Eight by SD Neeve by sdneeve

Eight S.D. NEEVE

Published in 2013 by FeedARead.com Publishing Arts Council funded. Copyright ÂŠ SD Neeve, 2013 The author, SD Neeve, asserts their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Acknowledgements A huge, heartfelt thank you to my husband, David and my son, Matthew, for putting up with my constant badgering and insecurities. You kept me going. To my fellow bloggers on WordPress. Without your support, belief and kind words, I never would have had the courage to complete this book. Special thanks to terry1954, for sticking with me through the beginning chapters. Extra special thanks to djmatticus and elleturner4, who encouraged this project when it was just an idea.

12th December 2012 I watched the robin as it landed on the bare, hawthorn branch. Red breast fluffed against the blast of icy wind that rocketed down the lane, distracting me from Craig‘s anal moaning about last periods science lesson. “So, what do you think?” Craig said. “About what?” I tucked my hands into my pockets, still watching the tiny bird as it stared back at us. “The match tomorrow. Do you think Big Mac will put me on the bench again?” “What are you on? Can’t you talk about anything for longer than a minute. Anyway, how the feck should I know.” 1

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Mr. Rentham, our PE teacher and footie coach (aka Big Mac because his breath always smelled of burgers), had benched him for the last three games. “You’re the captain. You should know about the team line-up,” he said. I took my eyes off the bird and watched Craig kick a stone straight up the middle of the lane. Now, if he could only shoot like that on the pitch he wouldn’t have ended up on the bench, I thought, shaking my head. By the time I looked up again the robin had gone. Lucky bugger, at least it could get away from everything. Not like me though, stuck here listening to him bitching his life away. “I don’t know, Sully. Okay. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow like the rest of us.” “Yeah right, as if you have anything to worry about,” he said, flicking his eyes skywards. Craig might be my best mate, but even I had trouble controlling the urge to punch him sometimes. I forced my lips together and pushed my face further into the top of my jacket. No point in arguing with him, if this weather kept up they would probably cancel the match anyway.

E I G H T

We walked along the lane in silence. Well, except for the sound of Craig’s shoes scuffing the old tarmac. Jeez, he could get pissy sometimes. If I could only make it to the crossroads without killing him. Hundred metres by my reckoning, a short enough distance to keep it together. “Can you hear that?” Craig said, coming to a sudden halt. “What, your size elevens you mean,” and laughed. “Shut up and listen! It’s coming from behind us.” Now he was beginning to piss me off, but the constipated look on his face told me he wasn’t mucking about. I turned in the same direction, pulled the hat away from my ears and stood quiet. 3

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All I heard was the wind. He had to be hearing things. Besides, what did it matter anyway. I went to pull my hat back down when I heard it, a soft thrumming in the distance competing with the wind. My gaze went straight to a flock of starlings resting on the power lines. Normally I wouldn’t pay much attention to them, but something didn’t feel right. A twisting wrench in my belly that I didn’t like much. The thrumming grew louder and then, it hit them. I froze, my brain refusing to compute what my eyes were seeing as their bodies erupted in an explosion of sparks and they fell from the lines to the ground. Why didn’t they fly away? They must have sensed the surge of electricity. “Whoa. Did you see that, J?” Craig thumped my arm excitedly. “Yeah. I did.” Not only did I see it, I could feel it too. An invisible cloud of static coating the air around us. Something clicked, warning me we should go. And quick. “Run!” I managed to shout before my body left the ground.

E I G H T

The invisible charge exploded around us. I flew backwards, landing hard on my bag, my legs splayed over my head as if I‘d attempted a backward roll and failed. The sudden impact had thumped the air from my lungs, so I sucked in ragged breaths as I patted my body, searching for any signs of injury. Everything appeared intact. Arms working. Legs where they should be. Well, attached to my body that is. No apparent gaping holes or charred clothing, either. Good, at least I wouldn‘t have to try explaining that to my mum. Then for some stupid reason, I laughed. “J. Are you all right?” Craig said, groaning. “Couldn’t be better, Sully.” I don’t know why, but 5

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it seemed the right thing to say. I stared at the sky smiling, grateful I hadn‘t ended up in pieces. “Great. I’m glad. But do you think you could give me a hand.” I kicked out my legs and rolled to a sitting position. Just to the left of me amongst the hawthorn bushes laid Craig. Well, more tangled than laid. At least I hadn’t ended up there, thankfully. It took a lot of effort and a few broken branches to release him. One branch in particular refused to give back his hat, so he tugged at it until it came free, leaving behind a tuft of black wool hanging from a thorn. “Great. Mum’s gonna kill me. She only bought it last week.” He pulled the torn hat on his head and sighed. “I bet she’ll understand when you tell her.” I tried my hardest not to laugh at the clump of black hair poking through the hole. “Yeah right. My mum’s all about understanding.” He grabbed his bag from the bushes, flung it over his shoulder and glared at me.

E I G H T

We stood for a while staring at each other. It wouldn’t take long before he cracked under the pressure though, staring games were my thing and I hadn’t lost yet. “Anyway. What happened just now?” His cheeks turned a bright red and he looked away. I smiled at my petty victory. “An extremely overjuiced power surge. Aliens coming to take over the world. How should I know? Just be thankful you’re alive.” To be honest, I hadn’t a clue. However, I did know it couldn’t be anything natural. I’d lived near those power lines all my life and not once had I heard of it happening before. Perhaps I’d ask my dad when I 7

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got home. He normally had the answers to all sorts of weird things. “Hey fella’s, lets go take a look at Durston. It’s supposed to be lovely this time of year,” he said in a screechy woman’s voice, making me jump. “Yeah right, as if aliens would visit our crummy village.” “Great impersonation Sully, you’d make a lovely girl.” “Funny. Should I laugh now?” he said, struggling to get his other arm through the strap on his bag. “Oh come on. Give us a smile. I’ll have a word with Big Mac for ya?” He stopped fidgeting and stared at me again. “I don’t believe you.” He judged my reaction with hawk-like eyes. “Don’t be like that, you’re my buddy. If you want me to have a word with him then I will. Anything for you, dear Sully.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him and laughed. “You’re hilarious, now let’s go.” His mouth twitched with anger and then he turned and walked off down the lane. Maybe I’d taken the joke too far this time. I picked my bag off the ground and trotted after him.

E I G H T

We reached the crossroads in silence and stopped. I looked around clumsily, trying not to make eye contact. While Craig scuffed at a dried cowpat with his gleaming white hi-tops. He must be angry with me, I thought. He’d never dirty his priced possessions like that otherwise. “So. Eight, tonight. Seven-thirty?” I said, still not looking at him, almost feeling the heat radiating from his red face. “Fine. I’m captain this time, though.” He gave the cowpat one last kick and walked away. I watched him stomp off; his shoulders slumped, his feet still scuffing the ground as he went. “See you online then,” I shouted, and headed in 9

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the opposite direction. I’d gone maybe ten steps or so before I noticed the unlit street lamps. I pushed up the sleeve of my coat and checked for the time. “Crap.” I gave my arm a shake and fragments of glass fell away from the watch. I held it to my ear. “Dead, that’s great.” Good job I’d left my phone at home today. I shoved my sleeve back down and carried on walking; hoping my dad wouldn’t be angry because I’d broken the watch, praying the power would be back on and working by seven-thirty. “No, it’ll be fine,” I told myself. “Dad will understand.” More importantly though, no way could I miss the gaming session tonight. Sully needed a few kills to crack his mood. I’d let him win of course, if not I’d never hear the end of it. But then hoping wouldn‘t help me, or him. If it didn’t come back on, he’d be in a right arse tomorrow. I blew on my hands and shoved them back in my pockets, pleading, promising I’d never ask for anything ever again. Just let there be power, I thought.

