Stella the Zombie Killer

Stella the Zombie Killer Part Seven: Saved by sports stars

Jared had followed Hook outside into the garden. The space was glorious; a square of land surrounded and guarded by the tall, white buildings of the museum and filled with greenery; tall, low, bushy, skinny plants in ordered rows and plots.

Hook laughed at Jared's gobsmacked face. 'It's taken a while but we're pretty much self sufficient now. We grow enough to last us all year round. The solar panels make sure the freezers run like a dream. Hell of a job lugging them out of the nearest Iceland though.'

'How...' Jared couldn't form the words.

'Hard work and swearing mainly,' said Hook anticipating the question. 'But it's all set up now. A couple of hours a day should see it right. Grab a hoe.'

Jared bent to his task obediently, working steadily under Hook's direction.

Jared's permanently bent posture made him seem even smaller than the large-framed Hook. 'You used to play in the Games,' he said. It wasn't a question.

'Yep,' Hook replied. 'Centre back for the Falcons. Loved it.'

'I remember the Falcons. Always the runners up.'

'Yeah, we never quite made that step up. Great guys though. Great guys, great times.' Hook leaned against a spade that was tiny in his hands. 'Were you a fan?'

'My kids,' said Jared. 'I still followed football. Chelsea.' He shrugged.

'I was turned down by Nottingham Forest,' Hook mused. 'I was gutted, thought my life had ended.' He tutted at himself. 'Didn't know what the end looked like then.' He straightened his back and sighed. 'Then the Message came and everything changed. Everything was gonna be fantastic. Nottingham Forest didn't matter anymore and when they came up with the idea for the Cynosure Games I jumped at the chance. Six months of mods,' he flexed his arms and chest, making his muscles ripple with brutal, augmented strength. 'Five years of competing and still not a problem with them.'

'Still got the hook?'

'Yep.' Hook shot out his arm, curling it round an imaginary opponent. 'Hook 'em in, bring 'em down. That was me,' he said proudly.

Movement caught Jared's eye and he jerked his head around.

'Easy, JJ,' said Hook. 'You're safe in here.'

Jared peered at a section separated by a wire mesh fence. 'Chickens?' he said. Two birds pecking at the dirt and more joining them.

Hook nodded. 'They're Stella's job. I can't stand cleaning them out.'

'How many?'

Hook shrugged. 'Couple of dozen. She looks after them well. But then she does everything well.'

Jared nodded. 'She's the Cynosure,' he whispered.

***

The pole was a blur in Stella's hands as she smacked the three deads on their arms and shoulders, sending them tottering around the room, bumping into each other, against furniture, falling and trying to regain their footing. 'C'mon guys, you can dance harder than that. Pick up the pace!' She moved with a grace and speed that would have made live people look clumsy, so the deads were like scarecrows on strings and Stella pulled and pushed them, even risking a shove with her hands. She was glad of her black fingerless gloves but her fingertips pressed hard into their clothing and she could feel the rotten flesh yielding to the bone beneath.