Short one tonight I'm afraid.. enjoy..
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As the truck pulled away Driver and Dan stood waving .Under his breath and without breaking his smile Driver said to Dan "So go on then what's eating you? ".
"When I was up the tree and Emma was running from that big fucking dog I took the shot, which by the way was a fucking awesome shot , And out of the corner of my eye I saw something move so I swung the scope round and saw something" Dan said.
"Are you going to keep me in suspense all fucking night or are you going to tell me..?" Driver said starting to get a little annoyed.
"Well that's the thing, "He said "I don't know if you would believe me"
"You tell me it was a zombie in a bowler hat and I'm taking you back to the walls myself "Driver said half laughing.
"It was far scarier than that , it was a girl. a young girl with blonde hair and a dress covered in flowers."Dan said confused.
"We need to get you back to the walls so you can find a woman mate." Driver said now laughing out loud.
"Fucking hell Driver I know what I saw!!!" Said Dan annoyed at Drivers disbelief
"OK OK I believe you . I was just messing with you. If you say you saw her then you saw her. but after you fired any chance of sneaking up on them is gone. so what do we do?" said Driver.
"We could just walk in " Said Dan.
"You mean I could just walk in" Said Driver
"You know what I mean"Said Dan smiling.
Driver thought for a moment then said "OK, lets do this"
The two men opened the back of the truck and took out two large bags containing gilly suits, they added some of the plants and grasses living in the area and then sat and waited for dark before heading off into the trees. Two hours later they were at the buildings they had been at earlier it had taken them longer on foot but the risk of being heard was not worth taking.
With a bit of luck who ever the girl was with would have heard the truck leaving and relaxed a little, Or they would be armed to the teeth and tence as fuck waiting to be attacked. Driver thought as they reached the car parts shop Driver leaned into Dan and whispered "From here on in you stay fifty yards behind me , we go on foot until we signs of life then we go belly down.
,Where did you see her?"
Dan pointed and whispered" Half mile down that way they she took off to the right. "
"Then we go right now and head down later" Driver replied and the two men headed for the trees.
It was a full moon and the wind was whispering through the trees, the angle of the moon sent a pale glow through to the forest floor where they were just able to make out game trails running through the woods. after an hour of moving slowly through the undergrowth Driver signaled to stop. Dan who was as instructed hanging back stopped and took a knee to survey the area. Driver signaled contact directly ahead and stayed still as a deer walked across the trail sixty feet in front of him. He hated when that happened all that meat allowed to walk away , but he had other things on his mind. He stood for a few more minutes not wanting to spook the deer and when he was sure it was far enough away he signaled to move on. Twenty minutes later they turned to intercept the trail the girl must have taken and sure enough there was a trail running where Dan said she had bolted. Driver waved Dan up .
"Right I'm going to take the lead if the shit hits the fan head round in a loop to the truck I'll try to get round the other way so if they follow they will have to split. NO shooting unless your life is in danger I don't want to kill anyone, remember we are on their turf"
Dan nodded and Driver set off slow walking the route listening for anything that might give him a clue where the girl had gone. They had walked a half mile through the dimly lit forest keeping it to a crawl using the shadows for cover when Driver stopped again signeling Dan. He raised his hand with a pointed finger and then in an exaggerated way he brought the finger to his nose three times. This had become the universal way of signaling a smell, it was used a lot in the years after the dead had started walking. Tapping your nose worked well as a signal in the daylight but in near dark it had to be played up to make sure everyone in a group knew what you were trying to say. Driver had smelt something. Dan knew it wasn't walkers as
Driver would have come running past if it were.Being outside in the dark with the silent menace was even beyond Drivers bravery. Dan sent the OK sign acknowledging the smell signal and stayed put. Driver pointed off into the distance and hit the floor then slithered off into the bush. As he followed the smell of woodsmoke through the trees he made sure nothing was around by stopping every twenty feet to listen for threats. He had made it just over a hundred yards when he heard voices , lying silent he could hear three maybe for voices one male and the others female. he lay there for almost an hour before the voices stopped and the area went quiet. As he was turning to return to Dans position a mans voice shouted from the Dark.
"You can come out now. I know your here and I'm surprised it took you this long to find us." The Voice said.
Driver stayed still hoping the voice was bluffing and just trying his luck.
"I know your there , theres two of you about twenty yards apart . If you like I can send the dogs out to flush you from the bushes." the voice said calmly.
Driver lay in the undergrowth thinking , then finally he spoke. "I'm going to get up now , I'm armed but not intending any harm" With that Driver stood and removed his Gilly suit ,
A light came on fifty feet from where Driver stood it was hanging from the porch of a small wooden cabin , On the wooden decking under the porch sat a man maybe sixty five or so years old sat in a chair with a shotgun layed across his lap. "Come forward into the light I'm not planning on shooting anyone either" The man said.
"How did you know we were here ?" asked Driver.
"Your good but we have been watching you since your cattle truck left. we were behind you all the way" Said the Man smiling.
Driver was impressed though he tried not to show it. Whoever was behind them must have been a ghost in the trees for Driver or Dan not to spot or hear them .
