* * *
Crystal paced up and down in the room, waiting for something to happen or sound like something is happening. Either way it was silent for most of the night. Not even a police vehicle’s sirens were heard, which made Crystal feel paranoid, to say the least. She pondered about the man who had attacked the woman in the stairwell, she wondered about the animalistic tendencies the guy had displayed and she thought about how scared she was.
It was around dawn when she started to hear faint screams coming from somewhere in the hospital and it wasn’t long afterwards when shots were being fired inside the building. Distraught by the sudden commotion, Crystal stopped pacing.
Sounds like a war…
When it was silent once more, she managed to get the courage to peek out the door, only to be met by a very normal looking hallway that was quiet and looked ordinary to every other day. Crystal sighed in relief and decided to make her way down to the cafeteria for some breakfast instead. She walked quickly and kept her eyes open for anything and everything strange, but it was as though the hospital had been evacuated in the middle of the night. There were no signs of life visible to the naked eye and she passed nobody on her way to the cafeteria.
Crystal felt anxious by the whole situation, usually there were at least some people present this time of the morning. She didn’t falter to get food though and when she was sure she was full, she walked toward the chapel. Crystal saw nobody on her way there, but she did find the door shut, which was unusual for the little chapel. The doors were never closed… Curious about the turn of events, Crystal softly knocked on the door.
“Hello?” She asked as she knocked. One door suddenly flew open and the priest stood there wide-eyed. “Hello?” She asked more confused this time, before she was suddenly pulled into the chapel where a handful of people were huddled together. The door shut behind her and it was only when she heard the key turn in the lock that she was let go.
“Have you been scratched?” The priest asked seriously. “Have you been bitten?” The question followed the first. Crystals eyes widened in surprise. “Come on, speak!”
“N…No… Why?” Crystal finally stuttered. She looked around the chapel, trying to find a familiar face, but the only familiar face she noticed was that of Mary. “What’s going on?” They ignored her and rather went on to pray.
“The dead has started to rise, child. They are tearing us to shreds…” The priest gingerly touched her shoulder and walked past her. Crystal noticed the worried look in his eyes as he moved away, and it was quite unnerving to see a man so hopeless. Crystal turned around to face the chapel and noticed the ordinary looking place. There were church pews, a few pretty stained glass windows and that was basically it. Crystal raised an eyebrow and then shook her head as she walked deeper into the chapel.
“Okay, seriously guys, there’s nothing out there.” Crystal finally said. “I came from the sixth floor, went down to the cafeteria, ate and then wandered around for a bit and I saw nothing. I didn’t even hear a sound.” She continued. “This is nonsense.”
“It is not nonsense!” The redhead bitch finally yelled, looking more dazed and worried than anyone there. Crystal grinned at the outburst, realising that there was certainly something eating the cow up from the inside. “They’re coming… for me, you… for everyone…” The nurse continued.
Crystal laughed. “Okay, no, really. You guys have been smoking some really good stuff, but unfortunately, my sister needs company. And as fun as this was I prefer her conversations over yours.” Crystal started toward the chapel doors only to be intercepted by the priest. “Dude, I’m not a Catholic…” She pushed him out of her way and continued forward.
“If you go now, you can’t come back.” The priest said to her seriously.
Crystal grinned and as she walked looked at him. “Oh, I’m not planning on coming back.”
“Scoffer!”
Crystal spun around and saw who shouted it. The nurse from Hell. “You know what, nurse of death, I hope they catch you for killing all those helpless old folks in their sleep, I hope they tear you limb from limb for making up stories to fill your pathetic little life.” Crystal had meant it as a joke, but Mary looked almost like someone figured out her secret. “May God have mercy on your sick, sadistic soul.”
“How did you know…?” She whispered more to herself than anyone else. Crystal rolled her eyes and continued on. “HOW DID YOU KNOW!?” Mary shouted after Crystal.
“Our lady of the resurrected told me.” Crystal mumbled as she unlocked the door. “Hope Doctor Francis Harris doesn’t catch you… Mary.” Crystal winked and walked out of the chapel. In an instant the door shut behind her and she was alone once again. She didn’t hear anything unusual as she walked the corridors back to the cafeteria, and she didn’t see anything unusual either. Well that is until she finally reached the cafeteria.
This time there weren’t clean floors and walls, neither were there an empty room with chairs and tables. Oh no, this time there was something out of a horror movie present. Fresh blood smears were covering almost all of the surfaces and walls, guts and intestines were also splattered here and there. It looked like a buffet of human parts for the zombie and/or cannibal on the go. Crystal looked at the area, which she had been in not thirty minutes earlier and feeling mortified by the scene, she silently gasped. A groan in the distance signaled her that she wasn’t alone, and she didn’t want to be seen just yet.
Crystal looked around for anything she could use to defend herself with and finally spotted a broken chair not too far away. Without any hesitation, she sprinted forward and picked up the jagged edged piece of aluminum and quickly dashed back the way she came, hoping she did not make anyone or in this case anything aware of her presence.
When she felt she was out of harm’s way, she slowed down, but kept her eyes open for anything out of the ordinary, but what she had once deemed a clean hospital, had now turned into some or other horrific playground for monsters. Or so it seemed.
