Read Online Thrust & Parry: Z Day by Luke Ashton - Free Book Online Page B

police stations glass doors but he could deal with that one later. It turned momentarily to watch them pass before snapping back to the glass. Jim checked behind him to make sure the others were following him and sped up a little. At the end of the street he turned left into Tesco car park. It was empty. He parked the car in one of the spaces and killed the engine. He jumped out just at Paula pulled up next to him.
    He motioned for her to wind her window down. “Park it boot-first into the front of the shop so we can load it easier.” She did as he said and they all jumped out. He walked up to the doors and they slid open. Someone had been here. He took a quick look around and turned to the others.
    “Stay here until I call ‘CLEAR!’ If I’m not back in 5 minutes you guys carry on without me. Ok?” They both nodded. Jim turned and took a deep breath. He stepped past the doors and looked left. Nothing. He turned and looked right. Something caught his eye. There was a hand poking out from the end isle. It wasn’t moving. Jim hoped it was either a dead body or a dead zombie. He moved towards it slowly, glancing down each isle as he went.
    He was 3 isle away when he heard it. A small shuffling sound. Over to his left. He stopped. The shuffling was getting quieter. It sounded like several old ladies racing for the last pack of sausages. Jim prayed that was it. He started to move forward again with slow, deliberate steps. He glanced down the next isle and saw it. 3 people with their backs to him. Their movements suggested they were undead and the severed foot, still in its trainer, being clutched limply by the right hand one confirmed it. As he watched, the zombie raised the foot and took a chunk out of it. There was a squelching sound as the zombie chewed on the raw flesh. Jim raised his weapon. He placed his left foot slightly forward, leaning forward into the rifle. He aimed at the zombie on the left hand side, aiming straight for his skull Jim slowly squeezed the trigger. He didn’t need to control his breathing at this range. The rifle kicked and the left side of the zombies head exploded and it dropped. The other two span round and fixed their white, blank stare on Jim. He fired again and the middle zombie dropped. The 3 rd one dropped the foot and came hurtling towards him. Jim squeezed the trigger and heard a small click.
    “Shit!” He tilted the rifle and looked at the working parts. They were half way back with a round jammed in the gap. “Stoppage!” Shouted Jim, more out of instinct than anything. He dropped the rifle to his side and pulled out the baton and flicked it out. He stepped to the right as the zombie lunged at him and brought the baton down on the back of its head. There was a painful whipping sound as the baton made contact but there was no real damage. The baton was useless, made to cause pain rather than do permanent damage. He turned and ran for the door.
    “Dan standby mate! Got one for you here!” He reached the door and Dan was stood there, bat in hand, shaking. He ran straight past Dan before stopping. He turned just in time to watch Dan sink his bat into the zombies face.
    “Fucking hell mate, I fucking did it!” Exclaimed Dan.
    “I fucking crushed that bastard. He’ll be smelling roses from the inside now!” Dan was pleased with himself. He never knew he had it in him. Walking off to the car with a certain swagger that Jim knew all too well.
    “Ha ha mate. Nicely done. I’m proud of you. Keep it up yeah?” Things started looking up. He finally had someone who could help him take out these bastards instead of standing in the background leaving all the heavy stuff up to him.
    Jim’s thoughts were interrupted by Dan coughing and spluttering. That flu really did sound bad.
    “Dan, stay in the car, me and Paula will go inside and get what we need, take it easy for now bud. We’ll get you some halls yeah?” Jim chuckled.
    Paula got out of the car looking clearly shaken. She