The Reanimated Dead (Book 1): Into the Cotswolds

by Wakefield, Trevor

  ‘Better get on the radio, Kev should almost be at the shop. Tell him everything is going to plan distraction wise.’ There were zombies everywhere now, congregating around the explosion sites. ‘Tell him we are alive but possibly trapped.’

  ‘He won’t rescue us until the shopping is done though, shopping will take priority.’ Jerry said worriedly.

  ‘That’s fine, just give him a sit rep so he is kept in the loop while we get out of here.’

  TRADs, zombies, whatever anyone wanted to call them were coming out of the houses and gardens in their droves now. At least we knew the ones caught here weren’t able to get to the shop due to the cars blocking the road and pavements. Only problem was, we were slap in the middle of it all now. We started to move forward slowly picking our way through the debris, bumping into shattered, tatty empty vessels. At this low speed they just bounced harmlessly away, barely taking any notice of us. They were everywhere, about fifty to sixty on this side of the estate alone. The 90 was pulling to one side and making a ticking noise as we drove. Bollocks. We had a puncture.

  Jerry knew something wasn’t quite right. ‘Problems dude?’

  ‘We’ve got a puncture.’

  ‘Shit.’

  ‘No drama, I’ve got a spare and also some puncture sealant.’ I was smiling at him.

  ‘N…’ He realised I was joking. ‘Twat! What are we going to do?’

  ‘Well, I do have a spare and puncture sealant, but will need time to do it unmolested.’ I was already looking left and right for a suitable place.

  ‘Up there, straight ahead!’ Jerry pointed to a wide drive with open wrought iron gates. ‘We can get in there, close the gates and do it!’

  Bloody good idea. The house had a close board fence on three sides with garage and tall close board gate closing it off from the rear. This could certainly be do-able. I drove in and straight away we could see the area was clear. Jerry jumped out and closed the wrought iron gates. They were only three-foot-high but would give us a barrier we could defend at least. I parked on the piss so that we would be even more hidden from view working on the other side.

  As I got out, I called Jerry over. ‘Kev knows I have these.’ I strapped on the two shotgun pistols. ‘But he doesn’t know I already had a pump action, so can I trust you to keep a secret?’

  ‘If it helps us get out of here and home safe tonight in one piece then I know nothing dude!’

  I gave him mine and Kev’s pump actions. That will be fifteen shots he can have without re-load. ‘Keep me covered, more shells on your seat if you need to re-load. If you need me to reload for you or help then just shout, okay?’

  Jerry nodded and set himself up six feet back from the gates. Some had walked past already but hadn’t shown any interest in us as they walked down to the source of the explosions. I got the stacking crate I needed out and set up the Hi-lift jack. From what I could see on inspection was a piece of shrapnel about the size of a fountain pen sticking out. Luckily it was in the tread, not the sidewall and luckily the bead had not come off the rim as it still had some air left in it.

  I got out a puncture kit that had a kind of treated rope that you forced into the hole which then seals the puncture. I got it all ready and pulled out the shrapnel. The rope went in and sealed the hole as it should, a bit of air and we will be done and dusted. I clicked the button and the 12volt compressor burred noisily into life on my side of the 90. Too noisily it would appear.

  ‘What the fuck is that noise?’ Asked a panicked Jerry.

  ‘Air compressor. Why? Think I was going to pump these fucking tyres by foot pump?’

  ‘They like that sound way more than the explosion and bloody fire!’ The zombies had stopped in their tracks and were turning towards the drive. How much longer does that thing need to be on?’

  ‘Minimum of three minutes until it’s even drivable I’m afraid!’

  Jerry let off his first shot, followed by two more. I stood up to go and help him when I noticed water on the ground. I quickly followed it to the radiator. Two pieces of shrapnel were sticking out of the metal lattice, it had taken quite a hit from something from the exploding Mitsubishi. I took them both out with my multi tool pliers, it appeared only one had punctured the radiator, leaving it with a small hole in. I slid the multi tool through the now wider than normal lattice and pinched the hole closed as much as I could. I had some Rad Weld in a toolbox in the back but no time to put it in. The pinch would last us home, we were only 500 yards from the school anyway, and if I’m lucky the workshop should have soldering equipment, I can use to properly repair it when we get back.

