The Apocalypse

by Williams, T. M.

  “Oh my God.”

  “There’s one more thing.”

  I shut my eyes, willing the truth away.

  “It takes time for them to show the physical features of being infected. So now we have no idea who’s really infected until it’s too late.”

  I felt the tears fall freely now. If we couldn’t identify our enemy then we were as good as dead. I didn’t need a husband in the military to figure that out. I could hear the crash on the other end of the line.

  “What are you going to do Richard?” “We’re going to end the camp.”

  The line went dead. It was all I could do to keep myself breathing.

  “Mrs. Tempest?”

  I spun around to find Zeke standing in the doorway. Now I had no idea whom I could trust. For all I knew I was the only one left that was uninfected. Would they know who was one of them? Could they sense it?

  “Yes?”

  “It’s time to go.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was just me or if there was something different about him then. It was difficult to see his eyes because the baseball cap he adorned cast a shadow over his eyes.

  “Zeke?”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  He was still as a statue. “Nothing.”

  If he was one of them there was nothing I could do. There was no point in being paranoid to the point of not moving forward. I had to move forward. It’s what Richard would’ve wanted me to do.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat as I realized I was already thinking of him in the past tense.

  “Where are we going now?”

  Zeke turned to me and smiled. It was then that I saw the whites around his irises and felt some relief then.

  “We’re going to Zone 3.”

  I grabbed Zeke’s shirt to stop him. “Wait, Richard just called and said Zone 3 was contaminated.”

  Zeke turned to me and smiled again, forming a deep crease in his cheeks. I realized then I had forgotten the most important thing that Richard had told me.

  Twenty-Three

  Adrianna Banks

  Los Angeles, California

  December 10th, 2021

  It felt like someone had played Beethoven’s 5th symphony on my shins. Instead of piano keys, a dozen dull needles dipped in acid had been used. I had no concept of time. Chaos had ensued in the city, turning it into a blustering mess of psychosis, dread, and hopelessness. I could have been lying on this steel gurney for hours, days, or months, I would not know. The pain had already surpassed an eternity so it was irrelevant how long it had been on a clock.

  I had been standing on the bridge just past the park, looking at the crashing water in the river below when I realized how trapped I had become. I already had one leg over and was calculating where exactly to jump so I could guarantee my death - guarantee my freedom. I only hesitated a beat and that’s all it took. My moment was gone - with it, the hope of free death.

  And now, some inconceivable amount of time later, I lay here begging for my mind to send me into a place of bliss. The prickling pain had coursed through every pore in my body, penetrating into the depths of my organs and bones. I could hear myself humming a song. When had I started doing that? I did not know, so I stopped. I could no longer tell if the laughter I then heard was someone in the distance or something lost in my mind. When the laughter turned to cackling and then echoed inside my one functioning ear drum I knew it was me. I was laughing.

  “Amused by something, are you?” I was.

  “You’re a strong one,” he said. I recognized his voice. He spoke to me frequently, though I did not know whom he was. “It’s intriguing; you know? I’ve never had a specimen like you before. You’ve lasted nearly 300 times longer than our longest survivor and we thought he was something.”

  The silence after that remark lasted so long I thought he had gone. I couldn’t look to see, as they had removed my eyes long ago. I was happy for that.

  “I wonder what it is that drives you? You still won’t tell me, will you? I know you’re there, I know you’re listening. I can smell it on you.”

  I drifted out again then, my mind reprieving me of that moment and sending me into the darkness I yearned for. During this darkness I played Moonlight Sonata in my mind. I could still feel the cool touch of the ivory and ebony keys beneath my fingers, the brass pedal beneath the soles of my shoes. I could still feel the cool breeze with the scent of the eucalyptus trees and spray of the ocean in the air. She loved when I played Moonlight Sonata for her. In my mind, she still sat with me. Her tiny fingers placed on top of my hands as she listened with her touch.

  I could cry if I still had tears. Though, I would not cry for Them anymore. I would only shed tears of joy for her, for the one who kept my heart beating mercilessly. Joy because I still had my memories and memories they could never take.

  Take me to the breeches of hell on a slow barefooted walk and my memories I would have.

  “You are humming Beethoven,” his voice returned, pulling me from my happy darkness. “It does not surprise me. You were a music professor at the college and you are probably just humming out of habit.”

  I knew he didn’t believe that. He knew I still had light in me somewhere and it drove him mad. I had that at least.

  I searched inside for the voice I had not used for so long, “What is your name, soldier?” I asked through the cracks of my lips.

  I heard the low growl come from his throat, pleased he was with my question.

  “Danny,” he replied, whispering in my good ear.

  Twenty-Four

  Danny Ruiz

  Los Angeles, California

  December 24th, 2021

  “Who is she?”

  I watched the woman who stood before me, completely fearless. I was awed by her.

  “Her name is Adrianna Banks.” “And?”

  “And she was a biologist that helped develop the second level vaccine.”

  “Was? Don’t you mean is?”

  “You don’t really think she’s going to be studying biology anymore, do you?”

  “How do you know about this?”

