After the Fall (Book 1): Outside

by Stephen Cross

  “It’s good work, from what I see,” said Simon. “I was in construction, a partner of Dobson Construction, you may have heard of us? Anyway, good idea with the vehicles, the sand-packing, the barbed wire. The lot. Like something out of a first world war movie!”

  It had been a scramble for survival. Half the people fighting the initial tide of dead, the other half trying to construct something to keep them out. Jack had got involved with the fence building, zombie fighting wasn’t his thing - he couldn’t stand being near them. He instead had built an affinity with the fence. The beach had been the hardest part to secure. In the end they had felled and piled up hundreds of trees along the sand dunes. The rest of the park that didn’t face the beach had been barricaded with the many cars and vehicles dotted around the park. Gaps filled in with sand, trees, bushes, barbed wire. It was pretty solid.

  He realised that Simon had been talking. He tuned in again.

  “… and it seems to have worked. Only four zombies inside the grounds in the past month.”

  “I think the numbers have dwindled generally,” said Peter, walking over with a large plate of rabbit. “Not much population around here. I think the days of herds have passed, at last out here.” He rested the plate down. “Now, let’s eat!”

  The next hour passed pleasantly. More so than any time Jack could remember since the Fall. The food that Mary and Peter supplied was of a surprisingly high standard, but then why should Jack be surprised - fresh veg from the numerous allotments that had sprung up, and fresh meat being the rabbits caught that very day. Even the spices were from the small herb garden Peter and Mary had on their veranda.

  Wine, rescued from the holiday park’s bar and supplemented by the runs, kept conversation loose. As long as Jack didn’t think too hard, he realised he was almost enjoying himself. Simon and Elsie were good company, but most of all, Annie loved playing with Tom.

  She laughed in a way that Jack hadn’t heard since the Fall. Her smile lit up Jack’s heart and he found he could think of Amy for the first time without a cloud of dread descending over him. More a warm cloud of sadness - unpleasant, but tinged with a memory of deep love.

  He should let Annie play outside more. Maybe things weren’t so bad.

  The main meals were finished, Mary delivered a dessert of value choc ices. The two children played a board game of Mousetrap.

  “I think we’ve lucked out here, in this holiday park,” said Simon, pouring himself some more wine.

  Peter nodded slowly. “You may be right, but I think it’s too soon to count our chickens. The world outside is still crazy enough.”

  Simon made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Look at this way, we have the place barricaded, thanks to some great work by you guys in the early days,” he nodded to Jack, “and we haven’t had a zombie here for the past few weeks. We have allotments, more sheep and rabbits than we can eat. We’ll have those generators working soon. Couldn’t get much better. Considering the circumstances.” His words slurred slightly.

  “I’d like to see something more sustainable than the runs though,” said Peter. “We are pretty far out on a limb here, we’re already having to go further than we did a few weeks ago to try and find stuff that hasn’t been looted. Medicine, for example.”

  “Well, there’s plenty of us,” said Simon. “Shouldn’t be a problem.” He turned to Jack. “Haven’t seen you on any of the runs. You been with a different team?”

  Jack shook his head. He felt his face flush with embarrassment. “I haven’t been on any of the runs.”

  There was a moment’s silence.

  “You haven’t been well,” said Mary.

  Elsie nodded, “It must have been hard getting things back on track. You’ve done a great job with Annie.”

  Simon waved a finger around. “Well, you could say that. But, I guess you’ve been using the stuff from the runs, Jack, the food, the clothes, medicine, all that stuff?”

  Jack nodded.

  Elsie glanced at Simon and put her hand on his arm.

  Simon continued. “It’s dangerous out there. Last week we nearly lost Eddy, you know that old guy from up near the entrance? He’s in his seventies for Christ’s sake.”

  “I am planning to go soon,” said Jack. “I’ve just been trying to get better, is all. Annie is my priority.”

  Simon let out a small laugh and shook his head. “I would say the people getting the food and everything else you need to look after Annie are the ones really looking after her.”

