Luke's Diary: An Unlucky Man In A Zombie Apocalypse. Entries 957 - 1157

Entry 1142: Tuesday 12th November 2019

Entry 1142
Tuesday 12th November 2019

We're back on the island and we're all in quarantine.

The drama started around 8am when Harold woke us all up and gathered us on deck. Michael, Mia, Naomi, and I stood on the deck next to Harold who pointed out across the sea towards something in the distance. "What's that?" I said, looking and squinting, "Is that an island?" "It's the Isle of Wight," said Harold, "We're nearly home." "We're nearly home!" said an excited Mia jumping up and down as she gave Harold a hug. "So, you did take us back then," I said. "I said I would, didn't I?" said Harold. "You say a lot of things," I bluntly said. "I'd hang fire if I were you," Naomi said to me, "We're not there yet, that could be any island." "It's The Isle of Wight," Harold bluntly said, "Now remember what we all agreed. We just tell Tinsley, and his GRID moron soldiers the truth. I'll tell him that you've got the fake cure and that we can use it to bring Blade out of hiding and get the baby back. Then Blade will be locked up, and we can look after the baby whilst I work those inferior GRID scientists and see if we can come up with a cure." "I reckon there's still a chance Tinsley will just lock you back up in prison," said Naomi. "Possible," said Harold, "But unlikely- especially when he hears what I've got to say to him."

I finished drinking my tea, gathered my belongings and we all gathered on deck as Harold brought the ship into the dock next to Cowes seafront. Everyone could see the cargo ship approaching Cowes. A load of islanders gathered on the beach, obviously thinking it was Blade and his soldiers returning. A load of armed GRID soldiers then appeared. Some of them set up a police-styled barrier and cordoned of the area from the public, whilst other GRID soldiers, led by Tinsley and armed with machine guns ran to the dock and adopted defensive positions. "Talk about a warm welcome," said Michael. As the ship got closer to the shoreline Tinsley saw that we were stood on the deck and realised that it was me and Naomi who were arriving back. As my eyes met with Tinsley's his nostrils flared, he rolled his eyes and looked annoyed. "He looks pleased to see you," Michael sarcastically said. "You haven't seen anything yet," I said. Tinsley held up a large megaphone and started to talk through it. "THIS IS COMMANDER RICHARD TINSLEY!" he loudly announced, "STAY ON THE SHIP, AND DO NOT MOVE."

The ship moored, and Harold joined us on deck as the GRID soldiers started to board the ship. "Well, here we go," said Harold, "This should be interesting." "I think they're going to chuck you straight in prison," Naomi said to Harold, "I reckon this is the last we're going to see of you." "Don't be so sure," said Harold, "I know how this is going to play out. I'll see you very soon." The soldiers than jumped over the side, landed on the deck, and pointed their guns at us. We all raised our hands in a surrendering position and were accompanied from the ship to the beach by armed GRID soldiers, whilst other GRID soldiers searched the ship.

Cut to me in one of the coldly clinical quarantine rooms in GRID HQ. I was sat in the edge of my bed wearing nothing but the usual bland sort of hospital gown as Sci-Fi Cyn sat opposite me and conducted the usual tests on me. "It's good to see you," I said. "It's good to see you too," said Sci-Fi Cyn, "I have to be honest, I thought you might be dead." "Thanks," I bluntly said, "I know I'm not exactly built up of muscles but over the years I've learned to handle myself against the infected." "I'm just glad you're back," said Sci-Fi Cyn, as she continued to give me pills and take my blood. "Me too," I said, "Is Leo, OK?" "He's fine," said Sci-Fi Cyn, "Everyone's fine. Just worried about you. They'll be relieved now." "You know we ended up in Whitby," I exclaimed, "I..." "Luke, sorry," said Sci-Fi Cyn, interrupting me, "But you can't tell me what happened. Commander Tinsley wants to be the first to hear your account." "God," I said, rolling my eyes, "That man's..." Sci-Fi Cyn interrupted me by giving me a direct look, widened her eyes and then looking upwards at the cameras coming out of the ceiling. She was discreetly signalling that I should be thinking before I opened my mouth. "... Err... That man's... Just doing his job," I said, desperately altering the trajectory of my comment, "Anyway, like I say I'm just glad to be back," I said. "I'll see your Mum and your Auntie later and let them know you're back," said Sci-Fi Cyn, "If these test results come back fine – and I'm sure they will, you'll see everyone this time tomorrow. Sci-Fi Cyn finished all the usual tests, and I was left wondering around the clinical room in quarantine wearing my clinical gown waiting for Tinsley to arrive.