Another Dark Day

by Lucas Coon

  “I’m real…”Lilly’svoicewasquietandrestrained.Herface reflectedfearofthemanstandinghalfwaydownthehall.Her cheeksweregettinghotandhereyeswerestartingtoitch;she wantedtocryoutforhelporrunaway,butshestoodandstared theinsanemandownwithherbrighteyes.

  “It’sjustyou?”Denverturnedtolookbackdownthehallway hehadentered.Judaswouldn’tbehappyifhebroughtherback, buthewasecstatic.Hewantedtobringbothgirlswiththem; Judashadpromisedtheywouldtakebothofthem.“Ifit’sjust you,thenyoushouldcomewithme.It’snotsafeouthere.”He turnedandsteppedtowardthelittlegirl.Sheletoutawhimpered cryashegotcloser.“What’swrong?I’m notgoingtohurtyou.” Hepausedagainandstaredather.Thedoorshewasstandingby openedslowlyandsheturnedtolookatthemanthatwasinthe entry.

  “MisterMitchell,Idon’twanttodothisanymore!”Lillyturned andfellintoMitchell’sarmsasshestartedtocry.

  “It’salright,youdidgreat!”Mitchellcomfortedher,thenglared backupatDenver. “Hey!”Denverreachedhisarm backtohissidetograbthe rifle;hewasn’tgoingtolosethisopportunitytobewithLilly. “Kyle,yousonofa–”

  “Alex!”MitchellyelledoutandthedoorbehindDenverflew open.Beforehecouldturntofacetheotherman,hisfacehad metthehardtileashisheadbouncedagainsttheground.He blinkedinaconfusedhaze.

  “Lilly,stayrightthereanddon’tlook!”Mitchellcommanded. Denvercouldhearhisyelling,butcouldn’tmakeoutthewords. Hisheadwaspoundingandeverythingaroundhim was spinning.

  “Kyle,youbastard.I’m goingtokill–”Hiswordswerecutshort bysomethingwrappingaroundthefrontofhisthroat.“I… I can’t…”Heattemptedtospeakasthefeelinggrew tighterand quicklybecamepainful.

  AlexstoodoverDenverandquicklyshovedtheendofthebelt throughthemetalbuckle.Assoonastheloopwascreatedhe pulledastightlyashecould,thebeltformedtothesizeof Denver’sthroat.Alextookadeepbreathandstoodup.Heplaced hisfootonDenver’sback,rightinthemiddleofhisshoulder blades,andpulledtheendofthebeltashardashecould.The system ofthebeltaroundtheman’sneckandhisarmspulling oppositeofhisfeetpushingwasgoingtodothejob.

  Denverquicklybegansquirmingandwrithinginanattemptto getoutofthehold.Hisfingersquicklymovedtowardhisneck, thenheattemptedtothrow hishandsbacktograbAlex’sfoot. Hisheadbegantofeelthepressureasthebloodpooledinany placeitcould.Hisvisionfailedinstantlyasthewhitesofhiseyes filledwithred.Alexpushedharder;Denver’sfacebegan contortingasheattemptedtogaspanyoxygenin.Thiscontinued forafew seconds;Denver’sflailingslowed,hishandswerewaving slowerashefaded.

  AlextookonelastbreathinandglancedupatMitchell;he nodded.Withthatconfirmation,Alexsighedandtightenedhis gripharder.Hegruntedashepulledthebeltashardashecould. HisfootheldDenver’sbodyinplaceasthebeltforcedhisneckup andback.Withthefinalmotion,Denver’sneckfellbackquickly; therewasanaudiblecrackingthatfilledthehallwayforafraction ofasecond.Alexheldthegriplongenoughtoconfirm thathe wasfinished;Denver’sarmsfellflatandhisheadbecameheavier againstAlex’spulling.Itwasover.

  Denver’snow discoloredfacesmackedthefloorasAlexletgo ofthebelt.Thebloodfrom hismouthpooledinsmallamountson thewhitetileandfounditsfinalplaceonhisunkemptbeard.

