The Dead of Night

by Paul Jenkins

  “You don’t have it in you.”

  Tom smiled and pressed the gun to Mikes head, “You clearly don’t know me.”

  “Do it I fucking dare you.”

  Tom stood for a moment gazing into Mike’s eyes, he sighed and Mike began to speak,

  “You don’t have the…”

  Tom squeezed the trigger and Mike’s head shot back as the bullet entered his skull, the blood splattering the grass and he fell back hitting the floor.

  “Fuck you.”

  The crowd cheered and Tom turned to crowd again and held up his hand,

  “You people are free from this lunatic, do as you please go on and live your lives…survive.”

  He dropped the gun to the floor, “I am leaving with my friends if you want to join us you are free to do so if not then stick together and help each other out and don’t let people like him push you around.”

  Tom sighed and looked down at Mike then back at the crowd,

  “It’s not the dead we should fear… It’s the living.”

  The crowd fell silent and the man who handed the gun to Tom stepped out he made his way towards Tom, “Thank you, you helped us all out why don’t you stay?”

  “Thanks for the offer but we are going to be leaving, you seem like a great guy why don’t you stay and protect this little community?”

  “I’m no good at that if it’s ok, my friends and I would like to join you on your journey.”

  Tom nodded, “Of course.”

  Two of Mike’s bodyguard made their way towards Mike’s body, his eyes were wide open and blood dripped from the bullet wound, they grabbed his feet and shouted to Tom,

  “We’ll dump him outside the fence for the zombies.”

  Tom smiled and headed towards Alice he hugged her tight,

  “Are you ok?” she asked

  “I’m afraid at what I am becoming.”

  “You are surviving Tom like we all are.”

  “I can’t help but think how many more are out there like him.”

  “Some people turn to cowards when the shit hits the fan others like you stay strong and keep people safe.”

  Tom hugged Alice again, “Thank you.”

  The man from the crowd held out his hand to Tom,

  “My name is Rob.”

  Tom shook Rob’s hand, “Tom.”

  “Where are you guys off to?” Asked Rob

  Tom looked at his friends then back at Rob, “Well, we are heading north to find a safe zone.”

  “My friends and I will help you.”

  “We appreciate that.” Said Ian

  “Are you guys staying the night?”

  “I think we will we are leaving at dawn.” Replied Tom

  “Great, there is plenty of food and water if you want any.” Said Rob

  The group all smiled and headed to the sleeping quarters which was an old library that was now full of makeshift beds Tom and Alice took a walk around the community, Tom was trying to clear his mind of what had just happened, he then spoke

  “I hope our truck is ok.”

  Alice linked her arm into Tom’s “Me too.” She replied

  “I saw them park it behind those old shops.”

  “Let’s go check.”

  Tom and Alice made their way towards the back of the shops and sure enough their truck was parked in one of the bays, “There she is.” Said Tom

  Alice climbed into the back, “Our stuff is still there too.”

  Tom climbed into the back as well he looked at Alice’s eye, “How is it?” he said

  “It’s just a scratch.” She laughed

  “You want to sleep in here tonight?”

  She smiled and leaned forward for a kiss the two kissed and laid down onto the sleeping bags.

  The next morning just before sun rise, the group where already set to leave and where standing at the gates, “Does anybody else want to come with us?” asked Tom

  The people from the community declined the offer, “Ok, stay safe and hopefully someday this will all be over.”

  Ian turned to Rob and his friends “Are you guys ready?”

  “Yes, were all packed and ready.” Replied Rob

  “Let’s move out.” Shouted Tom

  Tom and Alice jumped into the cab and the rest climbed into the back of the truck Tom drove out of the gates and headed on to the north with new members, Rob, Jane, Lucy, Peter, and Chris.

  Chapter Six

  The group had been travelling for most of the day only stopping for breaks and topping up the gas, they where now driving past a city in the distance which was overrun by the dead Tom pulled the truck over for a quick rest stop. The group jumped out of the van to stretch they legs, they could hear the moaning sound that the dead were making,

  “Hopefully we can get some distance between us and the city before dark.”

  Said Tom before taking a drink of water

  “Tell me about it, we don’t want those things on our tails again.” Replied Ian

  Tom was about to speak when the juddering sound of a helicopter cut him off, the group looked towards the city and in the distance they could see a helicopter appear and land down on top of a roof.

  “Holy shit, we’ve got to get down there.” Said Jackie

  “Although it would worth a try, the city is overrun.” Replied Ian

  Jackie looked to Tom. “Don’t look at me.” He said

  “Come they may know the location of the safe zone.” She replied

  “We would have to get through the herd first then find out who is actually in the building and if they turn out to be like Mike then we are fucked… again.” Tom replied

  “Besides there is too many of us.” Added Rob

  “Please.”

  Tom sighed and turned to face the group, “Is anybody up for this?”

  The group looked around at each other then Ian spoke, “I’m in.”

  “Alice?” said Tom

  “This could be a way out for us, I’m in.”

  “Ok, we’d need to find a safe place to park the truck and then walk into the city.”

