The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Returning To Barrenland Part 3

The Wirral had shut off the outside world, with a border at Wales and our shores were blockaded. Yet, mistakes happen. A ship of infected had come ashore at New Brighton.
Now The Wirral needed help, hence my 'day out' yesterday.
Sure, I had the antivirus, 'but what was the cost?' I queried.
The council would freak, when they heard of Francine's condition, the tunnel open and, at least four trains a day.
I turn again, to lie on my back, my mind whirring.
“Got to be up in a few hours,” I tell myself, knowing full well, I'm going to upset someone's day.
I'm guessing that's why Francine gave me just enough antivirus, for a day or so's application; knowing full well we cannot manufacture it ourselves.
My forehead sweats, as I think of standing before The Council's triumvirate, looking down at me from the high bench seat.
And even the few hours of sleep I get are fitful, dwelling on the prospect of feeling small before The Council, once again.
Yet finally I rise, easing Rainbow's warm arm from me, cautiously , so as not to wake her.
I pull a pair of worn dark jeans and make my way to the kitchen, to make us both a coffee, which I sorely need.
It's chilly, yet sure the day will warm up soon.
Returning to my room, mugs in hand, I push the door open with my left toe.
“Okay Sleepyhead, do you want to go to Wallaby?” That's what grandfather had called Wallasey, where the council sat.
“What's a Wallaby?” she quizzes, wiping at bleary eyes.
Momentarily, I thought of telling her of animals indigenous to the Australia's but didn't, doubting the information would mean much to her.
I sigh, then slowly explain, “That's what little grandmother had called Wallasey, where the council sat.
Sitting, with the duvet around her upper body, she looked to me, the mug held in both her hands...
“Are we going there by train?” She asks me, her excited anticipation evident in her voice.
She'd evidently enjoyed train-travel.
“Sorry to disappoint,” I tell her with a serious face.
And yes, Rainbow looked down, appearing sorrowful.
“But,” I add, “we're going there by taxi...”
In the 'Pool, a taxi is any form of paid conveyance, that carries a passenger to and fro. On the Wirral, a taxi is something different.
Cars are rare now, fuels hard to obtain and, very expensive.
Yet, because of their valued status, private hire 'taxi's' existed, nay thrived. Firms used hyro-power for their cars engines, a power system reinvented just decades ago, subsidised by The Council.
These private-hire cars were quiet, as opposed to the few privately owned cars, that used chip-shop oil and steam-power, which was both smelly and very noisy. Both were very expensive, thus there were not many cars on the road.
There were horse and trap, for local use and, local stables for those who were not able to stable their own horse.
There was also windpower and water-screws on our side of The Mersey's shore; and solar power. I had even seen a solar-powered car, once. I could only imagine how much that had cost. It'd been a pity we could not employ further usage of river-power, yet that would have meant dealing with The Outlanders,' whose thoughts of The Wirral were not exactly kind towards The Wirral, particularly since The Council had blocked up our side of the Birkenhead/Liverpool tunnel.
The Council had shut down Birkenhead Tunnel and, besides The Ferryman, whose passage monitored by heavy policing The Wirral had shut out the outside world, hoping find safety, through self
autonomy.
It had been decided that The Wirral would self-isolate and, therefore avoid the zombie plague, that stripped my country of much of its living population. And, it had worked for almost two-hundred and fifty years. Then, one stormy night, a ship had come ashore at Perch Rock, New Brighton, bringing the infected back to The Wirral.
And, that is when it had all begun... the quest for the antivirus; my journey, which had led to a former lover, who controlled access to the antivirus, The Council knew we now needed.
Francine, the 'Pools Mayor had greeted me cautiously at first, mindful of our shared past.
Yet, she had known of The Wirral's need.
A ship had come across the shore at New Brighton, with the infected upon it, the ships former crew.
I had dealt with the 'Pools Mayor, a warrior-woman I revered and feared.
Much as The Wirral relished its isolation and autonomy, The Council had been forced to admit, albeit grudgingly, they needed my help.
So my journey had begun, to request the zombie anti-virus from Francine, The Mayor. I had been sent a my brief liason with Francine was known of.
I don't like the 'Pool, it's Outerlands, all hidden behind The Wall.
