The Rule of Three (Extinction New Zealand Book 1) Page 10

  At a small table, Dee had spread out an old map of the city, and next to it, one of the surrounding countryside.

  “What museum did you raid?” Boss smirked.

  Dee gave Boss an over-the-glasses librarian look. She waited for a cheeky response, but he just looked at his feet and kept silent. Satisfied that Boss knew it was serious, Dee glanced at the others gathered round.

  “So, we need to decide what to do. Do we continue scrounging through houses for food? Or do we make a run for it? Get somewhere more isolated? Fewer Variants?”

  Dee pressed on. “If we stay, we just keep scavenging in ever-increasing circles, hoping for food. We could try a food wholesalers. And we need guns desperately. Or, and this is what I vote for, we take my car and try to reach this valley,” she said, pointing at the map. “Jack and I have a cabin there.”

  “Well, I vote to stay. Surely the army is going to show up soon,” Mike said, “and take us to one of those evac centres.”

  “What army?” Matt asked. “New Zealand doesn’t have an army.”

  “Yeah, we do!” Mike replied, his voice rising.

  “Guys! Seriously,” Alice said. “Matt, give it a rest. And Mike, he’s teasing you.”

  Dee flicked her eyes between them. After ten days of hiding, everyone was getting on each other’s nerves. She knew they had to move on. It was time.

  “Yes we do have an army,” Aston cut in, nodding. “It’s small, but it’s there. Regardless, they’re not worried about rescuing us mere mortals. We’re on our own.”

  There were murmurs of agreement.

  “I ran into a couple of soldiers out there,” Dee said. Boss looked at her, eyes wide. He had asked her about how she’d survived, but she’d skirted the subject, not wanting to dampen his spirits. “I don’t think they’re going to be much help.”

  Alice turned to Matt and poked him. “We should tell them.”

  “Tell us what?” asked Dee.

  “Yeah, what?” mimicked Boss.

  Matt, Alice and Aston exchanged a look between them. Matt sighed and looked down at the maps.

  “Look, we want to head off on our own,” he said. “Alice’s family owns a sheep station on one of the islands in the Gulf. We’re going to head there. Plus, I want to find my family.”

  “Dee, we’re really grateful, truly, but I need to know. Know if they’re alive,” Alice said, looking at Dee.

  “I can’t argue with that, Alice. I only have Jack. That’s why I want to go to the cabin.” She clasped Alice’s hand. “I really hope they’re okay.”

  The two women smiled at each other, hope, anguish and worry for their loved ones written deep in their eyes.

  Dee had only known Alice for few days, but she wished it had been in different circumstances. Over the years she’d found it difficult to stay in contact with her friends as they all got married and had children.

  “Take the back roads. Last I heard, the motorway was jammed,” Dee said.

  Alice and Matt nodded.

  “Well, that’s just crazy. Safety in numbers, anyone?” Mike said, slamming his fist on the table.

  Vicki glared at Mike. “Shush, for Pete’s sake.”

  Dee glared at him too. Days of putting up with his foul moods and impudence finally got the better of her. “All they want is to see their families. You want to deny them that?” Speaking through her teeth, Dee added, “Or is it the lack of an invite?”

  Mike started gesturing madly, his face going red. He started to retort, but Vicki elbowed him in the ribs, effectively silencing him.

  “We’re happy to go with you, Dee. Our families are both in the South Island. Just until it blows over, then we’ll be on our way,” Vicki whispered. She bent down next to Dee. “I’m sorry about Mike.”

  Dee shrugged her shoulders and grimaced. “I don’t know about you lot, but I’ve had enough of this basement and its foul stench.” She looked at Boss, causing him to grin, and once again she marvelled at the teenager’s resilience. Seeing his smile gave her new motivation.

  “Matt?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You can take my neighbour’s car. I know where the keys are.”

  Matt nodded. “That sounds perfect. Thank you.”

  The group spent the next hour gathering what little food and water they had, dividing it up as evenly as they could. Dee gave them all spare clothes from some bags she had meant to take to the op shop.

