by Timothy Cox
A man wearing an orange shirt with the logo: PEACE ENTERPRICE, approached the woman. He broke from the crowd and walked slow. He had his right arm extended and waved his fingers. ‘Hey you ok madam, can you…speak?’
Reeta saw what she was looking for. There was an air duct just above a cabinet. She didn’t waste any time. She was barely up the cabinet when things went awry; Horror just woke up – and she wasn’t sticking around for a second round.
The man with the orange shirt was the first one to feel how it feels when things go crawling between innards. When there weren’t any space left in his body – there were many more – all running away. They all ran like a torpedo against the door. The people in front slammed it with their sweaty fists. When the people at the back didn’t see the door open – they trampled onto people – wanting to hit the door for themselves. While they stood on screaming faces they carried on: knocking, knocking, knocking, knocking – silence.
(11)
Some halls were quiet – others barricaded – and some littered with the dead.
Reeta wasn’t aware that she was crying. She even wiped her tears. There were constant gun fire coming from somewhere; echoing down walls where people used to walk.
She looked at her bloody matted arm. She wiped it expecting the blood to smear but it had already staled old and dry. A red box on the wall made her run.
At first she couldn’t control her fingers. They trembled like she was having epilepsy. She entered the code and scanned her eye.
Intercom: STATE NAME.
‘Reeta Lawuas.’
Intercom: STATE PURPOSE.
‘Current status of ship.’
Intercom: UNOTHERIZED. PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF STAFF.
‘Dammit!’ She tried again but stopped. It was no use. She knew it. She slammed the wall. And then it hit her: something was burning.
As if on cue, a blanket of thick gray spilled around the corner. From all her years of experience, one thing she knew was when there was smoke on a ship it was never good, especially the dark kind. She walked around the corner and held her mouth. She coughed. People came running down the hall crying. The smoke gave way to their heavy movements.
A man she knew came running from it. He had a dreadful expression but the sight of her made him smile despite the amount of smoke in his lungs.
‘Are you ok Ryan?’
He ran into her and hugged her. ‘Oh God I thought you were dead.’
She bit down on her tongue and pushed him away. ‘Ryan I need to find my brother.’
He grabbed her hand and dragged her with him.
She tugged her arm loose. ‘What are you doing?’
He tried grabbing her again but she stepped back. He frowned. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Didn’t you hear what I just said? I need to find my brother.’
‘Leave him. He’s dead.’
Silence.
‘Excuse me?’ She swallowed at the sudden brashness. ‘What, what do you mean he is dead?’
‘Reeta,’ he held his hand. ‘Take my hand let’s get to safety.’
Her eyes glistened. ‘How do you know he’s dead?’
‘I heard screaming in the armory.’
‘So you didn’t see hi–’
‘He’s dead. Let’s go.’ He grabbed her hand again.
She pushed him away with all her strength. ‘Fuck off Ryan!’
With everything going on – it was her outburst that puzzled him the most. How could she yell at him like that? He frowned. He muttered: ‘Baby let’s go. Please. We need to–’
‘I don’t like you Ryan and I never will. Now I’m going to go find my brother.’ She felt like screaming. He frowned as if she was breaking up with him. He turned away. She squeezed her eyes and shook her head. ‘Ryan wait.’
He glanced.
‘Please come with me.’
He shook his head at her and walked away.
Everything disappeared when she held her eyes. As smoke passed her – she felt like crying.
(12)
She bumped into people running the opposite way. Some told her to run while others gave a confused look. She didn’t care though, her brother was her number one priority – even if that meant that today was going to be her last day.
The only good thing about the smoke was that it hugged the floor. As long as she kept her head away from it everything was fine. While she ran she wondered about what Ryan said. Was her brother really dead? She relinquished these stupid thoughts. He didn’t even see him dead. He just assumed with clouded mind. She knew there was a reason her heart said no to him; the heart never ever lies. But her mind being her mind asked probing questions: what if he was dead? What if the screams were real? What if the armory lay in ruin? With insects crawling from her brother’s stomach…
‘Please give me the strength,’ she whispered. She waved smoke away when she heard strange noises around the corner. It sounded like chewing. She approached with care and peeked.
At least a dozen bodies lay on top of each other; as if they clambered against each other for safety. A stream of red washed away, making the tiles look like Satan’s bath. She had to grab her hand when she saw one of them move: dead twitches. She felt something come up her throat – and forced it down. She had to look away. It weren’t only dead bodies. It was a feast for insects.
She had to walk straight, but that meant passing the hall. She turned and walked away – and stopped. She lowered her chin realizing that she had to do it. There was no time to walk around. She was too tired and too scared to run away. She turned back and peeked again.
The insects were occupied eating.
She closed her eyes and walked; imagining that she was strolling in a beautiful forest. When she opened her eyes – she was on the other side. She felt like screaming and crying at the same time, but didn’t waste any time.
