Animal Kingdom

by Iain Rob Wright

  Grace laughed, but her voice was weak and hollow. “What choice do I have?”

  “Here, I’ll take Danny,” Joe said, picking up his son. “You just hold onto this mop handle nice and tight and if you feel like you’re gonna pass out, let us know.”

  “Can we please get going now?” Bill’s anxiety buttons were being prodded. Joe could tell by the way he was shifting his weight from side to side and swallowing constantly.

  “Okay,” said Joe. “Let’s get going.”

  The group of them set off. They were in a paved delivery area around the back of the Visitor’s Centre. There were no vehicles around and nothing else of note either, except for a large double-wide wheelie bin. There were no animals in the area and Joe didn’t hesitate in leading everyone forward. They stuck close to the wall, crouching to keep their profiles low. Up ahead, the building ended and the pavement snaked around to the left.

  Joe put a hand up to halt everyone, whilst struggling to keep a hold of Danny in his arms. “Everyone wait here. I’ll go check and see if the coast is clear.”

  Joe put down Danny and crept along the last few feet of wall. He peered carefully around to the left, poking his head out gradually. Joe couldn’t see his own face, but if he could, he was sure he would have lost all colour at what he was seeing.

  “What is it?” said Grace. “What can you see?”

  Joe bit at his bottom lip as he looked back at her. “The animals,” he said. “They’re everywhere.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Bill resumed his anxious stepping from side to side. “What the hell do we do?”

  “I think we can sneak past,” said Joe. The army of animals was engaged in the assault against the building. Joe was even sure he could hear Victor’s wild battle cries as debris fell from the windows upstairs. Amongst the rampaging animals was a collection of bloody and burned husks of various shapes and species.

  Looks like Victor’s still got plenty of fight left.

  “We can’t just sneak past,” Bill said. “Animals have like super hearing, don’t they?”

  Joe shrugged. “Some do, I guess. What choice do we have though?”

  No one said anything. They could go backwards and re-enter the building, but would have to face Victor and the assault that was going on, or they could go forwards and face an army of vicious, snarling creatures. They were screwed either way.

  Danny pulled on Joe’s arm. The boy looked like he had something to say. Joe asked him, “What is it, Danny?”

  “We can start a fire.”

  Joe smiled encouragingly. “What do you mean?”

  “We could start a fire between them and us. They don’t like fire.”

  Joe thought about it but Bill liked the idea straight away. “We could grab some more petrol from the warehouse and pour it on the floor as we make a run for it. Then when the animals chase we could light it and…whoosh!”

  Joe shrugged. “Good as anything else.”

  Bill smiled, seeming more confident about the whole thing since they decided to make a run for it. “I’ll go get the petrol. I think some of it got left with the backup supplies.”

  Joe nodded as Bill limped off, then peered back around the side of the wall. He tried making mental notes of which areas were best to get across the zoo. The animals roamed everywhere, flanked on all sides by dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. The main force consisted of tigers, wolves, monkeys, and of course, the leader of them all, the silverback. The giant ape stood almost exactly at the army’s centre and was beating his chest in defiance as Victor continued to fight back. Each time the silverback let out a feral roar, another group of animals would surge forward and attack the building. The earlier attack involving giraffes had obviously failed as a pair of them now lay dead on the ground, but that had not deterred the rest of the army. Their current tactic was to send small groups of monkeys against the walls, standing on atop each other in an attempt to create a ladder from their bodies. Joe didn’t want to stick around long enough to see if it worked.

  Another five minutes passed without Bill returning and Joe began to worry. It shouldn’t be taking this long. “You think we should go check on him?” he asked Grace.

  She shrugged. “I guess we could. Perhaps we should have gone with him in the first place.”

  In agreement, Joe and Grace, along with Danny, headed back along the wall towards the loading bay. Joe wanted to call out to Bill but didn’t want to risk being heard by something or somebody. When they reached the entrance, Joe called out at a hushed level. “Bill, you okay?”

