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

reverse the van as close as we can and leave the rear doors open. That way we can load up the back without the zombies seeing us.”

“What if there are any inside?” Simon asked.

“Then we kill them.”

“That’s it? There might be loads of them in there.”

“I’ve got more than enough bullets.”

“But what if they all come at—”

“Will you shut up?” Tina snapped. “The longer we discuss it, the more time they have to catch us. Let’s move.”

“She’s right, let’s get inside.” Lisa retrieved the rifle and jumped from the van. She strode around to the building, followed by her companions.

“Are you gonna leave the engine running?” Simon gasped, “We don’t know how long this will take.”

“It’s hot-wired, genius,” Tina replied.

They looked on as Lisa tried the side door. The handle met resistance.

“Looks like we’re smashing our way in. Let’s just ram the shutters and get this done.”

“Wait, there’s a window there.” Tina pointed to a window at the end of the building.

“It’s probably locked as well,” Simon said.

“Yeah, but it’d be easier to get through the window than ramming the bloody shutters.”

“But the noise will attract attention.”

“And ramming the shutters won’t?"

“It’ll be quicker than climbing through the window.”

“Stop,” Lisa interrupted, eyeing the pair with a frown. “Tina’s way does sound like a better option. We’ll try that first.”

Before Simon could protest further, she made her way over to the window. She cupped her hands to the glass and peered inside. The room was empty. After glancing around to ensure they were alone, she struck the window with the butt of the rifle. The pane cracked on one side but remained intact. Lisa swung again, this time striking the centre of the glass. The window shattered, setting off an ear-splitting alarm.

“Great plan genius,” Simon shouted, “What do we do now?”

“We get inside and get this done quickly,”

“What? But that alarm is going to draw every one of those things here.”

“Which is why we need to hurry.”

She raised the rifle as the first zombie rounded the corner. Its head darted left and right before spotting the trio. It emitted a screech until a bullet smashed through its brain.

“Go!”

Lisa ushered the pair over to the window, covering them as they climbed inside. She picked off another two creatures as more cries came from nearby. She looked around, scanning the area for inspiration. Her gaze fell on the van. Checking the loading area one last time, she darted toward the rumbling vehicle.

“What’re you doing?” Tina cried.

Lisa ignored her as she swung the rear doors wide. Running back to the driver’s seat, she fired another shot and jumped inside.

She floored the accelerator, cutting down two more of the undead. She swung the van round until it was facing away from the window. After checking she was perfectly aligned, she dragged the gearstick into reverse. Another manic cry came from beside her as the van flew back. Keeping her foot on the accelerator she struck the wall with an almighty bang.

“Lisa!” she heard Tina call from within the building.

She looked ahead as more of the zombies rounded the corner. In one quick motion, she slid out of her open window and clambered onto the roof of the vehicle. She rose unsteadily as the van was rocked by the first body slamming into the side. Lisa staggered as a succession of hands pounded the van.

“I’m coming in!” she shouted, eyeing the window on the second floor.

It was too high to strike with the butt of her rifle, but she knew a bullet would make short work of the glass. Aiming the weapon high, she fired a single shot, instantly shattering the glass. She looked over her shoulder, feeling her heart sink as more of the monsters came into view.

“Are you okay?”

She barely heard Tina’s muffled voice over the longing wails of the zombies and the whining alarm.

“Yeah!”

Lisa took off her jacket and wrapped it around her hands. The monsters below her roared as they stretched up, desperate to reach the top of the van. With a parting glance at the crowd of faces, Lisa took a step back before running towards the wall. She leapt high and gripped the ruined window frame. The jagged edges of the glass pressed into her palms, but the bulk of the jacket protected her. She pulled herself up and into what looked to be a small office. A desk and chair stood in the corner with a coffee table centred in the middle of the room. A single coat occupied a hook by the door.

A quick scan of the room confirmed that there was nobody present. She looked back outside, eyeing the countless men and women around the van. Before she even counted the remaining bullets in her pocket, she knew they were in trouble.

***

“I’d still prefer another one,” Elaine said, eyeing the sports car with distaste. “We won’t be able to fit much food in there.”

“Who cares, let’s grab stuff and leave.”

“No, she’s right,” Amy interjected. “We’re going to need another car if we hope to get much food.”

“I thought you said we weren’t staying?” Glen whispered.

“I did, and it’ll be easier if we can get a car stocked with food and water for us and one for them. That way we can leave as soon as we meet up with Ben.”

“Fine.” Glen scanned the area, counting five cars, a lorry, and a van. “Let’s check the rest of these.”

The trio spread out across the car park, glancing in the windows of the cars and trying the doors. After he checked the majority, Glen turned his attention to the lorry.

“If we can get in this, we’ll be able to fit the entire shop in the back.”

He approached the driver’s side and pulled