” she said
, giggling.

“How many times do you think we can say funny in one sentence?”

Marla grinned. “Too many.”

“You know there’s…”

An ear-splitting bang sliced through the genial atmosphere inside the barge as if time froze for a second. Marla turned and peeked through the curtain. “There’s something out there, Billy.”

He glanced through. “Can’t see any… ah.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure,” he replied, jumping up and switching off the light. He sat back down and they glanced out carefully.
“I think I saw something move, but I don’t know what.”

“We’re safe enough here on the water, no?”

“Guess,” he answered, squinting. “Should we wake the others?”

“I can’t see anything.”

Another loud noise rumbled in the darkness.

“That was a gunshot, yes?”

Billy nodded as he got up and ran towards where he had placed his rifle.

Marla jumped up and hurried towards the sleeping area, almost bumping into Tommy as he emerged through the curtain. He was gripping his shotgun and sliding his knife into his pocket.

“Did you hear it?” she asked, brushing past him to get her Glock.

“Yep.”

“Who is it, Marla?” asked Ellen as she dressed Ruth. The little girl rubbed her eyes sleepily. Barney was already clothed and tying the laces of his trainers. He looked frightened, but was bravely attempting to conceal it.

“I don’t know, Ellen, but don’t worry.”

She nodded as Marla headed back through to the other side of the barge. “See anyone?” she asked the guys who were gazing out, one on either side of the boat. They shook their heads. “But it’s definitely gunfire?”

“Oh yeah,” mumbled
Tommy. “Shit, Peggy and Harold!”

“I’ll get them,” Marla replied.

“No, I’ll…” he answered, but she was already out the door.

Billy glanced at him. “She’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, but…” Tommy nodded and glanced out the window, knowing his mind would be elsewhere until she was back where he could see her.

Marla squinted in the dark,
allowing her eyes to acclimatise. Both sides of the river were quiet. Nothing stirred except the cool breeze. Seeing a light go on inside the old couple’s boat, she stepped on to it and knocked softly on the wooden door. It opened quickly to reveal Peggy.

“Turn your light off,” said Marla straight away.

“What was that bang?” Peggy asked.

Marla pushed her gently inside and closed the door. “Lights out,” she warned Harold who was standing in his pyjamas. “And get dressed please.”

He dimmed the lights immediately. “Who’s out there?”

“I don’t know, but we heard a gunshot for sure,” said Marla. “Get dressed and come on board with us. Then we’re altoge
ther. Bring some things and if you’ve got anything really valuable, get it, just in case… well, just in case.”

“Right,” mumbled Peggy, looking flustered as she disappeared into the other section of the boat.

Marla sat down on a chair and waited, listening intently, but hearing nothing unusual. Soon the couple reappeared and Harold was carrying a huge brown rucksack. “We’re good,” he said, taking hold of Peggy’s hand. She nodded.

“Come on then,” said Marla, leading them out on to the wooden boards outside.

They glanced across the still water, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Harold locked the door of the barge and they all stepped across the gap on to the other boat. Marla held the door open as the couple walked in. “There you are,” she said aloud as a shadow moved along the tree line. “I knew you were there.” She ducked inside. “Tommy, there’s someone out there.”

“Where?”

Holding the door open, Marla waited until he moved to stand beside her. “There!” she said, pointing. “See, by the tree line? One shadow moved there.”

Tommy
squinted and stared, unable to see it. They stood there in silence for a few minutes in vain, because the figure did not materialise. And then it stepped out of the trees and stopped still as if it was watching them. It was a man carrying a rifle of some kind. Tommy pushed Marla back inside and closed the door.

“What is it?” asked Harold, noticing the expressions on their faces. “What did you see?”

“Someone out there,” Marla replied.

“Who?” asked Ellen, walking in with Ruth and Barney.

“A man.”

“Ah, one of the dead then,
” Ellen concluded.

“No, he was holding a rifle and it was a gunshot we heard.”

“So, we’re okay then if it’s just a guy,” said Billy. “We should see if he needs help.”

“I dunno,” said Marla. “I dunno why, but I don’t…”

A shot fired outside and everyone fell silent.

“Move away from the windows and over there, between the shower and the wall,” Tommy
ordered, waving everyone in that direction.

Ellen nodded and led the children away, followed by Harold and Peggy.
Then she took a blanket from the bedroom and placed it on the bathroom floor before telling the kids to sit on it quietly. She was grateful for the dog as Ruth was more interested in him than anything else. The Labrador sat next to her quietly as if he knew something was up.

Ellen
wandered back into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe and rummaged through Tommy’s weapons bag. Pulling out his spare handgun, she turned it over in her hands. It was a Glock, similar to the one Marla had given her. The other gun was a SIG Sauer. Having never used one, she put it back. Standing up, Ellen sucked in her breath and went back out to join her sister. “What’s your plan?” she asked her.

Marla
noticed the gun in her hand straight away, but she didn’t mention it, assuming Tommy had given it to her. Shrugging, she asked, “Tommy? Do we wait and see? I’m not sure. Ellen saw someone watching us yesterday when you guys were playing cards. I have a strange feeling.”

“Me too.”

Another shot rang out, followed by shouting.

“What did he say?” asked Billy.

“Couldn’t make it out,” Tommy answered as he glanced out the window. “There’s a few people out there now. I reckon about six and they’re all armed.”

“Come out.
I want to talk to you!” a man shouted outside.

Marla glanced towards the door.

“Should we move the boat?” Ellen suggested.

Marla shook her head. “That means someone has to go out there to steer us.”

“I can do it,” Billy offered.

“I don’t trust this,” Marla insisted. “They have guns.”

Everyone glanced at one another, unsure of what to do, and then another shot rang out. “We just want to talk to you!” the man yelled out again.

“They’re going to bring every freak in the neighbourhood down here,” Tommy sighed.

“We’re okay, we’re on water,” Marla assured him.

Harold reappeared. “I’m here if you need help. Sod hiding in the bathroom.”

Marla couldn’t help but giggle and she nodded.

“What do you think they are up to?” asked Harold. “To me it seems they’re checking us out. They must want something.”

Tommy glanced out again. “But what?”