Scott embraced each of the group, and he wasn’t able to hide the emotion of the whole experience, by joining the women as they cried. Everyone said their farewells and watched as Scott began to row away from their two boats. Daryl had been set down softly on the floor of the boat by Jackson and Morgan, all of the women had planted a kiss on his fevered cheek, before they had set off; not that Daryl was in any condition to remember their fond goodbyes. “Just stay quiet until the right time Dal.” Scott affectionately spoke down to him, in a hushed voice. He carried on rowing as he spoke to his lover.
A boat moving towards them on the water drew the attention of the eight zombies. They stood on the short wooden platform of the jetty, with their arms outstretched, and their vile black grimy teeth snapping. Two of them stood too close to the jetties edge and teetered into the murky water below them. They instantly sank like rocks, unable to swim, as if their brains had forgotten how to. Scott smiled down at Daryl when they were just twelve feet from the edge of the jetty. “You know I’ll always love you, don’t you?” He asked with tears rolling down his face as he continued to row, with the way he was rowing there was no way he had any intention of stopping. As Kathy watched, her heart sank in her chest, Scott had lied to her, knowing that otherwise she would not have let him go.
The small wooden vessel struck the jetty hard enough to topple over two more of the cadavers to the bottom of the river. With the four remaining undead clamouring to get into the boat, they all fell into the open space. Of those four Scott managed to kick one straight off of the edge to follow his brethren that languished on the river bed, below them. Scott was sickened to see that two of the monsters had started attacking Daryl straightaway, whilst he fought furiously with the third. He was relieved that Daryl was unable to feel his attackers, as he had died just seconds before their boat hit the jetty.
He finally gained enough leverage on the zombie he had struggled with to draw his blade. And then ram its tip through the monsters eye. When the body went limp, Scott easily cast it aside and quickly dispatched the other two, using the same method. After throwing the three decaying bodies into the water, he sat back down in the boat and begun to row further away from his friends. “What the bloody hell is he doing?” Penny asked Kathy, who now just stood watching as she cried. Gaining no reply Penny shook her head as Scott gradually began to disappear, “He has cleared the jetty for God’s sake.” She said before spotting the look of disgust on Gerrard’s face for using the lord’s name in vain. “Sorry Gerard.” Penny offered. Scott meanwhile continued to row and sob uncontrollably at the loss of his partner, he was so lost in his grief that the throbbing bite wound on his forearm, didn’t seem to bother him at all.
Morgan had done his best to console Kathy whilst she cried over the loss of her two friends. After recomposing herself Kathy got the two boats ready; if they were going to attempt to get into the station, it had to be done before darkness set in, it had to be done now. Once they reached the jetty Kathy and Morgan planned to lead the way for the rest of them, and Jackson and Gerard were to stay at the rear. The rest of the group were to stay in the middle shielding Shanice, as a final line of defence. After reaching the jetty the men took the heavier of the backpacks that were filled with food, whilst the women carried the lighter bags, so that they could move freely. They were lucky, they had managed to come ashore undetected, and even when they reached the top of the incline there were only three of the undead. They were taken care of quickly and quietly ensuring that the group reached the station entrance undisturbed. Immediately Morgan noticed that three green containers sat outside the locked gate, as he approached. “Leave the twenty guns, three full clips for each and fifty cans of food in the tray please?” The Grubby One told them from the shadows. “There are only eight of us now.” Morgan protested. The Grubby One was insistent, “We did a deal for twenty weapons. That is the deal that stands, take it or leave it.” “But that’s four weapons over the top of the price?” The soldier tried to haggle. The Grubby Ones tone changed to one of anger, “You can renegotiate if you like, but it will be for the eye candy and not the weapons. Kathy decided to interrupt the squabble between the two men, as neither would budge from their position and it was growing dark; they needed to get inside. “No the first deal we made with you is good for us.” She told the shadows. The Grubby One came forward with an evil glint in his eye, “Only if you’re sure?” His sarcasm made his three colleagues collapse on the floor with laughter, but his humour was lost on the group trying to get inside.