E I G H T

The sky was almost dark now and the few houses on the lane appeared empty. Why hadn’t they lit any candles, someone had to be home. Well, except Mrs. Gordon of course, she always went away for Christmas. But that doesn‘t explain as to where the others have gone, I thought, as I stared at the black, lifeless windows and shuddered. “Shopping, numbskull.” I managed a weak smile as another shudder rippled the length of my spine. I could feel a sense of dread beginning to fester as I turned the corner onto the small, dirt track that led to our house. Squinting, I kept my focus on the ground in front of me, searching for potholes so as not to trip over. When I reached the fork, I stopped. 11

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Strange? The cows were quiet for once; normally it’s all you’d hear from the farm next door. Perhaps George had forgotten to get them in from the field up the lane. Unlikely, but not impossible. No, the power cut must have delayed him, that’s all. But, it wasn’t just the cows I couldn‘t hear as I stood quiet and listened, there were no other sounds of life either. Freaking out a little I headed right, debating whether to go and check, make sure he hadn’t fallen over and hurt himself. I wanted to but, something compelled me to keep going. Plus, the thought of bumping into his prize bull didn‘t help. Certain enough he’d be fine without my help I continued along the track. I hadn’t gone that far when my foot caught on something and I stumbled forward. The momentum kept me going and I flapped my arms in an attempt to stay upright before skidding to a halt. “Nice footwork,” I congratulated myself, then realised what it was.

E I G H T

I looked behind me, catching a glint of red in the fading light. My dad had left his toolbox outside again. “Great dad, I could do with a broken leg right now,” walking back to retrieve it, cursing him for almost ruining my chance of winning player of the year for the third time in a row. He may be a brilliant engineer and my first goto person when I needed information for homework, but my dad had a crappy memory for remembering things. Only last week he’d forgotten that he’d left a saucepan on the lit stove. Without anything in it of course. My mum wasn’t too happy to arrive home to a house full of black smoke and another bottomless 13

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saucepan. My dad ended up banned from entering the kitchen unsupervised. Once again. I bent to pick up the toolbox and noticed the ladder leaning against the side of the fir tree planted just outside our garden. He can come back and get those, I thought, catching sight of a string of lights dangling from the branches. Maybe the power cut had stopped him from finishing. I gazed higher. My stomach reacted first, and then my legs seemed to lose all sense of feeling as I fell to my knees and landed in the pool of vomit that had just erupted from my stomach. I wanted to scream, but my throat had gotten so tight I couldn’t. My head spun, but my eyes refused to look away from the horror of my dad hanging by his foot from the cable. Motionless. Dead. “Dad,” I tried to scream, but no sound left my mouth, only another gush of puke as it exploded on the ground in front of me. “Dad,” I whispered, as the hot tears burned my face.

E I G H T

I hadn‘t dared to look away. My eyes fixed, waiting for any sign of movement while the spasms in my stomach calmed enough so I could stand. My legs trembling out of control, I reached out to grab at the ladder and then stopped, pulling my hand back. It could still be live and I’d be of no use if I hurt myself. But, I didn’t want to leave him hanging there. The crazies were setting in again, making me shake. I had to leave it; no way did I have the strength to get him down. In full zombie mode, I instructed my feet to move until the fuzziness in my head cleared. “Mum. Tom.” Their names passed my lips in a 15

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whisper. How could I have forgotten they were at home too? My legs refused to budge so I looked down, expecting to find them knee high in mud. They weren’t of course; fear was the only thing preventing me from moving. I felt the sickening burn in my stomach coming back. Don’t lose it now, I thought, and managed to scramble the rest of the way along the track and up the path to the front door. I stood for a while staring at the handle before grabbing it and shoving the door open. It banged loudly off the stop and shot back, catching my right arm as I rushed inside. “Sorry, mum,” I shouted, rubbing at my arm as the dark hallway greeted me. No reply came. I took a panicked breath. Held it and listened. Nothing. No movement. No creaking floorboards. Not even the annoying ticking of the clock. I’d never heard silence so quiet. What should I do? I threw my bag to the floor and walked slowly down the hall to the kitchen.

E I G H T

The door stood half-open. I lifted my hand, hesitating for a second, and then pushed gently against it. The hinges creaked, grating on my eardrums until it came to a stop. I scanned the dark room, spotting the blue and orange flames coming from the stove pushing outwards against the pan resting on the grating. At least the gas was still working. I stepped inside the room, sliding my feet across the tiled floor, feeling my way until I reached the oven. I lifted the lid, peered into the pot, and the steamy scent of beef stew wafted up my nostrils. My heart lifted a little knowing sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never leave it alone to burn. She was probably upstairs with Tom. I 17

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fumbled for the knobs and eventually found the right one and turned it off, and then placed my hands on the work surface and inched my way around the edge of the kitchen. I’d gotten maybe halfway round when my foot banged into something. I reached out, touching the ironing board, feeling a warm heat still coming from the iron. I don’t know why, but I searched for the plug and pulled it out. Unlike mum to leave it plugged in, I thought, and shrugged. I carried on and then my foot caught on something else. Again, I reached out, but nothing stood in the way this time. “Shit.” I took a deep breath and bent down, my hands searching for whatever the thing was blocking my way. I touched something soft, and then realised. “Oh… mum.” Shrieking, I fell backwards onto my bum, digging my heels against the floor, my damp palms squeaking on the tiles as I tried to get as far away from her as possible. She wasn’t with Tom. She was dead. Like my dad.

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The churning in my belly started the moment I stopped moving. The hot bile scorching my throat on the way up. The tears burning deeper as well. That lifeless thing was my mum. And I’d touched her. I sobbed between the dry heaving until I’d no fluid left in me to give. My parents were dead. Killed the same way as the birds. Tom. What about Tom? I thought. Could he be dead too. My body moved of its own accord, pulling me up and tugging me towards the staircase. Tom hadn’t gone to school the past three days, stuck in bed with the flu. Please let him be okay. My shoes thudded on the stairs as I raced to his room. “Tom, are you there. Answer me.” I fumbled for 19

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his bed, feeling the duvet scrunched in a ball at the bottom. Where had he gone? “Oh please no.” What if he’d found my mum in the kitchen. He couldn’t have handled that. I forced myself to stay put and searched the rooms upstairs first. Countless times I called his name; countless times, I banged my shins against the corners of the beds before heading back down the stairs again. Fear and panic tightened my throat as I went room by room looking for him. But, it seemed as though he’d just disappeared. Then it came to me. Tom, and Craig‘s younger sister Poppy were friends. Maybe he’d managed to make his way to their house. Or, he could also be lost outside somewhere. In the dark. I clambered back up the stairs to my room and found my phone on the desk. “Shit. Shit.” There wasn’t any signal. Now what was I going to do. I couldn’t leave him out there by himself. I had to find him.

