Dawn of the Geordies Pt 5

         We made it to the visitor’s centre without mishap. It seemed too easy. We moved into the centre, wary, but the thought of a drink and something to eat overpowered it all. A sour stench hung in the air. I wrinkled my nose.
         I hope that’s not something rotting.
         I quickly scanned the café as we entered, looking for any signs of life, or otherwise. Several cups littered the tables, half drunk and abandoned. What I thought would have been an ice lolly lay in a puddle on one table, yellow drops still falling onto the seat below. On the front counter I saw an open bottle of milk.
         That’s what the smell is.
         Maybe someone was in the midst of making a coffee when it all kicked off.
         So where is everyone now?
         I moved forward and around the counter and slipped. My arms flew up into the air, my legs were gone from beneath me. I hit the tiled floor hard, something squelching.
         What did I slip on? I looked around. Oh.
         A pool of blood. It was smudged, a few splatters had hit the wall on impact.
         Urgh.
         I picked myself up, careful not to get any on my hands. I could feel it stick to my jeans and grumbled.
         “Jo?” I heard Mark call.
         “I’m fine,” I pulled myself up via the counter, peering over it at him. “Just slipped is all.”
         I got up and made my way to the sink at the back of the kitchen and washed my hands, I felt dirty and didn’t want to risk anything. I began to rifle through the fridges.          Sandwiches.
         Jackpot!
         “Guys,” I shouted them over. I began pulling out the sandwiches and dropping them on the counter. “Tuck in.” I heard packets being ripped open and forgotten as they contents were devoured. After a few minutes Mark joined me behind the counter. He spotted the blood on the floor, I saw him looking.
         “Yeah, watch you don’t slip.” I warned him.
         He carefully stepped over it. “Go and get something to eat, I’ll see what else I can find.”
         I did as instructed and returned to the other side of the counter, sitting at the cleanest table I could find and chewing down a fresh ham sandwich. It tasted delicious.
         “Erm, Jo…” Mark’s voice was quiet. I looked up. “Was this body here before?”
         I jumped up dropping my sandwich, “What body?”
         “I’ll take that as a no then.” I watched as he slowly moved backwards trying not to draw attention to himself. He slowly pulled out his knife from his belt, brandishing it in front of him.
         “Shit! She’s moving.” He stepped back quicker.
         “Mark watch the-” I shouted. Before I had time to finish I watched him slip, his legs fly up into the air, the knife fly out of his grip.
         “Aaahhhh.” He yelled. I heard him hit the deck. I was spurred into action. I lunged forward making for the counter as James and Alice stood watching the action unfold. I saw Mark laying on the floor, eyes closed.
         Unconscious, shit!
         “Mark,” I knelt down, looking at him. He was still warm.
         Then I saw her, she was crawling forward, using her fleshy forearms to drag herself along the floor. Hair hung down in strings, matted together with blood and gore. Her eyes wide and black, hungry. She pulled herself from behind a partition and I saw why she crawled. She was missing both legs. Bloody red stumps left red trails on the shiny floor, tendons hanging from the gaping wounds, slithering across the floor.
         “Mark,” I looked at him beginning to feel agitated. His eyes were still closed. Gently I slapped his face. I felt him stir, move slightly but his eyes stayed shut.
         Looking up again I saw that she was getting closer, a moan escaping her damaged lips. I felt panic swell in my chest, “Mark.” I slapped him a little harder. He stirred again, moving to swat my hand away. He wasn’t going to get up in time.
         What will I do?
         She moved closer, her hand reaching out to grab Mark’s feet. Her clawed hand just missed by inches.
         I grabbed Mark under the shoulders, ignoring the gooey feel as the blood seeped through my fingers. Digging my feet into the ground I yanked backwards. I felt Mark slide along the floor slightly. I tried again, pulling as hard as I could. He gave a little bit more but I could see I wouldn’t get very far whereas she, on the other hand, was closing in a lot quicker than I thought she would.
         “James!” I yelled jumping up. “The bat.”
         “Huh?” He looked confused.
         “The cricket bat, give it here!” I yelled, holding my hand out, reaching.
         As if he suddenly grasped the idea he ran forward the bat held out in front of him as far as it would reach. I grabbed the end of it, pulling it from him. It felt strong and sturdy in my hands. I set my hands on the grip firmly and moved past Mark, careful not to step on him.
She was there, the tip of her fingers scratching at the sole of his foot, trying to get a grip to pull herself closer. Or pull her prey towards her.
         With a grimace I lifted the bat high above my head and swung it down. I felt it collide with her head, heard the sound of something smash.
         Her skull.
