Endurance Read online

  ‘Is London normal then?’

  ‘London is as perfectly normal as it ever has been. We can go there if you want, I will show you around. I’ll organise a day for us to go, but for now, you need some rest. Here, take this…’ Miller pulls out a small white tube from his jacket, pops open the lid and tips two red tablets into the palm of his hand. ‘This medication will keep you relaxed so you can get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow and I will see if we can go into London.’

  Tom paused and looked at Miller more closely.

  He appeared to be in his fifties; he was bald, with dark eyes that looked black. His suit was clean with no flecks of lint, dandruff or other specks of dirt to mar its appearance. His name badge read ‘Dr. Michael Miller’. He was almost petite, his bones were so small; he was only about five foot, seven inches, with narrow shoulders.

  ‘Come on Tom, open your mouth.’

  Tom hesitated, but eventually opened his mouth. Miller put one tablet in Tom’s mouth, poured some water into his mouth and allowed him to swallow the tablet. Then he put the other tablet in Tom’s mouth and gave him more water.

  ‘You will feel drowsy very quickly. Once you fall asleep, I will un-cuff your wrists. I will see you in the morning, Tom.’

  Miller stood by the bed until Tom’s eyes closed. Miller sighed as he un-cuffed Tom’s wrists, then, he left the room, locking the door behind him.

  12

  Tom and Miller walked along the Jubilee Gardens.

  It was a sunny day in London; the sun glistened off the river Thames and the surrounding buildings. The London Eye gleamed from the rays. The grass looked green and healthy, with no dead spots in sight. The Thames was dark blue with boats cruising along the river and seagulls fluttering around the water.

  ‘See Tom, London is normal. You are very sick and in need of my help. You just need me to help you.’

  Tom and Miller walked to the London Eye, Tom looked up at it smiling.

  ‘Last time I was here, this was scattered all across the gardens there.’ Tom looked to the green, open field.

  ‘Well, in your dreams, hey Tom?’

  A light, engine sound echoed through Tom’s ears.

  ‘Can you hear that, Doctor?’

  ‘Hear wh…’

  Miller was shot before he could answer Tom. Miller collapsed to the ground covered in bullet holes.

  Tom looked behind him to see the surrounding buildings exploding into smithereens. He watched as the trees lost their leaves, the grass turned into nothing but mud, the swings and climbing frames burned into orange and grey rust. The children sitting on the swings burst into flames and disappeared.

  Soon, Tom was alone; even Miller’s body had disappeared.

  Then he heard a creaking sound followed by a number of snapping sounds. Tom watched as the ground ahead of him, the London Eye moved inland. Tom turned around and began to walk backward; he saw the London Eye falling. As it reached him, he could hear Dr. Miller’s voice fading in and out and echoing eerily in his mind.

  ‘Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams. Wake up.’

  The Eye was a foot from hitting the ground; it exploded violently, launching Tom into the middle of the street. He hastily got back onto his feet. As he turned to run, Anna stood right in front of him. Her pupils were a deep red, blood trickled from her eyes, leaking down to her cheeks and onto her blood-stained neck, which was covered in bloody hand marks. She had no expression, her skin was a light cream colour and her neck was covered in black, thick veins. She smiled, revealing yellow stumps for teeth and pitch black gums.

  A hovercraft distracted Tom from looking at Anna any longer. It arose from seemingly nowhere. Anna began to scream, the scream pierced Tom’s ears. He stared at Anna’s mouth opening wider and wider. The hovercraft shot the ground around Tom and Anna. It shot a bullet towards Tom’s head that seemed to travel in slow motion, as it reached his face, it forced him to awaken from his nightmare.

  Tom sat up straight, short of breath, sweat dripping down his forehead and running down his stubbled face in rivulets. Miller stood at the end of the bed.

  ‘You okay, Mr. Williams?’

  Tom paused as he tried to catch his breath. He grabbed the glass of water next to his bed, sipped, and stared at Miller.

  ‘Yeah, just a bad dream.’

  ‘Care to share?’

  ‘I can’t really remember it, but I think my Mum was killed, was a childhood nightmare.’

  ‘Okay, Mr. Williams. I have some good news. We can go into London today, but I need to introduce you to someone. Come in, Smith.’

