Zombies Zombies Zombies (Parts 6-10): Surviving

by T. L. Frost

  Perry just pushed past her, slamming against the fire exit door. It gave a few inches then crashed shut again. Despite Perry’s frantic attempt to push it open, the two cousins were holding it closed on the other side.

  “Hurry up!” Shouted Perry to Charley and the other man “Help me push it open!”

  Then an engine revved loudly outside and a loud metallic CRASH sounded. All three men pushed hard and the door suddenly gave way, all of them tumbling out into the bright daylight, squinting in the sudden brightness. The front truck was heading away from the tower, steering wildly left and right as another man Perry did not know clung to the passenger side door which was swinging open. A yell sounded and Perry saw him fall as the first truck smashed into one of the other towers. The two metal gates of the service yard entrance were smashed aside, one of them twisted out of shape, the other swinging slowly shut again. Perry’s heart was in his mouth thinking he was too late. The second truck started forward and just as quickly stopped, one of the doors opening as Wendy jumped out, a large hand reaching for her, but missing. Terry’s face appeared in the space there, and with a snarl at Perry, he slammed the door shut and the truck drove off.

  “Get her inside!” Shouted Charley from the doorway to the tower “They’re coming!”

  Perry heard the screams from the other side of the wall and ignored the truck, he picked up the shocked Wendy and carried her back inside the tower just as zombies started piling over the service area’s wall. Charley slammed the door shut.

  “Fucking floor it!” Shouted Phil from the back of the second truck as the zombies rushed forward.

  He had a hold on a strap inside the back of the truck with one hand and was trying to close the door with his other. The truck surged forward and hit the twisted gate, stopping it and Quinn tried to squeeze the truck between the broken gate and the other, which was swinging open again.

  “Piece of shit!” Quinn yelled at the truck as he steered it around the obstruction.

  Screams and moans sounded from the rear of the truck and as he accelerated away through the opening Quinn could see zombies hanging from the truck as boxes of food and other supplies spilled out onto the road.

  “They’ve got Phil!” Shouted Terry “Stop the truck, they’ve got Phil!”

  Quinn hit the gas.

  “What’re you doing!?” Snarled Terry as he reached for the steering wheel.

  Quinn backhanded him in the face, his big fist smashing the other man’s nose.

  “If you want to help him.” He shouted, reaching over and unlatching the door, so it swung open “Then go help him!”

  With one hand still on the steering wheel, he pushed Terry out of the truck as it picked up speed. He hit the ground hard, rolling over and over, until finally he lay still. As Quinn watched in the truck’s side mirror, he pushed himself up, looking around in a daze, then disappeared, as zombies pouring through the service yards broken gates pounced on him. A short, pitiful scream sounded, then was drowned out by the sound of the truck’s engine as Quinn accelerated.

  :::::::::::::::

  Part Nine: COMPOUND

  Compound

  Carter knew what they needed to do. Travel light, always on the move. Living day to day wasn’t ideal but staying too long in one place just drew more of the undead. He kept an open mind though, always open to the possibility of change. If they could find a place to rest he would be happy to take advantage of it. What they didn’t need though, he thought as he looked at the other survivors they had just met, was anything or anyone slowing them down.

  Chapter 1

  The mini-bus came to a stop on the crest of the motorway. Looking ahead and down, where the road followed the undulations of the landscape, they could see for over a mile before the road rose again to another crest. Turning off the engine to save fuel, the silence crowded in on them. Occasional birdsong or rustling leaves as the wind slowly moved the low trees and bushes planted all down the sides of the road could be heard through the half open windows. They had been travelling for over a week, in random directions, searching houses and other buildings they came across for food or fuel, no real sense of destination. Always they had to move on, no matter how quiet or careful they tried to be, the zombies started to gather. Now they stayed in the mini-bus, the long seats providing uncomfortable beds, but at least they could move on quickly.

  “What do you think?” Asked Carter as he looked ahead.

