A woman with short blonde hair stepped forward. “How do you know about this? What makes you so sure?”
Asia walked to the front of the room. “Most of you know me, though some of you don’t. My name is Asia. I took the serum. I was attacked by a zombie upstairs and bitten. I was quarantined, and when the bite didn’t fester and fill with pus, the others were sure I’d been bitten by a human.” She shot Lucas a glance. “It was no human, folks. What bit me was a zombie, and several witnesses even saw the thing leaving the scene of the attack.” She held out her arm, and the mark was barely visible. “The bite is healed, and I wasn’t infected. Just like the other three who survived the baby doll attack by the hybrids. This proves that we all heal quickly and are immune to the zombie virus. Pretty cool, huh?”
The group erupted in a chorus of excited murmurs and whispers. For the first time in a long time, their eyes sparkled with genuine hope.
“We’re going to turn off the lights,” Jackie said, “so you can see my green eyes firsthand. Also, we’d like to get a count of how many others are experiencing this unique side effect.” She nodded, and I turned off all the lights.
We had no idea how many sets of green, glowing eyes to expect, and we were all quite shocked when everyone who had taken the serum had them. Shouts, laughs, cries, and shocked gasps echoed across the room.
“I can see everything!” a man yelled. “This isn’t bad at all! I feel like Superman!”
“What’s going on?” a woman screamed.
Val turned the lights back on. “It appears everyone who has taken the serum has the side effect.”
“It’s not so bad,” somebody shouted in the group in front of us.
“The heck it’s not,” a woman said. “I don’t wanna be a freak. I just want to be back to normal.”
Nick continued, “Unfortunately, there is a less pleasant side effect to the serum,” he said.
The room grew instantly quiet.
“We do not believe the missing people were killed by zombies.”
“Then what happened to them? And what’s this about another side effect?” somebody asked, sounding skeptical.
“They are the zombies,” Jackie said.
“For some unknown reason, the serum has changed the missing people back into zombies,” I announced sadly.
More gasps erupted.
“The body goes back to the original zombie form,” Nick said, “but the person maintains their brainpower and even a bit of their emotional makeup in the beginning. Because they don’t want to attack their friends and loved ones, they try to escape as fast as they can. I think they try to fight it at first, but in the end, they can’t escape the urge to feed.”
“These people are half-zombie, half-human,” Jackie said. “We call them hybrids.”
“Nick’s right. No matter how hard they try not to hurt people, the hybrids finally succumb. They are also very intelligent and conniving, driven by a hunger for flesh. They tricked us into going into an ambush by luring us inside a house with a crying baby doll,” I said. “They attacked and devoured most of the people in that search party.”
“Our own people did that?” somebody yelled. “That’s sick!”
A woman inched forward, her eyes wide. “I thought the city was already infested with smart zombies when we got here, but are you saying we brought this on ourselves? That the missing people are actually turning into the intelligent zombies?”
“Yes, I’m afraid that’s exactly what we’re saying.”
“So while we’re searching for them so we can bring them back safe, they’re stalking us and luring us into traps. Our missing friends and relatives slashed our tires to keep us from leaving? What kind of nightmare is this?”
A slim woman touched my hand and very calmly asked. “Are we going to turn into one of these hybrids? And how much time do I have left?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, ma’am. I’m sorry, but I can’t say.”
She wept in her hands. “I’d rather be dead than go through that again.”
“How do we leave?” someone from the right side shouted.
“You can’t,” a woman said. “We tried, and they killed everyone but me. They’ve got this place surrounded, and unlike the zombies we’ve encountered in the past, these ones know what they’re doing. They’re not just some mindless horde. They are a thinking, strategizing army.”
“If they’re so smart, why haven’t they broken down the door and the windows with axes?” a woman in thick-rimmed glasses asked. “And why are we scared of one group of zombies anyway? I don’t classify that as an army.”
