by Smith, I. J.
Elle snapped back, “He is not indestructible.”
Bray glanced to the floor, “I don’t know what his past is, but I do know when it comes to a fight I will always bet on Jack,” he replied, he was about to walk away when Elle grabbed his arm.
“He was SAS, but it didn’t end well for him and I am scared he is trying to make amends for that,” she told a shocked looking Bray.
“Well, that answers a few questions,” he uttered. He took a look around the room, making sure no one could hear him, “Jack’s a hero, he is the best kind of hero, one that does not consider himself to be one. He remained behind because inside, he wants to help people, so it will take much more than some inbreeds to stop him,” he finished saying.
Elle reacted immediately by throwing her arms around him, whispering, “Thank you,” in his ear.
Watching Bray cuddle Elle from a dark corner, Mark snarled at the sight.
In a kitchen, Toby opened his eyes to blurred vision, he tried to move, but soon realized he was tied to a chair, he shook his head noticing a blurred figure standing next to him. Jack stood there holding a towel to his head, trying to stop the bleeding from a cut; he looked at Toby and smiled.
“Sleeping beauty is finally awake,” Jack remarked.
Toby shuddered in fear, “You. You better let me go my friends will be looking for me,” he struggled to say, trying to intimidate Jack.
Breaking out in a loud laugh Jack dropped the towel to the floor, he moved forward and went face to face with Toby, “Can you smell that?” Jack asked.
Looking confused, he simply shook his head, Jack suddenly shouted, “FEAR!” Toby jumped.
Jack stood back and leaned against a kitchen cabinet he crossed his arms, “You are going to tell me where they took my friend, you are going to tell me everything,” Jack told him in a calm voice.
“I don’t know anything,” Toby snarled back in reply.
Jack’s eyes focused, “We will see about that,” he said while moving forward. He pulled a small knife from his vest, he smiled as he walked round Toby, once behind him, he grabbed him by the neck, “Last chance,” Jack warned him.
“Fuck you,” was his reply.
Jack remained silent, he let go of his neck and grabbed his ear slicing his knife down, removing his ear. Toby screamed in pain, the wetness of the blood trickling down the neck freaked him out; suddenly Jack appeared in front of him waving his ear in front of him. Jack laughed as he held it in front of Toby’s face; he tapped the ear and spoke into it like a microphone, “Hello is this thing on, where is my friend.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” Toby yelled at him.
“Sshhh be quiet, remember the dead like the noise,” Jack replied.
Dropping the ear to the ground he stepped on it, he walked to the side and started opening drawers looking for something. “Have you ever heard the saying, speak no evil, hear no evil and, well you get the idea,” he told Toby. Jack pulled a spoon from the drawer, he turned and smiled at Toby again, he walked back over to him he pushed his head back.
“Last chance,” Jack uttered he heard no response.
Jack held Toby’s head, lifting the spoon he pushed it into his eye socket, blood dripped out as Jack scooped his eye out like a lump of ice cream. The eye quickly squeezed out from the socket, Toby screamed in agony as Jack dropped the spoon and his eye dangled out hanging down by his cheek, still attached Jack grabbed the eyeball and pulled it, tearing from the socket.
As Toby scream in pain, Jack joked around again, he started to juggle the eye like a ball, “Oh yes, now I remember, SEE NO EVIL,” he told him laughing. Jack held the eye closer to Toby’s face, holding the eye in the palm of his hand, he spoke, “Watch this,” he joked as he squeezed the eyeball, it popped like a cherry.
Wiping his hands, he pulled the knife from his vest again, “Now we are down to speak no evil,” Jack said seriously while pointing the knife at him.
As the blood dripped how his face, Toby sobbed in pain so close to passing out he finally spoke, “Please, please stop please,” he begged.
Jack lowered the knife, “It can stop whenever you want, all you have to do is tell me where they took my friend,” he told him calmly.
