by T. L. Frost
Rob nodded agreement.
“What will you do when that time comes?” Asked Sally.
Carter shook his head slowly.
“I don’t know.” He said “But hanging around here with those other two assholes isn’t an option, I wouldn’t trust either of them.”
Chapter 3
A few days later and Carter was out checking the hospital’s transport. There was a mini-bus used to move patients around and an ambulance for the more serious cases. He had gotten the keys from a reluctant Carl, whose job it had been to do the driving.
“That’s hospital property, if you damage it…” Said Carl.
“Bill me.” Replied Carter “I’m good for it. Or I was before the shit hit the fan anyway. Good luck cashing that cheque.”
The vehicles seemed fine, they were parked under an open shelter near the hospital entrance, protected from the worst of the weather. Carter tried starting the mini-bus and it fired up first time. A red light on the dashboard told him he wouldn’t get far though, it was almost out of fuel. Carter turned it off and pocketed the keys, the stun gun was still there and he pushed it into the vehicle’s glove box. Checking the luggage bay, he found a spare wheel and tools. Picking up the tyre iron, he tested it for weight, nodding and locking up the bus. He headed off around the hospital, the overgrown lawned areas surrounding it giving it a wild, unreal feel. At the rear there was a visitor car park, overflowing with neatly parked cars, a few trucks and even a camper van. Carter inspected it, checking the doors but it was locked. Walking on he came to the area around the patient wing, now filled with the dead, or not dead enough, he thought. The window blinds on the high, narrow windows were all closed but standing next to one he could hear faint moans and shuffling feet. Rounding a corner he saw one of the windows was broken, glass below it, the shredded blinds flapping gently in the breeze. Blood stained the broken glass and Carter checked around as the moans from inside sounded louder through the broken window. Returning to the car park Carter checked the vehicles there and found what he wanted, an electrician’s van, parked near the building. Smashing a window, he swore as its alarm sounded, loud and unnerving in the quiet morning air. Popping the bonnet and looking around the engine bay, he reached in and ripped out the alarm’s wires. It all seemed eerily quiet suddenly and Carter searched through the tools in the back, coming out with a screwdriver and a large tray. Sticking the tray under the van’s fuel tank, he punched the screwdriver into the tank itself, letting the fuel pour into the tray. There wasn’t much. Everything had started running out when the sickness had hit, including fuel as delivery drivers also fell victim to it.
A couple of fuel tanks later and he had a full tray. Carrying it carefully back to the mini-bus, he emptied it into the bus’s nearly empty tank. He repeated it again, quicker this time until he came to a brand new model four-wheel drive, its fuel tank harder to reach. He had to lay down and guess its location but he hit it first time, standing again with a grin as the precious fuel poured into the tray. His grin vanished as he saw the zombie a couple of parking bays away, its neck and arms with large pieces bitten from them, the torn and ripped medic’s scrubs it wore covered in old, dried blood. Its head turned and Carter knew he would be too late as he ducked out of sight. A loud moan could be heard as he crawled around the vehicle, then banging and scraping as the zombie hurled itself across some cars to get to him. Looking under the four-wheel drive he could see the zombie’s bare feet as it jumped down where Carter had been. It turned, feet shuffling in one direction then the other, looking, searching. Trying to circle around towards the hospital entrance, Carter could still hear its moaning, teeth biting on empty air as it hunted. Keeping his head down, he put some distance between himself and the creature. Risking a look, he stuck his head above the roof of a dusty red sports car, its soft-top torn apart. The zombie was still searching around the four-wheel drive, head swinging in arcs as it groaned in frustration. Then Carter heard the scream. It was right behind him. Another zombie, a woman in a tattered patient’s gown was standing in the next bay, half of its face bitten off, dried blood and strips of flesh hanging down. Without a pause Carter ran. He ran away from the hospital, putting distance between himself and the two zombies, both now chasing. After a short sprint he checked behind and angled towards the second zombie, knowing he couldn’t get caught between the two of them. The first zombie was scrambling over cars, taking the most direct route to its prey, but not the fastest. Carter stopped and turned.
