Survival In The Zombie Apocalypse | Book 1 | Worse Than Dead

by Brett, Cal

“Hear me, motherfuckers!” Patel shouted again at the creatures outside one last time, “You can all go to Naraka!”

  The bitten Sergeant then growled like a body builder pushing his last and heaviest repetition, followed by a bright flash and a loud bang. This was not the muffled pop, pop of the rifles from before, but the deep sound like a cannon that seemed to reverberate right through them with an explosive force. The whole room vibrated in its wake. Robbie’s ears rang as if sirens were blaring in them and he wondered if the Indian Sergeant had blown himself up.

  For a few minutes Robbie could hear nothing but the ringing in his ears. As the noise gradually began to ebb, he started to sense, more than hear, the things banging on the walls outside again. Still desperate to reach the meals that had so narrowly escaped them. The men in the room started to move around again and Robbie began to hear the crunching of their boots on the dry concrete.

  “God rest his soul,” the Major sighed as he returned to the aisle behind Robbie. He leaned his back against the far wall and slid down until he rested on the cold floor, his legs stretched out in front of him. The Leftenant and Color Sergeant came in slowly behind him. The officer stood, wiping his eyes, while the big enlisted man stared off into the distance. Although he was staring at the far wall, it looked as if his gaze was fixed on something far out on the horizon.

  For a long time, the only sound was the ringing in their ears and the scratching on the door.

  “Color Sergeant…” the Major finally said after a deep breath.

  “Yes, Sir?” The Sergeant replied without moving his eyes.

  “Do you think that door will hold?”

  He broke his stare and slowly turned to assess the door, “Um, steel door in a concrete frame. Yes Sir. It would take a fork lift to break through that door.”

  “Well, that’s good I suppose,” the Major said sadly as he removed his tactical gloves. “Let’s keep an eye out in case those blighters get hold of a bloody fork lift.”

  “Yes, Sir,” the Sergeant responded blankly then looked towards the back area. “Bevins,” he didn’t say it loudly, but his voice projected.

  “Yes, Color Sergeant,” the voice that answered cracked and was followed by a sniffle.

  “We’re not out of the woods here.” The Sergeant said pointing at the cabinet from which Robbie had watched the group arrive. “I need you on over watch. Crawl up on that electrical cabinet and keep an eye on our friends out there.”

  The man named Bevins walked over to the cabinet and stepped up just as Robbie had done. Unlike Robbie, he ascended into the perch without falling.

  “I don’t suppose they might be losing interest?” the Major asked grimly once Bevins was in place.

  “Sorry, Sir,” Bevins responded. “They’re crammed in like sardines. Looks like more pushing in from behind.”

  “Lovely,” the Major said absently slapping his gloves against his knee.

  “So, Fortunato,” the Major said dryly to the Leftenant, “we find ourselves bound and trapped inside another crypt.”

  “Perhaps we should not have insulted them so harshly,” the Leftenant replied lifting his eyebrows to indicate he meant the hungry things jammed into the alleyway outside.

  “Indeed,” the senior officer replied looking up. “There doesn’t seem to be a back door. Color Sergeant, could we perhaps blow a hole in the roof?”

  “Afraid not, Sir,” the big Sergeant answered and tapped on the metal door frame, “the last of our C4 is stuck to the outside of this door.”

  “Excellent,” the Major continued. “I hate it when it’s too easy. Is there any chance the buggers outside might set off a spark and blow us all up?”

  “Unlikely, Sir,” the Sergeant shifted and tapped a pocket on his vest. “I still have the detonator.”

  “Pity,” the Major said as he stood back up, took a deep breath and squared his shoulders as if to regroup himself. “That would have been an easy end to this madness.”

  “We could blast some rounds through roof to break it up, “The Leftenant suggested. “Then take turns hacking at it with our bayonets. It shouldn’t take long to get through.”

  “Yes,” the Major agreed turning to the young man lying on the floor. “That may be our best choice. But, I think first we should see if our new friend has any suggestions.”

  The group all turned their attention to Robbie.

