by T. L. Frost
“Now, now Jones.” Said the sergeant “Let’s show our guests some manners, he was just defending the pretty young lady after all.”
Jones spat.
“Yes Sarge.” He said, stepping back and looking at Jim “Looks like we have a volunteer anyway.”
“Volunteer, for what?” Asked Chris “I want to speak with the officer in charge!”
The sergeant laughed.
“Ain’t no officers here.” He said “Not anymore anyway, last one is zombie bait now. Isn’t that right private Smith?”
“That’s right Sergeant Ross.” Replied the younger soldier as he stood, glaring at Jim “Got himself and two of the lads killed.”
Sergeant Ross knelt to speak face to face with them.
“See we needed supplies, so off he goes with half the squad, got caught by a big group of them creatures in town. Only a couple of them made it back, including Captain Williams, but he’d gotten himself bitten didn’t he? One of them damn zombies nearly tore his arm right off. Next day he was dead, well as dead as people get these days. Got him locked in a storage unit out back and if I have anymore trouble from you lot, I’ll introduce you to him one at a time. Understood?”
Chris looked at the others, then back at Ross, nodding.
“Good.” Said Ross “Now we need some volunteers. See it’s dangerous going into town, but we are low on food and other stuff, so you men will earn your keep and go get that truck you were filling the other day. Only fair, after all it was you and your group that stirred up all those zombies.”
Ross watched them all, judging their reactions.
“You saw us and did nothing?” Asked Tom “People died, you could have helped!”
“All I care about is my squad.” Said Ross, his voice cold “Fuck everyone else.”
“What about Sarah?” Asked Chris “We all go or none of us do.”
Ross swung a backhanded blow at Chris, knocking his head against the wall, making him sway, dizziness returning.
“You’ll do what I say or you’ll be zombie bait!” Said Ross angrily “There’s no place for idlers here. The girl stays here to make sure you don’t run off with my supplies.”
Tom and Jim tensed but didn’t move as the other soldiers raised their rifles in warning.
“No.” Said Chris shaking his aching head “One of us stays here with Sarah, the other two can get the truck.”
Ross thought about it, eyes glaring at the group. Then smiled as he stood.
“Of course, there’s no need for us to argue.” He said, then pointed at Jim and Tom “These two have caused more than enough trouble, I’m sure they can look after themselves out there.”
Ross stepped back out of the room barking orders. Another soldier entered.
“You two follow me.” He said to Jim and Tom.
Chapter 7
Natalie tried not to look over the edge. The top of the storage silo didn’t look as high from the ground and every gust of wind had her tensing and gripping the low handrail next to the walkway. Climbing the narrow, rusty ladders with a rolled-up sign tied to her back had not been one of her favourite experiences.
“You ok Nat?” Asked Alice as she knelt, tying the other end of the sign to the handrail “You look a bit green.”
“Fine.” Replied Natalie concentrating on the task.
“Just think about pork chops.” Said Barry grinning as he strolled unconcerned around the narrow walkway, binoculars in hand.
“That’s not helping Barry.” Said Natalie as her stomach tightened.
“Works for me.” Said Barry leaning over the handrail “Not long now and we can go get some. All the way down there, just waiting for us to climb down that shaky ladder.”
“Fucker.” Said Natalie, bringing a laugh from Barry as he checked the surrounding landscape.
“All done.” Said Alice “I’ll let you go down the ladder first Nat.”
“Thanks Alice.” Said Natalie, relieved to be heading down.
“Well I don’t want you falling on me.” Said Alice with a straight face.
Barry laughed even louder.
“Bunch of fuckers.” Mumbled Natalie concentrating hard on the ladder steps.
They found Bill at the bottom with Merrick, keeping a lookout.
“Nice job.” Said Merrick looking up “They should see that if they head in this direction.”
“What if they head in another direction?” Asked Alice “Shouldn’t we go out looking, maybe skirt around the town, leave more signs?”
“Risky.” Replied Merrick thinking “If we still had Demon-Smasher we could do that no problem, but on foot, with so many of those things around?”
“Demon-Smasher?” Asked Bill.
“My brother’s monster truck.” Said Natalie “Came in useful a few times that did.”
“Ah well, no monster trucks in these parts that I know of.” Said Bill “You’re welcome to use my old Land-Rover but it’s been stood around unused for a while now.”
“Thanks Bill I’ll have a look at it if you have some tools?” Said Merrick.
“You a mechanic then sonny?” Asked Bill.
“He customised all sorts of vehicles, if it’s got four wheels and an engine he can get it going.” Answered Natalie.
“Well I don’t know if you’d be interested.” Said Bill “But I dare say Ol’ Bessie over at farmer Johnson’s farm might come in handy, if you could get it going that is.”
“Ol’ Bessie?” Asked Merrick, curious.
Chapter 8
Jim and Tom sat in the back of the army Land-Rover as the two soldiers drove them back to the roadblock.
“Now you two lads do as you’re told and everyone is happy understand?” Said Private Jones turning to face them.
“Don’t forget to grab some beer too.” Said Private Smith as he drove.
Jones looked at him then back at Jim.
