Another Dark Day

by Lucas Coon

  “Denverhasn’tcomebackforawhile.”Hesteppedawayfrom thechair.“Thatmoronprobablygotlostinthehallways,orfound adeadpersonandisdoingunspeakablethingstoit.”He chuckled.HepausedandlookedbacktowardCiara.“I’m goingto dosomethingthatIknow Iprobablyshouldn’t.”Hecontinued towardthedoor.“I’m goingtotrustyoutostayinthisroom and notmove.CanItrustyouwiththat?”

  “Onlyifyouclosethedoor.”Ciarastaredathim,hehada curiouslook.“Ifthereareinfectedoutthere,I’dfeelsaferifthe doorwasclosed.”

  “That’sfair.Icandothatforyou.”Hesteppedoutoftheroom andshutthedoorbehindhim. Judaspulledthedoortightandmadesurethatthe mechanism hadlockedtight.Avoiceinhisheadtoldhim thathe wasmakingaterriblemistake;heshouldn’thaveleftherinthe room alone.Hisbiggest,andreallyonlyconcernwasthe possibilityofherattemptingtoescape.Shewasn’tchainedtothe seat,shewasn’tcuffed;therewasnothingstoppingherfrom standingupandwalkingoutoftheroom assoonasheleftthe area.Despitethis,hecontinuedondownthehallwayfrom the room.

  “She’smissingalegand,honestly,shedoesn’tseem stupid enoughtothinkshe’dbeabletogetfar.”Judasshookhisheadas hereassuredhimself.“Ihavetocommendherthough,she’sbeen honestwithme.She’sgoneasfarasconfidinginme.”Hepaused andturnedback.“Ishouldn’thavedonethis.”Heleanedagainst thewall.“Ishouldn’thavetakenherfrom herfatherlikethat. Shealreadylosthermother…”Heshookhisheadandstared downthehallway.“There’snowayformetostepthisback,Ihave tojustkeepmovingforward.”Hecontinueddownthehallwayand roundedthefirstcorner,histhoughtscausedhim topauseagain. “Whatwouldmyfathersayaboutthis?Whatwouldhesayabout mekidnappingachild;aboutmetakingahandicappedtwelveyear-oldgirlfrom herfather?”Hestareddownatthefloor.“Iknow exactlywhathe’dsay.He’dcallmeadisappointmentorscream at meforfailinghim.He’dreprimandmeforleavingmypostandfor tryingtofollow inhislineofwork.”Hecontinuedfurtherdown thehallway.“Hardtofollow thefootprintsofadeadman…”

  Judaspassedthenextcorner;somethingwasoutofplace.He staredatthefloorneartheend;asmallamountofbloodrested inthecenterandstreakedslightlytowardoneoftheexam rooms. Itwasn’tsubstantial,butthewayitgleamedinthepalelight indicateditwasnew.Heshiftedhisgazetowardtheroom nextto thestreakedred,thedoorwasslightlyopened.

  “Denver,Igenuinelyhopeyouaren’tdoingwhatIthinkyou’re doinginthere…”Judasslowlyapproachedthedoor.Therewasa grotesquesoundcomingfrom theothersideofthedoor,the soundthatcouldonlybeexplainedasfleshtearing.“Denver!”He threw thedooropenandhittheswitchthatwasimmediatelyon theotherside.Thefluorescentbulbsthatwereseatedoverhead kickedonwithalow hummingsound,thelightquicklyshiftedto adim stateandgrew brighterwitheachpassingmomentasthe bulbsheated.Judas’seyesshiftedtowardthesideoftheroom wherethebedwassituated.Infrontofhim wasthecoldand motionlesscorpseofDenverGrant.Besidethecorpsewasan infectedthatwastearingintohim,piecebypiece.Theinfected becamedistraughtasthelightgrew brighter;itshiftedits attentionupwardandscreamedatJudas.Itsmouthwascovered inthedarkredstainsofblood,it’sfacewasangrilycontortedand it’seyeswerepalethoughthefacearoundthem wasdarkened andswollenfrom thepressureandbloodpoolinginvarious spots.Thethingthatwasonceaperson,asitstoodstaringat Judas,wasnothingshortofterrifying.