  “He’sforsure–” “Yeah,Mitchell.He’snotgettingupfrom thatone.”Alex steppedoverhim andtowardtheotherman.“She’sOK?”

  “Hedidn’tgettoher,she’sjustalittleshakenup.”Mitchell glancedbackintotheroom.“Sorryyouhadtodothat,Ijust don’tthinkIwould’vehadthestrengthto–”

  “Don’t.”Alexstoppedhim.“Itwasn’tthefirsttimeI’vehadto getpersonallikethat.”

  “How doyoudoit?”Mitchellshookhishead.“How doyou managetodothatandnotletitgettoyou?” “It’snotashardasyoumaythink.Youjusthavetoremember thatwhatyou’redoingisnecessary.”Alexglancedbacktothe corpsethatwasformerlyDenverGrant,the‘drive-home’radio DJ.“He…”Hepointedtothebody.“…neededtobetakenoutof thepicture.”

  “Whywouldyoulethim leavewithher?Shewasinfected!You compromisedthecamp!”Judas’increasedhisvolumeashe angrilyyelled.“Themilitaryisgivingyouunfetteredaccesstothe infected,andyouwanttothrow thataway?Whatiswrongwith you?!”

  “Alright,thatisenough!”AndreiturnedtofaceJudas.“Ihave hadenoughofyouquestioningmeandtellingmewhatyouthink I’vedonewrong.Youhavenoideatheweightofthissituation! You’restillthinkingonsuchasmallscale.”Andreisteppedpast Judasandpickedupachartthatwasfilledwithvariousnames andbarelylegiblescribbling.“Haveyoulookedatthischart, Judas?Haveyoubotheredtoeventakeinhow manypeopleare listedhere?”HeshovedthecharttowardJudas.Judashesitated andstaredathisfatherangrily.Andreirolledhiseyesand smackedtheclipboardagainsthissonschest,forcinghim totake it.“Thatlistisabouttenshyofthree-hundred.Three-hundred individualsthatwereinfectedwithanunknownparasite.Threehundredindividualsthatspedtothehospitaltobecheckedout, thatwenttotheirnearestemergencyroom,orclinic,orjustwentin toseetheirdoctorandweretoldnothing.”

  “Thatdoesn’tseem likethatmany.”Judasstaredatthelistand flippedthroughthepages.Hiseyesscannedtheredmarkingsnext toeachname.“Wait…”Hecontinuedtostareatthenamesandthe notesoneachofthepages.“Allofthesepeoplearedead.”

  “So,you’renotasinattentiveasI’dthoughtyouwere.”Andrei tookthechartandhandedhim asecondone.“You’recorrect.All three-hundredofthepatientsonthisonearedead,that’swhatthis chartisfor.”HetosseditbacktothecounterandhandedJudasa secondchart.“Thisisthelistofpeoplethatarestillalive.”The clipboardheldasinglesheetofpaperwithsignificantlyless writing.“Fourteen.Fourteenoftheinfectedthatthemilitaryhas roundeduparestillalive.”Andreiglancedatthechart.Hegrabbed itbackfrom Judas,removedaredpenfrom hispocket,and scratchedoutonename.Hewrotetheword‘deceased’nexttoit, followedbyatimeanddate.“Myapologies,thirteen.Asfaras they’reconcerned,Ariaisdead.I’llupdatetheotherchartlater…”

  “Istilldon’tthinkyoushould’velethergo,shewasn’ttoofar intotheinfection.Wehadtimetoexamineher.”Judasgrimacedat hisfatheragain.

