Martin had been a radio technician at the small coastal station for nearly ten years. He liked the routine: checking the equipment, tuning the signals, and drinking cheap instant coffee while storms rolled over the grey British sea. But everything changed three weeks ago, when a strange infection started spreading across the country.
People called them “the restless”. They were not dead, but they were not alive either. Their pale eyes and violent movements made them look like something from a nightmare. The infection travelled fast, and soon the roads around the station were blocked with abandoned cars.
Martin stayed at the station because it felt safe. The heavy doors could be locked from inside, and the thick concrete walls kept out the howling wind and the horrible sounds from outside. Still, he was alone, except for the voices that sometimes came through the radio.
One evening, as the sky turned orange, the radio crackled to life. A woman’s voice whispered, “If anyone can hear me, we are trapped at the Pier Market. We need help. Please.”
Martin froze. Pier Market was only a fifteen minute walk away. He knew that going out was dangerous, but the voice sounded terrified. He stared at the door for a long time, then grabbed a metal torch and stepped outside.
The streets were silent except for the distant moans of the restless. Martin moved quickly, staying close to walls and parked cars. When he reached the market, he found the shutters half open. Inside, everything was dark.
“Hello?” he whispered.
Something moved behind a shelf. Relief washed over him when he saw a woman and a young man step out. They were scared, shaking, but alive.
“We heard your broadcast,” Martin said softly. “We can go back to the station. It’s safe there.”
They nodded, but as they walked towards the entrance, a loud crash echoed through the market. The restless had followed the noise of their voices. At least six of them pushed through the broken side door, their movements fast and unnatural.
“Run!” Martin shouted.
The three of them sprinted into the street, but the restless chased them with terrifying energy. Martin led them down a narrow alley, hoping to reach the station quickly. The woman tripped, screamed, and the creatures swarmed her. Martin grabbed the young man’s arm and pulled him forward, but the young man twisted free.
“I can’t leave her!” he cried, running back.
Martin knew they had no chance. As he reached the station door, he turned to see both of them fall under the weight of the restless. Their screams cut through the night until everything went silent.
Shaking, Martin locked the station door and collapsed into his chair. He switched on the radio with trembling fingers.
After a few minutes, a familiar crackling sound returned.
“If anyone can hear me,” he said, voice breaking, “please stay away from Pier Market.”
But before he could continue, a loud thud hit the outside door. Then another. And another. The restless had followed him.
The lights flickered. The metal door began to bend. Martin slowly reached for the microphone again, knowing it was useless.
“This is the last broadcast,” he whispered.
The door finally broke, and the restless poured into the room.
The radio fell silent.
Vocabulary Notes
Crackled (verb)
Meaning: To make a series of small, sharp sounds, often used to describe radio interference or static.
Example: “The radio crackled to life.”
Explanation: This suggests the radio started working again with a rough, static sound.
Similar words: buzzed, hissed, fizzed, sputtered.
Shutters (noun)
Meaning: Metal or wooden covers placed over windows or shop entrances for protection or security.
Example: “He found the shutters half open.”
Explanation: This means the protective metal panels on the shop front were not fully closed, leaving a gap.
Similar words: blinds, panels, barriers, grilles.
Swarmed (verb)
Meaning: To move in a large group towards something, often quickly and in an overwhelming way.
Example: “The creatures swarmed her.”
Explanation: The zombies gathered around her suddenly and in large numbers.
Similar words: crowded, flooded, mobbed, descended on.
Flickered (verb)
Meaning: To shine unsteadily, often turning on and off quickly or changing brightness.
Example: “The lights flickered.”
Explanation: The lights were unstable, suggesting danger or power failure.
Similar words: wavered, dimmed, fluttered, glimmered.
Terrifying (adjective)
Meaning: Extremely frightening or causing great fear.
Example: “They chased them with terrifying energy.”
Explanation: The zombies moved in a way that made them extremely frightening.
Similar words: horrifying, petrifying, shocking, alarming.
Story written by ChatGPT.
Image created by ChatGPT.
CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.
Reading Short Stories/Content for English Learners 
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