“I know you’re new…but keep it down. They get mad when you ask questions out of turn. You can follow me after breakfast. They gave me a tour when I arrived yesterday.”
Chad nodded, stood again, and mumbled, “Thanks. I’m Chad, by the way.”
“Liam,” he said. “Are you ready to go to breakfast?”
“Yup,” I said, and stood. “I’m Elaine.”
The young man smiled at me. “Nice to meet you. Let’s go eat.”
I followed Liam – who was kinda cute and seemed nice – and Chad followed me. I wasn’t going to fall into the pit again, so I reminded myself to wait and see what kind of person Liam was before I decided if I liked him or not. I was reassured, knowing Chad was with me. He was someone I knew I could trust, that had good character. That kept me from being stressed and kept me from freaking out, considering I still didn’t know where Dad was.
As soon as we stepped inside the large tent Liam led us too, the aroma of eggs and bacon wafted to my nose. My stomach growled with hunger. I wondered if the bacon was real, pork bacon and not the turkey stuff Mom always fed me; it almost had to be, because it smelled way better than anything she’d ever cooked. I threw a grin over my shoulder to Chad, to share my excitement about the food, but he was busy looking over the inside of the tent and wasn’t looking.
I decided to do the same.
The cafeteria area was filled with military personnel. At least they were all dressed in military garb. The ages of the soldier-like people seemed to range from teen to middle-aged. There were maybe fifty men and women in uniforms. There were about fifteen of us who were in gray jumpsuits. The serving and working staff were in plain clothes.
The line moved quickly and before I knew it I had bacon. Real bacon. It definitely looked different from what Mom made for me. I was salivating just having it on my plate.
I followed Liam to a table and sat down with him. Chad sat beside me and I smiled at him. Again he missed it…this time because he was starting down at his plate like he hated the food on it. I was about to ask him if he hated bacon and eggs when he picked up his fork and started shoving the food into his mouth.
I shrugged and started eating too.
Oh, my gawwwd! Bacon was better than I’d dreamed. I couldn’t believe how good it was. I finally knew why people talked about bacon so much – I’d never gotten the hype before.
I wanted to tell Chad how much I now loved bacon, but it was loud in the tent and I would have had to shout for him to hear me. It didn’t seem worth the effort. It was just bacon… He’d probably think I was crazy or silly.
Shortly after I finished eating, feeling stuffed, another bell rang.
“Time for building B?” Chad hollered to Liam.
Liam nodded.
We dumped our trays and stacked them like we had seen everyone else doing, and then we followed Liam outside to a building directly across from the hospital we’d been taken to the night before.
The walk took a couple minutes. Military personnel were everywhere. I didn’t see any normally clothed people. I didn’t think much of it though. Most everyone seemed to be wearing military garb.
Once we reached the brick building with the large windows covered with plywood, we – those of us who weren’t in military garb – were separated from those who were and were directed to a different area of the building. We entered a stark room with rows of chairs that looked like a classroom.
Fifteen of us were left in the room. We sat down and waited for whatever was going to happen. It felt kinda awkward. We all looked around at each other, seeing our own questions about what was going on reflected in each other’s eyes. I counted nine males and six females, total. I was betting we’d all been bitten by zombies. We were a diverse group in many ways, so I figured that had to be our link.
Everyone’s eyes went to the door when it opened. A middle-aged man entered. He was wearing a white lab coat that indicated he had something to do with medical.
He addressed the room.
“I’m Dr. Franklin,” he said. “I’m going to tell you what’s going on and answer your questions the best I can. Commander Reese will be joining us in a few moments to help.
“You are all here because you have been bitten by a zombie and didn’t die and become one. You got sick for a few days, but fully recovered, still human. We call you ‘exceptions,’ because that’s what you are. You are exceptions to the rules that the rest of the population is susceptible to. You can survive when others can’t.”
He paused and took the time to look each of us in the eyes briefly before continuing.
“You are probably wondering why you are an exception. We don’t know the exact answer to that, but we’re working on it. The only thing we know right now is that the virus that causes the zombie changes responds differently to human systems that have an odd fluctuation in hormones. So, that means teens whose bodies are changing, pregnant women, and anyone with a hormone disorder, such as diabetes, for instance, have a better chance of not becoming a zombie when bitten.
“Once you’re bitten, even if your hormones even out later and you get bitten again, you’re still immune. Something of the virus is left in your system and becomes part of your DNA while you’re ill after the bite. Whatever that change is, it stays with you. Think of it as a vaccine against future infection.
“Does anyone have any questions?”
A blonde teen girl in the back corner of the room raised her hand. “What does diabetes have to do with hormones? I thought that was about blood sugar.”
The doctor smiled at her. “That’s a good question. What most people don’t realize is that insulin is a hormone. And inconsistent insulin levels are the basis of diabetes.”
I smiled because I knew that fact. I’d learned about it in biology class.
“Why are we here and not with our families?” an African American man asked, not even bothering to raise his hand.