Toby shuddered in fear, drool dripped from his mouth. Jack looked at the beaten man in front of him, looking at the black hole in his face where his eye once sat. Toby started to choke, when he noticed the remains of his squashed eyeball on the floor, suddenly he puked all over himself.
“Just not your day is it,” Jack spoke out.
A tear rolled down Toby’s face, “A car park,” he muttered.
“What was that, speak up,” Jack told him.
“A multi-story car park about a mile from here, it’s called Trinions, a big concrete multi-story car park,” Toby struggled to say.
“I believe you,” Jack replied as he picked up his backpack and started to leave.
Toby screamed out, “Please you cannot leave me, I need help, please have mercy,” he begged.
As Jack moved towards the kitchen door he turned, “You know my first night here I met a couple of kids, Clare and Joe, they were hiding from the Zombies on a roof. I was disgusted to find out this girl had been raped by those who should have offered her safety. At that moment I realized there was real evil here and it was not the Zombies, and I plan on killing every fucking one of you,” he spoke out in anger.
Jack pulled his sidearm, Toby screamed out, “Please I swear I never touched her.” Jack raised his gun, “But you never stopped the others,” he replied. At that moment, Toby screamed again as Jack shot him in the head, the back of his head burst open and sprayed across the room.
Remaining calm, Jack simply placed his gun back in the holster and opened the back door; the sun was starting to rise as he walked outside and disappeared from sight.
CHAPTER SIX
Trapped
As daylight shined through the security gate of the furniture store, Elle and Bray still stayed by the fire exit waiting for their friends to arrive. Elle opened the door slightly to look outside again, daylight rushed through the gap almost blinding her.
“We have to go look for them,” Elle told Bray.
Zoe and Ryan joined them by the door, “We should give them more time, they may have had to take cover for the night, they will be here,” Bray replied trying to calm her.
An awkward silence made everyone uncomfortable, and then surprisingly, Ryan spoke up, “We should find some transport and be ready to move when they both get here.”
Bray looked at Ryan, the change in him was remarkable, “He is right, Jack will want to get out of the city, so we should find a good sturdy vehicle,” Bray agreed with Ryan.
Ryan was quick to speak again, “There was a small bus in the car park.”
“I don’t think we need a bus, a car will do,” Zoe replied.
“Actually, a bus would be more suitable, they are built to keep going and it will provide the room for any supplies we find on our journey,” Ryan responded.
“Then let’s go and look at this bus,” Elle spoke out, in truth, she was anxious and needed to do something rather than just waiting.
Walking outside, there was no sign of Zombies, Ryan followed behind Bray. Elle had her gun raised in case of any unwanted guests, she looked around when Ryan spoke out, “Over there,” he pointed to the red minibus. They all approached with caution, Zoe remained in the doorway of the store.
In the distance Bray noticed a small group of Zombies slowly dragging their feet along the road, “That’s it please, stay over there,” Bray uttered.
Elle reached the door of the bus, “OK, go ahead,” she told Ryan.
Ryan looked around with fear in his eye, “Fear is a weapon,” he whispered under his breath.
“What was that?” Elle quickly asked.
Ryan embarrassed quickly replied, “Nothing.” He looked at the door and found the air release button for the door, pushing it the doors shot open. Ryan looked up a
s a body came falling down onto him, he gave out a scream thinking his time was up. Elle and Bray quickly rushed to help him, the body was not moving, Ryan was still freaking out. Elle grabbed the body, as she lifted the lifeless corpse Ryan squirmed as he noticed the front of the skull was missing revealing the brain. Ryan quickly crawled backwards on the ground.
“It’s OK, it’s dead,” Bray tried to reassure Ryan.
Ryan sat on the ground shaking in fear, Elle threw the body to one side, and she raised her gun and stepped on the bus to make sure it was clear. She noticed a small handgun on the floor, she realized in that moment the body she threw on the ground committed suicide. “Good choice,” she uttered.
