The Police Station
808 Words
Chapter 5 — The Police Station
The street ahead was blocked.
Five zombies shuffled slowly toward the group, their grey faces twisted with hunger.
Marcus tightened his grip on the crowbar.
“We push through,” he said quietly.
Jonah stepped forward with the shotgun.
Boom.
The first zombie dropped instantly.
The others turned toward the sound.
Jade rushed forward before they could react. Her knife flashed twice, and two more zombies fell.
Tyler swung his bat hard.
The last zombie collapsed to the pavement.
For a moment the street was quiet again.
Luis exhaled loudly.
“I miss normal problems,” he said.
“Like paying rent?”
Luis nodded.
“Yes. Rent sounds wonderful right now.”
Marcus looked down the road.
The police station stood a few blocks away. Its tall brick walls and iron gates made it look stronger than the surrounding buildings.
“That’s our destination,” Marcus said.
Samuel nodded slowly.
“If the doors are intact, it could be a safe place.”
Daniel looked uncertain.
“Police stations were probably one of the first places people ran to when this started.”
“That means supplies,” Tyler said.
“Or zombies,” Aisha replied.
Marcus began walking.
“Only one way to find out.”
The team moved carefully through the empty streets.
Every broken car and dark window made them nervous.
The city felt like it was watching them.
After several minutes they reached the police station.
The large metal gate was half open.
Marcus stopped.
“That’s not good.”
Jade looked through the entrance.
“I don’t see movement.”
Jonah moved ahead cautiously and pushed the gate open wider.
It creaked loudly.
Everyone froze.
No zombies appeared.
The courtyard inside looked deserted.
Several police cars sat abandoned near the entrance.
Marcus motioned forward.
“Let’s check inside.”
They entered the station building slowly.
The front lobby was dark and dusty.
Broken chairs lay scattered across the floor.
A desk lamp flickered weakly.
Luis picked up a flashlight from the counter.
“Jackpot.”
He turned it on and shined it down the hallway.
Empty.
Evelyn looked relieved.
“This place might actually be safe.”
Tyler leaned against the wall.
“I vote we live here forever.”
Marcus shook his head.
“We clear the building first.”
The group split into pairs.
Marcus and Jade checked the offices.
Jonah and Aisha inspected the holding cells.
Luis, Evelyn, Samuel, Tyler, and Daniel searched the supply rooms.
Marcus pushed open the first office door.
Empty.
The second office contained overturned desks and scattered papers.
Still empty.
Jade checked the hallway.
“All clear here.”
Suddenly a loud bang echoed from the back of the station.
Everyone rushed toward the sound.
Jonah stood near the holding cells, shotgun raised.
A metal door was shaking violently.
Something inside was hitting it.
Tyler backed away.
“Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
Another bang shook the door.
Marcus stepped closer.
Through the small window in the metal door he could see movement.
Not one figure.
Many.
“Cells are full,” Marcus said quietly.
Jade peered through the window.
Inside the holding area, several zombies were trapped behind the bars, slamming against them desperately.
“They locked the infected inside,” she said.
Samuel frowned.
“Smart move.”
Another loud crash shook the door again.
The hinges began to bend.
Tyler pointed nervously.
“Those bars won’t hold forever.”
Marcus thought quickly.
“If the door breaks, they’ll flood the hallway.”
Daniel looked around.
“There’s an armory here somewhere.”
Luis’ eyes lit up.
“Now that sounds useful.”
Marcus nodded.
“Find it.”
Luis and Daniel ran down the hallway searching room after room.
Meanwhile the pounding on the cell door grew louder.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
The metal began to tear.
Tyler swallowed hard.
“How many are in there?”
Jonah looked through the window again.
“At least twenty.”
Tyler groaned.
“That’s a small army.”
Down the hall, Luis suddenly shouted.
“Found it!”
Marcus turned.
Luis stood in front of a reinforced door labeled ARMORY.
Daniel worked quickly to force the lock open.
After a moment the door swung wide.
Inside were shelves filled with weapons.
Shotguns.
Handguns.
Boxes of ammunition.
Luis stared in amazement.
“Christmas came early.”
Marcus grabbed a shotgun and loaded it quickly.
“Take what you can carry.”
Behind them the holding cell door finally cracked open.
Rotting hands pushed through the gap.
The zombies were breaking out.
Marcus turned toward the team.
“Looks like we’re testing these weapons right now.”
The door exploded open.
The hallway filled with growling.
And the police station suddenly became a battlefield.
- Writer
