Serial Killer Z: Shadows

by Philip Harris

  Jon let the door swing shut, and the three of us made our way into the elevator.

  Cali pressed a button marked PH2—the second highest floor. The elevator shuddered to life and quickly rose.

  “How many people live here?” I said.

  “A dozen or so, I think, including Jon and me,” Cali said. She glared at the elevator doors as though she could still see the young couple. “We try to keep to ourselves.”

  The way she spoke implied the she and Jon were together. The idea hadn’t occurred to me. He was maybe fifteen years older, and they hadn’t shown each other any particular affection. Either way, my initial assessment that he was a chauffeur was clearly wrong.

  The elevator slowed then stopped. The doors slid open onto a brightly lit corridor. The decor was dark gray, stylish but practical. The only visible door was marked PH2. It had no obvious keyhole, just a metal door handle and a square piece of black glass in the wall. Cali removed a rectangle of plastic from her pocket and pressed it against the glass. The lock made a high-pitched beep and a quiet click.

  Cali twisted the handle, pushed the door open, and led us inside. “Welcome to your new home.”

  The penthouse certainly deserved its moniker. The living room alone was twice the size of my old apartment and decorated in a style befitting of a Hollywood A-lister—all clean lines and metal and glass.

  A long gray sofa faced massive floor to ceiling windows that revealed a panorama of the entire city. Another sofa faced a massive television that took up most of one wall, and there was still room for two matching armchairs. The oak hardwood floor was artfully scattered with expensive-looking rugs. There was a subtle, floral scent in the air.

  “Kitchen is through there,” Cali said, pointing to a half-open door. She turned and pointed down a hallway in the opposite direction. “Master bedroom is right there. It’s got an en suite bathroom, including a shower.

  “There’s some clothes in the closets. I tried to guess your size, but if they don’t fit let Jon know and he’ll grab you something else.”

  Jon handed me a piece of plastic similar to the one Cali had used to get into the apartment. It was white and unmarked apart from a tiny octagon stamped in one corner.

  “That’s your key,” he said.

  Cali picked up a remote control from the arm of the sofa. She tapped its screen, and the lights in the room dimmed slightly.

  She offered me the remote. “I wouldn’t bother trying to watch anything on television, all you’ll get is the emergency broadcast. There’s plenty of music, though, and a few films.”

  I nodded and took the device. It was little more than a rectangle of glass, and it was surprisingly light. I tapped the screen, and a series of icons appeared. Most I recognized—standard playback and volume controls, a television, musical notes, an old movie camera, a telephone handset.

  “You’re probably tired,” Cali said, “and there’s a lot for you to process, so I’ll leave you alone.” She winked at me. “For now, anyway.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Cali grinned, although I couldn’t work out why.

  I followed them to the door. Jon went to the elevator and pressed the call button.

  Cali stood in the doorway. “The remote acts as a phone as well. You can’t make external calls anymore, we have radios for that, but my personal number is in there. If you need anything, or you can’t work out how to turn on the shower, give me a call.” She smirked and raised an eyebrow. “I’m on the floor above so I can be down here in a couple of minutes.”

  “Thank you, again.”

  “No problem, get some rest. I’ve got a treat planned for you tomorrow.”

  Had I not been so tired, the words would have had me running for the exit. Instead, my heart just sank. I forced myself to smile.

  The elevator doors opened.

  Cali leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. She held the kiss for a few seconds before pulling back.

  She smiled at me, eyes glittering. “Goodnight.”

  I closed the door and listened until the elevator had taken Cali and Jon upstairs. I could still feel Cali’s lips against mine, and I didn’t quite know what to make of her behavior.

  Sighing, I made my way back into the living room. The apartment was totally silent. I stood for a few minutes, just basking in the peace and quiet. The lights flickered slightly. I thought they might cut out completely, but they steadied again.

  When I was sure I wasn’t about to be plunged into darkness, I went into the kitchen. It was as modern and as well appointed as everything else in the apartment. Massive appliances, long marble counters, every kitchen device you can imagine. Pots and pans hung over the main counter, and I felt a flash of nostalgia for the kitchen back at Camp Redfern. That was where I’d discovered the shadow could be sated by the dead. If I was honest, that was where I’d felt the most comfortable.

  My leather case was still in my hands. I placed it carefully, almost reverently, on the counter and opened it, trying to feel the connection I was so used to experiencing.

  Nothing.

  I clenched my fists and almost backhanded the case across the counter. The frustration boiling inside me was almost overwhelming. Forcing it down, I shut the case, then pushed it away a couple of inches. It was a purely symbolic gesture, but it made me feel like I was doing something.

  Before the anger could return, I headed into the master bedroom. The bed was huge. Seeing it made me suddenly exhausted. The last few days crashed over me again. I had so many things to process, but I was too tired. I needed sleep. I could reassess everything in the morning. Maybe I’d stay with Cali, maybe I’d leave, but I needed sleep before I could really decide.

