The best part of the having the dirt bike, was now that I had reached the outskirts of the village I could head through the fields and hopefully meet up with Chris and the other survivors. Taking to the fields I let the bike speed up to a pace I was comfortable with. The route I took seemed to take an age and by the time I spotted the A.P.C my hands, wrists and butt were sore from the up and down of going through the fields.
Pulling up at the rear of the A.P.C I knocked and a familiar old face opened the back door.
“So it was you making all that noise back there.” He said stepping aside so I could climb in.
Looking about I quickly did a head count and we had eight survivors in the rear of the A.P.C. That was a puzzle.
“Yeah that was me. We had to come up with some way of moving your unwanted guests, before we could come and get you.” I said.
A kid of about ten shouted out “Was it you that made the zombies fly all over?”
His mother, at least I think it was said “Hush Philip.”
Smiling I looked over and said “Its ok. Yes, Philip that was me with the aid of few toys from Chris.”
The old man grasped my hand and said “Well I have to thank you young man.”
Shaking his hand I said “Don’t worry about it. Your all safe now and were we are has food, water, warm beds and hot showers.”
There were various moans and whispers about the showers. Heading through the back I climbed into the passenger seat.
Chris looked over at me and said “You know for someone who is touched in the head. You can pull of the craziest shit.”
Smiling I said “Just shut up and drive my arse is killing and I’m knackered.”
He raised an eye brow but said nothing and started the engine. By the time we pulled away, my eyes had closed and I had fallen asleep.
I was jerked awake when we stopped at the service station to get fuel. Look in the back I saw the old man asleep with his head leaning against the rear of the A.P.C. Sat beside him was the mother of the two kids she had short blonde hair and pinched face, but the most startling blue eyes. Beside her lay the boy Philip looking nearly the spitting image of his mother except he had dark brown hair and brown eyes. There was girl a little older than him sitting playing with the edge of her coat and while she had the same sort of features of Philip and his mam. Hers were more rounded and soft, she had long blonde hair like her mother, but her eyes when I could finally see them were a deep brown. Sitting opposite them on the other bench were the couple and the reason I knew this was because they were holding hands. The woman had a heart shaped face with black hair and dark almost black eyes. Her partner was a stocky lad with dark skin and close cropped black hair and brown eyes. That left the young woman hidden in the rear corner opposite the old man. She had red hair and a sort of green/blue eye colour. She was wearing hiking boots and a large parker jacket and jeans. I don’t know what it was but there was something about her. Just as I was thinking on it the rear door opened and Chris climbed in followed by a man nearly as large. His hair was brushing the top of his shoulders and was a dirty blonde colour and his eyes were the same brown as the little girl. He looked up and saw me staring and just nodded and went to sit beside the little girl. Chris pushed past and climbed into the driver’s seat.
“That’s David and his wife Jennie, you’ve spoken to Philip and the little girl is Maddie. The old dude you’ve met before. The woman sat opposite him is Amy and the couple sitting next to here are Tom and Rosa. We picked up Amy as we were leaving the village, she came running out in front of the A.P.C I nearly ran her down. The others were holed up in the rear storeroom and were looking out the windows when you threw the first grenade. According to Philip the infected flew all over the place, even an eye hit the window and frightened his mam. Anyway I got them and we headed out and ended up with one more than we went for.” Chris said as he drove the A.P.C out of the service station and on to the ring road round York.
I sat watching the buildings and cars pass by. I was lost in my own world when a large hand landed on my shoulder. Turning I saw David looking at me.
“I wanted to say thank you for coming to get us.” He said in a surprisingly soft voice for such a large man.
“Look we need to all look after each other if we’re to survive all this.” I said gesturing out the window.
“I agree but from what Chris has told me you didn’t have to come. You were pretty secure in this bunker place.”
“We were very secure and we could have just stayed there, but would you really want to spend what might be the rest of your life looking at his face?” I asked pointing at Chris.
Taking one hand off the wheel he flipped my off whilst grinning. Turning back I could see the smile on David’s face.
“Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from.” David said with a small laugh.
“Not you as well. Well you can both get the fuck out and walk.” Chris laughed slowing for an abandoned car.
Laughing David headed back to his seat and sat smiling away to himself. I think we may have found a good fit with our little group. I still had to weigh up the couple and the lone female but we would have time to do that.
A thought crept into my mind and I shouted into the back “David have you ever shot a gun?”
He looked puzzled and said “Do those guns on the Wii count?”
I laughed and said “I mean like a shotgun or hunting rifle?”
“No sorry never thought I would ever have to use one. Why?”
“Would want to learn?” I asked.
“I would!” Philip shouted nearly bouncing of the ceiling in the back.
“Sorry mate but you’ll have to wait till you’re a little older. How about you David?” I said.