         I looked down and saw one of her eyes had been wedged from the socket. It hung down her cheek, dangling by a thin cord. I felt bile rise in my throat and swallowed it back down. She still moved, slightly more uncoordinated but slinking forward. I raised the bat again, this time bringing it down with a howl of fury. It connected with her face, smashing his nose inwards. Her head flew backwards at an unnatural angle.
         I heard a snap. Her neck. I watched, waiting.
         I wasn’t sure if it would be enough.
         She didn’t move. With a sigh I pushed the bat onto the counter, it was stained with blood.
         “Sorry.” I told James as he took it without a word.
         I knelt down beside Mark, felt his brow. He was still warm, he stirred at my touch, his head moved left to right. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
         “You okay?” I asked, seeking an answer in his eyes.
         He nodded and slowly began to sit up, I helped to support him. “Must have hit my head pretty bad.” He said, his voice raspy.
         “Here,” I reached past the body and grabbed a cool bottle from the fridge, passing it to Mark. “Take a drink of this.”
         He sipped at it, smacking his lips, “Thanks.”
         Trying to get up he seemed slightly unsteady, I helped him to his feet and away from the counter.
         “Was I out long?” He asked.
         “Maybe five minutes,” I told him. “I think you should sit for a little while before we make a move.”
         He nodded in agreement.
         “Anybody for ice lollies?” Alice asked, hand delving into a deep freezer. We all took one, the sounds of lips smacking all that could be heard for the next few minutes.
         “Okay, I’m going to use the facilities before we go.” I stood up and left the café, heading to the toilets at the back of the building. I crept in, quietly checking all of the stalls to make sure there would be no nasty surprises before I allowed myself a few minutes. I used the toilet and splashed my face with water from the sink. It felt cool, refreshing me. I washed my hands completely of blood feeling cleaner.
         Heading back I saw James had pulled several bottles of water from the fridge ready for setting off again. “Sorted?” He asked.
         I nodded, “Let’s go.”
         I grabbed a bottle of water and left the café, followed by the other three. We were soon walking through the car park, several cars were still parked, empty. One car had been evacuated in the middle of the road. The two front doors still hung open, a hole in the back where there should have been a window, but there was no key visible. It made me uneasy.          Whoever drove that car had left in a hurry, abandoning it.
         We soon reached the gates to the park.
         “Which way?” Alice asked, glancing around.
         Left or right.
         “Left.” Mark informed us. We turned and began our march along the country road.
         “I don’t think it’s too far away.” James spoke, bottle of water swinging in his hand. Mine still felt cool, drops of water rolling down the plastic.
         “It’s not, maybe about five or six miles,” Mark told us. “We should get there this afternoon.”
         I nodded, I really hoped so. It felt strange to be walking along the breadth of the road, knowing there was no danger of being run over. Or at least, I hoped not.
         I breathed the air deeply, savouring the fresh breeze. The sun was warm, beginning to heat up the air. It was going to be humid. I felt glad that it was summer time and we weren’t trekking during the winter.
         I thought about my family, wondered if they were safe. But it seemed that most places were affected. I didn’t really hold much hope, but then again, Mark’s family were safe.
         Maybe they’d gotten somewhere safe too.
         “Hey,” Mark disturbed me from my thoughts. I looked over at him. “I just wanted to say thanks.”
         “For what?” I frowned.
         “For looking after me.”
         “Sorry, I’m confused, what do you mean?”
         “Back in the café, James told me what you did.”
          “Oh,” I suddenly realised what he meant. The woman reaching for him, me with the bat in my hands. “That’s okay.”
         “It really must have took some guts to do it.”
         I shrugged. He stopped me. We stood in the middle of the road facing each other, Alice and James passed us walking slowly.
         “I really mean that Jo.” He was solemn, his eyes brooding. I looked away from the intensity.
         “You would have done it for me.”
         He nodded. He held my gaze. I saw his hand move out the corner of my eye, felt it soft against my shoulder tracing up and over my shoulder onto my neck. I could feel it, I knew what was coming. I felt him move closer.
         “How far do you think this thing has gone?” Alice turned and spoke. The moment was broken. Mark dropped his hand with a sigh and we began walking again. I felt cheated but still felt the spark as I walked beside him.
         I glanced at her, she looked small, her denim skirt patched with dust and dirt. Her eyes were wide, looking up to us. It stuck me then just how young she was. I felt an overwhelming urge to go to her and be by her side, smothering her with affection.
         “What do you mean?” Mark asked.
         “Like how many places do you think it will have affected?”
         “I think it will have hit a lot of places. I guess wherever there’s been swine flu.” Mark suggested.
         “I didn’t think of it like that. That means it’s probably all over the England, there were a few cases in Scotland too.” James told her. Alice’s mouth hung open. She was gazing at the ground.
         “Not just England.” Mark said, he looked solemn.
         “What do you mean?” She asked.
         “Swine flu originally came from Mexico, it’ll be carnage over there if this is anything to go by. But there are cases all over the world.”