  “Sounds a good idea Tom but isn’t it a bit dangerous?” replied Mark

  Tom grabbed the binoculars, “One second.” He said

  Tom looked through the binoculars and looked towards the building he saw that the helicopter had landing on top of a hospital,

  “The chopper landing on a hospital.” He said

  “They could be looking for supplies.” Replied Alice

  “And we have plenty in the truck.” Replied Ian

  “Could be our way onto the chopper.” Said Rob

  Tom turned, “They would have to do two trips.”

  “Let’s just get down there before they leave.” Said Jackie

  “Ok, I’ll park the truck and catch up.” Replied Tom

  The group set off and Alice waited for Tom while he parked the truck in a safe place, he returned a moment later and their caught up with the rest of the group.

  The group soon arrive in the city and where now standing on the corner of the street Tom was looking up at a sign for the hospital, he waved the group forward and leads the way. The group where now inside of the hospital car park and had stopped at a car and looked toward the hospital which was now only a quick sprint away but there was a group of the zombies limping around and hadn’t yet noticed the group.

  “I’ll go check the doors and make sure they are open.” Said Tom

  “Tom no.” said Alice

  “I’ll go.” Replied Peter making his way to the front

  Ian put his hand on Peter’s shoulder “Its suicide.”

  “I’ll be ok.”

  Peter slowly ran towards a car across the way and made his way closer to the hospital doors,

  He sneaked up behind a zombie and quickly disposed of it, he then ran to the main doors and pushed open the door, he smiled and turned back and waved at the group he ran back towards another car and the rest of the group slowly made their way towards him
, Peter stood up and stepped backwards he walked right into a zombie who put its arms around him and went straight for his neck, the zombie clamped its jaws down and ripped a chuck of flesh from his neck. The group stopped as Peter screamed,

  “No.” said Jane

  “Come on we should make a run for it now.” Said Tom

  “We need to hurry whilst they are distracted.” Added Mark

  The group ran for the doors and once inside shut the doors behind them and pushed three hospital beds in front of the doors. The group turned and headed for the stairs but where soon stopped as three army men appeared holding baseball bats,

  “What the hell happened out there?” one of them said

  “Our friend was just killed.” Replied Rob

  “Where did you lot come from?” Asked another of the men

  “We’ve been heading this way for weeks looking for the safe zone.” Said Tom

  “How do you know of this?”

  “My son is there.”

  The three men looked at each other then one of them said, “You can’t come.”

  “Why the fuck not.” Snapped Alice

  “You are all infected.”

  “So are you.” Replied Tom

  The men looked confused, “We can’t be.” Said the tallest one

  Ian broke the news to the men, “Were all infected.”

  “Just tell us where the safe zone is I need to get to my son.”

  One of the men pulled out a map from his pocket he threw it across the floor,

  “Here but you can’t come in the chopper.”

  “You can’t leave us here we have supplies in our truck.” Replied Tom as he picked up the map

  “Where is your truck?”

  “It’s on the outskirts we have medical supplies, food, water and ammo.”

  The men looked at each other again, “What do you want to do?” asked one of them

  “It’s too risky.”

  “Come on we risked our lives to get here.”

  “Well you shouldn’t have come.”

  Tom sighed and looked over to Mark and Ian the three began edging forward,

  “Stay back!” demanded one of the men

  “Make us!” said Ian as he withdrew his knife

  “Whoa take it easy we don’t want any trouble.”

  Tom withdrew his axe, “Then help us out.” He replied

  The three men shook their heads and suddenly shot forwards Ian quickly slashed the knife across the first man’s neck, Mark elbowed the second and knocked him to the floor Tom stuck the axe into the third man’s head,

  “You guys are fucking crazy.” Replied the man who was on the floor crawling backwards

  “You don’t know what the fuck we have been through out there.” Said Tom making his way towards the man

  “Please let me live.”

  “Where are the keys?”

  The man reached into his pocket and grabbed the keys for the helicopter he threw them to Tom. “Where is this place?” asked Tom pointing to the location that circled on the map in ink

  “It’s about then miles north of here head for the hills.”

  “Thank you.” Replied Tom as he made his way towards the stairs

  The rest of the group followed Lucy stopped to help the man up from the floor,

  “We can’t leave him.” She said

  The group turned to face Lucy suddenly the man removed a knife and sliced Lucy’s throat

  “Lucy.” Shouted Jayne

  Lucy slumped to the floor with a loud thud.

  “You people are all sick you need to be put down.” Said the man

  Tom ran at the man and tackled him to the floor he knocked the knife from his hand and began punching him in the face the group stood back and watched Jane picked up the man’s knife, “Let me kill him.” She said

  Tom stood up and backed away, “Go ahead.” He said

  She sat on the man’s chest and put the tip of the knife on his throat, “You son of a bitch.”

  She pushed the knife down into the man’s neck and the blood quickly gushed out.

  The group all jumped as the glass shattered on the main door the force of the herd broke the glass and the beds shot across the hallway as the zombies piled in. Jane stands up and turns to the group, “I’m sorry.”