  “Intime,Judas,you’regoingtolearnaveryimportantlesson.” Andreigrabbedthechartandtosseditnexttothelargerone.“I reallydon’tcarewhatyouthink.”Hesteppedawayfrom the collectionofcharts,imagesandvariousothermedicaldocuments andsatinachairbehindafoldouttable.Thetablewasworn downandcoveredwithvariousbooksanddiagrams;Andreisatin thechairclosesttothewall.Onthetablewasapieceofpaperthat hadthename‘AndreiGrigorev’elegantlywritten;itwastapedto thetablewithwhatappearedtobeclearmaskingtape.Judassat atthetable,oppositeofAndrei.“It’snothingpersonal.You’rea smartchild,andIloveyouforit.”Heleanedbackasfarashe couldinhischeapfoldingchair.“Therearetwothingsyouneedto getthroughyourhead,though.Thefirstissimple;Iam smarter thanyouandhavemoreexperiencethanyouwilleverhaveinyour lifetime.Iam veryproudthatyou’vetakenaninterestinmedicine, andIreallyappreciateyourhelphereasanassistantofsorts, but…”Hestareddownathismakeshiftnametag.“Youneedto know yourplaceinallthis.Youaren’tme.Youwillneverbeme andyouwillneverbethepersonintheleadhere.”

  “I’m nottryingtobeyou!”Judasprotestedandslammedhis handontothetable.Theenergyfrom hisfisthittingtheplastic causedapileofbookstobecomedisruptedandtheyfelltothe floor.“Sorry,I’llpickthoseup.”

  “Well,thatworkedout.”Andreileanedforwardandstoppedhis sonfrom movingtocleanupthemess.“Thisleadsmetothe secondpointthatyouneedtogetintoyourskull,Judas.”

  “What?”Judassettledbackintohischairandstaredathis father.

  “Youneedtokeepyourselfincheck.Youhaveananger problem.It’sprobablymyfault;Icangooff thedeepend occasionally,butyou…”Andreishookhishead.“You’realoose cannon.Youloseyourtemperwaytoooften,andyouseem to sincerelythinkthatyou’realwaysgoingtogetyourway.You’ve neverhadanyrealobstaclesinyourlife,Judas.I’vealwaysbeen thereforyouandhavealwaysmadesureyouhadeverythingyou needed.MaybeIspoiledyou,maybeIshould’vebeenmorestrictor disciplinedyoumore,Idon’tknow.WhatIdoknow isthis;you needtomakesurethatyouareabletokeepacalm andcollective demeanorinsituationslikethis.Throwingyourweightaround, throwingyourfistsaround…”Andreiputhispalmsonthetable. “Whensomethinglikethishappens,somecrisislikethisinfection; theonlythingpeoplecareaboutissurvival.Ifyouapproacha situationthinkingthatyou’regoingtogetyourwaynomatterwhat happens;you’regoingtogethurt,orworse.”

  “Myproblem’snotwithanger,it’swithpeoplenotacceptingthe chainsofauthority!Likehow Alexquestionedmeonmydiagnosis orhow–”

  “How youseem tokeepquestioningme?”Andreileanedb
ack again.“That’sratherhypocriticalofyou,isn’tit?Tosayyouhateit whenpeoplequestionauthority,thenturningaroundand questioningyourownfather.”Helaughed.

  “I–no,Idon’t…”Judasstutteredoverhiswords.“Idon’tmean toquestionyou.IjustwantyoutoseethatIcanfollow inyour footsteps,thatIcankeepupwithyouandhelpyouinallthis!”

  “Idon’twantyoutofollow inmyfootsteps,Judas!”Andrei’s volumeincreasedwiththisstatement.“Backtothefirstpoint,you needtomakeyourownway,makeyourownfootsteps!Idon’t wantyoutobeme,Idon’twantyoutogothroughwhatI’vegone through,ortorepeatmylegacy.That’smylegacyforareason.I’ve donewhatI’vedone,andIappreciateyouidolizingmeforthat,but it’snotyou.”Hesighedandcalmedhimself.“Listen,oneday, hopefullyinthewayfaroff future,Iwon’tbearound.Iwilltake myfinalstepsandmyfinalbreath;then,what?Whatdoyoudo whenthefootstepsyoufollowedcometoanabruptend?”

