Nick looked at Mike who was giggling. It was ironic; Nick had never been a big valuer of friendships in his previous life, but it was comforting to have the trust of Mike and Annaliese. They were his comrades in arms. His buddies. It was nowhere near a replacement for the family he had lost, but it was something at least.
“So, where are Shawcross and Dave?” Nick asked. Both men had been in a constant battle for authority over the last few days, trying to be the one that made all the decisions. The pathetic thing was that neither man had noticed how little the rest of the group cared who was in charge. It was a thankless job which no one else wanted.
Like two bulls fighting over a marble.
Annaliese answered the question. “They’re both back at the restaurant with Pauline and Eve. They’re working on a map of the park and marking it out with emergency weapon drops and food stashes. Dave doesn’t think it’s a good idea to have all our supplies in one place, in case something happens. Shawcross agreed with him, for once.”
“Probably a good idea,” said Mike. “At the moment, we’re screwed if we lose the restaurant.”
“So what are Alan and Michelle doing?”
Mike answered this one. “Before Lily made an appearance they were rooting through the warehouse next to the office building. Alan told me they found a bunch of fireworks in there!”
“Don’t think there’s going to be much chance for a display,” said Nick.
“No,” Mike agreed. “But they would be a perfect way to signal help if it ever arrives.”
Nick didn’t think it was a possibility, but he could see the reasoning. “Anything else in there?”
“Yeah, some gardening equipment; shovels and stuff. Alan suggested digging some pits around the edge of the park. Like booby traps, you know?”
Nick nodded. “I like that idea. Over time we could probably dig quite a few.”
“So what are you going to do for the rest of the day?” Annaliese asked.
Nick shrugged his shoulders and then looked up at Lily in the trees. “I guess I’ll fill in where I’m needed. First thing I’m going to do, though, is go and tell Eve about the newest member of our group. She’s been pretty low the last few days – we all have – so maybe it will cheer her up a bit.”
“Okay,” said Annaliese. Then she and Mike waved Nick off as he headed back for the amusement park area and the Big Dog restaurant.
The restaurant was near the centre of the park and was now fronted by a minefield of plates, pans, and cutlery. The theory being that it would create noise if any infected people were to walk across it. The windows had also been boarded up permanently with table tops and chairs. Only a single window was left clear to act as an access in and out.
Our very own Fort Knox.
Heading up the few steps to the building, Nick could already hear the bickering voices of Dave and Shawcross inside. It sounded like they were discussing Jan and Renee, who were still imprisoned in the cellar. Nick had been popping down to see them a couple times a day, bringing them food, beers, and a pack of cards from the gift shop. But their good nature about the situation was beginning to sour and Jan had now expressed a growing desire to be let out. Nick didn’t blame the man at all. It must be mind-numbing having spent so long in that cellar.
“They can help with the jobs around here,” said Dave. “They’re two strong men.”
“They could kill us all in our sleep,” Shawcross rebutted.
“They’re not murders,” said Dave.
“What, because they told you so? You have no way of knowing what they were in prison for. The big one looks like a sodding serial killer.”
Nick hopped in through the window and immediately joined in the conversation. “His name is Jan, and he’s a reformed bank robber. He told me how much he regrets his past and I believe him.”
“Of course, he said that.” Shawcross folded his arms and sighed. “He probably had it rehearsed from all of his failed probation hearings.”