Deaders

by Steven Bynum

  Misty cried when she came to another realization. Their Humvee was gone. More than likely it had been burnt to a cinder. There were no medical supplies left on the surface. She had just gone through Hell for absolutely nothing. Time that she no longer had, nor Trevor had, been wasted on a fool’s errand. An errand she may not survive.

  There was a confusion slowly creeping into her mind. She was having trouble thinking properly. Up ahead in the distance, she could make out a lone building. Misty got to her feet with much effort, then stumbled and staggered toward the building. It became her focus, because she was having trouble focusing on anything else. I must get to that building. Trevor needs me to get to that building.

  “I must help Trevor. I must help Trevor.” She was repeating over and over.

  ***

  Trevor’s eyelids were extremely heavy. Over and over he tried to open them, but they wouldn’t budge. They felt stuck together. He wiped at them with his shirt sleeve. Eventually, his right eye became unstuck and he was able to open it with some effort. The left eye was swollen shut. No way was he going to open it any time soon.

  He didn’t know where he was or how he got there. The first thing he did was look around in a frenzy, hoping no zombies were about to eat him alive. Satisfied that he was not in danger, he settled down to contemplate the situation. That’s when he realized Misty was missing.

  “Misty! Where are you?” He called before remembering the danger of noise. Clamping his mouth shut, he listened for moans, snarls, or anything bumping around.

  There was no sound. Only the beating of his own heart was sounding in his ears. Then, he felt the pain from the wound on his head. He reached up with his left hand and felt the large gash. It was beginning to stop bleeding, so he was not worried about bleeding to death. The smell of blood could lure zombies to him, though. He needed to leave and find Misty.

  Trevor attempted to push himself up when excruciating pain in his left wrist caused him to fall back down. He wanted to yell out, but managed to clamp his mouth shut again.

  Trevor was quickly beginning to understand that he was not in very good shape. His head hurt, his wrist hurt, hell, his whole body hurt as far as he could tell. He was lucky to be alive for sure.

  The stairwell door was barred shut, which was an interesting development. There was only one explanation he could think of; Misty must have done it to keep zombies off him. That Misty, she’s some kind of woman.

  He needed to find her and there was only one way to go; up.

  Twenty

  Reverend Thomas limped towards a lone building. Just up ahead he noticed something or someone crawl out of the ground. There it sat on its knees for a good while before standing and staggering in the direction of that lone building. At first, he thought it was a zombie, but after watching it for a while, he realized it was a person. The person must be hurt badly considering the manner in which they walked.

  The reverend didn’t want to make himself known just yet. He wanted to follow the person for a while. Find out who they are and what they are doing. Hopefully the person would be one of his targets. Either of them would do. It’s better to take out the enemy one-by-one. Not to mention, the person could lead him right where he wanted to go.

  The reverend was having urges deep inside to kill as he stalked closer to the person. It caused him to quicken his pace. The way the person was staggering around, it wouldn’t take long to catch up. He tried to keep a handle on patience, but it was wearing thin. He wanted to deal God’s judgment on this sinner.

  The person suddenly fell to the ground and began jerking uncontrollably.

  Reverend Thomas wasn’t sure how to react at first, so, he stopped walking in order to observe. “Well, it appears the heavenly Father has already tried you and found you wanting. I shall not interfere with his punishment. Unless, of course, I am forced to do so. I shall leave you be for now.” The reverend walked closer and was going to pass by the person when he noticed who it was on the ground writhing in agony.

  “My, my, if it isn’t Nurse Misty Bennings. It appears that vaccine your boyfriend cooked up didn’t work after all. The two of you thought you could defy the Lord thy God. Well, I believe you know differently now.” Reverend Thomas stood beside her and watched.

  Misty’s convulsions went on for what seemed an eternity. When they finally subsided, she couldn’t move or speak. She stared up at the reverend in fear and sadness. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She wished he would just kill her and end her suffering.

  “So, Nurse Bennings, where’s that boyfriend of yours, Dr. Atkinson? I really would like to speak with him.” The reverend chuckled with a smartass grin on his face. “Oh, you’re not going to tell me? Maybe you can’t speak in your condition.” He tapped her in the side with the iron rod walking stick.