  Judasreachedtohisbackforhisrifle.Hishandsweremet withanemptyspacethathewasimmediatelyregretting.

  “Oh…”Judas’quicklysteppedbackinanattempttoescape theroom.Theinfectedstartedtosteparoundthebedandtoward theentrance.AsJudasgrabbedthehandleofthedoor,the infectedscreamedandflew intoadashtowardhim.Hepulledthe doorastightashecould,itstoppedinitstrack.Theinfected staredathim,ithadmanagedtostopthedoorwithitsarm,then shoveditsheadthroughthegap.Judascontinuedtopullonthe handlewithasmuchstrengthashecouldmanage,theinfected waswinningthisbattleofstrengthasitbeganpushingthrough theopening.

  Judasreachedwithhisfreehandtoallofhispockets.Hisfirst attemptcameupempty-handed,hissecondgrippedarubbercoatedhandle.Hepulleditfrom hispocketandupward;the bladewasstillcoveredwiththesheath.Hestruggledto disconnectthesmallmetalbuttonthatheldthecoveringoverthe knife.

  “Dammit!WhythehelldidIputthatbackonthere!”He movedittowardhismouth,keepingeyecontactwiththeangered monsterinfrontofhim.Hebitthestrapandpulled;it disconnected.Heflungthecoveringtothegroundandquickly thrusttheknifeupwardfrom thebottom ofthejaw.Theblade piercedthesoftskinandenteredupwardintothetongue,then intotheparasitethathadmadeitshomeinthemouthofthe infected.Assoonastheknifehittheparasite,thethrashing stopped.Judaspulledtheknifefrom theheadoftheinfectedand steppedback,lettinggoofthedoor.

  Theinfectedfelltowardthefloor,itshandsswingingtoits neck.Thecomplexionofthepersonslowlyshiftedbacktonormal asthebloodbeganfallingfrom thenew wound.Thedeadparasite felloutoftheperson’smouthandontothefloor.

  “Wellthen…”Judasstaredattheparasiteontheground, thenbacktothepersonthatwasstrugglinginthedoorway.They weregraspingattheirthroat,theairwasgurglingfrom their mouthandtheyweregaspinginastruggletobreathe.Theireyes movedtowardJudas.Hestaredatthepersonthatwasnow reachingouttowardhim;thiswasnolongeraninfected,they werejustadyingmanthatwasstrugglingtounderstandwhat wasgoingon.Hislastthoughtsweregoingtobescrambledand panickedashefadedintoeternity.Judasstaredathim for severalmoments.“Thatmustbeincrediblypainful.”Hegripped hisknifeandsteppedbacktowardtheman.“That’salright,I’llbe merciful.”Heknelttowardtheformerinfectedandrantheedgeof thebladealongtheman’sthroat.

  “There,Ididmypart.”Judasstoodup.Heplacedtheknife backintoit’scoverandreturnedittothepocketofhislab-coat. Heshiftedandwalkedbackinthedirectionofwherehehadleft Ciara.Denverbeingdeadmeantonlyonething;Alexanderwas readytodieforhisdaughter,andJudaswasn’tgoingtostand betweenhim anddeath.Itwaslikelythattheywouldendup killingeachother,butthiswaswherefatehadputhim,thiswas wherehisfeethadledhim.Hewasreadyandwillingtomakehis ownfootprints.

  Ciarashiftedinherseatandstaredattheroom onemore time,hereyesstartingatthedoorandcirclingaround.Shehad checkedasmanyofthecabinetsasshecouldinthetimeshe’d devoted,theywereallmostlyempty.She’dhopedforsomethingto helpheroutofthesituation,anythingthatshecouldhave pocketedandused.Unlessshecouldfigureoutawaytoescape withgauze,ballsofcotton,orperoxide;therewasn’tmuchthat shecoulddo.Sheglancedatthepenthatwasclippedontoher medicalfile.Sheconsideredthepossibilityofusingitasa weapon.

