“No” I walked closer, foolishly thinking that by getting nearer I might have worked out what they were so excited about.
“we can control it from here. We can use the camera booms to get up high then use the remote car to draw the zombies away and into that pit Mick was talking about.” Lewis piped up.
Andrew was nodding along like one of those dogs you used to see in car windows.
Now I saw what they were getting at, I realised how great this find was, and then I had an idea.
“This is great, make your way around to the back gate, I’ll meet you there in a few.” I ran back out the way I had come and towards the food van.
Jimmying the lock on the back of the trailer that was attached to the van I gagged at the rancid odour of rotten meat. No generator for this then. Holding my nose, I took deep breaths in through my mouth.
I didn’t have to hold it for long as the item I was after was lined neatly by the door. There were six of them. I pulled out one and found out exactly how heavy they were. But that was good as it meant that they were full. A lot of huffing and puffing later, I had manged to get three of them off the trailer and had wedged the door closed.
The whir of the golf cart had me thanking the heavens for small things. John and Mick came slowly towards me, both with grim faces.
“What you up to George?” John asked pulling to a stop just in front of me.
“Yes son, I think you’re on to something there” Mick grinned at me. I couldn’t help but grin back. I hurriedly ran through my plan as I put the gas canisters in the back where the clubs would normally be.
John seemed to like it, Mick remained quiet. I hopped on the back to hold the canisters whilst john drove us to meet Lewis and Andrew.
“The car works great” Andrew called out.
“Ah this beauty, I’d forgotten she was here.” Mick said shakily getting out of the cart and hobbling over to the car. He tried to open the door but didn’t seem to have the strength. I trotted up behind him and opened it for him.
“Thanks” he mumbled and got into the driver’s seat.
“Guys” I gestured with my hands that they join me at the back of the car.
They did, Will and Adam jogging up just as I’d started to speak.
“Ok here’s my plan. Andrew gets up on the camera boom over on the left wall there.” I pointed roughly to where he could stand. “ Then he controls the car leading the zombies away. When he’s far enough away he can crash and boom” I pointed to the gas bottles.
The group started to nod.
“But there’s no guarantee that the canisters will blow? Or to how far the remote will work in the car.” Will, found two major flaws in our plan. Even Andrew looked dejected.
“No, it’s a good plan” Mick piped up still in the Porsche. “But instead of remote I’ll be driving it” he grinned madly and I think that he was looking forward to going out with a bang; no pun intended.
“But Mick-“ John started, I could hear the pain in his voice.
“But Mick nothing, you know I’m a goner anyway. I’m just an old man living on borrowed time. If I can help you guys and those lil ones back at the house then I will.” Mick had a no nonsense look on his face and his tone warned not to argue.
John opened his mouth as if to argue but closed it again when Mick slammed the door to the Porsche closed. Damn for a man with no strength he sure did slam the door hard.
He held out his hand to Lewis who now held the remote. He looked to John who just looked to the floor. Mick cleared his throat loudly and Lewis quickly handed him the keys, looking like a guilty school boy.
“Mick, thank you” I tried to sound as sincere as I could. There was nothing more to say. Words could not have expressed how grateful I was to this man. He had only known our group for less than a day but was willing to give up his life for us, when he could have been living out his last days in the luxury of his home.
He just nodded grimly and saluted us. John stumbled to the car, unable to see properly in his grief. He hugged Mick tightly and whispered his goodbyes.
“It’s clear” Will called, he was checking through the back gate to make sure that out there wasn’t zombie infested also.
“It’s time” Mick called out, a slight tremor in his voice giving away the fact that he was a little scared. But then again when driving to certain death, what man wouldn’t be a scared.
He started the engine with a roar, Lewis, Adam and Will gave him a little nod as they quickly pulled open the gate. John and I got our guns at the ready just as a cover in case there were any stray zombies about.
Mick didn’t waste any time. He put his foot down and the engine roared, speeding out of the compound.
“Woohoo” we could hear Micks excited scream. He really did love the car.
Will, Adam and Lewis pulled the heavy gate closed again as quickly as they could, I kept my gun pointed at them just in case and John ran to the golf cart and was gone before we could stop him.
My eyes met Lewis’ panicked look.
“Go” I told him, and he was gone at
