Enjoy............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the convoy came into range of the walls Driver shouted out over the CB , He needed the street clearing and the gates ready to open when they arrived.
"Now we need to tell Burt about the travelers "Marks said with a worried look.
"He won't mind , they are living and breathing . That makes them friendly" Driver said smiling. He swung the convoy past Fort Costco and waved as he saw some people busy loading one of the big rigs. Then as he approached the bridge the Artic blocking the road pulled forward allowing them free passage to the gates , he waved to Anna as he passed she'd been driving the ten tonner clearing any dead on the bridge. He was so proud of that woman. As the convoy entered the gates and drove up the main street Driver could see Burt standing at the top near the main square, his arms folded with a frown on his face. Driver pulled to a stop and waved the caravans passed onto the square and got out of the 4x4. He walked over to Burt as the caravans and trucks parked up on the square.
"Hi Burt , Brought some friends back with us . Plus we have a problem have you got a minute?" Driver said smiling.
"This is Ricks crew , tell them any fighting and their out. "Burt said flatly "Fancy a brew?"
"Yeh ok , give me a sec " Driver said as he walked over to Ricks truck.
"My office in five " Burt shouted at Driver as he turned to leave the square . Driver just waved as he pulled a smoke from his pocket.
"Burt says no fighting or your out." Driver said to Rick as he climbed from his truck and pulled the pack of smokes from Drivers chest pocket smiling.
"The Ol'fella is OK , We have an arrangement so to speak. We only ever parked up where he left open. then we'd leave after a few days. That way we had somewhere to set up, he'd make a few quid and look good to his boss for gettin rid of us.." Rick said grinning.
"Well the dodgy old bastard "Driver said laughing.. "and here was me thinking Burt was straight as they come."
"Theres more to that Ol' bastard that meets the eye but he's an ok fella, straight talking but friendly like" Rick replied.
"Well set your people up here for now , and no scaring the locals OK" Driver said as he shook Ricks hand and set off towards Burts office.
Half way across the square he spotted Mark talking to Kat and Jen. He stood and waited a few moments before Mark started heading towards him. Kat blew him a kiss as he did the same back and then he waved to Jen.
"I've handed over the couple and the kid to the girls , they're going to set them up with food and clothing" Mark said .
"We are in with Burt . theres shit to do before the stinkies turn up." Driver said.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"HOW MANY!!!!" Burt said the colour draining from his face as he sat to take in the information. Driver took a map from his thigh pocket and unfolded it on the large table, he took a note book from his pocket and after studying it for a few moments he took a pen and drew a line on the carriageway showing where the walkers were .
"They are about here" he said as he drew the line. "At the speed they were moving I reckon we have two days maybe two and a half. If they stay on that road they will come straight into the other end of the estate to the East of us and then filter through totally surrounding us . One noise and they will be here forever. so any Ideas?"
The men all looked at each other blankly. They sat for a while in silence before Driver stood.
"I'll get Razor to start getting everything from the ware house . we might not be able to get out for a while if ever. "He headed out of the door as Burt slumped in his chair looking at the map. Mark sat doodling on a piece of writing paper he had found on the desk , he had picked up on Drivers 'we're gonna need a bigger boat' statement and was busy drawing a shark behind the little fishing boat he had drawn earlier . The shark was twice the size of the boat and summed up how he felt at that moment. Over whelmed and afraid. As he went over the days events in his mind he started adding the waves splashing around the bows of the little boat and he thought of the shepherd standing with his dog . Driver entered the room followed by Razor and Jenny who sat and looked at the map , Razor span the map round to his side so it was the right way up and started counting the small grid squares trying to work out distance when Mark looked up at what he was doing. His mind started to race at what he saw. He grabbed the map from the table snatching it from Razor like a magician doing the table cloth trick and slapped it against the window . He grabbed a tape dispenser from the desk and stuck the map to the glass then his eyes scowered the room for a marker pen.
