Zombies Zombies Zombies (Parts 6-10): Surviving

by T. L. Frost

  Peterson looked at him “Expecting trouble?” He said as he took it.

  “Just a feeling.” Replied Carter.

  Peterson nodded and clipped the pistol in place on his belt. He had come to trust his boss’s instincts and accepted it without another word. Carter went back to their room to check the news again, nothing good. People dying, emergency services overwhelmed, people warned to stay at home until order was restored as violent outbursts were reported all over the city. That feeling again, an itch he couldn’t scratch. He checked the view outside again. Still quiet. A couple of people ran past, quickly disappearing down a side street. A police car thundered down the main road, siren and lights vanishing into the distance.

  “Anything?” He said, sticking his head out of the hotel room’s door.

  Peterson shook his head “Nothing. Haven’t seen any staff or other guests for a while now. Only other person I’ve seen has been the client complaining about being ill.”

  “Tell him I’ll try reception again. Get them to call for a doctor of something.”

  Peterson nodded and was about to add something when the quiet ping of the elevator announced its arrival. Both men turned, both on edge and not knowing why. Instinct, thought Carter, it had served him well so far and he wasn’t about to ignore it now. His hand reached into his jacket, unclipping the pistol.

  “What the fuck?!” Said Peterson as the elevator doors opened.

  Three people were in it, crouched over a fourth. Their heads raised and turned at the sound of Peterson’s voice. Carter’s pistol was coming out as they leapt up and ran. The first screamed, terrifying and loud in the narrow corridor, a large chunk of flesh falling from its mouth. All three were drenched in blood, their faces and arms dripping with it. Grey, staring eyes fixed on Peterson as he took a step back, fumbling for his weapon. Carter fired, a warning shot into the ceiling. The three running figures didn’t even slow and his next shot was into the leg of the first one. It spun, off balance, as it toppled forward, crashing into the floor. The second was almost on top of Peterson, leaping the last few feet, arms outstretched, teeth bared. Peterson’s pistol came up just as it hit him, both of them tumbling back, the attacker on top. Shots rang out as Peterson fired again and again, blood spraying from the exit wounds. Carter aimed and fired, two shots to the chest of the third person, sending them staggering back. Screaming in hatred they stepped forward again heading for Carter this time. He raised his pistol for a third shot to the head and the attacker dropped like a stone. Swinging and aiming again at the first attacker as they tried to rise, wounds ignored, Carter saw only madness in its soulless eyes just before he fired, another head shot. The remaining attacker was on top of Peterson, his empty gun dropped to the floor as he struggled and tried to fight it off. Teeth snapped at Peterson’s face. They were close, too close for Carter to risk a shot. He stepped forward quickly, his leg swinging, and kicked the attacker squarely on the side of the head with his steel toe-capped boot, its skull caved in from the blow with a sickening crunch. Peterson pushed the limp body away and rolled to his feet, picking up his weapon and reloading quickly.

  “What the fuck is happening?!” He asked as he fought off the shock of the attack.

  “No idea.” Replied Carter, checking his own pistol “Grab your stuff, I’ll get the client and then we’re getting the hell out of here.”

  Peterson nodded and headed to their room as Carter used an extra key-card to enter the client’s room. He was on his bed and as Carter entered, he sat up, grey staring eyes fixing on Carter as his lips pulled back in a snarl of hatred. Carter fired once more and the VIP lay down again, a small neat hole between his eyes, the back of his head all over the wall next to the bed.

  “Where’s the client?” Asked Peterson as he came out of their room.

  “Dead.” Said Carter reloading his weapon and pointing to the three bodies in the corridor “Same as these.”

  Peterson nodded and they headed for the elevator. There was still a body in there, its guts ripped out and trailing all over the elevator’s floor. Large pieces of flesh had been bitten from its neck and limbs, blood covered the small space, splashed all over the walls, a large pool of it around the body, dripping over the edge through a small gap to fall down the elevator shaft.

  “Poor bastard.” Said Peterson.

  The body moved, sitting up quickly and both men stepped back, drawing their weapons. The zombie reached out and fell forward, using its arms it began pulling itself along, legs and guts dragging behind it. Peterson looked at Carter and he signalled them back a few more steps.

  “Wait until it’s out of the elevator.” He said.

