The Undead. The First Seven Days (72 page)

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Sarah finishes her meal and drinks plenty of water to re-hydrate, after the heavy drinking the night before.

Then she carefully fills her pots, pans and receptacles - while the water supply still works, thinking there must be a massive tank at the top of the building to keep a building that size supplied.

Dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, with her hair pulled back, she looks serious and determined - determined to do something to help her situation, but not knowing what that should be.
  She opens the patio doors and steps out onto the balcony and takes a sharp intake of breath as she looks down.

There had been crowds of them on the road and pavement below, but now the whole area is covered in them. The street below her is packed and she can see into side streets further up and the junctions at the end of the road. There are undead bodies packed in like sardines, shuffling and rippling, like one giant snake.
  The intense heat and stillness of the air sends putrid and fetid odours wafting up on the thermals created by the packed bodies and Sarah almost gags as she covers her face and mouth with her hand. The stench of the decomposing bodies is awful and she imagines the skin hanging off and maggots writhing in the open wounds.
  The strong sense of purpose and determination ebbs away, as she realises there is no way out of the building.

The sheer amount of them could push through the main front doors with ease, if they put their zombie minds to it, and she steps back, as she suddenly realises they could be at her door within minutes, if they chose. She slowly pushes the patio doors closed and realises that from her position on the balcony she can’t see the main doors and they could already be inside now.
  She creeps over to her front door and rests her ear against the cool wood; intently listening for any noises, but there is only silence.

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‘
Charlie to Alpha.’
  ‘Alpha receiving, go ahead Charlie.’
  ‘We have identified a secondary route, using side roads, slow down and let us take the lead from here.’
  ‘Roger that Charlie, slowing down now for you to take lead position.’
 
The four-wheel drive vehicle pulls out from behind the truck and shoots past the slowing vehicles, slotting in front of the Saxon. The men in the rear of the vehicle look back and nod to Howie and Dave in the front.

Howie nods back and raises his hand, as Dave keeps scanning the area.
  ‘Bloody hell, this is packed with ‘em,’ Howie says.
  ‘It is, Mr Howie.’ Dave replies.
  ‘And it’s getting worse the further we go in.’
  ‘It is.’
  ‘Here we go,’ Howie says as the four-wheel drive turns a sharp left, mowing down several undead crossing the junction and sending the bodies spinning off.