"I need a marker " He said "QUICK"
"Everyone started looking for a pen when Burt slid open a desk draw finding a pack of brightly coloured hi-liter pens , he picked them up and threw them to Mark. Mark took a bright Blue pen from the pack and started to put small lines across junctions around the outskirts of the town. Everybody in the room was watching as Mark traced lines with his fingers then placed another mark on the map he did this for five minutes before asking Driver if he had a bigger map. Driver produced a road map of he whole country stating that was all he had , Mark tore the pages from the book and added them to the window then added more small blue marks to these maps too. When he had finished everyone watching still had no clue what he had seen or done but Mark stood, the look of obvious relief spreading right across his face.
"This should be good "Said Driver. nudging Razor .
Mark turned to his team of friends . "I think I have a plan . it might work I'm not sure but it might. He went on to explain.
"We can't kill them all theres just too many to kill even if we use Drivers, Sorry Anna's machines" he said winking at Driver who just smiled. "We still wouldn't get them all before they get us. We can't stop them by blocking the road as they will just spread out and spill around anything we put in their way. However thanks to Drivers un funny one liner we can avoid getting eaten anytime soon." Driver just looked blankly at Mark not having a clue what he was talking about. "We're gonna need a bigger boat ?" Mark said to Driver who still didn't get it. Mark just smiled then started, "If we block these roads leading into the town and clear the roads here and here of anything that will slow them then they will walk right past the town without entering it and without getting so close to the walls that they can hear or sense us."
The group all sat forward in their seats and started to check out the map, still not knowing what they were looking at. Mark saw the looks on their faces and grabbed a bright pink Pen and started to draw as he spoke. "If I draw a line tracing the path we want them to take like this" he said as he drew the line along the roads linking up to the ring road around the town. Then as the line split where it met the ring road like the bows of the boat it traveled round then linked up again on the other side of the town ,He carried on drawing the line until it went off the end of the map. Standing back to admire his handy work, He noticed Driver making notes and checking the map every few seconds. "Well what do you think?" Mark said waiting for a response..
"It's do-able if we move quickly "Said Driver."We need to get out there and start blocking the roads into the town and clearing the ring road of cars . Obviously we can use the stuff we clear to block the other roads but with walkers out there we will have to use the mechs, but I don't think we have enough. And we need to keep working , they will be on one side of the town when we are working on the other , the sound will help draw them round. The hardest bit will be getting back ."
"I was thinking we could use the two 4x4's one for each route to drive the walkers from the front like the sheepdog herding them the way we want them to go, when we are far enough out of town just speed up and park for a while out of sight until they pass." Mark said as Driver leaned forward and went over the map.
"It will work but I think splitting them would be a mistake all we need is a few to get confused and stop at the split and it could stall the march. Maybe we just take them one way and and use both 4x4's on one route incase of a breakdown. "Driver said as Mark thought then started nodding.
"Cool then we have a plan, lets move" Said Driver jumping to his feet and tearing the maps from the window. I'll sort the mechs and start blocking
,Razor I need you to clear what's left at the warehouse and can you send a couple of Ricks cargos here. Theres a small builders yard I spotted another skid and a teleloader there." He added handing Razor a hand drawn map.
"Jen can you spread the word that we need helpers at the warehouse and at the walls , were going to re-enforce the temporary stuff outside just incase we need an out. "Mark said "Keep it under your hat about the walkers for the moment only tell those you have too. "
"I spotted a fire station on the map too " Said Driver ,"We could use an engine to pump water from the river , It should be ok to drink if we filter and boil it. if we are under siege then water will be as important as food. if not more so."
"Well you lot seem to have this covered is there anything you need me to do?" Asked Burt.
"Tomorrow we need you to call a meeting and tell everyone what's going on. when the walkers come we need everyone to keep quiet for hours . One noise could mess up the plan and the lot would turn to shit in seconds." Mark said to Burt as the old man looked down in deep thought.
Driver headed for the door grabbing Jenny's hand on the way out and pulling her with him. "I need you to get as many people up on the walls as you can , there are crates of binoculars at the fort I'll get them sent down. Tell everyone we are looking for signs of life , groups of walkers around houses,lights, smoke, people anything. All we need is one person out there to panic when they see the walkers and it will fuck it up for all of us in here."
