Free I Dream of Zombies (Book 2): Haven by Vickie Johnstone

which she recoiled so visibly.
    “And if it is?” asked the man. “Is it a crime if the man was dead?”
    “I guess not,” she answered, scratching her head. “New times…”
    “You’re telling me , girly.”
    “What are doing wandering around here?”
    “Same as I always did,” the guy replied.
    Marla realised that beneath the grubby complexion, he was probably in his late fifties and seemed used to the outdoor life. Suspecting he’d rarely spent a night off the street in the past, she asked him, “Where do you sleep?”
    “ Any place I can find where they are not,” he answered cryptically. “Right now I’m looking for whisky – takes the edge off. Things, they ain’t so frightening then. I have a place to sleep that’s safe, if that’s what’s worrying you. Are you looking for a safe place?”
    Marla shook her head and smiled. “No, I have one. We were worried about you. All of us live in a safe building in Rickslaw. It’s big with everything you could possibly need. It’s called Haven. Do you want to come with us?”
    The man glanced at the truck and grimaced. “No, lady, old Nick ain’t used to living it straight. I’m a man of the streets. This is my world and those monsters aren’t taking it from me. So long as I ain’t in the way when it gets dark, things ain’t so bad. They can’t run fast – you noticed? Like clueless snails they are.”
    “Yes, I ha ve noticed,” she said, almost chuckling, “but we’re short on time. We’re looking for survivors. I guess we’re a rescue party, looking to help people. Have you seen anyone around?”
    “Me? Yeah, of course . They’re in the church – old building that, but safe as houses. They hold up in there. Some come out by day to get food.”
    Marla sighed. “ Cool. Could you drive with us for a bit to show us where it is?”
    “My pleasure,” said Nick, “but I’ll need a lift back here after.”
    “No problem.”
    “And I’m not coming back to this big, fancy house of yours. I like my freedom.”
    “No problem either. Thank you for helping.”
    “It was lucky you ran into me,” considered Nick, gripping his blanket in place beneath his chin.
    Tommy opened the door of the Panther for Marla and she climbed in. Then the trampy looking man slid in behind her, squeezing past Tommy who grimaced at his dress sense and tried not to inhale.
    “I’m Caballero,” said the commander, studying the newcomer.
    The man nodded beneath his hood. “Nick.”
    “Does that work?” asked Caballero, gesturing at the hide pinned on the blanket.
    “Works for me. Zombies, they go by sense of smell, you see. If you smell like them they don’t bother you none. This skin has saved my own many a time,” he added, laughing at his own pun.
    “Good idea,” said Tommy. “Smelly, but innovative.”
    “Nah, you’d get used to it after a while. Want some for your jacket?”
    “No, I’m good,” Tommy replied while Marla bit her tongue to stop herself laughing out loud.
    “Do you know the Beatles stayed here one time, at our Antrobus Arms Hotel in 1965? They were filming Help! – do you know it?”
    “I love that song,” said Marla. “You’ve lived here long then?”
    “All my life, love. I used to pop to Stonehenge many a time, but not since the grisly men arrived.”
    She smiled. “Which way do we go?”
    “Ah, the place you want is St. Mary and St. Melor – known as Amesbury Abbey it is. You know, there’s been an abbey here since the year 979? Nah, well, you don’t need to know that. You just drive straight up this road. It runs into the High Street and then Church Street,” Nick explained, looking as if he felt a fresh sense of purpose. Marla presumed he hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to anyone in a while.
    Caballero drove forward with the convoy in tow. As they passed a narrow alleyway, Nick pointed towards it. “There’s loads of zombies down there. It leads to garages and back gardens. Never go there. They like