“Shift over,” she said quietly.
Lennie shuffled along the floor, allowing Betty to open the door a little, very slowly.
The dog started to whine.
As she cracked the door an inch, Betty could see two slippered feet pointing in her direction. It was an old man.
Betty quickly swung the door open, and was about to run out to help him to his feet, when she noticed he was staring at the ceiling with wide deformed eyes.
Infected! her mind screamed. She shut the door quietly, locked it and put the chain across, and then got Lennie to lean his bulk against it.
We need to get somewhere safe; this place is obviously riddled with the different stages. She wondered how long it would be before the old man turned, stripped off his clothes and started hunting for flesh.
She put a finger to her chapped lips to signal Lennie to sit quietly. Betty moved back into the front room to check on Red. She was still out cold, but her hands had warmed up, and she had a bit of colour in her face.
Betty was deciding on what to do when a loud noise startled her. Beyond the door – out in the building’s entrance hall, where the old man lay – an animalistic sound echoed around the confines of the corridor.
Betty ran to stand next to Lennie.
The dog was whining, with its head buried under Lennie’s arm. Lennie sat rocking back and forth with his hands over his ears.
Betty looked through the spy-hole.
Outside, three creatures had found the comatose old man and were ripping into his body. The fisheye lens distorted their naked bodies as they set about chewing off his skin.
Betty pulled away from the lens, while fighting back the urge to vomit, as the sound of tearing flesh and snapping bones echoed around the small flat.
5
Doctor Lazaro, Noah, and the Squad
Newton Abbot
Courtney Park
12:51 PM GMT
“We are at your six. We have room for two on the bird. Over,” the voice stated.
Suddenly, the pond’s water was not just choppy; it was a tempest, as a large military helicopter came to hover overhead. It was the same type as their crashed chopper – a Merlin Transport Helicopter. In addition, suspended below the large helicopter, on thick cables, was a utility flat bed husky all-terrain vehicle.
The pilot hovered over the road and released the lines. The thickset vehicle bounced as it dropped a half meter to the tarmac, crushing a fallen creature. The cables whipped and snapped around. One cable decapitated a creature and severed a leg off another, until the cables settled on the wet road.
“Captain, we will help you clean up a little. Roger.” As the voice said this, the helicopter moved forward to hover overhead. The large .50 mm miniguns suspended beneath the cockpit started to whine and spin, they then started churning out thousands of rounds per minute. The pulsating sound was deafening.
The bodies of the charging creatures no longer tumbled over; the larger powerful bullets obliterated them. Heads disintegrated and limbs evaporated, as the helicopter arched around in a circle, mowing everything down with devastating accuracy. The .50 mm bullets churned the earth up; mud flew high into the air, mixed with blood, and shattered bones. Tree trunks cracked open, and tree limbs severed and fell to the wet ground, as pine needles filled the air along with spraying blood.
The squad lowered their weapons, as they were no longer needed. They gathered together. They could not talk though because of the sound of the machineguns suspended above. Steam rose from the ponds rough surface as thousands of hot casings landed in the cold water.
The Captain had to use hand signals to get the squad’s attention. He motioned to Jimmy and Echo as the Doc started to get him ready to load aboard.
Melanie was expecting it, but it was still a relief when the Captain pointed at her. He outlined a square with a finger, meaning the folder. Melanie pulled up her jumper; the folder was inside the waterproof sheaf, tucked into her waistband.
Then realization dawned that she was going to leave behind the people who had sacrificed so much to protect her. Four people died within the last hour, and eleven at the university. In addition, Jimmy was unconscious with pasty white skin, and his breathing was shallow.
The helicopter pulled back. Compartments opened in the underbelly, and three sets of double large wheels lowered down on hydraulics. It landed next to the husky, on the road skirting the huge park.
Everyone fanned out; guns raised, ready to pick off any stragglers. There were one or two, but it seemed like the vast wave was quelled for the moment.
The Captain walked forward a little as the large back hatch slid open, revealing a collection of civilians sitting strapped in. A soldier – one of the four aircrew – jumped to the ground and jogged to where the Captain was standing.
“Captain.” The soldier saluted.
The Captain gave a halfhearted salute in return; his arms were aching and cold, and the rain still lashed down.
“General Philips managed to contact us and divert us to your last-known position, via the transponder on your helicopter. Luckily, we were transporting civilians and a husky when they were eventually able to contact us.” If the soldier had noticed the crashed helicopter, all twisted and spread across the ground behind them, he did not mention it.
“You said something about having room for two?”
“Yes sir, the General wants his daughter to be one of them, so the other will obviously be the individual you were sent to pick up.”
“I’m not going! Jimmy needs medical attention, and this may be his only shot at an evac,” Echo said while wiping water from her faceplate.
“I have my orders,” the soldier stated.
“I don’t care about your orders,” Echo said, spinning away from the Captain to confront the soldier.
Gunfire echoed behind them as Bull took down a lone naked runner.
The soldier flinched. He was nervous and unhappy that he was stood in the rain, surrounded by so much death. In addition, he was a little concerned that he was not wearing a gasmask.
