Run from the dead book 2.., p.16
Run from the Dead: Book 2: A Zombie Apocalypse, page 16
Sandra laughed. “Oh, did he now?”
“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” said Marcus.
“I’m sure it is, pet.” Sandra’s faced changed from smiling to frowning. “So, Anna and the kids?”
Marcus opened his mouth to answer when Christina walked into the room. Dark-brown hair framed her beautiful face and sensual, full lips. The natural curve to her shiny locks only accentuated every aspect of her beauty. But it was her deep, chocolatey eyes that drew you in. Her slightly tanned skin was soft without a single blemish, and even her nose was perfection. There was a little bit of athleticism to her frame, but the baby bump brought a softness and only added to the natural curves of her hips.
His lungs emptied right then and his mouth dropped open. I don’t think I have ever been so happy to see another person in my life. And one I don’t even know that well. Shit, I think I might be in trouble here. I need to stay as detached as possible.
Christina’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Marcus!” She swallowed before saying, “You came back.”
Marcus matched her smile, not taking his eyes off her. He nodded as he said, “Yes, I did.”
He looked back at Sandra as she cleared her throat. She and Mel shared an amused look and heat travelled up Marcus’s face.
“Erm… Christina, this is Mel. And Elsa,” said Marcus.
“Nice to meet you, Mel,” said Christina.
Mel smiled back at her and nodded.
“So, where’s Anna? Did you find them?” asked Christina in a soft voice.
Marcus sighed. “No, I didn’t. But I have a very good idea where they went. And I have a plan for us all. Do you want to hear it?”
“Let’s all sit and have a cuppa and then we can go through everything. We have a few things to tell you too.” Sandra moved towards the kettle.
“Ok, then.”
Chapter 21
Sandra, Christina, Mel, Marcus, Frank, and Lisa all sat around the kitchen table while Elsa lay by the back door. Sandra had fed Marcus, Mel, and Elsa once they had settled, and now everyone sipped a cup of tea or coffee.
“Right. That’s the plan, then,” said Marcus. “Frank, you’re sure their camper van will still be on their drive?”
“I am. They were going away on Monday, so they had it there to give it a clean. The keys have to be inside their house, and it’s not like they’re using it anymore, unfortunately.” Frank looked down at his hands as he fiddled with the tablecloth.
“No, it’s not like they are, is it, Frank?” said Christina, staring at the couple for their reactions. I know I should move on from what they did, but it just doesn’t sit right with me and never will. I’m not sure I trust these two yet.
Frank’s eyes skittered over everyone’s faces, and Lisa didn’t speak up; she’d been silent throughout the whole discussion. Marcus cleared his throat, and Christina met his gaze as she removed her stare from the couple.
“Do you know where they kept the keys?” asked Marcus.
“Hanging on the key hooks in the kitchen.”
“Ok.” Marcus nodded. “I’ll go do this alone. It’s safer that way, less risk and noise.”
“I wish I was more able to come with you,” said Christina.
“It’s better this way. I’ll be back in a flash. Frank, I’ll need you to point me to the right house. I don’t want to be wandering the streets looking for number fifteen.”
“Yeah, of course,” said Frank.
“I might as well get it done now,” said Marcus.
Everyone stood up from the table except Frank and Lisa, who remained huddled together.
“Can I have a word alone, Marcus?” said Christina.
Marcus nodded as Sandra said, “Use my bedroom.” She then gave Christina a wink and curled up one side of her mouth behind Marcus's back.
Christina rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile at Sandra’s not-so-subtle behaviour.
Marcus followed Christina into Sandra’s room, and Christina watched as he shut the door behind him. Her eyes lingered on his muscular forearms and large hands, and she had to drag her mind back to why she’d brought him in here.
“I’m not sure we can trust those two,” said Christina.
“Yeah, I kind of noticed the friction.” Marcus frowned and looked her in the eyes. He moved closer to her; she could see the blueness in his eyes more vividly now. Beautiful.
“They basically sacrificed someone so they could live. I watched them do it.”
Marcus flinched a fraction. “But you still saved them?”
Christina huffed before saying, “That was Sandra’s idea. The woman’s got a big heart, but in all honesty, I’m not sure I could have watched them die as well.”
Christina moved closer to Marcus and couldn’t help but wrap her fingers around his forearms, feeling his warmth. His muscles tensed beneath her touch, and she allowed her hands to stroke the hairs and skin slowly up and down. “I wanted you to know before you went anywhere with either of them,” she said as her eyes met his.
Marcus drew a slow breath and looked down at where she was touching him. He then closed the small distance between them and put his hands on her hips. His eyes returned to meet hers, and she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll make sure I’m careful, I promise.” His voice had dropped a few octaves to the sexiest husk she’d ever heard. Oh dear God. Does this man have any idea what he’s doing to me?
“I’m really glad you came back.”
“I think I needed to. It didn’t feel like a choice. As much as I usually keep to myself and like it that way, it was the most logical thing to do.” He nodded before carrying on. “But it wasn’t just logic, if I’m being truthful. I seem to quite like you. I’m normally a guy who would run from a pregnant woman, and I’m ashamed to admit it. I don’t do commitment and responsibility well.”