David looked at his wife and I could tell he was sort of asking permission. She gave him a slight nod and he turned and said “Anything to keep my family safe.”
“Great we can get some training done at the indoor range whilst you’re with us.” Looking over at the couple and the girl I asked “What about you three? Any of you interested in learning?”
Tom spoke “I would.”
Rosa went bright red and said “Tom you can’t use those things they’re dangerous.”
Tom turned in his seat and looked Rosa in the eyes and said “Sweetheart, if David thinks it’s best to learn. So he can defend his family then I’m going to learn so I can defend you.”
Rosa looked stunned and she closed her mouth.
Looking over at the woman sitting in the corner, I waited for her reply. She just kept staring at me so I turned in my seat and watched the road pass by. After a while we stopped at a layby to let everyone stretch their legs. Chris and I stood at either ends of it with our MP5’s at the ready. We hadn’t seen many infected since we left Thirsk, but that wasn’t to say there weren’t any about. After ten minutes Amy came up with a bottle of water.
“What you did back in the village was stupid, you know that don’t you?” She said.
My god this woman has a voice.
I sighed because I knew it was going to be one of those conversations where the male is always wrong.
“It looked like the only way to get them out safely.” I said.
“It was still a stupid thing to do.” She replied.
“Well it may have been stupid but it worked and here you all are.” I said starting to get frustrated.
“You know, you could have died.”
I had to drink some water or I would have shouted at her. Finishing my mouthful I said “Yeah and that’s why I did it and not Chris. He has more to give the group than I have so it had to be me.”
She stood staring at me for another couple of minutes before heading back to the A.P.C. That woman seemed to make me feel uncomfortable just by looking at me. Chris whistled and I head back to the A.P.C and climbed in and purposely tried not to look at Amy. Chris put the A.P.C in gear and we head off down the country lane.
Looking at the sky I asked “Are we
going to make it before dark?”
“We’re close and I should be able to get us there before but it might be close.” Chris said.
“If we are that close just keep going and if we have to use the lights, but I am hoping to get there before the night sets in.” I said.
The last thing we wanted was to run into a blockade or something by speeding. We had just started up the gravel track to the bunker as the light started to fade. By the time we reached the entrance it was almost dark.
“We’re here folks.” Chris said.
Chapter Eleven
Everyone climbed out and I stood watch as Chris opened the hatch, following the last person inside I closed it tight. We waited for the lifts and everyone’s heads were looking everywhere. We all managed to fit into the one lift and took it down to the first floor. Chris led the survivors to the dining room and kitchen. Settling everyone at the tables I went to put the kettle on and get some bottles of water for the kids.
Chris followed me and said “I think it might be a good idea if one of us carry’s the keys to the armoury and the security room. I don’t want to sound paranoid but after what has happened in the last few days…”
“I agree. Let’s get our guests sorted and then we can sort other stuff out later.” I answered.
We walked out the kitchen carrying the bottles of water and hot tea and coffee in some flasks. Setting them on the table we let everyone grab what they wanted. Chris and I sat down and watched as the survivors walked round the room and looked at everything before settling at the tables next to us.
Chris looked at me and nodded in the direction of our guests.
I cleared my throat “This place is secure so you don’t have to worry about the infected. There’s four floors, this is the first floor and has two major rooms. One is the operations centre, which up till now hasn’t even been looked at. The second is this dining room and kitchen. It’s fully stocked with enough food for a hundred and sixty staff for I think Chris said two years. Anyway the second floor has security, communications which is where we picked up your cry for help. Also on that floor is the armoury, an indoor range, small gym and a swimming pool of all things. Third floor is where the enlisted would have slept, there is also a large library and communal area, with DVD’s and consoles. The last level has fourteen officer’s quarters, each of those rooms have double beds, shower rooms and a small kitchenette. Now here are the rules and I am sorry to say we have to have them. No one and I repeat no one is to open the main hatch leading outside, unless I or Chris are with them. The reason is obvious, if the infected manage to get inside we are screwed. Also there have been problems with other groups.”
“What kind of problems?” Amy asked.
“To tell you the truth I would rather not talk about it in front of the kids. Right the other thing is we have a sustainable power supply so there is constant hot water and the electricity works 24/7. We have some clothing in the armoury that will fit most of the adults, but nothing small enough for the kids. When we can get the chance we will try to scavenge some from one of the nearest towns, but we do have cleaning facilities until then. Any questions?” I asked.
Tom raised his hand “What do we do now?”
I looked round the room and I could see that they were all drawn out.
“Look why don’t you all head off to bed. Just to let you know the two rooms at the end of the hallway on the four floor are mine and Chris’. My door is always open, but please knock first and I’m not even certain if Chris knows how to use a door.” I said smiling.
