by Scott, Zack
With each step closer to the body, the room shrank around Alec. His heart pounded. “His name is Kale.”
Kale’s short frame had been pierced by broken glass in several places. His stump wound was behind his lower back, free of bandages. His closed eyes seemed at peace.
Alec said, “How did he get here?”
“No idea, he came flying in like Jim said.” Dylan looked up at him, clearly intoxicated. Professionalism, no, common sense died with the world. “Help me get him in the other room.”
Alec crouched, grabbing Kale’s hairy legs. And with that touch, a dark tendril latched onto him briefly, then vanished. He flew back, landing on glass. Shards dug at his back. What the... what the hell was that? He was unsure if he’d imagined the whole thing.
“Whoa!” Dylan shouted. After carefully lowering Kale to the ground, he hauled Alec to his feet. “You okay?”
He ignored the cuts from the shards. “I-I’m not even sure.”
Dr. Dylan offered the vodka bottle. “If you need it.”
Alec waved the alcohol away, for fate was enough poison in his veins.
JEFF
Amidst thudding and moaning, Jeff heard a distant buzzing. He ignored whatever it was coming from because zombies were on all sides of the SUV, and they would break through any second.
Make that in less than a second.
The rear window shattered first. They slathered and pushed and shoved and clawed at each other to get in.
“Tell me why you were kicked out of the Marines.” Jeff and Evans both spun to face the rear window, aiming at the creatures flooding in.
“Right now?” Evans fired at the closest one.
The zombies grabbed the woman’s body in the backseat and dragged her into the trunk, feasting upon her, providing a temporary respite for the two members of the VTF.
“Yeah, right now,” said Jeff as another crack spidered across his window.
Skin stretched off the woman’s bones in long bloody sheets. They gripped her flesh in their teeth, and she was quickly devoured by the starving corpses.
“Tell you what,” said Evans, twisting around in his seat, keeping guard on all sides, “we get out of this? I’ll tell you.”
“And if we don’t?” Another crack shot through Jeff’s window. Three undead clawed at glass, salivating for him.
Evans gave him a brief stare. “Then you’ll no longer give a shit.”
Shards of glass blasted across Jeff’s face, scathing his skin. A hungry mouth darted for him, only to meet his MP5N. As he clenched the trigger, another set of teeth sprung inside. He slammed a palm at its forehead, fighting it back.
“Move your hand!”
He did and Evans blasted skull apart.
Jeff unleashed short spurts to conserve ammo. Outside, they shoved at each other to clamber through his window.
A sharp crack sliced across Evans’ window. He spun his back to Jeff and raised both Berettas. His window had another second of life, so he turned back for the rear.
Zombies had climbed over what was left of the woman.
Jeff’s ears rang. His heart raced. The window behind Evans shattered apart completely. Arms reached in and wrapped around his Kevlar, tugging him back. Jon! He pressed his pistols into their heads and took two down. But more kept reaching in. He kicked and squirmed, flailing his way out of the SUV. He disappeared, but bullets flew from the ground, taking out any zombies that dropped for him.
“Jon!” There was a brief clearing on Jeff’s side. He sprayed the SMG out Evans’ window, covering his friend till the last bullet.
Grabbed, nails scratched across Jeff’s face. He elbowed whatever had him, but his arm landed between its teeth.
And as it was about to chew his flesh—
And as the swarm piled on Evans—
And as their lives were about to end—
A wave of bullets flew from the heavens, blasting limbs and blood across the rover. A spotlight shone down on the SUV. Windows cleared. Bodies dropped. Bullets ripped through metal, one slicing in Jeff’s calf. He clenched his teeth, punched his door open, and took out three zombies with his remaining ammo. He limped around to the driver’s side, praying Evans was there.
Above, a helicopter circled around. The machine gun’s protective fire still cleared the area. Some zombies crawled for Jeff. A tidy pile of corpses was stacked against the driver’s door. “Jon!” Jeff fell to his knees.
He tugged bodies off, one by one, until there was only bloodied concrete. “Jon?”
A hand struck Jeff’s back. He spun. A twisted jaw lunged for his face but he shoved the zombie back, reloaded, and finished it.
