["Chapter\tFourteen Will\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t how\t long\t he\t had\t slept.\t He\t had\t only\t closed\t his\t eyes\t for\t a second.\t His\t head\t had\t stopped\t throbbing\t so\t much.\t There\t was\t a\t light\t tap\t on\t the door\tand\tthe\tsound\tof\tkeys\trattling\tin\tthe\tlock.\tThe\theavy\tfire\tdoor\twith\ta\tsmall viewing\t window\t swung\t open\t and\t the\t large\t frame\t of\t a\t bearded\t man\t filled\t the doorway.\tHe\thad\ta\trifle\twith\ta\twooden\tstock\tslung\tjust\tvisible\tbehind\this\tback. He\t stepped\t inside\t and\t glanced\t around\t the\t room,\t checking\t that\t Will\t was\t still cuffed\t to\t the\t bed.\t He\t moved\t aside\t for\t a\t young\t man\t wearing\t a\t white\t coat, glasses,\tthin\tstubble\ton\this\tchin.\tHe\twas\tmoderately\ttall\twith\tblack\thair,\tIndian or\t Pakistani.\t Will\t studied\t him\t closely\t as\t he\t whispered\t with\t the\t guard,\t their exchanges\t awkward,\t as\t if\t the\t doctor\t was\t somehow\t uncomfortable\t in\t his\t own skin. The\t guard\t swung\t the\t heavy\t metal\t door\t closed\t behind\t him,\t sealing\t them\t off from\t the\t bustle\t of\t the\t hospital\t beyond.\t Will\t heard\t the\t key\t turn\t and\t heavy footsteps\twalk\taway\tdown\tthe\tcorridor. \u201cHow\t are\t you\t feeling?\u201d\t asked\t the\t doctor,\t his\t hands\t thrust\t deep\t in\t his\t coat pockets. Will\t sized\t him\t up\t before\t answering.\t \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t look\t old\t enough\t to\t be\t a doctor,\u201d\the\tbarked\tas\the\tswung\this\tlegs\tback\tup\ton\tto\tthe\tbed,\tputting\this\thands behind\this\thead,\tignoring\tthe\tdoctor. \u201cHey,\tlisten,\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\twant\tme\tto\ttake\ta\tlook\tat\tthat\tcut\ton\tyour\thead,\tfine by\tme.\tI\u2019m\tjust\tdoing\tmy\tjob.\u201d\tHe\tmade\tto\tleave,\tturning\this\tback\ton\tWill. \u201cDon\u2019t\tkid\tyourself,\tyah.\tYou\u2019re\tas\tbad\tas\tthe\trest\tof\tthem.\tFirst\tyou\tbeat\tthe crap\t out\t of\t me,\t and\t now\t you\t want\t to\t fix\t me\t up?\t What\t kind\t of\t hospital\t is\t this? Don\u2019t\ttell\tme,\tyou\twere\tjust\t\u2018following\torders\u2019,\u201d\the\tmocked. \u201cWhoa\t there,\t mister.\t I\u2019m\t one\t of\t the\t good\t guys.\t Don\u2019t\t lump\t me\t in\t with\t that other\tlot.\tThose\tnew\tguys\tare\toff\ttheir\trockers.\tNut\tjobs.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\there\tsince\tthe beginning,\tbefore\tthose\tguys\ttook\tover.\tWe\tcould\thave\tgot\tout,\tthey\tgave\tus\tthat chance,\t but\t we\t chose\t to\t stay.\t They\t made\t this\t place\t secure\t and\t for\t that\t they\t get my\tgratitude.\tFor\tthe\trecord,\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\tI\tlike\twhat\tthey\tdo\tor\thow\tthey do\tit.\u201d Will\t shrugged\t his\t shoulders\t and\t looked\t back,\t unrepentant.\t The\t young\t man dumped\this\tbag\ton\tthe\tfloor,\tstrode\tover\tto\tthe\tchair\tand\tunrolled\tthe\ttools\tof\this","trade\t on\t the\t bedside\t cabinet.\t The\t surgical\t kit\t contained\t scalpels,\t scissors,\t and what\t looked\t like\t a\t sewing\t kit\t with\t syringes\t all\t neatly\t secured\t in\t their\t Velcro holders\t and\t fabric\t loops.\t Will\t eyed\t the\t scalpel\t and\t imagined\t the\t damage\t he would\tdo\tto\this\ttorturers\tif\the\tgot\tthe\tchance. Will\t inclined\t his\t head\t submissively\t towards\t the\t doctor.\t He\t ripped\t off\t the gauze\t and\t tape\t without\t warning,\t ignoring\t the\t patient\u2019s\t howls\t of\t protest.\t He leaned\t in\t close\t to\t get\t a\t proper\t look,\t peering\t through\t the\t glasses\t at\t the\t nasty- looking\t cut\t behind\t Will\u2019s\t left\t ear.\t Some\t heavy\t bruising\t surrounded\t the\t wound. He\tdonned\ta\tpair\tof\tdisposable\tsurgical\tgloves\tand\tgently\tpressed\teither\tside\tof the\tlong\tgash. \u201cYes,\tyou\u2019ll\tdefinitely\tneed\tstitches.\tHow\tdid\tyou\tget\tthis,\tdare\tI\task?\u201d \u201cOne\t of\t your\t boys\t hit\t me\t from\t behind.\t Won\u2019t\t forget\t him\t in\t a\t hurry.\t The others\tcalled\thim\t\u2018Copper\u2019.\u201d \u201cOkay.\t I\t know\t who\t you\u2019re\t talking\t about.\t Friendly\t chap.\t Like\t I\t said,\t I\t don\u2019t condone\tviolence.\tI\tjust\t get\tto\tpatch\tpeople\t up.\tMore\twork\tfor\tme,\t you\t might say.\u201d Will\t winced\t as\t the\t doctor\t worked,\t gasping\t a\t couple\t of\t times\t when\t gloved fingers\tpressed\ttoo\thard.\tFor\ta\tbig\thardy\tbuilder,\twho\thad\tbeen\ta\tlabourer\tall\this life,\the\thated\tneedles\tand\tblood.\tAt\tschool,\the\twas\tforever\tthe\tboy\twho\tfainted in\t the\t playground\t after\t slicing\t his\t shin\t open\t on\t a\t rusted\t nail.\t He\u2019d\t been balancing\t on\t a\t wooden\t plank\t when\t he\t slipped\t and\t fell.\t His\t classmates\t knew better\t than\t to\t make\t fun\t of\t him.\t Will\t had\t always\t been\t just\t a\t little\t taller\t and heavier-set\tgrowing\tup\twhich\tmade\tothers\tfear\thim.\tHis\tphysique\tand\timposing presence\thad\tmade\thim\ta\tpromising\trugby\tplayer\tuntil\the\tclean\tbroke\this\twrist when\the\twas\tbarely\ttwelve\tand\tnever\tplayed\tagain. Looking\t down\t at\t his\t feet,\t Will\t mumbled\t into\t his\t chest,\t his\t voice\t sounding awkward\t and\t strained.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t Indian,\t right?\t Never\t been\t treated\t by\t an\t Indian doctor\tbefore.\u201d \u201cWell,\t you\t clearly\t haven\u2019t\t lived\t long\t in\t this\t country\t then.\t My\t father\t was\t a dentist,\tmy\tbrother\ta\tsurgeon,\tmy\tsister\ta\tpaediatrician.\tYou\tcould\tsay\tit\truns\tin the\tfamily.\tAnyway,\tI\u2019m\tBritish,\tborn\tand\tbred.\u201d \u201cFair\tenough.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tproblem\twith\tit.\tI\twas\tjust\tmaking\tconversation. So\twhat\tdo\tyou\tknow\tabout\tthis\tvirus?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t asking\t the\t wrong\t person,\t I\u2019m\t afraid.\t I\t mostly\t get\t to\t look\t after\t old people\there.\tRoutine\tstuff\treally.\tDementia,\tAlzheimer\u2019s,\tParkinson\u2019s,\tpalliative care.\tDon\u2019t\tget\tto\tsee\tmany\tkiller\tviruses\tor\ttropical\tdiseases\ton\tthe\tsouth\tcoast. Big\tcity\thospitals\tget\tthe\thigh-profile\tcases.\tEbola,\tmalaria.\tShame\treally.\tMight spice\tthings\tup.\u201d \u201cBe\tcareful\twhat\tyou\twish\tfor.\u201d","\u201cMy\t knowledge\tof\tviruses\tis\treally\tdated,\tgoes\tback\tto\tmedical\tschool\tand stuff\t I\t picked\t up\t from\t the\t press\t and\t journals\t they\t had\t in\t the\t staffroom.\t I\t know bits\tand\tpieces,\tbut\tnothing\tof\tany\tuse.\u201d \u201cBut\tas\ta\tdoctor,\tyou\tmust\thave\tsome\tidea\twhat\twe\u2019re\tdealing\twith.\tWhat\tif you\thad\tto\tmake\tan\teducated\tguess?\u201d He\t pondered\t the\t question\t thoughtfully\t and\t then\t launched\t in\t to\t his\t answer with\tgrowing\tconfidence.\t\u201cWell,\tit\tsounds\ta\tlot\tlike\tthe\t Spanish\tflu\tpandemic. The\toutbreak\tafter\tthe\tFirst\tWorld\tWar\tkilled\tmillions,\tmore\tthan\tthe\twar\titself. But\tthe\tMillennial\tVirus\tis\t more\tdeadly\t and\tspreads\tquicker.\tOf\t course,\tcheap airline\ttravel\tand\ttourism\tprobably\taccelerated\tall\tthat.\tBased\ton\tthe\tpatients\twe saw\tand\ttreated,\tI\u2019d\tsay\taround\tone\tin\tten\tpeople\thave\tsome\tdegree\tof\timmunity. Some\t were\t worse\t affected\t than\t others,\t but\t most\t died\t within\t three\t to\t five\t days, and\t very\t few\t got\t better.\t We\t threw\t everything\t we\t had\t at\t it.\t We\t did\t little\t more than\t prolong\t their\t agony\t for\t a\t few\t hours\t or\t days.\t The\t outcome\t was\t almost always\tthe\tsame.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tvery\teffective\tkiller.\u201d \u201cIt\tsounds\tlike\tyou\tadmire\tthe\tvirus?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou?\tMother\tNature\thas\tbeen\tperfecting\tthe\tflu\tvirus\tover\tmillions\tof years\t and\t it\t looks\t like\t she\u2019s\t cracked\t the\t code\t this\t time.\t Of\t course,\t if\t the\t CDC, you\t know,\t the\t Centre\t for\t Disease\t Control\t in\t the\t States,\t or\t the\t World\t Health Organization\t are\t still\t functional,\t then\t they\t may\t have\t developed\t a\t vaccine.\t By now\tyou\tmight\texpect\tthem\tto\thave\tinoculated\thealth\tworkers\tand\tthe\tmilitary. Right\tnow\tthey\tmay\twell\tbe\tmounting\ta\trescue\tmission\tto\tsave\tus\t\u2018Brits\u2019.\tWho knows?\u201d \u201cBut\tcould\tit\tbe\tdone\tif\tthey\thave\tthe\tright\tresources?\u201d \u201cSure.\tWe\talready\thave\ta\tlab\there\twith\tall\tthe\tkit.\tIf\tyou\tgot\thold\tof\tsamples of\t the\t virus,\t an\t electron-microscope,\t biohazard\t suits,\t air\t purifiers,\t then\t no question,\twe\tcould\tkeep\ttrying\ttill\twe\tfound\tsomething\tthat\tworked.\tMight\ttake decades\tthough.\tAll\twe\u2019d\tneed\twould\tbe\tan\tarmy\tof\tscientists,\tunlimited\tmoney and\t resources.\t Hey,\t throw\t in\t someone\t with\t immunity,\t patient\t zero\u2026while you\u2019re\tat\tit,\tperhaps\tfind\tme\tElvis\tand\tLord\tLucan.\tBut\ttake\ta\tlook\taround\tyou. We\u2019re\tmostly\tworking\tin\tthe\tdark\tages\there.\tWe\tbarely\thave\tenough\tpower\tfrom the\t emergency\t generator\t to\t keep\t the\t lights\t on,\t let\t alone\t anything\t discretionary. We\thave\ta\tskeletal\tteam,\tand\tthe\tman\tin\tcharge\tis\ta\tpsychopath,\tbut\tapart\tfrom that,\twe\thave\teverything\twe\tneed.\u201d The\tyoung\tdoctor\tfinished\tup\tthe\tstitches\tbehind\tWill\u2019s\tear\tand\tpatted\thim\ton the\thead\tlike\ta\tdog.\t\u201cThere\tyou\tgo.\tGood\tas\tnew.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou.\tI\towe\tyou\tone.\tWhat\u2019s\tyour\tname?\u201d\tasked\tWill. The\tdoctor\tsmiled.\t\u201cDoctor\tGanesh,\tbut\tyou\tcan\tcall\tme\tRaj.\u201d \u201cWell,\t Raj,\t if\t I\t figure\t out\t how\t to\t get\t out\t of\t this\t hellhole,\t I\u2019ll\t come\t and\t find","you.\u201d The\t doctor\t packed\t up\t the\t plastic\t case\t with\t the\t syringe,\t scissors,\t bandages and\tother\tassorted\titems,\tpaused\tat\tthe\tdoor\tto\tsay\tsomething\tand\tthought\tbetter of\t it.\t He\t knocked\t twice\t and\t heard\t the\t guard\t jangle\t his\t keys.\t The\t rotund\t guard opened\tthe\tdoor\tjust\twide\tenough\tto\tlet\thim\tpass.\tWill\tsat\ton\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tbed smiling,\topening\tand\tclosing\this\tfingers\tin\ta\tchildlike\tgoodbye.\tThe\tguard\tcurled his\tlip\tand\tslammed\tthe\tdoor\tshut. Will\tpuffed\tout\this\tcheeks\tand\tslumped\tback\tagainst\tthe\twall,\texhausted.","Chapter\tFifteen \u201cQuiet,\tplease.\tThis\tmeeting\tof\tthe\tHurst\tcouncil\tis\tcalled\tto\torder.\tNathan,\tcan you\t bring\t us\t up\t to\t speed\t on\t today\u2019s\t business,\u201d\t said\t Terra,\t leaning\t back\t in\t the ornate\toak\tchair,\tpositioned\tat\tthe\thead\tof\tthe\ttable.\tIts\tknotted\twood\twas\trichly stained,\t a\t beautiful\t Victorian\t antique\t from\t Lyndhurst\t in\t the\t New\t Forest.\t The back\tand\theadrest\twere\tornately\tcarved\twith\tstags\tand\tholly. Nathan\u2019s\t body\t visibly\t stiffened\t with\t the\t responsibility\t conferred\t on\t him.\t He began\tto\treel\toff\tthe\tagenda\titems\tcarefully\tnoted\ton\ta\tpad\tof\tyellow\tlined\tpaper. Terra\t yawned\t and\t looked\t out\t the\t small\t window\t of\t the\t upstairs\t room\t across\t the inner\t courtyard.\t Rain\t squalls\t were\t sheeting\t intermittently\t against\t the\t glass,\t her thoughts\t elsewhere.\t Nathan\u2019s\t monotone\t droned\t on\t in\t the\t background.\t He worked\t through\t various\t day-to-day\t household\t matters\t ranging\t from\t how\t few eggs\t had\t been\t laid\t this\t past\t week\t to\t the\t perilously\t low\t stores\t of\t fuel\t for\t the generator.\tEven\twith\tthe\trecent\twet\tweather,\tthe\tbutts\tcollecting\train\twater\tfrom every\t rooftop\t around\t the\t camp\t were\t close\t to\t empty.\t Nathan\t walked\t everyone through\t the\t rotas\t for\t night\t watches\t and\t scavenging\t duties\t for\t the\t following week. The\t other\t heads\t of\t department\t took\t it\t in\t turns\t to\t give\t their\t own\t quick updates,\t going\t round\t the\t table,\t sharing\t their\t questions\t and\t concerns\t before Nathan\thanded\tthings\tback\tto\tTerra. She\t leaned\t forward,\t blinking\t rapidly\t as\t she\t tried\t to\t organise\t her\t thoughts. Each\t of\t the\t council\t members\t were\t loyal\t and\t true,\t hand-chosen\t by\t her\t or\t Jack, selected\t as\t much\t for\t their\t competence\t as\t for\t their\t alternative\t viewpoints, unafraid\tto\tchallenge\twhen\topinions\tdiffered. \u201cThere\tis\tone\tother\tmatter\tI\tneed\tto\traise,\u201d\tshe\tbegan.\t\u201cLast\tnight,\tthe\tdoor\tto the\tfood\tstore\twas\tforced\tand\ta\tnumber\tof\titems\ttaken.\u201d\tThere\twas\ta\tsmall\tgasp from\tthe\ttwo\twomen\tat\tthe\tfar\tend.\t\u201cThe\tinventory\twe\ttook\tlast\tweek\tconfirms that\twe\tare\tmissing\tthe\tfollowing\u2026\u201d\tNathan\tpassed\ther\tthe\tyellow\tpad\tand\tshe fumbled\t with\t the\t spectacles\t that\t hung\t around\t her\t neck.\t She\t peered\t down\t past her\tnose,\trunning\ther\tfinger\talong\tthe\tlisted\titems:\t\u201ctwo\tpackets\tof\tbiscuits,\tone bar\tof\tchocolate,\tthree\tbags\tof\tcrisps\tand\tone\ttin\teach\tof\tpineapple\tand\ttuna.\u201d The\t two\t women\t at\t the\t far\t end\t exchanged\t glances\t and\t one\t of\t them,\t Liz, mumbled\tsomething\tTerra\tdidn\u2019t\tcatch.\tIt\twas\tLiz\twho\tran\tthe\tkitchen\tand\twas","more\tthan\ta\tlittle\tprotective\tof\tthe\tmeagre\tstores\tand\tingredients\ther\tteam\thad\tat their\tdisposal.\tPerhaps\tshe\thad\ther\tsuspicions\talready.\tThere\twere\tseveral\tlikely suspects;\tnew\tarrivals\twho\thad\tnot\tyet\tearned\tTerra\u2019s\ttrust. Liz\tleaned\tforward\tand\twhispered\tconspiratorially\twith\tthe\twoman\tto\ther\tleft with\tflowing\tblonde\thair\tthat\treached\tdown\tto\ther\tshoulders,\twhich\tshe\twore\tin plaits.\t Terra\t guessed\t Greta\t was\t around\t thirty.\t She\t spoke\t with\t only\t a\t hint\t of\t a Swedish\t accent\t in\t otherwise\t flawless\t English.\t Her\t short\t unsuccessful\t stint\t as\t a trainee\tdetective\tin\tGothenburg\thad\tearned\ther\tthe\tposition\tas\tkeeper\tof\tkeys\tat Hurst.\t That\t made\t investigating\t the\t theft\t her\t responsibility,\t but\t she\t looked affronted\t that\t Terra\t had\t not\t spoken\t to\t her\t first\t before\t speaking\t to\t the\t council. Let\t them\t sweat\t for\t a\t while,\t Terra\t thought,\t smiling\t to\t herself.\t She\t ignored\t their private\tdiscussion\tand\tcontinued\tundeterred. \u201cAs\tyou\tall\tknow,\ttheft\tis\ta\tvery\tserious\toffence\tand\tone\tthat\tmust\tcarry\tthe most\t severe\t penalty.\t I\t want\t the\t whole\t place\t searched.\t Leave\t no\t stone\t unturned until\tthese\titems\tare\tfound\tand\tthe\tculprit\tapprehended.\u201d \u201cCan\tI\task\twhy\tI\twas\tnot\tconsulted\tfirst,\tTerra?\u201d\tasked\tLiz\tindignantly.\t\u201cLast time\tI\tchecked,\tthe\tkitchen\tand\tstores\twere\tmy\tresponsibility.\u201d \u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tfood\thas\tgone\tmissing,\tis\tit?\u201d Liz\tblushed,\ther\teyes\tnarrowed\tat\tthis\tveiled\tslur,\tbut\tshe\tknew\tbetter\tthan\tto push\t Terra\t too\t far,\t taking\t a\t moment\t to\t compose\t herself.\t \u201cAnd\t what\t do\t you intend\tto\tdo\twith\tthem\twhen\tyou\tfind\tthem?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tinstead. Terra\t deflected\t the\t question\t to\t Nathan.\t \u201cThe\t rules\t are\t clear.\t Punishment\t for theft\tis\tbanishment.\u201d Liz\t stared\t back\t at\t Greta\t and\t then\t Nathan.\t \u201cI\t agree,\t but,\t Terra,\t banishment means\talmost\tcertain\tdeath\tfor\tthe\tperpetrator.\tShould\tthe\tcouncil\tnot\tbe\tgranted the\topportunity\tto\tvote\tonce\tthe\tparty\tresponsible\tis\tdiscovered?\u201d Liz\u2019s\t tilted\t head\t reminded\t Terra\t momentarily\t of\t Bella,\t her\t old\t Labrador. How\tshe\tmissed\tthe\tdog\tshe\thad\traised\tfrom\ta\tpuppy.\tBella\thad\tbeen\tat\tthe\tvet for\tan\tovernight\tstay\twhen\tTerra\tgot\tcaught\tup\tin\tthe\tevacuation.\tShe\tspent\tthree hours\tstuck\tin\ta\tline\tof\ttraffic\tthat\tcrawled\tto\ta\thalt\tand\tthen\tnever\tmoved\tagain. She\t wondered\t whether\t someone\t had\t let\t Bella\t out\t of\t that\t kennel.\t Best\t not\t to think\t about\t it.\t Lock\t it\t away\t with\t all\t the\t other\t unpleasant\t memories\t from\t that time. Liz\t went\t on,\t undeterred\t by\t Terra\u2019s\t vacant\t expression.\t \u201cThere\t is\t a\t precedent after\t all.\t Remember\t that\t guy\t from\t Bournemouth?\t Robbie.\t The\t one\t who\t hit Tommy\t with\t the\t piece\t of\t driftwood.\t Needed\t nine\t stitches.\t Jack\t didn\u2019t\t banish him,\the\tjust\tlocked\thim\tup\tfor\tthree\tdays,\ttaught\thim\ta\tlesson.\tIt\twas\tall\thandled with\t a\t handshake\t and\t an\t apology.\t So\t why\t do\t you\t think\t theft\t warrants banishment?\u201d","Nathan\t cleared\t his\t throat.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t code,\t that\u2019s\t why.\t The\t code\t exists\t for\t this very\tpurpose.\tIt\tis\twritten.\tIt\tis\tknown\tand\tpublic.\tAll\tthose\twho\tchoose\tto\tstay within\t these\t walls\t and\t accept\t the\t sanctuary\t and\t security\t this\t community\t offers, agree\t to\t abide\t by\t the\t code.\t There\t can\t be\t no\t order\t without\t the\t code.\t Surely,\t as council\tmembers,\twe\tall\tunderstand\tthis?\u201d All\t heads\t turned\t towards\t Cedric,\t or\t Scottie\t as\t he\t was\t affectionately\t known, as\t he\t roared\t with\t laughter,\t banging\t his\t coffee\t mug\t on\t the\t table\t with\t some theatricality.\t He\t had\t been\t silent\t to\t this\t point,\t listening\t absent-mindedly\t with\t a smile\t spreading\t across\t his\t face.\t He\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cYour\t petty\t bureaucracy\t is laughable.\t People\t out\t there\t are\t dying\t by\t the\t thousands.\t Law\t and\t order\t have failed.