“Yet, you seem to feel responsible for everyone around you.”
“That’s different. That’s making sure people stay alive.”
“That is still responsibility.” Christina poked him hard in the chest. “And it’s what you have assumed for yourself. No one made you do it. You repeatedly make responsible and decent decisions.”
“I struggle with committing to women, though.”
“Look, I don’t think we need to be thinking about anything other than right now, about staying alive and taking those moments that make us smile. Who knows when they’ll be our last? I know you are a good man; I can see it in you, even if you can’t.” She paused, considering her words. “I like you too, Marcus. And right now, a kiss would make me feel amazing. But if that’s not what you want, then that’s fine as well.”
Marcus smiled before leaning down towards Christina’s mouth. She raised her chin to allow her lips to meet his as he brushed them with his own. A small sound escaped Christina, and she melted into him.
He wrapped his arms around her. She had never felt so safe in her life. Her hands stroked their way up his biceps, then tenderly moved over his shoulders, then through his hair. She gripped it and pulled his head towards her for a deeper kiss.
It was Marcus’s turn to moan into her, and it was all she could do not to undress him. Christina longed to see him without his shirt. She had seen part of his back earlier, but she needed to see the rest of him too. All of him.
Christina’s arousal made her press her breasts into his chest harder, longing for more of her body to touch his. Their tongues met inside their mouths, and she licked at his lips, wanting to draw him even closer still. Oh wow. Where was this man before I was pregnant?
One of Marcus’s hands left her back and cupped her cheek before he pulled his face away from hers. They both breathed heavily as they stared into each other’s eyes.
“Christina, I…” Marcus closed his eyes and leant his forehead against hers. “You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He panted some more, then pulled back to look at her face again. “I feel like if I don’t stop myself here, I won’t be able to.”
Christina chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean,” she whispered in his ear, and he shuddered.
He cupped her face again, but with both hands this time, and gazed deeply into her eyes. Marcus pressed his lips to hers, softer than she had ever experienced before. Oh, I’m in trouble.
They ended the kiss and Marcus said, “Maybe it’s the intense situation we’ve found ourselves in, but I’m certain I would have been drawn to you.” He sighed again and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I should probably go do this job. Then we can get out of here to somewhere safer for you and the baby. For all of us.”
“You’re confident that’s where Anna would have gone?”
“The more I think of it, the more I’m absolutely certain. It’s the logical thing to do, and Anna is the most logical person I know.”
Christina nodded. “That’s where we’ll all go, then.”
“It’s not going to be an easy journey, you know.”
“I know, but its certain death staying here. I’m surprised we’ve lasted this long with so many of them out there.”
“I’ll go now. The sooner we get the camper van, the sooner we can leave this place. Just make sure you’re all ready to go.”
Christina smiled up at him, then he leant down for another soft kiss. The tenderness of it almost overwhelmed her. Please let this man return to me. I think we could have something special if only he could trust himself.
***
Marcus crept through the darkness of the back garden and listened. The car had stopped burning, so it would no longer draw the dead, but it meant more of them now drifted away from it. There could be so many more roaming the streets close to here now. I cannot afford to be seen or heard. Everyone inside that house is counting on me.
When he was satisfied it was quiet, he climbed Sandra’s fence and ran down the footpath in the direction Frank had pointed. The third house from the right on that row of houses over there. Marcus would enter the house from the back; the camper van was parked out front.
He neared the end of the closed in footpath and leant against the corner to scout the next area. He edged around the corner and came face to face with a zombie.
“Fuck!”
Marcus jerked backwards as the thing lunged, snarling and reaching for him. He dodged around the corner and the zombie fell onto the ground, having missed the living flesh. It landed with a thud and a grunt before snarling as it attempted to get back up. They weren’t the most graceful of creatures, but whatever they did, they did it fast.
Marcus wasted no time in hitting the back of its skull with his hammer; one heavy downward strike, and the beast crumpled. The crack of the bone made Marcus shudder once again. I will never get used to that. He swallowed. Almost-black clingy stuff had attached itself to the head of the hammer that he now attempted to wipe on the zombie’s checked shirt. I don’t know who you were, but I don’t want any of your gross brains near me. The stench that rose from the stuff was awful too. Marcus decided to breathe through his mouth when he was around these things.
He checked the footpaths again, then hurried over to the garden of Frank and Lisa’s former friends. The gate unlatched and allowed him to enter, concealing him from anymore of the wandering dead.
Now, how the hell do I get in? Marcus looked over the exterior of the house and weighed his options. Smash the patio doors or climb up to that open window? Oh, the choices are overwhelming. Marcus put his hands on his hips and looked up at the open window. I’m not even sure I could get in there.
He pressed his face against the glass, shining his torch through it, and tried to spot the keys. There, they’re right there. Marcus looked around behind him again and listened for any more of the dead. He rubbed at the stubble on his chin and waited for a few moments longer.
Smash and grab, jump into next door’s garden, and then the next after that. I’d have to be quick, but I think it’s my best option.