Jenny just nodded and pulled away from Driver and ran for the door. Driver turned to see Razor coming up behind him. "Big man I need you to get the mechs on board and clear as many walkers as you can from the estates , don't worry about the ones inside I just don't want one of our walkers showing the pack where we are."
Then all the players went their separate ways for a evening of work and planing. The Mechs ran in shifts through the evening killing walkers around the estates only stopping to refuel and change drivers. Ricks crew walked behind finishing off any that could still crawl . Razor had the artics doing relay up to the warehouse ,trip after trip through the rest of the day soon got the place empty. They hit a few small shops around the estates and took anything they could find that was of use and had car after car being pushed carried or towed down to the ring road to help block any exits.
That night as Darkness enveloped the walls everyone who could stand was up on top of the walls looking for survivors , during the night three separate lights were seen in the town and two plooms of smoke. the positions were noted and the plan made to make contact the next day. Driver and Kat went back to the fort to get some privacy only to find Razor and his women had beaten them to it. The beer thrones had gone too much to the dismay of Driver . that meant he had to open some of his stash. After a quick drink he and Kat settled down for the night. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
After a fitful nights sleep Driver woke to noise outside his door, he dressed quickly and pulled one of his sawn offs then approached the door. He opened it quickly to find Razor picking up a large box of empty beer cans he had spilled after tripping on a discarded pair of ladies jeans. Driver looked at him and shook his head.
"Same two?" He said trying not to laugh.
Razor just nodded and grinned starting to turn red.
"Dirty Bastard " Driver said smiling as he closed the door. He walked back to the bed where Kat was just waking up, sitting on the edge of the bed he placed his hand on her hip.
"I want you to stay in the walls today, when those thing turn up I want to know your safe . I can't do what I need to do if I'm worrying about you."Driver said in a soft tone.
"I know you'll be worried about me but I'll be worried about you , so I'm coming with you" Kat said flatly. then smiled.
"You can't it will be dangerous and I don't know if I will make it back" he said looking sad.
"Well I'm coming with you , if we are going to die today I want to be in your arms when I do." She replied and placed her hand on top of his.
"Besides it'll be me looking after you." She added bringing her hand up to his face and sliding it around his neck and pulling him to her.Driver couldn't argue , he never got a word in as she used him as her plaything once more. Dressing again Driver and Kat stepped out onto the dock , the courtyard was a hive of activity . Ricks crew had been to the other yard and collected the skid and the tele loader they had also found three propane powered fork lifts and a truck with a two ton hiab on the back. They were busy meshing and plating the cabs of the mechs to bring them up to safety specs. Driver nodded approvingly at Rick as he spotted him across the yard.
"Right if this lot are getting on with it here we can go check out the other survivors we spotted from the walls." Driver said jumping from the dock and turning to help Kat down . He didn't get a chance , she had walked over the roof of his 4x4 and slid down through the sunroof and was sitting in the Drivers seat smiling.
"No Fucking Way !!! This is not going to happen "He said as she sat there sticking her tongue out at him.
Five minutes later they were heading towards the walls ... with Kat driving. As they approached Mark was standing by the gates with three mechs ready to go, the convoy set off in search of the living . They wound through the streets crushing the odd walker that staggered out to greet them on their journey. They had decided that they would kill anything undead that moved , they would have to do it sometime and there was no time like the present. Everyone killed was one less to worry about. As they neared the first house on the list the walkers started to get more abundant, they seemed to be drawn to the area by something. Driver coached Kat on the best way to clip them using the end of the steel Girder he had fitted to the front of the car, it made the car a little wider but hitting them with a glancing blow lessoned the chance of damage to the car. The mechs following either drove straight over them or scooped them up and crushed them before depositing the mangled shell by the side of the road. Driver told Kat to pull up short as the saw a house surrounded by walkers.