She stepped out the bus to see Bray helping Ryan, “Come on, we should go back inside,” Bray suggested to Elle. He was shocked by what he heard next, “No, we need the bus, I am good,” Ryan quickly spoke out. Bray watched as Ryan shot up to his feet and started to walk towards the bus, Elle touched him on the back as he walked past, “Good man,” she told him.
As Ryan worked on the bus, Bray and Elle looked around the car park. It was a warm day and under normal circumstances, it would be beautiful, but with all the rotting corpses scattered around the smell was horrendous and made everyone sick to their stomachs. Bray watched as Elle kept looking in the distance for any sign Jack was alive. “You love him,” he observed.
She turned stunned, “He is a superior officer,” she replied is a croaky voice.
Bray laughed out, “I don’t think that counts anymore,” he replied.
Elle blushed, “We… we are. Yeah, I love him,” she spoke with emotion.
Smiling in return, “Good, you look good together. Just be careful,” he remarked.
A confused looking Elle was quick to respond, “What’s that meant to mean,” she snapped.
Bray sighed, “I didn’t mean it like that, but Jack will always run into danger without thinking. He is that sort of person, and I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” he calmly replied.
Elle had a look that could kill, “I’m not stupid, and I know what kind of man he is better than anyone. Also, I know he is worth the risk,” she replied angrily. She began to walk away when she turned and continued, “What really makes me sick, is that not one person here has noticed one thing about Jack. He wants nothing, he asks for nothing, he fights for everyone and asks for nothing in return. Strange how no one notices that about him,” she finished saying in an angry voice.
“I’m sorry, and you're right. I just did not want to see you get hurt,” Bray replied softly.
He looked over to Elle and was shocked when she raised her gun and aimed it at him, for a few seconds he feared for his life. A shot fired out, the bullet flew past Bray’s ear and hit a zombie that was about to attack him. Stunned, he turned to see the body on the ground, shot in the face but not dead. Bray quickly stamped on its head, covering his foot in blood and brain matter. More shots fired out, looking up they were being surrounded by the dead marching towards them.
“Where the fuck did they come from!” He shouted out as he raised his gun and began to fire.
“COME ON!” Zoe shouted out.
Elle and Bray backed up towards the store, they looked for Ryan but the bus was surrounded and cut off from them, Ryan had closed the doors keeping the dead out. Bray panicked seeing Ryan stranded on-board the bus. “Shit,” Elle screamed. The dead were now approaching them from every direction, Zoe held the dead back from the store, but too many stood between them and the store door.
“Shut the door!” Bray shouted out.
Zoe glanced over to see them in the middle of a swarm.
Ryan stood in the bus looking at the window; his breathing was heavy as he panicked. In fear, he began to rub his head, not knowing what to do. He heard Zoe scream outside; he noticed Elle and Bray being surrounded. He knew they never stood a chance, “Fear is good, Fear is good,” he repeated over and over. He ran for the driver’s seat; the bus was not fixed yet. However, one thing worked. He took another look out the window and hit the horn hard, a loud beeping noise echoed throughout the car park. The dead suddenly turned and marched on the bus, only a few remained. Elle cracked one across the head with the butt of her gun, “I’m out of ammo!” she shouted out.
Bray only had a few shots left; they managed to fight their way back to the store door. He looked over to the bus and locked eyes with Ryan he wanted to help him. Ryan shook his head to indicate to Bray not to try anything; Elle grabbed Bray and dragged him back into the store, slamming the door behind them.
Ryan watched as the others got to safety, the bus was being banged from all sides; the dead rubbed their dead bodies against the bus. He sat there and watched as a zombie pushed against the door window. Its body was badly decomposed and as it pushed against the window; its jawbone fell off. Suddenly Ryan burst out into laughter.
CHAPTER SEVEN
BREAK
Frank woke up to find himself chained and hanging from the ceiling, the chains rattled as he tried to move. His sight was blurry, he could just make out he was in a wide-open space surrounded by concrete walls, he twisted round to be met by a horrific sight. A face launched at him, a chain tied around its neck stopped it reaching Frank, it was so close he could smell the rotting flesh. The Zombie was chained to the wall Frank looked at the corpse. Its lips had been cut off, leaving its teeth and jaw visible. Its eyes clouded over, just stared at Frank while it attempted to reach him.
