Mayukh saw the pistol tucked into the old man's belt and knew he had a narrow escape. When David saluted the man to introduce himself, Mayukh could see the old soldier's back suddenly straighten as he saluted back. They welcomed him in and introductions were traded as he sat down, taking off the small backpack he had been carrying.
'I'm really glad to see some more survivors.'
Hina gave him a cup of tea that he gratefully accepted and for the next few minutes, they told him how they had got there. It was the first time they had really heard each other's stories, and Mayukh realized just how different each of them was. David, the soldier trying to get home; Hina, the lonely old woman who didn't know how her family was; Swati and Abhi, from an unhappy family but now on their own; and of course himself. All thrown together by the chaos, and now despite their very different backgrounds and stories, bound together. David addressed Purohit.
'Sir, if you don't mind me asking, how did you get away and what happened to you?'
The old man took a long sip of his tea before answering.
'They came for us on the first night. Our kids all lived abroad, so it was Asha and me-reading and watching TV as usual, our routine after forty years of marriage. The monsters got her as they came in. She was a soldier's wife and fought like a tigress, so they….'
He paused as if trying to come to grips with what had happened, and Hina held his left hand for support. He took it gratefully as he continued.
'I was drinking my daily glass of Scotch near the fireplace when the first bastard came for me. I am old but I was a Para and I wanted to make them pay for what they did to Asha so I kicked the bugger down right into the fireplace and then I learnt something that helped me live.'
Just then a voice crackled in his backpack, and he took out a walkie-talkie and spoke into it.
'Bartender here, over.'
'Bartender, Margarita here. Sector two is clear. Am on the way back to HQ.'
'Roger, Margarita. Other cocktails acknowledge and report in before Sunset.'
'Tequila, over and out.'
'Screwdriver, over and out.'
Everyone was looking at him with a mixture of awe and curiosity. David was the first to break the silence.
'Sir, you seem to have some sort of organized operation going on here. Do you mind sharing what you've learnt and what you're doing?'
Purohit laughed.
'Operation! We're just a bunch of old fogeys playing soldier all over again. Me and my cocktails-three old Army buddies who were having a drink in the next building when the shit hit the fan.'
But then his face turned deadly serious.
'We all lost families and loved ones to those monsters. We're old and retired but we were all soldiers once, and when someone messes with our families, we fight back. That's all we're trying to do now.'
'But Sir, these creatures can't be killed. I've shot dozens of them at point blank range and even a head shot just puts them down for a minute. How can we fight back?'
Purohit smiled grimly.
'Son, everything can be killed. We just need to know how. Now, it's almost dark, and I wouldn't recommend your staying here on the main road. Join us for the night and we can talk more.'
The followed Purohit through narrow alleys till they reached a section of old shophouses that could be approached only by a single walkway. They walked up a flight of stairs till they reached a second floor apartment. Inside it were three older men, all wearing belts with a couple of bottles slinging from them and armed with handguns. They nodded at the newcomers as Purohit told them briefly how he had chanced upon them. It was clear that Purohit was the one in charge since the others didn't question his choice of bringing back strangers even once.
Purohit took one look outside the window and said in a whisper.
'The Sun's going down. Get ready.'
The men, all at least seventy years old, moved with the precision of a military unit. Lamps were snuffed out till a single kerosene lamp was left burning on the floor. Two of them went downstairs to stand vigil while the third moved to another room. Purohit asked everyone to sit down and make themselves comfortable.
'I'm afraid I can't offer much hospitality. We found this two room affair a day ago-small but very defensible. Also, I'm afraid we may not have much to make the little one comfortable, but you'll be safe here.'
Abhi was nestled between Mayukh and Swati, and Mayukh realized just how much the boy had adapted, much like the others. After their escape from the bookstore, there had been no diapers or milk, but as if sensing the situation they were in, he had not complained once, and when he had needed to go to the bathroom, had told Swati, who had muttered.
'So, all we needed to do to toilet train this brat was to bring about the end of the world as we know it!'
'Why does uncle carry bottles? Are you very thirsty?'
Purohit laughed at Abhi's innocent question.
'Yes, son, I do like to drink. And I like to mix drinks, which is why my old friends call me the Bartender.'
His curiosity satisfied, Abhi proceeded to walk through the small apartment, and emitted a squeal of delight when he found a small book in a corner. He ran back to Mayukh, his eyes gleaming.
'I got Bob!'
Mayukh looked towards Swati for help. She smiled indulgently at Abhi.
'Since he's adopted you as a guardian, you should really brush up on kid's movies and books. That's from Bob the Builder, a cartoon on the Disney Channel.'
Mayukh had never seen the show but played along with Abhi, reading the book with Abhi till the boy tired and went to sleep on Hina's lap. Hina whispered to everyone.
'It's amazing what one kid can do. With him around, it doesn't feel like we're living from one day to another.'
Finally Mayukh asked Purohit as to how he thought the creatures could be killed. Purohit unslung a bottle from his belt.
'The word is Biters.'
'What?'
'That's what they are being called by everyone.'
David interrupted Purohit.
'Everyone? You mean there are others like us out there?'
Purohit looked at David and smiled, as if sharing a big secret.
'There are hundreds in this neighbourhood alone. People just hunkering down and hiding, too scared to come out at night or day. And then there are those taking advantage of it all-gangs raping and looting at will. What those damn Biters won't do, we'll do ourselves to finish it all off.'
Hina lay Abhi down on a pillow and came over.
'So there is hope that sometime this will go away.'
'I wouldn't go that far. As you've seen yourself, the Biters are learning and evolving as well. They don't yet act with any cohesion, but the moment they do, there will be a whole new nightmare.'
Mayukh felt a hand slide into his in the darkness and looked to see Swati next to him. He pressed her hand back, and held it as Purohit continued.
'I'm called the Bartender because I found out that one way to kill the Biters is through fire. That's why me and my friends have these Molotov Cocktails with us at all times.'
A voice called out through his walkie-talkie.
'Margarita here. The Biters are coming!'
***
Hina moved Abhi to the second room, which was away from the street, and David took up position at the window, saying that with his night vision optics, he'd be in a better position to spot any intruders. Mayukh was about to go the stairwell when Purohit called out to him.
