Plague Of The Revenants by Edward Chilvers

attention to other things.”
“Such as what?”
“Long term survival,” I replied. “If those kids are going to grow up to lead full lives we’re going to have to stop living from day to day.”

It was a fine morning outside, completely clear but also with a slight nip in the air. I had built up expectations, promised people the earth and they were expecting great things from me. I knew I had to deliver. I was aware it was a big risk taking us three youngest along. Kit was right. If we didn’t return the others would have little hope of survival unless Hammond, Frey and Thorpe himself went out, and they were all getting on in years and far less agile. Still, if the gamble paid off and we were able to get to the cars it could mean a quite substantial haul which would mean we wouldn’t need to go out for a good few weeks. Paul was cheerful. I was to find he usually kept a smile on his face despite everything that could and did go wrong. Kit by contrast was quiet and sullen. I could tell she didn’t like me.
“Be careful,” said Reverend Thorpe nervously. “This is our last working vehicle now.” He nodded towards the battered old pick-up truck parked just outside the door. In its previous life it had clearly been a farm vehicle and was peppered with small dents and patches of rust on its bodywork. Still, Paul assured me the crate was still in top working order.
“We’ll try and bring another one back,” I said cheerfully.
The Reverend laughed. “Don’t go busting a gut,” he told me. “A good supply of food will do us just fine for now.”
    I took the wheel. Paul offered directions. He knew these narrow country roads well, having grown up around here and he also knew which roads were blocked off an inaccessible having done a lot of looting in the preceding weeks. I wanted to drive because I was restless and wanted to focus my mind on something, even though it had been years since I had been behind the wheel of a car and had never actually passed a driving test. We drove through roads flanked with fields and woodland. Sometimes we saw a farmhouse in the distance but rarely a revenant. “We’ve lost so many already,” said Paul pessimistically. “When we first set up in the church there were more of us, but you’re the first survivor we’ve seen in over a fortnight.”
“That’s not exactly a long time,” I said.
“It’s a fucking age when you live in a world like this,” muttered Kit, staring out at the window to the fields beyond.
“Let’s not start getting down,” I said with caution. “We need to look to the future, act positively.”

A revenant stood in the middle of the road before us. I took my foot off the accelerator and drove into it at around twenty miles per hour. The truck lurched up and down as the revenant was crushed beneath the wheels. Kit let out a cry of horror. “Jesus Christ!” She exclaimed.
“Don’t get squeamish,” I told her. “This is why you’ve lost so many, because you’re afraid to kill them when you get the chance. Well I’m telling you they’re not human. Had you realised that yesterday and left Block behind then maybe Farrow would still be alive. You need to realise it today as well. We’re going to have to kill today, and you’re going to need to get used to that idea. There’s bound to be revenants where we’re going and unless we take them down decisively we’re going to end up amongst them. I’m not going to tolerate a repeat of yesterday. If somebody gets bitten, including myself, they get left by the side of the road. If it’s not me and you ask me nicely I’ll finish you off with the lump hammer before you have the chance to turn but I’m not going to run the risk of carrying the infection back to the camp.”
“You talk like you’re in charge,” muttered Kit resentfully.
“And with good reason,” I told her. “This is my plan and we’re doing it my way. If it fucks up I’m more than ready to take the fall for