My Dad's "Subjective" Diary - Part Two - To the Bitter End

By Clive Hoad

Continuing Christopher Hind's story based on his Father Cliff's diary that was written before he was born. Chris was now 70 years of age.
Looking back from what would be our future 2078, Chris had discovered that his Father had been protecting his family in an underground shelter during a terrorist war with the world. Now, suffering not only loss, abandonment and new members to watch over, they struggle to even feed themselves while endeavouring to survive.
It is no picnic when trouble seems to run into them around every corner.
With all odds against them, just who will survive "to the bitter end".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781326000400

Book preview

My Dad's "Subjective" Diary - Part Two - To the Bitter End

My Dad’s

Subjective Diary 2

TO THE BITTER END

BY CLIVE HOAD

Prologue

Christopher Hind, now in his 70s published a book based on a Diary written by his Father. So far, according to the notes, England, April of 2006, saw a bitter war with terrorists that had spread across the country. Cliff, this is Christopher's Father, when at the age of 21, had persuaded his whole family to shelter in a base he had dug out under his Grandparents field. The base stretched some way and included an entrance down through a dead hollow Oak tree to the First room, as they called it. There was another entrance the far side of the field within woodland, a camouflaged platform that would lower them inside. With all modern conveniences it was home from home. Each of them had their own room, Cliff and his fiancée Jo, Alan, his younger Brother and Kate, Richard, Cliff's Cousin and Carol, Sarah, Cliff's Cousin and Will, Cliff's Mum and Dad, his Uncle Richard and Aunt Carol and his Nan and Grandad.

Cliff, Alan, Richard and Sarah's parents were two Brothers who married two Sisters. Whilst on holiday they were tragically killed when the four were all very young. Since that time their immediate Grandparents have brought them all up known as Mum and Dad, and their Great Grandparents now known as Nan and Grandad. It's not a complicated situation but having skipped a generation the age gap is a formidable difference.

To date Cliff's Nan, Great Grandmother, had unfortunately suffered a stroke and was bedridden. Kate had suffered a miscarriage and Sarah had walked out on Will to do more with her life and had joined the RAF. Will had now gone off in search of her, so far as it's known, and not the best time to do so; the South coast was supposedly under threat from a terrorist virus attack.

Cliff, Richard and Alan had sent themselves up on the platform over in the wood entrance to see if there was any sight of Will. Of course he would be like finding a needle in a haystack but they had to try. They dare not call out immediately until they had checked the area for outsiders so as not to give themselves away but there was a good chance he had headed for his farm just one field over.

Before any discussion was heard Alan ran forward, he had seen something. Cliff followed closely behind while Richard, the ever-cautious one, remained on the platform.

Within fifty yards of where a lane edged the woodland to the water treatment site to the left Cliff found Alan laying within the bluebells for cover and looking through the sights of his rifle. Cliff stopped and stooped down when Alan's right palm to stopped him. He laid down beside him.

To Alan's point Cliff noticed an RAF encampment of  air crew were hiding a Harrier jump jet within a small thicket of trees the far side of the lane and three terrorist gunmen sneaking up on them. Deciding to take them on trying to save the British aircrew Alan shot dead the most distant of them. He manages to take down a second but within the adrenaline paced fire-fight that ensues his bolt-action rifle jams. In frustration and desperate need to take a shot at his next target he sat up consequently being shot and thrown back banging his head on a tree root. Alan's right hand that had dropped his rifle became trapped underneath him, his right leg had flown forward from under him where he had knelt and his left raised at the knee. He looked a mess for his shirt became saturated with blood from his left shoulder-blade.

Cliff could only assume his Brother dead, he looked dead. Then, in his reaction to check on him Cliff was also shot in the arm.

One gunman who had pinpointed Cliff's position had straddled the wire fence and had run across the woodland behind the shelter of trees to stop just yards away with the barrel of his gun aiming at Cliff's head. His neglect to fire was because Cliff swayed the end of the loaded rifle at him from its propped position on his right foot. It was a stalemate situation. However, feeling the effects of a bullet wound to his left arm Cliff was swaying, he hadn't taken in whatever the gunman voiced to him and was almost falling unconscious whilst his eyes and vision blurred. Close to the point of not being able to stabilise himself Cliff had begun to see flashbacks of his past realising this could be his end.

