The Virus

by Lee, Damien

  “How are you doing?”

  “I can’t get through this second gap,” he said. Amy feared as much. It was barely large enough to accommodate her small frame. With Ben’s physique, there was no way he could pass.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked, turning her ear for a response. The pounding and wailing from the crazed zombies below made it difficult to hear anything else. A series of metallic thuds filled the air, diminished by the raging corpses below them. Amy listened as a hissing sound came from the pipe.

  “Ben?”

  The banging continued until the pipe finally gave way. Ben emerged from the darkness, shuffling under the last pipe. She reached out and guided him the remaining few feet towards her.

  “Thanks,” he said, easing himself upright.

  “They’re getting in!” Terry yelled as an almighty thud reached them. “I’m going down.”

  “Terry, wait!”

  Ben lunged towards the vent. The sound of whirring motors filled the small confines. He ripped the metal grill from the wall and disappeared through the gap. Amy crawled after him, emerging into the dimly lit shaft. She found him stood on a small ledge, looking down at the descending carriage.

  “Oh, no,” he said, helping Amy to her feet. “He’s going all the way down. Those doors are going to open.”

  The pair watched the lift’s descent until it reached the bottom floor with a prompt ding. Silence. Amy’s heart hammered against her chest, the sound beating in her ears. The doors rolled open. There was a moment of silence before Terry’s screams of agony shot up towards them. Amy jammed fingers in her ears as the sickening sound of evisceration floated up the elevator shaft, echoing all around them. Ben held a trembling hand to his face, his jaw clenched.

  “There’s nothing we could have done,” Amy said, watching the man for a response. She kept her fingers in her ears, muffling the sounds of the grisly feast below. Ben turned to face her.

  “We need to get out of here.”

  “Well, we can’t use the lift now,” Amy replied.

  “I don’t know, we still could.” Ben motioned towards a metal fuse box attached to the wall on the opposite side of the elevator shaft. “I’m guessing the manual override to the lift is in that box. If we can get over there, we can call it up again and proceed with the original plan.”

  “I don’t know, Ben.” She crouched down on the ledge, biting her nails as she considered the prospect. “Jumping on top of the lift, then going through the hatch where there could be an endless amount of zombies to get past. Then, even if we get out of the hospital, what do we do then? We’d hardly be out of the woods.”

  She looked up at Ben, hoping to see the same concerns on his face. There was no emotion, at least none she could decipher as he stared hard at the metal box on the other side of the shaft. Eventually, he spoke.

  “Okay. Instead of looking at the big picture, why don’t we just take each step at a time? Let’s get down there. When we survive that, we’ll look to the next step. Sound good?”

  “It still doesn’t explain how we’re going to get over there,” she told him, eyeing the gap in front of them.

  “The ledge goes all the way around, look.”

  Ben pointed to the small ridge running the perimeter of the tunnel. The ledge was less than ten inches wide; half the size of the one they were standing on.

  “But that’s tiny. We’d never get around there.”

  The look from Ben made her heart sink.

  “No way,” she said. “You want me to go?”

  “I hate to say it, but I genuinely can’t see another way out of here. I mean, I could try, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get around. You’ve got a better chance than me.”

  “No. There must be another way. How do the maintenance guys use it? They can’t all be the same size as me; look at Terry.”

  “They use pulleys and cables.”

  Amy laughed nervously. “No. There has to be another way.”

  “Maybe we could go back on the pipes and find a way back?” Ben said

  “The pipes will be boiling now.” Amy glanced at her watch for confirmation. “And the longer we hang around, the more of those things that might be waiting for us.”

  “I don’t know what else we can do then.”

  Amy looked down at the enormous drop before examining the small ledge again. If she put one foot wrong, she’d fall to her death. If she didn’t do it, they’d die anyway.

  “Fine.” She groaned. “What do I do when I get over there?”

  “Open the lid and look for a way to bring the lift up. It shouldn’t be locked. Let’s just hope it works.”

