Thrust & Parry: Z Day

by Luke Ashton

  “Wow, mate, wow, wow, wow!” Jim shouted as the baton came up for another go. “I’m not one of these fuckers.”

  “Sorry mate, saw red a bit there.” Riot guy said as he lifted his blood soaked visor. Jim could see now he was sweating profusely and wondered for a moment how long he’d been fighting for. He was a young bloke in his late twenties with short black hair, eyebrows that met in a middle and he was sporting thick- rimmed glasses that barely fit around his ears. Obviously not a male model. “The names Lee.” He held out a gloved hand.

  “Jim” he replied, lowering his rifle and shaking the outstretched hand. “What happened here?” It seemed a stupid question but Jim was more interested in how he’d managed to survive.

  “I’ve only been here for about a week so naturally I get all the shit jobs. For the last week the lads have been winding me up making me go for ‘a long stand’ or ‘a glass hammer.’” Despite himself, Jim smiled at this. “The latest one was to go and polish the visors on the riot gear. As I went in they closed the door and wouldn’t tell me the door code to get out so I just sat down and waited. All hell broke loose about 2 hours ago and I heard all sorts of roars and shouts so I started banging on the door to find out what was happening. One of the lads answered my cries telling me ‘the zombies were coming’. I pleaded with him for the door code and he gave it me so I geared up and waited until it quietened down. When I opened the door there was these fuckers.” He motioned at the lifeless bodies on the floor. “Everywhere. I just picked the first one and started swinging. That’s about it.”

  “It seems you were just in the right place at the right time mate.” Jim said once he had finished.

  “You’re not kidding Jim. Excuse me a sec.” Lee turned and dug a small blue cylinder out of his pocket. It was an inhaler. He put it to his mouth and pushed the button on the top twice. Inhaled deeply. He held it for about 20 seconds and breathed out deeply. “Sorry, asthma. Stress induced.” He explained as Jim watched him intently. It seemed ironic that this guy who wasn’t really cut out for anything more than desk work was the sole survivor of the police station.

  “Well I think you might be shit out of luck for a stress free life now. Unless you book your flight to the Maldives now.” Both of them laughed. Lee’s laugh being distinctly wheezier than Jim’s. “You’ve not been bitten have you?”

  “Nah they can’t get through the armour.” Lee replied. The standard riot uniform had a thin layer of Kevlar designed to stop a knife slash but not completely stop a direct stab. Jim decided if he could get his webbing over the top it might be advantageous to get hold of a set.

  “Good to know, is it heavy?” He needed to make sure he could still manoeuvre with it on. The same reason he wasn’t wearing his body armour. It would stop a bullet but you were 15kg heavier with it on.

  “Fucking right it is mate but you get used to it.” He decided against it. He didn’t plan to let them get close enough to need it.

  “Listen Lee, is there any weapons in here?” He wanted to get out of this place.

  “Well there’s no guns like that one.” He pointed to the rifle hanging by Jim’s side. “But there’s a few more of these batons in the riot store.” Jim pondered for a moment and then came to a decision.

  “I’m heading to Huddersfield to my barracks and then I’m going to try find a safe place to hole up. You’re free to join me if you want?” Lee didn’t really seem the likely type to keep up with Jim but he had proved himself so far.

  “Thanks for the offer mate but I’m going to find some food and hole up here.” It seems like Jim was still a one man wolf pack.

  “No worries well I need to get off then. If you’re looking for food you will find a car outside full of tinned food and water. The cars fucked but the foods ok.” As an afterthought he added “Oh and I don’t know how long the phone networks going to be up for but I’ll give you my mobile number. Not sure how many survivors are left so it’s best to keep in contact.” He picked up a bit of paper from the wreckage and jotted it down. Lee did the same and wrote down 3 numbers. One was his mobile. One was the frequency of his handheld radio and the other was the station number. Jim was just stuffing it in his pocket when something behind Lee caught his eye. A police officer with one arm was stood in a destroyed doorway growling. Jim gave Lee a shove and he went flying over a desk. The zombie charged and Jim realised he didn’t have time to bring his weapon up. He turned and bent double so that the only thing facing it was the shield on Jim’s back. It hit the shield hard and the rubber hooks dug into Jim’s back. He turned as the zombie hit and it rolled over the shield and landed in a pile on the other side. Jim pulled the pistol out and fired twice. The first shot hit it in the neck and the second hit it in the back of the head. It didn’t move so Jim pulled the trigger once more just to make sure. The body jolted.