  “ThenIpickupwhereyouleftoff.Itakethehelm andcontinue tohonortheGrigorevname!”Judashadalookofdisappointment onhisface.

  “Youreallyaren’tgettingit…”Andreionceagainleanedback. Hestartedtospeakbutwasinterruptedbyaknockingonthedoor. “Comein!”

  “Ijustwantedtocheckinonyou,sir;seeifyouneeded anythingfrom me?”Thesoldierpokedhisheadinandlooked aroundtheroom.HiseyesmetwithJudas’.“Myapologiessir,I didn’tmeantointerruptyou.”

  “Notatall,King,comeonin.”Andreiwavedforthemantoenter theroom.Heobeyedandshutthedoorbehindhim.“King,Idon’t believeyou’vemetmyson.ThisisJudas.”

  “Verynicetomeetyou,Judas.You’refatherisgreatman.”King steppedforwardinpreparationforafriendlyhandshake.Judas lookedawayfrom KingandbacktowardAndrei.

  “Iknow heis.”JudasignoredKing’sgesture.“Iintendtobeas greatamanashim.”Kingheldpositionforamoment,butstepped backwhenitwasclearthatJudaswasn’tgoingtoreciprocate.

  “Myapologies,King.”Andreistoodup.“Idon’tknow wherehe learnedtobesodisrespectful.”Hewalkedaroundthedesk.“I appreciateyoucheckinginonmelikethis.”

  “Notaproblem atall,sir.”KingsmirkedatAndrei.“Didyou needanythingatthistime?” “No,thankyou.”Andreismiledback.“Asamatteroffact,you’re dismissedfortheremainderoftheevening.Iwantyoutogoget somesleep.”

  “Thankyou,sir.”Kingnodded.

  “Iwouldn’tthankmeyet.”Andreilaughed.“YouandIaregoing onafieldtriptomorrow.”

  “Sir?”KingstaredatAndreiconfused.“Arewebeing reassigned?” “I’m goingtogotalktothechainofcommandhere

  momentarily.”Andreiputhishandonthedoorknobandopenedit. “YouandIaregoingtoleaveforthehospitalfirstthinginthe morning.There’snothingmoreformetodohere,soIwanttoget backthereandseeifwecancontinueourresearch.”

  “Alright,soundslikeagoodplan.”Kingturnedandexited.“I’ll packmythingsandbebackhereatsix?”

  “Norush,makeiteight.”Andreismiledagain.“Getsomesleep, andgoodnight.” “Yes,sir,thankyou.”Kingleanedbacktowardtheroom.“Itwas anhonortomeetyou,Judas.I’m sureyou’lldogreatthingsout there.”

  “Yeah,thanks.”JudasturnedandwavedatKing.Andrei pushedthedoorclosedandsteppedbacktowardthedesk.He leanedhisbackagainstthedoorandstaredathisson;Judaswas staringatthewhiteboardbehindthedesk.“Doyouthinkthereare multipletypesofthisparasiteor–”Hiswordswereinterruptedby ahardsmackagainstthebackofhishead.“Hey!”

  “Youareadisappointment!”AndreiloomedoverJudas aggressively.“How dareyoubesodisrespectfultoKing!Thatman savedmylifeandhasdevotedhimselftobeingmypersonal bodyguard.Heisanidealsoldier,hehasrespectandhonorthat youcouldneverevenhopetotouch!”

  “Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Judasstaredupathisfather confused.“Iwasn’ttryingtobedisrespectful.” “Really?”Andreisteppedbackandchuckled.“Youweren’t ‘trying’tobedisrespectful?That’sembarrassing;Iraisedyouso muchbetterthanthat.”

  “You’reright,I’m sorry,father.”Judasstaredbacktothedesk. “IfImayask,what’satthehospital?”

