by T. L. Frost
Zombies
Parts 6 to 10
~
SURVIVING
~
T.L. Frost
Part Six: THE FARM
The Farm
On the run and trying to stay alive, the survivors run for their lives, gangs of zombies close behind. Leading his shrinking group through a deadly new world, Merrick can only hope to keep them together, hope they will survive, taking it all just one day at a time.
Chapter 1
The truck shook with the impact. In the cab, Steve and Bridget jumped in their seats at the sudden, loud bang.
“What the fuck was that!” Said Steve looking around wildly.
“Something hit the roof.” Answered Bridget, eyes wide with fear as she looked up towards the sound.
Behind the truck, the line of people passing boxes of supplies towards its open rear doors had frozen in place. Questions were whispered, everyone suddenly on edge, until Merrick raised a hand, calling for silence.
“What’s the hold up?” Asked Natalie as she hurried from the rear entrance of the small supermarket outlet.
“Something just hit the truck.” Said Merrick quietly “From above.”
They both stood looking upwards but nothing moved and Merrick breathed out a small sigh of relief as he walked up towards the passenger side of the truck’s cab.
“I’ll have a look.” Said Steve, opening the driver’s door “It’s probably nothing.”
“Be careful.” Replied Bridget, worry in her voice as Steve climbed out of the cab, turning and standing on the seat to try and see the truck’s roof.
“You two ok?” Asked Merrick, tapping gently on the passenger side window, causing Bridget to jump a little.
Bridget turned, giving a nod and a small nervous smile. A quiet groan sounded behind her and Merrick saw the fear return to her face before she spun quickly back. Steve’s legs had stiffened, straight out, toes pointing as if he was trying to gain every last bit of height, then he seemed to shiver and Bridget watched, frozen in place, as blood poured down his shirt and trousers a second before he was pulled violently upwards.
“What’s happening?!” Asked Merrick, trying to see around Bridget “Bridget, what’s…”
His words halted as Bridget glanced quickly at him, a look of horror on her face, before spinning back to where Steve had been. She screamed and Steve’s bloody corpse smashed into the truck’s windscreen, blood splattering all over it from a large, ragged wound in his throat. His eyes stared unseeing through the windscreen as Bridget looked on, fear holding her frozen in place. Merrick pulled frantically at the door handle, using all of his strength, but it was locked.
“Bridget!” He called, banging on the window “Unlock the door, get out!”
Then a shadow seemed to fill the cab as the driver’s side door was blocked. Bridget screamed again and was smashed back against her door’s window, blood and pieces of glass flew over Merrick as the window shattered. He staggered back, staring in shock as Bridget turned to him, her head resting on the door frame. She seemed to shudder and one of her hands reached out, covered in blood.
“Help m…” Bridget gasped, then vanished into the cab, pulled from inside.
“Bridget!” Shouted Merrick, reaching for her hand but knowing he was too slow.
“It’s too late!” Said Natalie taking hold of one of his arms and pulling him away.
Alice had joined her and together they pulled him back from the cab. A loud bang sounded on the roof of the truck, then another. Merrick nodded to Alice and his sister Natalie then stepped back as they released him. Above the truck he saw a small open window. Arms stretched out towards them as a group of zombies fought each other to get through, one pushed through and tumbled forwards to hit the roof of the truck with another bang.
“Time to go.” Said Merrick gathering himself quickly.
He pushed Alice and Natalie ahead of him, towards the shop. The line of survivors still waited, some holding weapons, others still holding boxes.
“Everybody run!” Shouted Merrick.
Most didn’t need to be told twice, dropping the boxes and turning to run through the store.
“But the food…?” Asked Barry, still holding a tray of tins covered in shrink-wrap.
They were all thin and ragged, the supplies on the island had all gone, forcing them to return to the mainland.
“Drop it and run!” Shouted Merrick.
A scream sounded behind them and they both turned to see a zombie standing next to the truck, its mouth opened in a snarl as it saw them. Another climbed from the truck’s cab, also turning towards them with a look of pure hatred, its face covered in fresh blood, pieces of flesh dropping from its mouth. Barry dropped the tray of tins and ran, Merrick beside him. Others still held the precious food, already weak from hunger.
“Drop it all and get out!” Merrick shouted as he passed them.
Some did but others tried to keep hold of it. Merrick saw some people go down as he glanced back, tins spilling over the floor as they were caught by pursuing zombies. The group was scattered and Merrick led Barry to a door he had seen Natalie heading for. As they reached it more screams and crashing could be heard. Risking a look back, they saw a door at the top of some stairs burst open, zombies tumbling over each other as they tried to get out.
“Oh fuck!” Said Barry.
“Let’s go.” Said Merrick with a final look around.
The zombies poured down the stairs now, trying to reach some of the other survivors, more came running into the building from where the truck was parked. Screams and moans echoed all around the building and Merrick couldn’t tell who had made it and who hadn’t. Gritting his teeth, he pulled Barry out through the side exit and slammed it shut behind them.
Chapter 2
“Where are the others?” Hissed Tom, worry in his voice as he watched the main entrance to the store “Did you see Alice?”