  “The paperwork she carried with her.”

  His darkened eyes glittered with mischief. “So you’re not really experimenting on her, are you?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t seem the least bit disturbed by what I was doing. “I’m a doctor. I’m curious about the human body. Except now, I’m more curious about different types of things.”

  Still, she showed no signs of fear and it fascinated me.

  “So there’s been more.” It wasn’t a question.

  “This doesn’t bother you?” I couldn’t help but ask. She had piqued my curiosity.

  “There’s only one thing that matters to me.” “Mitchell.”

  She nodded and pressed her lips together. It was the only time she showed emotion. Hell, it was the only time she even seemed focused. Her eyes would constantly drift and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was on something. But, she wasn’t on anything. If she were, I’d be able to smell it.

  When you lose your sense of morality your other senses become heightened. I couldn’t help but laugh and Sadie abruptly looked up at me, seeing me for the first time. “It’s not funny.”

  “I’m not laughing at that.”

  Just like that, her eyes lost their focus again. She walked over to the table on which Adrianna lay sprawled , deep in a state of withdrawn unconsciousness. She ran her finger down Adrianna’s bare arm seductively and I took a step toward them. At my approach, she stopped.

  “What are you doing here anyway, Sadie?” “I want revenge.”

  Now she had my attention. “And how am I going to help?”

  “You can help me find the Undead who took him.”

  “How do you know I can even do that?” Her focus was back. “Because I know you.” I smiled. That she did. “Okay.”

  She nodded. Nothing else but a dull nod and again my curiosity of her continued to grow. �
�You realize that Mitchell is probably…”

  “Dead or an Undead? Yeah. I realize that. But I need to know.”

  “And, what are you going to do if he’s an Undead?”

  A tear flowed down her cheek and I studied it.

  “So, we’re worse to you than death.” Without a hesitation she answered, “Yes.”

  I stepped up to her, now only inches from her face. I could smell the staleness of her breath and the tired road trip stench on her skin. She watched me with her darkened eyes and I could see the veins underneath the thin layer of her pale skin.

  “You don’t scare me, Mr. Ruiz.”

  I smiled. “You are a dark creature.”

  At that moment Adrianna shifted on the table and moaned. I took the scalpel off the side table and plunged it into her heart – an easy feat with my strength and ability. She gasped softly before dying. All the while my eyes never left Sadie’s face.

  “A remarkable and dark creature,” I said to her. She may just be the worst of us yet. “Seeing Adrianna suffering like that didn’t bother you?”

  She looked back to the table with the now deceased Ms.

  Banks and shrugged. “Was that her name?”

  “There’s something about the Undead, about us.” “Oh? What would that be?”

  “Did you know that humans are the only animals that are uncomfortable with seeing other animals hurt?”

  “So what are you saying?” she asked.

  “Well, I think it’s obvious that the Undead are acting on primal instincts, we’re more like pure animals now. Yet, we commit less atrocious acts than humans do.”

  “I doubt that.”

  I watched her as she looked at Adrianna with aloof disinterest. I pressed my lips against her earlobes, taking in the heady scent of salt and grime. “Animals.”

  The loud crash from the kitchen caused us both to turn toward the sound. “Stay here,” I said. Suddenly, I wanted to protect Sadie – as if she were my prey being hunted by another animal.

  My sister, Sara, stood in the middle of the kitchen, her bare feet standing on broken glass. The sharp smell of copper began to permeate the air. I sighed heavily at the sight– always the flare for drama. “What is it Sara?” “What – are you doing?”

  I looked behind me as Sadie stood in the doorway just behind me. “Nothing, why?”

  “Don’t bullshit me Danny!”

  I dodged the glass thrown at my head and looked behind me just in time to see Sadie do the same. She was surprisingly quick. I wasn’t quite annoyed yet. But, I knew I’d be getting there.

  “Who is she?” Sara shrieked. “She’s a friend.”

  “A friend?” she shrieked again.

  Boldly, Sadie took a few steps forward where she stood shoulder to shoulder with me. I looked at her and saw the hate in her eyes.

  “What are you looking at bitch?” Sara hissed.

  Oh, this was getting good.

  “I’m trying to figure you out,” Sadie said.

  “Figure out what? You’re walking on dangerous ground.” “You’re acting like a jealous girlfriend.”

  Sara tilted her head, intrigued.

  “Yet, aren’t you guys brother and sister?” “Yeah, so?” Sara responded.

  I realized then that Sara was acting on pure desire, whether it was her desire to kill, fuck, or destroy – but there was nothing left. I certainly related to an extent, but there was still a desire for me to understand the changes.

  Then, the last thing I ever expected happened. Sadie began laughing uncontrollably. Sara and I both stood dumbfounded, watching her with inept curiosity.

  “Danny, what is she laughing at?”

  I wasn’t entirely sure why Sadie was laughing. But, it was the look on my sister’s face that caused me to join in with Sadie. Then, when Sara went from confusion to rage- filled anger, I began laughing more.

