by Kirk Withrow
20
During their Fun World vacation, Eric and his family called Room 504 at The Estuary home. Situated right next to the theme park, The Estuary was one of Fun World’s premier resorts. Like most things at Fun World, the amenities at The Estuary were over the top. Also like most things at Fun World, they cost an arm and a leg. Melanie had touted the convenience, luxurious accommodations, and the unseasonably low prices when trying to convince him that they should stay at one of the park’s on-site resorts. At the time, he’d argued that, even at a steep discount, they were still way overpriced. He also hated that there was someone waiting to do every little thing for guests of the resort. He wasn’t a baby and he didn’t much care for being pampered. Now, as he thought about making the hike to one of the more affordable accommodations off-site, he was thankful he’d lost that argument. His aching feet nearly rejoiced at the fact that the huge resort was located less than a mile from where they’d exited the park.
Running parallel to the drainage ditch was a four-lane road that passed directly in front of The Estuary. Although it wasn’t too busy due to the quarantine, frequent military traffic meant that moving along the road came with an unacceptably high risk of being spotted. Finding a compromise between speed and stealth, Eric and Lila followed the ditch toward The Estuary. The murky water was cold and smelled weakly of sewage, but it was a fair trade-off for the excellent cover the ditch provided.
Taking advantage of the passing vehicles’ lights, Eric periodically poked his head out of the ditch in order to scout the surroundings. He estimated they’d traveled a couple hundred yards when the ditch began to widen and grow steadily deeper. Unsure of where it led and not excited about the prospect of running into any more alligators, he decided they would be better served taking their chance on the high ground. As soon as the next military transport passed, they scrambled up the culvert’s slippery banks.
As they crouched in the dew-soaked grass, they saw what appeared to be a bustling compound tucked behind a thick stand of trees on the other side of the four-lane road. Large floodlights that extended just above the canopy marked each of its corners, while headlights and the occasional flashlight flickered through the branches. The distant rumble of diesel engines combined with muffled voices calling from many directions led Eric to believe the location was serving as a military staging area. The place looked like a hive of activity given how dark it was everywhere else. Notably, the only gunfire they heard came from behind them. That’s a good sign. Means there must not be any zombies nearby…
Light from the high-powered floodlights spilled over into the areas immediately surrounding the makeshift encampment. Although it was no match for the nearly impenetrable shroud of darkness blanketing the land, it was enough for Eric to recognize the vast parking lot located to the south and the hulking shape of the building situated just beyond it. The Estuary…
Between the road and the tree line was the silhouette of several thick concrete pylons and the elevated track they supported. Even cloaked in shadow, Eric instantly recognized it as part of Fun World’s extensive monorail train system. One of The Estuary’s major selling points was the fact that the monorail track ran directly through the hotel lobby. This meant that lazy, impatient guests could waddle out of their rooms, take an elevator down to the loading area, waddle onto a train, and be inside Fun World in a matter of minutes. Although he’d never seen them, he was certain the resort had people willing to do the waddling for any guest that found even that degree of exertion too distressing. It was the perfect solution to the quick fix, overnight shipping, fast food, stream-it-on-demand mentality that afflicted so much of American society. While he found it absolutely disgusting, he was more than happy to use the track as a guide to lead him right to the resort.
With no traffic in sight, Eric and Lila raced across the empty road, finding cover in the shadows at the edge of the tree line. In such close proximity, the sounds of the military personnel were much louder, and it was clear that they were preparing for something big. Like an evacuation… He keyed the backlight and looked at his watch. The arrogant lion pointed to 2:05 a.m. Less than six hours. After taking a minute to regroup, Eric turned to Lila and whispered, “You good? The Estuary is less than a half mile south of here, beyond the parking lot. That track should lead us right to it.”
Eric could tell Lila didn’t think a half mile sounded too far away and that the thought of finally leaving the park and reuniting with her mother excited her, because a genuine smile creased her face. Eric hoped that would be the expression that defined her life going forward.
Sticking to the shadows and moving as silently as a wraith, father and daughter crept to the end of the tree line. There, sprawled out before them, was a vast, flat wasteland that stretched as far as the eye could see even in broad daylight. Far from empty, the colossal parking lot was crammed bumper-to-bumper with automobiles from virtually every state in the Union. While there had been a time before Fun World Inc. when trees and wildlife dominated the area, he knew from recent experience that minivans, SUVs, and car toppers now reigned supreme. He doubted there was any make and model unrepresented. Moonlight glinted and glistened off the sea of glass and metallic surfaces. It was mesmerizing, almost pretty.
“Daddy,” Lila said, tugging on his shirttail. The sound of her voice shook Eric from his trance, and his thoughts immediately went to Melanie. The silhouette of The Estuary—the last place he’d seen his wife—loomed like a massive obsidian shard jutting up from the ground just beyond the expansive parking lot. Not a single light emanated from the resort, making him think they’d disconnected the utilities to the structure. Considering The Estuary’s proximity to the theme park placed it well within the MOAB’s blast radius, that made sense.