“Doctor Melanie Lazaro was our main objective. She has important information.”
Melanie stood next to Coco, who had Jimmy in his arms.
The soldier nodded at the Doc and pointed to an empty seat.
“First class to Dartmoor Prison,” the Captain said.
Emotions boiled to the surface. There was so much Melanie wanted to say. There was so much she wanted to thank them all for. She realized how much life had been shed in her name, for her sake, and a simple folder. However, as she went to open her mouth, she could not think of any words. Everything seemed so inadequate.
“We shall see you soon,” Echo said, while resting a hand on Melanie’s arm. “We will take the armoured husky, and we should rendezvous at the base within the next hour or so.”
Melanie flung her arms around Echo and squeezed tight. Then she hugged the Captain. She still had not uttered a word. She then muttered thank you into the Captains ear. She then turned and jogged to the helicopter. Tears streaked the inside of the mask.
“Private Philips,” the soldier said, motioning for Echo to follow the doctor.
“Sorry you have the wrong person,” Echo said.
“Pardon?”
“No Private Philips here.” Echo stood ramrod straight, with her rifle at her side.
The Captain did not say a word.
The rain pounded the tarmac at their feet. The soldier could have pointed out that her name was stitched onto her jacket, or that he had seen a picture of her, sent along with the orders. Instead, he said, “That’s what your father said you’d probably say.” He spun around to Coco.
“Place him on the floor by the hatch.”
Coco carried Jimmy to the waiting helicopter.
“The husky is fueled and the remote controlled 12.7mm machinegun is fully loaded.”
Gunfire announced another creature had been gunned down.
The Captain nodded.
�
��I have three friends, waiting to be rescued,” Noah stated.
The soldier had noticed the naked twenty-something man stood to one side, holding a handgun over his groin, but decided it was not his problem.
The Captain nodded. “We will collect them on the way.”
Coco loaded Jimmy, making him as comfortable as possible.
“Hopefully we shall see you soon,” the soldier stated as he saluted for the last time.
“Any message for General Philips?” he asked looking at Echo.
“Tell him I will see him shortly.” Echo turned to look over towards Melanie as the Doc bent over, fussing with Jimmy.
The soldier turned and jogged back; he jumped up and slid the hatch shut. The wind picked up as the blades kicked up a notch. The helicopter ascended slowly, leaving the Captain, Echo, Bull, Coco, and Noah to watch it leave them all behind.
The Captain wasted no time. “Bull, prepare the vehicle.”
6
Red, Betty, and Lennie
Newton Abbot
In an Old Peoples Flat
12:57 PM GMT
Betty could not block out the sound of the creatures eating outside the front door.
Lennie sat hugging Charlie, while rocking back and forth. The small dog was shaking in terror.
They could not leave via the front door, and the windows were too high off the ground for them to safely climb out. In addition, the shattered windows had jagged edges sticking out, and there was no way they could get Red through.
The only option was up. The bedroom ceiling had collapsed, and with a little effort, they could climb to the flat above. Betty had decided that if they made it to the roof, they could barricade the door, and it would be the perfect location to spot Noah’s return. From the high roof, they would be able to see the old ruined, burning house, and the location Noah disappeared in. That is if the rain was not pouring too hard.
While the creatures fed outside, with the wet sound of tearing flesh, and the content moaning of wild animals getting their fill, Betty tapped Lennie on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow her.
They quietly made their way into the front room.
“Put your pack back on, and give me the dog,” Betty whispered. She then emptied the few remaining items from Red’s bag into Noah’s. It was heavy, but with Lennie’s help, she struggled to get it on. Betty looked at the dog and then placed it on the carpet.
Lennie gave her a hurt look, possibly afraid they were going to leave Charlie behind.
“The little blighter has four legs; I'll be damned if I’m gonna carry the lazy bugger,” she whispered.
Lennie slowly picked Red up. She looked like a china doll in his thickset arms, resting against his large chest.
Betty hooked Red’s bow over Lennie’s wide shoulders, and wedged the arrows into the top of his pack. Betty picked up the golf club minus a head, then walked over and shoved open the bedroom door, and led the way up the collapsed wall, furniture, and ceiling rubble. It was tricky going for Betty with her arthritis, and heavy bag – which she contemplated on just shrugging off her shoulders, but she managed to pull herself up onto the first floor, into a hallway leading into another front room. She just hoped that whatever was in the bag was important.
Lennie’s large feet found easy footing in the masonry rubble. The little dog bounced and danced around their feet.
The flat was empty. A lot of the furniture was missing, and clothes littered the floor, as if the owners had packed up and left in a hurry.
Betty stood looking out the spy-hole onto another corridor. The fisheye lens only showed a few meters to either side. Betty pressed her ear to the door.
Slowly, she cracked the door a little. Stale air rushed in. She pulled her jumper up more. She turned to check Lennie’s goggles and jumper were in place, and that Red’s mask had not slipped to one side.
