Among the Dead: Part Two: Fear No Evil

by Ryan Colley

  “Hey, dude,” someone said as they stepped through my door. Boss. He was smiling. He seemed so … normal. I stared at him, trying to see through the friendly façade he projected. I expected it to shift, revealing some kind of creature beneath the skin. But there was no fault in it. He was human. He looked around the room and smiled. “Bit of a mess, ain’t it? Too much to drink?”

  “Something like that,” I nodded stiffly. I could kill him. My knife isn’t far. I could plunge it into his –

  “The reason I stopped by is to drop off this,” he threw me my boiler suit. It was clean and smelled amazing. I smiled. It disappeared when I thought of the conversation from the previous night. Why did you have to do it? How could he just stand there and talk as if his little reveal from the night before had never happened? Everything he had said. Everything he had been, it was lies. All of it. Where did the persona of Boss end and the real Boss begin? Maybe he didn’t remember telling me about his sick secret.

  “Thanks,” I nodded, forcing a smile. Seriously, I could kill him right in my cabin and no one would be any wiser.

  I couldn’t do it, though. Not yet. I needed him to lead me to the girls again. A combination of exhaustion, darkness, and rage had blurred the memories from the night before.

  “You better get tidying anyway,” he looked around. “Since you’re staying longer, my offer still stands.”

  A pit opened up in my stomach. He remembered! The sick, twisted twat remembered. Even sober, he … I needed to stop him.

  “Yeah, I’m still staying,” I said, a huge fake smile spreading across my face. I had to seem convincing at least. It was painful, though. I had to try and get more information and convince Boss of my loyalty in the process. Not that he didn’t trust me. In his eyes, I was his best friend.

  “So can I pay them a little visit this morning? I have some stress to work off,” I felt evil saying it. Disgusting. I felt no better than Boss was, but I had to say it.

  “Eager, aren’t you!” he laughed and patted me on the shoulder. I had won his trust. I only had to make that one statement to do it, and I felt so dirty doing so. I just wanted to end everything there and then.

  “You could say,” I also laughed, feigning embarrassment. I’m going to stab him through the eye, and I’ll enjoy it.

  “If we’re quick, then yeah. I don’t want to draw attention to it just yet,” he checked his watch. “Get dressed, and we can get going.”

  Once Boss left, I pulled on the boiler suit and hid the knife in my boot. I would be ready. I met him outside, and he pulled me by my arm, to the container. I memorised the route and made sure it would be burned into my neural pathways forever. The very few people we saw didn’t question us.

  “Try to be gentle with them,” he smiled as we approached the container. “They need to last us.”

  “I see what you mean,” I said through gritted teeth. It took every ounce of willpower to stay my hand from his throat. I placed my hand on the container, ready to go in, but Boss stopped me.

  “You’ll need this,” Boss passed me a foil packet. A condom. A goddamn condom. He laughed. “I don’t want what you got, you dirty bastard.”

  “Ha-ha,” I nodded. Put the condom on the knife and stab him. How much would he be laughing then?

  “Let’s do this,” Boss said encouragingly. I didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how to act.

  I just said, “Give me some privacy, and I’ll be back out.”

  “Try not to take too long. We have a long day ahead,” he squeezed my shoulder as I slipped inside the container.

  I had hoped it was a nightmare. Every second was a new horror etched into my brain.

  “Please,” Stephanie begged the moment she saw me. Tears streamed down her face. “Just let us go. We won’t tell anyone.”

  Kirsty, on the other hand, just stared at me with pure hatred. She never blinked. Never moved. Just stared at me like a hawk watching her prey. It was unnerving, but she had every right to be like that. She could’ve burned the whole world to a cinder, and I’m sure whatever god existed would have forgiven her.

  The smell was getting to me, but I couldn’t leave until enough time had passed.

  “It may not seem it, but I’m here to help you,” I said quietly.

  “Really?” Stephanie’s eyes glimmered with a light of hope.

  “Don’t believe him,” Kirsty said calmly, eyes never leaving me. “He’s lying.”

  “I’m not,” I swore, I needed them to trust me. “Believe me, I want to help.”

  “Of course you do,” Kirsty said, still as calm.

