by Smith, I. J
Frank approached Peter; he was starting to get back to his knees. Peter raised his hands.
Frank looked at him, “Never touch my friends,” Frank told him. Frank took out his sidearm and shot Peter in the head. The others all turned to look at Frank in shock.
CHAPTER FOUR
LIVING EVIL
Clare was bleeding from her lip; Bray was comforting her and Joe. Frank still stood over Peter’s dead body. Josh was checking the bodies of Clint and Julian, taking their weapons. Jack was checking on Elle, the side of her face was already starting to bruise. Jack stroked his hand across her face, being careful not to hurt her.
“I’m fine,” she told him, looking him in the eyes.
“I should have got here quicker,” he replied.
Elle just smiled at him and took his hand. They looked into each other’s eyes when they heard groaning.
“Jack, we need to move,” Bray told him.
Jack noticed more zombies starting to appear, “Josh go and help Elle,” Jack told him. Josh rushed over and helped Elle. Jack looked over to Frank; he was still standing over Peter’s body. Looking over to the museum, he could see it was the only option for them to get off the streets. “Over there, get inside,” Jack told the team.
They started to move, Frank still had not moved, Jack rushed over to him. “Frank, come on,” Jack told him. Frank stood silent, “Frank, we don’t have time for this,” Jack continued to say. Still Frank did not move Jack grabbed him by his survival vest, pulling him closer. “MOVE!” Jack shouted.
Frank started to move, as they run towards the museum a group of five zombies got in their way. Jack was low on ammo and could not risk attracting more to their location. Jack pulled his knife out and rushed into the first one, stabbing the Zombie under the jaw and forcing the blade up into its brain. Frank raised his gun and started shooting.
Jack looked annoyed, but it was too late, he pushed another Zombie to the ground and stamped on its face, he stamped his foot three times crushing the skull into the ground. Frank took care of the other three with his gun.
Bray reached the side of the museum building; looking along at the windows, he could see they were all covered and secured with wood. Along with the others, he ran along the side of the building.
All that could be seen was that all the windows and doors had been boarded, as he took another step sound of his footstep changed. Looking down, he was now standing on metal. It was a locked hatchway to the basement of the building.
“Here,” he told the others.
Elle, Josh and the kids joined him, “This is our best option,” Bray told them. Josh let go of Elle and went to help Bray. Looking at the padlock, Josh pulled out a small bolt cutter from his vest, breaking the lock he looked at Bray. Together they struggled to pull the metal doors open; they obviously had not been opened in a long time. Finally, the hinges cracked and they opened, Bray was first to go down the steps into the dark, he had his gun raised and once below turned on his torch, which was connected to his gun.
Looking around the basement, he noticed nothing but old furniture and papers everywhere. “Clear,” he shouted up.
The kids went down, Elle then struggled down. “Wait Jack and Frank,” she said to Josh.
“Just go, I will wait here for them,” Josh told her. Josh stood at the top watching for the others, he heard a noise from the right, and he turned in time to see Jack stabbing a Zombie in the head. Frank also appeared, firing his gun at the dead following them.
They both ran towards Josh, “DOWN HERE!” Josh shouted.
Frank was first to arrive and quickly went down the steps to the basement. Josh started shooting at the Zombie who was now approaching. Jack jumped into basement not even taking a step. Josh ran down behind him, pulling the doors shut behind him.
Bray held a torch up so Josh could see. With metal doors now shut, Josh was holding them down when Jack came over to him with a long metal bar. Together they pulled it through the handles of the door to secure it. It worked and nothing could get in and they heard the zombies walking over the metal doors.
They lit the room with their torches. Looking around the room, there were two doors, one was boarded up and secured, and the other closed.
“Before we go inside, somebody wants to tell me who those guys were out there,” Jack asked.
Frank was sitting in a corner on his own with a guilty look on his face and did not reply.
