by Monroe, Kady
The town was still on her left-hand side. Bare winter fields sat on the right. After another roundabout where the dual-carriageway ended, Freckleton merged into another town named Warton. This one too started off just being on her left side, but much to her dismay, residential buildings built-up on the right. She drove deeper into the town. And it wasn’t so quiet anymore. A few dead moaned when they noticed the Mini and headed in its direction. They weren’t close enough to get to her, but even as she went past she could see others ambling from the residential housing lined along the road.
A little further on, she drove past a Supermarket Express Store. There were a few damaged cars in the car-park and all the windows at the front of the building were smashed. The door stood open and discarded merchandise lay around the entrance. Jenny kept going.
Down the road a little she came to a stop. A large pile-up of vehicles obstructed her course and a crowd of zombies were milling around the area. Of course, they noticed her and were already approaching. In her rear-view mirror she saw a crowd of corpses were in pursuit of the vehicle.
On her left, Jenny saw the entrance to a narrow lane which led to a pub and car-park. A fancy sign also stated directions for an aerodrome. She steered the car into the lane.
Driving past the car park she saw it had painted parking bays, but there was no dividing barrier between the whitewashed pub and the next building which she presumed was the aforementioned business. There were two cars parked in bays, but the way ahead to the next lot was clear of vehicles. However, a small crowd of zombies was between her and the way forward. More were pouring in through the entrance she had just used. With her heart beating in her ears, Jenny couldn’t afford to wait, so she drove straight ahead. In the seconds before she would have ploughed into the crowd, she spotted a humped grass verge to the side of the pub. Parked cars had obscured her view of it earlier. She spun the steering wheel, fishtailing the back of the Mini into a few corpses.
Jenny sped up, praying she wouldn’t stall the car in a panic. The Mini mounted the verge with a bump. Jenny knew the vehicle was airborne for a second or two. Her stomach flipped as the vehicle bumped the ground and slid right on the wet grass. Trying to make a correction, she inadvertently made the car slip left. Then the Mini slid off the verge and bumped down a curb onto the concrete of the Aerodrome car park. It stalled as the zombies changed direction to intercept.
Keeping terror at bay, Jenny shunned them and concentrated on starting the car. Her calmness paid off as she engaged first gear and put the pedal down. She changed up a gear as she raced as close to the next building as she could. Some of the zombies tried to go over the grass verge which slowed them down. Most though, did a slow-motion turn as they watched the car progress. A small gap between the aerodrome building and the end of the horde gave her hope of escape. Jenny yelled in triumph as she slipped into it, turning fast around the corner and saw an exit back onto the main road.
She took time to view the new street in both directions. Turning left would lead her away from the A584 and would most likely take her further into the centre of Warton. Looking right, Jenny could see the cross junction she had been approaching before the wreckage stopped her. The left turn was clear. She sped to it and got back on the predominant road.
CHAPTER SIX
Another mile down the road, Jenny remained pleased about her improved driving skills, and for escaping the zombies. Then her heart fell when the car made a clunking noise and died. Glancing at the petrol and temperature gauge she could see nothing wrong. But the sound told her it was a mechanical problem. The Mini cruised to a stop, between fields.
The built-up area lay some distance behind her. Looking around and determining the surroundings to be safe, she popped the bonnet catch and got out. Jenny didn’t think it was a flat tyre, yet checked them anyway. Seeing no sign of damage, she went to the engine compartment, lifted the cover and secured it with the metal pole provided before examining the machinery. Jenny knew little about engines so unless there was a loose wire or something very obviously wrong, then she doubted she would be able to sort the problem.
Her shoulders slumped. It was time for her and the Mini to part ways. Jenny dreaded being on foot. Never mind the fact that she didn’t know the lay of the land. So collecting what she would need, she stuffed the items into the rucksack.
She retrieved the smelly outer layer of the coat and put it on, then secured the bag on her back. With her stomach churning, she walked away from the car. Jenny knew her best option would be to find another vehicle, and the outskirts of Layton shouldn’t be much further down the road.
Near the edge of town, she crossed over a bridge. A muddy water channel flowed beneath it, and further down the river was moored boats. On the bank, next to several large industrial building, were docked crafts. Some boats were out of the water and sat on trailers, while others lounged on wooden cradles, presumably there to either to have repairs done or to make it easier for the owner’s to transport them. Most looked expensive while the cheaper ones were in the minority and stood out like sore thumbs. More interestingly though were the cars parked down there too.
After the bridge and the industrial area, the empty road stretched out ahead of her, so she turned left and walked along the side of the building furthest away from the dock. Peering around and trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, she crept forward. She didn’t see any zombies but got goosebumps when she heard a low moaning. There was also a nasty odour hanging in the air, therefore, Jenny guessed several dead lurked nearby.
