Highschool of the dead: The British Outbreak
Chapter 9: The price of victory
Captured Broughton Safezone
Roughly 10 miles from Chester Safezone
Z-day + 30
08:00
"Fireteam Viking?" asked the leader of the newly arrived fireteam, "I'm here to relieve you."
Fireteam Viking looked up from their firing positions happily. Since the assault had been completed, the safezone captured and the gang members in custody of the plod*. Fireteam Viking and other army units had been ordered to take up positions and watch for the inevitable hordes of undead that would surely be attracted by the noise that had been created by the assault, and also by the ongoing evacuation.
"It's all yours mate," said Jason. He stood up and picked up his L85 while the rest of Viking packed up their kit. Jason continued to brief the newly arrived fireteam,
"We've got a group of them about 400 meters out and closing. We've been whittling them down but there's still about 50 or so of them left. Should be easy pickings, but if you need any help, we'll be keeping an ear on comms so just shout. Anyone got any scram on?"
"I think someone's thrown a large vat of chilli together down in the café," replied one of the soldiers as he took up position in Akio's vacated firing position.
"Yeah, they have," confirmed the leader. "It was bloody good too. Enjoy your downtime guys."
"Cheers lad," thanked Jason. "Fred, Akio, let's roll."
The team's exchanged goodbye's before Fireteam Viking departed the roof and headed for the aforementioned cafe. They made their way down through the office area where, only a few hours ago, they'd been shooting almost anything and everything that moved. The walls were still pot marked with bullet damage and the walls plastered with blood splatters, although the bodies had been removed. They passed a group of workers in the process or removing a door that was still partly hanging from its hinges.
They passed the room where Jason had killed the gang member, who it turned out was only 16, who'd been enjoying himself at the expense of the ladies who were also present. It turned out that what the Wilson family and the prisoner they'd taken had said about the gang members taking pleasures at the expense of the women, was true, and then some. Almost all the women over the age of 15, and even some men and boys had come forward to the police with reports of rape. It had been all Jason could do to stop himself and his team (especially Akio) from beating the crap out of the closest captive gang members then and there.
The team entered into the back storage room of the safezone, but that hardly did the place justice. The room was massive, the size of most warehouses and still liberally stocked with food and other supplies. And, according to some of the more co-operative gang members, some of the other large shops in the shopping centre were still well stocked with clothes, recreational items and other items. Eventually, they arrived onto the shop floor and headed for the store's cafe.
The shop floor was a scene of what many people would call 'organised chaos'. There were dozens of people going to and fro, fetching and carrying items that were being packed up for transport, helping some of the civvies gather their things and taking them towards the evac transports, or just standing guard watching proceedings. They arrived at the cafe and joined the queue for food, which was quite lengthy as almost everyone was starving after the firefight. Eventually, it was Viking's turn and they were each given a polystyrene bowl of chilli and a can of coke.
"Can I have a second set?" asked Jason, "One of our team is a medic and she's still dealing with the wounded."
The man serving the food looked as if he was about to tell Jason to sod off, but the he clocked the L85 hanging from its strap around Jason's shoulder. He grunted, before producing another can of drink and bowl of food.
"Hey Fred," said Akio, taking the extra bowl of food and handing it to Fred with a mischievous grin. "Go find Alex and take this to her. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"Yes Lance Corporal," replied Fred as he took the food and scampered off. Jason raised an eyebrow, they almost never called each other by rank, usually by first names or to Jason, boss.
"Well that was interesting," said Jason as he and Akio taking a seat opposite each other at an empty table, grabbing some plastic cutlery before they sat down.
"You know they're shagging right?" said Akio, taking a spoonful of chilli.
"Oh yeah," replied Jason, digging into his own chilli. Akio looked surprised, Jason chuckled.
"Fred hardly ever reads. So why would he voluntarily go and spend 4 or 5 hours in a library?" He paused to take a swig of coke to wash down the chilli with.
"So is it serious? Or is it just a 'we could be dead tomorrow' kind of thing?"
"Not sure," replied Akio. "I think it's the latter, but with the potential to develop into something serious."
