Zombie Dawn Exodus by Michael G. Thomas Page A

the truck smashed into an aisle of tin cans. The impact
was barely noticeable in the vehicle, its sheer weight passing
through the mass of small objects. A few seconds later they had
reached the entrance of the building. They crashed into the tail
end of the horde, and over the crumpled bodies they’d left on
entering.
    Finally natural light hit the windscreen as they
broke out into the car park. Reaching daylight and open air was
always a relief in this zombie infested land. Dave slowed the
vehicle to a more cruising speed and set about getting home. For
ten minutes they all sat silently, the rescuers happy to have
survived, the rescued men feeling too guilty to say a word.
Finally, Tommy leant forward into the front cab of the truck.
    “Thank you, Dave,” he said.
    “Just don’t underestimate what a fuck up this was,
it was sheer luck that everyone got out of there alive,” said
Dave.
    “I’m sorry,” said Tommy.
    “You bloody well should be, but save it for Roger,
he’ll give you the grilling you deserve. I’m sure,” said Dave.
    The survivors again went quiet and remained so for
the rest of the journey. It was a solemn drive, each one of them
reflecting on the near disastrous day that could have been. Dave
was only heartened by the fact that these events may have taught
the men a valuable lesson, and without any cost in lives.
    They finally reached the entrance to Everglade, it
was in part a triumphant return, but also depressing. Their victory
had achieved nothing. They had no further supplies, nothing of any
worth. The gates were pulled back and the group in the Land Rover
could already see that the entire population of the facility was
waiting for them, a rare sight. Their fellow survivors were
cheering, seeing that more had returned than had left two hours
earlier. Only one man among them all looked unhappy, Roger. He
stood, arms crossed, fuming.
    Dave drew the vehicle to a halt and got out as Brian
opened up the door to let out their passengers. They were welcomed
with much applause and back patting. The entire group was happy,
smiling and laughing, an ecstasy that was unknown to these people
since the Zompoc began.
    “Silence!” shouted Roger.
    The ecstatic shouts of the crowd calmed and all
turned their attention to Roger. It was a difficult thing for the
survivors to comprehend, that during this time of sheer joy and
relief that they would have to face the seriousness of Roger’s
strict command.
    “Dave did a wonderful thing, something I myself
never thought possible and he should be praised for it. But none of
you should underestimate the sheer idiotic actions which led to
these events. The fact that Dave has brought these men back to us
would largely be based on luck, and despite all of his heroic
deeds, they have returned with nothing new.”
    The crowd was subdued by the reality check that
Roger had brought upon them. In the horrific year that the men and
women of Everglade had survived, any sign or evidence of hope and
success was welcome, but Roger was now dashing their hopes. Roger
knew that morale was important, but he also knew that an
unrealistic idea of life was now a dangerous characteristic to
hold.
    “Let this be a lesson to you all. It’s easy to
pursue the obvious pleasures that may be in front of you, and don’t
any of you think I haven’t thought the same. Everything I have ever
done for this group has been with the right intentions, for us all
to survive in the best way we can. Many things we do in life now
are a risk, but I calculate risk carefully, and since you have been
here, not a single person has died, is that not proof enough of my
capability in leadership?” asked Roger.
    The group of survivors murmured and hummed amongst
themselves, none willing to commit to a response with their
eccentric leader. All of them knew that the middle aged and odd
fellow was right, he planned too well not to be, but none wanted to
either question or agree with him.
    “All of you. Take