  Chapter 21

  “So, Mr. Clark.” The Major crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Who do we have here?”

  “No idea,” the man with the thick blonde mustache answered. “I’m afraid I’ve not had time to question him, just yet.”

  “Is he armed?” The Major asked.

  “You’ll have to ask him,” Clark motioned toward Robbie.

  “Color Sergeant,” the Major said. “Would you mind checking our, um, host for weapons?”

  “Not at all Sir,” the big man agreed as he stepped in and knelt down beside Robbie. He went on, “Listen here young man. I’m going to search you. Have you got anything on you I should know about? Any weapons?”

  Robbie nodded at the big flashlight he had dropped on the floor and rasped. “Just that.”

  “Anything else?” The Sergeant pressed

  Robbie winced at the pain in his hand. “There’s a pocket knife in my back right pocket.”

  “Very well, now hold still. Let’s not do anything stupid and you’ll be on your way soon enough, yes?” The man said it like a question but it clearly was more instruction than inquiry. Robbie remained still as he was patted down. The man pulled the small knife from his pocket and slid it away behind them. “Alright, roll over slowly onto your back.”

  Robbie twisted around holding his arm to keep his aching hand from accidentally bouncing against the ground. As the Color Sergeant searched, he could see Mr. Clark standing with the gun still pointed in his direction, while the Major and Leftenant stood behind looking down at him.

  “He’s clean, Major,” the Sergeant finally said. Pointing at the knives he added, “Just these blades.”

  “Travelling light are we?” The Major seemed to be asking a question but Robbie wasn’t sure if it was really a question or some sort of British wit. When Robbie didn’t answer, he sighed as if annoyed, stepping forward he motioned for Clark to let him through. “I think you can put the gun down, Mr. Clark. I don’t believe he’s going to be a problem. Are you Lad?”

  “No,” Robbie answered with a cracking voice. “No problem at all.”

  “Good,” the Major looked Robbie in the eye. “Now, I’m going to ask you some questions and I need you to answer me honestly. If you tell me the truth, and I believe you, everything is going to be fine. Understand?”

  “Yes,” Robbie agreed wincing at the throbbing pain shooting from his finger.

  “Good,” the Major continued. “First, what is your name?”

  Robbie hadn’t expected the question for some reason and he stuttered his response. “Rob…” he finally got out, “Robert.”

  “Your name is Robbie Robert?” the Major asked unbelievingly.

  “No, my first name is Robert.” Robbie stammered. “But, everybody calls me Robbie.”

  “I see,” the Major said as he unstrapped his helmet, “and have you got a last name Robert?”

  “Yes Sir, it’s Bruce,” Robbie said.

  The Major looked back at the Leftenant and the two shared a mischievous look. “Is your name seriously Robert Bruce?”

  “Yes Sir,” Robbie said emphatically as if to convince them. “I was named after my grandfather.”

  “Of course you were,” the Major continued with a snicker as he put his gloves in his helmet and handed it to the Sergeant. “Ok, Robert Bruce. What are you doing here?”

  “I live here,” Robbie replied.

  “Not likely.” Clark said looking around the room. “There’s no food or water. And the dust is still an inch thick. He hasn’t been in here long.”

  “Are you lying to me, Robert?” the M
ajor said with a lifted eyebrow. “I thought we had an arrangement?”

  “No,” Robbie blurted, “no Sir. I mean I live in the building. I only got in here just before you did.”

  “So you were in here while we were out fighting those things?” The Major inquired. “You took your bloody time opening the door.”

  “I’m sorry,” Robbie replied. “I heard the commotion but I didn’t know what was going on. Our, my, run-ins with armed groups have not been great. There’s a lot of bad people out there. You know?”

  “Very true,” the Major agreed. “Fortunately for you Robert we are not bad people.” Scanning around at his colleagues he added, “…not unless we are pushed that is.”

  “He said ‘our’…” Clark noted.

  “So he did,” the Major nodded and kicked at the floor. “Is it just you Robert, or do you have friends?”

