Chronicles Of The Apocalypse

by Simon Neilson

  13th April

  The travel documents for James Kyle, Michael O’Neill, Gareth McConnell and Mary Tanner have been obtained.

  These four people work for the same financial company and prior to returning to the United Kingdom they had travelled, together, for a business conference in North America. Their trip consisted of visiting the United States and Canada before they returned to Europe and stayed in Rome before flying back to the UK.

  At this stage it is unknown where they were infected. We are still trying to establish their itinerary and once this has been confirmed we will be in a better position to notify the government.

  It is of the opinion of this department that both the American and Canadian authorities be made aware of these findings.

  UK Travel Agency

  CHAPTER 27

  I was keen to see how the little girl, Jasmine O’Neill, was getting on. Having spoken to Dr. McNamara I had been made aware that Jasmine was allowed to continue to write her diary. I asked my colleague if I could have a copy of every diary she made.

  Dear Diary,

  I am sitting in a room with only a bed and a small table for me to eat my food. The walls are made of glass and outside I watch the doctors in white coats stare back at me or look at charts and machines.

  I have been told that they are trying to see if I am sick, like my mum was. So far I feel ok but I don’t like sitting here on my own.

  A nice lady doctor comes to speak to me, I asked her how my mum was and she said that she would try to find out for me.

  I am scared, but the lady doctor told me that I have nothing to be scared about and that she would come and visit me every day.

  Even though we had a falling out I wish Libby, my best friend, was here. Then it wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t know what is going on but it must be pretty bad because I have never been in a hospital like this.

  Jasmine O’Neill aged 14 and I am wondering if I will ever grow up.

  CHAPTER 28

  With the news that the initial four infected people had returned from North America, the British Prime Minister had no other option but to contact her counterparts in the United States and Canada. She knew, as we all knew, that her words would cause terror across the Atlantic.

  To: The President of the United States and Prime Minister of Canada

  It is with deep regret that I have to update you with further news of the crisis here in the United Kingdom.

  At present every town and city is coming under the control of the police, security services and armed forces. As of this morning we have over 200 areas that we deem as infected. We have set up sterile areas where people evacuated from the infected zones will be taken to, tested and monitored.

  The United Kingdom is now under Marshall Law with curfews in place. I am regretfully not willing to disclose the extent of this infection outbreak to the general public for fear of causing panic which could result in widespread chaos and rioting which stretch our resources even further. This is why I have taken the unusual decision to bring in a curfew between 7pm and 7am. Any person found on the street after this time will be treated as either infected or conspiring to cause crime and I have issued my police and armed forces with the orders to shoot on sight any person seen during these times.

  It is also with regret that I have to inform you that the four primary victims of the infection, James Kyle, Gareth McConnell, Mary Tanner and Michael O’Neill had visited the United States and Canada on a business trip prior to returning to the United Kingdom.

  At this stage we are still trying to confirm the exact places they visited and stayed at, but I have to make you aware that there is a real possibility that this infection may exist within your own borders.

  All travel to and from the United Kingdom has been halted until we can find out what kind of virus we are dealing with.

  I wish I was contacting you better news, but sadly this is the current situation.

  Regards

  Prime Minister Alana Greenidge

  CHAPTER 29

  Sam Watkins, the young blogger from East London. He was doing fine, continuing to write his thoughts down over the internet. I see from his home page that he is being read by a whole lot of people, his listeners must believe his words more than they are the news networks.

  Welcome to the renegade blog, Sam Watkins here.

  We have a curfew. Yes that is correct you are not mistaken and I am not lying to you. The United Kingdom is now under curfew from 7pm to 7am.

  It is common knowledge that some areas of the U.K. are infected with an unknown virus, but yet still the government are failing to stand up and tell the people of this country what is going on.

  I have never seen so many soldiers and police on the streets of Britain.

  This thing, this infection, it is out of control and the more the authorities try to keep the public in the dark the more this situation is getting out of control.

  I think they believe that by placing us under curfew it will help stop the spread of infection. I am pretty sure they have no cure at the moment, why else would I be locked up in my home?

  I had a friend, I can’t name him, who emailed me yesterday. He lives in Nottingham. He was scared. I read his email in horror as he described how he witnessed people running around the street just eating each other. He described it as watching a zombie movie, but it was right outside his living room window.

  Obviously I told him to stay indoors and not to go and do anything stupid. As yet I have no reply and well, although I hope he is alright, it sounds like Nottingham has fallen victim to this infection.

  This information about Nottingham came from my friend, not from the government, which begs the question……

  Where are you Prime Minister?

  Until next time, this is Sam Watkins signing off.

