"Okay... well... I've had a theory about stuff and people lately... when Shirley and Charlie turned up I wanted to get rid of them. I didn't want anyone else joining our group. When that incident happened last night... I kind of knew that it was starting." He explained.
"What's starting Tim."
"When Aiden told me that he had once known Shirley and that she had been bullied by his friends... well... it was a problem for me. You see my theory is that people... not all people now, but some, will have started to get selfishly mad. Most will want what we have... they will either kill, injure you or steal to get what they want." He stated.
"I see your point... but I'm sure Shirley isn't like that." I said with conviction.
"Maybe not... but it's a risk having her here. She will have a grudge against Aiden when she wakes up. I am sure of it. Especially, when she discovers Charlie is dead. Can't you see this Lydia?" He asked me.
"I understand what you're saying Tim, but we can work it all out. It will be okay. We can do this... I'm sure of it. Aiden will talk to her when we are there with him and we will try to help her see that it was all an accident." I said trying to convince him.
"It won't work... I know it in my heart... she's a strong lady who will fight back... and... it was Aiden who she tried to attack... not Charlie... it's no use in trying to convince me Lydia... we have to be strong now and fight for our space here and everything we have accomplished, because... it's going to get tougher in this world. Killing the biters is not the only thing we may have to kill in the future." Tim said as he sighed.
"Kill? Kill what else Tim?" I asked furiously.
"We may have to kill other people... strangers Lydia... thieves... murderers... who knows..." Tim replied.
"We are not killing Shirley! That's what this is about... isn't it?" I screamed.
"It has to be done... she will lead us to a terrible destruction... don't forget there are kids here and a baby now." Tim said in a loud voice.
I knew what he meant, but I just didn't want to believe that Shirley would go against us all. She seemed like a genuine sort of person from what I had gathered so far. She wasn't a thief or a killer!
We sat there in silence for half an hour until there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." I said.
It was Joe looking serious and slightly out of breath.
"What's up Joe?" I asked with concern.
"Shirley's awake! She's causing havoc and going crazy with Aiden... you better come quick!" Joe shouted.
It had started. Tim looked at me and nodded. It was his way of saying that he had been right all along. I knew it had been tried twice already at the beginning; once when someone tried to attack me outside Tim's sister's house and then, when those thugs had sprung on us wanting our caravan, and then at the castle.
Was this the end of civilisation? Did we have to worry about how strangers were going to react if they approached or came across us? Would they murder us or steal from us? Is humanity lost now and forever?
I shuddered as horrific thoughts went through my mind. I shook my shoulders, trying to get rid of them, as we both rushed out of the bedroom door.
31. Tim Sparks - Madness
Lydia and I stepped into the room to see Shirley being helped by Doctor Jenny and Janice. They were fixing her pillows as she sighed trying to sit up.
I saw her glance at me for a second. I noticed a spark of something in her expression, but I couldn't be sure what it meant. I looked around and saw Aiden wasn't in the room. It was just as well he wasn't here.
"Shirley..." I said acknowledging her. "How are you feeling?" It took her a few minutes to answer.
"I'm okay... but where is Charlie? I want to see him." I didn't know what I was going to say to her.
I stared at Lydia, hoping she would step in, but then I realised that she might say too much. I looked over at Doctor Jenny. I wanted to speak to her first before I said anything to Jenny.
"Shirley... I have to speak to the doc here and then we will talk." I noticed how Shirley's face turned bright red. Was that anger?
Jenny, Lydia and I went outside. I breathed in deeply hoping things would be okay. I wasn't expecting things to go well.
"So doc how is she doing? Are there any concerns?" I asked.
"No... only that she is starting to remember stuff but she's still a bit tired and slightly jittery. She had a seizure. I'm not sure why, but I do suspect that she might have suffered mentally in the past considering what I now know from Aiden." Jenny replied as she tried to smile.
"Jittery? Mentally? What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"Well... like she's nervous and well... I heard that she was bullied in the past and I get the feeling she doesn't trust me or this place you know... really... I'm not that sure of anything, but she is doing good now, except that she has lost her husband." Jenny said wearily.
"Yeah... well... I hope you haven't mentioned anything about Charlie, because I think I should tell her and a few of us should be ready to take her down if the need arises, so Jenny... go get your husband, Aiden, Joe and Nick to stand outside this room now."
Jenny nodded and went on her way. Lydia abruptly turned to me, touching my arm.
"Tim... what
