I Dream of Zombies (4 page)

Hurrying down the steps from her flat, Marla adjusted her purple bag and opened the heavy door of the building. Daylight blazed in her face, as though checking her level of consciousness. She crossed the street and walked the length of the road towards the bus stop. One or two cars passed by, and a young boy walking his Alsation dog. A slight breeze hovered in the air and Marla was glad to have brought her denim shirt with her. Draping it across her bag, she checked her wallet and counted out enough money for a one-way trip on the bus before it turned up. Hopping on, she paid the driver her fare, receiving a smile in return. As the vehicle started forward, she moved towards the back and took a seat on the right-hand side.

T
he streets seemed relatively quiet for the time of day. A few pedestrians walked here and there, and some cars motored by, along with the odd lorry, but Marla found it unusually calm. She stared out at the passing trees, focusing at a point beyond them as she lost herself in her thoughts, until the scenery blurred into a grey-green haze. After forty three minutes the bus stopped at Hale Gardens outside a car dealership. Waking from her reverie, Marla grabbed her bag and shirt, ran to the exit and stepped off the bus. “Cheers!” she called out to the driver.

As the
vehicle roared off, Marla strode in the opposite direction and up to the automatic glass doors of Tommy Armstrong’s Cars. As she walked inside a rush from the cool air con greeted her, along with a heady mix of petrol and leather. Passing by the top-range hot rods, she moved through the lesser spotted ones until she reached the counter. “Tommy around?” she asked the young guy who was sitting there fiddling with his mobile phone.

“Yeah,” he replied, looking up. “He’s out back. Who are you?”

“Marla. He’s expecting me.”

“Okey-dokey. H
ang on a sec and I’ll go get him,” the guy replied. “If any customers come in…”

“I’ll ask them to wait,” Marla finished with a chuckle.

The youngster caught her grin and flashed a toothy smile before heading out the blue-painted door behind him.

“Tommy, you’re doing
well for yourself,” she mumbled to herself as she glanced around. The floor shone as brightly as the new cars, cast in the yellowy glow of the summer sun.

“Hey!”

Marla spun around to see a familiar face. “Hey, yourself!”

“It’s been a while,” said Tommy, embracing his friend in a big bear hug. “Follow me out back,” he added, brushing his long brown hair out of his face.

Marla smiled to herself. The man still never tied it back. Since leaving the army, he had just let it grow and she guessed it was some kind of rebellion. Although the guy had to be pushing forty now, he acted a decade younger, and he kept himself fit. Women had always imagined him to be younger than he was and he never corrected them.

“So, how you been?” asked Tommy, his blue eyes shining. “Beer?”

“Sure, I can have just one cos I’ll be driving, of course.”

“Of course,” he replied, taking two beers out of the cooler under the table.

“Thanks,” said Marla, sitting down on one of the stools. “This is like a makeshift bar, Tommy style.”

“Did you expect anything different?”

“No,” she replied with a laugh. “Not really! Cheers!”

They clinked cans and gulped their beers, before sighing at the same time. “Good?” asked Tommy, raising an eyebrow.

“Very good!” said Marla. “Just what the doctor ordered!”

“Wise doctor.”

“So, this place is nice. You’re doing okay for yourself.”

Tommy grinned. “But you’ve been here before…”

“Not for a long time. Years. Last time I came here, you were still with Hanna and you hadn’t been here long.”

“Ah, the wife!
Oh, yes, joyous. Thanks for reminding me,” said Tommy, pulling a face. “And there was me thinking I’d missed you for a second there.”

“Yeah, that’s cute,” M
arla replied, laughing. “It was me she hated.”

Tommy grinned. “Well, she
detested me too – at least after a while.”

“You know, I don’t think it’s natural.”

“What?”

“Marriage.”

“Why not?”

“You spend too much time together and there are too many rules. It’s like being in the…”

“Army!” finished Tommy, laughing. “Never a truer word was said. So how’s Peter?”

“Ah, let’s not go there.”

“It’s that good then?”

Marla nodded. “It’s that good!”

Tommy sighed. “Sorry, Marla, I really thought you guys would work.”

“Yeah, well, I guess that’s what I get for stealing a good mate of yours!”