The rest keep going across, as the Saxon takes a turn to run some over.
  ‘They don’t know the Green Cross Code, do they?’ Howie says.
  ‘The what?’ Dave asks.
  ‘The Green Cross Code.’
  ‘What’s that?’
  ‘You’ve never heard of it? Everyone knows the Green Cross Code,’ Howie says.
  ‘I don’t.’ Dave replies, flatly.
  ‘Lads, you’ve heard of the Green Cross Code, haven’t you?’ Howie calls out.
  ‘What’s that?’ Voices shout from the back.
  ‘Well… you’re all just youngsters really - you must have heard it from school, Dave.’
  ‘No, Mr Howie.’ Dave answers.
  ‘What did they say as they taught you to cross the road then?’ Howie asks.
  ‘Look left and right.’ Dave answers.
  ‘Well, yeah - but what about the big bloke in the cape?’
  ‘Superman?’ Dave asks.
  ‘No, he had a green cape, I think.’
  ‘Superman had a red cape, Mr Howie.’
  ‘I know that Superman had a red cape, I meant the Green Cross Code man - he had a green cape, I think.’
  ‘I don’t know him.’ Dave says.
  ‘No… hang on, he didn’t have a cape - he had a white top with big shoulder pads and a big green cross on his chest.’ Howie says, looking across at Dave, who shakes his head.
  ‘The Green Lantern wears green.’ Dave says.
  ‘Yeah, I know he does, but I’m on about the Green Cross Code man.’
  ‘The Incredible Hulk was green too.’ Dave adds.
  ‘I know. But he isn’t the one I’m on about.’ Howie says.
  ‘The Incredible Hulk? I never liked him that much,’ Tucker says, leaning forward to join the conversation.
  ‘Why not?’ Dave asks.
  ‘I was always into Batman,’ Tucker says.
  ‘Early Batman or late Batman?’ Curtis Graves, cuts in.
  ‘Oh… has to be early Batman,’ Tucker replies.
  ‘No way, the last Batman movies were the best,’ Curtis replies.
  ‘Batman didn’t wear green.’ Dave adds.
  ‘Spiderman is the best one,’ Cookey says, leaning forward too.
  ‘Yeah, I like Spiderman, but I never liked spiders - so they always put me off him,’ Tucker replies.
  ‘Spiderman didn’t wear green, either.’ Dave says.
  ‘Iron Man was the best,’ Hewitt shouts out.
  ‘He wasn’t a superhero, he was a normal bloke in a special outfit,’ Tucker replies.
  ‘Well, Batman was too, then,’ Curtis says.
  ‘No, Batman had special powers,’ Tucker says.
  ‘No, he didn’t, he was a normal bloke who just did loads of training,’ Curtis retorts.
  ‘The Thing from The Fantastic Four was my favourite,’ McKinney calls out.
  ‘The Human Torch was the best one.’ Blowers joins in.
  ‘They didn’t wear green,’ Dave says.
  ‘The Green Cross Code man wore green,’ Howie says.
  ‘Mr Fantastic was way better than either of them,’ Curtis replies.
  ‘You’re telling me that being a bit bendy, like Cookey, is better than being able to burst into flames?’ Blowers asks, indignantly.
  ‘What can you do with fire, other than make things hot?’ Curtis asks.
  ‘Well, you can set things on fire, for a start,’ Blowers says.
  ‘And?’ Cookey asks.
  ‘That’s cool enough,’ Blowers says, defensively.
  ‘I got a plastic lighter in my pocket that can do that,’ Hewitt says.
  ‘Yeah, well he could move fast too,’ Blowers shouts.
  ‘So would I, if I was on fire all the bloody time,’ Tucker laughs.
  ‘I liked Wonder Woman,’ Jamie Reese joins in, to a stunned silence from the rest. ‘She was bloody gorgeous.’
  ‘Yeah, fair one… I would,’ Blowers agrees, as most of the lads nod.
  ‘Fair point mate, she was crumpet,’ Cookey says.
  ‘She didn’t wear green,’ Dave says.
  ‘Have you got a favourite one, Dave,’ Cookey asks.
  ‘Yes,’ he replies.
  ‘Who?’ Howie asks.
  ‘Wolverine.’
  ‘That figures,’ Howie says, as the lads all nod in agreement. ‘Is that the hospital?’ he adds, as they come onto a wide road leading to a large, modern looking building.
  ‘Yes.’ Dave replies, as the large sign saying “Canary Wharf Hospital” comes into view.
  ‘Yeah, thanks for that Dave,’ Howie says.
  The access road leading to the hospital is long and goes round the back of a large visitor’s car park with a surprising number of cars still parked there. The access road then leads on and curves off into large ambulance bays, outside a set of immense double doors.
 
‘Charlie to all units, we are going with Bravo to the side entrance to gain access as directed by Doc Roberts. Alpha you cover the front, unless we call for help. Delta, you check the rear and then go to the far side.’
  The units all respond with affirmations and the four-wheel drive vehicle and the truck drive on down the access road and bear left, disappearing down the side. The Saxon pulls up tight to the front of the building.
  ‘Can you ask Darren if he’s got a good view from up there, or does he need it moved?’ Howie asks and hears Darren reply that he can see fine.
  ‘Right lads, spread out across the entrance here and keep a good eye out,’ Howie says.
  ‘Where are they all?’ Tucker asks, leaning forward to look out of the windscreen.
  ‘I don’t know, mate - I guess this is off the main road or the centre or wherever they are going, but it won’t take them long if they want us, Howie replies and gets out of the vehicle with his assault rifle, checking his webbing belt pouches for magazines.

The recruits climb out from the rear doors and start moving out to form a wide line, spread across the front, facing out onto the main road.
  ‘You like that sniper rifle then?’ Howie asks Jamie, as he walks down the line, checking the lads are all okay.

Jamie has the rifle up and is looking through the scope, down towards the building line, the SA80 strapped to his back.
  ‘Yes, Mr Howie,’ Jamie answers.
  ‘You’re getting very good with it too, mate,’ Howie says.
  ‘Thanks, Mr Howie.’
  ‘You’ll be giving Dave a run for his money soon mate, especially if you carry on like that with the double knives.’
  ‘Oh, do you want me to just use one, or the bayonet on the rifle instead?’ Jamie asks, concerned.
  ‘No, no, mate, it was a compliment - even Dave said how well you did with them.’ Howie says, as Jamie blushes bright red and stammers a thank you.
  Howie walks down to the end and stands next to Dave.
  ‘It’s very quiet, Mr Howie,’ Dave says, in hushed tones.
  ‘Oh, you’ve said it now…’ Howie groans.
 