In the next split of a second Cliff was never to know whether he had a future or whether he was about to die, he fell unconscious.

A gunshot may have been the very last thing he heard……

Chapter one

Rescue

Having no control over the tension on the trigger I had fired without even realising. It seems I blanked out for just a few moments before springing to the upright like I had awoken from a micro sleep. Was I shot? I didn't know, only that I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and pulsate down my wounded arm. And where was the gunman?

My immediate reaction was to grasp the rifle only to find the chamber empty. I looked about myself. There was the gunman on the ground several feet away in the undergrowth. I had killed him. Well I presume I had. That fact kind of filled me with bewilderment. However, although I'd just saved my life I gave little immediate thought to it while trying not to black out again. My main concern was Alan and although it was still very difficult supporting myself with my left arm I cleared the pain from my mind and pulled myself to my knees.

There was no more movement from him. I was panicking, not knowing what to do. I pulled his arm from under him to make him more comfortable and lifted his head. It was the first time in my life I'd desperately wanted to hug him but instead I felt like shouting at him. Why did you sit up! and You better not be dead! What I actually did say was, ‘I love you bro'.'

It was then that I felt a heart beat in his neck and he took a deep breath.

More gunshots and a hand grenade exploded in the background.

I jumped when the explosion occurred but had renewed hope when I realised Alan was alive. I just had to stop the bleeding.

Laying him gently back again I took my belt off and slid it underneath him where it just reached round his chest for me to do up. All I could think to do was roll his tee-shirt up and tuck it under the belt as a pad over the wound. His back was the most intense for there was a hole big enough to fit a tennis ball inside.

Having sat him up Alan opened his eyes only being barely conscious as he struggled to draw breath.

Richard ran up. ‘Oh Jesus, will he be alright?'

‘I don't know. We need to get help. I don't care who or where, but someone.'

Richard leaned over Alan. ‘Does it hurt?'

‘What kind of a stupid question is that?' I said in a rage. ‘Get help!'

Alan gasped in pain as I laid him back again. He struggled with a breath to fill his lungs enough to expel an answer. ‘I feel holier than thou,' he said coughing a laugh.

‘It ain't funny Bruv. You could have died.'

‘Na, not today. Did you get him?'

‘Yes, seems I did.'

‘Are you okay?' Richard asked me.

‘Yeah, yeah, let's just worry about Alan.'

‘I mean, you're bleeding as well.'

‘I'm alright. What are we going to do?'

More gunshots then silence.

‘We need to get him to a hospital.' Richard, still gripping his phone, put it to his ear. ‘Are you still there? Alan has been shot, badly. We need help.'

Someone replied on the phone

‘Okay,' replied Richard then ended the call and placed his phone in his trouser pocket.

I was curious. ‘Who was that?'

‘You'll find out in a minute. With a bit of luck help's on the way.'

I was clinging to Alan, trying to support him, when there was a call from the lane. ‘Richard!' A male voice shouted across.

Richard waved to catch his attention.

I sat up and looked round. It was Will, not in my best books at the moment. It was partly because of him that we were out here. He and an Airman in camouflaged uniform came running over with guns and a first aid kit.

Will knelt by my side with blood spattered over his face and clothes and he was shaking. ‘How is he?'

‘Well let's see, shall we,' I said sarcastically. ‘Does he look okay? No. I thought he was dead, no thanks to you just clearing off without a word.'

Will paused for a second as he let it go in one ear and out the other before opening up the first aid kit and taking out a sealed pre-loaded syringe of morphine. He never said anything.

‘What's that?' I asked.

‘Morphine. It's a painkiller. It looks like you done a good job holding the bleeding. I'm sorry what's happened.'

I ignored that. ‘We came out to try to contact you to see if you were okay. I can't believe you'd just walk out on us without a word… You're unbelievable.'

‘I'm sorry. What else can I say? Without Sarah I'm just the odd one out. I needed to get away.'

‘A weak excuse for just clearing off. So where'd you go?'

Will pulled Alan's arm from me and looked for a decent vein. After squeezing a small amount from the needle he injected the morphine as he spoke. ‘I don't know where I was going. I heard these guys driving their trucks over the fields beyond and joined with them. They took me in and set me up with some protective clothing during the scare. Dave, their radio operator and cook, is organising a helicopter. It's a mess over there as well. This is Brian by the way.' He then took a small oxygen canister and mask from the kit and held it over Alan's nose and mouth.

