Immediate Survivors

by Cenz Barone

  When the light came on from the kitchen, Kenny and the three women could see the lights shining through the now closed curtains at parts. It was comforting to see light. Grant when he reached the lounge found a comfortable chair and sat down exhausted from what was not a physically demanding task but mentally he had to be alert and aware. Cherie had by this time reached the porch area and Elise followed suit, Casey the young woman who was the most withdrawn remained at the back of the garden. Kenny turned to see her, Elise was conscious of her not coming to the house and was about to call for her to move but Kenny blurted, mainly out of nerves and fear "What are you waiting for? It is safe inside. Come on".

  Even though Kenny was unsure how safe it was, he just knew it was the place they had to stay. Grant was still resting in the lounge and the girl named Casey then moved towards the porch.

  Kenny holding the hunting rifle up looked around, and saw Cherie, Elise and Casey near him. The three women could see the young Kenny's hands shaking with the hunting rifle and he was trying to amass courage, then he said aloud "Grant we are on our way in". Kenny turned to the three girls "Just stay behind me". The group walked inside with Kenny leading from the front. Holding the rifle outward from his chest and positioning it ready to fire was he. Grant had heard Kenny say he was entering but was just breathing deeply in the chair, finding the exhaustive task he had done from driving the van, locating the lane and breaking into the house too much. So the exploring of this house was done for him and this was safety, despite him not making sure the entire house was secure. In truth, Grant had not had this much excitement in years but he had never been so terrified.

  All of these people were in essence strangers, except for Grant and his co-worker Elise. Elise and Grant being colleague in different departments but knew each other when they spoke on breaks. Both also had done some co-joined projects together and it was with Elise whom Grant had found the van as during the rush out from their offices they were some of the last people to leave the building. Because both of them had been in what was dubbed the mainframe room which was located in the most top floor of the building they worked in but in different parts of the large spacious room, and what made their lack of knowledge about what was happening outside was that communication when in the mainframe room was forbidden with the outside.

  So personal devices were not allowed inside, indeed it was Elise whom had originally found the van which herself and Grant had been surviving in since they left their offices. By the time both Grant and Elise along with others realised something was wrong and they had departed from the highest corners of the building. They found entire floors abandoned, with all the telling signs of an immediate evacuation. And televisions which were on in places where breaks took place were streaming the news channels that projected the horror engulfing certain parts of the country, it was very confusing with the alerts and announcements detailing warnings of attacks and also advising people to avoid built up areas. It was extremely quick. None of it made sense at the time, and even now it did not.

  In the office block, Elise and Grant, when they reached the bottom floor the receptionist desk had been abandoned and the customary procedure for the building whereby all personal keys were handed in was empty of keys. It appeared that people within had taken other peoples keys with the key compartment being a free for all with desperate individuals scrambling for any vehicle to escape. There was also evidence of commotion with chairs tipped over and some glass was smashed, with papers on the floor. The television in the corner of the front lobby was also broadcasting the goings on throughout other parts of the country.

  Overall it was a race to get home to one's family for those within the building. Nowhere was this more apparent than outside the building, because when Elise and Grant reached the parking lot. With Elise thinking ahead and grabbing a set of keys she found on the floor near the receptionist desk after realising her own keys were not present. Grant himself also could tell his keys were not present but did not have the foresight to grab any other keys. Elise though was thinking ahead to locate keys to take any vehicle. When they reached the large parking lot there were actually people fighting, it was bizarre to see for the two, when they saw people smartly dressed male and female fighting over cars.

  With some shouting at those who were thieving their vehicle and others wrestling but all the while those strange possessed people were visible. They were attacking people yet in that moment of immediacy it was hard to make sense of who was abnormal or normal, because everything was strange during the earlier stages. It was as though they went to work that morning and entered as normally as ever with everything all alright with the world. Only when they re-emerged outside the building it was as if they had walked into another timeline on the same planet.