“Come on then you fucker!” He called to the second zombie as it ran down the gap between the parked cars.
It ran faster, spurred on by Carter’s voice. Its hospital gown flapping open, showing more old blood and bite marks, one of its arms half eaten, discoloured bone showing through. It got close and Carter stepped to the side, behind the boot of a car as the zombie lunged, mouth open, trying to bite him. Bringing the tyre iron down on the back of its head as it lunged past him, Carter gave it everything he had, feeling a few of his stitches tear, but he was rewarded with a satisfying crunch as the back of the zombie’s head was smashed in. The creature flew forward into the front of another car and dropped without a sound, teeth and flesh now decorating the car’s grill. Turning quickly, Carter looked for the other zombie, it was on the roof of the next car along and it leapt, snarling as it fell towards him, arms outstretched, claw like hands grasping. Carter stepped back and tripped, his feet hitting the body of the dead zombie sending him backwards, the new attacker following. He rolled, pushing out with his feet as the zombie just missed him, desperately trying to kick it away but it was relentless. The creature half stood, half tumbled forward, its prey within reach. The tyre iron lay just out of reach, dropped when he fell and as the zombie dropped towards him Carter reached up, grabbing it around the neck and pushing, keeping it at arm’s length as it struggled to get closer to his face, biting on air in anticipation. Using all of his strength Carter pushed it sideways, smashing its head against the front of the car already covered in gore from the dead zombie. Again and again he smashed it against the metal as its weight helped it push downwards towards him. Blood and pieces of flesh poured from the opening wound. Carter was covered in it, his arms and face soaked, making his grip slippery. He was tiring quickly and a momentary surge of panic almost gripped him but gritting his teeth and snarling just as loud as the zombie, he bashed its head against the car again, a loud crunch of breaking bone spurring him on as the side of the creature’s head was crushed inwards, the flesh torn away revealing sharp pieces of broken bone. The zombie seemed to lose some strength and holding it now with one hand, Carter reached up, pulling a large piece of its broken skull away, using it to stab into the soft tissue of its brain.
“Die you fucker!” Snarled Carter as he drove the sharp splinter of bone into the zombie’s head, again and again.
Blood and brain tissue poured down his arm, splashing his face and upper body. The pressure eased, the zombie twitching and jerking now, its pale eyes losing focus as its head turned. Dropping the bone, Carter reached into its skull, grasping at the exposed brain and pulling. It was surprisingly tough even after all the damage done to it, but Carter pulled as hard as he could until finally, a large piece of the creature’s brain came away in his hand with a wet, sucking sound. The zombie went limp, its mouth opening and closing weakly, a low pitiful moan coming from it as Carter pushed it away and rolled clear. Taking a few deep breathes he looked around but it seemed suddenly quiet again. Reaching for the tyre iron, Carter grasped it in both hands and drove the pointed end into the creature’s skull, punching it in several times until it lay still, its head now a bloody, broken mess.
Carter stood, bone weary now and made his way back to the hospital entrance where Sally waited, ready to unlock the door and let him back in. Her face was a vision of surprise, fear and curiosity at the sight of Carter covered in blood and brains.
“Are you ok?!” She asked at last.
Carter nodded “I’m fine, nothing
I couldn’t handle.”
Matthews and Carl came running down a corridor towards the entrance, a look of disbelief on Matthews’ face.
“You’ve been outside!” He exclaimed furiously “I didn’t authorise anyone going outside of the safe areas. You could have drawn dozens of those creatures from the surrounding areas with your thoughtless actions!”
Carter stared at him and the smirking Carl standing beside him.
“I don’t need your permission for anything I do asshole.” He said “And the only creatures I saw were from inside the patient’s wing.”
Matthews glared at him, furious at having his authority questioned, but the sight of Carter standing there, covered in brains and blood, gripping the tyre iron menacingly convinced him to hold back.
