Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series

by Sebastien Woolf

  It was just on first light when they reached the first cache that was over an hour ago. Everything appeared intact and untouched with the inventory matching up to that on the list. Josh had called it in on his walkie, stood guard over the booty and waited for the retrieval team to arrive.

  Moments later a black Mercedes SUV hummed quietly up the street with Raj behind the wheel, Tyler in the passenger seat and Stuart in the rear. As quickly as they could they loaded guns, ammunition and supplies into the rear. The whole scene resembled a bank robbery, minus the obligatory security guard who inevitably caught a stray bullet or tripped the alarm. Once all the loot was stashed in the getaway car the would-be thieves made their way to the next location, proceeding nervously with the utmost caution.

  Jon received confirmation back at the compound, scribbled a red X on the map over the hashtag and removed the cache location. With a sigh of relief he smiled, pleased that they were underway. He loved it when his plans came together like this.

  The next four caches were all pretty much the same, incident free and intact. Everything was going smoothly and the two groups were making good headway, clearing Central Parade, the main thoroughfare uplifting everything in a quick snatch and grab.

  Josh pressed his back against the wall, felt the cold of the cement chill his skin. Listening intently he thought he had heard something in the silence. Scraping noises. Faint and barely audible. As he caught sight of the menace up ahead he slowly he slid his fingers to the walkie clipped to his belt and turned down the volume, just as a precautionary measure.

  “What is it?” Siobhan whispered.

  Placing a finger to his lips Josh motioned to the other side of the road, walked two fingers through the air like a Yellow Pages commercial to indicate the threat of the undead. Siobhan’s eyes widened and she tightened her grip on the handle of the long sword that hung at her side.

  They had taken up a defensive position outside the Central Bank building, a grand monolith on the main street of the city. Movement reflected off the glass panels of the buildings opposite as slow moving, shuffling shapes staggering silently, almost deliberately with stealth.

  Draped in tattered and well-worn clothing the thin pale creatures suddenly stopped, then propped and turned robotic-like in the direction of the group. They had caught the stench of human flesh in their decaying nostrils.

  Moaning.

  Siobhan counted eight, maybe more. Slowly she drew her sword. “I got this,” she said, with some venom in her voice.

  “Wait!” Josh grabbed her by the arm, tried to stop her.

  She shook him off. “I said...,” steely determination, “I got this!”

  As she stepped out from the shadows Siobhan transformed immediately into the Warrior Princess Josh had dreamed about. She wasn’t muscular, more toned than anything but without question, pound for pound she was a force to be reckoned with. The long, heavy blade in her hand spun effortlessly above her head.

  Meeting the enemy head on Siobhan gritted her perfect white teeth and drew back her weapon. Dropping to one knee she shifted her weight forward and swung hard. Her first blow came in a wide arc that connected just below the knees and cut clean through the legs of her first victim. With a sickening thud the creature fell to the ground landing on its stomach. Desperately it clawed at the bitumen dragging itself towards her, leaving a trail of blood oozing behind from its dismembered limbs.

  So proficient was her ability with sword in hand everything she did appeared effortless. Following through with her swing from the first strike Siobhan landed a fierce downward blow, splitting the skull of the hapless creature in two.

  Rising to her feet she spun to her right guiding her sword with meticulous precision through the crisp morning air. The razor sharp blade tore through flesh and bone sending more limbs falling to the ground. Two decapitated heads joined their body parts on the road shortly afterwards.

  Turning to face the men she smiled as she held her pose. Gave Josh a casual wink.

  Both men looked on in awe at the ease with which she was dispensing with the creatures. Thoughts of backing her up had crossed their minds, but they were too entranced with the spectacle that was unfolding before them. They found themselves firmly rooted to the spot outside the bank spectating.

  Raising her weapon once again Siobhan pressed on to finish what she started. She fought swiftly, decisively and with deadly accuracy. A hefty downward blow delivered with as much force as she could muster cut an undead creature clean in two, the blade scything through marrow and sinew like a hot knife through butter. Entering through the skull the long-handle sword sliced clean through the rotting torso, exiting just above the right hip.

  Two more creatures bore down on her quickly. With her blade out of position and her attackers close Siobhan had to think and act swiftly. Thrusting out her right foot she connected with a leg, shattering the patella of the first creature leaving it crippled. She had bought herself some time, not long, but just enough.

  Lunging forward her sword pierced through another skull bringing with it instant death. Balancing herself Siobhan slammed her boot down, crushing the spinal column at the base of the neck of the crippled creature. Mainly to confirm the kill, but a little for show too, she twisted her boot and tore the skull from the spine.

  In a normal fight situation the two remaining attackers would have most likely high-tailed it out of there at this moment, given the fact that half a dozen of their comrades had been defeated right before their very eyes. This was far from a normal situation and no thought was given to the vanquished. The virus that infected them had removed the capability to rationalize and therefore, not knowing death meant they did not fear it.

  On they came.