  At the present time however Grant remained in the chair in the lounge quickly reflecting on this early episode. It happened so fast that he momentarily lost sight of where he was, but then Kenny entered from the kitchen with Elise, Cherie and Casey behind him. When Kenny saw Grant sitting in the comfortable chair, he lowered his weapon and said "You could have called back" Grant though did not reply to Kenny. Elise eagerly entered the room and took to another chair, sitting opposite Grant, Elise was wiping down her business suit, she like Grant smartly dressed but their clothing was now worn from their travels and marked in parts due to the van they had been resting in and soaked through with rain. Grant adjusted his tie and blazer.

  Standing in the middle of the lounge Kenny asked "So I guess I will search the rest of the house alone. Did you search?" asking Grant who shook his head and answered "Mate I am exhausted. Like you said, if someone was inside they would have come out by now". Nodding in agreement was Kenny as he mouthed during walking away "I will just double check". Nervously he went into this stranger’s house by heading down the hallway with the hunting rifle ahead.

  Cherie entered the lounge and watched Kenny move ahead and said "Shouldn't we go with him to check". Casey kept near the wall, there was a radiator and it was hot so she placed her backside up against it and felt it heat up her buttocks. Elise turned to face where Kenny was going and looked back at Cherie, she stood up but Grant answered "It is okay. I think the house is empty". Cherie was not eager to move inside but when she realised Grant, Elise and Casey were not going to move, Grant mainly through tiredness she opted to follow up and went in a huff towards Kenny. Kenny had gone into other parts of the house shutting the curtains, making sure the windows were closed and also making sure the front door was locked down.

  Cherie was nearby providing cover and standing near the bottom of the stairs, her own mind thinking who might be up there. Cherie had no weapon on her so she could only provide eyes to cover any sign of those things.

  Elise in the lounge sought reassurance from Grant, and asked him "Are we really safe in here”. Elise looked around the room and added “Are you sure this will be okay Grant. Should we not try to find the rescue station” but Grant shook his head and replied “Elise it’s going to be too much of a gamble. The petrol in the van is almost empty and with no place to go it will run down fast. There is next to near no food left in the van, and it seems like the streets are getting fuller of those things. It is wise to just hold up here, to be honest we should have done something similar ages ago. But at least in this house, we have shelter and we can board up the house. The only windows we have to cover up are the front side of the house downstairs. These terrace houses make it perfect. We are snug here Elise". Elise didn't look too convinced so Grant softly told her "It is okay for now".

  Pleadingly Elise said "But the rescue stations Grant". Elise was sleeping for hours so missed much of what Kenny and Grant had seen, concerning the state of the streets and the total confusion out there. The way some roads were blocked off and how nowhere where promise of help was offered, or actually existed. At least from what they could find. So Grant explained "You know we tried to find the rescue centres before and it is useless, all the roads are blocked to get o
ut of the city and I do not know what part of Oxford we are in. It is time to hold up somewhere. We should have done this yesterday, it is a miracle we have not had any problems with the van. And if we do not do something now, then that petrol will likely run out then we will be stuffed if we are out there in a van, in those streets. It is really bad out there Elise. You have been sleeping for a while, but it is worse than what it was when we first went out there". Elise shook her head, she looked so frail and felt weak as she replied "I was so tired, and I still am Grant. It has been what almost two days or three. I have lost track of time. I can hardly keep my eyes open".

  Trying to put into perspective just how tiring all this was. Grant answered "Well I have been driving that van around in big circles Elise since we found it. So I need rest". Elise feeling a little bad about her complaint, sympathised with Grant, so remained quiet momentarily, she just turned to see Casey who was quietly near the radiator, minding her own business. Another girl they picked up, just like Cherie and Kenny. Grant turned towards where Cherie was, which was down the long corridor towards the front of the house, near the stairs opposite the front door.