  To their left, just over the screen of foliage a small hotel could be seen, the large letters of the chain it belonged to clearly visible even with the lurid neon lights not working. That wasn’t what had stopped them though, about half a mile further on there were signs leading to an army compound, reservist rather than regular, someone had added other signs later, large white-washed boards with hand painted messages.

  ‘Survivors here’

  ‘Safety and security, next left’

  “Worth checking out.” Replied Sally nodding towards the army base “They may have a doctor, if they’re still alive. We’re low on fuel anyway, could be some stored there.”

  Carter glanced at Sally’s injured arm, wrapped in bandages a few days ago after she had cut it on a broken window, fleeing from some of the undead. He nodded, starting the engine and pulling away slowly, he headed for the left turn indicated. The road was quiet as they drove towards the compound, a private, twisting road, now overgrown on the verges like everywhere else. A final, sharp turn in the road brought them to a gateway, twin sliding sections of fence topped with barbed wire. The gates were closed, an army Landrover parked behind them, blocking the way in and the way out.

  “Looks deserted.” Said Sally looking around.

  Carter nodded in agreement, the Landrover looked dirty and unused, its tyres going soft, like it hadn’t been moved in a while. More signs had been placed there on the gates, one had come loose and flapped gently in the evening breeze. Sally looked tired, and Carter felt the same, the constant travelling and scavenging taking its toll.

  “Let’s check it out anyway.” Said Carter “It’s pretty remote, might be a good place to hold up for a few days.”

  Sally nodded, a look of resignation on her face. They pulled the mini-bus up close to the gate and got out, standing still and listening for a moment but they heard nothing. The gate was fastened with a thin chain looped around the two sliding sections. Carter unwound it and pushed the gates aside.

  “Not exactly high security.” Said Carter lifting the chain “Not even a padlock.”

  “Lucky for us.” Said Sally checking inside the Landrover “No keys, we’ll have to push it.”

  Together they moved the vehicle and Carter drove the mini-bus inside, Sally closing the gate again before jumping back in. They drove slowly, following a circular road around the compound. The fence stretched all around, the barbed wire running unbroken along its top as far as they could see. Several buildings were spread out, the road circling them. On the far side was an obstacle course with a gravel running track around it and further on what looked like a small firing range. They kept on the circular road and drove slowly past the rest of the buildings.

  “Seems quiet enough.” Said Carter “We’ll check it out in the morning, there’s not much daylight left now.”

  Sally nodded as they finished circling the buildings then tilted her head slightly “What’s that?”

  Carter was about to ask what she meant, then he heard it, very faint but unmistakable.

  “Music.” He said, turning the steering wheel sharply to the right and heading between the buildings “It’s a little louder here, must be coming from one of the buildings.

  He stopped in the centre of the compound, buildings all around, as the light started to fade.

  “There!” Said Sally pointing “I can see some light coming from that window, behind the shutters.”

  The building was closed and shuttered, a small patch of light showing from the edge of one window. Carter stopped and turned off the engine.
/>   “Let’s check it out.” He said.

  They stepped out of the min-bus, Carter picking up a long steel bar he had found in a garage a week before, Sally holding a tyre iron. Signalling for Sally to wait by the vehicle, Carter moved to the door, which a sign said was the officers' mess, his weapon held ready as he slowly turned the door handle. The door was unlocked, opening quietly on well-oiled hinges. Carter nodded to Sally and opened the door quickly, stepping inside and raising the steel bar. A girl in green camouflage clothing was standing behind a small bar, a glass half-filled from a bottle of spirits which she was holding, her eyes widened as she saw Carter appear. Some comfortable seats at one side of the room were grouped around a fireplace, a welcoming blaze warming the room. Three of the seats were occupied, three young men were lounging there, all dressed in camouflage gear like the girl. Two of them looked asleep, the other was half sitting, half slouching, his arm hanging over the side of the chair holding an empty glass.

  "You going to take all fucking night pouring that drink Shaz!?" He slurred as his head slowly turned towards the girl.

  Seeing the surprised look on the girl's face, he turned to look behind him, seeing Carter standing there, the steel bar still held ready.