  “Simon!” said Elsie.

  “Well,” drawled Simon. “I’m only saying the facts. We can’t have any freeloaders now. There ain’t no socialist welfare ready to look after those who don’t help themselves.”

  “Come on Simon,” said Elsie, her face flush.

  “Go easy,” said Peter.

  “It’s ok,” said Jack quietly. He met Annie’s eyes. She was looking at him, both children finding the adult’s raised voices more enticing than the board game.

  “Hey look,” said Simon, pointing a finger at Jack. “I’m not saying I don’t like you or anything. You seem like a nice guy. And hell, losing your wife like that, tough stuff. But lifeis tough now. And we need help wherever we can get it. You up for it?”

  Jack wasn’t. But he nodded. “Yes,” he said.

  “Good. We got a run tomorrow. You coming?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” Simon smiled and held his hands up wide, “See, everything sorted! I knew you’d be up for it Jack. You did some good work with the fence. We need guys like you.”

  “Daddy,” said Annie. “Are you going to go outside?”

  Jack nodded.

  “You said it was dangerous outside, that the monsters were there.”

  “It’s perfectly safe,” said Simon, “as long as you’re with someone else. Don’t worry, your Daddy will be fine.”

  Annie’s face was creased in worry. “I don’t want you to go Daddy. I want you to stay here.”

  “I’ll be ok,” said Jack, glancing at Simon, speaking before he could. He forced a smile. “It’s like Simon says. It’s safe.”

  “You can come and play with Tom,” said Elsie, her face also painted with a smile.

  “It’s ok Annie,” said Tom. “I’ll show you my treehouse.”

  The worried face didn’t leave Annie. “I’m tired. Can we go?”

  Jack nodded. “Yes, I think so.”

  He stood up and took his daughter’s hand.

  “Ok, 10am at the car park, Jack, sharp!” said Simon. “You’ll love it. Get back out in the world. Do you some good.”

  Jack did his best to offer an enthusiastic good night. “Come on Annie, let’s get you to bed.”

  Chapter 4

  Jack and Annie stood outside Simon’s chalet, holding hands. The weather was heavy; grey clouds framed the surrounding rolling fields, and a damp wind lapped across Jack’s face. The hills that had, for the past three months been nothing but a distant land, a world forgotten, were to suddenly become real again, with all their surprises and terrors.

  “You sure you’ll be ok with Elsie and Tom?”

  Annie nodded. Although not keen on her dad going on the run last night, she had seemed to relax to the idea.

  “If you don’t want me to go, all you have to do is say, and I’ll stay.”

  Annie shook her head. “It’s ok Daddy. All the other Dads go.”

  “Ok,” said Jack. “Let’s go.”

  They walked to the chalet and knocked on the door. Chaotic shouts and the sound of stamping feet preceded the opening of the door. Elsie smiled. A warm smile, but with hints of embarrassment, no doubt due to last night’s outburst from her husband.

  “Hello, Jack, Annie. Are you both ok?” she said, directing the question to Jack.

  Jack nodded.

  Tom burst past his mum. “Hi Annie!”

  “Hi Tom,” said Annie. “Are we going to play with legos again today?”

  Tom shrugged. “Maybe. B
ut I have some other ideas too.”

  “Ok.” Annie turned to her dad. “I’ll see you later Daddy.”

  He leaned down and gave her a kiss, then watched her run into the chalet with Tom.

  “We’ll look after her. Don’t worry,” said Elsie.

  “Ok.”

  Simon appeared beside his wife, not seeming to share any of her embarrassment. He was wearing workman’s boots, a leather jacket and gloves. He carried a motorcycle helmet in one hand, and a baseball bat in the other.

  Jack suddenly felt ill prepared, and stupid. He had his sledgehammer, but was only wearing a jumper, a pair of jeans, and a pair of trainers.

  “Hey Jack,” said Simon, tucking his helmet under his arm and offering his hand. “Not sure you would make it,” he said with a smile.

  Jack shook his hand, “Will I be ok, I mean with what I’m wearing?”