“They’re communicating with the hordes of zombies and controlling them, so yes it’s an army,” Kate said. “As for why they’re not breaking in, I’ll let Nick explain.”
“I have a theory,” Nick said.
Everyone stopped to listen to him, myself included, as I’d never thought of that question before.
“I took a toll of the missing people. A dozen have turned into zombies,” Nick said. “We know they banded together. They somehow control or communicate with the other zombies like Kate said. We noticed this on our last excursion to find a road that wasn’t flooded.”
“They know they have intellect, and they have put themselves in charge,” Lucas said. “The regular zombies are working as their minions.”
Nick nodded. “If the hybrids and the zombies storm this place, there won’t be much food for the hybrids, so they’re playing smart. They don’t want to share with the dumb zombies. They are just using them for manpower…to keep the neighborhood surrounded so we can’t leave.”
“There are only twelve hybrids to feed,” Val said, “so they’re keeping us alive as a food source. They plan to lure us out one by one or break in and snatch us one by one. There are likely no humans left in the town to feed on. They can feed off us for at least a good month before they have to leave to find a new food source.”
A pounding sound made me jump. I glanced around and realized it was coming from everywhere. “They’re pounding on the doors and windows,” I said. As if it wasn’t bad enough that we were being kept there like steaks in a freezer, waiting to be eaten, now the zombies were toying with us, hoping we’d send some fresh meat out to fight off the ones trying to break in. The whole thing was disturbing and unnerving, and all I wanted to do was run away. Somehow, we had to get out of there, but more banging jarred me out of my thoughts.
“What’s going on?” a lady shouted.
“They’re hungry,” a woman yelled.
I swallowed hard. Unfortunately, I knew she was right.
Chapter 18
I stood in the dimly lit lounge and watched a man crying as he hugged his wife, making promises that he couldn’t keep, telling her they’d make it through everything unscathed. Another man screamed at his friends as they debated what to do. I noticed another woman knitting in the corner, as if turning everything off and escaping into her own fantasy world—one where zombies were not allowed. Others paced while others shouted at each other.
“Let’s leave!” a man shouted.
Nick came in with a gas can. “I’ve got a plan!”
Nobody was listening to him, so he jumped on top of the table and yelled for everyone to shut up.
The room suddenly got quiet, and everyone peered up at him.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” Nick recited, something his superiors in the Army had taught him.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” a man asked.
“I’ve heard your questions and concerns, and every one of them is valid,” Nick said. “Some of you think we should just sneak out of here, but that’s not possible. Trust me when I say we’ve scouted out every possible escape route. There’s a herd surrounding the perimeter of this flooded neighborhood, but they’re under the control of the hybrids. The way I figure it, if you cut off the head, the body doesn’t know what the heck to do. We take out the hybrids, and the mindless zombies will scatter
and form their own herds and go different directions.”
“I don’t think we should leave until every hybrid is dead,” Val said. “In a way, we created them by giving them the serum, and it wouldn’t be right to just leave them in that condition, as bloodthirsty murderers, killing any innocent survivors they happen to come upon. Their victims’ blood will be on our hands if we don’t put an end to it.”
“Do you think this is happening in Kingsville?” a woman asked.
“I’m sure of it,” I said, “and I hope Tahoe and those guys have enough sense to put the hybrids down as well. It pains me to hurt anyone, but flesh-devouring zombies with the propensity to plot and plan is a deadly combination.”
Nick held up his gas can. “This is one of my favorite tricks in the battle of the zombies. It’s come in handy numerous times.”
I chuckled. “Boy, has it ever.”
“And how do you suppose a can of gasoline is going to help us?” the man in the red cap asked doubtfully.
“I know where their lair is,” Nick replied. “Lucas, Val, and I spotted it as we were canvassing the neighborhood.”
“Where?” a lady asked.
“A house about six blocks from here, but we need to act now.”
The entire room became so quiet I could have heard a pin drop.
