“Attach bayonets,” signalled Captain Hayward.
Captain Hayward split the group into two hundred-men-strong detachments. Colonel Kiesl took one detachment and Captain Hayward the other. It was not the time to worry about an Austrian captain leading a British force. The fact was the men knew him and trusted his judgement, and so did Captain Hayward.
Behind them came a sea of hungry flesh-eaters, stumbling, crawling and hell-bent on eating anything that got in their way.
The two groups moved rapidly through the south of the city. Fighting had broken out earlier, with Gatling guns firing from supply buildings. Shells were falling hard on the buildings around them; bits of masonry fell from the skies. The cohesion of the European force was now gone. The sick and wounded were being moved out of the city, but inevitably most were left to fend for themselves as the city was swallowed up.
Captain Hayward’s men came under small arms fire from several drone soldiers who had occupied a large apartment block. They had broken the windows and were firing on anyone retreating near them. Two of the Engineers were killed in this exchange of fire. This was not a time to be pinned down, as long-limbs had joined in the occupation of the city. Streets were filling with these incessant creatures, like a broken dam allowing water out of its containment.
Luck was on their side as two massive shells landed on the apartment block. The explosion blew out glass and debris across a vast area. Some of the men were injured, but there was no real time to assess how badly. Colonel Kiesl, whose detachment was in close proximity to the captain’s, quickly grabbed the chance to move. If the men inside had survived the hit, they would return to their posts.
They pushed on past the smouldering building. Privates Brown and Clegg had found Heidi; John kept her close. She was not the only one; John, with the help of three doctors, had helped rescue ten more nurses. It had been hard – the wounded could not be taken with them, and some of the medical staff decided to stay behind with the soldiers. Sadly, it would mean certain death.
Private Clegg looked into the building as they passed. His eyes feasted on a drone soldier’s body. It looked badly mutilated from the explosion. To his horror he saw it twitch and move. He knew that the drone soldiers were always one step away from turning as they had witnessed in the village before, but this whole scenario added desperation to his mindset as he felt they could not compete with an army that, once killed, came back even stronger.
John saw his friend was flagging and told him to knuckle down and keep moving. The dust was making most of them cough. It was also hard keeping everyone together. Some of the streets were narrow and they did not have a great understanding of where they were going. Corporal Heinz was the leading light, and he directed them as well as he could out of the city.
A clearing coming up ahead offered a chance to leave the city. This moment was quickly lost, though, as six long-limbs with fifteen or more wolves circled the area. There were no priests guiding them, but for some strange reason they were staying put as if told to stay and guard.
Captain Hayward had no choice. He asked Colonel Kiesl to ready his men for a charge.
“Alexander, get on the roof of the nearest house. I’ll send two men with you. Work your magic with that rifle, son,” ordered Captain Hayward.
“As God is my witness, I shall give you time.”
Alexander left without another word.
The two detachments lined up behind a large building. The enemy were closing in through the city. Shouts and cries were coming closer and closer to their position. It was now or never.
Captain Hayward looked up at the roof and saw Alexander and the other men move into position. With that, he raised his hand and the men charged, bayonets reflecting the afternoon’s dying sun.
A long-limb looked up and growled as the advancing soldiers closed in on them. The wolves were not their normal size and looked imposing as they began to react and charge at the soldiers.
The first bullet from Alexander’s rifle was a filled with anger. It struck its target straight between the eyes. The long-limb fell to the ground in a heap and was rapidly surpassed by the others. They came all at once, clambering towards the British and Austrian soldiers. Captain Hayward gave the signal to Colonel Kiesl. He bellowed out his orders at the same time as the sergeants and both detachments lined up into two rows. As this was unfolding, another long-limb came crashing down, followed by a wolf. Alexander was taking no prisoners.
“First rank, take aim…Fire!”
“Second rank, take aim...Fire!”
The shooting was accurate and deadly. Long-limbs collapsed onto wolves and the once menacing pack of animals rushing them looked weakened. The volley fire was effective and was backed up by excellent marksmanship. The order was given to advance and fire. The creatures had been dealt with effectively and for once the firepower had been enough to kill the advancing foe. The remaining long-limb and wolves were in two minds whether to attack or run. Without a drone soldier or priest to push them on, they stalled momentarily.
Alexander seized this opportunity to kill them. Bullet after bullet was loaded into his rifle and each time his squeezed the trigger a creature fell silent.
The soldiers moved into the open and Captain Hayward waved for the men to leave the rooftop. They waited a couple of minutes for Alexander and the other soldiers to arrive and then set off across the fields. Smoke was rising from the city rooftops and gunfire was breaking out over the southern area.
The men had heavy backpacks, which slightly restricted their speed. The weather had been warm and the ground was at least dry.
“Halt.”
Sergeant Butcher stopped the soldiers and nurses in their tracks. On the horizon, some fifty odd Northern riders gathered on a small embankment. The gut feeling amongst the men was that this was a desperate situation to be in, caught out in the open with no real heavy firepower.
