The Virus by Lee, Damien (summer books txt) 📕

“That’s no way to talk to a concerned well-wisher.” The guard sneered, stopping a few feet away. “I’m only here to check how you’re doing.”

“Of course you are.” Frank glanced around the room. “I don’t see any grapes, flowers, ‘Get Well Soon’ cards, nothing.”

“What can I say, the prison gift shop isn’t well-stocked.” Henderson sniggered, perching on the side of the bed. “No, I’m just here for your answer.”

“What?”

“Well, I’ve let you sleep on it, now I want to know how you’re going to lose your next fight.”

“Drop dead, Henderson. There’s nothing you can do to me worse than what Gus and his boys would do if I throw the fight.”

“You disappoint me, Frank. And I don’t think Jones will be happy either.” Henderson rose from the bed.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about your bitch. Where is he? Humping the governor?”

“No, he had to go home; family emergency.”

“What happened? His old lady been caught fucking the postman?”

“Now there’s no need for crudeness, Lee,” Henderson chided in mock surprise. “Jonesy’s missus is a faithful, devoted housewife. And, she’s an ugly cunt; the postman wouldn’t go near her.”

“Yeah, I bet. Now, if you don’t mind, Henderson, I believe visiting times are non-existent on this ward, I think you should leave.”

“Karma’s a bitch, Lee. Remember that. Now, are you sure there’s no changing your mind?”

“Not a chance.”

“Well, that is a shame. I suppose I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

“What do you mean?”

Frank watched as the guard strolled to a nearby cupboard. He reached inside and produced a pump-action shotgun. He held the weapon admiringly before aiming it at Frank’s face.

“Still adamant you won’t change your mind?”

“What the fuck’s that doing in there!”

“I stashed it while you were sleeping. I didn’t want to turn nasty if you were willing to co-operate.”

“Well, you’ll have to kill me, Henderson. I’m not rigging the fight.”

“Oh, this won’t kill you, just a little something to tip the odds in my favour.”

Frank looked on in horror as the guard aimed the weapon at his arm. He pulled the trigger, sending a shooting pain up Frank’s shoulder. He roared in agony as the rubber bullet bounced away. The crack of the shotgun echoed in his ears as he doubled over, clutching his injured arm. He thought he’d gone deaf until he heard Henderson’s voice from afar.

“By the way, your next fight is tonight. You’ll be up against some shitty arse so it’ll all appear in your favour. Be sure to make it look legit.”

The guard’s laughter droned through his skull as Henderson turned and walked away. Frank tried to flex his fingers, sending another wave of pain shooting up his arm. He knew if he was fighting that night, it would be impossible to win. He felt himself succumb to unconsciousness as approaching footsteps announced the doctor’s arrival.

***

The warm rays from the sun blanketed the newlyweds as they lay in a field of lush grass. The trickle of water from a nearby stream provided a soundtrack for the couple’s day out. They had returned from their honeymoon, and with four days holiday remaining, the pair had decided to take a walk in the country. Following a stroll through the winding trails of forests and fields, they finally rested at their favourite beauty spot.

“What a lovely day.”

Leigh smiled, lying back on the tartan blanket. She adjusted her sunglasses and closed her eyes, savouring the warmth of the sun against her skin. Adrian sat down at her side. He picked at the blades of grass before running one of the long, green strands over his wife’s bare midriff. Leigh squirmed under the touch and slapped his hand playfully.

“Quit it.”

 Adrian grinned and continued tickling her with the grass, running it over her denim shorts and down her right leg until it reached her shoes.

“I said quit it.”

She sat up and snatched the blade of grass. Adrian chuckled as she lowered herself back against the blanket.

“Isn’t it peaceful here?”

“Sure is,” Adrian said. “And look; no signal.”

He raised his mobile phone into view.

“It’s one of the best things about being out here,” Leigh said.

“Yeah, your mother can’t interrupt.”

Adrian rolled away as his wife swatted him. They lay apart, Leigh basking in the rays of the sun and Adrian plucking more blades of grass.

“There’s one thing that’s not so good about this place,” Adrian muttered, rubbing his hands. “All the damn spiders.”

“Oh, you have to ruin it, don’t you?” Leigh shifted uneasily, dusting her arms and legs.

The couple fell silent once more, the slow running stream and twittering of birds creating a calm ambience. A few minutes went by before Adrian glanced at his wife. He grinned when he saw her eyes closed. He plucked another piece of grass and shuffled closer.

“You should see the size of this spider I’ve found,” he said. “Here, look.”

Leigh shrieked as he dropped the grass on her forehead. She jumped up and shook her head, running fingers through her long, golden hair. She glared at her husband as a long blade of grass drifted to the ground.

“You!”

Adrian jumped to his feet as his wife chased him towards the stream. The birds dwelling in the trees fled their nest and soared high into the air as the couple’s shrieks of laughter drew near. Adrian jumped into the stream, feeling the cool touch of the water which rose as high as his ankles. Leigh stopped short and stared at him with her arms crossed.

“You can’t stay in there forever,” she said, her eyebrows raised.

“You’re not coming in?”

“No, I’m not. God knows what you’ll catch in there!”

“You’re more likely to catch something out there than in here.”

Adrian stooped down and rubbed the water up his