Nick set the can down and continued, “The world has been turned upside down, and we live in dark times. We’ve all lost loved ones, and grief has struck us to the very inner core of our being. Tragedy has personally struck me. I’ve lost my childhood girlfriend, friends, and close comrades to this zombie epidemic. I wondered how I’d ever survive, and I know I’m going to feel pain for a long, long, long, time. But I also know the fallen and those I’ve had to leave behind would want me to go on, to fight, to live. They wouldn’t want me to give up.”
He shifted his stance and paused to gain his composure. It was difficult for him to think of Darla and the others, and it choked him up inside, even if he would rarely admit it or let anyone else see that pain. Nick cleared his throat and continued. “Life sucks. It’s unfair. Heck, we can’t even sleep at night without taking shifts. We didn’t ask for any of this, yet it’s the card we’ve been dealt for whatever reason. So, our only choice is to deal with it. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I’m not gonna sit on my butt and do nothing about it either. I don’t know how this is going to end, but I do know we need to fight, win, and survive.” He motioned around the room. “You are living proof that people can survive the impossible. Now, let’s team up and get the heck out of here.” He paused for dramatic effect before finishing, “Fight with me!”
People started to cheer, chant, whistle, and clap their hands; Nick was winning them over, and in that moment, I was quite proud of my brother.
Lucas stood. “Anyone who can fight, please join us. We’ll take these undead freaks down, and they’ll stay down this time. Once the hybrids are put out of their misery and ours, we can fight through the other zombies. We need to take them out before they snatch another one of us.”
“We’re not going to sit here and take it,” a woman said. “I refuse to be a victim. I don’t know if I’ll turn, but for now, I’m 100 percent human, and I’m gonna fight like one!”
“I say we fight!” a towering man shouted. His buddies joined in, and that motivated everyone.
“Let’s fire those ghouls up!” someone shouted.
“Bring the marshmallows, folks!” a woman shouted. “We’re about to have a zombie roast!”
When I turned to look at Lucas, he looked shocked.
“What?” I asked.
“What’s with Jackie and the rope? Is she trying to get us all killed?” He nodded toward my girlfriend, who had a blank look on her face.
At first, I wasn’t sure how rope was going to get us all killed, but then it dawned on me: She doesn’t plan on killing Claire! She wants to capture her and bring her back in the hopes that she can be cured. Oh no! I rushed over to Jackie and glanced down at the rope in her hands. “What are you thinking?”
“You did it for Val, and I didn’t complain once—not even when you sneaked her into Kingsville. Trust me, I’d love to save everyone, but we could never take twelve zombies back without getting killed the second we fell asleep.”
“Jackie, you can’t—”
She held her hand up to stop my protests. “You did it for Val because you love her.” She cupped my face, her eyes welling with tears. “I love my cousin just as much, Dean, and I have to save her. If there’s even the slightest chance of getting her back, I can’t possibly kill her or leave her without trying. We can take her back to a lab and give her the vial. I’m sure a doctor or some scientists can figure it all out.”
“I’m sorry the serum didn’t work, Jackie, but you know we can’t save her.”
“Would you be saying that if it was Val?”
I looked at the floor, unable to answer her.
She softly touched my arm. “Don’t even tell me you wouldn’t do it in a heartbeat for Val…or for me.”
Gazing into her eyes, I sighed. “You’re right. I would.”
“We’ll do anything for the ones we love.”
I let out a long breath and thought about it. It had been difficult enough when Val was a regular zombie, but Claire was a whole different animal—literally. I had no idea how or if we’d ever be able to heal her, and even if we did, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t kill some of us in the process.
“The scientist in our group is willing to help,” Jackie said. “He says he has a friend who has a lab, about three hours from here.”
I gripped her hand. “I’m onboard, but I can’t promise Nick and Lucas will be.”
“They will.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because of Val. She could turn into a hybrid at any time. He’ll do anything to save her, so I’m sure he’ll go out of his way to find the lab. Besides, whether he’ll admit it or not, Nick cares a lot about my cousin too.”
