Snatchers (Book 9): The Dead Don't Scream by Shaun Whittington

Eleven
     
    Still in her day clothes, Karen stared at the ceiling, puffing petulantly because she couldn't sleep. She turned on her side and closed her eyes. Maybe if she tried a different position she would drop off. She only managed thirteen seconds before she sat upright and said, "Fuck it."
    She got off the bed and before she had chance to leave, a knock was heard at the door.
    She asked, "Who is it?"
    "It's the milkman," Pickle cackled from behind the door. "Who the fuck do yer think it is?"
    She told him to come in. The door swung open and Harry Branston walked in fully-clothed, dressed in black with his boots on.
    "Jesus Christ," Karen cackled, then put her hand over her mouth. "You look like the Milk Tray man."
    "I'm surprised yer remember the advert," Pickle smiled and took the ribbing well, "considering yer age."
    "Anyway," Karen sat back down on the bed. "What are you doing, knocking my door and being fully-dressed?"
    "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd go for a walk." Pickle then started to snigger. "Even if I did fall asleep, yer probably would have woken me up with the fucking racket yer were making, with yer huffin' and puffin'. I knew yer were awake, so I just thought I'd let yer know where I'm going."
    "Was I that bad?"
    "Aye. Just as well yer pregnant, otherwise you'd be getting a punch in the growler."
    "Is that right?" Karen playfully put her hands on her hips and said, "And where do you think I'd kick a man who calls himself The Horse?"
    "I don't call myself The Horse," he sighed and flushed red. "I wish I never told yer that now. Like I said before, it was a nickname I had when..." Pickle then stopped explaining himself when he saw Karen laughing hard, holding onto her sides. It was good to see her laugh like that. It was rare he'd get a smile from Karen these days, and was milking this rare occasion.
    He smiled and looked at the woman. God, he loved her. Yes, she was a pain in the arse and she was a moaner. He loved her and had only told her once, and that was when Vince's camp was under attack from the dead, but she knew. He didn't need to tell her.
    "Anyway," Karen had managed to compose herself and cleared her throat. "Maybe I'll come out with you." Karen yawned and made an exaggerated noise before closing her mouth. "I'm bored out of my tits lying here."
    "Don't yer think yer need the rest?"
    "Obviously, but I can't friggin' sleep."
    "Hurry up then," joked Pickle.
    "I've only got my shoes and socks to put on."
    "I'll wait for yer downstairs, if yer swollen ankles can make it."
    Karen snickered, "I've met some pricks in my time, Branston. But you're the fucking cactus."
    Pickle sighed and shut her bedroom door before making his way downstairs. "Yer have got two minutes," he said as he began making the descent to the ground floor.
    Karen only had a pair of socks and her boots to put on, and once she did this, she stood up. "Oh dear." She felt giddy and held out her arms to keep balance as the room span. For a few seconds she felt like she was on a boat on rough waters. Maybe she had got up too quickly. Maybe she had high blood pressure.
    She finally left the room and saw Pickle patiently waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. She trotted down the stairs and both individuals walked through the living room and kitchen to get to the main door. Pickle was the first to step outside; Karen was next and shut the door behind her. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "I think this is just what I need."
    "Not feeling too well?" Pickle enquired. He looked at her. The twenty-three-year-old had on a blue creased T-shirt, was wearing green combats and her hair was greased back behind her ears.
    "Just had a dizzy spell upstairs."
    Pickle linked arms with Karen and said in a serious tone, "We'll take a slow walk around the block."
    "Okay. Maybe the fresh air will help get me to sleep."
    Both frames of the former inmate and nurse jumped when a huge explosion could be seen at the side of the Lea Hall