Outbreaks

by T. L. Frost

  Sarah laughed “Don’t forget the biscuits. Please let there be some chocolate ones left.”

  Chapter 8

  They stayed there overnight. The caravan was equipped with its own gas supply and it seemed like an unbelievable luxury. Hot food and hot tea lifting both of their spirits.

  “That’s the last of it.” Said Sarah handing a mug of tea to Jim the next morning.

  “Aye, we will have to move on.” Jim replied “Seems to be more of those creatures sniffing around here now and I’m out of those freeze-dried meals.”

  “Still heading north?” Asked Sarah.

  They had discussed Jim’s plan of heading north up the coast, away from the populated areas and Sarah agreed that it was their best chance.

  “Unless something better turns up.” Nodded Jim “Too many of them around here, it only takes one of those things to spot us and we’ll be up to our necks in zombies.”

  They had soon packed their meagre possessions and were ready to go just as it was getting light outside.

  “I’m going to miss this place.” Said Sarah taking a final look around as Jim locked the caravan’s door behind them and dropped the keys.

  They headed northwards, following the coastline as closely as possible. The land was wilder here, more cliffs and jagged rocks but that also meant any houses were further away. A light mist clung to the cliff-tops that morning, fine rain drops seeming to float gently down, soaking everything. Jim’s waterproof jacket kept him warm and dry but Sarah wasn’t as well prepared, her jacket was soaking after a while as the rain started getting heavier until eventually they had to seek shelter.

  “There.” Said Jim pointing “Looks pretty remote and we need a rest.”

  Sarah saw a lighthouse up ahead at the end of a short, rocky pier and nodded. Jim led the way and as they approached they could see that it was also a lifeboat station. Quiet and lifeless on a dull, rainy afternoon. There was one car in the small car-park near the entrance to the lifeboat station. They huddled behind it for a few minutes watching, but nothing seemed to be moving. A side door with a ‘Fire-Exit’ sign was open slightly, a gentle breeze moving it to bang against the frame.

  “That’s our way in.” Said Jim.

  “It might not be empty, this car park is for employees.” Replied Sarah, shivering.

  “We’ll have to risk it.” Jim said concerned “You need some dry clothes.”

  Sarah agreed and they moved towards the lighthouse, no cries or screams were heard and they both breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the Fire-Exit. Jim listened at the doorway, his ear against the opening.

  “Seems quiet.” He whispered pulling the door slowly open.

  A low screeching sound came from its metal hinges, Sarah winced at the sound and they both stopped and listened again but everything was still quiet. Jim reached into a pocket, pulling out a small torch.

  “Stay close and be very quiet.” He said, leading the way into the building.

  Sarah followed, crowbar held tightly, ears straining for the slightest sound. She felt a small gust of wind from the doorway behind her and shivered, her wet clothing draining the warmth from her body. Then the door slammed behind her. They both spun, Jim’s torch darting around, pointing at the door and then back into the building. Tension radiated from them both as they waited in the dark corridor.

  “It was the wind.” Said Sarah after a minute, releasing the breath she had been holding.

  “Close the door, I don’t want to be jumping out of my skin every time the wind blows.” Jim replied.

  Sarah closed it, the hinges screeching again as she did.

  “Well if that didn’t bring any of them running we may be in luck.” Said Jim “I don’t think my nerves could take any more surprises right now.”

  “I’m not sure who jumped higher, you or me.” Said Sarah with a quiet giggle.

  Jim smiled “Let’s call it a draw.”

  The corridor led to a reception area, the main entrance to the lighthouse. A polished desk with information leaflets at the far wall, some doors leading off to other areas. The main doors were closed and locked, the large glass panels allowing enough light in for them to see. They checked the other doors, keeping close together. One led to the lifeboat station but was locked, the glass panel in the door criss-crossed with safety wire, showing a dimly lit space, the bright orange lifeboat in place, life jackets placed alongside. Another was marked ‘Generator Room’ and was also locked. The third marked ‘Stairway’ was unlocked.

  “Up it is then.” Said Jim opening the door slightly and looking in.