Crystal still had not seen one of the monsters as she made her way back to Christine’s hospital room, but she wasn’t taking any chances. It wasn’t long before she was back in the deserted ward where she had left her comatose twin and what she saw was bloodcurdling.
The old woman who Crystal had startled half to death the night before lay in the middle of the corridor, her gut torn open and her eyes blank. Her intestines spilled across the floor and her one arm had become unattached from her shoulder and lay almost a foot away. Crystal covered her mouth with her one hand as she studied the scene. The smell of feces and death had filled the area and was almost unbearable to cope with as it lingered in the back of her mouth, she wanted to gag, but knew that getting sick now was not an option. Getting sick would make her an easy target… she didn’t need that working against her when both her and Christine’s lives depended on her being fit.
Screams filled the air from somewhere else, but Crystal had no intension to investigate. All she cared about was keeping Christine and herself alive for as long as she possibly could.
Crystal stepped over the corpse and continued on until she finally found the room she had called home for the last two weeks. The door was firmly closed and although there was a bloody handprint on it, there was no indication that anyone had been inside. Carefully she opened the door and peeked inside.
Christine still looked like an angel, she was sleeping soundly and nothing looked out of place. Crystal quickly went inside and bolted the door shut behind her. She breathed softly, trying to regain her strength and her courage, but it didn’t take too long for her to giggle nervously.
I’ve wished for years and finally when I need it the most, there’s hope…
Crystal’s giggle turned to laughs as she thought of the massacre that had unfolded in the hospital, she felt somewhat psychotic because of her behaviour, but she couldn’t care less. Well not at that particular moment anyway. She turned and looked at Christine again, shook her head and walke
d over toward the window. She studied the surrounding grounds of the hospital, seeing the fountain running red as a nurse was feeding from a patient which had probably gone for a morning walk. As far as Crystal could tell, the nurse was having a barbaric feast of blood and guts and all those other anatomical parts human beings are made of.
A whimper startled Crystal and she spun around, holding her makeshift weapon firmly in her hands. Crystal looked around, searching for the person or whatever the hell else that made such a noise. This time a faint grumble stirred in the bathroom… Crystal slowly walked toward the bathroom, making sure she didn’t make a sound. She used the pole to push the door open, the creak was almost deafening. Another whimper came from inside, but Crystal could not see who or what was inside without moving into the bathroom. She moved forward slowly, carefully… silently.
It was only when she saw the back of a child’s head cowering in the bath that she realised she was still holding her breath. She let it out slowly and reached out to touch the little boy.
“Hello?” She whispered. “Are you okay?” Her words weren’t even cold when he turned around and Crystal saw the most grotesque thing she’d seen thus far. The blonde boy was horrifically maimed; half of his face had been torn off of his skull and he was missing one of his eyes. His teeth were clearly visible on one side, seeing as his lips were also missing. “Holy shit!” Crystal shrieked as she stumbled backwards, not taking her eyes off of the kid. He stood up slowly and like a predator sniffed the air even though he could see her with his good eye. Crystal gulped heavily as she started to scoot backwards on the tiled floor. A groan escaped from the kid, and he snapped his teeth once as he got out of the bathtub.
Get it together Crystal!
Crystal tried to get a hold of herself. She had to do something; she needed to make sure Christine was safe. With that in mind she gripped her weapon more firmly and stopped moving away from the child. “Come on you son of a bitch!” Crystal shouted at the child. Without any warning he suddenly pounced towards her just as she lifted the piece of metal to protect herself. With a sickening sound of flesh and bone meeting metal, he impaled himself on her weapon, which had gone straight through his chest. Crystal smiled as she pushed him off of her and he fell with a loud thump on the floor next to her. She kept her eyes on him though, but shifted away. “How do you like them apples?” She mumbled as she got up and took a few steps away. Another groan came from the kid. Crystal’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “What the –” Her words were cut off when the child slowly started to rise again. Her eyes widened as she watched him; astonished that he was still breathing after being stabbed right through the chest, let alone that he was still moving! “This is not right…” She whispered to herself as her eyes darted around the room to find something to kill him with, but the only thing she could find that could do any damage was in his chest.
Crystal dashed forward and gripped the end of the pole, before pulling it out of him swiftly. A gurgle erupted from the back of his throat as she pulled the pole out and in the same movement she swung it back as far as she could. Crystal put all of her strength behind the swing as she brought it down against his head. A crack followed as the pole collided with his skull and tremors moved up and down her arm, before the blonde kid fell down again. She watched again for any movement, but this time she was sure that this blunt for trauma would keep him down… or she hoped it would.
After five minutes of nothing happening, she started to feel better, at least the little turd wasn’t going to try and eat her face off again.
Crystal started to clean up the mess, the blood was easy to get rid of, but the body was another problem. She was obviously scared to leave the room, which she was now sure was clear of any other threats, but she also knew she had to get rid of the body. What Crystal was not sure of was how many more of those things were around outside… She also had to start thinking about getting supplies together. Medical supplies for Christine was a must and of course food and water. The rest she could live without.
