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

who regarded him with raised eyebrows.

“Well?” he asked.

“Well, what?”

“Why should I let you stay?”

A splintering crack came from upstairs, but Frank paid no heed as he watched Lisa approach. He raised a brow as she drew close, bending down until her lips were brushing his ear.

“Because I’m the finest piece of arse in this hellhole.”

Words failed him. All Frank could do was stare after her as she walked into the kitchen. He grinned until he heard a thudding sound. He looked up at the ceiling as another thud came, followed by an angry exchange. With a long growl, he jumped to his feet, snatching the shotgun as he stormed upstairs.

“Just grab her arms, Elaine!”

The sound of Simon’s voice met him as he reached the landing. He was holding the legs of Louise’s corpse, eyeing his wife angrily. Elaine stood nearby with a hand to her mouth.

“What the fuck are you shouting about?” Frank asked, looking between the two.

“She won’t help me.”

“You won’t let me get the legs,” Elaine retorted.

“What’s the difference?”

Frank watched the pair fall into an indecipherable shouting match. Both yelled at the top of their voices, swinging their arms wildly. He’d had enough.

“Hey, children! You’ll be back out there if you don’t shut up.”

They fell silent, glowering at each other.

“Now, who cares how you lift her? You can kick the fucker downstairs for all I care.”

“Downstairs? We were just going to throw her out there.”

Frank followed Simon’s gaze to the open window. The boards on the outside had been removed, leaving a sizeable gap.

“What the hell did you do?”

“We pried the boards off,” Simon shrugged.

“Where are they?”

“They fell outside. I don’t know why they’re up here. Those things can’t exactly fly.”

“No, they can’t, but what if the birds fly in here?”

“Why would they?”

“Because it’s not just humans that can turn, you prick! The animals are infected as well.”

Simon looked at his wife. Her dumbfounded look mirrored his.

“You think birds might come after us?” Simon asked, turning back to Frank.

“I don’t know! We don’t know what can get infected. But I’m not gonna take any chances.”

“What do you want us to do?”

“You can go out there and nail them back on.”

“What?” Simon gasped. He looked back at his wife, who had turned ashen-faced.

“You heard me,”

“What about her?” he pointed towards the dead woman at their feet.

“Her?”

Frank seized a leg of the corpse and dragged it over to the window. With a quick motion, he picked it up and hurled it through the gap. The body hit the ground with a thud.

“Problem solved. Now get outside and fix that window.”

“But what if there are zombies out there?” Simon protested.

“Frank!” the voice belonged to Tina, who stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“What?”

“I’ve found the rifle. There’s a box of bullets here as well.”

“There you have it.” He smirked, turning back to the couple. “I’ll cover you.”

He made his way down to the teenager, begrudgingly followed by Simon and Elaine.

“Let’s see it then.”

The teenager handed him the hunting rifle and a box of bullets, and he motioned for them to head towards the door.

“I thought you said you were covering us?” Simon asked.

“I am. There’s a balcony in Ronald’s bedroom that will give me a good vantage point. Anything comes near you, I’ll kill it.”

“Oh great, we’re putting our lives in the hands of a serial killer.”

Frank aimed the rifle at Simon’s head. “You did that the second you walked back into this house. Now move.”

“We don’t have a hammer or nails.”

“Ronald said he had some out back. Go check it out.”

Lisa’s arrival stopped Simon’s further protests.

“No need,” she said. “I’ve already been out.”

Frank turned to face her. “You went outside?”

“Yeah, the back door isn’t barricaded either. I went into the tool shed and got us some supplies.” She pointed over her shoulder at the assembled tools at the end of the hallway. A shovel, crowbar, and hammer were among other things she had collected. Frank looked back at her as she retrieved a handful of nails from her pocket.

“And I got these.”

“That was a stupid move. You could have got us all killed.”

“Relax, I had this.” She pulled the baton from her back pocket.

“And you’re a thief?” Franked laughed. “I guess I’m not the only criminal in here.”

“Is that it?” Simon gasped. “You’re going to let her off? Why does she get preferential treatment?”

Frank looked back at Lisa. She regarded him with raised eyebrows, waiting for a response.

“Because she’s the finest piece of arse in this hellhole.” He looked back at the bewildered couple. “You’ve got your hammer, you’ve got your nails and I’m pretty sure I saw a ladder out there, so you’re good to go.” He turned to Lisa. “Lock the door behind them. I’m going to get into position on the balcony.”

“What’s happening?”

“Just a bit of DIY.”

With that he turned and made his way upstairs, listening to the protests of the couple below.

“We’re not going back out there.” Simon raged.

“He’s got you covered,” Lisa reassured him.

“I don’t give a shit. You can’t make us go back outside.”

Frank turned as he reached the top of the stairs. “If I have to come back down there, I’m going to shoot you in the fucking face. Now go!”

He listened for a response from the couple but heard nothing. Satisfied his message had sunk in, he made his way over to the bedroom. The smell struck him once more as soon as he entered. He strode towards the balcony, wrinkling his nose as he went. The carpet squelched under his shoes as he stepped through puddles of blood and vomit.