Free Last Hope, Book One: Onslaught by Drew Brown Page A

spoke out again. “Fuck the radio. Who died and put you in charge?”
    Budd chuckled.
    “What are you laughing at, Cowboy?”
    Along with the black-haired man’s venomously toned question, his female companion shot Budd a scowl. Raising the rim of his Stetson, he looked back at them both and smiled. “Who died? Well, pretty much everyone.”
    “You think this is funny?”
    “No. But I think you’re funny.”
    “Fuck you!”
    Budd let his smile grow a touch wider, leant back in his chair and put his hands behind his neck, stretching nonchalantly. “Thanks, but you’re not my type.”
    Angered, the black-haired man strove towards Budd, balling his ring-encrusted hands into fists.
    Budd stood from his chair and raised the fire axe up to his waist. “I’ve a feeling you should have another little think ’bout what you’re doing, buddy.”
    The black-haired man stopped. His female companion stepped forward and placed a hand on the sleeve of his suit jacket. “Come on, Chris. Ignore the prick,” she said.
    “Do as she says, Christopher.” Budd goaded. “Be a good little boy.”
    “Enough of this,” Andy said loudly, his eyes focused on Budd. “What do you think we should do? Go or stay?”
    Budd shrugged his shoulders and slumped back into his chair. “’We?’ As far as I’m concerned, all you people can walk around with lace panties on your heads and pencils up your noses. The way I see it, you always gotta look out for ‘Number One.’ And I’m staying right here.”
    Beside him, Budd felt Juliette shift in her chair. He looked across at her and smiled. “Ain’t we, sugar?”
    Juliette did not answer quickly enough to be heard before Chris and his female companion clapped their hands together to gain the attention of the group. “Me and Suzanne are leaving in five minutes. We’ll wait in the reception for anyone who wants to come out with us.”
    As the couple walked towards the bar’s exit, Chris switched on one of the flashlights. Around the table, the group fell quiet.
    There was a decision for each person to make.
     
     
20
    The first to stand up and follow the couple out was one of the priests. Immediately, another one stood up and went as well. The third stayed seated; his only action was to unscrew the top of his flask and take a sip of the drink within. The dark liquid left a stain on his unruly white beard.
    The doctor and his wife also remained in their chairs, their hands entwined together on the tabletop.
    The quiet was disturbed as a young couple, who Budd had hardly noticed because they, as far as he was aware, had not spoken, even to each other, pushed back their chairs and stood up. They appeared to be in their mid-twenties, their faces full and unlined, and were dressed in comfortable, casual clothes. Even so, the pair looked extremely tired, more so than anyone else. “I’m sorry,” the young man said, “but we live just outside London. We got married there yesterday. All our family came to celebrate. We must try and get back to them.”
    “Hold on,” said a female hotel worker to Budd’s left. As quickly as he could in the unsteady candlelight, Budd read her embroidered identity tag. Her name was Amanda Richmond. “You don’t have a torch. I’ll lead you to the reception.”
    “Mandy?” Frank questioned. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
    Amanda Richmond nodded, turning on her flashlight and gesturing for the honeymooners to follow her. “Steve and my little boy are only a mile away. I have to try and reach them. I’m sorry, Frank.”
    “But, Mandy, what about…” Frank trailed off his appeal, letting it fade into nothing as the three made their way to the door. Amanda Richmond did not look back, although the two honeymooners did, their arms interlocked as they walked out the door. Their uncertainty was etched deep on their faces.
    After they were gone, Budd looked around at the diminished group. Other than Juliette, there was Andy, Frank, the doctor and his