Marcus nodded to himself, then raised his hammer towards the glass. It is my best option, isn’t it? Marcus paused and readied himself. Just do it.
The hammer shattered the central portion of the glass, bringing the rest of the sheet down with it. He jumped through into the kitchen, darted across to the key hook, and grabbed everything there was. He shoved three sets into his pockets, then hurried straight back out into the garden. Growls grew louder in the air as he pushed towards next door’s fence, clambering over as fast as he could.
As soon as he hit the grass on the other side, he ran straight for the next fence and threw himself over it as well. He managed four gardens along before he heard the first of the dead hitting the fence at the back of the house he had broken into. He stilled and tried to control his breathing before silently crossing the lawn to the side gate. This was the last house on the block.
Marcus paused with his hand on the latch, trying to discern if the coast was clear on the other side. The growls were growing from a few doors down, with fists pounding wood joining in. Seems quiet this way. Eyes wide in the darkness, he released the gate’s latch and eased it open to view the street beyond.
Empty. They must have all come from the other direction, from the fire. Marcus wasted no time in running around the block of houses and straight for the camper van. The owners had turned their front garden into a drive and had parked the van there. It shone bright in the night like a beacon of hope, all shiny and perfect and without a scratch on it. It was very large as well; one of those highly modern pieces of kit that would probably leave all other campers on any site jealous as hell.
Marcus pulled the first set of keys out and squeezed them together as he spread them out in his hands. Which one is it? None of these, shit. Second set had the correct one to open the door. He twisted the handle and climbed inside, checking nothing had seen him enter.
He sighed and slumped down onto the nearest bench seat, running his hands over his face. His stubble was getting much longer and more beard-like. I am so exhausted. He shook his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds. Gotta keep going, Marcus, there’s no alternative.
He walked over to the captain’s chair and swivelled it around to face the main room of the campervan so he could sit. He spun it back to dashboard whilst seated and pushed the key into the ignition. His eyes scoured the road in front of him several times before he grasped the key, ready to turn it.
All clear. I hope you guys are ready for me.
Chapter 22
Marcus turned the key in the ignition, feeling his heart rate pick up. The vein in his throat throbbed from all the pressure, and every muscle in his body clenched. Don’t fuck this up, Marcus.
The engine came to life, making his breathing go even faster than it already was. Ok. Here we go. He jammed his foot down on the accelerator whilst releasing the clutch and the handbrake simultaneously. The vehicle was alive, but he wouldn’t be for much longer if he didn’t get it moving fast.
The acceleration was as predicted; slow and cumbersome. Come on, move, you big lump. He turned it straight onto the road and picked up a bit of speed, moving through the gears as fast as he could. He was now in third gear but wished for more when he noticed two beasts running at him from the front.
He pushed the van as hard as he could and drove right for them. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, and his foot nearly pushed a hole in the floor with the accelerator. Let’s do this, shitheads.
BANG!
CRUNCH!
The two dead collided with the front grill of the vehicle, but one vanished. Marcus bounced up in the springy driver’s seat as the campervan ran over something. Gotta be dead guy number one.
The second zombie had grabbed hold of the wiper blade and was attempting to climb further up onto the windscreen. Its other hand was banging on the glass, trying to get to Marcus.
Marcus swerved the van left, then right, but couldn’t dislodge the unwelcome guest. Snarling teeth and a thudding fist told of the zombie’s desperation for flesh. Not going to happen, mate. He slammed on the brakes and watched the zombie fly forwards away from the van, taking the wiper blade with it.
He engaged first gear and revved the vehicle as much as he could, propelling the large heap of metal forwards. Marcus let out his own snarl, willing the campervan to move faster, whilst heading straight for the dead guy clambering to his feet.
Marcus hit third gear again when he smashed into the zombie. It didn’t get a lucky hold of anything this time and vanished under the vehicle in much the same way the first had.
“Haha, fuck you!” Marcus yelled, and bounced himself up in his seat.
“Right, let’s see if we can get everyone on board without any problems… Why the hell am I talking to myself?” Marcus shook his head. “All the excitement I suppose… and I’m still doing it.”
He chuckled to himself and carried on driving as fast as the van and the streets would allow.
***
“Everyone ready?” asked Christina.
She looked from one face to the next, and the only one that looked mildly ready was Mel; it was her teenage whatever kind of face. Christina chuckled to herself before looking back through the window.
“Ok, everyone by the front door, and Sandra, get ready to open it and run on my say so.”
“Got it,” said Sandra, who was now wearing jeans instead of the skirt she had been favouring.
The dark house concealed them, but Christina felt like it would be their potential place of death if they didn’t escape tonight. The black rooms and walls felt wrong now, when they had previously felt safe. I hope Sandra is ok leaving this place.
The minutes ticked by. Restless feet and shuffling backpacks filtered through to Christina. They were all kitted out with a weapon, just in case they encountered anything. But will they be able to fight if needed?
Christina pulled her face away from the window for a second, rolling her head on her shoulders. Come on, Marcus, where are you? She rubbed at her eyes and made herself blink a few times before pushing her face back towards the window.