The empty halls scared her. She knew everyone had to be on the upper levels. A few minutes later she approached a sign: Armory – Left. Seeing this made her feel happy and sick at the same time. Those old thoughts returned with backup, they asked: what if Reeta? What if?
She could see the door down the hall. She chuckled at a cruel thought. She imagined being attacked just before opening it.
The door was closed. A good sign.
‘Please let him be alive.’ She looked at the beads dripping off her palm. Her heart raced. ‘Please. Please. Please.’ She took a deep breath. Swallowed. And opened the door with one big swing.
(13)
The room didn’t pity her. Not even the gods. It didn’t take long to see her brother ripped apart. His flesh painted the floor and his blood the walls. She stumbled forward in denial. Her right hand rubbed her face and left her stomach. She rubbed in circles; nice big warm circles. Her lips felt sore: she was busy eating it. There was a moment of pause before she collapsed onto his open stomach.
Tears mixed with blood.
‘Mother I’m so sorry,’ she cried.
(14)
Xavier. I want you to remember two things in life. I will always love you. And when you join the Resistance I want you to give it your very best. Is that understood my son?’
He looked through the scope, ready, not a single bead of sweat on the trigger.
‘Xavier the troops are in position.’
‘That’s Commander now. Richard is dead.’
‘Sorry Commander, of course.’
‘Where do we stand?’
‘We’ve lost the lower decks. Serious damage on the outer haul and the engine room is ok, for now.’
‘What do you mean the outer haul is damaged?’
He scratched his wrist. ‘You’re not going to like this Commander.’
He lowered his gun. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well…those things. They’re trying to get in from the outside. It’s as if they know we’re being attacked from the inside.’
‘It’s the pheromones.’
He frowned.
‘Th
ey’re using their pheromones as a beacon.’ He shook his head and stared at the barricaded door. ‘We need to get off this planet – right now.’
‘Sir the engine room took damage during the–’
A massive roar shook the ship swaying it left to right. Lights went off. Backup generators switched on. Everything now a dim red. Soldiers around the room looked at Xavier.
‘What was that?’
‘I-let me quickly check. Jesus they’ve breached.’
‘Where?’
‘Cafeteria.’
‘Everyone follow me!’ Xavier shouted. ‘How long till we have engines’ fixed?’
‘We have people working on it.’
He knew they should’ve blasted into space the minute they fixed the electrical interference. But they had to wait for the commander. But it didn’t matter anymore, the solution was simple: keep the insects from entering the upper levels until they’ve fixed the engine.
‘I want six to stay here and cover that barricade.’
They nodded.
‘The rest with me.’
Fifty of them ran down the hall: guns rattling, heads up. These men didn’t fear much, they were trained for moments like these. Some of them had been with the Resistance all their lives, trained from an early age. The Resistance had an obligation to Earth; they were the ones that mined minerals for Earth – to help their species thrive. But they knew the universe was full of danger.
(15)
The radar showed a lot of red dots. The empty room, however, contradicted this.
‘Check again.’ Xavier said.
‘Red.’
‘Christ where are you.’ He looked at the roof, between the pipes, and whistled. ‘Anything there?’
Five guys on the other side shook their head.
There were cups everywhere. Stools flat. Liquid spilled. The smell of fried food lingered as they approached the door. He didn’t like how quiet it was. He raised his gun and looked through the scope. He waved his hand.
Four rushed to each side of the door.
‘You smell that?’
‘What?’ Xavier asked.
He looked at the radar. There were dots all around them. ‘Something’s not right Commander.’
‘I know.’ He nodded for them to proceed.
They opened the door. It was darker in there; the backup light didn’t travel that far. Xavier glanced around and saw a lot of maroon faces. He sniffed. He could smell it now: the stench of death. He walked forward.
Oil could be heard sizzling. Cutlery hung from the roof like some new age décor. A few steps in and Xavier looked down. He stepped on a wet puddle. He touched his ear. ‘Update.’
Back empty.
Cold room empty.
Dead bodies section four.
Burger on plate if anyone hungry–
Xavier grinned as he heard laughter in his ear. ‘Keep your eyes awake.’ He looked around and saw something in the distance. He stopped. His brain tried to compute what he was seeing. It was hard to see; the red light made it look like a person – but it wasn’t a person, he was sure of–
He pressed his ear. ‘Section four give me another update.’ He waited. ‘Section four. Update.’ He thought he heard a voice but it was just static. He looked around at the men behind. ‘Put a few more at the door.’ They nodded.
Xavier approached the thing in the distance. He noticed the floor getting more wet. He didn’t know if it was water or blood; it didn’t matter to him. He kept his sight frozen in front.
Cutlery fell from the ceiling–
Everyone froze. Xavier heard himself swallow. He decided to wait before putting on his flashlight. He wanted to get closer to the object; if it was a threat the burst of light would blind.
Commander we’ve got movement.
He’s right. They’re here.
‘Where?’
Outside the cafeteria.
‘Don’t engage.’ He glanced around. ‘What does your radar say?’
He pressed his lips. ‘I don’t get it. It doesn’t show any outside the cafeteria.’