  Siobhan took another step towards the two undead creatures. Squinting, she eyed them up and down as they trudged forward to meet their fate. Both creatures, still dressed as businessmen wore frayed and shabby suits. The front-runner had on a tailored blue shirt that was covered with flecks of blood. A dried oval blood stain engulfed the entire cream colored necktie threaded through the collar, which had loosened somewhat over time. A gold tie-pin still clipped the tie neatly to the shirt.

  She took them both for legal eagles.

  “I fucking hate lawyers,” she muttered to herself.

  Dropping to a crouch she raised her sword aloft in her right hand, slowly stretched and adjusted her fingers in the black leather gloves she wore. She was not afraid of a fight, took pleasure in fact in liberating these creatures, freeing them, making them mortal again.

  Readied herself, inhaled deeply.

  Then, like a tiger she pounced propelling herself upwards leaping high into the air. Her ponytail swung wildly behind her head, emerald green eyes glinted in the mid-morning sun. It all happened in a flash as the blade moved across the first creature’s throat slicing through his windpipe.

  Gargled moaning.

  Pirouetting in mid-air Siobhan finished her maneuver with clinical precision and poise. Blade connected with bone on her descent carving through rotted cranium leaking brain tissue in a crimson sludge over the blue shirt. The body crumpled to the ground.

  Landing on her feet she dropped to one knee balancing herself with her left hand on the road. Swung her sword again swiftly and smoothly sending the second creature crashing to the cold hard concrete, scalped. The top half of its skull flew through the air, skipping across the empty street.

  Silence followed.

  Catching her breath Siobhan slowly got to her feet, stretched, glanced at the carnage out in front of her. Flattened out her plaid skirt, tugged at her ponytail and smiled at her efforts. Turning in the direction of Josh and Colin she curtseyed politely.

  Stepping out of the shadows the two men made their way through the mayhem towards her.

  “Nice work Siobhan,” Josh complimented. He was still in a state of shock not having ever before seen anything quite like what he had just witnessed just now.

  “I fucking hate lawyers
,” she said, wiping her sword clean on the pinstripe suit jacket of one of the dead creatures.

  Laughter echoed loudly. Too loud.

  “Where did you learn to use a sword like that?”

  “Self-taught matey. When I was at the 4Horsemen under Martin’s rule, part of his regime was compulsory weapons training. We all had to learn how to defend ourselves.”

  “Well,” said Colin, stroking the handles of his cleavers, “it has served you well. You’re pretty darn good. A bit flashy, but bloody dangerous.”

  “Flashy or not,” Josh said, with a smile, “I’d want you having my back any day.”

  “Yeah,” agreed Colin. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

  Siobhan sucked in her lips then smiled.

  They all laughed again to ease the tension. Their moment of calm was to be short-lived though and their laughter trailed off abruptly as the sound of moaning roared down the street.

  Fear jolted their minds back to the present.

  Hearts sank.

  “What the fuck was that?” Siobhan spoke slowly, gripping her sword.

  Josh touched his lips with a finger.

  Silence.

  More moaning.

  Got louder.

  Close.

  Reflections bounced off buildings, echoes reverberated everywhere. The trio on the street had been caught by surprise and they were exposed and vulnerable.

  Suddenly the hunters had become the hunted. The first wave of this fresh undead attack was upon them in no time, followed rapidly by more, much bigger waves. Hundreds of creatures emerged from the side street and alleys in all directions, pouring onto Central Parade. They were surrounded.

  “Where the hell did they come from?” Siobhan quickly forgot her last fight. Focused herself again.

  “I have no idea, but we’re screwed if we stay here.” Josh looked around frantically for a way out.

  Siobhan felt a chill pass through her. They were well and truly cornered, outnumbered and in serious trouble.

  “There!” Josh yelled. He had found what he was looking for. “To the bank!”

  11

  Bank Job

  Tyler chewed his lip. He did not care to conceal the concerned look that he wore on his young freckled face; he was too busy thinking about his brother. “There’s still no reply.” he said, with much dread in his voice.

  Tensions were high inside the SUV. Tyler had spent the past twenty minutes desperately trying to reach Josh and the lead group on the walkie. The radio silence had become quite disconcerting with each message having gone unanswered.

  “Where the hell are you bro?” Tyler whispered to himself.

  “He’ll be fine Mr. Tyler.” Raj placed a consoling hand on the young lad’s shoulder. “You know your brother, he’s probably just in a dead spot somewhere up ahead.”

  Tyler wasn’t so sure.

  “Something’s up I tell you. This isn’t like him at all.”

  Depressing the talk button on the walkie-talkie, Tyler tried once again in desperation to hail those on the other end.

  “Come on bro, pick up.”

  The security grill rattled and shook violently. Thin bony hands slid through small openings in the grate, clawing and grasping at those on the other side.

  The grill was not locked, didn’t need to be. In their diminished mental state the undead lacked the ability to think rationally, completely incapable of realizing that simply by raising the barrier they were guaranteed entry.

  Driven by instinct hundreds of creatures had now swarmed on the bank building. They only knew one direction – forward, only one speed – slow shuffle. As the moaning and groaning intensified more and more of the undead pressed against the grill in the foyer, the noise becoming deafening inside.