"Well as long as they keep it in their own time and off the team. I'm cool with it," replied Jason. "Damn this is good chilli."
"Can I ask you something?" asked Akio, "Something personal?"
"Sure," said Jason. "Ask away."
"Do you find me attractive?"
"Extremely," replied Jason. Akio, even more, confused than before, decided to continue but remained mindful of her surroundings.
"So why didn't you... you know?" Jason sighed before continuing
"You mean why did I turn you down in the gym?" She nodded.
"Because you are a soldier under my command. It's my job as a commander to be willing to send the men and women under my command to their deaths if need be. If you were anyone else Akio and not someone under my command, and someone I wouldn't or couldn't develop feelings for, I would have done it with you. But I do care about you Akio. Enough that if we went that far, I'm not sure I could bring myself to send you to die, or live with myself if you got killed. Understand?"
Akio smiled slightly.
"Yes Boss," Jason was about to offer more thoughts on the matter when he saw Marsden approaching.
"Head up," he said. Marsden came up to the table.
"Boss," greeted Jason.
"Sergeant, Lance," replied Marsden, he motioned to a seat. "May I?"
"By all means," said Jason, using a paper napkin to hand to wipe some stray chilli from his mouth.
"Where is the rest of your team Sergeant?" asked Marsden.
"Private Vera is with the medical unit and I just sent Private Hanson to find her with a bowl of chilli and a can of coke sir," replied Jason.
"Very good," acknowledged Marsden. "Cracking good job today guys. Really top notch. I wish I could say the job was done, but I have an assignment for you."
"We're all ears, sir," replied Jason, and Akio leaned in more intently.
"Good," said Marsden. "It turns out that this wasn't the only place that the gang members had. Turns out that they had a few more places, sort of outposts, where they operated from. We've got the location of one of them and I want you and your team to go scout it out, quietly."
"Yes sir. Where is it and when do we leave?" asked Jason.
"We've got the address," Marsden handed him a piece of paper Jason looked at it before handing it to Akio. "Take whatever gear you can find from around here and get rolling."
"Sir, this address, it's not far from my old primary school," said Akio, "it's just down the road from my house."
"Ok. Then you'll have point," said Jason. "How far is it?"
"About 8 miles from here," replied Akio. "Any chance of a Land Rover sir?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Marsden shaking his head. "All vehicles are being used to move supplies and survivors back to Chester. I'm afraid you'll have to go on foot."
They were about to move into other aspects of the plan when Fred came up to the group. He was still carrying Alex's chilli and coke.
"Bad news," he said. "Apparently Alex was ordered by the chief medical officer back to Chester with a seriously injured patient."
"Ah," said Jason. He turned to Marsden. "I don't suppose you'll let us head out without a medic?"
"Not a chance," replied Marsden. Jason groaned.
"Oh, go on sir," he pleaded. "I'm a first aider."
"A youth first aider Sergeant," Marsden replied "And you failed it twice so forgive me if I don't sound convinced by your first aid abilities. I will get you a medic from the medical staff."
"Yes sir," replied Jason, slightly dreading this. "Just try to make it someone who's vaguely combat capable."
"I'll do what I can," promised Marsden.
...
30 minutes later
"Fireteam Viking?" asked a high, only recently broken voice. Jason looked up from his perch at the newcomer.
'Oh, you've got to be kidding me.' He thought. He looked over the medic that was stood before him that Marsden had assigned them as Alex's replacement.
The lad, was at most 16 years old, barely 5'4 and dressed in a pair of trainers, jeans, a T-shirt and topped off with a crisp, white lab coat. He carried a medical satchel over one shoulder and was otherwise unequipped.
"And you are?" asked Jason, somewhat incredulously.
"Mike Smith," he replied, bouncing slightly in eagerness. "The head doctor told me to report to you?"
"Did he say why or what for?" asked Jason, hoping against hope that it was something other than to be their new medic.
"He said I was to accompany you on some errand?" Mike replied. Akio and Fred didn't bother to hide their despair.
"Right," said Jason, Looking the lad over once more. "Ok. Few questions. 1. Have you ever fired a rifle before?"
