Luke's Diary: An Unlucky Man In A Zombie Apocalypse. Entries 757 to 956

Entry 936: Saturday 20th April 2019

Entry 936
Saturday 20th April 2019

It's been a busy day. I've seen Harold and Naomi today, and tomorrow I'm going to see Auntie Meryl and try to sort everything out with Roz and Kyle!

I met with Blade in the morning and he drove me to the prison. "The last time you came to the prison it was under very different circumstances," said Blade. "You're not p*ssed off with me, are you?" I asked, "Tara did have me at gunpoint, and she was holding my kids hostage." "I'm not p*ssed off with you, Luke," said Blade, "I just don't see the point in this visit." "God Jon," I said, "Don't start. You sound as bad as Ash. I just want to thank Harold for helping me, but also tell him that I'm not going to be in his debt, no matter what he says."

I ended up back in the interview room with the glass screen that split the room in half. I stood in my part of the room as Blade stood towards the back of the room with his arms folded. "Keep it brief, Luke," said Blade, "I'm a busy man." A few moments later Harold, was escorted into his part of the room by two armed GRID soldiers who, like Blade stood at the back of the room. "Luke," said Harold with a smile on his face, "I thought it might be you. How lovely to see you. Good holiday?" "What do you mean?" I asked. "Your little jaunt to Egypt?" said Harold, "How was it?" "How did you know that's where I ended up?" I asked. "The guards in here talk" said Harold, "I overhear them. Giza wasn't it?" "It was hardly a holiday," I bluntly said. "That's a shame," said Harold, "Mind you, I suppose Tara kept you on your feet. Speaking of which, where is she? The last time you came to see me you brought her with you. I see your current prison companion is a lot less attractive." "Don't get smart Endo," snapped Blade, knowing that Harold was talking about him, "Luke, get to the point. I told you, I'm busy." "Well, I just wanted to come here and say thank you," I said, "If you hadn't have told Tara that Ash had the virus, my kids would have died." "You're more than welcome," said Harold, "I'm not the monster you think I am. I'm a father too. I can understand your need to protect your children." "Well, like I say," I said, "Thank you, but I came here for another reason too. I wanted to say sorry." "Do you mean sorry that you lied to me about Mia being alive, or sorry because you have no intention to pay back the debt I believe you owe me?" I frowned with confusion. I was really surprised at what Harold had just said. It was like he was inside my head. "Oh," I said, sounding surprised, "I... Err..." "Surprised that I know what you're thinking?" asked Harold, "Luke, you seem to forget how clever I am." "If you knew I wasn't going to stay in your debt, and if you knew I was lying about Mia being alive, why did you help me?" I asked. "I told you," said Harold, "I'm a father too. I wasn't going to help you, but I thought how I would feel if I was in your situation and my daughter was tied up beneath a school that was about to explode." "Oh," I said. "Like I said, Luke," said Harold, "I'm not a monster." "Your virus has gone," I said, "We did what we could to keep it safe, but things got complicated. A couple called Gemma and Biggs, stole the GRID jet and flew off with the virus." "No matter," said Harold, "That was one copy of the virus. I've got plenty more." "And, where are they?" I asked. Harold smiled. "Now, now, Luke," he said, "I might not be a monster but I'm also not an idiot." "Well, I'm sorry I told you Mia was still alive," I said. "I understand," said Harold, "I'm just glad Ash kept it safe." "Yeah, well Ash wishes he's never agreed to look after the virus," I said. "I'm sure he says that now," said Harold, "But after what happened to his wife, he was keen to keep the virus safe." "Wife?" I said, "Ash has never been married." "Hasn't he?" asked Harold. "This is just more of your lies," I snapped. "Ask him," said Harold, "Ask him about his wife." I don't believe you," I said, "I don't believe anything you say. All you do is lie." "I didn't lie when I said you'd be back here to come and let me out did I?" said Harold. "You said that ages ago," I said, "And I haven't been back to let you out have I? Anyway, how am I going to get you out of here? It's not like I've got a set of keys." "Just wait," said Harold, "You'll be back to let me out. Until then, I can wait." "Well, it's going to be a long wait," I said, "Anyway, I came here to say thank you and to say sorry. I've done that so now I'm off." I turned around and started to walk off when Harold said something. "You know he's still lying to you, don't you?" said Harold. I stopped, turned around and looked at Harold with frustration and confusion, but also a hint of intrigue on my face. "You what?" I said. "Ash," said Harold, "He's still lying to you. He's been lying to you all this time." "About what?" I bluntly said. "Don't let him suck you in," said Blade, "He might have helped you out with your kids, but that's completely out of character. You know as well as I do Luke that you can't believe a word he says." Harold stood frozen to the spot and tilted his head slightly as he gave me a sinister and slightly smug smile. "God," I said, "I come here to say thank you and sorry, and you have to turn it into something horrible and mysterious." "Come on, Luke," said Blade, "You've done what you wanted to do. Let's go." "Bye Luke," Harold called after me, "I'm sure I'll see you again at some point."