The screaming female seemed undaunted and charged straight at the giant man. Lennie lifted the trolley above his head in both hands, and just as she reached him, with her bloody hands outstretched, Lennie slammed the trolley down with so much force; he twisted the metal frame. The female’s body became unrecognizable. Blood started to pool around the crushed trolley and heap of dirty, mangled flesh.
Bloody hell, I’m glad he’s on our side; Noah thought. Then added, is he on our side?
Red and Betty stopped running about thirty yards up the road.
“Good boy Lennie. You showed them,” the old woman shouted. “Now get moving. Come on, stop staring, and catch up. More could be just around the corner.”
Lennie turned, and with his blank stare stumbled past Noah as if he was not there.
“That’s right, come on Lennie,” the old woman prompted, as she leaned forward with her hands on her knees, catching her breath.
Noah hoisted his bag back on his back, and with one last glance at the two crushed bodies, he started to follow the giant.
“We need to get out of the road,” Red stated, as they all grouped up behind a large blue van. “There could be more of them around.”
“I need a cuppa tea,” the old woman mumbled with a wheezing breath.
“Over here,” Noah stated as he walked to the closest house. The green front door was wide open. The front hallway’s carpet was soaking wet, and leaves, and rubbish had blown in from the January winds.
“We need to get out of the street.”
The others followed him in without a word. As they filed past Noah used his shoulder to wedge the door shut, which was tight because the wood had warped from the rain.
Noah walked down the hallway, past happy smiling faces in the photo frames. The others gathered in the large kitchen. Red dropped her bag and then slumped down onto a chair around a large, old style, kitchen table.
Lennie stood in a corner; blood covered hands limp at his sides. He stared, unblinking at the middle of the table.
The old woman pulled a dishcloth off the side and started to soak it under the running water. She then proceeded to clean the blood off her grandson’s hands.
Noah dropped his bag and then tipped the contents from the box upon the table.
“I have a mask and several goggles,” he stated.
Red was leaning forward, with her head in her hands; her red hair covering her face. With the sweep of one hand, she tossed her hair back over her shoulders.
“Goggles?” the old woman asked as she continued to wipe spots of blood off Lennie’s face.
Noah pulled off his gasmask and dropped it onto the table. He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Yes. What was chasing us seemed to be just one stage of whatever is happening to those who become infected. Eventually, they become bloated and pop, spreading black spores.”
“Is that why you wear a gasmask?” she questioned.
“It is.”
Red picked up the filtration mask and tried it on.
“But we only have the two masks. I didn’t know you would be joining us,” Noah stated. “But we have enough goggles for everyone.”
“We can grab more masks on the way past, once we decide what we are going to do,” Noah stated.
“Sit down Lennie,” Betty said, while pulling a stool out from under the table.
Lennie did not remove the bag, because he had not been told to, instead, he lowered himself down onto the stool. The wood creaked under his weight.
Betty dropped the blood-soaked rag in a flip-top bin and then washed her hands in the white porcelain sink.
“I believe the gunfire came from Courtney Park,” Noah said.
“Probably something to do with the helicopter that flew over,” Betty added.
“A helicopter?” Red questioned. She spun her head to stare at Noah. “You didn’t mention anything about a helicopter.”
“While in the Paint Center, I saw one flying toward the train station. But I think it was damaged, because it was trailing black smoke, and it went down spinning.”
“There were obviously survivors if there is gunfire,” Red stated.
“I know,” Noah said. “And if their transport is too badly damaged, others will be coming to get them.” He let that hang in the air. “That’s why you are all going to stay here, where it’s safe, and I’m going to find them, and get us rescued along with them.”
9
Doctor Lazaro and the Squad
Dentist Clinic
Courtney Park, Newton Abbot
11:17 AM GMT
“Children?” The Captain asked.
“Yes, a mother, and her two children. One boy who looks about four, and a girl who looks about seven.”
“Shit!” The Captain gave a long sigh, while holding the bridge of his nose in his hand. “I will take care of it personally.” He went to exit the room.
“What are you going to do?” Melanie asked. She was too weak to leave the chair, and she was using all her strength just to stay awake.
“What needs to be done,” he answered while not turning to look at her.
“But they are just children,” she whispered.
The Captain stopped. He still did not turn around.
Jimmy was knelt by his medical supplies, packing them away. His hands had stopped moving, while he listened. He kept his head down.
Rogers stared at his blood-speckled boots.
“Do you want them to change while we are here? Do you want to take the chance that we will be safe?” He let the words hang in the air.
“The children are gone. They died the instant they were infected. Now they are something else. Just a means of transport – a shell.”
The room went silent. They all knew the truth. They all knew how it had to play out.
Melanie closed her eyes. She knew, deep down, there was no other way. She had seen what they would become. The image of the twin children in the pod, ripping apart the cow, flashed in her mind.
The Captain left without another word.
Rogers closed the door gently as he followed.