         Alice opened her mouth as if to say something then closed it again.
         I hadn’t considered the full scale of the problem myself. He was right, it would be everywhere.
         Even if we get to the warning system, will anyone come? Will there be anyone left to come?
         The thought disturbed me, I felt so alone. I knew Mark was thinking the same thing. He caught my eye:
         Don’t say anything.
         I gave a nod, showing I understood. A chill ran through me, my skin prickled in goose bumps despite the morning heat. I gazed at each of my companions in turn.
         They’re my family now.
         The thought saddened me, but I was glad I wasn’t alone and I felt grateful that I was with these people.
         We walked the length of the road, it seemed unending. We encountered nobody. It was eerily quiet, nobody around on a Monday morning. We’d been walking for about an hour when Mark stopped and squinted at the road ahead. His held his hand over his eyes for shade.
         “Can you see that?” He asked.
I gazed in the direction he was pointing.
         “Two people.”
         “Fuck!” James cursed. “They’re everywhere.”
         “Shut up.” Mark hissed. James immediately fell silent. “We need to get off the road and lay low until they pass.”
         I ran for the hedge at the side of the road, diving into it. I felt twigs snag at my hair but I plundered through, finally making it to the other side finding myself in a huge green field. Alice followed, then James and Mark last. He looked troubled and crouched low so as not to be seen.
         “I think we should wait until they pass.” Mark suggested, he was on edge.
          “Yeah, I think if we even walk through the field we might be heard.” I agreed.
I crouched on the ground beside Mark but soon felt my calves burning. I flopped onto my bum and sat with my knees in the air. Nobody spoke.
         Soon we heard the footsteps, two pairs of feet strolling along the pavement. I felt Mark tense beside me.
         Then I heard something, a grumble, a small laugh then, “So where are we going?”
         I frowned and glanced at Mark, I saw his forehead was creased too.
         “They’re like us.” I whispered.
         “They might not be.” He argued.
         “They’re talking.” I insisted.
         “What if they’re infected?”
         “We’ve got to try, they might know the way.” And without another word I stood up and called to the two people over the hedge. I heard Mark sigh but I ignored it and waved.
         It was two men, both looked like they were in their late twenties. They jumped when I called out to them, startled. They glanced at each other and looked back at me, confusion besetting their faces.
         Then one of them shouted, “Hello.” They began walking over.
         “Come on guys, they’re coming over.” I told my friends. I heard Mark grumble, he was wary, however he followed me back through the hedge and onto the road. They stopped just in front of us, smiles on their faces.
         “Man are we glad to see someone normal.” The guy in the yellow t-shirt spoke for them both. His friend nodded. “What’s going on?”
         “We think it’s something to do with the swine flu.” Mark mustered, polite but cautious.
         “Seriously, how come?” Yellow t-shirt asked. He seemed to be excited by the whole situation, a stupid grin plastered on his face.
         “We’re not entirely sure, it was mentioned on a radio broadcast we heard yesterday. They didn’t really know themselves, or so they claimed.” Mark answered.
         “That sounds about right.” The guy in the white t-shirt muttered.
         “But we didn’t manage to get an update before we left.” I explained.
         My thoughts flicked back to the dark tunnels, the bunkers. Iris lying on the table, her flesh cold and pale, eyes open, staring but not seeing.
         “Where did you come from?” White t-shirt asked. He was slimmer than the first, he wore a leather jacket over his t-shirt, probably didn’t want to ditch it though he must have been lathered in this heat.
         “Newcastle.” Mark answered.
          “And you got all the way here?” Yellow t-shirt asked, he seemed amazed. Mark didn’t mention the tunnels, maybe he was right not too; by the sounds of this guy he might try and find them.
         I nodded in answer, “What about you guys?” I asked looking at one then the other. I thought I knew who would answer my question.
         Yellow t-shirt pointed back up the road we had seen them walk down, “Thatta way.”
         “What’s that way?” Mark asked, unimpressed.
         “Lots of bodies,” The quieter one answered. “And lots of those things. They were after us, we had to make a run for it.”
         I looked at Mark, “What are we going to do?”
         “We’ve still got to try and make it.” He answered, looking at me.
         “Where are you trying to get to?” The quiet one asked.
         Mark shot me a quick glance as if debating whether to tell or not. He decided to tell, deeming it in our best interests, “We’re looking for the warning system.”
         “From the war?” Yellow t-shirt asked, looking proud of himself. It struck me that he wasn’t the brains of the operation.
         Mark nodded.
         “It’s not far from here, it’s a little off the beaten track.” Leather jacket told us, pointing off to his right. “You need to get back onto that field, head straight up and you can’t miss it.”
         “Thanks,” I told him. “That’s a real help.”
