As the lift doors open, we find another of the lads stationed outside, rifle at the ready. He knew we were coming. Dan had radioed ahead that we were on our way up, and he tells us that everyone is in the main area sorting out the supplies. The sixth floor has a communal area with its own kitchen, similar to the lounge on floor seven but quite a bit smaller. This floor is allocated to operations, usually concerned with planning and implementing customers’ requirements. I spend a lot of time on this floor and have a second office here.
Suddenly, I panic thinking of Josh and retrieve my phone from my pocket. I have been ignoring my own comms what with all that has gone on. There is nothing on the phone, though, from Josh. I am not sure if it is a good thing or not; he could be in trouble and not have contacted me because he has no time, or his phone isn't working…Or, if he is still okay, he may not have contacted me either. I phone him quickly, and his phone rings but there is no answer. I don't leave him a message on his voicemail but send him a text asking him to let me know his situation; receiving voicemail is time consuming and a pain.
There is, however, another message from Colonel Reed, a text message again, asking me to phone him urgently. He will have to wait a while longer, as I need to speak to the staff here on floor six and get up to Emily as soon as I can. However, I am very keen to speak to him as soon as possible.
Catching up with the men making their way to the communal area, I pull Dan to one side just before we get there.
"Listen, mate, I'm concerned about the blood that hit my face, it is possible that it was carrying the virus and also possible that it infected me. Keep an eye on me, and if you see any changes, tell me so we can deal with it, okay?"
"I'm sure you’re okay, Boss," Dan says lightheartedly.
"No, Dan," I say sternly, "we don’t know the score with this virus at the moment and I won't put anybody at risk. In fact, we need to keep an eye on everyone in case anybody’s caught it."
"Okay, yes; you're right. In fact, I think we need to tell everyone to be aware?"
"Good idea, I am going to speak to everyone now and I'll cover that too," I say. And we both carry on walking.
We reach the communal area and it seems the supplies have been sorted because almost everyone is sitting in the seats scattered around, most watching the news on the TV. The lads who have just arrived from downstairs are gathered around one of the tables with supplies stacked on it, and are refuelling after the adrenaline rush they have just had. I too am hungry again, but want to get on and speak to everybody so I can get back upstairs.
Before I get a chance to speak, Jill sees me and comes straight over, looking very concerned and upset. She is repeating my name while still a few feet away.
“Andy, Andy, I am so sorry I didn’t get help in time, I couldn’t find anybody,” Jill says exasperated. She looks in shock.
“It’s okay, Jill. Hey, there was nothing you could do, at least you tried,” I reassure her.
“But I couldn’t find anybody,” she says again. “Then the shooting started, and I didn’t know what to do. I looked but I couldn’t find anybody and now…poor Ian and Steve,” Jill’s eyes start to well up and her hands start shaking. She holds them together between her bosom.
“Jill, now listen.” I know I sound stern, but sometimes, it’s the only way. Once civilians get into self-pity mode, they can pull everyone down. Morale is everything. “This is not your fault in the slightest, and there was nothing you could have done. The whole thing is a mess, and in the face of that, you did your best, which is all any of us can do. Now, please come and sit down; you have just been through a very harrowing experience.”
I smile and put my arm around her shoulder, leading her over to one of the seats where I sit her down. “Now, have you had a drink or eaten anything? It will make you feel better, and you need to get your strength back.”
She shakes her head so I call Tom over and ask him to get her a drink and some food.
“Tell Tom what you want, and he will get it for you. Now I’m going to speak to everyone before I go and check on my daughter; is that okay, Jill?” Jill nods, but her head is down so I ask Tom to keep his eye on her.
Turning, I give Dan a nod.
“Everybody,” Dan says loudly, “can we have your attention please?”
Silence quickly falls over the room and everyone turns to us.
“Thank you, everyone,” I start. “As you all know, the infected people have taken over at least part of the first floor as we expected. Which is why we moved up here. Thank you for everyone's help in doing that. Sadly, we lost two good men when the mob broke through, Ian and Steve. And I, as many of you did, knew them well and they will be sadly missed. The infected are
