by Steven Bynum
“Didn’t you see that building exploded as we drove away from the base? That was the oxygen storage building, Misty. It’s only a matter of time, now. They will run out of oxygen, and they will die.” Trevor hit the steering wheel.
Misty was startled and looked at him for a moment, then turned back away. “What about the vaccine?”
“There was no time to make any more vaccine. You know that. I took one and you took the other.” Trevor glanced in the rear-view mirror at a small cooler he had packed away in the Humvee a couple of hours before everything went to Hell. “You know it takes a long time to produce.”
“Yeah, well, I still say I should have taken that other Humvee. I mean, what if this one breaks down? We were very lucky that they were parked there with the supplies in them already. How weird is that?” Misty looked at the sky in thought.
Trevor cut his eyes over at her and thought before responding. “Yes, how convenient.” Trevor looked back at the road just in time to swerve and miss an abandoned car. “Shit!”
Misty held a hand on her chest with her eyes wide. “Please try to watch the road, Trevor. I don’t know where we’re going, but I want to get there in one piece.”
Trevor blushed with embarrassment. He sat up straight in the seat and placed his hands at 10 and 2 position on the steering wheel.
“So, where are we heading anyway?” Misty probed for information.
“Misty, my dear, since everyone’s pretty much dead. I can tell you. We are heading to Mount Weather, Virginia, the operations center of FEMA. If any high ranking military officials or civilians have survived this disaster, there’s a good chance they are located there.” Trevor glanced at her with a smile on his face. “It just so happens, I have access to the facility.”
“Oh, well I hope you’re right.” Misty smiled back.
Trevor brought the Humvee to a stop and turned around. He began driving back in the opposite direction.
“Umm, what are you doing?” Misty asked. She had a confused look on her face. “I thought you said we were going to Mount Weather.”
“I’m doubling back. I’m fairly certain I threw that helicopter off our trail. I guess it was Captain Thomas, err, Reverend Thomas flying it. We don’t want that madman following us to the facility, now do we?” Trevor responded.
“No, I guess not.” Misty spoke and smiled again.
***
Jacob parked the Humvee. He was attempting to understand the map he had found inside a storage compartment. Several locations were circled with green ink. What those circles indicated, he did not know.
“Certainly, all this means something. Hell if I know what it is, partner.” Jacob looked over at the crowbar in the opposite seat.
Jacob fumbled with the map some more. He flipped it over and looked at one side before flipping it back over and looking at the other. After a moment he tossed it to the side and began fumbling inside the storage compartment again. He found more maps inside. These were maps of individual States. He tossed them to the side and looked out the window.
“It may be tougher to track these people down now that I think about it. It’s a big world out there, you know.” Jacob tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “If you were them; where would you go?” He looked over at the crowbar as if waiting for an answer.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You really don’t have much to say do you. I don’t blame you though. That was a tough question.” Jacob stared ahead and glimpsed something in the distance in front of them.
Jacob sat up straight and squinted his eyes. “Now, what is that, I wonder?”
Jacob began fumbling around in various compartments looking for something. “Where the Hell is it? I know it’s in here somewhere.” He stopped searching for a moment and thought. He shifted in his seat and his eyes fell upon the object. The binoculars he wanted were sitting there on the dash. “Good grief. If it was a snake, it would have bitten me.”
A big grin came upon Jacob’s face as he looked through the binoculars. Was it luck or support from the divine? He didn’t know, but coming straight toward him from the opposite direction was another Humvee. Jacob had no doubt in his mind who was driving it. The search had suddenly become much easier than anticipated. Dr. Atkinson was coming to him.
Just as suddenly, the Humvee turned right down a side road and began putting distance between them. “Oh, shit!” Jacob followed the Humvee with the binoculars as far as he could. He attempted to take note of landmarks as it disappeared in the distance. He cranked his Humvee and pushed the gas pedal down to the floor. Speeding forward in an attempt to find the road, he turned, and follow them.