  He took out his torch again, heading quietly up the stairs. The stairway was dark, the lights had gone out when the power did, the emergency lighting probably didn’t last much longer. Jim kept stopping to listen but all was quiet. The stairs went up, curving around the outside wall of the lighthouse until they reached the next floor. A door here was open, daylight coming through. Jim turned off his torch and went in, it looked clear so he nodded to Sarah who joined him, closing the door behind them.

  “Some sort of living quarters.” Said Jim as he explored.

  There were small rooms with bunk beds, all empty, a shower room and a small kitchen. Sarah checked and found it stocked with food.

  “Looks like a free lunch.” Said Sarah coming out holding some tins, a smile on her face.

  “Good, those biscuits didn’t exactly fill me up this morning.” Jim replied “First we need to check the rest of the place and make sure it’s secure.”

  Sarah nodded and put back the tins, grabbing her crowbar and following Jim back out onto the stairs. He nodded upwards and they continued to the next floor. It was the top of the building, a large wide space filled with the lamp used to warn shipping of danger, though Jim guessed it was just a back-up in these days of sat-nav. The room was empty, the electronic equipment all blank and lifeless. The windows facing the sea wet from the rain which had now stopped. A door led outside to a metal walkway going around the tower.

  “Might as well check out the view.” Said Jim opening a door leading out.

  The walkway was wet and slippery, a high railing protecting anyone using it. Jim crouched as he walked around to the landside, moving slow so that he wasn’t spotted.

  “It looks fairly clear.” Said Jim looking out “No homes nearby. That’s where we came from.” He pointed south, the view mostly blocked by the mist still clinging to the shoreline.

  A moan sounded behind him and Jim turned. On the walkway behind him a zombie stood up and reached for him, its mouth opening wide. It was almost on him and Jim raised his hiking stick sideways, pushing it into the creature’s mouth as it lunged at him, its weight knocking him backwards, his feet slipping. They landed heavily, the zombie on top as Jim tried to push it off but the walkway was too narrow, one end of his stick jammed in the railing and the zombie’s hands clawed at Jim, its mouth biting hard onto the wood, he couldn’t hold it back and it pressed slowly down, teeth coming closer and closer to his face. Then it paused, seeming to get lighter and Jim could see Sarah behind it, her crowbar hooked into the collar of the creature’s top, the woollen material stretching as she pulled back with all of her strength, teeth gritted with the effort. Jim pushed himself away and stood as the creature turned to face Sarah, its mouth opening to scream.

  “Oh no you don’t!” Said Jim.

  Grabbing his stick he got behind it, lifting it over the zombie’s head and jamming it into its mouth again.

  “Hit it!” Said Jim.

  Sarah lifted her crowbar to strike but Jim was pulling the creature too close to himself, instead she lowered it, hooking the curved end around its leg and pulling. It went down, falling with a thump onto its back as Jim jumped back, its mouth opening again, a moan rising, getting louder. Jim took a deep breath and, stepping forward, he thrust his stick downwards with all the strength he had left, straight into the creature’s mouth. The metal tip punched right through its throat and neck, sticking into a ga
p in the metal walkway. The creature’s eyes went still, arms and legs going limp. Jim sat down on the walkway, breath coming in ragged gasps.

  “Are you ok!?” Asked Sarah rushing forward, concern on her face.

  “Aye lass.” Said Jim recovering quickly “Nothing a hot cup o’ tea won’t fix.”

  Chapter 9

  Together they managed to get the zombie’s body over the railing, Jim taking some keys on a chain fastened to the zombie’s belt, then they watched as it tumbled into the mist on the seaward side of the lighthouse.

  “Bottom half is stuck fast.” Said Jim looking at the remains of his hiking stick.

  He held the top half, the bottom half still stuck into a gap in the metal walkway. The zombie had bitten halfway through, causing it to snap when Jim tried to free it.

  “That was my favourite stick.” He said watching as he threw the top half away over the railing “Let’s get inside before you catch a chill, must be some dry clothes here somewhere.”

  “Good idea.” Said Sarah starting to shiver.

