by A L Carter
Marie came out of the barn to see how Max doing with the old defender. But soon found he wasn't there and neither was the car. Had he really got it going she wondered? Well, he must have but why didn't he call her, feeling a bit left out. She noticed Dinah over near the gate and was sniffing around. So she went over there and looked around. Noticing tyre tracks on the lane on the other side of the gate. But she thought to herself she hadn’t heard the engine? He must have pushed it up the lane on his own. Why didn't he ask for help she would have liked to help. He didn't even take his bow which he had left in the workshop. She was about to collect her gear and go after him when she heard a car engine approaching, instinctively she went and grabbed the shotgun just in case. But it was the defender and with Max driving it and a proud grin on his face. She opened the gate and let him in after lowering the shotgun. Not sure whether to be cross or pleased with him.
"I was worried about you, why didn't you let me know and I could have come with you," she moaned.
He got out the car leaving the engine running as it would continue to charge the battery, "Sorry I just wanted to surprise you, but it took a bit longer than I thought it would."
She looked him over while Dinah sniffed him, then she noticed specks of blood on him, not a lot but enough.
"You've been fighting haven't you?" she accused.
"Well I ran into a couple of zombies," he offered sheepishly.
"Fuck that, even without your bow I've seen you take them down with those blades of yours, they never get close," she pointed out.
"Well they snuck up on me," he offered.
"Bullshit! Nothing sneaks up on you," she said folding her arms across her chest. "Hold on a minute show me all your knives."
Reluctantly he did as he was asked feeling like a boy who had been caught fighting in school. There were six in total but only two had blood on them.
"So you killed them up close with these toothpicks and how many really?" she demanded.
He did his best innocent look and spread his arms, "Maybe a couple more."
"In fact, I don't want to know, just don't twat around in future, oh and good job on getting the car fixed, " she said suddenly smiling.
"Thanks but we really need to plan a supply run," he informed.
The rest of the day was spent packing essentials for the trip like food, water, spare changes of clothes and a few things for Dinah, dog bowl, blanket. Stereotypically Marie took care of this, while Max fine-tuned the car for smoother running and added a small tool kit for roadside repairs. Then he cleaned, sharpened and checked all their weapons. Marie cooked the rest of the venison and whatever they didn't eat tonight they could take with them. So they were all packed and ready to go, but they still needed to know where they were going.
Later after the evening meal, Marie had found some hot chocolate at the back of the cupboard so they sat back enjoying that. Picking up the map he began to study it. He focused on a fifty-mile radius of their current location, absorbing every detail to memory. Thinking military bases were their best bet, although highly dangerous they reaped higher rewards. The map showed where all the military bases were, the nearest one being in Staffordshire, around fifty miles away. But travelling fifty miles now wouldn't be so easy. He thought of Marie's dumper truck ride, which had ended abruptly. They would have to be careful and avoid obstacles including zombies and most possibly human hostiles. At least they had the option of switching to off-road with the defender. Something Marie was raring to have a go at and volunteered to do the driving.
"Hold on a minute there's a big archery superstore before we get there, now that would be worth a visit," he said.
"Yeah great idea, we're all set then," she replied.
With everything well planned out, they retired for an early night.
Chapter 21
Sid and Reg an alliance
Later that night sat in the office when everyone else had gone to bed as usual Reg brought their private stash of whiskey adding it to their hot coffees on the table between them.
"Thanks for today Reg you were a big help," Sid said gratefully.
"Sid it was the right thing to do, we have to be united if we're to survive and I don't think this will be the end of it," Reg warned.
"Really I thought it went well at the meeting," he was puzzled.
"Yes on the surface maybe but I think there'll be more trouble ahead," Reg continued.
"How so?" he said.
"Well Sid as I said before I didn't think I'd go so far but it did and I don't want that happening again catching you off the guard, and next time it could be more of them," Reg informed.
"Reg how do you know these things," he asked.
"It's simple Sid I keep my head to the ground and make it my business," Reg revealed. "We have something good here Sid and I don't think some of our group respect this, and without your help, they wouldn't have the protection offered here."
"Are they planning something then?" he enquired.
"I can't say for sure but feel sure they will eventually," Reg said.
"Who?" He replied.
"All the men, Derwyn, Nick, Dick and Malcolm," Reg stated.
"Malcolm that fat pussy he couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag," he laughed.
"On his own yes but as a group or by surprise he could be dangerous," Reg offered.
Sid thought about this for a moment wondering where Reg was leading, "Go on Reg it seems like you're the only one I can trust around here, what do you suggest?"
Reg seemed to go into himself as if considering something.
"Go on Reg," he coaxed.
