Rise of the Undead (Book 4): Apocalypse Z

by Higgins, Baileigh

  Their footsteps echoed through the halls, and Tara took care to jot down every detail in her mind. If she ever managed to escape, she needed to know the way out. That was starting to look more and more unlikely, though.

  Along the way, they passed through several checkpoints, and every entrance was guarded by more of King’s pseudo-soldiers. The windows were barred from within, and cameras watched from above. By the time they reached the lab itself, Tara was feeling the weight of despair. This is impossible. I’ll never get out on my own.

  That meant Amy was her only hope. If the girl could alert the rest of their friends to her whereabouts, she stood a chance. If not, she was a dead woman.

  King, sensing her mood, smiled. “As you can see, escape is improbable. Not only have I taken every precaution to secure this facility, but I also hold one of the only two key cards that can open that door.” He dangled the card he’d used to gain access to the lab in front of her eyes.

  “Who has the other one?” Tara asked.

  “Bannock. The man might be a fool, but he knows where his loyalties lie. He won’t let you get your hands on it,” King said. “And even if you did manage to get it, you’d never get out of the building.”

  “Your men. They’re not the army,” Tara said, fishing for information.

  “That’s a very clever observation, Dr. Lee. I liberated them from a nearby prison. They were starving and only too happy to throw in their lot with me.”

  “I’ll bet,” Tara said with a bitter note in her voice.

  “If I were you, I’d give them a wide berth. They haven’t seen a real woman in months,” King said. “Not that you are allowed outside the lab. Everything you need is right here.”

  “You’d let them rape me?” Tara asked, horror flooding her veins.

  “Of course not. You’re too valuable for that, and such a traumatic experience would impact your work,” King replied. “But, if you tried to escape, such a lesson might be in order.”

  Tara sucked in a deep breath, shocked to the core at how far King was willing to go to get what he wanted. “You’re a monster.”

  King shrugged. “Words are just labels, my dear.”

  “You’ll never succeed,” Tara spat. “Amy will make it back to Fort Detrick, and they’ll come to rescue me. You and your men won’t stand a chance.”

  King laughed, loud and long. “I beg to differ. Even if Red doesn’t catch your young companion, I’ve already alerted my allies at Fort Detrick. If she reaches the base, they’ll be waiting for her.”

  Tara paled. “How? That’s impossible.”

  “Nothing is impossible. Not with the right equipment,” King replied with a smirk. “I’ll admit, we’re a little short on the niceties here such as water and food, but we’ll fix that soon enough. As for guns, I have plenty. More than enough for your friends should they discover my hideout.”

  Tara shook her head, at a loss for words.

  “Did you notice the guys with the spades and wheelbarrows?” King asked.

  “Yes, what of it?”

  “What do you think they were planting all around the fence?” King added.

  He mimed a mini explosion with his hands, and Tara recoiled. “You mined the place?”

  “Just one more surprise for your friends,” King replied. “So, you see. Instead of hoping for rescue, you should pray for the opposite. That way, your friends might live to see the spring.”

  “They’re smarter than that,” Tara said, but inside, her dreams of freedom were dying a slow death.

  “You’re wasting your time with false hope,” King replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Now, let me show you around. I don’t have all day.”

  He hobbled around the lab on his crutches and switched on a desk lamp. “I’ve ensured that you have an uninterrupted supply of both electricity and water. That’s more than the rest of us can say, so be grateful.”

  Tara didn’t reply, but the information was useful. Blackouts meant the camera systems and alarms would go off, leaving only the guards and checkpoints to contend with during an escape.

  “In there are the specimen cages. Be careful. Betsie is a biter,” King said, indicating a door with a sign that read “Danger.”

  “Betsie?” Tara asked with a frown. “Who’s Betsie?”

  “That’s what the men called her when they caught her.” King shrugged. “I assumed you’d need a zombie for your experiments. If you need another, say the word, and I’ll arrange it.”

  “Can I see?” Tara asked, reaching for the door.

  “You’ll need this,” King said, handing her another key-card.