  "What the hell!" He said as he jumped up.

  The look on his face was even more surprised than the girl's as he took an unsteady step backwards, tripping over his own feet and tumbling to the floor. Carter lowered the steel bar, resting his weight on it as the girl came from behind the bar, helping the fallen boy to his feet.

  "Having a party are we?" Asked Carter as the boy stood unsteadily.

  "Who the fuck are you?" Said the boy, a hint of anger in his voice.

  Raising his hand, Carter signalled for silence.

  "It's been a long day and I'm in no mood for bad manners, boy." He said "Now why don't you invite us in and we can all act like grown-ups."

  Before the boy could speak again, the girl stepped forward, she seemed to be the only sober one there.

  "Come in please, we haven't seen another...living person in ages." She said as Carter signalled for Sally to enter "I'm Sharron, this is Jack. That's Lee and Rob asleep over there."

  Jack stepped up next to Sharron unsteadily, putting his arm around her as he glared at Carter. Sally looked on in surprise as she stepped inside, raising an eyebrow in question at Carter, who just shrugged his shoulders. The girl rushed forward and threw her arms around Sally as she saw her, tears springing to her eyes.

  "I thought we were alone, we haven't seen a sign of anyone else for ages!" Said Sharron as Jack stood unsteadily behind her.

  "It's ok." Said Sally as she stepped back a little to examine the girl.

  Carter followed her gaze, noticing the swelling, mostly hidden by the baggy camouflage clothing.

  "How far along are you?" Asked Sally.

  "I don't know." Said the girl burying her head into Sally's shoulder again, the sobs coming louder now.

  Chapter 2

  “You’re army?” Asked Carter doubtfully as he looked Jack up and down, the young man slightly unsteady on his feet, still clutching an empty glass.

  “Reservists, all four of us.” Said Jack “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

  “Jack be nice, please.” Said Sharron as she managed to get her emotions under control again “They’re the first people we’ve seen in months.”

  Turning back to Sally she gave her another hug.

  “I’m sorry, just we thought we were the only ones left, the only ones alive.”

  “That’s ok.” Replied Sally, leading the girl to a seat and sitting next to her.

  Carter moved to the small bar, still stocked with plenty of booze, but also a lot of empty bottles. He helped himself, pouring two glasses and passing one to Sally.

  “Hey you can’t just help yourself, that’s ours, that’s not for…”

  “Jack shut up!” Shouted Sharron, close to tears again.

  Sitting down heavily, Jack scowled at Carter, mumbling something incoherent.

  “Is there an infirmary here?” Asked Carter “A first aid station, anything like that?”

  “Ha, you’ll be lucky!” Said Jack groggily “No chance of getting in there now.”

  “Why not?” Asked Carter, but Jack had laid his head back, eyes drooping.

  “Does he do that a lot?” Asked Sally.

  Sharron nodded “He does lately, him and his friends there, one none stop party, don’t know what I ever saw in him. World’s falling apart, food almost gone and what do they do? Get drunk all the time.”

  “So what have you been living on?” Asked Carter “Can’t live on drink, especially not in your condition.”

  “Just what you see behind the bar there, potato crisps, salted snacks. All of the rations that were stored here have been used up.”

  Carter stood and checked behind the bar again, picking up a half empty box of snacks and offering it to Sally and Sharron. Sally took some but Sharron just shook her head with a small smile.

  “This can’t be all you have left?” Said Carter.

  “I’m afraid so.” Replied Sharron “There used to be a unit of regular soldiers here when we arrived, a lot of them got ill and were transported to an army hospital, the few that were left went out to see what was happening soon after, or maybe to try and find their families, leaving us here with a sergeant in charge and a medic who was too ill to move.”

  Sally looked at Carter, concern on her face “What happened then?”

  Tears formed in Sharron’s eyes again as she spoke.

  “The medic died. We couldn’t believe it. We tried giving him medicines but nothing worked, then soon after he just died. That’s when we saw him turn.”

  “Your saw it happen?” Asked Carter.

  Sharron nodded, lost in her memories.