“Commander Reese can answer that shortly,” Dr. Franklin said calmly, with a smile. “Does anyone else have a medical question for me?”
Chad raised his hand.
“Yes?” Dr. Franklin said, looking at him.
“What happens if we get bitten by a zombie again? What will happen medically?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” the doctor said, smiling and nodding. “The wound would be as if you were cut or punctured. You will need stitches or a bandage. You will not get sick like you did the first time.”
“So, what you’re saying is that the zombies aren’t a threat to us anymore?” I asked, excited about the news that I was indeed immune and wouldn’t turn into a zombie ever.
“No, I’m not saying that,” Dr. Franklin said. “You can still be killed by them if they get you in a large group. They can eat you alive or you could bleed to death, you just won’t become one if you’re bitten.”
The door opened and a female officer walked in. She nodded to the doctor and then looked around the room.
“I’m Commander Reese and I’m here to explain why you’re here – I’m sure you’re curious by now,” she said.
All eyes turned to her. I could feel the tension in the room rise. I didn’t know if it was in excitement, anger, or fear. It was definitely excitement for me. I was getting some of the greatest news I could under the circumstances.
“Since you’re exceptions and immune to the zombie virus, we need you to be part of an elite team for the military. We need you to protect the surviving humans on the front line against the undead. We need you to go out and get supplies for survival. Most of all, we need you to protect humanity so we can re-civilize our broken society.”
Everyone stared at her and no one spoke.
“Does anyone have any questions?” she asked when no one said anything.
Chad raised his hand.
“Yes,” she said, pointing at him. “You.”
“What if we don’t want to do be in this elite team? What happens to us then?”
I frowned at t
he question. I didn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to be a member of the elite team, especially with the gift nature had handed us. We’d have a purpose. We’d protect the weak.
“You become a citizen,” she answered. “What that means is you will be given a job like cooking or cleaning, or anything else that needs done to keep life going for the people here.”
“What if we don’t want to do that either?” he asked.
She stared at Chad for a few moments before answering.
“You’re free to go, but you leave here with nothing more than the clothes on your back,” she said. “You might not think that’s fair.” She looked around the room at everyone. “But we’re operating under Martial Law since the crisis. That means, that when you entered this compound, you surrendered everything to us to use in the interest of protecting humanity. All your supplies will go for the greater good. All your weapons will go for the greater good. Everything and everyone will be used and work together for the greater good. No exceptions.”
I couldn’t help but think that was a little unfair. I mean, we’d brought in a lot of food. It wouldn’t hurt them to share a little bit with someone who wanted to leave. I didn’t want to leave, but if someone did, they should at least be given a couple day’s supply of food and maybe something to use to defend themselves.
But, on the other hand, Commander Reese did have a point. They had to function with priorities in mind. They had to think about what was best for the human race right now, as it was being wiped out. And if fifty people wanted to leave, that was a lot of food and weapons to give up.
The room erupted in an uproar at the news. Apparently no one was happy about the “clothes on their backs” option. Not that I could blame them, but…the greater good made sense to me.
“You’ll have until tomorrow to make your decision: join the citizens, be on the elite team, or walk,” Commander Reese announced loudly before she and Dr. Franklin left the room.
I didn’t need until tomorrow to know what I was going to do. I was going to join the elite team. I’d promised myself back at Chad’s house, in his sister’s bedroom, that I would be strong. That I would do whatever it took to survive. And that I would embrace this gift I’d been given, and that’s exactly what I was going to do.
Chapter Thirteen
We were allowed to move around the compound freely for the rest of the day, so when we were dismissed, I stuck with Chad. He didn’t seem to want to talk about the meeting or the choice we had to make, so I didn’t push him. I knew from the questions he’d asked that he was undecided. It was frustrating for me because I didn’t know him well enough to even have a clue about his thought process. I didn’t know which option appealed to him the most.
Together we found Dad; it wasn’t difficult. We headed to the gate we’d come in and asked one of the soldiers where he’d been placed. They had all entries in their tablets – I was amazed they had functioning technology, but on the other hand it made sense.
Dad was classified as a citizen, and because of his work as an accountant, they’d assigned him a job working in records. We were sent to the headquarters office tent to find him.
He was hard at work, sitting behind a table stacked with piles of papers when I stepped inside the tent.
Chad stepped in behind me.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, walking toward him.
A solider I hadn’t seen, off to my right, stood and opened his mouth, but looked me over and quickly shut it again. He sat back down.
I frowned in confusion, glanced over at Chad, who was glaring at the soldier, and shrugged. I didn’t know what that was about, but apparently what I was wearing made him back down. That made me wonder if we were so important that we were indeed the elite, meaning we were able to do as we pleased to an extent. Like we had special privileges. If so, I was more determined than ever to be on the elite team. I hoped that if I was, I could make sure my dad was treated well. It didn’t look to me like he had been.
I turned my attention back to my dad as he stood and came around the table to hug me.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said, wrapping me in a big hug. “How are you? Have they been treating you well?”