  “Is this the only one?” she asked.

  “Except for my copy and Bannock’s, yes.”

  The door opened with a hiss, and Tara stepped into a small room. Two glass cages lined the wall. Inside the first one stood an infected woman in her twenties with long dark hair and eyes. In life, she could have been pretty. Now, black lines covered her pale skin, and dirt matted her hair.

  When she spotted them, she threw herself at the door, howling with hunger and rage. Her hands left smears of blood behind, and more covered her chin and chest.

  Tara studied the cage. “Is it secure?”

  “Yes. That’s bulletproof glass set in a solid steel frame. The only way to open it is with your key card. If the power goes out, it switches to automatic shutdown. Nothing goes in or out. You can secure samples through the small window over there, but be careful.”

  “You’re sure she can’t get out?” Tara asked.

  “Of course, I wouldn’t risk your life with poor quality equipment. You’re too⁠—”

  “Valuable, yes. You keep saying that, but earlier you were quick to say none of us were irreplaceable,” Tara interrupted. “So, which is it?”

  “Both. You have the knowledge to produce a cure to the virus. That’s of extreme use to me. Your possible ability to produce a vaccine even more so,” King said. “But if you prove to be more trouble than you’re worth, I wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of you.”

  “I see.”

  “I hope you do, Dr. Lee. For your own sake,” King said.

  “What about food and a place to sleep?” she asked.

  “Everything is here. You need only settle in. I’ll allow you a day to rest and get familiar with your new home. After that, I expect you to get to work.”

  “Fine,” Tara replied, folding her arms.

  “If you have any further requests, pass them on to the guard at the door. He’ll make sure I get them,” King said. “Now, I’ve got to go. World domination and all that. Enjoy your new accommodations.”

  Without a backward glance, King left the lab. The door slid shut behind him, and she threw herself at it with a scream of frustration. It wouldn’t budge, not that she expected it too. Its smooth, shiny surface resisted all of her efforts.

  Finally, she sank to the ground and burst into tears. “How did it all come to this? Saul, where are you, my love? I need you.”

  But there was no one to answer her —nothing but the clinical silence of a cold, empty lab. With a sigh, she wiped the tears from her face and stood up. For the moment, she had no choice but to accept her incarceration and obey King. He’d made it clear what to expect if she continued to rebel.

  That didn’t mean she couldn’t bide her time. There had to be a way to escape. Also, she had to trust that Amy would not only make it back to Fort Detrick but somehow evade King’s men as well. She had to have faith, an alien concept to someone like her.

  As a scientist, Tara didn’t believe in God. She believed in facts and equations. What she could see, touch, hear, smell, and above all, prove. But, Saul had taught her there was more to life. For a soldier, he had steadfast ideas on destiny and the soul. Some of it had rubbed off on her during the months they’d been together.

  With a start, she realized she’d not spent a day apart from him since the outbreak started. He’d become her rock, and without him, she was lost. I guess it�
��s time to stand on my own two feet again.

  With fresh determination, she set about exploring the lab. It was extensive, with all the equipment she needed, and living quarters had been provided for her on the far side. A glass cubicle served as a bedroom complete with a bed, nightstand, wardrobe, and curtains for privacy. The cubicle next to it had been converted into a kitchenette. A washbasin and counter graced one wall topped with a coffee maker, toaster, microwave oven, and a two-plate stove. A fridge and a small table with two chairs rounded out the furniture. Inside the cupboards she found cookware, cutlery, and a selection of food. At least, I won’t starve.

  There were bathrooms for both sexes complete with showers and lockers as well as the usual decontamination room. A thorough search of all the rooms satisfied her there were no cameras installed. There were plenty inside the lab itself, but none in her private quarters. Thank God, King isn’t a pervert. A killer and a monster, but no peeping tom.

  Exhausted, Tara used the last of her energy to shower and crawl into bed. The blankets were thick and warm. If she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine she was home. It wasn’t home, however, and she was the only living thing inside the lab.