A hand struck his ankle from under the SUV and as he was about to fire, Evans revealed himself.
“Did they bite you?” Jeff grabbed for his friend.
“Holy shit that was intense, yeah?” He crawled out from underneath the vehicle.
The helicopter circled around again, hovering in the sky, eliminating the last few threats. Not all were dead, but the remaining ones were disabled. The sprinters became extinct—or at least Jeff hoped for them to be gone.
The machine gun’s work was finally done.
Jeff and Evans reached the roof of the laundromat with relative ease and waved for the helicopter to descend. But the machine gun came back to life, and Jeff rushed to the edge of the roof.
Sprinters. How are they finding us so fast?
Dozens and dozens clambered at the brick building’s sides, tearing at one another. They climbed on the SUV, then an overhang, clawing for the roof.
“Get us out of here!” Evans yelled to the chopper. Upon lowering several feet above the roof, Jeff realized they were being rescued by the VTF.
“Slinger and Malone! Hell, fucking, yes!” Evans raised his pistol and fired a random shot to celebrate.
Rotten hands reached the roof.
“Time to fly, boys!” greeted Slinger.
“Go, big guy.” Evans shoved.
Jeff limped with the bullet in his calf, but pulled himself in the aircraft and spun back before even looking around the inside of the helicopter.
Evans fired two shots at zombies who sprinted along the roof for him. Dashing and waving, he yelled, “Pull away from the roof!” And he leapt, right into Jeff’s arms. The helicopter didn’t fly away fast enough and a zombie latched onto Evans’ leg. He slipped in Jeff’s grip and fell, but Jeff dropped with him, snagging his wrist, retrieving a stronger hold.
Malone and Slinger anchored Jeff’s body.
Evans dangled midair, twisting and kicking at the hissing creature climbing up his limbs.
Slipping. He’s slipping. Jeff tightened his fingers around Evans’ wrist. “I’m losing him!”
Slipping. The weight on Jeff’s back lessened. Slinger stretched out above him, her brown hair twisting around her neck. Her SMG steadied.
Evans shot a glance up, his jaw wide. “Shit!”
Slinger fired.
The zombie on Evans fell, crumbling apart across concrete. With Malone’s help, Jeff got Evans in the helicopter. He wiped his face and they slammed foreheads. “Rah, brother, rah.”
Smiling, Jeff turned around, and his smile grew larger upon seeing his old friend. “Scot.”
“That was some Stallone shit, Homer.” Scot leaned forward, stretching out his hand. Jeff gripped it, saw Kelsey, and the smiles continued.
Everything was unfolding as it should.
KALE
He awoke in a tiny exam room on a tiny exam room bed. Struggling to rise, he wanted to leave, but Alec entered the room before he could. Alec’s greeting was blunt, direct. “How did you get here?”
These are his first words to me? “Yeah, good to see you, Alec.”
Alec stood at the end of the bed. “Sorry, I...”
“Having a hard time believing?”
“Yes.”
“Typical Alec. Never believes anything.” Kale sat up, crossing his stub of an arm over his lap.
Alec tapped the bed, emphasizing his point. “I’ve always believed in love.”
“Oh,” Kale chuckled, “cut this cheesy bullshit.”
“Dammit, Kale. Look,”—he bit his lip, leaning forward—“it came back for us on the yacht. It wanted you. And, I’m glad you’re back, I am, but this is insane.”
Just say I was right, Alec. Say it and I forgive you.
He said, “Where did it take you?”
“Hard to say. It was dark. Really dark. When I came to,”—he had to glance away—“I was here on this bed. How long have I been gone for?”
“Days.”
Of course, I do remember everything. It took me, it possessed me. I am its evil-doer. But, maybe, maybe they can help me. “I remember the Embracer killing people on the yacht. Where’s Jeff?”
“He went for supplies. He wants to look for you.”
“Really?” I still have one friend.
“Yeah, wanted me to come. But the guy is losing it. I mean, how would he find you?”
Kale shrugged. “There is something big bringing us together. Call it fate, call it luck, call it whatever you want. It’s real.”
“Call me death,” the whisper chuckled darkly in Kale’s mind. He had to shake it aside.
