“I can’t believe this place. It’s paradise.”
Damien chuckled. “Let’s see what you think when it’s your turn to empty the latrines.”
Maddy got out of the van. Hundreds of strangers came to greet her.
6
The cottage had been near the road, obscured by thick privet hedges and overgrown bushes, a small place that looked to have been abandoned long before the end of the world. The timber frames were rotten but still intact. The thatched roof was patchy but more or less whole. Mass and his companions had staggered inside almost a week ago, leaving behind a trail of blood.
Mass had collapsed onto the dusty wooden floor, causing Addy and Tox to drag him into an old rocking chair in the corner. The gentle rocking had made him nauseous, but it was better than the floor. “I-I’m hurt bad,” he had said.
Tox was hurting too, but his concern was all for Mass. “We need to stop this bleeding. Damn it!”
Addy started searching the cottage, shoving aside the women who had returned to their frightened inactivity. The only one still alert was Maria, and she went to Mass and started examining his wounds. “I’m a nurse.”
Mass chuckled. “Must be my lucky day.”
“Your shoulder is a mess. I think the arteries are still intact, but there’s significant damage to the smaller blood vessels. We need to get this wound closed before you pass out and die.”
“Yeah, we should definitely do that.”
Addy returned from her search, swearing. “There’s nothing here. The place is empty.”
Tox limped towards the door. “I’ll head out and find supplies.”
Mass put a hand up. “No, you’re hurt too. We need to rest.”
“If we do nothing,” said Maria, “you might die.”
Mass studied her. She had tanned skin and dark hair. “Only might?”
“I’m a nurse, not a doctor. There’s no excess blood, which is a good sign, but the damage is bad and you could still bleed out slowly. Then there’s the massive risk of infection. We need alcohol, a sewing kit, anything we can use to sterilise and close your wounds.”
“I’m heading out,” said Tox, opening the door.
Mass continued arguing. “I can’t have you risking yourself for me.”
“That’s the job description, boss. We risk our arses for the good of others. I won’t let a bad day at the office affect me. I may be hurt, but I’m not dying. I’ll hit the nearest village and raid the pharmacy. Failing that, I’ll find the nearest pub or restaurant and grab some whiskey and a first aid kit. I’ll be back before you know it. Piece of piss.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Smithy. “Just in case you need a hand.”
Tox shrugged. “I don’t plan on being long.”
“I don’t like being cooped up. I’d prefer the fresh air.”
Mass sighed and waved a hand to give permission. “Don’t go far, you two. It’s not worth the risk.”
Tox and Smithy closed the door behind them and left.
That had been a week ago.
Tox and Smithy hadn’t returned. Mass was now too weak to move. The people in the cottage were hungry, exhausted, and injured. The only reason they had survived the week was because the cottage had a blessedly full hot water cylinder, and its garden was littered with spoiling-yet-edible apples and plums that had fallen from a pair of trees. The women had cleared up a little and made the place a home, but the only one left with any fighting ability was Addy. If demons found them, they would have no chance of survival. That Tox and Smithy hadn’t returned suggested the enemy was nearby. They had waited too long for their return. If they had left after a couple of days, Mass might’ve had the strength to travel, but now…
“I have to get the women out of here,” said Addy. She’d been saying the same thing for the last two days. Despite Mass telling her to leave, she hadn’t.
“You need to leave today, Addy. No more waiting on me. I’m not going to get any better.”
“You just need to rest a little longer.”
“Addy! I’m done, and if you wait for me to die, you’ll just increase your chances of joining me. Leave now. That’s an order.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “An order?”
“Inside this cottage, I’m still team leader. I’m the one with the biggest bollocks.”
“Yeah, you look very manly slumped in grandma’s rocking chair.”
He managed a smile and thought it would probably be his last. “I went down fighting, Addy. I’m okay with that. We’ve lost a lot of guys, but the Urban Vampires are alive and kicking so long as you’re okay. Go, Addy, seriously. When you get back to Portsmouth, you and Cullen can fight over who’s in charge.”
“But—”
“Go! Get out of here before I throw you out. My runtime’s over and I want to be alone. End of movie.”
Addy opened her mouth to argue but turned away. She shouted at the women to get moving, then yanked open the front door without turning back. She was finally leaving him to die. Mass was relieved, even when he caught the glint of tears in Addy’s eyes. Walking through the door was a goodbye that neither of them wanted. All the same, she opened the door wide.
A stranger stood on the doorstep.
Addy only had her knife, but she produced it in no time at all, slipping it out of her belt and placing it under the stranger’s throat. The stranger didn’t flinch. In fact, the peculiar man stepped inside the cottage without the slightest concern. “I do not seek to do you people harm. Weapons are unnecessary.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” said Addy.
“Addy! Put down the knife.” Tox limped inside the cottage. Smithy was with him, helping him along. “This is Rick. He saved us.”
“Dude’s a bit weird,” said Smithy, grinning, “but he’s a good egg. It’s good to see