"Well it's pretty grim Sid," Reg started.
"Grim?" He asked.
"You have to kill them before they kill you," Reg concluded with a grave expression.
Sid felt shocked and fell quiet again unsure of what to say.
"Sid I wouldn't say it if I didn't feel it was true," Reg soothed.
"Very well how do you suggest I do it, chuck them all off the roof," he asked.
"Maybe a little more ingenuity is called for like a scavenging party, for instance, I believe we're running low on cigarettes and maybe they might find some female company," Reg suggested.
"But they don't come back," Sid smiled.
"I could maybe even get one of them to suggest it which would make them feel like they were in control," Reg grinned cunningly.
"Reg you are a sly bastard," he grinned menacingly.
"You wouldn't believe it," Reg winked back.
It was a week later when they had another meeting, and everyone attended. Even Sid’s women, this was advised by Reg to make things seem fairer. Sid had Reg as the spokesman having a list of everything they were to cover, suggestions and ideas. First on the agenda was that Trisha and Lucy would be back on daily duties after a period of personal tasks that needed to be performed. Sid expected a few chuckles at this but everyone remained tight-lipped, this was another one of Reg’s ideas to make things seem equal. There was a suggestion from Mandy that they hold quiz nights and bingo to make things more interesting. Nick suggested chess, but it seemed Reg was the only other interested party. Eventually, after several mundane issues, supplies were brought up. Food still wasn't really an issue but other items like fags, in particular, were running low and booze could use a top up as well. There was an interesting suggestion from Dick about getting a generator so they could watch movies and even play video games. This was applauded by most of the group except Mandy who liked the idea but how were we going to get all these things. Reg came back with a ready answer and revealed that this was the next item on the agenda.
Derwyn looked on as Reg addressed the group he knew what was coming up next and it certainly wasn't his idea, but he listened with trepidation.
"This suggestion comes from most of the men present, they feel cooped up like caged tigers and feel the need for some adventure. It's a pity this wasn't suggested earlier as it may prevented last week's tragic event."
"You can't be suggesting that we go outside?" Mandy said incredulously.
"This came from men and their not suggesting you get involved, but you know what men are like call it is the caveman gene if you like, but whatever way you look at it we'll have to go out eventually when supplies run even lower," Reg explained.
All eyes were now on Mandy who considered this, "I suppose you're right but I for one want to do my fair share."
"Me too," Dawn added.
"There we are very admirable of you both I'm all for equality but maybe the first one or two scavenging missions should be from the men, getting it out of their systems if you like were not as level headed as you women are," Reg continued convincingly.
Mandy seemed affronted for a moment, then saw his reasoning which made sense. She found it hard not to like Reg as he was such a likeable character, always thinking of others and finding time for them. She felt like she could trust him, and certainly more than Sid. At first, she had felt indebted to him, but since she had seen how selfish he could be. He certainly made her feel uncomfortable and knew what he wanted from her, but managed up to now to avoid him and not put herself in an awkward position. She knew that some thought that she was a lesbian, not that it was any of their business just because she didn't jump straight into bed with them. Mike, in particular, had been a slime-ball and had to admit that she didn't miss him. Not that she wanted him dead, just away from her. If it wasn't for Reg vouching for Sid and backing up his story she might not have believed him. But she knew how much of a dickhead Mike could be. It was a pity Reg wasn't in charge but she understood the need for a strong leader. After all, there was still the threat of the infected to contend with, that was when Sid came into his own.
"So is it agreed then that we plan a scavenging mission?" Reg asked the group.
Everyone gave a yes including Sid.
"We'll have to have a list of volunteers for the first run and any local knowledge could prove invaluable, safest route, best targets that sort of thing," Sid joined in now.
Derwyn had to agree it sounded pretty convincing, even Sid sounded sincere. But then this was more his area of expertise, dealing with the infected because it certainly wasn't the day to day leadership. He felt himself relax little maybe he had been looking for something sinister where there was nothing. Even Mandy saw the sense in it and he considered her opinion above all others, as she seemed like their brightest member. But then he realised that he hadn't proved himself yet, either to himself or the group. Would he fail dramatically or prevail against the infected. It's a pity he could really do with a joint right now. Maybe that was a suggestion he could make, he knew a few suppliers in the area and if that failed maybe they could grow their own? Yes, he was sure they all could do with a joint, grinning inwardly at his own genius. That would certainly incentive and worth risking death for.
Sid and Reg both sat in the office again and it was the early hours of the morning. Just three days after the meeting, a meeting that had gone better than they ever hoped for. General moral had gone up tenfold along with the group's trust. They both had partaken in several glasses of one of the finer whiskey's that they possessed and had in front of them a list of volunteers for the fated scavenging hunt. The list read as follows;
Nick
Dick
Derwyn
Mandy
Dawn
Reg
Sid
"Might have known Malcolm wouldn't have balls for it," Sid sneered. "The women have bigger bollocks than him."