After collecting their ten assault rifles and ten handguns, along with the relevant clips and food, Morgan placed them in the supplied trays. The Grubby One opened the gate, ushered them all in and then pulled the trays in behind him. After collecting up all the guns and ammo, and passing them to his men, along with the food he allowed the group to move into the middle of the entrance. “Welcome to sanctuary.” The Grubby One announced in the fakest of posh accents, before beginning and elaborate dance to entertain his colleagues, who had their weapons levelled at the group. As he spun around the group he slapped Kathy’s bum, and then proceeded to giggle as she grabbed hold of Morgan’s arm to restrain him. “I would have had so much more fun with that, rather than four guns. I was hoping we could do a deal?” “I’m afraid not.” Kathy told him whilst struggling to stay calm. When the obviously mentally unstable Grubby One finally came to a halt, his face became more serious, “Now form a line, and down to your underwear he told them.”
The group reluctantly complied with the Grubby One’s request. Gerard went first and was instantly allowed to gather up his clothing and get dressed, without any ridicule from the guards. Only a quick check of Shanice was then conducted, with the Grubby One surprisingly looking uncomfortable with the task of searching a half-naked child. It was a relief to all of them that he hadn’t pawed over the little girl, as there would have been a stand-off that none of them would have backed down from, it would have gotten well out of hand. Kathy wasn’t comfortable that the Grubby One had chosen what order they were to be searched, he had placed her last in the line. With the search of the other two men swiftly over, and the two younger girls seeming to escape any form of abuse, Kathy began to wonder if her imagination had been allowed too much free-reign whilst she expected the worst.
When he stepped up to check Penny, any doubts of his character swiftly disappeared. Rather than just look over her body for bite marks, he used his fingers. He slowly swept his digits over every inch of her body, as if it was in his head that his two fingers were some sort of hi-tech zombie scanner from the future. When Morgan went to step forward to intervene she raised her hand and he halted. The Grubby One just chuckled as he had his fun, Penny hadn’t flinched or made a comment throughout her ordeal. When he told her to get dressed, she did with her head down avoiding his gaze, and also avoiding the gaze of Jackson, who discreetly perused the nurse’s body. Now the Grubby One turned his attention to Kathy. “I have to compliment your little group. Those two younger ones are a gift from the heavens; their pretty little faces and their amazing bodies. Yum-yum-yum.” He said as he started rubbing his stomach. No one said anything, allowing him to carry on with his torment, “But you two more mature ones have got it all going on.” His excitement spread across to his colleagues, who now made their own freakish noises in anticipation. They were so fixated on their boss and his side show that it gave Morgan and Jackson time to unclip their sidearm belts, without being detected.
Kathy struggled with repulsion as the Grubby One began to search her, in the same way he had Penny, just minutes earlier. He stared into her face, hoping for an indication that he was hurting her, but he didn’t get one. As his fingers approached her breasts, he ran them around both of her nipples several times, only leaving each one after it had gone hard and protruded through the fabric of her bra. I was hard for Kathy not to lash out, but she wasn’t prepared to lose anymore of her friends today, she was prepared to endure the Grubby One’s ridicule in or
der to save them. The Grubby Ones hand had stopped at the rim of her panties. “Hey come on that’s out of order.” Penny shouted out. The Grubby One ignored her and smiled, and then the smile changed to something much more sinister, “If one more word comes out of any of their mouths lads, shoot them, starting with the little girl first.”
There were no more outbursts, or protests and the Grubby Man returned to abusing Kathy. He slid his fingers inside the flimsy white knickers, and roughly entered her with his filthy digits. Somehow whilst he masturbated her, Kathy managed to keep the look of utter revulsion from her face. After a few minutes he pulled his fingers free from her groin and sucked on them, before grinning like a Cheshire cat. “I did forget to mention that there is a service charge for our little transaction.” The Grubby Man announced, laughing as he told them, “ GI Jane here is going to pay mine now, and when she has finished each of the boys can pick one of the girls to pay them theirs.” He coldly added.