  “Hopefully,somethingmorethanwhatwehavehere.”Andrei walkedbacktohischairandsatdown.“Thepeoplehereareall toofaralongintheprocess,Ican’tdoanythingforthem.Atthis pointtheonlyworkI’dbedoingisdissectionandanalysis.No, that’snotenough.”Andreistaredatthetableinfrontofhim.“I needtobeabletobewiththepatientfrom stepone;Ineedtoinfect ahostandtestfrom there.That’stheonlywaywe’regoingtomake anyprogress.”

  “Youcould’vetestedthatwoman,shewasn’tinfecteduntilshe gothere.”Judas’commentwasenoughtocatchanangeredglance from Andrei.“I’m sorry,Ididn’tmeananythingbythat.Iwasout ofline.”Judasstoodupandturnedtowardthedoor.“Youhavemy word;I’llapologizetoKingandmakeabetterimpressionwhenwe leaveinthemorning.”

  “We?”Andreistaredathissonwithcontempt.“Oh,no,Judas. There’sno‘we’,you’restayinghere.KingandIwillbegoingalone. I’llseetoitthatyouareassignedapermanentposthere.”Hesat backandshuffledseveralsheetsofpaper.“You’regoingtomake yourownwayinyourlifefrom hereon.Itriedtohelpyouswim, now I’m goingtoletyousink.”

  “No,father,Ihavetocomewithyou!”Judasprotested. “Notgoingtohappen,Judas.”Andreigrabbedthestackof paperandstoodbackup.“Now isthetimeforyoutomakeyour owndamnfootprints.”

  Judasstaredblanklyatthetrayinfrontofhim,thenshifted hiseyestothegirlsittingsilentlyinthechair.Whydidshe sacrificeherselfforherfather?Alexshould’vebeentheoneto comewithhim whiletheothermantookherandthelittlegirl awayfrom thisplace.PartofJudasfeltawfulaboutthiswhole situation,heintendedsomethingcompletelydifferent.Another partofhim feltrage;rageforthefactthatAlexhadn’tcometotry andsaveheryet.She’dbeensittingtherequietlysincetheygotto theroom,onlyspeakingenoughtoaskquestionsaboutvarious things.

  “How areyoufeeling?”Judasaskedthesamequestionhehad before,hewasn’tsurewhatelsetosay.

  “I’m fine.”Ciaraglancedaround.“It’sstillcoldinhere.”

  “Iknow.”Judasshiftedhisblankstaretothetrayagain.“I don’thaveaccesstothethermostat.TheonlyonethatIsaw for thisareawassmashedandlookedlikeithadbeenrewiredto somethingelse.Unfortunately,I’m notanelectrician.”Heglanced upather,herstoicfaceremained.“Sorry.”

  “No,it’salright.”Ciarasighed.“Doyouhaveanywater?I’m feelingabitdehydratedwithallthat’sbeengoingon.”

  “Sure.”Judasstoodupandwalkedovertoasmallfridge.He openedthedoorandpulledtwobottlesfrom theshelf.“Thefridge doesn’treallyworkeither,soit’snotexactlychilled.Isthat alright?”

  “That’sfine,thankyou.”Ciara’svoicewasfriendly,itwasa nicechangefrom whatJudas’hadbeendealingwith.

  “How oldareyou,Ciara?”Judassatbackdownandgaveher oneofthebottles.

  “I’m twelve.”Sheplacedthebottleonthetablebyherside… “MayIaskwhy?”

  “Youactolder.You’requitetheadultforatwelveyearold.” Judasstaredather.“You’realsotallerthanaverage.” “Iknow,I’m thetallestoneinmyclass.Ithinkit’sbecausemy dadissotall.”Herwordscausedhertopause.Shechokedback theemotionandcontinued.“IfI’m annoyingyou,I’m sorry.”

  “Notatall,you’reverykind.”Judasattemptedtosmileather. “Whataboutyourmother?Wasshetallaswell?”

  “No,shewasshorterthannormal,actually.”Ciarasmirked. “Shewasn’tmuchtallerthanmebeforeshedied.”

