The Undead Day Twenty Read Free Page A

cheeks.’
    ‘S’hot.’
    ‘That ain’t heat…come here a bit,’ Blowers says, sitting up to stare harder with an expert eye. ‘Dave’s bruised your cheeks.’
    ‘Has he?’ Mo asks, feeling his face again. ‘They’s feel alright.’
    ‘You’ll be fine but keep your head down round Paula. She’ll go nuts if she sees your face.’
    ‘Okay, cheers, Blowers.’
    ‘Get something cold on them, wet flannel or something. Bring the swelling down.’
    ‘I will, thanks.’
    Blowers looks round at Blinky still fast asleep, Charlie murmuring softly and Cookey face down with his sheet bunched up over his legs. Biting his bottom lip, Blowers eases from his bed and motions for Mo to stay quiet with a finger pressed to his mouth. Mo frowns, smiling and watching Blowers grab a bottle of water from the floor then point at Cookey with a big grin. Mo nods. Instantly onside. Blowers points to Blinky, nodding for Mo to wake her up. Mo drops to her side and rests a hand on her shoulder while pressing a finger to his own lips. Blinky snaps wide awake in an instant. She frowns and follows Blowers pointing at Cookey while waving a bottle of water in the air. She nods. Instantly onside.
    Mo points to Charlie, a questioning look on his face. Blowers nods. Giving the order. Mo gets to Charlie, drops and rests a hand on her shoulder while his finger remains at his mouth. Charlie wakes and smiles at Mo trying not to giggle. The lad points at Cookey, Charlie looks up, seeing Blinky crawling towards Blowers who is waving a bottle of water while pointing at Cookey. She grins and nods, instantly onside.
    The plan forms. The attack commences. Blowers leads his team and indicates for Charlie to get the sheet free from Cookey’s legs. She goes gently, easing the bunched material out that gets lifted and held by Mo and Blinky. Blowers stretches his hands out, motioning for them to bring it down over Cookey. Giggles are suppressed, bottom lips are bit, heads turn away to stop the risk of laughing coming out. The sheet is laid over Cookey. Blowers motions with his hand to lift it higher. Charlie nods, suddenly understanding and eases the sheet up to cover Cookey’s arms. Blowers gives a thumbs up and guides Blinky to stand on one end of the sheet then Charlie and Mo the other side. They go stealthy and silent. Creeping over the sheet to gently draw the tension over Cookey who sighs in his sleep. Blowers makes a fist. They hold still.
    Sensation of movement. They look round to see Dave standing in the doorway watching them. Guilty looks creep across faces. Dave stares, taking it in. He looks down at Cookey slowly being pinned under the sheet and the bottle of water in Blowers hand. He comes forward, silent in his steps before stopping and pointing at Cookey’s legs poking out the bottom of the sheet. He makes flat hands and presses down, indicating the legs should be held. Blowers’ mouth drops open. Mo manoeuvres to Cookey’s legs, lowering to hold his hands an inch from Cookey’s ankles then looks up to Dave who nods once and walks off as silently as he entered.
    The sheet is ready. Charlie on the left side. Blinky on the right. Mo on the legs. Meredith sits on Blowers bedding watching intently. Blowers wishes Nick was here to add his weight but they must prevail and work with what forces they have. He goes forward, ready to execute the plan then stops to hold his breath to stop the giggle coming out. His face sets Charlie off who has to turn away. Mo’s face scrunches up as he looks down, his hands trembling from the laughter locked inside. Blowers steels himself and draws resolve to keep going. He mouths on three. Charlie snorts softly then winces an instant apology as Cookey stirs. Blowers pauses, waiting for Cookey to go silent. He lifts a finger, one. He lifts a second finger and makes ready, two. He creeps to get his feet either side of Cookey and lowers to a squat as his third finger comes up. Three.
    Perfection of execution. Charlie