  “It’s just…” Robbie started to say he was alone but the Major gave him a look that made him think better of telling a lie. “It’s just, Kelly and I.”

  “I see,” the Major continued. “So, just the two of you? No others?”

  “There were others,” Robbie said, “but they’re all dead… or gone, now.”

  “A very common scenario these days,” Clark agreed and Robbie thought he even looked sympathetic.

  “And you and your friend live in this building is that right?”

  “Yes, for now anyway,” Robbie told them. “We moved around a lot before that.”

  “It’s a bloody miracle you are still alive.” The Color Sergeant said. “The cities are the worst. Jammed with those creatures. Do you have any guns?”

  “We have guns,” Robbie said cradling his hand. “Just, no bullets. Plus they make a lot of noise. It’s better if we don’t make a lot of noise.”

  “How about food?” The Sergeant asked.

  “Scavenging mostly,” Robbie admitted. “There aren’t many people around so there are plenty of stores and houses with canned goods and even bottled water. You just have to, you know, be careful. And we’ve been growing some vegetables recently.”

  “Fair enough,” the Major seemed content with his answers.

  “What’s wrong with your hand?” The red bearded Leftenant asked.

  “Are you bitten?” The Sergeant blurted.

  “No!” Robbie responded quickly, “I think I broke my finger getting in here. Hurts like a bitch.”

  “Simmons, could take a look at it,” The Leftenant suggested to the Major.

  “I don’t suppose there is any harm in that,” the senior officer agreed. “We’re all going to be here a while.”

  “Simmons!” The Color Sergeant called to the squad in the back aisle.

  “Yes, Color Sergeant?” came the answer followed a moment later by a dark skinned man stepping in behind them.

  The small group parted to let Simmons through. Robbie noticed that he was about average height and like the most of the others had a thick beard. In the center of his chest was a green and tan tab showing three chevrons. On his shoulder, he wore a patch with a white cross on a dark green background.

  “Robert,” the Leftenant said, “this is Sergeant Simmons, he is our MA, Medical Assistant. Would you like him to take a look at you hand?”

  “Yea, sure,” Robbie said and held his hand out.

  “Would you mind, Sergeant?” The Leftenant asked.

  “Not at all, Sir” the man answered and stepped forward to kneel beside Robbie. He took hold of Robbie’s wrist and began to look over the blue and swollen finger. “Your name is Robert, yea?”

  “Yes,” Robbie answered.

  “How’d you do this then?” He asked as he continued his exam.

  “Got it stuck in a latch trying to get through a door,” Robbie said. “There were a bunch of them coming, so I was in a hurry. I guess I pulled a little too hard.”

  “Quite so,” the medic agreed, “bad swelling that. Probably hurts like a bugger too, yea?”

  He then turned to speak to the men standing behind him. “I don’t think it’s broken but he did pull it out of the socket. Do you want I should reset it?”

  Robbie thought it odd that he asked them, and not him. It was like being at the doctor with his mom.

  “Yes,” the Major said, “if that’s what young master Robert wishes, of course.”

  The medic turned back to Robbie. “You want me to fix it, bruv?”

  “Can you?” Robbie sputtered. “Yes, please!”

  “It’s going to hurt like a mother when I do it, but it should feel better in a few minutes,” Simmons advised him. “You ready?”

  “Yea, go ahead,” Robbie agreed.

  “Right, I’m going to count to five and then I’m going pull it out and reset it,” the medic said. “Ready?”

  Robbie closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and nodded. “Just do it.”

  “All right, count with me bruv,” the medic held Robbie’s wrist firmly and gently took hold of the finger. “One, Two….”

  “Aaaaah!!” Robbie screamed as his finger was jerked back and felt as if it might be pulled completely off. Pain shot through his body, causing his vision to go red and sparks to fly in front of his eyes. When he opened his eyes he was looking up at the ceiling.

  Simmons was leaning over him with a concerned look on his face. “You alright, bruv?”

  “Oh my Jesus!” Robbie gasped. “That hurt. Hey! You said count to five?!”

  “Yea I did,” Simmons laughed. “You’re alright, mate. Let me wrap that up.”