"So what happens now " Driver asked.
"Now we talk" The man said "Come on over keep the movements slow and take a seat" He said waving towards the other chair a few feet away.
Driver walked slowly up the the steps leading up to the deck climbed them and took his seat. The man reached down and produced two tin cups and poured from a bottle Driver took the cup from him and took a drink without smelling hoping to show trust. it worked and the man smiled. The cup contained a very good scotch Driver smiled back it had been a while since he'd had anything but Spuds shine and it felt good.
"Glenfiddich?" Driver said.
"Close, Glenmorangie" The man replied. "At least I know your civilized" He added smiling.
"I'm sorry we came here, we were just out scavenging. if we stepped on your toes I apologize ,anything we took will be returned to you and we will mark this area out of bounds to the other teams" Driver said looking the man in the eyes. Driver was hoping to give the impression that they were civil and that there were a lot more of them by mentioning the teams.
"So theres a few of you then, I got that "The man said smiling" and as for what ever you took I don't need it I have everything I need right here "He said bringing his arm around in an arc towards the woods.
"So we are free to leave then "Said Driver
"I'm not holding you , you are free to leave anytime you like But it's been a while since I had someone new to talk to . I just thought you might stay for a chat" the man said almost looking disapointed.
"Would you mind if Dan joined us he's out there alone and will be thinking all sorts .He's a young hot head and I wouldn't want him to run in all guns blazing , you know what youngsters can be like "Driver said smiling that trust me smile again.
"I don't mind, though he's not actually alone out there" the man said, Driver believed him..
Driver shouted to Dan to come in slow. A few moments later Dan walked from the trees his rifle slung over his shoulder and his gilly under his arm. A few moments later a figure appeared from the bushes to the left of Dan wearing a similar gilly suit to theirs and sat on the end of the deck. Removing the hood was a girl maybe sixteen years old with long blonde hair . Dan smiled ,she returned a look of distrust.
"This is my grand daughter Charlotte she's been watching you most of the day" The man said.
"You have some skills young lady , you'll have to teach us how you do that" Driver said.
"Well we'll see how it goes shall we " Said the man " My Name is Alun, Al to my friends not that there are any left and I have a problem"
"Well Al, My name is Driver, and maybe we can help with your problem."
"Charlie why don't you take this young man inside and get him a drink and something to eat" Said Al .
The girl got up and walked to the door of the cabin, Driver nodded to Dan knowing the old man wanted to talk alone.
"You say there are others out there how many?" Asked Al.
"Last count a little over 1500, though it could be more."Driver replied not really knowing the true count.
"I'm guessing there are women" said Al... Driver nodded.
"And how are they treated.?"
"They are treated as equals" Driver said. "They have brains and can mostly do what the men can, to be honest bar sitting to pee they do most things better" he added laughing.
"I need you to prove it. "Al said flatly. with a stern look in his eyes.
"We have a young lady in our group who we can bring to meet you if you wish ,but you still haven't said what your problem is." Said Driver.
Al leaned forward and pulled the leg of his trousers up to reveal a Blackened bandage, from the smell that came off it Driver knew in was rotten the veins all the way up the leg were black Gangrene . Al looked Driver in the eye again and explained.
I was 32 years old when the walkers came , they swept through he country killing everything. The day it happened I was delivering canned food in a forty footer and had driven all night listening to the radio . When it got too much I turned the rig and headed for home , I got my daughter ,my wife and a few friends and we took refuge in an old slate quarry a few miles from here. To cut a long story short we did OK. we survived on the cans in the trailer and the odd sheep that wandered into the quarry,life was hard but OK. the years passed and my daughter hooked up with one of my neibours boys and gave me three grand daughters. Unfortunately one by one the rest have all died be it falling in the quarry ,old age or like my daughter in child birth . Last month my son inlaw and I were out hunting , we hit a dear with a bow and were really happy but as we were hauling it back we got surrounded by Dogs. we dropped the carcass and left but they came after us , must have been the blood on our clothes. They chased us down and attacked us. He died in he attack and I got bit. I know I have very little time left but I don't want to leave my grand daughters on their own. I don't know you but if you can prove they will be treated right I'll let them go with you . If not they will go with me He said patting the shot gun tears building in his eyes.
Driver downed his drink then stood. "I'll be back as soon as I can "He said stepping forward and extending his hand towards Al."You hang on"
"I won't stand if that's ok "He said as he shook Drivers hand.
Driver banged on the door to the cabin and shouted for Dan to get his things together, Dan came running from the cabin with a what the fuck is going on look on his face. Driver just waved his arm as he dissapeard into the trees , Dan nodded to Al sitting on the porch and went after Driver.
Driver double timed out of the trees onto the game path from the buildings they had found earlier with Dan hot on his heals .
"What's going on?" Dan asked.
"I'll explain when we're in the car" Driver said as he pumped his legs harder.
Driver reached the 4x4 first and as his ass hit the seat the engine was running and he was throwing it into gear. Dan opened the door and as he sat down Driver was off full throttle . He hit the switch on the dash that turned on all ten forward facing lights illuminating the path ahead.