"Lets let the mechs take it from here, we can watch for a while." He picked up the dash mounted radio and sent in the mechs , it didn't take long for them to do their work. True to form Anna was in the first mech that hit and with her now patented pick up and ram manoeuver she scooped up an abandoned car and did a fly past across the gate taking at least thirty walkers with her and didn't stop until she smashed into the gable end of a house fifty yards up the road then in an improvement to her original technique she lifted and lowered the car a few times to grind them into the wall creating a river of zombie smoothie . Driver grinned as Kat turned to speak.
"You created a monster! " She said trying not to puke.
"I know,,, I'm so proud." Driver replied smiling and wiping away a fake tear.
"Your a sick fucker you know "She said staring at him.
"And that why you love me" Drive said in a matter-a-fact way.
"I know " She replied. Driver turned to look at her, Kat realizing what she had just said. he waited a few moments taking in the beautiful woman who sat before him and he said. "I Love you to"
She was about to kiss him when a walker slammed into the Drivers side window making them both jump. The window had been plated over with quarter inch steel and a small slot covered in mesh so the driver could use the mirrors that had been moved higher up the door . The walker wasn't getting in , the both laughed then continued with the kiss.
"OI We're not Dogging you dirty twat" Driver shouted at the walker chewing the steel plate sending Kat into fits of laughter."If you want to go next you need to shower and bring your own condom!" He added as Kat started to slap him trying to make him stop before she pee'd herself .
The midland crackled and Marks voice came over the airwaves.
"Hows it going out there, we are getting a lot of clicks and bleeps." Mark said sounding concerned. that's when Driver remembered he was sitting on his radio as he and Kat snogged the faces off each other. Driver grabbed the radio off the back of his belt and replied.
"shit...Yeh ,, err .. we're fine just got a bit bumpy "He said as Kat was stroking his crotch trying to put him off and he was fighting with her hands trying to stop her. Finally she stopped and folded her arms sticking out her bottom lip in a mock sulk. Driver placed the radio on the dash and grabbed her stickling his fingers into her ribs causing her to straighten out stiffly trying not to laugh , her foot went flat on the throttle and the engine revved loudly bringing more walkers in their direction.
"You've done it now... we're doooomed "Driver said as Kat slipped the car into first gear and aimed for the small clump of walkers heading towards them. The car lurched forward and hit the group who went flying in all directions . "STRIKE" Driver called out as he checked the mirror they high fived as Kat came around for another hit. within fifteen minutes the road was clear and Driver exited the car and walked calmly up to the door. He knocked and waited. A few moments later a voice could be heard.
"What do you want " asked the voice.
"We have a large group of walkers heading this way and we wanted to offer you safety inside the walls." Driver said.
"We're fine thanks" Said the voice.
"OK but you will need to be quiet when they are passing so you don't draw them into the estate." Driver said .
"We've had them around for weeks and we've been fine. " The voice said.
"Yeh but we think there are around thirty thousand of them." Driver said winking to Kat as he held up his hand and started counting down from five with his fingers and thumb. He had two still up when they heard the locks on the door being undone. A man in his mid sixties came to the door wearing a tattered olive shirt and brown cords , both looked to big for him . Driver guessed he was a lot bigger when the walkers came, and was starving.
"I'm Driver and this is Kat. We have food and clothing and a safe place for you to stay. How may of you are there?" Driver said as the man looked up and down the street at the machines making burger meat out of the walkers stupid enough to set foot on the road, which was all of them.
"It's just me and my old mum" The Man said."I'm Colin " He said pushing his hand forward ,Driver shook his hand and the deal was done. Colin with kats help packed a few things and helped his Old mum to the car. His old mum turned out to be very old and a little frail. She had slipped a little mentally and thought the country had been invaded , Her mind had slipped into war mode, Driver saw no reason to argue that with her . Instead he played on it telling her she was being evacuated to a shelter and that he need her help getting the others prepared for the war. He knew that the older generation would be more valuable than Google in this new world. They would need to store food without electricity , drying, canning and pickling would be the way forward . Unfortunately no body knew anything about these forgotten techniques but the generation most ignored. After loading Colin's Old mum or Lilly as she asked Kat to call her into the car Driver pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket to light up. He saw Colin lick his lips out of the corner of his eye.
