James stopped crying for a little while, until his brother explained what had happened to their Mummy. When the three of them left their house I was already too late. There were already thousands and thousands of people trying to escape; so many that they couldn’t move anywhere, because all the roads and paths were blocked with traffic. They couldn’t go back to the house , it was the in the opposite direction to the way the crowd was moving, people got angry because they couldn’t move and there was no way those angry ones would allow someone to push past them to go the other way. That’s when the first of the people stuck in the crowds must have changed, because they started to bite other people, and very quickly more and more bad people came. Many of those trapped panicked and crushed others to the ground, as they tried to escape. The boy’s mummy pushed and pushed, until she got them near a big wall that went around Uncle Peters back garden. She had quickly lifted Dan to the top, and held James up to him, so that he could pull him to the top. Dan was just finishing pulling his younger brother up to safety, when the zombies started to bite their mum. It must have hurt really badly, but she carried on lifting, making sure none of them could bite her little boy. When James was safely on the top of the wall, Dan looked back down, just in time to see his Mum blow him a kiss, before she disappeared into the crowd of hungry zombies.
Poor little James got so upset we had to promise him that we wouldn’t talk anymore of what happened that day, and that we would play some games instead. We played for hours, but God why do boys have to play so different? First they wanted to play “Shoot the Zombies” with imaginary guns, which amused the two of them greatly. After that we had to play hide and seek, and surprise, surprise the person searching for the others had to pretend that they were a zombie. Just when I thought that we were all zombied out James decided he wanted to play the first game again. Although the games they wanted to play should have been boring, it did feel good just to spend most of the day playing like a child again. So much has happened, and all three of us have seen things that children shouldn’t have to see, it’s changed us all forever and that’s why we needed to play.
When Uncle Pete came to collect them, both the boys looked upset, it was then that I made my promise to Dan. I promised him that when I left tomorrow morning, that I would look for their father. Dan told me where his Dad was working, and hopefully I can convince the others to come and look with me, otherwise it will just be me and Jade, on our own.
Love Shanice and Jade X
Circle Line, London, 24th July, 7:00 GMT
Kathy had already roused the group from their slumber, a little after six, and with Morgan’s help she had cooked breakfast for the rest of them. Now as they finished packing away the cleaned utensils they had eaten with, they were all ready to go. It was a short walk to the tunnel, from where they had slept and they set off at a sedate pace, so that they could take in the surroundings of the station, one last time. The group was one member short, Aoife had told Kathy last night that she wouldn’t be leaving, no one had seen her since she had left the living area late last night. When they reached the top of the second flight of stairs, which led to the stations concourse, they were all surprised to see the two young brothers, waiting for them.
Shanice broke file from the rest of them and ran the last few steps to greet the boys. After embracing each one she asked what they were doing up so early, “We came to say goodbye.” Replied James. “We also waited to say good luck, and not to forget your promise.” Dan added. “Oh thank you, both of you. My promise still stands, I haven’t forgotten.” Shanice told them, before planting a kiss on each boy’s cheek and then skipping forward to re-join the rest of her group. When she caught up with them, she took hold of Letitia’s hand and smiled up at her. “That was nice of them to come and say goodbye.” Letitia said to the little girl, who smiled even more as she replied, “Yes very nice. They are nice boys even though they do like playing too many zombie games.” “What promise did you make to them then?” Shanice was temporarily taken aback by Letitia’s question, “Oh nothing, I just tried to make them feel a bit better, and told them I would stay safe.” Shanice felt guilty lying to the woman.
As they reached the eastbound tunnel they were met by Phillip, Aoife and a dozen strong armed reception committee. “Howdy folks.” The station leader eagerly greeted them, Aoife clung to his arm and Kathy instantly realised why the young Irish girl had decided to stay behind. “You’ve organised a little send of group?” Morgan asked, by nodding in the direction of the armed detail. Phillip laughed, not seeming to take offence at Morgan’s sarcastic question, “No don’t worry, you’ll have some company for the first two stations.” “We didn’t agree to be chaperoned.” Kathy quickly protested. “We aren’t coming to babysit you.” The guard called Steve spat out. Phillip didn’t waste any time in interrupting the two, before a war of words broke out, “As you can see, after just two days in this station is at capacity. I’m simply sending two teams of six out to reclaim the next two stations to continue our expansion.”
Kathy looked in Morgan’s direction, he nodded to her, accepting the reason why Phillips men were armed to the teeth. “Okay, that’s not a problem.” She reluctantly conveyed to Phillip. “Good, we are all set then. Can I ask what you’re plans are?” Kathy surveyed the station leader, not even attempting to mask her suspicion of his question, “We have eight stations to travel through, and when we reach Victoria, we will be using the over-ground rail system to travel to Battersea. “Makes sense to me. What’s at Battersea?” Kathy could tell by the way Aoife hung her head that Phillip already knew, “Just an order I have to carry out, nothing more.” Phillip grinned at the group, making the most effort he could to ease their concern. “I wish you all the best of luck.” He said before nodding to Steve; who simply nodded back.
