What Remains (Book 3): Epidemic

by Barrett, Tyler

  As he finished his statement, the power went out, followed by the dull red emergency lights coming on. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness as two bright flashes lit the hallway, and the guard outside fell to the ground. In the darkness, a figure appeared by the door, followed by two more flashes as the Scientist in the hall was cut down as well.

  The guard in the room had drawn his weapon, aiming at the door, waiting to fight the figure on the other side. The scientist screamed, hiding in the corner of the room.

  Look, someone is here to free us. We can finally serve our purpose! We can start with these two.

  “No,” Evans whispered, trying to fight the voice as it assaulted her mind for weaknesses.

  Why do you fight me? Together we can usher in a new era, bring peace. We are the key!

  Evans felt as though someone was jamming a rod into her brain, causing incredible pain. She tried her best to fight, but the voice had become too strong, and suddenly, Evans felt the other half of her take control.

  “NO!” Evans called out, but no voice followed.

  She could only watch as her body stood up, grabbing the guard, sinking her teeth into his arm. He screamed in pain, dropping his weapon, falling to the floor. He began to convulse as her body turned to the scientist, who begged and cried, pleading Evans to stop. She wanted nothing more than to reply as her teeth tore apart the woman’s skin.

  “You see Evans, they were weak. We are strong.”

  Her body turned toward the door, finding the figure had disappeared.

  “See, they weren’t here for us! You just killed those two people for nothing! We aren’t getting out of here!”

  “Silence!”

  A couple of minutes passed, and the figure reemerged from the end of the hall, where they were keeping her blood stored. The figure stopped at the window, staring at Evans for a moment.

  “Let us out! Help, please! They keep me locked in here against my will!” Evans’ other side yelled, begging the person.

  The figure continued on, carrying a small bag, heading back toward the elevator.

  “Come back here! Let us OUT!”

  Evans laughed, “See, I told you. We are staying here. I hope they destroy this place.”

  “Shut up! You are worthless.”

  Down the hall, several small cracks were heard, before suddenly, the door unlatched with a hiss.

  “NO!” Evans screamed, realizing the other side had gotten her wish.

  “See, there are those who believe. Those who are worthy of our power. Now that we are free…the world is ours.”

  Evans watched as her body climbed through the doorway, stepping out into the hall, leaning down to take the guard’s sidearm. Casually, it moved over the bodies to the elevator, which was closed for the moment. Gently pressing the button, Evans could feel her other side relish in the simple action. The doors opened with a ding, and her body stepped inside, hitting the button to go up.

  “Please, stop! Go back! I don’t want this! We aren’t the savior like you claim! We are death!” Evans pleaded.

  “You’re right, Evans. We aren’t the savior, but I am.”

  The doors to the ground floor opened, and her body began to leave the building.

  “Do you smell that, Evans? It’s freedom. Where should we go first, hm? That building over there looks nice, I’m sure we can find some nice candidates inside there to become our first wave of soldiers!”

  Evans continued her pleading as she watched her body move into the building, passing by a cafeteria and down the hallway. At the end, there was another open room with four people sitting down watching a TV. Evans screamed for them to run as she watched her body grab a man, biting into his neck. Spitting out the blood, she threw the man forward into a woman sitting nearby. Before the other two occupants had time to react, her body bit another, leaving one person uninfected as the first man turned, biting the woman.

  Their screams echoed down the hall into the cafeteria, sending people running toward them, trying to figure out what was happening. A small group of people came down the hall, finding a bloody scene before them, with two infected tearing into their prey. Evans watched as her body ran toward the first person, grabbing them, biting into their arm, laughing. The rest of the group ran, most of them heading toward the stairs, trying to get away.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  She’s just up ahead, but there’s probably more infected as well. I’ll have to be careful.

  Kenji followed Evans through the door entering the floor, rifle raised. Two infected were already on their way toward him as he entered, and he took aim. The first one was a clean shot but wasted a couple bullets on the second. The sound of the rifle filled the hallway, drawing three more infected from their hiding places.