  Reverend Thomas turned to walk away just in time to notice a crowbar coming toward his head. He was able to spin out of the way and stumble backwards. He fell hard onto his back, but didn’t waste a moment getting to his feet, swinging the iron rod in front of himself to ward off another attack.

  Jacob was standing next to Misty, twirling his crowbar. He waited, watching for an opportunity to attack. “I see you like to hit women, even when they’re down. You’re one sorry piece of shit.”

  “Why, if it isn’t the prodigal son. Already veering from the path the Lord thy God set out for you? Or are you just too weak to accept God’s judgment for all sinners? She is condemned, nothing more, nothing less.” Reverend Thomas slowly walked in a circle around the two.

  “You are fucked in the head. I tell ya. You really believe an almighty god caused all this? You know what, if so, he’s a piece of shit too.” Jacob wobbled a bit, getting a bit dizzy again. His guard almost fell and the reverend moved in slightly, but Jacob regained his balance.

  “How dare you! God saved you and gave you a purpose! Blasphemer!” Reverend Thomas turned red faced and had to regain his composure. “It is apparent that you are not a man of God. You are a snake in the garden. Your true purpose and soul is now known to me. I will deal God’s wrath upon you!” The reverend came around with the iron rod, nearly hitting Jacob in the face.

  Jacob brought the crowbar in an overhead swing. It clanged against the iron rod as the reverend blocked the blow. It was exactly what Jacob wanted him to do. Jacob pulled the crowbar, hooking the iron rod. With a strong jerk, Jacob pulled the iron rod from the reverend’s hands.

  Reverend Thomas assumed a fighting stance. Even though his weapon was gone, he still knew a thing or two about hand-to-hand combat. He gave Jacob a grin and motioned for him to attack. “What’s wrong Jacob? You really think I need a weapon to fight an amateur such as yourself? Come on, show me what you got! Are you scared?”

  Jacob stalked around him twirling the crowbar in short intervals. He said nothing, but the look on his face spoke hate. If his eyes were daggers, they would have cut the reverend to pieces. He struck without indication, kicking the reverend in his wounded leg and coming around with a left hook.

  Reverend Thomas took the attack and countered with a blow to Jacob’s midsection. He came up with a knee to the face when Jacob bent over. The reverend laughed as Jacob fell on his back. The wind was knocked out of him and he lay there gasping for breath. “Not bad. I honestly did not expect that move you made on me.”

  Jacob realized he had dropped the crowbar and quickly picked it up while the reverend was talking. He used it to help himself up off the ground. Blood poured from his nose. More than likely it was broken. However, the tears in his eyes were not from fear or pain, but from the uncontrollable reaction to being hit hard in the nose. Jacob spit some blood on the ground in an attempt to clear out what had drained into his throat.

  “Back to your feet. No catchy comeback since you got your ass handed to you, Jacob?” The reverend smirked and spit on the ground. “All you non-believers are just alike. You have no idea when you are outmatched. The Lord thy God will smite thee just like all the rest, Jacob. H
e had a plan for you and you tossed it back into his face. What a disrespectful child.”

  Jacob rushed him in a hope to catch him off guard, but the attempt failed. Reverend Thomas was too quick. He grabbed Jacob and easily tossed him back to the ground. The crowbar slid a few feet away this time. Jacob tried to crawl and grab it, but the reverend moved over and stepped on his neck, pinning him in place. “Where are you going, Jacob?”

  “Get off me you sick bastard or fucking kill me already!” Jacob struggled, but was unable to get out from under the reverend’s foot. Every time he tried to push himself up, the reverend would push him back down. It was the same as a bully humiliating the weak kid that couldn’t fight back.

  Reverend Thomas bent down and grabbed Jacob in a choke hold. Slowly, he applied pressure, blocking Jacob’s airway. Struggling … struggling … He was about to lose consciousness.

  The reverend was laughing loudly as spittle flew from his mouth. He was excited about the thrill of the imminent kill. If he hadn’t been so focused on Jacob, he may have noticed the zombie walk up behind him. Misty had died and turned into a deader. She grabbed Reverend Thomas by the shoulders and bit down hard on the back of his neck. Biting … ripping … a large chunk of flesh was torn from his neck. Blood poured down his back.

