“You think you can do this with two men and one vehicle?” asked Luke.
“I think I can do it in such a way that more men would provide no extra safety,” said Dave.
“Okay, I don’t like it, but if risking just a little more can return this community to what it was, so be it, you have my blessing,” said Roger.
“Okay, Brian, how much fuel we got in Kate?” asked Dave.
“Half a tank,” said Brian.
“Great, then do whatever you have to do be ready, I’ll be back here in two minutes. We’ll set off immediately,” said Dave.
He ran back into the house and up to his equipment in the room he’d slept in the night before. Just a minute later he was geared up and ready to go. He grabbed his club hammer, his close range weapon of choice. In reality he would prefer a larger two hand weapon, but the fact he spent much of his time in vehicles and other confined spaces meant they weren’t always practical. He ran back downstairs and to the hallway of the house, heading for the door, when he was stopped by Kailey blocking his way. She looked tearful and scared.
“You don’t have to do this you know,” said Kailey.
“Yes, I do, I’m sorry, but we’ll make it back,” said Dave.
“Nothing I can do will make you stay?” asked Kailey.
“No, just keep the home fires burning and don’t let spirits drop any further,” said Dave.
Kailey reached forward and kissed him, before moving aside to let him pass. It was the huge boost in confidence that Dave needed to go into a zombie infested situation. Never before had he deliberately headed towards a horde of zombies. There would be no logical reason to do so under normal circumstances. Dave and Brian mounted up in the Land Rover and spun it around to again leave the compound.
“Good luck,” said Roger.
“Thanks, we’ll do what we can,” said Dave.
“Don’t get cocky, you know even the best of us can only handle a few of these animals at once, they’ll wear you down and swamp you,” said Luke.
“Thanks. If we aren’t back in three hours, assume we failed,” said Dave.
The gates were pulled back and Dave drove the vehicle out of the compound. Normally he sat in the passenger seat acting as commander and navigator, but this time he wanted full control of the vehicle.
“So what’s the plan?” asked Brian.
“Firstly, from now on you follow my orders, not Tommy’s, or either of the other silly fuckers who went on this stupid arse mission,” said Dave.
“Alright, I’m sorry,” said Brian.
“Sorry? I don’t want you to be sorry, I want you to stop fucking up, risking the lives of our friends, which you did in not listening to those of us that know better!” shouted Dave.
“Okay, got ya,” said Brian.
The man looked sheepish, but then he should have. He was lucky that his fellow survivors hadn’t beaten him for being so foolish. They only didn’t because each valued the physical condition of one another too much. Brian now shut up, the best thing he could do.
“For a start we have no chance of fighting however many there are there, and I don’t know a way of safely drawing them away,” said Dave.
“So what do we do?” asked Brian.
“How well do you know the shop layout?” asked Dave.
“Very well, I used to go there every weekend before all this shit started,” said Brian.
“Good, then we’re going to ram the fuckers,” said Dave.
“Sounds good,” said Brian.
“We have enough metal and torque to break through the numbers that are likely to be in our way. You need to tell me exactly how we can smash through the outer walls and where the office is,” said Dave.
“The only way in is through the front door, it’s the only place without crash barriers up, once you’re in the office is a straight route to the back of the building,” said Brian.
“Alright, then we use speed and power, nothing else. You’ll be in the back of the truck ready to open the door, we do not waste a single second,” said Dave.
“Alright,” said Brian.
“Also, when we get within a mile of the shop, you radio them and explain the plan,” said Dave.
An hour later they were just a few minutes away from the supermarket. It had been an anxious journey so far, both men concerned not just for the three they were trying to rescue, but also their own lives. The entire mission was a gamble. No sensible person would ever go near such a crowd of beasts. Brian lifted up the radio handset.
“Tommy, come in. This is Brian, I repeat, this is Brian. Can anyone hear me?” he asked.
“This is Tommy, what the fuck is going on?” he asked.
“The horde struck and I had to leave, but we have a plan. We’re driving straight to you, be ready to move!” said Brian.
“What’s your ETA?” asked Tommy.
“One minute, be ready,” said Brian.
“Right, now get in the back and hold onto something. Make sure you have a weapon close to hand, as it’s going to be a mad rush getting those three in,” said Dave.
A minute later they were entering the car park of the supermarket. They drove all the way to the entrance, a handful of zombies were in the area stumbling towards the building. The shutters of the building were up and the glass electric doors prized open. The Land Rover passed through the first entrance and then smashed through the second, simply too large to fit the door frame.
Dave could already see the mass of creatures packed in tight along the aisle that led to the office. He had carefully manoeuvred the vehicle into the building, but there was no more time or need for careful and restrained driving. Dave put his foot to the floor, knowing that torque alone may not be enough to keep moving through such a mass.
