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

as Glen looked away, trying to find the best answer. “The nearest DIY shop is a few minutes from here.”

“Which way?” a voice asked.

Frank flinched. He spun around, looking at Lisa who had approached his window once more.

“Could everyone stop sneaking about!”

“Kinda hard when there are zombies everywhere.”

“You go straight ahead,” Glen told her. “Take a right and follow the road to the end. The shop is on the corner”

“A corner shop?” Frank asked. “How is that going to help us?”

“No, it’s a depot. It’s pretty big.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lisa said.

Frank turned back to face her. “Remember, pick up anything we can use. But if it’s too crowded, don’t hang around. You don’t have many bullets left.”

“I know. See ya soon.”

Frank watched as she jogged back to the Transit van. Tina and Simon were already inside waiting for her. She climbed behind the wheel. With a parting glance, she raced ahead. Frank stared as she cut down some milling zombies before bearing right. Once the vehicle was out of sight, he turned back to Glen.

“Right, now somewhere for food?”

“A bit more complicated, we’re going to have to go quite far into town.”

Frank sighed.

“But it’s a supermarket. It’ll have everything we need,” Glen continued.

“Okay. What about a gun shop?”

“There’s one a few minutes from the supermarket. It’s a good one as well, but you might have trouble getting in.”

“Why?”

“It’s only open during hunting season. Other than that, it’s normally locked tight.”

“Let me worry about that. You tell me where to go.”

He put the van in gear and drove onward. The remaining zombies had chased Lisa, leaving the rest of the road empty. He took the left turn as instructed and increased his speed down a similarly deserted road.

“So what are we gonna do about cars?” Glen asked.

“We’ll get to the supermarket first. After that, we’ll worry about the cars.” He looked over at Glen. His face was creased with worry. “Don’t worry; we won’t leave until you’ve got a way back.”

The concern disappeared from his face, but Frank could tell he still had his doubts.

Their journey to the supermarket was relatively uneventful. Apart from two instances when they had to drive past a gathering of the undead, the roads were deserted. Frank pulled up alongside the store and turned to Glen.

“You’re in luck,” he nodded towards the destroyed shop front. “Looks like somebody’s already broken in, saves you the trouble.”

He watched Glen jump out, joining the others who had already convened in the car park.

“What if it’s those freaks that broke in?” Glen asked.

“Then you’ll have this to protect you,” Ben replied. He leaned into the van and reached for the shotgun. Begrudgingly, Frank handed the weapon and the remaining shells over.

“Fine. But you better hope those things aren’t in the gun shop.”

He watched the security guard pass the shotgun to Glen before approaching Amy.

“Be careful in there. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Amy replied, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“C’mon, Rambo!” Frank yelled from the van. “Let’s get this over with.”

“They don’t have a car yet.”

“We do,” Glen said.

He stood next to a parked sports car. He lifted the key triumphantly as he joined his team.

“There, you see?” Frank yelled. “Now get in.”

With a parting look at Amy, Ben turned and jumped into the prison van.

“Right then, where’s this gun shop?” Frank called from his open window to Glen.

“Straight down there, take a left and it’s halfway down the street. It’s called Llewellyn and Bough. You can’t miss it.”

“Noted. Anything else we need to know?”

“No, but I don’t suppose you’ve got a light?” Glen motioned to the rolled cigarette behind his ear.

“Lay off, Cheech.” Frank glared at the man. “Keep your head in the game or you won’t be coming back.” He looked at the other two. “The same applies to you lot; if there’re too many zombies in there, grab what you can and get out. You don’t have many bullets either.”

He made to drive off but stopped as another thought entered his mind.

“Oh, and make sure you get sensible things. Tinned food, bottled water, jars. Basically, anything that doesn’t expire soon.”

“We know,” Amy replied.

“Alcohol is always good. Don’t forget that.”

“Okay.”

“And for god’s sake, don’t forget a tin opener. Not everything is a ring-pull!”

“Can we go?” Ben snapped.

“Fine.”

They took off once more, proceeding down the route that Glen suggested. Frank glanced over at Ben. He stared at the side mirror, watching the group fade into the distance.

“Will you relax,” Frank said. “They’ll be fine. It’s us I’m worried about.”

“Why?”

“You gave away our guns! What are we gonna do if we get attacked? Throw our shoes?”

“Let’s hope we can get inside and grab the gear before they get us.”

They drove down the road, scanning both sides for the gun store.

“There it is.”

Ben pointed to a shop ahead of them. Frank followed his line of sight to a big storefront reading ‘Llewellyn and Bough Professional Hunting Supplies’. The front of the building had been destroyed, surrounded by glass and debris. Frank felt his heart sink as they pulled up outside.

“Okay, smart arse. How do we get past them without guns?”

He glanced back at the shop as one of the armed looters looked up from his plundered goods.

25

Lisa reversed up to the DIY depot. Although she had located the building, she had to circle it twice to draw the gathering of zombies away. Now the area was finally clear, she could pull up outside the building.

“Right, here’s the plan. We try that door and see if we can get in. If it’s unlocked, we’ll