Plagued (14 page)

“No!” shouted Sarah, who was running after her.

“I have to do this, Sarah,” Emily said, shaking
violently. “It’s the only way.”

There was no courage in her friend’s eyes, only
pure fear—Sarah saw this and instantly made a decision. “I’ll go with you. I
can’t let you go alone.”

Emily’s eyes filled with tears and a grateful
smile appeared on her mouth.

“No! No fucking way!” Mark shouted at Sarah, “Are
you out of your mind?”

Sarah looked at him, her eyes determined. Her features
softened as she felt the intensity of his feelings for her. She forced a smile.
Don’t worry,
she mouthed.

“Under one condition,” she turned back to Duke. “You
don’t hurt anyone from the village again. We won’t try to leave, we’ll stay
with you. Just leave these people in peace.”

“Sarah, you can’t be serious! They’ll kill you!”
Mark growled and grabbed her arm. “Please don’t do this,” he whispered to her.

“They’ll kill you if we don’t,” she whispered back
to him. “And then they’ll kill everyone else.”

Duke was beaming happily. He looked to Jack and
they stared at each other intently for a moment. Emily watched this exchange
curiously.

“Are you going to let your girlfriend do this?!”
Mark shouted to Jack, exasperated by his silence.

Jack looked at the ground sombrely. “She’s right.
We don’t have much choice.”

Mark swung the gun and Jack stepped backwards as
the nozzle now aimed straight at his forehead. “You fucking coward! How many
times have you done this?”

“Wait—” Jack said, eyes wide.

“Mark, stop it!” Sarah said and pulled the nozzle
from Jack’s head swiftly. “It’s too late now. We’re doing this.”

Sarah’s parents shouted from the back of the room,
screaming for her to stop. A tear formed in her eyes as she heard their
desperate pleas. She turned to them and smiled lovingly. “I’ll see you again
soon.”

Her mother cried in the background and Sarah heard
Annie and her father muttering to her. She heard Mark and Jack’s heated
conversation and Emily’s whimpering, but Sarah blocked it all out. She had to. A
million questions about Jack flooded her head, threatening to burst out and
cause her to melt down, but she couldn’t let them. She had to do something to
save her family.

“Well it’s a deal!” Duke said, clapping his hands
together happily. “Come, ladies, we’ll look after you.” He spun on his heels dramatically
and walked out of the door, laughing to himself.

Sarah looked at Emily as she was led out by one of
Duke’s men. He smacked her on the bottom and she whimpered, looking back
nervously.

Sarah turned to Jack. “I love you,” she said,
quietly.

“I love you too,” he whispered, nearly too quietly
for her to hear. He turned away from her then, disappearing to the back of the
room.

Sarah turned to Mark. “I can’t believe this is
happening,” he muttered angrily.

Before Sarah had the chance to answer him, one of
Duke’s men grabbed her by the arm and led her out. She pulled back and looked
at Mark with an aching gaze that hurt him physically. All he wanted to do was
run and get her back. But he didn’t. Her eyes said more than any words ever
could; they told him she had no other choice. His urge to help her burned in
his chest but he let her go. He made a promise to himself right then; Duke
would pay.

The girls never looked out of the window to see
where they were being taken but it didn’t matter, Sarah knew where they were
headed. The only camp site around Solitude was east of the village and had been
abandoned for the most part. Gypsy caravans had moved in there many times in
Sarah’s lifetime, before being ushered on to new grounds. After they left, it
was mostly used by hunters or people wanting a place to drink. It was a place
that Sarah’s parents had told her never to go.

The girls were sitting in the back of Annie’s Land
Rover—which Duke had readily stolen—and were listening to him talk to his
friend in the passenger seat. Sarah recognized him as Mitch, the squeaky voiced
man from Winding, who had killed that helpless woman in the street.

“You think they’ll come looking for us?” Emily
whispered, her voice sounded like that of a scared child.

Sarah sighed weakly. “I don’t know. There’s no way
for them to get here and they’d be killed on sight. We have their only vehicle.”

Emily fidgeted restlessly; her mouth opened and
closed as if she wanted to say something but changed her mind.

“What is it?” Sarah asked, noticing her torment.

 “He told us you were dead, you know.”

“Who did?” Sarah asked, afraid she already knew
the answer.

“Jack,” she sniffed. “He told us he
saw
you
die.”

Sarah stared at her friend in disbelief as the vehicle
pulled in to the grounds through the large, chain-link gate and quickly halted to
a stop, cutting their conversation short. They gripped each other’s hands
tightly.

Duke and Mitch got out and opened the back doors.
Emily whined as they dragged the girls out by their hair, causing Mitch to
burst into a cruel laughter.