  They found some spare clothing in the living area, a locker next to the bunk beds having some old faded jeans, a shirt and sweater. They were too big but Sarah didn’t mind as she hung her wet clothing to dry in the lamp-room at the top of the tower. The sun started to dip towards the horizon, the already dull cloudy day getting darker quickly. While she changed, Jim did some more exploring. The keys allowed them access to the rest of the building and he made sure all the doors were secure before having a look at the generator room in the basement, then the adjoined lifeboat building. Satisfied everything was secure for now he returned to the living area.

  “Cold stew or cold chilli?” Asked Sarah holding out some tins “Everything is electric so no way to heat it.”

  “I’ll take the chilli.” Replied Jim “Always liked spicy food.”

  After their cold meal they both relaxed a little, exhaustion taking its toll after the last few days.

  “This isn’t a bad place, pretty isolated.” Said Sarah after a while “Enough supplies for maybe a week.”

  “Good, I think we could both do with resting for a few days.” Replied Jim “As long as we keep a low profile those things shouldn’t find us.”

  “I think I could sleep for a week.” Said Sarah yawning and stretching out on a sofa.

  Jim laughed “Well make sure you don’t snore and you shouldn’t be disturbed.”

  “Oi, I don’t snore!” Said Sarah “Unlike you.”

  “My late wife used to complain about it.” Said Jim smiling “Thing was she snored even louder than me.”

  Sarah was soon asleep on the sofa, fetching a blanket from one of the bunk beds, Jim covered her before making one more check of the building, then he closed the door to the living area, moving some furniture in front of it and sank gratefully into one of the bunk beds, eyes closing and sleep coming instantly. The next day was brighter, the mist had gone and the sun could be seen breaking through the clouds occasionally. Jim slept late and woke to find Sarah already up, looking through some books and maps she had found.

  “Sleep ok old man?” Asked Sarah, a hint of a smile on her lips.

  “Yeah, your snoring didn’t disturb me too much.” Replied Jim “You been awake long?”

  “About an hour, decided to give my clothes a clean since they were already wet. They were pretty rank.” Nodding towards Jim, Sarah continued “I found some more spare clothes, you should change yours too.”

  Smelling under his arms Jim agreed “Been a while since I had a shower.”

  “Pity we only have cold water.” Sighed Sarah “I would love a hot shower.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that, well mainly about hot food, can’t say I noticed too much that I’d missed a few showers.” Said Jim “Been a bit too preoccupied lately. I was thinking about the emergency generator in this place, it’s in the cellar so any sound should be hidden, if I could get it to work…”

  “If it worked, that would be amazing!” Said Sarah.

  “May as well have a look at it.” Jim said “After breakfast, what have we got?”

  “Cold soup?” Answered Sarah.

  “Hmmm.” Said Jim “Maybe look at the generator first, breakfast second.”

  Looking around the cellar with his torch Jim examined the generator. It didn’t look too complicated and he was pretty good with machinery. Flicking a few switches and turning the main breaker switch to ‘On’ he pressed the start button, hoping the starter battery was still charged. The starter motor whined, turning the generator. It coughed and spluttered a little, then with a deep throaty roar, it started. Jim rushed out of the cellar, up the stairs to the top. Sarah was outside on the walkway.

  “Any luck?” She asked.

  “Yeah, it’s started.” Replied Jim, and they both stood listening.

  Everything seemed quiet, no outward sign that the generator was running.

  “I can’t hear a thing.” Said Jim smiling “Looks like hot food is back on the menu.”

  “I’m having a hot shower first!” Said Sarah running back downstairs.”

  They both showered, Jim changing into the clean clothes Sarah had found. Then he explored the life-boat building. The controls were all lit up now and he had a good look around the boat, the keys were in a small locked cabinet and he tried the power, the electronic equipment lighting up, fuel almost full, batteries still charged. Then he turned it off and re-joined Sarah.

  “If we cover these windows we can use the lights later.” She said “I’ve found plenty of maps so we can plan our route for when it’s time to go.”

  Jim nodded “Good idea.”