  Picking up her katana, Dee looked at Boss still trying to cram all the radio bits into a box. “C’mon, they’ll be active again soon.”

  “Yeah I know, I just don’t want to miss anything.”

  “Okay. Meet us in the car. And be careful.”

  Distracted, Boss nodded.

  Matt was waiting at the basement door, and as Dee approached, he looked over at Aston, who was peering through the grate. Given the all clear, Matt slid the bolt and they stepped out into the sunlight.

  Dee took a deep breath, the fresh air filling her lungs. Looking left and right, she gripped the katana tightly. Seeing nothing, she walked on. Dread washed over her the closer she got to her elderly neighbour’s house. The thought of seeing Faye’s mangled body frightened Dee, but she knew she had to do this. She wanted to survive, to see Jack again.

  I didn’t fight the darkness for it to end now.

  Dee walked up to the smashed-in window and quickly peered inside. On the floor was a thick, congealed blood stain, but no body. She frowned. Where’s the body? Matt brushed against her as he looked in too.

  Not wanting to speak for fear of attracting Variants, Dee, using mime, demonstrated that she wanted Matt to cup his hands together and give her a boost.

  Grunting, Matt pushed her through the window and onto the kitchen bench. Dee did her best to stay out of the glass, but she felt a few pinpricks on her hands. Looking again to the spot where the body had lain, shivers shot up her spine. Quickly moving on, she grabbed the keys off the hook near the pantry and let herself out the side door.

  Signalling with a nod of her head, she indicated the garage to Matt and handed him the keys.

  They were struggling with the garage door as Aston and Alice joined them.

  “Wait a few minutes. We’ll try to leave together,” Dee said, lowering her voice.

  Matt nodded.

  Alice grabbed Dee in a bear hug. “Thank you.”

  Pushing Alice back slightly, Dee wiped a tear from her own eye. “You’re welcome. Good luck, and thanks for all the fish.”

  Alice smiled distantly at her, not getting the reference. Embarrassed, Dee jumped over the fence. Crouching low, she made a dash for her car. When she got to her garage, she found Mike and Boss had raised the garage door in readiness. They piled into the car and she turned the ignition. Easing the car out, she glanced around, looking for Variants. Gripping the steering wheel, she indicated right and headed up the road, away from her sanctuary. Dee wondered if she was doing the right thing by leaving. Would Jack know to head to the cabin? She pushed her doubts aside and concentrated on driving everyone to safety.

  Matt followed her to the end of the road. Turning south, Dee and her group waved them goodbye. She watched as their car disappeared from view and said a silent prayer of hope. Hope that they would survive to see their families again.

  — 17 —

  Dee made it across town without incident, weaving in and out of the vehicles that clogged the road. Everywhere they looked there was evidence of violent confrontations. Blood and broken glass. She saw one car with the doors peeled off like a tin of sardines.

  What the hell did that?

  Dee drove them to a hunting shop she knew, but they could see it had been looted. Giving up on finding any new guns, they drove on, heading for one of the bridges crossing the river. As they drew near, she could see it was blocked. Vehicles were strewn everywhere, tangled in a bottleneck. Some were burnt out.

  “We’ll have to try the next bridge down,” Dee said.

  “They’ll all be the
same,” Mike said sullenly.

  Dee shook her head in annoyance. “We have to try though.”

  “What about Narrows Bridge, out by the airport?” asked Boss.

  “Yeah, all right. Less traffic. Could be a winner,” agreed Dee.

  Reversing the car, Dee looked in the rearview mirror, and mouthed Thank you to Boss.

  The going was slow, as all the roads were nearly impassable. She had to backtrack several times and try different routes, but finally they made it out of Hamilton. Speeding up as much as she dared, Dee couldn’t help thinking that the Variants would be out on the hunt in another couple of hours.

  If the roads carry on like this, we’re going to have to find somewhere to hole up for the night.

  The Narrows Golf Course shimmered into view as Dee swerved around another abandoned vehicle. She slowed, knowing the bridge was just around the corner, and crossed her fingers for some luck. Her heart sank. Just like the others, the bridge was clogged.

  Damn it!

