Free Tar: An apocalyptic horror novella by Iain Rob Wright

of an accent or tan became a death sentence. A country that once prided itself on manners and equality turned as xenophobic and bloodthirsty as any nation in history.
    And it was all for nothing.
    The creeping grey death would not stop. No one could escape the tar.
    All men were equal. Truly.
    So why were a woman and child clinging to Finn like he could do them any good? Best thing they could do was end it now, rather than risk the torments of more men like Edward…
    Or Dominic.
    Why wasn’t the fact that Dominic would die with the rest of humanity good enough for Finn? Why did he need to extract what would be a futile revenge?
    “No, I need to go,” Minty mumbled into the darkness. The kid had the bed while Finn and Katie took up the floor on mattresses from the jail cells.
    He kept his voice low but could already see Katie waking up. “What is it, Minty? Are you okay?”
    “No,” Minty shouted. “I said I have to go. Just leave me alone. I…”
    Finn sat up, rubbed his eyes despite not having slept. “Minty, what is it? What—”
    Minty bolted up from his sleep and yelled in terror. The scream trailed off quickly though and the kid ended up sitting there in darkness and panting. Wonder Mutt, also on the bed, licked at his face, but the kid gave no reaction.
    Finn climbed up and went to him. “Minty, it’s okay. You were having a bad dream.”
    Minty turned his head, his face ghostly and his hair wet with sweat. Tears glistened on his cheeks. “I… I was just… Please, help me.” The kid sobbed, holding himself and shaking. The more Finn’s eyes adjusted to the shadows, the more he saw the desperation on the kid's face.
    Finn stood there, not knowing what to do. He flinched when Katie moved up beside him.
    “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Katie told Minty. She moved over and sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled him close and cradled him, rocking him back and forth. “Just a nightmare. That’s all. Everything’s okay.”
    Finn sighed and sat back down on the floor. As he listened to Katie comforting Minty, he realised that she was doing what he should have done. The kid had been terrified, and he had been right there in front of Finn, afraid of the dark and alone.
    Why didn’t I reach out and hold him? What’s wrong with me?
    Does it even matter?

9
    Blood
    M orning broke but you could barely tell. The room remained dark, and only Finn’s body clock caused him to go into the station’s reception area and look outside. The sun was just about visible through the haze of black dust. What remained of the earth’s atmosphere was closing in on them. The oceans no longer existed and had taken the winds with them. The black dust descending from above would blanket the earth. Perhaps they would all choke to death before the grey ooze took them.
    How long until it gets here?
    Am I afraid? I’m not sure I can even tell any more. All I feel is numb. Alone.
    Angry .
    Finn watched the empty road running in front of the station and considered leaving before Katie and Minty awoke. They would be safer without him. They could await the end together with food and warmth. He opened the station's exit and winced as the odious stench of the world hit him. With his belly fed, it was harder to resist the urge to gag.
    A ragged fox emerged from the bushes along the embankment, probably confused by the lack of sunlight. Day and night lacked the definite distinction they used to hold. When the emaciated creature set eyes upon Finn, it did not shy away. Instead, defiantly, it trotted across the road and headed towards the city centre. Finn remained standing in the open doorway.
    Why wasn’t he leaving?
    It was as if ropes yanked at his back preventing him from stepping forward.
    “Damn it!”
    He turned around and went back inside. In the sick bay, Minty and Katie were stirring. Wonder Mutt had his nose buried in a packet of rice that he hadn't been given by any of them. Finn grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to the