Plague Of The Revenants

by Chilvers, Edward

  We turned a corner. The lumber merchant’s was so close I could actually smell the cut wood, and yet we seemed so far away, for the road was completely blocked with revenants who now turned their full attentions towards us. To make matters worse the road ahead was completely blocked by a car that was crashed in the middle of the road.

  “No use,” I said. “We’ll never get round it.”

  “Is there another way?” Asked Kit.

  “There is and we’ve already tried it,” said Frey worriedly. “Unless we can shift this car we’re still a good two hundred yards away.”

  “Impossible to start hauling lumber that far away,” said Frey. “Not in these conditions.”

  “Take the wheel,” I said to Kit. “I’ll get out and try to move the car out of the way as best I can. In the meantime you drive back with the van and sound the horn. That should keep them busy for a while.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” said Paul doubtfully. “We might get trapped and stuck or you might get bit.”

  “How much do we need this wood?” I replied with a shrug. It was a rhetorical question.

  “I’ll come with you,” said Paul.

  “And me,” put in Frey.

  We all three of us slipped out whilst Kit reversed the truck backwards towards the revenants who crowded around her. We hurried up to the car and I smashed the window with the hammer. It was a blessing the battery was flat so the alarm didn’t go off. I opened the driver’s side door, released the handbrake and we began to push with all our might. To begin with it was no use. The car seemed to be stuck in a pothole or something and it was all we could do to rock it forward and back. In the meantime the guttural howls of the revenants were getting ever closer and when I looked around I was horrified to see the truck enveloped by a substantial horde.

  “Shit!” Exclaimed Paul, looking up to catch sight of the melee around the van. “We have to do something!”

  “We need to move this car,” I said urgently. “Until we do so we’re all trapped.”

  We applied our shoulders to the vehicle and reapplied our efforts. In time the car began to move, agonisingly slowly at first, then slowly but surely. I turned around. The revenants were advancing fast, far too quickly for us to be able to move the car in time. It was no use. The truck whizzed to a halt just in front of us and we leapt inside, then Kit backed into the car itself and moved it the rest of the way. The revenants came to envelop us. Kit tried to drive forward but one of the revenants became caught under the wheel. Now we were the ones who were trapped. Kit slammed the van into reverse and the van jolted backwards with a sickening crunch. It was enough. She moved forwards fast and at last we were free.

  Kit revved the engine then set off at speed down the narrow road. The revenants stepped up to meet her but she ploughed them down in her path, without hesitation or remorse, just as I had taught her. “Slow down,” I said urgently. “You’ll wreck the thing if you carry on like this.” Fortunately the putrefying bodies were softer and far more malleable than a living human would have been and so the damage was not so bad. But they still crashed against the metalwork as they hit and I was fearful the windows would break. At the end of the road she spun the van around and came back the same way and this time she drove past the revenants then knocked them down from the side. It was better than hitting them head on but still didn’t do much good for the van. Still, at least it thinned out the numbers enough to give ourselves a little breathing space.

  The builder’s merchant occupied a few acres of land and consisted of several open walled storehouses, a couple of sheds and a sturdily built brick office.

  “Let me out here,” I said, pointing to just before the gate. “I’ll cut the chains and you can drive right inside.”

  “There are too many,” said Kit with concern. “We’ll never break through those gates and have them locked up in time before they charge us.”

  “At least the perimeter fencing is intact,” I said with relief. “You’re going to have to distract them with the truck. All I need is a few seconds to have us through.”

  “We don’t have long,” said Frey. “And we attracted enough attention to ourselves as it is.”

  I took the bolt cutters and leapt out of the vehicle, charged over to the chain link fencing where I started working at the heavy chain. It was thick and strong and would not give easily. I turned my head to see the swarm starting to pour around the corner and down the road, reforming after the truck had scattered them. We were as good as trapped once more. I squeezed hard on the bolt cutters. The lock snapped sharply against my grip. I hurried to release the chains then flung the gate open and roared to the truck to approach. Kit did not hesitate. I held the gate open and she whizzed inside, then I closed the gate, took a spare padlock from my pocket and bolted the gate back up again. The horde came forward quickly and began to press and gnaw against the chain link fencing. We were safe from the revenants for now but at the same time trapped unless we could somehow find the room to break out.

  We made our way over to the yard whilst Kit drove the truck right up to it. I climbed on top of the stack of fence posts and began passing them down to the others who proceeded to load them on to the truck. From my raised vantage point I saw that the commotion had indeed attracted quite a number of revenants who now converged upon the fencing. We would need to work fast. All of a sudden my vision alighted on two large pickup trucks which almost glistened in the autumn sunshine. I stopped what I was doing and pointed keenly.

  “A sight for sore eyes,” I exclaimed.

  “Should we take them?” Asked Frey.

  “I don’t think we can afford to pass up the opportunity,” I replied keenly. “They look like they each have large engines and that’s exactly what we’re going to need if we’re going to power through this swarm.”

  “If we take those trucks we need only make one journey,” said Paul. “And we’ll stand a far better chance of making it through with three trucks than with just the one.”