"I had an air rifle." Replied Mike.
"Have you ever killed an infected?"
"No."
"Have you ever killed a person?"
"No."
"Have you even set foot beyond the wall since this all happened? Before today?"
"No!" Mike snapped. He recomposed himself before continuing. "Look, I get what you're getting at Sergeant. I know I'm inexperienced, but you need me and I'm willing to learn if you'll have me."
Jason looked at the young wannabe doctor, with a revised opinion.
"Alright," said Jason, "I need a medic, and you qualify. Do what we say when we say it, and you might get back in one piece. Understand me?"
Mike nodded.
"Good," said Jason, "first things first. Ditch the lab coat. Akio, get him a combat smock."
"On it boss," said Akio. Mike started removing his lab coat while Jason briefed him.
"We're going on a scout run. Apparently the A-holes who ran this place also have a few other's nearby. We're going to take a look at one of them."
"Is that safe?" asked Mike, halfway through putting on the Woodland DPM combat smock Akio had given him. There was a moment of silence between Jason, Akio and Fred, then they burst out laughing.
"Dude..." said Fred breathlessly, "We're in the zombie freakin' apocalypse. What part of this is safe?"
"Point," muttered Mike. Jason turned away for a moment, dug through his bag. He removed something before turning back to Mike. It was a Glock 17 in a holster with 2 spare mags.
"Take it," he instructed. Mike was hesitant.
"I can't," he mumbled. "I took an oath to do no harm..."
"You can't hurt a corpse," replied Jason. Mike became suddenly aware that no one was laughing anymore. "And you don't have to be a marksman. Just flick the safety off, point at the head, and squeeze. Or, alternatively, put it against your head and pull. A good deal better than turning if you get bit."
Jason thrust the pistol into Mike's hand before turning back to his own kit but then turned back to Mike.
"Oh, and if you do anything to endanger any of my team. I'll save you the trouble and shoot you myself. Clear?"
Mike nodded.
"Good," said Jason. He picked up his L85. "Let's go."
...
"Cover," said Akio.
Viking broke formation and took cover where they could. Fred and Akio went to one side of the street and vaulted over a low garden wall. Jason collared Mike and pulled him behind a parked car. Mike looked at Jason, confused by the sudden activity.
"What the..."
Jason put a finger to his mouth then tapped his ear, the universal sign for shut up and listen. Mike obeyed. Sure enough, the ominous groan of a nearby infected. Mike went silent, frozen in fear. Jason moved to a knee so he could see through the car's windows and get eyes on the infected. He spotted him, an adult male in casual clothes. Jason slipped his knife from its holster, ready to dispatch the infected if he got to close. Fortunately, he just kept on stumbling.
"Clear," murmured Jason into his mic when the infected was far enough away. Viking emerged from cover, with weapons drawn and trained down the street they were on.
"That's the 5th one in 10 minutes," commented Fred, almost whispering.
"They're being drawn by the noise at Broughton," surmised Akio.
"We've still got about 4 miles to go," said Jason. "Let's move."
They rose and started moving. They only got another 2 streets down before they heard it.
"You hear that?" asked Akio. They all stopped and listened. The groaning was now at an ambient noise level. That meant a lot of them nearby. They rounded the corner and there they were, thousands of them moving as a single herd and heading straight for them.
"We need a detour," said Jason quickly. "Akio?"
"One street back, right side," she said.
"At the double! Move!" ordered Jason. The team turned about and started heading back. Moving at speed but trying to keep silent. They moved onto the street Akio suggested, only to find it too packed with infected.
"Shit!" cursed Jason. They were all beginning to feel the stress, especially Mike who was beginning to panic.
"Were screwed!" he whined, drawing his pistol.
"Take it easy," said Jason, looking around while trying to work out what to do. "We just need a plan."
"Any ideas?" asked Fred.
"Yeah," said Jason, he pointed at the nearest house. "That house. We hunker down and wait for them to pass. Move."
They sprinted toward the house, pounding up the path and trying the door.
"Locked," grunted Jason. "Cover me while I pick the lock." Jason set about the lock while Akio and Fred covered. Mike was trying his best not to panic. But the 2 hordes of infected were getting closer and almost to the gate.