  Jim hit the release catch and caught the magazine as it dropped out. There was about 5 rounds left. The army hadn’t got round to updating these magazines to have the clear strip so he had to look down the top of the mag and guess. Lee was still picking himself up as Jim slid the mag back and dropped the Sig back into its holster.

  “Fuck me, thanks mate.” Lee said looking at the body on the floor.

  “Don’t mention it, I am going to need one of those batons though.” Jim motioned at the baton swinging from Lee’s grip. Lee threw the one in his hand at Jim.

  “Take that one mate I’ll go grab another one. I’ll catch you later yeah? We will have a drink when this is all over.” Lee turned and walked down one of the many corridors as Jim stepped over the pile of corpses on the floor. A large pool of blood was appearing around the body as he hit the release catch for the metal door. He swung it open and Jim stepped through the reception area and out into the air again. He breathed deeply as he pulled out his fags with his free hand and pulled one out with his teeth. Popping the boot he dropped the shield and baton in, slamming it shut. He lit the fag and breathed in a lung full of smoke.

  Jim Dropped his webbing in the passenger foot well as he dropped into the racing seat, tucking the rifle between the seat and the door. He turned the key and the engine roared into life as he pulled the seatbelt together with a click. As he span the Mini round he saw movement in the corner shop over the road. He looked a bit closer and saw the Asian woman that ran the shop desperately clawing at the metal bars over the door to get to Jim. He pulled away again laughing.

  “Good luck love.” He shouted out the window as he picked up speed. He reached the end of the street and turned right, following the signs for the M621. As he hit the main road he realised that the infection was complete. There was zombies everywhere. Wandering aimlessly across the streets. As he passed they would seem to realise and try chase him for a few paces before giving up and going back to looking like a set of OAP’s playing football. He pulled onto a deserted M621 and floored the accelerator. He doubted anyone would care what speed he was doing. He started to sing to himself.

  “I’m all alone. There’s no one here beside me. My friends have all gone home. There’s no one here to deride me.”

  Chapter 7

  Driving along the deserted motorway Jim finally had a chance to think, he had no idea how his family were doing or if they were infected. He assumed the worst as he hadn’t heard from them. Jim had a theory, he knew if he thought the worse of every situation it would feel ten times better if it was a positive outcome.

  Letting emotion take over for a split second a single tear rolled down his cheek. He had to kill his best friend and now he realised his family were more than likely infected too. It finally settled into his mind that he had to do this alone, not let emotions get involved because if he did he wouldn’t have a fighting chance against these fuckers.

  Giving himself a swift slap, he jumped back into reality.

  “C’mon you soft fucker. There’s bigger issues to think about now” He said aloud. The silence was too much for him so he fumbled in the glove box for any form of CD. He grabbed
the first one he could find and put it into the CD player.

  “Come on something to get me ready. Anything” He pleaded to himself, not having looked at the CD before playing it.

  Then through the speakers came “It’s the eye of the tiger”. Not being able to contain himself Jim let out a loud cackle.

  “Dan you legend. I knew there was a reason I liked you, well before you decided you wanted my head for breakfast” Jim rolled down all the windows and had the song on full blast. Singing at the top of his lungs. He finally had a chance to relax and took full advantage.

  Pulling off the motorway on to the slip road he carried on his journey to Huddersfield. Wondering what he had waiting for him. He didn’t think about it too much, being one for living in the moment he tried staying out of his head as much as possible. The thick smoke bellowing from the motorway in front of him worried him slightly but he wasn’t going to have to deal with it.

  He finally arrived at Huddersfield TAC. It looked empty but it certainly wasn’t he could hear a lot of gunfire, definitely coming from a Gimpy. Then there was nothing for a few seconds.

  “Come on you rotting bastards, who the fuck do you think you’re starting with eh?!”