         He smiled at me.
         “What are you going there for?” Yellow t-shirt asked. I couldn’t bring myself to answer him. There was an awkward silence and he gazed at us, he was serious.
         “So where are you two headed?” Mark asked.
         “Well, we were just debating that, weren’t we bud?” Yellow t-shirt slapped the other on the back. The smaller guy looked put out, I felt sorry for him.
         “Maybe head some where safe to camp out and-”
         Yellow t-shirt began retching. He grabbed his stomach and reeled forward, doubling over. He heaved, his back jerking as he threw up a bright yellow viscous liquid. As he lifted his head I saw vomit still clung to his chin.
         “I don’t feel so good.” He moaned, his voice quiet. I saw his eyes fill up, pleading.
         “George, what’s wrong?” The other guy asked, concern in his voice.
         “I feel-” George heaved again, emptying the contents of his stomach, and more I guessed.
         “Jo.” I felt Mark tug on my arm. I looked around at him. “I think we should go.” He began walking backwards, pulling me with him.
         “We can’t just leave him,” I gestured. “He’s ill.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Hey…” Mark shouted trying to get the other guy’s attention.
         “Mike.” The quiet guy told us.
         “Mike,” Mark began. “Your friend George, has he had a run in with one of those things?” Mark nodded toward George who was curled on the floor in a foetal position. His arms were pulled tightly around himself.
         “We ran into a group of them further up the road,” Mike told us. Mark glanced up the road. I knew he was wondering how far up the road.
         “They were there before we knew it, one of them grabbed George. A little girl it was. He thought it was kinda funny, until she bit him.”
         “He’s been bitten?” Mark repeated.
         “In the back of the leg.”
         Mark stepped around George and inspected him, he nodded at me.
         “We need to go.” Mark intoned and began ushering Mike towards the hedge to go back into the field.
         “What? Wait! We can’t just leave him.” Mike argued, digging his heels into the ground.
         “He’s going to turn into one of them.” I told him grabbing his arm to help Mark.
         “How do you know?”
         “Trust me.” I tried.
         “No really, how do you know?”
         “We saw it happen.”
         He gaped at me with an open mouth. I took my chance and pushed him through the hedge, Mark following behind. We made across the field in the direction Mike had pointed out, James at the back.
         “What happened?” Mike persisted, running to catch up.
         “With what?” I asked.
         “You said you saw it happen?” He told me.
         I didn’t answer, didn’t want to think about Iris. I trudged onwards, Mark on my left, Mike trotting on my right. He seemed to be struggling to keep up.
         “He’s my friend,” His voice rose. “I need to know I’m leaving him behind for a good reason.”
         I paused and looked at him, a wave of sympathy overcoming me.
         “Well-” I began.
         Mark interrupted, “Walk and talk?”
         We began to walk as I told Mike what happened to Iris, and subsequently to Martin, leaving out the details.
         “And that’s what will happen to George?”
         I nodded as I tramped through the grass, unable to look at him. It was lush and green, the sun blazing high in the sky. Close to noon. I almost stopped as a picture of my friends popped into my head. It was the sort of day we would have had a BBQ or gone down to the beach. They’d never do that again. The sun seemed to be such a contrast to how the day was actually going, I thought it should be gloomy and muggy.
         “Maybe there’s something I could have done.” Mike still thought about his friend.
         “Sorry mate,” Mark answered for me. “Maybe there’s some sort of vaccine, a jab, something to prevent it but at the minute we’ve got zilch and we need to remember that.”
         Mike nodded, at least he was seeing reason.
         “How far is it to this warning system?” Mark asked.
         “Not too far now, I used to play there as a kid and-”
         “Get down!” Mark yelled. I dropped to the floor, felt blades of grass tickling and scratching the places where my skin was bare.
         Mike lay beside me. I saw James and Alice. James had his arm around Alice, shielding her.
         I saw why Mark had yelled, ahead of us on the field the zombies ambled. There was a group of them, but from my position on the floor I couldn’t tell how many.
         “Did they see us?” Mike asked. His voice shook, he was terrified. I wondered how he’d managed to come so far already.
         “I’m not sure, I don’t think so.” I answered.
         A sigh escaped Mike’s lips.
          “I’m not sure if they can see,” Mark leaned across so he could talk to me and Mike quietly. His voice vibrating through me.
         Mike frowned in question.
         “I think they hunt by sense of smell.”
         He’d had the same thought as me.
         “So, if they hunt by sense of smell, us hiding here isn’t going to do us any good?” Mike chipped in, phrasing it as a question, still unsure of the group dynamics, and possibly Mark.
         “Erm, well no…shit. We’ve got to get around them, we’ll have to make a run for it. Give them a wide berth okay?” Mark realised his fault in wanting to hide, though I knew it was natural, it was all I wanted to do. But I nodded.