E I G H T

Somehow, whether they were dead or not, it didn’t feel right leaving them. However, what else could I do, finding Tom had to take priority over my grief. Besides, my mum would never forgive me if she knew I had abandoned him. I felt a twinge deep in my chest, a hollowness that wasn’t there before. “Move!” I made my way around the other side of the kitchen, making sure I’d miss her body on the floor and found the door to the garage. Somewhere in the dark, in one of the boxes, was a wind-up torch my dad got as a present last Christmas from my nana. I suddenly realised I hadn’t even thought if she was okay. “No, she’ll be fine,” I mumbled. My nan lived off 21

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solar power, there’d be no risk of her getting electrocuted. Well I hoped not anyway. “Stupid.” I turned my thoughts to the torch, remembering how we’d laughed about the eco-friendly present she’d given to my dad. Nan, a stickler for energy conservation thought he needed a lesson on selfrestraint. No doubt due to the thousands of lights he strung around the house every year. My dad, a person not open to life changing lessons stowed the torch in the garage to spend the rest of its life in a box marked ‘charity shop’. Along with a few other discarded presents he‘d received and probably forgotten about. Without even realising my mouth had formed into a smile. I rubbed it away with the sleeve of my coat as though I‘d something dirty on my face that shouldn‘t be there. What right had I to smile. What would people think of me. No. Smiling was definitely out. Forever. I adjusted my face to match the emptiness I felt inside and began my search.

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After a while I came to the annoying conclusion I wasn’t getting anywhere. How could I ever find a specific box in the dark without seeing it? “Phone, you dummy.” I fumbled in my pocket and dug it out, pausing mid-air with the phone grasped tight in my hand. How could I risk using the small amount of battery life I had left without knowing how long the power would be off. How would I be able to call anyone, tell them what had happened. How would anyone be able to call me on the other hand. But, I had no other choice. “Think. Where would dad have placed the damn thing?” With my phone lighting the shelves I began my 23

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search from the beginning, starting with the top shelf of the unit. As I scanned along the line I rubbed away the dust from the boxes as I went. Halloween. Tom’s old toys. Baby clothes. My old toys. Games. Books. Christmas spares. Each one of those boxes had memories attached to them, a reminder of a life that no longer existed. I swept my hand across the last box, watching as the words appeared through the dust. Charity shop. Placing my phone on the shelf, stretching to reach the box, I took it down and planted it on the floor between my feet. The pain hit me all at once. Tightness I hadn’t felt since my grandad passed away last year. Only, it hurt more this time. I collapsed over the box, hugging it tight to the ache in my chest, wanting to keep the pain locked inside while telling myself not to cry. Because crying was for girls and babies. Not a fourteen-year-old boy. But then, why couldn’t I, why couldn’t I have one moment to remember them.

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The crippling pain had begun to ebb, leaving me with enough strength to release the stronghold grip of one of my hands and wipe at the tears clinging to my face. Don’t you dare, its not dad, I thought. It’s just a stupid, cardboard box. Angered at my childish behaviour — but convinced I could open it without crying again — I fumbled to find the edge of the tape, ripped it off, and then folded back the flaps. I stretched an arm above my head, grabbed the phone and shone the light inside the box. All I could see were piles of scarves, ties and some other stuff my dad had chosen to give away. I unwound a scarf from the pile and wrapped it around 25

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my neck, a burning need to have something that belonged to him close to me. It didn’t matter if he never liked the damn thing, it had been his and that’s all that mattered. Keeping the tears in check, my focus blurred, I placed the phone on the shelf beside me and rummaged through the contents until I found the torch shoved at the bottom. He really couldn‘t have liked it, I thought. Nevertheless, I was relieved he hadn‘t thrown it away. I carefully took it out, pulled at the handle and wound it up. Satisfied, I ran my fingers over the buttons and pushed one, almost dropping the torch when a burst of static erupted from out of it. I wished my dad had read the instructions, because I bet he didn’t even know it had a built in radio as well. Still, could be a handy thing to have. I tried again and pushed another button. A beam of bluishwhite light lit the other side of the garage. Time to go.

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Before I left, I returned to the kitchen and placed the sheet my mum had been ironing over her body. This time I let the tears come; she was my mother after all. As I passed the fir tree I didn’t look up, I knew I lacked the strength to do anything about my dad. So I kept my eyes fixed on the pot-holed track. The shivers rippled through me again as I paused at the fork in the lane. “What about the farm, shouldn’t I check there first,” I mumbled, shuffling my feet undecided. No, Tom would never have gone there, he hated the cows. With reluctance, I continued down the track until I reached the junction for the lane. Stopping, I looked 27

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behind me one last time. A dull pain wrapped around my chest, so I turned left and headed back towards the crossroads. I gazed at the sky, noticing a yellow glow shadowing the stars. Where had that come from, I couldn’t remember seeing it on my way home? What could it mean. Having no clue, I peered at the houses and shuddered. They looked like hulking brick monsters with huge, black eyes watching my every step as I passed. Now I really hoped the power would soon return. I looked back just as a rat scuttled across the lane where the torch barely reached. Its eyes were glowing pinpricks in the light and I almost dropped the torch again. I wasn’t alone. Not that it brought much comfort. But, could I truly be alone, what if I couldn’t find Tom? What if Sully and his family had disappeared… or died. I picked up my pace. My feet moving faster as they scuffed the frosty lane. Please don’t let me be all on my own, I thought.

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I found Craig on his hands and knees, head touching the ground, sobbing. The image didn’t look real to me somehow. “Sully! What’s the matter,” I said, dreading his answer. He looked up at me, his terrified face telling me what I needed to know. “She’s dead, J. My mum’s… dead.” And he continued to sob. I fell to my knees beside him, but no tears came. I just felt, numb. “Is Tom with Poppy?” “Tom? Why would. He’s missing too. Isn’t he.” He wiped his face roughly with his coat sleeve. My stomach tightened. Either Tom was lost somewhere out in the countryside, or he’d simply 29

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disappeared. But where? I looked at Sully and answered with a nod. “What’s going on, J? Where are they. Why are people dead.” “I don’t know Sully, I honestly don’t.” We knelt there, eyes fixed on each other. I reached out and patted his shoulder, the only thing I could think of doing. “So, your mum and dad, are they. You know.” Again, I nodded. “Jeez, I’m sorry, J.” I stared into his wet puffy eyes, not knowing how to reply. He looked away as if saving me further pain and then took his phone from his pocket. “I’ll give John a ring, see if he’s okay.” For some reason I knew John, his step-dad, wouldn’t be answering. Then I remembered. “No point in doing that there isn’t any signal. I tried earlier.” But he still checked anyway. “Shit. What shall we do now?” He held the phone limply in his hand and I sensed his fear building again. “I know one thing, I’m not going back home.” I scrambled to my feet and shone the torch along the lane. “Me neither.” He stood beside me. “So, where are we going to go?”

