Hurst

["the\t woman\u2019s\t face\t from\t the\t canteen,\t one\t of\t the\t kitchen\t staff.\t Riley\t inclined\t her head\tsympathetically\tas\ttears\tstarted\tto\tstream\tdown\ther\tface.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\twipe them\taway. Pavlowski\theard\ther\tsob\tand\twas\tbehind\ther\tin\tan\tinstant.\t\u201cYou\tokay,\tRiley? Keep\t it\t together,\t yeah?\t If\t our\t girl\t ain\u2019t\t here,\t we\t keep\t moving.\t We\t finish\t our sweep\tand\tget\tout\tof\there.\u201d Riley\tnodded\tand\treluctantly\tmoved\tto\tthe\tnext\troom.\tRoom\tnumber\ttwenty- eight.\tThey\ttried\tthe\thandle\tand\tfound\tit\twas\tlocked\tso\tproceeded\ton\tto\tthe\tnext. Inside\troom\tthirty,\tthey\tfound\tthe\tnurse\tall\talone,\tkeeping\ta\tsilent\tvigil\tover\tthe sick.\t She\t seemed\t to\t be\t sleeping\t and\t did\t not\t respond\t to\t their\t voices\t or\t touch. Pavlowski\tshook\ther\thard\tand\tlightly\tslapped\ther\tface.\tShe\tjolted\tupright\tin\tthe chair\t as\t if\t an\t electric\t shock\t had\t been\t passed\t through\t her.\t Her\t eyes\t were\t wild, frightened\t by\t the\t two\t figures\t standing\t in\t front\t of\t her\t like\t astronauts\t from another\tplanet.\tRiley\tspoke\tto\ther,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\trecognise\ther\tat\tfirst\tor understand\twhat\tshe\twas\tsaying. \u201cNurse,\t it\u2019s\t Riley.\t You\t looked\t after\t my\t friend\t Zed.\t Do\t you\t remember\t me?\u201d She\tleaned\tin\tclose,\tslowing\ther\twords,\tannunciating\tclearly.\t\u201cThe\tman\twho\thurt his\t arm.\t We\t were\t here\t a\t couple\t of\t days\t ago.\u201d\t Riley\t grabbed\t her\t shoulders\t and shook\ther\tagain. The\tnurse\tshook\ther\thead,\tlooking\tthrough\ther,\tclasping\ther\thands\ttogether\tin her\t lap,\t stroking\t a\t rough\t patch\t of\t skin\t on\t the\t back\t of\t her\t wrist\t where\t she\t had rubbed\tit\traw\twith\tworry.\tShe\twas\trocking\tbackwards\tand\tforwards,\tterrified\tand confused.\tRiley\ttried\tagain. \u201cWhat\thappened\there?\tWhere\tis\teveryone?\u201d The\tnurse\tseemed\tto\tcome\tto\ther\tsenses\tmomentarily.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tjust\tus\tnow.\tThey left\tme\tall\talone\twith\tthe\tsick.\u201d \u201cGone\twhere?\u201d\tRiley\tshook\ther\tagain\tby\tthe\tshoulders\tbut\tthe\tnurse\tgrabbed her\t wrist\t to\t make\t her\t stop,\t staring\t angrily\t into\t her\t eyes\t through\t the\t plastic, resenting\tthis\tintrusion\tinto\ther\tprivate\tdespair. \u201cThe\t sisters\t took\t the\t rest\t of\t them\t to\t a\t safe\t place.\t They\t left\t me\t in\t charge. There\u2019s\tnothing\tI\tcan\tdo,\texcept\tmake\tthem\tcomfortable.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\tThere\twas\tno\tsickness\there\twhen\tI\tleft.\u201d \u201cMother\t Superior\t said\t the\t men\t brought\t the\t sickness.\t She\t blamed\t your friend.\u201d \u201cBut\t that\u2019s\t impossible.\t None\t of\t our\t group\t are\t sick,\u201d\t replied\t Riley incredulously. \u201cNot\t now.\t They\t may\t not\t know\t they\t are\t sick.\t Carriers,\t unaware\t that\t their every\t breath\t is\t deadly\t to\t others.\t This\t is\t how\t the\t virus\t spreads\t so\t fast.\t People carry\ton\tuntil\tthey\thave\tinfected\teveryone\taround\tthem.\u201d","Riley\t was\t unconvinced.\t She\t knew\t the\t virus\t well\t through\t observing\t the\t new arrivals\t at\t Hurst\t and\t their\t forty-eight\t hours\t of\t quarantine.\t Symptoms\t presented themselves\tquickly,\tcoughing,\tsneezing,\tfever.\tIt\tsimply\twasn\u2019t\tpossible\tthat\tthe members\t of\t the\t Hurst\t team\t could\t have\t spread\t the\t virus,\t unless\t they\t were immune\tthemselves.\tNone\tof\tthat\tseemed\tto\tmake\tany\tsense.\tShe\taddressed\tthe nurse\tagain. \u201cWho\tfell\till\tfirst?\tThat\tmight\tgive\tus\ta\tclue.\u201d \u201cLet\tme\tthink.\tIt\tall\thappened\tso\tfast.\tI\tthink\tit\twas\tthe\ttwo\tgirls.\tThey\twere brought\t to\t see\t me\t first,\t complaining\t of\t feeling\t run-down\t and\t feverish.\t Of course,\tI\tknew\tright\taway\twhat\tit\twas,\tor\twhat\tI\tfeared\tit\tmight\tbe.\tBut\tby\tthen it\t was\t already\t too\t late.\t They\t had\t been\t in\t contact\t with\t half\t a\t dozen\t others,\t and they\tin\tturn\thad\tbeen\tin\tcontact\twith\thalf\ta\tdozen\tmore.\u201d \u201cWhat\t were\t their\t names?\u201d\t asked\t Riley\t urgently,\t grabbing\t her\t shoulders forcefully. \u201cIt\twas\tLexie\tand\ther\tfriend\tGina.\tThey\twere\tthe\tfirst,\tI\u2019m\tsure\tof\tit.\u201d Riley\tremembered\tthem\twell.\tThey\thad\tbeen\tthe\ttwo\tteenagers\twho\ttold\ther about\tthe\tboys\tthey\tused\tto\tmeet\tfrom\toutside\tthe\thotel\tgrounds,\tdrinking\tcider and\tsmoking\ttogether\tbehind\tthe\tshed.\tThe\tsnatched\tkiss.\tRiley\twas\tconvinced. In\t all\t probability,\t the\t girls\t were\t the\t most\t likely\t source\t of\t the\t outbreak.\t She didn\u2019t\tfor\ta\tmoment\tbelieve\tthat\tthe\tteam\tfrom\tHurst\thad\tbrought\tthe\tvirus\twith them.\t There\t had\t been\t no\t other\t reported\t cases\t at\t Hurst\t for\t months.\t They\t were clean,\t but\t it\t was\t pointless\t trying\t to\t convince\t the\t nurse\t otherwise.\t She\t at\t least knew\tthe\ttruth. \u201cWhere\tare\tthe\trest\tof\tthem?\tDo\tyou\tknow\twhere\tthey\twere\tmaking\tfor?\u201d \u201cI\tknow\tthey\twere\theaded\teast\ttowards\tChristchurch.\tThey\u2019ll\tmost\tlikely\tfind another\thotel\tor\tlarge\tbuilding,\tan\tabandoned\tschool\tor\ttrailer\tpark\tto\tcamp\tout there\tuntil\tthe\toutbreak\thas\tdied\tout.\tThey\u2019ll\tsend\ta\tmessenger\tevery\ttwo\tdays\tto check\t on\t us\t and\t wait\t until\t it\u2019s\t safe\t to\t return.\u201d\t The\t nurse\t turned\t her\t head\t and looked\t out\t of\t the\t window,\t lost\t in\t her\t thoughts.\t Without\t turning\t back,\t she continued\t in\t a\t low\t voice,\t barely\t above\t a\t whisper.\t \u201cShe\t knew\t you\t would\t come back.\u201d \u201cSorry.\tWho\tknew?\tDo\tyou\tmean\tthe\tsisters?\u201d \u201cSister\t Theodora\t said\tyou\t would\tcome\tlooking\tfor\tStella\tand\tI\twas\t to\tgive you\t this\t note\t when\t I\t saw\t you.\u201d\t She\t reached\t into\t the\t folds\t of\t her\t apron.\t Deep inside\ta\tfront\tpocket\twas\ta\tfolded\tnote\tthat\tshe\theld\tout\tto\tRiley\twith\ta\tshaking hand.\t Riley\t was\t intrigued\t and\t took\t the\t single\t side\t of\t hotel\t stationery\t with\t its distinctive\t masthead\t in\t her\t gloved\t fingers.\t She\t opened\t it\t slowly\t to\t reveal sculpted\twords,\tloops\tand\tletters\twritten\tin\tthe\tsister\u2019s\thandwriting.\tIt\treminded her\t of\t the\t calligraphy\t pen\t she\t had\t been\t given\t on\t her\t eleventh\t birthday\t by\t a","doting\t aunt\t and\t the\t hours\t she\t had\t spent\t perfecting\t her\t strokes\t and\t shapes.\t The note\t was\t addressed\t to\t her\t personally,\t but\t the\t bulk\t of\t the\t text\t was\t made\t up\t of two\t extracts\t from\t the\t Bible\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t recognise\t immediately,\t but\t both sounded\tfamiliar. \t There\twill\tbe\tno\tmore\tnight.\tThey\twill\tnot\tneed\tthe\tlight\tof\ta\tlamp\tor the\tlight\tof\tthe\tsun,\tfor\tthe\tLord\tGod\twill\tgive\tthem\tlight.\tAnd\tthey\twill reign\tforever\tand\tever. Revelation\t22:5 \t He\tthat\tis\tunjust,\tlet\thim\tbe\tunjust\tstill:\tand\the\twhich\tis\tfilthy,\tlet\thim be\t filthy\t still:\t and\t he\t that\t is\t righteous,\t let\t him\t be\t righteous\t still:\t and he\t that\t is\t holy,\t let\t him\t be\t holy\t still.\t And,\t behold,\t I\t come\t quickly;\t and my\t reward\t is\t with\t me,\t to\t give\t every\t man\t according\t as\t his\t work\t shall be.\tI\tam\tAlpha\tand\tOmega,\tthe\tbeginning\tand\tthe\tend,\tthe\tfirst\tand\tthe last. Revelation\t22:11-22:13 \t Dear\tRiley, Every\tday\twe\tsay\ta\tprayer\tfor\tyou\tand\tyour\tpeople.\tWe\tforgive\tyou for\tall\tthe\thurt\tand\tpain\tyou\thave\tinflicted\tupon\tour\tflock. The\tLord\tin\this\talmighty\twisdom\tsent\tyou\there\tto\tshow\tus\tthe\terror of\tour\tways.\tThe\tfire\tand\tthe\toutbreak\tof\tthe\tsickness\there\twere\tGod\u2019s will,\tof\tthat\tI\tam\tcertain.\tThe\tLord\tmoves\tin\tmysterious\tways. Do\t not\t look\t for\t us,\t you\t will\t not\t find\t us.\t Do\t not\t return\t here.\t Only sorrow\tremains. Sister\tTheodora \t Riley\t refolded\t the\t letter\t and\t handed\t it\t to\t Pavlowski\t who\t scanned\t the handwritten\ttext\tand\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\ttake\tit\tpersonally,\tRiley.\u201d She\tfeigned\ta\tsmile\tand\tanswered,\t\u201cI\twon\u2019t.\u201d","Chapter\tFifty-eight After\ta\t leisurely\tbreakfast\t and\tfriendly\tinquisition,\tTerra\tand\tBriggs\tadjourned to\t a\t well-appointed\t drawing\t room\t in\t one\t of\t the\t oldest\t parts\t of\t Carisbrooke Castle.\t He\t held\t the\t door\t open\t and\t waited\t for\t her\t to\t enter.\t Following\t close behind\twas\tthe\tenormous\tbulk\tof\tone\tof\this\tmost\ttrusted\tdeputies.\tEarlier,\tTerra had\twitnessed\tBriggs\tspeaking\twith\tthe\tman\twith\tthe\textravagant\ttattoos\ton\this face\t with\t what\t appeared\t to\t be\t genuine\t tenderness,\t his\t arm\t around\t his\t shoulder like\t a\t brother,\t sharing\t a\t joke.\t The\t man\u2019s\t name\t was\t Hatch\t or\t Hutch.\t Anyway, something\tthat\tmade\ther\tthink\tof\trabbits. A\t fire,\t recently\t lit,\t crackled\t and\t spat\t sparks\t in\t the\t enormous\t hearth\t stacked with\tlogs\tand\tkindling\tthat\twas\tjust\tbeginning\tto\tcatch.