         “I’ll go get those two.” Mark stood and crept forward, keeping low to the ground.
         I didn’t want to move but I forced myself up, knowing we had to make a break for it. I was up and on my feet, pounding the dirt hard. The zombies knew, could sense we were moving, they could hear us too more than likely. They reached out, moaning as I sprinted past. I felt them turn reaching for me, I wondered if they had changed their course. A quick glance back showed Mark wasn’t too far behind with James and Alice. I briefly wondered if Alice was struggling to run in that skirt, it seemed tight across her legs.
         “There!” Mike shouted. “There it is.” He was pointing ahead. I looked up for the first time and saw a high domed building. I poured on the speed. The building got closer and closer. It stood wide and square like a pyre alone in the field. I left the monsters behind but ran on moving quickly, making a beeline for the tower to safety.
         We were almost there. Sounds of panting and plodding feet coming from behind me the only important thing.
         As we neared I saw only one path led up to the safety device. A small dirt path. An old set of tyre tracks had left a rut in the dry dirt.
         “Quick, everyone inside.” I called out. I hurled myself at the door, feeling a dull thud as I rebounded and almost hit the floor. I staggered backwards and caught my balance. I took a look at it, not locked. Not even a bolt. Rusted shut then.
         I prepared myself to take another run at it, prepared myself for the shock when I saw someone rush past me. It was Mark, a flash of black and he pounced at the door with his shoulder. It gave under his weight slamming the wall on the inside before bounding back.
         He flashed me a quick smile, one that said: I did it! I followed him through the door, Mike hot on my heels.
         I hope it’s not broken, I thought as I saw the door looked slightly dishevelled.
         Everyone hustled inside and I pushed the door shut. It didn’t stay.
         Fuck!
          “Help me with the door.” I called out. I heard Mark throwing instructions out in the background. Then he and James were beside me pushing a bench in front of the door.
         I felt my breathing beginning to normalise. I looked around, took in my surroundings.          We were in a large room, a set of stone steps led upwards on my left, disappearing behind a partition wall. In front of me there was a large table like the one in the bunker.
         The one we laid Iris on.
         On it stood some sort of transmitted, a huge line of switchboards stood off to the side against the right wall. A small wooden stool was placed in the front of it; it looked like it would break the moment it was sat on.
         “Anyone know how to use it?” James asked. He stood with his hands on hips looking at us blankly.
         I shook my head. We hadn’t thought about this. We had planned to make it to Morpeth, to the early warning system…
         And here we are.
         …five of us stood in an old stone building with no clue how to operate it. In my head there had simply been a switch, labelled on and off. As easy as that. But of course that was stupid. This place had been build during World War two, maybe even earlier, they didn’t have such communication then.
         “I’ll see if I can get anything on the transmitter, maybe there’s some more news.” Mark offered. He sat down on simple wooden chair that creaked as he set his weight upon it. He shot me a quick glance before he began fiddling with the dials. I wondered if he’d watched Martin doing it when we were in the tunnels.
         “Alice, do you want to help me figure this out?” I asked her gesturing at the switchboard. Nodding she trotted over to join me and together we began trying to figure out how it worked. The machine was maybe three feet long, ports surrounding the lengths of it in red and black. Above the ports there were sliders indicating tone, frequency and a few other things.
         I frowned and picked up a pair of headphones placing them around my neck and plugged the jacket into the first socket. Static rustled into the earphones. I played a little with the sliders hoping that, miraculously, something would happen. Still all I heard was static.
From behind me something clashed, jumping I spun around. Mike was staring as James pushed himself against the door. It had been the door hitting the bench.
         Another loud bang. I heard at James’ palms connected with the door.
         “They’re here!” James shouted, panic in his voice. My stomach flipped.
         This is it.
         Another bang followed by another. It was just like being back at the bank.
         “Mike, help me.” James shouted, frustrated. Apparently that’s what was needed to startle Mike from his thoughts, he dived forward and put his weight behind the door alongside James.
         “Alice, grab those other headphones.” I pointed to a second set on top of the switchboard.
         Setting them on her eyes she asked, “Now what?”
         “Just have a go, I don’t really know.” I told her truthfully.
         I had no idea. I began pulling the jack and trying sockets, moving sliders frantically. All I heard was the sound of static crackling into my ears.
         It looks so easy in the movies.
         I noticed a black handset sunken in the middle of the console. A telephone!
         That’s it, we need to use the phone. Phone out to someone, but where?
         “Alice, is there a book?” I was lost for words. “Like a…a…telephone directory.”
         She pulled off the headset and began to search around. Out the corner of my eye I saw her bend over check underneath the switchboard. Then she was on her tiptoes, looking on top. She reached up, stretching her whole body, her face was pressed against the black metal as her hand blindly groped.
