Eric rolled his eyes, crossed his arms and clammed up.
“Well,” said Nikita, “what about factories, warehouses or construction sites. They all have a medical bay don’t they? If we can locate one of them then we might find what we need.”
Colin lifted his head. “There’s a huge construction site opposite my shop, where they were putting up a massive building. Blocked out my sun the buggers. They used to have hundreds of workers there and surely they would have a medical room. You know, one of those portable prefab office set-ups.”
“How far away?” asked Rory.
“A dozen blocks. Walking distance, if we don’t muck around.”
Buoyed by this the group sprang into action. Knowing precisely what Nikita needed, Rory chose himself to lead a small squad tasked with retrieving the supplies. Tyler was in too, there was no way he was about to let them head off without him. Colin, Raj and Gerard also volunteered to go. Eric and Stuart were to stay behind with the four women to protect the compound and to help with Jon.
The five men donned their makeshift armor, sliding on pads, protectors, gloves and helmets. They were not taking any chances. The men slung, holstered and carried with them an assortment of weapons, including several rifles, Colin’s meat cleavers, Gerard’s golf clubs, a bow and arrow that Tyler had with him and Raj’s cricket bat.
“Right,” said Rory, once everyone was ready. “Let’s do this!” He gave his wife a long hug, kissed her on the cheek. “See you soon my love,” he said, before turning and walking out the front door.
Tyler hugged his mother and promised to return safely, right after the very moment she placed that very demand on him. It had been an emotionally draining day for Olivia. Her husband had badly injured himself, her eldest son had still not returned from his excursion and now Tyler was about to set out on a dangerous mission. As far as she was concerned anytime someone stepped outside the compound their life was at risk. She was absolutely right.
“Mum,” said Tyler, from the front door, “radio Josh and tell him where to meet us. I marked it on the map on the table.” He disappeared out of sight.
Olivia felt hands on her shoulders, turned to see Rebecca smiling at her. The two of them embraced, consoled each other. As tears welled in her eyes Olivia fought them back. Stepping over to the table she picked up the walkie-talkie.
“Josh!”
He ignored her. It wasn’t deliberate, he was just lost in a myriad of other thoughts and was totally consumed. Nevertheless, he continued to ignore her.
“Josh! Slow down!”
Stopping, he shrugged his shoulders and glared at her. Siobhan caught up.
“Dude!”
Thirty minutes had passed since he had received the call from his mother that had sparked him into action. His heart had sank when he heard the news about his father and nothing or no-one was going to stop him from being there for him.
Earlier at the Oasis Vincent and Lily had been sympathetic and understanding, offering the pair an armed escort home. Josh had thanked him, but politely refused for in case it might slow them down. All he wanted to do was reach the construction site as quickly as possible and then get home.
Siobhan had expressed their gratitude to the couple for their hospitality, promising on their behalf that they would return soon.
“Can you please just slow down Josh, for fucks sake!” Siobhan said, sternly. “We have a long way to go and I don’t want us to run out of puff. Or worse still, walk straight into danger. Remember, we also need to be mindful of the possibility of the4Horsemen being out here as well. Just be vigilant ok!”
Josh caught his breath, allowed his mind to catch up. As he exhaled he blurted out a long, “Ohhhh…. kay!” signaling his defeat to his Warrior Princess.
Nothing stirred at street level outside the construction site. The five men stood at the unchained and open gate at the front entrance poised and ready to enter. Checked their weapons. Gave each other an adrenaline-fueled slap on the back for encouragement and then cautiously ventured inside.
An eerie silence greeted them.
Rory, who was carrying a semi-automatic rifle was the first through the gates into the vacant work zone. The others followed close behind in single file. Once inside the perimeter they fanned out, standing in awe of the imposing structure before them. A sea of deserted vehicles and huge construction equipment sprawled out at the foot of the massive building that stretched up to the sky above. It had long been abandoned and now lay in ruin.
“Which way?” whispered Tyler.
Rory glanced around, eventually locating the cluster of portable offices. “There!” he said, pointing.” One of those has to have what we are looking for.”
“Watch your step fellas,” said Colin, just loud enough for the others to hear. As he weaved his way carefully through the maze of vehicles and construction debris he gripped his trusty cleavers in each hand. Eyes darted ahead of him, looking for any sign of movement.
When they finally reached the first prefab the men positioned themselves at the front door, braced themselves and prepared to enter. Time was their enemy as much as anything else and the men were now forced to take more risks than they normally would.
Placing his hand on the door handle Rory mouthed the words on three, which caused Tyler to raise an eyebrow. Each of the men were ready as Rory counted down with nods of his head, yet they still jumped with fright as he flung the door open.
Nothing. Not a sound. Nervous laughter followed, released the tension somewhat. They lowered their weapons.
Suddenly, without warning a creature lunged at them from within the room. Savage discolored teeth gnashed precariously close to Rory, who was totally caught off-guard.
Gerard reacted quickly. With one perfectly timed swing of his golf club he stopped the creature in its tracks, embedding the club head deep into its skull.