“No clue, they just crept up on us. They did know the kids though,” Josh abruptly told Jack. Bray looked in anger at Josh.
Jack noticed the look on Brays face, “OK...OK. It’s not the time to fight amongst ourselves,” Jack told them, noticing the rising tension between them.
Elle was sitting with the kids as Jack approached them. “Clare, I need to know who those people were?” he asked her carefully
. Clare was scared, but after saving her brother and then again saving them outside the museum, she knew he could trust him.
“They work for the soldiers,” she told him.
Elle put her arm around Clare to comfort her, “What do they do for the soldiers?” Elle asked.
“They make sure we all work, find food, and make sure the men are happy,” she started to cry.
Jack also looked upset, he took hold of Clare’s hand, and “Did they have you keep the men happy?” he asked through gritted teeth in anger.
Clare looked at Jack, a tear rolled from her eye and down her cheek. She did not need to answer. Jack moved closer to Clare and hugged her.
“Bastards,” Bray said angrily.
Jack let go of Clare, “I need to ask you just one more thing. How many soldiers are there?” he asked.
“Seven,” she told him.
Jack kissed her forehead. He turned to Bray, “Want to have some fun?” he asked.
Bray smiled, “Hell yeah,” he replied.
“Count me in,” Josh added. “I know I was against coming here, but I was wrong, those sick bastards need sorting” Josh continued.
“OK, you two check what ammo we have, we move in five minutes,” Jack told them.
“Don’t forget me,” Elle added.
Jack knew she was hurt so had to make her stay behind, Jack walked over to her, “I need you to stay and protect the kids,” he told her.
Elle looked annoyed, “you need an extra gun,” she told him.
“Please, I need you to stay here,” he begged. Elle hated it, but knew she would slow them down, so she agreed. Jack turned his attention to Frank, he had not moved since they arrived.
Jack walked over and sat beside him. “I know you heard everything we just said,” Jack told him.
Frank remained silent. Jack looked at him; he knew what was wrong with him. “First time?” he asked.
Frank lifted his head and looked at Jack, “Yes,” he replied softly. “Taking life is not like the movies, you cannot kill a dozen people and then smoke a cigarette. No matter how much a scumbag they are, killing someone stays with you,” Jack told him.
“How do you live with it?” Frank asked.
“Honestly, the more lives you take the easier it gets, and I’ve taken a lot of lives,” he replied.
“Sorry,” Frank told him.
“Don’t be, I chose my path,” Jack replied.
“What now?” Frank asked.
“Now we deal with the living monsters,” Jack replied.
Frank smiled at Jack, he was grateful for his concern, “Let’s do it,” Frank said happily. Together they both got to their feet, they walked over to Bray and Josh. Bray handed Jack some ammo, “What’s the plan?” Bray asked.
Jack replied, “Ask the Corporal,” Frank looked at Jack with gratitude. Frank loaded his gun, “Find the evil bastards and show them what a real soldier is like,” he replied.
“You heard the man, let do this shit,” Jack told them.
Josh and Frank walked towards the door, Bray walked over to the kids, “Everything will be fine,” he told them. Jack
walked over to Elle, “Anyone other than us comes through that door, don’t hesitate to kill them,” Jack told her.
“Just make sure you come back,” she told him. Both Jack and Bray walked to the door joining the others.
They opened the door slightly, just enough so they could see down what was beyond it. Jack looked out to see a long black hall, no light, and no sign of anyone. “Clear,” he whispered to the others. Jack led the way, one by one; they followed him along the hall. The only light came from the torch on Jack’s gun. Walking slowly, the dust on the floor was thick and every step they took made a fresh footprint. Reaching the end of the hall, there were three steps going up to a higher level. They walked up the steps, there was a turn leading to another door. Jack looked at this door and noticed a dim light flickering under the door. Jack raised his hand, indicating to the others to stop.