  A bloody trail spread along the corridor as the zombie pulled itself towards the two men, mouth snapping at them. Peterson looked at Carter again, this time receiving a nod. Aiming carefully, he pulled the trigger, the bullet smashing through the zombie’s neck, down through its lungs and hitting the heart, tearing it to pieces. The creature paused a second then continued crawling.

  “Fuck!” Said Peterson in disbelief.

  “Shoot it in the head.” Said Carter “That seems to work.”

  Peterson fired again, punching a hole into the top of the zombie’s head. It dropped, unmoving, more blood pouring from its mouth. Both men stepped carefully around the body and into the elevator. Carter hit the button marked ‘Garage’ and the elevator headed down to the basement, quiet music playing in the background.

  ----------

  “Mr Carter?” Came Matthews voice again “Do you remember how you came to be here?”

  Carter looked at him, he had a really annoying manner, must have been some big shot doctor before the shit hit the fan.

  “No.” Said Carter “Not much.”

  “Well no signs of serious concussion so it will probably all come back to you after some rest.” Said Matthews “I’ll send one of the others with some food, you rest for now.”

  “I’ll get it.” Said Sally.

  “Oh I think one of the others could…”Began Matthews, looking from Sally to Carter.

  “That’s very kind of you Sally.” Said Carter with his most winning smile.

  Her cheeks turned a little rosy again. Damn she’s cute, thought Carter.

  “I’ll need a hand checking over stocks of medicine straight after.” Said Matthews, turning and leaving without another word.

  What an asshole, thought Carter as he watched the doctor leave.

  “There’s just stew I’m afraid, all out of tins.” Said Sally as she brought the food.

  “I don’t mind.” He said “Was never much of a cook anyway.”

  “I cooked a lot… before.” Said Sally “Had a job in a small restaurant, nothing fancy but I enjoyed it.”

  Carter ate and listened. A lot of things were different now.

  “Maybe you could cook for me sometime.” He said. “I think I’d like that.”

  “Me too.” Said Sally taking his empty bowl “I better go help the doc with his inventory. I’ll pop in later and see if you need anything if you like?”

  “I’d like that very much Sally.” Said Carter, watching her leave.

  Chapter 2

  A day later and Carter was restless. Checking his ribs again they were sore but ok. He unwound the tight bandages, taking a deep breath. His ribs protested but he could handle a little pain. The bruising down one side was already discolouring, turning a fainter shade. Reaching up and checking the bandages on his head, he started taking them off too.

  “Mr Carter!” Came Matthews’ voice as he entered the room “What are you doing? They need to stay on at least another day.”

  Carter looked at him, his gaze steady, and continued taking the bandages off.

  “Let me help.” Said Sally, who had also entered the room.

  The fresh air felt good and Carter touched the wound, feeling the stitches there.

  “We don’t have many resources here you know, if that becomes infected, I’m not sure we could spare any anti
biotics…” Said Doctor Matthews with a barely concealed sneer.

  Carter stood slowly, pushing himself up from the bed, his vision blurred slightly and his legs felt a little weak, but he didn’t show any signs of it. He stood a head taller than the doctor and, though he had lost weight over the last few weeks, he was still a big guy. Matthews took a small step back as Carter stared at him.

  “I’ll be fine.” He said, turning to Sally “Thanks for the help.”

  “You’re welcome.” She replied “There’s more stew if you feel up to visiting the kitchen?”

  “Sounds good.” Said Carter “Maybe I should find my clothes first though.”

  Sally blushed a little and smiled “I cleaned them for you, I’ll go get them.”

  Not long after Sally returned with his almost clean clothes, a few blood stains still visible. Carter put them on, noticing the stun gun he had been carrying was still in the pocket. The kitchen was small, like the rest of the hospital. A semi-rural doctor’s surgery and emergency clinic all rolled into one, just big enough to have its own transport on standby. The wing with the hospital beds was next to the private room Carter had been in, the doors to that wing were locked.

  “They started keeping the really sick ones in there.” Said Sally as they passed “Though most were evacuated to the nearest emergency centre. The transport stopped coming and the sick we had left were crowded into that wing.” The doors rattled, moans coming from the other side.

  There were two other people in the kitchen, Rob, a local who had made it to the hospital about a week ago and Carl, an orderly, dull and surly.