“No good will come of this foolishness!” He said as he stormed of, Carl close behind him.
Chapter 4
Carter took a cold shower and changed into some fresh clothes Sally had found for him. After that he joined her and Rob in the small kitchen and helped himself to more of the dwindling supply of food. He couldn’t remember ever being so tired, the wounds and the run in with the zombies taking their toll.
“What happened to you?” Asked Rob as Carter sat down at the table.
“Ran in to some unwelcome company outside.” He said, feeling better as he ate “I managed to get the mini-bus about half filled with fuel, just in case. If we ever need to get out of here, meet up there.”
Carter looked at the other two, both of them nodding agreement.
“Don’t tell those other two assholes about it.” He added.
Rob grinned “Talk about unwelcome company.”
“If I was fully fit I’d be tempted to kick their asses out right now and keep this place for us.” Said Carter “I may do it anyway.”
“If you decide to, just let me know.” Said Rob “I’ve had to put up with the doc and his shadow since I got here. I think you took their minds off me when you woke up.”
“Let’s not do anything hasty.” Said Sally “They are people after all.”
Carter reached out and took Sally’s hand.
“You’re a good person Sal, but assholes like that will end up getting someone killed. I don’t want that to be us.”
Sally nodded understanding, she had put up with the unwanted attentions of Matthews and Carl since she had arrived too.
“What happened in the patient’s wing, were you here when it happened?” Asked Carter.
Sally shook her head “No, I arrived later. There was just Doctor Matthews and Carl here. They said the sick ones who weren’t evacuated were kept in there when they died. When they started coming back Carl managed to lock them in.”
Carter frowned, thinking about the zombies outside.
“What is it?” Asked Rob.
“The ones I saw outside were from that wing, got out through a busted window.” Said Carter “They were covered in bites, never seen a zombie attack one of its own kind before.”
“Are you saying they were locked in there while they were still alive?” Asked Sally surprised.
Carter shrugged his shoulders “I don’t know, I’m way too tired to think clearly right now. I’ll just say watch your backs and don’t trust the others.”
Rob and Sally nodded grimly as carter stood.
“Right now I think some rest is in order.” He said “Even that hospital bed looks comfortable right now.”
Carter thought about what he had seen, he wasn’t sure if Matthews and Carl had anything to do with it but he would have a word with them later. He couldn’t prove anything but that had never stopped him before, he wasn’t a judge or a lawyer. If his gut instincts told him something, that was all the evidence he needed. He was relaxing and just about to close his eyes when Sally nocked and came in.
“You still awake?” She asked quietly.
“Sure, come in.” Said Carter with a smile.
“Thought I’d take your old clothes and give them a clean.” She said, looking at the pile of bloody, brain covered clothes without enthusiasm.
“Leave them, I’ll find more later.” Said Carter “Come join me instead, unless Matthews has you doing more pointless jobs.”
Sally looked back out of the door, down the corridor, then turned back and nodded with a smile of her own. She lay down next to him and as Carter put his arm around her, they kissed. Tenderly at first, then more intensely as passion flared in both of them. Exhaustion was forgotten for a while as they enjoyed the closeness and touch of each other. The day wore on then as they slept, arms wrapped tightly around each other.
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The elevator ride down to the basement parking area seemed to take forever, the canned music playing softly as the two men stood amidst the blood and gore. Carter checked his weapon as Peterson reloaded his. Both men were breathing calmly, waiting as the numbers above the door counted down… 2… 1… Lobby… Parking… ‘Ping’. They took places either side of the doors, weapons raised, each pointing across the other’s field of fire. A wider angle of cover, centre of the elevator empty.
“Aim for the head.” Said Carter softly as the doors slid open.