Chris flip his middle finger and laughed. I stood and headed for the doors when the Old Man caught up to me.
“Marc is it? I never got the chance to tell you my name.” He said holding out his hand “I’m Jake, Jake Townsman.”
Taking his hand I shook it.
“Jake there’s something that puzzles me, we tried to call you back to let you know we were on our way, but it looked like you didn’t hear us and then the radio went dead, why?” I asked.
“I tell you what show me these rooms and I’ll tell you what happened.” He answered.
“Sounds fair enough.”
Leading him down the hallway and we took the lift to the fourth floor. I walked with him down the hallway and he chose the next room up from Chris and me. Walking inside he whistled at the layout, and sat on the bed. I walked over and sat on a chair.
“Ok Jake spill.” I said.
“Well it was the day after you had been in the shop. I had gone in and opened up like I always do. I was opening the front blinds when I saw that family come hauling into the square in their car. They all jumped out and ran for my shop, seeing as I was the only one open. That big lad asked if I had any food, I said only those health food bars that no one ever buys. He and his family head back to where they are on the shelf. I swear to god no sooner had they headed to the back of the shop than that young couple barrel inside and slam the door shut. That young Tom trying to lock it behind them. I start shouting at them to stop it when one of those things bangs of the door. Strangest thing I saw was this person without half her face bashing against it and not with her hands, I mean with her head. By now the young couple have ran to the rear of the shop as well. Anyway David comes up to me and asks if I would mind coming to the back of the shop as well. I can tell you I must have been in a daze because I didn’t even know he was stood next to me. I was just watching this poor woman bash her brains out on the wire covering the glass. I did tell you about the wire didn’t I? I must have!” He said looking off into the distance.
“Anyway David drags my sorry ass down the aisles to the back of the shop and hunkers down. I just stood there still looking till I was pulled down. That one woman was joined by another, then another and in short order the whole square seemed to fill with them. Most of them I knew from the village and quite a few I didn’t. All of them had wounds on them, some I couldn’t understand how they were still up and about. Have you seen the green stuff?” He asked out of the blue.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it.” I replied.
“Well we were stuck in there with really no way out. I mean there was a fire door out back, but sometime in the past someone had parked a car behind it and never moved it since. We lived on the health bars and stuff from the shelves and water from the small sink out back. That was until about three days ago when Tom spotted an old CB radio on one of the shelves. I had a car battery out back that had been ordered in but never got picked up. That’s the story of my life, things getting ordered but never picked up. Anyway we managed to rig it up to the CB and had been trying every channel since then. Yesterday though the battery decided to die on us. I suppose us flicking channels all the time was why you couldn’t get in touch with us.” He said finishing his story.
I sat back and thought of the luck had finding these people and the blind luck that had led me back to save Jake.
“Well Jake it looks like you had a good streak of luck and let’s hope it last a lot longer.” I said.
“You and me both young’un.”
I stood up and held out my hand and shook his.
“You get some rest and we’ll talk in the morning.” I said walking to the door.
“Marc!” He said.
“Yeah?” I said turning at the door.
“What happened with those other groups you were talking about?” He asked.
I looked at the floor before raising my eyes to look at him.
“They died, Jake. Them and a good friend.” I said.
“I thought as much. Good night Marc you’re a good man and so is Chris.”
I waved my hand and left the room and headed to my own. Opening the door I saw Chris sitting on the chair waiting for me.
“Heard you talking to the Old Man.” He said.
“He’s called Jake. He’s pretty sharp.” I said.
“He sounded like it when we were waiting for you to come back from you suicide run.” He said smiling.
I walked over to th
e bed and took my boots off and sat down on the edge.
“What’s on your mind Chris?” I asked.
“After you left with Jake, I was asked who was in charge…”
I waited for the other shoe to drop.
“And?” I said looking him in the eyes.
“I said that at the moment you were…” He must have seen my face because he quickly added “The reason I said that was, because you were quick off the mark with the distraction and the rescue attempt. I mean it, I didn’t have a fucking clue how to rescue those people and you did. Look if you’re not wanting to be in charge we can wait and see how the others turn out and turn it over to one of them.”
Groaning I put my head in my hands. After all I never wanted to be a leader that was what I was hoping Chris would do. A thought came through my brain.
“Ok, how about this? I make the security and snap judgements and we as a group discuss the overall stuff?” I asked.
“That’s fine by me, and I think that Rosa will be happy with that as well.”
“Why Rosa?” I asked, I mean I had a rough idea but wanted to hear it from Chris.
“She was just saying why there was only one person in charge? I couldn’t give her an answer so she said we should have a meeting to discuss it. A fucking meeting can you believe it. The world hasn’t been fucked up for more than a week or two and the bureaucrats have moved in again.”
The Bunker (The Infected Series Book 2) Page 6