Jimmy cleared his throat. “Don’t go to sleep Doc.”
“I’m not sleeping,” Melanie stated as tears streaked her face.
“I know,” Jimmy muttered. His hands were still in his medical bag, unmoving. Waiting.
Silence filled the room. A clock ticked on the far wall. A minute passed. A couple sniffs from Melanie seemed to be the only sound in the whole building.
The BAM, BAM, BAM, of the guns retort blasted throughout the dental clinic, echoing off the walls.
10
Noah, Red, Betty, and Lennie
Newton Abbot, In a House on King Street
11:21 AM GMT
“What do you mean you’re going on your own?” Red’s head flew up. “Do you think you’re going out there on your own with those things around?” she stated while glaring at him.
“Without my pack, and on my own, I can travel faster.”
Betty was rummaging through the fridge. There was nothing edible, just a large chunk of mold in the plastic bottom tray. She started going through the cupboards.
Lennie sat staring at his hands on the tabletop.
“I can cut through the back gardens, over the walls, and–”
“What, you don’t think I can climb over a bloody wall?” Red interrupted.
“You will all be safer if you stay here. I–”
“I met you only an hour ago and already you’re telling me what I can and can’t do. You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’m capable of.” Her own words seem to make her think for a minute. Red went silent. She lowered her head. Her hair cascaded down around her face.
They both sat in silence.
“Runner bean chutney. I haven’t seen any of that in years,” Betty stated, while rifling through a draw for a teaspoon.
“Tired,” Lennie mumbled.
Betty had a mouthful of the chutney. She swallowed. �
��Do you need a nap, Lennie?” Using her sleeve, she wiped some chutney off her lips.
Lennie stood up. This was his way of answering her question.
“Let’s see what we can sort out in the front room.” Betty held her grandson’s hand and led him down the short hallway.
“I can be there and back in twenty minutes,” Noah stated. “I will go over back walls and through houses.” He fiddled with his gasmask, turning it over in his hands. “If the army is there, they will protect us. That’s their job.” He sat in silence.
“I’m not useless,” Red muttered.
Noah looked over his shoulder, down the hallway. “We can’t drag them over walls; she won’t make it.” He shifted closer. “I need you to stay and look after them until I return with help.”
Realization dawned that it was not about her being a girl, and slowing him down, but rather, he needed her to protect Betty and Lennie.
“Okay,” she simply said.
Noah removed his phone from his pocket. He was surprised it was not broken. He had not checked it in hours. There was no signal.
“Does your phone work?”
Red removed an iPhone 5 from her pocket. She checked it. “No, there’s no reception.”
“Same here.”
The mobile network was down, but there was another option – wi-fi. He checked to see if the house, or one around it still had the internet working, and if so, if their wi-fi was still on.
“Bingo!”
A few wi-fi networks were broadcasting. BTHub3-6SDK, SKY29781, Virginmedia1759781. The strongest was Simons_Place, and luckily; it was unlocked.
With a few swipes on his Samsung Note, Noah was on the internet. He used an app and called up Google Earth. Within thirty seconds, he was looking down at a view of the houses and streets separating him from the park. He now knew how to get to the park without having to travel along too many open streets.
With one click, he saved a picture of the map into his photos, for quick reference.
“He will be out for a few hours, bless ‘im,” Betty stated. “All this excitement has worn him out.”
Excitement, Noah thought. The predicament they were all in was many things, but exciting is not one of them.
“Red is going to stay here with you and Lennie, while I go and get some help,” Noah stated.
“That’s nice dear.” Betty started collecting tins out of a cupboard. She groaned as she lifted a large pot off a shelf.
Noah stood up and slid his phone into his pocket. He also checked the knife was secure on his thigh.
“I will quickly check upstairs to make sure everything’s clear.” It dawned on him that he should have checked right away, but he was a little preoccupied when they first entered the house.
“I will also see if there’s a baseball bat or cricket bat or something I can use for a weapon.” He knew his rifle was useless.
Betty was trying to get a tin into the electric tin opener, with not much luck.
“Bugger it.” Betty muttered to herself.
Red sat around the table with her chin resting on her hands. She tossed her hair back while looking up.
“I will check upstairs with you,” she said.
“I can manage, but if you want to drag some furniture across in front of the front door, that would be helpful. Oh, and close all the curtains downstairs, I will do upstairs.
“Okay.” She climbed to her feet and headed down the hallway. Noah could hear her trying to wedge a sideboard against the door.
A light snoring sound drifted from the front room.
Noah passed Red and headed up the stairs.
It was only a two-bedroom house. A kitchen and front room downstairs with a small toilet, with a master and single bedroom upstairs along with the family bathroom.
The first room he checked at the top of the stairs was the bathroom. It was empty, and the window closed. The single room was a child’s room, decorated in many tones of blue. It had airfix model airplanes hanging from fishing wire from the ceiling, with a thick airplane boarder running around the room.