"You smoke?" Driver said offering Colin the pack. Colin smiled and said thanks as he took one and borrowed Drivers lighter.
"So what did you do before this happened Colin ?" Driver asked just making conversation to relax Colin a bit.
"I was a grounds man and game keeper at the big house "Colin said pointing off into the distance.
"What the Manning Estate?" Driver said talking much more notice of Colin as he said it. "I used to go there ... err nicking apples "
Colin just laughed. "You and half the town. it wasn't a normal day unless I had to chase someone out with their arms full of apples or rabbits."
"That place is walled all the way round isn't it?" Driver said.
"Yeh It's only six foot high but if whoever was there last shut the gate then it should be empty. I hope so anyway, I had two thousand Pheasants and a few hundred deer in there for the shooting season" Colin said .
"Did you have any weapons there "Driver asked thinking about the deer..
"Hell yeh, theres a gun room full, what with the shooting days we do for corporate and the visitors guns we hold for them theres maybe 200 shot guns and a whole bunch of Hunting rifles. I have a couple at home but there are loads up at the big house." Colin said finishing the cig and stomping it out on the ground.
"Well Colin you are now my official new best friend "Driver said slipping a full pack of smokes into Colin's shirt pocket. "Go get your mum settled in and we'll talk after we get rid of the walkers "Driver added patting Colin on the back as he walked towards Anna in the forks.Driver waved to Kat as she drove off towards the walls. He would miss her but she was safe in his 4x4. he'd been adding stuff for weeks it was more like a tank now than a car. He waved to Anna to kill the engine then climbed the steps to the cab. Opening the door he grabbed the mic from the CB.
"Mark , we have two coming in. Kat's driving. Look after them , the old boy with her has a lot of guns for us. and with a bit of luck a good bit of meat too" Driver said trying not to smile too much.
"Will do" Was Marks only answer. Driver trusted him to look after them so he told Anna to drive to the next address.
As they came to the road where smoke had been seen coming from a chimney the way was blocked by a few cars. Walkers were at the barricade doing the zombie two step trying to push the cars out of the way and getting nowhere. Anna however was through in seconds , bits of dead human hanging from the ends of her forks. the rest of the mechs came up and finished off the few surviving walkers and Driver approached the door of the house.
"Hold it there!" Cam a voice from the top window. Driver could see a shot gun barrel sticking out through the window.
"We have come to warn you there are thirty thousand walkers on the way down the motorway from Manchester. You know what them Mancs are like when they are alive so we can't take any chances with dead ones." He said hoping to break the tension.
He waited for a few moments when he heard the locks on the boarded up front door being released. Another shotgun barrel appeared in the doorway and a hand waved him in. He walked into the gloomy interior that smelt of shit and ammonia with a slight undertone of rotting food and sweat. Before him stood a man in his thirties wearing a t shirt and jeans , from the look of him he hadn't washed or eaten in a while.
"I'm Driver we're step up in the walls ,and your welcome to join us" He said smiling.
The man just scowled as another man came into the room behind Driver. They had knocked a hole through to the house next door and the man with the gun waved the barrel to get Driver through. Driver walked through the hole into the next house then again into the next where there was a table with two other me sitting playing cards. The man with the gun stood still aiming at Driver while the other propped his shot gun up against the wall and sat with the others.
"So are you interested ? or would you like us to leave you alone? Either way is good be you will need to be quiet when they come or risk them surrounding you." Driver said going over what he had said to Colin. As he was talking a girl maybe twelve or thirteen came through from the back kitchen wearing only a dirty t shirt and placed some bowls of soup on the table. The three men started eating as Driver eyed the girl. Her legs were covered in filth and scratches. there was bruising around he buttocks which were not covered by the t shirt. Driver began to get a bad feeling about these guys but gave them the benefit of doubt.