Captain Hayward sighed, but did not let the others see his obvious disappointment. He questioned why he had not sent Corporal Heinz out to check the surrounding area, but the response was simple: the enemy were everywhere, and this was going to be a fight-and-run chase from now on in.
There was no point in running, so he got the Engineers and Austrian soldiers to form four lines. The only ones allowed to move towards a copse were the nurses and the army medics.
The riders fanned out and prepared for a full-on charge. Emerging from the outskirts of the city was the dreaded sight of flesh-eaters. They must have picked up the scent of fresh meat and moved on it.
Private Brown looked over his shoulder at Heidi disappearing into the distance. She had kissed him on the cheek and told him to come with her. She had said they could just run, and never come back. But the truth was darker: their chances of survival depended on numbers and alone, it would be ten times harder. Her red eyes stayed in his mind as he loaded a bullet into the breach. He looked over to his dear friend William.
“Bloody mess all of this, eh?”
William nodded.
“Don’t worry, you’ll see her again,” William reassured John.
“Face up, lads, here they come!” shouted the Sergeant.
The noise of the giant horses shook the ground. The Northern riders then let out a shriek, their swords and axes catching the last of the daylight.
“Wait until you see the whites of their eyes,” Sergeant Butcher focused the men.
The yards fell away at speed.
Hands grew sweaty and hearts sped up in the anticipation of the impact. The men took aim and prepared to fire. At that moment, a bugle sounded. A thunderous roar filled every person’s ears.
The 16th Lancers had appeared from the right flank, tearing down the hill at speed, their blue uniforms outlined with their white straps and white helmets. It was a beautiful sight; they possibly outnumbered the Northern riders three to one. Their impact to the charging enemy was dramatic; they were ill-prepared for the attack from the side and the Lancers wreaked havoc as they swept thro
ugh their prey.
Some Northern riders tried to re-adjust to this surprise attack, but the damage was already being done. Their fellow soldiers were being mowed down and slaughtered without mercy.
The officer in charge cut a dashing figure. His approach was daring and brash. The enemy soon broke off from the attack and fled to the city. The order was given not to pursue them as flesh-eaters were emerging from different parts of Reims.
Captain Hayward wasted no time and got his men moving out of the open. The officer came over to the captain and introduced himself and as the commandeering officer of what was left of the 16th Lancers. He explained they were escorting the wounded out of the city and heading for the coast. France was falling and Great Britain was now the only escape route.
Although he came across as normal, his eyes were dead. He was someone who carried a deep burden and who was now happy to fight for the cause of Europe. He told the captain his son was with a small convoy which they were going to join.
Most of the flesh-eaters started to drift back into the city as they picked up different smells and noises. Some wandered after the soldiers, but their speed was enough to gain a good distance in a little time. After ten minutes they had reached a thicket, in amongst which was a small collection of wagons and carts. The commandeering officer went over and hugged his son. Their bond was strong and the relief in the boy’s eyes at seeing his father return was heart-warming to witness. John was also close tears when he realised the Austrian nurses and army medics were there as well. Heidi came forward and kissed him on the lips. She did not care about military rules at that moment; it was all about her love for John.
They promptly set off for the coast. Captain Hayward and some of the other men were given horses from fallen Lancers. The captain had one thought in mind: Paris.
His wife and children were there and now a sea of darkness was going to descend on the city without an army of noticeable size to defend it. The thought made him feel a little dizzy. He had a duty to his men, but his heart told him to ride for his family. The sergeant could see him fighting an internal war of conscience as they rode along.
“Sir, I’ll ride with you now,” said the Sergeant.
The captain looked up, a little puzzled at first, until he realised his trusty sergeant had figured out his thought process. Corporal Heinz came up to enquire about what was going on. He was asked if he would ride to Paris with them. His scouting skills would save time and keep them out of danger.
Captain Hayward approached Colonel Kiesl and asked if he would take command of his men whilst he was away. The men knew the colonel and would respect his leadership skills. He was very understanding about the Captain needing to ensure his family’s safety; it was not normal procedure to leave your regiment and would normally result in a court martial, but as things stood the whole of Europe was in chaos. The enemy were swallowing up towns and cities with ease.
The commanding officer of the 16th Lancers came forward. His demeanour was robust and decisive.
“I’ve heard you’re planning on leaving us, Captain.”
“Yes, it’s my—”
“I understand a lot of the officers have family in Paris. You should leave now whilst you still can. Stay off the roads and beware of razor-tooths. They will be in the forward hunting parties.”
The Lancer officer explained they would be heading for the port of Cherbourg. The ships and boats were leaving and there was a chance they would get on a vessel back to Britain.
The men shook hands and the captain noticed a trinket hanging from the lancer’s neck. The officer touched the trinket before wishing him Godspeed.
The captain wasted no more time and left the convoy in transit. The soldiers wondered where their leader was going, but it was not the time or place to question it. Colonel Kiesl would inform the men when they next stopped for a rest.
Captain Hayward felt guilty as his left his detachment, but he also felt they were in capable hands.