  I removed my clothes, neatly piling them on top of one of the three cabinets in the bedroom before slipping beneath the covers. The bed was cool but inviting, and I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

  Chapter 20

  Surprises

  I didn’t know Cali was in my room until she whispered in my ear.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

  I pulled away from her, disoriented. Adrenaline tore through me. I lashed out. My fist barely missed her face.

  “Woah!” Cali said.

  She backed away slightly, out of range of my fists, but she was laughing.

  The memory of where I was drifted back to me. I was in an apartment in the city, not fighting to survive in Faraday’s camp. I’d left the blinds open and warm yellow light filtered in through the window. It was morning. I relaxed and dropped my hands.

  “That’s better. I brought breakfast.”

  Cali retrieved a tray from the dressing table. I could smell the bacon before she’d made it back to me. I sat up, and she smiled again, one eyebrow raised.

  It took me a moment to remember I was naked beneath the covers. I pulled the sheet up a little.

  “Don’t tell me you’re shy?”

  “No, I, err…”

  She rolled her eyes and put the tray down on my lap. My stomach gurgled at the smell of eggs, bacon and freshly baked bread wafting over me. I grabbed the cutlery and began devouring the food.

  Cali sat on the end of the bed and watched me eat, not saying anything until I’d finished. I was happy I didn’t need to make conversation.

  The food was delicious. This was the sort of life I could get used to. I washed it down by drinking an entire glass of orange juice without pausing.

  “Thank you,” I said. “That was… fantastic.”

  “There’s a small farm where one of the parks used to be. It’s rationed, but it’s so good.”

  Cali retrieved the tray, but instead of leaving, she put it back on the dressing table and sat down on the bed. She was nearer this time, and she rested her hands on my thigh. If I hadn’t already been self-conscious, her touch made me intensely aware of my nakedness.

  “So,” she said, “I have a surprise for you today.”

  I dragged my attention away from the weight of her
fingers on my leg. Her words made me nervous. I’d fallen asleep too quickly to have any real time on my own. Tired, I’d agreed to her offer of a place to stay without knowing what I was getting myself into. I hadn’t had time to process everything that had happened since I’d met her. Now she was planning surprises.

  “What surprise?” I said.

  “If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise,” Cali said.

  Her tone was condescending, the sort of voice you’d use with a child. It rankled me. I shifted position, moving my leg away from her hand, and immediately felt childish.

  Cali replaced her hand on my thigh. She watched my face, a faint smile on her lips, waiting for my reaction.

  I swallowed. My throat was dry, despite the orange juice.

  She glanced across the room at the neat pile of clothes on the cabinet. Her eyes widened in delight. “Now I know why you’re so nervous.”

  Curling her fingers around the edge of the sheets, she tried to slide them back. I grabbed them, pulling them close around my body.

  Cali let go and laughed. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone to get dressed.” She walked to the door then turned back. “It’s okay, I won’t peek, I promise.” The flash of her eyes implied she was lying. She wrinkled her nose. “But take a shower first.”

  I waited until the door clicked shut then got out of bed, keeping the sheet pulled around me. Just in case.

  A walk-in closet took up most of the wall opposite the bed. A long row of hangers ran down each side. Just like the clothing depot I’d visited, it held everything I might need, from lightweight shorts to heavy winter coats. The fact that everything looked my size was disconcerting, and it took me a few seconds to realize why.

  Cali had gotten the apartment ready for me. She’d assumed I’d end up here. She clearly had a plan, and I was following it. Pushing aside the question of where that plan led, I picked out a pair of black jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket, and headed into the bathroom.

  It looked almost brand new. I almost felt guilty for using it, but the steaming hot water scorched away the guilt. Again, I was amazed that power was so plentiful in the city. I had to force myself to get out of the shower and dress.

  Cali was waiting for me in the living room. She was standing at the window, looking down on the city. The digital clock on the wall read 10:47. It was a clear day, the clouds having retreated for the time being. The streets below us were mostly empty, apart from a couple of cars and what looked like one of Faraday’s work vans. It turned south. The building we were in wasn’t far from the work camp. Ryan might even be inside that van on his way to the marina.

  “It’s a different city during the day,” Cali said.

  “In what way?”

  “It’s sane.”

  Did she mean compared to the inherent insanity of a city under siege by the dead, or the bizarre events at the club the night before? Maybe it was both.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let me give you your surprise.”

  Cali led me out of the apartment. The elevator was waiting for us, and when we went inside, she twisted a key before pressing the button for a couple of floors down.

  She pocketed the key. “The others hate it when I lock off the elevator. It’s an abuse of power, apparently.” It was clear from her tone she didn’t particularly care what the others thought.

  The elevator stopped, and the doors opened up onto another bland corridor. The layout was different to my floor. There were six doors, all with normal locks. We walked around the corner to the door marked 2905. Cali had the key. She unlocked the door and pushed it open to reveal a dimly lit apartment, the air inside thick with the smell of death.

  Cali reached past me and switched on the lights, revealing two long tables. There was someone chained to each one. As soon as the lights came on, they struggled against their bonds, groaning and grunting. Metal rattled as they fought to break free of their restraints. One of them was a woman, the other a man, but that was all I could work out from where I stood.