\tShe\tcould\tsee\tscrunched- up\t paper\t still\t burning\t at\t its\t core.\t To\t the\t right\t of\t the\t fire\t was\t a\t large\t pile\t of newspapers.\tShe\tangled\ther\thead,\ttrying\tto\tmake\tout\tthe\tmasthead,\tcover\tpicture and\t headline\t on\t the\t topmost\t copy.\t It\t was\t dated\t more\t than\t two\t years\t ago\t at\t the very\t start\t of\t the\t outbreak.\t She\t scanned\t the\t copy.\t Rumours\t of\t a\t terrorist\t attack, photos\t of\t a\t royal\t baby,\t political\t crisis.\t It\t had\t been\t several\t months\t since\t she\u2019d read\t a\t magazine\t or\t paper.\t At\t Hurst,\t Scottie\t had\t made\t a\t habit\t of\t collecting hundreds\tof\tbroadsheets,\tlocal\tpapers,\ttrade\tjournals,\tscience\tpapers\tand\tfashion magazines,\t chronicling\t the\t chaos\t of\t the\t outbreak.\t The\t first\t early\t warning\t signs had\t been\t ignored.\t Dismissed\t as\t localised\t winter\t flu\t spikes,\t of\t little\t concern\t to the\t developed\t world.\t As\t the\t scale\t of\t the\t outbreak\t became\t clear,\t wild\t theories proliferated.\tThe\tfinal\tissues\tof\tThe\tTimes\tand\t The\tTelegraph\thad\tbeen\tsingle- sheet\tpublications\tas\tprinting\tworks\tand\tnewspaper\toffices\tclosed\tin\tshort\torder. Terra\t reflected\t on\t the\t fact\t that\t the\t world\t had\t become\t an\t altogether\t smaller place.\t So\t little\t was\t known\t of\t what\t was\t happening\t elsewhere\t beyond\t their immediate\t environment.\t Nowadays\t people\t tended\t to\t view\t the\t world\t with blinkers\t on,\t busying\t themselves\t with\t what\t was\t in\t front\t of\t their\t noses.\t There seemed\tlittle\tpoint\tworrying\tabout\twhat\tlay\tbeyond.\tShe\twas\treminded\tof\tJack\u2019s mantra\tthat\tone\tof\tthe\tkeys\tto\thappiness\twas\tto\tnever\tworry\tabout\tthings\toutside your\t control.\t Concentrate\t on\t the\t here\t and\t now,\t or\t at\t least\t that\u2019s\t what\t Jack\t had always\ttold\ther. There\t was\t a\t chill\t in\t the\t air\t that\t the\t fire\t had\t not\t quite\t dispelled.\t Terra\t stood barefoot,\t her\t back\t to\t the\t flames.\t She\t scrunched\t her\t toes\t in\t the\t deep\t pile\t of\t a","large\t red\t rug,\t marked\t by\t small\t burn\t holes\t where\t coals\t had\t fallen\t from\t an unattended\t grate.\t The\t room\t was\t impressive,\t with\t portraits\t of\t distinguished noblemen\t that\t graced\t the\t walls.\t A\t framed\t watercolour\t had\t been\t left\t propped against\t a\tbookshelf,\tjostling\tfor\tspace\t with\tstatues\tand\ttrophies\tcollecting\t dust against\tthe\twalls,\tpresumably\tstolen\tfrom\tthe\tsurrounding\tarea\tby\tBriggs\u2019s\tmen. In\tthe\tcorner,\tin\tpride\tof\tplace,\tstood\ta\tsuit\tof\tarmour\tin\trichly\tpolished\tmetal,\ta mace\tin\tone\thand\ttogether\twith\ta\tball\tand\tchain\tin\tthe\tother. Briggs\t closed\t the\t oak-framed\t door\t and\t slumped\t into\t his\t favourite\t armchair set\t nearest\t the\t fire.\t He\t watched\t Terra\t as\t she\t moved\t around\t the\t room,\t noting where\t she\t lingered,\t what\t she\t picked\t up,\t and\t what\t she\t ignored\t in\t his\t growing collection\tof\tlooted\tartworks. She\t felt\t his\t eyes\t following\t her\t and\t accentuated\t the\t sway\t of\t her\t hips\t as\t she walked,\t planting\t her\t bare\t feet\t carefully\t to\t avoid\t pieces\t of\t glass\t on\t the\t wooden floor.\t She\t made\t sure\t he\t was\t watching\t closely\t and\t retained\t his\t attention\t by flicking\ther\thead\tcoquettishly\tto\tthe\tleft,\tmaking\teye\tcontact\tover\ther\tshoulder. She\twas\tenjoying\tthis\tfleeting\tsense\tof\tpower\tand\tsway\tshe\theld\tover\thim.\tShe thought\t she\t sensed\t conflict,\t as\t if\t he\t was\t fighting\t his\t instinct\t to\t trust\t her.\t She smiled\tinwardly,\tencouraged\tby\this\tuncertainty. He\twaited\tfor\ther\tto\tfinish\ther\tturn\taround\tthe\troom,\tenjoying\tthe\tcontours\tof the\tdress\tand\tthe\tway\tit\thugged\ther\tfigure,\tbefore\tpatting\this\tlap,\tinviting\ther\tto join\t him.\t She\t blushed\t and\t tried\t to\t laugh\t off\t his\t request,\t but\t quickly\t realised from\tthe\thumourless\texpression\tthat,\ton\tthis\toccasion,\the\twould\tnot\ttake\tno\tfor an\tanswer. She\t approached\t the\t armchair\t but\t hesitated,\t looking\t awkwardly\t at\t him.\t It reminded\ther\tof\tunwanted\tattentions\tfrom\tan\taffectionate\trelative\twhen\tshe\twas young.\t She\t remembered\t Uncle\t Sebastian\t at\t Christmas\t time,\t insisting\t that\t she still\tsit\ton\this\tlap,\tdespite\tbeing\ta\tpubescent\tteenager.\tShe\tshuddered,\teven\tafter all\t these\t years,\t thinking\t of\t his\t arm\t snaking\t around\t her\t waist,\t his\t coarse\t hands massaging\ther\tshoulders. Briggs\tpatted\this\tknee\tagain.\t\u201cCome\ton.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tbite.\u201d She\t modestly\t perched\t on\t his\t knee,\t but\t he\t grabbed\t her\t waist\t and\t quickly manhandled\t her\t across\t his\t lap.\t She\t was\t powerfully\t aware\t of\t the\t smell\t of\t the man.\t He\t was\t in\t need\t of\t a\t good\t bath.\t She\t did\t her\t best\t to\t remain\t calm\t as\t he studied\t his\t prize\t up\t close,\t drinking\t her\t in,\t angling\t her\t chin\t to\t left\t and\t right, studying\tthe\tcontours\tof\ther\tface. In\t the\t folds\t of\t her\t cardigan\t sleeve\t she\t adjusted\t a\t small\t blade\t she\t had smuggled\tfrom\tthe\tbreakfast\ttable.\tIt\twas\ta\twooden-handled\tkitchen\tknife\twith\ta serrated\t edge.\t Hutch\t had\t been\t careless\t leaving\t a\t blade\t this\t sharp\t within\t reach and\tnot\trealising\tits\tabsence\ton\tclearing.","She\tmight\tnever\tget\tthis\tclose\tto\tBriggs\tagain.\tHis\tneck\twas\tthickly\tmuscled above\ta\tblack\tsweater,\this\tbulging\tvein\tclose\tenough\tto\tbite.\tShe\tsummoned\tthe courage\tto\tdo\tthe\tdeed,\tto\tget\tit\t over\twith,\tto\trid\tthe\t world\tof\tthis\ttyrant.\tThe neck\t was\t her\t best\t option.\t An\t unsurvivable\t wound.\t A\t clean\t kill.\t A\t quick\t stab with\tthe\tknife\tand\tit\twould\tall\tbe\tover\tin\tseconds.\tAnd\tyet,\tshe\tfound\treasons\tto defer.\tCould\tshe\treally\tkill\tsomeone\tin\tcold\tblood? He\t smiled\t at\t her,\t enjoying\t her\t discomfort,\t but\t growing\t impatient\t at\t her reluctance,\t her\t body\t stiff\t and\t tense,\t unresponsive\t to\t his\t touch.\t The\t smile\t faded on\this\tlips\tand\tturned\tinto\ta\tsnarl\tas\the\tbared\this\tteeth\tand\twhispered,\t\u201cYou\tneed to\tlearn,\twoman.\tLearn\tto\tappreciate\tme.\u201d\tHe\tpulled\ther\tcloser.\tHis\tmouth\twas right\t next\t to\t her\t cheek,\t his\t breath\t sour\t and\t hot.\t His\t lips\t caressed\t her\t ear\t lobe, sucking\t at\t the\t stud\t earring\t she\t wore,\t nibbling\t it\t gently\t between\t his\t teeth.\t She fought\tto\tmaintain\tcontrol,\ther\theart\tracing.\tHe\tmistook\ther\tshortness\tof\tbreath for\texcitement\tand\tcontinued. The\twooden\thilt\tof\tthe\tknife\tslipped\tagainst\ther\twrist\tand\tthe\tblade\tcaught\tin the\t flesh\t of\t her\t index\t finger.\t With\t the\t weight\t of\t his\t body\t against\t her\t arm,\t the knife\tthreatened\tto\tbreak\tthe\tskin\tand\tdraw\tblood.\tHer\tmoment\thad\tcome,\tif\tshe could\tfree\ther\thand.\tStrike\tnow\tor\tlose\tthe\tchance\tforever.\tIt\twould\tbe\tover\tin\ta moment. There\t was\t a\t knock\t at\t the\t door\t and\t without\t waiting\t for\t an\t answer,\t one\t of Briggs\u2019s\t henchmen\t strode\t in,\t followed\t by\t Victor,\t the\t first\t officer\t from\t the Maersk\t Charlotte.\t Briggs\t looked\t affronted\t by\t this\t interruption,\t his\t head\t buried in\t Terra\u2019s\t neck.\t He\t loosened\t his\t grip\t slightly\t and\t Terra\t took\t advantage\t of\t the distraction,\tspringing\tto\ther\tfeet\tbefore\the\tcould\tgrab\ther\twrist\tagain. There\t was\t a\t smirk\t on\t Victor\u2019s\t lips\t as\t his\t eyes\t flicked\t from\t Terra\t back\t to Briggs,\t conscious\t he\t was\t interrupting\t this\t moment\t of\t intimacy,\t enjoying\t her discomfort\tas\tshe\tstood\tawkwardly,\thands\tfidgeting\tlike\ta\tfrightened\tchild. \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t want,\t Victor?\t Don\u2019t\t you\t have\t somewhere\t else\t to\t be?\u201d\t said Briggs. \u201cSorry.\t I\t can\t see\t you\u2019re\t busy.\t I\t won\u2019t\t keep\t you\t long.\t I\u2019ve\t just\t finished interrogating\t the\t others.\t They\t know\t nothing.\t Next\t time,\t we\t need\t to\t get\t an American.\u201d His\t voice\t was\t heavily\t accented,\t East\t European,\t certainly.\t Terra\t couldn\u2019t place\t it.\t Baltic\t states,\t former\t Soviet\t Union.\t Latvian\t or\t Estonian,\t she\t guessed, waiting\t for\t Victor\t to\t continue,\t wondering\t how\t many\t other\t hostages\t they\t had taken\tfrom\tOsborne. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\tshould\tknow\tthe\tMaersk\tCharlotte\tis\ton\tthe\tmove,\u201d\the\tadded. \u201cShe\t weighed\t anchor\t this\t morning\t and\t is\t heading\t into\t Southampton\t docks\t to begin\t unloading.\t The\t Royal\t Navy\t has\t rigged\t up\t power\t to\t one\t of\t the\t giant","cranes.\t They\t will\t begin\t unloading\t the\t humanitarian\t supplies,\t unless\t that\t is,\t we choose\tto\tstop\tthem.\tConstruction\tof\tthe\tfirst\tof\tthe\trefugee\tcentres\tis\texpected on\tthe\tisland\twithin\tthe\tweek.\u201d \u201cGood,\t good.\t Just\t like\t we\t planned.\t And\t our\t men?\t Are\t they\t in\t position?\u201d asked\tBriggs. \u201cThey\tare,\tas\tyou\tinstructed.