Furthermore, I have not liked crowds and, I have not since the Last Battle, where many I had known were slain by The Horde.
The Wirral had restored and reinvented much, since the closure of The Tunnel.
Steam trains and, a few cars. One could not call it an integrated transport system, but it was a growth from what had been before, horses and semaphore.
At the same time, old technologies had been given new life. The telephone had been an advancement that had brought ease of communication to all with access to the system. A series of local exchanges had been constructed, with older one's being reopened.
Then the public telephone had been built, or rebuilt. It had been a system, which gave the Council User a way to communicate, throughout The Wirral, at a time the Peninsular was growing...
The telephone's use was not charged, directly: it came from local taxes, to benefit Council Users...
Thus it was, with a pleasant climate, the isolation, recent renovations, recent reinventions, autonomy had been found.
And then, that ship had come ashore, by Perch Rock.
That was just days ago, before The Council requested 'a favour' from me and, before Rainbow came into my life.
Now, my mind is in a perpetual whirl.
I woke well before Rainbow, going into the living-room. 'Too early, too cold, even for the time of year.'
I kneel and build up the fire. Within a short-while the chill of the room dissipated somewhat. Finally I stand, padding my way through to the kitchen.
The electricity was on, so turning the kettle on, I pour coffee overload into two mugs. I needed the caffeine and, Rainbow would need hers, to keep up with me.
I was sure of that.
Returning to my room mugs in hand, I pushed the door open with my left foot.
“Okay sleepyhead, do you want to go to Wallaby?”
“Wallaby is what grandmother called Wallasey, way back then and, it's where The Council sits.”
She pulls the duvet up, to cover her shoulders.
“What's Wallasey?” She quizzed, prior to a loud yawn.
“It's where the Town Hall is lass. It's where we're going today,” I responded, turning to the door.
Pausing a moment, I think of all that's going to happen today.
'Oh gawd,' I thought, 'I need another coffee.'
The first had disappeared as we had spoken.
Yet, I had my initial plan.
I made my way through to the kitchen. The electricity was still on, so turning the kettle on, I stood to watch it boil. I let the kettle stand a moment or so, then pour coffee overload into two mugs.
I needed more caffeine soon.
So with more bravado than I felt, I return to my room, mugs in hand, I push the door open with my left toe.
“Okay Sleepyhead, ready for Wallaby?”
“We're going by taxi, so drink your coffee and get dressed,” I told her.
Bleary, Rainbow sat up, the duvet falling from her shoulders, as she accepted the steaming-hot mug of java.
“Taxi?” She looked to me frowning.
“Taxi,” I responded, “a car, to get you from here, to there.”
“A taxi,” she repeated the words slowly.
“Uh-huh,” I responded, “it's too far to walk and the trains don't go there, yet.”
“I've never been in a car,” she said, in a quiet voice, looking down to her clasped hands.
“Well lass,” I began, “you're going in one this morning...”
Then with a smirk I add, “But, you have to get dressed, alright?”
Cars are a rarity now, fuels that expensive. Yet, because of their valued status, private-hire 'taxis' thrived. Firms existed subsisted by The Councils subsidy: it had been an agreement that worked, simple. And this morning I had to be in Wallasey, to meet with 'them.'
Having dressed in a light-blue shirt and jeans, I walked round the block, to the trees across the road, their leaf-laden branches covering the red, public phone-box.
Picking up the phone, I ask, “I need a car, bout eight thirty...”
I knew my timing was tight, but had already decided The Council would listen,
And so, as I walked home, feeling satisfied.
“I'm back!” I called out in the small front hall, “you ready?”
Rainbow appeared before me, there and then, looking eager, a wide smile on her face.
“I'm ready!” She pronounced.
“Uh-huh,” I note, grinning inside to see the look of anticipation of something new, on her face.
I find it endearing.
I rarely smoke, but that day I wanted one.
“The car will be about twenty minutes Rainbow, so I'm having a smoke, do you mind?”
She had shaken her head and we'd gone through to the lounge, to sit and wait.
And, that's what we do, with me finishing smoking two rolls, before the car arrives.
I hear the horn beep at 8:30 a.m. On time.
“C'mon Rainbow,” I call, “time to go!”
She had dressed and tidied herself, before I returned, yet looked decidedly nervous. All the time to the gate Rainbow had stayed near me and, as we made our way to the car Rainbow had stayed near me, seeking me, my presence.
I opened the gate with my free hand, my other being held tightly.