  Other than the fact there were two people, not one, the similarities between the video and this scene were hard to miss. The configuration of chains was the same. Four lamps were placed around the room to mimic the lighting. Even the tables were similar to the one I’d found in the abandoned house.

  Cali and I were standing near the apartment’s kitchen. My leather case was sitting on the counter nearby.

  I walked slowly toward the tables. The woman began to struggle again. She was trying to raise her head, but the chains across her throat made it all but impossible.

  We saw each other’s faces at the same time, and I recognized her immediately.

  It was Lucy. At least, it was the thing that had once been Lucy.

  Chapter 21

  Familiar Faces

  Zombie Lucy was thinner than I remembered. Her gray flesh was pulled tight across her cheekbones, and her once blue eyes were now the black orbs that characterized the living dead. She moaned and strained against the chains. Thick black-green bile leaked from the side of her mouth and dripped onto the table.

  The second table held the other survivor from Camp Redfern: Alex. He was more decayed than Lucy. The skin of his neck had split and thick, dark blood oozed from the wound like treacle. One eye was closed. The other tracked me as I moved around the tables.

  Cali was standing beside the door, watching me intently.

  “You know who these people are?” I said.

  “Faraday picked them up from the camp and brought them to the city. They were talking about a killer living out in the forest. That’s how I knew you were alive.”

  “And that’s how you knew to send Jon to find me.”

  “Yes. I helped Lucy and Alex, just like I’ve helped you. In return, they told me everything they knew about the mysterious Marcus Black.”

  “You helped them? Does that mean I’m going to end up like this, too?”

  Cali’s lips curved into a slight smile. “No. They’re for you.”

  I looked at the leather case containing my scalpels. I hadn’t even realized they were gone from my apartment. Cali must have taken them while I was asleep. The idea disturbed me. Not because she’d been in the apartment while I was vulnerable but because I hadn’t noticed I’d lost them again. The shadow would have checked the scalpels were where I’d left them. It would have hidden them in the first place. The fact that I’d left my tools sitting in the open was yet another example of the changes the loss of the shadow had wrought. Changes that I wasn’t comfortable with.

  Lucy made a low, throaty growl, and Alex responded in kind.

  “I should let you get on with your work,” Cali said.

  I didn’t respond, but Cali went to the door anyway. “I’ll be in my apartment,” she said. “It’s on the top floor. Penthouse one.”

  When the door clicked shut behind her, the sound seemed abnormally loud.

  Lucy’s chains rattled, and there was a snapping sound that took me a few seconds to recognize as her teeth clacking together.

  I went over to the kitchen counter and ran my fingers over the leather case. I felt nothing. I unlatched the lid and opened it. I felt nothing. Even when I removed one of the scalpels there was no ripple of excitement, no anticipation. I stared at the blade and willed the shadow to return, but the familiar presence remained absent.

  The zombies let out another chorus of moans.

  I stared at the scalpel’s blade. Perhaps Cali had the right idea. Perhaps I could wake the shadow by working on Alex and Lucy. I could free them of their guilt and resurrect the shadow at the same time.

  Without waiting to consider my actions, I walked quickly back to the tables. I sliced through Alex’s T-shirt. The hairless skin beneath was gray. Fine black threads ran through his flesh, radiating out from a point in the side of his neck. I plunged the scalpel into his chest and dragged it downward, slicing him open. Thick black blood oozed from the incision.

  Alex let out a loud, almost anguished cry and struggled fruit
lessly against the chains. The edge of one of them was sharp and it cut into his arm, releasing a fresh trickle of blood.

  I cut again—two horizontal slashes across his chest—then pulled the resultant rectangle of flesh back. The muscle beneath was rotten and covered with gangrenous splotches, but there was no guilt. The black tendrils that I’d seen so many times were invisible without the shadow’s presence to unlock my sight.

  Desperation driving me onward, I turned my attention to Lucy. The flesh beneath her T-shirt was puckered and distorted by rot. Just as with Alex, dark veins crisscrossed her torso—black threads emanating from a point on her neck. Seeing them gave me a sliver of hope, but all I found beneath her skin was the same rotting flesh.

  Dejected, I backed slowly away from the tables. The two zombies bucked and twisted. Blood dripped from the edge of the tables and spattered onto the floor. The stench of decay had grown stronger, becoming almost overwhelming.

  I stopped when I reached the counter holding the leather case. I felt for the shadow one last time, then dropped the bloody scalpel and left the apartment.

  Chapter 22

  Research

  The door to Cali’s apartment was open. She was sitting with Jon on a sofa, waiting for me. As I walked through the door, Cali turned to me. Her eyes were filled with excitement.

  I looked away.

  She frowned and came to me. “What happened?”

  “Nothing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I glanced over Cali’s shoulder at Jon. His head was bowed as though in prayer.

  “Jon?” Cali said. “Can you leave us alone for a while?”

  Jon raised his head but didn’t turn around.

  “Please?” Cali said. “You can deal with the bodies downstairs.”

  Finally, Jon nodded. He stood and walked across the room. He didn’t speak, but he caught my gaze as he passed by. There was a cold, bitter anger in his eyes.