\t Gangs\t roam\t the\t towns\t raping\t and\t murdering\t while\t we\t sit\t here\t arguing about\tstolen\tbiscuits.\u201d Terra\tgripped\ther\tarmrest\ta\tlittle\ttighter.\tThis\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tScottie\thad undermined\t her\t authority.\t After\t a\t life\t on\t the\t stage,\t he\t was\t a\t consummate performer,\t intent\t on\t grabbing\t the\t limelight.\t It\t was\t said\t he\t had\t cut\t his\t teeth\t in Scotland\u2019s\t smallest\t and\t pokiest\t theatres,\t treading\t the\t boards\t to\t a\t handful\t of spectators\t before\t getting\t his\t big\t break.\t Signed\t to\t play\t Macduff\t in\t a\t Royal Shakespeare\tCompany\tproduction\tof\tMacbeth\tin\ta\tnationwide\ttour\tthat\tfinished in\tSouthampton,\the\thad\tfallen\tmadly\tin\tlove\twith\ta\tlocal\tgirl\twho\tworked\tin\tthe foyer\tat\tthe\tMayflower\tTheatre\tand\tnever\tleft. \u201cScottie,\u201d\t interrupted\t Terra,\t \u201cwe\t have\t survived\t this\t far\t because\t of\t the\t code. Without\tlaw,\tthere\tis\tchaos.\tThe\tcode\tis\twhat\tbinds\tus\ttogether.\tWithout\tit\tthere is\tanarchy.\tIs\tthat\twhat\tyou\tprefer?\u201d \u201cOf\t course\t not,\t but\t we\t are\t a\t civilised\t society,\t are\t we\t not?\t Context\t must\t be considered\t before\t sentence\t is\t passed.\t When\t all\t the\t facts\t are\t known\t should\t the matter\t not\t come\t before\t the\t council\t again?\t Whoever\t said\t that\t the\t code\t was absolute?\t It\t should\t be\t a\t guide,\t to\t be\t interpreted,\t with\t flexibility\t if\t needed.\t If extenuating\tcircumstances\texist,\tthen\tsome\tdegree\tof\tleniency\tis\tcalled\tfor.\u201d \u201cWe\t must\t make\t an\t example\t of\t whoever\t did\t this.\t The\t council\t demands\t it. Punishment\tis\tdue.\u201d Nathan\u2019s\tintransigence\tprovoked\tanother\tmelodramatic\toutburst\tfrom\tScottie, throwing\this\thands\tup\tin\tdespair.\tHe\tpushed\tback\this\tchair\tand\tstood\tup,\tpacing the\t room\t in\t frustration.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t warning\t you.\t This\t will\t not\t play\t well\t with\t the people.\tJustice\tmust\tbe\tseen\tto\tbe\tdone.\tI\tput\tit\tto\tthe\tvote\tthat\tonce\tthe\tculprit\tis discovered,\twe\tassemble\ta\tcourt\tand\ta\tfair\tverdict\treached\tby\ta\tjury\tof\tpeers\tand equals.\u201d Terra\t considered\t the\t request\t and\t glanced\t at\t Nathan\t and\t the\t others\t sitting around\tthe\ttable. \u201cVery\t well.\t Those\t in\t favour\t of\t holding\t a\t trial\t raise\t your\t hands.\u201d\t Terra","counted\t the\t hands\t just\t to\t be\t one\t hundred\t per\t cent\t certain.\t \u201cMotioned\t carried.\u201d She\t shrugged.\t \u201cSo\t be\t it.\t Greta,\t I\u2019ll\t leave\t it\t to\t you\t to\t find\t the\t individual\t or individuals\tresponsible.\u201d","Chapter\tSixteen Tommy\thelped\tSimon\tgrab\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tcardboard\tboxes\tstacked\ton\tthe\troof\tof the\tboat\u2019s\tsmall\tcabin.\tKeeping\tone\tfoot\tplanted\ton\tthe\twide\twooden\tslats\tof\tthe pontoon,\t Simon\t raised\t his\t leg\t awkwardly\t as\t if\t he\t were\t practising\t t\u2019ai\t chi,\t but without\tthe\tgrace\tor\tbalance,\ttottering\tungainly\tas\tthe\tboat\tlurched\ttowards\thim. He\tstraddled\tthe\tguardrail\tand\treached\tfor\tthe\tbox. Toby\t stood\t silently\t with\t his\t back\t to\t his\t father,\t hands\t thrust\t deep\t in\t the pockets\t of\t his\t blue\t shorts.\t He\t was\t watching\t red\t mullet\t swim\t lazily\t around\t the polystyrene\t float\t of\t the\t jetty.\t The\t mullet\t sucked\t greedily\t at\t the\t seaweed\t that clung\t to\t the\t boat\u2019s\t rudder.\t The\t brass\t propeller\t glinted\t invitingly,\t reflecting\t the beams\tof\tsunlight\tthat\tdanced\tin\tthe\tflowing\ttide,\ta\tfew\tfeet\tbelow\tthe\tsurface. Lady\tLucy\tIII\twas\tstencilled\tin\tlarge\tgreen\tletters\ton\tthe\tstern\tof\tthe\tthirty-two- foot\tContessa\tyacht,\ther\thome\tport\tof\t\u201cFalmouth\u201d\twritten\tunderneath\tin\titalics. Chipped\t and\t weather-worn,\t there\t was\t an\t incongruous\t graphic\t of\t a\t bath-time duck,\tfaded\tas\tit\twas\tby\tsun\tand\tseawater,\tsmiling\tbashfully,\twaddling\tthrough\ta cartoon\tpuddle. The\tmain\t halyard\t that\t stretched\tfrom\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tmast\ttapped\tout\ta\tlight rhythm\t in\t the\t morning\t breeze.\t Small\t waves\t lapped\t against\t Lady\t Lucy\u2019s\t hull, sending\t ripples\t radiating\t outwards.\t Toby\t watched\t as\t a\t long\t tail\t of\t seaweed tethered\tto\tthe\tjetty\tfloat\tswam\tback\tand\tforth\tin\tthe\ttidal\tflow.\tFrom\tthe\tengine outlet,\t a\t thin\t slick\t of\t oil\t spawned\t multicoloured\t shapes\t and\t patterns\t on\t the surface\tof\tthe\twater.\tA\tlarge\tbubble\tspan,\tskating\tagainst\tthe\ttide\tin\tthe\tbreeze. Simon\t passed\t Tommy\t the\t box\t containing\t the\t last\t of\t their\t tinned\t food,\t rice and\t pasta\t over\t the\t guardrail.\t Stepping\t back\t down\t on\t to\t the\t jetty,\t Lady\t Lucy rolled\tback\tinto\tequilibrium,\tits\tfenders\tand\twarps\tgroaning\ttheir\tfarewell. \u201cCome\ton,\tToby,\u201d\tSimon\tcalled\tover\this\tshoulder. Toby\t lifted\this\thead,\tlooked\tout\tacross\tthe\tsalt\tmarshes\ttowards\tKeyhaven, kicked\ta\tsmall\tpebble\tinto\tthe\twater\tand\tran\tafter\this\tdad.\tHe\tfell\tinto\tstep,\tpart supporting\t the\t weight\t of\t the\t box.\t Toby\t looked\t up\t wide-eyed,\t searching\t out\t his father\u2019s\tsmile. They\t walked\t over\t a\t small\t wooden\t slatted\t bridge\t that\t spanned\t what\t would have\t been\t the\t original\t moat\t of\t the\t castle,\t now\t bone\t dry\t and\t no\t more\t than\t a grassy\tditch.\tAbove\tthe\trounded\tarch\tgateway\twas\ta\tlarge\troyal\tcrest\tpainted\tred","with\t the\t monarch\u2019s\t coat\t of\t arms\t and\t \u201cV.R.\t 1873\u201d\t in\t gold\t letters\t underneath. Toby\tpaused\tto\twonder\twhat\tthe\tinitials\tstood\tfor\tbefore\tskipping\tafter\tTommy and\t his\t father.\t An\t old-fashioned\t lantern\t in\t black\t gunmetal\t swung\t over\t the entrance.\t Toby\t tiptoed\t precariously\t along\t the\t narrow-gauge\t railway\t tracks\t that ran\t straight\tthrough\tthe\t tunnel\tand\tinto\t the\tcourtyard\tbeyond.\tThey\tpassed\tthe guardhouse\t on\t the\t right-hand\t side,\t formerly\t a\t gift\t shop\t where\t visitors\t to\t the castle\tbought\ttheir\tentrance\ttickets. Liz\t was\t waiting\t for\t them\t in\t the\t storeroom.\t She\t examined\t each\t item,\t calling out\tits\tcontents\tto\tbe\tnoted\tin\ttheir\tinventory,\tsorting\tthe\ttins\tand\tpasta\tonto\tone of\tthe\tlong\ttrestle\ttables\tstacked\thigh\twith\tsupplies. \u201cHorse\t chestnuts?\u201d\t said\t Tommy,\t picking\t up\t one\t of\t the\t more\t exotic-looking tins\tand\treading\tthe\tEnglish\ttranslation\ton\twhat\tlooked\tlike\ta\tThai\tlabel.\t\u201cBeen\ta while\t since\t we\t had\t foreign\t food\t eh?\t Can\u2019t\t say\t I\u2019m\t a\t fan,\t always\t gives\t me\t the runs.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t listen\t to\t him,\u201d\t said\t Liz,\t snatching\t the\t tin\t from\t Tommy\t and\t nudging him\tout\tof\tthe\tway\twith\ther\tshoulder.\t\u201cWhat\twould\tyou\tknow?\tNo\ttaste,\tyou\tlot. You\twouldn\u2019t\tknow\thaute\tcuisine\tif\tit\tbit\tyou\ton\tthe\tnose.\u201d \u201cA\t whole\t ocean\t of\t fish\t right\t on\t our\t doorstep.\t But\t we\t eat\t what\t we\u2019re\t given, ain\u2019t\tthat\tright,\tLiz?\tGive\tme\ta\tnice\tpiece\tof\thaddock\tany\tday\tof\tthe\tweek.\u201d \u201cJust\tyou\tremember\tit,\u201d\tshe\tresponded\tdefiantly,\tturning\tover\tthe\tnext\ttin\tin her\t short\t stubby\t fingers.\t \u201cBaby\t carrots,\u201d\t she\t called\t out\t to\t Connie,\t one\t of\t the teenagers\twho\thelped\ther\tin\tthe\tkitchen. Simon\tand\tToby\twatched\ttheir\texchanges\tin\tmild\tamusement,\tlooking\taround the\t canteen.\t It\t was\t basic\t but\t functional.\t Liz\t knelt\t down\t so\t her\t face\t was\t level with\tToby\u2019s. \u201cI\tbet\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthat\ta\tsmall\tgarrison\tof\tsoldiers\tlived\there\tduring\tthe war.\t They\t were\t responsible\t for\t guarding\t the\t Solent\t against\t attacks\t by\t German U-boats\tor\tmotor\ttorpedo\tboats.\u201d Toby\tlistened,\tenthralled\tas\tLiz\ttold\thim\tmore\tabout\tthe\thistory\tof\tthe\tcastle. \u201cCome\ton,\tI\u2019ll\tshow\tyou\tthe\told\ttheatre,\u201d\tsaid\tTommy. Liz\tcalled\tout\tafter\tthem:\t\u201cThanks\tfor\tthe\tThai\tgoodies.\tI\u2019ll\thave\ta\tthink\twhat I\tcan\tmake\twith\tchestnuts.\tPerhaps\twe\u2019ll\thave\ta\tcurry\tthen\ttonight,\tConnie.\u201d Tommy\t gave\t them\t a\t walking\t tour\t of\t the\t castle,\t pointing\t out\t the\t dining\t hall, library,\t and\t the\t small\t shared\t dormitory\t where\t they\t could\t sleep\t tonight.\t He introduced\tthem\tto\tvarious\tpeople\tas\tthey\twent. They\t stopped\t at\t the\t theatre\t and\t Tommy\t explained\t all\t about\t their\t busy schedule\t of\t upcoming\t shows.\t Scottie\u2019s\t performances\t ranged\t from\t recitals\t of Shakespearean\t soliloquies,\t sonnets\t and\t longer\t passages\t he\t performed\t from memory.\t He\t was\t somewhat\t of\t a\t Hurst\t treasure,\t greeted\t with\t a\t mixture\t of\t mild","amusement\tfrom\tthe\tyoung,\tand\tmuted\trapture\tfrom\tthe\tmore\tsenior\tmembers\tof the\tgroup. Standing\tnext\tto\tthe\tstage,\tTommy\tpassed\tToby\tan\tinflatable\tparrot\tthey\twere using\tas\ta\tprop.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tjust\tauditioning\tfor\tparts\tin\tTreasure\tIsland,\tif\tyou\u2019re interested\t in\t having\t a\t go.\t You\u2019d\t make\t a\t great\t Jim\t Hawkins.\t I\t wanted\t to\t be\t a pirate\tbut\tthey\twon\u2019t\tlet\tme\thave\ta\tspeaking\tpart.\u201d Simon\t ruffled\t Toby\u2019s\t hair.\t The\t boy\t looked\t suitably\t embarrassed\t at\t the unwanted\tattention. \u201cScottie\t adapted\t the\t script\t from\t the\t original\t book.\t Riley\t found\t him\t a\t copy. You\tshould\thave\tseen\tthe\tlook\tin\this\teyes\twhen\the\twas\tpresented\twith\tthis\tdusty old\tcopy.\tClutched\tit\tto\this\tchest\tlike\tit\twas\ttreasure\titself.\tTo\tthink\ta\tbook\tcould have\t that\t kind\t of\t effect\t on\t a\t grown\t man,\u201d\t mocked\t Tommy,\t shaking\t his\t head. \u201cHe\u2019s\t something\t of\t an\t acquired\t taste,\t I\t suppose.\t He\t never\t fails\t to\t draw\t a crowd.\u201d In\t truth,\t Scottie\t revelled\t in\t his\t role\t as\t Hurst\u2019s\t resident\t entertainer.\t Most evenings\t he\t organised\t public\t readings\t from\t well-known\t works.\t A\t genius\t with voices,\t accents\t and\t bringing\t the\t words\t on\t the\t page\t to\t life\t in\t a\t way\t that captivated\tyoung\tand\t old.\tCharlie\tand\tthe\tChocolate\tFactory\tfor\tthe\tyoungest children\tbefore\tbedtime,\tHarry\tPotter\tfor\tthe\tteens,\t and\teven\tthe\tadults\twould sit\tenthralled\tby\treadings\tfrom\tDickens,\tHardy\tor\tHemmingway.\tHe\twas\tforever nagging\t the\t scavenging\t parties\t to\t find\t them\t more\t books.\t Books,\t books,\t books, as\t if\t that\t was\t more\t important\t than\t food.\t Riley\t dutifully\t obliged\t and\t usually brought\thome\ta\tpaperback\tor\ttwo.\tOccasionally\tshe\tfound\ta\tfirst\tedition\tor\trare tome\t that\t had\t Scottie\t stroking\t its\t cover,\t enthralled\t by\t dedications\t or\t author signatures.\tHe\twas\tsomething\tof\ta\tcollector. Everything\t just\t sounded\t a\t little\t bit\t better\t when\t Scottie\t read\t it.\t He\t added\t a vocal\t range\t and\t dramatic\t delivery\t to\t even\t the\t most\t boring\t of\t roll\t calls\t and memos.\tHe\thad\ta\tknack\tof\tmaking\tanything\tsound\tmore\tinteresting.\tIt\treminded Tommy\tof\thow\tTV\tcommercials\tused\tto\tget\twell-known\tHollywood\tactors\tlike Michael\tDouglas\tor\tHarvey\tKeitel\tto\tdo\tvoice-overs. Tommy\t walked\t them\t back\t outside\t to\t the\t courtyard,\t pointing\t to\t a\t large whitewashed\tsection\tof\tthe\tcastle\twall\twhere\the\ttold\tthem\tthey\tprojected\tfeature films\tfor\t\u201cMovie\tNight\u201d\tevery\tthird\tFriday\tin\tthe\tmonth.\tIt\tmade\tfor\tone\tof\tthe more\t popular\t and\t social\t evenings\t at\t Hurst.\t He\t remembered\t one\t of\t the scavenging\t teams\t bringing\t back\t an\t old-fashioned\t reel\t projector\t and\t two\t boxes of\t 8mm\t films\t they\u2019d\t found\t while\t searching\t the\t attic\t of\t a\t house\t owned\t by\t a movie\tfanatic\tor\tsomeone\tworking\tin\tthe\tbusiness.\tThey\ttold\thow\tthe\thouse\thad been\tcluttered\twith\tfilm\tprops\tand\tmemorabilia,\tphotos\tof\tmovie\tstars,\tpast\tand present.","It\t was\t the\t same\t with\t the\t Hurst\t museum.\t Scottie\t made\t a\t habit\t of\t collecting similar\t trophies\t recovered\t from\t the\t local\t area.\t From\t paintings\t and\t books\t to statues\t and\t even\t larger\t antiques,\t he\t considered\t it\t their\t duty\t to\t salvage\t art\t and preserve\t it\t for\t future\t generations.\t The\t walls\t of\t the\t museum\t were\t now\t adorned with\t old\t masters,\t a\t Constable\t together\t with\t several\t impressionist\t works\t from Cezanne,\tMonet\tand\ta\tPissarro.\tThey\teven\thad\ta\tpiece\tby\tDamien\tHirst,\twhich divided\topinion,\tbut\tScottie\tloved\tit\tall\tthe\tsame. The\t movies\t they\t showed\t on\t those\t special\t evenings\t were\t mostly\t classic\t war films\t and\t Westerns.\t There\t was\t nothing\t more\t modern\t in\t the\t collection,\t but\t it didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t matter.\t They\t would\t sit\t outside\t on\t milder\t spring\t or\t summer evenings\t under\t the\t stars.\t Lying\t on\t picnic\t blankets\t or\t deckchairs\t late\t into\t the night,\t Scottie\t would\t operate\t the\t projector,\t changing\t reels\t to\t the\t groans\t of audiences.\t The\t changes\t always\t seemed\t to\t come\t at\t a\t particularly\t gripping cliffhanger\t moment,\t scrambling\t around\t to\t locate\t and\t mount\t the\t next\t reel.\t His regulars\t would\t never\t tire\t of\t the\t Magnificent\tSeven\t or\t The\t Guns\t of\t Navarone. Tommy\t knew\t every\t scene,\t every\t line,\t every\t word.\t He\t annoyed\t the\t hell\t out\t of whoever\the\tsat\tnext\tto\tby\tmouthing\tthe\twords\tand\ttelling\tpeople\this\tfavourite\tbit was\tjust\tcoming\tup. \u201cRight\there\twe\tare.\u201d\tTommy\tgestured\ttowards\ttwo\tmattresses\tthat\tlay\tin\tthe corner\ton\tthe\tfloor.\tThe\tbeds\tlooked\ta\tbit\ttired,\tthe\tcovers\tmoth-eaten\tand\ttorn, but\tthey\twould\tbe\tdry\tand\tsafe.\tThey\twould\tsleep\twell\ttonight,\tTommy\twas\tsure of\t it,\t patting\t Toby\t on\t the\t shoulder.\t He\t clapped\t his\t hands\t and\t made\t to\t leave before\tremembering\tsomething. \u201cJack\t asked\t me\t to\t ask\t you\t if\t you\t wouldn\u2019t\t mind\t putting\t Lady\tLucy\t on\t the river\t mooring\t for\t tonight.\t Looks\t like\t there\u2019s\t a\t storm\t coming\t in.\u201d\t He\t grimaced, peering\tout\tof\tthe\twindow\tat\tdark\tclouds\theading\ttheir\tway. \u201cThanks,\t Tommy.\t Really\t appreciate\t it.\t We\u2019re\t going\t to\t be\t very\t happy\t here, aren\u2019t\twe,\tToby?\u201d Toby\tsmiled\tweakly\tat\tTommy,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\ttoo\tconvinced.","Chapter\tSeventeen Terra\t rested\t her\t hand\t on\t Nathan\u2019s\t shoulder,\t standing\t behind\t him\t as\t he\t finished up\tthe\tnotes\tfrom\tthe\tmeeting.\tWhen\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tother\tcouncil\tmembers\thad left\tshe\tsat\tdown\topposite,\twith\ta\tsigh\tloud\tenough\tthat\the\tlooked\tup,\teyebrows raised. The\t room\t was\t silent\t other\t than\t the\t sound\t of\t the\t ink\t pen\t scratching\t on\t the yellow\t pad\t and\t Nathan\u2019s\t shallow,\t efficient\t breaths.\t Terra\t noticed\t his\t tongue peeping\tout\tfurtively\tbetween\this\tlips\tas\the\tconcentrated\ton\tthe\ttask\tat\thand.\tShe was\t still\t troubled\t by\t the\t question\t of\t the\t missing\t food\t and\t curious\t about\t the council\u2019s\t response.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t trust\t Liz,\t but\t it\t seemed\t unlikely\t that\t she\t was implicated\tin\tany\tway.\tSloppy\tand\tcareless\tperhaps,\tbut\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tdishonest.\tIt took\t a\tliar\tto\tspot\tanother.\tLiz\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tbrains\tor\tthe\timagination\tfor\t it. Certainly\t no\t match\t for\t Terra.\t Riley\t on\t the\t other\t hand\u2026\t She\t didn\u2019t\t trust\t her\t or Zed\t as\t far\t as\t she\t could\t throw\t them,\t which\t was\t why\t she\t had\t one\t of\t her\t people watching\tthem\tand\treporting\tback. Outside,\tthe\tearly\tevening\train\thad\teased\tand\tgrey\tclouds\twere\tbeing\tchased away,\t replaced\t by\t clearer\t skies\t and\t the\t faint\t streak\t of\t a\t rainbow\t in\t the\t dying light\tof\tthe\tsetting\tsun. Nathan\t collected\t the\t papers,\t pulling\t the\t heavy\t oak\t door\t closed\t behind\t them with\ta\tmetallic\tclank\tas\tthe\tlocking\tmechanism\tengaged.\tThey\tslowly\tdescended the\tuneven\tstone\tsteps,\ttreading\tcarefully\tto\tavoid\tgrooves\tdug\tover\thundreds\tof years,\twhere\theavy\tcrates\thad\tbeen\tdragged\tto\tthe\tcourtyard\tbelow. Two\t children\t raced\t up\t the\t stairs\t past\t them.\t The\t first\t nearly\t barged\t into Nathan.\tThe\tsecond\tone\tfeinted\tleft\tthen\tright\tbefore\tsquirming\tpast,\thead\tdown. Nathan\tgrabbed\tthe\tlopsided\tpile\tof\tpapers\tbefore\tthey\tcould\tslip\tfrom\this\tgrasp. Terra\tstopped\tand\twatched\tthe\tchildren\tgo\twith\ta\twry\tsmile,\tshaking\ther\thead. She\tfroze\tmid-step,\tand\tthey\tboth\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tsky.\tEchoing\toff\tthe\twalls came\ta\tfamiliar\trhythmic\thum\tthat\tmade\tthem\tstare\tat\teach\tother.\tIt\twas\ta\tsound they\t had\t not\t heard\t for\t many\t months.\t A\t helicopter.\t But\t that\t seemed\t totally incongruous,\timplausible\teven\tafter\tall\tthis\ttime. They\t hurried\t down\t to\t the\t courtyard,\t looking\t in\t every\t direction,\t trying\t to place\t the\t sound\t that\t echoed\t off\t the\t old\t brick\t and\t stone.