\tWe\thave\tmade\tcontact\twith\tthe\thospital.\tCopper is\t now\t in\t charge.\t It\t would\t seem\t that\t his\t boss\t met\t with\t an\t untimely\t accident during\ttheir\tfailed\tattack\ton\tHurst.\u201d \u201cHow\tcareless.\tAnd\tthis\tnew\tman,\tCopper,\tis\the\tsomeone\twe\tcan\tdo\tbusiness with?\tCan\the\tbe\ttrusted?\u201d \u201cOh\t yes,\t he\t is\t a\t policeman.\t None\t more\t trustworthy,\t no?\t He\t and\t I\t go\t way back.\t He\t should\t prove\t a\t useful\t ally.\t He\t tells\t me\t their\t doctors\t are\t working\t on\t a prototype\t vaccine.\t They\t have\t already\t synthesised\t a\t strain\t of\t the\t virus,\t portable and\t deadly.\t They\t are\t conducting\t clinical\t trials\t to\t perfect\t them.\t He\t can\t start sending\tus\tsamples\tas\tsoon\tas\twe\u2019re\tready.\u201d Victor\t was\t about\t to\t divulge\t further\t details\t when\t he\t paused,\t his\t mouth\t half- open.\t His\t eyes\t darted\t across\t to\t Terra\t who\t was\t listening\t to\t the\t exchange, betrayed\tby\ta\tlook\tof\tconcern\tshe\tfailed\tto\thide\ton\tlearning\tabout\tthe\tattack\ton Hurst,\ther\tthoughts\tturning\tto\tJack\tand\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tteam. \u201cWhat\tabout\ther?\tAre\twe\tto\ttrust\ther?\tSurely,\ther\tloyalties\tlie\twith\tHurst\tand the\tAmericans.\tYou\tshould\tnot\tbe\tfooled\tby\ther\tkisses.\u201d Terra\tmade\tas\tif\tto\tspeak,\tto\tdefend\therself\tat\tVictor\u2019s\taccusations,\tthrowing her\t arms\t wide\t in\t a\t gesture\t of\t innocence.\t Victor\t nodded\t to\t the\t henchman\t who grabbed\tTerra\tby\tthe\twrist,\tbending\ther\tarm\tback\tuntil\tshe\twinced.\tHe\tpatted\ther down\t for\t concealed\t weapons\t and\t wrestled\t the\t small\t kitchen\t knife\t from\t her sleeve\tand\theld\tit\tup\tfor\tBriggs\tto\tsee. \u201cThis\t one\t you\t must\t watch\t like\t a\t hawk.\t She\t is\t not\t to\t be\t trusted.\t One\t of\t my men\t saw\t her\t take\t this\t earlier,\t but\t failed\t to\t mention\t it\t till\t just\t now.\t You\t were lucky\tI\tgot\there\twhen\tI\tdid.\u201d Victor\tpresented\tthe\thandle\tof\tthe\tknife\tto\tBriggs\twho\ttook\tit\tand\tweighed\tit for\t size,\t patting\t it\t while\t he\t nodded,\t fixing\t Terra\t with\t a\t look\t of\t reproach.\t He made\ta\tlow\ttutting\tsound\tand\tgot\twearily\tto\this\tfeet,\tseemingly\tdisappointed\tby this\tsmall\tact\tof\ttreachery. \u201cIt\u2019s\t lucky\t you\t were\t here,\t Victor.\t Your\t instincts\t serve\t you\t well,\t unlike\t you two,\tyou\tuseless\tbastards,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tgesturing\ttowards\this\tbodyguards\twho\twere doing\t their\t best\t to\t blame\t each\t other.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t stuffy\t in\t here.\t Let\u2019s\t take\t some\t air.\t I can\u2019t\t think\t in\t this\t room.\t Victor,\t Terra,\t Hatch,\t follow\t me.\t There\u2019s\t something\t I want\tto\tshow\tyou.\u201d He\topened\tthe\tdoor\tand\twaited\tfor\tthe\tthree\tothers\tto\thead\tout\tinto\tthe\tfront","lobby\t area\t and\t courtyard\t beyond.\t Outside\t it\t had\t stopped\t drizzling.\t Rainwater was\t dripping\t from\t roofs\t and\t gutters,\t collecting\t in\t large\t barrels\t positioned underneath\t drain\t pipes.\t Their\t shoes\t crunched\t across\t the\t wet\t gravel.\t Terra\t was still\tshoeless\tand\ttiptoed\tin\tbare\tfeet,\tpushed\tfrom\tbehind\twhen\ther\tpace\tslowed. They\tclimbed\tthe\tsteep\tsteps\tcovered\twith\tmoss\tthrough\ta\tlarge\tarchway\ton to\tthe\tramparts\tof\tthe\told\tkeep\tand\tthe\twalls\tthat\tran\talong\tthe\ttop.\tThe\tview\tup here\t was\t magnificent,\t stretching\t across\t the\t island.\t The\t city\t of\t Portsmouth\t was visible\tin\tthe\tdistance\tto\ttheir\tright\tacross\tthe\tSolent.\tTo\tthe\tsouth\tand\twest\twere sweeping\t fields\t and\t countryside,\t the\t houses\t and\t streets\t of\t Newport\t set\t out below.\t Briggs\t stopped\t at\t the\t highest\t point,\t leaning\t against\t the\t railing,\t out\t of breath,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tothers\tto\tjoin\thim. The\t thin\t wooden\t rail\t was\t all\t that\t stood\t between\t them\t and\t a\t vertical\t drop some\thundred\tfeet\tor\tso\tdown\tto\tthe\truins\tof\tbuildings\tnestled\tagainst\tthe\tcastle walls\t below,\t shrouded\t in\t bushes\t and\t trees.\t He\t put\t his\t arm\t around\t Terra\u2019s shoulders,\tpulling\ther\ttowards\thim.\tHis\tfingers\tkneaded\tthe\tmuscles\tat\tthe\tbase of\ther\tneck.\tShe\tflinched,\ttrembling\tslightly\tbut\tmade\tno\tattempt\tto\tmove\taway. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tsee,\tTerra?\u201d\tHe\textended\this\tarm\tover\tthe\tsweeping\tlandscape stretching\tinto\tthe\tdistance.\tShe\tstayed\tsilent,\tterrified.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tsee\twhen you\tlook\tat\tthis\tbeautiful\tisland?\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou.\tOpportunity.\u201d\tHe\tsmiled,\tgrasping the\tair\twith\this\thand.\tHe\tsqueezed\ther\taround\tthe\twaist\tbefore\tpushing\ther\taway roughly.\t \u201cBut\t you\t disappoint\t me,\t Terra.\u201d\t He\t let\t his\t words\t hang\t for\t a\t couple\t of seconds\tbefore\tcontinuing.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tdisappointment.\tI\thave\tno\ttime\tfor\tliars. Without\tloyalty,\twithout\ttrust,\tthere\tis\tnothing.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d Terra\t nodded,\t feeling\t the\t wooden\t rail\t give\t a\t little\t as\t she\t leaned\t against\t it. Suddenly\tshe\tfelt\tvery\tafraid,\tstaring\tdown\tinto\tthe\tabyss\tbeneath\ther\tbare\tfeet. She\tgripped\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tstones\twith\ther\ttoes\tand\tswallowed\thard.\tShe\tfully expected\t this\t to\t be\t her\t last\t breath\t before\t tumbling\t over\t to\t meet\t her\t maker, consoling\t herself\t that\t at\t least\t it\t would\t be\t a\t quick\t end.\t A\t short\t fall\t and\t then nothing.\tThe\tpain\twould\tbe\tmomentary. \u201cYou\tand\tI\tcould\thave\tbeen\tsomething.\tWe\tcould\thave\truled\tthis\tisland\tlike King\t and\t Queen.\t Don\u2019t\t you\t see\t that?\t But\t how\t can\t I\t ever\t trust\t you\t again?\u201d\t He shook\this\thead,\tstaring\tout\tover\tthe\tcountryside\tbeyond.\tShe\tstarted\tto\tapologise but\the\traised\ta\tfinger\tto\tsilence\ther.\t\u201cHatch,\tget\tover\there.\u201d\tHe\tgestured\ttowards the\tgentle\tgiant\tof\ta\tman,\twho\twandered\tcloser.\t\u201cHow\tlong\thave\twe\tknown\teach other?\tFive,\tno,\tsix\tyears.\tYou,\tmy\tfriend,\thave\tone\tjob.\tYou\tknow\twhat\tit\tis?\tTo ensure\tmy\tsafety.\tTo\tstop\tpeople\tlike\ther\ttrying\tto\tdo\tme\tharm.\u201d \u201cYes,\tboss,\tit\twas\tlike\tthis\u2026\u201d \u201cNo\texplanation\tneeded,\tHatch.\tYou\tdid\tyour\tbest.\tI\tget\tthat.\tI\tcan\u2019t\task\tfor more.\t And\t yet\t your\t best\t is\t not\t good\t enough.\t Not\t by\t a\t long\t stretch\t of\t the","imagination.\t You\t let\t this,\t this\t feeble\t woman,\t smuggle\t a\t knife\t in\t close\t without anyone\teven\tnoticing.\u201d \u201cSorry,\t boss,\t it\t won\u2019t\t happen\t again.\u201d\t He\t was\t all\t of\t six\t feet\t four\t inches\t and yet\the\tlooked\tlike\ta\tscolded\tschoolboy. \u201cThat\u2019s\tright,\tHatch,\tit\twon\u2019t\thappen\tagain.\u201d Briggs\t stepped\t back\t and\t braced\t himself\t against\t the\t raised\t outer\t wall\t of\t the castle\t and\t kicked\t hard\t into\t the\t small\t of\t Hatch\u2019s\t back.\t Despite\t his\t size,\t he\t was off\tbalance\tand\tthe\trailing\tdid\tlittle\tto\tarrest\this\tforward\tmomentum.\tHe\tcrashed through\t the\t barrier\t and\t plummeted\t some\t hundred\t feet\t down\t on\t to\t the\t rocks below. Terra\t and\t Victor\t followed\t his\t flailing\t arms\t and\t brief\t fall,\t hearing\t his\t skull crack\tagainst\tthe\tstone\tfoundations\tof\ta\tstorage\tshed.\tTerra\tcould\tjust\tmake\tout the\t slow\t trickle\t of\t blood\t from\t a\t head\t wound\t dripping\t onto\t the\t white\t stone\t and start\tpooling\tbeneath\this\tbody. Briggs\tturned\tto\tface\tVictor.\t\u201cVictor.\tLooks\tlike\ta\tposition\tin\tmy\torganisation has\tjust\topened\tup.\tDo\tyou\twant\tin?\u201d Victor\twas\tstaring\tdown\tat\tthe\tman\u2019s\tbody\tbelow,\tthe\tleft\tfoot\tstill\ttwitching. He\t looked\t up\t into\t Briggs\u2019s\t expressionless\t eyes\t and\t nodded.\t Briggs\t turned\t his back\ton\tthem\tand\tstarted\twalking\taway. \u201cYou\t can\t start\t by\t clearing\t up\t that\t mess.\t Get\t that\t railing\t fixed,\t will\t you?\t It was\tan\taccident\twaiting\tto\thappen.\u201d Victor\t nodded\t and\t mumbled\t his\t assent,\t hurrying\t after\t his\t new\t boss.\t He stopped\t and\t turned\t to\t find\t Terra\t still\t staring\t at\t the\t crumpled\t body\t below,\t its shape\ttwisted\tawkwardly,\tbroken\tagainst\tthe\trock. \u201cCome\t on.\t That\u2019s\t enough\t excitement\t for\t one\t day.\t Let\u2019s\t get\t you\t inside\t and back\tin\tyour\tcell.\u201d Terra\tlooked\tup\twith\ttears\tin\ther\teyes\tas\tshe\tshivered\tin\tthe\tmorning\tbreeze. She\t took\t a\t step\t towards\t the\t edge,\t backing\t away\t from\t him.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t come\t any closer\tor\tI\u2019ll\tjump.\u201d Victor\t stared\t at\t her\t motionless.\t \u201cWe\t both\t know\t that\u2019s\t not\t going\t to\t happen,\u201d he\tsaid,\tmocking\ther. \u201cI\u2019ll\t do\t it.