  “Jane no.” shouted Chris

  The zombies surrounded her and began feasting on her body like ravaged animals the group made a run up the stairs as Jane’s screams echoed throughout the stairwell. The Zombies soon follow the group and began making their way up the stairs Chris looked back for a moment and loses his footing he tumbles back down the stairs and lands at the feet of the dead, they soon rip at his flesh and tear into him. The rest of the group are now on the eighth floor Tom looks down, “They are far behind us if we keep moving we can make it to the chopper.”

  Rob stops and catches his breath, “Guys hold on.” He says as he leans against a door

  The group stop and Mark runs back to Rob, “Come on we have to keep moving.”

  Rob was about to stand back straight when he knocked the door open and a group of zombies piled out one of them took a chuck from Rob’s arm, another bite Mark’s shoulder.

  “Fuck, no.” shouted Tom

  The herd where now a floor below, “Come on.” Shouted Ian

  With the last of their energy the group ran up the stairs and made it to the twelfth floor Mark stopped the group, “You guys go we’ll hold them back.” He said looking to Rob

  Rob nodded, “There is nothing you can do for us now.” He said

  Tom made his way to Mark and hugged him, “Thank you for all you’ve done for the group.”

  Mark nodded, “Go get your son.”

  Tom handed Mark a pistol and Josh handed Rob his pistol,

  “See you guys on the other side.” Said Mark

  “I’m sorry man.” Said Josh

  The group ran to the door leading to the helipad, Tom, Ian, Josh, Alice and Jackie sprinted to the helicopter and quickly jumped in.

  “Do you know how to fly this?” asked Josh

  “I trained on one in the army.” Replied Tom

  “Hurry up.”

  Inside Mark and Rob where waiting for the zombies to break through the doors,

  “Been nice getting to know you.” Said Mark

  “I’m sorry I got you bit.” Replied Rob

  “Don’t be it could have happened anytime.”

  The doors suddenly burst open and they watch as the zombies pile into the corridor and make their way towards them. Mark nodded to Rob, Rob put the gun to his head as did Mark

  They both closed their eyes…the two loud shots echoed through the corridor the two slumped down and the zombies piled on top of them.

  Outside Tom closed his eyes as the sounds from the guns were heard. He turned the key and the engine juddered to life the rotors began to whirl, he pulled the lever and the helicopter slowly lifted just as the helicopter lifted the herd came rushing through the doors and made their way onto the helipad the amount of zombies pushed the one at the front closer and closer to the edge after a moment they tumbled over.

  “That’s one way to kill them.” Said Josh

  Tom flew the helicopter towards the truck he landed and it took them ten minutes to load the chopper with the supplies they needed and once again the group where on the move but this time to the safe zone.

  Chapter Seven

  The group land the helicopter at the safe zone about thirty minutes later, Tom, Alice, Jackie, Ian and Josh jump out and are surrounded by a group of Army men pointing rifles at them,

  “Where are the crew?” asked one of the men

  “They didn’t make it we tried to save them.” Replied Tom

  “What did they tell you?” asked another

  “Told us where the safe zone was located.” Replied Ian

  “What about supplies?”

  “We have a load of them in the chopper.”

  “Great, are any of
you bitten?”

  “No.” replied Tom

  “Come this way.”

  The five followed the army men and where taken inside of the safe zone, the safe zone was a town that had been walled off, there where people walking around, children playing as if nothing was happening outside of the walls, one of the men turned to the group

  “We have a protocol you guys will need to be hosed down and will be given a change of clothes.”

  Tom was watching as people where just strolling around as if nothing was happening, he was about to turn to the Army officer when he spotted a child running around playing games with the other children, “Oh my god!” he said

  Alice turned and watched as Tom sprinted towards the child.

  “Jack!” he shouted

  The child stopped and turned to see a man running towards him, “Dad.”

  The two ran into each other’s arms and hugged, “I’m so sorry Jack.”

  “For what dad?” asked Jack?

  “For letting you go.”

  “You did what you had to do dad and Jenny has being looking after me.”

  The army men came running over and the father son reunion was cut short,

  “Sir, you may be infected we need to get you to the contamination chamber.”

  Tom let go of Jack and turned to the man, “What?”

  “My men will take you and your group.”

  One of the men grabbed Tom’s arm, “Get off me.”

  “Sir you will be removed from the safe zone.”

  Tom shrugged the man’s hand off his arm, by now a crowd had gathered at the commotion Tom turned to the onlookers, “Listen to me, me and my friends here have been out there for almost six month you don’t know the half of what we’ve been through, what we’ve had to do to survive. You people need to understand that we don’t need to be bitten to become a one of those things, I noticed this in the early days I saw a man die and he come back within hours. You need to understand that we are all infected.”

  The crowd fell silent the army man then spoke, “Please at least go and get a shower and a change of clothes.”

  Alice smiled, “We sure could do with a shower.”

  Tom turned back to his son, “Jack, I will come find you when we’ve cleaned up.”

  Jack hugged his father, “Ok.” He said