Aftermath (Invasion of the Dead) - Part I by Owen Baillie Read Free Book Online Page A

spoken to her.  She had chased him and he’d been as confused as everybody why she’d done it.  It wasn’t his style to pursue an attached girl.  Emma had fed Dylan lies and he had gone along with it, probably making it seem worse to Callan.  They had been peripheral friends until that point.  A shocking thought formed in his mind.
    “Who was it?  And don’t you dare fucking tell me it was Johnny.”   Sherry looked away.  “Noooo.  No.  Come on Sherry.  One of his best mates?  He loves Johnny.  Are you trying to fuck him up completely?”  Tears ran from the corners of her eyes.  “Anyone but Johnny .”
    The door opened and Callan jumped in.  Dylan’s heart froze.
    “What’d you say about Johnny?”
    Sherry wiped at the tears.  “We were just talking,” Dylan said, his heart thundering, “about who might have survived.  We thought Johnny was a sure thing to have bunkered down somewhere safely.”
    “You bet,” Callan said.  “No chance that he’s sick.  He’s too smart and tough.  Are you okay babe?”  Sherry took his hand.  “It’s okay.  Johnny will be fine.  Our parents will be fine.”
    Dylan turned away, supressing disgust.   He was ready to explode.  He hated knowing secrets.  He had a bad habit of inadvertently making them known.
    Greg and Kristy returned empty.  The place was deserted, no phones or newspapers, little food.  No dead people in the house out the back either.  They drove away and Dylan felt the secret like a lump of ice in his gut.
    He checked his phone again but there was still no service.  Not even the “SOS only” message.  He needed to talk to his father.  Dylan was certain he would be across the virus, collecting papers and making notes.  He’d never let him down, and would have a plan for staying safe.  Survival.  He loved his father.  He loved his mother too, and she had been almost infallible, but he was closer to his father, the same way Jenny was closer to her.  The man had been there every day of Dylan’s life, coaching, counselling, providing.  He ran a hugely successful business, although Dylan had rarely suffered his absence for it.  He had long encouraged Dylan to follow his dreams and pursue whatever made him happy.  His father would support him unconditionally.  He thought about their last conversation, funnily enough, about Kristy . 
    “So you like her then?”  His father had said with a wry smile beneath a trimmed moustache showing the first flecks of grey.
    “Ahhh.  I don’t know.”
    His father had laughed.  “Just like me at your age.  I bet you do like her.  A lot.  It’s complicated, isn’t it?”
    Dylan had frowned.  “Yeeeahh.”
    “See.  Let me guess.  Her brother.  He doesn’t like you.” 
    Dylan narrowed his eyes.  “That’s easy.  You know the whole, backstory.  You’re part of it. ”
    Bob Cameron shrugged.  “Don’t let the thoughts and feelings of outsiders affect this, Dylan.  It’s between you and Kristy.  If you like her, do something about it.”  He walked over and put a hand on Dylan’s shoulder.  “Mate, your mother and I just want you to be happy.  We’ll deal with anything or anyone , as long as you’re where you want to be.”
    “Thanks Dad.  I do like her.  A lot.  But a few things worry me and I’m just not sure how to approach them.”
    “Well, either one of us are here if you need to talk.  But take a risk.  I wouldn’t have the amazing family or the business if I hadn’t taken plenty of risks.”    
    Dylan thought about never seeing him again, and tears blurred his vision.  He tightened his jaw until it hurt.  I hope you’re okay Dad. 
    He shut away the thoughts and watched the scenery out the window , reminiscing about their time at the lake.  The rain had come soon after leaving the stopping area, pattering the windows in long bullets.  Overhead, dirty clouds bubbled, creating a feeling of impending dusk.  Nobody had spoken.