  “Canyouevenhurtsomeonewithapen?”Shethoughtout loud.“No,thatwouldn’twork…”Shedismissedtheidea. Ciara’seyesfocusedbackonthetableinfrontofher;there wasnothingshecoulddobutwait.WaitforJudastoreturnand continueonwithwhateverhewasplanning.Waitforherdadand Mitchelltoshow upandsaveher;shehopedtheycouldsaveher.

  “Well,Iguessitiswhatitisfornow…”Sheglancedbackat thebottlesofwaterinfrontofher.Judashadtakenthem outand placedthem down,butneitheroneofthem hadbotheredtodrink from them.Thetensionbetweenthetwoofthem wasinteresting, shedidn’tthinkhewasabadperson.Whywashegoingthrough withallofthis?Hedidn’tseem likehehadwantedtoharm her; heseemedlikehewantedtoleaveasmuchasshedid.

  Shegrabbedthebottlethathehadhandedher;itwasn’tcold atall.Shesighedandshiftedherotherhandtothecap.Hereyes felltothebloodstainontheflooragainassheheldthebottle. Washereallygoingtokillher?Whatwashisoverallplan?He hadn’tdoneanythingbutstareatthefloorandattempt conversationwithher.Maybehewasjusttryingtogethimself intoaplacementally,onethatwouldallow him tofollow through withit.Maybehewashesitatingtomakeherfeelcomfortable beforehemurderedher.She’dneverheardofableeding-heart murderer;typically,murdererswerecrazy,weren’tthey?Her handstartedtoturnthecapasshecontinuedtostareatthe brownedtile.Maybehewasn’tresponsibleforwhateverhappened inthisroom,maybehewasjustavictim ofcircumstance;this room wassafe,sohechoseit,andtherejusthappenedtobe driedbloodonthefloor.Therewasalotgoingonintheirworld, anythingwaspossible.Shetwistedharder;thecapwasheldin placebythesafety-ring.

  “Dadwillsaveme…”Hermindstoppedwonderingaboutthe bloodandshiftedbacktothehopesthatAlexwasonhisway.“He hasto…”Shecouldfeelhereyesbeginningtostingwiththe possibilityoftears.“He’sallI’vegot.”Herhandshiftedharderto breakthesealofthecap,herotherhandgrippedthebottletoo tightly.Asthecapclickedoffthebottle,thecontentsspilledout ontoherlap.Thefeelingofwaterhittinghercausedhertojump insurprise;hergripopenedcausingthebottletofalltothefloor. “No!”Shesatwithherhandsup;herpantsandshirtwerewet, she’dlosttheremainderofherwateronthefloor.Shegrunted andshiftedbacktofacingtowardthetable.Spillingwater wouldn’t
havebeenabigdealafew weeksago;now itfeltlike losingeverythingthatwasworthwhile.

  “Dammit…”Ciarareleasedherfrustrationquietly.Shewasn’t surewhyshehadventedquietly;herfatherwasn’taroundto chastiseher,hermotherwasgone,anditwasn’tlikeJudaswould care.Shefrownedandstaredatherwetclothing.“Thiswould happen…”Shesighedagain.Herheadturnedtolookback towardthetable.Inthemiddleofthemetalsurface,nexttoher file,wastheotherbottlethatJudashadtakenforhimself.Would hemindifshedrankit?Hehadn’ttouchedityet,soitwasn’tlike hewasneedingitdesperately.Hehadpulleditfrom thefridge, andhehadmadeitsoundlikeitwasn’tabigdealthattheywere goingtodrinkthem.Itwaspossiblethathehadplentyandit wouldn’treallymatter.Hecertainlywasn’tactinglikeheneeded tohoardit.Shereachedforwardandgrabbedtheplasticbottle.

  “What’stheworsthecoulddo?Killme?”Sheremovedthelid andtookadrink.Sheconsumedhalfthebottlebeforereplacing thecapandplacingitbackonthetable.“Itseemslikehe’sgoing todothatanyway.”

