Chapter 4
She peered her eyes through the small gap between the wooden boards. The roosters were outside the house again. They had made a fire in the garden opposite and were throwing almost anything they could lay their hands on into it. They were being typical boys. Laughing...pushing each other around...smashing and ripping things up.
For about a week, they had left them alone. They didn't want any trouble from The Loco's, so showing them the picture of Zoot and Bray had warned them off...but for how long she wondered?
The Loco's hardly ever came this far in to the estate. There was no need to. They stayed in the city where it was bigger,it had more supplies, more children to menace. She wondered how long it would be before The Roosters got brave, knowing that the The Locos would never find out.
She turned around and looked at Bray who was looking through his diary. He felt someone watching him and he looked up,
"Its nearly time Trudy"
She gave a little laugh back. "I know, I don't think I can get any bigger. The baby is moving less each day"
Bray looked as if he was deep in thought.
"What are we going to do?"
He moved forward, and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'll go get some more supplies. You must stay here this time"
She didn't want him to go. Every time he left, he went further and further, and away for longer. She didn't want to be left on her own, especially with The Roosters hanging around right outside their door.
"Do you have too?" She begged
He stood up and swung his backpack over his back, and leant down to pick up his skateboard.
"We haven't got any food left and you need things for the baby. I have to go I'll be fine Trudy. You say here and rest"
He smiled at her before he left through the back door.
She moved back over to the boarded up window and peeked out again. At least The Roosters were still out the front. They hadn't seen Bray leave.
Code 1, Civil priority .Isolation now in effect. To avoid the risk of contamination please stay in doors and await further instructions. Medical advice will be given.
Code 1, Civil priority .Isolation now in effect. To avoid the risk of contamination please stay in doors and await further instructions. Medical advice will be given.
The authorities are appealing for calm throughout the evacuation process. All children under the age of 18 years should report to there local sector for transportation.
Her parents watched the news report with sad eyes. Her father with a half full whisky glass.
"But what about you?"
Her father sipped his drink and shook his head "Its too late for us Trudy. You have to accept that. Save yourself"
She screamed.
Trudy awoke from her dream. Her heart beating rapidly. She shot up quickly from the sofa. Her dreams had become more vivid for the last few months. A symptom of pregnancy, Bray had told her.
She took a deep breathe and tried to compose herself. It was the same dream all the time. The dream of her parents.
She wished she had gone along with the evacuation process. Instead memories of her fathers dead ugly body, and her mothers decreasing soul haunted her. She had nightmares of that too.
She gripped her belly and hunched over, as she suddenly got a strange tightening in her abdomen, she could almost feel the entire body of her baby pushing out of her side. It was only slightly painful, so it was manageable and It only lasted for a few seconds then suddenly released itself. She took a deep breathe, and relaxed her body. She knew she was close to delivering her baby.
At that second, Bray came through the back door. He had been gone for hours. He saw she looked distressed and came over.
"Trudy what is it?"
"I saw Mum and Dad again...I wish I went...but I didn't want to leave them. I couldn't save them, there was nothing I could do"
"There was nothing anybody could do" He replied, taking her chin into his hands.
She could almost feel tears in her eyes as she looked at him. He always had a way of making her feel better...safer.
"But Trudy, we have to go"
Her expression changed, "But why?"
"Its the Roosters. They saw me in the supermarket, they followed me in and chased me. The shop was empty, there's just nothing around. There coming for us Trudy. They said The Locos haven't been spotted around here in weeks, and Zoot cant protect us now. We have to go, were not safe here"
"Were not safe anywhere"
"In sector 10, we might have a chance. I've heard there's just strays and nomads"
She stood up, trying to protest "I don't want to go to the city...Loco's!"
"We've gotta try, there's not much time Trudy"
Bray rushed around the house, packing things up that they might need. He grabbed a towel from the bathroom, a razor and a bar of soap, and rummaged the kitchen draws for the tin opener. They didn't need much, Trudy's bag had already been packed a few days earlier and left by the back door. She never thought she would be taking it so soon.
He helped her up off the sofa, and stuffed the blanket she was wearing into his backpack before slinging it over his shoulder. He then picked up his skateboard and tucked it under his arm.
"Come on Trudy, lets go"
She glanced over the living room quickly, not realising this would be the last time she would see the house. Another familiar pain and tightening happened, as she laid her hand across her belly. She hoped Bray was right.
And then she left with him.
If only she knew the adventures that lay ahead.