  He moved slowly forward, taking a momentary pause to shoot, before taking a few steps. Before he could line up his shot for the third infected kill, a shot aimed at him, gave him a scare. Kenji leaped toward an open door, using the frame for cover.

  “You didn’t think I’d make it that easy on you, did you, Kenji?” Evans called out, laughing.

  Well, it’s definitely not normal, Evans…this is her other side I’m dealing with.

  Kenji peeked around the corner, trying to spot her, but knew he would have to deal with the infected that was still alive first. He tried lining up his shot once more, but another bullet whizzed by his head, knowing that it was mere inches away, as he felt the force from it cut by him.

  I can’t play these games, but I want to try and capture her alive.

  Kenji knew that the creature would be closing in on him, so he backed up, into the room, giving himself the perfect kill, as the infected man shambled into the doorframe. A single bullet smacked into the man’s head, ending him. Moving back to the door frame, Kenji crouched, peeking once more, spotting Evans leaning out from a doorway down the hall.

  He sent a hail of rounds downrange toward her, giving him enough opportunity to move diagonally across the hall, moving two doors down. As he reached the cover, another bullet whizzed behind him, sending dust from the wall everywhere.

  “Is that all you have, Kenji?” Evans laughed, toying with him.

  Kenji’s heart was racing, knowing that he had to move up, but she had the advantage, being on the same side of the hall. She would immediately spot him as he tried to leave the room, and he would be exposed.

  I need a way to distract her, so I can move again. Think…what do I have that I can use?

  Looking around the room, he found a rolling chair at the desk behind him. Lifting the chair, so it didn’t make any noise, he moved it to the doorway, shoving it as hard as he could across the hall. As soon as the chair made its way through the door, another shot rang out from down the hallway, hitting it. Kenji used the distraction to peek with the rifle, taking a couple of shots toward Evans.

  He moved further down, jumping across again, sending a few more rounds before taking cover. Ejecting the magazine, he found it only had three rounds left. Dropping it, he grabbed one of the extra he had taken from the security guard earlier, slamming it into the receiver.

  “That wasn’t nice, Kenji!” Evans growled.

  As Kenji peeked once more, he noticed that Evans was slipping through the door into the other stairwell.

  Damn, she slipped away again.

  Moving up to the door, Kenji used the barrel of the rifle to slowly edge the door open. Only a few inches open, two shots rang out, slamming into the wooden door with a thud. Shoving the door open, he aimed up the stairs, firing a few rounds to scare Evans. He took the stairs slowly, aiming. Kenji approached the door, knowing that he was on the same floor that his room was on.

  I hope I can get my katana, I’m not sure how much ammo I have.

  Kicking the door open, Kenji found the floor flooded with infected, as if Evans had somehow gathered them all. Taking a knee, he began to fire his rifle, killing them one by one, until he had to reload.

  Last mag; then I’m down to my sidearm again.
I really need to get my katana.

  Guessing at how many infected were left, Kenji fired at the remaining few in front of him. After killing the last one, he had put down twenty creatures and slowly began making his way toward his room. He didn’t see Evans on the floor but knew she had entered it earlier, hearing the door slam closed behind her.

  Approaching his room, he opened the door, finding it empty, he reached under his bed for his weapon. Grabbing the cold sheath, he slung it over his shoulder, before moving back to the hallway. Stopping before the door, he checked how many rounds he had left, hoping that he wouldn’t run into any more groups. He counted only five rounds left for the rifle, saving the four he had left in his sidearm for a dire moment. After checking both directions, he moved out into the hallway, moving back toward the stairwell.

  She has to be through the door, waiting to ambush me.

  Using the same tactic with the rifle, he inched the door open, receiving another round from Evans, who ran down the stairs.

  She’s trying to make it back downstairs to escape. I can’t let her do that!