“Huh, you did me a favour. He wasn’t so great…”

“You could have told me…”

“But where would be the fun in that?”

“Tommy, I could kill you sometimes…”

“Yeah, that’s what the wife used to say!” he joked, almost spilling his beer. He took another swig of it. “But, anyway, what’s really got you worried?”

Marla’s expression sobered up and she took a sip of her
drink. “Dreams.”

“Of what?”

“You know that guy who was on TV, saying he’d had dreams of zombies and that it was a warning of things to come?”

Tommy spluttered his beer as he laughed. “Yeah, so?”

“So, I’ve been having the same dream and so has Ellen.”

“Yeah, yeah, funny...
”

“No,
I’m serious.”

“So, you got so shitted up about flesh-eating zombies that you asked me to get you a bunch of guns and some tank of a car?” he asked, laughing again.

Marla slapped his leg. “Tommy, one day…”

“Yeah, you’re gonna kill me. But, seriously, you’re scared of the ahhhhh urrrrrr ahhhhh guys that you watch on films, chasing people through supermarkets and making mincemeat of them?”

“Yep, that’s me,” said Marla. “I’ve joined the crazy brigade.”

“Well, I would never have thought it. When you want to give me my real friend back…”

Marla rested her beer can on the table. “Seriously, Tommy, there’s something going on. I can feel it. The nightmare seems really real and I can’t wake. I’ve been having it for a week. Ellen had it first and I laughed, just like you are. But I can’t laugh about it now cos it’s scaring the crap out of me…”

“Zombies!” muttered Tommy,
chuckling again.

“Ha, ha
! Well, I think it’s some government conspiracy thing. I told Peter I think something is going on. Look, I even took Ellen to the shooting range and taught her how to use a gun. That’s how serious I am. Something is happening. You see these governments cracking down on people in other countries. Who says it will never happen here?”

Tommy rested his
can on his knee. “You’re talking secret police and shit?”

“Yeah, so who is to say it can’t happen here? Who guessed the extermination of the Jews would happen?”

“But that’s not…”

“Not yet. I think the government is drugging people. Either food or it’s in the water. Water would be the easiest thing. You know, people are having this dream…”

“But what would be the point?” asked Tommy. “You’re not making any sense.”

Marla glanced down. “I know. But I’m looking for an answer cos it doesn’t make sense to me either. I agree with you. But there has to be something or someone behind it, and I want to be prepared.”

“That’s the army in you talking…”

“M
aybe, but that was half of my life. Of course it’s still in me.”

“So what are you going to do?” asked Tommy, finishing his beer. “Another one?”

Marla shook her head before taking a swig of her drink. “I don’t know. Wait, I guess. I just don’t want to be taken by surprise. I’ve had enough of those.”

“I hear you there.”

“So, what about you?” she asked.

“What about me?”

Marla tutted. “I want you to be prepared. You’re a good friend of mine... or you were in the past. I’d hate to see something happen.”

Tommy laughed. “You’re scaring me, Marla. You’re not yourself, you know. I haven’t seen you in a while, but you’ve never been the paranoid…”

“I am not paranoid and I’m just the same as I always was. Just get some protection.”

“I have loads of that,” Tommy replied. “I can assure you there’s nothing for you to worry about there. And I’ve got my dog.”

“Ah, yeah, that old thing…”

“He’s not so old…”

Marla laughed. “He was losing his hair when I last saw him…”

Fleas…”

“Ah, so he’s sorted now then?”

Tommy laughed. “Yep, he’s as strong and healthy as his old man.”

“And just as cheeky?”

“You bet. Okay, you wanna check out your purchases?” asked Tommy with a wink.

“Sure do,” said Marla, finishing her beer. “Lead the way.”

Getting up, she followed Tommy
back out through the blue door and then he opened a green side door. He led the way up a green-carpeted narrow staircase, past blue-painted walls, and towards the lounge. “Take a seat,” he said, pushing the wooden door open and pointing to a brown couch inside. “I’ll just get them.”

