by Jenkins, Seb
By the time Max had made it across the stationary traffic to within a few metres of the lorry, most of the horde had spotted him and were eager for him to join the young girl on the menu. Max clambered from the roof of a car onto a higher van before launching himself onto the lorry.
The horde swarmed beneath him, getting closer than they were previously, apparently now more driven to score their evening meal. The lorry was surrounded from all angles, hands and arms scraping against the metal with their long, dirty, yellow nails.
“Well what a great rescue that was! At least I’m not going to die on my fucking own!” the girl spat at him.
Max was taken aback completely, stuttering out a reply as best he could, “I…I’m sorry…?”
“Well what’s next in this daring escape plan genius?” she mocked.
“You’ve taken me from a pretty bleak situation to an absolute shit storm!” the loud mouthed girl continued.
“I won’t bother next time,” Max mumbled.
“Say something there Einstein?” the girl snapped back angrily.
“No, no, just give me a minute to think,” Max stammered.
He drew the bow from over his shoulder and loaded an arrow from the quiver.
“Maybe I can clear a path down by the blue car there, then I guess we’ll have to make a break for it,” Max suggested.
“Oh Jesus, I scream for help for 20 minutes, and what do I get? Robin fucking Hood!” she replied with a disbelieving laugh.
Max ignored the girl and steadied his aim, releasing the arrow before hearing a satisfying thump and it came to rest between the eyes of a male clicker. Max turned to his young companion with a cocky grin.
“One down, 22 thousand to go,” she clapped satirically before folding her arms.
Max went to argue, but the kid had a point. As soon as the body of his victim had fallen, two more had replaced it, desperately scrambling to climb up the lorry.
“Okay, plan B,” Max said, running across to the other side of the lorry.
“Really? Are you sure we need it after the overwhelming success of plan A?” the girl gasped.
Max scouted around the perimeter of the vehicle, desperately trying to find a way out or a gap in the wall of rotting bodies. He came up with nothing. He just needed some way of distracting them, or pushing a few out of the way.
“That’s it!” Max shouted.
The girl looked at him inquisitively, but kept her mouth shut, clearly seeing that he thought he was on to something. Max jumped down to the front of the lorry, standing on top on where the driver’s seat was a few feet beneath him.
“Wait here!” he yelled back at the girl.
“Oh well I do have a dinner to get to, but I’ll try!” she snapped back again.
Max chuckled; he hated to admit it, but her attitude and sarcastic humour did amuse him.
Max gripped his hands around a metal bar which was attached to the top of one side of the lorry before pushing back and throwing himself off the side.
He swung out away from the front cab before catapulting back in towards the window, leading with his feet. Glass shattered around him as he clenched his eyes shut and ended up sprawled across the two seats. He sat up before fumbling around for the keys, still left in the ignition as Max assumed the driver had made his hasty getaway.
He turned the key and attempted to put the lorry into gear, struggling to work out how to drive the thing. Luckily the vehicle was fitted with stickers above each button and lever and within a minute or two Max had the engine roaring. He slammed his foot on the accelerator and heaved the wheel to his left, aiming for a small gap between two cars which he could barge through. The wheels struggled to turn with so many bodies surrounding them, but after a few tries the lorry eased forward.
“HOLD ON!” Max shouted up to his young co-driver.
The lorry scraped down the metal of the two cars, brushing them aside along with tens of clickers beside them. Max bumped up and down as body after body fell under the wheels of his vehicle, breaking through the main part of the pack.
Max gathered speed, punching through the clickers as best he could until his path was completely blocked by a variety of vans and cars. Now clear of the swarm, Max was able to throw open the door and jump down from the cab. He looked back down the road as the clickers shuffled after them, at least a minute behind. He looked up to see the young girl clutching the metal bar and he offered a hand up to her.
“Would Maid Marian care for a hand down?” he asked in an overly posh voice.
“Okay, to be fair, that was pretty cool” she laughed, as Max lifted her down from the lorry which had been her prison minutes before.
Chapter Fifteen
The pair jogged down the road and peeled off back into the trees from which Max emerged. The quiet sound of panting filled the air as they both paused to catch their breath. The adrenaline surged through Max’s body, reminding him of the days in the not so distant past when he and Joey would take on packs of clickers between them. He missed that. He missed Joey.
“Okay, we should be safe once we pass through this clearing up ahead,” Max pointed out, leading the way.
“Then we should be able to go our separate ways again,” he called back over his shoulder.
“Wait…what do you mean?” the girl asked, confusion painted across her young face.
“Well you didn’t think we were going to stay together did you?” Max asked.
“No offence kid, you’re better off without me,” he continued, brushing a nearby branch out of his face.
The young girl offered no reply.
It was true though, ever since this whole thing broke out, anyone Max had got close to had died. He couldn’t watch that happen again; he couldn’t let it happen. To be honest, even before the disease, Max had always dragged down those around him. It was better off for the kid that she stayed as far away from him as possible.
“Okay, this should do, I doubt they’ll still be following us now,” Max thought aloud.