  Kenji chased after her, firing the last few rounds he had in the rifle in hopes of slowing her down, but it was in vain. He dropped the weapon after the last round was spent, knowing it was unnecessary weight. Making good time, he was only a flight of stairs behind her as she made it back down to the ground floor.

  Charging through the door, Kenji was surprised to find Evans standing in the middle of the hallway only twenty feet away, holding the pistol aimed at him. He skidded to a stop, bracing himself for a shot that never came.

  “Why are you chasing us, Kenji? Why are you trying to stop us? We thought you believed in us, but you’re just like the rest of them.”

  Kenji held up his hands, “I’m still on your side Evans. I just want you to be the best you can be. I want you to get help.”

  Evans smiled, a big toothy grin, “You think these people here are the help we need? You really don’t know us then. We thought you understood, but we see you don’t know. We see now that you are unworthy.”

  A click of Evans’ handgun showed every intention that she had meant to shoot Kenji but luckily was out of ammo. They both realized at the same moment what that meant, as Kenji reached for his holstered sidearm, and Evans charged him. Kenji yanked his sidearm out, raising it to defend himself, when Evans crashed into him, shoulder barreling into his chest.

  OW! She’s relentless!

  He fell to the ground, and Evans went sprawling next to him on the ground, Kenji’s sidearm, sliding a few feet away from him. He quickly rolled, reaching for the weapon, grasping it, as he felt Evans lunge for his side. A jab to his ribs sent the air out of them, but he fought. He took a wild shot as she jumped on top of him, trying to wrestle the gun away. Forcing it close, he let two more shots out, almost hitting her in the head and shoulder.

  Can’t stop…must fight…Kuso! Kuso!

  Surprise filled Kenji as suddenly, Evans stopped trying to fight him, guiding the handgun to her abdomen. He didn’t hesitate, pulling the trigger. Kenji felt the force, as the round entered Evans. He looked up at her, finding her smiling, the same toothy grin as before.

  What the-

  Suddenly, Evans let go of the handgun and Kenji’s arm, reaching down to the gunshot wound. Reaching into her own body, she pulled her hand out, covered in blood. Before Kenji could fully register what her intentions were, she shoved the bloodied hand toward his face. He reacted quickly, pulling back his face to avoid her. Kenji grabbed the bloodied hand, using all the force he could muster, to keep it back.

  “I…Offer…Our…Gift,” Evans said through gritted teeth.

  I don’t want your gift!

  Kenji still held the handgun in his other hand and used it to swing at her head, striking a blow. It stunned Evans long enough for Kenji to roll out from under her and jump up. Now that he was standing, he threw the empty weapon at her, forcing her back. Taking the moment of opportunity, he pulled out his katana, pointing it toward her.

  “Stay back, Evans,” Kenji said weakly.

  “Why do you fight? We offer you a gift, a blessing, and you reject it!” Evans shouted in anger, rushing at him.

  Kenji sidestepped, sending her flying past him.

  Why won’t she stop! I don’t want to hurt her, but…

  “Stop, Evans!” He told her defensively.

  Laughing, she got up and lunged once more, bloodied hand outstretched. In one quick movement, Kenji raised and brought the blade down, slicing through Evans’ arm with ease. Screaming in pain and anger, Evans continued her assault. With her other hand, she coated it in fresh blood and charged. Again, he easily cut off her hand, leaving her with two bloodied stumps.

  With a smile, Evans ran at Kenji one last time, trying to get her blood on him. He planted his feet, and brought his sword down, aiming for her torso, hitting true, about halfway down, bring the sword through her. Evans’ insides poured out through the wound with a sickening plop, and she fell to the ground, finally immobile.

  JESUS! Even with no hands, she tried to get me.

  She rolled onto her side, struggling to breathe, “Kenji.”

  He moved closer, making sure to keep his distance from her stumps.

  “T-t-t-hank y-.” Evans sputtered, barely able to speak.

  Kenji realized that she was back to normal self once more, “I made a promise.”