         “Almost…” She wheezed out. “Got it.” With a small jump she managed to hook what she’d found. She dragged it forward and dropped it into her free hand. A sheet of dust lay on top of it. She blew it off, coughing as it caught in her throat.
         “Got it.” She said firmly, handing it to me, a proud look on her face.
         “Thanks.” I told her as I began flicking through the pages.
         A huge crash sounded from behind. The bench moved slightly with the force they were hitting the door. James and Mike looked tired.
         “Guys, listen,” Mark spoke. He’d found something on the radio.
         I decided to help the guys with the door while I listened, pressing my weight again the bench, holding myself up with my legs strained.
         “If you can hear this you…” The man on the radio was drowned out by the incessant banging on the door. Mark turned it up until he could hear clearly. “…everywhere. Stick together and indoors. They can be killed by a blow to the head but it is recommended you stay away from them. It has been said transference of substances causes mutation.”
         Mark and I exchanged glances.
         “This radio signal is from Catterick Garrison. We have zero casualties here, all welcomed that aren’t infected. Next broadcast, one hour. Over and out.”
         The radio went silent, hissed loudly. Mark flicked it off. It was the same man we’d heard speaking from the bunker.
         Another bit bang against the door, jolting me.
         “Catterick Garrison, the army. They must be doing something.” Mark thought aloud.
         “Should I stop trying?” I asked gesturing to the switchboard.
         “I don’t know.” For the first time since I had met him, Mark sounded unsure. He looked so downcast, it broke my heart.
         Forcing myself to look away I flicked through the directory Alice had given me. I found Catterick, at least I’d get an answer that way. I plugged into a port and picked up the handset dialling the number. I listened hard, waiting for it to ring.
         Nothing.
         “It’s not ringing.” I spoke out.
         “Try it again.” Mike told me, his voice high.
         Another loud thud on the door, the bench scraping against the floor, moving forward a little. I heard wood splinter.
         Shit.
         I spun around again, hung up the phone and dialled the number again. My heart was thumping. I willed, prayed to hear that familiar tone, the ringing.
         The phone rang dead. I threw it down in frustration, the crash startling Alice, black plastic of the phone splintering.
         “It’s dead.” I felt my stomach lurch as the realisation hit me; we were all alone in this place, surrounded by cannibals. There was nothing left to do.
         “The system is old, maybe they extinguished the whole thing.” Mark tried to reassure me, his voice calm.
         I closed my eyes breathing deeply, letting it slowly escape my lips. I opened my eyes again.
         “Sorry.” I offered my apologies.
         Mark shrugged it off.
         “What now?” Alice asked sounding on the verge of hysteria. I saw tears fill her eyes.
         “We need to get out of here.” Mark said.
         “But the guy on the radio said-” Mike started.
         “We’re like lambs to the slaughter here. They’ll get in eventually.” Mark raised his voice. It needed to be done.
         Mike looked terrified.
         “I agree, we have no idea how long this is going to last, let alone how long the door will hold.” I added my opinion. He was right, they were outside continually thumping the door, trying to push their way in. Soon it would give. It was sturdy but old and would eventually splinter.
         “And how do you propose we leave?” Mike spat, his face twisted into an ugly grimace.
         “I haven’t got that far yet.” Mark remained calm.
         We were in silence for what seemed like forever, knowing that we needed to get into action and move. The ominous banging on the door was foreboding. Now and again I heard another piece of wood splinter, the door was beginning to give in.
         We needed to get out, make off down that road. But how?
         A diversion.
         But, I rationalised with myself, the only diversion that would work in this instance would be in the form of food, a human sacrifice.
         I glanced around me at my friends, at Mike.
         No!
         I felt guilty for even thinking it. I couldn’t do it, wouldn’t.
         So what then?
         A thump, louder than the rest. Then silence.
         I gazed at the door, waiting for it. Preparing for the next round of assault. Nothing came. It felt unusual, broke the pattern.
         Mark frowned, looking at me.
         We waited and waited.
         “Maybe they’ve gone.” James offered his opinion. Just like Iris had.
         “Maybe they have.” Alice sounded hopeful, glancing from James to Mark, her eyes bright.
         Mark glanced at me. He was thinking the same as I was.
         Can they really be gone?
         After a few moments Mark stood. He moved to the door and motioned for Mike to help him move the bench. They lifted it silently, placing it against the wall. Mark took hold of the handle gingerly. His fingers twitched.
         “Wait,” I stopped him. I was scared. “I’ll have a quick check upstairs, there might be a window.” I dashed up the stairs. I realised the second floor had doubled as a kitchen and bunker for the men who would have worked using the emergency system. I saw there was a small hatch window on the side of the building. I rushed over and peered out.
