The next day the four survivors packed up their tent and moved into a cave in the cliffs below Birchington. On the way there, they narrowly escaped meeting with the criminal Huddez and his foul gang. These vile thugs had somehow escaped the disaster and were now extending their power over the crippled population.
Jacob glanced around at the filthy hole that was now their home.
"This place is revolting!" he exclaimed, sniffing at a pile of filthy rags on the floor. "Smells as if someone's used it as a toilet!"
Dr. Davies took control. "It doesn't matter. If everyone pitches in, it will soon be spotless and we can save things we need to survive and have a bonfire with everything that is ruined. "Come on!"
Although shocked at the mess, they all started to clean up. They picked up the rocks that had fallen off the cave walls.
As Keelin was working, he put his hand into his pocket and found a family which brought back a horrible flashback of his dead mother. His dad hugged him and said, "It'll all be OK soon, Keelin. Mum's in a better place now."
Jacob tried not to shed a tear in front of Saphie, but she could tell he was holding it in.
Dr. Davies insisted that they go back to work before they got too miserable. Later, he lit a bonfire to keep them warm. Needing food, they went scavenging along the beach below the cave.
As they sat around the fire that evening, Dr. Davies told them that he had been working on a cure for the Rot. When Jacob and Saphie were asleep, he took Keelin to one side and whispered, "Son, you know I said I have a cure for the Rot?"
"Yes Dad."
"Well, I need a trial of my medicine."
"And you want me..."
"Yes son. I'm going to inject you with some treated blood, and we'll see what the results are in about four weeks..."
YOU ARE READING
The Rot
Science FictionA Dystopian Tragedy... No need for a blurb. Read story to find out more. Follow the characters and be prepared for their journey.