  A small smile spread across her lips before she stopped breathing, and the light left her eyes. Kenji watched for several minutes, half expecting her to come back as an infected since she carried the virus, but she never did.

  Blood covered the floor and walls, splattered from their fight. The smell of fresh blood filled the air as well, leaving a metallic hint. It was a grim scene to behold.

  Holding his katana outwards, knowing he needed to clean the blade, he left her body where it lay. Finding a shirt nearby, he carefully used it to wipe Evans’ blood off before throwing the shirt on the ground.

  I need to find Muller. Hopefully, he has ended this madness and found Dr. Victoria’s killer.

  Chapter 42

  Muller sprinted across the tarmac, hoping that the security team was able to find the person, but his hopes were dashed. Six security guards exited the hangar where they stored the plane his team used for their mission to South Korea.

  King was amongst the security team, approaching Muller with a confused face, “Muller, what’s going on ‘ere?”

  “I don’t have time to explain everything. Have you spotted the intruder?”

  Shaking his head, King responded, “So far, nothing. We were about to search the next ‘angar, though.”

  “Have you searched everywhere, but there?”

  “We ‘ave. This is the last place.”

  “No aircraft is missing?”

  King shook his head again, “No.”

  Muller didn’t wait for the rest of the group to move, jogging toward the next hangar, hoping this would be the break he needed.

  I hope Kenji is alright. The last thing we need is for Evans to cause an outbreak here too.

  Opening the door, he held his handgun at the ready, moving quickly through the open area. Muller knew he was completely exposed but was vigilant. The rest of the security team had entered behind him, spreading out across the area to search in a single wave. Muller moved toward the back-office area of the hangar; without hesitation, he opened the door, finding it was empty.

  With a sigh, he moved into the adjacent room, bursting through the door. Inside was a desk, perfect size for someone to hide under, and Muller carefully gave the desk a wide berth, scooting around to see underneath it. Quickly ducking down to peer underneath, he found it was devoid of anyone hiding under it. Beginning to feel frustrated, he knew they were running out of places for the person to be hiding.

  “Muller!”

  He turned to look at where the person calling his name was, moving back into the open area of the hangar. Spotting King, across the ex
panse, he moved closer as King held something up, showing him.

  “I’ve got a black shirt and pants ‘ere.”

  Damn, they changed their clothes already. That means they could be dressed like us to blend in.

  “They are long gone,” King said, throwing the clothes back onto the ground, “What do we do now?”

  “Alert the guard at the main gate, check everyone one’s badges, whoever it is, they have the Director’s badge,” Muller ordered, turning to the five security guards, “Sorry, I’ll need to see all your badges to make sure. I can’t be too safe.”

  The men produced their badges, all lining up with who they were, while King radioed the main gate.

  “I want you five to go to the main gate and help there. If anyone tries to leave, check their badge, and be careful. Whoever we are dealing with is dangerous.”

  The five men left, leaving Muller and King alone in the hangar. Muller ran his hands through his hair, trying to think of his next move.

  Whoever this assassin is, has to still be here. The campus is already on lockdown, we have security posted at the only entrance. It’s clear they didn’t fly out of here. I need to go check on Kenji, make sure that situation is dealt with.

  Muller began to jog, leaving the hangar. King was just behind him, confused, but followed him as they crossed the flat tarmac. As they approached the other side, Kenji came around the corner of the building, spotting them, waiting for them to get closer.

  Muller slowed down as he approached, “Status?”

  Kenji’s face gave away his answer before he spoke, “Evans’ is dead. She forced me to kill her. Several were infected inside, but I dealt with a majority of them. Doors are locked, but we need to sweep the building as soon as possible. What about you?”

  Muller dashed the hope right out of Kenji’s eyes, “We don’t know where they are. We found their black clothes in one of the hangars. I have extra security at the main gate, checking everyone’s ID badges.”

  “What do we do then? The Yokai are taken care of, for the most part, I radioed Rodger to make sure that a security detail was sent to lock down that building,” Kenji asked.