Noah checked the wardrobe and cupboard. There was only a plastic baseball bat, which was next to useless as a weapon. He shut the curtains before leaving the room.
He moved toward the door to the master bedroom. It was wedged closed. As he slowly opened the door, a strong, putrid smell swept over him. He could also hear a low growling sound coming from the darkness.
11
Doctor Lazaro and the Squad
Dentist Clinic
Courtney Park, Newton Abbot
11:32 AM GMT
Melanie was not allowed to sleep, but she could rest her eyes.
Jimmy had asked if she required any tablets for the pain from the wound on her head. She had declined, stating she had enough medication swimming around in her veins already.
Jimmy then left her to rest, with strict instructions – once again – not to fall asleep. He said he would return within the hour to check on her.
Melanie could hear mumbled conversation through the old floorboards, but she could not discern the words. She heard one of the doors being unbarricaded so Coco, Franco, and Trev could go and find some form of transportation.
The door to her room slowly creaked open.
When Melanie opened her eyes, she noticed a woman decked in military garb stood in the doorway.
“Hi honey. Sorry to disturb you. I’m Echo.” Her voice was soothing. She had striking cheekbones and piercing green eyes, and her mouse coloured hair was pulled up into a ponytail.
Melanie did not remember seeing any females on the helicopter. Then again, some of them were in full military body armour, along with helmets, so she could have easily missed her.
Melanie gave a weak smile.
“It’s nothing fancy I’m afraid, just the standard military slops.” Echo gave a wide smile, which highlighted the smear of dirt on her cheek. She walked into the room, carrying the food on a small metal dental apparatus tray.
She’s tall, Melanie thought. She must be well over six feet.
Echo moved a stool over and placed it next to the dentist’s chair. She gracefully slid on.
“How do you wanna do this? Do you want me to feed you, or can you manage it on your own?” Another smile.
“I got it, thanks.” Melanie slowly raised herself up. Her body responded with stabbing pains through her muscles. She winced.
“The ride over sure did a number on you, huh?” Echo slid a stray strand of hair over her ear.
Melanie gave a grunt. “That’s for sure,” Melanie stated. She peered sideways at Echo, who was sat relaxed.
“You don’t have a scratch on you.”
“I have a few bruises, and my ears are still ringing, but I’m okay, all considered. Besides, it’s not my first crash, I’m becoming a pro.”
Melanie sat right up. She reached for the tray. The drugs were slowly wearing off. She was feeling less dopey with every minute that passed. The problem was, with the drugs washing away the pain from the head wound and bruises was amplified. However, she did not mind a little pain, so long as she was coherent.
“Two years ago a military cargo plane I was on had to ditch in the ocean just off the coast of Tunisia,” Echo said while Melanie spooned some mysterious goo out of a silver packet into her mouth.
“Have you ever seen the film Cast Away?” She paused for a second to allow Melanie to respond.
Melanie simply nodded due to having a mouthful of food.
“Then you will have some idea of what a water crash is like.” Echo shifted her thigh. “Some think it’s easier than crashing on land. It’s not. Water is just as hard when you hit it fast, and land doesn’t pour in, filling the craft up.” Echo smiled.
“The foods terrible, isn’t it?”
Melanie swallowed a mouthful. “I can’t work out what it’s supposed to be.”
“Best not to ask,” Echo said with a smile. “It has all the nurturance needed to sustain a body. It’s
just they forgot to add flavour and a pleasant texture.”
I wonder what her nickname means. And she’s stunning, why would she join the army?
“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” Melanie said.
“Shoot, honey.”
“Why did you join the army? Why a cook?”
“Everyone has to do something, right? I followed my father’s example. And I do the cooking for the squad because the others can’t warm a ration bag if their life depended on it, but I’m not the official cook; he’s still on the chopper out there.” She smiled again. “I’m the explosive’s expert,” she stated.
“Echo,” said a voice from the doorway. A large black man stood filling the doorframe.
“Yes Bull.”
“Firstly, the Captain wants to know how much longer it will take you to position your packages. And secondly, your fathers on the radio, he wants a word.”
“Your father?” Melanie asked.
“Yes. General Philips is my father,” Echo stated. She turned to Bull. “And tell the Captain I’m all finished, the packages are all in position and ready to go.”
That’s why the General told the soldier to tell General Philips ‘she was fine’. He was referring to Echo, not me.
Gunfire reverberated throughout the building.
Rogers appeared next to Bull. “Bull, Echo, downstairs now. We have more incoming.”
12
Noah, Red, Betty, and Lennie
Newton Abbot, In a House on King Street
11:37 AM GMT
The growling was low, unlike the sounds of the naked charging creatures. It did not sound like a threat, more like a warning. Noah was not sure why, but he did not feel threatened by what was in the room. He slowly pushed the door open a little more.
The Sixth Extinction 2: An Apocalyptic Tale of Survival. (Part Two: Ruin.) Page 3
