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They travelled quickly without much conversation. None needed really as they each thought about what they might find when they got there. Checking ammo, toughening their anti-stab vests as Ianto, Toshiko and Eggsy simply shot their cuffs.
What they did not expect was the silence.
Jack pulled the SUV to a stop at the entrance and glanced over at Ianto who was leaning forward in the seat to peer out at the weird barren land. Jack whispered "Ianto?"
"I don't like this" Ianto said softly as Owen started to open his door and Ianto swing to bark at him "Close that door. NOW!"
Owen slammed it and it was like ringing a dinner bell.
They came from behind vehicles, under bushes and several from around the side of the building where they must have been plastered against the glass of the shopping mall. There were at least thirty and they were fast. Faster than the others and Ianto cursed softly under his breath as his eyes flowed over the incoming storm of hatred, the first one to hit the front of the SUV showed no sign of recognition and bounced back to slam in again without flinching, it's jaws latching onto a windscreen wiper.
"So … is this the one we have that gas canister cure thing for? Right? It is, right?" Owen asked as one came to the side door, it's tongue licking at the glass and leaving smears. Blood. Not from it … form whatever… OK… whoever… it had been eating.
"Nope" Ianto replied sagely "Their eyes are the wrong colour."
"Eyes?" Owen repeated leaning in close to see the whites of the eyes were yellow. Jaundiced like their renal system failed first. Clearly not the same blend. Breed. Whatever. "Right. Gotcha."
"Right" Ianto repeated then to everyone's horror he opened the door and slid out, closing it gently behind him and they watched with mouths falling open as he confidently walked amongst the things.
Zombies.
OK, Owen wins this one. They are Zombies.
Zombies that clearly recognise one of their own, those stopping to sniff Ianto as a dog would sniff another before dismissing him and moving on showing that whatever strain this was, he has had it. Immune. One of them … but not.
He got to the glass frontage of the mall and looked in, relieved to see Gwen standing there with a fire extinguisher in her hands and her face pale yet filled with determination.
"Is anyone bitten in there?" Ianto called out "The bite is a way to pass the contagion. These ones spit too, right?"
She nodded, stepping forward "Are you OK?"
"Fine. It's OK. They do not recognise me as food. Stay in there until we have cleared the parking lot OK? Keep everyone in the back of the store in case they find a way in while we are all distracted" Ianto called out to her then turned to look around himself, muttering "we can't use guns. A stray bullet shatters the glass and we are feeding them in there to the wolves. Literally."
"Agreed" Jack's voce purred in his ear "This is fucked up sideways."
"Swords?" another voice asked, her excitement clear in her upswing at the end of the word.
Jack was speechless in the SUV, turning to Toshiko who was on her knees, leaning over the back of the SUV seat to pull at a box as her arse wriggled. She pulled sheaths forward and Jack made a noise, reaching for one.
"Katana? Wow, this takes me back. We trained with these in the Academy. My ex-partner John was better than me though" Jack said then stopped talking as Toshiko pulled one out with jewels on the hilt. Clearly hers as she looked at it with glee.
"OK, if you can't swing a sword, stay in the vehicle" she said without looking at Owen, then added kindly "In case we need someone to drive it forward."
She slid out of the vehicle as well as Jack and Eggsy, Jack expertly throwing an unsheathed sword to the equally expert Ianto who dropped the knife he had been using to defend the glass entrance, his swings now broad as he cut a swath through the horde.
Of course they smelt Jack and the others … especially Jack who must have smelt as divine to them as he does to Ianto and Ianto took a movement to dwell on this, the blade in his hand dropping to let the blood on the blade drip on the concrete entranceway outside the doors.
Jack smelt like the most divine food from the Gods themselves. Not just to Ianto, clearly to those of his…ah…ilk?
Life.
He smelt like life.
Hmmmmm.
"Jack?" He called out "Turn and run to the left."
They followed, leaving Toshiko swinging at air and she straightened up to look over it Ianto, then she got it "JACK. HEAD FOR THE LAKE … THE LAKE OVER THE ROAD!"
Jack caught on, running across the road as the many still able to run followed with equal energy. Ducks flew in all directions, their cacophony of annoyance momentarily drowning out the moaning creatures following Jack. Ianto ran after them as Toshiko and Eggsy shrugged at one another then continued to cull those too damaged to follow, ensuring those inside the store could now exit.
Jack reached the lake and dove in without a second thought, the Zombies following and Ianto proved another theory he had been holding close to his chest.
They can't swim.
Or survive in water.
Apparently these things still breathe, although altered and animalistic, they were still partially alive. They drowned in a mass of limbs and snarling growls. Jack getting out and standing on the other side of the lake, watching as they poured in like rats chasing the pied piper.
Finally there was silence again.
Gwen knocked on the glass and opened her arms in silent question, Eggsy motioning for her to open the doors and they started to creep out into the carnage with wide eyes, some crying softly as they saw those they knew and loved cut to pieces.
Or worse … some were partially eaten too.
Owen was just plain tired now.