Brian leaned forward and held out his right hand. He seemed a little put off by the atmosphere I'd ignited. ‘Thanks, by the way,' he said. ‘If it weren't for you guys we'd all be dead by now, we had no idea they were there. I'm guessing they saw the Harrier land. We got two injured and we've lost Rachel the aircraft tech mechanic, Sparks the aircraft tech electronics freak, Bulldog the Pilot and Vern' the fuel guy. They got caught in the explosion. Bloody mess. If those bastards had taken the Harrier I don't know what might have happened. What are you guys doing out here anyway?'

I reached past Will and took his hand. ‘We don't live far away. You don't seem too put out that your colleagues are dead?'

‘Shit happens. I didn't know them that well. I'm just the weapons tech who reloads the plane and maintains the release systems. I only joined this team a few days ago.'

‘You're all heart. I feel like we're the local home guard the way things keep happening to us.'

‘I don't understand,' Brian replied. ‘What do you mean?'

‘Two or three terrorist incidents. Nevermind. So what are you doing out here anyway?'

‘Runways and airports are prime targets by enemy planes and terrorists. V/STOL planes like the Harrier are ideal for sheltered areas like this.'

‘Oh, I see.'

Will rummaged around in the med kit for a bandage. ‘Get your shirt off, let's bandage your arm. You better go with Alan in the helicopter and get yourself sorted out as well.'

‘I'll be alright.'

Richard leaned over me and placed his right hand on my shoulders. 'Cliff, you should do as Will suggests, your arm is a mess, you need stitches.'

‘Okay, okay. Help me off with this shirt and then go, get Kate. Well actually don't get her, ask her if she wants to go with Alan or stay here.'

‘Okay, I'll ask her. Lift your right arm up.'

My arm was growing more painful by the minute and hurt like hell as my shirt came off. A lot of congealed blood and flesh had stuck to the fabric and pulled as my shirt came away. The wound didn't look nice, it was like the side of my arm had burst open leaving serrated edges and strands of skin dangling from me within dark dried blood clots.

Will returned the bandage to the kit and took out a reel of cling film of which he wrapped a couple of layers round my arm. ‘That's all I can do.'

‘Thanks.'

Brian was pacing. ‘If you want to stay with your mates, Will, you can. I best get and help over there until the helicopter arrives.'

‘I'll come over,' Will returned. ‘I might be able to help. I need to get a stretcher for Alan anyway. Cliff, we'll be back.'

I just gave him a nod as my attention went to Alan and leaned over him taking his left hand again. ‘Hang on in there, mate.'

Richard patted me on the back and stood. ‘I'll come and see you off whether Kate comes or not. Won't be long.' He then stood and ran off back to the platform.

------------------------------

Richard ran directly to the first room. It was only by coincidence that Jo, Carol and Kate were there listening to a comedy sketch on Kate's phone radio. Carol got up and walked over to him.

‘What's wrong?' she asked seeing there was a worried look on his face.

‘It's Alan.'

Kate looked up as white a sheet and passed her phone to Jo as she stood. ‘What's happened?' she asked while tension got the better of her nerves

‘He's been shot.'

Kate withered and almost collapsed. Her breath was drawn from her as she began hyperventilating in a panicked state.

Jo got up sharply and held her. ‘Come on, sit down.' She looked about the room. ‘We need a paper bag. Nevermind. Pull the neck of your top over your face and breath inside. Long deep breaths.'

Kate had a couple of breaths then pulled her pink sweatshirt away again. ‘He's not dead, is he?' she questioned.

‘No, he's not dead. I'm sure he'll be alright. There's a helicopter on the way to take him to a hospital. We wondered if you wanted to go with him or whether you wanted to stay here?'

‘I'll go.' There was no hesitation.

‘Okay. Come on, I'll take you out.' Richard held out his right hand to help her up.

Jo stood with her. ‘Here, take your phone. Give Alan our best wishes, Kate. Best of luck. We'll be thinking of you. Contact us, okay?'

‘I will,' was Kate's muffled reply from under her shirt. She walked forward and wiped her eyes.