"What about the girl "Driver said "Does she want to come with us"
"The girl stays" Said the man with the gun. "She's the only female we've seen in five weeks. she was in this house when we knocked through. "
"Would you trade for her "Driver said stroking his fingers through his hair trying to look nervous.
"Well you'd have to have something good to get her, she's real fun. screams a bit and cry's a lot but still good fun if you know what I mean "The man said smiling. the doubt in Drivers mind was gone as he reached for a smoke. The man licked his lips the same as Colin had done when Driver lit the cig and blew the smoke in the mans face. the guy inhaled the second hand smoke savoring it.
"You can have her for an hour for two packs of smokes" the man said. the Girl looked round at the man then at Driver the marks from the last tears still evident on the girls cheeks. Driver continued stroking his hands through his hair while thinking.
"OK " Driver said as he reached into his pocket to pull out a pack of smokes. "One Now and one after" Driver said tossing the pack towards the guy but throwing it so it would land short.
"Cool, you have anything else? she'll do anything you like and I mean anything, so you might want more than an hour" The guy said smiling . As the guy reached down to retrieve the pack from the floor in front of him Driver ran his fingers through his hair again quickly checking the others who had lost interest in the deal making and were back to playing cards. The girl stood waiting, Just as the mans fingers grasped the pack Driver grabbed the handle of the machete he had mounted down his back and swung it hard and fast, it entered the top of the mans head splitting it and dropping him instantly . then in a flash he had both sawn offs up and unloaded all four barrels at the table as the other men started to rise. Grabbing the machete from the corps on the floor he flew towards the three men at the table, he had blinded one and almost cut another in half with the blast so he swung for the third who was just about to raise his gun as Driver removed the mans arm at the shoulder. screams and groans echoed round the room as Driver grabbed the shot gun propped against the wall and pointed it the armless man. then pulled the trigger. It clicked but didn't fire. Driver broke the gun to find it empty so he quickly flipped it over and clubbed the bastard to death then turned to the others. they were not going anywhere. The girl who had crumpled in a heap on the ground had wet herself and was whimpering in her own mess. Driver was more sickened by the state she was in then the mess he had just created. squatting down close to the girl he spoke to her. she flinched as he reached out to stroke the hair from her face.
"Don't worry. My friend Jenny and my Girlfriend Kat will help you. And you have my word nobody will ever hurt you again... Ever."Driver said meaning every word. "Would you like to come outside? it's safe now Anna has been clearing the walkers from the road."
The girl looked around the room , the walls now covered in blood and peppered with small holes from the massive spread of pellets the sawn offs had dispersed around the room. She looked at the stranger , the clean, well fed ,smiling stranger who had just freed her from her tormentors and she nodded. Driver offered his hand and she flinched again so he backed off a few feet and turned his back to show trust. As he walked through the houses he could hear her walking behind him. stopping to pick up an old blanket from a sofa in the second house he turned to offer it to her , she took it and wrapped it around her shoulders . He walked out into the street to find five shotguns pointing at the door , one of the mech drivers had radioed the walls and Marks team had come running. He waved them off as the girl came to the door. Anna spotted the girl as she came out .
"Tish is that you? Latisha Conroy?" Anna said. The Girl scanned the group before spotting Anna "Miss Daws" She shouted tears of joy running down her face , Dropping the blanket she ran to Anna and flung her arms around her. Driver motioned the men to turn away and let Anna cover the young girl up with a big dayglow jacket that had been left in the cab of the forks. Driver smoked a cig before drawing his blade again and going back into the house to finish what he had started. He learned later that Anna had been her teacher when a small child , Driver was pleased they had found someone with a connection to the past , maybe it would help Tish and calm Anna down a little.
Later that day the teams finished blocking the roads to the walls, Mark had sent two spotters to climb a pylon a few miles out of town. They radioed early evening that the march was in sight . The horde was six miles away. Adding the distance to the pylon that totaled nine they would arrive by morning, the teams worked through the night blocking the road exits keeping the march heading south , God help the next town down the road Driver thought , but at least they would live another day...