  “Nice to see you up and about.” Said Rob cheerfully.

  Carter nodded a greeting as he helped himself to a large bowl full of the stew. Carl said nothing, just giving the newcomer an uninterested glance. After days in bed, some conscious, some not, the stew tasted great and Carter filled his bowl again as his appetite returned.

  “There’s only a little of that food left.” Came the nasal voice of Matthews “We have to make it last.”

  Carl sneered, turning his attention back to his own food as Carter stared at him.

  “Last until when?” Asked Carter.

  “Until this sickness passes.” Replied Matthews impatiently “All pandemics die out eventually, then we can begin to reorganise…”

  “Die out?” Asked Carter incredulously “Everybody out there is already dead, that’s the problem.”

  “I’d hardly expect someone like you to understand Mr Carter.” Said Matthews condescendingly “It’s a medical issue and that’s my area of expertise.”

  “Someone like me?” Said Carter coldly, his eyes fixed on Matthews.

  “Yes well…” Said Matthews “I meant someone who isn’t a doctor, of course.”

  “I know exactly what you meant.” Replied Carter “I’ll tell you what I’m an expert at though. Surviving. I’ve been doing it all my life and when this ‘pandemic’ appeared I had to use all of my expertise just to stay alive. I haven’t been hidden away, safe in some hospital, hoarding supplies, waiting for it to pass. I’ve been out there.”

  “You weren’t doing so great when we found you after that car crash.” Sniggered Carl.

  Carter turned his head to look at him, his calm, intense eyes watching until Carl’s looked away.

  “You say one more word to me, asshole, and I will make sure you look like you’ve been hit by a fucking train.” Said Carter.

  Carl looked back down at his almost empty bowl, stirring the last drops. Carter turned his gaze back to Matthews.

  “Whatever food you have hidden away here will run out eventually. Then you will get hungry and you’ll need to go out there.” He said “When that happens I give you a couple of days at most. You’ll probably not even last one.”

  Matthews’ mouth opened and closed a few times as if he was trying out replies. The look on Carter’s face persuaded him not to. Instead he turned and left.

  “There will be some tough decisions to be made when that time comes.” Said Rob “There really isn’t much left.”

  Carl looked at him and sneered, then stood and left too.

  “Every decision is a tough one these days.” Said Carter “Every one could mean life or death.”

  Rob nodded agreement.

  “What will you do when that time comes?” Asked Sally.

  Carter shook his head slowly.

  “I don’t know.” He said “But hanging around here with those other two assholes isn’t an option, I wouldn’t trust either of them.”

  Chapter 3

  A few days later and Carter was out checking the hospital’s transport. There was a mini-bus used to move patients around and an ambulance for the more serious cases. He had gotten the keys from a reluctant Carl, whose job it had been to do the driving.

  “That’s hospital property, if you damage it…” Said Carl.

  “Bill me.” Replied Carter “I’m good for it. Or I was before the shit hit the fan anyway. Good luck cashing that cheque.”

  The vehicles seemed fine, they were parked under an open shelter near the hospital entrance, protected from the worst of the weather. Carter tried starting the mini-bus and it fired up first time. A red light on the dashboard told him he wouldn’t get far though, it was almost out of fuel. Carter turned it off and pocketed the keys, the stun gun was still there and he pushed it into the vehicle’s glove box. Checking the luggage bay, he found a spare wheel and tools. Picking up the tyre iron, he tested it for weight, nodding and locking up the bus. He headed off around the hospital, the overgrown lawned areas surrounding it giving it a wild, unreal feel. At the rear there was a visitor car park, overflowing with neatly parked cars, a few trucks and even a camper van. Carter inspected it, checking the doors but it was locked. Walking on he came to the area around the patient wing, now filled with the dead, or not dead enough, he thought. The window blinds on the high, narrow windows were all closed but standing next to one he could hear faint moans and shuffling feet. Rounding a corner he saw one of the windows was broken, glass below it, the shredded blinds flapping gently in the breeze. Blood stained the broken glass and Carter checked around as the moans from inside sounded louder through the broken window. Returning to the car park Carter checked the vehicles there and found what he wanted, an electrician’s van, parked near the building. Smashing a window, he swore as its alarm sounded, loud and unnerving in the quiet morning air. Popping the bonnet and looking around the engine bay, he reached in and ripped out the alarm’s wires. It all seemed eerily quiet suddenly and Carter searched through the tools in the back, coming out with a screwdriver and a large tray. Sticking the tray under the van’s fuel tank, he punched the screwdriver into the tank itself, letting the fuel pour into the tray. There wasn’t much. Everything had started running out when the sickness had hit, including fuel as delivery drivers also fell victim to it.