  “Oh,myapologies.”Judaswasappreciativeofthe conversationthatwastakingplace,itwasagoodfeelingto connectwithsomeone.“How didshedie?

  “She,uh…”Ciarastareddownatherlap.“Sheactuallydiedin theaccidentthattookmyleg.Hercarwentoffthesideofthe roadwhenshewastakingmetoschool.Itwasall…”Shepaused andtookabreath.“Ithinkitwasalljustaterribleaccident. There’snowayshewould’vedonethatonpurpose,right?”

  “Oh,I,uh…”Judaswastakenabackbythisquestion.“Idon’t know her,soIdon’tknow whatshecould’vebeengoingthrough. Suicideissomethingthatcancomewithanumberofillnesses; depression,braindamage,drugabuse,post-traumaticstress disorder.”HeglancedbackatCiara;sheclearlydidn’twantthe medicalresponse.“I’m sorry,I’m sureitwasalljustanaccident.” Hesighed.

  “You’readoctor,aren’tyou?” “Aboutascloseasyou’llgetinthiscity.”Judasperkedup,his pridewasgoingtogetthebestofhim andhewasgoingtoletit.“I waswithinayearofbecomingacertifiedmedicalprofessional.I wasgoingtogointobiologicalresearchanddevelopment.”

  “What’sthat?”Ciara’scuriosityshoweditself.

  “It’skindoflikeaspecializedepidemiolo
gist,butalsotouches onpathology.”Judassmiledagain.

  “Epi…demiology.That’s…”Shestaredup.“Inpeople?” “I’m surprised,youknow someGreek.”Judasbegantoloosen up.“Youwereveryclose.Epiiswithin,Demosispeopleorgroup. So,it’sthestudyofinfectionwithinagroupofpeople,hencethe infectiousdiseasetitle.”Heglancedather.“How didyouknow that?”

  “Iwaspartofaspecialstudygroupinschool.Istayedafter withMrs.ReynoldsandwelearnedalotoftheGreekandLatin rootwords.”Shestareddown.“Ilovedstayingafterwithher.We wentoversomanythingsandlearnedtheadvancedtopicsthat weren’tbeingtaughttoourgrade.”Herexcitedsmileslowlyfell.“I doubtshemadeit…”

  “Areyousureyou’retwelve?You’renotlyingtomeareyou?” Judaspulledafolderfrom thecounter,itwasfilledwithvarious papers.Hestaredatthecoversheet.“Seriously?Youreallyare twelve?”

  “Yeah…”Ciaralookedovertothefolder.“Isthatmymedical file?” “Yesitis.”Judascloseditandplaceditbackonthetable. “Youwenthereforprettymucheverything.Iwasluckyenoughto haveaccesstothefileroom,soIknow yourhistory.”

  Therewereseveralsecondsofsilencebetweenthetwoof them,neitheronewaslookingforafriendintheother,butthe conversationwasatleastenoughtopullthem outofthereality andtheweightofthesituation.Theybothsatandstaredat nothinginparticular.Ciara’seyesglancedaroundtheroom to variousobjects;theriflesittingonthecounterbythesink,the varioussyringesandmedicalobjects,theopendrawerthat containedeverythingaseriousdoctorcouldeverwant.Thenthey felltothedriedredspotonthetile;shecouldtellitwasblood. Shedidn’twanttoknow whothebloodbelongedto,norwhythey bledoutintheroom theyweresittingin.Forsomereason,the driedbloodmadehermoreuncomfortablethanthemanthathad kidnappedher;hadJudaskilledsomeoneintheroom?Washe planningondoingthesamethingtoherifthingswentwrong? Wouldthisbewhereshedied?Thiswasn’twhereshewantedto die;shewantedtosurvivethisandjustgetoutoftherewithher father.Shewantedthismorethananythingelse.Thethoughtsin hermindracedtothehundredsofthingsherfatherhadtaught her,themillionsofthingshe’dtoldhertodoincaseswhereshe neededtosurvive.HerracingmindwaspausedwhenJudas stoodup.