  Several cars were pressed against each other, like a police roadblock. Looking into the jumbled mess, she could see a small gap, perhaps just wide enough to squeeze the car through.

  “What do you think, guys?”

  “We could shunt them over a bit,” Mike said. “Do you want me to drive?”

  “I got it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Dee glared at Matt. “Yes. Just keep an eye on your side.”

  “Fine. I was only offering.”

  Dee let out a breath to calm her anger and inched the car forwards, scraping both fenders. The metallic sound echoed around the car. She clenched her jaw and pressed the accelerator down, giving the car more gas.

  Easy, easy does it.

  Dee checked the wing mirrors in turn, checking her progress. She heard the thump a fraction before Vicki and Mike screamed. Looking up, she saw a Variant perched on the roof of a nearby car. It stared at them with its reptilian yellow eyes. Globs of saliva drooled from its mouth.

  Dee felt her heart drop like she was on a rollercoaster. She grabbed the gear stick, jammed the car into reverse and slammed the accelerator down, spinning the tyres.

  The Variant shrieked and leapt onto the hood of her car. Several screeches answered its call. Dee swung the steering wheel hard from side to side, trying to remove the Variant, but it dug its claw-like digits into the hood.

  One arm drew back and smashed through the windscreen, spearing a stunned Mike right through the skull. Vicki’s screams jumped several octaves.

  Boss pounded Dee’s shoulder. “Down there! Go right, through the golf course!”

  She didn’t have time to answer. Swinging the steering wheel hard right, the car whipped back and went down the embankment. They rolled once before righting and, wheels spinning in the soft earth, Dee put it into drive and tore away from the screeching Variants.

  The roll had crushed the Variant that had speared Mike, whose lifeless body flopped around and leaned onto Dee.

  “Boss, get him off me!” she shouted.

  Boss pushed Mike against the passenger door with his feet.

  Dee kept the accelerator pressed against the floor, the car fish-tailing over the grass like they were competing in a rally. She dodged trees and shrubs and even one overturned golf cart with clubs scattered next to it.

  Tearing over the pristine greens, she looked around frantically for an escape route.

  “Over there!” Boss shouted, pointing to a large motorboat moored at a pier. “Let’s see if these bastards can swim.”

  Dee turned her head in the direction he was pointing and nodded. She spun the wheel and swung the car towards the boat. As she checked in the rearview mirror, she spotted dozens more Variants joining the hunt. Some ran on all fours while others ran upright, more human-like. Others still bounced along, shrieking. The car left the ground and Dee gasped as it smashed into a sand trap. Her chest slammed into the steering wheel, the air whooshing out of her lungs. Grunting with pain, she looked back at the Variants. She was stunned at their speed and agility.

  “Run,” Dee gasped. Boss tossed her pack, the katana strapped to the webbing. She caught it and they sprinted for the boat.

  “Hurry.”

  The Variants screeched in unison as they ran. Dee stole a glance back to check if Boss and Vicki were following.

  Over the crest of the hill, several Variants were moving towards them, fast. She slowed, letting Boss pass her.

  Reaching the boat, Boss scrambled to start the engine. “Get in,” he shouted. His eyes went wide. “Vicki! No!”

  Dee spun and searched out the other woman. Vicki stood at the end of the jetty, arms outstretched like Christ the Redeemer. She turned her head back towards Dee and looked into her eyes. And in that moment, Dee saw Vicki’s anguish over Mike’s death. She had given up. This was her sacrifice. Her heaven-entering deed. For them to survive. To live on.

  Dee looked in horror as the leading Variants slammed into Vicki, tearing and fighting over her flesh.

  “Dee! Come on!” Boss screamed.

  Scrambling and slipping on the jetty, she covered the last few metres and with a swish of her katana, cut the bowline and jumped in.

  Boss gunned the engine and the boat surged out into the river.

  A lone Variant bolted from the pack. With an awe-inspiring leap, it sailed through the air towards the fleeing survivors.

  Dee pivoted and, with all the anger and frustration that had eaten away at her for the past fifteen days being cooped up in that stinking basement, she let out a screaming war cry, bringing her katana up in a slashing arc.

