Free Dead & Alive (Book 1): Survive by I.J. Smith

fire extinguisher from the wall, “Rest in Peace my friend,” Jack told it as he hit the Zombie in the head.
    The Zombie fell down to the floor, Jack raised the fire extinguisher and hit it repeatedly in the head, the skull crushed, blood sprayed over the floor.
    Dropping the blood soaked extinguisher, Jack turned back to the office. He kicked the door open, no one was inside. The door at the other side was shut, but the window was open. Jack looked out the window; he could see the boards that once covered the windows on the ground. He looked outside just in time see Alina running away into the darkness.
    Frank was helping the survivors; Bray was guarding the door.
    Elle walked over to Frank, “Where’s Jack?” she asked him.
    “Letting some anger out,” he replied.
    “We should help him,” she replied.
    “I don’t think he wants help,” Frank told her.
    Bray shouted out, “He’s back,” Jack walked through the door.
    Elle noticed Jack’s hands, they were bruised and bloodied. “How did it go?” Bray asked him, Jack was silent and continued walking into the room.
    Elle walked towards Jack, “Hey, you OK?” she asked.
    He looked at her, but stayed silent. Jack looked around the room, looking at the survivors still half-dressed and bleeding.
    “They need food,” Jack spoke out. He walked away from Elle, and sat down alone in the corner. Elle looked at him, thinking he looked lost.

CHAPTER SIX
    SWARM
     
    Jack sat in the corner of the room alone, he had not moved since he returned. The others were concerned about him, Elle and Frank both tried talking to him, but got no response. Bray was helping the survivors; he was handing out food he collected from the other room.
    Private Ryan Garrett walked over to Frank; he stood in front of him and saluted. “Not necessary,” Frank said.
    Frank offered his hand, Ryan shook his hand. “Elle told me about your team, I am sorry,” Frank told him.
    Ryan looked emotional, “We just wanted to help,” he replied.
    “I promise, people will know what you all did here,” Frank reassured him.
    “Thank you, for saving us,” Ryan told him.
      “I wish I could take the credit, but it was all down to Jack,” Frank replied, with concern in his voice. Frank looked over to Jack; he could see Elle trying once again to speak to him.
    Elle had approached Jack; she was holding a bottle of water and a cloth. “Mind if I sit down,” she asked. Jack did not reply. She sat down next to him anyway, she handed him the water and for the first time he spoke, “I’m not thirsty,” he whispered.
    Elle moved closer, “It’s not to drink,” she replied. She opened the bottle and poured some water on the cloth; she reached out and took his hand. She rubbed the cloth over the bloodstains.
    Jack looked up, “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
    Elle started to hold his hand, “You have nothing to be sorry about, they had it coming,” she replied.
    Jack whispered again, “No, I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent him hurting you.”
    Elle started to tear up, “Hey, he didn’t do anything. He never got the chance, thanks to you,” she told him; a tear began to roll down her cheek.
    Jack reached out and wiped the tear from her face, “Don’t cry,” he told her, she smiled pushing her face into his hand.
    “We need you, the only chance we have to survive this, is with you,” she told him. Jack looked up and giggled to himself.
    “How’s your foot?” he asked.
    Elle laughed, “Bloody painful,” she told him with a smile.
    Jack stood up, he helped Elle to her feet, “I should talk to Frank,” he told her.
    Bray had finished handing out some food and water; he found Clare and Joe sitting alone. Clare’s face was still bloodied; the fat man had hit her hard and made a nasty cut above her eye.
    “You want me to look at that?” he asked Clare.
    Joe looked up with a smile on his face, Bray noticed a bruise forming on his cheek, and he was still disgusted that anyone could do this