\t The\t metallic\t throbbing grew\tlouder\tand\tlouder\tas\tthe\tblack\tshape\tof\ta\thelicopter\thove\tinto\tview.\tTerra","got\ta\tfleeting\tglimpse\tonly\tas\tit\tswept\tover\tthe\tcastle\tand\tbanked\tround,\tmaking several\tpasses,\tperhaps\tscanning\tfor\tmovement\tand\ta\tplace\tto\tland\tbelow. Dozens\t of\tpeople\tdropped\twhatever\tthey\twere\tdoing\tand\theaded\tout\t of\tthe main\t gate,\t some\t still\t holding\t tools.\t In\t a\t few\t short\t seconds,\t the\t whole\t of\t Hurst had\t emptied\t out\t on\t to\t the\t flat\t grassy\t area\t outside\t the\t main\t walls\t and\t stood staring\tup\tinto\tthe\tdying\tlight.\tA\tyoung\tgirl\twas\tpointing\tup\tto\tthe\tevening\tsky, following\t the\t movement\t of\t the\t helicopter\t with\t her\t finger.\t Its\t red\t navigation lights\tstarted\tblinking\ton\tand\toff\tas\tit\tcircled\tthe\tcastle. Terra\tdidn\u2019t\trecognise\tthe\tmake\tof\thelicopter\tat\tfirst.\tIt\twas\tlong\tand\tangular, stealthy\tand\tgraceful\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime.\tBit\tlike\ta\tLynx.\tBut\tdefinitely\tnot\tlike\tthe more\tportly\tSea\tKings\tshe\thad\tgrown\tused\tto\tseeing\ton\trare\toccasions\tshuttling in\tand\tout\tof\tthe\tRoyal\tNavy\tbase\tat\tPortsmouth.\tIt\twas\tshark-like,\tpowerful\tand menacing.\tShe\thad\tnever\tseen\tone\tlike\tthis\tin\treal\tlife,\tbut\thad\twatched\tenough war\t movies\t and\t the\t like\t to\t know\t that\t this\t must\t be\t a\t Blackhawk\t or\t something very\tsimilar,\twhich\tmeant\tonly\tone\tthing:\tit\thad\tto\tbe\tAmerican. Nathan\t shouted\t something\t she\t didn\u2019t\t catch.\t He\t paced\t over\t and\t shouted again,\t directly\t into\t her\t ear:\t \u201cWe\t shouldn\u2019t\t take\t any\t chances.\t We\t should\t break out\tthe\tweapons,\tjust\tin\tcase.\u201d Terra\tnodded\tand\tNathan\tran\toff\tto\ttell\tthe\tguards\tto\tbe\tready\tfor\tanything.","Chapter\tEighteen The\t Seahawk,\t the\t navy\t variant\t of\t the\t Blackhawk,\t banked\t over\t Hurst\t one\t more time,\t its\t engines\t flaring\tas\tthe\tpitch\tand\tdirection\tof\tthe\tsound\tchanged\tagain, noise\t funnelling\t through\t the\t gate\t and\t reverberating\t off\t the\t walls\t of\t the passageway.\t The\t helicopter\u2019s\t searchlight\t slung\t under\t the\t nose\t powered\t up, illuminating\t the\t landing\t zone\t behind\t the\t gathering\t horde.\t It\t came\t into\t a\t hover over\tthe\tflat\tgrassy\tarea,\tsending\tdust\tand\tloose\tdebris\tswirling\tin\tall\tdirections. The\tcrowd\tthat\thad\tassembled,\ttightly\tpacked\ttogether,\tretreated\ta\tfew\tyards, shielding\ttheir\teyes\tfrom\tthe\tglare\tand\tdust\tstorm\tthat\tswept\tover\tthem.\tA\tyoung girl\t pointed\t in\t disbelief.\t She\t wore\t a\t loose\t hand-me-down\t dress\t embroidered with\t faded\t violets.\t Turning\t her\t back\t to\t the\t helicopter,\t she\t held\t the\t hem\t of\t her skirt\tas\tit\tfluttered\tagainst\ther\tskinny\tlegs. The\tSeahawk\tlanded,\tits\ttwin\tengines\tpowering\tdown.\tIts\trotor\tblades\tbegan to\t slow,\t and\t the\t high\t pitch\t whine\t abated\t rapidly.\t There\t was\t a\t pause\t before\t the cabin\tdoor\tslid\topen\tand\ttwo\tsoldiers\tin\tbattle\tgear\tjumped\tdown,\tboots\tlanding heavily\t on\t the\t shingle,\t automatic\t weapons\t held\t tightly\t at\t the\t ready.\t Their\t faces were\t obscured\t by\t what\t looked\t like\t gasmasks.\t They\t were\t clearly\t taking\t no chances\twith\tinfection. A\twell-groomed\tofficer\tin\tmilitary\tfatigues\tappeared\tbehind\tthem.\tHe\tstrode confidently\t towards\t the\t group,\t pulling\t up\t around\t ten\t metres\t short,\t keeping\t his distance.\t He\t cupped\t one\t hand\t to\t the\t side\t of\t his\t mouth\t and\t shouted\t over\t the dying\tengine\tnoise\tto\tmake\thimself\theard.\t\u201cWho\u2019s\tin\tcharge\there?\u201d His\t voice\t was\t a\t little\t muffled\t by\t the\t surgical\t mask\t covering\t his\t nose\t and mouth.\t There\t was\t a\t slight\t pause\t as\t eyes\t turned\t towards\t Nathan\t and\t Terra.\t The crowd\tparted\tto\treveal\tits\tleaders. Terra\tstepped\tforward,\tholding\tone\tarm\thalf-raised\tin\tacknowledgement. \u201cMa\u2019am.\t My\t name\t is\t Lieutenant\t Peterson\t from\t the\t warship\t USS\tChester.\t Is there\tsomewhere\twe\tcan\tspeak\tin\tprivate?\u201d Terra\t gestured\t towards\t the\t lighthouse.\t \u201cYes,\t of\t course.\t Follow\t me.\u201d\t Nathan put\ta\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder\tand\tmotioned\tas\tif\tto\tgo\twith\ther,\tbut\tTerra\tshook\ther head. The\t American\t turned\t his\t back\t on\t the\t crowd,\t relaying\t commands\t to\t the\t two soldiers\t through\t the\t microphone\t in\t his\t sleeve.\t He\t pressed\t the\t earpiece\t more","tightly\t into\t his\t ear,\t listening\t for\t their\t response.\t They\t took\t up\t position\t by\t the helicopter,\talert\tto\tany\tdanger. Nathan\tand\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tHurst\tgroup\twatched\tTerra\tand\tthe\tofficer\tleave\tin silence.\t Once\t they\t reached\t the\t lighthouse\t door\t and\t went\t inside\t whispers\t from the\tcrowd\terupted\tinto\ta\tfull-scale\thubbub. Toby\t held\t his\t father\u2019s\t hand\t tightly,\t trying\t to\t read\t his\t expression.\t It\t was\t a mixture\t of\t hope\t and\t excitement.\t His\t father\t reassuringly\t squeezed\t his\t hand,\t but his\tpalms\twere\thot\tand\tclammy.","Chapter\tNineteen The\t two-hour\t trip\t back\t to\t Hurst\t from\t No\t Man\u2019s\t Land\t Fort\t felt\t longer\t that afternoon.\t Sam\t and\t Jack\t did\t not\t speak\t much.\t They\t were\t both\t lost\t in\t thought, standing\t side\t by\t side\t in\t the\t cramped\t wheelhouse.\t A\t fine\t drizzle\t formed\t specks on\t the\t windscreen\t that\t joined\t together\t in\t the\t buffeting\t wind\t to\t make\t tiny rivulets.\t A\t sudden\t rainsquall\t lashed\t against\t the\t glass,\t as\t the\t single\t wiper struggled\tto\tclear,\thalf\tof\tits\trubber\tblade\tmissing.\tIt\tdid\tlittle\tbetter\tthan\tsmear the\tglass\tevery\tfew\tseconds\tin\tjerky\tmotions. Sam\t made\t some\t tea\t for\t them\t and\t put\t some\t music\t on\t to\t lighten\t the\t mood. \u201cMore\tthan\ta\twoman\u201d,\tone\tof\tSam\u2019s\tfavourites\tby\tthe\tBee\tGees,\tstrained\tto\tbe heard\t over\t the\t engine\t noise\t and\t sheeting\t rain\t as\t they\t belted\t out\t in\t their distinctive\tfalsetto. The\tsmell\tof\tdiesel\tfumes\tpermeated\teverything.\tIt\tnever\tfailed\tto\tmake\tSam feel\t a\t little\t queasy.\t The\t dog-eared\t charts,\t the\t worn\t cushions,\t the\t small\t cabin with\t two\t bunks\t down\t below.\t Everything\t smelled\t damp\t and\t faintly\t flammable. Jack\t drained\t the\t last\t of\t the\t tea\t from\t his\t stained\t coffee\t cup.\t Its\t outside\t was decorated\twith\ta\tfaded\tphoto\tof\this\tsix-year-old\tgodson\tin\this\tpyjamas.\tThe\ttea was\t warm\t and\t wet,\t but\t tasted\t of\t nothing\t much\t as\t the\t bags\t had\t been\t used multiple\t times.\t The\t powdered\t milk\t was\t borderline\t revolting.\t Jack\t sighed\t and wondered\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\this\tgodson\tand\this\tsister\tPauline.\tWhether\tthere was\tany\tchance\tthey\thad\tgot\tout\tof\tWinchester\tin\ttime.\tHe\tdoubted\tit.\tThere\twas little\tenough\treason\tto\thope. The\tBest\t of\t the\t Bee\t Gees\t compilation\t moved\t on\t to\t \u201cStaying\t Alive\u201d.\t On\t a better\t day\t with\t a\t good\t catch\t and\t homeward\t bound,\t this\t song\t never\t failed\t to result\t in\t a\t full-scale\t disco\t inferno\t on\t the\t Nipper.\t It\t was\t not\t uncommon\t to\t find both\t men\t gyrating\t and\t wildly\t bumping\t hips\t in\t the\t cramped\t wheelhouse,\t in\t a full-on\tkaraoke\tduet.\tToday\tthey\tboth\tlistened\tin\tsilence. Jack\twas\tdeep\tin\tthought,\tshaken\tby\twhat\the\u2019d\tseen\tat\tSpitbank.\tHe\trefused to\t allow\t himself\t to\t pity,\t to\t mourn.\t To\t indulge\t the\t suffocating\t sense\t of\t sorrow and\tdespair\tthat\tlurked\tlike\ta\tshadow\tjust\tout\tof\tsight.\tIt\twas\tup\tto\thim\tto\tset\tan example,\t wasn\u2019t\t it?\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t afford\t to\t show\t weakness\t or\t self-pity.\t He\t was their\t rock.\t They\t looked\t up\t to\t him.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t religious\t man,\t but\t it\t made\t him angry\tto\tthink\tthat\tGod\thad\tallowed\tthis\tto\thappen.\tThat\tgood\tpeople\twere\tmade","to\tsuffer.\tThat\twasn\u2019t\tright.\tWhere\twas\tthe\tjustice\tin\tthat? His\tprivate\tanger\twas\tinterrupted\tby\ta\tquestion\tfrom\tSam.\tHe\tshook\this\thead as\tif\the\tcould\tphysically\tdispel\tthese\tdark\tthoughts\tand\tturned\tto\tface\tSam,\this eyes\tvacant\tfor\ta\tsecond.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthat\tyou\tsaid,\tSam?\tI\twas\tmiles\taway.\u201d Sam\thad\tto\tshout\tlouder\tto\tbe\theard\tover\tthe\tnoise\tof\tthe\tmusic\tand\tthe\train, now\thammering\tagainst\tthe\tglass\tand\twheelhouse.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tthink\twe'll\tmake\tit, Jack?\tI\tmean,\tdo\tyou\tthink\twhat\thappened\tat\tSpitbank\tcould\thappen\tto\tus?\u201d Jack\tglanced\tat\tSam\tand\tnoticed\ttears\twelling\tin\this\teyes.\tHe\tlooked\tout\tover the\t sea\t towards\t Cowes,\t and\t Yarmouth\t beyond,\t taking\t a\t deep\t breath\t before answering.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t up\t to\t us,\t Sam.\t That\u2019s\t why\t we\t take\t precautions,\t right?\t We can't\t let\t it\t happen.\t The\t quarantine\t zone,\t the\t code,\t the\t rules\t we\t live\t by?\t We've fought\t too\t hard\t to\t make\t it\t this\t far.\t We\t owe\t it\t to\t ourselves\t and\t to\t each\t other\t to survive.\u201d \u201cBut\t we\t can\u2019t\t live\t like\t this\t forever,\t can\t we?\t How\t long\t before\t they\t come? Before\tsomeone\tcomes\tto\trescue\tus?\u201d \u201cWhat\tmakes\tyou\tthink\tanyone\u2019s\tcoming?\u201d\tJack\treplied\tindignantly. \u201cBut\t it\t stands\t to\t reason\t that\t others\t must\t have\t survived.\t Did\t as\t we\t did.\t Not just\there,\tbut\teverywhere.\tMaybe\tother\tcountries\tweren\u2019t\taffected.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve\ttalked\t about\tthis\t a\thundred\t times\tthough,\thaven\u2019t\twe?\tIf\tthey\t were coming,\tthey\u2019d\thave\tcome\talready.\tWhy\twait\ttill\tnow?\tWe\u2019ve\twatched\tevery\tday for\t ships,\t listened\t to\t the\t radio.\t We\t shouldn\u2019t\t give\t up\t hope,\t but\t chances\t are\t no one's\tcoming\tto\trescue\tus.\u201d He\t regretted\t that\t last\t sentence,\t noticing\t Sam\u2019s\t lip\t quiver\t as\t he\t fought\t back tears.\tWho\tknew?\tAfter\tall,\tmaybe\tSam\twas\tright? \u201cI\trefuse\tto\tbelieve\tthat,\u201d\tsaid\tSam,\tshaking\this\thead.\t\u201cThey\tcan\u2019t\tall\tbe\tdead. What\tabout\tpeople\tin\tAfrica\tor\tAustralia?\tMaybe\tthere\tare\twhole\tcountries\tthat survived.\t I\t reckon\t someone\t somewhere\t has\t figured\t this\t all\t out.\t Found\t the\t cure maybe?\u201d Jack\t nodded\t and\t smiled\t weakly.\t \u201cThat\t I\t don\u2019t\t know,\t Sam.\t But\t we\t can\u2019t afford\t to\t sit\t around\t and\t wait\t for\t help\t to\t arrive.\t It\u2019s\t up\t to\t us\t to\t make\t a\t new\t life for\t ourselves,\t on\t our\t own.\t Maybe\t one\t day,\t they\u2019ll\t come.\t But\t until\t then\u2026\u201d\t His voice\ttrailed\toff. \u201cBut,\t it\t could\t be\t years,\t right?\t Or\t maybe\t they\t never\t come,\t what\t then?\u201d\t His voice\tsounded\tbrittle\tagain.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\tlong\tday. Jack\tput\tan\tarm\taround\this\tshoulder,\tlooking\thim\tsteadfastly\tin\tthe\teye,\twith a\t smile\t forming\t on\t his\t lips.\t \u201cUntil\t then,\t we\u2019ve\t all\t got\t to\t believe\t they\t will,\t eh? Don\u2019t\twe,\tlad?\u201d Just\tthen,\tthe\tradio\tcrackled\tto\tlife. \u201cJack,\tit\u2019s\tTerra.\tCome\tin,\tover.\u201d","He\tsnatched\tthe\thandset\tfrom\tits\tcradle,\tbolted\tto\tthe\twall\tat\thead\theight.\tHe depressed\tthe\treceiver\tto\tspeak:\t\u201cJack\there.\tGo\tahead,\tTerra.\u201d \u201cHow\tfar\tout\tare\tyou,\tJack?\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tup?\tWhy\tthe\turgency?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tsomeone\there\tto\tsee\tyou.\u201d\tHer\tvoice\tsounded\tclipped,\thard\tto\tread. Jack\t looked\t back\t at\t Sam\t puzzled.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t expecting\t any\t visitors\t today. \u201cWho\tis\tit,\tTerra?\u201d There\twas\ta\tpause,\tand\tthen\tthey\theard\tTerra\u2019s\tvoice\tbarely\tabove\ta\twhisper as\tif\tshe\u2019d\tmoved\tto\tsomewhere\tmore\tprivate,\tnot\twanting\tto\tbe\toverheard. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t going\t to\t believe\t this.\u201d\t There\t was\t a\t moment\t of\t silence\t and\t Jack looked\tback\tat\tthe\tradio\tto\tcheck\tit\twas\tstill\treceiving. \u201cSpit\tit\tout,\tTerra.\tWho\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t weirdest\t thing,\t Jack.\t But\t there\u2019s\t an\t American\t here\t to\t see\t you. Arrived\t in\t a\t helicopter.\t Says\t his\t name\t is\t Lieutenant\t Peterson.\t Will\t only\t talk\t to you\tpersonally.\tSays\the\u2019ll\twait.\tBut\tyou\tbetter\thurry.\u201d \u201cRoger\tthat.\tOn\tour\tway.\u201d Jack\tput\this\thand\ton\tthe\tthrottle\tand\tnudged\tthe\tlevers\tforward\tto\tmake\tsure they\t were\t at\t full\t ahead.\t He\t was\t trying\t to\t coax\t every\t last\t ounce\t of\t power\t from the\ttwo\tageing\tdiesel\tVolvo\tengines.\tAn\tAmerican,\teh?\tthought\tJack\tto\thimself. Well,\tthat\u2019s\ta\tturn-up\tfor\tthe\tbooks.\tWonder\twhere\the\u2019s\tcome\tfrom.\tAnd\twhat\the wants\twith\tus. With\t the\t extra\t encouragement,\t the\t Nipper\t surged\t powerfully\t through\t the waves\twith\tthe\ttide\tnow\tbehind\tthem,\tsweeping\tthem\tback\ttowards\tHurst.","Chapter\tTwenty The\t helicopter\t sat\t squat\t on\t its\t haunches\t beside\t the\t lighthouse,\t its\t rotor\t blades drooping\t slightly\t towards\t the\t ground.\t A\t couple\t of\t the\t bolder\t kids\t crept\t closer. They\t circled\t the\t aircraft,\t pointing\t and\t laughing,\t trying\t to\t peer\t through\t the window\t into\t the\t cockpit.\t Inside,\t the\t pilot\t was\t talking\t animatedly\t into\t his headset,\t the\t top\t half\t of\t his\t face\t obscured\t by\t a\t grey\t visor.\t One\t of\t the\t soldiers whistled\tthrough\this\tteeth\tand\tgestured\tfor\tthe\tboys\tto\tkeep\ttheir\tdistance.\tThey got\tthe\tmessage\tand\tbacked\taway. Tommy\t strode\t over\t to\t one\t of\t the\t soldiers,\t chin\t up,\t hands\t thrust\t into\t his pockets.\t His\t patience\t exhausted,\t he\t wanted\t answers\t and\t he\t was\t fed\t up\t of waiting\t for\t someone\t to\t tell\t him\t what\t the\t hell\t was\t going\t on.\t His\t bravado\t was paper-thin\tthough\tand\this\tconfidence\tstuttered,\tunsure\tof\twhether\tto\tgo\tthrough with\this\tplan. The\tsoldier\theld\tup\tthe\tpalm\tof\this\tgloved\thand\tcautioning\tTommy\tto\tstop\tas if\tto\tsay:\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tclose\tenough.\u201d Tommy\u2019s\t confidence\t evaporated\t when\t he\t saw\t the\t gun\t close-up.\t It\t was\t a black\tColt\tM4\tCarbine,\ta\tweapon\the\thad\tused\tmany\ttimes,\tthough\tnever\tin\treal life.\t Playing\t Call\t of\t Duty\t and\t other\t computer\t games,\t he\t had\t a\t good\t knowledge of\t military\t hardware,\t enough\t to\t know\t that\t this\t M4\t was\t not\t fitted\t with\t the grenade\t launcher\t the\t Navy\t Seals\t used.\t Awkwardly,\t he\t extended\t a\t hand\t of friendship,\t waiting\t for\t the\t soldier\t to\t acknowledge\t him.\t The\t soldier\t remained motionless\t and\t left\t Tommy\u2019s\t hand\t hanging\t there.\t He\t dropped\t his\t hand\t back\t to his\tside,\tfeeling\ta\tlittle\tfoolish.\tThe\tsoldier\tlooked\tstraight\tthrough\thim\tas\tif\the wasn\u2019t\tthere. Tommy\t had\t had\t enough\t of\t this.\t He\t sneered\t back,\t sizing\t up\t the\t soldier.\t The American\twore\tdark\tblue\tcamouflaged\tcombat\tgear,\toverlaid\twith\twebbing\tand pouches.\tUnderneath\twas\twhat\tlooked\tlike\tbody\tarmour,\tmetal\tplates\tprotecting his\t chest\t and\t abdomen.\t He\t reminded\t Tommy\t of\t an\t American\t footballer\t in\t all that\t gear,\t accentuating\t his\t size.\t The\t soldier\t was\t enormous,\t several\t inches\t taller than\tTommy,\twho\thimself\twas\tno\tmidget.\tHe\tgulped\tas\the\tnoticed\tthe\tsleeves\tof his\t shirt\t bulging\t with\t what\t Tommy\t imagined\t must\t be\t heavily\t tattooed\t biceps like\t Arnold\t Schwarzenegger.\t A\t proper\t corn-fed\t American\t redneck,\t he\t thought. He\t laughed\t nervously,\t looking\t down\t at\t the\t soldier\u2019s\t boots\t and\t back\t up\t at\t his","face,\ttaking\tin\this\tsize\tagain. There\t was\t something\t about\t the\t soldier\u2019s\t attitude\t and\t unfriendliness\t that\t got right\t up\t his\t nose.\t Weren\u2019t\t they\t meant\t to\t be\t on\t the\t same\t side?\t He\t felt emboldened,\tstaring\tin\tto\tthe\tmask,\ttrying\tto\teyeball\tthe\tguy. The\t soldier\t remained\t static,\t motionless,\t like\t one\t of\t the\t Queen's\t guards\t at Buckingham\tPalace\tfacing\ta\ttourist.\tHe\trepositioned\tthe\tsemi-automatic\tweapon a\t little\t on\t his\t shoulder,\t glanced\t at\t his\t partner\t and\t made\t sure\t Tommy\t saw\t him check\tthe\tsafety\twas\ton.\tHe\tflexed\this\ttrigger\tfinger\tbefore\tstraightening\tit\tagain and\t resting\t it\t back\t on\t the\t outside\t of\t the\t trigger\t guard.\t Tommy\t got\t the\t message and\tstepped\tback,\this\tarms\traised,\thead\tdown\tsubmissively. Behind\t him\t there\t was\t a\t palpable\t sense\t of\t excitement,\t mixed\t with\t anxiety. There\twere\tso\tmany\tquestions\tthey\teach\twanted\tanswered. Scottie\twas\tthe\tfirst\tto\tbreak\tthe\tsilence.\t\u201cSo\twhere\thave\tyou\tcome\tfrom?