  CHAPTER 30

  Nottingham. A young soldier describes his contact with the infected. I have nothing further to add to his chilling words.

  Corporal John Fuller, First Battalion London Regiment, currently stationed in Nottingham as part of the Infection Control Team, East Midlands Task Force Area.

  I shot a little girl today.

  That sentence makes me feel sick as much as you.

  She was about eight years old. She had what I think used to be long blonde hair and wore a smudged, dirty pink dress. I don’t know her name. I don’t want to know her name.

  We had been patrolling the city centre, the night before there had been reports of attacks by the infected on people who were not obeying the curfew. We had been briefed as to the numbers we may encounter, possibly in the hundreds and the specific locations of the attacks.

  It was around midday. I was crouched down outside a derelict pub when I saw Gripper, my mate, zig zag across the road. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until he crouched down against a shop doorway. The door must have been open because instantly this little appeared. She stood there staring down at Gripper. I was about hundred yards away and could not see her face clearly.

  I watched as Gripper turned and instantly this little girl just jumped on him, tearing at his face with her teeth.

  I screamed out and then ran across the road asking for urgent assistance.

  As I got closer, the little girl flicked her head up. She had bitten away at Gripper’s face and there was blood and moist flesh all around her lips. I have never seen such evil in someone’s eyes. She immediately forgot about Gripper and move forward towards me.

  I raised my gun, I could feel my hands shaking. As she got closer I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger. When I opened them again she was laying on the floor, her head demolished by the high velocity bullet.

  I felt the nausea build up and then I remember vomiting all over the floor. The rest of the guys arrived and as I composed myself I looked over at Gripper who just sat bolt upright. One of the guys took him out with a single bullet to the head. We all stopped for a moment and just stared at each other before our Platoon Sergeant ordered us back to
the truck.

  If there are any doubts, this infection is real and it is here in Nottingham.

  I shot a little girl today.

  CHAPTER 31

  The National Post, as always, led the news pack when it came to reporting the news on the infection. It had come to their attention that the U.K. was not the only place to be suffering from this outbreak.

  Reports are coming out of France and Italy that they are trying to contain the spread of an infection similar to the one that has currently brought chaos to the United Kingdom.

  A team of British cricket players did leave the U.K. prior to the borders being closed and it is being reported that one of the team was indeed infected.

  The outbreak in Rome has caused speculation that people who were infected by the virus had visited the city. Authorities in France and Italy are pressuring the British government for answers, but as yet Prime Minister Alana Greenidge has not released a statement, which is being widely condemned by the political community.

  A meeting of world leaders via video link has been suggested by the Australian Prime Minister to discuss this growing problem. Although Australia have no reports of the infection, they have taken the controversial decision to stop all further international travel, a move that will surely prompt other nations to follow suit.

  The latest locations to report infection outbreaks in the U.K. are Aberdeen, Belfast, Swansea, York, Sunderland, Dover, Southampton and Grimsby. It seems at this stage the infection is spreading quicker than can be controlled.

  We shall obviously give you any further breaking news as it happens.

  CHAPTER 32

  The Canadian Prime Minister was quick to respond to the email from the British Prime Minister. He did not mince his words when he replied and let the British leader know exactly what he thought.

  To Prime Minister Alana Greenidge,

  Although news of your initial infected victims to these regions allows us to act, I fear that this has come a little too late with it being nearly a week since you were aware of the situation.

  I have taken the necessary steps to stop all flights to and from the U.K. after talking to the Australian Prime Minister and it is with regret that I have to inform you that I am not at all happy with the way your government has tried to deal with this situation.

  Your country is in the grip of an infection not seen by mankind before and yet you choose to not publicly address your people. We now have outbreaks in France and Italy, god knows where this thing is going to crop up next.

  My personal advice to you in this time of trouble, Prime Minister, is to step down and let somebody who is able to control the situation better try to find a solution to this sorry mess.

  This isn’t just your problem anymore.

  I am not being over dramatic when I say this but it could be the end of civilisation as we know it. If we had known sooner we could have assisted you and helped to stop this before it got out of control.

  I thank you for your correspondence warning us that infected individuals came here to Canada. I do not thank you for taking so long in telling me.

  Prime Minister Holden

  CHAPTER 33

  British Prime Minister Alana Greenidge and U.S. President Joshua Barrington had been close friends as well as allies for some time. His response to her email, although not as cutting as Canada, still gave some strong opinions.

  Alana,

  I am so sorry to hear of what is happening in the U.K. at the moment. You do not say in your email of when you first heard that these infected people visited the U.S.

  I have my best teams trying to establish if we have any cause for concern here, once we have established that we are safe then I will gladly offer you their assistance. They have dealt with some of the most dangerous diseases in the world and I am sure you will be in need of great help.