Ten
“Well, there it is my dear. The entrance gate to the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center. Should have everything we need to hole up for a long while; food, water, et cetera.” Trevor pointed at the gate and looked over at Misty with a smile.
“Do you think anyone is alive in there?” Misty asked as she stared ahead. “Surely some government officials heeded your advice and made ready with an oxygen supply. Do you think?”
“I don’t know. I think if those government and military nitwits would have heeded my advice, things may look a lot different right now. At least, we would have had more people and a whole lot more resources stockpiled than what we had went the shit hit the fan. Perhaps then I would have been able to produce enough vaccine to save the personnel we had with us. If I had only had more time.”
“Shh, don’t beat yourself up, Trevor. It’s not your fault.” Misty consoled him by placing a hand on his face. “At least we’re together.”
“Whatever would I do without you.” Trevor leaned over and kissed her gently. They embraced and kissed for a long moment before Trevor pulled away from her. He cleared his throat. “Umm, now’s not the time for that, I’m afraid. We need to check out this facility.”
“Your loss.” Misty responded as she flicked her hair back.
Trevor stared at her for a moment. He believed she was the most beautiful woman alive. Perhaps she was. He put the Hummer in gear and pressed the gas pedal, slamming into the back of a parked car he had forgotten about. His face turned red with embarrassment. “Oops.”
Misty laughed until they stopped at the entrance gate.
Trevor popped the hatch on top of the Humvee and scanned the area with a pair of binoculars. The above-ground section of the facility was very large. It was estimated to include 434 acres. There was a lot of area he could not see, but the immediate area was all he cared about for now. The immediate area was also not to his liking. Already he had counted seventeen zombies. Judging from that amount, the facility must be overrun with them.
“Damn it. This does not look good. There are deaders all over the facility. I’m not sure we’ll be able to stay here. It would take a Hell of a lot of work to clear it out. If two people could even do it. Well, one person. I’m not going to put you in harms way, Misty.”
Misty was about to reply, but Trevor cut her off. “No. absolutely not.” He went back to scanning the area with the binoculars.
“Well. I’m more interested in the below-ground section of the facility. Which means, we really wouldn’t have to clear out the above-ground section. Once below, various areas could be sealed off, provided we can get the generator running. Once sealed, each individual area can be cleared out at my leisure.” Trevor looked down at Misty. “What you think?”
“Whatever you think. It sounds like it’s worth a shot at least. I guess. If you think it’s worth it.” Misty responded.
Trevor closed the hatch and returned to his seat. “Well. I would really like to know if anyone is alive down there at least. I know there’s a filtration system, which, in theory, could have been used to filter the fungal spores and keep a supply of fresh air. I feel like it’s one of the few places left where there may be people. I believe it is worth a look. If there isn’t anyone left, well, we could still live there, provided we got everything working.”
“You
make a good point. As usual.” Misty smiled.
“Do you see that medium sized single story building way down there?” Trevor pointed. “That’s where we need to go. It contains a stairwell to the below-ground facility. There’s some elevators in a few of the other buildings, but since we don’t know at this time if the generator is running, we need the sure thing. Hope you’re ready to do some walking.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Misty responded. “Just get us there safely without running over any parked cars this time.”
Trevor laughed. “There were extenuating circumstances when that happened. I blame you for that little incident.” Misty laughed with him.
Trevor took two pistols from a compartment in the Humvee and gave one to Misty, keeping the other for himself. It was as if a switched turned off in their minds and immediately both stopped laughing, a serious look appeared on their faces. There was no time for laughing. They had work to do now.
“You stay in the vehicle.” Trevor ordered. He stepped out of the Humvee, looked around, and walked to the gate.
Misty kept watch, constantly looking around to make sure nothing was in the immediate area that would harm Trevor.
The gate was well kept, but was beginning to show signs of rust buildup around the hinges. It made a loud, screeching sound that sent shivers up Trevor’s spine when he flung the gate open.
