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Hamish poured the whisky into the glass, the ice cubes popped and cracked at its touch. Outside the weather beat relentlessly against the old house in the night and the wind howled under the front door. Inside though the open fire crackled comfortingly, Hamish sat at a chair in front of it and sipped his liquor. He reached over to the wireless that sat on a table beside him and turned the dial, static whistled and screeched through the speakers until a clear voice was audible. Hamish turned up the volume, sat back in his chair and lit his pipe.

"New reports coming in", said the radio journalist, "News agencies in America have reported that a second nuclear device has been detonated by order of the President, this second nuclear explosion happened over New York City which had been reported lost to the undead some three months ago"

Hamish shook his head and took another sip at his whisky. The ambience created by the warm fire was broken when Chuck appeared at the bathroom door; he wore just shorts and a vest and dried his hair with a towel. He poured himself a drink at the cabinet and sat on a chair next to Hamish in front of the fire. The report continued.

"And now for news closer to home, the Prime Minister has spoken out condemning the riots taking place in most cities across Britain, speaking live to BBC World Service from a government bunker the Prime Minister said the chaos created by the rioters is affecting the sufficient level of corpse control needed to stay on top of the re-animation crisis. He stressed the importance of the quick disposal of newly deceased corpses and said that Britain needed to deal with the problem at hand or face the same fate as America"

Chuck lit a cigarette and sat back in his chair, he stretched out his legs towards the fire and stared at its glowing embers. He found it hard to listen to the destruction of his home country, a sick feeling would come over him every time his mind entertained memories of old friends and good times. Hamish sensed Chuck's uneasiness and rose from his seat, he took Chucks empty glass out of his hand and patted his shoulder. Hamish took the two empty glasses and rested them on the drinks cabinet and began to pour the whisky. Chuck increased the volume on the radio.

"London was reported to be lost to the undead population by a government broadcast early this morning. The volume of the London community and close housing conditions are being blamed for the loss of England's capital. Survivors in other parts of the country are being urged to make their way immediately to their closest Rescue Station, details on active Rescue Stations are released every hour on this wavelength."

Hamish came back with the two glasses and handed one to Chuck. Chuck smiled thankfully and Hamish acknowledged him with a nod before sitting down. The radio fuzzed and hissed making the voice incoherent, Hamish leant over from his chair and adjusted the radio's aerial slightly bringing the voice back clearly again.

"… as war continues across the Middle East', the World Crisis Council told countries to fight the phenomena in their own land. Head of the World Crises Council Asif Mahir said that people worldwide must continue to think rationally or realise that at the rate the phenomena is spreading, complete world infection would be complete in as little as six months."

"Jesus", said Chuck softly staring into the glass at his lap. "What's gonna happen then? What's gonna be left?"

Hamish sat forward and regarded Chuck with a stern face. Hamish was a big strong man even though he was getting old, his hard face told stories of hard work and harsh Highland weather.

"What can we do?" replied Hamish in a matter of fact tone. "The world is not our problem now lad, our problem is our own survival and we've done all we can to ensure that. All we got to do is wait it out, these scientists reckon that the creatures cannae live no longer than twelve years. That's all we got to do, wait it out lad."

"That's all we're going to do?" asked Chuck.

"Its all we can do lad. We're safe here and we've got enough supplies to last that long. Someone has to survive, because when these creatures finally die someone has to start again."

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