Rise Once More

by D. Henbane

  Eating it?

  Yeah man. Like eating it without cooking it...

  That is strange.

  I gotta say George. I am a huge fan of the show, and I don't wanna sound like a total nut-job here, but it gets even more messed up.

  How so? Are you alright with talking about it?

  When he confronted the guy about it... Well he totally wigged out. I don't know if I can say anymore. I am still trying to process what he said myself.

  Please continue caller. I wanna hear what happened. Are you afraid that someone might find out?

  Yeah.

  I want to remind all of our callers that we do not track phone numbers. All information is kept anonymous due to the sensitivity of our subject matter. We respect your privacy. Can you tell us more caller? So the guy wigged out you say...

  He said he tried to bite him...

  Bite who?

  My neighbor man. So he shot him.

  I can see why you didn't want to talk about it. Did he survive?

  That's the thing George. My neighbor said he fired once, but the guy got back up. He took a 12 gauge round direct to his chest and he acted like nothing happened. I told my neighbor that I had heard about stuff like this happening before. A guy gets all jacked up on PCP and acts like he is invincible. He said no way it was drugs. He said I had to see the look in the guy's eyes.

  So did your friend kill him?

  No. He ran away after that. He is really shook up man. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say.

  Stay on the line with us caller. I am told we cannot continue to air this, but I want you to finish our conversation.

  A dark ominous feeling takes over Reese and he slams the gas pedal to the floor. Accelerating quickly and dodging between traffic. Reese takes an off ramp, not bothering to slow down, and blows past a red light. He punches it again, the tires break traction and he drifts around a corner. The tachometer bounces as he navigates his way the final few blocks.

  He finally stops at the barricade gates of Omega Phi. The headlights make the reflective tape shine like the sun, as he impatiently waits for the security guard to check his credentials. Reese honks his horn, and there is no movement from the guard shack. Reese opens his car door, full of rage, advancing towards the booth. “Peter!” Reese calls out from the darkness. “You better not be sleeping again.”

  “Reese?” A trembling voice echoes in the night air. Reese spins around focusing at the source of the sound. The outline of a figure hunched down stares him back. The glow of the headlights make it difficult for his eyes to adjust. He raises his hand to block the light.

  “Peter. Are you hurt?” Reese says.

  “Peter is off tonight...”

  “What do you want Sly?” Reese says.

  “Just taking out the trash.” Olaf moves directly into the headlights gesturing to Reese to come closer. “I am going to need your signature on these papers.”

  “Open the gates. I have work to do.” Reese says.

  “Not anymore I am afraid. On second thought I don't even need your signature. I just wanted to see the look on your face.” Olaf lunges toward Reese, knocking him to the ground and dragging him into the headlights. He props Reese's body up against the bumper, and shoves the paper work into his face. “Signed and dated this morning. Check it for yourself. From this day forward... You have been relieved of your command, and I have been named as your replacement. Olaf Sly, now controls every aspect of this installment.”

  “You must be proud. They say you can't polish a turd, but you gleam like new chrome.” Reese says.

  “Take your retard with you...” Sly says as he walks into the darkness. Past the reach of the headlights Reese spots a large sulky figure, his massive arms wrapped around his knees in a fetal position. Rocking slowly, alone in the darkness with a few possessions scattered about the ground at his feet. Reese walks over and places his hand on Rednek's broad shoulder, his body shudders slightly, and Reese says in a fatherly tone “It's over son time for you to go home.”

  “I don't know where home is Reese.” Rednek says with a child-like whimper.

  “Get in the car son. I will make sure you get home safe.”

  “Thank ya sir.” Rednek says. The two walk somberly to the car. Reese pauses looking back at Omega Phi, his anger starting to rise in his stomach again, and the image of Sly's face drifts across his eyes.

  “It is not going to be tonight, but mark my words... I will kill you Sly. This isn't over you bastard.” Reese says slamming the car door shut, speeding off into the night, tires squealing as he accelerates.

  “Reese. I done a bad thing.”