Steve sent his men off in front and ordered them to start hanging lit lanterns for every one hundred steps they took, on either side of the dark, foreboding tunnel. Out of courtesy and a hint of suspicion Kathy’s group thanked Phillip for his hospitality over the past two days, and then moved off slowly, behind Steve’s men. Overall the group was quite happy to move at such a sedate pace; at least the paraffin lanterns saved them using their valuable torch batteries. With eleven men in front of them, they would also be alerted to any unwanted company in front of them.
Morgan turned to face Steve whilst he walked along with them, “I’m sorry for before. I hope we can move on from that?” The soldier gestured. “You did what you had to Morgan. I would have done exactly the same if our roles were reversed.” When he had taken Steve by surprise a few days ago, Morgan hadn’t paid too much attention to the man before. Now as they slowly traversed the tunnel the soldier had a bit more time to study him. Morgan guessed that Steve was in his late forties, and for his age he seemed to be in extremely good shape. Standing at over six feet tall and blessed with a broad figure, Steve didn’t seem to have an ounce of fat on him. To be that lean required a lot of work, and usually that mean there was a reason for that kind of dedication. “What was you doing before this all went down?” Morgan casually asked him. “Security work, I was just on my way home from doing the door on the club I work at, when the shit hit the fan.” “Are you ex-armed forces?” Steve nodded, “Yeah, finished up after the Second Gulf War.” “So this is it for you now?” “It’s a lot safer down here, than it is up there.” Steve replied as he pointed up at the ceiling of the tunnel. “So what are your lots goals?” Morgan was asked, “I don’t know, find somewhere safe above ground, and then help as many as we can, I guess.” “So we are on the same page then?” “Yep, I suppose we are.” Morgan agreed.
After a short while they reached the second station without any incidents. Even during the days of the station being lit Cannon Street had always looked dark and dilapidated. The two platforms were devoid of any life and at first glance appeared to be empty. At the far end of the platforms the two teams were glad to see two abandoned trains on each set of rails were blocking
the tunnel. Four members of the first team immediately began to head up the stairs to check the stations entrance was secure, with its own over-ground rail station as well as the underground link, Steve’s men were right to be over cautious; it stood to reason that this station would have been busier than most on the day of the outbreak. In just a matter of minutes the four returned and signalled to Steve with a simple thumb up that all was how they hoped it would be. As they approached Steve he asked if there were any survivors on the concourse; a shake of the man’s head answered his question as he signalled them to move on.
Morgan was impressed at how quickly and expertly the team removed the window from the driver’s cab of the train, there wasn’t any damage to the glass and the entire window was carefully placed up against the front of the adjacent train. Climbing up into the train proved harder than removing the window; there were no ramps to walk up into the cab and Morgan surmised they would be constructed later. Once through the twelve carriages they were faced with the remainder of the tunnel that led to Mansion House. Morgan watched expectantly as the men searched literally every inch of the two platform station, again there was nothing , had the staff had managed to shut down all the exits and entrances in time? When Steve gave the signal to search upstairs, they all moved stealthily up the run down staircase. For some reason they took longer searching this smaller station, when they did come back down they informed their boss that it was all clear. Steve wasn’t impressed by his second in command, who came back down the staircase last looking worried. “It’s clear upstairs, but there are hundreds of them outside Steve.” He told his boss, just a little out of breath. “Don’t worry the gates are locked, they can’t get in.” “What if they do though?” Steve’s eyes narrowed into slits as anger washed over his face, “Who’s in fucking charge here?” He bellowed. “You are Steve.” “That’s right, so enough of the stupid fucking questions Chris.” Chris hung his head in submission and walked off towards the safety of the other men.
Kathy couldn’t help thinking that the tension had suddenly grown so heavy that she could cut it with a knife. She understood that Chris had just been well and truly put in his place by Steve, but the tension was down to something else, she was sure of it and that unsettled her. A few seconds later Steve gave his men a sudden signal, and in unison they all turned their weapons on Kathy’s group, before any of them could act. “What is this?” Kathy bellowed at Steve. “Careful now Blondie. You wouldn’t want to go upsetting me now.” Steve chillingly warned her. “Why have you decided to do this?” She demanded less venomously. “Oh I didn’t decide this, Phillip did.” “Phillip? Why?” Steve started to find the situation amusing, he had the upper hand and he was clearly enjoying it, “If I had my way I would be sticking to the original plan of tying you up and feeding you to those things. You’re lucky that Phillip had a fancy for your little “Emerald” girl, and done a deal with her.” “What deal?” Morgan interrupted. “Her arse for all of yours. She is his to do with as he pleases in exchange for your lives and all we get is your guns and ammo.” Kathy felt repulsed, she hadn’t been able to understand why Aoife had decided to stay behind, and now she knew, there had been no choice. “Your choice Kathy, leave here now without the guns and ammo, or die trying to keep them. What’s it to be?” Steve asked with a wicked glint in his eye.
As soon as Kathy let her assault rifle slide off of her shoulder the rest of the group followed suit. Two of Steve’s men hurried forward and gathered up the fallen rifles, a third went along the line removing each person’s sidearm and removing all the ammo clips from each rucksack that were still attached to their backs. “Now be on your way.” Steve ordered them as he pointed in the direction of the next tunnel. As they moved off, he called after them, “Don’t try to come back, we will open fire.”