“So, you really don’t remember anything since the yacht? The Embracer just threw you into this clinic? That makes zero sense.”
Kale grinned widely. “When did any of this make sense?” Even if I wanted his help, even if I dared to ask, he’d never understand. I’m on my own till Jeff returns. Why give Alec any truth?
The whisper returned, “Would Jeff help? You’ve massacred an entire family. He is too noble to help a murderer.”
Alec squinted at Kale. “Why are you twitching like that?”
Kale froze. “What?”
“Forget it.”
Just say I was right, Alec. “So when Jeff asked you to join him, what did you say, fuck Kale?”
“No, not exactly. But I can’t leave.”
“And why is that?”
“You know the answer.” Alec tapped the bed again. “I’ll never leave Nicole.”
“Figures.” Kale laughed.
Alec narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“Never mind.”
“No, please, enlighten me.”
Heat flushed through Kale’s cheeks. “Look, man, I just got back. Sorry I said anything.”
Of all the things Alec could’ve done, he tossed Kale the middle finger. “My fiancée was almost killed, and you have to be a jealous asshole. Are we back in high school? When will you grow up?”
Angry now, Kale sat straight. “You know what, Alec? You’re fucking pathetic. Go cower away with your girl. It’s what you’ve always done. It’s what you’ll always do.”
From the doorway, Alec muttered, “Good to have you back, Kale.” The door slammed and he was gone.
Rage boiled through Kale’s arms, his neck, his chest, and his legs. He trembled on the bed, ready to launch into the hall and knock sense into his so-called friend. I’m taken by the creature that had changed our paths forever, that has haunted us since high school, and he sees me again, and he acts like this?
“It’s time,” breathed the whisper.
“No, he’s just brainwashed.”
“You will kill her, and him, and everyone else.”
Kale fought to rid the whispers from his mind. After struggling for a few moments, silence graced him. He relaxed, relieved, and slouched on the exam room bed, crinkling paper beneath him. He wondered why the paper was even there. Dylan, good doctor.
The whisper lashed at his mind: “Enough stalling, go and kill!”
The door opened again. Kale shot straight. Hopeful. “Alec?”
“Sorry.” The doctor cleared his throat. “Wanted to check on you.”
“Come in.” Kale slouched back down on the table.
Dr. Dylan rolled a stool to his side. He stared at the mangled flesh that hung over the amputation. “You removed the bandage, I see.”
“Yeah, feels fine.”
Dylan quickly scanned over the operation he’d performed with Pat on the yacht. “Remarkable. The way you’re healing. You truly are special.”
If only Alec thought the same. “Uh, thanks.”
“I mean, your body heals at an incredible rate. What did your parents feed you?” He laughed to himself. Leaning over the bed, he shined a flashlight over the mutilated limb he called an arm. Don’t touch it!
The doctor withdrew, folding his arms. Kale smelled vodka in his breath. Is everyone a damn alcoholic?
“I never got a chance to thank you before,” said Kale. “Even if I lost my hand, I’m still alive, thanks to you and Pat. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Dylan wiped quickly at his eyes. “He died saving all of us.” He rose, smiling. “You’re all right, Kale. I’ll get some fresh bandages for your—” Another glance at the stump froze him in place.
He’s staring at my arm again. Why?
Dylan leaned in, fascinated, pointing at the stub. “What is that?”
Bone was moving slightly out of Kale’s stub. His eyebrows raised. “No!”
Dylan’s touch ignited the bone-dagger, and the doc grabbed Kale’s arm with both hands, his shocked eyes staring at the blade. “Kale?” He gasped in pain, then slid slowly off the bed, collapsing to the ground. Blood soaked his shirt as he looked at the fresh hole cut into his stomach. Trembling in the exam room’s corner, his eyes closed.
“Fuck,” whispered Kale.
“One down, boy. Keep going.”
Kale soon found himself in the waiting room of the clinic. Miller was sitting alone, crippled and drunk with the vodka bottle. “Oh, Kale. Howdy.” He stared at the blood soaking Kale’s arm, Dylan’s blood. “Is that from the glass?”
“Yes.” Kale plopped onto the seat next to him.
