Highschool Horror: Infected

By Summer Blackman

Infected is both topical and gritty. Summer Blackman pulls no punches as Scarlet, and her friends battle their way through a zombie ridden post-apocalyptic world. 

Summer stylishly touches upon drug abuse, tobacco, and alcohol use, as well as sexual activity. Her approach to these shows the maturity of both her and her gen

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highschool Horror
• Release date: Mar 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781914071645

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©Text & Images Summer Blackman

Additional Images Public Domain

Edited by Highschool Horror

HIGHSCHOOL HORROR UK

Typesetting © highschool horror

February 2022

Highschool Horror is an imprint of Veneficia Publications

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CHAPTER 1: DESTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION

The year was 2039. Our city was in ruins; glass shards everywhere, skyscrapers collapsed, barely any technology, bricks and rubble lay everywhere you looked. Smoke filled our lungs from the fires, the hot air bitterly kissed our skin and supplies were scarce. Life would never be the same. The dead walked among the wrecked towns and cities, with a lust for human flesh. Every day was a struggle for survival. 

I climbed the broken staircase of the ten-story building to the second floor, carefully listening to the faint, low moans, and groans of the deceased nearby. I looked around the dimly lit room. A rather large box was placed on a scratched wooden table to one side of the room. I put my hand up slightly. An American boy, slightly older than me, with blonde hair and hazel eyes, walked down the broken staircase and stopped behind me.

Is that the box of supplies Jennifer was on about? He asked. 

Yep, that's it. I said as we made our way down to the bottom. Once we reached the bottom, I pulled out a pistol.

Evan, guard the staircase and get Logan and Nikita down here I ordered. Evan nodded and headed back up the broken staircase. A moment later he reappeared with two girls, Nikita, the one taller with black hair and Logan, the other slightly shorter with black hair and both were British.

Help me get this box open, will you? I asked them both. Nikita held the box still, while me and Logan tried to open it. Then, there was a crash from the lower levels.

They’ve broken through that wooden barrier we made! Evan called from where he was standing near the bottom of the staircase. I looked at him then looked at Logan and Nikita. You two try to get this box open, I'll help Even deal with the dead. I ran over to where he was. 

Of course, she chooses him over us! Nikita called to me. I ignored her and concentrated on the bottom of the staircase. Evan pulled out the rifle that he carried on his back and waited. There was an eerie silence, only the low groans of the dead could be heard, which were getting closer, and closer by the minute. I turned to Logan who had finally got the box open.

Got it! she boasted as Nikita helped her open the box. I returned my attention back to the staircase. The dead were now standing at the bottom of the stairs, their blank, soulless eyes staring back at us, lines of scarlet liquid dripping from their mouths, arms, chests, everywhere. They began to scale their way up the stairs. Evan opened fire, shooting three zombies in the head. They were getting closer. I shot the closest one in the shoulder, but it did nothing. The half-rotted corpse staggered further up the stairs. I backed away, Evan did too. We ran over to Nikita and Logan.

Now what? Nikita asked, suddenly closing the box. Down the stairs was our only way out of this bloody building! she stated in alarm.

I shot another zombie, this time in the head.

Well, we have to do something! Logan burst out in trepidation, backing away to the far wall. Evan continued to shoot the incoming zombies. I glanced at the large window on the other side of the room. Without thinking I ran to the window, drew the curtains, and shot it. The glass shattered into a million pieces. I looked down. We weren't that far from the ground, and an old rusty car was parked beneath us.

We have to jump 

Evan turned his head to me.

Are you insane? We’ll die! He shouted, his voice slithered in fear before turning back and shooting the zombies. I thought for a minute, looking at Evan, then at Logan and then at Nikita. My heart was beating in my throat. I saw Logan's bloodshot eyes.

Wait Scarlet don't! she exclaimed, and then, I jumped. I smashed into the top of the old car. A short, sharp burst of pain shook through my right arm as I made contact. I was Ok, I sat up and jumped off the car Come on! Jump! There are less zombies down here, bring the box with you! I called from below. A few seconds later I watched as Logan heaved the box out of the window before jumping out herself. Evan was next and Nikita followed.

Never get us to do that again she complained, getting off the car. I rolled my eyes in response.

Okay, we should head back to camp. The streets are clear, and those walking corpses won’t get down those stairs for a while Evan said with a slight smile.

Why's that? I asked him, confused. He pulled out a detonator.

Let's get going. He began to walk away. We followed him as he hastily moved further away from the ten-story tall building. Evan turned around so he was facing us but walking backwards.

Everyone, turn around. He yelled, gesturing with his hands. I turned around and began to walk backwards, as did Nikita and Logan. There was a faint beep, and the first four floors of the building went up in flames: bits of brick flew everywhere as the explosion continued. The building creaked, beginning to tip sideways before collapsing in on itself and falling into the ground. We all turned back to Evan, shocked. He just smiled, turned to face forward, and walked away. 

We walked along the jagged road that led out of the city. The sun was beginning to set, and we soon reached the coastal area, with a gravel path leading south. We followed the path. Up ahead was a large lighthouse with a home-built watchtower and a barbed wire fence surrounding it. As we got closer, I could make out a figure, someone standing on the watchtower. I waved at them, they waved back. As we walked closer, I watched the figure climb down, the watchtower ladder, onto the ground. They unlocked the huge, metal gates we had made, and we went in.

How did the supply run go? He asked, his brownish-blonde fringe half covering his right eye. He closed the gates behind us, Evan helped him lock them. I turned to him.

Very well, thanks. I think this is what Jennifer was going on about. Behind me, Logan and Nikita were carrying in the box.

Hey Fletcher, give us a hand, will you? This thing’s heavy! Logan said, sounding out of breath. 

Yeah sure. Fletcher replied. He walked over to them and helped them carry the box. I followed them into the lighthouse while Evan climbed up onto the watchtower and grabbed the binoculars that were placed there. 

The inside of the building was relatively large, with high ceilings and a spiral wooden staircase all the way round, leading up to multiple floors, they had been refurbished to be our bedrooms, and on the right side was a medium sized table with couches around it, a small kitchen, and a weapons rack in the very far corner. Jennifer watched as Logan, Nikita and Fletcher heaved the box onto the table. She walked over to us.

How many zombies did you encounter? she asked. I sighed.

Probably around 30. But luckily Evan had explosives, so he blew those corpses to bits! I exclaimed. Logan and Nikita opened the box. A load of medical supplies lay neatly inside.

Suddenly, Evan ran in through the door carrying a sniper rifle.

There's more zombies! They’re chasing Nathaniel and Isaac. Some of them have mutated, they can jump now! He shouted before running back outside.

You're freaking kidding me, right? Logan asked. Fletcher laughed.

Damn Logan, you need to swear, girl.

I exchanged a confused glance with Nikita and Jennifer. Then, I ran to the weapons rack and grabbed a dagger. The tip of it glowed red, a bow, and 15 poison tipped arrows. I ran out of the door, to the gate. I saw Nathaniel in his torn shirt and jeans running