The building appeared completely abandoned, and Eric couldn’t help thinking that the resort’s guests had been evacuated ahead of Operation Fat Lady. It would’ve been a massive endeavor, though he doubted he would’ve seen or heard anything from inside the park. More importantly, he wondered whether Melanie would’ve even complied with an evacuation order or would have stayed and waited for her husband and daughter. Having been unable to reach her by phone since he left her in Room 504 five days ago, he had no idea. Knowing what was planned for Fun World in less than six hours, however, he needed to make sure she’d left or get her to safety as well.
Eric scanned the vast parking lot for any signs of life but saw nothing amidst the seemingly endless rows of parked automobiles. It was as if he was gazing out across an endless graveyard, each vehicle a memorial to a family that would never again leave this place. It spoke to the enormity of what had occurred in the way that staring out over thousands of white headstones speaks to the horrors of war. Having been so eager for a taste of Fun World’s magic, the notion that the vehicle’s occupants were actually jockeying to be first in line to create a cemetery as they battled over the closest parking spot would’ve been laughable a few days ago. Cynical as he was, he doubted anyone would’ve heeded a warning had such a thing been issued. In the distance, a helicopter buzzed through the air, its spotlight momentarily illuminating the resort’s main entrance before it continued out over the park.
“There. That’s where we’re going,” Eric said wistfully as he pointed toward The Estuary’s front door. “Stay close, and stay alert. Just because you don’t see any danger doesn’t mean it isn’t out there. We’ll take it row by row, moving one at a time. Me first, then you. Got it?” he added, his pensive tone replaced by an authoritative air.
Staying low, Eric broke from the tree line and rushed to the first row of cars. When he was satisfied there was no danger afoot, he turned and signaled for Lila to move to his position. One row at a time, they crossed the seemingly endless asphalt wasteland. He fully expected to find a pack of zombies eagerly waiting to sink their teeth into him beyond each line of parked cars, but behind each one, he found no such thing. As they’d seen no zombies since emerging from the culvert, the possibility th
at the quarantine had been successful seemed increasingly plausible. Although he’d been confident he would get his daughter safely out of the park from the start, the prospect that she could live out her days in a zombie-free world seemed closer to reality than ever before. Despite the timer steadily marching toward certain death, he realized that the MOAB was the key to that dream becoming a reality.
When Eric and Lila reached the end of the lengthy parking lot, they hunkered down between two oversized SUVs. The covered loading area in front of The Estuary’s main entrance lay directly ahead. Sheltered from the dull moonlight, it was even darker than the rest of the Stygian world. Without valets racing around, bellhops hauling luggage, and kids squealing with excitement, the place was a complete ghost town. Knowing the resort was always bustling with people and people turned into zombies in this new world, the lack of activity was unusual. He glanced down at his watch.
2:45 a.m.
Larry the Lion’s infuriating smirk glared back at him mockingly. Not wanting his emotions to get the better of him, he looked up from the watch. Even though he had less than six hours to get his daughter to safety, he was surprised to find that he didn’t feel the same trepidation he had when he first learned about Operation Fat Lady. As terrifying as it was to imagine the MOAB’s awesome power, the thought that it could wipe every single zombie off the face of the earth filled him with excitement. For the first time since the outbreak started, he felt as though an end to the nightmare was finally within reach.
Cautiously, they approached The Estuary’s main entrance. Glass crunched underfoot, the front door smashed into a million tiny pieces glistening like diamonds on the ground. The shadowy forms of several cars parked haphazardly, one with all its doors wide open, were the only other things that appeared out of place in the check-in area. Absolute darkness inside the lobby prevented them from seeing that the chaos and destruction that was so pervasive inside the theme park had also found its way to the resort. Reluctantly, Eric leaned his head through the shattered door as though he were risking exposing his neck to a guillotine’s blade. The lobby’s interior was as quiet as a tomb. He motioned for Lila to wait outside while he assessed the situation inside the lobby. Although she wasn’t thrilled about being separated from her father or him venturing into the unlit building alone, she did as he asked.
Eric warily stepped over the threshold into the lobby as if he were crossing over into another dimension. With no competing sounds, his footfalls echoed off the marble floor. He stood in the lobby’s foyer, closed his eyes, and tried to visualize the room’s layout. Seeing no difference, he blinked his eyes a few times until he wasn’t sure whether his eyelids were opened or closed. It didn’t matter.
Thinking back to the day they’d checked in, Eric tried to recall the memory in as much detail as possible. He knew without a doubt that the long registration desk was located along the left wall of the ornate room. When he tried to remember what obstacles were positioned between the entrance and the desk, all he saw were the toothy smiles of countless employees as they rushed him to ask how he was doing and if they could help in any way. It had been annoying then, but it was absolutely mortifying now. In his mind’s eye, dozens of well-groomed zombies with badges that said things like “Welcome to The Estuary. My name is Jenkins. How may I assist you today?” came shuffling toward him, arms extended. Teeth no longer pearly white, their blood-encrusted maws were twisted into malicious snarls. Abandoning the exercise, he braced for the first agonizing bite, even as he told himself that it wasn’t real.
