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

watched them struggle with the keys. They were cornered and about to die. He knew he had to act fast. Propping the shotgun against his shoulder, he fired at the man. The rubber bullet bounced off his back. Tony stepped forward, oblivious to the bullet’s impact. Zielinski cried out in terror as the deranged prisoner drew close.

Frank exhaled as he dropped the weapon and sprinted forward. He leapt high, landing on Tony’s back and wrapping an arm around his trunk of a neck. The zombie roared, bucking and spinning.

“Keep it up Frankie, you can do it!” Gus cheered.

Frank held on as Tony’s bucking and jerking threatened to throw him off. The volume of his roars increased. Frank wrapped his arm tighter around his neck. The ordeal seemed to last forever. After what felt like an eternity, Gus and Zielinski got through the barred gate before locking it behind them.

“Gus!” Frank yelled, barely audible over the roars of the undead giant.

“Don’t worry Frankie, this is just a safety precaution,” Razor replied. “We’ll let you in once you’ve got rid of Tony.”

“And as long as you haven’t been bitten,” Zielinski added.

“Yeah. A bite off one of these things looks nasty. Try to avoid his gnashers.”

“Shut up and do something!”

The giant slammed Frank into the wall. The impact forced the air from his lungs. Frank held on, gasping for breath and tightening his grip until Tony could no longer shout out.

“Break his neck,” Gus called as Frank was slammed into the wall for a second time. He felt his strength wane as the raging man continued whirling around the small corridor. Using all his weight, he lunged to his right, snapping Tony’s head sideways. There was a clicking sound, but the zombie’s frenzy continued. He tried again, forcing all of his weight on the other side. This time a sickening crack sounded as Tony crumpled to the floor.

“Good boy, Frankie.”

Gus unlocked the gate as Frank rose to his feet. His body ached, protesting further as he stooped to pick up the shotgun. With a groan, he turned and walked towards the pair. Once within reach, he grabbed Razor by the throat.

“Easy, Frankie!” Gus raged, trying to push him away. Frank shoved him against the wall.

“You left me to die, Gus. Give me one reason I shouldn’t kill you.”

“Touch me and you’re dead.”

Frank dragged him closer. “Yeah? Well, it seems like your bodyguard won’t be much help to you now.”

He looked over at Tony’s corpse. His body was motionless, yet he watched the pair with longing eyes. Frank released the gangland boss and took a step back.

“Fuck me, he’s still alive.” Razor gasped, following Frank’s gaze. “I thought you snapped his neck?”

“I did. He isn’t moving.”

“No, but he’s still alive.”

“Maybe you need to destroy the brain,” Zielinski offered, peering through the bars at Tony’s motionless form. “It’s what they do in all the zombie films.”

“Oh, don’t you start with all that film cobblers!” Razor spat.

They fell silent, all staring at Tony. His eyes remained fixed on them, his face twisting into a snarl.

“Go put him out of his misery,” Razor said, nudging Frank’s arm.

“Fuck you. As far as I’m concerned, my debt is paid, Gus.”

“Fine, we’ll leave him,”

 They made to turn but stopped as a noise reached them.

“Do you hear something?”

The trio listened as the sound of approaching footfalls grew louder. They looked on as the door at the rear of the corridor swung open, smashing against the wall.

“Lee!” Henderson bellowed, sprinting down the corridor towards them.

The sound of his pursuers echoed as the guard got near. Zielinski swung the gate shut, hurriedly looking for the key.

“No, keep it open,” Frank muttered.

“What? Are you crazy?”

“Do it!”

Zielinski opened the gate as Henderson jumped over Tony’s corpse.

“They’re behind me,” he gasped.

“Good.”

Frank aimed the weapon and fired as Henderson reached the doorway. The bullet struck his thigh, snapping his legs from under him. He screamed in agony as he hit the ground. Frank handed the shotgun to Zielinski and stepped forward.

“I’ll get you for this, Lee.” Henderson stammered as Frank crouched down beside him.

“No, Henderson. This is one thing you’re not gonna get out of.”

He unclipped the guard’s baton from his belt and kicked him in the ribs. Henderson wheezed as Frank returned to the two men.

“Ready to go?”

“Not yet.” Razor approached the downed guard as a high-pitched shriek came from the next room.

“Well, well, Henderson, it seems we have a bit of a situation here.” Gus chided as he reached into the guard’s pocket. “You must have what? Ten? Twenty grand on your person? You can’t walk around with that amount of money; you might get hurt!”

He took the wad of bills and rose to his feet triumphantly.

“Gus.” Henderson pleaded. “Help me out of here and I’ll make you a deal.”

“Sorry Henderson, no more deals.”

Razor turned and jogged back through the last gate as a horde of undead cons and guards spilled through the door at the end of the corridor. Frank locked the gate as Henderson began to crawl.

“No!” the guard cried out.

He staggered to his feet, limping back to the first gate. He slammed it shut before collapsing in a heap on the floor. Frank watched as the horde of zombies reached through the gaps, their snarling faces pressed against the solid bars.

“Lee,” Henderson cried, desperately trying to rise to his feet. “Open the door, please! Be the bigger man.”

“Oh, I am Henderson! I’m being the bigger man. I’m letting you choose how you die. Do you want to be eaten alive? Or do you want to starve to death? The choice is yours.”

“You can’t do this!”

“Sorry, Barry. But like you said; karma’s a bitch.”

He turned and made