by Barone, Cenz
But the news agency did not start covering the story until yesterday and now all of a sudden the radio, TV and internet exploded with it, and was covering what was happening in the Southern Western part of the country. For some reason from what Kenny could gleam, the activities in Britain originally started out as all concentrated within Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Wales.
In short the Southern regions of the country began to report firstly, but then the gradual incremental increase to other cities and regions in Britain however soon spread like wildfire. This is what he was basing it on during the conversations he was observing on the television, with maps all on show as news presenters and experts tried to produce some kind of blueprint to the goings on. It was just too hard to decipher.
It was also telling to Kenny that it did appear to be major in big cities and towns. The television and radio were spending more time reporting on such events, which was understandable to him due to their higher concentrations of people. Yet he wondered if that meant other parts of the country had not been exposed or were hidden. It was hard to make sense of because there was no logic for it being in one place compared to another which did not have it.
At the moment though the television networks were interchanging between national broadcasts and localised television networks which were catered to a central base of command that had the media networks in contact with the government of the day. So now the television in the lounge was centred on a localised report, which Grant changed the channel to as the television advised personnel to go to a default channel, these default channels were newly set up channels which was created in a national emergency that dealt specifically with localised regions, although it was unlikely the originators of such a method of communication imagined it would be used in the grip of what was currently happening.
So now the television coverage was focused on the nearby regions of Oxfordshire and Oxford itself, with details of rescue centres and also reports on the goings on in those areas. Localised television networks were taking the lead for the majority of the broadcasts in order to address the people in these areas direct needs. While national networks were occasionally intersecting the broadcast with breaking news, and the urgency being to give up to date accounts to persons pertaining to where persons were in the country.
Grant sat back in the chair trying to relax in this precarious situation he had found himself in with these strangers. He felt as disillusioned as everyone else because the information on the screen was useless to them.
Grant asked, breaking the silence “Do any of you people have any family or friends around here. I know you do not Elise, but what about you two?” Grant was desperate, repeating himself because he had asked them both before, but he was so tired he forgot. Grant was looking at both Kenny and Cherie. Kenny merely shook his head indicating he did not, and so did Cherie indicating she did not. Grant answered “Isn’t that bad luck. All four of us and not one of us is from around here and none of us have any family or friends around here. It would be really beneficial if someone knew of a place to go to. Truth be told, I am unsure where exactly we are in this area anyways. But damn, I feel..."
Grant paused mid-sentence, all looked at him, conscious of the sudden stoppage to his words. He sighed and leant to the side, his hand heading towards the coffee table, from which he took his hot cup of coffee which had been made after they had boarded up the house. He sipped it. Elise was patient near him, her eyes moving between the television and Grant. Kenny just stood near the wall, mindful of all going on. Cherie was withdrawn and keeping her thoughts to herself, for the time being at least. Grant said once he put down the coffee "Elise and I just work here. I am sorry. I know I have said this before. I am just making small talk” Grant sounding resigned to hopelessness, he felt so ineffective right now.
There was a silence for a bit until Kenny voiced, eager to speak his own mind due to the memories he had been contending with that were causing him stress. He said “I was doing my exams in the city". All turned to him as he continued "I was told to come down to Oxford to sit some examinations. I applied for a delay to my deadline which was for personal reasons so they granted it. That is why I am here as well as an administrative error and also this apparently being the only place able to host my delayed exam or should I say exams. I should have sat these exams a few weeks ago in Bristol. I go to a University just outside Bristol you see, but they had an invigilator here for some reason as opposed to back up there. I am unsure why they sent me all the way down here though beyond an administrative error. But I do not know this area at all. I have never been to Oxford before".
"So where are you from?" asked Elise to which Kenny answered "Outskirts of Bristol. Like I said, I go to a university there. I did not want to go to university far from my area. I am not very adventurous, and I have not travelled far in my life to be honest. Even in this country. So coming to Oxford was a little bit of an adventure for me" he sounded like it was funny to say now, and he was originally excited about coming to Oxford, but now not so much excited but terrified.
Everyone turned to Cherie waiting for her to tell her story, she felt their eyes on her and she began to feel self-conscious so she started to speak. “I am heading to meet my boyfriend in London. Or I should say I was heading to meet my boyfriend there. I was travelling by train when all this happened. I got off at Oxford train station awaiting my next train to take me onwards. My reasons for being here are personal I guess. My boyfriend and I were going to try to save our relationship. We had a heart to heart on the phone a few nights ago. Both of us did not want this relationship to be over between us".
Cherie could see they were all hanging on her word and it was not her saying anything interesting that made them do so but those around her desperate, tired and wanting any distraction from what they had endured to this point. She nervously laughed, then wiped her eyes of strain before continuing "I do not know why I am telling you all this. What does it matter now though, my relationship with my boyfriend was a long-distance relationship, we saw each other when we could but now it seems I am further away than I ever imagined from him" she felt her eyes twitch as though tears were coming but she sighed and added “Considering what is happening, it really is over isn’t, everything is over, relationships as well”.
