☣ Sergeant Henderson ☣
Henderson turned like a snake at the sound of the scream, pistol raised, ready to fire at whatever threatened them. Instead he saw Jenifer silhouetted by the taillights of the truck, screaming like a six year old, he almost threw up his arms in frustration. Instead he pushed he way through the small crowd that had come with him, grabbing the young woman who had been navigating for him.
"Take these people and make for those buildings. Whatever happens, don't turn back, and don’t wait for me." He plunged into the water again once he was sure they were moving away, Gunner following with a second splash.
He was tired, he was cold, he was afraid, and now he was angry. He managed to climb from the creek for a third time, tottering for a moment on the bank before finding a solid footing. He raised his flashlight and pistol again to see that the screaming girl was no more than a dozen yards from the first of the zombies. He fired without hesitation and the creature toppled backwards. The girl, her back to him, only screamed louder.
He took two steps forward and clubbed her across the back of the head, her screams ending abruptly as she collapsed. He caught her before she hit the ground, taking a moment to fire at two more zombies that appeared in the red glow cast by of the trucks taillights.
“Gunner, aandag!” He ordered and the dog, who was sniffing Jenifers hand where it lay in the water looked up at him at once, attention riveted on him. “Lok, vinnig vinnig, dan vind.”
The dog turned at once, barking at the nearest zombies who turned towards him, empty arms grasping, moans filling the air, lurching slowly in the direction of the dog who began to draw them away into the darkness.
Henderson knelt and heaved Jenifers listless body over his shoulders, settling her weight on to his rucksack before turning and sliding down the bank and into the water again. He must have hit the girl decently hard, she didn’t even twitch as the cold water splashed over her.
He slogged through the mud and water, now completely drenched, using one hand to help him climb the bank, the other to steady the girl. It took him twice as long to make the climb this time and he staggered to his feet, nearly falling backward again.
Gunners barking was becoming more distant as Henderson stumbled into the dark, following the path carved through the grass by the other survivors ahead of him.