Marla took her place on the sofa, which sank a little more than she was expecting
, and glanced around. On the mantelpiece was a photo of Tommy with his ex-wife and young son. The boy must have been about five in the photograph, she guessed. Tommy was dressed in his army fatigues and the group looked happy. Marla glanced round as the man himself entered the room carrying a black rucksack. Sitting down beside her, he set it down on the floor and pulled out the contents. “Here you have a Glock 17, just like the one you have. Short recoil, polymer, non-slip grip, 50m range, magazines have seventeen rounds…”

She raised her eyebrows and smirked.

“Yeah, well, I forget you know, and 9mm Parabellum cartridges. Shed loads. I picked up another Glock, same as yours, just in case you lose yours.”

“Funny!”

“And I got two of these – SIG Sauer P226 Elite Dark with attached streamlight.”

“Nice.”

“I thought so. And, finally, I got two of these babies, but there’s one here for you. A Remington 870 pump-action shotgun – solid steel with 18.5 inch barrels, but, yeah, you know the score, and shed loads of ammo.”

“This is great, Tommy, but how did you…”

He shook his head. “Don’t ask.”

“This is just what I need.”

“Like I said before, it should help with the invasion you’re expecting.”

Marla grinned. “Funny boy!
” Zipping up the rucksack, she stood up. “Guess I’d better be going then?”

“You don’t want another drink?” he asked, brushing her arm with his own ever so slightly.

“I’ve gotta get back. Ellen is coming over after she finishes work. She’s having trouble sleeping and I said she can stay weekends.”

“So she’s stressed out too?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“T
hat’s a shame,” said Tommy, “but, hell, you’re always welcome here. Don’t be such a stranger.”

“I know,
I won’t,” Marla replied, heaving the rucksack over her shoulders.

Tommy made for the door. “Let’s go see your new wheels.”

“I can’t wait.”

“You’re gonn
a love it. It’s tough. Black with dark, bullet-proof windows and hardy tyres, plus a couple of spares in the back. Made for tough terrain and to last. Built like a brick shit house.”

Marla grinned. “That’s what I want
.”

“Was this really necessary?” Ellen asked Marla as they drove towards the cinema complex.

“I needed a new car. The other one was an old banger.”

“But this? It’s like a tank and so high off the road. I basically had to jump to get in.”

“You can always walk,” Marla replied.

“Yeah, right,” Ellen quipped as she stared out the window.

The sun was sinking in the sky and the clouds were darkening. The roads were buzzing with cars full of people looking forward to a long weeken
d, with no rain in sight.

“What did you want to watch?” asked Marla.

“Anything,” her sister replied. “I’m easy, but nothing scary.”

“So a thriller?”

“Nah, too tired for that much thinking. How about a romance?”

Marla’s thoughts switched to
Peter and she frowned. “Hum…”

“Comedy then?” Ellen suggested. “That works for me.”

“Done,” said Marla, as she found a free space and parked the car. “I drove, so the popcorn’s on you.”

“I think you drew the short straw then,” said Ellen as she climbed out and slammed the door.

Marla winked. “Of course,” she answered as they headed towards the doors of Filmtastic.

Walking in, they approached the girl at the desk and found that their chosen film had already started. After Marla paid for two tickets, Ellen bought a bucket of salty popcorn and the biggest
cola in the world. When they wandered into Screen 6, the adverts were luckily over and the movie titles were just going up.

“Good timing,” said Ellen as they took a couple of seats halfway up.

The girls scooped a handful of popcorn each and leaned back to watch the film. It was pretty funny and Marla found it a great escape from the worries of the previous week. When the titles went up at the end, the sisters finished what was left of the drink and headed out of their row.

“That was
hilarious,” Ellen commented.

Marla nodded. “I needed that. Good idea of yours to come here.”

Her sister smiled. “And that guy was so hot!”

Marla’s eyes lit up. “I know!”

As they passed the toilets, Ellen did a reverse and strode inside with Marla following close behind. As her sister rushed into a cubicle, Marla checked her reflection in the mirror. Pushing her light brown hair behind her ears, she gazed at her face in the mirror. She looked paler and there were some dark smudges beneath her green eyes. Lack of sleep, she figured.

“Hey,” said Ellen, walking out and turning on a tap. “You look beautiful
, as always.”