  “What did you do son?” Reese says.

  “I lied. I didn't mean too.”

  “Lied about what?” Reese says.

  “Eicca.”

  Reese lets out a small chuckle. “I knew all about that son. You didn't cover your tracks very well, and as far as I am concerned love is not something to be taken lightly.” Reese says.

  “So yous not made at me?”

  “Of course not. We have bigger problems to deal with. Since we are on the subject of being truthful, and like it matters anymore I might as well fill you in.” Reese says. Rednek sits up straight and stares confusedly at Reese.

  “What problems sir?” Reese tunes to a news station on the radio.

  Scientists are scrambling to identify the source of a mysterious outbreak. Little is known about it but the CDC is calling it extremely contagious and life threatening if contracted. The CDC is urging people to stay home and avoid unnecessary contact. The FAA has stopped all international flights into the US and doesn’t expect to lift the ban anytime soon.

  Cases have turned up in almost every major city and hospitals are doing their best to cope with the influx of new patients. The CDC now claims that the infection is a virus, and is a mutated strain similar to the 1918 pandemic. Here with us in the studio is Dr. Geiger. A leading specialist in his field is here to answer some of our questions. Dr. Geiger, how scary is this thing?

  “Well Nancy. It is still very early to say exactly what we have on our hands here, but preliminary testing has revealed it to be highly contagious and very aggressive. Public health officials have warned for many years about the possibility of what happened in 1918 coming back again or at least something similar to it. The world is much more interconnected than almost 100 years ago. The potential for a global catastrophe is very real.”

  Dr. Geiger, what advice would you have for our listeners to help deal with this?

  “I was told not to sound like an alarmist, but due to what I have seen thus far...”

  Are you alright Dr. Geiger?

  “Umm. Yeah I am fine. Can someone please bring me a glass of water? Thank you.”

  Dr. Geiger what do you mean by you were told not to sound like an alarmist?

  “I was coached before coming on the show. You see in the background we try to keep people aware without causing widespread panic. Sometimes the over-reaction is worse than the problem itself. YOU KNOW IT'S STUFF LIKE THIS THAT JUST CHAPS MY BALLS. YOU DAMN PEOPLE WONT LISTEN ANYWAY! YOU'RE ALL GOING TO DIE...

  A loud thump echoes across the speakers, and the sound of a woman's voice screaming is heard. Suddenly the station goes silent, followed by the sound of the national warning system. Reese reaches forward, turning the radio off, as he swallows hard. “The world is going to be a very different place from this day forward. It got out Rednek. Haus failed. We failed. Everyone failed.

  “So what we gonna do boss?” Rednek says.

  “Pick up some supplies. I think it's going to be a long ride.”

  ***

  “There is not time to explain. Theresa, just grab what you can and get in your car. Drive to the BOZ and wait for me there. Under no circumstances are you to stop for anything or anyone. Run them over if you have too.” Reese says urgently as he grabs some pre-packed bags from his closet.

  “You're scaring me Reese, and who the hell is this
?” Theresa says pointing towards Redneks large body grabbing larger bags as instructed by Reese.

  “Sorry ma'am, but boss says I best be moving this stuff pronto. I'm Rednek ma'am.” Rednek says as he shuffles past Theresa carrying two large black bags. The bags make a familiar metal clanging sound of ammunition magazines rattling around inside.

  Reese crosses a few more items off the list in his hand, pausing for a moment, and then turns to face Theresa. “Do you remember the code?” Reese says calmly but with a tone of urgency.

  “Yes dear.”

  “Do you remember exactly how we practiced?” Reese asks.

  “Yes, but I didn't honestly think I would have to..”

  “This is not practice... This is the real deal. Take this DVD, and play it as you drive. Some of things I say in this video will make you upset. No matter how hard it is to believe, there is nothing but truth contained in this video. I included instructions to the BOZ in the first part, follow them to the letter and fear not mother. I will be with you soon.” Reese says as he kisses Theresa gently on the forehead.

  “Come with me Reese.”