  No answer. Joe’s worry intensified. He stepped through the entrance way and Grace and Danny followed.

  “Where is he?” asked Grace.

  “He’s here,” said a voice.

  Joe looked up to see Bill standing anxiously before him. At his throat was a knife, and behind him was Randall. The man wasn’t alone and had Shirley beside him.

  Joe shook his head and laughed. “Guess everyone gave up on Victor’s war then?”

  “Only a fool would have stayed and fought,” said Shirley. “The battle is already lost. Victor is just too stupid to realise it.”

  “That’s right,” said Randall. “Shirley and I are leaving.”

  “Good,” said Joe. “Just let go of Bill and we can go our separate ways.”

  Randall cackled, shook his head forcefully. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. You see I was brutally attacked, and until the person responsible is held to account, I simply cannot depart. Unfinished business you might say.”

  Joe’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lucky I didn’t kill you after what you did to my son. If I were you I’d cut my losses while I still have chance.”

  “Perhaps you’re right.” Randall slit Bill’s throat so casually he might have been acting it out in a play. Bill’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates as he fell forward onto his knees, clutching the bleeding gash that lined his neck like a widening scarf. He tried to speak, but all that came out was the sound of gurgling and a distant hissing sound.

  There was a high-pitched keening that Joe realised was himself screaming. He shot forward and grabbed Bill who collapsed into his arms. “Bill, it’s going to be okay.”

  But he was already dead.

  Joe stared at his fallen friend and was filled with equal doses of intoxicating vengeance and regret. Regret that he hadn’t killed Randall when he’d had the chance. He would rectify that mistake right now.

  Joe looked up just as Randall lunged at him with the knife. He managed to make a last second dive to the right and missed being stabbed by a hair’s breadth. The hard floor knocked the wind from his lungs.

  Randall looked down at him on the floor, knife still in hand. “Time for your sentencing, my friend.”

  “He’s not your friend.” Danny ran forward and swung his leg like it was a golf club attached to his hip. His little foot hit square between Randall’s legs. “How about a low blow, ye jabroni!”

  Randall collapsed backwards, shrinking into the foetal position and clutching at his groin in agony. Like a shot, Shirley ran forward and seized Danny, slapping him hard across the face. “You brat! You’ll burn in hell.”

  Joe watched in a daze, still winded by his impact with the floor, as Grace swung her broom handle like a baseball bat. It smashed across Shirley’s face with a resounding crack! The woman shrieked out like one of the animals outside as blood began pouring from her face. The blow had shattered her glasses and sent the jagged shards into her eyes.

  “I’m blind,” Shirley cried out as she staggered around in wild panic towards the back of the warehouse. “Help me, I’m blind.”

  “Get your fucking God to help you!” said Grace as she checked out Danny’s face. His left cheek was glowing.

  Joe got to his feet gingerly, going up to them both. “Go find the petrol. I’ll deal with Randall.”

  Grace looked down at Randall who was still clutching at himself in agony. “Is he worth it?”

  �
�He killed Bill.”

  Grace nodded and then kissed him on the cheek. She took Danny away and left him to it.

  Randall had cottoned on to the situation and took one of his hands away from his groin and held it up in front of him. “Now Joe, let’s be civilised.”

  Joe spat. It hit Randall in the chin. He did not wipe it away. Joe closed in on him. “You killed Bill. You killed Mason. And I’m figuring you would have killed me and Danny too. Why? So you could get Grace to yourself?”

  “Of course not. I wanted to save Grace and Danny from all this. I would have taken them some place safe.”

  Joe laughed so hard it hurt the soft flesh of his throat. “You mean the safe place that you hid from us all? And what about me? Where did I come in your grand plan?”

  Randall wouldn’t look him in the eye.

  Joe nodded. “I see. Well, I’d say that in your case, your punishment should fit the crime.”

  Randall eyes went wide. “Don’t kill me!”

