Clifton Falls: A Zombie Story [Part 1]

by Taylor, Lee Andrew

  She opened the door, almost dropping the bowl after seeing him squirm around on the bed, his face cringing from the discomfort.

  “Are you alright?” she asked, knowing he wasn’t.

  “Didn’t you hear me before, I said fuck off!” Jason screamed at her, rolling into a fetal position to grab his stomach.

  Dawn raced over to a set of drawers to place the bowl on top before sitting next to him, stroking his hair as he groaned.

  “What’s happening to you?” she asked, watching him pant for air. “You was fine yesterday.”

  “Help me,” Jason whispered, contorting his face. “It hurts.”

  Dawn wiped a tear from her eye and shook, feeling useless for not being able to fix him.

  “Donald!” she hollered towards the door. “Get up here…Jason’s getting worse.”

  She tried to smile after the sound of footsteps were heard racing up the stairs, but she couldn’t do it, so, just remained stroking Jason’s hair as her husband appeared in the doorway. But he froze once spotting his son squirming in pain.

  “I think we’d better find you some help,” he said, snapping out of it. “I’ll start the car.”

  But Jason raised his head and glared at him. “You’re not taking me anywhere, you old fart…Just piss off and leave me alone.”

  Donald and Dawn just looked at each other, not knowing how to respond to Jason’s vile words. They knew this wasn’t their son shouting out the spiteful nonsense. It was as if a demon had entered his body, taking a swear book with it.

  Jason flipped out without any prior warning.

  He leapt from the bed to push his father against the wall, but his falling tears distracted Donald, preventing him from retaliating. He saw the extreme pain in Jason’s eyes as more sweat dripped from him, but he still didn’t resist. He just let his son unleash his anger, knowing he was now like a wounded animal.

  Jason yelled as he aimed for the doorway.

  He staggered as he reached the stairs, almost falling to the bottom as he tried to escape while his parents sadly watched on. They couldn’t find the words to say to him as he opened the front door, but Jason stopped in his tracks before entering the outside. He seemed to be looking at something, but it wasn’t clear what until Wayne was heard closing in on the house.

  “Hey!” he shouted towards Jason. “I’ve been phoning you. Left you loads of messages…Why didn’t you pick up?...”

  Jason glared at Wayne as he approached before collapsing into his arms, shaking like he was having a seizure to scare Wayne.

  “…Hey, calm down buddy,” he nervously said, watching Jason groan in his arms. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Get out of my…fucking way…twat,” Jason stuttered, as the shaking died down. “And take your greasy…hands off me.”

  Wayne turned to see Doug close in.

  He shrugged at him as Jason belted out more hurtful words, but Wayne shook his head towards Jason, feeling lost as to why he was doing it. He held him tight and stared into his eyes, hoping to see beyond the mask of mystery. He knew Jason was frightened.

  But of what?

  He nodded at Doug to help him pick Jason up, feeling he was too tired to do it on his own. But Jason SCREAMED as soon as Doug touched his lower back.

  “What’s wrong?” Wayne asked, feeling emotional. “We’re trying to help you.”

  “It’s too late…for that.” Jason wept as the pain increased. “I’ve been infected.”

  Doug let him go and backed away, panicking as he wiped his hands down his trousers; gulping as he stared at Jason sobbing on the ground.

  “I can’t do this,” he said, backing away some more. “He’s got it…That thing.”

  “Doug!” Wayne yelled. “He’s one of us…Now help me get him to the hospital.”

  Dawn stood on the doorstep, snivelling into Donald’s chest as Doug arrived to help lift Jason; her heart crushing more and more by the second.

  “You need to be checked over,” she said, smiling at her son. “Please, do it for me.”

  Jason winced again but he did listen to her.

  He smiled weakly at his parents as he was escorted inside the police car before collapsing in the backseat to writhe in pain again as the sharpness twisted his insides.

  Wayne and Doug were left gobsmacked as they entered the car.

  “It’s okay, we’ll get the help you need,” Wayne said, holding back a tear. “Just you wait…You’ll be good as new in no time.”