  Thedoortotheroom burstopencausingCiaratostiffenin herseat.Shestaredatthemaninhopesthatitwaseitherher fatherorMitchell.Herhopewascalmedwhenshesaw thewhite lab-coatandtheshorterbuildofJudas.

  “Oh,hey,Judas…”Ciaragreetedhim halfheartedly.She noticedthebloodonhisoncecleancoat,therewasalotofit. “Um…Whathappened?”Shehopedthattheanswerwouldn’t involveAlex.

  “Ihadtokillaninfected.”Hisvoicewasflatasheremovedhis coatandstartedtotossittowardthecounter.Hepausedashis eyesmetthewatermessaroundCiaraandthehalfemptybottle onthetable.“Whathappenedhere?”

  “Idroppedmybottleonthefloor;thecapwasstuckandwhen Ipulleditoffitslippedfrom myhands.Ididn’tmeantomakethe mess,I’m sorry.”Sheattemptedtobeapologetic.

  “So…”Hestaredattheotherbottle,thenbacktoher.His mouthmaintainedaflatexpression“…youdrankmine…”

  “Ididn’tthinkyouwouldmind.Ididn’twanttogetupand walkovertothefridgewiththetilewetlikethis.It’snoteasyto maintainbalancewithoneleg.”Sheattemptedaslightlaughto easethesituation;Judasmaintainedhisstareather.“Ifiguredit wasn’tabigdeal.Youhavemore,right?Inthefridge?”Shestared athim waitingforananswer,heletoutasighandlookedaway from her.“Youdon’tdoyou?I’m reallysorry.Ishouldn’thave assumedtherewasmore,Ijustfiguredyouwouldn’thavegiven meanyiftherewasn’tenoughforbothof–”

  “No,it’sjustthatyou…”Heturnedbacktowardherandhis expressionturnedtooneoffrustration.“Youknow thatthe parasitewasspreadthroughthewatersupply,right?”

  “Yeah,IthinkIheardthatsomewhere…”Ciara’stonewent backtoitsoriginalquiettone.

  “Right,so…”Judaslookedatheragain,thendowntothe bottle.Heshookhishead.“Ciara,youcan’tjust…”Hepaused againandthoughtabouthiswords.Hedidn’thavethetimeto explainthelogisticsofsavingwaterandthevariousaspectsof water-basedparasites,especiallythedetailsontheonetheywere facing.“Justbecarefulfrom hereon,OK?Waterispreciousin timeslikethese.”

  “Iknow,I’m sorry.Itwasreallyselfishofmetodothat.”She ranherhandoverherface.“Ididn’tmeantotakewhatwas yours,Judas.”

  “Iknow.”Hegrabbedthebottlefrom thetableandtossedthe coatdown.Thecoathitthetablewiththeweightoftheknifein thepocket.Judaslookedbacktowardthecounterthatheldthe rifle.“You’rebeinghonestwithme,right?Youknow thatifyoulie tome,therewillbeconsequences,correct?”

  “Yes,sir.I’m notlyingtoyou.”Sheglancedupathim. “Alright,let’scontinuewiththathonesty.”Hewalkedtoward thecounterandstoppedinfrontofit.Ciarastaredathim confused.“Whywereyougoingthroughthedrawers,Ciara?”He placedhishandonthecounteraboveadrawerthatwasopen slightly.Ciaranoticedit;herheartbegantospeedup.“Ididn’t leaveanyoftheseopen,Iknow thatforafact.”

  “Oh,I…”Sheknew thatshecouldn’thesitateinanswering him ifshewasgoingtoconvincehim thatshewasbeingtruthful. Shecouldn’ttellhim whatshewasdoing.Sheshiftedhereyes downontoherhand,therewasastreakofblood.“Iwaslooking forabandage.”

  “Honestly?”Judasmaintainedhisfocusonthecabinet. “Yes,sir.”Shelookedbackupathim.“Thecutonmyface starteditching,Iforgotthatitwasstillfairlynew,andIscratched it.”Sheattemptedtogaugewhetherornothewasgoingtobelieve her.“I’m reallybadatnotpickingcutsandscrapes.Iusedtodo itallthetime.”Heturnedandlookedbackdownatthewater,he wasclearlythinkingaboutherpreviousstatement.“Itwasbefore Ispilledthewater.Icouldn’tfindany.”Helookedbackupather, therewasbloodonherface,anditwascomingfrom wherehe hadcutherearlier;thepiecesallseemedtofittogether.

