The Virus by Lee, Damien (summer books txt) 📕

“The army base,” Zielinski suggested. “We could go there.”

“Don’t be a tit all your life, Zielinski,” Gus said, turning on the man. “How do you think it would look if a bunch of high security prisoners came waltzing up to their front door?”

“He’s already said it’s empty,” Zielinski replied.

Gus looked back down at McAllister. “Will there be anybody there?”

The guard shook his head.

“Zielinski, you’re a fucking genius.” Gus beamed. “We’ll all go there.”

“No,” Frank replied.

“What do you mean, no?”

“I mean, it’s a stupid idea. If this thing is happening outside, chances are you’ll barely make it a mile before you’re killed. And that base borders Doxley. If the folk there are being eaten as we speak, what’s stopping them from venturing out of town looking for more people to eat?”

The men looked at each other as Frank continued.

“And, suppose the base is empty. It’s a military base. How are you going to get in?”

Gus eyed him angrily. “You’re pissing on my parade, Frankie. Do you have any better ideas?”

Frank glanced from face to face. Looking back at Gus, he slowly shook his head.

“I didn’t think so. We do it my way. Besides, it’s been a long time since we’ve had any fresh air. A brisk twenty-mile walk in the countryside will do us good.”

“You can walk, but I wouldn’t advise it,” Frank said. “It’d be best to look for a prison van.” He watched Gus as he contemplated the option.

“Well, I suppose driving with the windows down is enough fresh air for me.” Gus snorted. “Where do we find one?” He aimed the shotgun at McAllister again as he struggled to his feet.

“Down there,” McAllister replied, pointing down a corridor. “The garages are straight ahead. Go through that door, through the two gates after it, and there should be some vans in the garage.”

“Thank god they deprivatised prison transport.” Gus chuckled. “The government finally got something right!”

A distant screech caught their attention. The group looked around for a threat as Frank stepped toward the guard.

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?”

“You mean after you beat the shit out of me?” McAllister glared at the three men behind Frank. “You don’t. I guess you’ll have to trust me.”

“You’re not leaving?”

“Are you kidding? We’ve got over six hundred men trapped here. I need to evacuate them.”

“Leave the nonces, mind,” Razor said, pointing a finger at the guard. “They can die in agony.”

“Where are the keys to the vans?” Frank asked. McAllister looked away before the barrel of the shotgun pressed against his face.

“Tell us.” Razor snarled.

“There’s an office in the garage, the keys should be in there. I doubt you’re going to get far though.”

Another shriek sounded, closer this time.

“We’ll be fine.” Gus retorted. “We’ve got this shooter and we’ve got Tony.”

They all looked at the large inmate who was raking his face with a clawed hand.

“What’s the matter with you?” Razor snapped. His query was ignored as Tony continued to scratch at his skin. “Behave man! You’ll give yourself a shaving rash.”

A shriek sounded as a distant door was thrown off its hinges.

“We need to go!” Zielinski urged as the sound drew closer.

“Good luck,” McAllister said. He turned and jogged down the corridor, leaving the quartet behind.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Razor muttered. He led the inmates down the corridor and through the door McAllister had advised. It revealed a long corridor, divided by two gates, one at each end. Frank closed the door behind him and held it in place as Razor tried to unlock the first of the gates that obstructed their route. Frank held an ear to the door, trying to determine how close the crazed inmates were.

A series of wails grew louder. They were closing in. He kept his palms pressed against the door, certain it would be struck. Seconds passed and the crescendo of shrieks began to pass. It seemed they had followed McAllister. An advantage, yet he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guard. He looked back as Gus opened the first of the locked gates.

“Aha,” he yelled triumphantly. “That’s how you get through a gate, Zielinski.”

“Hey,” Frank said, still pressed up against the door. “What about these guys?”

Gus turned back. “Sounds like they’ve gone after McAllister to me. Quit messing about and get over here.”

Frank sighed and left his post to join the others. “At least lock this gate behind us.” He motioned to the first gate as he walked past.

“Tony, lock it,” Gus said.

The giant didn’t respond. Instead, he clawed at his arms, scratching feverishly as the others looked on.

“What’s the matter with you? Have you got fleas or something?” Razor snapped. The man didn’t hear the remark as his attention turned to his crotch.

“Looks like cock pox to me,” Zielinski said as the man raked at his lower body.

“Tony!” Gus yelled, hurling the keys at his bodyguard. The key chain bounced off his chest with no response.

“Tony?” He stepped back as tremors rocked the giant’s body.

“Oh, shit, he’s turning into one of them,” Zielinski cried, swiping the keys off the ground and rushing over to the last gate.

“Shut up, Zielinski! He’s right as rain, aren’t you, Tony?”

The man stopped shuddering and looked up, fixing the gangland boss with a crazed stare.

“Oh fucking hell, he isn’t!” Gus stammered, whirling round to where Zielinski tried in vain to find the correct key. Frank watched from the rear of the group as Tony threw his head back and emitted an ear-splitting roar. The two men yelped in fear, dropping the keys through the bars.

“Zielinski, you tit. Get this gate open!”

Tony stared at the two men with wide eyes, a delighted grin spreading across his face. Frank