  Simon looked him up and down. “We’ll get you some gear. You won’t need it, but just in case, eh? Come on then.”

  Simon gave his wife a kiss.

  “Be careful,” she said.

  “Alway am.” He motioned to Jack to follow.

  Jack stole one last look into the chalet. He could hear Annie’s laughter from inside.

  “You be careful too,” said Elsie.

  Jack managed a smile.

  The car park was edged by the reception, a sales room, a large gym and pool complex, and a bar and restaurant.

  There were no parked cars - they had been used to build the fence. Only four vehicles had been spared the indignity of the barricade - large 4X4s of the pick up variety. This morning they were lined up in the car park, their engines running. A crowd of people representing all ages stood around the vehicles, dressed in a similar manner to Simon, but each with their own unique twist on their armour. Motorbike, cycle, and skiing helmets, thick leather jackets and gloves, wetsuits; anything to deflect hungry jaws. Jack recognised a few faces.

  James, the manager of the park and de facto leader, bent over a picnic table with a large map. Three men and a woman stood by him, studying the map. James was a large stocky man somewhere in his fifties, always wearing one of his trademark checked shirts. He waved Jack over.

  “Hey Jack, how are you?”

  “I’m good. You?”

  “Not too bad. Haven’t seen you for a while?”

  Jack became aware that the small group around the table was watching him. “No, I’ve been looking after my daughter.”

  James patted Jack on the shoulder. “Good to see you. You joining us on the run today?”

  Jack nodded.

  “Good to hear. You know how things work?”

  “No. I’m here with Simon.”

  “Well, we’re taking all four trucks out today, these guys are your drivers,” he motioned to the four people around the table. James rolled off four names, but Jack immediately forgot them all, until the end, “and this is Ash. Simon is in her team today, so I guess that’s you too.”

  Ash offered a thin smile and nodded at Jack. She was a small woman, somewhere in her forties, guessed Jack. “You been on a run before?” she said.

  “No, this is my first.”

  “Well, just do what you’re told and everything should go smooth.”

  Jack jumped as a heavy hand slapped him on the back. It was Simon.

  “You met the crew then? Ashwini, great driver. We’ll have no problems.”

  “It’s Ash,” she corrected, zipping up her thick motorbike jacket. “You getting him some better kit?”

  James took Jack by the arm. “Come with me, we’ll sort you out.”

  The shop next to the car park had long been emptied. Instead it was hung with various helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, and weapons of various sorts. Almost too much to choose from.

  “Found this lot around empty chalets, and on the runs. Get yourself fitted out, then go find Ash or Simon. We’re rolling in five minutes.”

  “Thanks. I’ll feel better once I get kitted up a bit. Cant believe I didn’t think. Pretty stupid.”

  “It’s ok.” James peered out the window of the shop, as if checking they were fully alone. “I guess you’re here because Simon gave you a hard time? Don’t worry about him, about what he’s thinking, or what anyone else thinks. I know what it’s like, I lost people too, remember? But what you’re doing, it’s the right thing. You need to get moving, or you’ll die. And you’ve still got your daughter to look after.”

  James didn’t wait for a response, but turned and left Jack in the shop, alone.

  He breathed deeply, his heart thumping. He looked at the door. Nothing could stop him from leaving, from running. But where would he run too?

  He tried on a few jackets until he found one that fit. He pulled on a pair of leather trousers. They were tight, but that felt good, felt safe. He put on a ski helmet, lighter and less claustrophobic than a motorcycle helmet. Then gloves, then boots.

  He put his old clothes in a pile in a corner of the shop.

  He picked up his sledgehammer. He gave it a swing.

  He was ready.

  He took another deep breath and walked out to join the runners.

  Chapter 5

  Jack sat in the back of the flatbed of a Mitsubishi L200. They bounced out of the holiday park onto the main road. Light flecks of rain hit his cold cheeks. They turned to the right, towards the town of Tulloch.

