Read Online The Hurst Chronicles (Book 1): Hurst by Robin Crumby - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Robin Crumby
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suddenly aware of the warmth of Mila’s wrist resting on his thigh. Her hand was trembling ever so slightly. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. She looked deep into his eyes and whispered “I’m scared Sean.” He forced a smile to reassure her. “We’ve been in worse scrapes than this. We’ll be fine.”
Zed had driven the Mitsubishi round the corner, its back tyre deflated, bumping along on the rubber and rim. He was gone for a couple of minutes, long enough for Riley to look concerned watching the street the way he’d gone. She was just about to say something when he jogged back into view. He’d parked the Mitsubishi in a small residential cul-de-sack that ran parallel to the main road. It was well hidden in a carport attached to a semi-detached retirement bungalow. It would be safe there. At least for a while.
Zed climbed back into the driver seat. Looking over his shoulder, he checked everyone was ready and slowly pulled away. He stayed in first gear as they continued as quietly as possible on their journey. If his hunch was right they were no more than a mile at most from where they were heading. He was following the most likely trail of the other group. Before the outbreak and on any normal day, the one-mile journey would have taken them a few minutes. But things had been far from ‘normal’ for some time, thought Zed.
Road surfaces had degenerated quickly without anyone to repair them. From smaller potholes, vegetation spreading out from verges and walkways, weeds and tree roots pushing through the tarmac and whole sections collapsing, it was treacherous to the unwary to say the least. Another few years and some of these roads through the Forest that had existed in some form since Roman times would be completely overwhelmed, reclaimed by nature.
They were heading for the hospital on the other side of Lymington. Zed had heard talk of another group holed up there and thought he recognized one of the men who’d taken Will. He knew him by reputation only. A former policeman, given the imaginative nickname Copper by those who knew him locally. Supposedly one of the good guys. Or at least he used to be. Who knew what he had become.
Chapter Thirteen
Will woke up and blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes. His sleepy gaze fixed on a poster promoting safe sex with a picture of a young smiling couple holding hands. Above the couple and superimposed on a fluffy cloud was a list of clinical conditions and names for sexually transmitted diseases. Will recognized some of them but puzzled over others. Chlamydia? What the hell was that? His head was still pounding and the words danced a little, making his vision swim. He shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. A sharp pain made him reach up and touch the back of his scalp. His fingers came away damp with blood that was leaking from the crude gauze and tape, surrounded by matted hair crusted with dried sweat and blood. He tried to raise his other hand but it jerked back, handcuffed to the bedpost.
Memories of earlier events came flooding back into focus. The scavenging trip. Being discovered by the other group. How had they found them hiding? Of course, Will you idiot. The cigarette butt. Stupid school boy error, he thought to himself. He remembered the hood over his head. A short drive in a large diesel vehicle. Yes he was sure it was diesel from the sound of the throaty engine and the distinctive smell. They had taken him to a large building which he assumed was a hospital from the overpowering stink of disinfectant that masked something else he couldn’t place. The sound of boots on linoleum tiles and what little décor he could see under and through the hood confirmed his hunch. He closed his eyes and tried to remember. It was all a jumble. The interrogation. The man they called ‘Copper’ who slapped him hard when he failed to answer their incessant questions, one after the other in quick succession.
Zed had driven the Mitsubishi round the corner, its back tyre deflated, bumping along on the rubber and rim. He was gone for a couple of minutes, long enough for Riley to look concerned watching the street the way he’d gone. She was just about to say something when he jogged back into view. He’d parked the Mitsubishi in a small residential cul-de-sack that ran parallel to the main road. It was well hidden in a carport attached to a semi-detached retirement bungalow. It would be safe there. At least for a while.
Zed climbed back into the driver seat. Looking over his shoulder, he checked everyone was ready and slowly pulled away. He stayed in first gear as they continued as quietly as possible on their journey. If his hunch was right they were no more than a mile at most from where they were heading. He was following the most likely trail of the other group. Before the outbreak and on any normal day, the one-mile journey would have taken them a few minutes. But things had been far from ‘normal’ for some time, thought Zed.
Road surfaces had degenerated quickly without anyone to repair them. From smaller potholes, vegetation spreading out from verges and walkways, weeds and tree roots pushing through the tarmac and whole sections collapsing, it was treacherous to the unwary to say the least. Another few years and some of these roads through the Forest that had existed in some form since Roman times would be completely overwhelmed, reclaimed by nature.
They were heading for the hospital on the other side of Lymington. Zed had heard talk of another group holed up there and thought he recognized one of the men who’d taken Will. He knew him by reputation only. A former policeman, given the imaginative nickname Copper by those who knew him locally. Supposedly one of the good guys. Or at least he used to be. Who knew what he had become.
Chapter Thirteen
Will woke up and blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes. His sleepy gaze fixed on a poster promoting safe sex with a picture of a young smiling couple holding hands. Above the couple and superimposed on a fluffy cloud was a list of clinical conditions and names for sexually transmitted diseases. Will recognized some of them but puzzled over others. Chlamydia? What the hell was that? His head was still pounding and the words danced a little, making his vision swim. He shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. A sharp pain made him reach up and touch the back of his scalp. His fingers came away damp with blood that was leaking from the crude gauze and tape, surrounded by matted hair crusted with dried sweat and blood. He tried to raise his other hand but it jerked back, handcuffed to the bedpost.
Memories of earlier events came flooding back into focus. The scavenging trip. Being discovered by the other group. How had they found them hiding? Of course, Will you idiot. The cigarette butt. Stupid school boy error, he thought to himself. He remembered the hood over his head. A short drive in a large diesel vehicle. Yes he was sure it was diesel from the sound of the throaty engine and the distinctive smell. They had taken him to a large building which he assumed was a hospital from the overpowering stink of disinfectant that masked something else he couldn’t place. The sound of boots on linoleum tiles and what little décor he could see under and through the hood confirmed his hunch. He closed his eyes and tried to remember. It was all a jumble. The interrogation. The man they called ‘Copper’ who slapped him hard when he failed to answer their incessant questions, one after the other in quick succession.
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