Beside him Chris just shook his head. They had been near the front entrance when Merrick had shouted for them to run and the screams of the zombies at the rear of the store had convinced them it was time to leave. Chris had thought the others would be right behind them but more zombies had burst through a doorway at the top of some metal stairs, probably offices he thought. They had spilled down the stairs, spreading throughout the store with astonishing speed and Chris had almost had to drag Tom away. He checked around them but it seemed eerily quiet outside, the small town where the store was located looked deserted, but so had the store. They crouched at the corner of a petrol station, the pumps between them and the store partially blocking the view, Chris checked on Sarah who was keeping a lookout behind them, her crowbar held tightly in both hands, but she just nodded, a look of determination on her face. Tom stood up and took a step forward and Chris only just caught him.
“Alice is still in there.” He said trying to pull away.
“She probably got out through another exit.” Replied Chris, trying to keep his voice low “If anybody is still in there now…” He left the sentence unfinished.
Tom struggled some more but he knew Chris was right. A loud crashing sounded at the entrance and figures could be seen pressed up against the windows, smearing blood and gore across the glass. Screams and moans could be heard from inside, muffled by the walls until the zombies pushed against the main doors, which swung open, spilling the creatures into the street. They spread quickly, looking for prey, heads swinging left and right, eyes searching.
“We have to get out of here!” Said Chris as he pulled a reluctant Tom away.
They headed away from the zombies as fast as possible, running down a row of shops b
efore turning off the main street and heading into the town itself.
“Keep to the outskirts.” Chris said to Sarah who was leading the way.
As they circled the town the sounds of screams and moans faded behind them, allowing a brief rest.
“It’s going to get dark soon.” Said Sarah “We need somewhere to hold up until dawn.”
“What about the rest of the group?” Asked Tom looking back.
“Nothing we can do right now.” Replied Chris “Let’s give the place some time to cool down, maybe those zombies will disperse by the morning.”
Tom still looked unsure, jaw clenched as he stared back the way they had come. In the distance some moans sounded, maybe a little closer than before.
“We’ll look for Alice tomorrow, we’ll look for them all tomorrow.” Said Chris, placing a reassuring hand on Tom’s shoulder “They know how to look after themselves.”
“Ok.” Said Tom sighing “Where do we go now?”
“Looks like as good a place as any.” Said Chris pointing with his baseball bat at a small cottage ahead of them “Sarah, let’s see if anybody is home.”
Sarah checked out the cottage and nodded, heading down a short gravel drive to its front door.
“Seems quiet.” She said listening at the door and looking through the letter box “Better check around the back.”
A garden at the rear of the cottage was overgrown and neglected, a small greenhouse filled with dried, dying plants. Trying the rear door they found it unlocked, hinges squeaking in protest as it was opened slowly. They entered a small, tidy kitchen. No signs of anyone there, living or dead. Moving into the living room, they stayed together, weapons held ready, tension visible on all their faces.
“Looks empty.” Said Sarah moving to the front of the house and checking the view “Not many other homes nearby, this should do.”
“Better check upstairs.” Said Chris nodding towards another door.
Instead Sarah moved to the centre of the room and tapped her crowbar on the ceiling.
“Anybody home?” She said looking upwards and listening “Guess it’s just us then…”
A bang sounded from one of the upstairs rooms and they all tensed again.
“Dammit, better go.” Said Chris.
“No wait.” Sarah replied tapping on the ceiling again.
This time all was quiet.
“Could be just one if we’re lucky, we can take one of them.” Said Tom and the others nodded agreement.
It seemed like every single step on the stairway creaked on the way up. Tom led, his hammer held ready, followed by Chris then Sarah. They were all tense, nerves on edge as they climbed. Half way up Sarah banged her crowbar on the wall, causing Tom to jump.
“Will you stop doing that?!” He hissed.
“Just checking.” Replied Sarah with a grin.
“Ok, everybody focus.” Said Chris.
They continued up and almost at the top they froze as a dark shape flew out of a bedroom door towards them. Tom jumped again, raising his hammer.
“What the fuck!” He yelled.
The black and white cat sped past, a dark blur running down the stairs. Tom spun, about to throw his hammer after it.
“Whoa!” Said Chris “You can let that one go, I don’t think it will attack.”
“Try not to land on it either next time you jump.” Said Sarah with a straight face.
“Fuck you.” Answered Tom.
Sarah laughed and Chris tried but failed to hide a smile. The house was empty apart from the cat and they made themselves at home as they waited for morning. The cat, nicknamed Jumpy by Sarah, was the only occupant and it soon returned, curling up in her lap.
Chapter 3
“This way!” Shouted Natalie.
Looking over Merrick saw her and Alice at the corner of another store. He ran over, quickly followed by Barry.
“Have any others made it?” Asked Alice looking back at the side exit.
“I think so.” Nodded Merrick “Some didn’t though.”
“Some escaped out through the front entrance.” Said Barry “Chris for sure, I saw him at the door.”
