Level Six

by Dean, Jane

  Ursa felt adrenaline tear through her system and into every part of her body. She jumped from her position and turned in the air to meet the Walker. “No!” Callum yelled. Ursa could see him running to her. She put an arm around the Walker’s head and efficiently ripped it from its body. It sank forward to its knees and fell with a thump into the grass. She threw the head off the side of the building and stood panting. The three men stopped running toward her and stood staring.

  THIRTEEN

  "What was that man!? What the hell was that?" Tod said to Ursa and looked around at the other men.

  “I don’t know how that happened,” Ursa said.

  “Shut up. Shut up,” Callum yelled. The scratching was still coming from behind the door. “We've got to get to a safe place and it’s not here. Help me with the rifles.”

  Marshall went with him to collect the guns and ammunition. Melissa pulled out a handful of grass and walked to the edge of the roof to look over.

  "Holy shit. How did you do that?" Tod asked.

  Ursa looked up at him. “Forget it,” she said. “We need to get off this building.” She shook herself and walked to the edge of the roof where Melissa was crouched and looked over. She walked part way around the perimeter and stopped to look back at Tod. “We could draw the Walkers’ attention to this side and jump into the card board bin over there.” She pointed to the far end of the roof.

  “Good idea,” Marshall said running to join them. “I’ll scan for some cars that might work out. The one we drove in with would be nice but if something cuts us off, I want some alternatives.”

  “Agreed,” Callum said. “Here.” He handed a gun to Tod and looked to Ursa. “There are only three but we can cover you Ursa.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll carry Melissa. I don’t know how well I can juggle both her and a rifle anyway.”

  The small group threw stones and shell casings down to the cars below them and encouraged the majority of Walkers to one spot in the parking lot.

  A few staggered aimlessly in the lot, bumping into cars and changing direction. Melissa dropped pieces of grass down from the roof and watched as they floated to the concrete below.

  "Let’s move,” Marshall said. “I’ll drop in first and help the rest of you. He stood on the half wall of the roof and shuffled his feet to line up with the brown metal bin directly beneath them.

  “Easy does it, Marshall,” Callum said. Marshall nodded and held the rifle tight as he dropped and curled slightly to land hip and leg first. He sank into the cardboard.

  Tod scanned the adjacent side of the store. “It’s clear,” he said and gave a thumb’s up signal to Marshall. “Callum, you’re next.” Callum stood on the wall and did the same thing, landing cleanly into the bin and rolling over to lift himself out.

  Tod followed and hit his hand on the side of the bin sending out a tinny thwack that echoed into the lot. Ursa turned and through a stone quickly to the other side the lot to counter the noise and cause a distraction. She knew she’d have to act fast in case any Walker decided to investigate the noise. She picked up Ursa and dropped her feet first into the bin. The little girl let out a small squeal and was lifted quickly out of the bin by Marshall. Rene jumped next and Ursa followed almost landing on the girl. Ursa used one hand to propel herself out and away from the bin.

  “Let’s go. They could be coming,” she said. They walked and then ran quickly to catch up to Marshall.

  “Hey,” Tod said to Ursa. “I just saw a guy," Tod said.

  "What do you mean 'A guy'?" Was it a biter or human?"

  "I could have sworn it was a biter. He ran out, looked at us and then when I turned my head to look over at him, it was like he knew I'd spotted him and he ran back into the forest. Must be human."

  "Well if it was a biter he wouldn't have run back into the forest. It would have charged out at us. He must have been injured. Maybe he hasn't turned yet and doesn’t want to get shot." Marshall heard their conversation and started walking away from the line of trees. "Let's stay away from the bushes.” They continued running until they reached an open SUV.

  A few Walkers were running in their direction and a stream of them were pouring out of the Walmart. Ursa recognized a few of them this time.

  Marshall turned the car in the direction of the side road toward the I-5. “I'd like to get to a place away from this populated area before the sun goes down. We can lock ourselves in and try to regroup. Maybe collect some supplies," he said.