  “He was dead, the sergeant covered him with a bed sheet and just as he was telling us to wait outside, the medic sat up. He was dead and then he sat up!”

  Sally put her arm around the girl to comfort her.

  “His face.” Said Sharron “So pale and the eyes, staring, searching. The sergeant went to him, couldn’t believe what he was seeing, none of us could. Then the dead man screamed, I’ll never forget that sound as long as I live. We all froze, then the man leapt at the sergeant, biting him, over and over, his face, his neck. There was blood everywhere.”

  Sharron went quiet for a while, thinking back to that day, the horror of it clearly visible on her face.

  “Someone shouted ‘run’ and I backed towards the door just as the dead medic looked up, those grey lifeless eyes staring at me, blood covering his face. Someone shouted my name and I turn to see the others outside the door, so I ran, slamming the door shut behind me just in time. We could hear the dead man smashing against the door trying to get out, to get at us, so we blocked it with everything we could lay our hands on. After a while it went quiet and we haven’t gone back in there since.”

  “You did well.” Said Carter looking at Jack and the other two, who were all in a drunken sleep now.

  “I think we all should get some sleep.” Said Sally “It’s been a long day.”

  Sharron nodded and lay down on one a small sofa in front of the fire. Carter grabbed some camping beds from the mini bus and blocked the entrance to the officers’ mess before making a tour of the building.

  “Looks pretty secure.” Said Carter as Sally lay down, holding her injured arm protectively “Get some sleep, we’ll take care of your arm tomorrow.”

  Chapter 3

  The next morning Carter was up early, the sun barely lighting the horizon. He helped himself to more of the bar snacks before heading outside and checking on the min-buses fuel. There wasn’t much left, maybe enough for a short trip. He locked it up and went back inside. Sally was still sleeping, touching her forehead gently, she murmured in her sleep. She felt warm, maybe a fever starting. The bandages on her injured arm were getting dirty and needed changing. Checking on the oth
ers, they were all still sleeping, though Sharron half woke and gave him a tired smile.

  “Go back to sleep.” He said “It’s still early, I’m going for a look around.”

  She nodded and went quickly back to sleep. Poor kid, thought Carter, she looks so young. Grabbing his iron bar he headed back outside, making sure the door was securely closed. Next door was another mess, larger than the officers’, filled with large tables and lots of chairs, a long serving counter at the far end of the room led to the kitchen. Carter climbed over it, looking for anything useful then stepped through some swinging double doors into the kitchen itself. The smell hit him straight away, food gone bad. The place was a shambles, packets, cooking gear and crockery all over. Looked like someone had emptied every cupboard, mostly onto the floor, and then left. The bins were still filled with half dried out, half rotten waste, adding to the smell but most of it was coming from the left, where an industrial fridge/freezer stood, its door slightly ajar. Taking a clean looking cloth, Carter wet it under a tap, the water coming out slowly, almost dripping, then he held it to his face. Even then the smell was almost unbearable as he opened the fridge/freezer to look inside, no good he thought as he slammed the door shut. Checking the rest of the kitchen and a store room connected to it he found nothing useful, the place had been stripped bare.

  The rest of the buildings proved just as fruitless, all showing signs of being searched, contents thrown all over the floors, some doors smashed. An armoury stood wide open and empty. The on-site back-up generator was dead, the large fuel tank empty long ago. That just left the infirmary which Carter had left until last, it wasn’t hard to miss, the main entrance was barricaded on the outside with a large pile of boxes and other equipment. Boots, uniforms, spare parts for every possible piece of machinery, even metal targets from the practice range. Checking the boxes Carter found a pair of boots in his size, pulling them out he heard movement on the other side of the door, low moans and shuffling footsteps. After changing into the new boots he took a stroll around the perimeter of the compound, checking the fence. It looked secure and intact, only one way in or out, the main gates. Wrapping the chain around them again, he checked it was secure and then pushed the Landrover back into place. Only once did he see any sign of movement, to the north, not far from the hotel. Sally was awake when he returned to the officers’ mess.