\u201d Before\t the\t soldiers\t had\t time\t to\t answer,\t Scottie\u2019s\t question\t was\t quickly followed\tby\ta\tflurry\tof\tothers\tas\tthey\teach\tgave\tvoice\tto\ttheir\thopes\tand\tfears. \u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tget\there?\u201d \u201cAre\tthere\tmore\tof\tyou?\u201d \u201cWhere\u2019s\tyour\tship?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\there\tto\tsave\tus?\u201d \u201cHow\tmany\tsurvived?\u201d The\t soldiers\t ignored\t their\t questions,\t but\t Scottie\t answered\t on\t their\t behalf. \u201cHe\tcannae\tsay.\tThey\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold\tnot\tto\tspeak\tto\tus.\tIsn\u2019t\tit\tobvious?\u201d \u201cI\tthought\twe\twere\tall\ton\tthe\tsame\tside,\u201d\tsaid\tTommy\thopefully. \u201cClearly\t not,\u201d\t shouted\t one\t of\t the\t others,\t frustrated\t at\t the\t soldiers\u2019\t refusal\t to cooperate. \u201cThey\u2019re\t just\t taking\t precautions.\t They\t dinnae\t know\t we\u2019re\t not\t sick,\u201d conceded\tScottie. \u201cMaybe\tthe\tStates\tdidn\u2019t\tget\tthe\tsickness\tlike\twe\tdid,\u201d\tsaid\tanother. Scottie\t shouted\t back.\t \u201cNaw,\t Sarah,\t I\t wish\t that\t were\t true.\t Don\u2019t\t you remember?\t It\t was\t everywhere.\t You\t must\t remember.\t Every\t major\t city experienced\toutbreaks.\tNew\tYork,\tWashington,\tChicago,\tLos\tAngeles.\tEveryone and\teverywhere.\tThere\twas\tnowhere\tto\thide.\u201d \u201cSo\twhy\twould\tthey\tcome\tif\tthey\u2019re\tnot\there\tto\tsave\tus?\tPerhaps\twe\u2019ve\tgot this\t all\t the\t wrong\t way\t round.\t Maybe\t it\u2019s\t them\t that\t need\t our\t help?\u201d\t Tommy laughed\tand\tthose\taround\thim\tjoined\tin. \u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tvery\tgood\tquestion,\u201d\trepeated\tScottie.\t\u201cWhy\tare\tthey\there?\u201d In\tthe\tdistance,\tthey\tcould\thear\tthe\tlow\tchugging\tof\tthe\tNipper\u2019s\tengine\tjust before\t she\t rounded\t the\t headland\t and\t hove\t into\t view.\t Tommy\t ran\t down\t to\t the jetty\t and\t waited\t patiently\t to\t catch\t the\t bowline\t from\t Sam.\t Jack\t turned\t off\t the","ignition,\t grabbed\t his\t bag\t and\t stepped\t ashore.\t Tommy\t fell\t into\t step\t beside\t him. As\t they\t walked\t towards\t the\t lighthouse,\t he\t brought\t Jack\t up\t to\t speed\t on\t the events\tthus\tfar\tand\tled\thim\tto\twhere\tTerra\tand\tthe\tAmerican\twere\twaiting\tinside the\tlighthouse. Tommy\tknocked\tlightly\ton\tthe\tsun-blistered\twooden\tdoor,\tits\toff-white\tpaint peeling\t and\t flaking.\t They\t heard\t footsteps\t inside\t and\t the\t door\t opened\t wide. Lieutenant\t Peterson\t was\t sitting\t upright\t and\t alert\t at\t the\t kitchen\t table,\t his\t face dimly\tlit\tby\ta\tsingle\tkerosene\tlamp.\tHe\theld\ta\tsteaming\tcup\tof\tblack\ttea\tin\twhat looked\tlike\tone\tof\tJack\u2019s\tcamping\tmugs\the\tused\tfor\tfishing\ttrips.\tThe\tAmerican made\t to\t stand\t and\t his\t chair\t scraped\t back\t on\t the\t slate\t floor.\t He\t strode\t over\t to greet\t Jack,\t brushing\t past\t Terra\t who\t stood\t warming\t her\t back\t on\t the\t stove.\t The door\tswung\tclosed\tbehind\thim,\tleaving\tTommy\tout\tin\tthe\tcool\tdamp\tevening\tair of\tthe\tapproaching\tnightfall.","Chapter\tTwenty-one On\tthe\tcrest\tof\ta\tman-made\tbank\toverlooking\tthe\thospital,\tZed\tand\tRiley\twere lying\t flat\t on\t their\t fronts\t on\t the\t grass.\t Zed\t scanned\t the\t outside\t of\t the\t buildings through\tsome\tpocket-sized\tZeiss\tbinoculars.\tThey\twere\tboth\twatching\tcarefully for\tany\tmovement,\thidden\tfrom\tview\tbeside\ta\tsmall\tconiferous\ttree,\ta\tscattering of\tdaffodils\tat\tits\tbase. They\t had\t parked\t the\t Land\t Rover\t a\t discrete\t distance\t away\t in\t a\t quiet\t back street\t and\t walked\t the\t remaining\t quarter\t mile.\t Keeping\t to\t the\t shadows,\t stealing from\tcover,\tthey\thad\traced\tacross\topen\tground\tone\tperson\tat\ta\ttime. Zed\tpassed\tthe\tbinoculars\tto\tRiley\tand\twhispered,\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink?\u201d Riley\t took\t them,\t put\t the\t strap\t round\t her\t neck\t and\t slowly\t brushed\t aside\t the daffodils\twith\ther\tfree\tarm\tto\tclear\ther\tfield\tof\tview.\tShe\tdid\ta\tslow\tsweep\tof\tthe hospital\tbuildings,\tlingering\ta\tcouple\tof\ttimes\tbefore\tcontinuing\ther\tscan.\t\u201cYou already\tknow\twhat\tI\tthink.\u201d\tThere\twas\tan\tedge\tto\ther\tvoice.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou.\tThis\tis a\tsuicide\tmission.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tleaving\tWill\there,\u201d\tresponded\tZed\ttersely,\ttired\tof\tRiley\tsecond- guessing\thim. She\t shot\t him\t a\t look\t loaded\t with\t thinly\t disguised\t scorn.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t putting\t the entire\t group\t at\t risk,\t and\t for\t what?\t We\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t for\t sure\t he\u2019s\t in\t there. You\t want\t to\t know\t what\t I\u2019m\t thinking?\t Is\t this\t a\t rescue\t mission\t or\t some\t weird macho\tbullshit?\tBecause\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tit\tfeels\tlike.\tTake\ta\tlook\taround\tyou.\tYour little\t\u2018band\tof\tbrothers\u2019\tdoesn\u2019t\tstand\ta\tchance\tagainst\tthese\tguys.\tThey\u2019re\tbetter armed\tand\tthere\u2019s\tprobably\ta\twhole\tarmy\tof\tthem\tdown\tthere.\tWe\tgo\tin,\tthere\u2019s a\tstrong\tchance\twe\tdon\u2019t\tcome\tout.\u201d Zed\t swallowed\t hard,\t trying\t to\t master\t his\t emotions.\t He\t let\t out\t a\t deep\t sigh, shaking\t his\t head.\t \u201cRiley,\t you\u2019re\t not\t listening\t to\t me.\t We\u2019re\t not\t going\t in\t guns blazing,\tokay?\tWe\twait\ttill\tit\u2019s\tnice\tand\tdark\tand\tcreep\tin\tninja-like\taround\tthe back\t where\t no\t one\u2019s\t watching.\t We\u2019ll\t be\t in\t and\t out\t again\t before\t anyone\t even realises\twe\twere\tthere.\u201d Riley\tlaughed\tsarcastically,\tbut\tthe\tlook\tin\ther\teyes\twas\tdeadly\tserious.\t\u201cZed, it\u2019s\tyour\tcall.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\targue\twith\tyou\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tothers.\tBut\tI\u2019m\tjust telling\tyou,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tthis.\tIt\u2019s\trisky.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tnot\ttoo\tlate\tto\tchange\tyour\tmind and\tturn\tback.\tNo\tone\twill\tthink\tless\tof\tyou.\tFor\tall\twe\tknow,\tWill\tcould\talready","be\t dead\t or\t moved\t someplace\t else.\t It\u2019s\t a\t big\t call.\t What\t if\t more\t of\t us\t get captured,\tor\tone\tof\tthose\tpsychos\tdecides\tto\tstart\tshooting?\tWhat\tthen?\u201d Zed\t looked\t down\t for\t a\t second,\t clenching\t his\t fist,\t bristling\t at\t Riley's condescension.\t He\t tore\t out\t a\t handful\t of\t grass\t and\t held\t the\t blades\t up\t to\t his nostrils,\t inhaling\t deeply.\t It\t was\t intoxicating,\t like\t pure\t bottled\t summer.\t It reminded\t him\t of\t happier\t times.\t Mowing\t the\t lawn\t on\t a\t hot\t mid-August\t day, collecting\t the\t clippings,\t sitting\t in\t a\t deckchair\t reading\t the\t paper,\t T-shirt\t off, enjoying\t the\t sunshine.\t He\t closed\t his\t eyes,\t savouring\t the\t memory.\t He\t looked down\tfor\ta\tsecond,\tweighing\tRiley's\twords,\tletting\tthe\tgrass\tfall\tslowly\tfrom\this fingers.\t He\t couldn't\t risk\t losing\t another\t team\t member,\t could\t he?\t There\t was\t no way\the\tcould\tguarantee\ttheir\tsafety.\tHe\tnodded,\this\tmind\tmade\tup.\tWith\ta\traised eyebrow\the\tanswered\tin\tbarely\tabove\ta\twhisper.\t\u201cWe\tjust\thave\tto\tmake\tsure\twe don\u2019t\tget\tcaught.\tWhen\thave\tI\tever\tlet\tyou\tdown?\u201d He\twinked\tplayfully\tand\tinstantly\tregretted\tit.\tRiley\twasn\u2019t\tin\tthe\tmood.\tShe muttered\t something\t under\t her\t breath\t and\t handed\t the\t binoculars\t back\t to\t Zed, sliding\tdown\tthe\tbank\tto\tjoin\tthe\tothers\twho\twere\trelaxing\tagainst\ta\tcrumbling old\tbrick\twall. Zed\t looked\t over\t his\t shoulder\t and\t watched\t her\t go\t before\t continuing\t his surveillance.\t He\t swept\t the\t maintenance\t area\t of\t the\t hospital\t once\t more. Industrial\t bins\t overflowed\t with\t hospital\t waste.\t A\t ten-feet-high\t fence\t was flecked\twith\tbits\tof\tnewspaper\tcaught\tin\tthe\tmesh\tlike\ta\tfishing\tnet. A\tgust\tof\twind\ttoyed\twith\tsheets\tof\tnewspaper,\tdancing\tin\tthe\tair,\tsending\ta cardboard\tbox\tscraping\tacross\tthe\ttarmac.\tLitter\tcarpeted\tthe\twhole\tarea.\tIn\tone corner,\t several\t vehicles\t had\t been\t abandoned,\t windows\t smashed\t in.\t An ambulance\tsat\twith\tits\tcontents\tdisgorged\taround\tit,\ttyres\tdeflated,\tits\tbay\tdoors swinging\t open\t in\t the\t breeze.\t He\t moved\t twenty\t metres\t to\t his\t right\t so\t he\t could get\ta\tbetter\tlook\tround\tthe\tcorner\tinto\tthe\tstaff\tparking\tarea.\tThe\tchimney\tfor\tthe incinerator\ttowered\tover\tthe\tmain\tbuilding,\ta\twisp\tof\tgrey\tsmoke\tescaping\tfrom the\t rim.\t There\t were\t about\t twenty\t vehicles,\t a\t few\t of\t them\t abandoned\t wrecks, harvested\tfor\tparts\tor\tfire\tdamaged.\tParked\tin\ta\tline\tcloser\tto\tthe\tmain\tentrance, he\t saw\t several\t serviceable\t cars,\t trucks\t and\t a\t Tesco\t lorry\t backed\t up\t for unloading.\tFurther\taway,\the\tcould\tmake\tout\ta\tpair\tof\tRange\tRovers\tlike\tthe\tones he\thad\tseen\ton\tthe\thigh\tstreet,\tparked\tup\tunder\tan\tawning.\tHis\thunch\thad\tbeen right\tall\talong. Zed\tshook\this\thead.\tThe\tfence\twas\tthe\tproblem.\tIt\tprotected\tthe\twhole\tof\tthe back\t of\t the\t hospital.\t He\t had\t to\t assume\t this\t whole\t area\t was\t regularly\t patrolled with\t a\t lookout\t on\t the\t roof.\t This\t crew\t was\t well\t organised\t and\t not\t to\t be underestimated.\tThey\tworked\twith\tan\talmost\tmilitary\tefficiency.\tOn\this\town\the backed\t himself\t to\t infiltrate\t the\t facility,\t but\t with\t a\t couple\t of\t inexperienced","teenagers\t in\t tow,\t he\t was\t less\t sure.\t Perhaps\t Riley\t was\t right\t after\t all.\t Was\t he putting\tthe\twhole\tteam\tin\tdanger\tto\tsave\tone\tman?\tIt\twas\ta\tbig\tcall. Their\tbest\tchance\tof\tentry\twas\tvia\ta\ttree\twhose\tbranches\toverhung\tpart\tof\tthe fence.\tIf\tthey\tcould\tclimb\tthe\ttree\tand\tshuffle\talong\ta\tsturdy-looking\tbranch\tthen he\twas\tconfident\tthey\tcould\tmake\tit\tover.\tTheir\tnext\tchallenge\twas\tgoing\tto\tbe getting\tin\tunseen\tand\tfinding\twhere\tthey\twere\tholding\tWill.\tThey\tneeded\tto\tfind a\tdoor\tor\twindow,\tsomewhere\tquiet\tand\tunseen. He\tfound\twhat\the\twas\tlooking\tfor\ton\this\tfinal\tsweep:\ta\tfire\tdoor\tbehind\tone of\t the\t industrial\t waste\t bins.\t He\t doubted\t it\t was\t still\t alarmed.\t It\t would\t be protected\t by\t a\t simple\t metal\t rod\t that\t locked\t in\t place\t top\t and\t bottom.\t The doorway\t was\t almost\t completely\t hidden\t from\t view\t by\t the\t waste\t bin\t and\t a burned-out\testate\tcar.\tThey\tcould\twork\ton\tthe\tlock\twithout\tfear\tof\tinterruption. After\tone\thour\tof\tobservation,\the\twas\tsatisfied\tthat\tthere\twere\tno\tpatrols.\tIf they\tcould\tget\tover\tthe\tfence,\tthey\thad\ta\tgood\tchance\tof\tgetting\tin\twithout\tbeing discovered.\tHe\tcrept\tback\tdown\ton\this\thands\tand\tknees\tto\tfind\tthe\tothers\ttalking quietly,\thidden\tfrom\tsight. They\twould\tneed\tto\tsit\ttight\tfor\tanother\thour\twaiting\tfor\tdusk,\tthough\tnot\ttoo dark\t that\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t what\t they\t were\t doing.\t Torches\t were\t a\t bad\t idea\t as they\tcould\tbe\tseen\tfrom\tmiles\taway\tand\twould\tattract\tunwanted\tattention. The\t hospital\t was\t a\t prime\t site\t and\t could\t comfortably\t host\t several\t hundred people,\ta\tmuch\tbigger\tgroup\tthan\tHurst.\tIts\tlocation\tin\tthe\ttown\tmade\taccess\tto food\t and\t stores\t relatively\t simple.\t Zed\t didn\u2019t\t fancy\t his\t chances\t in\t a\t fire\t fight. Stealth\twas\ttheir\tbest\toption. Once\t inside,\t Sean\t said\t he\u2019d\t been\t to\t this\t hospital\t before\t so\t knew\t the approximate\t layout.\t The\t maintenance\t area\t was\t unlikely\t to\t be\t occupied,\t and from\t what\t they\u2019d\t observed,\t the\t overnight\t patient\t wards\t on\t the\t first\t or\t second floor\tof\tthe\teast\twing\twere\tthe\tmost\tlikely\tplaces\tthey\u2019d\tbe\tholding\tWill.\tAnd\tif not,\tthat\twas\ta\tgood\tplace\tto\tstart\ttheir\tsearch. They\teach\tchecked\ttheir\tequipment.\tAs\twell\tas\tthe\trevolver\tand\tthe\tshotgun, they\thad\tan\teclectic\tassortment\tof\tweapons\tlaid\tout\ton\tthe\tgrass\tfrom\ta\tmachete and\t an\t ivory-handled\t dagger\t to\t the\t double-headed\t mace\t which\t Zed\t still\t had strapped\tbetween\this\tshoulder\tblades.\tRiley\tuncocked\tthe\tsawn-off\tshotgun\tshe carried,\tpeered\tdown\tthe\tbarrels\tto\tmake\tsure\tthey\twere\tclear,\tloaded\ttwo\tshells and\t snapped\t the\t barrels\t closed\t with\t a\t satisfying\t click.\t In\t the\t side-pocket\t of\t her rucksack\t she\t placed\t a\t further\t box\t of\t shells\t and\t made\t sure\t she\t had\t a\t couple\t of spares\tin\ther\thip\tpocket\tfor\teasy\taccess.\tSean\twas\tlying\ton\this\tback\tagainst\tthe rucksack,\tmeticulously\tsharpening\tthe\tblade\ton\tthe\tceremonial\tsword\the\u2019d\tfound earlier\t with\t a\t small\t metal\t file.\t He\t tested\t the\t edge\t with\t his\t finger\t every\t few minutes\tto\tcheck\tits\tsharpness\tbefore\tcontinuing.","Mila\t sat\t cross-legged,\t watching\t the\t others,\t her\t back\t to\t a\t tree.\t Her\t khaki shorts\thad\tridden\tup,\texposing\ta\tthree-inch\tscar\ton\ther\tright\tthigh.\tShe\ttied\ther hair\t back\t and\t picked\t a\t blade\t of\t grass\t out\t of\t her\t mouth,\t wiping\t it\t on\t her\t knee. Joe\t sat\t opposite\t her\t and\t took\t a\t long\t swig\t from\t his\t canteen\t before\t offering\t it\t to the\tothers.\tDespite\ttheir\tmeagre\tdiet,\tJoe\u2019s\tearly\tmiddle-aged\tspread\thad\tproven hard\tto\tshift.\tEveryone\telse\tseemed\tto\tbe\tlosing\tweight\tbut\thim.\tHe\twas\tfed\tup of\tbeing\tthe\tbutt\tof\ttheir\tjokes.\tLard-ass,\tfat-boy,\ttubby.\tHe\thad\theard\tthem\tall. Tommy\t told\t him\t he\t was\t thick-skinned.\t Deep\t down,\t Joe\t was\t hurting\t but\t too proud\tto\tlet\tthem\tknow\tthey\thad\tlanded\ta\tpunch. Joe\t had\t been\t watching\t Mila\t all\t day;\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t take\t his\t eyes\t off\t her.\t Ever since\t she\u2019d\t arrived\t at\t Hurst,\t he\u2019d\t been\t mesmerised.\t She\t was\t at\t least\t fifteen years\t his\t junior,\t but\t she\t had\t so\t much\t vitality.\t She\t was\t athletic\t and\t slim-hipped and\t knew\t the\t effect\t she\t had\t on\t men.\t Zed\t hadn\u2019t\t figured\t out\t whether\t Mila\t and Sean\twere\tjust\tfriends\tor\tsomething\tmore.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tbugging\thim\tfor\tdays.\tShe caught\tJoe\tstaring\tabsent-mindedly\tand\the\tlooked\taway\tembarrassed. \u201cWhat\tyou\tlooking\tat,\tJoe?\tSeen\tanything\tyou\tlike?\u201d Joe\tmumbled\tsomething\tback,\tstruggling\tto\thide\this\tblushes.\tSean\tgrinned\tat the\tpair\tof\tthem\tand\tmischievously\t threw\ta\tsmall\tstone\tat\tMila,\thitting\ther\ton her\tankle.\tShe\tlooked\tup\tangrily. \u201cHey!\u201d He\t ignored\t her\t protest\t and\t whispered,\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t waste\t your\t time.\t She\t ain\u2019t worth\tit.\u201d \u201cJust\t because\t I\t don\u2019t\t fancy\t you,\t Sean,\t don\u2019t\t mean\t nothing.\t Perhaps\t you\u2019re just\tnot\tmy\ttype,\u201d\tsaid\tMila\tcoquettishly. Zed\t shushed\t them\t and\t they\t fell\t silent.\t \u201cLet's\t cut\t the\t chat\t and\t switch\t on.\t Do you\twant\tme\tto\trun\tthrough\tthe\tplan\tone\tmore\ttime?\u201d They\tall\tshook\ttheir\theads. \u201cNo,\tZed,\twe\tget\tit,\u201d\tsighed\tRiley. \u201cAnd\t we\u2019ll\t keep\t going\t over\t it\t until\t it\u2019s\t locked\t and\t loaded.\u201d\t Zed\t looked around\t each\t of\t the\t group,\t lingering\t on\t the\t two\t teenagers,\t Sean\t and\t Mila. \u201cPlanning\tis\twhat\tkeeps\tus\tsafe.\u201d Zed\tunfolded\tthe\tpiece\tof\tpaper\twith\tSean's\tcrude\tsketch\tof\tthe\thospital\tand its\tlayout.\t\u201cSo,\tlet's\tgo\tover\tthis\tone\tmore\ttime.\tI\u2019m\ton\tpoint.\tRiley\tis\tbringing up\tthe\trear.\tThe\trest\tof\tyou\tstay\talert\tand\tfocused.\tTwo\tteams\tsweeping\tthe\tfirst and\tsecond\tfloors,\there,\there\tand\there,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tpointing\tto\tthe\tovernight\twards on\t the\t map.\t \u201cHand\t signals\t only.\t We\t can\u2019t\t afford\t to\t make\t any\t noise.\t If\t we\t see anyone,\t we\t hide.\t Don\u2019t\t take\t any\t chances.\t Okay?\t Now\t everyone\t get\t some\t rest. We\tmove\tout\tin\tthirty\tminutes.\u201d They\t all\t nodded.\t Mila\t closed\t her\t eyes\t and\t started\t humming\t an\t old\t Aretha","Franklin\ttune,\t\u201cRespect\u201d.\tShe\tfinished\ttying\tback\ther\tlong\tdark\thair\tin\ta\tponytail that\t reached\t down\t past\t her\t shoulders\t and\t part\t way\t down\t her\t back.\t When\t she was\t done,\t she\t put\t on\t a\t grey\t baseball\t cap\t from\t her\t rucksack\t that\t cast\t a\t shadow over\t her\t petite\t nose\t and\t narrow\t lips.\t She\t wore\t no\t make-up\t and\t had\t a\t smear\t of mud\t or\t grease\t across\t her\t left\t cheek.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t matter\t much.\t She\t still\t looked beautiful.\tJoe\tfollowed\ther\tlead\tand\tput\this\tcap\tover\this\tface,\tresting\this\teyes\tfor a\tfew\tminutes. Zed\tsat\tback\tagainst\ta\ttelegraph\tpost\tand\ttried\tto\trelax.\tInside,\this\theart\twas beating\t unusually\t fast.\t This\t was\t a\t big\t call\t taking\t an\t inexperienced\t team\t into\t a well-defended\t and\t densely\t populated\t environment\t that\t he\t knew\t virtually nothing\tabout.\tThey\twould\tneed\tluck\ton\ttheir\tside.\tHe\tlooked\taround\tthe\tgroup, weighing\t up\t their\t strengths\t and\t weaknesses.\t From\t what\t he\u2019d\t seen\t of\t the\t new arrivals,\tthey\twere\tboth\tfit\tand\table.