Nightmare-Z

by S. A. Lowry

  Tarmac cutting across to grass, then vice versa. Over and over again as they look off to their side to witness the crowd growing closer to the plane and the lone gate guardsmen sprinting away from them. Trevor and his men have never been so winded in their lives. A few of the soldiers decide to drop their helmets to gain speed and lessen their load. Some of them already had their helmets and night vision damaged from the fall anyway so it didn’t even matter to them. Others pulled the emergency cord of their tactical vests as well as it broke apart into multiple passes and landing on the tarmac as they paid it no mind and continued to sprint.

  As they get closer, Trevor witnesses the gate guards run to the side of the plane then disappear, which was a good sign meaning there was stairs still intact. Another minute goes by until they run below the plane and can see the large crowd approaching the tail end of the plane. Trevor and his squad quickly cross below the plane to notice stairs in sight leading to the inside of the plane. They quickly head straight for it in a desperate attempt.

  Once they get to the edge of the stairs, a man from the top of the stairwell in tiger stripe camoflauge draws a Beretta 9mm on them and tells them to stop or he will shoot. “Don’t shoot, Don’t shoot! We are American soldiers, look!” Trevor desperately cries out as he reaches for his military ID card to flash up in the air. The rest of his squad reach into their pockets to pull out their identification cards as well. The Airman up top, still with his Beretta drawn on them, asks if they had been bitten. Trevor quickly tells him no along with screams of Price and Reagal re-assuring him that they have not. The Airman quickly places his weapon down and tells them to hurry up the stairwell. Trevor and his soldiers quickly sprints up the steps without having to be told twice.

  Once the last man hops into the entry way of the plane, the Airman pushes the stairwell away from the plane and watches it roll off into the distance to the center of the tarmac as crowds of people run into it and attempt to climb it.

  Screams, cries and pleas of help can be heard in Arabic. Trevor and the rest of his men whom have just entered the plane, collapse to the ground in order to catch their breathes. Immediately the plane begins moving down the runway in order to take off. A few minutes go by as the rest of the members of his squad are still laid out trying to breathe as sweat drips down their faces. Trevor decides to stand up and gather his surroundings inside the plane. The Airman whom drew the Beretta on him earlier walks up to him shortly after and places his hand over his shoulder.

  “It’s gone. It’s all, gone. You boys are lucky. Very lucky. Where’d you all come from anyway?” the Airman curiously asks.

  “Iraq,” Trevor responds with a wide eyed glare. The Airman’s mouth drops in shock. Trevor decides to take a look around the plane from where he is standing. All he sees is tiger striped camoflauge indicating everyone is Air Force personnell along with a few civilians and older men in suits. Trevor assumed them to be embassy members.

  Some of the Airmen are wounded as well with gunshot wounds. Medical staff are attempting to dress their wounds and perform mock surgeries as they try to pry bullet fragments out of their ribs while they scream in horror on the ground. The civilians just retreat to their seats and sink in while trying to stay out of everyone’s way and remain unnoticed.

  Trevor doesn’t know what to make of the sight as the plane takes off and begins ascending into the air. He then turns back to the Airman whom let them on the plane.

  “By any chance, you got any food or water?” Trevor hopelessly asks in desperation while breathing heavily.

  “My men need it badly,” he goes on to add. The Airman smiles with pity and tells him to sit down with his group. He will bring it out shortly.

  “By the way, my name is Arthur. I’m just an air traffic controller. Nice to meet you,” the Airman says.

  Trevor nods his head then approaches him.

  A relieved Trevor thanks the man then hugs him with a tight grip. Arthur obviously felt akward at that point, however, seemingly not to Trevor. Everything about it felt right.

  CHAPTER 6

  onePercent The long hallways are cold and void of light. The smell of filthy mop water lingers in the air as it forces Andrew’s nostrils to cling together. There are people everywhere at all corners he sets his eyes upon. Women, men, children and families whom setup make shift bunk beds with george foreman grills set aside in their corner in order to form a type of mock kitchen. Laundry can be seen strung up across individual’s living quarters along with buckets of dirty water they use to bathe and wash themselves in. The fearful and hopeless faces of people whom he passes glare at him with contempt. None of these survivors look happy or grateful to be there. Many of them look sick as well.

