“You did what is best for business sir. Besides competition is always a good thing isn’t it?”
“Business hmm? This-competition has bred something nasty. Healthy competition doesn’t involve the butchering of an entire city, much less one with a renowned University in it. If only I wouldn’t have tempted them with inheritance,” he said looking crestfallen.
“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t believe it’s inheritance that Miss Sharyn is after.”
Gerald looked at him quizzically.
“Perhaps it’s your attention she craves?”
“Well, she certainly has my attention now,” he said not attempting to hide his sarcasm.
“You did say you always had high expectations from Sharyn, I assume that you focused more on Meryl’s growth since Sharyn was able to handle herself.”
Gerald absorbed his words, silently appreciating his vision. No wonder he’s my confidant, Gerald thought. “You do have a point there. But it’s still not a reason to do what she has done,” he said firmly. “And quite frankly convincing them clearly is off the table.”
The doors opened again and a woman strolled in. Gerald was about to open his mouth to voice his disdain but stopped upon seeing the woman. Easing back into his chair, he said “What are doing here Meryl?”
“I’m sure we all know why we are here,” she said shooting Desmond a coy look. Meryl was quite similar to her sister in appearance. Her hair though was fair, much like her father’s. She dressed in an expensive business suit supported by a pair of black stilettos that looked painful.
“I should fire the security team. Everyone’s gaining access to the feeds,” he shrugged.
“Why don’t I deploy our men and curb the situation?” she said fishing for a positive response.
“We cannot afford any more mistakes.”
“We? Sharyn’s the one who’s gone and-”
“I know,” he said unleashing a stern gaze. “The government has gotten involved.”
“I’m pretty sure our men can reach Hale before the government does,” she said not willing to relent.
“Maybe, but that’s not the issue.”
“The issue is that you’re always soft on Sharyn. For god’s sake, she is responsible for the deaths of the citizens of Hale. An entire city! And creation of those demonic creatures!”
Desmond noticed a momentary flicker of irritation on Gerald’s gentle features.
“She has lost her mind dad! You just simply refuse to acknowledge it.”
“Enough! Meryl,” he said with an iron like firmness, raising his voice for the first time.
“Dad I-”
“Get out.”
“What?” she said believing she misheard her father.
“I said get out.”
She looked at Desmond and then back at her father. Bottling the humiliation, she turned around and stormed out of the room, not bothering to close the doors behind her. Desmond at once glided over to the door and closed it gently; thinking to himself the elder Draxler was right about Meryl.
Meryl trampled the carpet on her way to the elevator with a hasty grace. “We are going to Hale,” she said on her phone, shooting past the exasperated secretary.
Gerald looked deflated the moment his daughter stormed out. Paying no heed to hide his dejection he said, “It isn’t easy knowing that your own daughters, who you raised with your own two hands, on whom you spent your meagre pay to buy toys and gifts, to make sure they were safe and happy are in the crosshairs,” he said, his age beginning to show. “No idea how it feels when the whole world is out to get your daughter, your own flesh and blood.” He stopped to look at Desmond.
“But what pains me the most is that they just don’t understand the plight of a helpless father.”
Chapter 11
Mark was filled to the brim with disbelief. “Matthew Tait?” He parroted. Josh nodded slowly. Roland stood dumbstruck. “W-Who’s Matthew Tait?” Greg asked fishing for clarification. “He was my colleague; my best friend; one of the three Z level scientists....and the one who took off with the serum,” Mark said rubbing his brow with a quivering finger.
“So, Matthew Tait is the alpha?” Randy enquired looking at Mark.
“Looks like it. We have to go to Harbinger.”
“For what?” Randy snapped.
“I don’t know why. But I believe it’s...he’s headed towards Harbinger. Don’t ask how I know. It’s just a hunch.” Mark said adjusting his glasses.
“Anyone have anything else they want to come clean with?” Chester shouted looking around. “Now’s the time!”