  “Who the fuck was that?” Jim thought, thinking it was best to check it out he raised his weapon and made his way to the civilian door slowly. Leaning against the wall with his weapon aimed and ready for whoever was going to answer the call. He knocked three times loudly.

  “It’s Lance Corporal Parry. Who’s in there? Let me in this instant” Asserting his authority. He heard nothing, nobody responded. He was about to try pry the door open when he heard footsteps. He knew whoever it was, they were human. Too fast to be a zombie walking and way too slow to be a zombie hurtling towards you at full speed.

  The door opened and Jim was greeted by Whethers. He was sweating profusely, had a blood soaked retractable baton and his Gimpy by his side.

  “Oh, Corporal. Wow! Hi.” Whethers, as usual, seemed lost for words.

  “Drop the corporal crap Whethers you know better than that. Who else is here?” Even amidst the zombie apocalypse Jim still hated being called corporal.

  “Sorry Twitch, not really looked around. I got here and found these.” He gestured with the weapons in his hands. “And then they came at me and, well, I don’t remember much else.” Jim saw a sly smile creep across Whethers face. “I think I saw stump at one point but he was one of them and there’s not much left of him now.” Whethers stepped aside and Jim stepped into the corridor to the drill hall. There was blood spattered everywhere as he made his way to the double doors into the hall. They were both propped open on their hinges and Jim could see bodies, blood and brains scattered everywhere. Jim noticed a fair few of the bodies wearing camo and investigated. The first one he came to he recognised as stump. Whethers was right he had turned. He pulled out his Sig and, placing the barrel on stump’s head, pulled the trigger. He wanted to make sure every one of these fuckers stayed down. He moved through several bodies of soldiers he vaguely recognised from other units until he found the lifeless scowl of Jolly. Jim squeezed the trigger into his head and moved on. Even from the back he recognised Jones immediately. The massive bloke was laid on his side with one leg missing. He was about to pull the trigger on him when he looked down and noticed there wasn’t much left to fire at. Looked like he’d caught a Gimpy round to the forehead and it took most of it off. He moved round the rest of the bodies and in the process found Taylor, Pinky and Paulie. They all got a Sig round to the head.

  As Jim fired the last round at Paulie he noticed the top slide was held back. He checked the chamber. It was empty. Hitting the release catch he caught the empty mag and stuffed it in the left hand pouch on his webbing before pulling out a fresh mag and sliding it home with a click. He hit the release catch and the top slide powered forward. He then pulled it back slightly to confirm it had picked up a round.

  “Well I guess that’s one way to say goodbye. I prefer a blowjob myself but I guess that ain’t on the cards now is it Twitch?” Jim looked up to see Rim stood on the balcony with a massive foolish grin on his face.

  “Rim! Fuck me I’ve never been so happy to see that ugly fucking mug mate.” Jim responded as he dropped the pistol back into its holster.

  “Your work I’m guessing mate?” Rim queried gesturing at the mess.

  “I wish Rim, this was all Whethers.”

  “Whethers? Fuck me, look who finally found some bollocks.” Rim replied, giggling to himself.

  “Rim, go fuck yourself yeah?” Whethers sparked up from the doorway.

  “I’ve tried it mate. I can’t get the angle right. You had fun with your mates then have you?” He asked Whethers.

  “Oh yeah loads, thanks for the help (!)” The sarcasm was strong in his voice.

  “What can I say I’ve been a busy boy. Come up and I’ll tell you all about it mate. Pumps are on.” He lifted a pint of bitter to show them. Jim started to the door at the other side when he noticed the armoury door was open.

  “You two go ahead I just need to check this out.” Jim watched as Rim disappeared and Whethers wandered through the bodies and into the stairwell before he turned his attention back to the open door. He stepped forward and raised his weapon. The door opened away from him so he had to step round it to see in. He cleared the right hand side first and saw the light was on but there were only a few weapons left in the racks. He would take them with him when he left here. There was blood on the floor and Jim saw a foot poking out from the left. He stepped into the doorway. Weapon pointed at the body and saw someone had got their first. The body on the floor was male, civilian and topless. The body had several holes in it and a large pool surrounded its head. Jim pointed his weapon at the head to make sure when he heard it.