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Why he thought I had all the answers I wasn’t sure. Because at that moment I had no more of a clue than he did. All I did know, we couldn’t stay outside all night. We’d be frozen solid come morning. I flashed the torch up and down the lane again and stopped when the beam caught the bright green painted gate of Mrs. Gordon’s. “Follow me.” I headed back the way I came. “Wait! I can’t see a bloody thing,” Sully called out. I flashed the torch in his direction. “Thanks.” We reached the gateway to her front garden and although I knew she was away, I still lifted the latch as quiet as I could. We followed the path around the house until we stood facing the back door. 31

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I scanned the ground, almost shrieking when the beam passed over about a dozen garden ornaments. Birds, dogs and the odd garden gnome stared back at me and I felt better that I hadn’t screamed like a girl. Sully would never have left it alone if I had. “Here, take this. Make sure you aim it this way,” and I passed the torch to Sully. I pulled my jacket sleeve down over my hand and picked up one of the fat, smiling garden gnomes. Certain I had a good grip I smashed a hole in the glass, pushed my hand through the opening and fumbled for the key. “Shit.” I smashed the remaining glass, scrambled through the opening and entered the house. “Are you crazy! What if she comes back,” he said, refusing to move. “She won’t. She always goes away for Christmas. Visits her Daughter, I think. Well if you want to stay there that’s up to you.” I snatched the torch out his hand and walked off.

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I could hear him grumbling to himself, something about the police dragging him off to prison. Then I heard the sound of his trainers crunching against the glass. I knew he’d never stay out there alone; he was too much of a pussy. “Now what,” he said and then bumped into the back of me. “Oops. Sorry, J.” “You stay here. Check the kitchen and see if you can find another torch or some candles. I’m going upstairs to take a look around. I’ll grab some covers. It’ll be freezing in here soon.” “And how am I supposed to find anything in the dark?” “Use your phone, dummy,” and I left him there. 33

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Mrs. Gordon’s place was an old cottage, probably built way before the village even existed. I took the stairs slowly, each step creaking as I lifted my feet. I never liked that sound. Three doors faced me on the landing. I opened the first and the torch beam glared off something shiny, hurting my eyes. I lowered it and saw I was standing in the doorway to the bathroom. Good to know, I thought, shutting the door. The next room had been set up with a sewing machine and loads of craft stuff, which left only one room remaining. I opened the last door and stepped in the bedroom. It reminded me of my nan’s room. Flowery and pink. I searched the room and found a torch in the stand beside the bed. I pushed the rubber button and, nothing. I gave it a shake and tried again. Still nothing. “Dead batteries.” I pushed it in my pocket; maybe Sully had had better luck and found some downstairs. After taking one more look around, I pulled the covers off the bed and went back down the stairs.

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“Did you find anything?” I stood in the doorway to the kitchen; he turned around and faced me. “I found these,” he said, showing me a couple of candles and a box of matches. “Oh, and those too.” He nodded towards an opened packet of chocolate biscuits on the table. Sully grabbed a couple of glasses and filled them with water, and we carried the stuff through to the living room. I decided it would probably be a good idea to close the curtains. No way could we risk anyone finding us. Otherwise, Sully would be right. Not that I thought the police would be looking for anyone, they‘d have enough trouble of their own dealing with 35

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the power cut. That’s if they’re still alive, I thought. Sully lit the candles and the room flickered to life. It had an old, outdated feel about it, the way a retirement home would normally look. Like the one my mum’s parents lived in. I had a sickening idea they were gone too. The flickering light grew, illuminating a glass cabinet standing the other side of the fireplace. Inside, which I could only guess at the number, were loads of pottery animals. She sure has a thing for ornaments, I thought. In fact, it creeped me out a bit. I looked away and threw a cover at Sully. “Here, you’ll need this.” “Thanks.” He caught it and plonked himself on the sofa. “I’ll take this, if that’s all right with you.” “Fine, I‘ll take the chair.” I glanced at the fireplace again. “Hhm, do you know how to light a fire, Sully?” “What do you think I am, a girl guide or something!” No, I thought, but you sure act like one sometimes. “Covers it is then,” and I flopped in the chair.

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Mrs. Gordon’s home wasn’t that bad considering. It smelt funny, but I’d gotten used to that from visiting my grandparents. The chair was surprisingly comfy as well. Sully offered me the packet of biscuits, I took a couple, settled back and pulled the cover over my legs. I nibbled on one and my stomach growled in response. It might’ve tasted stale and soft, but at that moment I couldn’t care less. Then for some weird reason I felt guilty and placed the biscuit on my leg. I shouldn’t be eating, wasn’t that disrespectful or something? “What’s the matter, not good enough for ya,” Sully said, brushing crumbs from the blanket. “Here, give 37

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it to me, I’ll have it.” He reached out his hand and I slapped it away. “Bugger off, don’t you think you’ve had enough already.” I glanced at the half-empty pack and then looked at him disgusted. “It’s not as if you want them.” He rubbed at his hand. “It isn’t that, stupid. Its, well… I don’t think its right, okay.” “Why not. My mum wouldn’t want me to starve. What good would that do.” His voice grew louder. “You won’t be of any use if you don’t eat.” It made sense. Damn, I’d never live this down. “Fine.” I picked up the biscuit again and began with small bites; before I knew it, I’d demolished both of them in seconds. “Here, you look as though you need them more than I do,” and he threw the rest of the packet at me. “Thanks, Sully. Just don’t let it go to your head, all right.” “Oh no, I’m going to bask in the glory for a while longer if you don’t mind,” and he smiled smugly. “Okay, I’ll let you enjoy your small victory because it won’t last.”

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Sully’s gloating vanished after a couple of minutes and we remained silent for ages. I kept checking my broken watch, anything to take my mind off the silence as it only made me think about my parents more. I concluded that the images of their lifeless bodies would remain cemented in my head for months to come. If not forever. And Tom, what would I do if I did find him. I wasn’t capable of looking after him. Hell, I had a problem keeping myself out of trouble. Nan, I thought. When I found him, we’d go and see nan. But what would happen to Craig and Poppy. If John and his grandparents were dead like the others, where were they going to go? I suppose 39

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they’d have to come and live with us. My nan’s house was big enough to take us all in. However, I was getting ahead of myself; I still didn’t know if she was alive. And what if Craig and Poppy didn’t want to come with us. What then. I looked across at Sully staring aimlessly at the floor, appearing lost in his own torment. Our petty falling out earlier didn’t seem worth the hassle now. And as for stupid computer games or who was playing for the football team, well, they were the least of our worries. He looked up and caught me staring. “What!” He frowned at me, tears sparkling on his cheeks in the candlelight. “Just thinking, that’s all.” “Well, stop looking at me when you’re thinking, it freaks me out,” and he pulled the cover over his head. “Fine, I won’t look at you any more. Get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll give the village a recky, okay.” “Yeah, all right.” I closed my eyes, but I knew I wouldn’t be sleeping.