  * * *

  “You’re not saving humanity. You’re turning it into some mutation,” Kat said staring at Dr. Myers through the dim light. “Look at these men. How much human is left?”

  “When I said you shouldn’t be here, you really should go. I’m about to revive them and it might not be the best place for you. Will,” Dr. Myers called. “Come here please. Let’s start with this one and work our way down the row.”

  “Yes sir.” Will walked out into the dim light to assist the doctor.

  “What are you doing?” Kat asked. “Why aren’t you waiting for Dr. Hume?”

  “Dr. Hume doesn’t know we’re here.” Dr. Myers said.

  “What? Shouldn’t he be here to assist?”

  “No. I’m trying to save these men.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t have time for this Kat. If you care about the welfare of these men, you’ll either assist me or get out of my way.”

  “Okay,” she said. “What can I do?”

  “Will,” the doctor called behind him. “Set the Mayor up to administer adrenaline.” Will handed Kat a syringe and showed her how to inject the contents in the IV tube.

  “What will this do to them?”

  “We’re going to give them the equivalent of a jump start. Wake them up. I’ll warn you, they may not like it.”

  The first man who had been given the adrenaline began to scream. “They’ll all do that. They haven’t finished their transformation!” the doctor called over to the Mayor.

  “Why are you waking them up if they haven’t finished their transformation?” she asked.

  “I need them awake because I’m leaving with them.”

  “You’re what?! Where are you going?” she stopped administering the adrenaline and stared at him.

  “I’m going away from here to find my son and daughter. The only reason Dr. Hume hasn’t exterminated these men is because they may be useful for testing.” Dr. Myers kept checking vital signs as the first man’s eye lids began to flutter. “They’re going to be used as lab rats Kat and I don’t think they should be treated that way. The Major doesn’t is afraid of any threat to his leadership.”

  “He may see reason. I’m sure he’s a good man,” Kat said.

  “No. The men who were revived earlier were terminated because they were thought to be dangerous.” The doctor flashed a light in the first man’s eyes briefly and undid the heavy brown straps around his chest.”

  “Maybe the Major knows what he’s doing,” she said.

  “The Major is only reacting. Now help or get out,” Dr. Myers said. The first man lifted immense arms into the air and held his hands in front of his face. Now free of his bonds, he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Dr. Myers patted his back. “Son don’t stand yet. Take a moment. Will, please get Thomas a glass of water.”

  “Yes, sir.” Will ran across the room to the small counter sink.

  Dr. Myers turned back to Kat. “The Major has taken control of the country from this command center and isn’t a stable man. It’s your choice. You’re welcome to join us or stay here, but please get out of my way.”

  The first man looked from Kat to the doctor. “Oh my God!” Kat said. “What’s happened to his eyes?” She wasn’t able to look away from his stare. His eyes were golden and in the dim room seemed to reflect light.

  “Pteridines with purines,” the doctor said impatiently. “They reflect white light.” He shook his head and continued working to revive the
second man. “It’s like looking into the eyes of an owl. Very natural.” Dr. Myers turned to Will. “Can you get Sally? I don’t want to leave her behind.” Will smiled and ran from the room.

  “Who’s Sally?” Kat asked.

  Dr. Myers ignored her question. “Are you helping or going away?” he snapped.

  “Helping,” Kat said and turned back to unstrap the man lying in the bed.

  * * *

  Tod stared into the trees as they drove up Jackson Highway toward the 505. Marshall swerved around the occasional car but the road was now clear of debris.

  Ursa could hear his breath catching slightly and he turned quickly in his seat. “Did you see that?” he pointed out the window. Ursa stared out the side window to the line of trees moving by them. She thought she saw a branch move and stared in that spot for a moment.

  "Tod, what’s wrong now? What is it? Did you see something?" Marshall asked. He kept scanning the sides of the road and swerved occasionally to avoid parts of cars and other bizarre articles.