Peterson nodded, jaw clenched but no other sign of tension in either man, they were professionals. Danger wasn’t a new experience for either. The basement was dimly lit even with fluorescent strip lights all over the large, windowless area. Cars were parked neatly in the bays though only about half were in use, business was slow with so many people sick. Peterson stepped out, looking around and nodding all clear. Their car wasn’t far, Carter had taken the closest space he could find to the elevator, a couple of parking bays away. Grabbing a fire extinguisher, Carter jammed it between the elevator doors, stopping them from closing fully. They walked towards their car, alert and watchful. Using the remote to unlock it, Carter went to the rear and opened the boot. More gear was stored there, Carter took out a couple more clips of ammunition and on impulse grabbed a Taser gun too, pocketing it and closing the boot. Three shots sounded then, controlled, evenly spaced. Peterson was at the front of the car looking to the side, gun raised, aim steady. Carter joined him quickly. A zombie lay there, half of its head blown away, blood and brains spread over someone’s Mercedes.
“Nice shot, let’s go.” Said Carter.
Screams sounded as they pulled out of the parking bay, echoing and loud in the confined space. Ahead somewhere, concrete columns blocking the view, Carter thought he saw shapes, movement. Spinning the steering wheel to the left, he gunned the engine, pulling away fast, the exit up ahead, a trace of daylight at the top of the exit ramp. Shapes in the rear view mirrors now, bodies spilling over cars into the lane behind them, running, screams loud even over the sound of the engine. Ahead the exit was close and Carter braked suddenly. Peterson, who had been watching behind, looked to see why they were stopping. The barrier was down, automated. Maybe the car would smash through, maybe not, thought Carter. He doubted it would fly apart like in the movies. He passed his spare ammunition clip to Peterson.
“Make them count, slow those fuckers down.” He said as he rummaged through the glove box.
Peterson leaned out of his window, firing quickly but smoothly. Zombies tumbled and fell, some getting back up, others tripping over them in their haste to reach the car. Carter pulled out the hotel resident’s pass and waved it in front of the automatic barrier. A ticket printing out a small bill as Peterson dropped an empty clip and reloaded, firing immediately. Good luck billing me, thought Carter as the barrier raised and he accelerated away, Peterson emptying his clip again, the closest zombie a few feet behind the car falling forward with a leg shot, two others behind it tripping over its flailing limbs. Others jumped over the bodies but they were too late. The car pulled out into daylight and Carter gave it plenty of gas as he turned onto the narrow, city street.
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“Carter, you awake?” Came Sally’s voice, interrupting his dream.
He came awake quickly, the no
te of concern in her voice catching his attention.
“What is it?” He asked, comfortable but alert.
“I thought I heard something.” Said Sally.
Carter listened, he thought he heard the shuffling of feet outside the door to his room.
“If one of those two idiots is out there, I’ll kick their ass!” He said angrily.
They both stood and dressed quickly, Carter grabbing the tyre iron from the cabinet next to his bed. He was reaching for the door handle when he stopped and listened again, head tilting slightly to the side.
“What is it?” Asked Sally.
Raising his hand for silence, Carter reached for the door handle again just as a moan sounded outside. He looked back at Sally, worry on his face, mirrored on hers. Turning the handle as quietly as possible, he cracked open the door a little. The evening light was failing, the dimly lit corridor shadowy and dark but he could make out figures up ahead, their movements slow. More moans came from them. They were spreading out, coming from the direction of the patients’ wing.
“Fuck.” Said Carter quietly after he closed the door.
“They’re inside?” Whispered Sally in a panicked voice.
Carter reached out, touching her shoulder gently.
“We’ll be ok, understand?” He said “We can fight our way through any we meet but we need to leave quickly, more are heading this way.”
Sally nodded, her panic receding quickly as she took strength from Carter’s confidence.
“Grab a weapon and when we go, move quickly and quietly. Stay close.”
Sally looked around and moved to the IV stand, dismantling it, she turned and nodded she was ready, a long metal pole held firmly in both hands, a look of determination on her face. Carter grinned, damn she’s cute he thought. He grabbed the door handle again.
“Remember noise attracts them, stay as quiet as possible.”