* * *
After Crystal had dragged the body out of Christine’s room and disinfected the floors for the umpteenth time, she set about the task to try and call someone for help. Unfortunately her calls were left unanswered and all she had was herself.
The chapel!
Crystal had almost forgotten that she could have the help of about seven people if they were still alive. It was only a matter of keeping herself alive on the way there and back at the moment, but she was sure she could persuade at least one person.
Without further ado she started to make her way toward the hospital chapel, hardly anything stirred, which was strange, but definitely not unwanted. Her heart was racing in her chest and she was sure she would make it out alive. That is until out of the corner of her eye she noticed something. She wasn’t sure if it was the something she was trying to avoid, but she definitely wasn’t going to take any chances. She started to walk faster, but kept her eyes open.
A groan…
“Oh, no you don’t.” Crystal mumbled as she started to run. The shadow kept up with her. More groans joined the first. She reached the elevator and pushed the button repeatedly. With her back against the elevator doors she tried to see who or what was stalking her. The bell went off not too long afterwards signalling the elevator, Crystal turned around and the doors swung open, only to reveal Mary looking not so pretty anymore. A moan erupted right from behind her, just as Mary’s mouth widened. Crystal didn’t think she just stabbed her as hard as she could with the pole, right through her mouth and lodged the pole into her brain. The nurse from hell’s eyes rolled into the back of her head and a last gurgle was the finishing touches to the pathetic woman’s life.
Crystal pulled out the pole and with a swift motion spun around with her pole firmly gripped in her hands, smashing the bastard monster behind her in a swift, direct swing. It fell to the ground and twitched a few times, before it was motionless once more. Crystal felt sick to her stomach, it was clear the chapel had been overthrown and if anyone had survived… well they can come to her. “Fuck this. I’m not risking my butt for them.” She mumbled as she angrily kicked Mary’s corpse and then walked back to the ward. “Clear out, clean up and fortify, that’s the plan.” Crystal nodded to her own words.
* * *
Crystal noticed Christine’s door was open and heard a grumble inside. She walked in slowly, ready for action, but what she found inside was not entirely what she had expected.
“Doctor?” She asked confused as Doctor Harris checked Christine’s vitals.
“Yes?” He asked without turning around.
“You’re making rounds?” Her confusion grew as he turned around and started to check Christine’s pulse. He didn’t answer her. “Have you seen what’s been happening?” Crystal asked as she walked in, her weapon still gripped in her hands. The doctor didn’t answer as he took his stethoscope off from around his neck and listened to Christine’s heartbeat. “Doctor?”
“Hush now, it’ll all be over soon.” He said calmly. “Your sister is awakening…”
Crystal shook her head in disbelief and then looked at the doctor astonished. “She’s getting better?”
“Oh, she is… like all the others.” The doctor looked up and smiled. “No more death…”
“Excuse me?!” She shrieked as her sister stirred. “NO!”
“She’s better now. Look.” Doctor Harris put the machines off and took the oxygen mask off of Christine’s face. Crystal watched as Christine’s eyes shot open and she spun her head around to look at Crystal. A ghastly groan came from the back of her throat. “No need to thank me, it’s my job.”
“NO!” Crystal shouted again as she backed up against the wall too scared to look away from her sister. She heard the pole drop to the floor loudly, but she was stunned with fear, desperation and completely mortified by the fate her sister had suffered.
“Our lady of the resurrected has brought her back to you… my mother, brough
t her back.” The doctor smiled, just before
Christine jumped off of the bed and stalked forward towards Crystal. Crystal wanted to move, but she couldn’t, not even when she felt her sister sink her teeth into her shoulder and tear out flesh while she felt the gnashing against her collarbone. Crystal was numb enough to not make a peep. Christine decided to end it early though as her second bite targeted Crystal’s neck, realisation of what was going to happen dawned on Crystal, but it was too late and everything became black for her as her sister took her life.
Showers
By Steve Gierman
Pittsburgh baseball was an endurance test. Far removed from the days of “the bees” and “the family” now it was lucky if there wasn’t an error in a game. Everything is cyclical and eventually, real baseball will return full force.
Brett was old enough to remember some of the good times very vividly. Even New York went through rough decades, he would remind himself, temporarily forgetting that over two decades had passed since his team was relevant. Pittsburgh was the ultimate 4A team. It was too good for triple A and too bad for the majors. Brett stayed glued to the television set in the break room, desperately hoping that this would be the year that it all came together.
“You still watching that shitty team?”
Brett didn’t break his gaze on the television. He knew this would only prompt Diane to ask again.
“You know, you’re rotting your brain watching those amateurs,” Diane said mockingly. “Keep watching until your brain turns to goo from lack of stimulation. If you lapse into a coma, we’ve got a room available for you.”
Brett thought of saying something witty and biting back to her, but all that he could muster was a roll of the eyes. He continued watching his beloved team, despite the negativity coming from the doorway.
“I bet you’re still pining for Mackowiak.” Diane was trying to break Brett from his hypnotic stare on the television. Bringing up the Mackowiak name always worked in the past and this time was no exception.
CODE Z: An Undead Hospital Anthology Page 17