Cherie herself was insightful enough to take in what the television was broadcasting and what she had seen for herself on the streets around Oxford. Kenny observed this girl, feeling sympathy for her. Cherie was around his age, probably her early 20s. He took in her appearance once more, noticing the candle light strike her, she had a pretty face, with her distinctive dyed red hair, red as bright blood, a slim figure and bright blue eyes. Cherie was dressed in a smart navy leather jacket and tough navy blue jeans with black boots.
She caught Kenny prolonging his look on her after she had spoke but he casually just motioned his gaze back towards the television, feeling self-conscious. The silence took over the room once more, their formalities over and this sense of small talk seemed to pass unthreateningly. Elise then muttered "We just wait then". As soon as Elise said this, the group became startled because they heard loud banging outside. These noises were far heavier than the usual noises they had heard since being in the house, and the noises sounded closer. It sounded like thudding noises right outside the house as opposed to far from the house.
“Relax” Grant said as he slowly stood up. He noticed the panic on his fellow survivor’s faces, Cherie herself was heard breathing heavily, Elise had her hands shake whilst Kenny held his rifle and brought it towards a position he could fire if needed. Grant reassuringly added despite being unsure himself “It’s just those things”. Kenny laughed at Grant’s comment and replied “Just those things. What a nice way to just dismiss them as noisy neighbours or an irate drunk or maybe some troublesome youths. I like your style Grant, you make them seem like a nuisance and not the murderers they are who want to fucking kill us”. Grant had no reply to Kenny bu
t Grant was trying to keep all calm. Again his own sense of responsibility for these people whom he had picked up rearing itself, and he had found himself taking a leaders role amongst their group once more, he was so self-conscious of this point, finding how he was often overlooked for promotion, so the feedback went due to him lacking leadership qualities. But here he was, in a situation that actually mattered and was not office politics, and he could not help falling into this position and nobody argued against him doing so.
Cherie then said to the group trying to draw some kind of comfort from where they found themselves “We can stay here you know because there is plenty of food, but the problem with this place is there are too many doors to protect, and unbelievably the phones still work so that is a plus, but it doesn't seem like other peoples phones are working. I cannot get through to anyone I know on these landlines. I am unsure what is going on with the phone system, but at least there is a dial I suppose. We are secure in here right?” Kenny added to Cherie's words “I give up running, if we do continue running out there, it’s no use. We should just wait for the rescuers to come to us. Like you said there is plenty of food here, and I would not worry about there being too many doors Cherie, we boarded them up solidly. Those people won't get into this house. If we keep quiet we will be fine. This is my fucking house now anyways".
Kenny sounded aggressive in his tone, but he was just scared as all turned to him and he said shyly and honestly “I am just trying to sound tough” none replied to him, and his dry sense of humour, but his sincere reasoning why he said such a thing. And all three people continued to look at him and his strange choice of words. Immediately he defended himself and replied to their silent stares which did not let up “It’s really up to you all to do what you think is right for yourselves, I for one am not leaving this house until help arrives. So with the food we have and with us securing this place it is the most sensible option. So fuck the phones, even if they are playing up. The television and radio is giving us enough information, we should ride this out whatever it is and then we can all go on our own way". He next muttered over their silent reply "However long that is".
All were more or less of the same mindset but then Kenny became visibly upset and he started to sniffle as he spoke from a horrid memory, it just randomly entered his consciousness again. And whereas before he just quietly recalled it, this time he could not keep himself from speaking of it. He slid down the wall going onto the carpet to sit, his eyes glazing slightly and his voice began to tremble as he said “I remember this young family who came to the hotel I was staying in. It was the early morning hours after the day before when I realised something was wrong. I hid and remained in my room all night hearing the noises outside, following what was going on in darkness. Just removing myself from what was occurring around me. In the early morning hours though I heard a car pull up into the hotel parking lot and I had a good view..."
Kenny stared towards the large windows of the lounge which only went into the side garden of the enclosed house. He tried to calm himself but continued as his fellow survivors listened in "They must not have know what was happening because I saw them being jumped. Like a swarm of bees those things just came out of nowhere. Before they came, the car that is the car park and the areas I could see were quite quiet. When the car pulled up it was a family. I think they were tourists, their license plates stood out to me, it was definitely not British. Tourists huh, they came at the right time of year” he laughed at the thought of them touring in the rain and wind for some reason after the sunny day before when all this happened, his laughter borne out of nerves and sadness for what happened next to those people.
Kenny continued, his voice low “They parked outside the hotel like I said and the family got out of the car. The man, the father whoever he was he seemed more aware something was not right and they went over to investigate the blood on the floor. I mean the floor was covered in it, just the leftovers of other people who were attacked the previous afternoon and night". Kenny started to toy with the hunting rifle and he was pressing the buttons and adjusting it, not knowing what he was doing but just trying to refocus his words. Grant exchanged a worried look to Elise, who herself seemed uncomfortable by both Kenny's manner and tone of voice, but mainly because he held the hunting rifle. Cherie was listening on fascinated.
