Five more zombies came charging out of the fog. They crashed into us but we held. Violent blows were exchanged with them. Limbs were flying in all directions. Over the next few minutes of intense action, we prevailed. The corpses lying at our feet were a testament to another victory. To which Henry collapsed to his knees in sheer exhaustion. I almost followed.

“We can’t keep this up.” I got out through panting for air. Sweat poured out across my body. All my joints are aching in pain and my arms are burning. The cold air is helping a bit.

“I know.” Came a gasping reply. He was in really bad shape.

I brought my breathing under control as fast as I was able. But this was becoming longer and longer each time. Henry did the same and stood up again but very slowly. Groaning all the way. We could not, no will not last much longer.

“This is strange.” I thought out loud reflecting on what was happening.

“What is?” Henry asked wondering what I was thinking.

“Think about it. These attacks are waves. They are coming roughly at the same time apart and the number of zombies. It’s like something is controlling them. Seeking to wear us down with these attacks.”

Henry’s face grew concerned with this as it made sense. It was beginning to sink in that was the real scary thing. What was out there? It began to weigh on both of our minds.

We began to walk following the main group. We were passing the service station now. A threat that could organise others was a nightmare come true for us.

We were travelling slowly. Slowly the light was now nearly gone. It was a murky and fog-bound twilight. We had to light chemical glow sticks to help us see. We attached them to our armour to light the area. We stood out now. Yea we stood out big time. Like we were at the worst rave in the history of the world.

The fog was hinting of more trouble coming. Flickers and hints of movement gain could be seen.

“We are going to be attacked again.” I looked into the fog tracking the movement.

“I think so too.” Henry answered. No longer even trying to hide his weariness.

“Can you keep going?” I needed to know.

“Not much longer.” Was his honest reply.

From behind us a member of the support team came up acting as a messenger.

“Report from the front. They are moving forward after taking out another group of zombies. They have reached the hospital. The main group will be there in a few minutes.” He told us.

That’s good for us as the gap was greater than I thought. The group was making good time in this situation. I don’t what to jinx us by saying it out loud.

“Thanks for that. We need you to stand with us as we are going to be attacked again.” I told the unlucky soldier. He nodded glumly as he joined us in a rough line. We braced for what was coming to come out of the fog.

It did not take long. Six zombies swarmed out of the fog. Fighting erupted again. Violence disturbed the calm of the fog-bound zone. Blows were exchanged and cries of rage and pain came from us. The zombies hissed and moaned.

Rage surged through me. Powering my blows and reducing the effects of the day. Not to the same extent as even the adrenaline was losing its effect. My survival instincts were in full effect. It screamed attack! Attack or die! I could feel myself being lost in it.

Calm returned suddenly as the last zombie fell. This threw me off for a moment. Again, we had won but at a cost this time. The soldier that stood with us was dead his throat ripped out. Henry was holding his arm injured and swaying from exhaustion. I was uninjured but no better. Covered in gore and probably stunk to high heaven.

I checked the soldier’s body for life signs. I knew that I could not help him from the wound and searched his body for anything useful. Many would call it cold which it was but ultimately practical. Apart from a few more glow sticks, he did not have anything useful on him.

I returned to Henry. His face was pale and was clearly in pain. He had taken off his shield and was favouring that arm.

“How bad?” I had to ask.

“I think fractured.” We had all received first aid training focused on the diagnosis of battlefield injuries. I trusted his analysis of his injury.

“You need to fall back.” He was about to say something. “To warn the others.” I cut him off before he could argue.

We stood there. He looked around. He stopped suddenly and gasped. I quickly turned to see what had shocked him.

Out in the fog, a pair of red glows were looking at us. I realised that from the position that they were eyes. A pair of eyes were glowing at us. I could also just make out a humanoid form in the fog.

Frozen to the spot like a deer in headlights. I could not move hell I did not even consider moving. I was just stuck. But I could speak.

“Fuck me.” I said out loud. The spell seemed to lift.

“I hear you.” Henry agreed.

At this, the eyes disappeared along with the vague form. It was then I realised that the eyes had been affecting me with some effect. I had been not able to move when those eyes focused on me. I shook myself to bring my mind back to focus.

I turned to Henry and he was disturbed like me at the new threat. I did not know what to say. I looked back into the fog.