No one dared to object to his request, and when he wasn’t watching Kathy winked to Morgan, to let him know that she was still okay. The look of hurt etched on his face hurt her more than the Grubby One had with his actions. “Now get down on your knees GI Jane, and pay me my service charge.” The Grubby One ordered, whilst his colleagues still continued to giggle. Kathy done as she was instructed, and undone the fly of his jeans, after releasing his manhood she took a deep breath to hold back the vomit that was rising from the pit of her stomach, and then began performing oral sex on him. It didn’t take long for both the Grubby One and his men to lose concentration, giving Kathy there briefest of moments to act. With her left hand down by her side and obscured from the view of the guards, Kathy held three fingers down which Jackson and Morgan both saw. She waited for Morgan to indicate that he and Jackson were ready, before making her move. The Grubby One was now close to climaxing judging by the noises coming from him and he had his eyes closed.
Kathy began the signal by slowly reducing the three digits she held down out of view. As soon as she folded up her last finger, she bit down as hard as she could and severed the Grubby Ones penis. At the same time Morgan and Jackson opened fire, finding each of their targets, with their suppressed firearms. The group’s leader stood and spat the severed appendage from her mouth, and smiled with satisfaction as it slid across the floor. It finally came to a halt, next to the writhing figure of the Grubby One. She stepped over to where the man lay, he was clearly in agony. “Hope you enjoyed that?” She sarcastically said, before stamping down on his throat with all her strength. After a faint crack the Grubby One’s body went as limp as his severed flaccid penis.
The group all hurried over to check Kathy was okay. “What do we do now? His men further up the line will soon realise that something has happened.” Gerard asked. Unfazed by what had just occurred Kathy got dressed and picked up one of the green crates, “We made a deal and I am going to honour that deal with his boss.” She calmly said. “But I will be putting in a customer complaint.” She added, before bursting into laughter. It didn’t take long for the laughter to spread throughout the group, as they headed towards the tunnel.
Vatican City, Italy, 20th July, 21:17 GMT
He was tired and thirsty, and as he looked up and down the white marble lined corridor, he could see that every other one of the other survivors was suffering as badly as he was. To Mark Harris the last two weeks had been torturous and considering where he was, and the way he and the others had suffered, he doubted the existence of any God. It seemed like an eternity ago, since he and his girlfriend Emma, had saved up for this holiday. Both of them had always wanted to visit Rome, and visit its ancient ruins. After saving for a year they had managed to save up enough to pay for a two week visit, and Mark had secretly planned to surprise Emma, by asking her to marry him.
The first two days of their vacation had been amazing, with the holiday far exceeding all of their expectations. Everything had been perfect for them; the food had been as amazing as friends had told them, it didn’t seem to matter where they ate as the overall standard had been excellent. They had quickly learnt their lessons in avoiding the tourist traps, when an unscheduled toilet break had cost them eighteen euro for a bottle of coke, and a large beer at a café close to the Coliseum, on the very first day.
Visiting the ancient gladiator arena had been Mark’s first port of call. It was one place he had wanted to visit ever since his childhood and wearing out his copy of the movie “Gladiator”, from watching it over and over again. When he had finally gotten around to visiting the foreboding gladiator arena, he hadn’t been disappointed. He could remember standing outside of it, mesmerised by its sheer size, and of the colossal task that had gone into building it in the first place. From the Coliseum they had moved onto the Pantheon and eventually finished their sightseeing for the day at the Trevi Fountain.
He had wondered at the time how a place so beautiful was not considered as one of the new “seven wonders of the world”. Various figures, all carved from stone lined the beautiful fountain that was filled with crystal clear filtered water. Every day thousands of tourists would make a wish, before flipping a coin into the water. What made the fountain stand out was how the figures seemed to be coming out of walls from the building behind them. The area had been rebuilt around the fountain, turning it into one of the countries true touristic showpieces.
