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

“Worldwide?”

“I dunno. I just know that it spread throughout Britain.”

“Are you sure?” Frank asked.

“That’s the last thing they said on TV before it all went off.”

“What about the rest of Europe?”

“I don’t know. They just said it’s constantly spreading.”

“Do they know what’s caused it?”

“If they do, they’re not telling.”

“Then let’s hope they closed the Channel Tunnel. If those things get through there, you can say goodbye to the rest of the world.”

“Not necessarily,” Simon retorted. “What about all the islands? And America, for God’s sake. They’ll help us.”

“Oh, fuck off.” Frank laughed. “America will either lock themselves in their own little bubble or press the big red button and nuke us all. We’re on our own here, but that doesn’t mean we won’t survive.”

“Unless they do press the big red button,” Lisa said.

Frank shrugged, looking back as Ronald spoke once more.

“What do you have in mind?”

Frank glanced around at the expectant faces. They were looking for a leader. A role he sure as hell didn’t want to take on.

“I don’t know yet. What I do know is I’m not putting all my hopes on another country coming to save us.”

He turned and made his way back over to Lisa.

“Okay, so we keep referring to this thing as a virus, but we don’t know that for sure? It could be chemical warfare or anything.”

Some of the group nodded, others remained still.

“How long has it been going on?”

“A few days,” Louise informed him. “There were loads of cases yesterday on the news, but it really took off early this morning. By that time, it was everywhere.”

Frank nodded, taking the baton from Lisa.

“So let’s talk weapons, what do we have to fight these things?”

“I’ve got this shotgun.” Ronald motioned to the weapon. “And there’s a rifle in the cupboard under the stairs.”

“What about ammo?”

“There are two shells there.” he pointed to the pair of red cylindrical bullets on the table. “But I’d say twenty shotgun rounds and twenty rifle bullets in total.”

“Good stuff. All we’ve got is this.” Frank raised the baton into view.

“And this,” Lisa added, producing a knuckleduster from her pocket.

“I didn’t know you were packing that.”

“There’s a lot you don’t about me.” The woman smiled mischievously. Frank laughed, turning to the rest of the group Simon and Elaine had returned to the couch, with Tina perched on the edge.

“What about you guys?”

He looked at each of them as they all raised empty hands. His eyes rested on the teenager.

“What about you?”

Tina looked up, staring at him briefly before rising to her feet. “I’ve got this.”

She raised her trouser leg, revealing a combat knife in a sheath. She placed it on the coffee table in front of them.

“Where the hell did you get that?” Lisa gasped.

“My old man left me it in his will. He was a crazy motherfucker.”

“Okay, so we’ve got three guns, a baton, an iron fist, and a knife. We need more.”

“I’ve got some tools out back,” Ronald said. “Hammers, spades, and that kind of stuff.”

“That’s great, but in case you’re forgetting, those things are out there.”

“It won’t matter if—”

Ronald was cut off by a loud thud above them. Frank stared at the man who started rubbing his eyes.

“It’s my wife,” he said. “She’s not well. I better see if she’s okay.”

Without waiting for a response, he left the room and made for the stairs. They remained silent, listening to the elderly man’s ascent. Once he was out of earshot, Frank turned to the group.

“Is she infected?”

“No,” Elaine whispered. “We’ve heard him talking to her.”

“But has she been bitten?”

“No, I don’t think so. Ronald said she’s had the flu for the past few days.”

“But what if she is infected?” Simon asked, adopting the same hushed tone as his wife.

“Then we kill her,” Frank said. “I’m not putting my life at risk just because this guy is clinging to a corpse.”

“She’s not,” Louise countered. “He’s been going up to see to her since we arrived.”

“When was that?”

“About four hours ago.”

The group flinched as the shrill ringing of a telephone filled the room. All eyes fixed on the device.

“Should we answer it?” Elaine asked, she looked at her husband who put a hand on her knee.

“This isn’t our house, Elaine.”

“But it could be the police.”

“Oh, yeah.” The teenager snorted. “The entire country is falling to pieces, and the law decides to ring this old guy for a natter?”

The ringing continued, causing some of the group to fidget nervously.

“It might be someone in trouble,” Elaine said. “We should answer it.”

“If it’s someone in trouble, we’ll know soon enough,” Frank muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he’s got an answering machine. Whoever’s ringing can leave a message.”

As if to verify his statement, the recording device clicked to life. An automated voice requested the caller to leave a message before concluding with a shrill beep.

“Grandpa? Are you there? Grandma? It’s Amy.”

The voice was that of a tearful woman. Frank stared at the machine as she continued.

“I’ve rung everybody and nobody’s picking up. I just want to know if you’re safe. Please pick up the phone.”

Elaine let out a sob as the pleading continued.

“If you want to call me back, I’ve got my mobile. I’m with a guy from work. We’re at my house now, but we’ll be moving on soon. It’s not safe here. If you get this message, please call me. I love you both.”

The machine clicked as the woman ended the call. The group remained silent, all staring at the device which had returned to its dormant state. The farmer’s arrival broke their trance.

“Ronald, your granddaughter just called.” Elaine