  I joined Jerry and let off two shots at two on the right of the gate as his second pump action hit the ground. I scooped them both up and started reloading them. I finished reloading as he finished his third. I fired my next two at another couple that appeared from nowhere. I reloaded the third and said. ‘I’ve got to drop the jack; can you hold on one minute?’

  Jerry was flapping like a flag in a hurricane but keeping at it, that lad had guts, that’s for sure!’ Jack and box back in the back and I pulled out two gas cannisters, walked up to Jerry. ‘Get back in mate!’ I pulled the two pins. ‘We’re fucking leaving!’ and threw them over the gate.

  ‘What was that?’ He asked as he got in.

  ‘Tear gas of sorts. Watch what happens.’ The first one fell over the gates and was just picking himself up as the others outside it stood still, staring into nowhere.

  ‘Bloody hell, that’s awesome, how long does it last?’ Jerry was impressed.

  ‘Doubt it will be long outside but will give us time to get out of here.’ Turning the key, the TD5 burst into life. The zombie in the drive hadn’t been affected by the gas and was soon at my door, banging on the Lexan and the grill but without the wind-up window I could smell him up close and it was rank.

  I ignored him as I reversed out through the closed gates, they whipped outwards with a clang as they flew off their hinges, taking a zombie or two down as they went. The back of the 90 smacked into the zombies playing statues whilst also rolling over the twenty plus bodies on the floor. We must have taken out more than our fair share of them today, never mind the ones we distracted.

  Jerry had reloaded my pistols and our pump actions by the time we had passed the third IED site. There were plenty of shattered bodies on the floor. Shattered but un-dead still. Upper torsos with just one arm still determinedly clawing their way around to get their gnashing infection ridden teeth sunk into warm human flesh. Dismembered limbs littered the area, zombies still standing had bits of car body work sticking from their chests, stomachs and legs like nothing is wrong. The front of the 90 still kept pecking away at the ones in my direct path with the regular crunch, pop, bang and slosh. Wipers were now on full speed and I’d soon be out of washer fluid at this rate. I was sure the radiator would hold out; I’d seen worse leaks go unattended for much longer than we were going to be.

  We turned left at the bottom of the square and Lidl car park was in view. Our radio bust into life; it was Kev.

  ‘About bloody time chaps, good job done but can you now help with cover on the parade of shops? Everything coming out of here is in bulk boxes, much easier to strip than the last place, should be finished in forty mins max.’

  Jerry replied. ‘Will do dude, though after today we could do with a stiff drink!’

  ‘The Rum is on me after the job chaps don’t worry about that.’

  Chapter 21

  Pulling around past the guys shopping at Lidl we could see it was again, a slick, well timed looking operation. Jerry waved and a few waved back as they were handballing box after box into the Luton and pick-up. As we rounded the corner to the parade, we hit two more shuffling coffin dodgers. This time however the bonnet popped up an inch and bobbed up and down with a clunk at every bump in the road. I suspect the soft aluminium edge of the bonnet was now so deformed and weakened to the extent that the catch mechanism had moved or broken. Something else to add to th
e fix list tomorrow.

  We pulled up behind a long wheel-based ford Transit that was pretty full already. You could see that the corner shop was pretty empty. The plan as I knew was to take all the magazines, papers, books, etc, not just for reading but garden mulching, wrapping grown veg for storage, fire starting etc. all confectionary, booze, soft drink, alcohol and tobacco products.

  Next door was a car accessory shop, it was to be emptied of oil, fluids, anti-freeze, spray paint, tools, batteries, car parts, cycles you name it. I was going to have to look through the haul tomorrow to see what I can repair the 90 with. Many of the items had several uses and not just the ones they were intended for, the oil, even after use can still be used for heating, rust prevention, burning bodies, painting railings to make them harder to climb or treating fencing posts, anti-freeze can be used to start fires and make explosives even poison for vermin. The paint for changing signs/marking no-go areas, painting or as with all items even just bartering.