The route to Paris was not easy. They moved from thicket to copse and tried to use small woodland areas where possible. The movement of soldiers was also something they could not avoid. There were many men and women still fleeing the oncoming mass of flesh-eaters. The roads were packed and the disorder was evident at each step. Panic had set in and orders were not being translated down to units.
The French army in charge of Paris was already fighting a losing battle. The wolves and Northern riders had arrived with the high priestess and she was causing a stir with a relentless assault on the city. She had reinforcements being sent from Nazar and already boasted half the city.
The men rode well into the evening, but agreed it was too difficult and dangerous to navigate through the countryside. The captain had a strong urge to press on, but knew his heart was now ruling his head. They had already seen several razor-tooths feeding on animals and humans carcasses. The sheer speed of the enemy advance and their raiding parties caused complete dismay within the retreating forces.
That night no one really slept. The sounds crept through the woods and hung in the trees causing the wildlife to retreat deeper and deeper into the forests. Darkness was coming across the land.
Captain Hayward was up early with the dawn chorus, preparing the horses. A crow cawing woke the other two men. Everyone had grown to dislike these birds as they fed on the dead. Soon the three of them were riding again. It was nearly lunchtime when Paris came into view. The north of the city was on fire and sporadic shells were landing heavily on that side. The captain’s heart sped up. He felt a sickness come over him as he panicked about his wife and children. Their faces and voices filled his mind and ears. His thigh muscles released his grip in the saddle and he began to slide a little. The sergeant’s hand came across and steadied him.
“Gentlemen, this is as far as you have to go. Save yourselves,” suggested Captain Hayward.
Both the sergeant and the corporal shook their heads.
“We will follow you in.”
“I cannot allow that. If you must wait, then stay here. Give me two hours and if I do not return, ride to Cherbourg and save your souls.”
The sergeant looked up.
“Godspeed, Charles.”
He shook both men’s hands and spurred the horse on into Paris.
Chapter 29
As Captain Hayward rode closer to the city, his eyes fell upon the devastation. Small cottages were burning and bodies lay strewn outside on roads and in gardens. This enemy was a killing machine. It knew no mercy and was consuming everything.
There was someone sheltering inside a house, looking out with haunted eyes. The captain looked up helplessly and full of sorrow about their plight. It was the end for that poor soul and he knew that he could do nothing to help. The people that were left in the city were trying to evacuate but were being caught before they could escape.
His horse stirred and he patted her side whilst whispering to calm her. The thick smell of burning flesh filled the small streets and penetrated the very clothes covering his body. His thoughts lingered on about his family. He prayed they had retreated to his cousin’s house on the south side of the city as this was where he was heading.
A scream burst out from a large town apartment. Then several small calls and yelps and then stoney silence. Charles’s hand hovered over his revolver.
He rode on for another five minutes before coming to the house. He dismounted and ran to the door and knocked hard for a minute. No one answered. He tied the horse to a fence post and ventured around the back. The door was locked, but he wasted no time in throwing himself at it hard and repeatedly until it began to split. He then kicked it with a desperate frenzied motion.
It eventually gave way and he burst inside. He cried out to anyone who was there. He called Becky’s name, called to Arthur and Emily, but no reply came back. His heart sank and his eyes fell upon a picture of all them at a ball in Paris the year before. Thoughts of his beautiful wife and darling children caused a tear to roll down his left
cheek.
He closed his eyes and revisited the moment captured in the photograph. Becky looked so radiant that evening. Her face was enchanting and he pinched himself – he had to be the luckiest man in the world. When they embraced, her soft perfume filled his senses and her skin was like silk as he pressed his face next to hers. They danced and kept eye contact as he spun her around. Once the orchestra stopped playing, she leant forward and kissed him on the lips. In high society this was not considered good manners. This is why he loved her – for her spontaneity and rebellious side. They both looked over at young Arthur and cute little Emily as they sat with his cousin laughing and joking.
Becky pressed her lips to his ear. “Charles, never forget this moment.”
He pulled her close and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”
Outside, a shattering window brought the captain out of his daydream. He looked at the picture once more. He then checked upstairs and in the cellar to make one hundred per cent sure they were not there. He touched his fingers to his revolver. Then something caught his eye on the mantelpiece. It was a note with his name on it. He recognised his wife’s writing.
Dear Charles,
I pray to God you’re alive. It feels like a lifetime since I last kissed your soft lips. The world has gone mad. There is talk of people that are dead walking the land and nowhere is safe anymore. The children miss you; it’s so hard not knowing where you are. I know you will read this and we will see you again. We have gone with Catherine to the church on the south side of the city. Church Sainte-Anne de la Butte-aux-Cailles. It’s in the area of Maison-Blanche. We have all been there several times with your cousin.
My dearest husband, take care.
We love you so much.
Rebecca, Arthur, Emily xxx
It was the kick he needed. He wiped his eyes and burst out of the house. He came across a flesh-eater moving towards his horse. The animal was doing well not to get too spooked, but it was tied to a post and could not escape if it wanted to.
Europe Has Fallen Page 31