The two tonne vehicle ploughed into the rear of the zombie crowd, bodies buckling against the thick bull bar. Zombies were thrown off onto the shelves to the side of the truck. Dave kept his foot to the floor as the shelves beside them were being pushed outwards, unable to contain the expanding horde as the Land Rover forced itself through them. He could finally see the office door up ahead. The number of creatures was far too many to simply stop and let their friends in. He swung the vehicle off down the end of the aisle and slammed the brakes on, sliding to a halt as they crushed further more zombies.
The gearbox squealed as Dave slammed it into reverse before they had even come quite to a stop. He put his foot back down hard on the accelerator and smashed the vehicle backwards into the security office. The door flew off its hinges and the truck smashed half the wall down with it. Brian swung the door open whilst the zombies were already swarming around the vehicle. He jumped out.
“Get the fuck in!” shouted Brian.
The three men, still in shock from the audacious rescue attempt stumbled towards the vehicle. Brian noticed the first creature was already within a dangerous distance. He picked up his hatchet and drove it into the target’s head. The three men clambered into the back.
“Go!” shouted Brian.
Dave immediately put the power down, already concerned that the mass of creatures could stop them from getting moving again. Fortunately, many of the beasts had approached from the direction they’d come and were now mostly flooding the side of the vehicle, rather than the front. Brian jumped in as the wheels had already begun moving.
The truck smashed through the zombies before it, breaking bones and sending blood splattering across the bonnet and windscreen. They stormed down the next aisle which was mostly clear. Brian looked distraught to see so much in the way of food supplies being passed by. This place was exactly the cheese in the trap situation which Roger had always warned them about. They all now wished that each and every member of the group had heeded his words.
They reached the end of the aisle and Dave swung the wheel around, sliding the vehicle round the tight bend. The rear quarter of the truck smashed into an aisle of tin cans. The impact was barely noticeable in the vehicle, its sheer weight
passing through the mass of small objects. A few seconds later they had reached the entrance of the building. They crashed into the tail end of the horde, and over the crumpled bodies they’d left on entering.
Finally natural light hit the windscreen as they broke out into the car park. Reaching daylight and open air was always a relief in this zombie infested land. Dave slowed the vehicle to a more cruising speed and set about getting home. For ten minutes they all sat silently, the rescuers happy to have survived, the rescued men feeling too guilty to say a word. Finally, Tommy leant forward into the front cab of the truck.
“Thank you, Dave,” he said.
“Just don’t underestimate what a fuck up this was, it was sheer luck that everyone got out of there alive,” said Dave.
“I’m sorry,” said Tommy.
“You bloody well should be, but save it for Roger, he’ll give you the grilling you deserve. I’m sure,” said Dave.
The survivors again went quiet and remained so for the rest of the journey. It was a solemn drive, each one of them reflecting on the near disastrous day that could have been. Dave was only heartened by the fact that these events may have taught the men a valuable lesson, and without any cost in lives.
They finally reached the entrance to Everglade, it was in part a triumphant return, but also depressing. Their victory had achieved nothing. They had no further supplies, nothing of any worth. The gates were pulled back and the group in the Land Rover could already see that the entire population of the facility was waiting for them, a rare sight. Their fellow survivors were cheering, seeing that more had returned than had left two hours earlier. Only one man among them all looked unhappy, Roger. He stood, arms crossed, fuming.
Dave drew the vehicle to a halt and got out as Brian opened up the door to let out their passengers. They were welcomed with much applause and back patting. The entire group was happy, smiling and laughing, an ecstasy that was unknown to these people since the Zompoc began.
“Silence!” shouted Roger.
The ecstatic shouts of the crowd calmed and all turned their attention to Roger. It was a difficult thing for the survivors to comprehend, that during this time of sheer joy and relief that they would have to face the seriousness of Roger’s strict command.
“Dave did a wonderful thing, something I myself never thought possible and he should be praised for it. But none of you should underestimate the sheer idiotic actions which led to these events. The fact that Dave has brought these men back to us would largely be based on luck, and despite all of his heroic deeds, they have returned with nothing new.”
The crowd was subdued by the reality check that Roger had brought upon them. In the horrific year that the men and women of Everglade had survived, any sign or evidence of hope and success was welcome, but Roger was now dashing their hopes. Roger knew that morale was important, but he also knew that an unrealistic idea of life was now a dangerous characteristic to hold.
“Let this be a lesson to you all. It’s easy to pursue the obvious pleasures that may be in front of you, and don’t any of you think I haven’t thought the same. Everything I have ever done for this group has been with the right intentions, for us all to survive in the best way we can. Many things we do in life now are a risk, but I calculate risk carefully, and since you have been here, not a single person has died, is that not proof enough of my capability in leadership?” asked Roger.
The group of survivors murmured and hummed amongst themselves, none willing to commit to a response with their eccentric leader. All of them knew that the middle aged and odd fellow was right, he planned too well not to be, but none wanted to either question or agree with him.
“All of you. Take stock in the fact that you are all still alive, safe, fed and warm. By these modern standards, we all live a life of luxury, and you remember that next time any one of you has a crazy idea like Tommy’s,” said Roger.