The eyes of Kenny were welling up at this point but he was determined to finish his story, as he said "I called out to them but they did not understand English I think or they could not hear me. They looked up to my direction though, me safe in the castle of the hotel so high up from the ground. I was shouting, not too loud because I did not know who was in the hotel and outside my door, but I shouted for them to run but it was too late". Kenny looked around at Grant, Elise and Cherie, as though wondering if they thought him a coward for not being more urgent in his warnings to those people who stumbled into the car park.
His eyes went back to focusing on the wall opposite as he said "I saw as soon as they parked up those people suddenly appear in the foreground but the family in the car were oblivious. Those sick fucks came out of the woodland or appearing from gaps in buildings I did not even know existed, and I was studying outside my hotel window for so long when I could. I thought I had a good view, obviously I did not. I should have been more urgent in my warnings to them. It was just too late by the time they parked up and got out of the car, distracted by the blood on the floor. I mean did that family have any idea what the fuck was going on, they were too cool, though the dad was looking for more cautious, but I don’t know. I have no fucking idea" he was making himself upset, and his eyes were clenched together, as he tried to fight off his tears.
Grant answered in a reassuring tone, he could see how agitated Kenny was becoming "Kenny, nobody knows when this thing started, all any of us know is it is possibly the last couple of days. Everyone encountered it at different times and nobody is to blame for not doing more for others. This is senseless, all of this does not make any sense, we cannot..." quickly Kenny interrupted Grant and stated gritting his teeth in anger at himself "There were kids in that family Grant. I already saw a little baby being murdered before all this, and I saw that baby crawl away to" all were disquieted by his tone and words he expressed, Kenny referring to the original sight of seeing the first attack outside his hotel window.
Kenny lowered his head in shame and added "I was too scared to do anything that could have helped beyond calling out, but there was no urgency on my end. Just a pathetic try to get them to run but it was so ineffective they ignored me. I can still see their kids, those two little girls with them looking at me as if to say why is the crazy boy shouting. The little girls, their kids, maybe they were 8 and 10 were murdered right in front of me. A family blighted out, I saw their father killed first and then mother as they tried to protect them, but the kids soon succumbed as more of those things came".
His sense of guilt was apparent for Kenny, who remained in the safety of his hotel room, hiding in silence and witnessing many atrocities since the incident in the hallway with the injured staffer following the attack of the mother and her baby in the pram. The family incident he was discussing happened in the early hours of the next day at first light. That event also motivated him to try to escape the hotel.
Kenny explained "I watched so many people getting killed from my hotel window. I barricaded myself in when I learned something horrible was happening and people must have been coming to the hotel either searching for help or a place to hide, or having no idea what was happening. I cannot erase those images, no matter how hard I try. No matter how much time I spend pretending it did not happen. It did happen. They were fucking eaten alive and I was there behind a curtain like a coward, or trying to call out in a pitiful way, all the time I was just conscious of saving myself and not drawing the attention of those things to my room because those things or people were hovering around outside my room, as they were throughout the hotel I was at”.
His sense of shame at himself
was only matched by the one theme that endured from the view he had in the car park. With disgust in his voice he stated "Those people attacked were murdered yes, but they were eaten to. Not just eaten but those people got up and wandered away after being killed to do something bad to someone else". All looked at him, knowing exactly what he was alluding to, because each had seen similar things individually, so Kenny said self-deprecatingly “It is always crazy when you hear someone else say it”.
Kenny's words echoed through Cherie, Elise and Grant who themselves recalled all the unexplainable things they had witnessed since this all went down. Kenny's eyes were growing heavy and his voice weary as he went on "I know what I saw. Nobody can tell me any different. I saw them being eaten alive. Even though I do not believe it totally, but they came back to life and turned into being like those who attacked them. It is what I saw. I know if I was in a position to help and to stop them I could have tried to do something, I tell myself that. But do you want to know the truth? I had a chance to stop it, I had the power to go down there and stop the killing, at least to try when I had seen so many people come to that hotel car park. I could have grabbed a weapon, anything at all. A pole or a stick and fought for them, to stop the slaughter I knew was going to take place but I was too scared. I was too afraid, and because of that I am responsible for their deaths also”.
He was irrational and not making sense, such was his level of grief and lack of sleep over the last couple of days. He wiped the tears from his eye as his words trailed off. Kenny then confessed “I just had to tell someone that” Kenny pitifully added treating these strangers like councillors it seemed. Kenny felt so ineffective at the amount of people he had seen die outside in the car park, and though trapped in the hotel was spared a lot of the violence he saw until he ventured beyond the hotel when he was forced to move through being unable to stand watching the murders outside anymore. Cherie felt quite emotional at Kenny's story, it just echoed within her.
