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

“That’s where the crates get unloaded,” Frank said. “All we have to do is go find another car, grab the guns and ammo and get the fuck out of here.”

“And it’s gonna be that easy? How do we know there aren’t hundreds of them behind those shutters?”

“We don’t, that’s why we load as much firepower as we can first.”

The pair stopped talking when a growl emerged from the barricaded doorway. They looked through the metal shelves, but the source remained a mystery amongst the scattered bodies.

“Let’s just do this,” Ben sighed.

They loaded the weapons in silence, each choosing two shotguns and two handguns. Once they had finished, Frank grabbed the chain operating the shutters.

“Are you ready?”

Before Ben could answer, he tugged hard, rolling the metal shutters up and out of sight. He jumped back, expecting to see a crowd of flesh-hungry faces staring up at him. What they saw was the back of an LGV.

“You must be blessed or something,” Frank laughed. “I’ve never had so much luck.”

He jumped off the ledge and down into the loading bay, approaching the driver’s side as Ben looked on.

“How am I blessed?” He watched as Frank tugged the door. It swung wide, allowing him entry. “So far we’ve been shot at by looters, had our van destroyed, and re-enacted World War two. There’s no divine force looking out for me,” he continued.

“Oh, no?”

Frank reappeared, dangling a set of keys from his finger. He jumped from the van, returning to Ben in the storeroom.

“Let me tell you something,” Frank said as he climbed back onto the ledge. “There’s no way God is rewarding me. I’m the scum of the earth. I care for nobody but myself. I’d happily let the world go to shit as long as I’m still breathing at the end. I was in prison because I’m a murderer. I beat my wife to death, and d’ya know what? I don’t regret a single thing. I’d do it again and again and again, a thousand times over if given the chance. I should have been the first to die when this shit happened.”

Ben watched him as he approached the work surface where they had loaded the weapons. He scanned their haul.

“Sorry pal, but whether you like it or not, it’s you who God favours.” Frank continued.

Before Ben could answer, a growling noise at the barricade caught their attention. Only this time they could see the source.

“To be honest, I don’t think there is a God,” Ben muttered as they looked on.

“No?”

“No. After all, what kind of God would let this happen?”

They both stared in silence as the little boy at the barricade reached through a gap. His blood-soaked romper suit revealed a hollowed-out torso as he pressed against the barrier. He growled quietly, eyeing the pair with an unwavering hunger and a tireless determination.

27

Lisa stepped out into the dark hallway. Despite the rifle in her hands, she couldn’t help but feel vulnerable in the darkness. She continued down the corridor, glancing at the closed doors as she passed. Curiosity steered her towards the rooms, but seven bullets in the rifle kept her on track. If they were going to survive the ordeal, she knew she would have to shoot only when necessary. She reached the end of the hallway and found the top of a staircase. The foot of the stairs was a lot brighter. Apprehension displaced her relief when she considered the source of the light. If it was a window, they would be in trouble if a zombie stumbled across it.

She crept down the stairs, aiming the rifle ahead. She reached the bottom without incident. Yet, a quiet shuffling nearby caused her heart to race. Somebody was round the corner. With an intake of breath, she propped the rifle against her shoulder and turned. She yelped in alarm as a hand seized the weapon.

“Wait, it’s us!” Tina urged. She released the gun as Simon appeared behind her.

Lisa exhaled, shaking her head at the pair. “I almost killed you.”

“Well, open your eyes next time,” the teenager retorted. She turned and pushed past Simon, walking back down the corridor.

“You know that alarm is going to be the death of us,” Simon said.

“Relax, you can hardly hear it.” She went to walk past, but the man’s outstretched arm stopped her.

“It’s quiet in here, but it’s still screeching out there.”

“We’ll deal with it. Now get out of my way” She made to move again, but the man grasped her shoulder.

“I told you not to smash the window,” he said.

“And I told you to get out of my way.” She threw the rifle aside and grabbed him by the shirt. He gasped in alarm as Lisa slammed him into the wall, pressing her forearm against his neck. “Touch me again and I’ll blow your fucking head off, understand?”

Before Simon could respond, Tina turned the corner.

“Are you coming or—” She stopped mid-sentence as she observed the tense standoff.

“Yeah, we’re coming now,” Lisa snarled through clenched teeth, her eyes locked with Simon’s. She turned and grabbed the rifle from the ground before walking away.

“Touch me again and I’ll put you in your place, you little slut.”

The man’s outburst shocked Tina, who gasped in amazement. Lisa turned and smashed the butt of the rifle into his face. His head snapped back as he cried out in pain. She ignored his whimpering and joined Tina by the doorway.

“Good job,” the teenager chuckled.

“He asked for it.”

Lisa looked around the large warehouse. Colossal shelving units stood from floor to ceiling, stocking a variety of goods.

“You broke my nose!” Simon’s nasally voice stole her attention. She turned to look at him as he cupped a bloody hand to his face.

“Step out of