Dead & Alive (Book 2): Sacrifice Read online

  DEAD & ALIVE

  SACRIFICE

  BY

  I.J. SMITH

  Book two

  COPYRIGHT

  All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

  All work is Copyright © I.J. Smith January 2016

  I.J. Smith has asserted his moral rights

  Cover illustrations by I.J. Smith, Copyright © January 2016

  Dead & Alive: Sacrifice, names, characters and all related work is Copyright of I.J. Smith

  DEDICATION

  This dedication is a special one.

  I am dedicating this book to my brilliant Beta team.

  Alina Maria Ionescu, a brilliant friend and great designer, look her up below.

  https://www.facebook.com/Alina-Ionescu-Design-151037921608982/

  Becky Norron-Heath, a lady who is full of love for us,

  Indie Authors and holds a special place in my heart.

  Karen Dziegiel, a lady with a passion to help us Authors.

  Pamela Turner Seabolt, a brilliant lady and my supporter from the beginning.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  DEAD & ALIVE:

  COPYRIGHT

  DEDICATION

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  PROLOGUE

  Corporal Frank Adams took his team on a secret mission into the abandoned and quarantined Great Britain.

  Under the guise of looking for a lone survivor of an outbreak, that has killed most of the population.

  They are sent to find a Doctor Grant, who they believe has a cure, which could allow the surviving British people to one day, return home.

  While Frank is in command, he relies heavily on Jack, who with a secret past has the skill to survive this mission.

  However, when they arrive it, they soon discover they have been lied to.

  At the cost of most of the team, they discover Zombies and a secret that could get them all killed.

  They also discover survivors who have become more evil than any living corpse.

  After saving the innocent, they made their way towards a terrible truth and leads them to a life changing decision.

  Saving the innocent, Jack, Frank, Elle, Bray, Zoe and Ryan stay behind with three male survivors in a world where sacrifices must be made.

  Their journey continues….

  CHAPTER ONE

  KEEP FIGHTING

  Only a short time had passed since the helicopter left, Jack, Frank, Elle, Bray and Zoe had remained behind to allow others to escape to safety. As they made their way down the stairs Elle looked back to see the survivor a shaggy haired and bearded Ryan almost in tears at being forced to stay behind. She looked at the three other survivors who also had to stay behind, Mark, David and Chris neither one of them had complained about having to stay. They knew that getting the children out was the most important thing to do.

  Suddenly, Elle stopped, looking down to see the dead coming up towards them. Nobody said anything, they all knew the damage done to the fire exit door while they were gaining entry to the building had finally given way and allowed the dead inside.

  Within seconds’ blood sprayed through the air, as a machete cut through the flesh and bone of a Zombies neck, slicing its head straight off, Jack kicked the dead corpse back into the swarm of zombies marching against him. “Come on you Dead fucker’s!” he screamed out.

  A gunshot echoed out, Frank and Bray stood with Jack trying to push the swarm of zombies back to allow the others to get past and take the last set of stairs down to the rooms under the building; it was their best chance of finding a way out. Elle and Zoe stood on the steps above shooting the zombies, blood and flesh sprayed everywhere, bodies lay all over the floor, zombies moving forward fell over the corpses but carried on crawling their way towards the living.

  “Everyone, get moving, now!” Frank shouted to the others while smashing a claw hammer into the skull of the nearest corpse.

  Ryan was the first to speed past; he gave no concern to the people behind him, he just wanted to get himself to safety. Chris followed close behind, as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he tripped over, he fell to the ground, hitting his head on the ground gashing his forehead open, blood poured down his face blurring his vision, he lifted his head wiping the blood from his eyes he came face to face with a fallen zombie. Before he could react, the zombies sunk its teeth into Chris’s face, tearing a big chunk of flesh from his face. Blood gushed out as his head hit the ground again, his eyeball dropped from the eye socket while still attached, the zombie took another bite into Chris’s head.

  Mark and David looked at their dead comrade who lay on the ground as zombies happily eat away; David was quick to join Ryan, who was already at the bottom. Mark glanced at Jack and the others fighting to protect them, Mark shook his head not able to run away to safety knowing these people were risking their own lives to save his. Looking on the ground, he noticed a small metal pipe, picking it up, he screamed and rushed to join the others fighting.

  Mark showed no fear and began beating the zombies in front of him; Jack looked and smiled as a tall Mark beat the dead with the metal bar. Blood and brain matter sprayed everywhere.

  Jack shouted to Frank, “Get the others down there!” He told him.

  A shocked looking Frank replied, “I’m not leaving you.”

  Jack backed up from the zombies and grabbed Frank, “This is not a debate, you are now in command act like it,” Jack told him bluntly before launching himself back towards the dead.

  Frank stood for a second when Bray also shouted at him, “FUCKING MOVE!” Frank quickly moved taking Elle and Zoe with him down the stairs, leaving Jack and Bray to fight.

  Ryan and David were attempting to force open a large metal door, Frank with Elle and Zoe joined them. “What the hell are you doing?” Frank asked them both.