  “It better work. I only plan on making this trip once.”

  She rose to her feet and eased out onto the ledge, keeping her chest pressed against the wall. Gripping the corner tightly, she took another step. Her heart beat hard against her ribs. She inhaled deeply to calm her frantic breathing, but the smell of oil, metal, and blood only exacerbated her nerves. She released her grip on the corner as she moved along. Resisting the urge to look down, she kept her gaze fixed ahead, her arms stretched either side. The rough texture of the wall scraped her skin as she made her way around.

  “Be careful,” Ben said.

  Amy longed to utter a sarcastic retort, but her fear of imminent death kept her tongue at bay. She reached the first corner without looking at the vast drop below. As she progressed along the second wall, the urge became too much to bear. She looked back at Ben and, seeing him staring down into the abyss, her eyes automatically followed. The drop seemed even greater now that she was suspended above it. She pictured herself falling, plummeting towards the steel carriage below. Her legs felt weak, almost unable to hold her weight.

  “Careful.” Ben snapped as she swayed into the void.

  She looked back at her target and saw it was closer now than ever before. A few more feet and she would be there. But what if the contents of the box didn’t control the lift? What if it was locked? What if, in her struggle to open it, she fell to her death? Amy tried hard to suppress the negative thoughts as she started her slow progression once more. Her deep exhalations echoed up and down the elevator shaft, offering a welcome distraction as she neared the last corner.

  “You’re doing great. Just a little further.”

  Amy turned the last corner and made her way over to the box. It was then that she encountered her greatest challenge so far. Her breath seized in her lungs as her T-shirt snagged on something jutting out of the wall. With her body pressed tightly against the cool stone, she could not see what she was caught on.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m stuck,” she gasped, feeling her heart race. She tried to move back, but the wall refused to release her. “I can’t move!”

  “Can you reach the switch? If you can get the lift up here, I can help you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  She looked at the control box, which now seemed far beyond reach. She lifted her arm, reaching out towards the small metal lid. Her fingers brushed the side, filling her with a flicker of joy as she felt the cool metal beneath her fingertips. She tried to move closer, but the wall’s grip on the fabric was unwavering.

  “Can you open it?”

  “I’m not sure,” Amy stammered, her voice shaking from exertion. She stretched her arm as far as possible until her fingers slipped underneath the latch. With a flick of her wrist, the metal door swung open.

  “I knew it!” Ben yelled. “There are two green buttons close to you, press the top one and it should bring the lift up to us.”

  “I can’t see,” Amy said. “Which is the right one?”

  Her fingers brushed the control panel as she leaned further, straining against the hold on her shirt. Eventually, her wandering fingers found a small plastic button.

  “Is this it?”

  “I can’t see,” he told her. “Your hand is in the way. Just press it and see what happens.”

  Amy pushed the
button and waited. The sound of motors whirring into action filled her with ecstasy. Her ordeal was over. In a few seconds, the carriage would reach them and she could simply step onto it. She heard Ben cheer behind her.

  “You did it,” he said. “It’s coming up.”

  It was then that Amy lost her grip on the button. She stumbled forward; the wall releasing its hold on her T-shirt. She let out a shriek as she fell, her fingers striving to find a hold on the ledge. She heard Ben cry out as she plunged into the darkness.

  14

  A gnawing feeling of regret ate away at Frank as the trio entered the garage. On the one hand, he was glad Henderson was going to die, whether it was at the hands of the zombies or slowly wasting away. But he couldn’t help feeling remorse for cheating himself out of the killing blow. The guard had put him through so much during his time inside. He felt it only right that he should have been the one to kill him.

  “Right then, where’s this office?” Gus said, making his way through the gloom. The windowless room offered no light to aid the prisoners. Frank squinted, trying to penetrate the darkness with his gaze. The wailing of the corpses seemed distant, yet he knew they may not be alone in the room. With this in mind, he remained still, listening to the fumbling of the others as they blindly made their way around.