He placed his bag on the ground, unzipped it and fished around the contents for a moment. His hand emerged, clutching a bottle of water and a few basic rations he still had spare.
“Here,” he said, extending his hand out and offering them to his child companion.
She snatched them from his grasp before stuffing them into her own bag and folding her arms.
“Well, thanks for the help…I guess I’ll see you around,” she mumbled, not making eye contact for a second.
The young girl turned on the spot and began to walk away from Max. He stood for a second, deep in thought, before following suit and setting off in the opposite direction. He couldn’t help but feel guilty, sending a young child off into such a torn up world alone, but what could he do when only moments ago he was ready to potentially blow his own brains out?
He wasn’t in any fit state to look after himself, yet alone another. He had lost his purpose in life to tell the truth, and would probably continue to gamble with his own life until the day that bullet found the right spot in the chamber. Max continued to walk and continued to think. He stopped abruptly, almost tripping over a small family of rabbits bounding along in front of him. The young brigade of baby rabbits bounced quickly after their mother, desperate to keep up; the mother slowing down every now and then to ensure they didn’t fall behind.
Max sighed and looked over his shoulder, the young girl now a small figure in the distance. Maybe this was the purpose in life he was looking for, for now at least. He couldn’t leave knowing that he had jeopardised the life of someone so young, purely because he had made such a mess of his own life.
He turned and ran back towards the girl, not calling out until he was within around ten metres.
“Hey, kid!” he called.
She turned sharply, smiling initially but then instantly correcting it to a cold stare. She was clearly careful to build this wall between herself and other people; careful not to leave herself open. This suited Max just
fine. He would make sure she was safe, but anything further than that he just couldn’t do. He didn’t have it in him to care about someone again.
“Can I help you?” she replied with forced attitude.
“Come on,” Max said, gesturing with his hand for her to follow.
“And what makes you thin-” She started.
“Follow or don’t kid, I really don’t give a shit,” Max laughed, knowing that she would eventually trudge after him.
“Well I hope you know-” she accrued on.
“Kid!” Max shouted, cutting her off.
“What?” she replied with slight fear, assuming Max had seen something ahead.
“Shut up,” he whispered.
The two both shared a scowling look before breaking into laughter as she caught up and walked alongside him.
“Lizzie,” she said proudly, sticking out her hand towards his.
“No need for pleasantries kid, this won’t be for long. Just until we can find some other survivors to take care of you, then I’m on my way,” Max explained harshly.
Her hand was still extended.
“Max,” he sighed, shaking her hand for a split second before throwing it away.
“Well Max, where to now then?” Lizzie asked.
Max pushed air out of his cheeks, looking from left to right and back left again.
“Errr, that way!” he exclaimed, pointing in a random direction in front of them.
Lizzie smiled.
“Sounds good to me.”
Chapter Sixteen
The unlikely pair fought their way through the trees until they once again found open road, Lizzie whistling all the way in a chipper mood, Max doing all he could not to tell her to shut up. He liked the kid alright, she was a good kid; he had just seen too many people die. He wanted rid of her as quickly as possible before the inevitable happened once more.
“It’s getting dark. We should try to find some shelter for the night,” Max exclaimed.
“Any 5-star hotels around here?” Lizzie chuckled.
Max didn’t crack a smile, firmly concentrated on his surroundings, scanning the area for a defendable position in which to camp for the night.
“Okay…” Lizzie said
“Not a fan of the jokes ay?”
Max spotted a house at the far end of the street on his left. It was separated from the others, enclosed all around in a large metal fence. It was low enough for the two travellers to scale, but tall enough to keep out any lurking clickers.
“Perfect,” Max said, setting off towards their home for the evening.
“Looks creepy to me,” Lizzie whispered.
“Yeah well creepy might just keep you alive in this world; now stay close kid,” Max snapped.
“Careful Max, people might think you care about me,” Lizzie grunted back, begrudgingly doing as she was told.
Max scoped the area as they approached the house; there didn’t seem to be any clickers in sight, but that never settled his nerves anymore. They were always lurking about in the shadows somewhere. Waiting. As they got closer to the impressive three-storey building, the house became more and more appealing.
In the healthy green garden surrounding the front of the home was a variety of plants and crops which looked to be growing well. Off to the left stood a small greenhouse which held a decent amount of tomato plants along with other things Max couldn’t quite make out. It was more perfect than he could have imagined.
“Hate to point out the obvious here Maxie boy but this house is clearly taken,” Lizzie said sarcastically.
“What do you mean?” he questioned with a tone of annoyance.
“Well these plants seem to be growing pretty damn well, and I’m guessing they haven’t been watering and tending to themselves have they?” she continued.
She was right. It hadn’t even occurred to him that the house might already be occupied.
“Well…yeah obviously,” he stammered.
“That’s why I chose it, we’re looking for survivors to look after you aren’t we now kid,” he explained in a poor attempt to save face.
“Ah I see, always thinking one step ahead you are,” Lizzie chuckled, rolling her eyes.