Moaning came from within the room. Movement followed. One after another more creatures spilled through the doorway.
24
Tragedy
“Pulled for six!”
Raj had taken a giant stride forward and swinging his heavy bat with all his might, he connected flush on the side of the head of an advancing creature. Holding his pose momentarily he gloated in what would have been a simply glorious cricket shot. In his mind he pictured the ball sailing over the square leg boundary on the full. As was his way he was providing yet another vocal running self-commentary, highlighting his cricketing prowess.
Colin had forcefully driven one of his meat cleavers through the head of a creature that had lunged at him, the blade slicing through the top of its skull like it was carving a watermelon. Pulling the creature to him Colin looked it in the eye and watched the life fade from it, before kicking the inert form to the ground.
No sooner had it begun, the fight was over. Rory stepped gingerly forward, wading through the pile of corpses towards the open door of the prefab office. Glancing down at the bodies he could not help but notice that most of them had once in a former life been big burly men. Construction workers, who had more than likely worked hard on-site for long hours to eke out a living. They each still wore yellow reflective vests, most of which were now covered with flecks of blood and brain matter. Some still wore their hard hats.
“It’s not this one,” said Rory. He had only poked his head inside briefly, but that was long enough for him to confirm that this was not the building they were looking for.
There were a dozen or more other buildings for them to explore. Even though time was short they still all agreed that splitting up would be suicidal, so together they moved to the next building and prepared to breach the door.
They were all relieved to find this prefab empty, equally despondent however that it did not contain the supplies they were looking for. Their search continued with the same result as they cleared all the offices in the front row of the grid. With two more rows to clear, time was well and truly getting away from them. Their pace quickened as they rounde
d the corner of the steel walkway that connected the offices.
Each of the prefabricated buildings was finished in the same shade of grey and externally they all looked the same. Inside they contained similar basic furniture that had been arranged to suit. Some had large desks whilst others were filled with lockers and boxes of equipment and tools.
Rory opened the door to another office with the others once again positioned outside ready for an attack. None came. The tall blonde man threw his head inside and then instinctively recoiled back to the safety of the group. A smile lit up his face.
“Medical room?” Tyler asked, sensing the relief on Rory’s face.
Nodding, Rory disappeared inside. Search and recovery complete. Maintaining a defensive position outside, the other four men stood guard. Waiting, watching.
“So Raj, what’s with all this cricket commentary?” whispered Tyler inquisitively.
Raj turned to look at him and his face lit up. His beard appeared to come to life and as he smiled his pearly white teeth gleamed in the middle of his face through his facial hair. The other men were also keen to hear the answer to this question.
“Cricket is my passion Mr. Tyler,” replied Raj. His thick Indian accent was quite profound. “I have played it since I was a boy and it is in my blood. It is the most amazing game there is and no matter how skillful you are, it is always a game of the mind. It comes down to you and your bat,” he said, lifting his cricket bat aloft. “Oh, and then there is the bowler. He is trying to get you out and he is your enemy when you are at the crease.”
Most of this was lost on Tyler. He and his companions had not had much experience with this game, so they really had no idea what he was talking about. Nevertheless, they listened intently, mesmerized by his passionate explanation.
“When I swing my bat I think of my cricketing hero Sachin Tendulkar and picture myself being him.”
“Sachin who?”
“Oh goodness me,” Raj looked dumbfounded. “You do not know of the ‘Little Master’?”
He was met with deepening blank looks.
“Tendulkar was only the greatest cricketer who ever lived. In India he has a God-like status and is revered by everybody.”
“So, you want to be like him?” There was a hint of sarcasm in Tyler’s question, which did not go unnoticed.
“When I swing my bat Mr. Tyler,” Raj said, with a huge smile, “I am him!”
Everyone, including Raj burst into spontaneous, yet quiet laughter.
With meticulous precision Rory packed the urgent medical supplies that were on the list. He found most of what he needed as everything was clearly labeled and shelved, making his task that much easier. In no time at all he was done. Zipped up the bags and left the room.
The men readied themselves to depart. The deserted construction site was an eerily scary place to be and they were all starting to feel uneasy just standing around waiting. Whilst they knew it hadn’t been long the seconds felt like minutes, minutes like hours.
Rory passed the first bag filled with medical supplies to Tyler. He then slung the second over his own shoulder. “There was no point in leaving stuff behind, so I’ve packed everything we can carry,” he said, stepping onto the ground below.
As the others followed him down the short set of metal stairs they felt glad they were leaving this place. It had such an ominous feel about it. Above them the towering structure that once represented hope and prosperity now stood in stark contrast as an ironic symbol of the new world, one of death and decay.
Rounding the corner of the prefabs none of the men were prepared for what greeted them. Seemingly out of nowhere dozens of infected creatures had swarmed onto the site, unwittingly now obstructing the exit.
“Fuuuuuuuck!” yelled Tyler, in a panic. “Where the hell did they come from?”
Two of the creatures turned to face Tyler, his outburst having gained their attention. Their heads cocked, darted from side to side looking and sniffing, their actions reminding Tyler of domestic fowl. It did not take long for the rest of the undead to pick up the scent and they began shuffling towards the men. Moaning.