  The door opened and a young man entered. He wore black shoes, trousers, blazer and tie, with a white shirt and identification badge on his right pocket on the blazer. His blonde hair was spiked at the front. His shoulders were wide and sloped, his arms hung loose as he swaggered toward the bed. A gun was strapped to his waist.

  ‘Mr. Williams, this is Agent Smith. He’ll be coming to London with us. I trust that you’ll be on your best behaviour, but rules are rules. You’re a danger to the public, so we have to take precautions, I’m afraid.’

  Smith folded his arms, revealing bulging biceps. ‘Good to meet you, Mr. Williams. If you decide to make a run for it, I will not hesitate to shoot you, and these are not rubber bullets, understood?’

  ‘Understood,’ Tom said sarcastically.

  ‘Good to see you two getting on so well already. Agent Smith and I will leave you to get ready now. I have left you some normal clothes to wear while in London. I’m assuming you don’t want to wear that white, unflattering all in-one paper suit,’ Miller chuckled.

  Miller and Smith left the room and shut the door. A faint locking sound could be heard after the door closed.

  Tom walked toward the chest of drawers opposite his bed. There were clothes folded on the top of it. Tom took the clothes and placed them on his bed.

  The clothes Miller left him were identical to the clothes Tom wore at Jubilee Gardens with Anna. Tom thought of the sun shining into his eyes, Anna’s eyes sparkling, the deep blue water full of energy, he remembered the breeze blowing across his skin.

  These are memories; they are not hallucinations. How could I have been fooled! They must be covering up what happened. I cannot be the only one to be alive after it. I need to get out of here.

  Tom unzipped his jumpsuit and let it drop onto the ground. It gathered at his feet and he kicked it aside. He quickly grabbed the shirt and blue jeans and got dressed.

  He looked at himself; he imagined the grass stains from Jubilee Gardens on his knees, the loose grass on his shirt and bits of grass floating to the ground from his hair as he wiped his head.

  Tom looked at the drawers where his clothes were. Next to the drawers were a pair of white Nike trainers and a pair of socks. Tom picked them up and sat on his bed. He put on the socks and forced on the white, undersized Nike trainers.

  ‘Mr. Williams, are you okay?’ Miller’s voice sounded muffled from behind the door.

  ‘Yes, I’m ready now.’ Tom said confidently.

  As the door unlocked and swung open, Smith walked into the room. Tom launched himself at him and swung his fist. Smith ducked under Tom’s arm and grabbed his torso, lifted him up, and slammed Tom down onto the ground. Tom let out a grunt as he landed hard on his back. Tom grabbed Smith by the collar and threw another punch toward him. His knuckles dug into Smith’s eye, forcing Smith to lose his grip. Tom kicked Smith’s face over and over; Smith covered his face with his hands.

  Smith held his eye in agony. Tom turned to the exit, but was confronted by Miller, holding a rifle. He fired at Tom, who felt a sharp pain in his neck. Feeling drowsy, Tom slid his fingertips down his neck, grasping something pointy and sharp.

  He attempted to pull it out, but the room became dark, and his eyelids felt heavier and heavier before he finished. Tom lost all feeling and thumped to the floor.

  13

  Miller’s voice faded in and out. The words were unclear.

 
Tom began to regain his senses. A cooling breeze caressed his body; he heard a light drone of traffic and children’s laughter nearby. The sun began to touch his skin; he smelled hot dogs and sunscreen.

  Tom opened his eyes and sat up. As his sight improved, he recognised the sounds and smells of the location; he knew exactly where he was.

  ‘Hello, Tom, nice of you to join us, finally,’ Miller said smugly.

  He looked around Jubilee Gardens, looking at the grass, the trees, the birds, the River Thames and, of course, the London Eye.

  How can this be? I saw all this; it was mud and was completely fucked. Maybe I did dream it, and I’m really ill. There’s no way I could see the Eye destroyed like it was and it still be here now.

  Tom didn’t speak and didn’t listen to Miller who was speaking to him. Tom looked at Miller, he was moving his mouth, but no sound was hitting Tom’s eardrums. Miller’s voice was overpowered by Tom’s shock and disbelief and the noise of the laughter from the surrounding crowds.