  Reverend Thomas dropped Jacob, launched himself up, twisted, and slung his attacker off. He fell to his knees yelling and holding the back of his neck. Infuriated, he snap-kicked the zombie when it came at him again. Spinning, he hit the zombie with a side-kick, knocking it backwards. The zombie hit the ground and rolled end over end a few times. Still holding the back of his neck, the reverend ran over and picked up the iron rod. He shoved it through the zombie’s head when it stood up. “You fucking deader bitch!”

  Reverend Thomas jerked the iron rod free just before a crowbar penetrated the back of his head and came out his mouth. His entire body shook for several seconds before sliding from the shaft of the crowbar and hitting face down upon the ground.

  Jacob stood over the reverend’s now lifeless body. He spit on the corpse, showing his utter contempt. “Where’s your god now, fanatic dumbass?”

  Something flopped on the ground behind Jacob. He turned and nearly buried the crowbar into the head of Dr. Atkinson. “What the Hell?” Jacob stepped back. “I thought you were a damn deader! I could have killed you!”

  Dr. Atkinson rolled to his back and sobbed. “I’m sorry my darling Misty. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t make it in time to save you. Why? Why did this happen to you? It should not have happened.”

  Jacob stood there propped up on his crowbar. He remembered all too well how he felt when this happened to his wife and daughter. There were no words that could have been spoken to make him feel better. Even so, he felt compelled to speak those all too familiar words. “I’m sorry your loss, Dr. Atkinson.”

  It only took a matter of seconds for Jacob to notice how badly hurt Dr. Atkinson was while the man was lying on the ground. He couldn’t help but wonder how lucky the man must be to have survived whatever ordeal befell him. Regardless of their past, Jacob wanted Dr. Atkinson to live.

  “Listen doctor. We’re both banged up, bleeding, and hurt pretty badly. We need to get out of here and get some medical supplies. I’m not trying to be an ass, but pull it together. There will be time to mourn later.” Jacob knelt down and placed his hand on the doctor’s shoulder.

  Dr. Atkinson reacted by knocking Jacob’s hand away. “Go to Hell Jacob. You’re partly responsible for this! I don’t want your sympathy or your help. It wasn’t all that long ago you were trying to kill both of us.”

  “I am not responsible for what happened to Nurse Bennings. I’d rather not start the blame game about who is responsible for what. I did my best to get to her, but it was too late. She was already infected and near death. She must have died and turned just moments before I killed that religious nut there, Reverend Thomas. I believe you know him.”

  Dr. Atkinson managed to sit up. “Yes, I saw him kill Misty or what was left of Misty. I’m glad you killed the bastard. Saves me the trouble.” The doctor wiped his eyes and appeared to be getting control of himself. “I don’t understand it, Jacob. Misty should not have gotten infected. She took the vaccine I developed the same as myself.”

  “Well, doctor, I have some theories if you’d like to hear them. I’m offering you my help as well if you’ll accept it.” Jacob held out his hand to the doctor.

  Dr. Atkinson looked away for a moment in thought. He was having trouble deciding whether or not he wanted help or just to sit there and die. Eventually, he allowed Jacob to help him to his feet. Jacob had to grab hold of him to stop him from falling over. “Ok, then help me bury my beloved Misty.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, doctor. Neither you nor I are up to digging a grave right now. I recommend we burn her body. Believe me, it is the best way to set her free completely. I did it for my wife and daughter, and I believe it completely to be what is needed for Misty.” Jacob looked directly into the doctor’s eyes to let him know he was serious.

  Dr. Atkinson nodded his agreement.

  Twenty-One

  Jacob and Dr. Atkinson were lying around in the one building on the outskirts of the facility that managed to survive the shockwave from the daisy cutter bomb. They managed to scavenge some first aid kits from the underground facility, brought them back, and secured the building. It was a difficult endeavor, but they managed to pull it off even in their condition.