  It didn’t surprise me then that Sara lunged at me and clawed at my face. Hell, I’d be more surprised if she didn’t. But what I didn’t expect was to suddenly find my sister, limp as a rag doll hanging in my arms within just a few seconds, staring at me with soulless and blank eyes.

  Sadie stood next to us with the bloody knife still in her hands and a satisfied look in her eyes. It was the first time since she’d arrived at my home that she looked like anything besides – a zombie.

  “She deserved that.”

  I released Sara from my grasp, letting her crumble to the ground. Sadie had cleanly sliced through her carotid artery.

  “I don’t think that’ll work; we heal exceptionally fast.”

  “Not that fast,” Sadie responded.

  I could tell from her tone that she was speaking from experience.

  “So now what?”

  She shrugged. “I just spoke to my brother before I got here. He said he knows someone in D.C. that is working on an antidote and may even have one.”

  “Now that is news.”

  “You help me find Mitchell and I’ll help you connect with my brother. You can have the antidote and do whatever you want with it.”

  I laughed heartily. I couldn’t help it. This was fast becoming the best thing that had ever happened to me.

  “So is that a yes?” she asked, back to her indifferent ways.

  “That is most definitely a yes. This will be fun.”

  Twenty-Five

  Marcus

  FEMA Camp 3

  December 20th, 2021

  The liquid flowing through my veins warmed my body soothingly. Instantly, I felt the effects. I was happy. For the first time in months, I was happy. Hell, for the first time in years, I was happy. Happy as a mother-fucking clam.

  “What – did you do?”

  The Russian smiled. “How do you feel?”

  “Good. But why?” My fears were even beginning to subside and I felt like I could become friends with this Undead. Maybe he was injecting me with happy juice before he ripped me apart. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t care.

  “You know the layout of the bunker, don’t you?” One of the other men finally spoke. He had an accent I couldn’t place – South Africa maybe?

  I nodded and my head felt wobbly, like I had little control over how fast I nodded. “What did you give me?”

  “You’ll find out, soon enough,” the South African said. He reached out his hand and I looked at it, confused. “I’m Matthew, this is Alex and Jamie.”

  I looked at the three of them. “You’re introducing me?”

  Alex, the man who threw me against the cables laughed so loudly it echoed up and down the elevator shaft. He slapped his hand against my shoulder. “Come on, we have work to do.”

  I followed them up the shaft ladder to the next floor. What floor that was, I didn’t know. I had no idea how far the elevator had dropped.

  “What’s the code for the doors?” Matthew asked. “Why would I tell you that?”

  “Don’t you want to?” Jamie spoke this time. I was surprised by the deepness in his voice. It wasn’t what I expected from a small framed Asian man.

  I thought about what he’d said and suddenly couldn’t even remember why I wouldn’t help these guys. My curiosity was getting the best of me. All rationale went out the door and I just wanted to go along to see what would happen. I knew I should care, but I could no longer remember why. Just like that, who I was had become a distant memory that I couldn’t quite grasp.

  I stepped into the abandoned hallway and Jamie followed. He watched me curiously, studying me like a mouse in a trap. “What am I walking into?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t need to be Undead to know you’re having me walk into a trap.”

  Jamie laughed and the other two ignored him. “You’re not walking into anything, you’re one of us. Let’s just say I have never been one to trust anyone, especially now.”

  “Why isn’t this floor occupied?” Matthew asked.

  Floor thirty-two was painted on the elevator shaft doors. I knew ex
actly what floor we were on. “This would’ve been one of the first floors to be evacuated during a breach.” I stepped into the empty laundry facility and ran my hand against the stainless steel wall. My senses seemed like they were on hyper-alert. The awareness was intoxicating. I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” Alex asked in his Russian accent. “We’ve been running from you guys and trying to

  eradicate the Undead and I have no idea why. This seems so much better.”

  “It isn’t all better,” Alex said. “What do you mean?” “We’re a different class.” “Explain.”

  “I think it’ll be easier if we show you,” Matthew said.

  Twenty-Six

  Uri Ilyushkin

  Washington, D.C.

  December 10th, 2021

  I didn’t think I’d ever be invited to the states. I certainly didn’t think I’d be sitting in the Oval Office of the President of the United States.

  “I could get used to this.”

  Mallory watched me, like she had been since the day she’d murdered her own husband, the leader of the free world. I smiled at the memory. She was cat-like. Her dark skin looked even darker against the paleness of my own.

  “How did you learn English so well?” Mallory asked. “When I was six, I wanted to rule the world. My mama

  told me that if I wanted to rule the world, I’d have to learn English. So I learned English.”

  I ran my hand against the smooth wood of the resolute desk.

  “I never understood why people made such a big deal out of that desk,” Mallory said, walking over to me.

  She continued to watch me like a hungry dog. I couldn’t tell if it was lust or if she was hungry to kill me.

  The trip back to the states was…interesting. Mallory never left my side and a part of me realized it was because she was protecting me from the other Undead – almost territorial. I didn’t stop her. She was the only thing keeping me alive.

  “So now you can.”

  I stopped dead in my tracks. All I was thinking of was survival, not ruling anymore – was she really saying I could rule the world?