"Anytime mate..," cautioned Fred.
"Hey, this is harder than this looks, alright?"
"Hurry up," Mike half pleaded, mostly whined.
"Aaannnd..." the lock finally clicked. "Got it!" He pushed the door inwards, and an infected was standing in the doorway and lunged at Jason.
"FUCK!" he cried as he fell onto his back and crossed his arms to catch the infected as it fell on him. Jason caught it and it wrestled with him, its jaw's snapping and snarling at Jason. It's assault suddenly ceased as Akio pulled it off him, her bayonet buried in the back of its head.
"SHIT!" screamed Mike as he turned and ran down the path towards the herds of infected that were closing on them.
"No! Come back!" shouted Jason. Fred tried to grab him but failed. He grunted.
"I'll get him," he said before he took off after Mike.
"Fred don't!" It was too late; he was already down the path and running. He disappeared into a gap in the infected horde that closed as soon as he was through, they were already heading up the pathway.
"Akio! Inside now!" ordered Jason. Akio hesitated
"We can't just..."
"We can't help him if we're dead! Now get inside!"
Obediently, she retreated into the house. Jason was right behind her, shutting the door and locking it. He pressed his body against it.
"Find something to barricade it with!" ordered Jason. Akio retreated into the house to find something to barricade the door with. Felt the impact as they started pushing against the door. The strain and weight were difficult to match and Jason could feel the door beginning to give under the weight. Akio returned with a wooden dining chair and wedged it under the door to prevent the door from opening.
"Watch the door," said Jason. Akio took up guard while Jason tried frantically to raise Fred on the radio. as no answer.
"Viking 3! This is Viking 1! Radio check over!" The only answer was static.
"Damn it Fred! Respond!" Jason shouted into his mic, to no avail. Fred must have turned off his radio to avoid static and maintain stealth, not a stupid move considering all the infected out there. Seeing Jason's distress, Akio spoke up.
"I'll watch the door. You clear the house and see if you can find something a bit bigger to hold the door shut with. Then we lay low and wait for this all to blow over."
"Sounds good," said Jason, glad to have a voice of reason in Akio. Jason set to and swept the rest of the house, finding no other contacts, living or dead. The house was a bog standard designed detached house; front living room one side with the front door in it, kitchen in the back and a utility and dining room taking up the other side of the house. The upper floor was occupied by 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Once satisfied that the house was clear, Jason started looking for a suitable barricade for the front door. He eventually settled on a large armchair from the corner and shoved it over to the door.
"That should hold them," said Akio, "For now."
"Right," said Jason, "We've got no long range radio, so we can't call for help and we've got a load of infected trying to kill us."
"You think we should try and sneak away?" asked Akio. Jason shook his head.
"No," he said. "Fred knows we're here. Once he's got the idiot he'll make his way back to us. Best to do what you said. Barricade the doors and windows, go upstairs, lay low and stay quiet and wait for them to bugger off."
"Sounds good," said Akio. She could still see Jason was worried about Fred; he had every right to be. She needed to do something to lighten his mood.
"So where did the great Sergeant Jason Rees learn to pick a lock?"
...
Fred
Fred watched as Mike ran down the path towards the undead. He was making for a gap in the tide in an attempt to make a run for what he perceived as safety. Fred heard Jason call out to Mike to stop, but the medic kept running. Fred grunted.
"I'll get him," he said and he took off down path making for the gap. He ignored Jason's order to stop and kept running. The gap was closing so Fred ducked his head down and charged the gap wide open. He barged some infected at the edges out of his way and kept running. All he could hear was the sound of infected groaning all around him, and he could almost feel the gap closing behind him. Fred just kept running and prayed that none of the infected would be able to grab a strap on his gear and pull him down, if they did, he was dead.
He finally broke free of the herd and kept running, wanting to get distance between himself and the now alert herd. As he ran, he turned off his radio, the last thing he needed was Jason screaming in his ear and distracting him when he needed maximum focus on staying alive. Once he'd covered what he guessed to be a safe distance, he slowed to a stop and looked around.