Greg managed to put the last puzzle piece together. The full picture floated before him in all it’s intangible glory. Roland signalled everyone to get ready to leave. Roland turned towards Kaz, “Thank you for saving us doctor. If you’d like, you can come with us,” he said. Kaz smiled a gratuitous smile, “Captain, this is our home now,” he said hands behind his back. Roland nodded understanding what he meant. The group made their way to the elevator and waited for the elevator to open. Kaz and the whitecoats waved goodbye as the elevator doors closed.
“That guy is weird,” Chester said. Sean nodded agreeing.
“Something creepy about him,” Dana added. They stepped out of the elevator as it opened and walked out in to the lobby. The soldiers had a finger on the trigger. It was still pouring heavily. Karim opened the door and a blast of cold air smacked him across the face, rainwater complementary. They ventured out into the rain proceeding straight ahead in the direction of the police cars. Hastings heart thundered furiously hoping the alpha wouldn’t decide to play hide and seek with them again. They slowly made their way till the cars were in sight. Switching on the flashlight, Randy peered through the window to make sure nothing would surprise them. “Our humvees are outside the main gate,” Karim shouted. “There are eleven of us and two cars. We’ve gotta squeeze it in,” Greg shouted at nobody in particular. A feral hissing noise prompted their necks to turn towards the source. Three gonerz dressed up as cops staggered towards them in a drunken gait.
“Evenin’ officers,” Chester sniggered. “You won’t mind if we borrow your ride would you?” Karim and Hastings relieved the officers off their duty.
“I thought so,” Chester continued sniggering.
Randy pulled at the car’s handle and found it was open. “It’s open,” he announced. He pulled down the sun blind hoping the keys would be there. Damnit, “No keys,” he shouted.
“The cops should have it,” Roland said pointing at the corpses. Chester and Sean volunteered to search the bodies. They rummaged the bodies till they found the keys. Chester pulled out the gun and inspected it. “Might come in handy,” he said looking at Sean. Sean pulled out a gun from the corpse beneath him and inspected the radio. Broken. Tucking the guns they returned with the keys.
“Who’s driving?” Sean shouted over the battering of the rain. While the young ones bickered who would drive, Roland noticed a camera. Without wasting a second he fired a single shot at it. The camera sputtered sparks marking it’s demise. He had enough clips to spare for his M4.
Randy, Greg, Joanne, Dana and Roland jumped into the first car while the remaining crammed into the second. The rain hammered against the metal roof and slithered down the windows. Randy jammed the key in the ignition and turned on the vehicle. The machine roared to life with a muscular growl. The dial spring to life and the headlights pierced the ominous grey bought by the tempest. Slotting the car in gear, he stepped on the gas, propelling them forward. The car behind followed suit, with Sean in the driving seat. They drove straight towards the main gate and upon passing the auditorium observed that few of the gonerz began running in their direction, giving chase. But something about the auditorium was off. A strange sort of chill emanated from it. Noticing the approaching gonerz, the cars pulled ahead across the lawns, carving distinct tyre marks. The headlights lit up the main gate and the cars exited the HU campus. For the first time they had left t
he campus and the sight left them speechless.
The once jovial and hospitable city of Hale was now home to monsters who massacred people on the streets. People were fleeing; fighting back; surrendering. Cars lay burning, shops plundered; blood flowed like wine on the wet tarmac. Not even the tempest could quench the rage of the fire.
“Stop here,” Roland ordered. The soldiers got out of the car and ran to their left disappearing into the chaos. Greg jumped into the front seat. They noticed gonerz zeroing in on a defenceless child who sat on the road. Randy gripping the steering, jumped out of the car and ran towards her firing at the gonerz. He emptied the magazine as the gonerz fell.
“Hey, you okay?” he called out tapping the child on the shoulder. The child’s face was covered with scraggly hair and had pale skin. The child turned to face him. It’s eyes pitch black and it’s pink frock stained with blood. Randy took a step backward. Utterly terrified at the sight before him. It made a strange giggling sound which made his skin crawl. It’s little feet dashed towards Randy who’s gun was now empty. He wouldn’t make it back to the car in time.