\t Don\u2019t\t think\t I\u2019m\t not\t capable,\u201d\t said\t Terra\t shaking\t her\t head,\t her whole\tbody\ttrembling\twith\tfear\tand\tadrenaline. \u201cOh,\tI\tknow\tyou\u2019re\tcapable,\tTerra.\tBut\tI\talso\tknow\tthat\tyou\twon\u2019t\tjump.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tso\tsure.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tI\u2019ve\tdone\tto\tsurvive.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t like\t me.\t An\t opportunist.\t You\u2019ve\t survived\t because\t you\t evolve\t and adapt,\t stay\t close\t to\t those\t in\t power.\t Bide\t your\t time,\t make\t the\t most\t of\t a\t good thing. \u201cYou\tknow\tnothing\tabout\tme.\tDon\u2019t\tunderestimate\tme,\tVictor.\u201d","\u201cYou\u2019re\twrong.\tI\thold\tyou\tin\tthe\thighest\tregard.\u201d\t She\tlooked\tconfused\tand relaxed\ta\tfraction,\tpuzzling\tover\this\twords.\t\u201cThings\tare\tabout\tto\tget\tinteresting. If\t I\t was\t you,\t I\u2019d\t stick\t around.\t Don\u2019t\t give\t up\t now,\t just\t when\t you\u2019ve\t landed yourself\ta\tposition\tof\tinfluence.\tThose\tothers\the\ttook.\tThe\thostages.\tThey\twere worthless,\texcept\tto\ttrade\tor\tuse\tas\thuman\tshields\tperhaps.\tWhereas\tyou,\tTerra. You\u2019re\tthe\tkey\tto\tall\tthis.\tThe\tQueen\tof\tHurst,\the\tcalls\tyou.\tYou\tcould\thelp\tunite these\t disparate\t groups.\t He\t needs\t you.\t Stay\t close\t to\t Briggs\t and\t you\u2019ll\t be\t at\t the heart\t of\t this\t growing\t rebellion.\t Just\t imagine,\t riches\t and\t power\t beyond\t your wildest\tdreams.\tIf\twe\twork\ttogether\twe\tcan\trule\tthis\tnew\tworld.\tIt\u2019s\tours\tfor\tthe taking.\u201d She\t put\t her\t hand\t back\t against\t the\t railing\t post\t behind\t her,\t blinking\t back\t at him,\tdigesting\this\toffer\tof\tpartnership.\tVictor\tseized\this\tchance\tand\treached\tout to\tgrab\ther\tsleeve\tbefore\tshe\tcould\treact. \u201cDon\u2019t\t touch\t me.\t You\u2019re\t wrong.\t You\u2019re\t as\t bad\t as\t the\t rest\t of\t them.\t You\t all deserve\tto\tdie.\u201d He\t slapped\t her\t hard\t across\t the\t face\t and\t hauled\t her\t away\t from\t the\t edge, dragging\t her\t back\t towards\t the\t stairs\t to\t the\t main\t building.\t Terra\t took\t one\t last look\tacross\tthe\tcountryside\tto\tthe\tnorth\tand\twest.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tHurst\tbut\tshe imagined\tJack\tand\tZed\tstanding\ton\ttop\tof\tthe\tGun\tTower\tin\tthe\tdistance.\tIf\tonly she\t could\t get\t a\t message\t to\t them,\t tell\t them\t where\t she\t was.\t She\t had\t to\t believe they\twould\tcome\tfor\ther.\tIn\tthe\tmeantime,\tshe\tmust\tbide\ther\ttime,\tdo\twhat\tshe could\tto\tstay\talive\tand\tregain\tBriggs\u2019s\ttrust,\twhatever\tit\ttook.\tThe\tfuture\tof\tthe island,\t even\t the\t whole\t region,\t depended\t on\t her.\t Fail\t and\t nothing\t would\t stand between\tBriggs\tand\this\tplan\tfor\tchaos\tand\tdisorder. It\twas\tan\timpossible\tchoice.\tBend\tto\tBriggs\u2019s\twill,\tbetray\teverything\tshe\thad worked\tso\thard\tfor.\tAnd\tfor\twhat,\twealth\tand\tpower?\tWhat\tdid\tthey\treally\tcount for\tversus\tthe\tnew\tlife\tshe\thad\tbuilt\tfor\therself\tat\tHurst?\tAnd\tyet\tpart\tof\ther\twas silently\tscreaming\tthat\tit\twas\ta\tprice\tworth\tpaying,\twasn\u2019t\tit? With\ta\tloud\tsigh,\tshe\tswallowed\ther\tpride\tand\tsuccumbed\tto\tlogic.\tShe\tgave in\tand\tallowed\therself\tto\tbe\thauled\tback\tto\ther\tcell.\tThere\twould\tbe\tno\tshortage of\t hours\t to\t ponder\t her\t next\t move.\t It\t was\t time\t for\t metamorphosis,\t for\t the\t real Terra\tto\temerge\tand\tspread\ther\twings. Was\tit\ther\timagination\tor\tcould\tshe\thear\tthe\tsound\tof\tbreaking\twaves,\tcarried on\t the\t wind?\t Perhaps\t it\t was\t the\t remnants\t of\t the\t late\t spring\t storm\t that\t had battered\t the\t island\t over\t the\t past\t week,\t rollers\t surging\t in\t from\t the\t English Channel.\tThe\tsound\twas\tdistant\tyet\tsomehow\tfamiliar\tand\tsoothing.\tIt\treminded her\tof\thome.","Chapter\tFifty-nine Riley\tsat\tdown\tnext\tto\tAdele,\tsupportively\tholding\ther\thand,\twhile\tthe\tlittle\tgirl buried\ther\tface\tinto\ther\tshoulder.\tThe\tmedical\tofficer\tfrom\tthe\tChester\tswabbed the\t inside\t of\t Adele\u2019s\t arm\t with\t a\t cotton\t ball\t soaked\t in\t alcohol.\t He\t tapped\t two fingers\tagainst\ther\tinner\tarm\tand\tinserted\tthe\tneedle\tinto\ta\traised\tvein. \u201cIt\u2019ll\tall\tbe\tover\tin\ta\tminute.\u201d\tThe\tdoctor\tsmiled\tas\tthe\tsyringe\tslowly\tfilled with\t the\t little\t girl\u2019s\t blood\t they\t hoped\t would\t help\t them\t understand\t more\t about the\t virus.\t He\t withdrew\t the\t needle,\t keeping\t the\t pressure\t on\t the\t puncture\t mark with\this\tgloved\tfinger,\tand\tstuck\ta\tplaster\tover\tthe\texpanding\tpinprick\tof\tblood, handing\tthe\tsyringe\tto\this\tassistant. Riley\u2019s\tthoughts\twere\telsewhere.\tShe\tcouldn't\tstop\tthinking\tabout\tStella\tand what\tshe\thad\tseen\tat\tthe\thotel.\tAfter\tthe\tfire,\tan\toutbreak\tof\tthe\tvirus\twas\ta\tcruel blow.\tShe\thad\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tStella\twas\tindeed\timmune,\tas\twas\tbeing\tsuggested. The\t ride\t home\t in\t the\t helicopter\t had\t been\t in\t silence.\t There\t was\t nothing Peterson\tcould\tsay\tthat\tcould\tpossibly\tmake\tthings\tbetter,\tso\the\tgave\tup\tand\tleft Riley\tto\ther\tdark\tthoughts. \u201cWe\u2019ll\t need\t to\t get\t this\t blood\t sample\t to\t Professor\t Nichols\u2019s\t team\t at\t St. Mary\u2019s\tas\tsoon\tas\tpossible.\tCan\tyou\tmake\tthe\tarrangements,\tplease?\u201d\tthe\tdoctor asked\this\tassistant. He\tturned\tback\tto\tface\tAdele\twho\twas\trubbing\ther\tthrobbing\tarm,\tkeeping\tit elevated.\t He\t leaned\t in\t closer\t and\t lowered\t his\t voice.\t He\t was\t used\t to\t treating burly\tmarines\tand\ttattooed\tengineers,\tso\twas\tdoing\this\tbest\tto\tadjust\this\tbedside manner.\t His\t breath\t was\t stale\t and\t stank\t of\t coffee.\t It\t was\t making\t the\t little\t girl screw\tup\ther\tface\tin\tdisgust.\tRiley\tnudged\ther\tin\tthe\tribs\tand\ttold\ther\tto\tbehave. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\t very\tbrave,\t young\tlady.\tYou\tknow\tyou\u2019re\ta\tvery\tspecial\tgirl, Adele.\t There\u2019s\t a\t good\t chance\t that\t your\t blood\t can\t teach\t us\t how\t to\t stop\t people getting\tsick.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tof\tthat?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tthe\tother\tdoctors\ttold\tme\tback\tat\tthe\thospital,\tright\tbefore\tthey hurt\tme.\tAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\thurt\tme\ttoo?\u201d The\t doctor\t exchanged\t puzzled\t glances\t with\t Riley\t and\t the\t nurse\t before reassuring\t Adele.\t \u201cNo,\t child,\t no\t one\u2019s\t going\t to\t hurt\t you.\t We\u2019re\t going\t to\t look after\t you\t and\t make\t sure\t no\t bad\t men\t hurt\t you\t ever\t again.\t You\u2019re\t safe\t here. Okay?\u201d\tThe\tdoctor\tnoticed\tthe\trabbit's\tfoot\tkey\tring\tthe\tgirl\twas\tclutching\tin\ther","right\thand.\t\u201cThat's\ta\tnice\tkey\tring.\tDid\tsomeone\tgive\tit\tto\tyou?\tYour\tmummy\tor daddy\t maybe?\u201d\t he\t asked\t with\t interest,\t turning\t it\t over\t in\t his\t hand.\t It\t felt surprisingly\treal\tto\tthe\ttouch. \u201cNo\t one\t gave\t it\t to\t me.\t I\t made\t it\t myself,\u201d\t she\t responded\t in\t a\t flat\t voice.\t \u201cI couldn't\t look\t after\t him\t any\t more\t and\t knew\t he\t would\t die,\t so\t we\t ate\t him\t and\t I kept\this\tfoot\tas\ta\tmemento.\tIt\tbrings\tme\tluck.\u201d The\t doctor\tdropped\tthe\tkey\tring\t into\t her\t palm,\t puzzled\tby\ther\tdetachment, wondering\tat\thow\tdesensitised\tshe\thad\tbecome.\tHe\tshrugged\this\tshoulders\tand patted\ther\ton\tthe\tshoulder\twith\ta\twry\tsmile.\t\u201cWell,\tI\tsure\thope\the\tbrings\tyou\ta lot\tof\tluck.\u201d Riley\tthanked\tthe\tdoctor\tand\tled\tAdele\tdown\tthe\tcorridor\tand\toutside\tto\tthe castle\tcourtyard\twhere\tsome\tof\tthe\tother\tchildren\twere\tplaying\ta\tnoisy\tgame\tof baseball\t with\t bored-looking\t grown-ups.\t Riley\t and\t Adele\t stopped\t to\t watch\t as Toby\t whacked\t the\t ball\t high\t into\t the\t air,\t threw\t down\t his\t bat\t and\t set\t off\t to\t first base.\tThe\tball\tcame\trolling\tto\ta\tstop\tto\ttheir\tright\tas\ttwo\tboys\traced\tto\tretrieve it.\t All\t eyes\t turned\t in\t their\t direction.\t Adele\t looked\t up\t at\t Riley\t for\t permission before\thurrying\tafter\tthe\tball\tand\tathletically\tthrowing\tit\tback\tover\tthe\thead\tof\ta small\tboy\twith\tfoppish\tblonde\thair. \u201cNice\t throw,\u201d\t he\t muttered\t begrudgingly\t before\t running\t back\t to\t join\t the game. **** Above\t them\t on\t the\t roof\t of\t the\t Gun\t Tower,\t Zed\t had\t clambered\t through\t the narrow\topening\tfrom\tthe\tfloor\tbelow.\tHe\tfound\tJack\tscanning\tthe\thorizon\twith an\told\tpair\tof\tbinoculars,\this\tmop\tof\tgreying\thair\tflattened\tby\tthe\twind.\tJack\twas lingering\tover\tthe\tsuperstructure\tof\tthe\tChester\tanchored\ta\tcouple\tof\tmiles\taway in\tthe\tmain\tchannel.\tIn\tcharacteristic\tpose,\the\thad\this\tglasses\tpushed\thigh\ton\this forehead.\t When\t Zed\t closed\t his\t eyes,\t this\t was\t his\t residual\t mental\t image\t of\t the man.\tJack\tsensed\tZed\u2019s\tpresence\tto\this\tright\tand\tflicked\this\teyes\tin\this\tdirection. \u201cHow\u2019s\tthe\tarm?\tFeeling\t better?\tOr\t are\tyou\tplanning\ton\t staying\t the\trest\t of the\tweek\tin\tbed?