Entering the tree line we heard animals moving around in the underbrush. As we moved through the woods to the fields on the other side the odd moan floated toward us, letting us know that the infected roamed the woods or were close by.
“Think it might be time for us to use the night vision gear.” I said, lowering mine and the night turned into a hazy green.
I watched as the rest of our group lowered their headsets and we started moving again. Taking our time, Chris took point and I followed up from behind making sure nothing came creeping up behind us.
As we walked through the trees my mind wandered back to what Jake had said about Jane’s ship being overrun. How the hell did that happen? Surely they would have had some sort of security on board. But for now I couldn’t let my mind wander from the job at hand.
We stopped at the edge of the field and looked out over it. I could see some movement out there.
“I think we have some infected out there.” I said.
“Goes to prove what Jay said back at Catterick. He said they didn’t like being too far under the trees.” Chris said.
I felt a pang of loss at the mention of Jay, but Chris was right, Jay had said that when we were back in Catterick.
“Maybe it has something to do with not being able to see the sky?” Tessa said.
“Maybe. Either way we have to cross this field. Chris, head out. Remember to keep some distance between each other.” I said.
Walking across the field I saw that there was only three infected slowly stumbling over the field.
“Mike, Tessa this might be a good time to get you used to shooting at the infected.” I said.
“Not a bad idea. Mike take the left one, Tessa take the right and David you can get some more practice and take on the middle one.” Chris said.
They walked forward and Chris, Amy and I stood behind each one just in case. When we got into position Chris whistled and the infected turned in our direction and their moans grew louder. I was standing behind Tessa and watched as she raised her rifle and took aim. They nearly all fired at the same time. David’s shot was lost in the double bang of Mike and Tessa’s bigger rifles.
Tessa proved herself to be as good a shot on live targets as she was on the paper targets on the range. Her shot caught the infected just to right of what remained of its nose snapping its head back and throwing it to the floor. I turned and saw that both Mike and David had put their infected down and we moved on past the bodies lying in the dirt. We came to the edge of the field and climbed over the small wall between the field we were in and the next. Looking around, I didn’t see any infected in this field and we moved out.
Chapter Thirteen
The next few hours we crossed a lot of fields that were the same. The last field we came to just before the village had a small ditch running around it so instead of crossing the open ground we decided to go round the edge. This would mean if we crouched we wouldn’t be seen from the other side of the wall. Edging round, we came to the side of the field that backed onto the village. Taking a quick look over the wall Chris said that there was no one near to hand. We all quickly climbed the ditch and then the wall coming out on a small track that ran the length of the houses. On the track were a few cars so we took advantage of them and used them as cover.
This was where we were to split into groups. I was going with Mike the other groups were Chris and David, Amy and Tessa.
“Okay, remember we are to get as close to the school as possible. When we get into position I’ll try and draw them out. The last thing I want is to go into that school. God only knows what traps they may have made in there. So plan is to draw them out so we can pick them off. If you see Tracy or Thomas I want them put down straight away. I think everyone here would like to see the end of this particular problem.” I said.
“So right I’d like to see the end of it.” Chris said.
“Okay, let’s split up.” I said.
The two other groups moved off and were soon out of sight in the darkness. Mike and I headed through someone’s back garden and down the side of their house. Stopping short of the path I looked up and down checking for infected or patrols. Seeing none, we sprinted across to the other side, turned right and headed to the next junction. Taking a quick look I saw a couple of shambling infected moving across the street.
“We’re going to have to be quiet taking these out.” I said pulling the crowbar from my belt.
Mike nodded and pulled out a short handled axe and we crept forward trying to keep abandoned cars between us and the infected. If we could handle not being seen it would be better for us in the long run. I did have my silenced MP5 but because of the silence in the village it would still be quite loud.
Creeping along the side of a van my foot caught a bottle and sent it spinning across the road. This of course was like sounding a dinner bell for the infected and they turned as one towards us. That low moan began as the lurched and shuffled between the cars toward where we were hiding. Quickly counting, I saw six infected but there could be more on their way and we had to be gone before they got here. Standing up, I quickly dodged between the cars and slammed the crowbar down on the first infected head. It was like watching concertina; the thing buckled at the ankles then the knees and every major joint after that. I didn’t think I had hit it that hard. Standing looking gobsmacked was probably the wrong thing to do at the time because Mike grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the way just as some outstretched hands missed grabbing me. Mike swung the axe and all I heard was a meaty ‘chunk’ as the axe bit into the head of the infected that had nearly grabbed me. By now I had come out of my stupor and ran round the other side of a car to take a baseball bat swing at another infected. Catching her on the side of her face look so surreal in the hazy green of the night vision gear. I don’t know if you have ever seen someone get slapped in slow motion? Well, that’s what it looked like except her jaw was ripped free and sent spinning into the night. Changing my grip, I did another overhead blow. This time the infected just fell to the side bouncing off the car as she went. There were two infected left and they were both going after Mike. Sliding across the bonnet of a car I managed to push one with my feet into the side of the van which made a hollow bong sound. As he turned back, I drove the pointed end of the crowbar through his left eye and into the brain behind. Instantly, the infected went limp and fell to the floor taking the crowbar with it. Turning quickly, I saw Mike standing over the top of the last infected breathing hard. Bending down, I pulled my crowbar free.