Eight large caravans were parked forming a large
circle around the centre of the site and in the middle was a large fire pit.
Canisters of gas leaned against each caravan and next to them stood tons of
petrol cans, whether they were filled or not could not be seen. Five women were
sweeping rubbish into piles in the dirt, watched closely by a group of men who laughed
and high-fived each other as they threw cans at the women’s feet. They rushed
to clean up the new mess every time that happened; their muddy faces streaked
with tear stains. Their clothes were torn and dirty and they had sore-looking
grazes on their knees and elbows. Sarah groaned quietly at the sight.

“Ladies!” Mitch squeaked, outstretching his arms
to the newcomers. “Welcome to Paradise.” He chuckled to himself.

Emily pointed at a woman who was sweeping—it was
one of the Post Office lady’s children, Natalie. Although she was no older than
twenty, her haggard, deeply-lined face, complete with a black eye, now made her
look at least ten years older. Men were grabbing at her bum as she swept and she
winced, wiping tears from her eyes with her arm. She glanced at the newcomers and
recognized Sarah, a look of relief washed over her and she smiled pathetically.
Sarah returned it, her heart wrenching at the sight.

Duke stood next to Sarah and lit a cigarette,
winking at her as he did it. “Now, you ladies will be sharing with me and my
friend Mitch, here. We have the biggest shack. I thought I’d be gracious since
you’re both pretty little things and let you bunk with the best looking guys
here.” He smiled cockily, blowing smoke in their faces. “And some people think
I’m selfish!”

Mitch laughed loudly in his high pitched voice; it
reminded Sarah of a hyena. An urge to punch him in the face rose inside her and
she let it go.

“This is going to be a good day!” he exclaimed.

“What are you going to do to us?” Emily’s voice
was tremulous.

“Aww, don’t worry yourself, poppet, it won’t be
that bad. You just do what I tell you and you’ll be fine. We’re not monsters,”
Duke said and let out a gravelly laugh. “Mitch, show them where they’ll be
sleeping tonight,” he said as he walked towards the centre of the camp.

“Follow me ladies!” Mitch said and waved his hand
to the caravan extravagantly.

If I ever get out of this hell-hole, I’m going to
kick his testicles so hard only dogs will hear that voice again, Sarah thought
to herself and a dark smile crept across her face.

As they walked to other end of the site where
their caravan was, some of the other men noticed the new arrivals and whistled
at them. Mitch proudly told them they were his and Duke’s property and they
groaned in disappointment.

“I don’t know what you’re moaning ‘bout, Smithy,
you’re a bender!” Mitch shrieked, causing the rest of the men to roar with
laughter. The one called Smithy gave Mitch the finger and went back to his can
of Fosters.

Mitch turned to the girls and told them
matter-of-factly, “Caught him with Lenny behind one of the six-berths. He said
they were checking for bites.” He snorted and shook his head. “Benders.”

Their caravan was a six berth; the largest on the
site. Mitch climbed the small steps and opened the door. He went inside and
signalled for them to follow, grinning down at them wickedly. Emily hesitated
and shot Sarah a worried glance, so Sarah went inside first. Emily quickly
followed, trying to stay as close to Sarah as she could. She wished she had stayed
hidden back in the sports hall. Maybe they’d have had a chance.

 Beer cans scattered over the small kitchen counter
and filled the sink, fag butts were thrown all over the floor, and the smell of
beer and nicotine hung in the air. Photos of the previous owners were still hung
on the walls, pictures of holidays and times that were long gone. The site had
obviously been occupied before the outbreak.

“Sarah...” Emily said in a mousy voice.

“Yes?” Sarah said, turning to her friend.

“There are only two beds.”

“Yep, that’s right ladies. You have the absolute
honour of lying next to us,” Mitch said, crossing his arms proudly.

“No, I don’t want to,” Emily whined, burying her
head in her hands.

“Well
that’s
an insult, blondie, we’re not
that
bad! I showered just this morning.” He grinned at her and grabbed his own
crotch—a suggestion that brought bile to Sarah’s throat.

Emily made a break for the door, but Mitch jumped
in front of it quickly. “Uh uh! Sorry darling, you’re staying here. Try doing
that again and it’ll be the handcuffs from now on. We don’t want that, I was
saving those for tonight.” He winked.

Emily burst into tears and ran into Sarah’s arms.
Sarah hushed her and looked angrily at Mitch over her shoulder.

Mitch shrugged, as if they missed the joke, as Duke
walked into the caravan.

“You’ve upset the girls already!” Duke laughed. “You’ve
always had a way with women,” he said and they both laughed. “I assume you told
them about their new sleeping arrangements?”

“Yeah, that’s what set her off,” Mitch sniggered.

“Of course it made her cry, she’s sharing with you,
poor girl.” Duke laughed. Mitch looked genuinely hurt.

“Now
you
,” Duke said to Sarah, intensely
eyeing her body, “I’m saving for myself.”

He walked around her slowly, as if examining her.
Sarah steeled herself against his gaze, trying to hold in her fear. She stood
up straight and held her head high, hoping her demeanour would deter him.

