by Russ Watts
“I was thinking about that,” said Tom. “I don’t know if the airport is still operating, but it’s probably our best bet. If there’s nothing there, then...shit, I don’t know. We could see if we can get on a boat or something?” Tom put the can of lemonade on the floor next to Parker’s half-eaten apple.
Parker suddenly winced and his whole body tensed. He drew in a sharp breath.
“Are you okay, Parker? You look a little pale.” Even with the lack of sleep, Parker looked visibly ill, dark patches forming under his eyes.
Parker looked around the room. “Come with me.” He got up and headed to the door. Tom followed.
“Hey, where are you two going?” said Jessica, getting up.
“Just going to check around and make sure we’re safe,” said Parker. “Stay here, we won’t be long.”
Jessica sat back down next to Caterina, and Parker and Tom left. Passing the bathroom opposite them, Parker went to the next door he saw, just across the hallway, and tried the handle. It opened, and casting a glance around the room, saw it was empty; just another empty office.
“Shut the door, mate,” said Parker.
Tom closed the door quietly and sat down in one of the leather chairs.
“What is it?”
Parker began rolling his sleeve up and Tom knew; he knew before he saw the bite marks and bruises. He knew without needing to look at the blisters running up the length of Parker’s arm.
“Fuck. Parker, how the fuck..?”
“Jill. In the underground. It was dark and so fast I wasn’t sure at first if she had even got me.” Parker began rolling his sleeve down.
Tom got up and sent the chair back on its wheels so it crashed into the wall.
“This is bollocks! Parker, there must be something we can do? If we head straight to the airport now...maybe there’s a cure for the infection. Maybe we can...”
Parker was shaking his head. “No. You know there’s no cure. If there was, there wouldn’t be a thousand zombies outside our door right now. Even if there was, it’s too late for me. How long did Freddy last? An hour? Two? Three?”
Tom felt angry. This wasn’t part of the plan. Why Parker? He felt guilty, but he wished it had been Ranjit, or Christina, or Caterina; anyone but Parker. Then he felt scared. What if Parker dropped down dead right now and turned into one of those zombies.
“So when I said we should get to the airport, I wasn’t speaking literally. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to be able to hide this much longer. I can feel it, Tom. I can feel the infection. My arm tingles and I feel dizzy all the time.” Parker rolled down his sleeve.
“So nobody else knows?” asked Tom.
“No. I think it’s best we keep it that way as long as possible. I want to tell Jess before anyone else.”
Tom couldn’t believe how calm Parker was. If it had been him, he would’ve shouted the house down and let everyone know he was sick.
“If we can get to the airport quickly though, mate, perhaps we can get you out too? We don’t know for certain yet how big this thing is. It might be just the city, you know? The rest of the country might be fine...”
Parker looked at Tom with raised eyebrows. “Doubtful. Anyway, how are you going to get to the airport? It’s not going to be quick by the looks of what’s out there.”
“I don’t know,” said Tom. “I just don’t fucking know anything anymore.” He felt frustrated. They had left one prison to find themselves in another. On top of it all, Parker was dying.
“Look, let’s go back in there and talk about it. Don’t put pressure on yourself to come up with all the answers.” Parker swooned and grabbed the corner of the desk. “I need to sit down.”
Tom took Parker and helped him back to the others. They paused before the double doors.
“Please, don’t say anything just yet. I’ll do it,” said Parker. Tom nodded. It was only fair that Parker deal with this in his own way.
They re-entered the room and Parker made a beeline for Jessica. Benzo came over to Tom immediately.
“Hey, Tom, we’ve been talking and me and Jackson want to have a look around. We just want to make sure we’re on our own in here. We don’t want any nasty surprises.”
“Yeah, of course,” said Tom watching Jackson leave with Benzo. Ranjit was still propped up in a corner, looking exhausted.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up?” said Brad. He approached Tom holding two cans of drink and offered him one.
“Hey, Brad, thanks. Well, I guess we need to figure out where to next.” Tom was worried that once Brad found out Parker was infected, he would throw him out and feed him to the wolves. Brad had saved Tom’s life, but he knew Brad was decisive and averse to risks. Parker was a liability now.