  Then the car drove off.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Wayne parked the car outside the hospital and exited before rushing to open the backdoor to help Jason out, but Doug was keeping his distance. He was itching from the thought of the virus being spread to him so didn’t want to get any closer.

  “Hey!” Wayne screamed at him, grabbing onto Jason. “Get a wheelchair…NOW!”

  But it took him another attempt at shouting before Doug focused again.

  “Sorry,” he nervously said, racing for the main entrance. “I’m on it.”

  Wayne grimaced at him as he helped Jason out of the seat; holding him against the car to see the blood drain from his face.

  “Stay with me, Jace…Just stay with me.”

  Doug raced out of the main doors with a wheelchair, positioning it next to Jason before helping Wayne sit him inside. Then Jason was wheeled towards the hospital.

  Wayne glanced at the clock on the wall to see it was now 2.15 pm, but he couldn’t see Hazel anywhere. He’d asked Susan to give the hospital a heads up so was expecting to be greeted by a barrage of hospital staff, but the only person walking up to him was a pretty blonde nurse with amazing curves. Her name was Katrina and her presence had Doug hooked. He wasn’t thinking about his health anymore because he was too busy staring at her breasts.

  “Where’s Hazel?” Wayne quickly asked, pushing Doug. “I thought she would be here.”

  Katrina smiled. “I’m sorry, but Hazel’s resting right now. However, she has filled me in on what’s been happening recently.”

  “And you are?” Wayne grunted at her. “She has seen what’s been happening here so knows first hand…You know nothing, so why am I talking to you?”

  Katrina awkwardly glanced to the floor.

  “Come on, Wayne,” Doug interrupted, touching his arm. “She’s only doin’ her job…You can’t take it out on her.”

  Wayne looked at Katrina, seeing just how upset she was before holding up a hand as an apology. He knew Doug was right.

  “Look,” she said, feeling confident again. “A few of us have been drafted in from the city hospital to help with the crisis, so you need to get used to it.”

  “That’s not the problem,” Wayne replied, looking over her shoulder to see another new nurse arrive. “I’m just worried that too many people know now…We can’t have any more chaos…Not today.”

  The second nurse placed on a face mask before gripping the handles of the wheelchair, but Jason had no energy to look at her. He just felt sick and wanted to hide.

  “I’m taking you to a quiet room,” she softly said to him, turning the chair around.

  “How quiet?” Wayne asked, not sure of the plan. “And is the mask necessary?”

  “Yes, it is,” the nurse politely said. “His infection can spread so he’s being quarantined.”

  “Hell no!” Wayne gripped the chair. “Quarantine, my arse…You can’t do that to him.”

  “Look, he needs to be isolated so everyone can feel safe…Please, it’s for the best.”

  Jason glanced at them fighting over who was going to hold the chair; his face turning red with embarrassment for being some kind of freak show act. He wasn’t having this. People shouldn’t be fighting over him.

  “Wayne,” he said hoarsely. “It’s alright…I need to be put out of the way.”

  “But…” Wayne was about to let go of the chair but Jason gripped his arm. “It’s okay, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  “I…need to ha
ve…a…quiet word.”

  The nurse nodded before walking over to stand next to a troubled Doug and a concerned Katrina. They watched the other men as Wayne wheeled Jason down the corridor.

  “What is it?” Wayne asked, shivering because he knew what was going to happen. “I’m here for you.”

  “I’m sorry…for being infected,” Jason said sobbing. “I didn’t know.”

  “How did it happen?”

  “The fuck…er scratch…ed my back.”

  Wayne sighed, feeling sad that he wasn’t able to shoot the creature before it happened. He knew that moment will haunt him forever.

  “Now we know about the virus, we will be able to cure you.”

  Jason stared at him and shook his head. “If I die and return as one-of-those-things.” He gripped Wayne’s arm with all his strength, which wasn’t much before whispering, “I…want you…to kill me.” Then he wiped his eyes dry.