“We could circle around the front and…” Began Natalie, just as some zombies came from that direction.
A second later the side exit flew open and more poured through there.
“Run!” Shouted Merrick “They’ve spotted us!”
Screaming and moans could be heard behind as the four survivors sped away from the store, the sounds of heavy footfalls close behind as the zombies gave chase.
“Where the fuck did they all come from!” Shouted Barry as he ran.
The group twisted and dodged through the last of the retail units on the edge of the small town and then they were clear, no more buildings ahead.
“This way!” Called Merrick.
He had spotted an overgrown footpath in the hedgerows surrounding some farmland and quickly led them all that way. The sounds of the zombies chasing them were still close, angry screams filling the air, and the group had no choice but to keep running. They crossed several roads, the narrow footpaths seeming to meander aimlessly around the small, uncared for fields until eventually they all stopped, exhausted, and collapsed at the side of a path.
“Nat.” Said Merrick catching his breath “Keep a look out behind us. Barry you watch ahead.”
“Fuck me mate.” Said Barry breathing hard “Give me a second.” Then he stood and walked up the path a little to get a good view ahead.
“You ok?” Asked Merrick when he and Alice had recovered their breaths.
“Fine.” Replied Alice recovering quickly “That was close though, they came from nowhere.”
Merrick nodded looking back the way they had come. He knew some had made it out of the front entrance but apart from Chris, he couldn’t say who else was alive.
“Did you see Tom?” Alice asked after a moment.
Merrick shook his head “I know you two are close.” He said “Can’t say for certain if he made it though.”
“What about Jim?” Alice asked next, nodding.
“No sign of him, he was in the store but when I ran through I couldn’t see him.” Merrick answered, standing up and looking back.
“He’ll be alright.” Said Alice “Tough as old boots that one.”
She saw Merrick looking back and heard a scream nearby, then Nat came running up the path again towards them.
“Oh hell.” Said Alice as the screams got closer.
“Time to go.” Said Merrick pointing up the path towards Barry.
They all ran again, forcing their tired limbs to keep moving. They were all weak from lack of food but had no choice, they had to keep going. The screams faded behind them again and as they started to slow Merrick spotted a small group of farm buildings across a field.
“That way.” He said pointing as the group almost came to an exhausted stop “We need somewhere to rest.”
A few complaints were mumbled but everyone headed to the farm, a dry stone wall around the field’s edge slowed them a little but they soon came to the buildings. It seemed quiet. A quick check showed that the house was locked and boarded but a small barn to the side was easily opened and they all dragged themselves in there, closing the two big doors and blocking it with a pile of straw bales.
“I’m not moving another fucking inch mate.” Said Barry as he collapsed onto a loose mound of straw.
“Me neither.” Replied Merrick with a grin as he also sat down to rest “I’m getting too old for all of this running around.”
“Too old my arse!” Said Barry with a laugh “I could hardly keep up with you.”
“I was motivated.” Said Merrick looking around the barn.
It was an old wooden structure, solid but sparse, used mainly for storing the bails of straw that were piled all around them.
“This will do for now.” Said Merrick “We’ll pile more straw against the doors and rest. I want to have a look in the house first thing in the
morning.”
Chapter 4
Jim waited patiently. A long metal boat hook resting across his lap. When the zombies had appeared in the store, he had been in a small maintenance room off to the side of the building. The screams had come quickly and by the time he had opened the door to look, it was already too late to help. People had been on the floor, zombies biting and clawing at them, ripping chunks of warm flesh away from the struggling survivors. Some had made it out. Jim had seen a small group head out through the front of the store, closely followed by the shambling creatures pouring down a narrow stairway. He had also seen Merrick and Barry heading for a fire-exit on the far side of the building. The screams of one of their group had caught his attention and Jim had looked to see young Peter being ripped apart by the zombies. Jim had closed the door to the maintenance room quietly knowing he could do nothing to help and so he had waited.
Screams and moans from outside had been loud at first as the gang of zombies had hunted the fleeing members of the group. The screams from inside had lasted longer, both zombie and victim. Jim had felt sickened by the sounds of feeding and the occasional feeble call for help. Then there was just the feeding. The sound of it clearly audible through the door. Jim had tried to take his mind off it, blocking the door into the store as quietly as possible and checking through another fire-exit. The zombies were out there too, looking for more prey. Jim had no choice, so he waited.
After a night of broken sleep, every small sound jerking him awake gripping the metal boat hook, Jim was ready to go and eager to put some distance between himself and the store.
“Just me again.” He said quietly as he opened the side exit.
Moans and shuffling feet could be heard faintly in the distance. Some movement, not too close, among the buildings but it looked fairly clear. Behind him the sounds of zombies fighting over the remains of their victims convinced him it was time to move, they would start to spread out again soon, maybe cutting off his escape. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself, ready to make a dash across the open space towards the next building. A deep rumble in his stomach made him look down. It had been a while since any of them had eaten properly. Checking all was clear again, he opened the door a little more, then noticed it had gone very quiet behind him. Looking back he saw the door to the store shudder as something heavy crashed against it.
