Killing the Dead (Books 4-6)

by Murray, Richard

  The main road ran roughly north to south and was bordered on either side by a low stone wall and numerous trees and bushes. A long line of cars and trucks filled the road each seemingly headed away from the town when they had stopped.

  In the distance to the north I could see the possible source of the traffic jam, a van was on its roof with another car on its side. Most of the vehicles were empty, several had doors still open and personal possessions of all types littered the road.

  Amongst the detritus of a fleeing population stood a few dozen zombies, silent and still as they waited for something to catch their attention. Which of course, was when Pat and Gregg started banging noisily on the steel roller doors.

  I sprinted back to the front of the warehouse as the all too familiar moaning began behind me.

  As I slid to a stop beside a startled Pat and Gregg, gravel flying in all directions, I explained as quickly as I could the danger we were in.

  “Zombies, coming, get ready”

  “Wait. What? How many?” Pat asked stupidly.

  “Too many.” I yelled as I raised my knife.

  “Shouldn’t we run?” Gregg asked.

  “We run now and that’s it. We go back empty handed.” I snapped impatiently, “We fight them and kill them... we have a chance of looting all the cars on the road.”

  “What cars?” Pat asked as the first zombie appeared around the corner.

  I ignored his question and stepped forward, blade driving up beneath the zombies chin and into its brain. A second rounded the corner, then a third.

  Gregg cracked the skull of one with his steel bar while I took out the other, a foul smelling creature that had once been a middle aged woman. Her one remaining eye was fixed on me as her teeth snapped together as though already tasting my flesh, just as my knife cracked through the thin bone at her temple. She fell without a sound.

  Pat joined the fray and the next two zombies fell swiftly to his hammer. The next undead that came around the side of the warehouse tripped over the rapidly growing pile of corpses and was easily despatched by a crushing blow to the skull from Gregg.

  A dozen of the undead fell to our weapons before one of the faster, smarter zombies leapt over its dead brethren and barrelled into Gregg, knocking him from his feet. His steel bar went flying across the yard and he had to use both hands just to keep the zombies teeth away from his throat.

  “Help!” he screamed as the zombie inched closer to his flesh. Gregg’s arms were trembling with the effort of holding it back and I had an idle moment to wonder if he would die before I found myself crossing to him and ramming the blade of my knife into the back of the zombie’s skull.

  “Thanks.” Gregg said as he pushed the corpse away and scrambled over to retrieve his weapon.

  I had scant moments to ponder why I had bothered to save his life before more undead arrived and I returned to killing them.

  As the last zombie fell, Pat let out a whoop of joy while Gregg slumped down against the warehouse wall. I absently wiped my knife blade on the already soiled jacket of one of the corpses as I watched my companions from the corner of my eye.

  I felt no real joy at the slaying of these undead; it was becoming more of a chore and aside from the occasional close call, relatively safe. As long as they didn’t overwhelm you with the sheer quantity of them, they were remarkably stupid and easy to dispatch.

  It was a concern for me that I had saved Gregg. I didn’t save people, I killed them and for the life of me I couldn’t understand why I had done it.

  “Well that was exciting.” Gregg said with a tired smile. “Can we go home now please?”

  “I am afraid not. We have looting to do.” I said.

  “We can at least check this place first,” Pat said with a gesture towards the roller doors. “We’d just broken the lock when you came running.”

  “Open it up then mate.” Gregg said as he pushed himself to his feet. “Let’s see what we just risked our lives for.”

  Pat reached down and grabbed hold of the door with both of his large hands before pulling it upwards. It opened with a rattle and we all peered inside.

  “Well then...” Gregg said.

  “How would we get it all across to the apartments?” Pat asked.

  “We could strap it all to the roof of the boat and make a few trips. We’ll need some help though.” I said as I eyed the piles of lumber in what seemed to be every shape and size conceivable.

  “It will certainly help us make the camp secure.” Gregg said with a wide smile.

  “Sure, I kind of wish it had been full of food though.” Pat added.

  “Well close it up for now, we can come back later with others. Let’s go and check the cars on the road. You never know what people will have left.” I said.

  Pat pulled the door closed with a bang and I led the way around the warehouse towards the road. My mood was lighter, not by much but perhaps enough for me to survive another day without turning on the members of my group.

  If I could even do that said the suspicious voice at the back of my mind and I glanced back at Gregg.

  Chapter 18

  By the time the boat ground to a halt beside the apartment building, the sun had set and it had begun to rain in earnest.

  Our return brought out a small crowd who eagerly came forward to find out what we had found on our trip.

  I let the others do the explaining as I moved back into the cabin to gather the items we had looted from the cars.

  A surprising number of people had thought to take some food with them when they fled. Admittedly we probably had more snack foods and bottles of pop than would be healthy, but anything that provided a change from the usual fare would be welcome.

  Eager volunteers climbed aboard to help unload and I spent the next twenty minutes silently passing items to people.

  It had taken most of the day to comb through all of the cars and vans on the road that we could reach without going too far from the boat and once again I was astounded by the ridiculousness of people.

