Dead & Alive (Book 1): Survive (8 page)

“How do you know about medical?” she asked him.

He smiled, “I’ve had a little training,” he replied.

“From your mysterious past,” she joked. Jack did not answer; instead he just smiled and carried on with her foot. Elle knew he was always uncomfortable when people mentioned his past.

“You know, there is a chance we may not survive this, you can tell me anything, it’s just us here,” she told him.

Jack stopped what he was doing, “What makes you think I have an interesting story to tell?” he asked her.

“The skills you have and tonight you are the only one not to panic,” she told him trying to make him trust her. She continued to talk, “There are so many rumors about you, but I don’t care about rumors, I just want to know you,” she smiled.

Jack stood silent for a moment, “Just between us?” he asked her.

“I would never betray your trust.” She told him.

He continued work, strapping her foot up Elle believed he was not going to say anything when all of a sudden he started to speak.
“
I was Special Forces, SAS. I was active for over four years, I loved it, and it was my life. I grew up in foster and social care, so I never knew what a family was like, that was until I joined the army. The team I was part of in the SAS was special, we were like brothers. Anyway, 18 months ago, we were sent on a mission in Afghanistan. Military intelligence sent us in to take out a bomb factory, we were told there were ten people on the ground guarding the facility and the factory was locked down
.
” He stopped talking; Elle could see the emotion on his face. “Jack, you don’t have to tell me,” she told him while taking his hand and holding it tight. Jack carried on speaking,
“
Anyway, everything was going well, we located the factory, and then it went to shit. The intelligence was wrong, it was not a bomb factory it was a training camp, a place where they trained the terrorists. We were in a running gun battle; we took cover in an old crumbling building. We tried to make a stand, but it was useless. We decided to wait for sunset;we planned to make a move under the cover of darkness. However, it was a long couple of hours. By the time the sun went down three men were dead and two badly injured. I was the only one standing. We had a chance to move, but the two men injured could not walk. I had to choose who had the best chance of surviving and leave the other man behind
.
” He stopped again; Elle could see he was getting angry
.
“I left a brother in arms behind, and carried another for three hours. It was a running gunfight, but we made it to the Evac site. Six men went in and only two returned. The man I carried back never walked again. When I arrived back to base I was immediately called in for a mission debrief. There was this intelligence twat there, the first thing he asked, what did your team do wrong. I ended up breaking his jaw and spent seven months in a military prison. The week I was due to be released I was expecting to be discharged, when I got told I was a valuable asset and they wanted to find a way to keep me. I refused to return to Special Forces and opted to join a Section. The rest you know
,”
he finished telling Elle. They both remained silent, he put her sock and boot back on and tied her laces. She looked at him, knowing how hard it was for him to tell her. He lifted his head, “Finished, try that,” he told her. Jack helped her off the table, as she got down, they came face to face. Elle still looked at Jack’s face; she moved into him and kissed him. He pulled away saying nothing, he paused for a moment and kissed her again. The kiss was passionate and seemed to last forever. They stopped kissing and looked in each other’s eyes, Jack looked confused, “We should go,” he told her. Elle simply smiled in agreement and they moved out.

RE-UNITE IN BLOOD

Frank was fast approaching the MI6 building; Frank was leading the group when a survivor joined him. A man’s voice spoke, “I just wanted to say thank you, for everything you have done for us.”

Frank looked to the man speaking to him was the man who saved him when he was attacked by a Zombie. “I should be the one thanking you,” Frank told him while offering his hand in friendship.

The man shook Frank by the hand, “The least I could do,” he replied.

“So what’s your name, or should I just call you thingy,” Frank asked.

The man smiled, “Henry,” he replied. Frank looked at Henry; he was a middle-aged man, who looked more like a gardener than a Zombie killer.

“Nice to meet you Henry, wish it was under better circumstances,” Frank replied. “Yes, not sure better circumstances exist anymore,” he told Frank sadly.

“We are going to get you out of here,” Frank reassured him. Henrys smiled disappeared, “It’s doesn’t matter anymore. There is no one left waiting for me,” he replied.

Frank felt terrible; “I’m sorry,” Frank tried telling him. “I just want to make sure the kids get away from this hell, it’s not important what happens to me,” Henry told him.

Frank came to a sudden stop, he pulled Henry back, “Shhhh, don’t make a sound,” Frank said. He gestured to the group behind them to stop. Frank looked round the corner of the building, opposite was the MI6 building, but they had a problem, standing between them and the chance of rescue was a small army of zombies, they were all facing the MI6 building just banging against the entrance.

“We’re screwed,” Frank whispered under his breath.

Zoe was moving further and further ahead of the group. Bray walked behind with Clare the Kids and the survivors. Bray looked ahead to Zoe walking alone, “Clare, make sure everyone keeps up,” He told her.

Bray ran ahead to join Zoe, “Hey, we should stay close together,” he told her.

Zoe stopped and looked at Bray, she looked angry, “Then you should all move faster,” she told him bluntly.

Bray sighed, “I know you had a hard time back there, but how about working with us,” Bray told her.