  Smith stood next to Tom with his arms folded, looking down at Tom.

  ‘I… I cannot… can’t hear what you’re saying Doctor.’ Tom stuttered in disbelief.

  ‘I said do you want an ice cream?’

  ‘I… I’m not hungry.’

  ‘What about you, Smith? Want a hot dog?’ Miller looked up from where he sat, squinting in order to see Smith.

  ‘Yeah, alright then, cheers.’

  ‘Fantastic. Get two hot dogs, then. I don’t want any sauces. Thanks.’

  Smith looked confusingly at Miller, then pulled out a leather wallet and walked away.

  ‘Right, Mr. Williams, do you believe me now? You told me once that you came here and it was all dead, everything was burnt and there was no grass and the Eye was gone. Well, here you are, at Jubilee Gardens in the rare sunshine here in London.’ Miller looked at Tom, waiting for a response, but Tom only stared at the green grass. Miller continued, ‘This is the real world. The one that seemed so real to you is not real. There is no virus or any lunatics running around and Anna is still alive.’

  ‘To me she isn’t.’

  ‘Tom, you can move on and live a happy life. You can recuperate mentally and try to regain your normal self and live the rest of your life. Do you want to meet her?’

  ‘Meet who?’

  ‘Anna, of course.’

  Tom turned his head while still looking at the grass.

  ‘Okay, then whe…’

  ‘Okay good. Tom, I’d like you to meet your girlfriend, Anna.’

  Tom looked behind him and saw a brunette woman with a young boy, no older than six. The boy held tightly to the woman’s hand.

  She wore a yellow, flower print top with denim shorts that clung to her thighs and ended two inches above her knees. The boy wore an orange t-shirt with a cartoon character on the front.

  ‘And your son, Jack.’ Miller said slowly.

  Tom stood hastily and turned towards them both. He took a step. Anna smiled at him, while Jack hid behind her leg.

  ‘Don’t be shy Jack, it’s your daddy.’ Miller strained to stand.

  ‘Hi, Tom.’ Anna said.

  Tom stared at her in silence. He folded his arms and turned toward the River Thames.

  This can’t be happening. I’d remember having a kid!

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me I had a child?’ Tom turned and shouted at Miller. ‘Tom, not now, or I’ll have to take you back. You are embarrassing yourself by shouting out loud here.’

  Tom stared at Miller and Miller stared into Tom’s eyes.

  ‘This isn’t Anna and that’s not my son.’

  ‘How can you say that?’ Anna shouted. ‘You come here right now and say that to his face and mine.’

  Tom walked up to Anna and looked her right in the face. She looked similar to the way he remembered Anna. He looked at her freckly nose, as she tried to hold back her tears; he noticed her nose crinkle as she frowned. Tom squatted next to the child. ‘Hello. Do you know who I am?’ Tom asked Jack.

  Jack stood there as he looked at Tom. He hesitated for a moment as he looked up to Anna.

  ‘You’re Daddy.’

  Tom looked into Jack’s light blue eyes, as shiny as crystals. His light brown hair was soft and neatly brushed to one side. Tom stroked Jack’s soft and spongy cheek. Tom’s eyes began to water and the tears dripped off his lower lashes. He stood up and stepped back from Anna and Jack.

  ‘Is that enough, Tom?’ Miller asked.

  Tom didn’t answer as he began to sob. He put his hands over his mouth and nose and turned again to look at the river. His crying continued as he kept his back turned to the others.

  ‘Tom please…’ Miller interrupted Anna.

  ‘I think that’s enough for today, Anna. Let him rest. We’ll see you again soon.’

  Anna stood waiting for Tom to turn around to look at her.

  ‘Come on then, Jacko. Daddy’s still not well.’

  ‘Sorry about this, Anna. Sorry, Jack, but Daddy is a bit upset today.’

  Smith returned with two hot dogs and an ice cream.

  ‘Here you go Jack, an ice cream for you.’ Miller snatched the ice cream from Smith’s grasp and gently held it in front of Jack, who took it slowly from Miller’s hand. Smith sighed as he began to eat his hot dog.

  ‘What do you say, Jacko?’ Anna nudged Jack.

  ‘Thank you, Dr. Miller.’ Jack said, under his breath.