\u201d\tsaid\tJack\ttersely. Zed\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed.\tHe\twas\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\tventing\tabout\teverything\the\thad done\tfor\tHurst,\tbefore\tremembering\tthat\tJack\twas\tjust\twinding\thim\tup,\tas\tusual. He\t took\t a\t deep\t breath,\t joined\t him\t at\t the\t rail,\t looking\t out\t to\t sea.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t slept enough,\t thanks.\t Liz\t says\t I\u2019m\t as\t good\t as\t new.\u201d\t He\t nudged\t Jack\t in\t the\t ribs. \u201cHow\u2019s\tthe\tshoulder,\told\tman?\u201d \u201cSore.\tStitches\twill\tcome\tout\tin\ta\tfew\tweeks.\tHey,\tZed,\u201d\tsaid\tJack,\tchanging the\tsubject,\t\u201cI\tneed\tsomeone\tto\ttake\tAdele\tto\tthe\thospital\tat\tSt\tMary\u2019s.\tThere\u2019s\ta","professor\t there\t who\t wants\t to\t run\t some\t more\t tests.\t He\u2019s\t got\t a\t lab\t set\t up\t and\t a team\tready\tto\tstart\twork.\tYou\tup\tfor\ta\ttrip?\u201d \u201cSure,\tno\tproblem.\tSounds\tright\tup\tmy\tstreet.\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tmeet\tthe\tprofessor. Ask\t him\t some\t questions,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t a\t puzzled\t Jack.\t Zed\t swallowed\t and recovered.\t \u201cYou\t know\t me.\t I\t can\u2019t\t stand\t being\t cooped\t up.\t Getting\t cabin\t fever already.\tWould\tbe\tgood\tto\tget\tback\tout\tthere.\tCan\tyou\tspare\tRiley\tas\twell?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tnot.\tTake\tthe\tNipper.\tSam\twill\tgo\twith\tyou\tto\thelm\tthe\tboat. That\tis,\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tmind\tlistening\tto\tthe\tBee\tGees\tall\tthe\tway.\u201d There\twas\ta\tmoment\tof\tsilence\tbetween\tthem\tas\tboth\tstared\tout\teast,\tlost\tin their\t separate\t thoughts.\t Dark\t clouds\t had\t gathered\t in\t the\t distance\t to\t the\t south heading\ttowards\tthe\tisland,\tbut\tit\tlooked\tas\tif\tthey\twould\tescape\tthe\tworst\tof\tthe weather\tat\tHurst. Beyond\t the\t Chester\t lay\t the\t Maersk\t Charlotte,\t just\t visible\t towards Southampton,\t her\t bulk\t unmistakeable\t against\t the\t shoreline\t and\t the\t inlet\t to\t the Beaulieu\t River.\t Zed\t wondered\t how\t Anders\t had\t taken\t Victor\u2019s\t treachery.\t Jack said\t he\t never\t trusted\t that\t guy.\t His\t eyes\t were\t just\t a\t little\t bit\t too\t close\t together. Suspicious\teyebrows\tthat\tmet\tin\tthe\tmiddle,\tZed\tknew\tthe\ttype\ttoo\twell.\tA\tgun for\thire,\tloyalty\tfor\tsale\tto\tthe\thighest\tbidder. He\t spotted\t something\t in\t the\t distance\t and\t asked\t Jack\t to\t pass\t him\t the binoculars.\t It\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t find\t it\t again,\t but\t there\t it\t was,\t a\t grey\t patrol vessel\tpowering\ttowards\tthem,\thammering\tinto\tthe\twaves\tand\teastward-flowing tide.\tHe\tpassed\tthe\tbinoculars\tback\tto\tJack\twho\tidentified\tthe\tship\tas\tan\tArcher class\tpatrol\tvessel,\t though\tit\twas\trelatively\tuncommon\t in\tthese\twaters.\tOn\t the flying\t bridge,\t he\t picked\t out\t two\t figures\t bracing\t themselves\t as\t spray\t shot\t high into\tthe\tair\tas\tthey\tploughed\tinto\tthe\tcrest\tof\ta\tnew\twave.\tAt\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tship was\ta\twhite\tensign.\tIt\twas\tRoyal\tNavy. There\twas\tsome\tstatic\tand\tthe\tcrackle\tof\ta\tvoice\thailing\tthem\tover\tthe\tradio. Jack\tunclipped\tthe\twalkie-talkie\tfrom\this\tbelt\tand\tturned\tup\tthe\tvolume. \u201cHurst\t Castle,\t Hurst\t Castle,\t this\t is\t Royal\t Navy\t patrol\t vessel\t HMS\tMarker, come\tin,\tover?\u201d \u201cHMS\tMarker,\tthis\tis\tHurst\tCastle.\tGo\tahead.\u201d \u201cGood\tmorning,\tHurst,\tthis\tis\tCaptain\tArmstrong.\tDo\twe\thave\tpermission\tto come\tashore?\u201d \u201cAbsolutely.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tthe\tkitchen\tto\tput\tthe\tkettle\ton.\u201d \u201cCopy\tthat.\t ETA\tten\tminutes\tat\tcurrent\tcourse\tand\tspeed.\tWe\thave\t Captain Anders\twith\tus\ttoo.\tHe\ttells\tme\the\u2019s\trather\tpartial\tto\tHighland\tshortbread\tif\tyou have\tany.\u201d Jack\t grinned\t at\t Zed,\t who\t was\t shaking\t his\t head.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t take\t a\t look.\t No promises,\tmind.\tHurst,\tout.\u201d\tHe\ttucked\tthe\tradio\tback\ton\this\tbelt\tclip.\t\u201cBloody","navy\ttypes.\tAlways\tinviting\tthemselves\tover\tfor\ttea\tand\tbiscuits.\u201d \u201cShouldn\u2019t\t they\t be\t protecting\t the\t island\t or\t something?\u201d\t said\t Zed sarcastically. \u201cNo\tneed,\tI\texpect.\tWith\tthe\tUSS\tChester\tmoored\tup\toff\tthe\tisland,\tno\tone\u2019s going\tto\tbe\tstupid\tenough\tto\tattack.\tThey\thave\tenough\tfirepower\tto\tkeep\tus\tsafe, for\tnow.\u201d \u201cHow\t do\t you\t figure\t that\t out?\t What\t use\t is\t a\t destroyer\t against\t a\t virus\t and\t a bunch\tof\tterrorists\thell-bent\ton\tdisrupting\trelief\toperations?\u201d\tscoffed\tZed. \u201cI\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t so\t sure.\t The\t Americans\t have\t already\t made\t a\t difference, maybe\t even\t turned\t the\t tide.\t Think\t back\t even\t a\t few\t days\t and\t we\t were\t just\t a bunch\tof\tdysfunctional\tsurvivor\tgroups,\tstruggling\tto\tget\tby.\tNow,\tthere\u2019s\ta\tvery real\tsense\tof\thope.\tWith\ttheir\tleadership,\tthey\u2019ll\trally\tothers\tto\tthe\tcause.\tCamp Wight\tis\ta\tfresh\tstart.\tA\tchance\tto\trebuild.\u201d Zed\t didn\u2019t\t respond,\t lost\t in\t his\t thoughts\t and\t fears,\t refusing\t to\t believe\t that salvation\t was\t at\t hand,\t just\t because\t the\t Americans\t had\t showed\t up.\t Typical\t of Jack.\tHis\tover\toptimism\twas\this\tweakness,\talways\tseeing\tthe\tbest\tin\ta\tsituation. His\t refusal\t to\t accept\t that\t the\t world\t had\t changed,\t that\t people\t had\t changed troubled\t Zed.\t He\t leaned\t over\t the\t parapet\t and\t watched\t the\t game\t of\t baseball going\ton\tbelow. Everything\t seemed\t normal\t again,\t children\t playing\t and\t laughing.\t It\t was\t like the\t last\t few\t months\t had\t been\t forgotten.\t With\t the\t navy\t patrolling\t the\t seas, keeping\tthem\tsafe,\tZed\thad\tevery\tright\tto\tfeel\tsecure.\tAnd\tyet,\the\tfelt\tanything but\tsafe.\tWhat\tJack\thad\ttold\thim\tabout\tKing,\tabout\this\tplans\tto\tuse\tthe\tvirus\tas\ta weapon\t and\t a\t vaccine\t as\t leverage,\t made\t him\t fear\t for\t the\t future.\t He\t knew\t only too\t well\t the\t power\t that\t would\t command.\t The\t occupants\t of\t Hurst\t Castle\t could not\t allow\t themselves\t to\t relax\t any\t time\t soon,\t to\t let\t down\t their\t guard.\t They\t did that\tonce\tand\tgot\tattacked.\tMany\tpeople\tdied\tfor\tthat\tmistake.\tJack\u2019s\tpride\tand naivety\t had\t been\t exposed.\t It\t made\t Zed\t question\t Jack\u2019s\t leadership.\t It\t was\t up\t to Zed\t to\t stay\t sharp,\t to\t keep\t others\t on\t their\t toes,\t to\t stay\t alert.\t Keep\t Jack\t focused and\tgrounded.\tThat\twas\thow\tthey\twould\tsurvive\tall\tthis. Jack\u2019s\t voice\t interrupted\t Zed\u2019s\t internal\t monologue.\t \u201cMake\t yourself\t useful, will\tyou?\u201d \u201cSure,\tJack.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tneed?\u201d \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tdust\toff\tthat\told\tflag\tGreta\tfound\tand\tput\ton\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tshow for\tour\tnavy\tfriends?\u201d Zed\t chuckled\t at\t the\t thought.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t slightest\t bit\t patriotic\t but\t it seemed\tright\tin\tthe\tcircumstances.\tThey\thad\tfound\ta\tdusty\told\tUnion\tJack\tin\ta locked\tcupboard\tthat\thad\twaited\tfor\tjust\tsuch\tan\toccasion.\tHe\tretrieved\tthe\tflag from\t the\t shelf\t downstairs\t and\t unfurled\t it,\t making\t sure\t it\t was\t the\t right\t way\t up.","He\tcrossed\tthe\tcourtyard,\tclimbed\tthe\tstairs\tand\tuntied\tthe\thalyard,\tsecuring\tthe flag\ttop\tand\tbottom\tbefore\thoisting\tit\thigh\tover\tthe\tcastle\tbattlements. Zed\tstepped\tback,\tadmiring\this\thandiwork,\tthe\tUnion\tJack\tfluttering\tproudly in\t the\t strengthening\t wind.\t Jack\t watched\t the\t flag\u2019s\t ascent,\t ignoring\t its\t faded colours\t and\t torn\t leading\t edge,\t momentarily\t overcome\t by\t a\t sense\t of\t pride\t and patriotism,\tof\teverything\tthey\thad\tachieved\tthus\tfar.\tIt\tfelt\tappropriate\tto\thonour the\tmoment\tand\tJack\tsaluted\tthe\tflag,\tas\the\thad\tbeen\ttaught\tso\tmany\tyears\tago. \u201cSentimental\told\tsod,\u201d\tmuttered\tZed\tunder\this\tbreath,\tspotting\tJack\twith\this arm\traised\tin\tsalute. **** Riley\tjoined\tZed\ton\tthe\tupper\twalkway\tas\the\tfinished\tlashing\tthe\tflag\thalyard\tin place\t on\t to\t the\t small\t cleat\t on\t the\t shaft\t of\t the\t flagpole.\t She\t looked\t him\t up\t and down.\tHe\u2019d\tlost\tweight,\tshe\tthought.\tHis\ttrousers\tseemed\tto\tbunch\tat\tthe\thip,\this belt\t a\t couple\t of\t notches\t tighter\t than\t before.\t She\t wandered\t over\t and\t they\t both stood\t perfectly\t still,\t studying\t the\t flag,\t heads\t tilted\t to\t one\t side,\t neither\t of\t them quite\tsure\twhat\tto\tmake\tof\tit\tall.\tSeeing\tthe\tflag\tflying\tover\tHurst\tseemed\tboth incongruous\t and\t fitting\t all\t at\t the\t same\t time.\t The\t sense\t of\t history,\t shared purpose,\tand\tunity\tthe\tflag\tsymbolised\tfelt\tlike\ta\trelic\tfrom\tanother\tage,\tfamiliar and\t alien\t to\t this\t new\t generation\t living\t here,\t five\t centuries\t after\t the\t first.