  Joe smiled. “Course not. That wouldn’t be suitable.” Randall seemed relieved, but Joe had more to say. “You killed two people, so simply killing you wouldn’t add up. No, I need to do something worse than just kill you.”

  Randall started scooting backwards on his bum, obviously searching for his knife, but it was nowhere to be seen; lost in the scuffle. He looked up at Joe and made eye contact. “What are you going to do to me?”

  “This!” Joe leapt forward and grabbed Randall by his legs.

  “What are you doing? Get off me, right this instant.”

  Joe was beyond hearing Randall’s pleas now, and almost took pleasure as he gripped the man’s left ankle tightly and started to twist. “My son would call this an ankle lock,” he said, and then yanked hard.

  Randall wailed as the bones in his ankle snapped. Joe thought about breaking the other leg as well, but decided that one was enough. He turned and walked away. “Now, don’t you go following us, you hear!”

  “JOE! Joe, please don’t leave me here.”

  Joe carried on walking.

  “You’re a murderer. A murderer, you hear me! You’re no better than me or anyone else.”

  Joe shouted back a reply over his shoulder. “Least I’ve given you a fighting chance. However slim that may be.”

  Joe found Grace and Danny in the corner of the warehouse, pleased to see that they had found both a can of petrol and some matches.

  “Is that screaming I can hear?” asked Grace.

  Joe nodded. “Randall had a little accident, but he’s in no immediate danger. Let’s get out of here, yeah?”

  Joe took the can of petrol from Grace and she picked up her mop handle again. Then they all headed back through the warehouse, being sure to avoid the aisle that contained a screaming Randall. Joe didn’t want to hear any more begging from the worthless human being. Something had changed in him.

  They reached the warehouse shutter and prepared to step outside, but stopped. The animals had arrived, attracted no doubt by the recent commotion and Randall’s relentless screaming. So far it was only a small group of chimps and a few wolves, but Joe knew there would be more coming.

  A lot more.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Joe grabbed the petrol can from Grace and thrust it at the nearest chimps. The liquid sprung from the nozzle and doused the animals head to toe. Without even having to be asked, Grace struck a match and tossed it.

  Two chimps went up. Two-legged infernos, their wild screeching pierced the air in spikes of pain. It still left about eight more though.

  “This isn’t going to work,” said Grace, backing into the warehouse.

  Joe grabbed Danny by the hand and followed after her.

  The chimps glared at them as they continued backing away, but made no attempts to follow. They seemed to be communicating amongst themselves, arms moving frantically in some sort of monkey sign language. Joe didn’t dare take his eyes away from them, feeling that as soon as he did they would attack.

  “Should we go back upstairs?” asked Grace.

  Joe shook his head. “It’s too late for that. We need find a way to lose them.”

  Grace tittered. “I don’t think that’s gonna be easy.”

  The chimps seemed to reach an agreement amongst themselves and rushed into the warehouse, hopping and rolling playfully as if the whole thing was just a game. Perhaps to them it was.

  “RUN!” Joe screamed at Grace and pushed her into action. Danny ran alongside them as Joe continued to hold his hand. Behind, the chimps whooped and hollered. The three of them ducked behind a crate of fertilising materials. Grace was already panting with exhaustion. Packing material flew into the air on all sides.

  Or is it from fear, thought Joe. He glanced around the crate and saw that the chimps had spread out and were in the midst of a chaotic wrecking spree, ripping and tearing everything in their sight.

  “What’s the plan,” said Grace. “More petrol?”

  Joe looked at the petrol can in his hand and thought about it before shaking his head. “Can’t risk trapping ourselves inside. We need to keep the exit clear.”

  “What then?”

  Joe shrugged. “Pray for a miracle?”

  “Miracles are beyond you,” said a voice Joe recognised.

  He looked up to see Shirley heading towards them. Both of her eyes had been reduced to blood soaked orbs and the woman was obviously blind.

  “Shirley, be quiet.”

  Shirley turned in the direction of his voice and snarled. “You cannot silence the righteous. The end times are upon us and your punishment is nigh. Your son will burn in Hell for man’s crimes.”

