by T. L. Frost
“Fuck!” Said Quinn when he saw the size of the group “Run! Stop for nothing, just run!”
He took off at a sprint, arms and legs pumping, head down as he ran. The others didn’t need to be told twice, they ran after him, all thoughts apart from reaching the tower block put from their minds. Glancing back Quinn saw Charley start to fall behind.
“Perry, grab him!” Shouted Quinn as he pointed to Charley, before turning and continuing to run.
Perry hesitated a second then stopped, grabbing Charley when he caught up and dragging him along. Coming close to the tower blocks, Quinn turned towards the closest one. Zombies milled about around the towers, their numbers increasing day by day no matter what the survivors did, like they could sense their prey trapped inside. Shouldering one zombie as he ran past, Quinn grinned in savage pleasure as he saw it go down face first into the pavement. He always enjoyed the supply runs, the danger, the fear and excitement, the fight for survival at its most brutal. Another zombie turned and opened its mouth to scream, Quinn punched it, the tough gloves he wore reinforced with metal strips, sending the creature spinning away. Behind him he could hear other sounds of fighting and running, he didn’t look back, nothing he could do for them, they made it or they didn’t. He made it to the small metal fire exit at the side of the building as two zombies ran towards him. Planting his feet and swinging the axe, he caught the first on the shoulder, cutting a deep bloody gash and sending it tumbling into the second, they both lost their balance and went down. Quinn wasted no time, stepping towards them quickly and bringing the axe down in two short, powerful blows. Brains splattered all around. Finally having a chance to check on the others, he saw Perry dragging Charley towards the door. Quinn grinned again, that’s one lucky fucker he thought. The others were close, battling the closest zombies as they backed towards the door. Quinn banged on the metal fire exit with his axe handle.
“Open it up!” He shouted.
The door opened and the two men there stepped aside as Perry dragged Charley inside, letting the breathless man sit and recover.
“Get inside now!” Shouted Quinn “Hurry!”
The others were fighting hard, the zombies quickly outnumbering them as they got closer and closer to the door. Perry ran out, kicking a zombie in the chest, sending it falling backwards and swinging his hammer, knocking two more off balance.
“Back, now!” He shouted and turned, running for the door again.
The others rushed after him, the zombies chasing them tumbling over each other in their haste to reach the survivors. As the last of them entered, one of the men guarding the door slammed it shut, quickly pushing some bars into place to block it. Bangs and screams came from the other side as the growing pack of zombies tried to break in. Quinn grabbed a walkie-talkie off one of the door guards.
“Burn it!” He said into the speaker.
A hissing, static reply answered which nobody could hear because of the banging on the metal door, the frantic zombies on the other side eager to get through to their prey.
“Burn it now!” Yelled Quinn into the speaker.
Sounds of breaking glass shattering on the ground outside could just be heard and the screams of the zombies outside changed and turned to moans. Smoke seeped through the edges of the door and Quinn put his hand on the metal surface, feeling the heat growing. Nodding to the two door guards, he led the rest of the group up some stairs to the next floor as the guards stood watching the door, fire extinguishers in hand.
“Well done lads.” Said Quinn walking amongst the others.
They were all tired, some breathing hard, others with a look of relief on their face now that they were safe again. Quinn stopped by Perry, the tall, thin man was hardly out of breath, Quinn liked him, he was strong and fearless, doing what he was told without complaint and luckily for him he had no desire for leadership, if he had then Quinn might have considered him a threat.
“Good job.” Said Quinn as he patted him on the shoulder “Any more heroics like that and I’ll stick my boot up your arse.”
Perry grinned, resting his head against the wall.
“Survived again you old fart.” Said Quinn as he came to Charley.
“It’s all in the planning.” Said Charley, still breathing hard.
“And the running.” Said Quinn “We need to get you and everyone else fitter.”
Charley looked unenthusiastic but said nothing. Coming to the last man Quinn checked him over quickly as he did with all of them.
“What’s wrong with your arm?” He asked.
“Nothing Quinn, just banged it on something, will be fine.” Said the man.
“Show me.” Said Quinn quietly, making the others pause and look, their own tiredness forgotten.
“I told you its fine…” The man stood and backed away “It’s just…”
Quinn swung, his fist hitting the man in the stomach, winding him and sending him to the ground.
“Now just hold on a minute.” Said Charley, standing and stepping forward.
“You shut the fuck up!” Snarled Quinn, his eyes dangerous as he looked at Charley.
Pulling out a knife, Quinn grabbed the arm of the man on the floor, cutting it up his shirt sleeve and ripping it apart. A large bite mark could be seen, the blood dark and already putrefying around it. Some of the others swore as they saw it.
“We should take him upstairs, see if we can remove the arm maybe.” Said Charley.
“Are a fucking doctor now?” Asked Quinn.
Charley couldn’t answer, just shaking his head as he watched the fallen man, still curled up on the floor, gasping for breath.
“Then shut the fuck up.” Said Quinn.
He stood, picking up his axe and without hesitation, swung it down hard at the man’s neck. The sound was sickening in the small hallway they were resting in, and as Quinn pulled free his axe and swung again and again, most of the others looked away, one of them throwing up, the sound of his retching the only noise after Quinn had finished.