  While the medic put a bandage around the finger, which still hurt but not nearly as bad as before, Robbie looked over at the other men standing nearby. He finally said, “I need to get out of here.”

  “So do we all, mate,” the Color Sergeant said empathetically.

  “My friend,” Robbie explained, “Kelly. She’s in the building and doesn’t know where I am or what’s going on. I’m afraid she might come looking for me and run into one of those mobs.

  “Fair enough,” the Major agreed, “…but there’s a bit of a pile up at the door so it’s going to be a while I’m afraid, unless… you have a secret door somewhere?”

  “There is…” Robbie started and paused to catch his breath.

  “There is, what?” Clark asked.

  “Have you got another way out of here, Robert!?” the Major inquired with heightened interest.

  “Yes…” Robbie raised his good hand to signal that they shouldn’t get overly excited. “But, it’s not going to be easy. There are undead…lots of them, and they won’t be easy to get through.”

  “Bevins, you still up there?!” the Major called out without taking his eyes off Robbie. “Could you give us an estimate of how many unholy man eating vermin are outside in the alley?”

  “Yes, Sir,” Bevins said. “I’d estimate about a thousand of the blighters. Maybe a few more.”

  The Major continued glaring at Robbie. “Well there you are. It seems there are more than a thousand waiting to greet us on the other side of this door. So, how many do you suppose we might encounter if we go your way?”

  “A few hundred, maybe more,” Robbie shrugged his shoulders to show he was unsure.

  “Well, ok then.” The Major rubbed his hands excitedly as if this was good news. “Door number one has thousands of the ferocious bastards. Door number two has a hundred. I think I’ll take our chances with door number two. Why don’t you fill us in on where we might find door number two Robert?”

  “It’s over here,” Robbie said as he struggled to get to his feet. Simmons helped him stand and they all parted to let Robbie walk through the cabinets. On the other side he found the other soldiers sitting and sprawled out on the floor. They looked up at him with blank stares through exhausted eyes. Robbie pointed at one of the men in camouflage who was leaning against the wall. “There, behind him.”

  “Lance Corporal McGregor,” the Major said somberly. “I’m afraid we need to see what’s behind you. Would you mind sliding ove
r a bit?”

  McGregor stared up at them as if they had woken him up and then complied by slowly pushing himself further along the wall. This revealed a rectangular hatch that looked like all the other coverings in the room’s many electrical boxes. Robbie knelt in front of it then reached out with his bandaged hand, then switched to his good hand, and pulled the small latch. The door swung open to reveal the top of the dark shaft.

  The three men standing, shuffled forward to peer into the darkness which did not reveal much other than a sliver of light reflecting from down below. The men who had been sitting around began to take interest, sitting up and leaning in to get a look.

  “Is it a way out then?” One of the men asked.

  “Yet to be seen,” Clark answered.

  The Major and Leftenant had squatted in front of the hatch while the Color Sergeant stood behind them. They all seemed to be inspecting the potential escape route.

  “You came in this way?” the Major inquired to Robbie.

  “Yes,” he replied. “About an hour ago.”

  “What’s at the bottom of this shaft?” the Major went on.

  “There’s an electrical room, like this… but bigger,” Robbie explained. “It’s attached to the bottom level of the building’s parking garage.”

  “And there are a few hundred undead down there, you say?” the Major continued. “In the room or in the car park?”

  “Both,” Robbie replied, “I accidentally opened the garage gates to the street. They came in behind me and chased me down into the lower level. I locked myself in the electrical room but they broke through the walls. I was lucky! I found the shaft at the last second and barely made it out in time.”

  “Indeed?” The Major rubbed his chin as he considered the story. “You say you came up an hour ago? I suppose it’s possible that they have all found something better to do by now.”

  “Possible, but unlikely,” the Leftenant countered.

  “Yes. Well it can’t be helped.” The Major decided. He then raised his voice to speak to the group. “Listen up, someone is going to have to go down and assess the situation. It’s a narrow shaft so it needs to be someone small. Do we have any volunteers?”