  “Don’t bother. Our friend here has had 2 shots to the head. They must have bounced because there is no exit wound.” The voice was barely a whisper and Jim recognised the Russian twang immediately.

  “Ruski, is that you mate?” Jim stepped round the body to see an ill looking Ruski sat in one corner of the armoury. Sig in one hand and a tea towel in the other. The tea towel was pressed to his neck and soaked in blood.

  “Twitch.” He let out a wheeze. “I should have guessed you’d get through this lot.” He winced as he repositioned the tea towel.

  “I’m guessing that’s your blood mate?” Ruski nodded.

  “Courtesy of my wife. I brought her here to protect her but she turned as we arrived and tried to attack me. I didn’t have the heart to shoot her at first. I was too slow. She…” He seemed out of breath now. “…She got me. I don’t have much time. Drink with me my friend?” Jim understood. He stood up and ran up to the bar. Grabbing a bottle of Vodka off the optics and a few shot glasses he sprinted back to the armoury. Ruski was still sat there. Still breathing. Jim poured 2 shots and passed one over. He raised his glass.

  “Cheers!” Jim said.

  “Ah, ah, ah Twitch. This is vodka. This is the Russian drink of kings. We toast it in its own language.” He raised his own glass. “Na zdorovje."

  “Na zdorovje." Jim mimicked. And downed the shot. He refilled the glasses and they repeated the process another 3 times.

  “I guess this is farewell Jim. It has been an honour and a privilege to know you.” Ruski said. Stopping occasionally to catch his breath.

  “I could say the same mate. Best damn platoon sergeant I’ve seen in a long time. You will be missed.” Jim hugged Ruski and stood to leave. “I’ll see you on the other side mate.” Without another word he stepped out of the armoury and sighed deeply. As he stood there composing himself there was a loud bang from inside the armoury as Ruski stopped himself turning into the walking undead. Jim wandered up to the bar just as Rim and Whethers came flying out of it looking beady eyed.

  “What the fuck was that mate?” Rim asked as he saw Jim.

  “Don’t worry lads. It was Ruski.”

  “Oh shit I didn’t know he was dow
n here. Where is the Russian bastard?” Rim asked looking over Jim’s shoulder as if he would be trotting up the stairs. Jim said nothing, just lowered his head. As it dawned on the pair stood in front of him.

  “Fuck. Who? Why?” Rim seemed lost for words for the first time since Jim had met him. A moment of silence passed between them as they reflected the loss.

  “I need a drink. Rim grab us a pint will you?” Rim disappeared behind the bar as Whethers and Jim took a seat near the TV.

  “Come on man, I deserve this pint” Joked Jim trying to lighten the mood. If he let what had just happened with Ruski get to him he knew he wouldn’t make it through this.

  Rim wandered over with an ice cold pint of Fosters with Jim’s name on it. Looking lost in his own thought Jim thought it was best to distract him.

  “How long you two been here then?” He questioned. Wondering how they’d survived.

  “Well, I got here about 10 this morning. Thought it was the best place to hide out. My hot next door neighbour tried eating my cock and not in the good way!” Exclaimed Rim with a wink.

  “You’ll never change and I wouldn’t want you to” Laughed Jim, it was a proper belly laugh. For a split second he forgot what was going on outside and it felt like a normal night.

  “What about you Whethers?”

  “Erm… not long before you I mean I’d just got here, weapons ready just in case and some rotting fucker tried jumping me from behind….” Whethers was interrupted by Rim snorting with laughter. “Anyway” He said abruptly. “I threw him over my shoulder and shot a few rounds into his skull, then I looked up and had a horde of them coming at me. A few I recognised, some I didn’t” Sounding so serious about it, Whethers looked like he was ready to burst into tears.

  “Jesus you lads sound like your day’s been as bad as mine.” Jim explained his day to them, trying not to get choked up about Rube. It hit him that these lads were all he had left. He wanted to make sure they were safe while also protecting himself from the zombies. They were his lads, he had taught them as much as he could in such a short period of time and already they were looking promising. A thought dawned on Jim and he brought his weapon up.