E I G H T

13th December 2012 The night passed as expected. The few times I did manage to doze off, terrifying nightmares filled my sleep. Aliens. Zombie birds. Weird lights. My dead parents. One nightmare in particular felt more real than the others. One where I saw Tom forcefully taken away by a bunch of men in strange clothing. I shouted at them to stop, but they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear me. So I refused to go to sleep after that. Sully drifted off early but would wake screaming, stare around the room and then fall back to sleep. Other times heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d mumble and fidget. Something I 41

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hadn’t seen or heard since our last sleepover at his house when we were younger. Unsettled by the dreams and things that no longer mattered, I spent some time wandering through the house. I decided to investigate the craft room and took a snoop around. In a large closet I hadn’t noticed before, I found a pile of blankets still in their wrappers. A box full of new batteries, matches and candles. Four first aid kits and stacks of food that could‘ve fed the entire village for at least a month. It seemed Mrs. Gordon liked to hoard things. Whether she had an idea something like this was going to happen I wasn’t sure, but the stockpile in the closet would prove helpful if we got stuck here for a while. I wandered back downstairs and managed to fix a blanket over the broken door to stop the cold air from coming in. It didn’t do the job that well, but it helped. Satisfied enough with my attempt, I pulled out my phone. “Bummer,” noticing the low level on the green, battery icon. Checking the time, I switched it off. Five-thirty, time to wake Sully and make a plan, I thought.

E I G H T

I didn’t want to wake him, wrapped in the cover, silently sleeping for the first time. However, he’d had enough sleep and besides, there were important things we needed to do. I reached over and gave his arm a shake. He mumbled and then turned and faced the back of the sofa. I tried again, but he moaned about being stuck in a bunker and couldn‘t get out. I stood for a second, laughed quietly, and then leaned over above his head. “Wake the feck up, Sully,” I shouted in his ear. The response was immediate and he threw himself upright. “Get off me you shit-eating zombie,” he screamed, before realising where he was. 43

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“Shit-eating zombies. Never heard of them before.” I fell back in the chair, laughing out loud this time. In true Sully fashion he scowled and pouted at me. “Yeah well, I was awake anyway. Thought it’d make you jump.” He swung round, throwing back the cover. “Right, good one.” I leant back in the chair, “you nearly had me there for a second.” The scowl on his face tightened, making his lips pout even more. I pretended to cough, hoping it would hide my laughter. He got to his feet and untangled the blanket that had wrapped around his left leg. “I’m going for a whiz,” and he stomped out of the room and up the stairs. My brief moment of childishness disappeared. Now really wasn’t the time to upset the only friend I had. Guilty for ribbing him I went to the kitchen and made us both a bowl of cereal using some of the dried milk I’d found. By the time Sully came back downstairs, I was sitting in the kitchen waiting for him. “Here, eat this. Then we need to talk,” I said.

E I G H T

My idea didn’t go down too well. Sully didn’t want to go back home no more than I did. But, I explained we needed to get out of our uniforms and get some warmer clothes. Sully finally gave up, but only on the conditions that we’d go to his house first. And only when it got lighter. That, I didn’t disagree with. As we waited for daylight, we talked about what we would’ve been doing at school. I tried making up for earlier, saying Big Mac had picked him for the match on Saturday. The lie was worth it when he smiled. He didn’t have to know the truth that Mr. Rentham had benched him for the rest of the season. Not now anyway. When the sky had started to lighten we left Mrs. 45

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Gordon’s for Sully’s house. Neither of us spoke, we didn’t feel the need to. We walked through the doorway into the living room; I noticed the smashed ornaments on the carpet. Sully glared at me with a don’t-even-ask kinda look. So I didn’t. We headed up the stairs to his room and packed a bag. While he was changing, I noticed the pictures of our trip to Alton Towers last year pinned to the wall above his desk. He saw me looking and we both smiled weakly. When he disappeared to the bathroom, I took the picture of him with his family off the wall and placed it in the front of his bag. Just in case we forget about them, I thought. I was checking my phone when he came back. “Don’t know how much life it’s got left?” I placed it back in my pocket. “Damn, I’m an idiot. Why didn’t I think of it earlier,” and he ran back out of the room.

E I G H T

I chased after Sully, following him to Poppy’s room, wondering what the hell he was talking about. “John has one of those wind-up phone chargers. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before,” he said, throwing toys out of a box from under the window. “Don’t they only work with older phones?” I wasn’t sure why he’d be looking in the toy box. “Yeah, they do, but mum gave Poppy one of her old phones to play with. I know. Why don’t you carry on searching in here and I’ll go look for the charger.” Before I could say anything else he left the room. I did as he said and threw the rest of the toys on the floor, hoping to find it. But it wasn’t there. “Think. Where would a seven-year-old girl put a 47

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phone.” I scanned the room, desperate to find it now. I’d almost emptied the contents of every drawer and box by the time Sully came back. “Are you sure she has one,” I said, feeling a little warmer now. “What the feck, J, was there any need for all this.” He began picking up Poppy’s things and putting them back. “What will she say when we get her back home.” “Look, you told me to search and that’s what I’ve done, but there isn’t a damn phone, Sully. Not unless you meant this one.” I held up the pink, flimsy plastic phone and waved it at him. “Don’t be stupid,” and he threw a stuffed animal at me. “I bet you didn’t check her bed?” The one place I hadn’t thought of looking and you could bet it would be there. I yanked the duvet back and lifted the pillow. “You should’ve looked there first,” he said smugly, and grabbed the phone.

E I G H T

After admitting defeat I helped to clear up the room. We took whatever money we could find, left his house and went back up the lane to mine. We reached the bottom of the dirt track and I stopped. “Come on, we need to get done and check the village,” Sully said, and continued up the track. I hadn’t told him how my parents had died. Neither had he told me about his mum. I guessed she was in the kitchen because that’s the only room he wouldn’t go in. I took a deep breath, hoping I wouldn’t puke again and walked after him. Keeping my head down we turned at the fork. I almost knocked him over in my rush to get inside the 49

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house. “Watch it… oh f—” “Now you know,” I said, cutting him off. I didn’t need to hear anymore. I knew what he was thinking. “Leave it, okay.” I shoved open the front door and ran up the stairs to the bathroom; no way could I let him see me crying. I heard his loud footsteps pound the stairs as he ran up behind me. “Just getting my toothbrush,” I shouted through the closed door. “K. I’ll start getting your bag ready.” That was the first time he’d never questioned me over something. I leaned against the sink and stared at my dirty, tear-stained face in the mirror. “You’re a mess, Jordan. Wash that face of yours, right now,” I whispered in the way my mum would’ve moaned at me. I turned on the tap, wet the flannel, rubbed it on the soap and cleaned the muck from my face before going to my room. “Packed and ready. Now get changed you sap,” he said and smiled. “Thanks Sully, you‘re a good friend you know.”