"you better put your seat belt on because this is going to get very hairy "Driver shouted over the sound of the engine as it screamed through the darkness.
"Are you gonna tell me whats going on "Said Dan.
"He's going to kill the girls if we don't get Emma back there quick, He's scared they'll get raped or something and if we can't prove we are good people, thats why we need to get Emma"
"What do you mean girls I only saw one back there!" said Dan.
"No theres three" said Driver.
"We better get a move on then old man, stop driving like an old lady and give it some"Said Dan smiling.
Driver looked at Dan clipping the latch and link harness across his chest , Smiled and floored it. Dan had never seen Driver in full balls out mode and it scared him. His thumbs had turned out from the center of the steering wheel to let it slip as the terrain required, he held the steering wheel loose and with every bump and jump the steering whipped left and right then he would just ease it straight again letting the self centering dampers Marvel had fitted do the work while he just looked for the clearest route through the small trees and brambles that had overgrown the road. To Dan it felt like no time at all before they were barreling along the clear road and the ride smoothed out but got faster, In places where the clear road straightened out they were traveling at over a hundred miles an hour. Dan let out a whoop when they passed the magic ton. He's never been that fast and Driver was the master. They turned off the clear road and slid sidways onto the dirt road leading to forward control. Driver shouted at Dan to have the gate keys ready. As The car slid to a halt in a cloud of dust and stones Dan jumped out to open the gate , Driver didn't wait for him to get back in he just hit the loud peddle and was gone in a howl showering Dan with gravel and dirt. A few minutes later he was sliding sidways up to the building, the truck door opening before the car had stopped moving. He ran through the door of forward control shouting for Emma , scaring the bejesus out of Marvel who was sitting watching 'IT' and totally shit himself when Driver ran in, clowns scared Marvel.
"She's gone to bed with that fucking dog" Said Spud sticking his head out of his bedroom door.
"WATTS" Driver shouted as he ran to her door, opening it he found her spralled on the bed with the dog curled up against her face, He looked at her for a few seconds before shouting again "Watts, get up..."
Emma jumped as he shouted and fell off the bed the dog just looked around then went back to sleep.
"What's going on "Emma said. Getting to her feet and pulling her hair out of her face.
"Were there any dresses in that bag of clothes we left for you?" Driver said hurriedly.
"There were a couple , why you going out somewhere?" she replied smiling.
"Well get one on and glam yourself up quick."He said "Not too tarty , you need to look well looked after. "
"Nobody looks after me, I look after myself!" she said surprised at how Driver was acting. "What's going on!!"
Driver grabbed her by her shoulders and dropped his head to her level to look her in the eye. "We have maybe a few hours to save three young girls lives now get the dress on now and get your ass in the car!"
"Err OK" she said diving for the bag of clothes she'd put outside the door.
"And don't be a woman about this, You have five minutes not five fucking hours!!" he shouted winking at Marvel who was still shaking.
"OK OK I'm rushing .."she shouted as she slammed the door.
"Marvel get the guest bedroom ready for three" Driver barked.
"Three?" Spud said confused."And we don't have a guest room"
"Yeh three, Give them mine and tidy up" He added.
Just as Dan stuck his head through the door Emma stepped from her room wearing a knee length yellow summer dress with a tight bodice and flowing skirt covered in small pink flowers, she had put her hair up and put on a little lipstick .. and her new Boots..
"Who is that?" Dan said then wolf whistled . Emma flipped him the bird wrinkling up her nose.
"Marvel do we have any shoes here?" Driver shouted.
"Hang on theres a box somewhere" He replied diving into a pile of boxes stacked under the pallet shelves. "Found it" He said dragging the box out and carrying it over to Emma.
She dug through the box until she found a matching pair in her size. "These must have belonged to a tranny" she said laughing.
"Why's that" Asked Marvel.
"It's got Jimmy shoes inside. Oh no choos. Ha they spelt it wrong." she said putting them on . every eye in the room was on her, Then she tried to walk. "I'm gonna break my flipping neck wearing these. Can I leave my boots on?"
"You Look Stunning" Driver said admiring Her.
"Do I ? " They ALL nodded." I feel a plank" She said grinning.
"Right lets get going. Dan stay here incase they followed us and it's a set up. Marvel you come too and Spud Have a wash!" Driver said as he stepped out through the door.
Spud looked unhappy. "Why do I have to have a wash!" he said to Dan a little pissed.
"Because the three guests are female.." Said Dan smiling.
He had hardly finished the sentence when the door to the shower room closed behind Spud. Emma Laughed and followed Marvel out to the car with her new look and her combat shotgun across her chest.. Driver had the engine running and cane'd the motor as he drove back towards the clear road smiling as he noticed the gun she was wearing , and thinking it would add to her being treated well .He'd let her carry it... As They drove he explained about the girls and AL. And told Emma to act like a Lady.
"Fat chance of that" said Marvel.
"I have a gun" Emma said staring at him in the vanity mirror as she added a touch up to her lipstick.
