Zombie Apocalypse (Book 1): Patient Zero
Page 19
“Promise me Beth,” he said. “You have to promise me.”
“I can’t go without you.”
“You have to. Beth you have to. Do it for Dawn and all the others. The virus is in the water. If you stay here then everyone will die.”
As last words went it wasn’t much but he thought the sentiment was noble. He would die so that she could live. When you boiled it down to that there was no arguing with his decision.
“I love you Beth.”
She nodded but wouldn’t meet his eyes. He wanted to hear her say it back but he knew it was true anyway. The time had come. He let go of her arms and turned towards the forest.
* * * * *
Everything was very quiet. Dale could almost feel the guns aimed at him, ready to fire as soon as he turned back around and started running towards them, but he wasn’t going to do that.
He could see the zombies in the forest. He could see that they wanted to come towards him but some fragment of self-preservation kept them back. They must have realised that if they broke cover they would be killed and besides, their prey was walking straight towards them, they didn’t need to move.
Each footstep seemed to weaken him. It took all of his strength to keep going and not look back. He was bitten and his arm hurt but he knew he wouldn’t turn. This was the only way to end it. This was the sacrifice that might save lives.
“Dale wait!” Beth said.
He didn’t stop walking. He knew that if he turned around and saw her he might lose his nerve. He might throw it all away to die in her arms but then what? She would be infected and she would die too. He wished that he didn’t know that. He couldn’t die knowing that she would follow.
She touched his arm and he realised that she had run after him. He turned around.
“Go back,” he said. “Get away from me.”
Beth nodded. She was crying. She didn’t ask him not to go and he thought that he saw the flicker of understanding in her eyes. “I love you Dale,” she said.
“I love you,” Dale said.
She let go of his arm and he took a final look at her. He drew strength from knowing that she understood what he was doing and that she would do as he had asked. She would live. His sacrifice had meaning.
Dale turned away and walked towards the forest. He could feel the guns pointing at his head but also Beth watching him go.
* * * * *
The shadows of the tall trees fell over him before he had entered the forest. He could see into the darkness. A thousand zombies stared back at him. Dale counted the last breaths he would ever take. His heart thumped against his chest as if it knew that the end was near.
The frosty grass crunched beneath his boots. He didn’t stop walking now. If he did, he knew that he might not be able to start again. Everything began to seem very cold and distant.
The first zombies came towards him. No longer able to resist the temptation. They broke cover and he felt their cold dead hands on his skin. Drawing him in. Dale thought about Beth and once he could see her face he held onto it. This was for her. She would live. That was the only thing that mattered.
END OF BOOK ONE
The story continues in ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE BOOK TWO: ZERO HOUR
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About the Author
James Loscombe was born in Crawley, England in 1983. He graduated with an HND in video production from Reading College and a degree in English Literature from the Open University. He has been writing fiction since he was eight years old. James lives in Reading, England with his wife Tamzin and son Jude.
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Other Books by James Loscombe
Sanctuary
Tales of the Apocalypse