  His words were brutal but expected, leaving Wayne wanting to break down. But he knew he couldn’t. He needed to be strong for Jason so wasn’t going to lower his guard.

  “You won’t die, mate,” he whispered back.”

  The others knew this was a sad moment between the pair so kept their distance for as long as was needed; all trying hard to catch what was being said as Wayne leaned in closer to Jason.

  “I don’t want to be a murderer…like the rest of em’,” Jason croaked. “So, will you kill me…if I cha…nge?”

  This time his words were overheard by the others.

  “I’ll do it,” Wayne whispered, as the grip on his arm was released.

  Katrina placed on a face covering before following the other nurse over to the men, as Wayne nodded and moved out of the way. He let them take over before apologising again for his bad attitude. But they understood.

  “We’ll take Jason down to the isolation unit,” Katrina said, as the other nurse gripped the chair again. “You can wait here if you’d like…We can get you once he’s been tested.”

  Wayne smiled at her before glancing at Jason, but he just stared bleakly ahead, now ignoring Wayne as more tears dripped from his eyes.

  “I’m here for you, buddy!” Wayne hollered, as the nurse pushed Jason down the corridor. “I’m right here.”

  Doug closed in and patted Wayne on the arm.

  “What happens now?” he asked, feeling a lump in his throat. “Are we staying?”

  “You need to get a blood test,” Wayne said, pointing down the corridor. “Then report back to Mike.”

  “You’re kidding me?” Doug awkwardly asked, feeling sweaty. “I don’t need a blood test, right?”

  “What’s up?” Wayne noticed Doug become as nervous as he did when talking about the rising dead. “You’re not scared of a little needle?”

  “No, of course not…Why’d you say that?”

  “No reason. I was just wondering…”

  Blood samples are becoming more popular than a cheeseburger, Wayne thought, as he waited for Doug to make his move. But he wasn’t budging.

  “…Do you want me to go with you?”

  “Yes,” Doug spat out. “Just for moral support…That’s all.”

  “Whatever,” Wayne replied, smiling. “Whatever you say.”

  ***

  They sat in a room that reminded Doug of a time from when he was ten years old, the first experience he’d had at fainting after feeling sick from the sight of his blood in a tube. And now, as a nurse slowly appeared, his face was turning pale again.

  “What’s up with you?” Wayne said, holding back a laugh. “I thought you liked pricks in you.”

  “Fuck off!” Doug leaned back and panted. “This isn’t funny, man. I just don’t like needles…There, I said it. Are you happy now?”

  “You’ll be okay,” Wayne replied with a wink. “As long as the needle isn’t a long one.”

  Doug shot out of his seat, ready to run away, but the nurse smiled at him to leave him weak at the knees. Wayne watched him closely as he eagerly waited for the nurse to do her job, but, as she took a few more steps towards Doug, he fainted. Wayne didn’t know whether to laugh or cry because Doug had hit the floor very hard, but he smiled, feeling relieved after seeing the man get back to his feet.

  “Sorry for mocking you,” Wayne said, holding Doug as he sat down again. “But I needed a distraction for a while to help me stop thinking about Jason.”

  “It’s okay,” Doug woozily replied, gulping after seeing the needle. “I need to man up…Jason’s problem is much worse than mine.”

  “Hey, It’s cool,” the nurse politely said, smiling at Doug. “You’re not the only person who faints at the sight of a needle.”

  ***

  Twenty minutes passed before Doug was ready to leave the building. He walked to the main entrance with Wayne, feeling pleased with himself for overcoming one of his fears; his mind back on his job as he entered the outside. Wayne nodded as he walked away, feeling sad at the thought of having to let Jason’s parents know what was going on. He moved into a quiet corner and pulled out his phone, shaking as he dialled Donald’s number; knowing he needed to be firm with the news about his son.

  “Hi, Don,” Wayne said, checking the area to see if he was the only person there. “I have an update for you.”

  Donald listened to what Wayne told him, but the news about Jason being put in quarantine left him mystified to the point of wanting to scream.

  “He is an officer of the law,” he croakily said, breathing heavily. “How dare they treat him like an experiment.”