  “Are you gonna get us out of here?” Stephanie asked. “Just untie us, and we can go now.”

  “I can’t just yet,” my heart broke the moment I uttered the words. “I need more time to prepare before we leave. Later. I promise. I just need you to be ready for–”

  “Is this how you get off?” Kirsty interrupted. “You act like our white knight, but you’re no better. You’re sicker than the others. Do what you’re going to do, but don’t lie to me.”

  I sighed and pulled out the condom. Stephanie’s eyes widened. Kirsty’s had a look of resignation.

  “Told you,” Kirsty said quietly.

  “This isn’t for you. It’s for him,” I whispered, and then spat. I gestured toward the door. I tore open the condom, the foil tearing louder than the pounding in my ears. Kirsty closed her eyes expectantly, and Stephanie began to cry again. I squeezed the packet tightly in my balled hand and held the slimy condom in my hand. I worked up some spit in my dry mouth and spat into the condom. It wouldn’t pass under close inspection, but I doubt Boss would be inspecting my semen up close. I met both of their gazes. “Be ready. I promise.”

  I left them, my head low, and I felt dirty.

  Boss was eagerly waiting outside, and he still smiled.

  “How’d it go, minute man?” he laughed.

  “Well needed,” I sighed and held up the empty condom wrapper. I couldn’t play the game for much longer. I was so tired. So fed up. So angry. It was eating away at my soul.

  “Cheer up!” Boss hit me on the back. “You just got laid.”

  “Yeah,” I laughed. It was forced. I sounded maniacal. Boss even gave me a sideways look.

  “So what’re you doing today?” he asked.

  Preparing to kill you. I shrugged, “Probably unload the van. I don’t really know.”

  “That’s a good idea,” he nodded. “I need to plan our move to the mall some more. I’m so happy you’re staying man! It’s amazing.”

  We went our separate ways. I continued on to the van and unloaded some things, but I doubted it was anything Boss expected. I loaded both SA80’s and the handgun into my backpack. I didn’t want to have to kill anyone. I wanted to get myself and both girls out of there. If that meant shooting someone, then I would shoot.

  As I carried the guns back to the base and to my cabin, rage almost blinded me. Not just for what Boss had done with the girls, but for ruining everything. For dragging me into it. I just wanted to go. Wanted to see Alice. Didn’t want to have to deal with the worst the world had to offer. But I had to. I couldn’t leave them behind.

  In a perfect world, I would give myself another two days to ready my escape. I would plan my route. Find the quickest and quietest way out of there. Wouldn’t ever get caught. I didn’t have time for that, though. The longer I waited, the more harm would come to those girls. The more they would suffer. The more they would get raped. I loaded every gun systematically. I would be prepared.

  I sat on the edge of my bed and stared into nothingness. The void engulfed me. Everything looped around and around in my head. It was like a sick movie on repeat. I was waiting. They were suffering. I carried on waiting. They carried on suffering.

  “I can’t take it anymore,” I said to Thundy. “The time is now. I’m going to save them.”

  I stripped down to underwear and a t-shirt. Pulled on my modified leather jacket and jeans. Flexed.
Put my boiler suit on over my gear. I would draw less attention that way. The boiler suit looked unnaturally bulky, but I doubted anyone would question it. I scooped Thundy up and placed him in one of my pockets. Did the same for my phone and Harrington’s bullet. I pulled the backpack on, which sagged with the weight of the guns, and strode out of the cabin, towards the girls.

  I walked by everyone. Ignored every greeting and never adverted my steely gaze. I saw Keith. He took one look at me and just walked away. Maybe he sensed my fury? It didn’t matter. He wasn’t in my way, so I carried on. On to the hellhole I would free Kirsty and Stephanie from.

  Broadcast Eight: Shaun, Frank, and Barbara 4

  Frank: Shaun, are you there?

  After a long silence, Shaun answered.

  Shaun: It’s three in the morning. Of course I’m here. You woke me. What’s –

  Frank: I’m so scared, man.

  Shaun: Why?

  Frank: There’s more of them now. I heard noises, so I … Shaun, they’re inside. Downstairs. I’m terrified. I’m hiding.