A nail pierced it’s black eye as it collapsed into the puddle of water forming on the streets. Greg stood a few feet away from Randy with the nail gun raised. Gonerz began spilling into the street. They raced wildly towards their prey in a hungry frenzy. Sean honked frantically. Greg and Randy ran back to their car and Randy floored the gas pedal. The car screeched and he swerved to the left. The streets were littered with vehicles left abandoned in haphazard positions. Navigating through the dead cars was difficult as they couldn’t outrun their pursuers. As they moved forward at a snail’s pace, the gonerz were nearly upon them. Nobody doubted that they could get through the glass. A pickup truck and a sedan blocked their way to the main road to the South. “Ram it!” Chester shouted through the police radio. Randy revved the vehicle and was about to floor the gas when an SUV pulled up behind the second car and gunshots echoed into the air.
“It’s them!” Dana shrieked turning back. The humvee provided a cover as Karim manned a machine gun on the roof unloading it’s .50 cal fury onto the legions of gonerz. Roland and Hastings provided cover fire by tossing a few grenades into the crowd. Randy slammed the pedal and the dials danced. “Brace!” Greg yelled covering his face with his hands as the car rammed the blockade. They crawled out of the blockade unhurt as the second car rammed through. Greg was surprised that his face didn’t make contact with a white airbag. The humvee bought up the rear providing support. A few gonerz made it on top of the humvee. Hastings tried to shake them off while Karim and Roland concentrated on plucking the pests off their ride. A goner tried to make it’s way through the machine gun. Karim blitzed it at point blank range. It’s remains scattered in the wind as it fell off the vehicle. Using the distraction, another goner managed to reach Karim. Roland quickly fired at the goner, leaning out of the window. The goner splattered onto the tarmac below disappearing into the darkness. Getting back into the humvee, Roland huffed a sigh of relief. Hastings, eyes glued to the road, trailing the red taillights of the second car didn’t have to ask his superior. Karim slunk back into the back seat groaning.
“What’s wrong?” Roland asked turning back to face him. He showed his forearm. Blood trickled down onto his greens.
A bite mark. Karim’s face wore a mask of fear. Roland clenched his teeth. Hastings glanced at the rear view mirror, noticing the gash. He remained silent. They had all lost comrades countless times on the battlefields before, and it seemed fate wasn’t going to get any kinder. His hands wrapped around the steering wheel tightly as he knew what would happen here on out.
“Sir, I don’t want to become one of those things,” Karim pleaded. Karim wasn’t the bravest or the smartest of soldiers, but he was a kind man, a god fearing man. He prayed as often as he could. In his free time he would read stories at children’s hospital and occasionally help out at a nearby old age home. He bought a sense of humanity that formed a cohesive source for their unit. A yin for the yang for the weather beaten Roland and the rigid Hastings. He breathed heavily as the drumming of the rain and the humming of the motor filtered through to the cabin. With quivering hands, he drew his pistol and pressed it against his temple. “Take care of my family Sir,” he said trying to hold back his tears. “Private Karim, out.”
A momentary flash reflected off of the rear view mirror catching Sean’s eye. “What the hell was that?” he asked.
Private Karim’s pistol cluttered to the floor. His face bore dried streams of tears.
Hastings held back his tears. It would be alright in the rain perhaps; at least no one could see his agony. They had sworn to defend their country with their very lives, cursing fate for keeping them alive while they watched their friends die. They drove silently with their comrades’ corpse in the back seat.
As they exited Hale City towards their destination, Landlock hills came in to full view. It seemed insipid in the odious weather. Greg fixed his gaze at the crest of the hill wondering how many happy couples would go there to spend quality time. All the times they spent exploring the little city, walking in on couples in the midst of extreme PDA, sipping cold beers watching the sun sink into the horizon, the people that made Hale feel like home. Gone were those times. This boring city had become hell and no matter how many years would roll by, the blood that stained the land would never be fully removed. As he continued pondering, he observed something flowing down the hill from it’s crest.
Gonerz? Survivors? It was hard to figure. He strained his eyes craning his neck in the direction. Water? No wait, That-that’s blood!
“Watch out!” Greg screamed as the river of blood engulfed their vehicles, smothering him.