“You need to heed the main group. You need to warn them.” I tell Henry.

“I know.” He replied bitterly. He was afraid of what was out there and for me. He knew I would have to likely face it alone. We were trained to be practical. That is what had kept us both alive over the last few years.

“Here take these.” I give him the items I had recovered from the dead soldier. He winced but was able put them away.

“You need to get them moving faster. I don’t know what is out there but I will hold them off as long as I can.” My voice was flat as we both knew the odds were against me.

He was thoughtful for a few seconds and then spoke.

“Good luck. I will see you under the other side.” He said to me with pain both physical and emotionally clear.

He turned and headed into the fog following the main group. I watched him until he disappeared. He never looked back. I did not expect him to.

I decided to wait where I was for the time. I was just past the cemetery and service station. The group should be arriving at the hospital. If they can get through past the hospital then they should be alright. I hope.

I slowly begin moving down the road. My focus is mostly on the route we had come from. I have to stay aware of other avenues of attack. I did not know what was following but it seemed to be controlling the other undead.

There were always rumours of a type 4 threat but as far as I had been told none had been encountered. Or they had and there were no survivors. Both are not good.

I cannot panic here. My training and experience had taught me to break problems down so here goes.

We are in a zone that is not following the normal “rules”.

I am the last rear guard of a large group of civilians and UKZC personnel.

There is a large concentration of hostiles ahead in the hospital.

Finally, there is an unknown threat and more hostiles behind.

This was not taking into account the condition of my equipment and my body at this time.

The only answer I could reach. I am screwed. Royally.

It’s strange how calm I am. I know that there is something out there that will likely kill me. Fear of this unknown threat should be present. I do not like situations that present a lot of unknown factors. Ironic I know considering my present occupation but what can I do.

Anger at being toyed with could also be a natural reaction because I am. The waves of attackers could have been sent all at once and overwhelmed us but they were not. This should have me enraged as I hate being mocked or toyed with. But no. I am calm.

I move with purpose and focus. Not rushing or panicking. Strange. Have I accepted the fact that I am not getting out of this alive?

I ask this of myself because I am not. Too much is happening that cannot be “explained” under what I know of zones. The odds were not even close to my being in my favour.

My movement becomes more sluggish as exhaustion takes hold. Everything is getting heavier. My shoulders have got to be slumping.

I am facing down the road towards the main group and the way out. The way back to sunlight and home.

How are we getting out of this? What can I do?

Why bother. Yes, I am defending those behind but I am going to die. Killed by whatever is out there or the undead waves attacking. Then they will be overrun from behind or they will be swamped from the hospital. So why bother. I am in an unwinnable situation. No way out.

We are all going to die here.

…….

…….

I am not going to die here!

The thought comes forcibly from within me. My anger returns to my chest.

I am NOT going to die here!

I focus on this driving back the clouds of depression that were creeping into my mind. The last negative thoughts are driven back. My mind is clearer.

I WILL defend those behind me.

I WILL save as many as I can.

I turn to see those red eyes again in the fog. They are looking straight at me. I feel they are the source of the sudden surge in the negative effects of the zone. My anger burns hot at this revelation.

This thing is fucking with me now.

“You’re not breaking me FUCKER!” I yell at it in defiance.

The eyes stay for a few seconds longer than vanish. The extra mental weight suddenly leaves as well. I breathe in the deep. The cold damp air fills my lungs and helps clear my head.

I stand there looking towards where the eyes were. I am getting seriously concerned with what’s out there. If it gets past me, it will rip through the group I am protecting.

I need to get my head in the game too much is messing with me. I will need to change tactics if I can. Continuing to play by whatever is out there are rules I am going to die. Then the others.

I am close to the hospital and I cannot use that location. I will be likely swamped by the undead. I will have to use what’s around me. Looking around I remember that this area is homes and fields. Nowhere to dig in a make a stand. No buildings I can use to funnel numbers to my advantage.

The last two times I have been in a bad spot my backside had been saved. This was not going to happen here. I had no support teams to swoop in and save the day. I was the last line here no one else.

The thought was chilling.

In stories and movies, the “Hero” is resolute and firm in the face of danger. Not tired, afraid and questioning all his life choices that led to this moment. Like I am.

Two facts stop me from just running. First, there is again no one else here. Second, I could not live with what would happen to those we are trying to get out.