The herd of Infected was still mainly focussing on the house, but some on the edges were slowly peeling away from the main group to pursue him. Fred took another look around, to see if he could see Mike, alas the medic had scarpered and was nowhere to be seen. Fred put aside his concerns for Mike for the moment and started thinking how he could get the herd away from Jason and Akio.
The answer was rather obvious; he just shouldered his L85 and fired, picking off some of the infected that were closing on him. While he'd dropped some infected, the report from his rifle was loud enough to get the full attention of the herd and they started to amble towards them.
"Right then," he said to himself. "Time to leave." Fred turned and started off again. He turned down the road and headed off at a jog. He turned down into a cul-de-sac to find it crawling with infected. With little option due to the number of infected in front and behind him, he bolted towards the closest house. He tried the door but it was locked. He contemplated kicking it in but then realised he had no way to secure it again once he'd kicked it. Instead, Fred went to the house's side and shoulder barged through a wooden garden gate at the side of the house.
Somehow the latch on the gate didn't break when he barged it. He paused only to close the gate behind him before moving down the path towards the house's garden.
He didn't get very far.
As he rounded the corner of the house, an infected lurched at him. It collapsed onto him and caused Fred to stagger and fall backwards. Fred put his left arm up instinctively to shield himself while his other hand went for his knife, but the infected simply grabbed his arm and sunk its teeth into his fatigue-clad limb.
Fred screamed in pain as the infected chewed into his arm. He managed to pull his knife free from its sheath on his pistol holster and jam it into the infected's temple. The infected died, the tension in its jaw slackening and its bite released, blood staining Fred's fatigue sleeve where its teeth had sunk in. Fred rolled the infected off of him. He looked at his bloody sleeve for a moment before rolling it up. While the UBAC's sleeve had negated the majority of the bite's force, there had been enough left to get through and into his arm. It was shallow, and bleeding steadily, but none the less, he was bitten.
"Son of a bitch," he cursed. The energy drained from his body as all tension left his body and he just lay in the flower bed which had cushioned his fall. The bite hurt, but not as much as he'd expected. Even so, Fred knew what he needed to do. He pulled his Sig from its holster on his thing and withdrew its suppressor.
If he was going to die, it would be on his terms; quick and quiet.
He screwed the suppressor onto the pistol. He pulled the slide back half way to check that there was a round in the chamber. Once he was satisfied that the weapon was ready, he thought of his friends.
Brad, his childhood friend who'd died from being bitten and shown him what it was like to die from a bite:
Fhajad. The friend who'd been brave enough to stay with Brad, even though he knew what would happen when he turned.
Jason. The teenager who'd taught him to be a man and how to fight for those he loved.
Akio. She'd taught him to fight, and stand up for what he believed in.
Alex... Alex. The woman he loved. She'd made him a man and given him reason to go on when everything else was gone.
His only regret was that he would never get to hold Alex, one more time.
'Let's get this over with.' He thought. He flicked the Sig's safety off, raised the pistol to the side of his head, and closed his eyes.
"Mister? Are you ok?" asked a timid voice.
Fred thought for a moment he'd imagined it, but then he opened his eyes. Standing in the garden was a little girl, no more than 6 years old. She looked slightly frightened at Fred, staring at the sig which was still pressed into Fred's temple. He lowered the weapon and put it in his lap.
"I've been better kid," he replied. "What's your name?"
"Bella," she replied.
"Nice to meet you, Bella. I'm Fred. Are your parent's around?" He asked. Bella shook her head.
"We were trying to get to the city when mummy got sick," she said sadly as she looked at the floor. "We stopped here for a while. One night I saw daddy carrying mummy away outside. I haven't seen them since. I've been alone for days." She looked at Fred's bleeding sleeve.
"Are you going to turn into one of those monsters?"
Fred looked at his sleeve, then at Bella. If she had been alone as she said for all this time as she said, she must be brave and smart, considering that she was still alive.
"Not yet," he said, clicking the safety back on the sig. He slowly stood up, grunting at the pain. "Listen. I'm a soldier with the army. My friends are nearby. I'll take you to them and they'll take you to the city. You'll be safe there."