Zoe gave a sarcastic smile, “You think you know what I have been through, you have no idea,” she told him angrily.

Bray looked down to the ground, “You’re right, I have no idea, but I’m not a monster and if you give me and my team a chance we will prove it,” Bray told her calmly. Zoe took a step back and looked like she was tearing up. Before either of them could talk, a voice echoed across the street.

Bray turned to see a familiar face, “Jack!” he said excited.

Bray also noticed Elle walking much better; she still had a limp, but moved much easier. They both approached Bray and Zoe; Bray went to shake Jack’s hand, but was surprised when Jack gave him a hug instead. “You made it,” Bray told him.

Jack smiled as he let go of Bray, Elle was next to hug Bray. “How did you guys make it?” Bray asked them.

“Jack” Elle replied.

“Don’t listen, it was a team effort,” Jack added, as he walked over to Clare and the others.

Clare’s face lit up, “Jack,” she said with a huge smile throwing her arms around him. “You OK?” he asked her.

“I’m OK, happier now you’re back with us,” she replied.

“I see you did a great job looking after everyone for me,” he smiled. “We need to keep moving,” Brays voice shouted over. They all started to walk, Clare pulled on Jack’s jacket to get his attention, “here this is yours,” she handed him the knife he gave her.

“Keep it, I want you to have it,” he replied. Clare simply smiled in return.

Elle walked with Bray and Zoe ahead of the others, “Zoe this is Elle,” Bray introduced them.

Elle offered her hand, “Hi,” she told her with a smile. Zoe carried on walking, ignoring Elle. Bray rolled his eyes.

“What’s up her ass?” Elle asked.

“The world,” he replied. Elle looked confused, “I’ll explain later” Bray added.

Zoe came to a complete stop, the color on her face drained away and fear struck her face. Bray and Elle caught up with her, “Oh shit,” Bray said while looking out towards the MI6 building. Jack and the others joined them. They stood out of sight of the zombies and looked to the army of dead between them and rescue.

“What the hell are we going to do?” Bray asked. Jack did not reply, Bray looked to Jack and noticed a look of concern on his face.

“Frank,” Jack whispered.

“What?” Elle asked. “Frank and the others, where are they,” he told them.

“They should be here by now,” Jack continued. “They have to be close,” Elle tried to reassure him.

“Closer than you think” a voice said behind them. Jack and the others turned to see Frank and his group coming towards them.

“We have a problem,” Frank told everyone.

“I bet we can guess what it is,” Jack replied.

Frank joined Jack and Bray to look towards the MI6 building. “We have no chance of getting to that building in one piece,” Bray spoke out.

Jack looked around the street. “Well, we can’t stay here all day,” Jack, told them. The building next to them was an empty shop that was having construction when the outbreak happened. Frank led the group inside the empty shop, Jack was last to enter he forced the door shut behind him. A child screamed out, Jack ran over to the child. Looking around Jack could see a decomposing body on the floor; it was completely dead the skull had been completely crushed. The child was comforted by Clare, Jack looked over the body on the ground, whoever it was had tried to fight off the zombies that attacked.

In the rotting corpse’s hand, a machete was still grasped, Jack leaned down and pulled the machete free. “I promise to kill a few of those dead bastards with this,” he whispered.

Jack held the machete by its black handle dried blood stained the blade. Jack stood up sliding the machete behind his belt to hold it in place an. An argument broke out. “We have to run,” “We cannot just give up,” “its suicide,” voices argued.

Frank was calling for calm, Elle tried to speak to everyone, but no one listened. “SHUT UP!” Jack shouted. The room went silent, everyone looked to Jack.

“Standing here arguing amongst ourselves will not make the situation any better,” Jack told them all

. Zoe stepped forward, “Well, what do you suggest?” she asked sarcastically.

“There is only one option, we have to get inside that building to stand any chance of getting out of this hell,” he replied.

Ryan spoke out, “Maybe we should just ask them to let us through, and “he laughed.

Jack looked annoyed, “Actually, we’re going to make a path through them,” Jack spoke out.

Everyone looked at Jack like he was insane, Frank moved towards Jack, “What do you suggest?” he asked.

“Four of us create a diversion, giving the rest time to make it inside the building,” Jack replied.

Frank was lost for words, Elle spoke instead, “its suicide.”

“We don’t have any other choice,” Jack told her.

Jack continued to speak, “Four of us will create a diversion and get their attention leading them away from the building, the others will go round the other side of this building and approach the building from behind the zombies, move quickly enough and we can make it,”

“All except the poor bastards creating the diversion,” Ryan spoke out.

“You really think four people are going to volunteer,” Zoe told Jack.

“Only three, I’m already in,” Jack told everyone. Elle looked as if someone had punched her in the stomach, she could not believe Jack was volunteering. Zoe looked shocked but impressed.

“Count me in,” Bray told everyone. Jack tipped his head in response to Bray.

Zoe looked to Bray, she started to think maybe she had these people wrong. “Me too,” Zoe added. Bray smiled at her.

