I Dream of Zombies (38 page)

***

Robert led them to a pair of huge double doors
at the front of the building, which looked to be made of steel. All of the windows were closed. He peered into a small, square screen, which Marla presumed to be a retina reader, and the door opened. Following the soldier inside, they found themselves in a hallway and the walls were painted grey. The floor was just concrete. Straight ahead were two elevators, either side of which was a white door marked ‘Stairs’ in black paint. From where they stood, long corridors led off in both directions. The place was huge, thought Marla. No wonder it was so well secured.

“We’ll take the elevator,” said Robert, pressing one of the buttons.

“Does everyone get the retina scan?” asked Marla as they stepped into the lift.

Robert shook his head as he pressed for level
six. “Just soldiers, scientists and officials, not the regular Joes…”

“…like us,” finished Tommy.

The soldier nodded. “We need to keep the building secure. If there was any kind of breach, we would be in big trouble.”

“But there’s the electrified fence outside,” said Billy. “It looks as if no one could get in.”

“We can’t take any chances,” Robert replied. “These facilities are like the last safe places; our last stand against whatever it is that’s out there.”

“What caused it?” asked Tommy.

“As I said before, I don’t know. The scientists are trying to find out. The UK is in shutdown mode, basically quarantined, until we find a cure. The outside world is just going to leave us.”

“But that’s wrong,”
remarked Ellen, as the elevator stopped and the door opened. “We’ve helped other countries during wars.”

“This is different,” the soldier explained, walking out into a green-painted corridor. “This isn’t a war, but a virus.
Everyone is scared, between you and me. The world governments cannot risk this spreading. It’s already in some European countries, but you’ll be told about this in the introduction meeting you’ll be attending after quarantine. The administrator will tell you everything that has been happening, seeing as there was a media blackout, plus you’ve been out there alone for some time.”

“
But why?” asked Ellen. “Why did the internet get shut down and the mobile network?”

“To avoid a mass panic
and…”

“But it made us panic. We didn’t know where to go,” Marla argued.

Robert nodded. “I can imagine. Everything happened too fast. Arrangements were made to evacuate people and coordinate it all, but they were too slow. National level was required, not just for London. Meanwhile the virus was spreading across Europe. The government couldn’t afford for certain people – criminals, gangs and terrorists – to take advantage of the situation by organising themselves, so the means of coordination were shut down. There is looting and violence happening across the country, but small-scale. The government and we, for example, are still able to access the internet and other communications. This decision was taken thinking it was the only way to maintain order or a semblance of it. But the administrator will explain all this. The important thing is that you are safe here.”

“What about our families?” Peggy
asked, stepping forward.

“Yes,
don’t worry, you will be asked to give details and addresses, and last known whereabouts, and we will try to track them. We reunite families also, by moving them safely.”

“Fantastic!” gasped Ellen. “Marl, we can get in contact with Mum.”

Marla smiled and then frowned. “Our brother is overseas…”

“We’ll be able to find him too,” Robert replied. “The main thing is to keep you safe, which means you cannot leave th
is place as we will not be responsible for your safety. We have no idea how many of the living dead are out there. Many towns and cities were not evacuated in time. Some facilities were even overrun. Basically, we are battling to keep order – it’s like a war in some places. You can’t imagine. The police and army, and all our resources are spread thinly. The government wants to try to find a vaccine to reverse it…”

“Is that possible?” asked Billy.

“We don’t know. But we do know the UK was the worst hit. It started here. There are no cases in America so far, for example. So we need to stop it spreading and take control of the situation. Imagine if it crossed into every country? The entire human race would be at risk of extinction.”

“Just like the dream,” said Ellen.

“You had it?” asked Robert, stopping.

“We both did,”
Marla answered.

Robert looked surprised. “So you’re in the five per cent,” he said. “That’s the
percentage of people who had the dream, or so we estimate. It might be lower.”

“Is it the same for everyone?” asked Marla. “Our dreams were
exactly the same.”

The soldier nodded.
“Down to the very last detail… weirdly.”

“But how is it possible?” Tommy enquired.

Robert shrugged. “No idea, and I didn’t have it either.”

“You’re lucky,” said Ellen, grimacing.

“Do you still have it?”

Ellen nodded. “But it doesn’t bother me so much.
I’ve seen worse in reality, so I can sleep now.”

“
I see,” Robert replied, frowning. “Come this way. This is level six, where your rooms will be eventually. You will also be eating on this floor. There are survivors on all levels and you should remain on your one mostly. Each one has exercise rooms. During the daytime we allow limited numbers of people outside on a rota, according to levels. As you know, there is no television any more…”

“I don’t miss television,” said Ellen with a half-smile.

Robert chuckled. “I can’t say I do either. We do have a cinema where we show DVDs. Okay, these rooms are free. They are cleaned once a week. If you need anything, you just need to ask the facilities people on this level. But you’ll find a folder full of information in your room…”

“It’s very organised,” said Marla. “But what do you mean about our rooms being on level six
eventually
?”

“Don’t be afraid, but we have to monitor you first to make sure you are not infected. These will be your rooms, but I need to take you into quarantine first.”

“But we didn’t get bit,” Harold protested.

Robert nodded. “Yes, but we don’t know you
, and we only half understand this virus or whatever it is. We have to keep you in quarantine for a week. Then we will know that you are healthy and you can join the main population here. When this outbreak began, many facilities like this were overrun because we didn’t realise the virus reveals itself differently in people – they turn at different rates.”

