LEVEL2

Chapter 32

With the town on lock down the next 24 hours passed in stages.

The atmosphere through the night was a hot mix of excitement tinged with fear. After berating Xavi for his late return the room filled with bravado as Sam and Johnny explained what they would do if Godfrey "let them at the savages". This soon grew old and the group drifted into sleep, ruptured by the constant thought of a savage bursting through the door and doing whatever savages do: tearing them limb for limb, having their wicked way with them, who knew the atrocities they were capable of! Xavi was the only one who slept soundly that night.

Day returned, its schedule unperturbed by exterior influences, which was more than could be said for the group as they found the dorm door still sealed shut, leaving them trapped in its sanctity. Now there was anger as Clive thumped at the door, hungry and panicked from the thought of missing breakfast.

The day past in slow motion with the group sharing elaborate theories as to why they were still stuck inside:-

"My god, there must be a full on war outside."Johnny suggested.

"What if they're all dead and we are stuck here for eternity." Char wailed.

Xavi had to admit all this propaganda in such an enclosed space was rubbing off on him .
'What on Earth was taking so long out there?'

By the evening they had all grown tired of worrying and were rather enjoying themselves, playing truth or dare. This was fun for a few hours but they decided to stop when Char was dared to make out the Johnny and things started to get just a little on the beastiality side of weird.

They went to bed that evening resigned to the fact the rest of their existence was consigned to these four walls.

They collected their rations together and concluded they had enough food and water to get by for two days. They even drew up a rota of the roles they would fulfil in this new society of theirs. Xavi was to be in charge of rationing water, Char was the medic and somehow Clive had ended up as chief.

It would be a simple new life!

The sound track of them drifting to sleep after twenty four enclosed hours was Char sobbing quietly. Perhaps she thought of the ruined world beyond the doors, perhaps she just worried about them missing task five tomorrow.

The door mercifully opened early the next morning just as Xavi had finished distributing the water rations under Chief Clive's watchful eye.

Edaw stood, the saviour of the people in the fresh light that flowed in through the door.

Sam threw himself at Edaw's feet sobbing

"Thank Godfrey, thank Godfrey."

Edaw kicked him away.

"Wow," Edaw laughed " What's the wrong with you lot!"

He took in the scene. Clive wearing his home made Chiefs hat was being fanned down by Laura as Xavi dutifully collected up water glasses.

"You lot have got cabin fever I think. It stinks in here. We only left you for a day."

He burst out laughing. The group were not amused.

"What the hell took you so long? You can't just leave people locked away for days on end with no explanation." Xavi raged.

"Calm down people, it was only a day. And you have plenty of food and water here, just not much common sense by the looks of it you muppets. Things got a little complicated that's all. We pursued and intercepted three of the savages but a fourth was unaccounted for. It took longer than expected to secure the dome and ensure he wasn't still about."