Breathing hard, I stood trying to hear anything that might have given us away. I could hear moaning of infected but there was no way of knowing if they were close by or far away.
“Let’s get moving before anything else turns up.” I said, moving off down the street and the next junction.
The next few streets were quiet and had no infected on them, which I thought was strange until we hit the small park that we had to cross in order to get into position. The grass was littered with corpses. It was like there had been a huge party here and someone had just mowed them all down. As we crossed, I looked to see what had happened. Each and every one of them were infected. They all had the green slime around their eyes and nose and running from their ears.
“What happened here?” Mike asked.
“I haven’t a fucking clue. It might be worthwhile checking it out once we have sorted out Tracy and her goons.” I said.
Mike nodded and we continued our crossing of the small park. Once on the other side we could see the school. Hiding under some bushes I lifted my night vision gear and looked through a set of binoculars at the school. Tracy and her goon squad had managed to bar the entrance with a large truck and I could see lights in the upstairs windows. There was some movement but not much. What did catch my eye was the figures moving around on the top of the flat roof.
So she had guards out keeping watch. This was going to be interesting.
Edging back further under the bush I keyed my radio.
“Team On to Two and Three, come in.” I said.
“Team Two here.” Amy said.
“Team Three here.” David said.
“They have guards on the top of the school. Make sure you can’t be seen.”
“Okay.” I heard Amy say.
“Are any of you in position yet?” I asked.
“Just getting there now.” David said.
“Still two streets away. We ran into some infected.” Amy said.
“Just be careful. We ran into something funny on the way to our position.” I then told them about the park.
“What the fuck caused that?” Asked Chris.
“Not too sure but when we have finished up here it might be worth having a quick look.” I said.
“Team Two in positon.” Amy said.
“Team Three in position and I can see the guards you are on about. It looks like three of them up there.” Chris said.
“Marc, you’re going to have to be careful.” Amy said.
“I know, but we really do need for them to come out to play.” I said.
“Just be careful, mate.” Chris said.
“Are we ready?” I asked.
“Team Two ready.” Amy said.
“Team Three ready.” Came Chris’ reply.
“Team One ready. I’m heading out there now.” I said, crawling out from under the bushes and standing up.
Mike stayed hidden and had his rifle aimed at the guards on the roof. I loosened that flash bang I had fastened to my belt and held it in my hand. Slowly walking down the street I made sure I could be seen by the guards.
“Oi, you stand where you are.” Came a rough voice from the top of the school.
“Why?” I asked, taking another few steps.
“Because I said so, dickhead.” He shouted.
“Make me.” Was all I said, thinking I might be pushing it slightly.
I saw all three guards come together and then one peeled off and disappeared from view. After he had gone, I stopped and started whistling whilst rocking forward and backwards on my heels. After a short while another figure appeared on the roof.
“Who are you?” The figure asked. Now this voice I did know.
“How do, Tommy boy!” I shouted.
“Marc?” Thomas shouted back.
“One and the same, Tommy boy.” I said, laughing.
“How did you find us?” He asked.
“Did you even bother to send someone to check how many of your little friends died?” I asked.
“Who talked?” He said.
I didn’t see the point in lying to him “Ratty little fellow called Bob.” I said.
“I’ll fucking kill him.” He said.
“Too late.” I said, laughing.
Thomas was quiet and I had a feeling he was telling his men to get ready to come and get me.
“Why are you here, Marc?” Thomas asked.
“Well, it’s not because I want to be your best bud, Tommy boy. I think you’re too busy sucking Tracy’s cock. I’m here to either warn you off or kill you, whatever is easiest.” I said.
“One thing, Marc, is going to happen tonight, mate, and that is you’re going to die.” He said.
“You’ve tried that once already and it didn’t work out for you.” I said, slowly walking back toward the small park.
I saw the figures disappear from the rooftop and I could hear shouting and slamming doors coming from the school. Skirting round the bush where Mike was hidden, I headed for the middle of the park. Lights flashed from down where the school was and from the amount I could tell Thomas and his little gang had come out in force to find me. In the centre of the small park was a toilet block. I stood at the side and jumped barely grabbing the edge. Slowly, I pulled myself up and on to the flat roof. Lobbing the flash bang toward where Thomas and his gang were coming, it went off. Not that I saw because I buried my head in my arms so that I wouldn’t lose my night sight.
“Now, that was stupid.” I heard Thomas’ voice shout.