“It’s kinda funny—I get to have Jack’s girl in my
bed tonight, bet he never thought that would happen.” Duke was amused. “I
thought it was a little strange how he decided to get a girlfriend all of a
sudden but now I understand!” He smiled eagerly as he looked at her breasts,
flashing his blackened teeth.

Sarah folded her arms over her chest, mulling over
Duke’s words. A thought hit her. “You two knew each other, didn’t you?”

Duke laughed; a gravelly sound that bellowed
through the room, making Sarah wince. “I didn’t think he’d be very forthcoming
with that fact. But yes, let’s just say we are old
friends—competitive
ones at that, which is why you being here is so important. I won this round. Jack’ll
have to find another one to play with.”

He stroked Sarah’s cheek; his rough hand like
sandpaper on her face. She winced and turned away from it. Duke smiled as he walked
towards the door, and then muttered to Mitch in a low voice. “We’ve got to work
to do. More infected are coming this way—a
lot
of them. Think our
escapees attracted them here, stupid bitches.”

Mitch nodded. They left the caravan without
looking back and Mitch locked the door from the outside. Sarah ran to the
window and watched as Duke spoke to two men carrying machetes in their belts
and ordered them to watch the caravan. They left the new guards standing outside
the caravan and disappeared into the growing darkness.

Sarah and Emily sat down on one of the beds with
their arms around each other for comfort, and they stayed that way until the
light began to disappear.

~

Duke and Mitch returned to the caravan much later,
when the sunlight had gone completely. Sweat ran down their faces and they had
fresh blood stains all over their clothes. Duke opened the caravan door and
popped his head in, looking for the girls. They were still sat on the bed, but
a single lit candle sat on the kitchen counter, gently illuminating the room. Emily’s
eyes were red with tears.

“Alright ladies, leisure time is over. Now it’s
time for you to earn your keep.
Outside,
” he ordered.

The girls followed him out, too tired to argue.
They held each other’s hands for comfort.

The fire in the centre of camp was raging; two
women were throwing logs onto it to keep it going. The men were gathered around
it, drinking cans of lager and conversing happily. Their faces glowed orange in
the light of the fire and their voices were loud and uninhibited—the tell-tale
sign of intoxication.

“Okay, now, we’re going to have a little party.
Celebrate our victory on the field today,” Duke said to the group.

He walked to the fire and faced his men, who
turned to face him instantly. He now wore just his black vest, showing his
heavily built arms and chest. His combats were spotted with fresh blood.

“Men, we’ve all been terribly upset over losing
two of our finest women today...” he began, interrupted by a bout of laughter and
some theatrical crying from his men, “but we’ve got a real treat tonight! This
here is a present from my old friend, Jack Archer!” He pointed his hands at
Sarah, as though unveiling a fine piece of art.

The men whooped and hollered at her, and someone
wolf-whistled in the crowd.

“I know you’ll all make her and her friend feel
very welcome.” Then he turned to the rest of the women by the fire. “Ladies, I
know you’ve all been a bit bored with the lack of work we’ve been giving you
lately, so I thought I’d give you the honour of cooking us a mighty feast for
our guests tonight—a sort of welcome party before their work starts.”

The men applauded happily and started throwing
their beer cans at the women as they started preparing the tins of hot dogs
that were stood by a large barbeque, near the fire.

Duke sat down on the ground and opened a can of
beer. He began a lively conversation with the man next to him, as they watched
the tormented women cook their meal.

Mitch—who was never far from his boss’s side—grabbed
Emily’s arms and yanked her down towards the ground. Emily grabbed Sarah
instinctively and she followed. Mitch light-heartedly handed them a beer each
and they accepted, knowing they had no other choice. “You’re lucky girls
tonight. Duke’s in a good mood, he doesn’t usually give our girls a
house-warming party. Ain’t you lucky?” Mitch chuckled.

“Bite me,” Sarah muttered to herself.

“What was that?” Mitch snapped, his good mood
disappearing in a flash.

“Nothing.”

“Good.” He opened his can and took a swig of his
beer.

There were around sixteen men gathered around the
fire, all in high spirits. Wrestling matches broke out as the onlookers cheered
and some of the men burst into football songs. The smell of burning wood hung
in the air, sticking to the clothing of those near it. The air was warm and
calm and the smoke danced high above the fire, floating in the gentle summer
breeze.

Sarah looked up from her warm beer to see Natalie
struggling against a rather overweight man who was trying to dance with her.
She screamed at him to stop and let her get on with her sweeping, but he
grabbed hold of her long skirt and pulled it up to show her underwear. The men
hooted and whistled at her and she turned to run towards Sarah, crying
helplessly. The fat man let her go, bored with his own antics. Sarah stood to
her feet as Natalie ran into her arms, tears streaming down her face.

 “It’s so good to see a friendly face,” Natalie
said, her tears coming to a halt. “How did you get here?”

“I came back yesterday.
He,
” she pointed to
Duke, “forced us. He threatened to kill the villagers. Is that why you’re here?”

“I was swapped for food,” she said, wiping her
eyes. “That fucking bastar—”