  Kit hurried over to the vehciles and tried the doors. “Locked!” She exclaimed in frustration. “But they’ve both got their alarm lights flashing so at least we know the batteries aren’t dead.”

  “We need them,” I said decisively. “We can take two trucks and load them up with as much as we need. We could take as much as we want and not have to come back to this shithole. And besides, think of the value of two more trucks to the rest of our operations.”

  “But the keys?” Said Kit.

  “In the office,” I replied, reclining my head in the direction of the brick building. “They have to be.” I started to climb down from the stack of posts and took up my hammer. “Take over passing those posts down,” I said to Paul. “I’ll break into that office, see what I can rummage up.”

  I hurried across the yard to the office, swung my hammer and smashed the window of the office without ceremony. I leaned my head cautiously though the window. No revenants were about inside, nor did I expect them to be. I figured that had there been any revenants around they would have already made their presence felt when we broke into the yard. Still, no point in hanging around unnecessarily. I climbed quickly through the window and landed nimbly on the floor below. Looking around the ransacked space it was clear somebody had been here, and recently. Papers were strewn everywhere and the desk had been overturned, possibly to create some sort of makeshift barricade. I was instinctively on edge. Perhaps this office was not as safe as I thought? I looked around. There was a strongbox on the wall. I smashed it open with my hammer and the keys to the two vehicles all but fell into the palm of my hand. But there was no time to celebrate. From the reception beyond I became aware of a fast shuffling sound. Having had far too many close encounters in the cramped indoor spaces (in truth I was still a little spooked from my encounter in the farmhouse the other day) I decided not to stick around and take it on. I had the keys to the vehicles and I certainly wasn’t going to stick around and be a hero. I slipped the keys into my pocket a
nd started to climb back through the window. A shard of glass caught against my jumper and as I strove to free myself I was horrified to hear the office door burst open before me and heavy footsteps advancing quickly. I made a dive for the concrete floor outside but just as I was sliding towards freedom something grabbed hold of my trouser leg. I instinctively kicked out. It was no use. I was stuck fast and though I struggled frantically I was not able to shake off the grip of whatever it was that held my leg. I closed my eyes, waiting for the sharp, tearing pain that would signal my slow and terrible demise.

  “You’re alive!” Exclaimed the fearful voice.

  I was so surprised at hearing a human voice I stopped struggling and half fell back inside the office. I spun around to be greeted with the sight of an Asian boy of around eighteen with lank greasy hair and wide, fearful eyes staring fearfully at me. He was tall but very thin and his clothes were filthy. It was clear he had been hiding out here for some time. The boy continued to regard me with terror until I realised I was still brandishing the hammer, ready to strike. I lowered it slowly, my eyes never leaving him for a second. “What’s your name?” I said slowly.

  “Dev,” replied the boy.

  “Dev huh? Well I’m Grant and I’m not going to hurt you.” I spoke slowly in an effort to sound reassuring. “I’m from a camp about fifteen miles away. There are a few of us. We have food and shelter and we’re safe. Would you like to come with us?”

  “Me? Well sure,” stammered Dev, backing away. At that moment the door opened and two more faces, a man and a woman’s starred in. “This is Gloria and Stan,” said Dev by means of introduction. “Can they come too?”

  “Sure thing,” I replied, regarding the newcomers. Stan was a stocky lad of around nineteen who had clearly once shaved his head but now allowed it to grow out so it resembled a blonde toilet brush. Gloria was a dark haired girl of about eighteen who must have been quite something when she dolled herself up but now looked pale and gaunt. Her milky white skin contrasted painfully against the darkness of her hair. “Is this all of you?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” replied Stan. He spoke in a hoarse, vague voice and it was as if he was high or stoned. “So we’re going to get out of here yeah?”

  “You’re going to have to come with us if you want to live,” I said quickly. “The fence isn’t going to hold them off for much longer.”

  “Oh shit there are fucking hundreds of them!” Exclaimed Gloria with a scream as she looked out of the window towards the revenants hammering at the gates beyond.

  “Don’t worry about that,” I said. “We’re just going to get a few loads of wood then we’re out of here. I’ve got the keys to the two trucks outside so we should be able to power through them easily enough.”

  “Quick!” Said Dev. He fumbled into his pocket and produced the keys to the front door, hurried over and tore down the makeshift barricade they had erected around it. Before long the door was open and we were running out and across the yard.

  When I emerged I saw the others had finished loading the fence posts on to the first truck and were now carrying handfuls over towards the other two trucks parked nearby. I went over and started each truck and drove it closer so we wouldn’t have so far to walk and afterwards it was all hands to the loading operation. The others looked at the newcomers with some surprise but there was no time for introductions. The three of them looked fearfully at the revenants. Gloria went and sat in the truck straight away and looked as though she was about to throw up. Sam went to stand with her. Only Dev offered us any assistance but he appeared disorientated and often got in the way. I was annoyed about this, because we could have done with all hands on deck, but at the same time I didn’t blame her for being frightened or Stan for going to comfort her. I supposed that most of the survivors we would meet from now on would have hidden out in the most hellish conditions and I could only imagine what the three of them must have gone through these past few months. The rest of us worked fast, throwing the fence posts on to the three trucks, our eyes alternating towards the fence which now started to buckle and sway at the sheer weight of the advancing revenants.