‘Charlie to Alpha, multiple contacts inside, request immediate re-enforcements, we are on the second floor at the rear of the building,’
Chris’s voice booms out, with the sound of gunshots in the background.
  ‘See what I mean, you had to say it, didn’t you,’ Howie admonishes jokingly. ‘Blowers, you hold out here, I’ll take Jamie, McKinney and Dave with me. We’ve only got one radio, so stay safe and get back inside the Saxon, if it gets too much,’ Howie calls out.
  ‘Yes Sir,’ Blowers answers as Jamie and McKinney rush over towards the front doors to join Dave and Howie.
  ‘Jamie and Dave at the front, as you’re the best shots, me and McKinney will go behind and cover the rear… er… if that’s okay with you, Dave?’
  ‘That’s fine ,Mr Howie,’ Dave answers, respectfully.
  ‘Okay, let’ go.’ Howie says, as they push the doors open and enter.
  ‘Use the rifle for now, but be prepared to swap for the assault weapon, if it gets hot - single shot to the head and watch out for our guys,’ Dave advises Jamie, as they take the lead and start moving down the wide central corridor and past the reception desk.
  The interior already looks looted, with debris littered everywhere and dried blood stains smeared down the polished and gleaming floor of the new hospital. Waiting room chairs are strewn about and the contents of the desk look to have been thrown out into the main room.
  ‘Looks like someone tried to fight them off,’ Howie remarks, as they step round the items on the floor.

Dave pauses and raises a hand up in the air, first in a clenched fist and then with one finger raised - then pointing off to the side.
  ‘Oh, not this again,’ Howie mutters, as they pass the area where Dave was indicating and see a dead body halfway out of a toilet door. The face is bitten away and a large pool of congealed blood is under the head.
  They walk quickly down the central corridor, passing doors and waiting areas on both sides. Signs hang from the ceiling, giving directions to the various departments.

As they get towards the rear of the building, they hear the sound of muffled gunshots and start moving faster. Dave and Jamie walk in front, Dave with his assault rifle raised to his shoulder and Jamie with the sniper rifle.
  Howie and McKinney keep scanning to the sides and checking the rear, as they progress quickly but quietly.
  The sniper rifle coughs as Jamie sweeps quickly to the right and a zombie falls out of a concealed side corridor; the back of his head blown away. Jamie racks the bolt quickly and continues moving forward, hardly breaking stride. Two more shuffle round from the end of the corridor towards them and are quickly dispatched by a single shot to the head each. The quiet noise of the sniper rifle suppressor is deadened by the loud retort of the assault rifle, fired by Dave. The zombies are both blown backwards as the four men keep stepping forward to the end of the corridor and identify the stairwell doors.
  Dave enters first, sweeping up the stairs with his rifle aimed high and taking each step carefully, but still moving with speed.
  ‘Clear,’ he says quietly but clearly, as the others follow him to the door leading onto the second floor.
  Dave and Jamie pause for a second at the double doors, as Dave pushes gently to test they open inwards. He nods to Jamie and indicates for him to check right and he will check left, then turns to show Howie and McKinney to cover the front.

Then Dave nods and he and Jamie push the doors open quickly and burst out into the corridor; Dave turning immediately to face left and Jamie to the right.

Howie and McKinney step forward to the long corridor facing them and the several undead shuffling in the other direction. They both open fire using single shots, to drop the zombies in the back and Howie hears both Dave and Jamie firing. Once the corridor ahead is clear, Howie looks across to see Jamie and Dave have both dropped several undead each.
 
‘Alpha to Charlie, we are on the second floor at the rear stairwell, confirm your location,’
Dave asks into the radio.
 
‘Charlie to Alpha, we have got most of them down, hold there, until we make our way back to you,’
Chris answers.
 
‘Roger that, holding position at the rear stairwell doors, on the second floor.’
 
The four of them hold position, occasionally firing, as a zombie appears from one of the many side entrances that branch off.