\t Zed shrugged\this\tshoulders\tand\tmade\tas\tif\tto\tleave,\ttaking\ta\tfinal\tdeep\tbreath\tof\tsea air\tbefore\theading\tinside. The\t breath\t seemed\t to\t catch\t in\t his\t throat\t and\t he\t was\t suddenly\t wracked\t by\t a fit\t of\t coughing.\t Riley\u2019s\t head\t whipped\t round\t and\t watched\t with\t increasing concern\tas\the\tseemed\tto\tfight\tfor\tbreath,\tbent\tdouble,\thacking\taway.\tThe\twords of\t Sister\t Theodora\t in\t her\t letter\t were\t still\t fresh\t in\t her\t mind\t as\t she\t puzzled\t over what\t she\t had\t said\t about\t Zed\t being\t the\t carrier\t and\t source\t of\t the\t outbreak.\t She took\t a\t couple\t of\t steps\t away\t from\t him,\t as\t if\t somehow\t suddenly\t disconnected, their\tbonds\tfractured,\twatching\this\tcoughing\twith\ta\tstrange\tsense\tof\tdetachment. With\t a\t final\t heave,\t gasping\t for\t breath,\t he\t gesticulated\t at\t Riley\t who\t ran\t up behind\t him\t and\t slapped\t him\t forcefully\t between\t the\t shoulder\t blades.\t Zed\t spat something\t on\t the\t ground\t and\t straightened\t up,\t red\t in\t the\t face.\t She\t slapped\t him again\tfor\tgood\tmeasure\tas\the\twiped\tspittle\tfrom\this\tlips. \u201cHow\t long\t have\t you\t had\t that\t cough?\u201d\t she\t enquired\t suspiciously,\t backing away\tslowly. \u201cWhat,\tthat\tlittle\tthing?\tI\tswallowed\ta\tfly,\tthat\u2019s\tall,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tvoice\traspy and\tbrittle.\t\u201cBit\tjumpy,\taren\u2019t\twe?\tScared\tof\ta\tlittle\tcough?\tTeach\tme\tto\tbreathe with\t my\t mouth\t open.\u201d\t She\t stared\t open-mouthed\t at\t him,\t caught\t somewhere","between\t mirth\t and\t anger,\t not\t sure\t whether\t he\t was\t joking\t or\t not.\t \u201cSeriously, Riley.\tI\u2019m\tfine.\tTrust\tme.\u201d Riley\t remembered\t that\t he\t always\t said\t that\t when\t he\t was\t lying,\t a\t smile beginning\tto\tform\ton\ther\tlips,\tdespite\ther\tnot\tbeing\tcompletely\tcertain. **** Jack\t looked\t on\t from\t a\t distance,\t trying\t to\t read\t Riley\u2019s\t expression\t as\t she remonstrated\t with\t him,\t straining\t to\t hear\t the\t exchange\t that\t followed,\t but\t her words\twere\tlost\ton\ta\tgust\tof\twind.\tA\trainsquall\theading\ttowards\tthem\tfrom\tthe island\t deposited\t its\t first\t drops\t on\t his\t bare\t head.\t Not\t liking\t what\t he\t saw,\t he hurried\t back\t inside\t to\t the\t comfort\t and\t warmth\t of\t the\t castle\t keep.\t The\t storm would\tbe\there\tsoon\tenough. **** \u201cWhat\t are\t you\t thinking?\u201d\t asked\t Zed\t when\t he\u2019d\t got\t his\t breath\t back,\t watching Riley\tleaning\tover\tthe\tbattlements,\tsurveying\tthe\tisland\tacross\tthe\twaterway. \u201cI\twas\tthinking\tabout\tStella\tagain,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tlooking\tdown\tat\ther\tfeet.\t\u201cShe\u2019s in\tgood\thands.\tThose\tnuns\twill\tlook\tafter\ther.\tThey\thave\tenough\thot\ttowels\tand volunteer\tmidwives\tto\tget\tthe\tbaby\tout\tsafely.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\u201d Zed\tnodded\tthen\tlaughed,\tstruck\tby\ta\tquestion\tthat\thad\tbeen\tniggling\thim\tbut never\t articulated\t before.\t \u201cWhat\t if\t it\u2019s\t a\t baby\t boy?\u201d\t He\t grinned\t at\t Riley,\t like someone\t laughing\t at\t their\t own\t joke.\t Riley\t smiled\t back\t at\t him,\t a\t mischievous look\ton\ther\tface. \u201cNow\t that\t would\t put\t the\t cat\t amongst\t the\t pigeons,\t eh?\t Love\t to\t see\t the\t look on\tthat\told\tbat\u2019s\tface\twhen\tshe\tfinds\tout.\u201d \u201cHey,\tdid\tyou\thear\tabout\tTerra\tbeing\ttaken\thostage?\u201d\tasked\tZed. \u201cYeah,\tgood\triddance,\tI\tsay.\tShe\tand\tI\tnever\tsaw\teye\tto\teye.\tAnd\tlet\tme\ttell you,\tshe\tisn\u2019t\tyour\tbiggest\tfan\teither.\u201d \u201cTerra\u2019s\tall\tright.\tCome\ton,\twhat\u2019s\tshe\tever\tdone\tto\tyou\tanyway?\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\tsuch\ta\tfake.\tSays\twhat\tpeople\twant\tto\thear.\tShe\u2019s\talways\tworking\tan angle.\t Lies\t through\t her\t teeth\t most\t of\t the\t time.\t Trust\t me,\t it\t takes\t one\t to\t know one.\t Watch\t your\t back\t when\t she\u2019s\t around.\t Seriously.\u201d\t Zed\t didn\u2019t\t look\t too convinced\tand\ttried\tto\tchange\tthe\tsubject. There\t was\t a\t shout\t from\t the\t far\t end\t of\t the\t complex,\t followed\t by\t the\t ringing of\tthe\thandbell.\tZed\tand\tRiley\traced\ttowards\tthe\twestern\twall\tthat\tlooked\tback along\tthe\tshingle\tspit\ttowards\tthe\tvillage\tof\tMilford. Tommy\t was\t there\t first,\t along\t with\t several\t others,\t taking\t it\t in\t turns\t to\t look","through\tthe\tbinoculars.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tthey\tgot\tthere,\tone\tof\tthe\tyounger\tguys\thad got\t the\t rifle\t out\t and\t was\t looking\t down\t the\t telescopic\t sight,\t trying\t to\t make\t out the\t shapes\t in\t the\t distance.\t Behind\t them\t they\t could\t hear\t Jack\t hobbling\t slowly across\tthe\tcourtyard\tshouting\tat\tthe\tassembled\tcrowd\t on\tthe\tramparts,\tlooking for\t answers,\t but\t being\t ignored.\t Zed\t took\t the\t stairs\t two\t at\t a\t time,\t Riley\t right behind\t him.\t He\t grabbed\t the\t binoculars\t and\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t locate\t the approaching\tfigures. \u201cI\t can\t take\t them\t as\t soon\t as\t they\u2019re\t in\t range,\u201d\t said\t the\t kid\t with\t the\t rifle. \u201cWhich\tone\tfirst?\tThe\tguy\tor\tthe\tgirl?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tshoot,\tyou\tidiot.\tThat\u2019s\tone\tof\tours.\tThe\tgirl\tI\tdon\u2019t\trecognise.\u201d \u201cCan\tI\tshoot\ther\tthen?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tboy\tmischievously. \u201cNo.\t Give\t me\t that\t rifle\t before\t you\t injure\t yourself,\u201d\t said\t Zed,\t snatching\t the gun\tand\tcuffing\tthe\tlad\ton\tthe\tback\tof\this\thead. **** Zed\tand\tRiley\tran\taround\tto\tthe\tfront\tentrance\tand\tout\tonto\tthe\tshingle,\tmeeting the\t two\t new\t arrivals\t as\t they\t reached\t the\t castle\t complex.\t The\t heavy-set\t man wore\t a\t hoodie\t whose\t front\t was\t stained\t with\t dried\t blood,\t his\t face\t covered.\t His jeans\twere\tfilthy\tand\tshredded\tin\tplaces.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tfamiliar\tabout\this gait,\tsupported\tby\ta\tyoung\tgirl\twho\tRiley\tseemed\tto\thalf\tremember.\tShe\tnodded in\tRiley\u2019s\tdirection,\ta\tsheepish\tsmile\tspreading\tacross\ther\tgentle\tface. \u201cTop\t of\t the\t morning\t to\t you,\t Zed.\t Riley,\t how\t are\t you?\u201d\t said\t the\t man,\t in\t a croaky\tvoice,\tparched\tand\thoarse.\tHis\tface\twas\tbadly\tbruised,\this\tnose\tbroken. \u201cJoe?\tI\tthought\tit\tmight\tbe\tyou.\u201d\tZed\tgrinned.\t\u201cNot\tlooking\tyour\tbest,\tbuddy. Where\tthe\thell\thave\tyou\tbeen?\tWe\tthought\tyou\twere\tdead.\u201d \u201cI\t think\t I\t was,\t briefly.\t They\t had\t me\t locked\t up\t in\t a\t cellar\t for\t a\t few\t days. Nasty\t bunch.\t I\t took\t care\t of\t one\t of\t them\t and\t managed\t to\t get\t Jean\t here\t out.\t I rescued\ther,\tor\trather,\tshe\trescued\tme\tand\tthen\tI\trescued\ther\tright\tback.\u201d \u201cSo\thow\tdid\tyou\tget\taway?\u201d\tsaid\tRiley,\tpuzzled. \u201cThey\tunderestimated\tthe\tfat\tman,\twhat\tcan\tI\tsay?\u201d\tHe\tshrugged. \u201cBig\t mistake.\t Big\t mistake.\u201d\t Zed\t laughed,\t slapping\t him\t on\t the\t shoulder\t and welcoming\thim\thome.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tget\tyou\tinside\tand\tcleaned\tup.\u201d \u201cThanks\t for\t the\t welcome\t committee.\t And\t for\t not\t letting\t those\t kids\t up\t there shoot\t at\t us,\u201d\t he\t said,\t waving\t at\t one\t of\t the\t kids\t above\t them\t with\t his\t arms crossed.\t\u201cGlad\tto\tbe\thome.\u201d Joe\tgrabbed\tJean\u2019s\thand.\tShe\twas\twaiting\tpatiently\tto\tbe\tproperly\tintroduced. \u201cJean?\tThis\there\u2019s\tRiley.\tShe\u2019s\ta\tfriend\tof\tStella\u2019s.\tShe\u2019ll\tlook\tafter\tyou,\tget\tyou a\tbed\tfor\tthe\tnight.\u201d","Riley\t warmly\t shook\t her\t hand\t and\t looked\t her\t up\t and\t down.\t \u201cAny\t friend\t of Stella\u2019s\tis\ta\tfriend\tof\tmine.\tCome\ton,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tlike\tit\there.\tThere\u2019s\ta\tfew more\tmen\tthan\tyou\u2019re\tused\tto,\tbut\tyou\u2019ll\tget\tused\tto\tthat\teventually.\u201d Jean\tglanced\tat\tZed\tas\tif\tuncomfortable\tin\this\tpresence\tuntil\tJoe\tput\this\tarm around\ther\tshoulder,\tescorting\ther\tthe\tlast\tfew\tyards\tto\tthe\tmain\tentrance. \u201cWelcome\thome.\tWelcome\tto\tHurst,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley\twith\ta\twry\tsmile.\t\u201cYou'll\tbe safe\there.\u201d Zed\t watched\t them\t leave,\t taking\t a\t moment\t to\t shelter\t from\t the\t wind\t in\t the shadow\t of\t the\t castle\t wall\t that\t towered\t above\t him.\t He\t peered\t up\t into\t the darkening\t skies,\t pondering\t Riley\u2019s\t choice\t of\t words,\t wondering\t whether\t they would\tever\tbe\tsafe\tagain. The\tfortress\u2019s\tthirty-feet-high\twalls\twould\tnever\tstop\tpeople\tlike\tBriggs,\tbut it\twas\tas\tgood\ta\tplace\tas\tanywhere\tto\tmake\ttheir\tstand.\tPerhaps\tKing\twas\tright. The\tisland\twas\ttheir\tbest\thope\tnow.\tThey\twere\tisolated\tand\tvulnerable\tat\tHurst, but\tat\tleast\tthey\thad\teach\tother.