That evening they had enjoyed a meal at the trappatoria, just up the road from their hotel. After enjoying a three course meal, washed down with two bottles of red wine, they had retired to their room and slept well, after walking around for most of the day. The second day went as well as the first, with the happy couple taking in more sights and enjoying more of the fine food and wine the city had to offer. On day three of the holiday Mark had reluctantly agreed to visit Emma’s main reason for wanting to visit Rome; he had agreed to visit the Vatican. To avoid queue’s they had left early that morning and walked to the area where the hotel receptionist had told them that a guide could be found.
Mark thought that the guide’s fees were extortionate, but agreed to pay when she had informed them that by going with a guide, they would skip most of the queues and save themselves a good couple of hours. On their way to the entrance, a cacophony of police sirens had split the air, as five police cars suddenly sped past them. He couldn’t see where the cars had stopped, but could hear the screams coming from the queue to enter St. Peters square. The couple had been only too happy to enter through the turnstile entrance and pass through the security checkpoint, as chaos began to descend on the street outside.
All of that had taken place fifteen days ago, and since that fateful day, they had been locked inside. When the seriousness of what was developing outside was realised the Swiss Guard had closed all of the entrances and exits. Mark and Emma had been nearing the end of the tour, and were just about to walk through the last of the map halls, which led to the exit and St. Peters Square. Everyone trapped inside of the hall had initially panicked when the great double doors, made of solid varnished oak were first closed and then locked, there was bedlam. People had begun to hammer at the large door with their fists, some turned on their guides; blaming them for being trapped inside. It wasn’t until a message in a multitude of languages started playing through their headsets that they calmed down and listened.
After it being played over and over again two weeks ago Mark could still remember the chilling message clearly, “Ladies and gentlemen. We apologise for sealing all exits and entrances, but it has been done in the interest of your safety. When it is safe to allow you to leave, we will inform you.” That same message had repeated for nearly a whole day, until the batteries on the Vatican supplied headset, finally died. No one had arrived to let them out, there had been no further contact and after two days the screaming coming from outside had stopped completely.
Mark squeezed his side, trying to gauge if there was any fat left on his body, he assumed that he had lost at least three stone. For the past few days Mark h
ad survived on a daily diet of one square of chocolate a day, and three sips of water from his rucksack. He looked down at the sunken cheeks of his girlfriend as she peacefully slept; she had lost so much weight. There was no more food left in his bag, and the remaining survivors had already checked all of the bodies to no avail. It was a simple choice for Mark, if he didn’t break out of the hall today, it would become his and Emma’s tomb.
He intended to wake Emma first, and make sure she ate the last square of chocolate that he had saved for her. “Em wake up babe.” He said as he gently stroked her arm. Mark waited for a reaction from her, but when she didn’t stir, he shook her arm more vigorously, “Emma come on wake up babes.” There was still no movement and with dread starting to build in his stomach, he reached down and checked for a pulse; there wasn’t one. Her body was cold, she had been dead for some time. As tears ran down his face Mark opened his rucksack and scooped out the ring box he was looking for. He took the engagement ring from its box, and he slid the gold band onto Emma’s finger. After giving her a tender kiss on her cheek, he rose, and moved to the first of the large canvass maps displayed on the wall. As he tore it down, he gave no regard for the maps creator; who had years ago walked every step of that journey himself to create it. Mark then turned to the next map, repeating his destructive treatment of the first, this process continued until every map was torn from the wall, and deposited into a large pile, at the foot of the large oak doors behind him. His plan was simple, if he could burn the doors enough to weaken them, he could go back into the hall behind the one they were trapped in. He knew going outside into whatever waited there, was foolish, he had no weapon and was too weak from the lack of food to be of any threat with his bare hands. The only way for him to survive was to travel backwards, find supplies, and weapons and finally when his strength had built up, he would attempt to escape the Vatican.
Day Zed - Box Set: Volumes I and II Page 21