  “There it is again,” Tod said pointing to the woods.

  “We’re driving 90 miles an hour. What could you see again?” Callum asked.

  “I see it,” Ursa said. “I think it’s following us. It looks human or it used to be human.”

  “Walkers don’t move that fast,” Tod said.

  “No. Walkers don’t but that does.” Callum said.

  “I don’t care what the hell it is. I’m not going to stick around to find out,” Marshall said and drove faster.

  "I smell something. Don’t you smell it?" Tod said.

  “Jesus Christ Tod, now you’re smelling something.” Marshall said.

  Ursa sniffed. "I smell smoke but that doesn't mean anything. There're fires all over the place. It could be a car that ran off the highway. If anything, we should stay away from the roads. There'll be biters all over the place."

  "No. I think this fire’s different. It smells like a camp fire. I think we should take a look. It might mean food and other people. Look over there. You can see it in the field up there.”

  "What do you think Marshall? We're a democracy here. Do you think we should take a look?" Callum asked.

  "Yeah, but let's be careful and move fast. I don't want to get caught out here at night. It doesn't look like there's going to be a moon out tonight.

  The group followed the slow rising smoke drifting over the tree tops. “Come on we’re close.” Marshall said. They emerged from a stand of trees to see a large fire in the middle of a field. A barbed wire fence surrounded the farm. Dozens of Walkers were drawn to the slow curl of smoke too had grasped onto the twisted wire and become entangled in it.

  “I don’t know if we can make it over the wire to get to the people inside. Those biters will see us for sure and we won’t be able to outrun them as a group,” Callum said. He glanced down at Melissa huddled against Marshall’s shoulder.

  “Let’s make our way over there to the west side. The fire’s closer to the fence,” Ursa said. They slipped back into the forest and walked quietly skirting the field. They arrived at a clear spot where Walkers hadn’t clustered around the fence. At that moment a loud noise sounded on the opposite side of the field. It was a clanging sound of metal on metal. Ursa looked around. “Oh My God!” she could see Callum was missing behind her and she could see him running and drawing the attention of the Walkers by hitting the wire with his rifle. “No, Callum,” she whispered.

  “What the hell is he doing over there?” Marshall said.

  Tod held Marshall back and pointed to the clear fence. “He’s drawing the Walkers away from us. It’s our chance.”

  “He’ll be killed.” Ursa said.

  “We’ll all be killed if we stay in this forest tonight. Run for it,” Tod yelled. They all ran for the cleared fence line and crawled under the barbed wire at a low spot in the dirt. After they were all through, Ursa watched as Callum ran at top speed back to their position. Walkers grabbed at his clothes as he ran by them as fast as he could. He made it to the point where the group had crawled under and lay down flat clawing the dirt to pull his body behind him.

  A Walker emerged staggering from the forest and grabbed at Callum’s shoe. Tod ran back to the fence and hooked his arms under Callum’s shoulders pulling against the strength of the monster clawing frantically at Callum’s leg. Its teeth gnashed inches away from his skin.

  Tod gave one last pull and the two were flung back onto the ground. The Walker tried to follow after but became entangled in the wire and flailed helplessly. A woman ran by the men to the fence with a gun and fired one shot into the Walker’s head and turned to the muddy group as they lay on the ground.

  “That was a pretty bold move,” she said and reached out a soot covered hand to help them to their feet.

  * * *

  Mark and Raj joined the group sitting around the fireplace in the large living room. The sofas were large and shabby but comfortable in front of the low fire. Melisa had curled into one corner and was asleep with her face upturned to the ceiling.

  "Thanks for taking us in,” Tod said.

  “You’re lucky you found us.” Amy said and handed Marshall and Callum mugs of coffee. You’re the first live ones we’ve seen since we got here.

  “This isn’t your place then?” Tod asked.

  “No. We met up with Mark here on the highway and found this house abandoned. The people who were here before us had tried to surround the place with wire but not before the Walkers got to them. They have a big supply of food and the well seems okay.”