Carol grabbed Richard by the arm. ‘Hey. Kiss. You're not going, are you?'

Richard's attention into the room had not changed even while Kate walked past. His eyes were to Jo. ‘No, I'll be back,' he said.

Carol kissed him on the lips receiving little emotion. She then stood back to notice something else was on his mind.

Jo looked up to see his eyes and flushed face. ‘Yes?', she questioned wondering what was on his mind. A shiver then ran through her. ‘It's Cliff as well, isn't it?'

‘It's not as serious but he got shot in the arm. He may need stitches and a little work, so I've told him to go as well.'

‘Oh.' Jo stood stunned for a moment. ‘I can't go, can I,' she said thinking of Nan. ‘I'm needed here. Send him my love. Tell him I miss him already and I'll be waiting impatiently.'

‘I will.'

-------------------------------

Brian had run over into Will's field and set off a red flare for the helicopter. While two other wounded airmen hobbled out into the field Will returned with a stretcher joined by Brian momentarily who helped lift Alan carefully on it.

Richard approached with Kate and I backed off when she ran forward. She stopped a couple of yards away and walked almost hesitantly not knowing what to expect or what she was going to see. The sight of his blood soaked shirt was upsetting for her and her right hand covered her face as she began to cry.

Alan was just about conscious by now and moved his right arm to take hold of Kate's left hand. ‘Hey, don't cry, you'll get me all wet.'

‘Don't say that,' she snapped. ‘It's no laughing matter. You could have been killed.'

‘Sorry,' he said wearily, his head rolling and his eyelids barely staying open. ‘I feel sick.'

Kate looked up and saw Will. ‘Will, Is there something we can do?'

‘It's the morphine, painkiller. Sickness is one of the side effects. He'll be okay.'

Brian stepped up to the foot end of the stretcher. ‘Come on, we must get out into the field, the helicopter will be here shortly. They won't want to stay long.'

‘I'll see you soon then,' said Richard. Send me an email on your phone to say you're okay. I'll pick it up in the base later. By the way, Cliff, Jo says she loves you, misses you already and can't wait for you to get back.'

‘Tell her I'll be back as soon as I can. Tell her…. Just tell her I love her. Keep her safe, Rich', okay?'

‘She'll be fine. You just get sorted.'

Brian and Will lifted Alan on the stretcher while Kate held his hand and I followed. My arm was aching like hell by the time we got to the flare out in the field. Neither of us said a word just sat there for most part of 20 minutes before we could hear the helicopter approach in the distance. A Chinook finally came over and blew us to bits as it landed close-by. Half a dozen armed soldiers and a relief crew jumped out from the side and ran off towards the encampment. It seemed after what had happened keeping the plane in seclusion was still the main priority.

The rest of us went up the ramp at the back of the helicopter. Each of us sat nervously to the sides and waited several more minutes while bodies got carried aboard. Barely a word passed anyone's lips. Other soldiers shouted between themselves to organise then even before the ramp closed we took off. I'd never been in a helicopter before so it was an experience.

From the small porthole I could see the woodland below and the Soldiers surrounding the Harrier within the thicket. There was also the small specks of Richard and Will disappearing back into the trees. I just wasn't sure about Will. In the back of my mind I wasn't sure I could trust him now that Jo was alone. Could I trust her? I hope so. Will was a womaniser. He just better leave her alone.

Where the hell are we going? was a question on my mind. I hope Alan is alright? was another, and then I hope the airmen don't discover our base. Also, I wish Jo were here." I had many questions on my mind and thoughts that I couldn't do anything about. I was out of my depth now and reliant on other people, a situation I'd rarely been in before, I'd always been in control. Huh, how stupid is that. I'd always been alone, that's why.

‘Where are we going?' I questioned loudly over the noise to one of the airmen.

There was a number of airmen aboard, many little older than myself. The guy across from me just raised his shoulders.

Alan was still conscious and was looking to Kate who sat at his feet. A medic had finally come to him after tending a wounded soldier and took his pulse.

‘Is he okay?' I asked.

‘I'm sure he'll be fine.'

‘Where are we going?'

‘Biggin Hill.'

‘That's an airfield,' I said in raising voice. ‘We need to get to a hospital, pretty damn quick?'