I saw a group of them shuffling in the direction we’d walked up the field. I saw a glimpse of blond. My heart lurched.
         Could it be?
         She was lost in the crowd of trudging bodies.
         Why have they turned around?
         Then I saw.
         Yellow t-shirt, up ahead. He staggered along the field, clutching his stomach, head down. He couldn’t see what was ahead of him. I banged on the window but to no avail.
         What if he hasn’t turned yet?
         I watched as the group and the lone man got closer and closer. He was oblivious. They were going to get him. I thumped on the window again, a hollow sound following. Still he didn’t look up. They were almost on him. I heard a sharp intake of breath, then realised it was my own.
         He’s our diversion, I realised. He hasn’t turned.
         They were gone, off to get some easier prey. I roused myself from my post and raced downstairs.
         “We need to go.” I ordered as I made for the door.
         “What, but-”
         “Now.” I cut James off.
         Mark flung the door open without a second thought and rushed outside into the sun followed closely by Mike, who had apparently affiliated himself with Mark.
         A scream pierced the air. Outside, I looked to my left. They had him.
         “Time to move.” I called to my friends, my sense of self preservation kicking in.
         “But… that’s George!” Mike yelled, his voice close to hysterical.
         “Shhh, they’ll hear you.” I hissed.
          “You lied, you lied to me, you said he was one of them.” He screeched at us, voice high pitched.
         Mark took off down the path, shouting at me to follow. As I looked back I saw Mike sprinting across the field to his friend. And his doom.
         He wouldn’t listen to reason, there was nothing I could do. I turned and followed Mark down the path away from the threat and into perceived freedom.
         It was the four of us again, hightailing it down the path. It soon opened up into a wider road. We were getting closer to the town. I wondered if it was such a good idea but then I couldn’t figure out where else we’d go. I noticed signs of it being deserted, bags dropped on the pavement, a pile of books recently borrowed from the library, cars abandoned, an empty pushchair, a teddy bear still seated in it’s owners seat.
         At least the baby wasn’t forgotten.
         We were on a main street, shops beginning to flank us on both sides. I slowed to a walk taking in the town. I saw a newsagent, a carrier bag had been dropped just outside, it was leaking a clear fluid. At the florists I noticed the door was still flung wide open, the flowers all shrivelling from the heat and lack of nutrients. I saw a hardware store, its window lying on the ground in from of the shop in thousands of shining pieces.
         “What now?” I asked turning to Mark. It seemed to be a common phrase. I hated it; it made me feel out of control. He shrugged lost in his own thoughts.
         I felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
         How long are we going to run? How long can we run?
         “That car, I think it still has keys.” James pointed ahead of us up the street. I squinted, trying to block out the sun.
         “You’re right!” I almost laughed.
         Finally, a way out.
         We continued walking in the direction of the car. It sat in the middle of the road, parked at an angle. Its driver door was still open.
         “Um guys…” Alice’s voice came from behind me. I turned and saw what was wrong. We were being followed. A huge group hunted us from the bottom street.
         The group from the field?
          “We need to make a run for it, get clear of the town.” I heard Mark say.
         My attention was elsewhere. To my right I saw a pair of bloody legs stepping over the broken glass of a pet shop, her heels came down in a dog basket that lay outside. Congealed blood swathed her body in patches, her pencil skirt soaked through.
         Spinning I saw they were coming from every direction.
         Where did they come from? I think we attract them.
         I felt something brush my arm. Jumped I spun around, it was Mark. He grabbed my hand and held on tight.
         They were closing in, crushing us closer and closer together. The four of us stood back to back. I felt delicate fingers reach for me. Alice, she trembled.
         “Jo, you need to make a run for it, take Alice with you.” Mark spoke quietly in my ear, breath tickling my neck.
         “But-” I began to protest.
         “There’s a gap over there to my right.” He whispered nodding in the direction. My eyes found the spot he was looking at. A chance at freedom. It wouldn’t last for long, the zombies moved, enclosing the gap, tightening the circle.
         “I’m going to distract them, take Alice and go.”
         “But-”
         “Stop,” He pulled me to face him, hisinger against my lips to quieten my pleas. “I’m going to follow with James just as soon as you’re through.”
         I looked at the ground, felt tears blur my eyes.
         Gently he lifted my head, “Trust me. I’ll find you.” His thumb stroked my cheek, a tear spilled down over his thumb.
         Moving forward he pressed his lips against mine, it felt so soft, so right. He held it for a few moments before pulling away. It ended too quickly. His head rested against mine, his hair tickling my face, eyes staring into mine.
         ”Ready?” He squeezed my hand.
         I nodded. Without another word he spun. I heard a roar escape him and he crouched low sprinting at the zombies. He caught a business woman in the stomach, rugby tackling her to the ground. I watched her fall backwards, her blank eyes unseeing, unfeeling. The surrounding monsters lost their interest in Alice and I and made for Mark. James dived towards Mark, going to help.