  Andrew notices these few things within minutes of entering the prison. Andrew walks along the dark and cold corriders along side Riggs and the rest of the survivors in their group. Many of them look wary and on edge. Young Andrew clings to Linda’s arm tightly as they walk and follow the guards with the apparent group leader back to his office to discuss the issue regarding their downed vehicle. Andrew stays silent while Riggs and the group leader make small talk in a friendly demeanor as they walk along side each other.

  “So, nice little establishment you have here. I am very impressed. I mentioned earlier to my people that I wish I thought of this,” compliments Riggs as he wittingly attempts to establish repour with the militaristic group leader whom appears to weld an M1A SOCOM 16.

  Andrew takes a closer look at the man’s weapon and notices a tactical three point sling and an attached rail system to the barrell with a foregrip and tactical surefire light mounted on the side. In addition the man appears to have an additional modified rail system above his bolt on top of his receiver which has an ACOG 4X power sight attached. If this man doesn’t know what he is doing, then he sure does put on a good show Andrew concluded as they reach the man’s door to his office.

  The man asks politely if everyone could wait outside while he talks to Riggs. Andrew goes to turn his head around back to the way they just came in on when Riggs taps him on the shoulder and summons him forward. Riggs requests Andrew’s presence in the meeting. Dwayne and Lance upsettingly roll their eyes at the fact of being left out of these types of roles.

  Once Andrew and Riggs enter the room, they immediately take their seats. The prison leader walks behind his desk and follows suite immediately propping his green and black jungle boots on top of the desk in a relaxed fashion. Two of the other guards, lean up against the wall behind their leader while staring at the pair with their rifles still slung. Andrew notices an enormous American flag attached to the wall behind the leader in the upside down position, indictating distress.

  The intimidating man decides to light up a cigerette.

  “What’s your business here?” the mysterious man asks in a calm tone of voice eventually breaking the ice. “First off, my name is Riggs and this soldier right here is Andrew. It is a pleasure to make your acquantince. What is your name might I add?” Riggs politely asks in a friendly tone of voice.

  The man does not attempt to hesitate.

  “My name is Aaron. I’m in charge of this place. Now state your business,” Aaron quickly cuts to the chase.

  Andrew appears nervous at this point. Riggs plays along. “Well we came a very long way. Atlanta International that is. That whole place is a mad house. Lot’s of death there. We narrowly escaped. We were on our way to the safe zone at Fort Hood Texas when we came across the signs your people propped up on the interstate leading to your location and welcoming survivors. We were wondering if we could trade you some stuff for a hot shower and bed for a couple of nights. However, now it looks like we’ll be needing a ride as well. Or four tires of a specific size you’ve got to spare?” curiously asks Riggs.

  Aaron, with an apparent puzzled look on his face now flicks his finger summoning one of his bodyguards close to his mouth as he whisphers something to him. The man responds back in whisphers as well which remain unknow
n to both Andrew and Trevor. Once the men are finished quietly conversing amongst eachother, the bodyguard quickly goes back to his position leaning up against the wall.

  “Signs you say? Leading you to us?” an ever growing puzzled look appears on Aaron’s face.

  Riggs nods his head in agreement.

  Silence fills the room for a moment until Aaron decides to emit a grin.

  “Well Mr. Riggs, you’ve found us,” Aaron adds.

  Riggs and Andrew return with a sort of akward yet sarcastic nod and smile towards Aaron. “Well here is the deal. We only posess a few vehicles, which we are not at liberty to give up. Unfortunately, we do not posess an abundance of spare tires which we can give away at this time neither in case we have to get some where in a hurry. I do suggest this though, Myself and the people of this camp are survivors. This prison we have just recently taken over doesn’t have the adequate bare essentials we need to survive on. In the coming days we will have to start running raiding parties into nearby towns for food, water, fuel, mechanical parts and medical supplies. We need as many well rounded fighters as we can get to become successful in this crucial task. If you and your group would be willing to offer your services for the benefit of this camp we would reward you with free room and board. Also a chance to gather up the parts and supplies you would need for your trip as well,” Aaron proposes bluntly.