“You’re right.”
I was determined to find that lab at all costs, and I knew Nick would support me. I knew that without a doubt.
Chapter 19
Thunder crashed, and lightning flashed. The rain continued to come down in sheets, though not as hard as it had been for days.
Once we were outside, the window was boarded securely. I drew my gun as we cautiously ventured out into the shadows of the night. The moon peeked through the dark, shifting clouds as the wind blew across my hair. I’d found a black jacket in one of the closets, so I’d thrown it on to be prepared for the weather. I was surprised to find a can of chewing tobacco still in the pocket, as well as a tiny pocket knife, but I’d left the tobacco in one of the nursing home trashcans. The black ooze that people spat after chewing that stuff was much too reminiscent of zombie slobber, and I wanted nothing to do with it.
Nick and I led the way, while Val, Lucas, and Jackie stood near the back. I was sure Nick had separated us on purpose so that my sole focus would be on the mission.
As we walked down the street, I noticed something very odd. Usually, we saw stray zombies roaming around, but I didn’t see any. It was as if they were hiding, lying in wait. Nick and Lucas talked with hand signals and led the others through a yard. We treaded through the tall clumps of weeds, and I easily hopped over a wooden fence like a track and field champ over a hurdle.
We made it to the next street, and I looked both ways scanning the landscape around me. Rivulets of sweat covered my back, and I felt my hands trembling on my weapon. “All clear,” I whispered.
The street was flooded up to my knees, and my boots sloshed around in the water as I walked. It was so quiet, so disturbingly dead and silent out there. Even the landscape of abandoned houses fit the picture, with overgrown grass, shrubs, and unkempt vegetation. Patches of moonlight cast shadows that danced everywhere I looked. It seemed as if the whole world had forgotten that lonely place. An ominous feeling hung in the air
. Are the zombies closing in on us? I wondered. Or have we managed to evade the looming dead?
My heart thumped a mile a minute, afraid of what might spring from the lurking darkness all around us. Something rustled, and I jumped; I felt like an idiot when I realized it had only been the wind, shaking the branches above me. My own imagination was my worst enemy. I tried to still my frantic, pounding heart, telling myself there was nothing around us. For the moment, we were safe. Still, I couldn’t help recalling that slithery hiss of a voice saying my name in that dark kitchen. Its grotesque face flashed in my mind, and I had to physically shake the image away. I hated that voice and hoped to never hear it ever again.
I stared at the water and noticed something was wrong. Something brushed against my legs. Bubbles rose to the surface, and then all was still. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt that sudden terror of looking down into the deep at the unknown, probably similar to the terror one would experience at the sight of a shark fin. Before I could say a word, a zombie sprung from the water and grabbed Nick’s foot, then pulled him under. As he flailed, another one burst from the water. The zombies had been hiding in plain sight, stalking us slowly, hidden underwater like frogmen. The splashing sound of water, muffled screams, shouts, and whimpering moans echoed through the air, deafening out the sound of the rain and thunder. I swallowed my terror. The dead were lumbering in from all directions.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, as if fate was taunting me, and dead fingers clamped down around my ankle, then dragged me helplessly into the water with a giant splash. I let out an agonized shriek just before I went under. Its rotting fingernails tried to dig into my skin, but luckily, I was wearing boots. With all my might, I kicked the zombie back. Groaning, I scrambled up, spitting out dirty water as a cold chill shot down my spine. Letting out a hellish moan, another one sprung forward at me, knocking me back down to the ground, sending droplets spraying everywhere like two kids splashing in a pool. Its snapping jaws and jagged teeth were mere inches from my face. I hit it on top of the head again and again with the butt of my gun. Finally, on the fifth blow, I cracked its skull, and it finally released me.
The Zombie Chronicles - Book 4 - Poisonous Serum (Apocalypse Infection Unleashed Series) Page 15