We hold hands, gentle-soft, approaching the car, then stopped at the kerbside near the car.

A window wound down and the driver leant across to ask, “Where to mister?”
“Town Hall, Wallasey. ASAP.”

A gulp followed, “yessir”, as we entered the car.
'Ah, the needs of the many,' I muse, can't help it.

And, it's with pleasure I note the wide-eyed wonder on Rainbow's face as The Wirral blurs by at forty miles an hour.
Our worlds are so different, I know.

“Are we there yet?” She asks me again and again, her gaze ona world outside the windows that is ever-so different from the world that she knows.

Finally we arrive and I approach the Town Hall, with Rainbow at my side, gently tugging on my left hand, as she gazed at the armed guards, who stood either side of the large main entrance doors.

I expected reproach from The Council, aware that they would have problems with the deal I'd made on their behalf.

Since the tunnel had been closed The Wirral had stopped its citizens carrying guns; according to The Council we had eradicated the issue, they had not.

No-one had called for mine though, or my other weaponry.

I'd known people, so as weapons were removed for 'citizens safety', mine were left untouched.

Then The 'Pool had built the wall, to keep them out. It had taken three battles to do so.

I had fought in the last, which is when I'd learned to love, fear and admire Francine, the woman I had fought next to. Francine, the green-haired Valkerie, who carried two swords, to slice the heads in twain, of her adversaries. She had re-killed hundreds, maybe thousands that last battle, as I'd sweated at her side and, she had saved my life, time after time.

Few bar Councillor Clarkson, a fierce old bird, knew of my admiration for Francine, for both her courage and, ferocity in battle.

Then, to see her kneel by a dying soldier to his last, before weeping, as she shot a bullet into his brain, to ensure he did not rise.

All of that was back then. My moment now was of churning guts, as I walk through the council halls, towards the main council chamber.

I expected reproach from The Council, aware that they would have issues with the deal I'd made on their behalf.

Setting my anxiety aside, I approached the doors, security standing either side.

Pushing the twin doors open, I enter and walk slowly toward Main Desk, at the far end of The Main Hall.

From above, they sat at the High Desk: the three councillors, all over sixty and highly esteemed in our community. Mallory a white man sat to the left, Clarkson sat in the middle, with Callaghan, a big man sitting to her left.
And... I had told them of my journey, the meeting with The 'Pools Mayor Francine and, her decision.

Her request, nay demand, for the tunnels re-opening, had not gone down well; as I'd expected.

The chunnering amongst The three councillors was just as expected, but they knew the antidote was now needed on The Wirral and, eventually acceptance had been found.

Having told them what was and what was needed, I turned and begun to walk away from The High Desk, listening to The Trio continue to talk.

Clarkson turned to Callaghan, “Seems we're getting what they wanted.”

“Uh-huh,” he replied dully.

“Now the piper will pay the price...” said Callaghan.

Both councillors turned to look at him.

“What do you mean?” Clarkson asked, in a quiet voice.

Callaghan shook his head and told them ruefully, “Seems like we'll have to look at our no-guns policy...”
He grinned at his fellow councillors and then added, “So, it looks like our tomorrows are going to be interesting, to say the very least.

Having heard what I had, I can't help but smile; as I pull the Main Halls twin doors.

I looked forward to seeing Rainbow, waiting for me.

And, much to my delight, she was...

She was sitting on the steps, knees drawn to her chin, her hands wrapped round them.

On the step behind where she sat, I cough.

“Hello,” I say in a casual voice.

Rainbows head snaps round very quickly, eyes wide, tears filling them.

Lowering her head, the tears fall openly.

“Hey honey,” I begin, my right hand on her left shoulder, “why the tears?”

She sniffles, tries to speak and sniffles again.

“I thought you'd left me alone...”

I stepped down and walked round, to face Rainbow, reaching out my right hand, to her.

“C'mon lass, we're going home...”

“Home?” Rainbow looked to me, her eyebrows raised, eyes wide.

“Are you... sure?” She asks me, tentatively.

“Daftee,” I mutter, taking her right and and, drawing her up, toward me.

And typically, it began to rain, again.