"Are you not coming with me?" she asked. Fred sighed.
"I'm afraid not," he said. He could hear some infected against the gate, trying to get in. "I think we should go inside. You pack your things while I call my friends."
"Ok," she said. She scurried back through a back door that she had come through. Fred followed her in and closed the door behind him, locking it shut.
The kitchen Fred found himself in had everything he needed to set himself up; a table and a sink. He first put his bag and pistol down on the table in the centre of the room. He then pulled his water bottle from his webbing and walked over to the sink. After trying the taps, and finding them lacking water as he'd expected them to be, he opened his water bottle and poured water on the bite.
Even if he was going to die from it, if he could hold off the effects just long enough to get Bella to Jason and Akio, it'd be worth the extra pain of staying alive that long. He carefully washed out the bite, before moving back to the table and retrieving some painkillers from his med-kit and a large dressing. He swallowed the pain killers and dressed the bite, before pulling his sleeve back down to cover it up. He then switched on his radio and clicked the transmit stud.
"Viking 1 this, is Viking 3. Radio check. Over."
There was a moment of static before Jason replied over the radio.
"Viking 3 this is Viking 1. Loud clear. It's damn good to hear from you, mate. You're distraction worked. The herd's moving off. Over."
'Well, that's something.' Thought Fred before continuing.
"Understood Viking 1. I've found a little girl in the house I'm in. Her parents are gone and she's been alone for days. We need to get her back to Chester. No sign of Mike, though. Over."
"Understood. Give us your location and we'll make our way over to you. Over."
"Turn left out of the front door of your building. 3 streets down on the right, first house on the right. Should be a decent number of infected outside. Let me know when your closer and I'll pick some off with my Sig. Over."
"Understood. We're en-route. Out."
Jason hung up and Fred sighed. He went upstairs to check on Bella, finding her happily stuffing some items into a pink backpack. He went back downstairs and looked around for a sheet of paper and a pen. Once he had them he started writing. It didn't take long to finish and just as he did Jason came on the radio telling him that they were closing in.
Fred shoved the writing into his pocket and instructed Bella to stay upstairs till he called for her as he stepped to the door with his suppressed pistol at the ready. He unlocked and opened the door, stepped into the doorway and started popping off infected with his pistol. After he'd popped off 5, Akio and Jason shot past him into the house and shut the door again, locking it.
"Alright mate," said Jason. "Where's the girl?"
"Bella," called Fred up the stairs. The girl appeared at the top of the stairs and came down, her pink backpack on her back. She looked at Jason and Akio before looking back at Fred.
"These are my friends, Akio and Jason. They'll be taking you back to Chester. Be good for them ok?"
"Ok," mumbled Bella.
"You make it sound like you're not coming with us," joked Akio. Fred didn't laugh but just shook his head.
"I can't," he said.
"Why not..." asked Akio before Jason cut her off.
"You're bit. Aren't you mate?" he asked. Fred nodded before pulling up his bloody left sleeve. The dressing was starting to turn red in parts as the steady stream of blood bled through. Akio covered her mouth, a sad "No." escaping from her.
"You know that's permanent mate," said Jason, gesturing to Fred's arm. Fred nodded.
"I know," he said, "But I reckon I've got long enough to give you a chance to get out of here." Jason was about to interrupt but Fred cut him off.
"I haven't got long mate. Take my weapons and kit back to Chester." He unthreaded his Sig's suppressor and ejected the magazine, doing a quick ammo count. He put the magazine back in and handed Jason the suppressor.
"I've got 9 rounds left. That's 8 infected and 1 for me. I'll make as much noise as I can and try to lead them away while you 3 make a run for Chester."
"Are you sure about this mate?" asked Jason. Fred nodded.
"Yeah," he pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Jason. "Give this to Alex would ya? And tell her for me."
"Consider it done," said Jason. He was struggling to keep his emotions back. The next few minutes were spent in silence, dividing up Fred's kit between Akio and Jason so they could take it back to Chester. Eventually, they were ready. Akio gave Fred a warm hug and Jason simply came to attention and saluted.
"It's been an honour mate."