\tThey\twere\tstronger\ttogether,\the\twas\tsure\tof\tthat now.\tZed\tshrugged\tand\thurried\tafter\tthe\tothers\tas\tthe\tfirst\tdrops\tof\train\tbegan\tto fall\tall\taround\tthem.\tIt\twould\tsoon\tbe\tdark\tagain. *********","Sentinel An\textract\tfrom\tbook\ttwo\tof\t The\tHurst\tChronicles \t by\tRobin\tCrumby \t \t \t \u201cFor\twhen\tI\tbring\tthem\tinto\tthe\tland\tflowing\twith\tmilk\tand\thoney,\twhich\tI swore\tto\ttheir\tfathers,\tand\tthey\thave\teaten\tand\tare\tsatisfied\tand\tbecome prosperous,\tthen\tthey\twill\tturn\tto\tother\tgods\tand\tserve\tthem,\tand\tspurn\tMe and\tbreak\tMy\tcovenant.\u201d Deuteronomy\t31:20","Chapter\tOne The\t early\t winter\tstorms\thad\t been\traging\tfor\tdays.\tThe\tnoise\twas\tdeafening.\tIt wasn\u2019t\tjust\tthe\thowling\twind;\tit\twas\talso\tthe\tgiant\trollers\tsweeping\tin\tfrom\tthe English\tChannel\tfrom\tthe\tSouth\tWest.\tSurging\tpast\tthe\tNeedles\tand\tthe\twestern tip\tof\tthe\tisland,\tthe\twaves\twere\tsent\tcrashing\tagainst\tthe\tweathered\tgroynes\tand battered\tsea\tdefences\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tcastle\twalls.\tSpray\tflew\thigh\tinto\tthe\tair before\tbeing\tcarried\taway\tby\tpowerful\tgusts. Hurst\t Castle\t had\t seen\t storms\t worse\t than\t this.\t Every\t winter\t for\t nearly\t five hundred\t years,\t Mother\t Nature\t threw\t her\t worst\t at\t the\t man-made\t structure.\t The castle\t squatted\t resolutely\t on\t this\t most\t remote\t and\t desolate\t location,\t at\t the\t far end\t of\t a\t shingle\t spit\t that\t connected\t the\t fortress\t to\t the\t mainland\t and,\t like\t an unwanted\tguest,\tnature\tmade\ther\tresentment\tknown\ton\ta\tregular\tbasis.\tLittle\tby little\t the\t raised\t causeway\t that\t ran\t along\t the\t top\t of\t the\t shingle\t defences\t was being\tslowly\twashed\taway.\tIt\twas\tonly\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime\tbefore\tthe\tcastle\twould be\t completely\t cut\t off\t from\t the\t mainland,\t reachable\t by\t boat\t across\t narrow\t tidal channels\tthat\tran\tbetween\tthe\tsalt\tmarshes\taround\tKeyhaven. Jack\t slammed\t shut\t the\t wooden\t door\t to\t the\t lighthouse\t that\t he\t had\t made\t his home\t over\t the\t long\t months\t since\t arriving\t here.\t It\t needed\t another\t lick\t of\t paint, its\t surface\t blistered\t and\t peeling.\t Buffeted\t by\t another\t gust,\t he\t wrapped\t his\t coat tighter\t around\t his\t trunk,\t shielding\t his\t face\t against\t the\t sheeting\t rain.\t He\t hurried towards\tthe\tshelter\tof\tthe\tcastle\twall,\trelaxing\ta\tlittle\tas\tthe\twind\tdropped\tand\the could\t hear\t himself\t think\t again.\t The\t drawbridge\t was\t already\t down\t and\t the\t two guards\twho\twere\ttaking\tshelter\tin\tthe\tcovered\tentrance\tstraightened\ta\tlittle\tupon seeing\tHurst\u2019s\tleader\tstriding\ttowards\tthem. \u201cMorning,\tlads.\tAnything\tto\treport?\u201d \u201cNot\treally,\u201d\tsaid\tTommy,\trubbing\this\tcheek,\ttrying\tto\tremember\tanything\tof note\t from\t his\t shift.\t He\t glanced\t jealously\t at\t Scottie\t who\t had\t just\t appeared, cupping\ta\thot\tbrew.\t\u201cOther\tthan\ta\tcouple\tof\tfalse\talarms\taround\tmidnight,\twe\u2019ve mostly\tbeen\tchasing\tshadows\tas\tusual.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tmanage\tto\tget\tsome\tsleep,\tJack?\u201d\tasked\tScottie,\tblowing\tthe\tsteam off\this\tcoffee.\t\u201cStormy\tnight,\teh?\u201d \u201cMe?\t Oh,\t I\t slept\t like\t a\t log,\t thank\t you.\u201d\t Jack\t laughed.\t \u201cBut\t I\u2019m\t used\t to\t it. Remember,\tI\tspent\thalf\tof\tmy\tlife\tat\tsea.\tBit\tof\twind\tand\train\tnever\thurt\tanyone.","Did\tthe\tpatrols\tfind\tanything?\u201d \u201cOh,\tnothing\tout\tof\tthe\tordinary.\u201d\tScottie\tshrugged.\t\u201cWe\tgot\tthe\tcall\tfrom\tthe Chester\t that\t there\t were\t a\t couple\t of\t radar\t blips\t heading\t out\t of\t Lymington harbour,\tbut\tby\tthe\ttime\twe\tgot\ta\tteam\tout\tthere,\tthey\twere\teither\tturned\tround or\thad\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tnight.\u201d \u201cSergeant\t Flynn\t said\t they\t were\t probably\t in\t a\t dinghy\t or\t rowing\t boat. Virtually\timpossible\tto\tpick\tup\ton\tradar,\u201d\tadded\tTommy. \u201cSame\t pattern\t we\u2019ve\tseen\tfor\tweeks.\tPeople\ttrying\t to\t make\tthe\t crossing\tto the\tisland\tin\tthe\tdead\tof\tnight.\tNot\tmuch\twe\tcan\tdo\tabout\tit,\u201d\tlamented\tScottie. Jack\t nodded,\t scratching\t his\t beard.\t It\t needed\t a\t trim.\t He\t normally\t relied\t on Terra\tfor\thaircuts,\tbut\tshe\tstill\thadn\u2019t\treturned\tfrom\tthe\tisland.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tgiven up\t hope\t she\t was\t still\t alive.\t It\t was\t common\t knowledge\t that\t she\t was\t being\t held captive\t by\t the\t former\t inmates\t of\t Parkhurst\t Prison\t and\t their\t leader,\t Briggs.\t He thought\t back\t fondly\t to\t the\t times\t she\t had\t grabbed\t hold\t of\t his\t head\t and\t started chopping\taway\tat\this\tlocks\twith\ta\tblunt\tpair\tof\tscissors,\tdespite\this\tprotestations. Like\tshearing\ta\tsheep,\tshe\thad\tsaid.\tHe\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tmemory. \u201cMakes\t you\t wonder\t how\t many\t are\t getting\t through\t the\t net,\u201d\t reflected Tommy. Jack\tsniffed\tat\tthe\twind.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tfoul\tin\tthe\tair\tthis\tmorning.\tHe turned\t his\t back\t against\t a\t forceful\t gust\t as\t the\t three\t of\t them\t moved\t back\t within the\tshelter\tof\tthe\tentrance. The\tSolent\twas\tnow\tunder\tthe\twatchful\tprotection\tof\tthe\tallies.\tFor\tthe\tfirst time\t since\t the\t outbreak\t of\t the\t Millennial\t Virus,\t order\t was\t slowly\t returning\t to this\t coastal\t region.\t Its\t many\t waterways,\t creeks\t and\t harbours\t were\t scrutinised day\t and\t night\t by\t a\t radar\t operator\t sat\t in\t near\t permanent\t darkness,\t staring\t at\t a screen\ton\tboard\tthe\tUSS\tChester.\tAnchored\tin\tthe\tSolent,\tthe\tAmerican\tmissile destroyer\t worked\t hand\t in\t hand\t with\t the\t Royal\t Navy\u2019s\t growing\t fleet\t of\t patrol boats\tand\tfast\tlaunches,\tco-ordinating\tthe\tdefence\tof\tthe\tisland.\tHurst\tCastle\twas again\ta\tcritical\toutpost\tdefending\tthe\twestern\tapproaches.\tBuilt\tby\tHenry\tVIII\tas part\t of\t a\t chain\t of\t forts\t and\t castles\t along\t England\u2019s\t southern\t coast\t to\t guard against\t attacks\t by\t the\t French\t and\t Spanish\t navies,\t today\t Hurst\t had\t resumed\t its military\trole.\tLike\ta\tpassive\tsentinel,\tHurst\tremained\talert,\tday\tand\tnight,\tready to\tdo\tits\tduty. Thus\t far,\t there\t had\t been\t little\t to\t do.\t Chasing\t shadows\t in\t the\t night,\t seeing ghosts\t and\t echoes.\t Urgent\t radio\t calls\t from\t command\t would\t request\t they\t check out\t an\t unauthorised\t vessel\t attempting\t to\t make\t the\t crossing\t under\t cover\t of darkness.\t They\t had\t a\t powerful\t searchlight\t set\t up\t on\t top\t of\t the\t lighthouse,\t but with\t limited\t fuel\t for\t the\t generator,\t they\t rarely\t had\t it\t running.\t They\t relied\t on handheld\t lanterns\t and\t high-powered\t Maglites\t to\t scan\t the\t darkness\t from\t the","shoreline\tor\tfrom\ta\tR.I.B\tscrambled\tto\tintercept. \u201cWe\t need\t more\t men,\u201d\t said\t Scottie.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t huge\t stretch\t of\t coast\t to\t monitor with\t such\t a\t small\t force.\t We\t need\t more\t boats\t on\t patrol,\t 24\/7.\t It\u2019s\t like\t trying\t to find\ta\tneedle\tin\ta\thaystack.\tAs\tthings\tstand,\twe\u2019ve\tgot\tno\tchance.\u201d \u201cWell,\t it\u2019s\t not\t like\t we\u2019re\t the\t only\t line\t of\t defence,\u201d\t corrected\t Jack.\t \u201cEven\t if they\trun\tthe\tgauntlet\tand\tmake\tit\tto\tthe\tisland,\tall\tthe\tbeaches\tare\tdefended\twith barbed\twire,\tobstacles\tand\tarmed\tguards.\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\t turning\t that\t place\t into\t a\t fortress.\t Next\t thing\t they\u2019ll\t build\t a\t wall. Then\twhat?\u201d\tasked\tTommy. \u201cIf\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tit\ttakes\tto\tkeep\tthe\tisland\tvirus-free\tand\tcontrol\tthe\tpopulation flow\tthrough\tthe\tquarantine\tzones,\tthen\tso\tbe\tit.\u201d The\tattacks\thad\tstarted\tseveral\tweeks\tago.\tMost\tcame\tin\tthe\tdead\tof\tnight.\tAt first,\tthey\twere\tdisorganised,\tsporadic\tincursions,\tinitially\tdismissed\tas\tdesperate people\t trying\t to\t reach\t the\t sanctuary\t offered\t by\t the\t newly\t formed\t Camp\t Wight on\tthe\tisland.\tMore\trecent\tattempts\tsuggested\ta\tsystematic\tprobing\tof\tthe\tallies\u2019 defences.\t To\t what\t end,\t Jack\t had\t no\t idea.\t Forces\t unknown\t were\t orchestrating events,\t keeping\t the\t defenders\t chasing\t shadows,\t scrambling\t interceptors\t only\t to find\tthe\tsmall\tvessels\tthey\twere\tsent\tto\tfind\thad\tdisappeared\tor\twere\treturning\tto safe\tharbour. There\t came\t the\t sound\t of\t footsteps\t echoing\t around\t the\t battlements\t as someone\t raced\t across\t the\t courtyard\t towards\t the\t guardhouse.\t The\t three\t men turned\tto\tsee\tSam\ttrying\tto\tcatch\this\tbreath,\tone\thand\ton\tthe\tstone\twall\tnearest him. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tup,\tSam?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\tChester\t on\t the\t radio,\t Jack.\t Command\t wants\t us\t to\t take\t the\t Nipper and\tcheck\tsomething\tout.