  “Haven’t they paid their leccy bill?” Gus continued. “Zielinski, go find a light switch.”

  Frank remained in the doorway, twirling Henderson’s baton as his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. He listened to the two men, one on either side of him as they groped their way through the garage. A metallic crash came from the right-hand side.

  “For fuck’s sake!” Gus cried out in pain. “Zielinski you twat, where’s the light?”

  “I’m looking for it.”

  “Well, hurry up.”

  Frank looked around the room. His eyes had not fully adjusted to the dark surroundings, but he could make out two great shapes in the centre of the garage and an office to the right. He looked around and found a light switch on the wall next to him. He flicked the switch, protecting his eyes from the harsh glare.

  “It’s about fucking time,” Razor said as light burst from the fluorescent tubes. He squinted at Frank. “Well done, Frankie. All we need now is sunglasses.”

  Frank walked down the small steps and followed Gus towards the office.

  “Right then, where the hell are these keys?”

  Razor swept a handful of paperwork off the desk before prying out the first of two drawers. Frank turned to a board on the wall and noticed two sets of keys hanging from hooks. Leaving Gus to his search, he took one set and made his way back.

  “Are we off then?” Zielinski asked.

  “I am,” Frank told him. “Gus is still looking for the other set of keys.”

  “We’re not going together?”

  “I’m not going to the army base if that’s what you mean.”

  “Then where are you going?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Frank replied. He unlocked the door to the prison van and jumped behind the wheel.

  “How the bloody hell did you get in there?” Razor garbled from the office.

  “Check the wall, Gus,” Frank called as he started the engine.

  “Ah-ha. Come on, my little Polak friend, we’re off.”

  Frank watched him leave the office and unlock the second van before jumping behind the wheel. He rolled down the windows and readjusted his seat.

  “So where are you headed, Frankie?” Gus shouted as the engine roared to life.

  “Far away from here.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me. Listen, if you change your mind, our army base will always be open to you.”

  Frank nodded, rolling his eyes.

  “As long as you haven’t been bitten,” Razor added.

  “You’re too kind.”

  Razor turned to the Polish man as he jumped in the passenger side. “And what do you think you’re doing, Zielinski?”

  “What?”

  “We can’t go until you’ve opened the shutters, son. Go on, on your bike.”

  Frank watched Zielinski jump from the vehicle, mumbling to himself as he made his way over to the chain pulleys in the corner. The way the vehicles were positioned, Frank would have to wait for Gus to leave before he was clear to exit the building. He sat back as Zielinski began opening the shutters.

  “C’mon, put your back into it,” Gus bellowed, beeping the van’s horn. The Polish man obeyed, heaving on the chains and sending the shutters soaring high. Sunlight filled the room, blinding the three men and illuminating the hoard of undead as they spilled into the garage.

  “Fuck me!” Gus roared. He put the van in gear and lurched forward. “C’mon Zielinski you soppy twat, shake a leg.”

  He sped past the man, mowing down the crowd. Frank watched as the van bounced and jolted over the road of corpses with Zielinski in pursuit. Eventually, the Polish man jumped on the back step of the van, holding on tight as Gus made a sharp turn.

  Frank put his vehicle into gear as the succession of crushed corpses began to rise. He sped forward, cutting them down for a second time. The van rocked as he made his way over bone and flesh until the road of bodies was displaced by smooth asphalt. He followed Razor’s route and soon caught up to the fleeing prisoners.

  “Took your time, Frankie,” Gus yelled through his open window. “Where the hell’s Zielinski?”

  “He’s on the back of your van.”

  “Cheeky fucker. I suppose I better let him in.”

  The two vans slowed, allowing Frank to take in the route ahead. It seemed to lead out onto the main road, which stretched far out into the countryside. The only obstacle between the prisoners and freedom was a large chain-link gate.