  Riggs continues nodding his head while contemplating the decision. He consults with Andrew for a moment. Once Andrew and Riggs are done conversing amongst themselves, Riggs turns back to Aaron with a question.

  “How long have you people been here for? Whats the situation in this area?” Riggs curiously asks. Aaron wastes no time explaining. “We haven’t been here too long. When fathers started attacking their daughters and when mothers started devouring their sons, the people of our neighborhood banded together. Luckily many of them happened to work at this prison here. Quickly coming to the realization that no where was safe, we realized our stength was eachother. To include concrete walls and twenty foot high fencelines. Now, Alabama is in a state of Anarchy. No where here is safe. The police got their asses handed to them a week and a half ago. Might I add, shit started going bad just a little over two weeks ago in this state. Seems like most of the country is just waking up to this as we heard on the TV and the radio,” explains Aaron.

  Andrew and Riggs both shake their heads in acknowledgement of the man’s plight. Aaron goes on to add with a cold stare, “All the towns I have been through around this area is ruled by the dead now. National Guard fled to Texas. We are on our own here.”

  Riggs acts like he already knew this and appeared unphased. Andrew on the other hand, acted as if this whole recent apocalpyse ordeal was something new and wouldn’t effect areas like these.

  Moments later, they both come to the conclusion to inform the rest of their group and see where they stand first to medigate future problems along the way. Riggs asks Aaron for a moment while he steps outside with Andrew.

  Aaron silently stares on. As the pair walk outside the door, they notice Young Andrew kicking an inflatable ball down the hallway with a young girl just a little bit older than him. It appears he just made a friend. Once the girl notices the men walk out of the office and talk to members of their group, she immediately avoids the ball Young Andrew kicked back to her allowing it to fly down the hallway as she runs up to the office Andrew just walked out of. She begins calling out for her father as she dissappears into the room and the door shuts behind her.

  Riggs presents the proposition to the rest of the group and explains all of the angles. After some deliberation, everyone agrees it is the right thing to do for the time being while they wait to get a new vehicle or acquire the tires they need. Riggs make it clear the men will join the rest of the prison group newly formed raiding party as the women will help out with common tasks within the prison such as cooking and cleaning. Everyone in the group comes to the agreement that it is the reasonable thing to do and not that much of a big deal considering the predicament they are currently in. The main point which sold the crowd, was Rigg’s emphasizing security and comfort.

  Warm bed, a shower and a secure perimeter is rare now a days. On the other hand, the only individual whom seemed to have a major issue with it was Randall, who never used a weapon before and did not like the idea of going any where with this group looking for trouble. Riggs pretty much told him “to suck it up”. A comment which left Randall speechless and lost for words. Once the group concludes the mock meeting, Andrew and Riggs walks back into Aaron’s office. Upon entering, the little girl is seen handing Aaron something in his hand. He quickly places it one of the drawers inside his desk out of sight of Andrew and Riggs.

  “Okay girl. Time to head out and let daddy get back to his business. Go play with your new friend,” Aaron tells his daughter.

  She smiles and then runs off past Andrew.

  Riggs and Andrew assume their seats shortly after.

  “Cute daughter you got there. How old is she?” asks Riggs.

  “She is not my daughter. She belonged to my fiance,” responds Aaron in an apparent aggressive tone of voice.

  “She is 14,” Aaron adds.

  Andrew now chimes in without thinking.

  “What happened to her mother?” Andrew asks Aaron without realizing how intrusive he was being.

  Riggs turns back to Andrew and stares at him as if he was out of line at that point.

