Mass Extinction Event: The Complete Third Series (Days 46 to 53) (28 page)

Elizabeth

It takes a lot of effort, but I'm finally able to get the back of the radio unit open, only to find a partially-melted bundle of wires and cables. I stare at the ruined remains of the system, and although I try to tell myself that maybe I can find a way to fix it, finally I'm forced to accept that there's no way I can get the damn thing up and running.

From somewhere else in the house, there's a faint creaking sound.

Looking across the gloomy kitchen, I realize that while I've been trying to fix the radio, the evening has begun to get darker. My heart is pounding as I listen to the silence, praying that I won't hear another of the creaks that have been periodically coming from Rachel's room, but moments later I hear it again, followed by a faint knocking sound. I have no idea what's happening in there, but if I didn't know better, I'd start to think that somehow Rachel is moving around.

Hobbling over to the back door, I look out at the forest and see that there's still no sign of Toad. He's been gone for so long now, it's hard to believe that he's okay. Something must have happened to him. Either that, or he's decided he can't hang around and risk his life with a cripple and a baby. I don't want to believe that he'd just abandon us like this, but at the same time, the alternative – that he's been hurt or maybe even killed in the storm – is worse.

“
Come back,” I mutter, trying to stay calm. “Please, just come back. Don't -”

Hearing a noise nearby, I turn and look back across the kitchen. I swear the noise came from
this
room, much closer than before, but I can't see anything so far. I make my way slowly around the kitchen table, constantly on edge in case I'm not alone, while telling myself that this is all in my head. I'm just being paranoid, and there's no way that there could be anyone else here. Still, I can't help worrying that those creatures might have come back. Even though I'm reluctant to go through to Rachel, I figure I need to make sure that she's okay. I head through as fast as my crutches can carry me, but when I reach the door and look at the bed I pull up short.

Rachel's gone.

From the kitchen, there's another faint creaking sound.

My heart pounding, I stand completely still for a moment before realizing that this is insane. Rachel's a one-month-old child and there's no way she could ever hurt me, even if something was in her mind and controlling her. Still, the way she looked at me earlier reminded me of the way those infected creatures used to look at me, and even though I'd desperate not to admit it, there's a fear in the back of my mind that maybe Rachel has succumbed. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to head back through to the kitchen, but there's still no sign of anyone.

“Rachel?” I call out.

Silence.

“Rachel?”

Slowly, I make my way over toward the back door, constantly looking around for any sign of her. When I get to the middle of the room, I stop for a moment and turn, convinced that I'm going to see her at any moment. The problem is, it's so dark in here, I can barely make out a damn thing. Heading over to one of the cupboards, I reach out to grab a candle, but as I glance over at the window, I spot a reflected flash of movement in one of the cupboard's glass panes. Turning, I almost expect to find Rachel right behind me, but there's nothing.

I open my mouth to call her name.

Seconds later, I hear a noise outside. Someone's coming. Filled with relief that it must be Toad, I run to the back door, but before I can get there it's pushed open and three figures burst into the room, wearing army camouflage clothing and aiming guns straight at my head.

“Put your hands up!” shouts one of the men, his face hidden by a mask. “Drop to your knees! Now!”

I stare at him, barely able to believe that this isn't some kind of horrific dream.

“I won't tell you again!” he shouts. “Drop to your knees!”

I hear a creaking noise nearby. Instinctively, I turn to see if it's Rachel.

“I -” I start to say.

A fraction of a second later, a gunshot rings out and I feel a sharp pain burst through my shoulder, knocking me off my crutches and sending me crashing to the floor with such force that the side of my head bangs against the wood, knocking me out cold.

COMING SOON

Mass Extinction Event:

The Complete Fourth Series

(Days 54 to 61)

For Thomas and Elizabeth, everything is about to change.

Working with Quinn in an attempt to get the mysterious man out of the bunker, Thomas also has to contend with the growing realization that Mark and the rest of the survivors aren't quite who or what they claim to be. As more and more bodies are taken to the mysterious second site along the shore, Thomas learns the shocking truth behind the next stage of a deadly plan that aims to reshape humanity forever. As for Quinn, she's got her own secrets, and soon she's forced to make a horrific choice.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth wakes up at a remote military facility. There's still no sign of Toad, and Rachel has been taken away for a series of experiments. Having survived the first extinction wave, a small group of politicians and soldiers has gathered to come up with a solution. As she gets to know the staff at the facility, however, Elizabeth learns that a deadly virus is being used as the basis for a new study. If everything goes well, the human race could be saved, but it soon becomes apparent that some of the technicians have other plans.

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