  Fighting against the despair that threatened to overwhelm her, Tara called out loud. “Goodnight, Betsie.”

  An answering growl made her smile. Instead of fear, she felt relief. Betsie was locked away tight, sealed behind several layers of security. There was no reason to fear her, and at least, her presence meant Tara wasn’t completely alone.

  With a chuckle, Tara added, “Sleep tight. Don’t let the maggots bite!”

  Chapter 19 - Dylan

  Dylan paced the narrow confines of the waiting room with barely contained impatience. Hours had passed since she and Ethan spoke, and she still wasn’t allowed to see Alex. Every time she asked, she got the same excuses.

  “He’s still sleeping.”

  “He’s under heavy sedation.”

  “The best thing for his body is to rest.”

  She was beginning to think the staff all conspired against her. They probably knew about Phyllis and her fall-out with Ethan. This is their idea of revenge. I’m sure of it.

  She ran her hands through her hair, wincing at the oily knots she encountered. “Man, I need a shower.”

  At that moment, a nurse walked past, and Dylan jumped at the opportunity. “Miss, is my friend awake yet? Can I see him, please?”

  “I’m afraid not,” the nurse replied. She was young, barely out of her teens with coffee-colored skin and curly hair. Pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way.

  “Are you serious?” Dylan asked. “I’ve been waiting all day.”

  “Please, be patient. I’m sure they’ll let you see him soon,” the nurse replied.

  “You know what? I could be at home right now, having a hot bath, a hot meal, and a good night’s sleep. Instead, I’m in a hospital, dying of hunger, stinking to high heaven, and sleep-deprived enough to become a zombie. Why? To support a friend. A friend who means the world to me. A friend I might never see again.”

  “Ma’am⁠, I’m sorry, but—” the nurse began.

  “I just want to know that he’s okay,” Dylan interrupted with tears shimmering in her eyes. “That’s all, I swear it.”

  The nurse hesitated, and her gaze softened. After a quick look over her shoulder, she whispered. “He’s in room one-zero-eight. Make it quick, and if they catch you, you never spoke to me.”

  Dylan grinned, the tears disappearing like mist before the sun. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

  On stealthy feet, Dylan made her way to the correct room. When no one was looking, she slipped inside and ran to Alex’s bedside. He was as pale as the sheets he lay on and covered in tubes. One IV line was hooked up to some kind of medication, while another led to a blood transfusion. A monitor beeped every couple of seconds, its readings a mystery to her.

  “Oh, Alex. You look terrible,” Dylan exclaimed. She reached out and laid a soft hand on his arm. “What will Amy think when she sees you like this?”

  Alex stirred at the mention of his sister’s name, and his eyes fluttered open. “Amy? Where’s Amy?”

  His voice was so soft, she almost couldn’t make out the words, especially with the oxygen mask across his lips.

  “What’s that? Are you asking about Amy?”

  Alex managed a shaky nod.

  Dylan took heart at that and squeezed his arm with gentle fingers. “Don’t worry about your sister. Saul and I are going out in the morning to look for her, and I promise we won’t come back without her.”

  Alex nodded again, but that was the limit of his strength. Without saying another word, he drifted off into sleep again.

  Dylan sighed. “I hate seeing you like this. It’s not fair. Out of all the men I know, you’re the one who least deserves this.” She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Sleep well, dear friend. I’ll see you soon.”

  Walking on tiptoe, she stuck her head into the hallway. A quick look to the left and right assured her it was clear, and she made a run for it. She’d almost reached the turn when a cold voice stopped her in her tracks. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Dylan froze mid-step and squeezed her eyes shut. Shit, it’s Ethan.

  Plastering a smile on her face, she turned around. “Busted.”

  He scowled at her. “I did not give you permission to see Alex.”

  “Yes, I know, but ⁠—”

  “Get out of my hospital.”

  “Excuse me?” Dylan asked, taken aback.

  “You heard me. Get out.”

  “You can’t be serious,” she said. “You’re chasing me away?”

  “Yes, I’m serious. I want you to get out. ” Ethan’s voice was low and strained.

