Free Zombiestan by Mainak Dhar Page A

movement to their right and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. He didn't know if the infected could be out in daylight, but he was not about to find out the hard way. The road ahead was blocked by cars, and resembled a surreal maze that he was trying to pick his way through, so there was no question of driving any faster than a slow trot. He pushed aside a bike using the bulk of the SUV he was driving, but would have no option but to weave around the cars in front of him.
     
    Again, he spotted some movement on his right. It seemed to be a small shopping complex, with broken signs that announced a salon, an Internet Café and a Pharmacy, among other signs in Hindi. He had a working knowledge of Urdu but hardly had the time he would have needed to decipher all the signs. He was now sure of it- there were at least two people moving inside what remained of the Internet Café on the ground floor. The door was closed but the windows were shattered and he could see shadows moving in the darkness inside. He turned to Mayukh.
     
    'Kid, see that Net Café there fifty meters to the right?'
     
    He didn't get a response but not wanting to take his eyes off a potential threat by turning towards Mayukh, he continued.
     
    'I think I saw someone moving inside there. No idea who it could be, but just take out your gun and cover that area. I don't want to stop or take my attention off the road.'
     
    He didn't hear any response, but assumed Mayukh would be doing as he had asked, so he returned his attention to the road ahead. A split second later, he saw a head peek out from behind the shattered windows of the Internet Café and caught a glint of something that may well have been a weapon. He turned to see Mayukh slumped in the rear seat, the gun lying uselessly by his side.
     
    'Dammit!'
     
    David stopped the SUV and brought up his M4, scanning the area to his right for any imminent threat. With the crowded road ahead, if they were up against attackers with weapons, he would never be able to get away in time. He had far better chances sticking around and counting on his training and firepower. A tuft of silvery hair showed and a face emerged and he could hear Hina gasp behind him. He had his sight trained on the head. At any sign of trouble, he would put a round through the forehead. As the man emerged, David put his finger on the trigger and then brought his gun down, exhaling loudly in relief.
     
    'What's going on? Who are they?'
     
    David had his head back against the seat, thankful that he had not fired. Hina looked over his shoulder and saw who had been hiding in the shop. They were an ancient couple, perhaps no younger than eighty, dressed in rags. It was likely they had lived in one of the nearby slums, and when the chaos began, had sough refuge in the shops. Both the man and woman looked around uncomprehendingly, with blank, terrified eyes. Hina guessed that they perhaps had no idea of what had happened, just that one day, ordinary people had turned into bloodthirsty monsters. The old couple stumbled towards them, holding out their hands as if seeking help. Hina started to say something, and David cut her off, guessing what she was going to say.
     
    'No we can't take them with us.'
     
    'But look at them...'
     
    In response, David got out of the vehicle and opened the back, taking out a handful of canned and packaged food, which he handed over to the old man. The man began crying tears of gratitude and then looked on as David climbed back in and drove away.
     
    'That was a nice thing you did.'
     
    David just grunted at Hina's words and kept his focus on the road. Without looking back, he addressed Mayukh.
     
    'Kid, you need to decide whether you want to stay alive or not. If they had been attackers, we could have been in big trouble. In a few minutes, I'll be on my way, and won't see you again. But here's some friendly advice- snap out of it, otherwise you'll get yourself and Hina in big trouble.'
     
    As they drove