  At the end of the parade where the guys needed a hand was a chip shop and the big pub, I noticed the other day. The pub was now a burnt-out shell, perhaps there had been people holed up in there after all? The chip shop door was wide open, and a guy was already in there loading up the counter with bag after bag of 25kg potatoes and huge catering cans and jars with beans, coffee, peas, mushy peas, eggs, onions, gherkins, pineapple, stacks of chip wrapping paper, 15l cans of frying oil, both used and new. The old oil will be used to make bio diesel, I hear they already had a chemistry classroom set up to make it.

  We were going to help load it into the transit but the chap behind the counter said the other guys were going to help, we could just stand guard and take out any nosey undead locals. Outside on the pavement Jerry wandered over to my right as I faced the road and lent up against a litter bin. ‘Think we did a damn good job of drawing the crowds away dude.’ I Just nodded and stifled a yawn; I was bloody shattered. ‘What with that, the guys here, the driveway of death back there and front of your Landy we should have thinned out quite a few of the population this morning alone.’

  I looked over to the sad looking 90. It looked a right mess, you could tell the tyre still needed more air, but we just didn’t have the time or the fire power to continue. The bonnet edge had lost all but its R and O badge and no longer resembled the bonnet it used to. The passenger headlight was cracked, and its indicator lens was missing as was the bloody wheel arch spat, that I had spent ages fixing. Suppose everyone was right about not bothering.

  Jerry stood up straight and straightened his back. ‘Not the most comfortable form of transport, even compared with the bike.’ He laughed.

  ‘Kept us nice and safe though eh? As for the mess, I’ll have something to do tom…’

  The chip shop window blew out in slow motion as Jerrys face left his head. It was only then that I heard the ‘BBBRRRAAAAPPP!’ as a three round burst came through the large front window of the chip shop. Two of the shots missed him but one of them ripped through the back of Jerrys head and took his face with it. His body went limp and his pump action hit the large grey broken flagstones at the same time as his lifeless body.

  I realised I had involuntarily crouched and spun towards the shots with my pump action raised in pure reflex action. The guy behind the counter was aghast with his eyes almost as wide as his mouth in horror of what had happened. Stock still and white as a sheet with his weapon, a HK MP5 on the counter, trigger just inches from his fingertips. It must have gone off by accident as he placed it on the counter as he was about to climb back over. An accidental discharge. The two chaps who had been ferrying the goods to the transit van came running over, one to the shop the other to Jerry. The one that got to Jerry knelt down and turned him over to find his pulse only to stop as he saw there was nothing, but a forehead and lower jaw left.

  I Was still in a semi crouched position facing the chippy, but my gun was no longer in the aim. I was still trying to take it in. I had seen some shit over the past week or so but nothing like this.

  The guy in the shop doorway was shouting at the guy still behind the counter. Everything was ‘swooshing’ I could barely make out what was being said. I made out the door guy telling him to ‘Put the gun down, it was an accident.’ And the chap seeing to Jerry getting up and saying. ‘Don’t do it Leighton!’ As he walked to wards the shop. As I looked into the shop, I could see the guy behind the counter put the MP5 under his own chin and pull the trigger, decorating the polystyrene ceiling tiles in his brain matter. More ‘Swooshing’ in my head and I felt sick. My legs gave way and I fell to my knees, but no vomit came.

  The second chap was on the radio to Kev or Bryan, I wasn’t sure which but within moments men were here to wrap both bodies in tarps and place them in the back of the transit. Hurriedly but with respect. That was us ready to go. I picked up Jerrys Pump action and headed over to the 90. As I sat in the seat, I saw a chap get into the back with both of the bodies. He wasn’t even hiding the tear or two he had.

  I sat there for a few minutes longer to get my head as straight as I could then joined the convoy at the back. The bonnet was doing a great impression of jack in a box, so I tried to avoid running over anymore zombies. Through the gates I pulled over onto a drain grate at one side that led to the outside culvert. The gates closed behind and I noticed there was still no Christopher to welcome us back. He was probably busy planting and allocating people jobs. Everyone else went on their individual ways as I got out and used the last two bottles of water I had to wash as much zombie mulch off as possible, so I didn’t stink up our camp too much.

  I drove to our camping spot and yet again reversed back into the space thanks to my stick trick. I suddenly had a moment of horror hit me, the roof tent! I never gave it a thought as we were showered by bits of Mitsubishi L200. I took off the heavy canvas cover, it had scorch marks and a few pin prick holes when held up to the light. I put the roof tent up and examined it closely. I could see no holes from the inside, but a few scorch marks had transferred through. I Had a few tins of Fabsil and applied one liberally over any and all marks I could find to get the waterproofing back.