  However, Aaron doesn’t seem to be too irritated by it. He goes on to explain. “My fiance was eaten alive in front of her daughter while I was at work one day. Amy called me once she locked herself in her room while it was going on and I rushed home from work. Long story,” Aaron stoically concludes.

  Riggs and Andrew both give their condolences. Quickly attempting to change the subject, Riggs tells the prison leader that they accept their offer. They would only be willing to stay a few weeks max. Enough time to acquire what they need. Aaron delightfully accepts. Shortly after, he gives Riggs instructions on where the men need to meet at what time and where the women must go for work call the following day.

  Moments later, Aaron picks up a radio transmitter ordering somebody to meet him in his office in a few minutes. Once he places it down on the desk, he tells them to remain patient for one of his staff will be coming by shortly to show them around the prison and direct them to their quarters.

  This pleases Riggs and Andrew as they thank the kind man. He tells them “not to mention it”.

  However, Andrew still feels a bad vibe in the area. Especially regarding the demeanor of the guards. Once the pair walk back into the hallway where the rest of the group waits, a frail and sick looking man with a black tactical vest and a black beanie cap worn over his head comes walking up to them with a radio in his hand and a pistol attached to a leg houlster. He introduces himself and proceeds to give Andrew and the group the grand tour of the prison.

  First stop he directs them to the shower room, where dried up blood stains scatter the damp floor. Next he directs them to a filthy laundry room where most of the washer and dryers are inoperable. Some members of the group at this point are already disgusted with the living conditions including Randall, whom out of the group of males, seems to be the only one who has a problem with it. Linda on the other hand, doesn’t seem to mind and demonstrates how grateful she is to the man showing them around.

  Further on in the tour, the group was introduced to the weight room, the cafeteria, basketball court where none of the hoops had any netting, administrative office where some of the survivors from Aaron’s group works and keeps count of supplies, personnell and food. From there, the man takes them to the infirmary where he states medical supplies are scarce.

  Riggs notices a few sick individuals laying in bed being nursed by an elderly man who doesn’t appear to be medically qualified. In addition, there are three individuals with gunshot wounds screaming for assistance as they complain about their bandages being too itchy. Upon leaving
the most depressing part of the prison, the man introduces them to the prison’s chapel, which isn’t large at all and has fold up chairs as seating and a single podium for the preacher with a wooden cross in the backdrop.

  Many survivors are seen there praying and trying to find comfort as a pale, frail looking individual preaches a sermon in desert camoflauge uniform. Andrew assumes he is the priest. Last but not least, their living quarters. Which are medium security prison cells which holds duel bunk beds in each cell. Every cell can accomodate four individuals. This area is called Cell block A. Along the tour, Dwayne and Lance notices cell block B, C and D excluded from the grand tour. Once they ask their tour guide about it, he quickly snaps back in an aggressive posture.

  “Nobody is allowed in those areas by any means necessary. Got it?” the man orders. “Those are the maximum security blocks and are not secured as well as these areas. Do not go strolling along in there. Those are the rules,” the man goes on to add.

  Dwayne and Lance say nothing as their eyebrows rise in curiousity. The rest shrug it off. As the man directs the group to their individual bunks, he makes accomodations based off of preference. Linda, Young Andrew, Cynthia and Audrey all share the same cell toghther. Next it goes Andrew, Riggs, Randall and Dwayne. Lance and Tabatha both share a cell together with no one in it as it is smaller but only prepared for two people. This pleased them greatly, giving them the privacy they needed. Tammy ends up sharing a cell with three other female strangers. She did not seem to mind at this point for all she wanted to do was get some much needed rest.

  The man in the black tactical vest gives them some final instructions and information about the prison. Mainly, nobody is allowed to go outside the wire in less than 8 man groups and must be cleared and signed out at the main administrative office. Also, the man informs the group about roving guard and watch tower sentries on twelve hour rotations. Nobody is to be strolling inside the perimeter outside at night because one of the guards may mistake that person for one of those “things” and be shot on sight. Once the man concludes his briefing, he lets the group go about their business and work on getting settled in.