\u201d \u201cSurely\tnot\tin\tthis\tweather?\u201d \u201cProbably\tanother\tfalse\talarm,\u201d\tsuggested\tTommy. \u201cThey\t wouldn\u2019t\t ask\t unless\t it\t was\t urgent,\t Jack.\t Apparently\t there\u2019s\t a\t ship about\t five\t and\t a\t half\t miles\t south-east\t of\t Portland\t Bill\t heading\t this\t way. Command\t said\t that,\t from\t the\t size\t of\t it,\t it\u2019s\t probably\t a\t coastal\t steamer\t or\t small tanker.\t They\t need\t us\t to\t intercept,\t make\t contact\t and\t find\t out\t their\t intentions. We\u2019re\tto\ttake\tSergeant\tFlynn\tand\ta\tsquad\tof\tmarines,\tjust\tin\tcase.\u201d \u201cCan\u2019t\tthey\tsend\tthe\thelicopter?\u201d\tasked\tTommy.\t\u201cIt\twould\tbe\tmuch\tquicker.\u201d \u201cNot\tin\tthis.\u201d\tSam\tgestured\tskywards.\t\u201cThe\twinds\tare\tgusting\tstorm\tforce.\u201d Jack\t looked\t back\t outside\t and\t squinted\t at\t the\t rain\t clouds.\t The\t storm\t was strengthening.\t It\t would\t be\t lunacy\t to\t take\t the\t Nipper\t out.\t She\t was\t a\t thirty-five- foot\tcoastal\tfishing\tboat,\tbroad\tin\tthe\tbeam\tand\tmore\tthan\tcapable\tof\toperating in\t all\t conditions.\t Nevertheless,\t Jack\t was\t experienced\t enough\t to\t know\t that\t a","good\tskipper\tnever\tunderestimated\ta\tstorm. \u201cI\u2019m\tassuming\tthey\tdon\u2019t\thave\tany\tother\tpatrols\tin\tthe\tarea\tthat\tcould\tcheck this\tout?\u201d \u201cApparently\t everything\t is\t returned\t to\t port\t on\t account\t of\t the\t weather.\t We\u2019re the\tnearest.\u201d \u201cOkay,\t Sam.\t Can\t you\t let\t Sergeant\t Flynn\t know,\t grab\t the\t oilskins\t and\t safety gear\t and\t get\t her\t ready?\t We\u2019ll\t call\t the\t Chester\t for\t an\t update\t when\t we\u2019re\t on\t the way.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tgo\tout\tin\tthis\tunless\twe\thave\tto.\u201d Jack\t grabbed\t two\t sets\t of\t oilskins\t from\t the\t coat\t rack\t in\t the\t guardhouse\t and hurried\tdown\tto\tthe\tlighthouse\tto\tfind\this\trucksack.\tHe\thastily\trepacked\tthe\tbag with\t binoculars\t and\t a\t revolver\t before\t joining\t Sam\t at\t the\t jetty\t a\t few\t minutes later,\twhere\tthe\tNipper\twas\tsheltering\tfrom\tthe\tstorm.\tThe\tengines\twere\talready spluttering\t noisily\t and\t the\t mooring\t lines\t were\t being\t held\t on\t a\t slip.\t As\t soon\t as Flynn\tand\tthe\tthree\tother\tmen\tand\ttheir\tpacks\tand\tweapons\twere\ton\tboard,\tthey cast\toff. It\twas\tapproaching\thigh\ttide\tand\ttogether\twith\ta\tstorm\tsurge,\tthey\thad\tplenty of\twater\tto\tget\tout\tthrough\tthe\tmudflats\tand\tshallows\tto\treach\tthe\tmain\tchannel. As\tthey\trounded\tthe\tspit\tand\tturned\twest\tinto\tthe\tteeth\tof\tthe\tgale,\tthey\tmet\tthe full\t force\t of\t the\t wind\t and\t waves\t sweeping\t towards\t them.\t The\t Needles\t channel was\tnarrow\twhere\twater\tfunnelled\tover\trocks\tcreating\tan\toverfall.\tCoupled\twith an\t eastwards\t flowing\t tide\t and\t a\t westerly\t wind,\t it\t made\t the\t half-mile\t out\t to\t the deeper\t water\t of\t Christchurch\t Bay\t bumpier\t than\t usual.\t In\t front\t of\t them,\t further out\tto\tsea,\tlay\ta\tmaelstrom\tof\twild,\theaving\twater. Sam\tcame\tback\tinside\tthe\tsmall\tcabin\tand\tbraced\thimself\tagainst\tthe\tnext\tset of\t rollers\t surging\t towards\t them.\t The\t waves\t were\t building\t in\t size\t and\t power, towering\t over\t the\t small\t fishing\t boat.\t The\t four\t marines\t were\t below\t decks looking\tdecidedly\tgreen\taround\tthe\tgills.\tOne\tman\twas\tretching\tinto\ta\tbucket\the was\tclinging\ton\tto,\tboth\tarms\twrapped\taround\tit\tlike\this\tlife\tdepended\ton\tit.\tUp the\tsteps\tto\tthe\twheelhouse,\tthe\twiper\tblades\ton\tthe\twindscreen\twere\tfighting\ta losing\tbattle\tto\tclear\tthe\tspray\tas\tit\tswept\tin\ton\tthe\twind.\tLooking\tbehind\tthem towards\tHurst\tCastle,\tthe\tsea\thad\tbecome\ta\troiling\tmass\tof\twhite\thorses. Jack\tkept\tboth\thands\ton\tthe\twheel,\tworking\thard\tto\tkeep\tthe\tNipper\u2019s\tbow\tin to\t the\t wind\t and\t waves.\t Their\t engine\t was\t straining\t to\t make\t headway\t and\t he estimated\ttheir\tforward\tprogress\tno\tbetter\tthan\ttwo\tor\tthree\tknots.\tHe\tpicked\tup the\t radio\t again\t and\t tried\t to\t contact\t the\t Chester.\t The\t first\t attempt\t had\t proven unsuccessful,\ttheir\ttransmission\tlost\tbetween\twaves\tmore\tthan\ttwenty\tfeet\thigh. They\t had\t been\t told\t to\t steam\t south-west\t and\t meet\t what\t was\t likely\t to\t be\t a steamer\t or\t small\t tanker\t making\t for\t the\t Solent,\t now\t some\t three\t miles\t beyond Portland\t Bill.\t The\t vessel\t was\t unresponsive\t to\t all\t attempts\t to\t contact\t it\t and","moving\t very\t slowly.\t Jack\t reckoned\t that\t they\t should\t be\t no\t more\t than\t a\t mile\t or two\t away\t from\t it.\t Right\t now,\t visibility\t was\t so\t poor\t they\t could\t pass\t within\t one hundred\tyards\tand\tnot\tsee\tanything. The\t radio\t crackled\t into\t life\t and\t they\t heard\t an\t American\t voice,\t faint\t but intelligible.\tJack\tsnatched\tthe\treceiver\tfrom\tits\tcradle. \u201cNipper\t here,\t Chester.\t Receiving\t you\t loud\t and\t clear.\t We\u2019re\t entering\t the sector.\tNo\tcontact\tto\treport.\tCan\tyou\tconfirm\tbearing\tto\tintercept?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t right\t on\t top\t of\t it.\t Should\t be\t dead\t ahead\t of\t you\t now.\t Less\t than\t a mile.\tJust\toff\tyour\tport\tbow,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tradar\toperator. \u201cCopy\tthat,\u201d\tsaid\tJack.\t\u201cRight,\tstay\talert,\tkeep\tyour\teyes\tpeeled.\u201d Sam\t grabbed\t the\t binoculars\t and\t started\t scanning\t the\t horizon,\t adjusting\t his stance\tto\tcompensate\tfor\tthe\tyaw\tand\tpitch\tof\tthe\tboat.\tEach\ttime\tthe\tbow\tof\tthe Nipper\t collided\t with\t a\t wave,\t the\t forward\t momentum\t seemed\t to\t slow\t as\t the propeller\tfought\thard\tto\tdrive\tthem\tforward\tagain.\tJack\twas\tworried\tthe\tengine would\t overheat\t and\t they\t would\t be\t left\t without\t power\t to\t drift\t onto\t the\t rocks. He\u2019d\t seen\t it\t happen\t before.\t A\t powerboat\t washed\t up\t on\t the\t shingle\t beach\t at Milford,\t holed\t and\t broken.\t He\t sincerely\t hoped\t that\t this\t wasn\u2019t\t another\t wild goose\tchase. Sam\t nudged\t him\t in\t the\t ribs\t and\t pointed\t to\t an\t enormous\t shape\t that\t had appeared\t from\t nowhere\t off\t the\t port\t bow.\t It\t took\t Jack\t a\t few\t seconds\t to\t make sense\tof\twhat\the\twas\tlooking\tat. The\tship\twas\ta\ttanker\tin\tsome\tdistress.\tIt\tsat\tbroadside\tto\tthe\twaves,\theavy\tin the\tbow\tand\tlisting\ta\tlittle\tto\tstarboard.\tIt\thad\ttaken\ton\ta\tlot\tof\twater\tand\tseemed to\tbe\twithout\tpower,\tdrifting\talong\tthe\tcoast\ttowards\tthe\tisland. Jack\tcircled\tto\tthe\tship\u2019s\tstern\tand\tscanned\tthe\tbridge,\twalkways\tand\trailings trying\t to\t spot\t any\t crewmembers,\t any\t signs\t of\t life.\t Across\t the\t ship\u2019s\t stern\t was written\t Santana\t and\t its\t registered\t home\t port\t of\t Panama\t underneath.\t Sergeant Flynn\t joined\t them\t in\t the\t wheelhouse.\t As\t they\t nudged\t closer,\t Jack\t handed\t over his\tbinoculars\tfor\tFlynn\tto\ttake\ta\tcloser\tlook.\tA\thuge\twave\tswept\tover\tthe\tbow of\tthe\tSantana\tand\tthe\twhole\tship\tseemed\tto\tlurch\ttowards\tthem.\tJack\trammed the\tengines\tin\treverse\tand\twithdrew\tanother\tfifty\tyards,\tsuddenly\tconcerned\tthat the\twhole\tship\tcould\troll\ton\tits\tside\tif\tit\twas\thit\tagain\twith\tsimilar\tforce. \u201cBetter\tcall\tit\tin,\u201d\tsaid\tFlynn.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tfind\tout\twhat\tthey\twant\tus\tto\tdo.\u201d","","Acknowledgements Writing\t a\t book\t is\t a\t lot\t like\t starting\t and\t running\t a\t business.\t It\t takes\t a\t whole village!\t Thank\t you\t to\t the\t small\t army\t of\t people\t who\t supported\t me\t and generously\t gave\t up\t their\t time\t to\t read\t successive\t drafts\t of\t Hurst.\t You\t all\t know who\tyou\tare.\tI\twon't\tattempt\tto\tmention\tall\tof\tyou.\tNo\tGwyneth\tPaltrow\tOscar acceptance\t speech\t here.\t But\t as\t anyone\t who's\t been\t involved\t in\t writing\t will know,\t it's\t a\t long\t and\t iterative\t process.\t It\t takes\t hard\t work,\t dedication\t and\t an unfaltering\t belief\t that\t it's\t all\t going\t to\t be\t worthwhile\t in\t the\t end.\t So\t a\t big\t thank you\tto\tall\tthe\tfriends\tand\tfamily\twho\thelped:\tTor,\tJake,\tBea,\tRose,\tTom,\tBobbie, Ems,\t Katy,\t CC,\t Pete,\t Dan,\t Jess,\t Bertie,\t Ed,\t Janet,\t Andrew,\t Serena,\t H,\t Sarah, Mark,\tTina,\tAdrienne,\tChris,\tShona,\tJim,\tJane,\tDarren,\tCameron,\tDerek,\tRaoul, Howie,\tLinda\tand\tMarlene. \t Disclaimer Hurst\t is\t a\t work\t of\t fiction.\t Names,\t characters,\t businesses,\t places,\t events\t and incidents\t are\t either\t the\t products\t of\t the\t author\u2019s\t imagination\t or\t used\t in\t a fictitious\t manner.\t Any\t resemblance\t to\t actual\t persons,\t living\t or\t dead,\t or\t actual events\tis\tpurely\tcoincidental. \t Stay\tin\ttouch Join\t the\t Hurst\t Chronicles\t Readers\u2019\t Group\t and\t be\t the\t first\t to\t hear\t about upcoming\tbooks\tin\tthe\tseries,\tnews\tand\toffers. \t Website:\tHurstChronicles.com Twitter:\t@HurstChronicles Facebook:\tFacebook.com\/HurstChronicles \t \u00a9\tRobin\tCrumby\t2016"]