‘It is an airfield but it's been set up with several on site mobile operating theatres trying to cope with injured coming out of London since the explosion. There are casualties being flown in all the time. So many Hospitals have closed now it's getting beyond the joke. Field Hospitals are gradually being set up throughout the country. Most of them just can't cope with all that's occurred. You may have a long wait although your mate might be seen a lot quicker.'

‘He's my Brother.'

‘Okay. Well be patient.'

‘Thanks, I don't suppose we have any other choice. Is it as bad as I've heard everywhere?'

‘It's bad. The country is in turmoil. Terrorist just won't give up; they're cropping up all over the place. Bombs are going off everywhere. If you look out the window you'll see thousands of cars just abandoned, people living in fields under boxes and blankets. The lucky ones have tents or a caravan. The area can't cope with all the people who've moved up from the south. There's no food or water. Even those returning home have no food to return to and there are no supplies getting through because of impassable road jams. We've been flying around the clock dropping off emergency rations and medical supplies. I'm just coming to the end of a 36-hour shift. It's mayhem on a large scale. So how come you guys look so fit and healthy?'

‘We've been lucky.'

‘So where've you been hiding? You took a chance staying in the south with the virus threat.'

He was starting to ask too many questions.

‘Just hiding.'

‘A secret place then?'

My brows raised. I said no more.

‘It's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone. You've earned our thanks from what I've heard. You saved three lives and stopped a Harrier from being taken by the enemy. Shame about the others. I knew Bulldog, the Pilot. I went to school with him. It's hard to think he's over there in a body-bag.' He looked down to the rear of the cabin where the dead laid side by side on the floor.

‘Sorry, I don't know your name?' I said

‘I'm Medical Assistant John Frayling. You are?'

‘Cliff. This is Kate and my Brother Alan. So what was Bulldog's real name?'

‘Roger Barns. He was a good Pilot. He's not long been back from a tour of Iraq. He has a Wife, Maggie. She was so relieved when he came home safe. Now look what's happened. She's going to go to pieces.'

I didn't know what to say.

John stood up. ‘We'll be landing in a few minutes. Stick together is my one bit of advice, it's so easy to get parted and so easy to lose each other amid all the confusion.'

‘We will. Thanks, John.'

‘Don't thank me, I've not done anything. Thank the other Doctors and surgeons at the airfield, some are working twenty hour shifts at the moment.'

Chapter 2

In the base

Richard grabbed caution from the wind and used it with a little common sense. Before lowering the platform to return inside the base he hid up behind the holly bush at the top of the bank beside the old barn where he could look across the woodland. From this vantage point he could see the positions of the new airmen save unintentionally giving the base away. Will was his concern, what was he going to do?

In the impending silence once the Chinook took flight and faded into the distance Richard listened out for any kind of movement as he watched Will come across the field and step through the fence to the lane.

Don't just come directly to the platform, idiot.

Richard phoned him. He could hear the ringtone from where he was.

‘Hello?' answered Will.

‘Are you coming back to the base?'

‘I've been thinking about it. I suppose. I'll join you while Cliff is away to help out, but then I may go again. There's nothing here for me anymore.'

‘Yeah, well, whatever. Just don't come directly to the platform, you're being watched. Soldiers have spread out around the perimeter of their encampment now. You'll have to walk up the lane and come round from the other side.'

‘Okay. No problem, I'll cut through from Jackson's place.'

‘Okay. I'll meet you at the exit tree over at the field gateway. Bye.'

Ten minutes went by during which Will had circled round Jackson's house at the Northern tip of the wood and came down beside the hedgerow of the field to the exit tree. Richard had already taken the camouflaged panel from the tree trunk and was ready to step into the hollow interior on the rungs that led down the concrete U bend tunnel.

Will's face cringed as he looked down inside. ‘Oh yuck,' he sounded. ‘That'll be like going through a sewer. You do know it smells like a stagnant fish tank?'

‘You're a farmer, I didn't think you minded a little muck?'

‘Maybe not, but I don't usually swim in it.'

‘Hah. Well we don't have any choice, do we? We can have a shower after.'

‘Yeah, yeah, okay. You go, I'm going to try to phone Sarah before I go down. Damn it,' he then realised. ‘Our phones?'