  Ryan looked at Frank in a panic, the fear in his eyes made Frank uncomfortable, he watched as the two continued to try to force the door open.

  “It’s a security door, you’re not going to open it like that!” Frank shouted to them.

  Moving the bare wall beside the door, Frank started to smash at the wall with a hammer, part of the wall was made up of plasterboard, the hammer smashed straight through it. Frank pulled the debris from the wall to reveal a metal handle; he started to pull the handle. A pumping noise echoed, and the door began to open. Ryan and David quickly gripped the gap in the door, pulling it open.

  Elle and Zoe looked out waiting for Jack and Bray to join them, “We have to go back,” Elle, stated.

  Zoe gave an anxious smile, “Let’s go,” she quickly agreed.

  The women began to move when a body fell over the banister of the stairs, they watched as Bray leaped from the stairs landing the zombie’s head.

  Jack quickly followed him; he was soaked in blood and was still swinging his machete as the zombies piled down the stairs.

  “This way!” Frank shouted.

  Ryan and David rushed into the dark room; Frank followed them, as he was being very cautious, he looked at the wall and started smashing it again to reveal another handle.

  Elle, Zoe and Bray rushed into the room, “CLOSE IT!” Jack shouted out as he continued to hold back the swarm of dead.

  With his back to the open door, Jack started to enter as Frank moved the handle. Jack now inside the room watched as the door was about to close when a decomposing head covered in rotting flesh and missing an eye stopped the door closing. Its head blocked the door from closing, Jack sliced his machete down, taking its head clean off, as the door shit Jack kicked
the severed head into the ground, bone and brains splattered all over the floor.

  A scared looking group stared at Jack, waiting for him to give orders and tell them what to do next, waiting for his words to reassure the, he simply stood there exhausted.

  Suddenly lights beamed out brightly; looking up to, the walls Jack could see gray metal boxes with two round lights on top of each box.

  “Emergency lighting,” Jack spoke out in a weary voice.

  Ryan looked confused, “I didn’t think there was any power,” he observed.

  Jack glanced at him with a look of anger, Frank noticed this and answered Ryan’s question, “They run off batteries,” he said while being concerned about Jack.

  Leaning against the wall with his back to everyone, Jack was struggling to catch his breath. Frank walked over to him, “Jack, are you OK?” he asked, concerned for him.

  Looking at Frank, Jack smiled, “I’m all good,” he replied, reassuring Frank by a friendly punch to his arm.

  Not convinced Frank spoke to him quietly, “You are exhausted.”

  “We all are, it’s been a long day,” Jack joked.

  Frank knew Jack was taking everything on his shoulders; he was feeling racked with guilt, knowing he should be the one to be taking the pressure. At that moment something changed in him, he knew he needed to start to be the leader Jack knew he could be.

  “OK, this place is secure. It looks like a security room, so look around and see what we can use and then I want everyone to get some rest, and that’s an order,” Frank told everyone with a strict voice.

  Jack smiled, being so proud of him, he whispered to him, “Well done, Sir,” his respect for Frank was growing.

  Everyone began searching the room, Elle and Ryan searched a security locker, the door lock was hanging off, Elle looked noticing the lock had been broken off. She opened the door, there was very little inside, empty bullet packets, and a few loose bullets scattered the shelves. She took the bullets and noticed small canisters at the back of the locker. She took out the four canisters’ and handed them to Ryan, “Give them to Jack,” she told him.

  Ryan walked over and handed the broad shouldered Jack the canisters’, “Not sure what these are,” he told him.

  “Ryan, you were in the Army right?” Jack asked.

  Ryan struggled to know how to answer that question so simply replied, “Yeah.”

  Jack held the canisters’ up, “You really don’t know what these are for, do you,” he stated.

  Ryan shook his head, “No,” he uttered.

  Jack looked at Ryan and noticed something he never did before, he could see the fear in his eyes, but now he could also see the shame too.

  Holding a canister up Jack spoke to Ryan, “Flash Bangs, they are used for distraction mainly, these will be useful.” Jack stepped closer to Ryan, “If you need to talk, I am happy to listen. I know we have been hard on you, but if you need help just ask,” Jack finished.

  “Royal Engineers,” Ryan uttered in reply.

  Jack looked at him, realizing this is the first thing he really knew about him. “So you’re an engineer, I knew a few in my early years, you guys can build and fix anything,” he told him trying to make amends for hitting him earlier.

  Ryan gave a small, scared smile, but quickly turned back to rejoin Elle, Jack spoke out, “You’re scared.”

  Ryan turned round, “Yeah, I am, I’m scared all the time and I am ashamed of myself,” he struggled to reply.

  Jack moved closer to him and spoke quietly, “You don’t think I’m scared.”

  Ryan gave out a laugh, “No, you’re a hero.”

  “I will let you in on a secret, I am petrified,” he looked into Ryan’s eyes, “Fear is a weapon, use it and it keeps you alive. When we are out of this damn city I will show you, until then just do your best,” Jack replied.

  Ryan gave a smile, “Really?” he asked.

  Jack nodded his head, “I promise,” he replied in a happy voice and a half smile on his face.