It was enough for the crowd to understand, Roger full well knew the limitations of the group. Few individuals understood what was necessary for them all to live safely, but that was what made his role so vital among these men and women.
“That’s enough now but remember today, it’s an important lesson, now go about your tasks, ever remembering the risks that face us,” said Roger.
The group sighed, suddenly saddened by the grim reality shock that their leader had given them. They dispersed and went about their daily business. The day went on in its usual fashion. Life on a day-to-day basis required effort in order to stay physically and mentally stimulated. Those who went out of Everglade to forage for supplies had a specific job to do in life, an adventure of a sort. For the rest of the populace, life revolved around keeping watch over the facility, preparing food, and keeping the community clean and healthy.
The night passed on without incident, just as the community had become accustomed. The following day, Dave arose to again go out into the zombie world to procure the supplies necessary for keep them all alive. What he would give for a Burger King meal could simply not be explained. Roger did what he could to keep life interesting in Everglade. Sadly, there was no substitute for going out into a bustling town for an evening of entertainment. The lack of electricity meant that they could have no TV, the fuel was considered too valuable, keeping the generators for emergency usage only.
CHAPTER FIVE
MID-WEST, UNITED STATES
It was a mild evening and Madison sat rocking in her chair. She could just about hear the sounds of her father’s sermon echoing around the walls of their church. He would blindly live under the assumption that his daughter was always on the important duties of defending their community, that she had duties which kept her from his services. In reality, she sat cradling her AK47, looking out across the open plains.
It had taken months of bloodshed to purge their small town of the zombie menace, that her father Richard Wells called the Devil’s minions. Ever since that time she enjoyed what quiet and peaceful time she could get.
The small town’s old name was cast aside with the rebirth of the place, like the phoenix her father had told her. The shelter they now lived in they called Babylon. Of the thousands who had lived there, only fifty five now inhabited the area. No walls had ever been built around their homes, only the individual defences of each building, as they were all too far apart to easily create boundary walls.
Babylon was miles from anywhere that had previously contained people, a natural defence which the community relied upon, supported by regular patrols and thick bars on their windows and doors. Wells would never have them build walls, he said the living should never have to live within the prison confines of their own town and that they would use their labour to maintain a free society. For this reason no alcohol was allowed, and every man and woman was to be armed and ready at all times.
The silence was broken as Madison heard the sound of someone climbing her watch tower, the clumsy noise of a man stumbling as his slung rifle bashed against the ladder. This was the familiar sound of Justin. He appeared at the top.
“Hey Maddy, what’s happening?” he asked.
She acted politely, but was more than a little annoyed that her peaceful evening had been interrupted. Justin was a capable fighter but simple minded, and only ever interested in how many women he could bed, which was growing ever more difficult in the small and close knit community.
“Hey, Justin, why aren’t you at service?” asked Madison.
“Oh come on, it bores me to death, what’s your excuse?” asked Justin.
“I’m on watch,” said Madison.
“Convenient that whenever services are held you’re up here,” said Justin.
“He’s my father, I already know what he’s going to tell you all, I hear it the rest of the day!” said Madison.
The glint of some movement in the distance caught her eye. She stood up and squinted to make it out. Her sight confirmed what her heart already knew, a zombie staggered down the main road towards their homes. A crossroads at the ch
urch meant that they could be approached from four sides, but fences and walls in all homes and side roads meant that everything was channelled down the main long roads. This meant the management of defences and survivors was simple, without having to live within walls.
“We’ve got one,” said Madison.
“Shit, that’s the first one in a week!” shouted Justin.
He leapt to his feet to look out down the open road. Unslinging his rifle from his shoulder, Justin peered down the hunting scope at the creature.
“Looks like a city boy!” he said.
“Yeah, I look forward to the day when the creatures stop coming to find us,” said Madison.
“Yeah, how do you think they do that?” asked Justin.
“I dunno, there’s so many out there maybe it’s just luck, or maybe they can smell us from thousands of miles away,” said Madison.
“I’d love to shoot this bitch right here and now, one shot through the fucking eye,” said Justin.
“No, no, not with a gun!” shouted Madison.
“I know, just saying,” said Justin.
Madison propped her AK47 against the wall of the tower and picked up the crossbow next to it. The entire community owned guns, at least one, whether they had them before the Zompoc began, or found them afterwards. However, Babylon had a simple policy, guns were for emergency use only and the weapons with easily replenishable supplies should always be used. A simple routine cull of a single creature or two like this would never necessitate the use of a gun. A silent weapon was also favourable, as it didn’t break the peace and quiet that the town and parish so eagerly protected.
The zombie was a hundred yards away when Madison slammed the crossbow stirrup down onto the floor and put her foot through it. She pulled the string back until it locked into place on the trigger. Standing up, she slipped the bolt onto the track and laid the rifle crossbow to rest on the wall. She pulled her chair closer and sat down on it, providing the most comfortable and steady position she could for shooting.
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