“Get that wrapped up and thrown out of my building.” Said Quinn pointing to the decapitated body with his axe.
The others looked on numbly as Quinn walked off.
Chapter 2
Jimmy Carlisle put down his binoculars and continued watching as the fire roared next to the opposite tower, the mass of writhing, moaning zombies blinded by the fire as they burned. Some staggered away, clothes alight like animated torches in the failing daylight. Others dropped where they were, the intense heat cooking their brains. His brother Jack sat on the floor of the hallway nearby, his knees curled up to his chest as he shivered, sweat gleaming on his brow.
“I think I’m getting better Jimmy.” He said, wiping the sweat away with the dirty sleeve of his shirt “Probably just something I ate.”
Jimmy looked over as his brother slowly stood and walked towards him, to peer out of the small window. He knew Jack had had a drug problem for a while, steadily getting worse until the flu outbreak had changed everything. No more suppliers meant no more drugs and Jimmy had watched as his brother’s already gaunt frame had gotten thinner day by day. Not that he was packing any extra weight himself, food had been hard to come by lately, but Jack was in serious withdrawal now too.
“You haven’t eaten anything for two days.” Said Jimmy “Neither have I.”
They had cleared out anything edible from the floor they were on and most of the others, going apartment to apartment, knocking on doors and leaving the ones that were occupied, which wasn’t many. The fire-exit stairs gave access to the other floors but lower down, near the ground floor, there seemed more activity. Jimmy guessed the main entrance wasn’t secure, which was no surprise to him, it hadn’t been secure for years as the tower blocks were left to gradually run down, government money promised again and again for repairs and renovations which never happened. Jack took the binoculars and looked across at the other tower. A grin appearing on his thin face.
“Look at them walking around in the fire Jim, never seen anyt
hing like that in my life, I think their eyes have melted.”
Jack watched a while longer then raised the binoculars to look at the roof of the other tower.
“That mean bastard with the axe is there with a few others.”
Jimmy took the binoculars from his brother.
“They’re the ones that help him fill those two trucks he’s got hidden away, looks like they’re planning something.”
“We should go steal one of them trucks Jim.” Said Jack “Before he decides to drive them out of here. You could hot-wire one of them no problem.”
James nodded “We’ll see how many zombs are about later, can’t risk going out for a while after they’ve been running around out there stirring things up.”
“But if we wait too long Jim…”
“I know!” Cut in Jimmy “We need food… and other stuff.”
Jimmy watched a while longer then headed back to their small apartment, leaving Jack to keep a lookout. Maybe tonight he thought.
Chapter 3
“We might be getting out of here sooner than I thought.” Said Quinn.
The two men opposite him on the roof of the tower block nodded agreement, their heads bobbing in the pale light cast by a couple of small lamps, they had known Quinn from before the outbreak and had stuck with him ever since. Neither one had much in the way of imagination and that was how Quinn liked it, they did what they were told without question, sometimes with a grin, usually when violence was involved. They looked pretty similar, both stocky and strong, medium height, with small eyes and flat faces that had been in plenty of fights. Quinn thought they were cousins or something, he had never really taken much interest, as long as they did what he told them, then he was happy.
“When?” Asked Terry, the slightly older one, his nose a little more broken from fights over the years than the other.
“Yeah when?” Joined in Phil, who seemed to follow the other’s lead.
“When I say!” Growled Quinn as he started pacing around the roof, looking over the waist high wall occasionally “When those zombs have cleared a bit.”
Far below, around the base of the tower a number of zombies had gathered, coming near the remains of the fire, sometimes too close, their clothes catching fire. Not much else could be seen at night, there was little moonlight right now and even that was hidden by clouds most of the time. The other two towers nearby were just darker shapes in the blackness. Quinn looked to where the two trucks were parked, seeing nothing in the dark, his hand touching the outline of the keys in his pocket as he thought.
“Come on.” Said Quinn as he shrugged his shoulders “Nothing more we can do tonight.”
He picked up one of the lamps, the two cousins taking the other, then headed down to his home, the cousins had taken the apartment opposite and disappeared inside without a word. Looking around at the small living room, Quinn thought about all of the other houses and buildings out there that were now empty or empty of the living anyway he thought with a small grin, he was a survivor and he planned on staying that way, no matter what.
The next morning was dull and cloudy as Quinn stepped out onto the large open space of the tower’s roof. He liked to be the first one up there every day, it gave him time to think and plan.
“Morning.” Came Charley’s voice as he looked over his shoulder at Quinn’s arrival then turned back to look over the edge “The fire’s out, still a few zombs about though.”
Quinn snarled and walked over to see for himself, the strong stench of burned flesh still drifting up from the smoking pile of bodies.
“Get those lazy fuckers up and make me some breakfast.” He said “And get the men ready to move those corpses, I want that door clear.”
Charley nodded and took a few steps towards the roof’s doorway “There isn’t much food left, maybe we should get some from the trucks until we can…”
Quinn spun, anger on his face “Nobody touches those trucks but me old man! If there’s no food then they can go hungry. Maybe that will make them try harder next time we’re out there!”