  “I can't dear. I have to get someone...” Reese says.

  “Who! I demand to know who is more important to you than your wife.”

  “Alex...” Reese says choking back tears. Theresa clutches the DVD to her breast, tears flowing down her face. She walks forward embracing Reese and then whispers into his ear.

  “Bring back my baby boy. Safe and sound. Promise me Reese.”

  “I promise mother. Now go your losing vital time.” Reese says as he kisses her one last time. Theresa turns and runs down the hallway towards the garage, clutching the DVD close to her heart. A nonstop trail of tears left behind on the hardwood floors.

  “Is that all of it boss?” Rednek says.

  “There are a few more things, but we can take care of them along the way.”

  Chapter Ten

  Flew The Coop

  When I arrived at the hospital, the scene had changed so much I felt as if I was in the wrong town or even the wrong universe. The quiet mountain town with its clean streets and sidewalks filled with curious tourists was all but abandoned. There were no signs of life, no people in the streets, and no cars driving through town.

  A true ghost town, as I walked into the ER entrance I couldn't help but feel I was being watched. There were medical supplies strewn about the hallway with blood soaked gurneys turned about in different directions. Dried droplets of blood painted the floor like a small child’s freckled face. The nurse's station phone rang incessantly, calls ignored; I can only guess that the staff had fled like rats from a sinking ship.

  The feeling to run away gripped me hard, but I knew I had to find out Cox's fate. Even it was to put the poor bastard out of his misery. I walked slowly up the halls, pausing for a moment to pick up a piece of bed rail. The heavy cold steel in my hand gave me a little more courage to advance further.

  It was a risky trip. Even the military installments were vacant. “This is the worst idea you have ever come up with” I uttered out loud as if to announce my presence to anyone still inside. Unsatisfied with the deafening silence I called out again. “Anyone down there?” My queries returned nothing but sickening silence. Maybe it was best to shut my mouth and not invite one of them to come out and play.

  I found Cox's room easily enough, his chart still hanging on the wall as I entered the room. Drawing back the curtains my fears were confirmed. The blood soaked bed stood as a testament of the life or death battle that could only end in a fate far worse than death. I looked around the bed for his body but the floor was void of nothing but dried blood.

  I began to walk out of the room, until I heard something shuffling behind me. I turned quickly just to watch a figure duck behind a door near the bathroom. I raise the bedrail over my head and walks slowly towards the door. My eyes flutter from side to side as I scan my surroundings, and my heart begins to pound inside my chest.

  I press my back against the wall behind where I had seen the movement and knock against the wall a few times. My diversion had worked and a tattered creature wearing only a hospital gown flew through the doorway. I stepped forward directly behind it and slammed the bedrail into the back of its skull. Without any hesitation I continue to bludgeon it repeatedly until it stopped twitching and crimson colored fluid flowed into a puddle on the floor.

  I poke the lifeless corpse a few times, assuring that it was finally safe, and rolled the body over. I don't recognize the face. My heart was filled with mixed emotions. Had Cox been able in his weakened state to fight off his attacker? He must have, I rationalize, or his body would still be in this room. Maybe the blood on the bed wasn't Cox's after all. No. He is most likely walking with the rest of them a shell of his former human self, devoid of any compassion and filled with an unyielding rage.

  After the adrenaline had calmed down I felt something under my right boot. It had a strange squishiness that gave way as I applied my body weight. Looking down I see an IV tube laying across the floor. Glancing to my right I see the collapsed IV pump laying on the floor. Looking to the left I could trace the tube with my eyes and it lead directly into a double door closet.

  I creep towards the door, attempting to pear through the small crack separating the doors, hoping to catch a pre-emptive glance of any trouble that may be inside. I position myself, ready my weapon, and again feel my pulse accelerate, as my breathing becomes deep and cautious as I rip open the door.