  “That’sbecausethey’reoverhere.”Hisvoicebecame reassuringandhesteppedontotheothersideoftheroom.He openedacabinetandpulledaboxofbandagesout,tossingit overtoCiara.“Youshould’vewaitedformetocomeback,Ciara. It’shardtotrustanyoneinthisdayandage,youshould’ve knownIwouldbesuspicious.”

  “Iknow.Itwashurting,soIfiguredabandagewassomething Icoulddomyselfwithoutbotheringyou.”Sheopenedoneofthe packagesandplaceditoverhercut.“There,won’tbeaproblem anymore.”ShesmiledatJudasinanattempttodiverthis attention.“Hey,where’sthatotherguy?Wasn’titDenver?”

  “He’sdead.”Judassteppedbacktotherifle.“Whichmeans thatyouandIhaveanotherproblem.”Hishandsgrippedthegun andmovedthestraparoundhisshoulder.“Yourfatheriscoming foryou,asI’m surewebothexpected.”

  “Oh…”Sheknew itwasgoingtohappen.Sheheldbackfrom lettinganyexcitementout. “You,unfortunately,know what’sabouttohappen.”Heturned tolookather.“I’m goingtohavetokilleitheryouorhim.Idon’t wanttohurtyou;youhaven’tdoneanythingwronghere.Asfar asI’m concerned,you’reinnocent.”Heturnedbacktowardthe door.“Yourfatherontheotherhand…”Heincreasedhisvolume toashoutatthedoorway.“Yourfatherisacold-blooded murderer!AlexanderLangleyisamanthatdeservestobetaken outofthisworld!”Judassmirked.“So,yougettowatchyour fathershrivelupintonothingonthegroundinfrontofyou!You gettoseeyourfather’scorpsesoakedinblood,justlikeIhadto!”

  “That’snotgoingtohappen,Judas.”Alex’svoiceresponded from thehallway,hewasoutofsight,butwasdefinitelycloseby. “JustletCiaragoandwecanmoveonfrom this;wedon’thaveto killeachother.There’senoughouttherethat’stryingtokillus already,let’snotaddtoit.”

  “You’restillnotgettingit,Alexander.”Judassmirkedagain andsteppedbackward,closertoCiara.“Thereisnowayyouwin thisunscathed.Youaregoingtohavetogivesomethingup.”

  “I’m notgivingyouanything,Judas.”Thevoicewasstill comingfrom outofview. “Iwasn’tmeaningvoluntarily!”JudassnarledatAlex.“You’re eithergoingtopaywithyourlife,oryourdaughter’slife.It’syour decision.”HesteppedbackagainandpausedrightnexttoCiara. Theairfeltthickandthesilencetookover.“Alright,you’vemade yourdecision.”JudasliftedtherifleuptothesideofCiara’s head.Asthecoldmetalpressedagainsthercheekshestruggled totakeabreathin.Theintensityofagunbarrelbeingpressed againstherheadwassomethingshehadneverwantedto experience.Shestaredoutatthedoorframeandmaintainedher focus.Herfatherwasgoingtosaveher;hehadto.“I’m sorry, Ciara.Itseemsthatyourfatherisn’twillingtosa–”

  “Stop.”Alexsteppedforward,hishandswerestillgrippedon theriflehe’dtakenfrom Denver.“Youhavemyattention,Judas. Let’sfigurethisout.”

  “Notuntiltheothertwoareinmyview.”Judaspressedthe rifleagainstCiara’shead,shedidn’tresistthemotion.Alexstared atthemanwithaburningrage.“Ifyouwantyourdiplomacy, thengetthem inhere.Otherwise,Ipullthetriggerandyour daughterdoesn’tlivetoseetheendofpuberty.”