Without his vision to guide him, he was left at the mercy of his imagination, which was growing more difficult for the logical part of his brain to control. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Okay, new plan. Maybe I’ll just try to find it instead.” Even though there was no around to hear him, he found the sound of a human voice, even his own, to be comforting.
Arms extended in from of him like a zombie; Eric inched forward through the darkness. He collided with several coffee tables and nearly tripped over a chair before his hands bumped into the cold marble slab. Setting his pipe on the countertop, he hopped up and climbed over to the employees’ side. As he did, his foot became entangled with a power cord, sending a computer monitor crashing to the ground. The deafening sound of shattering glass nearly made his heart stop. He paused, listening for the inevitable moans of the undead. After several tense moments, none came. While he would’ve liked to call out to Lila and let her know that he was okay, he was proud that she hadn’t lost her cool and rushed in screaming.
Coming up to his hands and knees, Eric ran his hands along the floor in order to regain his bearings. He checked drawers and felt along the counter’s surface but came up empty until his hand brushed past a power outlet tucked behind the desk. His heart raced as his hand closed around the thing he’d hoped to find. He pulled the emergency flashlight from the plug and was relieved when he flipped the switch and the area before him was bathed in blinding light.
Hoping to avoid garnering any unwanted attention, Eric cupped his hand over the bezel to block the majority of the light. The area behind the desk looked fairly normal—no bodies, bloodstains, or bullet casings. He snatched a nearby phone receiver off its base but wasn’t surprised to hear nothing but dead air on the other end. Taped to the ledge behind the desk was a note that read, “Don’t forget to give guests their resort armbands!”
The Wonderband, as Fun World called it, was basically like a key to the kingdom. It was used for everything from accessing rooms, to paying for meals, and entering the theme park. Eric had been suspicious of the body-worn electronic device from the beginning. His mind ran wild with thoughts of all the GPS and personal data Fun World Inc. collected from the smartbands. Now, looking at the tan line where his Wonderband should’ve been, he wondered if he would even be able to make it up to the fifth floor.
As he climbed back over the desk, he noticed a piece of paper lying on the counter. A strange sense of numbness washed over him as he read the flyer’s text:
By order of
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MANDATORY EVACUATION TODAY AT 6:00 P.M.
Do not be late. Buses will leave promptly. To facilitate this process, line up in an orderly fashion. There are enough seats for everyone. If you have loved ones in the theme park, do not wait for them. They are being taken care of as well. Thank you for your cooperation. This is not a drill.
Eric could hardly believe what he was reading. Taken care of? Is that what they call carpet-bombing a huge area filled with civilians? Do people even know what’s going on inside Fun World? His mind reeled from the implications, cover-ups and conspiracies battling for the top spot. Seeing the glint of his watch face, he glanced down to check the time.
3:05 a.m.
Despite the obvious omissions and misdirection contained in the notice, he was glad to know the resort had indeed been evacuated. Even so, he knew Melanie better than anyone, and he had to be certain that she’d complied with the order. Tossing the flyer aside, he started back toward the front entrance. As he neared the entryway, he saw Lila step forward and place her hand on the shattered door’s frame while she stared unblinkingly at the light in his hand as though mesmerized by it.
“Lila.”
The unexpected sound of her father’s voice made her jump and she shrieked in pain as a glass shard punctured the bandage on her hand. Bright blood immediately soaked through the dirty cloth.
“Easy there, it’s just me,” Eric said, shining the light on his face momentarily to validate his statement. “Are you, okay?”
Squeezing her injured hand tightly, she said, “Dammit!” Even though he thought it more than appropriate under the circumstances, she immediately blushed and added, “I’m sorry I cursed, Daddy.”
He leaned down and kissed her head. “You get a pass from me. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your mother.”
They seemed to be alone as they moved through the resort—an indication that th
e evacuation notice had been effective. As such, Eric didn’t bother shielding the light once they were out of the lobby and away from any outside windows. They walked past the elevator bank and found the door leading to the stairwell. As expected, the little green light on the door’s electronic card reader was out. Reaching for the doorknob, he said a prayer that the door defaulted to unlocked whenever there was a loss of power. There was a satisfying click as the latch bolt disengaged and he pulled the door open. “One down,” he muttered.
While there was none of the carnage they’d seen inside Fun World, the stairwell bore plenty of evidence of the chaos that had engulfed the resort. Luggage, clothing, and other personal items littered the area, indicating that the guests had left in a hurry, possibly under duress. On the third floor landing, Eric noticed several crimson droplets on the ground. While he had no doubt it was blood, the splatters were more consistent with a minor nosebleed than the vicious homicides that now painted virtually everything inside Fun World.
Just over halfway up, neither of them felt like they had the energy to make it to the top. Their plodding footsteps came farther and farther apart, their ragged breaths more frequently. Despite the fatigue, they pressed onward. Finally, through some small miracle, Eric looked up to see a placard that read Floor 5. Like the one on the ground floor, he found the adjacent door unlocked.