         The two men sticking together, letting the girls get out.
         I grabbed Alice and made a dash for it. She put up a little protest but her eyes widened when she realised what was going on and allowed me to pull her away.
         Even though Mark’s distraction was working the gap was beginning to close, began to fill with bloody arms, hands missing fingers, legs missing the chunks of flesh.
         I was terrified.
         But I knew this was our only chance. I put a spurt on, felt Alice stumble but didn’t pause hoping my momentum would carry her through.
         Almost there.
         I was in the midst of them feeling the wind rushing past me. Felt fingers reaching for me, raking my clothes.
         Then I was through, free and clear.
         My heart slammed when I was torn backwards, jolted.
         They had me. I felt panic rise in my throat.
         This is it.
         I realised my hand was free, I was pitched forward.
         Alice!
         I heard her screams amidst the moans of those monsters. I faced them, watched them swarm around her.
         I have to help.
         I started forward craning my neck, looking for the girl.
         There’s nothing I can do.
         I turned and ran from the mob. I’d left my friends behind. James and Alice, still screaming in pain. And Mark. I was leaving Mark behind. I felt my heart break.
         What am I doing?
         I stopped and turned, ready to go back to get him. But I knew going back would only mean the death of me. Or I’d turn into one of them. I couldn’t face that. I ran away already feeling myself begin to ache for Mark.
         They were behind me, hunting. They wanted me, wanted my flesh. I had to get away.
I ran for my life. About thirty yards away I saw the car.
         Not far now.
         I put a spurt on, heard my feet slapping the pavement, my arms pumping high. My chest burned.
         Almost there.
         The wind whipped my hair back, I could feel the weight of it streaming behind me, as if it was sodden wet. I could hear the heavy footfalls behind me, I didn’t risk looking back.
It was within my reach.
         I saw the grey seats, a crisp wrapper still perched on the dashboard. I heard a growl, deep and throaty just behind me. I imagined a pair of scaly hands reaching for me, dirty fingernails grabbing for my hair.
         I jumped, lunging forward, propelling myself through the open door. I felt a dull thud as my head collided with the passenger door and my left arm landed on the handbrake. Ignoring the pain I scrambled back up reaching for the door handle, feeling the panic rise in my chest as I glimpsed the oncoming horde. My fingers, hot, missed the grip and fell down the side of the seat, crashing against the metal sill. My fingers felt numb but I knew I had to keep going. With a last push I moved forward grabbing the handle in a firm grip and yanked the handle towards me. The door crashed shut and I popped the security button down, rushing to check the others before I allowed myself to take a breather.
         The seat beneath me felt soft against my tired limbs.
         I wanted to stay there, fall asleep, give up. But I willed myself into action. I found the car keys still hanging in the ignition. A small teddy hung on the key ring, still moving slightly from the disturbance.
         Starting up the engine I pushed my foot down on the clutch and slid the gear stick into first gear. Just as I began to increase the revs a hand smacked the window of the driver’s side, palm first. I jumped, startled, and stalled the car.
          “Shit.” I cursed under my breath. I restarted the engine. The hand slammed again but this time I was ready for it and didn’t stall. The hand on my window was missing a finger, a small red stump remained, it left a slimy trail of blood on the glass. Grimacing I put the car into gear and without hesitation sped off down the road away from the majority of the mayhem, but into what?
         I took the car down the road, running the small engine hard and fast. They were behind now, slowly but surely becoming irrelevant specs in the distance. I allowed myself to relax a bit, slowing the car. I was free. My shoulders sagged under the weight of everything that had happened. Soon the tears came hot and steady, rolling down my cheeks. I stopped the car. I pulled over onto the side of the road and wept, my head in my hands.
         I’d lost all my friends, the people I’d known for most of my life. I’d caused the loss of so many others who looked to me to protect them. I’d just left Alice there with them knowing she would never survive. And Mark.
         I cried harder.
         Mark, I had left him behind. I felt my heart ache. I felt hopeless, couldn’t understand why all this had happened, why now?
         Why did I have to lose him?
         I sobbed, feeling myself succumb to grief, depression. My chest heaved with every sob. I thought I might drown in my tears. It took a while but eventually, the tears began to cease until I was left with only dry eyes, irritated and sore.
         I knew I had to move, knew they would still be after me. I sighed heavily, not sure if I could do it by myself. I started the car up again ready to pull off.
         A hand thumped against the passenger window. I jumped stalling the car again. It was happening all over again. Looking over I saw blood, lots of blood flowing down an arm onto a hand and…blue flames.
         Mark!
          “Mark,” I asked timidly, reaching for the passenger door.
         Or is he one of them now?