  “What the fuck are you playing at?” Zielinski snapped as he jumped beside Gus.

  “What? I didn’t fancy becoming zombie-chow.”

  “So you left me?”

  “Hey, I’d rather give them some scraps of Polish dog-meat, than a slab of fine British beef.”

  Gus patted his stomach with glee. Ignoring the glare from his passenger, he leaned over towards Frank’s van. “So where to now?”

  “Through those gates towards freedom I guess,” Frank replied, his eyes fixed on the chain-link blockade ahead.

  “Good. Zielinski go open those gates.”

  A cacophony of shrieks sounded from behind them. The zombies with intact legs rounded the corner and ran towards the vehicles.

  “Or not,” Gus muttered. He sped towards the gate. Frank followed, driving beside the van.

  “Gus,” he yelled. “You’re not seriously going to—”

  Frank’s question was answered as the prison van smashed through the chain-link gate, hurling them aside. He shook his head as he sped after them, noticing the strips of tyre killers strategically placed along the road. For a moment he feared driving over them. But as Razor’s van bounded over the top, he realised they were a measure to prevent intruders, not escapees.

  Before long, they drove side by side down the country road.

  “Do you know what that smell is, Frankie?” Gus yelled through his open window.

  “Smells like you’re pushing that van too hard. Ease off a bit.”

  The two vans slowed as they approached a bend in the road.

  “No, it’s the smell of freedom,” Gus said.

  “Smells like cow-shit to me.”

  “Can you believe we’re out of that place?”

  “Keep your eyes on the road or you won’t be getting much further.”

  “C’mon there’s nobody about.”

  “That doesn’t mean the rest of the world is infected,” Frank retorted. “I don’t care what McAllister said, for all we know it could just be the prison. A car could speed round that bend any minute.”

  They looked ahead at the turn in the road. The sheer silence made it unlikely that any vehicle was in the vicinity. Yet Razor sped forward and cut in front of Frank.r />
  They approached the bend single-file with no other vehicles coming in to view. Frank listened, only hearing the growl of their engines, noting the distinct lack of sound. No other vehicles, no planes, no birdsong. Nothing. He scanned the fields on either side. The area was deserted. He looked ahead in time to see Razor’s van brake sharply. He followed suit, slamming the brake pedal down and lurching forward as the van squealed to a halt.

  “What’s going on?” he shouted.

  He looked out of the window and saw the pair jump out, walking around the front of the vehicle.

  “Gus!”

  With a growl of dismay, Frank shut off the engine and jumped out. He approached the van when he heard Razor’s voice.

  “She’s dead.”

  “Are you sure?” Zielinski asked.

  “Of course I’m sure; her tits are missing.”

  Frank stepped into view and saw the two men stood over the corpse of a young woman. Her pale legs were smeared with blood which had formed a small pool around her torso. The top half of her dress had been ripped open, leaving a mass of bloody pulp. There was a palpable trail leading from the woodland bordering the lane. Frank saw it as an obvious sign that she had either fled or been dragged through the forest and onto the road.

  “I think this answers your question, Frankie,” Gus said, rising to his feet. “The crazy fuckers are out here as well.”

  He turned to walk back to his van when Frank grabbed him.

  “If this thing has spread, then chances are Doxley has been hit as well.”

  “And?”

  “And if that’s the case, don’t you think you should reconsider your army base idea?”

  Gus stepped out of Frank’s grasp and made his way back to the van.

  “Frankie.” he chuckled as he jumped into the driver’s seat. “That place will be fortified. Nobody can get in.”

  “Including you.”

  “We’ll find a way, won’t we Zielinski?”

  The Polish man shrugged as he got in the passenger side.

  “If you’re sure,” Frank said.

  “Of course we’re sure,” Razor yelled. “We’ve got this far haven’t we?”

  Frank got back into his van. The engine roared to life as Razor made his way forward. His van bucked and swayed as he drove over the mangled corpse.