  “Will it be enough?” I asked Frey, pointing to the posts as we loaded them.

  “Perfect,” replied the carpenter, sounding cheerful despite the seriousness of our predicament. “If we can get all this lot home it’ll have been well worth the risk and we should have enough left over to start boarding up the farmhouse as well.”

  “Add to that we’ve found ourselves some survivors,” said Paul with a nod to Dev. “Sounds as though this could turn out to be a pretty successful day all round.”

  “Look out!” Shouted Paul, turning around and pointing in the opposite direction. “The fence is starting to go!”

  I turned and looked to the opposite end of the lumber yard and saw that it was indeed the case. The support pole of the fencing was leaning over and the revenants were starting to climb up it. In a few moments their weight would be enough to topple that part of the fence over completely.

  “We’re almost there,” said Kit. “Just half a truck to fill. We’ll leave it.”

  “Keep going,” I told them and then without another word I leapt down from the pile and made my way over to the other truck which was full. I jumped inside, started it up and drove quickly to the other end of the fence where I used the truck as a sort of reverse battering ram to push the sagging fence back into position. However the fence had ridden up from the bottom and now some of the revenants began to crawl through on their hands and knees. I leapt out of the truck and hurried back and forth, smashing the heads of those who started to come through. But of course my presence also had the effect of attracting even more of the creatures over to my side and now they started to attack the fence at other angles. Soon these other parts of the fence were starting to sag and what was worse there more coming from beneath the fence than I could safely despatch with my hammer. The revenants rose from their crawl and lumbered towards me. Soon I was engaged in a desperate rear guard action, swinging to defend my throat from the hungry jaws of the undead. “We’re done!” Shouted Kit, not a moment too soon. I turned and leapt back in the truck and drove away. The revenants came cascading down the fence and into the yard. I pulled up and we hurried to tie the remaining load. Afterwards I jumped into the truck containing Stan and Gloria whilst Dev went with Kit in one truck and Frey drove Paul in the other and we turned and sped for the exit. There was no time to stop and unlock the gates so instead I drove right through them as the revenants pursued close behind and we turned and roared up the road. Fortunately my activities at the other end of the yard had served to distract them somewhat so there were not so many clocking the roads but those who did were quickly tossed out of the way. We followed the same road out and were soon clear of the town and out on the open countryside towards home.

  Gloria was crying most of the way home and appeared to be having some sort of panic attack. Stan just stared ahead, licking his cracked lips. I imagined they must both have been traumatised by their narrow escape from the depot. They regarded the revenants fearfully as we passed by in the truck and I could tell they did not have a great deal of experience in hand to hand combat with the creatures. Most likely they had looted in anticipation of the outbreak before it had actually hit the town and thereafter hid out from the worst of it and kept their heads down. It was a smart move but not especially useful to us right now.

  “We forgot our bags!” Exclaimed Gloria suddenly.

  “Don’t worry,” I said, trying to sound soothing. “We’ve got everything you need right back at the church.” I turned to Stan. “How long have you been there?” I asked him.

  “A month,” replied Stan. “Or thereabouts, I can’t remember. We busted this supermarket just before the infection got out of control and came straight to the depot. Gloria’s dad used to own it.”

  “Have there always been three of you?”

  “Yeah,” said Stan. “Gloria and me used to go out.”

>   “When did they stop?”

  “About a week ago.”

  I threw back my head and laughed out loud. “Sounds like you’ve been through quite a time of it,” I said. “I’m not surprised tensions ran high cooped up as you were in such a narrow space with all that’s going on outside. Well I’m no relationship counsellor but I hope you’ll be able to work on things when you’ve got a little bit more space back at our base.”

  “Is there much to do?” Asked Stan.

  “Plenty,” I replied. “The whole reason we found you is because we were out looking for fence posts to help build our defences. We’ve got big plans, you see guys, and we’re more than happy to have you lend a hand. Still, get your heads together first,” I told them generously. “Everybody needs a little time.”

  Reverend Thorpe came out to meet us as usual and his eyes lit up with wonder at the sight of the three trucks and their full loads. “Anybody hurt?” he asked anxiously.

  “No and we’re three more up,” I said cheerfully, nodding towards the additional survivors. Those who could emerged from the church and soon we were all engaged in unloading the posts and placing them in neat piles by the side of the church.

  The others were delighted to see Dev, Stan and Gloria, especially the older ones. Here was progress at last, they thought, a real sign that things were growing and the group was developing. The others tried to make conversation with the three newcomers but only Dev really responded. I could see that he was apart from the other two, must have felt like a bit of a third wheel in their relationship and he alone seemed glad to be here. Stan and Gloria stuck together and spoke to one another in whispers, withdrew to the side of the church and remained aloof from the general conversation.

  Now we were back we had the chance to count and examine the fences. Frey immediately announced them to be of excellent quality. “Well treated too so they should last a good few years,” he said. “We’ll have to replace them eventually, you always do with wood but hey, who knows what’s another few years down the line? By that time we may have put up a stone wall.”