“Well, it’s good to see you back. Thought you were a goner. Hell, I thought I was a goner. I mean, what the hell was that thing that attacked us on the yacht? Crazy nut sacks, am I right?”
Man when he talks, he really talks. “So, still want to see the stars, Jimmy?”
Miller smiled. “Space, I’ll always crave it.”
Imbecile. “Hey, Jimmy, remember when we gave you five bucks to spread peanut butter on your balls and—”
“Kale! Shit. Can we please have one normal conversation? I’m not that guy anymore. We’ve both changed.” His eyes blinked rapidly under the mask of bandages that swathed his face.
Kale chuckled, breaking into outright laughter.
“Yes, boy, yes. Feel the warmth of evil,” said the whisper.
“What’s so funny, asshole? I do have my cuffs, and last I checked, you’re still guilty.”
Kale, still chuckling, glanced at the deputy. “I suppose I’m guilty of sitting next to a R-Tard.”
“I’m not retarded!” Miller flinched in pain from the force of the yell. “You’re the same asshole.”
“Oh, Jimmy, you’ll always be a bumbling fool. But I have certainly changed.”
Miller stirred in the chair next to Kale, his eyes a bit more alert. “What are you talking about?”
“Let me show you.” Kale opened himself to evil, and the darkness consumed him. He faced Miller directly, his eyes black with hate and his veins pulsing, corrupted and dark.
The quaking Miller rose in his seat. “Kale, what, what, what, what?” He slammed his fist into Kale’s stomach, breaking away and rushing for the clinic exit.
But Kale moved faster. He swung Miller to the middle of the waiting room. The deputy’s limbs shook as he pressed to rise. A foot to his back sent him flat on the ground.
Miller squealed as Kale stomped again, and again, until blood soaked through bandages. He flipped Miller’s limp body over.
Miller slammed the vodka bottle against Kale’s face and he lost his balance, falling over. Squirming on the carpet, bottle in one hand, Miller struggled to arm himself with his gun.
On all fours, Kale snarled at him. “Gotta do better than that, Jimmy.” He pounced on the deputy, pinning him to the ground, wrapping a hand around his throat. Miller swung the bottle again, but the bone-dagger emerged and impaled the deputy’s wrist. The bottle tumbled from Miller’s nerveless fingers, clanking on the ground.
Miller’s eyes locked to the unnatural blade that had broken from the Embracer’s body. “Holy shit.”
“Slice his neck, just like Henry’s.”
Kale grinned. “With pleasure.”
A sharp pain tore through Kale’s neck. Another at his arm. Another in his abs. He’s shooting me, Kale told himself as he fell off Miller. Somehow, the deputy had fired through his holster. Impossible.
Using a chair for balance, Jimmy Miller struggled to his feet. Kale watched, lying in pain, surprised.
Miller rushed for the exit but paused. “I’m sorry, Kale.”
Hesitating to kill me was your fatal mistake. Miller spun, gun raised, and managed two pulls at the trigger before Kale’s dagger launched through his heart. Kale grabbed his neck, twisting the blade deeper. He spun Miller to the ground, straddling him, impaling him. “Let me show you, Jimmy.”
A dying breath evaporated.
Kale reached into the deputy’s pocket and retrieved his badge. A shiny gold star. And he used it to carve out Jimmy Miller’s staring eyes.
ALEC
Too many threats out there.
Paper crinkled beneath them. He kissed Nicole’s head, her neck, and her soft shoulder. She turned her head and they locked lips. “I love you,” he whispered.
She did the same.
Then came the sounds of screams and gunshots.
They both sat straight, staring at the teal exam room door. Kale? No.
Another gunshot.
“Alejandro,” stirred Nicole. “I don’t like it here.”
“Neither do I.” He rose off the bed and stepped to the door.
Another gunshot.
“Remember what I said earlier?”
She nodded, looking exhausted and scared. “Don’t go.”
“I won’t let anyone near this room.” He stepped outside and pressed his back to the door.
Chairs were scattered about the crimson-stained waiting room. Blood. Organs. Miller’s hollowed insides stuck to surrounding walls. The broken entrance was wide open, allowing a cold breeze to crawl in the clinic.