  As they fled, the occupants of those vehicles had taken everything from furniture to photo albums and family pictures. They had taken all manner of pointless items that would have done nothing to help them survive, though they would have died surrounded by all the sentimentality that they so desperately desired.

  With the boat secured and all of our new possessions removed I picked up the last couple of items I had set aside and placed them in a carrier bag before I finally climbed out of the boat and followed the retreating crowd to the apartment building.

  The cheery glow coming from the grill set up against the back wall was a pleasant reminder that I hadn’t eaten much more than a couple of bags of crisps pilfered from the loot.

  Julie was the first to notice me and smiled warmly as she rushed to fill a bowl with what looked to be a mixture of spaghetti hoops and various other shapes. I took the bowl with a nod of thanks and ignored her downcast look as I walked past without stopping to talk.

  The foyer was crowded with people which seemed to be the norm now and a buzz of excitement seemed to fill the space. It seemed the word had spread about the potential for more supplies and likely tools to make their new home secure.

  I spotted Maggie and Emma sitting together at the back of the room, giggling and playing some game that involved slapping their hands together. They looked up as I approached.

  “Hi.” Emma said brightly and Maggie followed suit.

  “Hello girls. I have something for you.”

  “What is it?” They both asked in unison which caused them to giggle once more.

  “Well, I found a couple of things that I thought you might like.” I said as I held out the carrier bag to the girls.

  “What is it?” Emma asked.

  “Open it.” Maggie ordered.

  “Ooh thank you.” Emma cried as she picked out the soft furry plush cat.

  “Thank you.” Maggie echoed as
she pulled out what seemed to be a stuffed plush elephant.

  “What’s it called?” Emma asked me.

  “No idea. I think that’s up to you.”

  “Then I’ll call it Kat.” She declared before jumping up and giving me a hug that I allowed, awkwardly.

  “Mine’s Ellie” Maggie said and offered a shy smile.

  I left the girls talking excitedly as they cuddled their new toys and headed for the stairs. A burst of laughter gave me pause and I looked over to see Candice and Rachel talking with Jason. Candice had one hand pressed against Jason’s upper thigh and he didn’t seem inclined to remove it.

  More fool him, I thought as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. It had been a long day and I had very little sleep the night before so I was looking forward to gulping down my food before it became cold and then climbing under the covers of the couch that seemed to be my permanent bed.

  The last morsel of food had just been swallowed and I was considering whether or not to lick the last of the sauce out of the bowl when the apartment door opened and Lily walked in. I braced myself for an argument or condemnation but she just crossed to the couch and sat beside me.

  We sat silently for several long minutes as I watched her from the corner of my eyes. She was staring through the same window that I had spent so much time gazing through. I couldn’t tell what she would say and I had the sneaking suspicion that she may be building up to a way of asking me to leave.

  “For someone who doesn’t care about anyone here you certainly did some odd things today.” She said, shaking me from my thoughts.

  “Huh?”

  “I was surprised to hear that you saved Gregg’s life today.” She said with a quick glance towards me, the merest flick of her eyes. “I would imagine that someone who didn’t care would have let him die.”

  “It surprised me too.” I muttered and saw her lips twitch as she suppressed a smile.

  “Not to mention bringing back toys for the kids.”

  “I like children and the toys will keep them occupied and away from me.” I said defensively and she snorted.

  “Oh really. Can’t you just admit that you do actually care for others, or even just that you can care for others.”

  I struggled to find an appropriate response which seemed to amuse her even more.

  “Don’t try and over think it.” She said, “Just accept that you’re changing.”

  She did look at me then, a smile playing over her lips and a sparkle to her eyes that seemed to banish the weariness she must be feeling.

  “I...” was all I managed before she leaned forward and kissed me.

  The touch of her lips against mine was surprisingly soft and tender, her arms circled my shoulders as she pressed herself close to me and I found myself responding. First to the kiss and then succumbing to the embrace as I let my own arms circle her waist to rest lightly against her back. I think I must have dropped the bowl I had been holding.

  “Well now, that was worth the wait.” Lily said as she pulled her lips away from mine, her face inches from my own as she gazed into my eyes. “Was it good for you?” She asked mischievously.

  “Huh...” Was all I could manage, my usual mental facility having seemed to have deserted me.

  “I guess so.” She laughed, a rich sound full of genuine humour. “Get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow gathering all that wood you guys found.”

  “We do?” I managed to ask.

  “Yes, we do. Goodnight Ryan.” She said before placing her lips briefly, far too briefly against my own.

  She gently pulled herself from my arms and crossed the apartment, pausing at the door to look back, her smile visible even in the dim light of the darkened apartment. Then she was gone and the door closed with a soft click.

  “What just happened?” I asked out loud, not really expecting an answer.

  Something had changed and I couldn’t begin to imagine what it was. All I could tell was that it was profound.

  I picked up the bowl and set it on the table ready to be cleaned and returned to Claire and Julie in the morning before settling myself onto the couch and pulling the blankets over me.