Wasting no time, Trevor bounded back inside the Humvee, slamming the door shut. He let out a deep breath in order to relax. It was difficult relaxing these days with all the zombies lurking about trying to eat you. Now, everywhere Trevor and Misty went and everything they did was tense and stressful.
“Well, mission one accomplished.” Trevor mused and smiled at Misty. He noticed her hands were slightly trembling. He bent over and gave her a quick kiss to help her relax.
There was no need to drive slow as they passed through the gate. If a zombie fell under the Humvee, it did not matter. All of the zombies in the area were either standing still or strolling about like they were enjoying an afternoon walk in the park. The zombies would turn and watch the Humvee as it passed by, but as usual, the vehicle did not appear to be food to them. The Humvee was either ignored or followed as an oddity.
“Look there, Misty. That’s where we’re headed. See that ladder going to the roof?” Trevor pointed out their destination.
“I see it.” Misty responded.
“Hell. I’ll pull the Humvee right up under it and we can step out of the hatch on top of the Humvee and get right on that ladder. No need to take any chances; you know what I mean?” Trevor chuckled a bit from excitement.
“Oh come on now, Trevor. You mean you’re not a thrill seeker?” Misty smiled at him.
“You know I’m not. It’s never made sense to me why people do that kind of stuff.” Trevor retorted.
Trevor veered right as a zombie stumbled into the Humvee’s path. The zombie was clipped and went spinning through the air like a top. “Whoa! Damn stupid deaders!” Trevor was becoming slightly filled with road rage.
Misty held on to whatever she could find. Sometimes pumping the floor with her right foot in an attempt to use a non-existent brake. She was much relieved when Trevor pulled up next to the building, placed the Humvee in park, and turned off the engine.
Trevor immediately opened the hatch on top of the Humvee and stepped out with his pistol ready. Two zombies were a little too close for his comfort. He took aim and put a bullet through the first deader’s brain, causing it to fall face first to the ground. Trevor shot at the second zombie, but only clipped its head causing it to stagger. Trevor took a deep breath and placed a second shot through its head, dropping it to the ground.
Trevor stepped down and closed the hatch. He grabbed two extra magazines and gave two more to Misty. “Ok, I’ll go first. You never know, something may be on the roof. You follow me and make sure to close the hatch behind you. Don’t want to come back to the Humvee and find deaders camped out inside it. Are you ready?”
Misty took a deep breath and responded. “I’m ready.”
***
Jacob watched the doctor and nurse through his binoculars. He watched them climb the ladder and disappear onto the roof of the building. He panned the binoculars around in order to see as much of the facility possible from the entrance gate. Zombies were everywhere. There were a few buildings and various vehicles parked here and there. It would have been the perfect example of a ghost town if it weren’t for the local zombie residents. What are you doing here, Dr. Atkinson?
Jacob let the binoculars hang around his neck as he sat in thought. He looked over at the crowbar and then back to the building. “Why would they come here to this place with nothing but deaders walking around? Why that building in particular?” Jacob looked back over at the crowbar. “Yeah, that’s what I think. There’s something special about this place and that building. We’ll just mosey on over there and check it out.”
Jacob placed the Humvee in drive and cruised steadily through the gate and into the compound. He didn’t even try to drive around the zombies. If anything stepped into his path, he ran over it without flinching.
Jacob parked his Humvee next to the one Dr. Atkinson positioned next to the building. He stepped out with his crowbar in hand and two pistols he found inside a compartment in the Humvee. Four extra magazines were stuffed inside his pockets.
Jacob stretched and took a deep breath before bounding to the top of the other Humvee. He began climbing the ladder, using the crowbar as a clawed hand. It was something he had become proficient at doing these days. He paused at the top and made sure nothing was up there waiting for him. Nothing could be seen except an entrance to a stairwell.