  “So, you’re telling me, you think the fungal spore is no longer in the air? What proof do you have? You understand, I believe in science, therefore I need proof, not just speculation.” Dr. Atkinson was shaking his head with a slight scowl on his face.

  “It’s a gut feeling. Just think about it. Have you seen that white mist that spews out of those deader’s heads when you pop it open?” Jacob performed a motion in an attempt to simulate an exploding head.

  “Yes, I’ve seen it.” Dr. Atkinson responded.

  “Well, it seems to me, I’m no doctor or scientist, but that seems to be the mode of transmission now. You know what I mean? Why did Misty get infected after all this time?” Jacob rubbed his head in thought.

  “Well, the vaccine wore off or didn’t work. I don’t know.” Dr. Atkinson looked up at the ceiling, not wanting to think about it.

  “Aha, if the vaccine stopped working or didn’t work, then how come you are not infected already if the spore is still in the air?” Jacob grinned in triumph, placed his hands behind his head, and laid back.

  Dr. Atkinson thought a moment before responding. “I suppose it’s possible I have an immunity, the same as you. The vaccine may have worked for me. I guess it could mean the spore is no longer in the air. I’ve killed zombies, though, how come I didn’t get infected?”

  “Luck? I don’t know. Don’t you think it’s worth checking?” Jacob asked.

  Dr. Atkinson raised up as best he could and looked at Jacob. “Once we’re healed enough, we’ll check. Should be easy enough. Still doesn’t explain why you are immune.”

  “I’m glad you asked. I’ve been thinking about that as well. The only thing I could come up with is the fact I contracted encephalitis years ago. Maybe, somehow, that changed something in me. Something that stops the spore from taking hold.” Jacob spoke with a more questioning tone than a statement.

  Dr. Atkinson sat up. “Wait. What was it that caused your encephalitis?”

  “Well, it was a virus that rarely causes encephalitis, but when it does, it’s severe. It gave me some kind of neurological damage. Neurons don’t work right or something anymore.” Jacob put his hand on his chin, thinking.

  “Powassan virus.” Dr. Atkinson spoke.

  “Yeah, that’s it. Powassan virus.” Jacob confirmed.

  “That’s good info, Jacob. I wish you would have given it to me way before now.” Dr. Atkinson sneered.

  “Well, doctor, we weren’t on the best of terms. You kidnapped me, sedated me, locked
me up in a cage, and performed tests on me against my will.” Jacob sneered back.

  “I thought I was doing the right thing. I still do. It was all about saving humanity. All about saving Misty. That’s too fucking late now, isn’t it? She’s gone now, so it was just a waste of time wasn’t it? I don’t care anymore. I just don’t fucking care.” Dr. Atkinson rolled over and closed his eyes.

  “Would Nurse Bennings think like that?” Jacob prodded.

  “You leave her out of this, I mean it.” Dr. Atkinson grumbled.

  Jacob continued. “From what I knew about Nurse Bennings while I was in captivity, she seemed like a strong woman. A very caring woman. I don’t think she would have given up.”

  Dr. Atkinson felt a lump in his throat as he began to choke up. He sobbed for nearly two minutes. Clearing his throat, he spoke, “You’re right, Jacob. It’s why I loved her so much. She didn’t want to leave our friends behind at Fort Detrick. I forced her to leave. She was all I cared about. All that was left in this damned world worth fighting for.” He cleared his throat again. “Ok, when you and I are ready, I’ll help you. We can find out if there is actually anything left at all. If there are any people left at all. If so, we help them survive. We help them so humanity has a chance to continue.”

  “If there’s anyone left alive and they are worthy of surviving, we will help them. If not, then you help me find a way to burn away this taint from the world. A way to cleanse the planet so that life may start anew. Agreed?” Jacob waited for the doctor’s response, unsure of what he would say.

  “You have a deal. I’m glad you specified worthy. I really don’t care to have a world full of insane people like that Reverend Thomas.” Dr. Atkinson answered.

  “Nor do I.” Jacob looked out the window at the sun.

  Twenty-Two

  Jacob and Dr. Atkinson were driving through Ohio when the doctor noticed a black helicopter fly by overhead. He could not believe his eyes. All he could do was point. Nothing but mumbled words came out.