  “Mitch…”Alexander’svoicewasdefeated.Hisstatementwent withoutresponseforseveralmoments.Hesighedandturnedhis headbacktowardthedoor.“Mitch!”

  “Yeah…”Mitchell’svoicematchedAlex’sdefeatedtone.He steppedforwardandenteredtheroom;Lillyclungtohisleg.

  Theroom thatthefivepeoplenow occupiedwasdecentin size;itwaslargeenoughtooriginallyholdahospitalbedand severaldoctorsaswellasanynecessaryequipment.Itsoverall intentwastobetherestingplaceofapatientsufferingfrom severetrauma,thespacehadtobeenoughforanypossible scenario.Despitethis,withonlyfivepeoplestandingwithseveral feetofdistancebetweenthetwogroups,itfeltcrowded.The bloodstain,thefear,thememories,theloss,andtheaggression tookupmorespacethananyonepersoneverpossiblycould have.Eachofthem rooteddeeplyintheeventsofthepast,some recentandsomedistant.Itwasonlyfittingthatallofthiscame togetherwithinaroom intendedfortrauma.

  “Alright.We’reallhere.”Alexbrokethetension.“Now wecan moveontodiplomacy.”HewashopefulthatJudaswasn’tgoingto turn-f
aceonthissituation.“Whatdoyouwant?”

  “IwanttoremindyouthatIstillhavetheupper-hand.”Judas smirkedoncemoreandpushedtherifleharderintoCiara’shead. Ciaracouldfeelherselfstartingtocry;itwashardtobelieveshe trustedthismanlessthanhalfanhourprior.

  “OK!Igetit!”Alexshouted.“Stop!”Hestartedtostepforward butwasstoppedwhentheriflequicklyturnedtowardhim. Despitethefactthathewasnow thetarget,thiswasapreferable situation.“Igetit,Judas.You’reright;youholdallthecardsright now.You’veproventhat.”AlexandJudasmaintainedtheireye contact,itwasobvioustoboththatatleastoneofthem was goingtodie.

  Alexkeptthepossibilityofthisbeingwherehediedinthe backofhismind.Ifhedied,heknew Mitchellwasmorethan capableoftakingJudasdownandgettingCiaraoutofthe hospital.He’ddiscussedthepossibilitywithhim beforethey plannedontakingdownDenver.Itwasashortanddirect conversation.

  “We’renotgoingtobeabletoflankhim.He’snotanidiotand heknowswe’recoming.”Alexglaredintothehallway.

  “WeshouldjustfocusonDenverfornow.”Mitchelltriedtoget Alex’smindbacktothecurrentphaseoftheirplan.

  “Denver’snothing.He’llgodownquicklyandeasily.” “Hehasn’tbeeneasytokillsofar…”Mitchelllamented.

  “Yeah,well,hehasn’tmetme.”Alexshookhishead.“Judas…” AlexpausedandglancedoveratMitchell.“Judasisn’tgoingtobe aseasytotakeout.We’regoingtohavetotakehim headon.He’s cocky,sohe’sgoingtoflexhismuscleinthissituation.”

  “Alright…”Mitchellfollowedsofar. “He’salsounpredictable.”Alexleanedagainstthewall.“He’s goingtopullthetrigger;eitheronme,oronCiara.I’m goingtotry togethisfocusonme,obviously.”

  “Youcan’tjustsacrificeyourselflikethat.”Mitchelldisagreed. “Wecanfiguresomethingout,wejusthavetothinkaboutthebest waytogetherandgetoutasquicklyaspossible.”

  “Alright.”Alexthrew hishandsup.“Wehave,oh,tenminutesto thinkofaplanthatinvolvessneakingpastJudas,gettingCiara outoftheroom andavoidinghim emptyingseveralclipsofa militarygrade,fullyautomaticrifleonus.That’stenminutes overall;so,includetheplanning,takingcareofDenver,anddoing allofthat.”AlexstoppedandstaredatMitchellforamoment.The lookonMitchell’sfaceprovedhim right.“Iappreciateyouwanting tominimizecasualties,butsomeonehastodiehere.”