  Please do not be stubborn as you always are and allow somebody to help. You need to tell your people that you will fight this thing. As far as I can see they know nothing at the moment.

  Update me anything you find out.

  My sources tell me you knew that Rome had been visited by one of the infected. Why were they not told?

  Alana you need to get a grip on this right now.

  Joshua Barrington

  President of the United States

  CHAPTER 34

  This letter was given to me by the police in London after a girl went missing. The girl who I only know as Hayley, described the horrors that surround the people of United Kingdom.

  Dear Mum,

  They are saying that the country has gone to rat shit. Everybody is scared and food is running low. They are saying that this is the worst disaster to ever hit this country.

  I’m having the time of my life.

  One of my crew I hang around with, well hung around with cos he’s dead now, he was always like getting caught up in shit with the police. I knew he had some guns under a floorboard in his bed and when this shit started to happen I just went round there.

  The house looked empty when I arrived but then I heard some banging around in the kitchen so I opened the door and there he was standing there all grey and bloody. He just growled and came towards me so I ran upstairs to his room and shut the door.

  He used to smoke a lot of weed so he had a lock on the inside. I managed to get it bolted just as he slammed into the wood, I felt the vibrations.

  Then I heard the scratching and banging on the outside. I ain’t lying I was shitting myself.

  I knew what floorboard he hid the guns under so I pulled it up and there they were one black one and a silver one. He had shown me before how to use one and after taking a deep breath I flicked the catch on the lock with the end of the silver gun and ran back. There was silence and then the door flew open.

  He cocked his head to one side and then came towards me gritting his blood stained teeth.

  Blam. One shot took him out. He was my friend. He wasn’t my boyfriend, just a friend who I used to smoke with, going nicking stuff with and just hanging around. He had the reputation as a bad boy. Not now, though, with his brains leaking all over the carpet.

  Anyway I decided I’ve had enough of this shit, this curfew, not being told what is going on. I fancy taking out some of these freaks. I’m going to be a zombie killer. Yeah that’s right me, I’m going to take them out.

  Just please don’t be sad or worry about me, I’ll be alright. I was only ever sitting in my bedroom anyway so I won’t be missed too much. I love you and maybe I’ll be back, maybe I won’t.

  Take care of yourself mum

  Your loving daughter

  Hayley.

  CHAPTER 35

  Over in Dublin, Ireland, Declan O’Brien is sitting in his home talking to his friends on his social networking page, Netbook, when he hears a commotion next door. These are the downloads of his status update.

  15th April – 3pm

  Sounds like there is a party going on next door. The woman who lives there is banging and crashing around. I would join her but she’s 80 years of age……..LOL

  15th April – 3.25pm

  The Garda have just turned up. Heard them go inside now there is even more crashing and banging. She goes well for an 80 year old.

  15th April – 3.55pm

  I can’t believe this the old lady from next door is staggering around in the street with her dressing gown on.

  15th April – 4.10pm

  Now the Garda officers are outside what the fuck is going on.

  15th April – 4.15pm

  I heard a lot of screaming outside and when I looked out the window I saw the two officers and the old lady kneeling down over some bloke.

  15th April – 4.20pm

  For fuck sake they are eating him. Shit that infection from the U.K. must be here. Guys lock your doors.

  15th April – 4.30pm

  There are police everywhere now. There is no way I am going outside.

  15th April – 4.35pm

  I can�
�t see the two officers or the old lady anymore but I have just switched on the news and apparently they are saying Dublin is being overrun by infected people. It’s not just the U.K. anymore. Shit this infection is here.

  CHAPTER 36

  This recording was found at a house in South East London, close to the River Thames. Two young sisters, Anna and Emily who says she is eleven years old, sit out the infection with evil both outside and in.

  EMILY: WHY ARE YOU RECORDING?

  ANNA: BECAUSE SISTER, DEAR, THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD

  EMILY: WHAT’S THE END OF THE WORLD?

  ANNA: THIS IS

  EMILY: MUM SAID IT WAS JUST THE FLU

  ANNA: OF COURSE IT’S JUST THE FLU. IT’S A FLU THAT MAKES YOU EAT PEOPLE

  EMILY: WHY ARE THEY EATING PEOPLE?

  ANNA: BECAUSE THEY’RE HUNGRY

  EMILY: I’M HUNGRY AND I DON’T EAT YOU.

  ANNA: I WOULDN’T LET YOU ANYWAY.

  EMILY: SO WHY ARE YOU RECORDING?

  ANNA: NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE

  EMILY: NEVER EVER?

  ANNA: ONLY ONCE

  EMILY: REALLY?