  Grant said to Elise after observing the sight "That front door looks sturdy as long as we keep quiet nobody will know we are in here. Block out the light as well would be wise. I just hope there is enough food for us all here. Speaking of which, I should check, but I will do so later, just a few more minutes”. Casey had moved to stand near the door between the lounge where Grant and Elise were in and the kitchen. Kenny returned from the other parts of the house and brushed past Grant and Elise who were sitting down, he was still holding his hunting rifle and he eased across from Casey not saying a word.

  Elise was uncomfortable by how forthright and direct Kenny seemed to be moving but Grant was just too tired to care, he understood the youngster Kenny was trying to cover all the bases. How unusual for them all to rely on each other as being nothing more than technically strangers amongst strangers in a strangers house. A house owner who was not present so who knew what happened to the person who once relaxed in this lounge, made food in the kitchen and entered and exited the front door daily.

  Kenny had gone inside the kitchen and was shuffling through the fridge and freezer, he was pouring through the items and was remarking, sounding quite upbeat "There is plenty of food here. They have steaks, pork, beef, hey, even fish it’s all fresh too". In the lounge Grant, Elise and Casey remained. They overheard Kenny talking quite loudly to himself, but really addressing the rest of the group was Kenny. Kenny then returned to the lounge and was holding a prawn cocktail he had pulled from the kitchen fridge which had foil on it. He also had taken a spoon from the cutlery draw which took ages for him to find.

  He sat down in the lounge and took one of the three piece sofa, he was shamelessly eating in front of the rest as he narrated "They must have been interrupted from the meals. There is another 8 of these prawn cocktails in there wrapped up in foil. I hope none of you are vegetarians because if you decide to stay here it seems you will need a carnivorous diet, the people who lived here seemed to have a big meat appetite”. Kenny ate fast, he was scooping up the prawns with the spoon he took and the creamy pink sauce though spiced was pleasant on his tongue, and he felt conscious of the others watching him, but he was starving.

  Elise asked him "Is it right for us to firstly break into someone's house and then take their food?" Cherie walked in from the hallway and overheard Elise's question and replied "It does seem wrong but what can we do? We have to get what we can from where we can". All turned to Cherie, she still seemed withdrawn but slowly Cherie was coming out of her shell. Kenny was slowly eating at this point. Grant sought to echo Cherie, because he wanted to reaffirm to Elise the urgency for them to make total use of this house. Grant said "The whole point of us coming here Elise was not just for shelter but food. We have stale sandwiches and hard chocolate in the van, no real liquid except horrible tasting coffee and water which is becoming less and less. Let alone using the bathroom is impossible driving around. I need to rest too so here, this is where we stay".

  Kenny reaffirmed Grants point and stated "What other choice do we have?” Kenny looking around at them all and he raised his voice agitated "You have all seen what is happening out there. Nothing makes sense anymore so fucking what we break in and take some food. Big deal, people are being fucking slaughtered out there!" Grant told him firmly "There is no need to swear Kenny" Grant conscious of the women present, himself a gentleman who tried to maintain some decorum but Kenny was excitable even though Grant did not want to hear Kenny repeat the obvious, everyone knew what was happening and Kenny was just scaring the group, including Grant.

  Kenny went on undeterred "Well excuse my language mister civility, but it is true. Besides, I am not enjoying doing this anymore than you and I only plan on taking what I can from this house in moderation. You think I am a criminal?" he found some of their gazes on him accusing especially considering he seemed to be revelling in this. "I will leave them money if it makes you feel better" Kenny added and placed the prawn cocktail down and went into his pocket to bring up his wallet.

  As Cherie said to him "Don't be silly we are just uncomfortable being in someone else is house so..." he interrupted her and said "So am I". Kenny placed his wallet back into his pocket and picked up the prawn cocktail from the side table near the sofa he was on. Kenny then told them all "If any of you have any sense you will eat and be thankful you are here. It is your funeral if you do not wish to eat, the last thing any of us can do is let our strength get buggered. But nobody is stopping you not eating”.