Jack stepped forward and checked the door handle. Turning it slowly, he was relieved to find it unlocked. He started to open the door gently, looking through a small opening he could see candles burning on tables, there were cans of food and bottles of water stacked up high, but no one was in the room. Jack looked to the others and tipped his head to indicate he was going in. The door opened and Jack walked in with his gun held high. As they all entered the room, screaming sounded out, echoing around them.
Listening the team could hear something terrible, “Please, please not again, please No!” a woman’s voice screamed. “Josh with me,” Jack told him.
“We should stay together,” Bray told them.
“Go, me and Bray will secure this area,” Frank told them.
Jack smiled at him, “Let’s go,” he told Josh.
They walked out of the room, Jack and Josh walked as the screams suddenly stopped, they entered a large room, surrounded with glass cabinets all full of objects, the floor was solid, they had walked into the museum. Candles lit the way; the candles stood all around the room.
They walked further into the room, when they heard footsteps; Jack and Josh turned towards the steps and aimed their weapons. Emerging from the darkness, a woman appeared; she had long black hair, a pale complexion and was dressed in dirty clothes. She stopped suddenly, looking at Jack and Josh.
“Don’t hurt me,” she whispered.
Jack lowered his gun, “We’re not here to hurt you, we’re here to help,” Jack said calmly.
Josh lowered his weapon, the screaming suddenly started again, louder than before, “NO! NO! NO!” echoed around them. The black haired woman looked down and covered her ears with her hands.
Jack approached her; she lowered her hands, “Where is that noise coming from?” Jack asked her.
She looked at him, and pointed to the back of the room. “Josh, stay with her,” Jack told him.
Jack ran off towards the screaming, “Jack…” Josh tried to get his attention but Jack disappeared in the darkness.
Josh stood there with the woman who looked scared, “I’m Josh and the guy running into the darkness is Jack,” he told her.
“Alina,” she replied quietly.
“Beautiful name, nice to meet you Alina,” he replied.
Josh was getting concerned about just standing around. “Where is everyone?” he asked.
“They are all on the other side of the museum, I should not even be here,” she told him.
“It’s OK, you’re safe now,” he reassured her.
Alina smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “How did you know we needed help?” she asked Josh.
“We found a couple of kids who told us,” Josh replied.
“Kids, they're safe?” she asked. “They are with a friend of mine,” he told her.
“Thank god,” she replied to him.
Frank and Bray both stood guarding the entrance to the basement, “We should have gone with them,” Bray stated.
Frank did not reply he was busy looking around the room; he looked at the piles of food and water. He also noticed a pile of clothes, “That’s strange,” he whispered. Bray walked up behind him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked Frank.
“Look at the clothes,” he replied to Bray. Bray looked to see kid’s clothes, adult clothes, most covered in blood and then he noticed what Frank had seen, soldiers’ uniforms. A noise behind them made them turn.
Josh offered Alina some water, “Here, are you thirsty?” he asked.
“Thank you,” she replied, taking the canteen of water from him.
Before she took a drink, she asked, “Your friend, Jack. He must be brave?” she asked Josh.
He gave a little laugh under his breath, “Honestly, he is the bravest man I have ever met,” he told her.
She finished her drink and handed back the canteen, “You have a lot of respect for him,” she replied.
“I admire him, when things are at their worst, he will just push through it. I wish I was like that,” he told her with emotion in his voice.
“Well, I think you’re brave,” she told him smiling.
“Thanks, but I’m usually the voice of reason,” he replied.
A noise from behind him made him turn, he raised his gun. “Alina keep close to me,” he told her. While looking for what made the noise. He moved towards the noise slowly, noticing a small white dog with a brown patch over its eye walking from the shadows. Josh laughed, as he stood and looked at the dog. Without warning, someone grabbed his head and ran a blade across his throat; blood sprayed out and ran down his front. Josh grabbed his neck trying to stop the bleeding; he turned around and fell to his knees, with blood gushing through his fingers. He managed to look up to see Alina with a knife, “Don’t worry, your friends will join you soon,” she told him.
