Cliftonville Corpses

Chapter One.

A Trip Always Requires Planning.

Northdown Road.
Cliftonville.
2013

He could hear their groans bouncing around off in the distance as he ducked beside a car. He knew that this was only a trip to the shopping store but all the same he knew he had to keep his guard up at all times without any distractions or this could be his last shopping trip, ever. Still he was focused, seeing the challenge that lay ahead of him. Not only would he have to make his way to the shopping store but then he would also need to find a trolley of some kind to hold his findings but not before he had worked out a way to enter the building.

Now! He ordered himself to do. Quickly shifting across to another car, keeping himself concealed and his enemies off his back.  He hoped to himself that luck would not give up on him and none of the cars would have an active alarm. That would be his worse possible situation, having his whereabouts given away so easily and have all the “drones” as he referred to them hone in with him as the sole target.  Just keep calm and stay down… I can do this! He thought while looking for his next move. It’s now or never and I’m already too far to go back. He could see the building up ahead, the brightly lit up sign displaying the stores name giving it away. I’m what? Two or three streets away and there is… Peering over the hood of the abandoned car he counted the “Drones” that were in sight. Nine He told himself. There are only nine of them, I can make this. Still deep in the back of his mind a thought he didn’t mean to have reminded him. It reminded him that although he see only see nine of them wandering aimlessly in the streets, There would always be more. There always is. And that is one of the biggest mistakes to make. It’s a sure fire way to underestimate your opponent and end up dead, or worse, maybe one of them. He didn’t like that idea and the thought increased his heart beat without warning. A bead of sweat ran down his forehead but he had to remain calm. He could not let it get to him or it would be only a matter of time before he made a mistake.

Keeping low he pulls himself across the floor as smoothly and quietly as possible. He knew the actions of these creatures can be erratic. So he needed to be prepared at any time. It was not going to be easy, he could see up ahead of him the slow moving but deadly bodies in his way. They were staggering side to side with each step. As if balance was not something they were allowed to regain. He made a mental note of this. As he would after spending much of his time watching these beasts from a safe spot. To him it was just instinct to watch and study how the enemies “work”. It made sense to him and was why he has kept alive longer than the former humans that block his path. It really was a test of Survival of the Fittest. He knew that and even embraced it, taking it in his stride.  But now was not the time, he had to retrieve what he could from the shopping store and make his way back.

Three on the other side beside me and Five up ahead. It did not take him long to take in the details and make his move. Using his effort in a sudden burst to go from kneeling down behind one car to another which left him out in the opening making the three meter distance.  The closest one of the group of three jarred its head around. Its face a blank slate showing no emotion at all while its skin was the palest of whites with scraps and parts breaking away from the decay. Giving them the effect that they were falling apart, to dust.

Now he had to figure out his next move. This would be more difficult to do than the last time. It helped that they were on the other side of the car that he was crouching beside and also that they were moving away from him with their backs turned. No trouble he thought quite smugly for a moment before jogging his mind back into the moment.  He needed a plan this time and a well thought out one at that if he wanted to carry on like he had and avoid any face to face encounters with the creatures. There is one standing in the middle of the road. There is another close by, nearer the bus stop. There are two next to each other at the top of the next road. And the last one is moving in the direction of the store. He thought, taking note of there positions. I can’t forget about the three that I left behind either. He checks on them, seeing that they continue to move further away, back the way he came. He wondered if he would run into them again and if so, would it get physical? He had not the chance to think it over; all he could focus on was going forward. But still, what plan had he got?

Rocks ricochet off the glass windows of a house’s front. Again another rock hits, then a handful are slung in the same direction each rebounding making there noises against the glass. Its working. He thought, seeing that slowly it was grabbing the attention of the Drones that he needed to get past.  The small rocks would not make just noise single but when throwing them in small groups made the noise that much louder. He spots the one standing in the middle of the road as it turns awkwardly trying to face the direction of the sound. It groans a deep grotesque sound like rusty iron pits channelling wind. An emotionless sound for an emotionless being he thought, not knowing exactly how true that statement was.  It’s groan seemed to have been overheard by the drone that he identified lingering by the bus stop. It too now was heading across the road. Blindly following it appeared. But he could not be sure. He did not have a way to make sure, how much of them remained. If at all any does. He would not take the risk either way. He had to stick to his plan and carried on picking up small rocks and stones from the road side and tossing them across. Excellent distraction He thought. Quite please with how well it was turning out and how easy it all seemed to him. That is them distracted; I need to make my move now. He watched them closely, waiting for the perfect moment to move up and pass them without letting any mistakes ruin his ideal plan. He saw his moment and took it. Keeping low and crouching, moving along the line of cars as quickly and quietly as he could. If they were to spot me now, I would be in a hell of trouble. He peered over, the drones were still distracted. Like they could not figure out that while it was a sound, it was not exactly the kind of thing they were after. He knew this and try all he could he just could not forget it. This was the way things were going to be it seemed and he had better adjust to it, otherwise his time could count down sooner than expected.

I’m pasted them as last. Not long now. He thought feeling quiet proud of himself that his plan had worked. By using the small rocks and stones to make a constant noise against the glass, it was able to draw there attention. And as if like instinct they responded. He could still see them out of the corner of his eye as they stumbled about, looking without success.
Without a moment to loose he shot across the road, falling into cover behind another automobile. He had to get into a safer hiding spot otherwise he risked being found out. Now he only had three left. Three of the “Drones” that he needed to overcome in order to get his rewards. As much loot as he can grab from the store. He thought about being back at his place, his “Safe House”. It was secure there, he had taken measures to try to rise his chances of survival and they had worked. For days it has kept him out of the eye of any passing human-like predators. But along with that comes the loneliness. Twenty four hours a day, Alone. There is no time for social company in this new world he was living in. And while it did give him pain and heartache to know that he accepted it. He knew that to survive he would have a better chance. Which had lead him to conjure up this idea to get supplies. The cupboards were practically bare and he had no possible way of knowing when this would end. If of course it ever would.

Sprinting across he ducks down behind another car. The run across the road had been a risky move but a necessary one. This move had taken him past the two that stand motionless at the head of the road. He watched them. They did not make any signs of life. The everyday things that they used to do that now they would never do again, even with there headphones on and phones in pockets.  Scratching their face. Rubbing their chin. Swirling their tongue around in their mouths. None of those things were  happening anymore. Nothing seemed to bother them. It disturbed him. Days ago they would be going about their normal every day business, such as reading the newspaper or watching television. The normal every day things that now meant nothing and stood for nothing. Yeah sure he thought, some would have locked their eyes on the television when the event first happened. They would have watched for answers to their questions. But how many of them actually did something? Something to protect themselves and from the outward look of the town, that he has lived in for many years to have become such a shadow of itself. He believed that answered his question. It upset him but he fought against the motion. It’s the strong and smart that survives.

The last Drone he saw up ahead had wandered off. He could see it further along the road. He did not know where it was heading to but then again he assumed neither did it. He sprung to his feet, crossing the road and making it to his destination only to be confronted by yet another obstacle. The doors were locked.