Falling

Chapter 5 : The Journey Home

After leaving the briefing room, Jim sat with Dave and Ella, nothing was said, nothing could be said. He then wanted some time alone. He was struggling to keep up with the information he now possessed. Aimee, his beloved Aimee had become infected. He hadn't seen why the Spanish soldiers had shot her. He hadn't noticed the blood pouring from her nose and ears. It was hard for him to accept it all. She had said she wasn't going to spend her holiday on her bum, he just hadn't realised she meant to go so early. He felt guilty about it all. If he'd been awake maybe she wouldn't have gone to town so early. Maybe she'd have stayed at the hotel with him.

He found himself standing at the side of the ship. Twenty feet above him stood the Aircraft and runway, normally he would be excited to see them, but not today. He stared at the crystal blue Mediterranean flashing past, tears flooding from his eyes. The only thing between him and the sea was a small wired railing.

"Not thinking of doing anything stupid are you?" . He hadn't noticed Dave approach, hadn't even noticed him lean against the railing next to him.

"No, Aimee wouldn't approve." He tried to hide his tears.

"Don't worry about that mate, you let it out." Dave paused and lit a cigarette. "She wouldn't want you to lose your marbles now would she?"

Jim laughed, Aimee had always said men who could cry were emotionally stronger. He didn't feel strong at all. He was actually feeling guilty that he hadn't broken down. The Navy doctor had explained that he was in the struggling to accept part of the shock and bereavement process.

"How's Ella?" Jim said through loud sniffing sounds.

"Tough as old boots her mate. Take more than an infection and zombies to faze that one." Dave winced at his own insensitivity. "Sorry mate, I wasn't thinking."

"Don't worry Dave, I have to get used to it. We all have to get used to it."

"Ella sends her love anyway. She's there if you need her."

"Cheers, but I need to get on with this. We'll be back in England soon, and there's things I have to do."

"Like what mate? Pay the rent? Car Tax due?"

"Life goes on Dave, I can't just go to pieces you know. She wouldn't want me too."

"I don't mean you mate. I mean England. She's been hit too. Every where's been hit! You didn't know did you?"

"When I got here, how long was I out?"

"They kept you under for two days mate"

"So Aimee didn't die yesterday?

"No mate, this is your third day on board. Things turned from shit to worse in Spain. They've abandoned the islands now. We got out just in time."

"Tell me everything Dave, and how the hell do you know all of this?"

"I can do better than that mate, come with me and I'll show you."

The two men disappeared into the ship, and after following several corridors they entered the briefing room. This was the same room where Dr Bellows had given his presentation, only now Jim noticed computers set up along the walls. Dave guided him to an empty seat and logged onto the BBC News website.

"Everything you need to know is there mate, from when the outbreaks started, right up to today. They censored it pretty bad at first, but now it's on a constant feed. They see it, they report it.

Jim searched the page for the oldest entry, he barely noticed when Dave left.

The first reports had been posted online. News agencies around the world had been sent short segments containing attacks. Both stages of the infection were provided, but in all of their wisdom it was decided that this was nothing more than a very elaborate hoax. The agencies hadn't actually displayed these segments. Not until the attacks were happening ,everywhere. The news website contained unedited shots of people suffering from the infection jumping from roofs, throwing themselves in front of cars. A large group of people actually barricaded themselves into their own  Church and set it alight.