  They talked for a while, discussing where to go and both agreed that north was still the best idea, avoiding highly populated areas. As the light faded Sarah covered the windows, taping black bin liners over them before closing the blinds and curtains. They had a rough idea of where they were going, though neither of them were in a hurry to leave the relative security of the lighthouse. Jim made them hot tea, passing a mug to Sarah.

  “Better turn the generator off.” He said “Try and save the fuel.”

  Outside came the sounds of screams. Jim and Sarah froze, it had seemed fairly close. Then again, a scream nearby, answered by others.

  “Have they found us?!” Asked Sarah.

  “Can’t have, I checked, they shouldn’t be able to hear or see us.” Replied Jim going to the window “Turn the light off!”

  Sarah turned the light off and Jim peeled back some of the window’s covering, his eyes adjusting slowly to the dark. Again a scream came, even closer, answered by more in the distance. Jim watched, looking for signs of zombies in the darkness, he thought he saw a shadow move not too far away. Then the whole scene lit up, not too bright but enough to see figures moving about out there. The screams came again as the light filled the area, shapes could be seen moving closer, then it went dark again.

  “What’s happening?” Asked Sarah worried as she also looked out of a window.

  “I’m not sure…” Began Jim, just as the scene lit up again “Oh hell, it can’t be!”

  He ran to the door, looking up the stairs, light flooded the top then disappeared.

  “It’s the light!” Shouted Jim “Must be some sort of timer.”

  “Can we turn it off?!” Said Sarah.

  Jim shook his head as the screams came again, very close now, a banging sound came from the front entrance downstairs.

  “Too late.” He said throwing Sarah her jacket “Time to go!”

  They grabbed their things, rushing down the stairs, Jim leading the way with his torch, shielding most of its light. At the bottom the banging came again as they raced across the lobby, the pale light from the tower illuminating half a dozen zombies trying to break through the door, others racing closer behind them.

  “Shit!” Said Sarah “They’re already outside Jim, what now?”

  Jim looked around quickly, the cellar would give them some protection but t
he thought of being trapped in there with a pack of zombies trying to break in the door didn’t look very promising.

  “The boat!” He said, pulling out the keys to the lifeboat house.

  He unlocked it, flicking on the light and slammed the door shut behind them, locking it again just as the main entrance to the lobby buckled and smashed inwards, zombies tumbling over each other, clawing their way in. He pushed Sarah to the boat handing her the keys.

  “Start the engine, just turn the key then press the start button!” Said Jim quickly grabbing two life vests and passing her one “I’ll be right behind you.”

  Sarah jumped onto the boat, rushing to the controls, finding the keyhole and switching it on. Jim went to the building’s control panel, wishing he had paid more attention earlier. He found the boat release, then searching frantically, banging coming from the door to the lobby and from the shutters at the rear of the boathouse, he found the shutter controls. Pressing the ‘Open’ button for the front shutters he waited as it slowly opened, the light inside the boathouse was drawing more and more zombies and as the front shutters started to open, the rattling sound of metal on metal seemed to send them berserk.

  “Hurry up!” Shouted Jim to the front shutters.

  The rear shutters buckled inwards, the weight of numbers forcing it in, the glass viewing panel on the door to the lobby smashed, arms reaching through. The shutter was over half way open and Jim put on the life-jacket and pushed the boat release button, then he ran and jumped on the boat. Grabbing a pole with a hook on it and waiting.

  “We’re not moving!” Shouted Sarah.

  “Safety mechanism. Won’t move until the shutter is fully open!” Said Jim “I hope.” He added quietly to himself.

  The shutters finally opened, clicking into place and everything paused for a second, Jim swallowed, his throat dry, then another loud click came and the boat shuddered. He could feel it move slightly as he adjusted his balance at the back of the boat. The rear shutters collapsed, broken pieces falling away as the large numbers of zombies there finally tore it to pieces. They charged forward. Jim waited, tense as the boat picked up speed, the greased ramp letting it accelerate. Zombies fell as they rushed after the boat, the smooth, wet ramp giving no footholds. A few made it to the boat jumping and grabbing at the rear rail, Jim swung at them with the boat hook, smashing hands and snarling faces.