  In different circumstances, Joe would have knocked the woman’s block off, but right now all he wanted was for her to be quiet. She was going to alert the crazed chimps to their location.

  But it was too late.

  The group of chimps descended on Shirley like rugby players on a loose ball, knocking her to the ground under the weight of their writhing bodies. Unbelievably, the woman did not cry, but instead seemed indignant at their lack of manners.

  “Release me, you foul beasts of Satan. I am not one of the forsaken and I demand that you remove yourselves from my body.”

  One of the chimps sank its human-like teeth into Shirley’s shoulder and, finally, she screamed. The noise seemed to excite the animals more and within seconds half a dozen of them were tearing strips of fatty flesh from Shirley’s struggling body. Her screams grew louder as one of her ears peeled away from her head like foil off a yoghurt pot.

  Joe slunk away from the scene, thankful that the chimps were too occupied to notice him. He turned to Grace. “Let’s make a run for it.”

  The three of them crept around the opposite side of the warehouse, as quickly and quietly as they could. The sound of blood-hungry monkeys ripping human flesh could be heard throughout the entire area, but Joe was sure they were all grouped together over Shirley’s body. There was a chance to get out without being seen.

  Joe stopped near the warehouse’s shutter. Grace raised her eyebrows at him. “Why’d you stop?”

  “Randall. I left him lying in the spot we just passed. He’s gone.”

  Grace grabbed Joe’s arm and pulled. “Let’s worry about that later. We need to get out of here.”

  As one, they ran out through the shutter and back into the cold air of the loading area. They were immediately set upon by three wolves.

  Joe pushed Danny out of the way just as one of the large lupines snapped at his face. Joe swivelled and kicked the animal hard in the ribs. It yelped and fell to the ground. Joe was surprised that it did not get up again.

  Must have broken a few ribs.

  Grace swung the mop handle that she had thankfully kept in her possession and connected the blow with another wolf. It rolled across the floor, growling in pain, before springing back to its feet. Grace swung again but missed.

  The wolf lunged. Its jaws clamped down on her wrist. She screamed and shook he
r arm left to right. The animal kept a tight hold, biting down harder.

  “Joe, help me!”

  Joe saw a third and final wolf making a beeline for his son. “Danny,” he shouted. “Come here.”

  Danny ran toward his father, the huge animal bounding after him. Joe ran towards him, didn’t make it in time.

  The wolf pounced on Danny, driving his frail body down to the ground, knocking the air from the small boy, and ravaging him.

  Joe screamed so hard he felt something in his throat rip loose in his throat. With every strand of muscle fibre in his body, Joe barrelled towards his son. Danny’s screams only made him move faster.

  Joe kicked out at the wolf so violently that both feet left the floor. His right foot struck the animal in the side of the head. The impact threw both it and Joe into a tumble. Pain struck Joe’s leg like a fast-moving toxin and he knew that he had broken a toe. But it was worth it. The wolf was dead, bleeding from its misshapen head as it lay prone on the sidewalk. Joe crawled over to Danny. Tears streamed from his eyes. “Danny!”

  His son’s face was buried in his arms, but he began to move. He was okay.

  Thank God!

  Joe examined him, saw that he was uninjured. The wolf’s teeth and claws caused a huge amount of damage, but it was all to Danny’s Undertaker backpack. It had been ripped and torn to shreds.

  “Is it gone, Dad?”

  “Yeah,” said Joe, stroking his son on the back of his head. “You’re safe now.”

  Grace screamed out from behind him. Joe suddenly realised that she needed his help too.

  He got to his feet. Almost fell down again as pain shot through his toes like an injection of fire. He gritted his teeth and fought through it. Grace was on her back now, her wrist still crunching inside the remaining wolf’s mouth.

  Joe’s first intention was to kick the wolf as he had the others, but that wasn’t possible with his recent injury. He would need to try something else. He looked around for ideas, but the loading bay was empty.

  Except for the petrol can.