"Indeed I fear you are right," Reg agreed grinning.
Sid went quiet for a moment as if in deep thought.
"What's on your mind Sid," Reg enquired.
"Well it's almost a pity to kill them all off when we could do with some more supplies, I mean I know we're not desperate and can hold out especially without those cunts smoking all my fags, but we could do with some of the finer things," Sid remarked.
"I totally agree Sid and that's where we are smart about it," Reg hinted with his sly look.
"Go on," Sid encouraged. "Don't keep me in suspense."
"Well, it's simple really get as much stuff as we can, get stacked close to the store and then offer a ruse to go to one of the nearer houses." Reg began.
"Then kill them having made them work first," Sid beamed.
"That's right my good man," Reg confirmed.
Sid thought about this for a moment as if sensing a problem, "But what if we run out of our supplies eventually?"
"Ah Sid I've already thought of that, we'll be greatly down on numbers especially since Malcolm will fall prey to some obscure accident, meaning that the supplies we have will go vastly further, and then have to consider how long a rotting corpse can keep walking around when it's flesh has turned to jelly?" Reg said triumphantly with a wide grin.
"Reg did I ever tell you that your a pure genius," Sid congratulated.
"No, but I'll take it," Reg beamed.
The next day was used for planning, even down to a badly drawn map on the whiteboard in the staffroom. They would exit out of the rear fire exit, which was furthest away from the main car park and the main mass of infected. This was the door which they had used to dispose of the dead bodies early on in the infection. Sid and Nick had been out to check the area to get an idea if it was doable or not. Strangely the area was free of infected, just a large pile of infected bodies. They managed to venture further along the planned route through a gap in the hedge into the housing estate that ran behind the store. Where they found more infected, but not that many and certainly doable. Also, the back of Sam’s off-license could be accessed this way, avoiding the main road where most of the infected hung out. All these nearby houses were viable for looting as well as the petrol station that could be accessed along the back of the co-op. It was just hoped that they had not been looted already. Sid had old faithful in his hand and enjoyed the feel of it again. A few of the infected were milling around some having noticed him a began to make their way towards him eagerly. Sid was not one to disappoint and met them halfway, driving the hammer deep into their skulls. From one to the other until three infected fell lifeless to the floor. Nick feeling like the spotlight was suddenly on him, so with less enthusiasm, he engaged an infected with his crowbar. He swung wildly at the things face hitting it across the bridge of the nose. It staggered back but came straight back at him, this time he brought it down hard on top of its skull, which burst messily and it crumpled to the floor. After that Sid said they may as well go back in now and Nick tried hard not to show his relief. The plan was to fill as many trolleys as possible and line them up against the hedge ready to be transferred back to the store when they were done. So with everyone seeming happy with the plan, it was agreed that tomorrow would be the day of the scavenge.
Chapter 22
Boss Town
By 0600 they were already on the road as planned and Marie was concentrating hard on the road. Which got worse when they came to Ravenstone village which is on the main road. Abandoned vehicles littered the road, which she had to weave in and out of to avoid as well as clusters of zombies and having to shunt a few of them over. But she was wary of damaging the vehicle, even though the defender was tough it wasn't that tough. A broken windscreen, for instance, could make them very venerable. Eventually, it got that tough Max said go left, taking them further into Ravenstone village, passing the pub. The pub which was decorated in corpses impaled on spikes and warning signs painted in blood over its boarded-up windows.
"What the hell," she exclaimed.
"Yeah looks pretty grim," Max agreed.
After that, however, she relaxed a little knowing the route, which was through smaller villages and they could cut through to the main A50 that way. She sighed with relief as the driving got easier again and Dinah was able to settle down again in the back after getting thrown around in the back.
Damien watched through binoculars as the Land Rover weaved through obstacles. It was driven by a woman with a big
man in the passenger seat. In his view, women and girls were good for only two things and driving wasn't one of them. They were meant for looking after men and fucking of course. The man must be a pussy letting her drive. Damien was only eighteen and from the estate. Since he was fourteen he had been in gangs, fighting, doing drugs and dealing drugs for the boss. He loved the buzz that meth gave him and hopefully, he could get some later. Looking to his right and also hidden from the view of the approaching vehicle was his best mate Ronnie he also was also watching with binoculars. He was contemplating whether they should ambush the vehicle and take what they have got. They kill the bloke first and have goes on the woman. But then the vehicle turned left and disappeared.