  Shaun: Zombies? Damn, man. Take a deep breath and relax. They haven’t found you yet. It means you still have time. Can you get out the window?

  Frank: Yeah, I think so. It’s a long way down. I’ll break my legs.

  Shaun: It’s either chance it with the window, or stay and die for certain.

  Frank: You’re right. You’ve been a good friend.

  Shaun: So have you. Just don’t act like this is the end, dude. I’ve told you where I live. If you can make it, we can finally hang out in person. I’ve got a second controller for the Xbox, so I can stomp you when I see you.

  Frank: Yeah, man, that sounds good. I look forward to kicking your pasty white ass when I get there.

  Shaun: That would be awesome, but small problem, dude. I’m black.

  Frank: Well, blow me sideways! I did not expect that. You sure? You don’t sound black.

  Shaun: That’s strange, you don’t normally sound like a racist.

  Frank: I’ll kick your ass no matter the colour when I get there. I gotta go, man. I can hear them coming up the stairs. Before I go, Shaun, one last thing.

  Shaun: What?

  Frank: They’re not zombies, you uncultured swine.

  Shaun: Whatever, dead man. Good luck.

  Frank screamed as he fell from the window. The sounds of wood splintering as the undead tore through the final door to Frank’s room. It didn’t matter at that point, though. Frank was gone. The undead moved around the room before a burst of static sounded. The undead had knocked over whatever radio setup Frank had.

  CHAPTER 47

  Someone was leaving the girls container as I approached. It was Doc. He was doing up his belt. He had a smile on his face and a faraway look in his eyes.

  “Oh, hey,” he said, nervously, and looked around. “What are you doing here?”

  “Don’t worry,” I forced a laugh. “Boss told me about things over here, and I wanted a little visit. Ya know?”

  “Yeah, I do,” he smiled, visually relaxing. “Have fun, man.”

  “I will,” I nodded. He began to walk away. What if he told Boss I was back over with the girls? I had to act fast. I said quickly, “Hey, can you do me a favour?”

  “Uh, sure,” he replied uncertainly.

  “I’m really claustrophobic, and I’m terrified the door is going to shut and I’ll be trapped inside. Can you, ya know, wait until I finish and let me out should it happen? I’ll knock on the door once I’m done,” I lied.

  “Yeah, that’s fine,” he smiled. “I can probably help you with that claustrophobia later.”

  “Cheers,” I nodded and entered the container.

  The moment I was inside, I shut the door behind me and flicked a flashlight on.

  “Back already, you sicko?” Kirsty snarled.

  “Are you here to help?” Stephanie asked, desperately and hopefully.

  “Yes, yes I am,” I dropped my bag and unzipped it, then withdrew all the guns. Fear flashed across their faces. I looked them both in the eyes. “You don’t need to be scared.”

  I pulled the knife out and approached them.

  “Don’t you dare touch me with that,” Kirsty growled.

  I approached Kirsty slowly, and she struggled as I got closer. I ignored her reaction and swiftly cut her binds. She stumbled forward and glared at me. I cut Stephanie’s restraints.

  “Is this a trick?” Stephanie gasped, tears rolling down her face.

  “No, it’s not,” I said, with a small smile. “Can you walk?”

  “We’ll have to,” Kirsty nodded, then looked at the guns. “Anything for us?”

  “Take your pick,” I gestured to the guns. Kirsty took an SA80. Stephanie, the handgun. I asked her why. There was a bigger gun there, and she had ignored it.

  “I was a junior shooting champion,” she said. “I know this gun.”

  “Well, damn,” I was taken aback, and I smiled. Both of them shared a tightlipped and exhausted smile.

  “Before we get out of here,” I said, “I want to keep the noise to a minimum. We don’t want to draw attention to us. That way we can get out as quickly and quietly as possible. Doc is outside. I’ll lock him in here. Okay?”

  They nodded. I hated Doc for what he had done, but I didn’t want to kill him. I tapped twice on the door. Doc opened it.

  “You were quick,” he laughed, but his face dropped when he saw the girls holding guns.