The group continued their trek forward, not daring to look back in case Steve’s men were waiting for an excuse to exterminate them, like rodents. They all stopped to switch on their torches as they entered the mouth of the tunnel. None of them spoke to one another; each was being cautious, and each of them were blaming themselves for falling for Phillips charm, they couldn’t have been more wrong about him. As Morgan led off into the next tunnel, he was just thankful that all of them were still alive, if Steve had wanted to be more sadistic he could have taken all their supplies as well. They all had Aoife to thank for their freedom, but Morgan assumed they would never see her again, Phillip was bound to cast her aside once something prettier came along. He tried to convince himself that the guns were unimportant, that they were useless against the undead and that this group could get by with knives and melee weapons.
Only once Morgan was happy that they were far enough into the tunnel, away from Steve’s men, did he choose to stop. He waited until all ten of them were grouped together, before speaking to them. “This changes nothing.” He said trying to address the look of despondency on their faces. “But, we have no guns?” Sam surprisingly protested. Morgan continued with his pep talk, “We move onto Westminster, and stop there as planned. The next morning we will make our way to Victoria.” No one argued or challenged him, and as there was no other option open to them they all agreed to carry on.
They soon passed through the series of tunnels and halted trains easily. Now after passing four stations and finding no one alive in any of them, it was apparent that station staff had decided to flee and attempted to make it home to their loved ones, rather than remain in the stations and become trapped. The group were now waiting for Morgan to return, before they headed through the next station and onto Westminster. Morgan had made the rest of the group go on in front, whilst he had hung back to check if Steve’s men had secretly followed them, he didn’t trust their word and to ensure his own groups survival he needed insurance.
After passing through the station concourse at Temple station Morgan had used his bolt cutters to remove the padlock from the concertina gate. Happy that there hadn’t been any zombies in the immediate area, he had pulled the gate open in order to make as much noise as possible. He had waited, until he had heard the tell-tale moans of the undead, and had called out to them. Strangely there hadn’t been a heavy presence of them around, and he had to make do with a couple of dozen that entered the station, stumbling after their live prey. Even though their numbers had been disappointing there had still been enough to cause anyone entering the station trouble. When he had vaulted to the bottom of the staircase to elude them, he was shocked to see bodies tumbling over the handrail to get at him; he had also forgotten that this creatures weren’t capable of thinking logically enough to negotiate a staircase and some of them had tumbled down after him. Before any of them had gotten a chance to stand Morgan had ran as fast as he could, away from the area, and once he was through the train cab at the foot of the tunnel, he knew they couldn’t follow. From the darkness of the drivers cab he had watched as the zombies scattered across the tracks and platform, before he had headed off to join the rest of the group.
Embankment Station, London, 24th July, 15:12 GMT
The group had been pessimistic of their route being totally clear for the duration of their journey, since they had left Monument Station. Now as they looked through the cab of the train they were standing in, which had been abandoned just short of the Embankment platform their worst fears were realised. They knew that the chances of all the stations being locked down and secure were remote, but they had hoped that should they come across one, it wouldn’t be one with several linked lines joining it. Unfortunately for them now, they stood just in front of a station with both underground and normal rail links, and one that also had the undead walking around inside of it.
Everyone had been standing in silence for the past ten minutes, whilst Morgan and Kathy had decided on their next course of action. It was impossible to tell what lay in front of them, as the darkness of the station shrouded whatever horrors lay within. Although the night vision goggles allowed them to see the platforms, they were useless for spotting z
ombies. Even switching the devices to their thermal settings proved fruitless, with no body heat to detect the zombies were perfectly hidden. All they had seen so far was the odd figure stumbling past the window.
Kathy continued to watch out of the cab window as she spoke with Morgan, “Going out there is suicide Jay.” Morgan didn’t answer her, he still looked intently out of the window, trying to ascertain just how many of the cadavers were out there. “Jay are you listening to me?” She asked in a whisper. “Yeah sorry Kath, I’m just thinking.” “Any ideas?” He held out his arms, “We’ve got to clear the platform somehow.” “Yeah I gathered that Jay, but we don’t know how many of them there are.” The look on Morgan’s face darkened, “We won’t until we get out there Kath.” “That’s what I was afraid you were going to say.” Kathy replied.
With zombies in the area they couldn’t run the risk of cutting the rubber trim which held the window in place, for fear of making a noise when the glass dropped to the floor. Only four of the group now remained in the first carriage of the train: Morgan, Kathy, Jackson and Gerard. The rest of the group had been told to wait in the second carriage, just in case something went wrong. Morgan and Jackson forced the carriage doors open, and Gerard slid his crowbar into the space to make sure they wouldn’t slide back and close; the last thing any of them wanted, was to be trapped out in the tunnel if they attracted any unwanted attention, and needed to escape. After the four of them gently and quietly lowered themselves to the track below, they began to shuffle along sideways, along the narrow gap between the tunnel and the train.
Day Zed - Box Set: Volumes I and II Page 28