“There’s no point staying here. We’re no better off than before. If anything, it’s worse.”
“I was thinking,” said Tom, “about the Tube. I was thinking it would be safer than on the streets out in broad daylight. The trains won’t be running, but the tunnels could take us almost anywhere, including the airport.”
Brad shook his head. “No. I see your thinking, but I think that’s just too risky. It’s dark and dangerous down there. You’ve got rats, mice, probably people too. If we ran into trouble, do you want to take them on in the dark? Like back in the car park? It’s safer up top. We can see where we’re going, who’s who and what’s what.”
“But we can’t take the roads,” said Tom, “they’re not safe. Even if we somehow got past those things out there, we could find ourselves walking down a street and end up ambushed. You know as well as I do that they can appear out of anywhere, and if we get stuck outside, there’s nowhere to hide. They’re relentless. They don’t sleep or rest. They just keep coming. We’d be dead ducks.”
“Hi, guys,” said Reggie sitting down beside them. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but, well, it’s a small room. Anyway, we’re all thinking the same thing. The ladies were talking about it, too; where next?”
“Or who next,” Brad muttered quietly.
Reggie ignored Brad and went on. “I had a thought. My house isn’t far from here. It’s only a few streets away. I can take us there and I live on my own, so there’s plenty of room. You’re all more than welcome to...”
Tom held up his hand. “Reggie, if you want to go home, then nobody is going to stop you. But it’s not safe. You remember the thousands of zombies that chased us in here? Even if you somehow made it home, then what? This city is dead. It’s overrun by the dead and this bloody infection. How long do you think you can stay at home, tucked away out of sight and sound of those things?
“The milkman’s not going to come. I don’t know how long you’ll have power, if there’s even any on now. You can’t pop to Tesco’s for your weekly shop. The lady who served you there last week is dead. The bus driver who went past you on the way to work every day is dead. The banks are closed because everyone who worked there is dead. The kids who went to school down the road and threw their chip papers in your garden are dead. Your neighbour who played the football too loudly is dead.
“Don’t you see, there’s nothing left, it’s all gone. Whatever life this city had before, is gone now. I’m getting out. I’m going to the airport to find a way out of here. I’d be happy if you want to come along with me, but I’m not going to force anyone.”
The room had gone quiet as everyone listened to Tom. Caterina let go of Christina’s hand and walked over to Tom.
“I’m coming with you, if that’s all right? Anyone who thinks they can just go home now must be suicidal. Sorry, Reggie, no offence. I’ve got to think about my baby and I need to get out of this city. I need somewhere safe to go. I’m over it.”
“Amen to that. It’s the airport for me,” said Brad.
“I think Benzo and Jackson will come with us too,” said Christina. “I’m not convinced anything is flying in or out of the city airport anymore, but we might find something. We’ve got to start somewhere, right? I hope you’
ve thought of a way past those six million zombies, Tom. How about it, Reggie?”
“Well I guess if you’re all going, I will too. I’m just scared you know,” Reggie bit his fingernails. “I could visit my brother’s family in Germany. I haven’t seen him in years. Yeah, why not.”
“Ranjit?” Tom knew Ranjit had been listening.
“Yeah, I’m with you.” He looked nervous and frightened, like a little boy.
“Awesome, so that’s the pregnant chick and the fat guy on board. What about beauty and the beast?” Brad pointed at Jessica who was holding Parker’s hand. She stood up, fully aware of the conversation.
“We’ll come too, even if you’re going, Brad. You know, a little politeness wouldn’t hurt. You don’t always have to say what you’re thinking. I haven’t called you a damn stupid yank to your face have I?” She smiled bitterly at him.
“Parker, control her, can you?”
“Actually, Brad,” said Parker getting unsteadily to his feet. “It’s not her that needs controlling. You’ve got a mouth on you, Brad. I’ve tried not saying anything, but quite frankly, it’s not just your mouth that troubles me. You’re dangerous.”