“Follow me kid,” Max ordered, ignoring her blatant sarcasm.
Max jogged to the lowest point on the gate before crouching down and pushing his hands together, linking his fingers as he did so.
“C’mon then. Up you go kid,” Max said.
“If there’s any zombies over the other side and I die, I’m coming back to haunt the fuck out of you,” Lizzie laughed.
She placed her right foot into the palms of Max’s hands before they both pushed up until Lizzie could grasp the top of the gate. She wrapped her fingers around the metal, pulling herself up with all her strength, and a little help from Max still pushing up her feet. She clambered onto the top of the fence before swinging her legs over the other side and jumping down.
A deafening crack filled the air as her feet touched the ground.
“SHIT!!!” she screamed.
“Oh god, I’ve broken my ankle!” she shouted in between bursts of pain filled screeching.
“Stay there kid!” Max yelled back, pulling himself over the gate as fast as he could to come to her aid.
Max landed the other side and crouched next to the fallen Lizzie.
“Move your hand kid, let me see; you’ll be okay I promise,” Max said softly and reassuringly.
Lizzie moved her hand to reveal her ankle. There didn’t seem to be any blood, the ankle was pointing the right way and there didn’t seem to be any damage at all, actually. Lizzie move her foot two inches to the right, revealing a thick stick beneath it.
“Ohhh I think I just broke this twig when I landed, my bad Max,” she giggled.
“You’ve probably alerted every clicker in the whole fucking neighbourhood you stupid shit!” Max spat at her.
“You sooo care about me really,” Lizzie teased, still laughing.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be okay, I promise,” she mimicked, holding back the sniggers.
Max swore repeatedly under his breath before checking around to make sure they hadn’t attracted any unwanted guests. The coast was clear and Max got back to his feet.
“Get up,” he demanded.
“Pull anymore shit like that and you’re on your own kid,” he whispered.
“Thought you were leaving me on my own anyway,” Lizzie snapped back.
Max ignored her, slowly turning back towards the front of the house.
Click click
Max shuddered at the noise, but it wasn’t the sound of an undead.
“Not so fast,” a voice boomed from behind them.
“Turn around, very slowly,”
Max and Lizzie did as they were told, shuffling their feet until they faced the front door of the house.
Max looked up at the mystery voice, met only with two barrels of a shotgun pointed directly at his face.
“Well shit,” Lizzie said.
Chapter Seventeen
“Now put your hands on your head. Slowly!” the man continued to yell.
Max could now get a good look at the man confronting them, looking past the barrel of the shotgun aimed towards his face. He was short, with his back slightly hunched over. He had to be into his seventies. His bushy, jet white beard covered most of his wrinkled face and matched his wavy white hair. His sharp, green eyes were fixed on Max’s, full of conviction. Max dare not make a move.
The man wore loose blue jeans, held up with braces over the top of a red check shirt. He certainly looked like a farmer, and the shape of his garden did nothing to dispel the thought.
“Okay, okay, let’s not do anything stupid. I have a kid with me,” Max urged desperately.
“I’ll be doing the talking thank you, bub,” the man snapped back, shooting a glance towards Lizzie after he did so.
Max nodded.
“I don’t take kindly to people breaking into my property,
screaming and shouting their heads off,” The man continued.
“You do realise they’ll be coming from far and wide now. Your little performance is like a meals on wheels advert for them!”
“Look, we’re sorry okay, we just need somewhere to stay!” Lizzie piped up.
“I thought I said I didn’t want to hear a peep from either of you!” the man shouted back.
“Oh get fucked, if you’re gunna shoot us then do it old man,” Lizzie said frostily, her attitude taking over once again.
Max looked across angrily at Lizzie, his eyes like a pair of snipers. She didn’t meet his gaze. She knew that she had spoken before thinking, again.
“A very good point little girl,” the man smiled.
“I’m sorry, you have to believe me, it’s nothing personal,” He carried on, walking closer to Max.
He got within five feet and slowly raised the shotgun once more to Max’s head.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated simply.
“Look, wait, let’s talk about this-” Max stammered in a complete panic.
The man pushed the barrel of the gun hard into Max’s head, a non-verbal instruction to be quiet.
Max’s heart was beating out of his chest. He looked across at Lizzie, trying to seem as reassuring as possible, but how confident could he look with a shotgun pressed to his head? Maybe he was right after all, anyone who got close to him died. Sweat began to pour from his forehead, down the bridge of his nose and over his lips. The drips were salty, and Max couldn’t help but be annoyed that the last thing he tasted would be his own sweat.
He averted his gaze from Lizzie, unable to hold the burden of her death as well as his own.
The man’s fingers softly pressed against the trigger, ready to fire. Max shut his eyes and tensed his body. The man’s finger clenched around the trigger to fire.
Click.
Silence.
Max opened his eyes once more. In front of his stood not the frightening, chilling, old man he had seen a moment ago, but a warm, smiling face. The green eyes looked somehow friendly and welcoming now.
The man was doubled over, his hands pressed against his knees, letting out an uncontrollable wheezing laugh.