In The End Box Set , Stevens, GJ [motivational novels .txt] 📗

metal cage to the side of a promotional pyramid of six-packs of lemonade bottles. My knees slammed to the hard ground as I fell.

Retrieving the torch as it slowed its spin, its beam caught on a colourful explosion of light painted on the cabinet door and I made a mental note to search for the key when I had a chance to take a breath.

Hugging lemonade bottles in my arms, I nudged Andrew on my return. Understanding my plan without the need for explanation, together we took a step back from the panel, twisted off the caps and took aim.

To the scent of sweet lemons, the alarm died with a crackle to the speakers. I swear I could hear it resounding for hours after.

We hugged and drew deep breaths. Our bodies shook as we took in the silence, only to be startled by a loud bang reverberating from the back of the shop.

As we rose from our instinctive duck with the echo fading, we stared at each other before looking back to the alarm panel and its dark, empty reply.

Together we turned and took tentative steps toward the rear wall, watching closely for anything unusual in the dark. Our pace sped as the shockwave of sound didn’t repeat, slowing only as the torch found a double set of doors in the distance.

Journeying through the aisles, I looked to Andrew and he urged me on with his brow.

I stepped forward as we arrived, pushing the left door, my breath held. Leading with the beam, I passed it over bundles of cardboard packaging compressed in densely strapped pales, ready for the next delivery which wouldn’t be coming.

I searched on with the outstretched light falling on more doors either side, stopping only as it highlighted the square plastic yellow flash in the centre. My breath relaxed.

“I think it was just a breaker for the alarm. I guess it’s where the battery is,” I said, nodding towards the door.

Andrew stepped forward to take a look, but we both turned back to the main floor, searching out the raised voices of our friends.

I followed Andrew as we ran back to find lanterns surrounding Chloe, blankets under her head and covering her legs.

The car stood silent with the lights off, leaving just the chill of the night creeping through smashed-open fire exit doors. The front of the Freelander had been wide enough to punch through the doors, but not to get all the way through. The metal wings were caved in, wedged between exposed steel beams.

“It won't stop bleeding,” I heard Lily's voice, loud and clear. Dread made the emptiness of my stomach feel greater.

Andrew and I knelt, taking our place in the circle. Chloe's hand was packed hard with bandages. Toby ripped open fresh packets to replace the bloody rags piling up by her side. His face was a match for his wife's, a shared look of fear I couldn't linger on.

Standing, I took deep breaths before turning to the darkness as Naomi and Zoe rose to their feet, their torches shining down at the floor.

Andrew took steps with me. Matt followed behind. Our pace was slow with guilt raging in each step, a helplessness pounding in my chest.

I couldn't do anything to stop the bleeding. I couldn't look on. I knew it was time for the conversation.

It was Zoe who raised it first to mouthfuls of water taken from the aisle we'd drifted to.

“Well?” was all she said, but the meaning didn't need to be explained.

I turned, looked back and away towards the halo of light where our three other friends were holding vigil. We were far enough away they wouldn't hear, but still I kept my voice quiet.

“You saw it for yourself,” I said, knowing full well it wouldn't be enough.

Naomi was the first to pick it open.

“All we saw was you and Andrew going to town on that woman’s head. What the fuck happened?” she said. Her voice was hurried, but she kept her volume low.

Andrew and I shared a look. He nodded at me and I let the words out.

“She died,” I said, pausing for a moment. “Chloe was comforting her, you saw that?” I watched as nods replied. “But she came back. She bit into Chloe’s hand. She wouldn't let go.”

The huddle was silent.

“You thought she'd died,” Matt said. “You're no doctor.”

“She died,” Andrew said, stepping closer into our circle. “She would never have survived those injuries. Half her face was splattered across the road, for fuck's sake.”

“Mate,” I said, and he lowered his head. “Look. She seemed to be dead, but you're right, she must have been alive. She must have been defending herself. Her brain had been addled with pain, I guess. It was an animal instinct. Yeah.” I looked to the floor because I didn’t want to see their reaction. “I mean, there's no other explanation, is there?” This time I couldn't help but look around and watch the sunken faces as no one spoke.

“Don't say it,” were Zoe's words.

“Say what?” Naomi replied.

The silence filled the gap and we heard what sounded like Lily's gentle voice singing low in the glow of lanterns.

“Zombies,” Andrew said. Laughter followed from his words, but I watched his fixed expression.

Naomi and Matt's chuckles died back when they saw the rest of us weren't joining in. What Andrew had just said had already crossed my mind. It had been my only explanation, but the word grated against all common sense and there was nothing I could do to stop my mind racing to search for another explanation.

“Fuck off,” Matt and Naomi replied, almost in unison. Their volume fell back as they turned and walked away, only stopping as a great rattle of metal came from the wide shuttered entrance.

Within less than a second I'd put