Brad laughed. “I’m dangerous? Right here, right now, with everything going on, you think I’m dangerous? Ha! Parker, buddy, you’ve lost it.”
“Have I? Does anyone here remember what happened back at the office? Does anyone remember how Amber showed up naked? Now why is that? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“That’s true, she was. I wondered at the time about that, but then I forgot with what happened,” said Christina.
“If I remember rightly, you were the last one to be seen with her. So...” said Parker directing his eyes at Brad.
“So what? I don’t know what happened to the stupid bitch.”
“I suppose you don’t know what happened to Chloe either?” said Parker. A wave of dizziness fell over him and he reached out for Jessica’s hand to steady himself. “I’ve been talking to Cindy, I mean Jess, and you were the last one seen with her too. You said she’d gone back to sixteen when we saw you, but the next time we saw her, she was dead, right behind Amber.”
“Shit, Parker, if you’re getting your information from Cindy then you’re even more fucked up than I thought.” Brad laughed again. “Can you believe this guy?”
Parker fell back against the wall and Jessica held him up.
“I believe him, he’s just sick, give him a break and answer the question, you dick.” Jessica lowered Parker to the floor unable to hold him up. He whispered something to her.
“I know what he’s getting at,” said Christina. “I wouldn’t put anything past you. I’ve got you worked out.”
“Hang on, what is this?” said Tom. “What is Brad supposed to have done?”
“Dude, I don’t know what her problem is, but Parker is clearly delirious. He’s talking about Cindy now? I mean, how ill are you, Parker? What’s going on?” Brad pointed angrily at Parker.
“Why don’t we ask him?” said Caterina timidly, pointing at Ranjit.
“Yeah,” said Jessica, “he has cameras all over the place. He’d know. He would know what happened to Amber and Chloe.”
The room fell silent and all eyes fell on Ranjit. He looked at the faces staring at him expectantly, and his fingers felt for the picture of his wife in his pocket. He closed his eyes and prayed. ‘Tell me what to do, Keti, tell me.’
“So, buddy, what did you see?” Ranjit looked up into Brad’s glaring eyes and opened his mouth to speak.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Nothing. I didn’t see anything,” said Ranjit. Brad smiled.
“But you must have seen something,” said Jessica. “People don’t just go missing and wind up naked and dead for no reason.”
“Pipe down. I think we’re missing the real point here,” said Brad.
“Which is..?” asked Christina. She wasn’t sure anymore. If Ranjit hadn’t seen anything, then maybe Brad was all talk. Maybe she had got it wrong about him.
“Tell us, Jessica. What is wrong with Parker? Why is he sick? Why is he talking about Cindy?” Brad strode over to Parker and hauled him up to his feet. Parker was shaking and barely conscious. His face was pale and he couldn’t summon up the energy to raise his head. Brad whispered into Parker’s ear. “Don’t worry, buddy, I’m going to take good care of your girl.”
“Leave him alone!” Jessica tried to grab Brad, but Christina pulled her back.
“You know what I think? I think our old friend Parker here has, unfortunately, got himself infected. What do you think?” Brad sneered at her.
“Don’t be ridiculous! He’s just...”
“Jessica, it’s true,” said Tom.
“What? No, that’s rubbish.” Jessica looked at Parker’s limp body and felt queasy. The group turned on Tom as one, incredulous faces looking at him.
“Is it true?” said Caterina.
“If he’s one of them, we have to get him out of here” said Reggie.
Brad dropped Parker to the floor and strode over to Tom. “So you knew? And you let him stay in here with the rest of us? Are you a complete fucking idiot? Jesus Christ, he could turn at any time!”
“Look, Parker only told me when we got here. And we thought we’d have more time before...”
“Right, Reggie help me, let’s get him out of here,” said Brad grabbing Parker’s legs.
“Let go of him, you fucker!” Jessica broke free of Christina’s hands and jumped on Brad’s back, bashing him with her fists. He threw her off and she fell painfully to the floor.