"Likewise," replied Fred, returning the salute. "Now then. I'll make some noise, you guys go when it's clear."
He turned for the door.
"See you in hell."
And he was gone.
Chester Safezone
Hospital
Z-day + 30
21:37
Jason walked into the hospital with a heavy heart, dreading the job which he had to do. He had just finished reporting to Major Marsden and returned Fred's kit to stores. He'd told the stores man;
"Find a good home for these. The last man to use them was a hero."
After that, he'd found the duty officer and asked him where Alex was. He'd told him to try the hospital; she was last seen there escorting a patient. Fred walked up to reception.
"Excuse me," he said to get the receptionist's attention. "Where could I find Private Alex Vera?"
"Who are you?" asked the receptionist.
"Sergeant Jason Rees, her team leader," replied Jason. "It's a matter of some importance."
"She's on break at the moment so try the staff room. It's on the 3rd floor," said the receptionist after consulting a rota. "I can have someone take you up there if you want?"
"Thank you, but I'll find my own way," said Jason as he set off down the hallways.
The hospital was one of Jason's least favourite places in the city. Not because it was a place of sickness or death. But because it acted as a focal point for all the petty problems that civilians had and complained about; every headache, cold, unsettled stomach and every work avoiding, resource draining excuse the 'ever so grateful' civvies came up with to avoid work and actually doing something worthwhile.
Jason looked at a line of civvies waiting to be seen by a doctor outside a consultation room.
'Not one of them probably gives a damn about the sacrifices the soldiers that gave their lives for those meds.' He thought, 'Only to be wasted on a common cold instead of an actual injury.'
Walking through these halls was a constant reminder that good soldiers were to give up anything and everything they could for ungrateful civvies because it was their duty. Even to the point that when they'd gone back to their room to drop their gear, he and Akio found that their camp beds had been taken, 'due to the influx of new civvies' said the Corporal who'd been removing other furniture from down the hall when questioned about it.
And the civvies would probably care about as much as they would about Fred's death as they would for the fact he and his team would now be on roll mats. Because that was the nature of self-centred civvies who'd been waited on hand and foot since the outbreak started.
Jason pushed aside his thoughts of anger and stopped in the hallway. He had a dig through his pocket and pulled out the letter Fred had given to him deliver to Alex. He read it again for the 3rd time;
Dear Alex.
I'm afraid I don't have long and cannot say goodbye in person, so this letter will have to do. I just want to say thank you, for making the last week of my life the best one of my life. If the price for spending a week in love with you is death, then it is a price I will gladly pay.
Take care of yourself, and have a good life.
Love from
Fred.
Jason was almost in tears. The letter summed up Fred easily; a man of few words, but just the right ones to strike home.
And now he had to give his last message to Alex.
He kept walking until he found the staffroom. He found Alex standing just outside it. She was dressed in her fatigues, but with a doctor's lab coat over the top. She looked beautiful; no wonder Fred had fallen for her.
"Alex," he called out. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Boss," she said happily. "All well?"
"Not really," he said. He wasn't quite sure what to say. Alex's face shifted from one of happiness to one of concern.
"Why? What happened?" she asked.
"It's Fred," he said. He proffered the letter to her. "He asked me to give you this."
Alex looked at and took the folded piece of paper and started reading, slightly confused at first, but suddenly gasped and tears started to well up as she realized what it meant.
"He also told me to tell you..."
"No..."
"He loved you."
"No... NOO!" Alex's normally calm, happy personality shattered. She burst into tears screaming, burying her head into Jason's chest and just letting it all out. Jason just held her close, and let her cry her sorrows into his chest.
Hello there :)
* Plod is British slang for the police
I hope you enjoyed chapter 9.
This pretty much is the end of this story ark and I'll be moving into the next one, but there will be influences from these chapters throughout.
Anyway, I would like to hear some ideas for what you guys should think should happen. I have a list of things I want to do/ lines I want said/ scenarios that I want to play out, but I need some filler ideas. These could be anything from a new development in the zombies, to possible senarios, to anything at all, I am prepared to listen.
just drop me a PM
Anyway, have a good one
Jango