\tIf\tthey\thad\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthere\tquickly,\tJoe was\t the\t weak\t link,\t heavy\t and\t slow.\t He\t had\t taught\t them\t all\t what\t little\t he remembered\t about\t self-defence\t and\t hand-to-hand\t combat.\t Joe\t was\t powerful, threw\ta\tgood\tpunch.\tRiley\tand\tSean\tshowed\tsome\tskill\twith\ta\tknife.\tAs\tfor\tthe rest,\t he\t had\t no\t idea.\t Did\t they\t even\t know\t what\t they\t were\t letting\t themselves\t in for?\tRiley\tdid,\tMila\tlooked\tterrified\tbut\twas\thiding\tit\twell\tfrom\tthe\tothers.\tThe others\twere\thard\tto\tread,\tbut\tchances\twere\tthey\twere\tall\tterrified.\tIf\tthey\tcould find\tout\t where\tthey\twere\tholding\tWill,\tthen\tmaybe,\tjust\t maybe\tthey\tcould\tget him\t out\t from\t right\t under\t their\t noses\t without\t anyone\t noticing.\t They\t owed\t it\t to Will\tto\tat\tleast\ttry. Zed\tclosed\this\teyes\tand\tran\tthrough\tthe\tplan\tonce\tmore\tin\this\thead.\tIt\twas\tup to\thim\tto\tget\tthem\tin\tand\tout\tsafely,\twithout\tcasualties.\tThere\twas\tno\tmargin\tfor error\ttonight.","Chapter\tTwenty-two Riley\t was\t the\t last\t over\t the\t fence.\t The\t sleeve\t of\t her\t jacket\t caught\t on\t some barbed\t wire\t and\t ripped.\t Off\t balance,\t she\t landed\t heavily\t on\t the\t grass\t verge below,\ttwisting\ther\tankle\ta\tlittle.\tThe\tfence\trattled\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cNice\tone,\tRiley. Get\tit\ttogether,\u201d\tshe\tmuttered\tto\therself. The\t rest\t of\t the\t group\t was\t already\t at\t the\t fire\t door.\t Zed\t started\t loosening\t up the\tframe\twith\ta\tcrowbar,\tsplintering\tthe\twood\taround\tthe\tlocking\tmechanism.\tIt took\taround\tten\tminutes\tfor\tthe\treinforced\tsurround\tto\tcave\tin,\tand\twith\ta\tloud creak\tZed\tlevered\topen\tthe\tdoor\ta\tcrack.\tHe\tgot\this\tfingers\tinside\tand\twrenched open\tthe\tdoor\twider,\tits\trotten\tbase\tscraping\tagainst\tthe\tconcrete\tfloor.\tInside,\tit took\t a\t moment\t for\t their\t eyes\t to\t adjust\t to\t the\t gloom.\t They\t picked\t their\t way carefully\taround\tsome\tmachinery\tand\tshelving\tunits.\tThe\troom\twas\tcompletely dark,\t other\t than\t a\t rectangle\t of\t light\t from\t the\t doorway\t and\t from\t two\t narrow skylights\tthat\tcast\tfading\tshadows\tacross\tthe\tmachinery. Double\tdoors\tled\tthrough\tto\tone\tof\tthe\tmain\tcorridors\trunning\tnorth\tto\tsouth as\t far\t as\t the\t eye\t could\t see.\t From\t Sean\u2019s\t crude\t drawing\t of\t the\t hospital\t layout, Zed\tfigured\tthis\twould\ttake\tthem\tto\tthe\tstairwell\tthat\tled\tto\tthe\tupper\tfloors.\tThe corridor\twas\teerily\tquiet.\tThere\twas\tnot\ta\tsoul\tabout. They\t regrouped\t in\t a\t consultation\t room\t off\t to\t their\t left,\t huddling\t together around\tZed.\tHe\tcrouched\tdown,\tone\tknee\ton\tthe\tlinoleum\tfloor. \u201cWhere\tthe\thell\tis\teveryone?\u201d\tasked\tRiley. Zed\t shrugged\t his\t shoulders.\t \u201cLooks\t like\t no\t one\u2019s\t home.\t So\t let\u2019s\t make\t the most\tof\tit.\tAccording\tto\tSean\u2019s\tmap\tthere\u2019s\ta\tstairwell\tjust\tup\there,\tright?\u201d Sean\tleaned\tin,\tangling\tthe\tpiece\tof\tpaper\ttowards\thim\tto\tcheck\tand\tnodded. \u201cOkay.\tSo\tlet\u2019s\thead\tup\tto\tthe\tnext\tfloor.\tMila,\tyou\tstay\twith\tme.\tThe\trest\tof you\tgo\twith\tRiley.\tStay\ttogether.\tLet\u2019s\tget\tthis\tdone\tquickly\tand\tget\tout.\u201d Zed\tled\tthe\tway\tback\tinto\tthe\tcorridor,\tkeeping\tto\tthe\tleft\tside\tand\tpausing\tat each\tdoorway\tto\tlisten.\tWhere\tthe\twalkway\topened\tout\tinto\ta\tlobby\tarea,\tthere was\ta\tlone\tflickering\tcandle\tin\ta\tsaucer,\tbut\tstill\tno\tsign\tof\tanyone. Riley\tpointed\tto\ta\tblue\tsign\tdirecting\tthem\tto\tthe\tstairwell.\tShe\tput\ther\thands to\t the\t heavy\t door\t and\t put\t her\t weight\t against\t it,\t easing\t it\t open\t silently.\t At\t the foot\tof\tthe\tstairs,\tshe\tcraned\ther\tneck\tto\tpeer\tbetween\tthe\trailings,\tmaking\tsure there\twas\tno\tone\tcoming.\tZed\twas\talready\tsuspicious.\tIt\twas\tall\tgoing\ta\tlittle\ttoo","well.\tWere\tthey\twalking\tinto\ta\ttrap? At\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs,\tRiley\tcracked\topen\tthe\tdoor\tto\tthe\tfirst\tfloor,\tlistening carefully.\tShe\tcrouched\tdown,\ther\tfingers\tpressed\tto\ther\tlips.\tThey\tcould\tall\thear voices.\tShe\topened\tthe\tdoor\twider\tand\tstuck\ther\thead\taround\tthe\tcorner.\tAbout thirty\tmetres\taway\tshe\tcould\tsee\thalf\ta\tdozen\tpeople,\twith\ttheir\tbacks\tto\tthem. They\t stole\t across\t the\t corridor\t and\t waited\t out\t of\t sight.\t Zed\t waved\t Riley forward,\t encouraging\t her\t group\t to\t start\t their\t search,\t while\t he\t and\t Mila\t stood guard\t and\t spied\t on\t the\t hospital\t group.\t They\t had\t no\t trouble\t keeping\t to\t the shadows.\tThe\tfirst\tfloor\twas\tpoorly\tlit\twith\tcandles\tand\tkerosene\tlamps.\tSkirting around\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tgroup,\tthey\tfollowed\tthe\tU-shape\tuntil\tit\topened\tout\tinto a\tlarge\tatrium\tthat\toverlooked\ta\tlobby\tarea.\tBelow\tthem\tthey\tcould\thear\tvoices and\t the\t unmistakeable\t sounds\t of\t a\t large\t gathering,\t bodies\t pressed\t tightly together,\tfeet\tshuffling\tand\ta\tman\tcoughing. Zed\ttook\tup\tposition\tnext\tto\ta\tlarge\tpot\tplant,\this\tsenses\talert.\tTo\ttheir\tright, around\ta\tdozen\tdoctors\tand\tmedical\tstaff\twere\tleaning\tover\tthe\trailing\tlistening. A\tfew\tof\tthe\tdoctors\thad\ttheir\tarms\tcrossed.\tTheir\tbody\tlanguage\tseemed\thostile as\tif\tthey\twere\tremoved\tfrom\twhatever\twas\tbeing\tdiscussed\tbelow.\tTwo\tmen\tin white\tlab\tcoats\twhispered\tconspiratorially,\tbut\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tcatch\twhat\tthey\twere saying\tfrom\tthis\tdistance. Zed\t crept\t forward,\t Mila\t beside\t him,\t and\t peered\t between\t the\t railings\t at\t the sea\tof\tfaces\tgathered\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor.\tA\tcouple\tof\thundred\theads\twere\tfacing away\tfrom\thim,\tcraning\tnecks\tand\tsquinting\tinto\tthe\trelative\tgloom\tto\tsee\twhat was\tgoing\ton\tat\tthe\tfar\tend\tof\tthe\tlobby.\tHe\tcrouched\tlow\tbut\tstill\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee what\tthey\twere\tlooking\tat. The\tcrowd\tfell\tsilent\tas\ta\tman\u2019s\tvoice\tcarried\tacross\tthe\troom.\tIt\twas\ta\tvoice Zed\trecognised\tfrom\tearlier\tin\tthe\tday.\tClipped,\tMancunian,\tslightly\tnasal\twith\ta hard\tedge.\tThe\thairs\tat\tthe\tback\tof\this\tneck\tprickled\tas\the\tremembered\tthe\tman in\t black's\t face\t across\t the\t street\t from\t earlier,\t his\t fists\t clenching\t tight, remembering\twhat\tthey\thad\tdone\tto\tBob. \u201cYou\t all\t know\t how\t hard\t we\u2019ve\t fought\t to\t get\t this\t far.\t It\t hasn\u2019t\t been\t easy. We\u2019ve\tall\tlost\tsomeone\tor\tsomething.\tBut\ttogether\twe\u2019re\tgetting\tstronger\tby\tthe day.\t Look\t around\t you.\t We\t have\t food,\t a\t roof\t over\t our\t heads,\t weapons,\t and security.\tWe\teven\thave\tour\town\tdoctors\tto\ttreat\tus\twhen\twe\tget\tsick.\tBut\tif\twe are\tgoing\tto\tdo\tmore\tthan\tjust\tsurvive,\twe\tneed\tto\texpand\tour\toperation.\u201d There\twere\tmurmurs\tof\tapproval\tand\tnods\tfrom\ta\tfew\tof\tthe\theads. \u201cEvery\t day\t our\t patrols\t bring\t back\t men,\t women\t and\t children\t from\t places around\t here.\t Every\t day\t we\t learn\t about\t other\t survivor\t camps\t throughout\t this area.\t Dozens\t of\t them,\t big\t and\t small.\t Beyond\t the\t New\t Forest,\t there\t may\t be hundreds\tmore\t groups\t like\tus,\tsurviving,\tholding\ton,\twaiting.\t We\thave\t a\tgood","set-up\there.\tWe\thave\teverything\twe\tneed.\tSo\twhy\tdo\twe\tneed\tto\tchange?\u201d He\t paused,\t letting\t the\t question\t resonate\t with\t his\t audience.\t \u201cLet\t me\t tell\t you why.\t We\t have\t a\t chance\t to\t become\t something\t more.\t To\t take\t a\t lead.\t To\t build\t a new\tworld\torder\tbased\ton\tour\trules.\tNo\tone\tcan\ttell\tus\twhat\tto\tdo\tany\tmore\tor how\tto\tthink\tor\thow\tto\tact.\tWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tway\tthings\twere.\tWe can\tbuild\tsomething\tnew,\tsomething\tbetter.\u201d Zed\t found\t himself\t nodding.\t He\t sounded\t a\t lot\t like\t the\t man\t he\t wished\t Jack would\tbe.\tHe\twas\tright.\tSurvival\twas\tnot\tenough,\tbut\tJack\tdidn't\tthink\tlike\tthat. The\t man\t in\t black\u2019s\t speech\t crystallised\t some\t of\t Zed's\t unspoken\t thoughts\t and hopes\tfor\tHurst. The\t whispers\t below\t grew\t to\t a\t louder\t discussion,\t and\t another\t man\u2019s\t voice, deeper\t and\t menacing,\t appealed\t for\t quiet\t in\t vain.\t He\t put\t his\t fingers\t to\t his\t lips and\twhistled\tsharply\tuntil\tthe\troom\tfell\tsilent. \u201cEven\tnow,\tour\tdoctors\tare\tworking\thard\tto\tunderstand\tmore\tabout\tthe\tvirus, to\t find\t a\t cure.\t In\t time,\t we\t hope\t to\t synthesise\t a\t vaccine,\t however\t long\t that takes.\u201d There\twere\tlouder\tmurmurs\tof\tapproval\tas\tif,\tfor\ta\tdelicious\tmoment,\tseveral amongst\tthem\tdared\tto\thope\tthat\tsuch\ta\tvaccine\twas\twithin\treach.\tHe\twaited\tfor the\tcrowd\tto\tfall\tsilent. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tyet\tknow\twhy\tbut\tcertain\tindividuals\thave\tnatural\timmunity\tto\tthe virus.\tWe\u2019re\tgetting\tcloser\tto\tfinding\tout\tevery\tday.\tWith\tthe\tright\tresources\tand support,\tthere\u2019s\tno\treason\twe\tcan\u2019t\tfind\tthe\tanswer\tand\tmass-produce\ta\tvaccine. We\tcan\tstart\tinoculating\thundreds,\tmaybe\tthousands,\tof\tsurvivors.\tSpreading\tthe word,\tspreading\tthe\tcure,\tnot\tjust\tto\tthe\tNew\tForest\tbut\talso\tto\tthe\twhole\tregion. Perhaps\t even\t the\t whole\t country.\t Imagine\t for\t a\t second\t the\t power\t and\t influence that\tdiscovery\twould\tdeliver.\tStarting\ttomorrow,\twe\tbegin\treaching\tout\tto\tother groups.\tWe\tinvite\tthem\tto\tjoin\tforces\twith\tus.\u201d A\t dissenting\t voice\t from\t the\t back\t shouted\t out,\t \u201cWhat\t if\t they\t don\u2019t\t want\t to? You\tcan\u2019t\tmake\tthem.\u201d The\t man\t in\t black\t laughed\t dismissively,\t pointing\t in\t his\t direction.\t \u201cYou\u2019re right.\tNo\tone\tcan\tforce\tthem\tto\tjoin\tus.\tBut\u2026\u201d\tHe\tpaused\tfor\ta\tmoment.\t\u201cThey would\tbe\tfoolish\tto\tstand\tagainst\tus.\u201d There\t were\t hoots\t of\t derision\t from\t those\t members\t of\t the\t audience\t who distrusted\tthe\tman\tin\tblack\tand\this\tthinly\tdisguised\tambition.\tHe\twas\tforced\tto wait\t until\t the\t raucous\t noise\t from\t the\t increasingly\t partisan\t crowd\t abated\t before he\tcould\tcontinue. \u201cThere\twill\tbe\tthose\tthat\tdisagree\twith\tour\tmethods.\tLet\tthem.\tWhen\tthey\tsee what\twe\tare\tbuilding,\twhen\tthey\thear\tthat\twe\thave\tthe\tcure,\twhen\tthey\tsee\twhat the\t future\t holds,\t then\t they\t will\t understand.\t Our\t way\t of\t life\t means\t growth\t and","prosperity.\t Security\t for\t all.\t If\t they\t join\t us,\t then\t we\t all\t stand\t together,\t united. They\tare\teither\twith\tus,\tor\tagainst\tus.\u201d It\twas\tclear\tto\tZed\tthat\tthe\tassembled\tcrowd\twas\tdeeply\tdivided.\tThe\twhole room\tseemed\tto\terupt,\tcatalysed\tby\tthe\temotive\tdiscussion.\tIt\tseemed\tlike\tall\tof their\t anger,\t their\t hopes\t and\t fears\t boiled\t over\t with\t factions\t shouting\t at\t each other.\t There\t was\t some\t pushing\t and\t shoving.\t Men\t squared\t up\t to\t each\t other, fingers\t jabbed\t in\t faces.\t A\t couple\t of\t punches\t were\t thrown,\t as\t order\t rapidly degenerated. Zed\t had\t heard\t and\t seen\t enough.\t It\t reminded\t him\t of\t the\t early\t days\t at\t Hurst before\t the\t community\t coalesced\t around\t a\t common\t vision\t for\t the\t future.\t He slipped\t away\t from\t the\t railing,\t beckoning\t Mila\t to\t follow\t him.\t Together\t they joined\tthe\tothers,\tsearching\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tfirst\tfloor. Most\t of\t the\t rooms\t were\t either\t locked\t or\t empty.\t Double\t doors\t to\t a\t larger overnight\tward\twere\tbarred\tfrom\tthe\toutside\twith\ta\tpiece\tof\twood\tpadlocked\tin place.\tThere\twas\ta\tgood\tchance\tthat\tthis\twas\twhere\tthey\twere\tholding\tWill.\tTwo small\t square\t observation\t windows\t were\t papered\t over\t with\t dried\t tissue.\t Riley scratched\t some\t off\t with\t her\t fingernail.\t She\t heard\t a\t chair\t scrape\t from\t the\t other side\tand\tmuffled\tvoices. She\tpeeled\toff\tmore\tpaper,\ttrying\tto\tsee\tinside.\tRiley\tjumped\tback\tstartled\tas a\tbearded\tface\tfilled\tthe\tsquare\twindow.\tHe\tlooked\tdishevelled,\this\thair\tgrey\tand unkempt.\tHe\tstarted\tbanging\this\tfists\ton\tthe\tdoor\tweakly.\tShe\tgestured\tfor\thim to\tstop,\tafraid\tthat\tthe\tnoise\twould\tattract\tattention. The\t old\t man\t put\t his\t face\t to\t the\t crack\t and\t whispered,\t \u201cPlease\t help\t us.\u201d\t He rattled\tthe\thandle\ton\tthe\tdouble\tdoors,\tbut\tthey\twere\tsecurely\tfastened. Riley\tlooked\taround\tthe\tdoor\tframe\tfor\ta\tkey\tbut\tsaw\tnothing. Zed\t joined\t her\t at\t the\t double\t doors,\t thinking\t Will\t might\t be\t inside.\t He\t could make\t out\t about\t a\t dozen\t beds\t with\t every\t inch\t of\t floor\t space\t occupied\t by\t men and\twomen.\tWho\tknew\thow\tlong\tthey\thad\tbeen\tkept\tthere?\tJudging\tby\tthe\tfilth and\t foul\t stench\t it\t had\t been\t some\t time.\t They\t looked\t malnourished.\t Some\t could barely\tstand.\tThey\thuddled\tclose\tto\tthe\tdoor,\tappealing\tweakly\tto\tRiley\tand\tZed to\tget\tthem\tout. \u201cWe\u2019re\t looking\t for\t Will.\t South\t African\t guy?\u201d\t whispered\t Zed\t as\t loud\t as\t he dared. The\t old\t man\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t no\t one\t of\t that\t name\t or\t nationality here.\u201d Zed\t turned\t to\t go,\t but\t the\t old\t man\t called\t him\t back.\t \u201cPlease.\t Don\u2019t\t leave. You\u2019ve\tgot\tto\thelp\tus.\tYou\tneed\tto\tunderstand\twhat\u2019s\treally\tgoing\ton\there.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\u201d\tHe\tfrowned\tat\tRiley.\t\u201cLook,\twe'd\tlike\tto\thelp you\tbut\twithout\tthe\tkey\u2026\u201d","\u201cWait,\tplease.\tYou\tneed\tto\tget\tword\tto\tthe\tothers.\tThey\u2019re\texperimenting\ton us.\t Sometimes\t we\t can\t hear\t their\t screams.\t No\t one\t ever\t comes\t back.\t Every\t day, they\ttake\tone\tmore\tof\tus\taway\u2026\u201d Zed\t looked\t at\t Riley,\t struggling\t to\t understand.\t What\t kind\t of\t hospital\t locked people\tup\tand\ttreated\tthem\tlike\tlab\trats?\tHe\trattled\tthe\tpadlock\tand\theavy\tchain securing\tthe\tmakeshift\tbar,\tblocking\tthe\tdoors\tfrom\tbeing\topened.\t\u201cBelieve\tme, we\twant\tto\thelp\tyou,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\tnothing\twe\tcan\tdo.\tThe\tdoor\tis\tpadlocked.\tI\u2019m sorry.\tUnless\tyou\tknow\twhere\tthey\tkeep\tthe\tkey?\u201d \u201cThe\t fat\t man\t always\t has\t the\t key\t on\t a\t chain\t around\t his\t neck.\t He\t always keeps\tit\tlocked.\u201d\tHe\tslammed\tthe\tdoor\tagain\tin\tfrustration. \u201cLook,\twe\u2019ll\tcome\tback\tif\twe\tcan\tand\ttry\tand\tget\tyou\tout.\u201d They\tbacked\taway\tfrom\tthe\tdoor.\tZed\tfelt\tbad\tleaving\tthem\there\tlike\tthis.\tHe knew\t they\t were\t leaving\t them\t here\t to\t die,\t to\t face\t torture,\t experiments,\t heaven knows\t what.\t He\t hurried\t down\t the\t corridor\t to\t rejoin\t Riley\t and\t the\t others\t who were\t checking\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t rooms\t on\t this\t floor.\t He\t couldn't\t shake\t the\t feeling that\t they\t had\t stumbled\t upon\t something\t significant,\t but\t the\t truth\t was\t eluding him.\t What\t were\t they\t doing\t to\t them?\t What\t did\t the\t old\t man\t mean\t when\t he\t said they\twere\texperimenting\ton\tthem? \u201cCome\t on,\t let\u2019s\t find\t Will\t and\t get\t out\t of\t this\t place,\u201d\t said\t Riley,\t pulling\t at Zed\u2019s\tsleeve,\teager\tto\tleave.","Chapter\tTwenty-three On\t the\t next\t floor,\t the\t two\t teams\t split\t up\t and\t set\t off\t in\t opposite\t directions, sweeping\tsilently\tfrom\troom\tto\troom.\tThere\twas\tstill\tno\tsign\tof\tWill,\tand\tRiley was\tbeginning\tto\tlose\thope.\tShe\thad\tmade\tthe\tgrim\tdiscovery\tof\ta\twaiting\troom being\tused\tas\ta\tmortuary. Five\t bodies\t were\t laid\t out\t in\t an\t orderly\t row\t with\t a\t sheet\t over\t each\t of\t them. Riley\t pulled\t her\t sweater\t up\t over\t her\t mouth\t and\t tried\t to\t avoid\t breathing\t in\t the stench.\t She\t lifted\t up\t the\t corner\t of\t a\t sheet\t covering\t the\t body\t closest\t to\t her\t and recoiled\tat\tthe\tsight\tof\ta\tbody\travaged\tby\tsickness.\tA\tyoung\twoman\u2019s\tblue\teyes stared\t blankly\t up\t at\t the\t ceiling.\t The\t victim\t could\t have\t been\t no\t more\t than eighteen.\t Her\t face\t was\t gaunt,\t her\t skin\t drawn\t tight.\t Dried\t blood\t crusted\t around her\t nose\t and\t ears.\t She\t wore\t a\t pale\t yellow\t dress\t with\t a\t plunging\t neckline,\t her bra\t strap\t exposed.\t Along\t her\t alabaster-white\t left\t arm\t was\t a\t crop\t of\t needle marks,\t many\t in\t small\t red\t circles.\t Riley\t had\t seen\t her\t fair\t share\t of\t death,\t but seeing\t one\t so\t young,\t in\t the\t prime\t of\t her\t life,\t chilled\t her\t to\t the\t very\t bone. Judging\t by\t the\t girl\u2019s\t face,\t she\t had\t died\t only\t very\t recently,\t probably\t in\t the\t last twenty-four\t hours.\t She\t was\t surprised\t they\t hadn\u2019t\t moved\t the\t bodies\t already. Back\tat\tHurst,\tthey\tburned\tthe\tdead\tto\treduce\tthe\trisk\tof\tcontamination. She\t moved\t to\t the\t next\t section\t through\t a\t heavy\t security\t door\t with\t a\t keypad entry\t system\t whose\t screen\t was\t inactive.\t The\t sign\t above\t the\t doorway\t was marked\t \u201cRestricted\t Access\t \u2013\t No\t Admittance\u201d.\t To\t her\t surprise\t she\t found\t the door\t unlocked.