“Cool it, Brad, leave him alone. Reggie, don’t move a damn muscle.” Tom had suspected Brad would react this way. “Parker isn’t dead yet, and we’re not moving him until we have to. He’s helped us get this far. He’s our friend.”
“I don’t know, Tom. I don’t think it’s safe in here with Parker like this,” said Caterina.
“Finally, someone with their head screwed on,” said Brad standing over Parker. He reached down and took hold of Parker’s ankles. “Reggie, help me out here.”
“I don’t know, Brad. He’s sick, but he’s not dead.” Reggie stayed where he was, behind Tom.
“Thank you,” said Jessica. She was still on the floor where Brad had thrown her. She was crying. Not from the pain, but from the realisation that Parker was going to die. First Brie, now Parker. He looked so helpless.
“Oh shut up, you little bitch. You flutter your eyelashes, flash your tits and think everyone will come to your aid. You’re playing the damsel in distress real well I must say. You suckered Parker right in. How did he get infected? Did you screw him? Give him a dose of the bedtime bugs?” said Brad.
Tom lunged at Brad. He threw a punch, but Brad ducked and Tom succeeded in only scraping the side of Brad’s head. The blow glanced slightly against Brad’s temple. They grappled and fell backward into a stack of chairs that fell over and sent a loud crash ringing out across the room. As the two men wrestled on the floor, Jessica crawled over to Parker. Caterina screamed and Christina held onto her.
“Stop this, stop it now,” Reggie shouted. He was tempted to try and break the fight up, but Tom and Brad were rolling around over the floor, refusing to let go of each other. It would be difficult to get between the two of them.
“For Christ sake, boys, stop it!” Christina let go of Caterina and tried to pull them apart. She grabbed Tom’s arm and wrenched him off Brad. “Those fucking zombies are going to hear all this noise, you idiots.”
Tom slipped over and Brad barged into Christina, pinning her back against the wall. “Don’t tell me to shut up. I could snap your neck quite easily, little woman.”
“Like you did Amber?” Tom got up and punched Brad again, this time connecting with his jaw and Brad stumbled back. Blood was pouring from Tom’s nose. As Brad got up, Reggie stepped between them holding the metal desk leg above his head.
“I’m not picking sides. But if either of you move, I’m going
to cave your damn skulls in. This has to end, now. I just pray that they didn’t hear you.” Reggie looked from Tom to Brad, and they could see the seriousness in his face.
As they regained their breath, Christina sank to the floor and Caterina ran to her.
“Oh, Parker,” said Jessica ignoring the fight. She swept the hair back from his clammy forehead as she held him.
“One question, Reggie,” said Brad coughing. He spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the floor, wiping his lips on his sleeve. “Where’s Ranjit?”
They all turned to see an empty corner where Ranjit had been sitting. He had left his briefcase behind and the double doors were open.
“Oh fuck, what now?” said Tom.
* * * *
“Maybe it will be safe outside the city,” said Benzo. “The only problem is, there are about ten of us, and six million zombies to get past first.”
Jackson opened another door and they found themselves in the downstairs conference hall. The door creaked open and he looked up at the high ceiling where small windows were letting in the only light and air. The hall was cool and virtually empty. A stack of boxes lay at one end of the room, ready to be made into a stage. There was a lighting rig standing over them and several stacks of chairs piled up against one wall.
“Yeah, well, we have to try. I’m not staying here. Look, Benzo, we’ve gone around this place and it seems pretty secure. We’re clearly on our own in here, but that’s half the problem.”
“What’s the problem with that?” said Benzo following Jackson into the hall.
“If you hadn’t noticed, there’s not much to eat here. How long do you think we could survive cooped up in here? A few days? A week? A month? How long is this going to go on?”
“My dad used to tell me what to do if the terrorists won. You know, if they launched an attack on London, one so bad that effectively shut it down? He said it was probably only a matter of time before they managed it. One massive bomb or lots of small ones; cripple public transport, put poison in the water or destroy the communications network. He said one day a major city would be attacked and probably millions would die.” Benzo sat down on one of the stage boxes.