  “Shut up,” I snarled. I grabbed him by his throat and dragged him into the container, my fingertips digging into the flesh either side of his Adam’s apple, nearly ripping it out. I shoved him into the corner that the girls had been bound. He began to weep. I started walking out, when I heard an ear-shattering blast behind me, my ears ringing with the reverberation. A gunshot.

  I turned around, expecting to see Doc with a gun and one of the girls dead. What I saw was Doc lying down, brains sprayed up the wall and blood pumping out of him with each beat of his failing heart.

  “I-I’m sorry,” Stephanie gasped. “I saw him lying there, and I just got so angry. I felt so much hate, and I – I pulled the trigger. I didn’t even think about it, but I did it.”

  “It’s okay,” Kirsty tried to soothe her.

  “Damn. Damn. Damn,” I said. That was loud. People would’ve heard it. They would be coming our way to investigate. I snapped into action. “Change of plan. We run. You two follow me.”

  I started to run.

  “What are you doing?!” a voice from up high shouted. It was one of the guards who walked the walls. He was aiming his gun at us. He started to lift a walkie-talkie to his mouth, but Kirsty never gave him that chance. She opened fire with the SA80. The bullets cut a line through the air as they trailed to where she aimed. Three rounds hit the guard in the chest, and he fell back and disappeared.

  We’re in trouble. I began sprinting. We need a distraction.

  I glanced over my shoulder to see the girls still following closely. As I rounded the corner, I caught a momentary flash of a red mark on one of the container doors. I slowed down.

  “Zombies,” I turned to the girls. “I want you to carry on running away from here. I won’t be far behind. Try not to draw any attention to yourselves.”

  “We can handle them,” Kirsty spat, venom lacing her words.

  “There’s about to be zombies in the mix,” I said. “If we can have the men and the zombies spend their time fighting each other, then we can get out of here, unnoticed. They may even think the gunshots were in response to the zombies. Okay?”

  Kirsty nodded.

  I waited until they were out of sight and around one of the corner before I started kicking the container doors. I wanted the undead riled up and ready to attack. Once I heard enough of them slamming into the door, I gripped the handle and pulled, hiding behind it. Zombies sprinted out, into various directions. None of them saw me.

  I waited until their putrid stink was diluted before sprinting to the gir
ls. It was then that I realised there was one straggler zombie waiting by the container. It saw me before I saw it, and it lunged for me. I pulled my arm up to shield myself from the assault. The zombie sunk its teeth into my limb, and I shouted in anticipation of the pain, but I didn’t feel it. It continued to gnaw through the boiler suit and was eventually chewing on the leather.

  “Well, what do you know,” I said, smiling. Turned out, the leather was decent enough protection from a bite.

  It carried on, trying to chew through the leathers, but with no result. I pulled up the SA80 and blew its skull apart. It collapsed to the floor, dead. I stared at my arm. Barely a mark on the material. I nodded in satisfaction before running after the girls again.

  I began to hear a lot of gunfire around the base. The zombies had made contact. I needed more help, so I opened up two more containers before finding the girls hiding behind one of them.

  “What’s wrong?” I questioned. I assumed they’d locked up with fear.

  “We’re held down,” Kirsty said. “There’s guys around the corner shooting zombies.”

  “How many?” I asked.

  “Four or five,” Stephanie said. “Kirsty already shot at them, so they know we’re here.”

  “Goddamn,” I huffed. I turned to Stephanie. “How good of a shot are you still?”

  “I’m okay,” she shrugged.

  “She’s amazing,” Kirsty glared at Stephanie. “She hit every zombie in the head with one shot each.”

  “Good. She fast?” I questioned Kirsty – there wasn’t time for Stephanie to be modest.

  “Extremely,” Kirsty nodded.

  “Right, Steph,” I looked at her. “I need you to hit all those guys in the head. First time, or I’ll die.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “I’m going to draw their attention. You shoot,” I explained. I levelled my SA80 and bolted from our cover. I was aiming to get behind a container about twenty feet away.

  I heard shots being fired in my direction. If I could hear the shots, at least I was alive. It’s the shot you don’t hear that kills you. I heard five handgun shots. Then there weren’t any more shots being fired at me. Five bodies slumped to the floor, dead. They wouldn’t even be getting up as zombies.