  All three of the group were still doubled over catching their breath. Fueled by adrenaline they had run for their lives, making it inside with only seconds to spare. It had been a very close call.

  “Gotta say...,” puffed Siobhan, “that was a bit of a rush.”

  “Where the fuck did all those things come from?” Colin was completely baffled by what had just happened.

  “Strange aye?” said Siobhan. “I haven’t seen this many of them together in one place since way back in the beginning.”

  Again the security grill clattered and shook loudly.

  In order to bolster their defenses Josh and Colin fetched a large desk from the reception area further inside the bank. The two men heaved as they dragged it into place, forcing it against the metal barrier.

  Kicking his boot hard Colin sent the table sliding forward, wedging several sickly-looking pale arms against the grill in the process. There was a loud echo as the barrier rattled and shook some more.

  Stepping back he eyed the metal wall that separated the trio from the flesh-eating creatures from certain death. Sighed heavily.

  “That should stop the fuckers long enough,” Colin said, kicking the table once again for good measure. “It won’t hold forever though.”

  Outside the creatures simply kept coming. Reaching the bottleneck at the entrance and with nowhere to go the vast majority gathered en-mass outside on the street. Central Parade quickly became infested.

  “Let’s get moving,” Josh said, turning and heading up the stairs. The other two followed close behind, slowly making their way inside.

  Ahead of them the interior swelled to reveal the once busy hub of the city’s Central Bank. Josh got the feeling that he was stepping into the belly of a beast and came to the conclusion that this was probably how every customer who ever ventured inside this ornate building must have once felt. Everything around them was still, the only sounds were the moans behind them at the front door.

  A thin layer of dust blanketed the interior, paper and debris littered the landscape. A small dust cloud stirred as they walked cautiously onward, settling again behind them in their footsteps.

  “Talk about spooky,” Siobhan said, treading carefully.

  “It’s fricken scary alright,” added Josh. “So, which way to the back exit?”

  Shrugs.

  None of them had ever set foot inside this establishment before, they had all banked online. It was all guesswork from here.

  Upon reaching the teller’s area they paused, glanced cautiously around at the tables and chairs that were upturned everywhere. Blinds had been ripped from windows and financial documents, client records and banknotes carpeted the floor as far as the eye could see.

  Josh peered down at the files as he led the group through an open glass door, wondered how many of these people were still alive. Siobhan thought of them as well, ruminated on how many of them might have turned and fallen to her soared in recent times. She gripped her weapon with both hands, holding it out in front of her.

  Colin’s only thoughts were about getting out of this building alive. He held the two meat cleavers, his weapons of choice in each of his oversized hands. The former butcher knew how to care for his blades, using a stone each day to ensure they were exceptionally sharp and could split bone in a single strike.

  The butchery Colin owned was a family business, one that he ran with his son, brother and two uncles. It was a successful enterprise with many business awards won. A lot of pride went into their work, which was why their shop was always busy and why Colin and his family had become much loved and respected members of their local community.

  On the day world turned, which survivors call ‘Day Zero’, ‘Z-Day’, or simply ‘The Turn’, Colin’s storefront had been overrun by the undead. Hundreds of customers and strangers alike stormed the butchery, their allegiance and loyalty having vanished in a heartbeat. All sense of humanity had seemingly disappeared just as quickly.

  For hours the butchers battled on bravely, fighting to keep the creatures at bay. Their greatest struggle was the moral dilemma they faced, having to take the lives of people with familiar faces in order to survive that day.

  Despite their valiant efforts it was always go
ing to be a losing battle inside the butchery and one by one they began to fall. Colin’s brother was the first to succumb to the onslaught, fighting on bravely after being bitten on the hand. A middle-aged woman whose sirloin steaks he had wrapped only moments earlier had sunk her teeth into him, tearing the flesh from the base of his thumb. He was completely unaware of the impact the bite would ultimately have on him until it was too late.

  As the infected blood raced through his veins, flooding into his vital organs it crippled him. Lungs froze, kidneys failed and then, when his heart stopped beating he collapsed to the ground. Blood wept from his eyes as his head hit the floor hard. Colin screamed out his name, but he lay motionless and for all intents and purpose he was dead.

  It had taken just minutes for him to turn. Survivors have noted since that this resurrection time differs dramatically from person to person. There was no sound explanation as to why some came back to life sooner than others, but there was no sound explanation for anything in this new world anymore.

  Colin’s brother began to twitch, convulsed violently, then moments later he simply lay still. Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, cold, lifeless and bloodshot eyes. Like an internal defibrillator his reformatted brain reengaged, sending impulses to every vital part of his body kick starting his heart. The impact of the turn was that irreparable damage had occurred to his human form, causing massive malfunctions as he came back to life.

  Before he knew it Colin was being attacked by his own flesh and blood. Both his uncles also fell to the savage undead onslaught, turning quickly, but despite the real threat Colin could not bear the thought of killing his kin. Dragging his son Robert with him he made a hasty retreat to the back room where together they barricaded themselves in securely.

  Mayhem ensued outside as blood-curdling screams rang out everywhere. Fingernails scratched frantically at the door as the creatures desperately tried to make their way into the back storeroom.