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I gathered snacks from the kitchen, avoiding the sheet covering my mum’s body. I emptied her purse and my dad’s wallet and shut the front door for the last time. “Ready?” “Ready,” Sully replied. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and raced down to the lane without looking back. We dropped off our bags at Mrs. Gordon’s and went on our first recky around the village. The place was quiet and we were beginning to wonder if we were the only ones left. I decided to stand outside the archway to the church while Sully went inside and looked. 51

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“No one there,” he shouted, as he jogged back up the path. “Let’s give the shop a try, maybe old Mr. Bennett’s still around.” He followed behind me but refused to go inside. “What’s wrong, aren’t you coming in?” “No, if he is still alive, best if I don’t. He’s not too happy about the bottle of cola that exploded a couple of weeks ago.” He shifted back to the side of the shop. “I’ll wait here.” I shook my head. “Fine, I’ll go then.” Still looking at Sully, I failed to see Andrew bombing out the doorway. Our heads collided with a sickening crack and we both fell backwards. “That didn’t sound too good.” I heard her voice come from inside the shop. “Are you all right?” Jessica Pryce. The girl from my dreams. And here I was knocked on my arse and sporting a large red lump on the side of my head. “Nah, I’m fine,” I said, quickly scrambling to my feet. “Didn’t hurt anyway.” Sully sighed loudly, held his hands to his chest and fluttered his eyelashes, making stupid kissing noises at me. “Is that Craig Sullivan?” Jessica said. I smiled, as Sully’s face turned red.

E I G H T

Jessica stepped from the shop, dressed in dark jeans and a cream padded jacket. Her blonde hair covered by a pink beanie hat. Damn, she looked fit. “So, where have you two been hiding,” she said. My mouth flapped open, unable to speak. She’d never talked to me once since I’d known her. “Jordan, are you sure you’re okay?” She looked directly at me. “Sure, fine,” I said, or rather squeaked. My face burned. She knew my name. I was in love. I realised Sully was standing beside me when he shoved against my arm. I turned my head to look at him. He scowled at me again; he never could understand the crush I had on her. But, he was right 53

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though, she was out of my league. “Well, time to go, J. We’ve got to check the rest of the village.” Sully began to walk away. I looked back, noticing Andrew still on the floor. I’d completely forgotten about him. “You all right, Andy?” I held out a hand. He grabbed it and I pulled him to his feet. Although Andy was a year younger he played left wing for the school football team. And he was good too. “I’m okay,” he said, brushing the dirt from his clothes. “There’s no point checking for anyone else you know. Apart from a couple of adults we saw there isn’t anyone else,” Jessica said, helping Andy. “Yeah well, excuse me for not believing a girl. Come on, J, we’ve got to go.” Sully gestured towards the other end of the village. What was his problem. Why wouldn‘t he believe her. “Right, I know. Why don’t you come back with us?” Everyone stopped and looked at me. Sully’s face turned an even darker red. Andy nodded and Jessica, well, she smiled.

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“We don’t need the hassle, J. Come on, we‘ve got to find Poppy and Tom.” “They’re not here. There aren’t any children in the village,” Jessica said. Sully charged towards her, stopping a few inches from her face. “How the feck would you know,” he growled. “Because we’ve looked, you idiot,” and she rested her hands on her hips. Things were beginning to get out of hand. “Look, arguing isn’t going to help. If… Jessica said they aren’t here, well, I believe her.” I moved closer. “Well you would.” I grabbed his arm and yanked him away. “Don’t 55

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you dare,” I whispered, “we can’t leave them here alone, it wouldn’t be right. And besides, they could be of some use.” “Fine, have it your way.” He shook his arm free and walked a few paces away from me. I looked back at Andrew and Jessica’s hopeful faces, knowing I’d done the right thing. Sully would just have to learn to live with my decision. “Right then, have you packed a bag.” They both nodded in answer. “We hid them in the shop when we heard voices. Sorry, but we didn’t know it was you, J,” Andy said, blushing. I nodded back. “Right, well, better go get them. Sully, grab some extra snacks and don’t forget to leave the money by the till, okay.” “Fine.” He stormed past me, banging into Andy and entered the shop. I gestured for them to follow and walked behind. The inside was dark; Jessica and Andy retrieved their bags from behind the counter. Sully was grumbling as he filled a basket with crisps, biscuits and chocolate bars. I grabbed some fruit and placed, what I thought was enough money, beside the till. Sully did the same. “Everyone ready? Well, let’s go then.” And we left.

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The walk back to Mrs. Gordon’s was quiet. No one had a clue what to say. Well, except Sully who griped and moaned all the way. I’d upset the balance of our friendship. All right, maybe I handled it wrong and should’ve consulted him before inviting Jessica and Andrew to join us, but it wouldn’t have been right to leave them. After all, Andrew was a mate, of sorts. Jessica. Well, how could I leave her. We arrived at the gate. Sully went on ahead, nothing would stop him when he was in a foul mood. Jessica paused, checking the lane. “Its okay, no one’s around to catch us,” I said, pointing towards the gateway. “Mrs. Gordon goes away every Christmas.” 57

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She fiddled with a long strand of hair and bit her lip, looking ready to bolt. Andrew placed a hand on her arm and nodded to let her know it was okay. She smoothed the front of her jacket and stepped through the gateway. Andrew followed and I sighed relieved. I pulled the sheet across so they could enter, Andrew patted my shoulder as he walked in, Jessica still appeared uncertain. Then I did something I thought I’d never get the chance to do, I offered her my hand. She looked at it then back at me. I could feel the sweat on my palm, but I was too late to wipe it as she reached forward and took my hand. “Thank you,” she said, without reacting. I felt the burn on my face and she smiled sweetly. “You’re a gentleman, Jordan.” “Just call me J, everyone else does.” I blurted out. She giggled. “My friends call me Jess. You can, if you like.” “Oh please.” I heard Sully moan. “Can we have some food before I bloody puke.”

E I G H T

We ate some of the snacks from the shop. Jess nibbled on an apple not wanting to touch the junk food. I chucked the third packet of crisps I’d started on the table and picked up an orange. Sully sighed, shaking his head. I blushed again. “So, what happened to your parents,” Sully said, starting on his fourth chocolate bar. I thumped his arm. “What’d you do that for! It’s what we’re all thinking.” “It might be, but you shouldn’t ask,” and I thumped him again. “I don’t mind.” Jess placed her half-eaten apple on the table. “My father’s away on business, he does that a lot. Mother’s a teacher at the local primary 59

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school. She didn’t come home last night.” I noticed the tears in her eyes. “What about you, Andy?” drawing attention away from her. Andrew coughed and cleared his throat. “I found my step-dad in the garage under the car. And my mum never came back from her shopping trip to London. My sister Chloe was off school with the flu, but she wasn’t there when I got home.” Sully, who asked the question in the first place, refused to say, so we left him alone. Reluctantly, I began to describe how I’d found my dad, but their shocked faces suggested I’d gone too far so I stopped. “But why is it happening. Why are most of the adults dead, your siblings missing? Why are we alive,” Jess said, tears streaming down her face. None of us had a clue. What would we know, we were just kids. Jess shivered so I placed a blanket around her shoulders, much to Sully’s bemusement. “This house has a fireplace, is there any wood? I’ll light a fire. I am a Scout after all,” Andy said proudly. We all stared.

