Deadly Eleven

by Mark Tufo

  I am lying in a boat on the water, drifting slowly in a lake and rocking gently as I stare up at the blue sky above. The sun shines on my face, its warmth caressing me. The boat is not rocking in a constant motion but more in sporadic waves. A rocking, then nothing, then another after a moment. I stare into the blue sky to see an eagle soaring above me. I hear its screech as it rides the winds. It wheels and circles back around, dropping lower until its shadow is large across me, blotting out the sun as it passes between it and me. The eagle calls out as it passes by.

  “Dad,” it calls. “Dad.”

  What the fuck, I think starting to sit up in the boat.

  I open my eyes to Robert gently shaking my shoulder and his flashlight staring straight into my eyes.

  “Dad,” he softly whispers again.

  “Yeah, I’m up,” I reply.

  “It’s two,” he says, removing the light from my eyes.

  “Okay. Anything going on?” I whisper, taking a moment to wake up. The radiant light from his flashlight illuminates the room slightly showing lumps on the floor around me like tiny hills.

  “No. It’s been completely quiet,” he answers.

  “Okay, I’m good. Get some sleep,” I tell him.

  I climb out of my sleeping bag, grab my flashlight, and slide my Beretta into my holster. I inch along the floor on my butt to the wall, dragging my sleeping bag with me and drape it over my legs. It is a little chilly in the room after the warmth of being in the bag.

  Robert climbs into his bag and his light goes off. Everything is completely dark, and I am not sure I even have my eyes open. I blink to make sure and things slowly become a shade of gray. I hear the soft breathing of everyone sleeping in the darkness. Robert moves in the gray shadows, adjusts the bag, and drifts off. I remember the times when it was just him and me on our weekends, and we would talk the night away about some story or another once the lights were out. We would be doing just that right now, talking about the day’s events, if it weren’t for the exhaustion that those events brought about. My mind drifts to Lynn, hoping she is truly okay, wanting to be there now, to what the future may hold, to the peacefulness of the dream, and once again to the beginning of all of this…

  Washington DC—The Food and Drug Administration reports approval of the Cape Town flu vaccine. In a statement issued by the administration, the armed forces will be receiving the first vaccinations within the next 24 to 48 hours. Vaccinations will be available to the general public within 48 hours. Local flu shot locations can be found at http://...

  “This is a worldwide effort and vaccinations will be delivered to all world countries at the same time it becomes available to the general public here in the United States,” reported a spokeswoman for the FDA.

  With the death tolls reported to reach over 200,000 and over one million confirmed cases worldwide, the lines at flu shot locations are expected to be long as fear of the virus spreads. “We have produced enough vaccine to inoculate approximately seventy-five percent of the world population with more being produced daily,” The FDA reports. “This is due to the world governments and major pharmaceutical corporations focusing their efforts on the production of the Cape Town vaccine.”

  I am so not going to ‘get my flu shot’ nor stand in line to do so. I don’t usually find myself in groups of people, so I am not overly worried about getting the flu. I avoided all of the other ones to date and am sure I will not be getting this one either. More than likely, this will become old news once the vaccine has been distributed. I talked to Lynn that night, asking if she knew when she was getting hers. She mentioned they were required to get theirs within forty-eight hours of delivery; the first of which were expected to be the next morning. She also mentioned there was an increasing number of people going to sick call, to the point she had to fill in double shifts and no longer had her usual day off.

  “Well, that sucks,” I told her at the time. “That means we won’t have our usual long Skype session.”

  “Are you going to get yours right off?” I asked.

  “I won’t have time tomorrow but will have to find time within the next couple of days,” she answered.

  Washington DC—The Pentagon reported that the first soldiers received the Cape Town vaccine yesterday as the first vaccines were administered to the general public today. While the death toll and reported cases continue to climb,…

  In my talk with Lynn that night, she mentioned there were a lot of people who were reporting to sick call. This was annoying her, because her unit was getting ready to deploy back to the States. The people who needed to be there and help with the deployment were not showing up, and it was becoming a huge cluster fuck.

  Washington DC—The Pentagon today denied reports that service members were reporting into sick call in vast numbers. It also denied rumors that armed forces personnel have died as a result of either the Cape Town flu virus or the associated vaccine.

  “We do not release details of deaths until the next of kin have been notified,” a spokesman for the Pentagon said in an issued statement. “We can neither confirm nor deny reports at this time.”

  In my nightly talk with Lynn, I mentioned the article. She gave that look she always gives when she can’t talk about something.

  “I can only say that things are a little crazy around here right now,” she mentioned, looking back over her shoulder.

  “Did you get your shot yet?” I asked.

  “No, but I am supposed to tomorrow. We were given an extra twenty-four hours to get it done since the waiting lines are huge. Did you get yours yet?” she asked.

  “Hell no,” I told her. “I don’t plan on it either.”

  “Well, you’re a big boy now and can make your own decisions,” she replied.

  “I love you! I can’t wait until you’re back home,” I said.

  “I love you, too!” That was the last I heard from her.