  Simon was in the front of the cab, in the dry, with driver Ash. Jack shared the back of the pickup with Marcus, a thin teenager with night black hair, long and matted from lack of washing and turning into one big dreadlock. He held an axe comfortably down by his boots.

  “She’s a good driver,” said Marcus.

  “Is she?” asked Jack, his eyes scanning the green hills and farmland that surrounded the road. Pylons, emptied of electricity and useless beyond perches for hundreds of birds, stood in mocking testament to the world that was gone.

  “Yeah, she used to ride the ambulances in Bristol. Can’t half shift it when she needs to.”

  A farmhouse stood about fifty yards back from the road. Its windows were boarded up. Its front door stood wide open.

  “Where are we going?” said Jack.

  “We’re going to the industrial estate. We’ve been all over the shops in Tulloch, but there is an industrial estate about five mile down the road. I think James’ plan is we clear all the shops and factories within ten miles, then we start working the houses. Should be enough to keep us going for the next year or so.”

  “Unless more people arrive.”

  “Well, yeah, but then we will have more people to go on the runs.”

  The truck bounced roughly over a pothole.

  Jack grabbed on tight to the side of the flatbed. He felt exposed. What was to stop a zombie from jumping from one of the hedges, or one of the trees, into the truck? How did people know they couldn’t do that?

  “How come this is your first run?” said Marcus.

  “I’ve been looking after my daughter.”

  Marcus nodded, seemingly satisfied.

  “Are these runs dangerous?” said Jack.

  Marcus shook his head. “Nah, you get used to them. Can get a bit hairy if you come across more than a few dead-heads. But that’s pretty rare now around Tulloch. Reckon we’ve cleared most of them. Just listen to what Ash says, and Simon, he’s pretty handy.”

  The words didn’t ease Jack’s flustered and turning stomach. He imagined this was how a rabbit felt when forced to run across an open plane, with the eagles hovering above.

  “You ever lost anyone on a run?”

  Marcus gave Jack a strange look. “You only just arrived?”

  Jack shook his head. “No, I just don’t go out much.”

  Marcus shrugged. “Yeah, we lost a few people in the early days. And we lost Ian, that accountant, last week. You know, people with no experience.” Marcus caught himself. “Not you of course, sure you’ll be ok.”

  Jack didn’t answer, but instead turned to w
atch the world. At first it looked the same as before. He could easily imagine he was returning to Leeds after a nice holiday by the sea. Just the normal world… Until you looked closely.

  The traffic lights that didn’t light.

  The large number of cars left on the side of the road, overturned in ditches, or ended into lampposts.

  The grass spurting through the cracks in the tarmac and the pavements.

  The cracked windows in the buildings.

  And, strangest and yet most prevalent, thefeeling;a deep down knowledge in his being that things weren’t right anymore. A darkness…

  After twenty minutes or so of slow driving they turned off the main road. Here, more cars were lined up, abandoned, crashed.

  “Don’t look too close in the windows,” said Marcus. “There’s a load of them trapped. It’s not pretty.”

  Jack did look though. They passed closed to a large articulated lorry. Through the window was a skeletal figure, gnawing uselessly at the glass. Jack’s heart beat heavily and a nervous twitch in his lip fired into life. He never knew he had this twitch until three months ago. He didn’t know why he was so scared of the zombies.

  “You ok man?” said Marcus.

  Jack managed a smile and tried to breath deeply without it looking like he was breathing deeply.

  “It’s ok to be a little scared you know,” said Marcus. “I near shit myself first time I came out.”

  “Really?”

  Marcus nodded, his young face carrying an ambivalence that wasn’t usually seen until one reached their forties.

  “Ok. Well, yeah, I’m scared.” Jack let out a laugh, it fell weak and dead in the still air.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll be good.” Marcus turned round to look behind him as the truck slowed to take a right turn. “We’re here, you see it?”

  Marcus pointed to an area of many large metal warehouses, their signage still lively, calling out to customers that would never come.Drew Hardware, Animal Feed World, Boat and Sea, The Gas Man - Suppliers to the Trade.