Charley started to say something then thought better of it, just nodding and heading for the door “I’ll wake everyone up.”
Quinn turned back to look over the edge, placing the large axe he always carried against the wall. The two trucks were visible now in the growing light and he touched the keys in his pocket again, they were his ticket out of here and he was thinking that maybe he had waited long enough. More supplies would have been better, the trucks were barely half full, but then again, he thought, maybe there are too many people to take anyway, maybe it’s time to cut some of the dead weight he thought with a grin. Hearing the door to the roof open again, he turned to see some of the women in the group carrying cooking gear and other items. The roof was the biggest clear space in the whole building and had become a focal point for any meetings or group activities, like cooking, a job Quinn had insisted the women do, despite the occasional complaint.
“There’s only porridge left and not much of it.” Said Wendy, a small dark haired woman who had caught Quinn’s eye the day she had arrived.
“Get on with it then.” Said Quinn as he watched, more interested in her than the porridge “Cook it all, we’re getting more today.”
Wendy nodded and Quinn watched her a while longer before turning back to check around the tower, pity she had arrived with Perry he thought, he had proved a handy person to have around, a good, strong fighter, never complaining, quiet and competent, not someone Quinn wanted to alienate. Others started arriving, a few more women, a couple of teenagers and the rest of the men. As the food was cooked and being shared out Quinn took a large bowl full, moving back to the perimeter wall and leaning against it to eat, his eyes scanning the group. Perry stood close to Wendy, the tall man and small woman looking a mismatched pair but seeming happy enough together. Others stood or sat, eating the meagre breakfast. When Quinn finished he dropped his bowl onto the wall.
“Charley, get these lazy fuckers moving,” He said “This isn’t a holiday camp, I want the men at the side door in five minutes.” Looking around at their tired, thin faces he guessed some wouldn’t make it back today “You don’t find food out there, you don’t eat.”
Quinn turned back to the wall and looked out, the area seemed fairly clear right now. He heard the metal door to the roof opening, rusted hinges squeaking in protest and the dull metallic thud as it closed behind the men.
“Quinn?” Came a hesitant voice behind him.
Turning, Quinn saw one of the men approaching, a couple of others standing close behind him.
“What is it?” He asked with a snarl, struggling to remember the other man’s name.
“Well me and some of the others were thinking…” Said the man “That is, we were wondering if…”
“Out with it man!” Said Quinn.
The cousins, Terry and Phil, finished their breakfast and stood watching the man, who now looked even more unsure, the others behind him also looking uncomfortable.
“Look, we know about the supplies you have stashed away!” Said the man “We all helped find them, they should be brought here and shared amongst us!”
Quinn stood silently, eyes furious as the others behind the man shouted encouragement.
“Yes, we helped!”
“That’s our food, you have no right hiding it away!”
Others on the roof stayed silent as they cleared away the cooking equipment and dirty plates. Most of the men had gone downstairs but Quinn noticed Charley was still there, off to the side, keeping his head down. I bet that old fool told them, thought Quinn as he stepped towards the man in front of him. The cousins also came closer.
“We need that food.” Said the man “We won’t have to go out there for a while if we bring it here!”
Quinn looked at the man and the others behind him for a moment, the anger he felt under control, barely. His face relaxed as he considered his options, a small grin appearing.
“There’s
no need for all of this.” He said putting his arm around the man’s shoulders, his voice lowering to a friendly tone “We’re all in this together after all. Any problems you have with the way I run things and you can tell me.”
Quinn walked the man away from the others as they talked, the man relaxing a little.
“It’s just that people die when we go out there, if we could just rest a while, maybe see if the zombs clear off by themselves…”
“I understand.” Said Quinn, still friendly as he picked up the pace, propelling the man forward.
The man looked over his shoulder, the others still waiting and watching.
“Now if we…” He began as Quinn moved even faster, his large hand gripping the man’s shoulder tightly “What are you…wait…WAIT!”
Quinn took another couple of fast steps and turned as he swung, pushing the man over the roof’s perimeter wall.
“Stop! Wait!” He yelled in panic as his waist hit the top of the wall, his momentum carrying him over.
Grabbing the man’s legs, Quinn grunted as he pushed, sending the man toppling over the side of the building. Quinn leaned over and watched, fascinated, as the flailing man screamed all the way down, wincing at the sudden impact on the pavement below. Blood and brains splattered around the man’s head which had burst open. Quinn turned back to the others on the rooftop, amazed and terrified expressions clearly visible, some shouts of disbelief and crying the only sounds. Charley ran over to the wall and looked down, his mouth open wide but he found no words as he looked from Quinn to the pavement below.
“Now you all listen to me!” Yelled Quinn, picking up his axe again and pointing around the assembled people “This is my fucking building! You’d all be dead if I hadn’t taken you in!” Taking some deep breaths he lowered his voice a little, controlling his anger which had surged back again “If anyone doesn’t like it, you’re free to join your friend there outside and take your chances with the zombs.”
Stunned silence greeted him from most, the sounds of crying from a couple of the people there now the only noise.