  Washington DC—Rumors continue to circulate today about large numbers of deaths within the armed forces supposedly associated with the Cape Town flu vaccine. Other reports indicate violent attacks upon armed forces personnel by unknown assailants. In one report being circulated by various news sites, these personnel are being attacked by other service members.

  A news blackout has been enforced by the armed forces from all bases. The Pentagon has refused to comment…

  Wow! What the hell!

  I tried to see if Lynn was online. Nothing. I tried her phone and sent a message via email. I even tried her army email address. I never use that one, but I was a bit worried. So far, nothing back.

  A noise outside intrudes on my wondering thoughts. It’s a shriek very similar to those I heard in my encounters with whatever these things are or have become. This one sounds far away; almost like the coyote howls I hear on some nights. Lonely, yet calling their message to others. Another one answers out in the distance of the night. I sit against the wall thinking about waking the others.

  I will if I hear them get any closer, I think, listening for more sounds.

  Only the continued soft breathing interrupts the stillness of the night. After a bit, my mind heads back…

  New York, NY—Hospitals have been swamped today with people reporting into emergency rooms citywide. Sore throats, headaches, and high fevers are being reported similar to those symptoms associated with the Cape Town flu. Sirens have been a constant sound within the city as emergency personnel respond to the numerous calls. City officials report that emergency resources have been stretched past the limit of being able to respond to any emergency in a timely fashion.

  Numerous deaths in the thousands have been reported within the city of New York alone. Other major cities across the United States and other countries are reporting similar stories. The death toll could possibly reach the millions by the end of the day according to reports being received.

  Los Angeles, California—Fear has spread across this city as the reports of deaths and sicknesses continue to mount. Many businesses and
government offices have shut down due to very few people showing up for work. Hospitals and clinics have been filled up since early this morning from people arriving with high fevers and flu-like symptoms. Most people are being sent home as emergency services are unable to cope with the sheer volume of the sick. This is a trend being seen nationwide.

  Attacks and riots have been reported within the city and in many of the outlining areas. The governor has called in the National Guard to restore order to the cities but response has been limited so far.

  Reports of people attacking others continue to mount with many deaths from these attacks reported.

  Atlanta, Georgia—The CDC has issued a joint statement with the FDA today recalling all of the Cape Town flu vaccines. All clinics and flu shot locations have been instructed to cease the administration of the vaccine.

  Washington DC—The Pentagon is continuing its media blackout and remains quiet, refusing any comment. Rumors continue to circulate through the capital that the armed forces have established quarantine areas within its bases. Many rumors mention violent attacks by armed forces personnel.

  Schools and public service buildings have closed across the country until further notice. Many businesses…

  I called the kids to see if they were alright. They said they were doing fine, but I could tell they seemed a bit worried by all that was going on. I don’t have TV service and haven’t in a few years, so they were probably being inundated with reports. They told me even Shelton here has had reports of deaths and attacks but that was only hearsay.

  “Okay,” I said. “Don’t go anywhere if you can help it. I’ll see you this weekend.”

  Amsterdam, Netherlands—Reports coming out of the Netherlands capital city tonight are staggering. Government and emergency services seemed to have come to a standstill.

  “The infrastructure has collapsed,” commented one citizen standing in front of his home with his wife and two children standing beside him. “Riots and fires are burning out of control in some places. There has apparently been a number of attacks by others and even reports of cannibalism,” he mentioned, shepherding his family back into their home.

  “I can confirm the reports of attacks on others,” one emergency worker commented while helping another worker lift a stretcher into the back of an ambulance. “Many of the people we are now responding to have bite marks taking gouges out of their flesh and report these attacks are being made by other people.”

  Deaths in the hundreds of thousands have been reported in the city. Government sources…

  Washington DC—The Pentagon, after maintaining silence for the past 48 hours, has issued a statement today stating that it had established quarantines in many of its bases but that the quarantine has been breached. It admitted that it has lost contact with a majority of bases worldwide.

  Atlanta, Georgia—In a statement issued today, the CDC indicates that the Cape Town flu vaccine has apparently interacted with human DNA on a base level. These base level changes seem to invoke a violent reaction in those that have not succumbed to the vaccine. Preliminary figures indicate that the mortality rate from those that have received the vaccine at around seventy-five percent with a margin of plus or minus five percent. The wide margin is due to the small amount of confirmed data currently present. Reports seem to indicate that approximately one percent of the population has a natural immunity.

  “The interesting thing we are seeing in this data is that the natural immunity seems to be familial,” Dr. Roberta Kline said, speaking from her desk inside the CDC. “That is, we are seeing that immunity bestow within family groups. We just don’t have enough data to fully support this, but the preliminary figures seem to indicate this. Another interesting thing that is coming from our data is that the ones who are mutating due to the vaccine seem to have an aversion to light. Again, our data is limited and needs further study.”

  Seaside, Oregon—Fear has spread through this small Oregon coastal community as the number of attack and death reports continues to mount across the nation.

  “I have seen people attacking others in the middle of the night,” says one Seaside resident. “There only seems to be the dead, the sick, or those attacking, still around.”

