Chapter 3: Three Days Later
Peter and Allen sped back to the law firm. They pulled to a screeching stop outside and ran into the building. Allen ran over to Gloria, who was still staring into space, and told her everything that was going on. Peter worked on locking the doors. Peter went round the back of the reception and grabbed the telephone. He dialled a number which he knew off by heart. He tapped impatiently as it rang.
"Hello??" A woman's voice said on the other end.
"Hi, can I speak to Helen please?? This is rather urgent." Peter said.
"Certainly sir. Please wait one moment." The woman said.
A few seconds later another woman came on the line.
"Hello??" Helen asked.
"Helen, are you with Sammie??" Allen asked.
"Yes she's here. Is everything ok?? You sound weird." Helen said.
"Are you in a safe place?? Can you bolt and lock all the windows and doors??" Allen asked.
"Yes. Allen please tell me what's going on, you're starting to scare me." Helen said, her voice starting to falter.
"There are some people, no one knows what's wrong with them but they are turning savage and are attacking people. I'm with someone from our street and one of these people broke into his house and attacked him. You have got to secure the building and make sure no one goes in or out until this is all over." Allen explained quickly.
Helen was quiet for a moment.
"What do these men want??" Helen asked.
"No one knows. What is happening is spreading like a virus or an infection. If you're scratched or bitten by these people then you become like them. They are covered in blood and they only seem to want to kill. You have got to stay where you are and make sure no one can get in." Allen said in a commanding tone.
"Ok. I'll get all the staff together and we'll block the doors and windows. I love you Allen." She said in a tone which was as if she would never see him again.
"I love you too Helen. Can you put Sammie on??" Allen asked.
"Yeah I'll start barricading whilst you talk." Helen said.
The phone went quiet for a minute, and then a soft sweet voice came on.
"Daddy??" Samantha asked.
"Hi darling." Allen said, his voice turning softer as well.
"Hi daddy." Samantha replied.
"How are you, baby??" Allen asked.
"I'm good. We've been making pasta pictures. I made one of you, mommy and me at the park." Samantha said proudly.
"Oh well done sweetheart." Allen said, with a small laugh under his voice.
"Yeah." Samantha sounded happy at his approval.
"Listen to me Sammie. This is very important." Allen sounded serious.
"What's the matter daddy??" Samantha asked.
"There are some bad men around, and daddy has to go be a superhero for a little bit. I might not see you for a little while but I want you to be really strong for me and for mommy. Can you do that??" Allen asked, holding back his tears.
"Of course daddy, I'll miss you though." Samantha said.
"I'll miss you too darling. I love you." Allen said.
"Yuck." Samantha said.
Allen laughed.
"I'm sorry baby but I've got to go. I hope to see you soon." Allen said, with a deep sadness.
"Ok daddy. Bye bye." Samantha said.
"Bye bye." Allen said.
"Oh and daddy," Samantha said quickly. "I love you too."
Then the phone went silent.
After an hour or two Allen and Peter had made every way in and out of the building secured and sealed. They then sat down at a round table in silence. Gloria was in the small kitchen making everyone a cup of tea.
"We need to decide what we're going to do." Allen said.
"It's not safe to travel anywhere. We've see four different ones today." Peter replied.
"I have to get to Helen and Sammie." Allen argued.
"The army is already containing this. It will be over within a few days. Then everything will be alright. We can hold up here for the time being. It's secure and there are enough supplies. We can go on the computer to check the internet on any updates on the story, and there is the news and radio as well." Peter explained.
"I can't just sit here without knowing if they are ok." Allen argued further.
"You're not thinking straight, Allen. Remember there is the phone, you can call them every day, every hour if you want." Peter said in a comforting way.
Allen slowly nodded. At this moment Gloria came out of the kitchen with three cups of steaming tea. She handed one to Peter and to Allen and then sat down at the table with her own cup in front of her.
******************
Several days had passed since it had begun. Peter Allen and Gloria were still in the law firm. Allen had rung his wife and daughter twice every day since they were stranded there. The radio was powered by the mains, and it had never been turned off in case they missed a broadcast. There were three offices and each one of them had been taken by one of the three people. There hadn't been much activity in the few days that they had been there. The day after they had locked themselves in they saw one infected person. The next day there was a major broadcast.
"These men are diseased. They have a disease. It has now been confirmed that a research company were testing animals by inducing them with what has been described as pure rage. The infection would turn them violent and savage beyond repair. Video security tapes have been seized which show three activists breaking into the complex and heading towards the research labs. We do not know what transpired in those labs but it is believed that one of the animals that were being tested on came in contact with one of the activists, which then spread the virus to a human. We do not know how this infection escalated to such a dramatic level but the government is now working on a way to combat this infection. The Army has so far been unable to contain this infection and it has continued to spread. There are reports of infection across the country, not just in London, though it is unconfirmed and could be a hoax or paranoia. It is advised that everyone, nationwide now takes precautions though."
This worried all three of them, Allen especially. He decided that he had to go get his family. This was the day he wanted to go. He called them on the phone and explained. Peter was going with him just in case. They had told Gloria that once they were outside she was to lock the front door in the same way it had been before and she wasn't to open it for anyone.
It was nearly time to go. Peter and Allen were getting ready. They had broken up one of the desks and fashioned some very primitive weapons out of the pieces. They were stood in the middle of the lobby. All three of them together.
"This is an urgent message." The radio spoke.
All three of them turned and looked at it.
"This... is a very distressing message. It has been confirmed that the infection has spread throughout the country. In the panic people have headed for the nearest airports and ferries that they can to get off the island. There were massive crowds all surging to get onto planes. In a number of the airports there were infected. It spread fast. Hundreds of people have died, or become infected themselves. It is truly horrible. This however is not why I am here." He paused. "The Prime Minister has called for an immediate evacuation of the island of Great Britain. It has been decided that it is not safe for anyone anymore. The Army has been overrun, and the police have no hope of containing this. Hundreds if not thousands are dead. So, you all must get out of this country now, or else you will share their fate."
Peter, Allen and Gloria were frozen. The same thought was running through their heads. The island was being evacuated. There was no more hope left.
"We have to go. Gloria, you are coming with us." Peter broke the silence.
They slowly walked over to the door and released the locks. They threw open the doors and ran out.
Outside Allen reached the driver's door first. He opened it and jumped in, slamming the door shut as he got in. That's when he saw them. 100 yards ahead where three infected, and they were already running. He fumbled with the keys to try to get them in the ignition. Peter threw open the door and got in. Allen heard a scream. Gloria had fallen, because of her heels, and injured her ankle. Allen froze. The infected were getting closer. If he got out to help her they would all never make it, but by the time the car had fired up they would already be upon them. Peter realised what was wrong. He too knew he would never make it to her in time and get her in the car, without being attacked by the infected. Gloria looked up at Allen. Their eyes met. She crying, from fear and from pain. Allen's heart sank as low as it could. He put the key in the ignition and turned. The car started. He threw the gear stick into reverse and pushed the accelerator. The car began to reverse down the road. The three infected reached Gloria. He could hear her screams from where he was. Allen slammed the breaks on and put the car into first gear. He pushed the accelerator and turned the wheel. The car spun around and Allen drove away. Away from his job and away from Gloria.