“Remember that and throw anything else you can into that truck. The more you bring back, the happier the Sarge will be. We’ll be waiting at the roadblock. Make sure you get back here before dark, or you know what happens to your friends.” He said seriously.
“I know what will happen to that girl.” Said Smith “I think she fancies me.”
Jim glanced at Tom, both of them looking grim.
“If you lay one hand on either of them…” He began.
“Listen grandad!” Said Jones “We make the threats here and if you do as you’re told, nobody will be hurt ok?”
Jim looked at him, then at the other soldier but didn’t reply.
“Here we are then.” Said Smith as he stopped next to the roadblock.
Both soldiers got out, Jones holding his rifle ready as Smith helped Jim and Tom out of the Land-Rover.
“All clear.” Said Smith as he climbed the barrier and looked down the road.
Climbing back down, he took out a knife, standing behind Jim.
“I haven’t forgot what you did grandad.” He said holding the knife close to Jim’s face “Give me an excuse and I’ll gut both of you.”
Then he cut the ties binding Jim’s and Tom’s hands and took a quick step back, taking his rifle out of the Land-Rover.
“What about weapons?” Asked Jim.
Jones nodded to Smith and he took Jim’s boat-hook and Tom’s hammer from their vehicle, throwing them to the ground. Both soldiers watched them carefully as they bent and picked them up.
“Go on now.” Said Jones waving his rifle towards the barrier “You’ve got a few hours of daylight left, don’t be late.”
Tom was tense but Jim just shrugged his shoulders and turned, Tom followed. As they climbed over they could see the road ahead was indeed still clear. They walked on in silence until they were clear of the roadblock. Tom looked back. There was no sign of the soldiers but he felt he was being watched.
“You think the others will be alright?” Asked Tom as he looked back again.
“At least until it gets dark.” Replied Jim.
“So
we need that truck.” Said Tom as they both picked up the pace.
Jim nodded, watching ahead.
“Then we can get the hell out of here.” Said Tom.
“Maybe.” Said Jim.
“Maybe? You don’t think they will let the others go?”
Jim shook his head.
“Not a chance. If we take that truck full of supplies back to them I think a couple of things could happen. They might be smart and lock us all up again, sending us out for more supplies while they sit there in that farmhouse, safe and secure. Or they might just see a truck half full of food and four more mouths to feed. Personally I’m not betting on them being too smart.”
“What are we going to do then?” Asked Tom.
“Improvise.” Said Jim giving him a wink “Like we used to do when I was in the army.”
Chapter 9
Merrick had no problems getting the old Land-Rover going. It had seats in the front and an open back like a small pick-up. Merrick drove while Bill sat in the passenger seat, his shotgun open and empty across his lap. In the back, Barry and Alice clung on tightly as the vehicle bounced over ploughed fields and small hills. Johnson’s farm was only a few miles away but they decided to keep away from the roads.
“Nearly there.” Said Bill pointing ahead “Just over the next rise.”
They crossed the rise and saw a dirt track heading down to the farm buildings. Merrick followed it, Barry jumping out and opening gates. The farm looked deserted. No smoke from any of the chimneys, no animals grazing, the fields empty and growing wild.
“How many people lived here?” Asked Merrick.
“Johnson, his third wife and their son William as far as I know.” Said Bill.
“You haven’t been up this way then?” Said Merrick.
Bill shook his head “Not since the sickness got really bad. Last time I visited Johnson had the sickness, his son too. Mrs Johnson was away somewhere.”
“So maybe two of them in there.” Said Merrick.
“That’s what I figure.” Said Bill stepping out of the Land-Rover and loading his shotgun “You all wait here. I’ll do what needs doing.”
Then he paused, looking at the farmhouse.
“Had some good memories with the Johnsons over the years. Especially when I met his daughter Harri.”
Bill grinned at the memories.
“I’m sorry Bill.” Said Alice putting a hand on his shoulder.
Shrugging, Bill stepped forward, snapping his gun shut and heading for the door.
“Should we help him?” Asked Barry.
“I think he wants to do this on his own.” Said Merrick.
They waited after Bill entered the house. All of them keeping a look out. A loud bang sounded and they all tensed, waiting. A minute later there was another bang, then everything was quiet. Bill came out of the farmhouse, cracking open his gun and taking out the used cartridges. He placed a bottle of expensive brandy inside the Land-Rover.
“Always did have good taste did Johnson.” He said.
The rest of the farm was deserted. Situated in a valley with only one rough road in or out, it was fairly isolated. Bill showed them to a large barn at the rear of the buildings and unlocked it using some keys he had taken from the house.
“Wow.” Said Merrick looking around.
“Fuck me mate!” Said Barry.
The barn was more like a large storage area and garage rolled into one. Old vehicles were lined up along the far wall. Tractors and old classic cars. In front of them all in a work area with benches on either side was a gleaming, fully restored world war two armoured car.
“Was never short of money Johnson.” Said Bill “Collected and rebuilt old cars and vehicles. That there is Bessie, named after his first wife.”
The armoured car had its name written in bold lettering down both sides. Merrick walked around it, examining its condition. Four big chunky tyres, shiny new green paint and thick metal armour. It looked pretty formidable.