  “They don’t look right,” chimed in another resident, “and they attack everything in sight.”

  It’s then that a notice appeared at the bottom right of my laptop, ‘Network Connection Lost’. I looked up at the router on top of my big screen TV to see most of the lights had gone dark. The link light was still blinking but the receive and send lights were dark.

  Damn! No Internet! That totally, totally sucks, I think as my phone rang. It was Robert on the line.

  “Hey, bud,” I answered.

  “Hey, Dad,” he whispered back.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “There’s someone or something in the house,” he said. “We can hear something moving around in the house. I have Brianna and Nicole down in the basement with me and the basement door shut.”

  “Can you get out of the basement? I mean through a window or something?” I asked.

  “No. The windows are too small,” he replied.

  “Okay, keep very quiet and put your cell on vibrate. Tell Bri and Nicole to turn theirs off if they have them with. I’ll be there shortly,” I said.

  “Okay, Dad,” he said and hung up.

  I grabbed my weapons, my keys, and walked to Mom’s house. After telling her that the kids called and I was going to pick them up, I stepped outside, carrying my 12-gauge pump shotgun, I slid my Beretta 9mm into the speed draw holster at my side.

  Chapter 122

  Mowing the Yard

  The sound of a dog barking franticly outside startles me. It sounds as if it is coming from the driveway in front of the house. I am not sure what hour it is, but it feels like I have only been awake for a short while. But then again, reveries will do funny things to time. I pick up my gun and scoot over to the darkened lump that I think is Robert. Holding my hand over the end of my flashlight, I turn it on. I barely make out Robert’s face lying there with the bag pulled up to his chin. Setting the light between my legs, I kneel over him and gently cup my hand over his mouth. He wakens instantly and gives his head a twist trying to shake free.

  “Ssshhh, it’s me. I think there might be something outside,” I whisper in the dark. As he wakens, I remove my hand from his mouth. “Quietly wake the others and watch your light. Cup your hand over the end.”

  I hear him slide out of his bag and move over to the other mounds on the floor; silhouetted by the faint light escaping from his flashlight. I move over and wake Mom. A light stabs into the darkened room.

  “Lights out!” I whisper sharply, and the light disappears, darkening the room once again. I hear the rustling movement of sleeping bags being moved as the girls slide out of their cozy beds.

  “Against the wall like we talked about,” I say softly to everyone amidst the sound of the dog barking outside.

  The dog is continuously barking like it spotted something and feels threatened, that alpha dog thing. Over the frantic barking comes a shriek, like a threatening scream. I want to head over to a window or the front door peephole to see what is going on but feel this is one of those times to become a black hole, only without any of the gravitational effect.

  The frantic nature of the barking is now replaced by silence outside. One additional bark is followed by more silence. Now two barks and silence. A high-pitched shriek again interrupts the silence but with a different tone. If I can put a quality to it, it seems like a surprised and pained sound. A solid, loud thump hammers the side of the house hard enough to be felt. It’s followed a split-second later by the sharp, short yelp of a dog in pain. I hear Bri emit a soft moan of sympathy. She has always loved animals and is, well, was, wanting to become a veterinarian. The yelps are now coming in a continuous series. Five, six, seven, and then, total silence again descends upon us in the darkened room.

  The dim light,
emitting through my fingers from the flashlight, illuminates everyone. Robert has his gun out and is on his knees pointing at the back hallway. Michelle is facing the windows set in the outside wall on the other side of the room. Mom is behind me with her pistol pointed at the floor between the back door and us. Bri and Nicole sit against the wall surrounded by us, their knees drawn up to their chest with one arm around each other. They look like bookends. It is amazing how they seem to do this without thinking. Their habits are so similar. I have a theory that many habits and motions may be DNA based. I guess it could be mimicry from them being around each other so much.

  We sit in silence for what seems like an hour, but in all actuality it is only a matter of about fifteen minutes, when I hear the rattle of cans coming from the front of the house. The noise goes on and on, like someone playing Yahtzee with a tin shaker and metal dice. One set of the cans on the front porch has been knocked off, and, somewhat amusingly, may be tangled up with whatever is out there. That would be nice if the cans have, in fact, become a more permanent part of it. That way, we will know where one is at least, sort of like a cow with a bell around its neck. I swear I hear a muffled growl and the cans stop banging around.

  “Everyone keep absolutely quiet no matter what happens outside. If something gets in, then that’s a different story, but until then, be quiet,” I say as silence once more dominates the world around us.

  BANG! The sound at the front door startles me and does a kick-start to my heart as adrenaline starts flowing through my system. Another bang as something large slams into the front screen door. A shriek sounds amidst the noise of glass breaking and falling to the ground.

  “Flashlights on, but stand them with the ends on the floor,” I whisper, glancing to the darkened shapes around me. “If anything gets in the front door and there are too many, we are going out the side door. Robert, you lead to the door and I’ll cover the rear. Once outside, we’ll switch and I’ll take the lead. Everyone else do the same as we talked about.”