I kept quiet. The reason was the flash bang had been a signal for my friends to converge on the small park. I actually had another three flash bangs on my webbing ready to use if needed.
Edging slowly to the side of the toilet block I could see Thomas and his men fanning out. They had already past where Mike was hiding and I knew Amy and Tessa where heading in from my left. Chris and David were coming in on the right. That left myself in front of Thomas and his group.
“Team Two to Team One. We have the targets in sight.” Amy said.
It was closely followed by “Team Three to Team One. Hostiles in sight.” Chris said in my ear.
“Team One, Two. Hostiles have past my position.” Mike said.
“Team One, One. To all teams, you have a green light start taking them out.” I said, lifting my rifle and aiming on a dark shape that I hoped was Thomas.
I fired just as everyone else did and saw my target go down. The best thing for us was the fact that we didn’t have to aim for the head. We all aimed pretty much central mass. It wasn’t long before Thomas’s party had been reduced to only a few men cowering behind trees and park benches. I saw Amy and Tessa walk out of the trees first followed by Chris and David. I watched as they walked over to the bodies and stood guard over them. Climbing down, I walked over watching for any movement. Mike walked out from the tree line and went to stand next to his daughter. They whispered something to each other and Mike gave her a hug. One of the three men who had been caught cowering was my old friend Thomas.
“Well, hello, Tommy boy.” I said trying to put on a fake Irish accent.
“Marc, don’t do that again. You sounded Indian!” Chris said, laughing.
“Fuck you.” I said and turned to look at Thomas.
“Where is she, Tommy?” I asked.
“Fuck off.” Came his reply.
“Chris, do me a favour and let one of them go.” I said, pulling my pistol free.
“Are you sure about this?” Chris said.
“Not really, but if it is the only way.” I said.
Chris looked at me and pushed one of the men and said “Run.”
The man ran into the trees and disappeared after about five feet.
“Now, Tommy, that leaves you and this gentleman. Now, if you don’t answer my question, I am going to shoot him, and if you don’t answer me after that, I will shoot you. Now, if you answer me straight away, well, you get the picture. So, again, where is she?” I said.
I could see by what little light that he was struggling with what to do or say.
“Look, she wouldn’t give two shits if you died out here. All she has ever cared about is herself.” I said.
That seemed to make his decision and he said “She’s in the headmaster's office back at the school.”
“Amy, do you Tessa and David want to go get her?” I asked.
All three headed off into the trees with Spirit trailing behind David. I gave them five minutes before I said. “Chris, let this other gentleman go.”
Chris lifted the man to his feet and gave him a shove. He started running and almost ran into a tree trying to get away.
Thomas looked up at me and said “What now?”
Before I could blink Chris raised his pistol and shot him point blank in the forehead.
“Shit, Chris!” Mike said.
Chapter Fourteen
I just headed toward the school.
Chris and Mike followed behind me and I could hear Mike ask Chris “Do you want to talk about what you did?”
“Who do you think let those infected loose in your base?” Chris said.
“It was Tracy, Thomas and some of his men.” Mike said.
“You had kids in there as well, didn’t you? And from what I can remember you lost a pretty brave man fighting them.” Chris said.
“Yeah, he died trying to fight off two infected. He left a family behind.” Mike said.
“That’s why I did that! You see, Marc and I are those peop
le who hate bullies and what they do. If we can stop them, we will, and these two are the worst type of bullies. They are the ones that prey on the weak because they are cowards and won’t face the strong unless they outnumber them or have them chained down.” Chris said.
I had to agree with these thoughts, but there was also one other reason and that was they had left Amy alone to die at the hands of any infected that had just happened to walk by.
We walked out into the street and headed toward the school. Amy and the others had just exited a fire door on the side of the building pushing a woman in front of them. I stopped and let them bring her to me.
“Hello, Tracy, how are you?” I said.
“Tell this bitch to stop pushing me.” Tracy said.
“Sorry, but no can do. After all, you left her to be eaten by the infected.” I said, smiling.
“So what you going to do with me?” She said with snide look on her face.
“To tell you the truth I haven’t really thought about it. Tommy, on the other hand, I did have an idea.” I said.
“What? What have you done with him?” She said with panic in her voice.
“I shot him in the head.” Chris said, smiling.
“You did what?” Amy said.
“Chris shot him.” I said.
“But you said if he told us where she was he could go.” Tessa said.
“Actually, he never said that. He said ‘If he got answered straight away he would get the picture.” He did actually let the other man go.” Mike said.
“So, Tracy, what do you think I should do?” I asked her.
I could see her shaking. I didn’t know if it was from fear or anger, but she deserved to worry. Amy, on the other hand, was looking at me like I had grown a second head. I stood there with my friends all watching to see what I was going to do. I had an idea, but to tell you the truth even I found myself balking at it. What I really wanted to do was cripple her and leave her for the infected, but I knew that if I did that, I would lose Amy.
Spiteful (The Infected Book 3) Page 9