  Ryan’s face lit up, he gave a big smile as he turned away to rejoin Elle.

  Bray looked through some empty cases, Mark and David helped him. Bray took notice of the two survivors, David was all scruffy dried blood stained on his face, his long facial hair covering most of his face. Mark looked different, almost civilized, clean cut with only a small amount of stubble, this concerned Bray.

  “So how long were you both held captive?” Bray asked, wanting answers to his concerns.

  David spoke out first, “I am not sure, weeks, months, I guess I lost track,” he said in a low voice.

  Bray looked to Mark, “Only a few days, I was with another group. We travelled to London in hope of finding help and instead we found Death. I have no idea what happened to the others I travelled with,” Mark spoke with emotion in his voice.

  “I’m sorry for everything you have been through,” Bray simply said, feeling bad for questioning them.

  Still wanting answers Bray asked one more question, “Do you know why the kids were in the crates? It is something that I cannot make sense of,” he asked.

  Both men shook their heads, “We didn’t even know the kids were kept in the same place as us,” Mark replied.

  Bray shot a look at them both, “Same place? Do you mean there is another place?” Bray asked.

  “Yes, I was moved only two days ago,” Mark, told him.

  Frank interrupted them, “Found anything?” he asked.

  “No,” Bray simply answered, looking lost in thought.

  Zoe’s hands stained red with blood, which matched her red hair, but made her pale complexion stand out even more. She opened up another black case, “Bingo,” she spoke out.

  Everyone looked as she pulled out bottles of water, silver packets, a few handguns, two rifles and a radio. Jack joined her, he held the silver packets, “Oh great ration packs,” he laughed.

  Frank picked up the radio, “Do you think this works?” he asked.

  Jack gave him a look of anger, “Does it matter,” he uttered.

  Frank looked back realizing even if it did, they could not use it, he simply pushed the radio into his backpack out of sight of everyone.

  “OK, hand the water and food out and then everyone needs to get some rest,” Frank told everyone.

  Ryan spoke out, “How exactly are we going to get out of here?” he asked, looking to the door they came through and the banging and groaning of the dead trying to get in.

  Jack smiled, “You’re standing on it,” he told him.

  Ryan looked down and realized he was standing on a metal door. Jack stood up and walked over to him, “This is a security room and in case of an emergency there is an exit underneath. Below us there will be a tunnel that leads to another door and into a sewer,” Jack told everyone.

  “How the hell do you know that?” Zoe asked him.

  “With all the terrorist activity in recent years, near all military buildings had escape routes installed in secret, I was lucky enough to see a few of them installed,” he replied to her and a group looking at him worried.

  Bray joined him, “You just happen to know this well-kept secret,” Bray laughed, “I am happy you’re on our side,” he continued.

  “Get some rest,” Jack laughed, looking at Bray’s long girly hair and what passed as a mustache on his chubby face.

  The banging against the steel door had eased; the group had been resting for a few hours. Jack sat with his back against the wall; he was unable to rest as he had far too much running through his mind to sleep. Everyone else had all gone to sleep; Jack just sat and stared at the ceiling when Bray approached him.

  “Do you mind,” Bray asked, indicating if he could sit next to him.

  Jack simply waved his hand at the floor to let him know he could.

  “Can’t sleep,” Bray asked him quietly, making sure not to make much noise.

  Jack screwed up his nose and smiled, “Hard to sleep knowing the dead are walking around out there all wanting
to eat me,” he joked.

  Bray giggled, “Yeah, trying to not really think about it,” he replied.

  “How do you do it Jack? How do you keep going knowing we don’t stand a chance?” Bray asked.

  Glancing at Bray, Jack replied, “There is always a chance, no matter how small.”

  Bray looked down at the floor, he took a deep breath, and Jack knew exactly what Bray needed to talk to him about.

  Jack decided to say it first, “So why did you never tell me about your family?” he asked directly.

  Struggling to speak, he finally spoke, “I always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one,” he said. Bray took a deep breath and pulled a faded photo from his pocket and handed it to Jack, looking at the picture he looked at a blonde woman and a young girl with glasses.

  It made Jack feel emotional, “They never made it out, did they” he spoke.

  Bray held back the tears, “It was so chaotic, and they never stood a chance of making it out, so I told them to stay where they were. We lived in a small town and I believed they would be safe,” he finished speaking, the emotion too much for him.

  Bray wiped his eyes of the tears filling his eyes, “I just need answers, I need to know what happened to them,” Bray struggled to say.

  Jack could still hear the voice of Doctor Grant telling him how this virus began. It weighed on him and he wanted to tell everyone the truth, but he knew telling the truth now in their current situation would be a disaster.

  “I made you a promise Bray, and I plan on keeping it. The moment we are out of London and got the others to a safe place, you and I are going to look for your family and we are going to find your answers,” Jack told him while holding his hand out in offer to seal his promise.

  Bray gave a smile and grabbed Jack’s hand, “You promise,” he asked.

  “Not as a soldier, but as a friend,” Jack reassured him.

  Frank came into view with his skinny frame and graying hair, “Can I have a minute with Jack?” he asked.