Josh started to fade and he hit the ground, blood filling his mouth and blood flowing out from the cut on his neck. His breathing slowed and his face had lost all color as his lips trembled and he gasped his last breath. Alina stood over his body, smiling, “Idiot,” she whispered.
Jack moved through the dark corridors, the screaming was getting louder as he approached a big double door. The door was not guarded, there was plenty of light behind the door, Jack moved, he walked and then stopped right next to the doors. He put his ear up against the door, all he could hear was screaming. The doors had big brass handles, he grabbed the handle and started to pull being careful not to make much noise. He raised his gun and pulled the door open fast and ran into the room.
He stopped in his tracks looking at what was in front of him in complete shock. Three men stood pointing their guns at him, Half-naked women and men had their hands and feet tied up, and all sat next to the wall, looking he could see the blood and bruises that covered their bodies. Jack's attention was at the center of the room; two children were on the floor in front of a big table. The kids were bloodied and unconscious.
Looking at the table a woman was bending over, with her trousers by her ankles. An extremely obese man was holding her down. He was trying to pull down his trousers, but was stopped when Jack arrived. Jack looked in anger, his eyes focused on the scum in front of him. He looked at the woman on the table her face was bloodied, tears ran from her eyes as she stared at him.
Jack looked at a face he recognized “Elle,” he said.
CHAPTER FIVE
BLOOD WILL FLOW
With his gun still raised, Jack stood facing the scum in front of him. “You have one chance, put down your gun, and let her go,” Jack told them in a stern voice.
The fat man laughed, “Or what?” he asked, still laughing.
“I will kill every last one of you,” he stated.
The laughs continued.
“I don’t think so,” the fat man told him. Jack felt something cold against his neck.
Elle panicked, “Jack look out,” she screamed.
“Put the gun down,” a female voice told him.
Jack lowered the gun; a woman appeared from behind him, holding a military side arm. Jack recognized the woman, “Hello again, I never introduced myself befo
re you ran off playing the hero, I’m Alina,” she told him. She took his gun from him; she then moved to remove his sidearm.
“Where’s Josh?” he asked her.
She smiled, “Oh, where did I leave him, oh yeah. I left him on the floor in a pool of his blood,” she replied and laughed.
Jack snapped and punched Alina in the face, her nose exploded with blood spraying out.
The three men with guns ran to her and aimed at Jack, “You bastard,” she screamed aiming her gun at his head.
“Come on you mental bitch!” he shouted at her. “No, you’re going to die slowly,” she told him.
A man with a gun stepped forward and hit Jack in the head with the butt of his gun, the side of Jack’s head cut open, dripping blood down his face, but he was still on his feet and did not move.
“We have a tough one here,” Alina laughed.
Another man stepped behind Jack kicking the back of his knee, Jack dropped to the ground. The fat man shouted out, “Can I break this bitch in now?” he screamed out.
“Not now Harvey, you can have your fun later,” Alina told him.
Harvey pushed Elle to the floor; she was quick to pull her trousers up and get to check on Clare and Joe, who were still unconscious on the floor.
Alina pointed to Jack, “Take this one and put him with the others,” she told the men around her. Jack took one more look at Elle, she was looking back in fear, he winked at her, and she nodded in return. Jack was then punched in the face, he fell back, and the three men all took turns kicking him.
“Don’t break him, I think this one will be fun to play with,” Alina told them. They dragged him away.
Two men dragged Jack down the dark hall; they dragged through the room where Josh’s body was still on the floor. Jack looked at his friend’s body. They dragged him to another door, one man let go and unlocked the door. They dragged Jack inside and threw him down. They slammed the door shut and locked it behind them. Jack tried to get up when a voice spoke to him, “Jack, we got you,” Jack looked up to see Frank and Bray.
“Shit, they got you too,” Jack whispered.