\t She\t pushed\t on,\t her\t senses\t alert,\t checking\t behind\t her,\t making sure\tno\tone\twas\tfollowing. Riley\twhipped\ther\thead\taround\tat\tthe\tsound\tof\ta\tlight\ttapping\tfrom\tone\tof\tthe rooms\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tcorridor.\tTreading\tlightly,\tcontrolling\ther\tbreaths\tas\tbest she\tcould,\tshe\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tpainted\twooden\tdoor,\tlistening\tcarefully. \u201cHello,\tis\tthere\tsomebody\tthere?\u201d\tcame\ta\tchild\u2019s\tvoice\tfrom\tinside. The\t girl\t sounded\t very\t young\t and\t frightened.\t Zed\t had\t been\t very\t clear.\t They were\there\tfor\tWill.\tThey\tcouldn\u2019t\tsave\teveryone.\tThe\tgirl\u2019s\tvoice\tinterrupted\ther moment\tof\tindecision. \u201cI\tcan\thear\tyou\tbreathing.\tPlease,\tcan\tyou\tget\tme\tout?\u201d Riley\t tried\t the\t handle\t but\t the\t door\t was\t locked.\t She\t got\t down\t on\t one\t knee and\t looked\t through\t the\t keyhole.\t A\t green\t eye\t with\t long\t lashes\t close\t to\t the\t hole","blinked\t back\t at\t her.\t The\t top\t lock\t was\t basic,\t the\t kind\t Riley\t knew\t how\t to\t open with\ta\tcredit\tcard,\tproviding\tthe\tlower\tmortise\tlock\twasn't\tengaged.\tShe\tchecked her\tpockets\tbut\tfound\tnothing.\tThere\twasn\u2019t\tmuch\tcall\tfor\tcredit\tcards\tany\tmore. She\tlooked\taround\ther\tand\tnoticed\ta\tdoor\topen\tto\twhat\tlooked\tlike\ta\tstaffroom. A\t nurse\u2019s\t uniform\t hung\t next\t to\t a\t cheap\t white\t desk\t with\t a\t grey\t computer monitor,\tits\tscreen\tlifeless.\tShe\tchecked\tthe\tpockets\tbefore\tfinding\ta\tset\tof\tkeys with\ta\t\u201clucky\teight\tball\u201d\tattached. On\tthe\tthird\tattempt,\tthe\tkey\tturned.\tBefore\tshe\tknew\tit,\ta\tlittle\tgirl\twrenched the\tdoor\topen\tfrom\ther\tgrasp\tand\tbrushed\tpast\ther.\tShe\twas\tno\tmore\tthan\tten\tor eleven,\t with\t long\t dark\t hair,\t dressed\t in\t clothes\t that\t looked\t a\t size\t too\t small\t for her.\t She\t hugged\t Riley\t and\t stepped\t back\t to\t get\t a\t proper\t look.\t Riley\t checked\t to make\tsure\tthere\twas\tno\tone\telse\thiding\tinside. The\tgirl\tsaid\ther\tname\twas\tAdele.\tShe\thad\tbeen\tbrought\there\ta\tfew\tdays\tago with\t her\t older\t brother\t Jamie.\t They\t had\t been\t separated\t and\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t heard\t or seen\thim\tsince.\tShe\trolled\tup\ther\tsleeve\tand\tshowed\tRiley\ta\tseries\tof\tpinprick- marks\ton\ther\tskin\twhere\tthey\thad\tinjected\ther\tand\ttaken\ther\tblood.\tFor\tthe\tlast two\t weeks\t she\t had\t been\t held\t in\t isolation.\t She\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t why,\t but\t it\t meant better\tfood\tand\tdaily\tinjections. Riley\tstudied\tthe\tmarks\ton\ther\tarm,\ttoo\tmany\tto\tcount.\tWho\twould\tdo\tthis\tto a\tchild?\tshe\tasked\therself.\tShe\thad\tworked\tin\tthe\thealth\tsystem\tlong\tenough\tto recognise\t what\t looked\t like\t the\t arm\t of\t a\t junkie,\t but\t why\t would\t they\t repeatedly inject\ta\tchild?\tAdele\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\till.\tWhy\tkeep\ther\tin\tisolation?\tWhy\twould\tthey do\tthat?\tThere\twas\tno\tway\tshe\twas\tleaving\ta\tchild\tto\tdie\tin\tthis\tplace. \u201cYou\u2019re\t coming\t with\t us,\u201d\t said\t Riley,\t with\t a\t smile.\t The\t little\t girl\t grinned, revealing\ta\tcouple\tof\tmissing\tteeth.\tRiley\tdropped\tdown\ton\tto\ther\tknees\tso\ttheir faces\t were\t level.\t \u201cFirst,\t I\t have\t something\t very\t important\t to\t ask\t you.\t We\u2019re looking\tfor\ta\tfriend.\tHis\tname\tis\tWill.\tHe\u2019s\tSouth\tAfrican.\tDo\tyou\tknow\twhere we\tmight\tfind\thim?\u201d The\tgirl\tshook\ther\thead\tand\tbalanced\ton\ttiptoes\tto\tmake\therself\ttaller,\ttaking Riley\u2019s\thand\tto\tsteady\therself. Sean\t reappeared\t from\t his\t sweep\t of\t the\t other\t corridor.\t He\t looked\t Adele\t up and\t down,\t shaking\t his\t head.\t \u201cWho\t the\t hell\u2019s\t this?\t We\t can\u2019t\t take\t a\t kid,\t Riley. She\u2019ll\tonly\tslow\tus\tdown.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\thear\tabout\tit,\tSean.\tShe\u2019s\tcoming\twith\tus.\tWe\u2019re\tnot\tleaving her,\tokay?\tEnd\tof\tstory.\u201d \u201cFine.\t She\u2019s\t your\t baggage.\u201d\t He\t tutted\t to\t himself\t and\t wandered\t off\t to\t check the\tlast\tof\tthe\trooms. \u201cHe\u2019s\tokay\twhen\tyou\tget\tto\tknow\thim,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley,\treassuringly. They\tmade\tto\tleave\tbut\tthe\tlittle\tgirl\tpulled\ther\tback.\t\u201cWait.\tThere\u2019s\tsomeone","else.\tShe\u2019s\tlike\tme,\tRiley,\tbut\tolder.\tHer\tname\u2019s\tStella.\u201d She\tdragged\tRiley\talong.\tHer\tdelicate\tsoft\tfingers\tlaced\tthrough\tRiley's,\tand they\t stood\t outside\t the\t last\t door.\t They\t tried\t all\t the\t keys,\t but\t none\t of\t them worked.\tRiley\tshrugged\ther\tshoulders. \u201cSorry,\tkiddo.\tWe\tcould\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tnurse\u2019s\tstation\tand\ttry\tthe\tdrawers.\u201d Adele\t stared\t down\t at\t the\t floor.\t Her\t whole\t body\t seemed\t to\t sag.\t She straightened\t suddenly\t as\t if\t electrified\t by\t a\t thought.\t She\t tried\t the\t handle\t and\t to both\tof\ttheir\tsurprise\tthe\tdoor\tswung\topen. There\t was\t the\t sound\t of\t coughing,\t and\t a\t young\t woman\t sat\t up\t in\t bed, clutching\t a\t brown\t hospital\t blanket\t to\t her\t bare\t chest.\t She\t glowered\t at\t Riley, clearly\tannoyed\tat\tthe\tintrusion.\tHer\teyes\tdarted\tfurtively\tacross\tto\tAdele.\tThere was\t a\t flicker\t of\t recognition,\t but\t her\t expression\t remained\t the\t same:\t a\t curious blend\tof\tdefiance\tand\tvulnerability.\tShe\tlooked\tback\tat\tAdele,\tconfused. \u201cWho\t is\t she,\t Adele?\u201d\t she\t said,\t before\t addressing\t Riley\t directly.\t \u201cWhat\t do you\twant?\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\there\tto\trescue\tus,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tgirl\tbrightly. \u201cNot\texactly,\u201d\tcorrected\tRiley.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tlooking\tfor\tour\tfriend\tWill\tand\tfound you\t two\t instead.\u201d\t There\t was\t something\t about\t the\t girl\t that\t Riley\t didn\u2019t\t trust. Riley\t pointed\t to\t the\t door.\t \u201cAll\t the\t other\t rooms\t were\t locked.\t How\t come\t yours isn\u2019t?\u201d The\tyoung\twoman\tyawned\tand\tswung\ther\tlegs\toff\tthe\tbed.\tShe\treached\tover and\t grabbed\t a\t top\t that\t lay\t crumpled\t on\t a\t blue\t plastic\t chair\t by\t the\t wall.\t Facing the\twall,\tshe\tdropped\tthe\tblanket.\tShe\twas\tunderdeveloped\tfor\ther\tage\twith\tslim hips\tand\ta\tnarrow\twaist.\tHer\tpale\tshoulders\tand\tback\twere\tcovered\tin\tsmall\tred marks\t and\t dark\t bruises.\t Her\t spine\t and\t rib\t cage\t were\t clearly\t visible\t as\t she hunched\tover.\tRiley\tnoticed\ther\twrists.\tThey\tlooked\traw\tand\tswollen\twhere\tshe must\t have\t been\t tied\t up\t previously.\t The\t girl\t threaded\t her\t arms\t through\t the sleeves\tof\ta\tgrey-white\tsweatshirt\twith\ta\tfaded\tMickey\tMouse\ton\tthe\tfront. She\tglanced\tback\tat\tthem,\ther\tface\thalf-hidden\tagain\tby\treddish-blonde\thair. She\t looked\t like\t a\t frightened\t animal,\t wild\t and\t untamed.\t \u201cThey\t leave\t mine unlocked\tbecause\tthey\tknow\tI\twon\u2019t\tleave.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\ta\tprisoner\there?\u201d \u201cYou\twouldn\u2019t\tunderstand.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tas\tsimple\tas\tthat.\u201d \u201cTry\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley. \u201cThey\u2026they\tkeep\tme\there,\u201d\tcontinued\tthe\tgirl.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tleave.\u201d Riley\t looked\t puzzled.\t \u201cIn\t what\t way?\t Are\t you\t a\t patient\t or\t a\t prisoner?\u201d\t she said\tscornfully\tand\tregretted\tit.\tThe\twords\tjust\tslipped\tout. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tlike\tthat.\u201d\tHer\tcheeks\tflushed\tred.\t\u201cLook,\tif\tI\tdo\twhat\tthey\tsay\tthen everything\u2019s\tfine.\tThey\tbring\tme\tfood,\ttreat\tme\tnice.\tBut\tif\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthen\tthey\tbeat","me.\tAt\tfirst\tI\tfought\tback,\tbut\tnow\tI\u2019ve\tlearned\tto\tjust\tshut\tup\tand\tlet\tthem\u2026\u201d Her\tvoice\ttrailed\toff. The\t girl\t looked\t down\t at\t her\t bare\t feet,\t wiggling\t her\t toes\t childishly.\t She\t was about\tMila\u2019s\tage,\tbut\tpale\tand\tthin.\tRiley\twalked\tover\tand\tput\tan\tarm\taround\ther waist.\t\u201cCome\ton.\tLet\u2019s\tget\tyou\tout\tof\there.\tYou\u2019re\tcoming\twith\tus.\u201d Stella\t seemed\t uncertain.\t \u201cPlease,\t just\t leave\t me\t here.\t If\t they\t find\t me\t out\t of my\troom,\tthey\u2019ll\tonly\tbeat\tme\tagain\u2026\u201d Riley\t insisted.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t getting\t you\t out\t of\t here.\t Someplace\t safe.\t Where\t you don\u2019t\thave\tto\tlive\tlike\tthis\tany\tmore.\tHow\tdid\tyou\tend\tup\there\tanyway?\u201d Stella\ttold\tthem\ther\tstory\tin\tbarely\tabove\ta\twhisper,\tstopping\tseveral\ttimes\tto compose\t herself.\t They\u2019d\t captured\t her\t and\t two\t of\t her\t friends\t a\t few\t miles\t from here\talmost\ta\tmonth\tback.\tHer\tfriends\thad\trefused\tto\tcooperate\tand\twere\tbadly beaten.\tThey\ttook\tthem\taway;\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere.\tOne\tof\tthe\tmen\twas\tkind to\t her\t and\t protected\t her\t from\t the\t others.\t She\t ended\t up\t here\t in\t this\t room, sleeping\tfor\tmost\tof\tthe\tday,\treading\tbooks,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tman\tto\tvisit\ther.\tShe started\tto\tcry,\tbeginning\tto\tremember\tthe\tpain\tand\thorror\tshe\thad\tbeen\tsubjected to.\tRiley\thad\tseen\tthis\tdefence\tmechanism\tbefore\tin\tvictims\tof\tabuse.\tThe\tmind just\t disconnected.\t Adele\t started\t shivering\t as\t suppressed\t memories\t came flooding\t back.\t Adele\t walked\t up\t to\t her\t and\t hugged\t her\t tightly.\t Nevertheless, Stella\t seemed\t uncertain\t about\t leaving.\t They\t each\t grabbed\t a\t hand\t and\t half supported\ther\tas\ther\tlegs\tgrew\tweak\tagain. Sean\t was\t speechless\t when\t they\t found\t him.\t He\t shook\t his\t head\t at\t the\t latest addition\t to\t Riley\u2019s\t entourage\t and\t walked\t away.\t There\t was\t still\t no\t sign\t of\t Will and\tthey\twere\tout\tof\ttime. Stella\t pleaded\t with\t them\t to\t finish\t up\t and\t get\t out\t of\t there.\t She\t stood nervously\tgnawing\ther\tfingernails.\tThe\t\u201cmonsters\u201d\twould\tbe\tback\tsoon\tand\tshe didn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\taround\twhen\tthey\tcame\tback.\tJust\tthen\ta\tpiercing\talarm\tmade them\t all\t flinch,\t splitting\t the\t air\t close\t to\t their\t heads.\t They\t looked\t at\t each\t other, confused. There\twere\tfootsteps\tcoming\ttowards\tthem\talong\tthe\tcorridor.\tRiley\tushered the\t group\t into\t the\t nurse\u2019s\t station\t to\t the\t right\t and\t took\t a\t deep\t breath.\t She unhooked\t the\t strap\t securing\t the\t shotgun\t to\t her\t backpack\t and\t readied\t herself. She\t braced\t the\t stock\t against\t her\t shoulder\t like\t Zed\t had\t shown\t her\t and\t waited, half-hidden\t behind\t the\t doorway.\t As\t the\t footsteps\t grew\t louder\t she\t released\t the safety\tcatch\tand\tput\ther\tfinger\tlightly\ton\tthe\ttrigger. To\ther\trelief,\tZed\tand\tMila\tappeared\taround\tthe\tcorner.\tThey\tstood\tstaring\tat Riley\t wide-eyed,\t trying\t to\t catch\t their\t breath.\t Mila\t leaned\t against\t the\t wall, fighting\tfor\tair.\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tcoming,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Zed\twas\tcradling\this\tleft\twrist,\tgrimacing\twith\tpain.\t\u201cWe\tneed\tto\tleave\tnow.\u201d","Stella\ttugged\tat\tRiley\u2019s\tsleeve.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\tanother\tway\tout.\tFollow\tme.\u201d Zed\texchanged\tglances\twith\tSean.\t\u201cWho\tare\tthese\ttwo?\u201d Sean\t shrugged\t his\t shoulders.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t ask.\t Riley\u2019s\t waifs\t and\t strays,\u201d\t he responded\tsarcastically\tand\tfollowed\tthe\tgirl.","Chapter\tTwenty-four Stella\tled\tthe\tway\tas\tthe\tgroup\tthrew\tcaution\tto\tthe\twind\tand\thurried\tdown\tthe stairs\t to\t ground\t level.\t She\t was\t light\t on\t her\t feet\t and\t seemed\t to\t know\t her\t way around\tthe\tmaze\tof\tpassages\tand\twaiting\trooms.\tRiley\thad\tto\tshout\tlouder\tthan she\tdared\tto\tget\tStella\tto\tslow\tdown.\tZed\tand\tSean\twere\tbringing\tup\tthe\trear\tand in\t danger\t of\t losing\t contact\t with\t the\t lead\t group.\t Behind\t them\t they\t could\t hear raised\tvoices.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tlose. Zed\u2019s\t arm\t was\t in\t a\t bad\t way.\t It\t had\t all\t happened\t so\t quickly.\t Mila\t had\t been grabbed\t from\t behind\t and\t in\t the\t scuffle\t to\t free\t her,\t Zed\t had\t fallen.\t In\t the resulting\t wrestle\t with\t one\t of\t the\t guards,\t his\t hand\t and\t wrist\t were\t badly\t cut\t by shards\tof\tglass\tfrom\ta\tglazed\tpartition\twall.\tMila\thad\tundertaken\tsome\trunning repairs.\tShe\thad\ttorn\toff\ta\tstrip\tof\ther\tshirt\tand\tbandaged\tthe\tinjured\tarm\tas\tbest she\tcould.\tAs\tthey\tran,\tblood\tsoaked\tthrough\tthe\tcotton\tmaterial\tand\tdripped\ton to\tthe\tgrey\tlinoleum\ttiles,\tleaving\ta\tclear\tpath\tfor\ttheir\tpursuers\tto\tfollow. At\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tlast\tflight\tof\tstairs,\tthey\tregrouped.\tRiley\tcounted\theads. She\t noticed\t Zed\t cradling\t his\t left\t arm\t and\t wincing\t in\t pain.\t He\t nodded.\t \u201cDon\u2019t slow\tdown\ton\tmy\taccount.\u201d At\tthe\tdoorway\tto\tthe\tmain\tcorridor,\tshe\tnudged\topen\tthe\theavy\tfire\tdoor\tand checked\tthe\tpath\tahead.\tThere\twere\tvoices\toff\tto\tthe\tleft\tand\ttorchlight\tdancing along\t the\t walls.\t To\t their\t right\t there\t was\t silence.\t In\t all\t the\t commotion,\t Riley couldn\u2019t\tbe\tsure\twhether\tit\twas\tleft\tor\tright.\tWhich\tway\tled\tback\tto\ttheir\tpoint\tof entry? Joe\tcaught\tup\twith\ther\tand\tpointed\tright\tand\tthey\twasted\tno\ttime\tin\tmaking\tit back\tto\t the\tway\t out\tthrough\tthe\tmaintenance\tarea.\tThey\tpassed\tthe\tmachinery and\t out\t through\t the\t fire\t door,\t which\t hung\t broken\t on\t its\t top\t hinge.\t Stepping outside\tinto\tthe\tcool\tnight\tair,\tit\twas\tpitch\tblack.\tA\tlight\tmist\thung\tin\tthe\ttrees. An\tevening\tdew\thad\ttransformed\tthe\tgrassy\tslope\tahead\tof\tthem\tinto\ta\tsparkling carpet\tof\twater\tdroplets\thanging\tfrom\tevery\tblade.\tOut\there,\tthe\talarm\tsounded distant\t and\t strangely\t muted.\t Their\t eyes\t adjusted\t quickly\t to\t the\t darkness.\t They couldn\u2019t\t risk\t using\t one\t of\t the\t torches\t they\t carried\t as\t it\t would\t only\t reveal\t their position. Riley\tpointed\ttowards\tthe\tlarge\toak\ttree\toverhanging\tthe\tfence.\tSean\treached it\t first\t but\t found\t the\t lowest\t branch\t was\t out\t of\t reach,\t almost\t ten\t feet\t from\t the","ground.\tHe\tgot\tdown\ton\this\thands\tand\tknees\tand\twaited\tfor\tRiley.\tShe\tstraddled his\tshoulders\tand\twith\ta\tgrunt\the\tlifted\tup.\tOnce\tshe\u2019d\tmanoeuvred\therself\tinto a\t secure\t position,\t gripping\t the\t branch\t with\t her\t thighs,\t she\t reached\t down\t with her\t right\thand\tand,\twith\tSean\u2019s\thelp,\tshe\tlevered\tAdele\t and\tthen\tStella\tto\tjoin her.\t Joe\t was\t next.\t It\t took\t a\t couple\t of\t attempts\t before\t Sean\t took\t a\t deep\t breath, changed\t position\t and\t tried\t something\t different.\t Offering\t his\t cupped\t hands instead,\t Sean\t braced\t with\t one\t knee\t and\t manhandled\t Joe\t high\t enough\t for\t the others\tto\tpull\thim\tup,\tpuffing\tand\tsoaked\tin\tsweat. While\tthe\tothers\tshuffled\talong\tthe\tbranch\tand\tover\tthe\tfence\tto\tsafety,\tRiley kept\twatch\ton\tthe\tfire\tdoor.\tThey\twere\tout\tof\ttime.\tIn\tthe\tdistance,\tnear\tthe\tfront entrance,\t she\t could\t already\t see\t a\t small\t crowd\t gathering,\t squinting\t in\t to\t the darkness,\ttheir\tlanterns\theld\thigh.\tMila\twent\tnext,\twhich\tjust\tleft\tZed\tand\tSean. The\tfire\tdoor\tto\tthe\thospital\tburst\topen\tand\tthree\tmen\temerged\tinto\tthe\tnight. Beams\t of\t light\t from\t their\t powerful\t torches\t arced\t round\t in\t opposite\t directions trying\tto\tlocate\tthe\tHurst\tgroup. Turning\t to\t Zed,\t Sean\t insisted,\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t first,\t big\t man.\t With\t that\t busted\t arm, there\u2019s\t no\t way\t you\t can\t pull\t yourself\t up\t on\t your\t own.\t We\t don\u2019t\t have\t time\t to argue.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tleaving\tyou\tbehind,\tSean.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tlighter\tand\tI\tcan\tjump\thigher.\tCome\ton,\tquickly.\u201d\tHe\tstooped\tdown\tand cupped\this\thands\ttogether.\tZed\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tit\tbut\tSean\twas\tright.\tHe\tplanted\this right\t boot,\t and\t with\t one\t hand,\t he\t reached\t up\t as\t high\t as\t he\t could\t manage. Between\tJoe\tand\tRiley\tthey\theaved\t Zed\u2019s\tlarge\t frame\tup\t and\tonto\t the\tbranch, which\t creaked\t loudly\t under\t their\t combined\t weight.\t Zed\t gasped\t in\t pain\t as\t his body\tweight\trested\tbriefly\ton\this\tbusted\tarm. The\ttorches\tflashed\tup\tto\ttheir\tposition,\thoming\tin\ton\tthe\tnoises,\tand\ttwo\tof the\t men\t hurtled\t across\t the\t parking\t area\t towards\t them.\t A\t wild\t shot\t rang\t out, going\t high\t and\t wide.\t It\t was\t enough\t to\t get\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t group\t scurrying\t with more\turgency\talong\tthe\tbranch\tand\tjumping\tdown\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tfence. Sean\t stood\t underneath\t the\t branch\t swinging\t his\t arms,\t looking\t up\t hopefully, readying\thimself\tto\tjump.