“GREG!!” Joanne yelled, shaking him violently.
“What?? Huh?” he said looking around in an absolute state of confusion. Joanne peered at him from the backseat. Her face bent with concern, hands gripping his shoulders from behind. Randy shot him a confused look sporadically. “You okay?” he asked. Dana snuck into a corner behind Randy.
“Yeah, sorry about that,” he said squeezing Joanne’s hand reassuringly. The concern on her face melted away. Randy could guess what was going through Greg’s mind. A draft of thoughts sifted through his mind before a lightning bolt ripped through the sky illuminating an apparition standing right in their path. Randy gasped in horror and yanked the steering wheel right to avoid the apparition. Just as swiftly, Greg yanked the steering wheel towards him to prevent the vehicle from executing a possible belly roll. Randy jammed the brakes as the car skidded to an uneasy stop. The second car and the humvee slowed down instantaneously. Roland leapt out of the vehicle and ran towards the car.
“What’s wrong? Everything okay?” Sean’s cool voice came over through the radio.
“Yeah....we’re fine,” Greg responded hesitantly.
A knock on Randy’s window startled them.
“What the hell happened?” Roland asked peering between drops of water.
“I thought I saw something on the road,” Randy gulped. Roland saw the agony on their faces. It wasn’t getting any easier. “All right, we’ll lead,” he said without waiting for their consent. The humvee overtook them as Randy recovered to trail the vehicle. They cruised along the desolate stretch of road, not a soul in sight.
“Captain,” Hastings started, eyes on the road.
“I know. It’s unlikely we’d make it through their gate with all their security,” Roland said dimly. “But we have no choice.”
As the vehicles traversed the darkness, the second car’s occupants were in a discussion. “Is there an alternate way inside? Like a backdoor or something?” Chester asked turning back to face Mark. He shook his head, “I’m afraid not. It’s just one entrance and one exit. It’s heavily guarded every day, every hour of the year.”
“We’ve got some firepower,” Chester said pointing at the humvee.
He shrugged, “You don’t understand. They are prepared to take on more than
a humvee. It’s one of the biggest labs in the world. Security isn’t something they’d compromise. And trust me when I say they don’t compromise.”
Sean peered at Mark through the rear view mirror seeking further explanation. Mark sighed, “Harbinger hires mercenaries and former soldiers. The personnel are handsomely rewarded for their services. Apart from that, they have the best of technology and weaponry. Harbinger’s weapons division equip the company’s security personnel with the latest weapons. It serves as an experiment as well as wards off any unwarranted threats that their establishments might face.”
“So they aren’t bumpkins?” Chester sniggered.
Sean noticed a flicker of irritation on Mark’s face. Perhaps Chester’s cavalier attitude irked him but Sean knew Mark was serious. That’s probably why the humvee took the lead. If a fire fight breaks out, we’re all dead. Mark surreptitiously tapped his fingers between his legs. Fear was gnawing at him. The chances of them getting past the security was close to nil and even if they somehow did, he would come face to face with Sharyn or rather the dreadful madman, Lou. Josh’s head rested against the cold window, misting at his breath. The wipers worked furiously to clear away the rainwater attempting to obscure the view.
A solitary figure walked on the road. It was a goner. Roland was surprised that some had already made it this far. He wasn’t sure how many had actually ventured this far. The way Hastings saw it; he made sure it would be road kill. He floored the gas pedal, the goner shrieked before it was severed in half by the humvee. Blood splattered across the windscreen, only to be washed away immediately by the rain.
Roland noticed tiny lights at some distance. Without saying a word, he clapped Hastings on the shoulder and proceeded to man the machine gun. Hastings heart drummed as the lights grew bigger. The humvee slowed down to a crawl as the building came into full view. The massive white building sprawled across the land. Turning right, the headlights lit up the heavy gate. Roland was in full gear and noticed the gate was unmanned. “What the hell,” he murmured peering through his gas mask. Hastings bought his M4 to eye level and turned on the night vision optic to scan the vicinity.
The Outbreak Page 15