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Andy gathered wood from the woodpile outside. Jess started clearing the table. I helped. Sully mumbled a few choice words and skulked off to the living room. “Do you have any bottled water?” Jess said, “I don’t usually drink tap water.” I looked around the kitchen and shook my head. “Never mind.” “I’ll go and get some from the shop.” I grabbed the bag off the floor. “No, it’ll be fine.” “I don’t mind.” “Just go already,” Sully shouted from the living room, “Can’t have Miss Perfect dying of thirst.” “Shut the f—” I stopped myself from swearing and 61

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ran off to the shop. By the time I got back the sky was almost dark, except for that same eerie yellow glow. I wonder what it is, I thought. Shrugging my shoulders, I entered the house. The living room had warmed up nicely now that we had a fire burning. I knew I’d done the right thing now. I handed Jess a bottle of water. She smiled and thanked me. I smiled back. Sully had taken up the whole of the sofa with no intention of letting anyone sit on it. I offered Jess the chair and sat beside Andy in front of the fire. “Have you got the charger and phone,” I asked Sully. “I’ll see if there’s any signal.” “In my bag behind the sofa,” he said, and closed his eyes. I took them from his bag and settled back down beside Andy. “What you got there?” He leaned over and took a closer look. “It’s a wind-up phone charger. Lucky enough Poppy, Sully’s sister, had an old phone she played with.” I turned the handle and wound it for what I counted to be three minutes, plugged it in and waited for the phone to turn on.

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I should’ve known there wouldn’t be any signal. We all remained quiet and not long after, we all fell asleep. I woke with a start. The fire had died to just glowing embers. I grabbed more wood and placed it on the fire, watching as tiny flames erupted and wrapped around it. Sighing, I leaned back against the coffee table and stared into the flames. “Penny for them,” Jess whispered, startling me. “Can’t sleep. How about you?” “Same. Can I join you?” “Sure!” I shifted over, giving her enough space to sit beside me. She sat down, pulling her legs to her chest and 63

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glanced over at Andrew. “At least he’s sleeping.” She turned to me and a weak smile curled her perfect lips. I carried on looking at them for a while before realising. “Sorry, didn’t mean to stare,” and I looked away. Way to go, J. Now she’ll think you’re a perv, I thought. “Don’t worry about it, I don’t mind.” Sully snorted and we both looked in his direction. He did it again, louder this time, which made her giggle. I couldn’t help myself and joined in. “Yeah, it snores,” I said. The giggling stopped and we sat in silence for a bit. “So, Jordan Scarlen, what shall we do now?” We talked for ages; at first, it felt clumsy not really knowing what to say to each other. However, it got easier and she soon told me everything about herself. I told her how I was captain of the football team. Every small detail of my life up to now. But, when I mentioned my parents and Tom, I stalled as the tears burned my eyes. She hesitated and then took my hand. I’d dreamt of this moment forever. “It’s okay, you can cry,” she said.

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“I don’t need your sympathy.” I released her hand from mine and got up. “I didn’t mean…” “I’ll get some wood, the pile’s getting low,” and I left. Sully was right; girls only got in the way and made you act stupid and soppy. Not me, I didn’t want to act like that. It’s okay to cry! Who did she think she was anyway. Just because she went to a private school didn’t make her any better than the rest of us. Stuff girls, I’d much prefer footie and computer games. I picked up as many logs as I could carry and walked back into the living room, dropping them in 65

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the basket. She had moved from the floor. I checked the chair but she wasn’t there either. Then I heard her faint sobs coming from upstairs. “Great, J. Make a girl feel like shit why don’t ya,” I mumbled to myself, feeling guilty. Making sure the other two were still asleep, I headed up the stairs after her. The only door closed was the one to the bathroom but I still checked the other rooms first. I stood outside the closed door, knowing I had no idea how to deal with a crying girl. What do I need to say to make her feel better, I thought. “Sorry,” I said, the only word I could come up with. I leaned my head against the door and listened. At least she’d stopped crying. That had to be a good thing. I waited for a response, but she didn’t give one. “Look, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m just an idiot.” I heard a faint giggle. “Right, I’ll leave you alone to do those, girly things you do.” “Thanks, J.” “No problem,” and I walked back down the stairs.

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14th December 2012 I checked the fire again; Sully and Andy were still fast asleep so I picked up the phone and charger and went to the kitchen. Giving it a wind, I turned on the phone. Still no signal. Not that it mattered; it didn’t have any credit anyway. I looked at the time. 5:35am glared back at me. “Breakfast.” My stomach growled in agreement. I rifled through the cupboards and found a box of hot-oat cereal. I wasn’t a fan, but it’d be nice to have something hot. I found a heavy saucepan in another cupboard, made up a jug of powdered milk and carried them through to the living room. 67

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Following the instructions, I placed the pan on the fire and filled it with the oats and milk and then remembered I’d forgotten to get a spoon. “Will this help,” Jess said, standing in the doorway, holding one out to me. “Yeah, that’d be great.” She walked over and placed it in my hand. “I’ll get some bowls and spoons. Sugar too, I suspect.” I nodded and she went back to the kitchen. By the time it was ready, Sully and Andrew were both awake. I let Jess fill the bowls and she handed them out. “Porridge! I can’t eat that,” Sully said, as he took the bowl from her. “Eat it. Don’t eat it. No one’s forcing you,” I said, as I took mine. “Thanks Jess.” Sully grumbled, said he needed the toilet and disappeared quickly from the room. “What’s his problem?” Andy carried on shovelling the hot cereal in his mouth. “I love porridge.” I looked at Jess and we both laughed. Andy smiled uncertain, revealing a mouthful of sticky, porridgey teeth and we laughed even louder. “What did I do!” “Nothing. Just eat your oats,” I said.

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“What are you laughing about,” Sully said, lumping back down on the sofa. He picked up the bowl. Stuck a finger in. Sniffed it and then placed it in his mouth. “Nothing really.” I watched as he wolfed the porridge down. “So, what have you got planned for us today almighty leader.” Sully finished off the porridge quicker than I thought possible. “Yeah, what are we doing today,” Andrew added to the conversation. “Not sure, haven’t given it much thought to be honest.” I looked at their expectant faces. “Anyway, why are you asking me. I’m not the only one here.” “But you’re a great leader,” Andy said, “no one 69

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could doubt your mad skills as captain of the footie team.” Sully snorted and picked at his teeth. “Something you‘d like to add to that?” I glared at him; he could be a right twit sometimes. “No, you carry on.” “Why don’t we go into the village? Now we have a fire going maybe we can get some bacon or sausages. Stuff like that,” Jess said, picking up the empty dishes. “That’s a great idea.” I smiled at her. “Thanks.” I watched Sully mimic her actions and threw a cushion at him. “Erm, is there any porridge left in the pot?” Andrew said, “that’s okay, isn’t it, I mean, does anyone else want any?” “No, you go ahead, I’ve had enough,” I said. “Sully, Jess?” “Knock yourself out,” Sully said. “I’m fine. Here, you’ll need this.” Jess handed his bowl back. “As long as you’re all sure.” “Just eat it for crying out loud!” Sully shouted. Andrew’s face turned bright red and he looked away. “What is it with you, Sully?” I filled the bowl with the remaining porridge and passed it to Andy. Then took the bowls and left.