‘So where does it show them?’
‘…all around us.’
He focused on his breathing. He didn’t know why, but he heard his dad’s voice in his head, saying that he needed to focus. He switched the gun’s light on.
‘Son of a bitch.’ Xavier said. Somebody stacked up pots. He switched the light off. ‘Let’s move.’
A man came tip toeing. He held his gun close to his chest and seemed to breathing hard. ‘Commander.’
‘Yes?’
‘I need to speak.’
‘What do you mean you need to–’
The man began crying.
Xavier narrowed his eyes. He tried to analyze the man’s expression, but it was hard under the red light. ‘What’s wrong soldier?’
‘May I speak freely?’ He said. Tears flowing.
‘Yes.’
‘Sir. I’ve been with the Resistance all my life. I looked up to–’ he sneezed ‘–I looked up to you.’ Xavier felt his hands getting clammy. ‘It’s my duty to tell you.’
‘To tell, me what?’
‘Sir–’ he coughed. Something fell on the floor: drops. ‘They’re in me.’
He closed his eyes. Chewed on his teeth. And opened them back up. He switched on his light. It was what he feared. Sweat rained from his face like he was going to die any second. The man, was lost.
‘Please tell me what to–’ his legs trembled but he forced himself to stay up. ‘What do you want me to do Commander?’
He pressed his ear. ‘Can I get an update on the cold room?’
Empty.
‘What’s your name?’
He didn’t have the strength to hold his gun anymore – it fell. ‘It’s Mickey. It’s Mickey Grean.’
‘Mickey. I promise. When we get out of here, I’m going to find your parents and tell them about you.’
He sobbed.
Xavier turned to one of his soldiers. ‘Take him to the cold room.’
(16)
Tears fell.
‘You ok Mickey?’ He put his hand around his shoulder, ‘just hold on brother, we’ll make it go away in a few seconds.’ They walked past a few soldiers who gave their respect by nodding. ‘You see Mick, you’re doing an honorable thing. I mean, hell I don’t think–’ they stopped ‘–hey just hold – God dammit.’ He touched his ear to call for–
Mickey grabbed his arm. ‘Don’t I can make I swear.’ He looked up with a purple face; as if someone had beat the shit out of him. ‘Just get me to the cold room. I’ll do it myself.’
‘Yeah, sure, whatever you say.’ He lowered his hand and made sure his finger felt the trigger. ‘Come let’s go, it’s only around the corner.’
They walked like two normal friends until the cold room was in sight. Mickey’s leg began to wobble. His breathing gasped like an asthma attack. He acted like everything was fine by glancing at his partner and lifting his mouth; just a fading smile with sore looking lips.
‘Hey me now favor.’ He said.
He smiled and wiped his forehead. ‘What’s that Mick?’
‘I want yesterday was so fun,’ he chuckled. The approaching door made him stop. He looked at the room with a facial expression that said: why-are-you-doing-this-to-me? He shook his head at the conundrum.
‘Just a few more steps.’ He touched him and winced; something felt bumpy and it wasn’t his shoulder-ball. It was something that slipped deeper into his skin – crawling to other suitable organs.
He walked forward – alone. A few steps in he turned. ‘I can’t do it.’
‘Mickey you’re a step away from the room. Go inside and I’ll lock you.’
‘I can’t you don’t understand my feet they can’t–’ his back arched so much that his spine broke in half. He didn’t scream because he couldn’t scream: vocal cords were being chewed on. His body ceased onto the floor. His nervous system [kept on] so that he could feel how it feels to be eat
en for the inside out. That is how these insects preferred it. It was not the thrill of the hunt that excited them but the immaculate process of slow digestion.
He cocked his gun. He aimed. He fired. A sparkle of white filled the air; lighting up the red darkness to a pinkish-maroon. He kept on shooting until he was certain that every inch of his body had at least two bullets inside. When he did let go of the trigger he had to regain his composure. He looked at his sore finger – the one he squeezed down with. While he looked at his wiggling finger – peripheral picked up on things crawling/running towards him. He wanted to: scream, shoot, and warn. But they were just too quick.
(17)
‘Is it done?’ Xavier asked. There was no reply on the other end. He was beginning to think that there was something wrong with his ear piece. Section four didn’t reply, section two didn’t reply, and now the escort he had sent with the man didn’t reply.
‘Commander,’ he whispered. ‘I think you need to have a look at this.’ He showed the radar. ‘The insects are retreating.’
‘Retreating? But that doesn’t make any sense.’
‘And not only that but they’re leaving the ship.’
Xavier lowered his gun. He looked at the line of dark faces – ready for anything. He lowered his chin and thought about this. Why would an enemy run if they had the advantage? Why would they all run out when they were stationed at key points? What could possibly work in their favor for running? He slid his fingers up and down the cold steel. There were many faces waiting for his order. And then it dawned on him.
‘They are not running away.’
The man looked at the radar and back up with a frown. ‘What do you mean?’
‘They are regrouping.’