Once bitten, Die twice

Once bitten, Die twice #7

"Stay alert lads; let's not get our names on the list of deceased for today. We don't want what happened to Parsons to happen to us, do we?"

With the news of Campos's death and the other two still missing the atmosphere in the car was sombre. Sat in the back even Bannister's normally incorrigible manner had been quietened. Beside him sat the dark, hulking mass of Lance Corporal Dean Millington, a black, man-mountain from the army security regiment and a reassuringly solid soldier to keep handy. Driving them away from safety was his most senior sergeant, a Scot named Garrick Straddling. He had served for more than twenty years in the army and was one of the most experienced men on the station. He was fairly short and stout with a large chest and belly and thick arms. His gruff, cynical attitude to life in general reflected perfectly his physical appearance and he seemed to have an idiom of doom for every occasion. He had an enormous auburn moustache and was balding on top with a wispy comb-over at the front. Although Lewis found him stubborn and uncooperative at times, he was definitely someone to take along on just such an excursion.

"Where to boss?" Sergeant Straddling asked.

Lewis had a map with the locations marked on it by Abbott. As Sinna had not arrived at Campos's house by the time Abbott had left, it seemed reasonable to start at the supermarket.

The onset of nightfall shielded their eyes from the worst of the scenes of pandemonium that now littered the roads; scenes that these four soldiers were all-too familiar with and were grateful not to be reminded of yet again. Occasional creatures scurried out of their way as Straddling whisked them wordlessly through the streets to their destination, hands gripping the wheel tightly as he scanned their path.

They arrived at the store and Straddling warily brought the Land Rover to a halt. No one spoke. Lewis peered out trying to see any movement or sign of their comrades.

"Odd," Straddling said.

"Huh?" Lewis turned to see what had caught his attention.

Straddling pointed. Near the entrance to the store was the Land Rover. "They never left."

"So they're here somewhere," Bannister said as he leaned forwards from the rear. "Let's go get 'em I say, and then get the hell outta Dodge. Being away from home gives me the willies."

"Okay, okay. Just go easy," Lewis frowned with a growing feeling of concern. "There's something not right about this. Why is their car still here? Why haven't they left yet? They should have been back at Headley Court a long time ago." He spoke into his radio. "Sergeant Sinna? Private Rohith?" but there was no answer. He turned to his sergeant, "Before we get ourselves into any trouble, do the honours please."

Straddling honked the Land Rover's horn a few times, destroying the evening hush and making them all uneasy. Attracting such attention when away from the security of the station was never a wise idea but in this case Lewis considered it inevitable. Only silence answered them back.

"I guess there's nothing for it then," Lewis said.

Tentatively they all got out of the vehicle, brandishing their SA80 rifles before them.

"Straddling, bring up the rear and keep checking your six," Lewis whispered. "Let's keep it as quiet as possible,"

"But he's only just been blasting out the Landy's horn," Bannister muttered to Millington, earning him a scowl from Straddling.

They examined the other Land Rover but it gave no clues. The rear had been half-loaded with supplies and all seemed completely normal. Lewis motioned towards the entrance of the supermarket and the four shuffled forwards with Straddling casting nervous glances over his shoulder.

By now night engulfed them and with no lighting the store was in total darkness. They crept along with torches probing back and forth. There was a putrid smell of decaying food mingling with the stale funk from the dirt of animals. The aisles were littered with goods that had been knocked off shelves. Some had split spilling their guts, making every step crunch painfully. At the end of the first aisle Lewis raised a hand to bring them to a halt. They clustered together, breathing rapidly but as quietly as possible.