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Still unsure about the yellow glow in the sky, we waited until it had gotten light before venturing outside. Something about it worried me and I didn‘t know why. Sully wasn’t talking to me so walked off ahead. Best if I leave him alone for a bit, let him calm down, I thought. Andy and Jess were discussing something to do with badges, not having a clue what they meant I kept quiet. I scanned the sky for any sign of birds. Strange, but I hadn’t seen one for two days now, not since the flock of starlings were zapped by the electrical spike anyway. That proved even stranger. Birds always sat on power lines, and not once had I ever 71

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seen one get hurt before. Weird things were happening, that was clear. We arrived at the shop. Sully was already inside, I could tell by his loud voice. But, who was he talking to? I rushed inside to see Mr. Bennett holding Sully back with a broom. “Get him off me, J. He’s gone crazy!” “Mr. Bennett, its Jessica, Jessica Pryce. Are you all right?” Jess stood in the doorway behind me. I moved out of the way and let her pass. “Jessica?” The broom dropped from his hands and he fell to his knees. She ran to him and draped an arm over his shoulder. Sully backed away and ran out the door. I stood fixed to the spot, watching. “What’s wrong with him,” Andy whispered in my ear. I shrugged my shoulders. I had no idea. Jess managed to get him off the floor and guided him towards the back room. “You two get what we need, I’ll meet you back at the house,” she said. I remained fixed, unable to take my eyes off her. “Go!”

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Andy picked the bacon and sausages from the fridge while I grabbed eggs, bread, butter and a few other supplies. Everything had happened so fast that I hadn’t given myself time to think. Why had Mr. Bennett acted that way. Why did it look as though he’d seen a ghost when he looked at Jess? “Hey. I said do you think these will still be okay to eat. I don’t want food poisoning.” I looked at Andy, staring at me, holding the packets up to my face. “Sorry.” I gave my head a shake. “Do. You. Think. These. Will. Be. Okay.” He spelt out. 73

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“I’m not deaf or stupid, Andy. Just put them in the bag.” I gave him a playful push and he laughed. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” “What about Jess?” He looked towards the back room. “She said she’ll be fine. Come on.” Sully was lounging on the sofa, empty crisp packets and chocolate wrappers thrown on the floor around him. “What the feck have you done! You can’t just eat them all. We need to keep those.” I rushed to the sofa and grabbed his jumper in my fist, ready to punch him. “Get off, J. You’re just as crazy as that stupid old man.” He pulled at my fingers to open them. “You don’t get it. What if we can’t get any more food. What if the shop doesn’t get any more deliveries. What do we do then, starve.” I released my hand and pushed him back. “I… didn’t think of that,” he mumbled. “No, you didn’t, but then you never do, Sully. Why do you think Big Mac benched ya, because you never listen or think. Do what you want, you always do. Come on Andy, let’s go get some more wood.”

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I sat on the step outside the back door. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d kept to ourselves the rest of the morning; Andy became fire monitor and took to his duty as though heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d won an award. Sully had stormed off somewhere. I had stock piled the food and made a list of what we had and what we needed. The sun was already low. A light mist had started to cling to the bare trees and the yellow glow was beginning to appear on the horizon. By my calculations it appeared to be coming from the direction of Woodford, the largest town in the area. It still baffled me, though. Could it mean that Woodford had power? There was a possibility that they could have generators. 75

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An idea began to swirl in my head. Why did we need to stay? Our parents were dead and I knew Tom wasn’t here now because one of us would have seen him. What if they had taken everyone to Woodford. It could’ve happened. Then a feeling of dread coated my skin. “The nuclear power plant,” I whispered, as the thought took hold. None of us had given a thought to that. What if it had exploded and the yellow glow had something to do with it. It could be the radiation leaking into the atmosphere. And the jolt that sent me and Sully flying had nothing to do with the power, but everything to do with the power plant exploding. “Andy, come quick,” I managed to yell before my throat tightened in fear. He rushed through the kitchen towards me. “What! What’s the matter,” he squealed, his head jerking like a chicken. I pointed towards the light. “Is that. Woodford, you know…” He seemed to settle in an instant. “Erm no, Woodford’s in the other direction.”

E I G H T

I rested my head in my hands, embarrassed, but relieved. “Don’t worry, J. Don’t forget, we learn map reading and ordinance as scouts.” He patted my shoulder. “Thanks, Andy. You won’t, you know.” “I’ve got your back, J.” He left me and went back to his duties. I looked up at the darkening sky. So if Woodford is the other way where the hell is that, I thought. Or more to the point, what was that. I pulled the phone and charger from my pocket gave it a wind and checked the time. “Three-thirty already?” No one except Sully had 77

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eaten since breakfast. Where was Sully, anyway? I hadn’t seen him since this morning. “Jess!” Shit, I’d completely forgotten she was still at the shop. “Andy, I’m going back to get Jess. If Sully turns up tell him where I’ve gone, okay.” “No problems.” He called back. I grabbed the torch and headed round the side of the house, winding it as I went. “Where are you going, it’s getting dark,” Sully said, and I looked up. Standing with him was Jess. They were both smiling. “What the. Where—” “I went to get Jess, turns out old man Bennett is her granddad.” He looked at me weirdly. “Are you all right, J.? You don’t look too good.” “Here, help me get him inside. Its shock, I’ve seen it before.” Jess grabbed one of my arms. Before I knew it I was lying on the sofa covered in blankets. I tried protesting, but she kept shushing me to be quiet. “I’m fine, okay. Now let me up, please. Look, I have an idea and you all need to listen.” She released her hands and stepped back. “What idea.” “Well, I’ve been thinking about leaving. Tomorrow, if that‘s all right with everyone.”

E I G H T

The arguments went on for ages. I eventually gave up, sat back and let them get on with it. Jess didn’t want to leave her granddad. Sully held on to the hope that Poppy was still hiding somewhere. “Will you just, shut, up,” Andy shouted. “I may have an answer.” He went to his bag. We remained quiet while he fumbled through it, mumbling to himself. “Here, I knew I packed them.” He stood in front of the fire holding up two walkie-talkies. “I’ll go with Jess to see Mr. Bennett and then we’ll go to my house to get my map and compass. We’ll need those if we’re leaving. You and Sully take this.” He handed one to me. “We’ll stay at the shop if it gets too dark 79

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to come back, I’ll let you know.” “Will they work?” Sully said. “They run off batteries so theoretically they should work. Turn it on, J, I’ll go in the kitchen and we can check.” He disappeared from the room so I turned it on and waited. “Can you hear me? Over.” His voice crackled. “Loud and clear,” I said. “You have to say over so I know you’ve finished.” Andy walked back into the room. “Right, sorry.” Grabbing their coats they left the house. Sully paced while I fidgeted. Half an hour had passed when they came charging back into the room, breathless. “Jess said she saw, someone, in the, church.” Andy wheezed. “It just stood there, staring.” Jess’s eyes were wide with fright. “Totally freaked me out.” “Maybe we should leave,” Sully said. “I agree.” Jess leaned against the sofa. “You’re all okay with this? Tomorrow, yeah.” They nodded in agreement. So we decided, at first light we’d head for Woodford. I could only hope we wouldn‘t be followed.

I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of Eight. If you'd like to read the full book, you can get the paperback version at FeedARead.com, or, the ebook version at Smashwords.com. Thanks for reading. SD Neeve