  Wayne heard Dawn in the background try to calm Donald down, but he was fuming.

  “Don! Don!” Wayne shouted, hoping the man would cool down. “He needed to be put in there…To stop the spread of the virus.”

  But the word ‘virus’ rocked Donald.

  He shook as Dawn held him tight, holding back tears to hopefully prevent her from also crying.

  “But is he comfortable?” Donald softly asked Wayne as he held back the urge to go over there to see his son. “I need to know if he’s okay?”

  “As far as I know, yes,” Wayne replied. “But no one is allowed to see him until he’s had tests done.”

  “Tests!”

  But the sound of Dawn calming Donald down interrupted Wayne’s reply.

  “I’ll be in touch soon to let you know when you can visit,” he finally said after waiting for the parents to go quiet. “Okay?”

  “That’s fine,” Dawn replied. “It’s just a lot to take in…I will let Don know.”

  Then the phones went silent.

  Wayne walked away and entered the waiting room, noticing someone had been there to clean up the mess. He placed coins into the drinks machine, choosing to have a coffee to help him stay awake; waiting for the cup to fill before grabbing it and sitting down.

  He picked up a magazine from a table; taking a sip of the drink before giggling at the front headline – An alien sighting at a shopping centre – He looked at the photo as more laughter escaped his mouth before skimming through the other pages to find more pathetic headlines – One about a six-legged animal and another about a woman who gave birth to thirty children. But he was pleased to not see a story about the dead rising to kill people in a small farming town.

  ***

  He checked his watch to see that two hours had drifted by before shaking his head in disbelief as thoughts of where the time went messed with his mind. He smirked at how easily he’d gotten wrapped up by the fake news, pleased to have briefly forgotten about everything else so his brain could recharge.

  He yawned and stretched but a knock on the door spooked him.

  “So, you’re still here,” Katrina said opening it. “That’s good to see.”

  “I’m staying for my friend.” Wayne rose from his seat. “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s comfortable…We’ve cleaned the wound and took tests, so just waiting on the results.”

  “And how long’s that goin’ to take?”

/>   “I don’t know.” Katrina smiled sadly, feeling Wayne was struggling with it all. “But the good news is, he’s been asking to see you.”

  “Cool…Lead the way.”

  “But I must warn you, he’s been freaking out and cursing at everyone he sees.”

  “Yeah, I’ve already witnessed it.”

  “But he was fine when I saw him with you earlier.”

  “Let’s hope he’s still fine this time.”

  ***

  Katrina led Wayne towards the room, filling him in on what she knew had happened since he last saw Jason, in the hope the news would help. But Wayne was nervous and on edge.

  “Almost there,” she calmly said, tapping his arm. “Don’t be worried. He needs you not to be.”

  Wayne smiled but didn’t speak. He just wanted to see his friend.

  Katrina stopped outside the room and said farewell, leaving Wayne panicking as she walked away, but his hand stalled on touching the door.

  “Just go in,” Katrina said, turning around. “He won’t bite you.”

  She giggled as she carried on walking, but her words made Wayne gulp. All he could do was nod as she disappeared around a corner.

  He entered the isolation room to see Jason behind a piece of glass, sitting upright in a bed. But his skin was now a mustard-yellow. Wayne struggled to cope as he nervously sat in a chair. He saw Jason point at the wall, so followed the direction until spotting an intercom system attached to it.

  “How are you feeling?” Wayne said after pressing a button on it. “You don’t look good, mate.”

  Jason raised a portable version of the intercom device to his mouth, pressing the button to say, “Thanks,” before gritting his teeth.

  “Are you still in pain?”

  “It comes and goes,” Jason replied, trying to smile. “But it’s not as bad as it was.”

  “You must be on the stronger meds.”

  “Must be.”

  Wayne felt sad after noticing Jason looked thinner. He wanted to kick himself over and over again for letting Jason get infected, knowing whatever the virus was could well be eating him from the inside. But, as he took another look at Jason’s complexion figured he’d guessed what he was thinking.