In The End Box Set | Books 1-3 Stevens, GJ (story books to read TXT) 📖

“I have no choice.”

“We can get another camera,” Alex said, but by now I was jogging. The distance between us grew as I closed in on the village.

“I need the van. I have to send it via the equipment in the van,” I said, shaking my head.

With each breath of wind I caught the concentrated foul odour and I could hear the low grumbling moan. The ground itself seemed to rumble as if to complain at the weight of the creatures.

As I drew closer, I could see the metal fence panels swaying in and out, the creak of the metal clamps scratching to keep hold.

Through the gaps between the metal sheets clamped together to the vertical poles, constant movement passed back and forth.

Somehow I knew Alex was about to talk and I turned to see daylight full on her face. Her mouth stood wide, words ready to spring out, but she paid attention to my request; to my index finger held to my lips.

I pointed to the slow sway of the fence and she changed course as I did, heading to the right and the tall wooden panels marking the start of the village’s gardens.

Not slowing from the jog, I followed its path. I still couldn’t see over, but I could feel the house. Cold sweat ran down my spine and I picked up the pace, slowing only when the fence turned a corner. Around the turn, the fences were lower and made from chain-link. The house’s deserted gardens were easy to see the other side.

I kept my gaze flitting to the windows, watching for movement and any signs of life.

There’d been many people. Tens of villagers caught up in the fright the last time I’d been here. Was it only a few hours ago?

I wanted to see movement at the windows. Wanted to see hands waving, people trying to get our attention. I didn’t want to see open-mouthed stares of the people I’d helped survive their fate once already. I needed to see reason for the Army not to forsake this place, to lock it up, light the blue touch paper and stand well back.

If we found people still inside, they’d evacuate first, right? Then again, if that woman was in charge, maybe my hopes would be unfounded.

We ran on with neither of us speaking, not even when I saw the familiar row of houses. The row Toni and I had first come across. Where we’d stood and seen the two runners chased and dropped to the floor. Where we’d watched at least one of their lives end. My thoughts turned to hope for the woman who remained.

I saw the back of the house where we’d escaped over the roof. I saw movement, the memories of that time clear. The house a bust. We’d run because I’d let them in to save the boy.

For a moment I wondered if he was safe and if the woman was alive. Guilt welled when I couldn’t remember her name.

“Jess.”

Alex’s sharp but quiet call pulled me back from my memories. About to admonish her for breaking the silence, I saw her reason. My gaze ran along her outstretched arm to her finger, pointed at another metal fence cutting across the gravel road where we’d first walked into the village.

A woman stood with her back to us. I could see her spine pronounced through the thin bright running top. Two great rends of flesh ran across her back to expose skin and what it was meant to protect underneath. The second jogger.

I let my eyes close, but just for a second and took a deep breath. I had time, I told myself. She hadn’t seen us.

I imagined her turning. I imagined her drawn features, her mouth hanging slack as her attention focused on the metal fence which hadn’t been there last night.

She was different to the others we’d seen. She wasn’t trying to escape. Instead, trying to get in.

I stopped. Alex halted. I pulled myself away from the danger, turning to watch Alex’s wide eyes lurching across the view and searching out the overgrown grass for anything she could use as a weapon.

I pulled the gun from my waistband, but knew I couldn’t fire. Knew it was a last resort. We had to get inside without making a sound or risk calling the dead towards us like a dinner bell.

I took a step and the snap of a twig rang out from under my foot. I stopped, cursing myself for not taking more care.

Holding my breath, I flashed a look to Alex.

Twisting back, the dead woman still hadn’t turned. Movement pulled my gaze to where the fence disappeared around a corner and I saw another creature staring in our direction as she walked towards us.

Her hands rose in the air as my gun fell from my grip. My stomach stabbed as if hit with a bolt of lightning.

Her face was red with blood, shredded with deep scratches. Patches of hair were missing. Great welts of her scalp were gone and I could see the white of her skull on show. Her stomach an open cavity, her intestines uncoiled like a rope dragging behind.

Still I knew it was Toni.

67

“No,” I shouted, as Alex reached for the gun on the ground.

With no pause in her reaction, her hand froze, hovering just above the black of the pistol. Our gazes caught, breaking off as the sound of movement came from in front. The sound too loud, too busy for what we’d seen.

Alarm lit our faces at the crowd of bodies ambling around the corner in her wake, none of which had been there only a moment before. With my breath already caught, it felt as if a vacuum pulled my lungs from my chest as I saw Toni again, this