She considered going back to the main road and walking until she reached another urban area where the chances of finding a car would improve. But the vehicles in this area weren’t that far away, and Jenny concluded that the dead would be in attendance at the next place too, so she might as well try for a car sooner rather than later. With that in mind, she advanced, scanning the ground and avoiding dry leaves and litter as she went.
Two cars were parked by the building. Jenny didn’t think they would work out as they were undamaged and their doors were shut. She would examine them anyway just in case she got lucky. Unfortunately, her prediction came true. She moved to the corner of the structure and saw a large empty car park. However, the road continued into a tree-lined lane. Keeping vigilant, she hurried across the tarmac to investigate and assumed it led to the dock area.
A few moans rose in the air. She glanced about but still couldn’t locate the zombies and decided if she failed to find a new vehicle then she needed to back-track to the road or search for a place to hide. Entering the single-track lane she was glad to see a wire-strung fence on both sides of the road. It would block any zombies staggering out from the tree line. With optimism, she went forward and saw the tail end of a few parked cars on the right. The river would be on the left.
The zombies’ moans sounded again. Jenny detected they were somewhere to her right-hand side. At least she didn’t hear infected howls. She hadn’t heard their sounds since Bamber Bridge.
The lane ended in a wide area which housed a few docked pleasure boats and only a handful of cars. The zombies were quiet again but now the smell of putrefying flesh clogged the air. Glancing behind her she could see the lane remained safe. So Jenny rushed to the nearest vehicles and discovered them locked. She scurried further into the dock area trying to keep herself as concealed as possible.
Jenny travelled along the length of a large wooden building with a row of big double doors, which she guessed were storage areas or perhaps businesses that dealt with repairs or accessories for watercraft. The zombies had quietened down and Jenny hoped it meant she’d moved away from them, but the smell in the air told her otherwise.
At the end of the building, she observed a chain-link fence which ran down to the water's edge. Around the building’s corner was an open gate which matched the wire. Going through, she stood on a tarmacked road which went past another brick property on the left. Residential house gardens were on her right. Some with gates whic
h were closed.
Jenny continued onwards, passing by a wooden building. Just like the last place it seemed to be divided into business units. Only on this side, the front apparently, the relevant signage showed above each one. Shutters were down on entrances and windows. The track didn’t lead back to the small lane by the main road. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed the tarmac led to more trees and a gentle right-hand bend at the end of the houses.
Creeping down the front of a brick building, she saw the same types of marine orientated business units. All apart from the last unit which advertised itself as the Mariner’s Cafe and Restaurant. The shutters were up. Taking a quick peek in the first window, it appeared the place must have been open when the virus hit. Jenny was certain it had probably been a lovely spot to have a coffee and enjoy watching the comings and goings on the river. Now though, tables and chairs lay scattered and broken. Condiments languished on the floor amidst the tell-tale bronze stains on the laminated boards. Bloody handprints stood out on white walls and tablecloths. Jenny could see across the space to an open door on the other side of the room.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement inside and quickly ducked back against the wall as a zombie lumbered amongst the mess. When no noise came from it, Jenny got down on her hands and knees and crawled forward beneath the window.
The plate glass entrance became a hazard though. She risked a swift glance to the interior and let out a breath on seeing a dead waitress shuffling around to face the other door. Jenny moved past and kept going until she reached the corner where she glimpsed the corner of a paved patio which held durable table and chairs. The toppled furniture lay haphazardly on the paved ground.
This outdoor seating area posed another problem as it created a wide space between her and the next building. Not only could she smell corpses, but could hear more than one pair of shuffling feet. And for all she knew, zombies could already be lumbering towards her. Therefore, Jenny thought perhaps she should seek an alternative route. She raised herself up in slow motion and turned to retrace her steps only to find the dead were coming around the curve of the road she noticed earlier. More arrived through the chain-link gate she’d used. Jenny cringed when moans of excitement uttered from their mouths. With her own small cry of alarm, she raced past the patio which did indeed contain bodies and flew down the tarmac ahead.
The dead followed, moaning even louder. She prayed no more would turn up in front of her, otherwise, her only option would be to get into one of the residential gardens. This situation reminded her of the night Sophie, Jack and her escaped into the alley behind the shop she used to work in.
Running at full speed she entered a car park where multiple watercraft sat on trailers. Unfortunately, the trailers were connected to cars. Jenny didn’t have time to find a vehicle, keys, and unhitch a trailer. She acknowledged her driving skills weren’t sufficient to manage to take a vehicle with something attached to the back, especially in such a chaotic space.
She was sure the boats here must have some kind of parking system, but to Jenny, it all appeared randomly jumbled. On the plus side, it gave her a chance to weave in and out between the trailers, hopefully getting her out of sight. But on the downside, she would be running blind if she continued at her current pace. With a deep breath, Jenny slowed herself down and did her best to stop fear clouding her brain.