“Does it run?” Asked Merrick.
“It did the last time I saw it.” Said Bill “He used to take it to rallies and classic car shows. No idea how it works myself though.”
“Oh I’m sure I can figure it out.” Said Merrick with a grin.
Chapter 10
Tom watched the entrance to the store. They had gotten as close as possible, skirting around and watching. To the rear there were still zombies wandering about near the truck and they could be seen all around the store, spread out now but still in dangerous numbers. Occasional moans or shuffling could be heard through the open door that Jim had used to escape. As they had headed for the store Jim had visited the empty house again, stuffing junk from kitchen cabinets into a bag. When they had seen how bad it still was near the truck Jim had told Tom to stay out of sight and had ran off around the front of the store. Tom waited, watching for Jim to return as the day wore on. Catching sight of him crouching low and running, Tom had waved and was soon joined by the out of breath Jim.
“I feel like I’ve been running around none stop forever.” Said Jim.
“We will have to do more before the day is out if we are to get that truck back in time.” Said Tom looking around “What were you up to anyway? Thought I’d have to get the supplies by myself then come looking for you.”
“Just working on a little distraction for those things.” Jim replied nodding in the direction he had come from.
Tom looked and could see a thin plume of smoke rising, the slight breeze easily scattering it.
“Nice idea.” Said Tom “Maybe if you had set fire to a few houses it might have worked better.”
“No time.” Said Jim “Just cross your fingers and hope it works.”
Tom watched for a few minutes and even though the smoke seemed to thicken a little, it was still barely noticeable.
“Those zombies aren’t going to see it.” He said “I think we should…”
Tom ducked as a loud bang sounded from the direction of the fire. Some zombies turned and looked, their shambling steps taking them towards it. Another bang, then another and the zombies screamed, others joining in. They were suddenly running towards the sounds as more bangs came, echoing around the buildings.
“What the…?!” Said Jim.
“Shouldn’t play with matches and household aerosols, very dangerous combination.” Said Jim grinning.
They waited in their hiding place as zombies rushed past. A few more bangs sounded followed by screams in the distance, then moans. Soon it was quiet again and they circled around the store to the rear loading area. Most of the zombies had gone but a few still wandered around, trapped by the fencing or unable to get through to the store.
“We’ll have to take them out.” Said Tom grimly, raising his hammer.
“There’s still too many for that.” Said Jim “Maybe another distraction?”
“Or we could improvise again?” Said Tom thinking.
“What do you have in mind?” Asked Jim as he watched the milling zombies without enthusiasm.
“This.” Said Tom pulling out a small torch and handing it to Jim “There’s a small window in the rear of the cab, point it through there and get their attention.”
Jim thought about it “Where will you be?” He asked.
“Right behind you I hope.”
Jim nodded and waited for the right moment then rushed for the cab. The seats were sticky with drying, clotted blood and other body parts he tried not to think about. The keys were still inside and he slowly closed the driver’s door before turning and fiddling with the catch on the small window looking into the back of the truck. Switching on the torch and waving it, he gritted his teeth and fought the urge to get out and run as the nearest zombies saw the light through the open doors at the rear of the truck. A couple of them climbed awkwardly up the access ramp, moaning as they sensed prey, others nearby hearing them, turned and headed for the truck. As more climbed in they started pushing each other and fighting. Jim dropped the torch and closed the sm
all window.
“Come on Tom.” He said quietly to himself.
Tom watched as the zombies in the loading area struggled into the truck, there were more of them than he had thought and sounds of snarling and struggling were coming from inside. Gripping his hammer and taking a deep breath, he ran forward, stopping beside the truck as it rocked on its suspension. Gripping the nearest door, he slowly pushed it closed, releasing his breath as it shut quietly. Running around to the other side, he caught a glimpse of the struggling bodies inside, teeth flashing as they bit at the empty air in frustration. Tom grabbed the second door and then one of the zombies spotted him, hurling itself forward with a scream. Side stepping, as it flew out of the truck, Tom narrowly managed to avoid it as he slammed the door shut, more screams coming from the confined space inside the back. Pushing the locking bolt in place quickly and spinning, he raised his hammer just as the zombie, now on its feet, surged towards him.
“Fuck!” He said as he swung.
His hammer caught it a glancing blow, sending it spinning away, off balance and Tom staggered a few steps, also off balance before turning again ready to strike. The zombie threw itself forward again and Tom just managed to jam the handle of his hammer into its mouth, teeth cracking and breaking as it pushed on regardless, forcing Tom backwards. Then the weight lifted and Tom stepped back, the zombie falling face down with the point of Jim’s boat hook buried in its back, all of Jim’s weight pushing down on it.
“Finish it!” Gasped Jim as he struggled to hold the creature.
Tom swung, his hammer smashing through the back of the zombie’s head in one blow. It stopped moving and he looked around as he gave Jim his hand to help him up.
“Thanks old man. I owe you one.” Said Tom.
“I think we all owe each other a lot more than that.” Said Jim “Now let’s get the hell out of here before the ones in the back of the truck attract any more. I’m looking forward to delivering these supplies to those soldiers now.”