The men took a moment to size up the situation. Gerard pulled out a 5-iron from the golf bag that was slung over his back and tightened the Velcro straps on his white golf gloves before wrapping his fingers tightly around the long black rubber handle.
With weapons drawn the five men were ready to fight, but staring at the swarm, they quickly came to the conclusion that there were simply too many of the undead for them to handle. It would be far too dangerous for them to risk making a mad dash towards the exit, or even to try to launch an all-out assault. Surrounded by a tall wire-netting perimeter fence any thoughts of escape vanished quickly, the wall was too high. They were corralled.
Behind them the dark uninviting skeletal interior of the unfinished skyscraper appeared to be their only way out. None of them knew where this route would lead them, or if it indeed provided safe passage, but it was their only option. They had no choice but to take it.
Rory hastily led them away. Upon reaching the foyer the men found an almost complete reception area that was untouched and seemingly ready for business. Black leather tub chairs sat invitingly on large modern rugs, complete with magazines on small tables in front of them. If it wasn’t for their dire situation they probably would have found it all warm and inviting.
As they summed up the situation, taking time to consider their next move, the first of the creatures stepped foot onto the tiled surface to join them. Staggering, shuffling, desperately hungry.
“Where to now?” asked Tyler. He was clearly agitated.
Loud moaning filled the foyer as more of the creatures spilled inside. Tables toppled and chairs were brushed aside as they zeroed in on a straight line towards the men.
Rory peeled away from the group desperately searching for a way out. Found one, eventually. “Here!” he yelled. His outstretched finger pointed, gesturing for the others to head past the lift wells. “Hurry!”
The long walkway was dark and narrow. It led through from the foyer to another construction zone that was still a part of the overall construction. At the far end of what appeared to be a food court light streamed in through an enormous glass frontage. The men quickened their pace, breaking into a jog.
Unlike the main foyer they had just left, this area was far from finished. Long planks of wood were laid over bare patches of incomplete floor tiles. Scaffolding ran down the length of the interior on both sides. Contrastingly, most shops looked like they were ready to open for business.
Half-way to their goal trouble appeared. From within the Starbucks ahead of them out wandered several creatures. They had been hibernating there for some time, waiting for their food order to finally arrive. None of the men were contemplating on being on the menu that day, they were determined to serve up something else instead.
Tyler gripped his two hatchets and ran to meet the creatures head-on. Swinging with all his might he landed perfect blows with his first foray, embedding each of his weapons into the skulls of two creatures who were dressed in white overalls. Painters he presumed. Blood spilled everywhere as they both fell to the ground. Dead as dead can be!
“Mr. Tyler!” came a voice just to the right of the dead bodies. It was Raj, with a warning of an attack. Dropping to one knee the Indian man took the legs out from underneath the creature before it got too close. “Now, that is what we call a sweep shot,” he said, standing upright. Struck out with a flourishing blow that crushed the eye sockets inside the head of the toppled creature. “And that,” he added, with a smile, “was a hook shot.”
Tyler rolled his eyes, nodded his gratitude. Turning his attention back to the task at hand he felled two more would-be attackers with consummate ease.
Colin too was finding the going easy. He was in a berserker mood meaning that nothing or no-one was safe from his flailing arms and flashing blades. Limbs were sliced in two as the heavy cleavers in his hands cut effortlessl
y through flesh, sinew and bone.
On the opposite side of the mall Dunkin’ Donuts had also opened for business. More moaning, shuffling creatures emerged from within. Several others stepped out from behind the counter of the Burger King next door. Within minutes the mall was engulfed by the sound of the undead as the swarm from the construction site entered from behind. The entire place had suddenly come to life.
Rory spun around to see that they were now trapped. “We have to make it to the exit,” he said, raising his rifle. He had been reluctant to use it up until now, mainly due to the sound, but right now, survival took precedence over all else. Four shots rang out echoing loudly. Four bodies fell to the ground, each with a single bullet wound to the head.
As the men pushed forward they blazed their way through the dozens of savage fiends that now stood between them and safety. Freedom beckoned at the end of the mall.
Gerard was swinging wildly with his golf clubs smashing eye sockets, removing teeth and crushing craniums. A large creature lunged at him as he was freeing his weapon from the skull of one of his victims. As it came loose he lost his footing, toppling over onto his back, the creature immediately dived on top of him.
Wedging the golf club under the creature’s chin ultimately saved him from being bitten, as rotted teeth snapped at his face in an unrelenting attack. Pushing with all his might the former accountant was no match for the large undead male on top of him and he was unable to free himself. The teeth were now so perilously close, he could almost feel them on his skin.
Gerard’s arms ached and physically he struggled to keep the creature from biting him. Before long, he started to feel that he was beaten. His grip on the golf club, the only barrier between him and certain death was tenuous at best. A bite now seemed inevitable.
Dark of Dawn 4Horsemen: Book one in the Dark of Dawn Series Page 25