Now with more caution, she found a path through the trailers and almost got out the other side unscathed. However as she crept past one boat, a hand reached down from a boat and grabbed her rucksack. Managing to keep from yelling out, she spun around. The zombie moaned and kept a firm clutch of her backpack. The creature practically fell out of the boat when she twisted and brought the hammer down on its upper arm. Bone shattered and broke as its grip loosened. Gravity took its toll on the dead old man and he fell over the edge and landed on his back beside Jenny. His feet faced her and not his head. Jenny raised the hammer quickly and brought it down twice. Once on each kneecap. The zombie didn’t cry out in pain. But her stomach squirmed when she saw the inflicted damage. Jenny doubted it would ever get back to its feet, so she turned and ran.
Behind her, the sound and smell of the zombies in pursuit persisted. But on emerging into open ground, she let out a long relieved breath because there wasn’t another crowd waiting in front of her.
Up ahead Jenny saw another tall wire fence and an opening where a gate should be. Quickly going through the gap, she discovered she could only go left as the fence cut off any escape straight forward or to the right. It was a dirt path corridor which could only be suitable for pedestrians or cyclists. Worrying she might run into a dead end she deduced that if the gate opened onto this track, then there must be a reason and an exit somewhere up ahead.
The noise of shuffling zombies making their way through the maze of the car park got her going again. Her back felt sticky as she rounded a corner and found another big building. This one looked much older and taller with its three storeys facade of brownish red weathered bricks. The boarded-up windows had various warning signs plastered on them. DO NOT ENTER. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. DANGER OF BUILDING COLLAPSE. Not a good hiding place then, Jenny thought. However, a proper road surface was now under her feet, although the tarmac was potholed and cracked and hadn’t had any maintenance in a long time.
Straight ahead Jenny saw a corrugated fence surrounding the derelict area. And a makeshift gate of the same rusting material which swung slightly in the breeze. Jenny could smell the nearby river, only now it included a salty tang. She believed she must be near an area where the river merged with the sea.
Not wanting to linger, she headed for the gate and nearly reached her destination when it swung open. Jenny’s grip tightened on the hammer as an overweight man appeared. His brown hair shifted in the breeze above an unshaven face. He stopped when he saw her.
“Hello,” he said.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jenny didn’t expect to run into another survivor whilst zombies were chasing her, and the surprise meeting left her speechless. The stranger decided to fill the silence,
“So was it you that’s got them all riled up?”
“Huh?”
“The zombies. I could hear them from out there,” he said, nodding towards the gate.
“Yes, they spotted me,” she replied.
“Are you on your own then?”
“No. I’m with a group but we got split up. They’re around here somewhere,”
The man nodded as Jenny looked over her shoulder.
“We should probably go,” he said. “Sounds like a crowd of them coming.”
Jenny watched as he took a step closer.
“I’m Gary, by the way,” he said with a smile and held his hand out for a handshake as he continued, “I’ve got a nice place locally. Safe. Lots of food and it’s warm.”
Jenny ignored the gesture and his friendly demeanour. She knew a predator when she saw one and he’d been careful to stay close to the gate, effectively barring her way through. If she went with him, then for the moment he wouldn’t give her any trouble, but later… She knew what came later. She’d met his type before. Jenny thought about playing along, just until she got on the other side of the gate. But her gut told her this man wouldn’t wait long to strike, so she discarded the plan.
Taking a casual look around and noting a loose panel in the fence Jenny asked him,
“Is it just you or are you with a group too, Gary?”
“I’ve got a pal, goes by the name of Jones,” he smiled at her and continued, “He’s Ok, you’ll like him.” He paused looking over Jenny’s shoulder to the dirt track, “They’re coming,” he said, “Come on, I’ll help you look for your friends later.”
He held out his hand, palm up and smiled.
The zombies were getting closer behind her and she could see Gary’s smile wavering.
“Come on, what are you waiting for?” he said, his facade sliding. Jenny simultaneously paced a step towards him and began t
o shrug out of her rucksack. Gary failed to notice the hammer, and she wanted it to stay that way. Jenny took another step, and the bag was off her shoulders and hanging by a strap in her hand.
“Come on, hurry up. Do you want to be zombie chow or something?”
Taking him by surprise, Jenny swung the backpack in his direction and sprinted for the loose panel. She would never have squeezed through with the rucksack on her back.
“Bitch!” she heard him roar as she pulled the panel aside and slipped through the gap.
She realised her mistake as soon as she saw what lay behind the fence. The rear of the building stretched along the top of a narrow beach and ended at a sea wall which protruded out into the water in a curve. There was probably a harbour on the other side. To make matters worse, the corrugated barrier ran all the way to an outcrop of rock that effectively hemmed in this tiny strip of sand.
Gary hadn’t given up. She thought he would have run from the zombies rather than chase her. It seemed he hated losing and put his pride first. But obviously from the look on his face, he didn’t know this area was inescapable except for the way they both entered. Ignoring Jenny for a moment, his eyes darted in all directions.