Snap … Jacob popped open the locked door to the stairwell. Lights flickered on and off inside. Looks like the place is still getting some juice from somewhere. Jacob twirled the crowbar around a couple of times and stepped inside. He didn’t bother to close the door behind him.
Eleven
The flickering lights sent chills up Jacob’s spine. He wished he hadn’t watched those horror films in the past. One thing was certain. He would remain alert, because the fact remained; he was living in a real life horror story. He had to keep reminding himself that zombies walked the Earth, and at any given time one could come out of nowhere, kill and eat him.
Jacob continued to wonder about the building as he walked around the second floor. It consisted of a long hallway with one large room in the middle. Within the room was a rectangular table surrounded by a lot of fancy, comfortable looking chairs.
This must be where all the bigwigs have their meetings. He thought as he walked around the table. There were folders full of important looking documents directly in front of each chair. “I guess they never managed to have their meeting. The end of the world took them by surprise.” Jacob mindlessly twirled the crowbar.
There was an elevator and another door on the far side of the room. Why the Hell would they put an elevator in a two-story building? Lazy bastards. Jacob thought as he walked toward the elevator and door.
Jacob stared at the elevator, thinking something was off about it. Shaking his head, he stepped toward the door. He raised the crowbar and reached for the doorknob, ready for anything to jump out on him. After grasping the doorknob, Jacob paused and took a step back. He stared a moment longer at the flickering elevator lights. Ok, that’s weird.
The elevator readout did not show a 1 nor a 2, but read L3. “Well now, what do you make of that old buddy?” He looked at the crowbar and twirled it. “This is a two-story building as far as I can tell. Why would that be reading, L3?”
Jacob pushed the discovery to the back of his mind, stepped over to the door, and opened it. Flickering lights revealed a zombie ready to attack and many more behind it on the stairs.
“Shit!” Jacob exclaimed and smashed the first zombie in the head with the crowbar. It toppled backwards into the others causing a couple more to stumble and fall down the stairs.
>
Jacob shut the door as fast as he could and put his back up against it.
Slam … slam … slam … deaders moaned and hurled themselves at the door, trying to get through to their meal. The door wouldn’t hold for long. He needed to escape quickly.
Jacob looked around trying to make a decision. Go back the way he came and forget about Dr. Atkinson and Nurse Bennings, or use the elevator if it actually works?
Jacob pressed the elevator call button which was located between the door and the elevator. I hope the damn thing gets here in time. Jacob thought as he heard snarling from behind the door.
The ruckus behind Jacob was becoming unnerving, but the door seemed to be holding up better than he originally thought. That was good since the elevator just arrived. The only thing left to do was to hop inside, press a button, and hope nothing gets in there with him.
Jacob spun away from the door and quickly stepped inside the elevator. There were more buttons on the panel than he had expected. Which one to press? Which one? It didn’t matter. He pressed one just as the door burst open and slammed against the wall. Jacob dropped the crowbar and readied the two pistols he wore on his waist. Jacob shot a zombie in the head just as the elevator doors slid closed.
“Whew!” Jacob exclaimed and picked up the crowbar. “That was a close one buddy!”
The elevator stopped its downward trek and the doors slid open. Jacob had a pistol and his trusty crowbar at the ready. Better safe than sorry. He was relieved nothing was there to attack him. The only thing he could see down the short corridor was a closed door. What do we have here?
Jacob walked closer for a better look. Above the door, a sign read: LAB-3. The door was obviously made of metal. He attempted to turn the handle, but it wouldn’t budge. There was some type of security keypad to the right of the handle with a red light above it. Apparently the door was sealed and locked. No way he would be able to bash it down. Where’s Superman when you need him?
Jacob had an idea pop into his head, so he holstered the pistol. He took the crowbar in both hands. With his right hand he grasped the double-clawed end of the crowbar and with his left the middle. “I always wanted to try this ole buddy.” Jacob shoved the crowbar as hard as he could into the keypad. Electricity erupted with a pop and Jacob was thrown back, landing on his back. His entire body trembled for a moment.