  The heavy thump of a fist struck my nose. Little black dots obstructed my vision as I fell backwards from the sheer force of the blow. I stammer to my feet, swing my bedrail in vain, as tears have all but rendered me blind. A blurry object rushes forward knocking me on my back and the bed rail slides across the floor. I barely caught a flash of white out of the corner of my eye as the blurry object stood directly above me.

  “Haus???” Cox's voice trickled down into my ears and I could sense that he was frightened but still himself. Cox rushed behind me and helped me sit up. I wipe away the tears from my eyes and hold my hand up to my throbbing nose.

  “You hit like a bitch Cox.” I say sliding my finger under my nostrils to clear the slow stream of blood. My vision has become mostly clear again and I look at him directly in the face. His eyes are clear of any redness, but his pupils are dilated. “Are you infected?” I say hastily.

  “No. I have been holed up in that closet for a few days. I sneak out at night to get some food and water.”

  “How long has it been like this?”

  “I am not sure... I faded in and out of consciousness every time the drugs wore off. Then the nurse would come back in load my IV back up and it was night time again. A few days ago I woke up. I was scared to death so I ripped out the breathing tube and the feeding one. I went out into the hall and saw all of that. Then I saw someone come running at me from down the hallway. I jumped back into my room and tried to lock the door. I wasn’t fast enough and he got a hand inside. I managed to pin him against the wall using the bed and I stabbed him with a pair of scissors.”

  “What happened to the military?” I ask.

  “I don't know exactly. I heard a lot of gunshots that lasted all day and well into the night. I stayed inside the closet and pretended to be dead. Do you think we could make it back to the base?”

  “The base is gone Cox. They bombed it. The whole town is gone. You are the first person I have found that isn't infected. I came back here to find out what happened to you.” I say.

  “I am touched. You really do care, but what would you have done if you found me to be infected?”

  “I would have made it go as fast as possible...” I say.

  “Not sure if I should be comforted or appalled by that reply.”

  “We gotta get the hell out of here.” I say.

  “Right! I need some clothes. Do you think anyone could ever prove I killed someone? I already hid the body. You're not gonna tell anyone...right?”

&nbs
p; “Cox, I think we are well passed keeping law and order around here. Let's get out of this place without getting either of us killed. I am thinking on a plan.” I say. We exited the hospital side by side and got inside the car. There was still no movement in the streets and that was at least comforting for now.

  “Let's stop by my apartment so I can grab a few things. You were not kidding it looks even worse out here than from the hospital windows. Wow.” Cox says as he scans the littered streets. A gentle mountain breeze lofted in the air, but the smell of death was inescapable.

  I turn the car off the main road and head down the worn paved road leading towards Cox's apartment. Suddenly there is loud clang of metal on the passenger side door. Looking out I see three of them closing up fast, one has thrown something at us, and Cox lets out a scream. It sounded like a 12 year old girl at a cheap horror movie and he ducked under the dash.

  I slam the car in reverse accelerating quickly, when suddenly there was a slam and a body flew over the roof of the car. I instinctively hit the breaks bringing the car to a screeching halt. I pause with my heart racing, as I watch the body drag itself back to a standing position. It lurches forward dragging a clearly broken leg behind it.

  I lock eyes with it, seeing the angry expression on its face. I put the car back in drive and punch the gas. My hands grip the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white as I prepare for the impact. A loud bump and the body is swallowed up below the car. I can feel the back wheel crush its skull like a watermelon followed by a sickening splat sound.

  I see another one not too far off staggering into the street, it stops, slowly turning to face us and advance forward. Without hesitation I swerve towards it, but misjudge distances and slam into a parked car. The body cut in half by the impact was clinging to the hood of the car. With one hand it begins slamming a fist into the windshield.

  Cox jolted by the impact decides to take a look around, which was a bad move on his part. The passenger window was shattered during the collision and the torso had managed to get its dirty hand inside and grabbed ahold of his hair. I swerve the car back and forth trying to shake it. “HELP! It's gonna eat me!” Cox screams as he tries to pull himself away from his attacker. Cox grabs onto my shoulder with a firm grip while I see the look of pure terror in his eyes.