Elle started to move forward, Frank noticed her moving to volunteer and spoke out, “and I make four,” Elle looked at him.

“OK, we need to get this done, now,” Jack told everyone, he continued to talk, “The rest of you, get ready to move to the other side of the building.”

Frank needed to speak to Elle, “You’re in charge now, you know the codes for the door?” he asked. “Yes, good luck,” she replied sadly as she gave him a hug.

“You should talk to Jack, before you go,” Frank told her, he was very aware of the attraction between them.

She smiled and walked away towards Jack. “Don’t suppose I can talk you out of it,” she said while trying to smile at him. “Promise me you will make it,” she asked him. Her eyes began to fill with tears, “Why you, why does it always have to be you?” she asked him. Jack moved closer to her and took her hand, not caring about anyone seeing his affection for Elle.

“I simply don’t trust anyone else to do what needs to be done,” he replied. Elle did not answer instead she hugged him while holding back her tears. Elle let him go and started to walk away, Jack watched as she started to lead everyone out of the building, she hugged Bray on her way out. Jack did not take his eyes off her. In moments only the four of them remained.

Jack removed his survival vest and took off his jacket; he was down to his black T-shirt and put his vest back on. He checked his sidearm and made sure his machete was easy to get too. He looked to the others who were also preparing. He approached Zoe, “Good to have you with us,” Jack told her.

Zoe gave a half-hearted smile, “Well, I always did stupid things, no point changing now,” she replied with a smile.

Bray and Frank approached them, “It’s an honor to stand with you all,” Frank told them all.

“Shut up, I don’t plan on dying tonight,” Bray replied.

“Yeah, all we got to do is distract a Zombie army long enough for the others to run to safety. “Zoe added. “Just another Friday night then…” Jack added they all broke out in laughter.

“Come on, let’s get this over with,” Bray spoke out.

They all left the empty building; they walked to the end of the street and looked over to the Zombie army. The groaning noise and banging against the MI6 building was echoing all around them. “How are we planning to get their attention?” Frank asked. Jack turned and smiled in reply.

Jack walked out closer towards the zombies, Frank, Bray and Zoe was shocked with what happened next. Jack started singing, “I’VE GOT A LOVELY BUNCH COCONUTS, DIDDLY DEE DEE….” Jack sang loudly. It worked the zombies started to turn towards him.

“He’s nuts,” Zoe told the others.

“Yeah, don’t you just love him,” Bray said, smiling, as he walked to join Jack.

“Go out with a song,” Frank added and walked to join Jack. Zoe stood there looking at the crazy people in front of her and she laughed and joined them. The zombies got closer and Jack stopped singing, instead of pulling out his sidearm he pulled out his machete instead, “Time to dance boys and girl,” he shouted out as he swung his machete at the nearest Zombie, Jack swung with so much strength the machete when clean though its skull, cutting its head in half.

“COME ON!” Zoe screamed, while using the side arm given to her by Bray. She was shooting the gun and hitting her targets, but even with almost every bullet taking down a corpse, there were plenty to take its place. Bray and Frank still used their main guns, but everything they did more kept coming. Jack was swinging the machete around, holding his sidearm in his free hand.

“BACK UP, BACK UP,” Jack shouted out. The team started to move backwards, the plan was working the Zombie army followed them. Eventually the zombies gave enough distance from doors and it gave a chance for the others to make a run for the MI6 building.

“GO, NOW” Frank shouted to Elle who was waiting on the other side with the rest of the group.

Elle raised her gun and started moving as fast as she could towards the building, she made it to the side door of the building, Elle looked at the lock it was a keypad. Ryan was pushing his way to the front of everyone else, “Oh my god, you’ve killed us all, there is no power so the lock cannot work,” he bellowed out.

Elle gave him a pissed off look, “Shut up!” she told him.

Elle started to punch the code in the door, 183467 she pressed. The door clicked and the lock was released, she looked to Ryan, “Independent power supply,” she remarked. Ryan rushed passed Elle to make sure he was the first one to safety; the group could not believe him. Henry grabbed the door, “You go ahead, I will make sure everyone gets in,” he told Elle, she responded with a warm smile. Henry glanced over to the Zombie army, he watched as the four brave volunteers were fighting for their lives. Henry watched them and thought how much it looked like the ancient battles that took place in the Colosseum, those four truly were living Gladiators.

“Henry,” Elle spoke to him.

Elle looked over to her friends, looking worried she spoke to Henry, “Come on, we have to secure the door,” she told him softly.

“They’re not going to make it, are they,” Henry remarked. “If anyone can, they can,” she replied as she closed the door, locking them inside.

Jack and the team were fighting hard, more zombies had now arrived, and the noise of the gunfire had attracted them. Frank started to be overrun, as he fired his last bullet he started to use his gun as a mallet instead. He was hitting anything and everything that got close, but the dead’s numbers overpowered him, Frank fell backwards to the ground. As Frank screamed out, Jack swung round to look for him. Jack was covered in splatters of the dead’s blood; his face had spots of blood all over.