  A couple of fuel tanks later and he had a full tray. Carrying it carefully back to the mini-bus, he emptied it into the bus’s nearly empty tank. He repeated it again, quicker this time until he came to a brand new model four-wheel drive, its fuel tank harder to reach. He had to lay down and guess its location but he hit it first time, standing again with a grin as the precious fuel poured into the tray. His grin vanished as he saw the zombie a couple of parking bays away, its neck and arms with large pieces bitten from them, the torn and ripped medic’s scrubs it wore covered in old, dried blood. Its head turned and Carter knew he would be too late as he ducked out of sight. A loud moan could be heard as he crawled around the vehicle, then banging and scraping as the zombie hurled itself across some cars to get to him. Looking under the four-wheel drive he could see the zombie’s bare feet as it jumped down where Carter had been. It turned, feet shuffling in one direction then the other, looking, searching. Trying to circle around towards the hospital entrance, Carter could still hear its moaning, teeth biting on empty air as it hunted. Keeping his head down, he put some distance between himself and the creature.
Risking a look, he stuck his head above the roof of a dusty red sports car, its soft-top torn apart. The zombie was still searching around the four-wheel drive, head swinging in arcs as it groaned in frustration. Then Carter heard the scream. It was right behind him. Another zombie, a woman in a tattered patient’s gown was standing in the next bay, half of its face bitten off, dried blood and strips of flesh hanging down. Without a pause Carter ran. He ran away from the hospital, putting distance between himself and the two zombies, both now chasing. After a short sprint he checked behind and angled towards the second zombie, knowing he couldn’t get caught between the two of them. The first zombie was scrambling over cars, taking the most direct route to its prey, but not the fastest. Carter stopped and turned.

  “Come on then you fucker!” He called to the second zombie as it ran down the gap between the parked cars.

  It ran faster, spurred on by Carter’s voice. Its hospital gown flapping open, showing more old blood and bite marks, one of its arms half eaten, discoloured bone showing through. It got close and Carter stepped to the side, behind the boot of a car as the zombie lunged, mouth open, trying to bite him. Bringing the tyre iron down on the back of its head as it lunged past him, Carter gave it everything he had, feeling a few of his stitches tear, but he was rewarded with a satisfying crunch as the back of the zombie’s head was smashed in. The creature flew forward into the front of another car and dropped without a sound, teeth and flesh now decorating the car’s grill. Turning quickly, Carter looked for the other zombie, it was on the roof of the next car along and it leapt, snarling as it fell towards him, arms outstretched, claw like hands grasping. Carter stepped back and tripped, his feet hitting the body of the dead zombie sending him backwards, the new attacker following. He rolled, pushing out with his feet as the zombie just missed him, desperately trying to kick it away but it was relentless. The creature half stood, half tumbled forward, its prey within reach. The tyre iron lay just out of reach, dropped when he fell and as the zombie dropped towards him Carter reached up, grabbing it around the neck and pushing, keeping it at arm’s length as it struggled to get closer to his face, biting on air in anticipation. Using all of his strength Carter pushed it sideways, smashing its head against the front of the car already covered in gore from the dead zombie. Again and again he smashed it against the metal as its weight helped it push downwards towards him. Blood and pieces of flesh poured from the opening wound. Carter was covered in it, his arms and face soaked, making his grip slippery. He was tiring quickly and a momentary surge of panic almost gripped him but gritting his teeth and snarling just as loud as the zombie, he bashed its head against the car again, a loud crunch of breaking bone spurring him on as the side of the creature’s head was crushed inwards, the flesh torn away revealing sharp pieces of broken bone. The zombie seemed to lose some strength and holding it now with one hand, Carter reached up, pulling a large piece of its broken skull away, using it to stab into the soft tissue of its brain.