Entry 1006: Saturday 29th June 2019

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Entry 1006
Saturday 29th June 2019

It's been a quiet day, but Blade made an announcement over the public address system which I think is really going to put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Nikki, Leo and I were getting ready to go into Sandown to get a few bits and bobs when the usual sound was heard to alert us to an upcoming announcement. A few moments later Blade's dulcet tones were heard emanating from the speakers dotted around the island. He did his usual, pointless, ego-stroking, long winded introduction and then got to the point. Nikki and I opened the front door and stood on the doorstep as we listened to Blade. Natasha was also stood on her front doorstep next door. Nikki and I threw Natasha a dirty look and then we focused on what Blade was saying. "Starting Monday 1st July, some of the infected who are currently housed in The Hive in Blackgang will be utilised around the island in accordance with QCUC proposals voted in by islanders and developed by 'The Infected Treated With Acceptance N Kindness' organisation." "Titwank," I said to Nikki, as I gave Natasha another dirty look. "There will currently be two methods to utilise the infected," continued Blade, "Safety, and power generation. Starting Monday, a number of infected from The Hive will be placed on the beach in Sandown and Cowes to prevent islanders from swimming late at night. This will act as a deterrent to stop islanders from risking their lives in the water late at night when it is dark. A number of infected will also be placed within Cowes Power Station and utilised to generate power. We will be exploring the possibility of utilising infected to aid transport in the coming months. The infected will be treated with care and respect, and every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of islanders. Infected utilised to generate power will have little to no access to island residents but infected who are placed on the beaches late at night will of course be accessible to islanders. Whilst you may have access to the infected, we strongly suggest you avoid them at all costs. Whilst they may one day be cured, they are currently still deadly and can not only kill you, but infect you with one bite or one simple scratch. The infected on the beach will be wearing muzzles, their hands will be tied behind their backs, and they will be safely secured in place, all of which ensures the safety of all uninfected people on the island. I ask that you help us to keep you safe by avoiding the beaches. If you get close to an infected, you are endangering your own safety and putting your own life at risk. Please do not do this. GRID soldiers will not be on the beach to keep you safe when the infected are in place. Stay safe everyone. I will keep you posted with regular updates." The announcement was then over. I was not happy.

"This is f*cking stupid," I angrily snapped, "Loads of people are going to flock to the beaches to see the infected and have a good look. Plonking them on the beach isn't going to stop people going to the beach late at night; it's going to make more people go to the beach. If that idiot wants people to stop going to the beach late at night, then he needs to come up with an idea that's going to get people to stay away, not an idea that's going to draw them to the beach. God. He should have just told people to stop going swimming at night, and left the infected in The Hive." I tuned to Natasha and frowned. "This is all your fault," I snapped. "I am trying to make this island a better place, Luke," said Natasha. "By risking people's lives!" I loudly exclaimed, "God. If you'd had to kill to stay alive on the mainland, maybe you'd truly realise just how dangerous those infected are. If someone decides to go swimming late at night and they get bitten by an infected then they're dead. Are you OK with that?" "Luke, putting the infected on the beach will act as a deterrent," said Natasha, "People will stay away from the sea late at night." "Yeah, some will," I said, "But some will go and have a good look. Your boyfriend has just told the island the infected will be secured in place, so that's going to make people think it's safe to go and have a good morbid look." "Oh, Luke, grow up," said Natasha, "Jon isn't my boyfriend, and even if someone does go to the beach late at night, they can't get bitten. The infected will be muzzled." "They shouldn't be put somewhere where they need to be muzzled!" I snapped. "Luke, I have seen these muzzles," said Natasha, "We have nothing to worry about." "Oh, yeah," I sarcastically said, "I forgot. It's impossible for people to remove a muzzle isn't it?" "Why on Earth would anyone want to remove a muzzle off an infected person?" asked Natasha. "For a laugh?" I said, "Because people are curious? Because people are stupid? Because they think it's OK do so, because you and Blade are creating a false sense of security." "It's a real sense of security," said Natasha, "We have taken all steps to ensure safety. Anyway, perhaps you should focus more on your own security. Job security." "What the Hell does that mean?" snapped Nikki. Feeling worried that Natasha was going to tell Nikki about me quitting my job and walking out, I quickly made an excuse and ushered Nikki inside.

I closed the front door and Nikki and I walked into the living room. "God," said an angry Nikki, "She is a complete b*tch. I can see how hard it is for you working for her." "So, I suppose you'd understand if I quit my job and walked out?" I asked, hoping that Nikki would say something reassuring, subsequently resulting in me telling her the truth about me quitting my job. "Don't get carried away babes," said Nikki, "She might be a b*tch but you still need a job. What do you think she meant about 'job security'?" "I don't know," I said. "Sounded to me like she was threatening to sack you," said Nikki, "God. A few days ago, I invited her round here trying to be all friendly and neighbourly and look what I get for my trouble. She insults my boyfriend and makes b*tchy comments. I should go round there and wipe that smug grin off her face." "No," I said, "Just stay out of her way. I think it's best we avoid her. I'm more bothered about what's going to happen when the infected get plonked on the beach." "Do you fancy going to have a look, though?" said Nikki. "A look?" I exclaimed, feeling slightly annoyed with Nikki, "Didn't you just hear what I said to Natasha? People going to have a look and get a good stare is part of the problem!" "Yeah, but come on," said Nikki, "You must be interested." "Not like that," I said, "I've seen enough infected to know how ugly and dangerous they are." "Well, I'm intrigued," said Nikki, "I want to see what they look like." "Nikki, please don't," I sincerely said with a tone of worry, "Getting close to those things is too dangerous." "Aaaw, bless you," said Nikki, "You really worry about me, don't you? I won't get too close. Anyway, they'll be secured to the ground, tied up and muzzled. You don't have anything to worry about, babes." I hope Nikki doesn't go to the beach when the infected are there. It's not only a stupid idea, it's a bl**dy dangerous one. If she is insistent on going, I'll have to go with her.

Again, I feel guilty that I'm lying to Nikki about no longer working at The Hive. It'll all work out. I just need to keep Nikki away from Natasha. Sci-Fi Cyn did say she'd get Blade to come and see me about a new job. I just hope he doesn't keep me waiting too long...

Luke's Diary: An Unlucky Man In A Zombie Apocalypse. Entries 957 - 1157Where stories live. Discover now