Epilogue:

We caught the Ferry Cross The Mersey, then a train back to where I live and, we ascended to floor level hand-in-hand, aware that she kept looking to me, every now and then.
And, as we walked toward home Rainbow's hand continues to hold mine. And, I like it.

We enter my home and Rainbow looks to me.

“I liked the taxi ride to the station,” Rainbow tells me, a lightness to her voice.

Abruptly, she turns, stops and looks to me.

“Can we be close, Aaron?” She asks and, I realise how dry my mouth is.

“If you want to, as much as me, too damn right!” I pronounced, with a grin, wishing I hadn't sounded quite so enthusiastic.

But, there I was. I did feel enthusiastic.

“Food first,” I tell Rainbow, as I enter the front-door: “Omlette alright?”

“Omlette?” She enounces, each syllable drawn.

“Never mind,” I quip, closing the door behind her.

“Hopefully, you'll like it...” I tell her, turning lights on, then the hob, on a low light.

“Do you like cheese?” I ask, not surprised, that she looks surprised.

So, I continue to cook Rainbow a light and fluffy two-egg, cheese-omelette.

I present it to Rainbow on a plate, with a fork next to the omelette.

And, I watch with pleasure as she eats, obviously taking pleasure in what I have cooked for her.

Finally she has finished and scraped at every small crumb left on the plate.
Finished, Rainbow sits back, satisfied.

She looks to me and smiles, “That was definitely yummy Mister Lancaster!”

I can't help but grin at her words, finding pleasure in each one.

“It's Aaron,” I remind her, yet again.

She stand and moves to the doorway, leaving her dishes behind.

I don't mind, which surprises me.

In the doorway Rainbow stops, one hand on the frame.

“It's been a long day..” she says to me.

“Yes, it has...” I agree, still curious as to why I made no objection, when she left her dishes behind, unclean.

“Well,” she begins hesitantly, “I'm going to take a shower, before bed... if, that's alright?”

Still puzzled at my own lack of voice, I simply sigh and nod.

“Yes lass, there's enough power for a shower,” I tell, before she leaves the doorway, hving told me, 'Thanks Dad!”

And, my headache begins; although I wanted to smile at my inadvertent rhyming.

So, instead of thinking, I do the dishes, a simple task, that simply doesn't take enough time, because as I turn the taps off to the kitchen sink, I hear her inging, singing in my shower, well, bth with an extendable hose and shower-head; that grandfather had put together for grandmother, in her later years, to make things easier,

I have no idea what she is singing, none whatsoever, but she's putting her heart and soul into it.

Finally, the water ceases running, but the singing does not.

Rainbow sounds... happy.

But it's getting late, my body tells me; “Bed,” I say, wiping down the counter and table.

I yawn, not able to stifle it and suddenly, there she is in the doorway, my white fluffy robe swamping her small frame.

Rainbow giggles, a hand to her mouth, as she pretended to shut-down her exhalation of humour.

“Sorry,” she says to me, still giggling intermittently, “but you sound as tired as I feel.”

Abruptly she adds, “I'm going to bed.”

“I guessed,” I say with a smile, looking at her calves and bare feet.

Minutes pass as I finish my tidying, mumbling to myself.

“Gawd, it's been a long day,” I say, sigh and stretch.

I rinse out the cloth I'd been using, then place it to dry.

And... suddenly, there she was again, Rainbow at the doorway, a serious look on her face.

She looks down and say to me in a tremulous voice.

“Aaron when you join me, do you mind if I pretend you're my boyfriend and, I'm your girlfriend...”

From a place deep inside, I easily found my answer, ideally one that would be suitable to her.
I step forward and use my forefinger to ease a quietly fallen tear, from her face.

“Rainbow, there's no need for any pretence, we are who we are...”

She looks at me with wide child-like eyes, “ You mean...”

I stroke her face again.

“You mean, I'm your girlfriend?” she asks me, voice eager, with excitement.

I step back smiling, “I thought I'd just said that.”

And suddenly, Rainbow is on me, arms wrapped round my neck,

Her breathy lips find mine and, for a moment she draws back and says, “Can we go to bed, now?”

I'm flustered, but fine. In fact, I feel better than 'fine,' I've never felt better.

“If you're ready, them so am I...” I tell her, with a light grin.