\tRiley\tand\tJoe\treached\tdown\tas\tfar\tas\tthey\tcould,\ttheir fingers\t splayed\t wide.\t Sean\t looked\t back\t over\t his\t shoulder\t at\t their\t pursuers.\t It was\tnow\tor\tnever. He\tleapt\tas\thigh\tas\the\tcould\tbut\tonly\tmanaged\tto\ttouch\tfingers\twith\tJoe,\twho couldn\u2019t\t grab\t hold.\t He\t landed\t heavily\t and\t readied\t himself\t for\t another\t go.\t The armed\t men\t were\t close\t now\t and\t a\t volley\t of\t automatic\t fire\t peppered\t the\t tree. Riley\t and\t Joe\t lay\t flat\t against\t the\t branch\t and\t were\t unharmed.\t Adrenaline pumping\t through\t his\t veins,\t Sean\t leapt\t as\t high\t as\t his\t tired\t legs\t would\t allow. Riley\tmanaged\tto\tgrab\thold\tof\this\twrist\tas\tJoe\treached\tdown\tand\theld\tthe\tsleeve","of\this\tjacket.\tThey\thoisted\thim\tup\tslowly,\tstraining,\tevery\tsinew\tbursting.\tSean reached\tup\tand\tgot\ta\thand\ton\tJoe\u2019s\tback,\ta\tsmile\tforming\ton\this\tface.\tHe\trelaxed just\ta\tfraction,\tsensing\tsafety\twithin\this\tgrasp. Riley\tfelt\tSean\u2019s\twhole\tbody\ttense\tas\ta\tshot\tfound\tits\tmark\tin\this\tlower\tback. His\t grip\t weakened\t and\t his\t arm\t went\t limp\t as\t his\t life\t force\t drained\t rapidly.\t As best\t they\t tried,\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t pull\t him\t up.\t He\t became\t a\t dead\t weight\t in\t their hands.\t They\t tried\t one\t last\t time,\t but\t his\t eyes\t were\t closing\t and\t with\t a\t shriek\t of despair\tfrom\tRiley,\tSean\u2019s\tclammy\tfingers\tslipped\tfrom\ther\tgrasp\tas\the\tfell\ton\tto the\t grass\t below.\t His\t limbs\t crumpled\t awkwardly\t underneath\t him,\t lifeless.\t Riley stared\tafter\thim,\tshaking\ther\thead\tin\tdisbelief. \u201cHe\u2019s\tgone,\tRiley.\tCome\ton,\u201d\tshouted\tJoe. She\twas\tsobbing\tlightly\tand\the\thad\tto\tdrag\ther\taway.\tGunshots\tsplintered\tthe wood\tover\ttheir\theads\tbut\tthey\twere\twell\thidden\tin\tthe\tfoliage.\tZed\tstood\tnext\tto the\t fence,\t his\t revolver\t raised,\t taking\t careful\t aim\t at\t the\t approaching\t group.\t He fired\ta\tsingle\tshot\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tstay\tto\tsee\tif\the\u2019d\thit\this\ttarget.\tThe\tothers\tfollowed Zed\tup\tthe\tbank\tand\taway\tto\ttheir\trendezvous\tpoint\tin\tthe\tdip\tby\tthe\twall. Zed\tpaused\ton\tthe\tcrest\tof\tthe\tbank\tand\tcounted\tthe\tothers\tin.\tAs\tthey\tpassed him,\the\tput\this\thand\ton\teach\tshoulder,\ta\tweak\tsmile\ton\this\tface\tas\the\twelcomed the\tnew\tarrivals,\tStella\tand\tAdele.\tRiley\twas\tthe\tlast\tto\tarrive. He\treached\tout\tto\tpull\ther\tup\tthe\tbank,\tbut\tshe\tignored\this\thelp. \u201cDon\u2019t\ttouch\tme.\u201d He\tshrugged\tand\ttook\tone\tlast\tlook\tat\tthe\thospital\tbefore\tturning\taway.\tTheir pursuers\t hadn\u2019t\t tried\t to\t follow\t them\t over\t the\t fence,\t but\t he\t could\t be\t sure\t they would\t assemble\t a\t search\t party\t to\t hunt\t them\t down\t at\t first\t light.\t There\t was\t no time\tto\twaste.","Chapter\tTwenty-five Will\u2019s\teyes\tflickered\topen\tand\the\tsat\tbolt\tupright,\tgathering\this\tsenses.\tThe\tfire alarm\t was\t real,\t not\t part\t of\t his\t restless\t dream.\t It\t must\t be\t running\t off\t a\t back-up system.\tThere\twas\ta\tcommotion\toutside\this\troom.\tHe\twas\tstill\thandcuffed\tto\tthe bedpost,\tbut\tstood\tup\tas\tbest\the\tcould,\tstraining\tto\thear\tthe\traised\tvoices\toutside. If\tit\twas\ta\tfire,\tsomeone\twould\tcome\tand\tlet\thim\tout.\tThey\twouldn\u2019t\tjust\tleave him\tin\there,\twould\tthey?\tUnless\tsomeone\thad\tdeliberately\tactivated\tthe\talarm. He\ttried\tto\tease\tthe\thandcuffs\tover\this\tballed\tfist,\tbut\tit\twas\tno\tgood.\tHe\thad tried\ta\thundred\ttimes\talready.\tHow\tdid\tthey\tmanage\tit\tin\tthe\tmovies?\tWas\tthere a\t trick\t to\t it?\t He\t spent\t a\t couple\t of\t minutes\t hawking\t up\t some\t spit\t from\t an otherwise\t parched\t mouth\t and\t throat.\t He\t spat\t on\t his\t wrists\t for\t lubrication,\t but however\the\tcontorted\this\tthumb\tand\tfingers,\tthe\tresult\twas\tthe\tsame.\tHis\tthumbs were\tred\traw\tfrom\this\trepeated\tefforts. Footsteps\t in\t the\t corridor\t were\t followed\t by\t the\t familiar\t jangle\t of\t keys.\t The handle\t turned\t slowly\t and\t the\t door\t was\t flung\t open.\t The\t shrill\t wail\t of\t the\t alarm alternated\t pitch\t every\t second.\t He\t shielded\t one\t side\t of\t his\t head\t with\t his\t free hand.\t Three\t men\t surged\t into\t the\t room.\t The\t first\t had\t a\t swagger\t about\t him,\t an automatic\trifle\theld\tat\tthe\tstock,\tpointing\ttowards\tthe\tceiling.\tBehind\thim\tstood the\tman\tin\tblack.\tHe\tpushed\tthe\tdoor\tclosed,\this\thead\tcocked\tto\tthe\tside. \u201cLooks\t like\t your\t friends\t from\t Hurst\t have\t come\t to\t rescue\t you.\t Shame\t they won\u2019t\tfind\tyou,\u201d\the\tmocked. The\ttwo\thenchmen\tlaughed\tsycophantically.\tThe\tthug\tat\tthe\trear\tof\tthe\tgroup looked\t on\t menacingly,\t chewing\t gum,\t with\t a\t fixed\t snarl\t on\t his\t face.\t He\t looked like\ta\tdown-on-his-luck\tbouncer\tfrom\tan\tafter-hours\tclub.\tHe\twas\tdressed\thead to\t toe\t in\t paramilitary\t black.\t They\t all\t were.\t Perhaps\t it\t was\t the\t fashion\t round these\tparts.\tParamilitary\tblack\twas\tthe\t\u201cnew\tblack\u201d. The\tthuggish\tman\u2019s\tcold\timpassive\teyes\tstared\tstraight\tthrough\tWill\tas\tif\the wasn\u2019t\tthere.\tOn\this\tshoulder\twas\ta\tdiscoloured\tpatch\twhere\tan\tepaulette\tor\trank insignia\t would\t have\t normally\t been.\t This\t had\t to\t be\t the\t man\t they\t called \u201cCopper\u201d,\t though\t he\u2019d\t never\t seen\t his\t face\t until\t now.\t He\t was\t barrel-chested, with\ta\tthick\tneck,\tthe\thint\tof\ta\tcolourful\ttattoo\tjust\tvisible\tabove\tthe\tcollar\tand heavy\t stubble\t on\t his\t chin\t that\t had\t been\t shaped\t into\t a\t goatee.\t He\t shaved\t his scalp\tto\twithin\ta\tmillimetre.\tWill\tcould\tsmell\tthe\tman\tfrom\twhere\the\tsat.\tThere","was\ta\theady\tblend\tof\tsweat,\talcohol\tand\tunbridled\taggression.\tHe\twas\ta\tpowder keg\t of\t testosterone\t with\t a\t short\t fuse,\t just\t ready\t to\t go\t off.\t The\t back\t of\t Will\u2019s neck\tthrobbed\tas\ta\ttimely\treminder\tof\twhy\tnot\tto\tprovoke\ta\tpsychopath\twithout good\treason. \u201cWell,\t your\t friends\t have\t made\t a\t wasted\t journey.\t They\t won\u2019t\t find\t you\t up here.\t They\u2019re\t looking\t in\t the\t wrong\t place,\t for\t starters.\t Don\u2019t\t worry,\t Will.\t We\u2019ll catch\t them,\t that\u2019s\t what\t these\t guys\t do,\t catch\t people.\t Isn\u2019t\t that\t right,\t Copper? They\u2019ll\t hunt\t them\t down\t wherever\t they\u2019re\t hiding.\t And\t when\t we\t do,\t we\u2019ll\t send them\tback\tto\tHurst\tin\tpieces.\u201d It\tstruck\tWill\tthat\tthe\tman\tin\tblack\twas\ttrying\tjust\ta\tlittle\ttoo\thard.\tTrying\tto appear\t tough\t and\t ruthless.\t Playing\t a\t part\t and\t living\t up\t to\t the\t expectations\t of those\taround\thim,\tbut\tnot\taltogether\tconvincingly.\tHe\ttried\tto\timagine\twhat\tthis man\t might\t have\t been\t before\t the\t breakdown,\t before\t the\t world\t had\t collapsed\t in short\t order,\t like\t a\t house\t of\t cards.\t He\t imagined\t a\t downtrodden\t middle\t manager in\ta\tregional\tsales\toffice.\tYears\tof\tfrustration\theaped\tupon\thim,\tof\tbeing\ttalked down\t to.\t A\t broken\t family.\t Absent\t parents.\t A\t messy\t divorce.\t Children\t taken away\tfrom\thim\tby\tcourt\torder.\tA\tlifetime\tof\tbitterness\tand\tdisappointments\tthat had\t led\t to\t this\t point:\t the\t birth\t of\t a\t sociopath.\t Will\t pitied\t and\t despised\t him\t in equal\t measure.\t Wasn\u2019t\t he\t just\t the\t product\t of\t a\t dysfunctional\t society,\t one\t that had\tdeserved\tto\tcollapse?\tOr\tmaybe\the\twas\tjust\tborn\tan\tevil\tbastard.\tNature\tor nurture,\the\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhich. The\tman\tin\tblack\thalf\tturned\ttowards\tCopper,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tdirectly\tat\thim. \u201cTake\t your\t squad\t and\t go\t set\t up\t a\t little\t surprise\t party\t for\t them.\t A\t roadblock on\tthe\tmain\troad.\tDon't\tbother\tbringing\tme\tprisoners.\tI\twant\tthem\tall\tdead.\u201d \u201cYou\tgot\tit.\u201d\tCopper\tturned\tand\tleft\twith\ta\tfinal\tdead-eyed\tglance\tat\tWill. \u201cOh,\the\treally\tlikes\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tman\tin\tblack.\t\u201cI\tthink\the\u2019s\tdreaming\tup\ta fitting\tdemise.\tSomething\ttruly\tmonstrous\tfor\tyou\twhen\tyour\ttime\tcomes.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\u2019m\tsaving\tsomething\tspecial\tfor\thim\ttoo.\u201d\tWill\tblew\thim\ta\tkiss,\tbut\tit was\ttoo\tlate.\tCopper\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tround\tand\tkept\twalking\tout\tthe\tdoor\tand\tdown the\tcorridor,\this\trifle\tslung\tover\tthe\tshoulder\tat\this\tside. \u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tlearning,\tare\tyou?\tDidn\u2019t\twe\tteach\tyou\tsome\tmanners\tlast\ttime?\tI can\tforgive\trudeness\tonce,\tbut\tif\tit\u2019s\trepeated,\twell,\tthen\u2026\u201d\tHe\twandered\tcloser and\tcaressed\tthe\tback\tof\tWill\u2019s\thead,\tlingering\taround\tthe\tfresh\tdressing\twhich was\t already\t stained\t a\t light\t brown.\t He\t pressed\t his\t fingers\t into\t the\t wound, enjoying\tWill\u2019s\tdiscomfort.\t\u201cWe\twouldn\u2019t\twant\tthose\tstitches\topening\tup\tagain, would\twe?\u201d He\t grabbed\t a\t fistful\t of\t Will\u2019s\t hair\t and\t jerked\t his\t head\t backwards.\t Will looked\t up\t undaunted\t as\t the\t man\t in\t black\t sneered.\t \u201cYou\t people\t are\t pathetic, holed\t up\t in\t that\t big\t castle,\t cowering\t behind\t your\t high\t walls.\t You\t really\t think","they\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tstop\tmy\tmen\tfrom\tbarging\tin\tthere\tand\ttaking\tit\tfor\tourselves? I\u2019ve\t always\t fancied\t myself\t living\t in\t a\t castle.\t Perhaps\t I\u2019ll\t choose\t a\t wife\t from your\tgroup,\teh?\tOr\tmaybe\tI\u2019ll\tjust\tslaughter\tthe\twhole\tlot\tof\tthem.\u201d\tHe\tpointed to\t the\t handcuffs\t and\t gestured\t to\t the\t other\t man.\t \u201cUnlock\t him\t from\t the\t bed\t but keep\tthe\tcuffs\ton.\tWe\u2019re\tgoing\tfor\ta\tlittle\tdrive.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\ttry\tand\tmake\tme\ttalk\tabout\tHurst\tagain,\tforget\tit.\u201d \u201cNo\tneed.\tYou\ttold\tus\teverything\twe\tneed\tto\tknow,\tnot\tthat\tyou\u2019d\tremember. One\t of\t the\t doctors\t here\t injected\t you\t with\t a\t potent\t cocktail\t of\t drugs\t that\t would have\t made\ta\t condemned\tman\tsing\t like\ta\tcanary.\t Let\u2019s\tjust\tsay\tyou\twere\tmore than\thelpful.\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tsure\tto\ttell\tall\tyour\tfriends\tbefore\tI\tkill\tthem\tthat\tyou\twere the\tone\twho\tgave\tup\tall\tof\tHurst\u2019s\tsecrets.\u201d Will\tlooked\tconfused.\tHe\thad\tabsolutely\tno\tmemory\tof\twhat\the\u2019d\tsaid,\tbut\tat the\t back\t of\t his\t mind,\t he\t was\t beginning\t to\t think\t he\u2019d\t told\t them\t exactly\t what they\u2019d\t wanted\t to\t know.\t He\t knew\t Hurst\u2019s\t defences\t like\t the\t back\t of\t his\t hand, having\t repaired\t walls,\t fixed\t drains\t and\t leaking\t roofs,\t even\t fortified\t doorways over\tthe\tlast\tfew\tweeks.\tThere\twere\ta\tcouple\tof\tplaces\twhere,\twith\ta\tgrappling hook\tand\tsome\tclimbing\tskills,\tyou\tcould\tget\tover\tthe\tcastle\twalls\tunseen.\tOnce inside\t the\t main\t wall,\t a\t single\t person\t could\t get\t in\t and\t open\t the\t main\t gate\t to\t a larger\t force.\t There\t were\t only\t ever\t a\t couple\t of\t guards\t at\t night,\t a\t single\t patrol every\t hour.\t The\t castle\t would\t fall.\t There\t was\t no\t question.\t Unless.\t Unless\t he could\t get\t a\t message\t to\t them\t first\t and\t make\t sure\t they\t were\t ready\t to\t repel\t the attack. \u201cWhatever\tyou\tthink\tyou\tfound\tout,\twhatever\tyou\tthink\tI\ttold\tyou,\tyou\tdon\u2019t stand\t a\t chance.\t Your\t plan\t will\t never\t work.\t Hurst\t has\t never\t fallen\t in\t more\t than five\thundred\tyears.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tfortress.\tDon\u2019t\tgo\tthinking\tyou\tcan\tjust\twaltz\tin\tthere and\t everyone\t will\t lay\t down\t their\t arms\t and\t surrender.\t They\u2019ll\t fight\t to\t the\t death to\tprotect\twhat\u2019s\ttheirs.\tI\tcan\tassure\tyou,\tthey\u2019re\theavily\tarmed\tand\tthe\tcastle\tis well\tdefended.\tYour\tmen\twill\tdie\tand\tyou\twill\tlose.\tMy\tlife\tis\tunimportant.\u201d The\t man\t in\t black\t was\t puzzled\t by\t Will\u2019s\t bravado.\t He\t studied\t the\t side\t of Will\u2019s\thead,\tleaning\tcloser.\tThere\twas\talmost\ta\ttenderness\tto\this\tvoice.\t\u201cI\tadmire your\t spirit,\t Will,\t really\t I\t do.\t In\t fact,\t that\u2019s\t exactly\t why\t you\u2019ll\t be\t my\t personal guide.\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tsee\tthe\twhole\tthing.\u201d They\theard\tfootsteps\tin\tthe\thall.\tA\tman\tin\ta\twhite\tcoat\twas\trunning\tdown\tthe long\thallway\ttowards\tthem.\tIt\twas\tthe\tsame\tIndian\tdoctor\twho\thad\ttreated\tWill earlier.\tThe\tguard\tstepped\tinto\this\tpath,\tblocking\tthe\tdoorway\tand\tmotioned\tfor him\tto\tslow\tdown.\tRaj\tskidded\tto\ta\thalt,\tbent\tover,\thands\ton\tknees,\tjust\toutside the\t door,\t trying\t to\t get\t his\t breath.\t Just\t then\t the\t alarm\t fell\t silent\t and\t a\t sense\t of normality\treturned.\tThe\tguard\tglanced\tat\tthe\tman\tin\tblack,\twho\tnodded,\tand\the stepped\taside\tto\tallow\tthe\tdoctor\tto\tpass.","\u201cThe\tgirls\tare\tgone,\u201d\tsaid\tRaj,\this\tvoice\ttrembling. \u201cWhat\tgirls?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tman\tin\tblack. \u201cThe\ttest\tsubjects\tfor\tthe\tclinical\ttrials.\tAdele\tand\tStella.\u201d \u201cWhy\tweren\u2019t\tthey\tlocked\tup\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tthem?\u201d Raj\t looked\t uneasy,\t unsure\t how\t to\t respond.\t \u201cPerhaps\t the\t guards\t were listening\tto\tyour\taddress,\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\u201d \u201cAmateurs,\u201d\the\tspat\tin\tdisgust.\t\u201cHow\tmany\ttimes\thave\tI\ttold\tthem?\u201d\tHe\tran his\tfingers\tthrew\this\thair,\tand\tscratched\tthe\tback\tof\this\tneck,\tlost\tin\tthought\tfor\ta few\tseconds. Will\t seized\t on\t this\t setback.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t so\t special\t about\t those\t girls?\t You\t have hundreds\tof\tprisoners\there.\tWhy\tthem?\u201d\the\tasked\tprovocatively. The\t man\t whipped\t around\t in\t a\t flash.\t He\t drew\t a\t knife\t and\t held\t it\t to\t Will\u2019s throat.\t The\t blade\t nicked\t the\t skin\t so\t that\t a\t tiny\t pinprick\t of\t blood\t trickled\t down his\tneck. \u201cDid\tyou\thave\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tthis?\tWe\tthought\tthey\twere\there\tfor\tyou, but\tperhaps\tyou\twere\tthe\tdiversion\tall\talong.\u201d Will\tshook\this\thead,\tbreathing\theavily,\tleaning\this\thead\taway\tfrom\tthe\tpoint of\tthe\tblade.\t\u201cI\tassure\tyou,\tI\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthis,\u201d\the\twhispered. The\tman\tin\tblack\tslapped\tWill\thard\tacross\tthe\tface\twith\tthe\tback\tof\this\thand, knocking\t him\t backwards\t on\t to\t the\t bed.\t Turning\t back\t to\t face\t the\t guard\t and doctor,\this\tface\twas\tred,\this\tthroat\tand\tchest\tblotchy\twith\trage. \u201cThose\tgirls\tare\tcritical\tto\tour\tresearch.\tWe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tfind\tthem.\tDo\twhatever it\ttakes!\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry,\t sir,\t we\u2019ll\t get\t them\t back.\t We\t know\t where\t they\u2019re\t heading\t at least,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\thenchmen,\tattempting\tto\tcalm\thim. \u201cThey\t can\u2019t\t have\t any\t idea\t how\t important\t those\t girls\t are\t to\t our\t research,\u201d added\tthe\tdoctor. \u201cHurst\twill\tpay\tfor\tthis,\u201d\tswore\tthe\tman\tin\tblack.","Chapter\tTwenty-six It\t was\t Stella\u2019s\t idea\t to\t head\t to\t New\t Milton.\t They\t couldn\u2019t\t risk\t going\t back\t to Hurst\t that\t night.\t Chances\t were\t their\t pursuers\t would\t try\t to\t follow\t them,\t or worse,\t set\t an\t ambush.\t Now\t they\t all\t knew\t full\t well\t what\t \u201cbeing\t a\t prisoner\u201d really\t meant\t at\t the\t hospital,\t none\t of\t them\t wanted\t to\t see\t the\t place\t again.\t New Milton\t was\t as\t good\t a\t route\t as\t any.\t It\t was\t a\t longer\t way\t round,\t but\t the\t road through\tthe\tforest\twould\tbe\tdeserted\tand\tsafe. Stella\t sat\t in\t the\t back\t seat\t of\t the\t Land\t Rover\t Defender\t with\t Mila\u2019s\t head cradled\tin\ther\tlap.\tMila\twas\tinconsolable\tat\thaving\tleft\tSean\tbehind.\tEvery\tfew minutes\tshe\trepeated,\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tbelieve\the\u2019s\tgone.\u201d Stella\u2019s\t own\t relief\t at\t escaping\t the\t clutches\t of\t her\t captors\t had\t given\t way\t to what\t Riley\t said\t was\t post-traumatic\t shock.\t As\t a\t precautionary\t measure,\t Stella\u2019s mind\tseemed\tto\thave\tdisconnected\titself\tfrom\tthe\tvivid\tmemories\tof\ther\tordeal. In\ta\tsemi-catatonic\tstate\tshe\tmechanically\tstroked\tMila\u2019s\thair,\tstaring\tunblinking out\t of\t the\t passenger\t window.\t She\t gave\t no\t indication\t that\t she\t was\t listening\t as they\t replayed\t every\t moment\t of\t their\t escape\t and\t debated\t their\t options\t for\t the night.\tStaying\tout\tin\tthe\topen\twas\thigh-risk.\tThey\tcould\tbreak\tinto\ta\tfarmhouse off\t the\t main\t road\t and\t hope\t it\t was\t unoccupied,\t or\t drive\t through\t the\t night\t on unfamiliar\troads\tto\tmake\tit\tback\tfor\tdawn. \u201cChewton\tGlen.\u201d\tStella\u2019s\tvoice\tstartled\tthem\tand\tthey\tall\tlooked\tround. \u201cDo\tyou\tmean\tthe\tChewton\tGlen?