  Cherie could see how ridiculous this situation was, Elise worried about breaking into a house and eating someone else is food, especially considering what was happening out in the streets. In truth, she felt uncomfortable but what was going on with the murders and widespread death and chaos, she did not care did Cherie. "Whatever, I am starving” straight away Cherie disappeared into the kitchen. Grant stood up from the sofa as Kenny continued to eat his prawn cocktail. Grant was more concerned about the windows in the front than settling into eat just yet. Grant told him “Kenny, we will have to do something about the window. If we can find some hammer and nails and maybe some wood we could board them up. I would feel far more comfortable with the front windows boarded up".

  Elise quickly stood up from her seat and said, sounding unsure "All that noise though. The banging we will cause, is that wise? I thought we came here to lay low, noise will just attract those things". Both Kenny and Grant felt she had a good point as Kenny placed down his finished prawn cocktail at this point and stood up offering his own opinion "It will be worth the effort but we need to secure the windows. I think the people here Grant had the same idea, in the front room there are pieces of wood in there with some nails but not enough to board up the window, they must have been following what the radio and television was saying about securing". Grant found this strange as he replied "Why did they not finish it then and where the hell are they"

  Kenny shrugged his shoulders replying to a question he could not possibly know "It beats me, but we could search for some more wood and use what is around us already". Kenny then looked at Elise and tried to explain why it was important to secure the house as he said "Those things won't be able to get in if we board it up. The windows on these houses are quite high anyways and the door is locked tightly, they won't scale the back wall either so if we..." Kenny then paused as Grant and Elise both noticed his sudden stop midsentence. Grant asked concerned "Is something wrong".

  Kenny was looking to the side of Elise, and he stopped because he noticed, there in the corner nearby the piano and up against the wall in the corner of the room close to the large television planks of wood prodding from the rear of it. Kenny laughed to himself "Well I will be damned". He quietly brushed past Elise and Grant who exchanged puzzled looks with each other.

  They watched as Kenny headed towards the piano and he stopped before it, looking behind the pia
no, he moved a curtain aside and then laughed to himself. He exclaimed giddily "Look at what we have here" he said as he brought out one of the planks of wood and held it up "I think these people definitely had the same idea before they..." he paused and added "Before they left" unsure what happened to the people who lived in this house as he then went behind the piano and pulled up a hammer and a tin of nails, these were large three inch nails and he brought them out Kenny remarked “I bet they were stocking up on moving in wood into the house. Perfect. So here is the answer to your question Grant. All we have to do is knock it up ourselves".

  Elise though felt like she was just being ignored despite Kenny and Grant's efforts to explain to her why it would be best, but in fairness to Elise she had the better point. "But the noise" Elise said raising her voice. Kenny replied calmly "It is better brief noise of us boarding up the windows than the noise of those things crashing through the windows". Unhappily Elise sharply answered "You just said it would be hard for them to break through the front windows, because they are high up so what is the point of risking it". Kenny nodded and said "Yeah, it will be hard but not impossible. It is better to be on the safe side". Grant agreed with Kenny as he turned to Elise "He is right Elise, we do not know how long we will be here for. We have to take as much precautions as we can. Considering we've just arrived, it is best to do this now".

  She could tell they were probably making the most sense, the threats outside and worry of them turning up to ruffle them in this house made her question whether this was the right thing to do. Kenny remained holding a plank of wood behind Grant. Elise glanced at Kenny then back on Grant. She wiped her eyes and said with resignation "I suppose you are right". Elise would have much rather sit in the dark in the house in silence and use the phones which nobody had checked yet to draw in the police but the group knew whatever was happening out there was dominating the police resources. With affection Grant placed his hands onto either side of her arms and said "Look, go to the kitchen. Boil the kettle and make some tea or coffee for yourself. Get a warm drink in you okay. We will take care of it". Elise merely nodded, she seemed so out of it and Grant could tell she was barely keeping it together.