“Yes, of course!” I said. “Why wouldn’t they be treating me well?”
Dad glanced at the solider that had stood at my entry. This confirmed my suspicions that citizens were treated more like slaves than people.
“Doesn’t matter,” he said quickly.
“I see you’ve gotten a job already,” I said.
Dad nodded and looked back over at the table.
“Yes, one that will keep me very busy.”
Again, I felt like he was getting a raw deal. Everything around us seemed to be supporting that assumption.
“It’ll keep you out of trouble then,” Chad teased.
I was glad he was here to lighten the mood, because I was getting really annoyed.
“You know it,” Dad said. He glanced at the solider again. “It was good seeing you, but I have to get back to work. I’m in camp H, tent P – come see me some evening after I’ve gotten off work.”
“Okay, I will,” I promised, giving him another hug. “I have to tell you something before I go… They want me to be on this elite military team since I’m immune to the zombie virus. I can get bitten and be just fine! I won’t even get sick like last time.”
“That’s great news, honey!” he exclaimed, hugging me again before he rushed back to his seat and the task in front of him.
I made sure I threw the solider by the doorway a dirty look on my way out; he wouldn’t meet my gaze and that gave me some satisfaction.
From there, we went and visited Tob. There were no annoying soldiers around to be dicks either. But, he was in the induced coma, so all we could do was look at him for a couple minutes.
Tob looked fragile and helpless. I wanted to scoop him up into a big hug, but knew I couldn’t. All his monitoring looked good, and it looked like he was gaining some weight.
After that, with Chad not wanting to talk about anything, I decided I would go back to the barracks and rest. I was a little stressed about my dad and hoped the decision I was making would benefit him too.
“I’m going back the barracks,” I announced as we came out of the medical tent Tob was in.
“Okay,” Chad said. “I’ll walk you over.”
I nodded. I hoped he would stay too, and join the elite team. I felt I was losing everyone in one way or another and I needed him close-by.
As we walked to the barracks I thought about my attachment to him, and I realized that somewhere along the line I’d started to have feelings for him. I hadn’t recognized them because they weren’t the lustful shallow feelings I’d had for Brad, but were feeling of trust, admiration, and true caring. I didn’t want to lose him at all, for any reason, and I didn’t know how to deal with or express those feelings.
For the first time all day, I was glad Chad didn’t want to chat…because I didn’t know what I would say.
“See you later,” Chad said when we reached the barracks.
“Yup, later,” was all I could manage. I couldn’t even look at him. I felt my face grow hot with a blush all of a sudden and ducked into the tent without looking back.
Thankfully there weren’t many people in the barracks, so I didn’t have to face or talk to anyone on the way to my bunk.
I laid down, closed my eyes, told my brain and emotions to shut up, and then willed myself to go to sleep. It took some time, but I made it happen.
< + >
When I woke up Chad still wasn’t back. I headed out to the bathroom and then to the cafeteria to get something to eat. I could tell it was late in the afternoon, and I’d skipped lunch. My stomach wouldn’t shut up, so I hoped there weren’t set hours for meals that I’d missed.
I was happy to see there was food available when I entered the dinning tent. I went through the short line and was served salad, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and corn.
And there was even a selection of drinks to choose from. I chose a sports drink, thinking it would replenish some of my electrolytes.
By the time I sat down in the almost empty dinning tent, my stomach was practically screaming at me; the smell of the food was making my hunger pangs worse. I felt kinda naughty, looking at the food in front of me – it was nothing like what Mom would have fed me. I mentally scolded myself for constantly thinking that way, and then I dug in.
The food was glorious! I chewed slowly and closed my eyes to savor every bite. I got full about halfway through, but forced myself to finish, knowing I would need my strength the following day.
No one approached or bothered me while I ate, when I took a return trip to the bathroom, or when I headed to the barracks as the sun went down and the world went dark. Being left alone by everyone made me feel less apprehension than I’d expected in my new situation. This new place wasn’t so bad, especially considering that being one of the elite seemed to have its perks. I assumed I would have to work hard for the greater good if I was to keep that perk though…
Chad was asleep on his bunk when I returned. I don’t know how long he’d been there, or if he’d eaten.
I giggled, reminded myself I wasn’t his mother, laid down on my bunk, and let my full stomach nudge me into a deep sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
When I woke up the next morning, Chad was missing again. I hoped he’d just gone to the bathroom or something and would come back. I wanted him by my side when I went to building B.
Liam was awake, sitting on the edge of his cot.
“Good morning,” he said, when he notice I was awake.
I sat up, smiled, yawned, stretched, and said, “Good morning. Have you seen Chad?”
He frowned in thought for a moment.
“I think he might have gone to the bathroom,” he said. “At least, that’s the direction he seemed to be heading while half-asleep.”
I giggled at the thought of Chad wandering around half-awake.
“Thanks,” I said, spotting Chad heading through the barracks in our direction.
Zpoc Exception Series (Book 2): Re-Civilize (Elaine) Page 7