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

Tina nodded and left.

“Right then, let’s go again.”

After twenty minutes of passing the trolleys back and forth, the van was almost full.

“This will have to be the last one,” Lisa told Tina as she took the final trolley. “Any more and you won’t be able to get in. Start loading this one while we come up with a plan to get us out of here.”

She motioned for Adam to follow her as she left the room and proceeded down the corridor. She stopped as she passed the doorway to the warehouse.

“Shithead, go help Tina; we’re leaving.”

She heard an inaudible grumble from Simon as she strode towards the stairs.

“So, what do you have in mind?” Adam asked as they bounded up to the first floor.

“I don’t know. I’ve only got seven bullets left. I want to see how many are out there before we go any further.”

She walked past the closed doors until she reached the room she had gained entry through.

“My dad’s office,” Adam informed her as he followed her inside.

“Where is he now?”

“In the next room along.”

“And he’s definitely dead?”

“I caved in his skull with a claw hammer. What do you think?”

“I’m sorry.”

Lisa approached the broken window. The sight outside confirmed her fears. There were at least two dozen zombies crowded around the van. Some peered through the windows, while others pounded the side in frustration. She stepped back to give Adam a better look.

“Oh my God,” he whispered, “I recognise some of those people.”

“That’s not going to help us get out of here. We need a plan. Any ideas?”

“There’s a back door?” Adam turned away from the window to look at Lisa.

“That’s not going to help us get to the van,” she replied.

“No, but there’s an alley on either side that leads to the front of the store.”

“So?”

“So, why don’t I go out there, get their attention and lure them away from the van. I can run back down the alley and get in through the back door.”

“And when they’re gone I can jump down, wait for you three to get in the back and then drive us to safety.”

“Exactly.”

“It does sound like a good plan.”

“But?”

“But I’m not keen on using you as bait. What if you trip? Or what if they’re faster than you?”

Adam considered the possibility briefly before a smile spread across his face.

“The room next door has a window above the alley. You can cover me there. If any of them look like they’re gaining on me, shoot them.”

“I only have seven bullets left.”

“So don’t miss. Besides, I’ll be in and out in thirty seconds.”

Lisa chewed her lip as she considered the plan. “Okay, are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. C’mon let’s go tell the others.”

Lisa followed him back down the stairs, where Simon and Tina waited.

“Do we have a plan?” Tina asked.

“Yeah. Where’s the back door?” Lisa asked, turning to Adam.

“At the back of the warehouse.”

“Right.” She turned to Simon and Tina. “I want you two to wait here for Adam. He’s going out through the back to lure the zombies away from the van. Once we’re clear, I’m gonna jump down, get behind the wheel and wait for the rest of you to get in the back.”

“No chance,” Simon snapped. “I don’t trust you. You’ll leave us as soon as the coast is clear.”

“No, I won’t. I’d leave you behind in a heartbeat, but Tina and Adam have their uses. I’m not leaving them behind. Once Adam is back inside, all three of you jump in the back of the van and off we go.”

“How will you know we’re in?”

“Just bang on the back or something. That’ll be my cue to drive.” She looked between the three as they considered the plan.

“Everyone ready?” she asked after a brief silence.

“Let’s do it.” Adam nodded.

“Good. So where’s the window overlooking the alley?”

“Upstairs, first door on your right.”

“Okie doke, good luck.”

She turned on her heel and ran back up the stairs. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her body as she made her way into the small, well-lit room. The first thing that struck her was the smell. The next was the dead body slumped in the corner. She aimed her rifle before noticing the odd shape of the corpse’s skull. A claw hammer lay next to it, coated in blood and tufts of hair.

“You weren’t kidding about your dad, Adam.”

She tore her eyes away and approached the window. There were no creatures present in the alley. All Adam had to do was get the attention of the crowd out front and they would be good to go. She threw the window open, waiting for the plan to unfold.

Before long, she saw Adam dashing alongside the alley wall. He stared ahead, scanning the road outside for potential threats. When he was level with the window, he glanced up, ensuring Lisa was in position. She gave him a reassuring nod as he passed, watching him until he disappeared around the front of the store. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs as she waited for him to get the attention of the milling zombies. She wondered how he would do it. Would he shout? Scream? Whistle? Or throw something in their direction. The answer came as Adam’s voice reached her small enclosure.

“Hey, over here!”

The excited shrieks of the undead followed his outburst. Lisa gripped the rifle and aimed into the alley. She could hear pounding footfalls, but no sign of Adam. She held her breath as another second went by.

“Come on,” Lisa muttered.

The screeching and wailing grew louder. The anticipation was almost too much to bear. After what felt like an age, he sprinted into view with a