  The Variant twisted in mid-air in an attempt to avoid the swinging steel, but Dee’s blow cut deep into its torso, nearly severing it in two. With a sickening thud, it landed quivering in a heap on the boat deck.

  Disgusted, Dee kicked it into the river.

  Boss stared at her. “You’re getting good with that.”

  Dee shrugged her shoulders and looked back to the river bank where the other Variants had gathered in a pack, screeching. They were jumping up and down but did not enter the water. She could see more of them on the bridge.

  “Looks like we can only go that way, upriver towards Cambridge,” Dee said pointing to the town south of Hamilton.

  Boss nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

  Dee sat down in the seat next to him as he moved the boat into the current and away from the beasts. Taking a moment to calm herself, she looked around the largish boat and saw that it was kitted out for pleasure cruising. Huh? What people spend their money on. She shook her head.

  Boss looked over at her, a frown creasing his forehead. “You know what, Dee?”

  “What Boss?”

  “You’re not what I was expecting.”

  “Well, as they say, you have to expect the unexpected.”

  “Who’s they?”

  Even amongst all the horror they had witnessed over the past couple of weeks, Dee found herself smiling at Boss, shaking her head in amusement.

  Where are you, Jack?

  — 18 —

  The primal screech echoed through the warm damp air, reverberating off the walls and jolting Jack from his fitful sleep. He snapped his eyes open and looked left and right, heart hammering. Trying to calm himself, he forced his breathing to slow. Listening for the tell-tale popping sounds the creatures made, Jack took note of his surroundings.

  He was in a corridor, its floors and walls made of concrete. Twisting his head as far he could, it seemed to go on forever in both directions. A constant humming buzzed in his ears, like someone had left an engine running. Surrounding him, other people were glued to the walls in the same way he was, behind a white cocoon or some such thing. No one moved, and given the stench of death, some appeared to be long dead. It reminded Jack of a science fiction film he had seen in his youth; the title escaped him. He remembered the victims being used as incubators.

  Is that what I am? An incubator?

  His fevered mind
struggled to grasp what he was seeing. He had no idea how long he’d been down here. His throbbing head and intense hunger told him it was several days, at least.

  Jack could feel the tube of his water bladder resting on his left shoulder. Fleeting memories of the last few days returned, flashing in his mind’s eye.

  Struggling against his bonds; rubbing his wrist raw; water so tantalizingly close. Screeching. Clacking. Cutting. Thud…!

  With all his remaining strength, he pushed his butt against the wall, relieving some of the pressure on his right arm, which was twisted uncomfortably so the back of his hand touched the concrete wall, the membrane holding it fast. This time, he managed to wrench his left arm free. He grabbed the water valve and, twisting it towards his mouth, sucked on the tube, releasing the tepid but wonderful water into his mouth. Jack could feel it as it ran all the way down to his rumbling stomach. Gulping a few mouthfuls, he stopped himself from drinking too much. Making himself sick would attract his captors.

  His mind began to clear. Pushing his left arm back under the membrane, he felt along the waist belt of his hiking pack for the little pouch. Finding it, he unzipped it. Slowly, fearful of alerting the monsters, he removed one of his protein bars. Rabidly he tore off the wrapper. Forgetting about the creatures, he fed his hunger. To survive, he had to eat.

  With his appetite sated and his thirst quenched, Jack took stock of his situation.

  What is it that guy always said? There’s always a way out?

  All right. I’m stuck to a wall. In some horror-filled nightmare. Surrounded by dead or dying people. Creatures from the seventh circle of hell want to eat me.

  Great. Just great.

  Typical.

  Jack tore at the membrane holding his right arm fast against the wall, stopping every few seconds to listen. Hell, but the stuff was tough. Again and again he pulled on it. It was like trying to tear a plastic shopping bag at the handles: it stretched but refused to break. With a final tug, he managed to free his right arm.

  The stench of rotten fruit wafted down the corridor, alerting him to creatures approaching. Clenching all his muscles tight, he rammed his arms back into position and went stiff as a board.