Betty poked her head out of the doorway. The hallway was empty.
Now which way?
To one end, she could see an elevator and stairs. She strained her hearing.
Nothing.
Without warning, the small dog shot out from between her legs and pelted down the corridor. The terrier bounded along, whipping passed doorways. It reached the end of the corridor, sat down, and started scratching behind one of its scruffy ears.
Betty waited for a few seconds.
If there were any naked creatures around us, in one of the rooms, then they would be chasing the small ball of fur, trying to snack on the little flea ridden mongrel.
There was no sound of crashing furniture or pounding feet.
Betty slowly inched out of the doorway and headed towards the small dog, which was standing, wagging his tail, with its little pink tongue hanging out its mouth.
Lennie trailed along behind.
A soft murmur issued from Red’s lips.
Betty did not have time to check on her; Red would have to wait until they were all safely on the roof.
There were flat’s on either side of the hallway. A couple of doors were shut, but three were open. Betty walked passed them slowly, inching along, while gazing in, waiting for any telltale signs that there was life within, and whether that life was actively seeking food.
So far, so good, she thought.
The small ragtag group reached the stairwell at the end of the corridor.
Just as Betty was about to pull the heavy fire door open, the small dog cocked its head, its ears pricked up, and it started to whine.
Betty could sense something was wrong.
The small dog started growling.
Unexpectedly a loud explosion rocked the floor, as a wall halfway down the corridor collapsed into the hallway. Black spores danced in the concrete dust filled air.
Bloody hell, there must have been a bloated body just inside the flat, and as we passed we set it off.
Betty gripped the fire door and swung it open. The spores drifted along, heading towards them because of the suction of wind up the stairwell.
“Lennie, quickly!”
Lennie turned Red sideways so as not to whack her head on the doorframe. As he darted through, Betty was quick to follow as she pulled the door closed. However, the fire door mechanism caught as is slowed the door down to stop it slamming.
Betty looked through the small glass pane as the black spores rushed along the ceiling, churning toward the open door. With just a few meters to go, the door clicked shut.
Betty almost sank onto the floor with relief. However, in the haste to get the fire door shut, she had not noticed the little dog was growling, with its body pointed down the stairwell.
The screaming echoed off the stark stairwell walls, reverberating up the levels. Then, there was the sound of bare feet slapping against the steps, heading up the stairs.
7
Doctor Lazaro
6,000 Feet over Newton Abbot
Heading Northwest to Dartmoor
1:11 PM GMT
Melanie was wrapped in a warm blanket, and found herself inside a helicopter for the second time that day. In all the mayhem, and rescue, she forgot about the last flight and its outcome. Her hands gripped the webbing that held her in place.
Jimmy was still unconscious and strapped to a stretcher on the metal floor. The soldier put an IV drip in his arm.
Melanie looked around. This time, instead of being full of soldiers in military combat gear, the hull was full of civilians – men and women of different ages. They all looked like parents because they all had one child sat between or next to them.
It did not make sense. None of them were injured, or looked sick.
Why are they being transported to the Dartmoor military base?
The dull throbbing of the blades reverberated through the metal hull and against her back.
Melanie peered out the small window. The last time she had looked out a similar window, naked creatures were charging across the grass towards her. She could not see anything through the grey, pouring rain.
She turned to stare at the closest woman who sat to her right.
The healthy woman looked about twenty-five; she was Caucasian and had long silky mouse coloured hair with piercing blue eyes. She was dressed in neat, casual, ironed clothes. She was holding the hand of a little girl who was her spitting image.
Melanie leaned forward.
The woman noticed Melanie was going to say something, so she leaned sideways. The woman’s clean hair cascaded around her spotless cashmere jumper and expensive coat.
“Who are you all? Why are you being taken to the Dartmoor military base?” she shouted to be heard over the roar of the rotors.
“I am the same as everyone else on the flight,” she stated, while smiling, showing off her perfect white teeth. “I am part of the Adam and Eve project.”
8
Noah and the Squad
Newton Abbot
Courtney Park
1:13 PM GMT
Noah sat in the back of the Husky along with Coco and Echo. Bull was driving with the Captain in the command seat.
As they were preparing to leave the park behind, along with their four fallen comrades and the crashed helicopter and truck, Noah introduced himself, and thanked them for their help. He then explained where he had left his clothing.
The park seemed deserted, with just a handful of naked creatures feeding on the remains of the dead. Now there was no gunfire, there was nothing to attract their attention.
The Husky pulled up next to a bush near a large church. Noah jumped out, followed by Echo and Coco. They took up a protective stance. Noah appeared from behind the bush dressed in soaking wet clothes, with his mask on. He left the golf club on the ground now he carried a gun.
Noah climbed in first, with Coco and Echo to either side, so they could use the glass firing ports in the windows if they were attacked.
With Noah’s directions, they left Devon Square behind and headed down Queen Street. The truck maneuvered around the burnt out, abandoned cars, and piled up debris.
The Sixth Extinction: An Apocalyptic Tale of Survival. (Part Three: Infested.) Page 3