  “Do you have a plan then?" Ursa asked Amy.

  “No,” Mark replied. We’ve taken shifts to make sure the Walkers don’t get passed the fences and wire. We haven’t thought beyond that.”

  “We killed a lot of them but more kept coming. Eventually, we’ll get rid enough to be able to relax here until the outbreak passes. Where were you headed?” Raj said.

  “Yakima,” Ursa said. She pressed her shoulder into Marshall and tried to fix the feeling of warmth and solidity into her memory. She stared into the fire trying to focus on the embers.

  “What’s in Yakima? Do you have family there?” Mark asked.

  “No,” Callum said. “Well yes. It’s our father. We think he’s at a military base there. He might be able to help us.”

  “I don’t want to embarrass you Ursa but your eyes are red. Have they always been that way?” Mark asked Ursa. “Your eyes are completely red in this light.”

  “I..uh.” Ursa said. Amy stood and took a look at her from a distance. “I’ve been like this for a while. It’s a light sensitivity,” she said.

  Amy relaxed and looked at Mark before sitting on the floor again.

  “We’ve got to keep moving to get to him. I need help and he might be able to vaccinate all of us. Maybe they can help us all,” Callum continued.

  “Can you help us with some supplies?” Tod asked.

  “We might be able to bring back help,” Ursa said. “Tell them you’re here.”

  In the firelight, Ursa watched Tod prop his head up on one hand. “We

  “I’m not going,” Rene said. She tucked her feet underneath her on the seat and wrapped her sweater close around her shoulders.

  “What?” Tod asked raising his voice. “What do you mean you’re not going?”

  “I’m going to stay here with Amy and Raj. They said I could stay with them.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Marshall said. “It’s fairly secure here. She doesn’t know what we’re going to face back out on the road.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Mark said to Marshall.

  “Are you crazy?” Raj said. “They won’t last a day out there on their own.”

  “There could be a military outpost in Yakima and if there is, they’ll need every doctor they can find. I think they’ll need my help.”

  Amy stood and walked back to the kitchen with her cup. “Hey guys. You should put out that fire and get some sleep. “It�
��s probably bringing a lot of Walkers out here and we don’t need any more of them wandering close by. I’m going to get some sleep. We can talk about this tomorrow.”

  Callum and Marshall began putting out the fire. “We should talk Rene,” Tod said.

  “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m staying here,” Rene said.

  “We’re surrounded by biters. It’s only a matter of time before one gets through or you run out of food. You’ll be trapped out here,” Tod said.

  “I’ll take my chances. I don’t want to drive out to the middle of nowhere. This place is as good as any. I need to feel safe for a while.”

  “We’ll come back for you,” Tod said. “We’ll find a better place and come back for you.”

  FOURTEEN

  The rain had passed over the fields leaving stratus clouds brushed across the sky. The small group sat together at the side of the house. A small vegetable garden had been started here and now sat empty. Ursa could see Melissa walking to one of the calves. The owners of the property fenced in a few of the animals and chickens scratched around them pecking for insects in the dirt.

  "If it weren’t for the dead people over there, it'd be a nice day," Tod said. Biters walked the perimeter of the fence occasionally reaching through the wire to try to grasp an animal. The cows only glanced at the staggering humans and walked away to find grass on the shady side of the small field.

  "Okay, let's put together a strategy." Marshall flipped open one of the lawn chairs and sat down.

  "Can’t we relax for just five minutes? We need some downtime and I'm being serious right now,” Tod said. “You've got to let me have a moment or I'm going to go catatonic like our little friend." He motioned over to Melissa who was laying on her side facing the cows.

  "Okay. We can’ wait too long. I'll walk the perimeter and check to see if there are any weak spots." Marshall got up and walked to the fence at the far end of the field. The Walkers shuffled to catch up with him.

  "I see a woman,” Ursa said. “It looks like she belonged to the PTA group and was maybe dropping daughter off at school when it happened."