\u201d\tasked\tRiley.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tbig\tcountry\thotel\tnot far\tfrom\there.\tIs\tthat\tthe\tone\tyou\twere\tstaying\tat\tbefore\tyou\twere\tcaught?\u201d Stella\t nodded,\t avoiding\t eye\t contact,\t preferring\t to\t look\t out\t the\t window\t into the\t forest.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t good\t people.\t They\t know\t me.\t We\u2019ll\t be\t safe\t there.\t They\u2019ll take\tus\tall.\u201d Zed\tlooked\tat\tRiley\tand\tJoe\twho\tboth\tnodded.\tNo\tone\thad\ta\tbetter\tplan. \u201cWorks\tfor\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tJoe. Zed\t drove\t in\t silence,\t hunched\t over\t the\t wheel\t trying\t to\t see\t where\t he\t was going\t in\t near\t darkness.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t risk\t headlights,\t but\t a\t crescent\t moon\t cast\t a pale\t light\t where\t it\t pierced\t the\t tree\t canopy.\t The\t Land\t Rover\t bumped\t along\t at\t a slow\tcrawl,\theading\taway\tfrom\tLymington.\tHe\tfound\this\teyes\tadjusted\tquickly and\tif\the\ttook\tit\treally\tslow\tthen\tdriving\tin\tthe\tdark\twas\tjust\tabout\tmanageable. In\ta\tcouple\tof\tplaces\tthe\troad\tsurface\thad\tbeen\twashed\taway\tor\tbadly\tbroken\tup","by\t tree\t roots.\tSeveral\t fallen\ttrees\tblocked\ttheir\troute,\tbut\t they\t were\table\t to\t go round\t them\t where\t the\t forest\t floor\t was\t dry\t and\t firm.\t In\t a\t few\t more\t years,\t this whole\t heavily\t wooded\t section\t might\t be\t completely\t impassable.\t Littered\t with fallen\tbranches\tand\tstorm\tdebris,\tit\talready\tlooked\tmore\tlike\ta\tfarm\ttrack\tthan\ta major\thighway. It\t was\t past\t midnight\t and\t while\t the\t rest\t of\t them\t dozed\t in\t the\t back,\t Zed\t and Riley\ttook\tit\tin\tturns\tto\tdrive.\tTravelling\tat\twalking\tpace,\tit\ttook\tthem\tmore\tthan an\thour\tto\treach\tthe\toutskirts\tof\tNew\tMilton.\tThey\tskirted\tthe\tmain\ttown\tcentre, sticking\t to\t smaller\t country\t lanes,\t completely\t deserted\t as\t they\t had\t hoped. Approaching\t New\t Milton\t from\t the\t west,\t Zed\t stopped\t the\t car\t in\t the\t middle\t of the\t road\t by\t a\t small\t bridge\t over\t a\t brook\t and\t switched\t off\t the\t engine.\t In\t the silence,\tthey\tcould\thear\tthe\tsounds\tof\tthe\tstream\tand\ta\tlight\tbreeze\tthat\tmade\tthe tall\t trees\t to\t their\t right\t sway\t gently.\t They\t were\t not\t far\t from\t the\t entrance\t to\t the hotel,\tand\tZed\tput\this\thand\ton\tStella\u2019s\tshoulder\tto\twake\ther.\tShe\tstartled,\tcrying out\tin\talarm\tbefore\tremembering\twhere\tshe\twas. \u201cAre\twe\tthere\talready?\u201d\tStella\tlooked\taround\ther\tin\tthe\tdarkness,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t see\tanything\tshe\trecognised. \u201cThe\tChristchurch\tRoad\tentrance\tis\tjust\tup\there\ton\tthe\tleft,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tpointing up\tthe\troadway. \u201cHow\t do\t you\t want\t to\t play\t this,\t Stella?\t We\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t go\t surprising anyone.\u201d \u201cJust\tturn\tyour\tlights\ton\tand\tapproach\tthe\tgate\tso\tthey\tknow\tyou\u2019re\tcoming,\u201d said\tStella\tnaively\tas\tif\tit\twas\tthe\tmost\tnormal\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld. \u201cSure,\tthat\tmight\twork,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley\tsarcastically. Stella\t stared\t back\t at\t her,\t puzzled.\t \u201cWhy\t wouldn\u2019t\t it?\t Isn\u2019t\t that\t what\t normal people\tdo?\u201d Riley\tshrugged\tand\tnodded\tat\tZed. \u201cOkay,\tyou\tknow\tthese\tpeople.\tLet\u2019s\tdo\tit\tyour\tway\tand\tsee\twhat\thappens.\u201d Zed\t sounded\t exhausted.\t He\u2019d\t lost\t a\t lot\t of\t blood\t and\t was\t struggling\t to\t stay awake.\t The\t thought\t of\t a\t good\t meal\t and\t a\t bed\t for\t the\t night\t sounded\t worth\t the risk.\t \u201cBut\t if\t this\t doesn\u2019t\t work,\t let\u2019s\t make\t sure\t we\u2019re\t ready\t to\t return\t fire\t and hightail\tit\tout\tof\there,\tyeah?\u201d \u201cThese\t are\t my\t friends,\u201d\t reassured\t Stella,\t who\t seemed\t to\t have\t perked\t up\t a bit,\tso\tclose\tto\thome. Zed\t powered\t up\t the\t spotlights\t mounted\t on\t the\t roof\t of\t the\t Land\t Rover\t to ensure\teven\ta\thalf-blind\tperson\twould\tsee\tthem\tcoming.\tHe\trevved\tthe\tengine\ta couple\t of\t times,\t its\t diesel\t notes\t straining\t and\t insistent,\t just\t to\t make\t sure\t they could\thear\tthem\ttoo.\tStella\tleaned\tforward\tin\ther\tseat,\trecognising\tthe\thigh\tbrick wall\tthat\tsurrounded\tthe\tstately\tgrounds\tto\ther\tformer\thome.","A\tlarge\tgrey\tdelivery\ttruck\twas\tparked\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tmain\tgates,\tcompletely blocking\t the\t way\t in.\t Zed\t left\t the\t engine\t running\t and\t half\t opened\t his\t door peering\tout\tto\tsee\tif\tthere\twas\tanyone\taround.\tThe\tentrance\tlooked\tdisused\tand he\t was\t about\t to\t suggest\t they\t try\t the\t other\t entrance\t when\t he\t got\t the\t distinct impression\t they\t were\t being\t watched.\t A\t powerful\t searchlight\t clicked\t on,\t nearly blinding\t everyone\t in\t the\t Land\t Rover.\t The\t passengers\t sat\t shielding\t their\t eyes with\ttheir\thands. A\tfemale\tvoice\ton\ta\tmegaphone\tcleared\ther\tthroat\tand\tinstructed\tthem\tto\tget out\t of\t the\t car.\t The\t four\t doors\t opened\t wide,\t and\t very\t slowly\t Zed\t and\t Riley stepped\t away\t from\t the\t protection\t offered\t by\t the\t door.\t They\t squinted\t into\t the light,\t hands\t above\t their\t heads,\t trying\t to\t make\t out\t the\t silhouette\t of\t a\t person\t on top\tof\tthe\ttruck. The\t rear\t passenger\t door\t opened\t and\t Stella\t jumped\t out\t with\t a\t big\t smile spreading\tacross\ther\tface. \u201cIs\tthat\tyou,\tStella?\tYou\thave\tgot\tto\tbe\tkidding,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tsurprised\tvoice\ton the\tmegaphone. Stella\tcould\tbarely\tcontain\ther\texcitement,\thopping\tfrom\tfoot\tto\tfoot. \u201cYou\tmade\tit\tback.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tit.\tWe\tthought\tyou\twere\tdead.\tWait,\twhere are\tthe\tothers?\tAre\tTabs\tand\tMartha\twith\tyou\ttoo?\u201d Stella\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t still\t at\t the\t hospital.\t They\t captured\t us\t a couple\t of\t weeks\t back.\t Four\t guys\t jumped\t us.\t These\t guys\t got\t me\t out\t and\t we came\tstraight\there.\u201d The\tsearchlight\tpowered\t down\tand\t for\ta\tmoment\tthe\tentrance\tplunged\tinto semi-darkness\t again\t before\t some\t lower\t level\t sodium\t flood\t lights\t flickered\t on, bathing\t the\t group\t in\t a\t soft\t orange\t glow.\t The\t woman\t disappeared\t from\t view\t as she\tclimbed\tdown\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\ttruck,\tsqueezed\tthrough\ta\tsmall\tgap\tbetween the\twall\tand\tthe\tbumper\tand\tstrode\tover\tto\tStella.\tStanding\ta\tfew\tfeet\tapart\tshe looked\ther\tup\tand\tdown\tbefore\tthrowing\ther\tarms\tround\ther.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tso\tgood\tto\tsee you.\t Welcome\t back,\t girl.\u201d\t She\t slapped\t her\t a\t few\t times\t on\t the\t back\t for\t good measure.\tThey\tdid\ta\tlittle\tdance\ttogether,\tjumping\tup\tand\tdown,\tclutching\teach other. \u201cThanks,\tMary.\tThese\tare\tmy\tfriends.\tJoe,\tZed,\tRiley,\tMila\tand\tthe\tlittle\tone there\tis\tAdele.\tThey\trescued\tme.\tI\tpromised\tthem\tshelter\tfor\tthe\tnight.\u201d Mary\tstrode\tover\tto\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tgroup\tand\tshook\teach\tof\ttheir\thands.\tThe warmth\t of\t her\t welcome\t cooled\t somewhat\t when\t it\t came\t to\t Zed\t and\t Joe.\t She looked\t them\t up\t and\t down\t and\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cThe\t boss\t ain\u2019t\t gonna\t like\t you being\there.\tLet\u2019s\tleave\tthat\ttill\tthe\tmorning.\tAny\tfriend\tof\tStella\u2019s\tis\ta\tfriend\tof mine.\u201d She\tfished\tthe\tkeys\tto\tthe\ttruck\tout\tof\ther\tbreast\tpocket\tand\tclimbed\tinto\tthe","cab\tto\tmove\tit\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\tWinding\tdown\tthe\twindow,\tshe\tshouted\tover\tthe noise\tof\tthe\tengine\tstarting\tup.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\tby\tthe\tmain\tentrance.\u201d The\ttruck\trolled\ta\tfew\tyards\tback,\tjust\twide\tenough\tto\tallow\tthe\tLand\tRover through.\t Mary\t leaned\t out\t of\t the\t window\t and\t waved\t them\t through.\t Zed\t headed up\tthe\tlong\tgravel\tdrive\ttowards\tthe\tmain\thotel\tbuilding\tin\tfront\tof\tthem. Two\tfigures\tstood\twarming\ttheir\thands\tin\tthe\tcold\tnight\tair,\trifles\tslung\tover their\tshoulders.\tOne\twore\ta\tlong\twinter\tcoat\tand\ta\tbeanie\that,\twith\tleggings\tand trainers.\t The\t other\t had\t a\t Russian-style\t fur\t hat\t with\t flaps\t covering\t her\t ears.\t It was\tnearing\tthe\tend\tof\ttheir\tshift\tand\tthey\tboth\tlooked\tchilled\tto\tthe\tbone.\tIt\twas still\t very\t early.\t They\t paced\t around,\t stamping\t their\t feet,\t waiting\t for\t the\t Hurst group\tto\tunload\ttheir\trucksacks. \u201cLet\u2019s\tget\tyou\tinside\tbefore\twe\tall\tfreeze\tto\tdeath,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tgirl\tin\tthe\tfur\that. \u201cEmily\twill\tfind\tyou\ta\tplace\tto\tsleep\tfor\ttonight.\u201d\tShe\tlooked\tback\tat\tZed\twith mild\t surprise,\t like\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t a\t man\t in\t a\t long\t time.\t \u201cYou\u2019ll\t need\t to surrender\tthose\tweapons.\u201d Inside\t they\t stood\t next\t to\t the\t reception\t desk\t lit\t by\t a\t large\t kerosene\t lamp, waiting\tto\tbe\tpatted\tdown.\tWhen\tit\twas\tRiley\u2019s\tturn,\tthe\tsheer\tvolume\tof\tknives secreted\t about\t her\t person\t raised\t eyebrows.\t For\t the\t first\t time\t in\t as\t long\t as\t she could\t remember\t she\t felt\t naked\t without\t a\t weapon,\t other\t than\t a\t small\t blade hidden\tbehind\ther\tbelt\tbuckle. Stella\t led\tthe\tgroup\tthrough\tthe\thotel,\tholding\t high\ta\tTilley\tlantern\tto\t light their\t way\t to\t an\t extravagantly\t furnished\t drawing\t room\t hung\t with\t gilded\t framed paintings\t showing\t Victorian\t watercolour\t scenes.\t Zed\t collapsed\t on\t the\t nearest leather\t sofa\tand\tswung\this\tlegs\tup,\tnot\teven\tbothering\t to\tunlace\this\tboots.\tHe was\tdead\ton\this\tfeet. Stella\t handed\t Riley\t the\t lantern\t together\t with\t a\t pile\t of\t folded\t grey\t blankets. \u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tall\tin\tthe\tmorning\tfor\tbreakfast.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tnot\tstaying\twith\tus?\u201d\tasked\tAdele. \u201cNot\t tonight.\t I\u2019ve\t got\t a\t lot\t of\t catching\t up\t to\t do.\t You\u2019ll\t be\t fine\t here.\t Sleep well,\u201d\tsaid\tStella,\tbefore\tturning\tto\tleave,\tlocking\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther. Riley\t shrugged.\t Perhaps\t it\t was\t just\t a\t precaution\t to\t stop\t them\t roaming\t the hotel\t in\t the\t night.\t She\t draped\t a\t blanket\t over\t Zed\t who\t was\t already\t snoring,\t his mouth\t open,\t and\t bedded\t down\t for\t the\t night\t in\t an\t armchair.\t She\t pulled\t the blanket\tup\taround\ther\tchin\tand\twas\tasleep\twithin\tseconds.","Chapter\tTwenty-seven Riley\twas\tthe\tfirst\tawake.\tShe\twatched\tthe\tothers\tsleeping,\tenjoying\tthe\tsilence and\tthe\tsunshine\tstreaming\tthrough\tthe\twindow.\tMila\tlooked\tso\tpeaceful,\tcurled up\t in\t a\t ball\t in\t the\t corner.\t Riley\u2019s\t attention\t flicked\t back\t to\t Zed,\t his\t forehead damp\t with\t perspiration.\t With\t a\t sharp\t intake\t of\t breath,\t Adele\t sat\t up,\t her\t eyes wild. \u201cBad\tdream?\u201d\tasked\tRiley. \u201cEvery\tnight,\tI\thave\tthe\tsame\tdream,\u201d\treplied\tAdele,\tblushing\tas\tif\tthis\twas an\tadmission\tof\tweakness.\t\u201cI\talways\twake\tup\tjust\tas\tI\u2019m\tabout\tto\tfind\tout\twhat happens.\u201d \u201cHow\tfrustrating.\tWhat\u2019s\tthe\tdream\tabout?\u201d \u201cIn\tmy\tdream\tI\tcan\tfly,\tsoaring\tabove\ta\tcity,\treaching\tout\tto\ttouch\tthe\tclouds. I\t swoop\t down\t just\t above\t the\t rooftops,\t skimming\t the\t grass,\t dancing\t in\t the\t air. Then\t all\t these\t people\t start\t coming\t out\t of\t the\t houses.\t Families\t and\t children pointing\t up\t at\t me,\t laughing.\t It\u2019s\t like\t all\t their\t prayers\t have\t been\t answered.\t But then\t this\t fire\t starts\t burning\t me\t up\t from\t inside\t and\t I\u2019m\t being\t pulled\t towards\t a black\thole\tin\tthe\tsky.\tI\thave\tno\tway\tof\tstopping\tit.\u201d\tThere\twas\ta\tpained\tlook\ton Adele\u2019s\t face\t as\t if\t she\t was\t still\t troubled\t by\t the\t vivid\t images\t intruding\t into\t her waking\tthoughts.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tit\tmeans?\u201d \u201cDreams\t are\t funny\t things.\u201d\t Riley\t shrugged.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t your\t subconscious mind\t making\t sense\t of\t what\u2019s\t been\t going\t on,\t replaying\t images,\t sounds,\t things that\t troubled\t you.\t Remember,\t you\u2019ve\t seen\t a\t lot\t of\t weird\t stuff\t for\t someone\t so young.\t Your\t time\t in\t the\t hospital,\t the\t drugs\t they\t were\t giving\t you,\t maybe\t even what\t happened\t to\t your\t family\t during\t the\t outbreak.\t Heck,\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t worry\t too much\tabout\tit.\tWe\tall\thave\tbad\tdreams\tfrom\ttime\tto\ttime.\u201d There\t was\t a\t momentary\t look\t of\t alarm\t as\t Adele\t hunted\t for\t something\t that was\tno\tlonger\tin\ther\tpocket.\tSearching\taround\ther\tin\tthe\tfolds\tof\tthe\tblanket,\tshe found\ta\ttreasured\tmemento\tof\thome\tand\tfamily.\tShe\tclutched\tthe\tkey\tring\tin\tthe shape\tof\ta\trabbit\u2019s\tfoot\tto\ther\tbreast,\tclosing\ther\teyes\tand\tmouthing\ta\tfew\twords in\t gratitude,\t before\t inserting\t it\t deep\t into\t a\t jean\t pocket\t for\t safe\t keeping.\t Riley looked\tover\tat\tZed\twho\twas\tstill\tdead\tto\tthe\tworld,\tbut\tthe\tothers\twere\tstirring, yawning\tand\tstretching,\ttaking\tin\ttheir\tunfamiliar\tsurroundings. Looking\t outside,\t a\t flower\t bed\t ran\t directly\t beneath\t the\t window.\t Pink\t roses","brushed\t against\t the\t lower\t half\t of\t the\t glass.\t There\t was\t a\t red\t dawn,\t scattered clouds\t hurrying\t across\t the\t horizon.\t Was\t red\t sky\t a\t good\t or\t bad\t omen?\t Riley could\tnever\tremember. There\t was\t a\t quick-fire\t rap\t at\t the\t door.\t Adele\t was\t there\t first.\t She\t rattled\t the round\t brass\t handle\t but\t found\t it\t locked.\t Stella\u2019s\t voice\t from\t the\t outside\t sounded flustered\t and\t told\t them\t to\t stay\t put\t while\t she\t ran\t back\t to\t grab\t the\t key\t from reception.\t The\t white\t panelled\t door\t swung\t inwards\t to\t reveal\t Stella\t standing there,\t smiling.\t She\t picked\t Adele\t up\t off\t the\t floor\t and\t hugged\t her\t tightly\t while apologising\t to\t the\t group\t for\t locking\t them\t in\t overnight.\t The\t sisters\t who\t ran\t the place\twere\tvery\tparticular\tabout\ttheir\trules,\tshe\texplained. Stella\tshowed\tthem\tto\ta\tlarge\tbathroom\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor\twhere\tthere\twas a\t chemical\t toilet,\t buckets\t of\t fresh\t water\t from\t the\t stream\t and\t towels\t that\t were clean\tif\tnot\texactly\tfluffy\tby\thotel\tstandards.\tThe\tHurst\tgroup\ttook\tit\tin\tturns\tto wash,\trelaxed\tin\teach\tother\u2019s\tcompany.\tJoe\taverted\this\tgaze\tas\tMila\tstripped\tto her\t underwear.\t Riley\t unwrapped\t a\t bar\t of\t lavender\t soap,\t releasing\t the\t sweet smell\t from\t its\t waxy\t cover,\t stopping\t to\t inhale\t the\t fragrance.\t It\t had\t been\t some time\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tsmelled\tanything\tso\tdelicious. When\tthey\tall\thad\tfinished\tscrubbing\ttheir\thands\tand\tfaces,\tRiley\tdressed\tin the\tsame\tclothes,\tstiff\tand\tscratchy\tagainst\ther\tskin.\tThey\ttrooped\tback\tout\tinto the\t hallway\t where\t Stella\t was\t waiting\t to\t take\t them\t to\t the\t main\t dining\t room. There,\tthey\tfound\talmost\ta\thundred\tpeople\teating\ttheir\tbreakfast,\ttightly\tpacked together\tat\ttables\tset\tfor\tfour\tor\teight\tdiners.\tSomething\tseemed\todd\tto\tRiley\tas they\tsqueezed\tbetween\tchairs.\tAll\tthe\teyes\tin\tthe\troom\tfollowed\ttheir\tprogress. The\t room\t fell\t quickly\t silent.\t One\t person\t dropped\t a\t knife\t clattering\t onto\t the floor,\t but\t didn\u2019t\t reach\t to\t pick\t it\t up,\t a\t look\t of\t surprise\t frozen\t on\t her\t face.\t They seemed\t to\t be\t staring\t at\t Zed\t and\t Joe\t in\t particular.\t Riley\t was\t puzzled.\t Had\t they not\tseen\tstrangers\tbefore? Stella\t knocked\t at\t a\t door\t with\t a\t frosted\t glass\t panel\t that\t led\t into\t a\t private dining\t room.\t Warm\t sunlight\t bathed\t this\t end\t of\t the\t hall\t which\t looked\t out\t over orderly,\twell-maintained\tflower\tbeds\tbordering\tfreshly\tmowed\tlawns. On\t the\t opposite\t side\t of\t the\t table\t facing\t the\t door\t they\t found\t the\t Mother Superior\tStella\thad\twarned\tthem\tabout.\tThe\tdescription\twas\tspot\ton.\tShe\twas\ta formidable\t woman\t with\t a\t handsome\t face,\t that\t some\t might\t say\t was\t a\t little\t too masculine,\t long\t and\t angular.\t The\t sister\t reminded\t Riley\t of\t Princess\t Anne.\t At either\t side\t sat\t two\t nuns,\t studying\t each\t of\t them\t carefully.\t Sister\t Theodora\t was conservatively\tdressed\tin\ta\tspotless\tblack\thabit\tand\twhite\twimple.\tShe\theld\ther head\t high,\t peering\t through\t glasses\t perched\t on\t the\t end\t of\t her\t nose.\t Her\t thin, almost\tcolourless,\tlips\twere\texpressionless\tas\tshe\twaited\tfor\tthe\tgroup\tto\tsettle. Riley\tnoticed\tclear\tintelligent\tblue\teyes\tthat\twould\tonce\thave\tbeen\tstriking.\tShe"]
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