“I’ve seen that,” said Ellen, remembering the train.

Harold sighed. “I guess it’s fair,” he agreed.

“It’s routine,” Robert replied, walking them back to the elevator. Once they were all inside, he pressed
a button and the lift moved downwards. “Okay, this is us,” he announced as the doors opened again at level three. The group stepped out into a white-painted hallway. Doors ran down either side for as far as the eye could see.

“Follow me,” said Robert, walking ahead.

Looking up, Barney tapped Tommy lightly on the arm to stop him walking. Bob immediately stopped by the side of the boy who whispered, “Are we being split up? This place is kind of scary.”

Tommy shook his head. “If you don’t want to be on your own, you won’t be. Okay? And don’t be scared, it’s safe here. You get me?”

Barney nodded. “Are you sure? Promise?”

Placing his arm over the boy’s shoulder, Tommy nodded. “Come on, we should catch up with them. And stop worrying. This is a safe place.
My instinct tells me so.”

“What’s instinct?”

“Gut feeling. You know, when you feel something right here, whether it’s right or wrong,” he explained, pointing to his own stomach.

“Is that why I feel sick if something seems bad?”

Tommy smiled. “You’ve got it. But nothing bad is going to happen here. Learn to trust your instincts.”

Barney smiled. “Bob makes me feel good.”

“Well, there you go.”

“And I trust him… and you.”

Tommy grinned again. “And I trust you too. Let’s catch up with the others.”

Barney puffed out his cheeks and nodded. Bending down, he stroked Bob’s ears and the Labrador swished his tail.

“You will find that every room has a washbasin and toilet,” Robert continued, “and just about everything else you will need. We will organise fresh clothes for you, if you need them. We don’t have a lot, but we have some. We just need your size. Later, your bags will be brought to you. Water is recycled here, but we don’t have showers or baths. It would use too much water. We ask that you minimise waste. You will also have to stay in separate rooms during the quarantine period and they will be locked. Someone will check in on you several times a day and bring meals, so don’t be scared. You can ask for books and things. There is an information booklet on the desk inside. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Everyone nodded
.

“Can we stay together?” asked Harold, grasping his wife’s hand.

“Yes, but it is at your own risk.”

“Thank you,” Peggy replied, hugging her husband.

“What about the children?” Ellen asked.

“We have to do the same and keep them separate, unless one of you volunteer
s to look after them,” Robert explained. “Again, that will be at your own risk, of course. After the quarantine period is up, we have facilities here for children and schooling.”

“Really? I’m a teacher,
” said Ellen.

Robert smiled. “Great, we can always do with more. But, anyway, there are nurses here and a
nursery for youngsters. We might even be able to find someone to care for the little girl full-time. And the boy even.”

Barney glanced up and squinted at the
strange man, wondering why he was talking about him as if he was not there. He stood straighter, trying to look bigger than he was.

“I can take Barney and my dog,” Tommy
offered.

The boy glanced up at him and then at the soldier with a worried expression. “Please, I don’t want to be left alone.”

Robert nodded at him. “Sure, kid. There is an emergency alarm in each room if anyone needs help,” he added, looking at the adults.

“I’ll take Ruth,” Ellen
offered.

“I’ll sort out some things for the kids
…”

“You’re being very through and careful,” Tommy remarked.

“We have to be,” Robert replied. “Anyway, get some rest. Relax. You all could do with it, I imagine. You’re safe here, so don’t worry about what’s outside. They can’t get in.”

“Are you sure?” asked Ellen.

The soldier smiled. “There are many of us. The whole facility has cameras. Like I said, we haven’t seen many of
them
up here, and we’re surrounded by fields and woods. They all appear to be in the towns and cities.”

“What happens when the cities run out of people?” asked Tommy.

“I think that’s far off,” said Robert. “I’m hoping the scientists find a cure by then. Anyway, these are your rooms.”

“Thanks,” said Marla. “We appreciate you taking us in.”

Ellen smiled.

“Enjoy,
” said Robert, walking away. “I’ll just wait over there while you get settled, and then I’ll lock you in as I need to get back on watch, so goodbye. You’ll find books and things inside. Don’t forget the alarm if you need anything. Oh, and someone will bring your belongings. Don’t worry. We have to check them – it’s routine – and keep any weapons, but you’ll get everything else.”

Everyone nodded as the soldier
strode away to the end of the corridor where there was a metal chair waiting for him.

“Well, thanks again for getting us here, and we’ll see you in a week,” said Harold
to the rest of the group. Peggy smiled and wiped her eyes.

“No worries. Thanks to you for helping us find our way on the canal,” Marla replied, giving Peggy a hug
before the couple wandered into their designated room.

“I’m going to pick my bed,” Barney announced, heading into the
place he was to share with Tommy. Bob ran around his heels, wagging his tail. “Cool, it’s real big!”

“Sorted,” Tommy called out with a
grin.

“Well, I’m beat, so I guess I’ll see you guys in a week,” said Billy, shaking hands with Tommy. “Glad we all met when we did. Seems we really lucked out in the end.”

“Yeah, thanks for all your help, mate,” Tommy replied.

“Yes, especially on the train,” Ellen added. “Helping them find me.”

Billy shrugged. “No sweat,” he answered before disappearing into his room.

“And then it was just us,” Marla noticed with a smile. “I dunno about you guys, but I feel
kind of calm for the first time in weeks.”