  ‘That’s okay. Me and Daddy’ll see you soon. Bye bye. Bye, Anna.’

  Anna and Jack looked at Tom before they turned and walked away.

  Smith handed Miller a hot dog and they both walked to Tom.

  ‘I know that must have been hard for you but…’ Tom interrupted Miller.

  ‘Shut the fuck up. I have no fucking idea who they were. That was not Anna and that was not my son.’

  ‘It is. That’s the only family you’ve got Tom. Everyone close to you is dead and you need to realise it. Move on from this fantasy world you created.’ Miller grabbed Tom’s shoulder and pulled Tom toward him. ‘You need to get a grip Tom, we’ve come backwards here. You’re ill. That was your real family. Stop focusing on that dream you had and that fake life of yours. You’re here and you’re living right now.’ Miller loosened his grip while Tom stared at the River Thames.

  ‘We gonna go back soon?’ Smith mumbled with his mouthful of hotdog.

  ‘Yes, I think that may be best.’

  ‘Can we walk toward the footbridge on the main road that leads to Waterloo station?’ Tom asked.

  ‘I’m sure we can. We can’t take too long.’ Miller replied.

  Miller and Tom led the way and Smith swaggered behind.

  ‘Why do you want to go walk here?’ Miller asked.

  ‘Because I want to see more people.’

  Tom experimented walking with his prosthetic leg. He didn’t struggle and it felt completely natural.

  ‘How does this leg feel normal to walk on? I could run with this leg if I wanted to.’

  ‘Well, don’t attempt it, or Smith will have to kill you. But it’s got joints allowing you to bend and move your ankle and foot and it is linked to your nerves so that it feels as if you have a normal human leg. I created it myself.’

  When they reached the road, Tom breathed easier as he watched black taxis, red buses, cars and pedestrians. The footbridge was very congested with people and Tom began to smile.

  It’s all so normal, as if nothing happened. Maybe nothing did happen and I am well and truly unstable.

  But how could I not remember Anna or my own son or killing a lot of people? This still doesn’t make sense.

  Tom’s thoughts were interrupted when he saw a girl lying in the middle of the road, her legs were missing. Blood stained the road around her. The road began to crumble and shake. Tom felt lightheaded; he exhaled slowly. He leaned forward clutching his knees as he bent over. Miller looked down at Tom and moved his hotdog toward Tom’s face.

  ‘Here Tom, eat some of th
is. You need energy.’ Miller said calmly.

  Tom began to stumble backward; Smith grabbed him to keep him from falling.

  ‘Jesus, what the fuck’s up with him?’ Smith shouted at Miller.

  ‘I’m not sure. Tom?’

  Tom regained his balance, but then pretended to be off-balance. Miller began to panic as Tom didn’t respond.

  ‘Tom? Answer me.’

  As Miller removed his phone from his blazer pocket, Tom stood upright and elbowed Smith in the face, cracking his nose. Smith screamed out in pain; as he reached for his gun, Tom punched Smith on his already broken nose, unclipped the gun from Smith’s belt and threw it into the road. Miller grabbed Tom’s shirt, but Tom simply turned and shoved Miller to the ground. Tom didn’t hesitate; he shifted quickly and shoved his shoulder into Smith’s face. Smith was jolted to the side and looked back at Tom, dazed. Tom kicked Smith’s legs; knocking his feet from under him. Smith fell, winded, flat on his back.

  Tom glanced briefly at the two men on the ground in front of him. Without hesitation, Tom turned and began to run. Almost immediately, he stumbled, falling forward. He protected his face by putting his hands in front of him on the congested concrete path.

  I need to get used to this.

  Tom pushed himself up and attempted to run again. He sprinted into the road. The cars beeped at him, with people occasionally shouting abuse at him out their windows.

  Smith looked around and spotted Tom running down the path, knocking people out of his way.

  ‘Miller, get up! He’s getting away,’ Smith shouted. Smith pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke into it.

  ‘In need of support, the patient is making a run for it.’

  Smith put the walkie-talkie in his pocket and attached an ear piece. He ran to get his gun out of the road. He stood there, picked up the gun and attached it to his belt. A car skidded toward him beeping its horn. He jumped out of the way and ran in Tom’s direction.