  “Why? Because I snuck in to see Alex? I’ve been waiting for hours, and I just wanted to check on him,” Dylan protested.

  “That’s the problem with you, Dylan. You want, you want, you want. Without regard for the consequences. Twice now, you’ve endangered Alex’s life with your reckless disregard for the rules.”

  “I did not,” Dylan protested.

  “Yes, you did. In the first instance, your actions delayed our efforts to provide life-saving treatment. In the second, you disturbed his rest, a vital part of the healing process,” Ethan said. “In both instances, you disobeyed the rules. My rules. Not to mention the fact that you physically assaulted a nurse and a member of my staff.”

  “Look, I’m sorry, Ethan. I promise it won’t happen again,” Dylan said. “Just don’t ban me from seeing Alex anymore. He’s like family to me.”

  “You’ve left me no choice, Dylan,” Ethan said with a firm shake of the head. “I want you gone.

  Dylan’s eyes narrowed. “Is this really about Alex and that nurse? Or is it because of what I told you?”

  Ethan stiffened. “This has nothing to do with that.”

  “Are you sure? Because you’re acting a lot like someone out to get revenge,” Dylan said, folding her arms across her chest. “Is that it? Petty revenge?”

  Ethan paled. “Petty? Are you calling me petty? I left everything behind to look for you., believing we had a connection, only to have you pick someone else. But, I guess you did me a favor because I could never love someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Spell it out for me,” Dylan prompted. “Say it, Ethan. I know you want to.”

  “A bloodthirsty killer. A half-human hybrid monster. That’s what you are,” Ethan said, the words harsh and cutting.

  Dylan smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. “Remember those words, Ethan, because one day, you’ll be sorry you said them.”

  “Get out,” Ethan said, his face turning red. “I don’t want to see you in here again. Ever.”

  Dylan stared at him for a slow second, her lips twisted. “I thought you were a good man once. A kind man. I guess I was wrong.”


  “Out!” Ethan screamed, his expression one of a man on the edge of reason.

  “I heard you the first time, asshole.” Spinning on her heel, Dylan walked away with her head held high, and her back ramrod straight. She’d be damned if she let him see how much his words had hurt her.

  “Dylan, are you okay?” a voice asked, breaking into her thoughts.

  Her eyes focused on Nick’s figure, and she gasped. “Nick!”

  “It’s me.”

  “You heard all of that?”

  “Every word.” Nick frowned. “What’s gotten into him? That’s not like Ethan.”

  “It’s a long story,” Dylan said, shaking her head.

  “You can tell me on the way to our place. I came to fetch you,” Nick said.

  “Fetch me?”

  “That’s right. Saul is leaving at dawn to look for Tara and Amy. If you want to go along, you need to eat and get some sleep.”

  “Sounds good,” Dylan replied. “Let me get my things.”

  After collecting her jacket, gloves, beanie, and scarf, Dylan walked with Nick to the barracks he occupied. It wasn’t home, but at that moment, she didn’t know where home was. Definitely not the house Alex got shot in. “I guess I’ll have to go back there at some point to clean up the mess.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Saul and I went there after questioning the guards this morning. We tidied the rooms and locked up. The carpet is a complete loss. We’ll have to find another use for it,” Nick said. “I also collected your stuff. I figured you wouldn’t want to go back there anytime soon.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it,” Dylan said. “What about Saul?”

  “He’ll share with a couple of other soldiers for now. At least, until Tara gets back,” Nick replied.

  Dylan sighed. “This is all such a mess. Ethan, Amy, Tara, and Alex. How did all of this happen?”

  “I don’t know, but I do know we’ll fix it,” Nick replied.

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I know us, and I know you. You’re strong and independent. You don’t need me or anyone to fight your battles for you. That’s why I didn’t interfere back there. As for Saul, that man is invincible. Between the two of you, you’ll find Tara and Amy, and you’ll bring them back. Me, I don’t scare worth a damn. I’m ready for King. Besides, if four bullets couldn’t kill Alex, nothing will.”