"I'm not pretending! It's not safe! I've been watching what's going on. They're losing it! Of course, I want to try and get back to Neil. Nothing's changed as far as that's concerned. But, I'm serious. I've got a really bad feeling about this place."
"Oh, why can't you just face it, Lisa! You're never going to get back home to him. You can't do it. You'll never make it. You're the one who's asleep. You need to wake up!"
"I am awake! I'm the only one who is! They're losing the fight. Any day now, we'll be overwhelmed."
"You don't know that. They're getting ready to get us all out. To move into the next phase. In the meantime, we are with other people, we have somewhere to sleep, food and water, and the protection of armed soldiers. Have you forgotten what it was like out there?"
"Of course, I haven't, but we did ok! We survived. We almost made it!"
"Yeah, but we didn't make it, did we? Yes, we survived, for a time, but I don't know how to be honest. I think we were lucky. It was only a matter of time."
"Of course, we weren't lucky. We were strong. Smart. Determined. We could be again."
"Look, Lisa, even if Neil is alive, and that's a massive "if" - I'm sorry but that's the truth - the first thing he's going to do when he realises you're not coming home any time soon, is to come and look for you here!"
"No! He wouldn't! He ..."
"Oh Jesus! What is wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, Nita. I'm going. I have to. You don't have to come with me. I want you to, but you don't have to."
"You know that's not going to happen! You know I can't let you go back out there on your own. You're so selfish! I hate you! What choice do I have? I have to come."
"You're making the right decision. Yes, you have to come. Not for me, but for you! Honestly."
"Oh my God!" Anita wailed at the sky.
She began to weep. Lisa got up and tried to put her arms around her, but she pushed her away. Lisa let her cry, waiting in silence until her sobs subsided.
Anita's voice was thick with emotion when she eventually spoke. "What's your plan, then? It'd better be a good one!"
Lisa hugged her. She felt a mixture of relief and exhilaration that they were leaving, and pure ice cold, gut-tightening fear of what lay ahead. A huge burden of guilt and responsibility bore down on her. She knew she had forced the younger woman into a corner. She had to make it home, now more than ever. As well as finding Neil, she had to keep her friend safe, too. This time she couldn't fail. The stakes were way too high. They were running out of options. She started to describe her plan.
Chapter 10 - Day 10 - Long Marston
The next day, they were up before dawn. They managed to track down Rick and explain their intentions. He looked exhausted: a shadow of the arrogant character who had brought them into the camp just a few days ago.
"Whatever! Your decision!" He seemed disinterested and ambivalent.
"Follow me."
He trudged over to a nearby supply tent, lifted the flap and gestured inside.
"Take whatever you need."
He turned as if to walk away then paused, turned back, and stared at them. Lisa saw something in his eyes. A flicker of emotion.
"You'll need these."
He unlocked a metal container and handed them a couple of pistols. He showed them how to turn the safety catches on and off, how to aim and fire and how to carry them securely. He watched as they stuffed as many as they could of the army issue pouches of dried food that they called MRE meals into a couple of rucksacks.
"There are thousands of these things around the site you know. You'll never make it to the main gates on foot."
"We'll take our chances. We know what we're doing," Lisa said.
"Seriously, I know everyone thinks you're a couple of superwomen who've seen and done it all, but even you don't know how bad it's got out there."
"Well, thanks for the advice and all that, but we've made up our minds and we're going. So, we'll just have to face whatever we face." Anita spoke this time.
"Between you and me, Ladies. You might just be doing the right thing. Hrmm …!" He hesitated. "Things aren't looking too good here. Not going to plan … if there ever was a plan."
"You don't have to be a genius to see that" Lisa said. "Come with us."
"I can't. Not an option. Like you say, I'll have to face whatever I have to face, but … I could give you a lift to the main road."
"Really? Why would you do that?" Lisa looked at him suspiciously.
"Wow! That would be amazing! Thank you!" Anita frowned at Lisa.
By nine, they were in the back of a speeding truck with Rick at the wheel, weaving expertly through throngs of clawing infected. The view of the camp behind them was gradually obscured by the horde as it closed back in after their passing. It suddenly seemed tiny and insignificant in their midst. Lisa was surer than ever that those left behind were doomed. They were already vastly outnumbered, and it was impossible to foresee anything but a negative outcome, unless something changed dramatically in the next few days. She tried not to think about it. She turned away and focused on the route ahead.
The crowds thinned out the