  As I re-hooked the tarp and hammock back up, I saw a woman with five kids under six years old coming back from lunch. Rumour is that she had nine rescued kids that she looks after in her motor home. Nine? I felt overwhelmed looking after one teenager!

  I needed a piss but couldn’t be arsed to walk through camp in the mood I was in so nipped behind the tree. Once in a while wouldn’t hurt but it was now becoming a habit I needed to stop. Grabbing a half bottle of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum from my stash I crashed out on the hammock and started swigging. I’d had a few long swigs when I heard a semi-hushed. ‘Yo? You about?’ It was Kev. I swung out of the hammock.

  ‘Yes mate, I’m here, just chilling.’

  Kev came in with a pull along trolley. ‘Got your ‘Secret’ Payment here mate before Christopher comes along.’ He took out a bag and put it behind the back-driver’s wheel of the 90 out of sight and I thanked him. He saw the rapidly emptying bottle of Rum. ‘May I?’ He gestured to the spare seat. I nodded. ‘You and Jerry did a fantastic job today mate, no doubt about it. Sounded less simple around the back of the shop though. It was needed and worked out great in the long run.’

  I nodded agreeing and took another swig. I offered Kev the bottle, he smiled and took a long swig himself.

  ‘It was a total freak accident you know that don’t you?’ He asked as he handed the bottle back.

  I took it back but didn’t drink. ‘I know, I saw the other chaps face. He was horrified. It was a genuine accidental discharge and he placed the gun on the counter. But there was no need for him to have shot himself. I mean, I was in shock but even I knew when I saw him that it was an accident. The other chaps tried to talk him out of it, but he didn’t give anyone time. Just…. bang.’

  ‘Afraid shit happens mate. You can have everything planned to a T like we did but there is no accounting for the human factor, or i
ndeed the mechanical factor. I still have visions of the kid I shot the other day. If he had just stayed still or dropped the gun, he would still be alive.’

  I nodded. ‘I can imagine mate.’ Took another swig and offered him the bottle back.

  He refused. ‘Sorry mate, ‘I’ve got to deliver the rest of the ‘Wages’ before Christopher realises. He’ll be around in an hour or so, been getting veg plots ready all day. Hear you might need some car related bits from our haul earlier?’ I nodded. ‘Cool, I’ll see you tomorrow and hopefully get what you need. See you later for a drink if you’ve not had enough?’

  ‘Most definitely Kev, cheers mate.’ Kev slapped me on the shoulder, ducked under the tarp with his trolley and disappeared. I put the bottle down and my head back, closed my eyes and slept.

  I felt like I had only been in the land of nod with the fellow inhabitants of sleepy Ville for a few moments when Sarah shook the hammock and woke me. She was holding a bulging shopping bag and a bottle of whiskey. I Frowned and was about to speak when Sarah beat me to it. ‘Christopher dropped it off a few minutes ago but he didn’t want to wake you, said you will have had hell of a day today.’

  ‘But you did?’

  She screwed her face up in the usual teenager way. ‘Eh?’

  ‘You did wake me up.’

  ‘Yeah, I wanted to know how your day went. I heard we lost two people today, I do worry you know, I’ve got no-one else but you. Shall we go for dinner?’

  ‘Okay, give me two minutes to put all those goodies away. Cheers.’

  ‘For what?’

  ‘Sparing me from Christopher after the day I’ve had.’

  ‘It was bad then?’ She asked.

  ‘I’ll tell you during lunch.’ I said as I hurriedly put the two bags of food away into our stash.

  On the way to dinner you could hear people talking of Jerrys death and that the job of raiding shops was bad enough without being shot by one of your own. It made me angry that they were talking like that without knowing the facts. It was an accident plain and simple. We sat down to lasagne and chips tonight and Sarah did most of the talking. Mostly about how she and the others took pallets apart to make raised planting beds for some special type of green house and heating system. Sounded to me like someone had found a weed factory and was putting it all to a better use. She said that she had been working with him all day and that he was actually quite funny and good to get along with. At least he wasn’t just stubborn I thought.