  As confused as my thoughts were, it didn’t take me long to fall asleep and for the first time in days it was peaceful.

  Chapter 19

  Awake and feeling refreshed, I joined the rest of the group for breakfast and received a bowl of a rather thin oatmeal sludge that was the only thing available.

  I ate without complaint and spent a few minutes listening to an excited Emma as she told me all about her new soft toy and how she had cuddled it all night. I smiled tolerantly and even accepted the brief hug she gave me, without complaint.

  She ran off to whatever task the children had to undertake and I finished the last of the tasteless sludge that filled my bowl.

  Lily descended the stairs with Cass, their heads close together as they spoke softly. She looked once at me and her face lit up with a bright smile that I felt myself responding to before she moved away to begin issuing instructions for the day.

  A heavy thump sounded against the couch cushion beside me as Gregg plonked himself down. He was eating a bowl of the same oatmeal that I had just forced down and he ran his fingers over the thick dark stubble that covered his face as he grinned at me.

  “You look happier this morning mate.”

  “I do?” I asked.

  “Aye you do. I take it you’ve kissed and made up with Lily?” He said with a suspicious snicker.

  “I have no idea what you mean.”

  “Oh sure, and Lily wasn’t rushing into our apartment first thing this morning all happy and cheerful, just dying to talk to Cass.”

  “Leave him alone.” Pat grunted as he sat carefully on the arm of the couch. “It’s his business and nothing to do with us.”

  Gregg laughed but let the matter drop and I gave a nod of thanks to Pat who winked back at me.

  I sat quietly for several minutes as they noisily ate and wondered at how comfortable I was with the two men besides me. It occurred to me that perhaps for the first time, I had friends. It was an unsettling thought.

  “So you all set for today?” Pat asked me.

  “Today?”

  “Yeah, we’re off back over the lake to gather as much of that wood as we can.”

  “Perhaps some more food too, if we have time to find any.” Gregg added.

  “Who will be going?” I asked curiously. “We can’t do much with just the three of us.”

  “As many people as we can get. Probably have to take Jason, Rachel and Candice too.” He said apologetically.

  “Why those three?”

  “Jason will be the one choosing what wood to take since he has more experience than the rest of us in building anything. Rachel and Candice will come because they are bloody lazy and need to start working for their supper.”

  “I think it’s a mistake to leave anyone here.” Gregg said, “What with Leon and Jenny still missing.”

  “They’ll barricade themselves in here and be fine till the rest of us are back.” Pat insisted. “It’s the right thing to do, the less people on the boat the more stuff we can fit in it.”

  “I suppose.”

  “So how many of us are actually going?” I asked.

  “Me, you, Pat, Lily, Cass, Jason, Rachel, Candice and a couple of the god squad... I think that’s it.” Gregg said.

  “Sounds like we’ll have fun.” Pat muttered.

  “It could be worse.” Gregg said with his customary wide smile.

  “How?”

  “We could’ve been stuck on a boat with grumpy and Lily arguing.” He laughed, “Now we just have to put up with them making out.”

  The two of them laughed, though I couldn’t understand exactly why, I smiled tolerantly and excused myself.

  I dutifully cleaned my bowl and with the aid of a knife sharpener that had come from the kitchen of one of the ap
artments, I honed the edge of my combat knife.

  When I was satisfied that the blade was sufficiently sharp, I sheathed it and went outside into the cold morning.

  It had never occurred to me how much I had taken central heating for granted but having had no real heat for a good long time, I was starting to miss it. I shivered and rubbed my hands together as I tried to ignore how numb the end of my nose was.

  In short time the rest of the people who would be heading across the lake left the apartment building and joined me beside the boat. Moaning, shivering and generally whining about the weather I tuned them out as best I could.

  Lily was the last to leave the building. She was speaking with Matthew who I guessed was the person who would be left in charge of our group while she was away. He didn’t look entirely happy to be receiving his orders from a woman several decades his junior but he nodded and told her that he would do as she asked. He carefully avoided looking at me before he scurried back inside.

  The trip across the lake was quiet and dull. The early morning sunlight that shone through the clouds was a good indication that the weather would hold for us. The group talked animatedly as the boat cut through the still waters of the lake and I sat at the back of the cabin and amused myself by considering how I would kill each of the people on the boat.

  It was strangely hard to imagine killing Lily and I shied away from that thought before moving on to Rachel. She was someone I certainly planned on killing at some point in the future.

  She was laughing at something Jason had said and Candice beside her smiled and nodded along. I was reasonably certain that the two of them were planning something and considering the glares they tended to throw my way when they thought I wasn’t looking, I guessed it had something to do with me.

  We arrived at the boat yard in good time and after a cursory check to make sure that no new zombies had turned up we piled out of the boat and stood clustered together by the end of the dock.

  “Ok.” Lily said, loudly enough to be heard over the low murmurs of the group but not so loud as to attract unwanted attention. “Jason will take everyone into the warehouse and start sorting through what we will need.”