“Don’t worry, it is harmless. For now,” a smug voice sounded out.
Frank turned again to see Alina and a large man standing there looking at him. The large man walked towards him, “You know Alina, but we have never met. They call me Kane, and I promise, you and me are going to become very close,” he smiled as Frank looked at him with fear in his eyes. Alina stood smiling.
“You want me dead, just fucking do it!” Frank shouted out.
Alina approached him, “Oh, you will die, but not until we have had a chat,” she replied.
Kane wasted no time and punched Frank in the face, a cut appeared above Franks left eye, blood trickled down his face and dripped to the floor. He shook his head and spoke out, “Do your worst, I’m not telling you shit.” Another punch hit him in the face as a reply.
Alina walked away through a small door, a long stairwell guided her down. She past metal doors on her way down, “I wished those damn elevators worked,” she moaned to herself as she continued down the long stairs. Reaching the bottom, she walked through another door into another large parking area, oil drums on fire lit the area. She walked across the car park, passing several people, at the back wall there were large trucks being guarded.
A tall woman covered in tattoos stood holding a baseball bat, a fat man with a metal bar stood next to her. “I need one of them,” she ordered. The two of them did not hesitate, they both feared Alina. The tall woman opened the back of the truck; sounds of panic came from the truck. “Hurry up!” Alina shouted. The tall woman walked into the truck and grabbed the arm of the nearest person; she pushed the person out of the truck.
A frightened woman lay on the ground, Alina watched as a dark-haired woman looked up in fear. Alina grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back to her feet, the dark eyes of this scared woman focused on Alina.
“Please, don’t hurt me,” the woman begged.
Alina showed no emotion, she simply head butted the woman. She began to fall back, but Alina kept hold of her hair stopping her from falling.
“When I want you to talk, I will tell you,” Alina told her firmly.
The woman tried to hold back the tears; she nodded to show she understood.
“Good girl, now tell me your name?” Alina asked.
The girl shook in fear, “Zarina,” she replied in a quiet voice.
Alina let go of her hair and smiled at her, “Well Zarina, you are going to help me,” she told her.
Grabbing hold of her arm, Alina dragged the girl back towards the stairs.
Spitting blood, Frank struggled to speak, but managed a couple of words, “Fuck you,” he responded. Kane grew furious and kneed Frank in the stomach, he was about to hit him again when a voice shouted out. “STOP! I have a better idea,” Alina shouted.
Throwing Zarina to the ground, she looked at Frank with an evil smile. She slowly approached him; still smiling, she touched his bleeding face. Looking at her hand now stained with his blood, she locked eyes with Frank as she licked the blood from her fingers. “Give me Jack and I will make this quick,” she said softly. Frank burst out in laughter, “You’re nothing but a crazy bitch,” he replied.
The smile on Alina’s face vanished, her gaze turned to anger as she pulled a knife from her belt. She reached up and grabbed Frank’s hands, which were chained up; she took another glance at him and winked. Without a second thought, she cut the knife into his finger, cutting away two of his fingers, she laughed as Frank screamed out in pain. Kane stood smiling as he watched The Boss Alina at work; he was aroused by her actions. Zarina squirmed on the ground at the sight she was witnessing.
Frank struggled to catch his breath; he tried to fight the pain but was failing. He looked Alina in the eyes, “I’m going to fucking kill you,” he uttered.
Kane once again punched him in the face, “Jack, where is he?” he demanded to know once again.
As Alina played with Franks severed fingers, she heard him speak out, “You want Jack.” He looked up with determination on his face, he laughed before he spoke again, “You can’t handle Jack, he is The Reaper, and he sends the dead back to hell and feeds on killing the evil living.”
Kane burst into laughter, quickly followed by Alina, “So I guess he will be coming for you,” he stated as he turned his back on him.