‘What?'

‘We need to seal them in a bag before going through the water, stupid.'

‘I was going to put mine in my mouth.'

‘Well you might have a big mouth but it ain't that big, surely. Hang on,' Will realised. ‘I may have a solution.' He then reached down to a pocket in his right trouser leg and pulled out a clear polythene bag with biscuits in. ‘I've got this. I took some biscuits to keep me going. I know its full of crumbs but we can turn it inside out.'

‘Biscuits? What kind of survival ration is that?'

‘Well I've not just got biscuits. I've got a couple of cereal bars. I've got a couple fried sausages, some hard bread to chew on, a small box of raisins and a packet of dried fruit.'

‘Oh right? A proper survival kit then?'

‘Quit making fun. I never gave it much thought.'

‘No you didn't, about anything. You had us all worried. You might have said something. Most of us thought you'd been caught out in the virus or something. We thought you were dead. You're lucky we came out to look.'

‘I know, I realise that. I'm sorry.'

‘Yeah, well you might have to say sorry a lot more when we get inside.'

‘Jo?'

‘Jo and the rest of the family quite likely. They'll also likely blame you for Alan and Cliff and we don't even know where they've gone.'

Will was silent, I think he'd taken enough guilt aboard and was half inclined not to go in at all.

‘Right,' said Richard. ‘Are you going to phone Sarah, or shall I?'

‘You go ahead. I've agonised over it for ages. She'll likely not speak to me anyway. I want to speak to her, I really do, but it'll most likely end in argument and I can't take anymore. I'm not sure I'd even know what to say. I guess, sorry.'

‘Do you want to listen in on this or what?'

‘If you don't mind I'll head inside.'

‘Fair enough. Give me your phone and the bag.'

Will handed it over then stepped round and climbed inside the tree. The uneven, crumbly, dusty surfaces, littered with leaves and cobwebs also had beetles, woodlice and centipedes crawling within it. The water below looked black with floating leaves and bits of wood on the surface.

‘We really have to do this?' he questioned.

Richard raised his brows and glared at him. This was the only option.

‘Okay, I'm going.'

Richard found Sarah in his phone contact list and pressed send as it went to his right ear. It began ringing.

A male voice answered.

‘Hi, this is Sarah's phone. Who's…'

Sarah grabs the phone all giggly.

‘Give me that. I told you to leave my phone alone. Hello? Who is it?'

She then squealed, obviously play fighting with the male.

‘It's Richard. Sarah, what's going on?'

‘Richard?' she said in surprise.

‘Yes. Sis' I think you're lucky its not Will. What do you think you're playing at? Where are you?'

‘I'm in Lincoln, at RAF Coningsby. I'm being trained as an air traffic control assistant. I've not long come off shift.'

‘Well, you didn't waste any time. So you're okay. What's with the guy? What's going on? You've obviously put Will out of your mind?'

There was silence for a moment. ‘Will and I are finished, it's over. This is Mike, he's an air traffic controller. He's just come back to my room to teach me a few things.'

She squealed again.

‘That's very funny Sarah,' not amused. ‘You've changed.'

‘It's what they call getting a life, Brother, dear. Maybe you lot need to do the same other than living in a hole under the ground. At least I'm doing something worthwhile. And I'm very happy now.'

‘Are you suggesting I'm not?'

‘No, I'm not saying that. But come on, where's it all leading?'

Richard was silent for a moment. ‘We've been doing our fare share thanks. At least we're together as a family looking out for each other. At least we managed to get through the virus threat safely, thanks for asking. I'll let Mum and Dad know you're okay, then?'

‘Tell them I'm well and safe and happy. I love doing what I'm doing, the pay is good, the people are great, and I've made many new friends already. Is everyone else okay? Is Nan okay?'

‘Nan hasn't changed much lately, in fact with Jo looking after her she seems a lot better. There's an air crew hiding a fighter plane just the other side of the lane. Will was hoping to speak with you before you cleared off. He wanted to say he was sorry. He loved you, you know.'

Sarah didn't seem interested. ‘Did you know there are two weapons systems officers here that go up in Tornado's, both girls, just a couple of years older than me. Can you believe that? There's so much here for women to do.'