“Funny,” Marla replied. “You
were the one who got the looks – petite and blonde. I’m just big and mousy!”

Her sister laughed as she washed her hands. “Yeah, yeah.”

As Marla reached to open the door, a girl rushed in looking as white as a sheet. She hurried towards the sink, turned on the cold tap and splashed water all over her face. Then she began to cough into the basin.

“Are you
alright?” Ellen asked.

The girl turned her head and
stared at them with a vacant expression, before turning back to soak her face again.

“Bad night or a dose of flu,” suggested Marla as they walked out
of the toilet and into the corridor.

Ellen shrugged. “Maybe she can’t sleep either.”

Marla waved her hands in the air. “No way! We’re not thinking of that right now. Happy thoughts! The film was good and the guy was hot, remember?”

“Very hot,” said Ellen, as they turned the corner towards the escalator
that would take them down to the ground floor of the building. “Ah,” she gasped as a young man walked straight into her. Raising her arms in self-defence, Ellen gasped again as the man failed to register her for a few seconds. Then he appeared to regain his senses. His face was extremely pale and dark shadows hung beneath his eyes. “Sorry,” he mumbled before staggering past them.

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Ellen,
rubbing her arms up and down with her hands. “Have I got my invisibility shield on again? Is there a sign on my head saying ‘Walk this way’?”

“Dunno. Something in the
popcorn maybe? And you are a bit vague today!” Marla joked.

Ellen shook her head as she
stepped on to the escalator. The sisters were silent for a while as they left the building and made their way across the parking lot. Halfway, they noticed a young girl leaning against a lamppost being sick while her male companion tried to hold her hair out of the way.

“Uh, what’s up with everyone tonight?” asked Ellen as she climbed into the passenger side of the jeep.

“Flu or too much alcohol,” said Marla. Fastening her seatbelt, she checked the mirror and reversed out of her parking spot, before driving out of the car park and on to the main road.

“I fancy a glass of wine,” Ellen remarked as she stared out of the side window into the darkness, lit by the yellow glow of streetlights.

“We could stop somewhere to get a bottle if you want,” Marla suggested. “No work tomorrow after all.”

Ellen grinned. “Cool. I’d like that. Maybe get some crisps or something to eat, too.”

“You mean you actually have some room after all that popcorn?”

“Of course. I’ve got Mama’s genes and no fat stays on me.”

“Yeah,” said Marla with a grimace. “And I’ve always detested you for it!”

“Ouch!”

“There’s an off-licence on the way home called Bell’s,” Marla added. “I’ll stop there.”

Ellen smiled and focused on the world outside. Cars passed by
, sweeping their beams along the road, and the odd couple wandered along the pavement. After a while, Marla slowed down and parked outside an inviting looking shop. “Here we go.”

The sisters got out of
the car and walked into Bell’s. They chose a bottle of rosé and one of red, and an assortment of crisps and nuts. Marla paid while Ellen packed the flimsy plastic bags with their purchases.

“Look, Marl
,” said Ellen as they passed the magazines and newspapers on the way to the exit.

Marla stopped and glanced at the headline, which read ‘Mystery virus ravages town’. She
did not move, but continued to read the story. “It says all these people came down with some kind of flu, but they got worse. There are about forty-seven people in hospital.”

Ellen stared at her. “
Is it bird flu?”

“The article says it starts with a high temperature and then sickness…”

“Like the girl in the cinema and that guy…”

“Coincidence,
” said Marla. “The town they’re talking about is nowhere near here. It’s on the other side of London.”

Ellen nudged her. “A coincidence, like the dreams?”

“Are you going to buy that?” asked the shopkeeper. “This isn’t a library, you know.”

“No, we’
re fine,” Marla replied, heading for the exit and pushing the door open.

“
This isn’t a libra-a-a-ry,” Ellen mimicked when they were out of earshot. “What a rude woman.”

Marla
grinned as she unlocked the car door. Her sister jumped in the passenger side and they drove off towards the flat. Both girls were silent and stared out of the front window into the darkness, perforated by yellowy streetlights. It is beginning, Marla thought, and she had the feeling that her sister was thinking the exact same thing.