Richard was going to tell her more but gave up. ‘Yeah, well you're obviously not interested. You have fun. I have to go now. Keep in touch, okay. Let us know you're okay once in a while.'

‘I will. Take care.'

She was gone.

Richard spent a moment looking at his phone in disbelief before placing it in the plastic bag. I don't think he was ever going to figure out his Sister. ‘Unbelievable.' He was shaking his head as he stepped into the trunk then pulled the panel round and sealed it in place before descending down the rungs to the water. It had darkened inside directly, claustrophobic and dust trickled down over you. The water was freezing cold by all accounts as it rose up through his clothes.

------------------------------

Jo and Carol had sat on the floor against the wall in the first room drinking a hot mug of tomato soup and chatting.

‘It's kind of scary down here without the guys, don't you think?' said Carol. ‘Richard's been a long time?'

Jo seemed miles away. ‘They seem to attract trouble. I feel like I should have gone with Cliff. I hope they're alright. He must think I don't care. I wonder where they've gone? God, I hope he's okay. Do you like my ring?'

‘Oh, Jo, it's beautiful. Where did you get it?'

‘Cliff wanted to go out and get me one by himself but actually Nan passed it down to him to give me just this morning.'

‘You get on well with their Nan, don't you?'

‘She's lovely. I like all Cliff's family, don't you?'

‘Yeah, I suppose. I guess I'm more shy with them than you are.'

Jo said, ‘It's a long time since I was in a loving family.'

That comment kind of hit a cord with Carol who had missed the comfort of her own family since her parent's break-up.

‘I miss my Dad,' she said as his memory came to mind.

Jo looked to her. ‘Oh, Hun, I'm sorry.' She could see there was some emotion there.

‘Don't you miss yours?' Carol enquired.

‘Miss them? I have nothing to miss. It's a long story; I'd rather not go into right now.' Jo's eyes were staring out, there was no emotion as she sat silent for a moment.

Carol showed intrigue. ‘I don't understand. What was so wrong? Did something happen?'

Jo snapped out of her thought. ‘It's nothing. Can we just leave it?'

‘Why can't you tell me? Is it something bad?'

‘Please, just leave it. If I tell anyone in confidence it will be Cliff. I need to tell him, he should know before anyone else. And I should tell him soon.'

‘Was it something you did?'

There was a bang on the tunnel hatch that startled them. Another bang and the hatch burst open when Will launched up out of the water.

Stagnant water spilled into the room along with the rotten stench it gave off. Then like the horror of some bog monster covered in green slime the shape of a man pulling himself into the room appeared.

Carol screamed. Jo jumped like her whole body expanded and then shrunk back to normal. She stood up immediately and grabbed the first thing that came to hand, a bottle from the bench and might have hit him over the head if Carol hadn't launched herself forward with her arm out. ‘Wait!' she cried. She could tell by his clothes, ‘It's Will.'

Will's hair was flat against his head as water drained from him. Green slime, leaves and rotted wood pulp smothered him. As he blew out the contents of his lungs a plume  of water sprayed  across the room. A gasp for air followed as he came forward then dragged himself out on the floor and crawled on all fours like an alligator before laying out flat on his stomach shivering.

‘Will?' Jo questioned as she knelt and wiped the weed from his face. ‘What are you playing at? You scared us half to death. I nearly hit you.'

‘Richard's coming as well. We can't use the wood entrance, there are new airmen guarding their encampment now, we'd have been seen.'

‘Oh great,' replied Jo. So we can't go out then, we're trapped.'

Will stood up.

Richard climbed up out of the tunnel, stood up and wiped the water from his face with his hands. ‘Hello,' he said.

Carol stepped before him and picked off bits of mushy leaves. ‘Yuck, hunni. I'd hug you, but you're disgusting.'

Jo placed the bottle back on the bench. ‘Don't even think to talk to me, Will. Cliff went out to check you were okay because he thought you a friend. Because of you he and Alan have been shot. I don't know how you dare come back?' She then walked out of the room.

‘I'll go again, shall I?'

She didn't hear that.

Carol said nothing.

Richard looked to him. ‘That was expected. I told you there'd be a lot more sucking up to do.'

‘Nevermind that,' and with some anticipation asked, ‘did you get her?'

‘I did.'

‘How is she?'

‘She's a lot better than I expected. She's landed on