by A. Giacomi
Agent Williams continued. “Negative, we can’t kill the birds until we discover what this virus is capable of. Each victim has reacted differently when exposed; we are still looking to find some similarities. One victim began shedding limbs and growing them back. Another victim began to rot away until there was nothing left of them. The latest victim took to eating other humans and hiding in the tombs waiting for his next meal. We need your account of what happened to Dr. Engel to help us understand this virus. We also know you acquired some of his blood. This will help us do some further research.”
How had they known I’d acquired some of Vincent’s blood? I could only assume that they had questioned everyone at the dig site. Damn!
“What do you plan to do with this information exactly? I want your word that you would never use it as a weapon.”
Agent Williams looked offended. “Of course not, Doctor! We want to understand it so that we can find a cure. If this virus ever spread, we would have no defense against it. Plus…your friend, he’s not really dead. We may be able to cure him.”
My eyebrows shot up involuntarily. “How is this possible? What have you done?”
“We haven’t done anything yet. We know you let him wander out of your sight. I guess you thought it was kinder than having to explain to his family that he had become a monster.”
I sunk in my chair, feeling heavy and exposed. He knew my mind. Agent Williams was right. I didn’t want to break the news to Lita.
Call me crazy, but that night that Vincent wandered into the tombs, I saw a strange pleading in his eyes, almost as if he were saying, “Let me go, Walther,” and I did just that.
After a few seconds, Agent Williams continued. “What if we can cure him? We believe that he is still lurking in the tombs according to our intel. He seems to have had a few, snacks, like our last victim.”
Oh no! I thought. He could attack others. I hadn’t thought of that when I let him go. I was now starting to panic with this realization. I guess I sat there fretting for a long time without speaking because Agent Williams piped in again. “Well? What is your answer? Will you help us without research?”
I bit my lip and looked him straight in the eyes. “What do you need me to do?”
Agent Williams sat back and smiled. He looked so pleased with himself. Had I just made a pact with the devil?
***
I spent the next few weeks at this secret facility being briefed on their gruesome findings and having them outline the details of my mission. I was to study Vincent’s blood samples with a team of scientists to see if we could come up with a cure.
The only thing we discovered from the blood samples was that the virus had some similarities to the Avian Flu.
We tested the virus on hamsters and found that they became cannibals. They no longer had heartbeats, and some of the hamsters had a strange ability to re-grow their limbs. We tentatively named it the Azrael Virus. It manifested differently in each victim, but the one thing that all the infected had in common was that they were all dead in the medical sense.
No heartbeat and their bodies would rot if they didn’t resort to cannibalism.
It sounds ridiculous out loud, but these sounded a lot like a new breed of zombies. I could see why this research would mean more than just saving Vincent. We would be preventing a zombie apocalypse.
The second part of my mission was to return to Hierakonpolis periodically and look for clues.
Every time I visited, something terrible happened. Someone new became infected or disappeared.
I never found Vincent, but I knew in my heart that he was still out there and still feeding. Some of these poor people might have been his victims.
Those who became infected were burned, and we sent home fake ashes to every family, saying that the cause of death was related to an occupational accident. I guess you could say that was sort of true. A half-truth.
I felt terrible that I couldn’t warn people of the dangers, but CSIS was threatening me, saying they would hurt my family if I didn’t keep my mouth shut. So I did.
I knew I would be under tight supervision until our mission was complete, but the mission’s purpose became more and more ambiguous as time went on.
In the back of my mind, I kept thinking there was something Agent Williams was hiding from me, but I was hiding something too.
I never mentioned the red rock that I carried with me at all times. It offered me protection that night with Vincent, and I have never been attacked since.
There was something special about the stone, but I hadn’t fully figured it out yet. It didn’t protect Vincent, but perhaps that had something to do with him stealing it from a mummy.
Hierakonpolis was a cursed place, and although I feared its dangers and was forced to be there against my will, I still needed to know what happened there.
I still want to know.
Even after all this time, even after all the horrors I’ve seen, I still needed to solve this mystery, even if I died trying. I owed it to my friend, and I owe it to the people who will continue to suffer if I don’t stop this virus from spreading.
It could mean the end of us all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
EVE
Dr. August’s “history lesson” leaves me breathless. I can’t believe what I am hearing.
Azrael Virus? Zombie Apocalypse? Magical red stone?
This all seems like something I would see in some B-class horror flick.
I am trying to let it all sink in, but it’s a lot of information to process. What I got out of the whole story is that there is no cure, at least not yet. My body has become infected by a virus that kills you and then forces you to kill others.
I am officially a monster. Human no longer. This is hardest to take.
Not human. The two words swim around in my mind, making me lightheaded.
I hold my hand over my heart. No heartbeat? Never again?
“Will someone please check my pulse? I just need to know…” My hands are too busy shaking to check for themselves.
Cam walks over to me, his eyes bleak. I cross my fingers as Cam presses on my wrist. He waits thirty seconds and then decides to press his fingers to my throat instead. He waits another thirty seconds and then removes his hands, slowly shaking his head.
Dr. August and Alex look on with wide eyes. I can smell the fear on them, and the scent is delicious. What Dr. August has said is true. My heart has stopped, and I have ceased to live.
I am a living dead girl.
I get up from my chair unsteadily. “Dr. August, I think I’ve had all the information I can stand for today.”
He nods. “Eve, we will need to test your blood and see how your manifestation of the virus differs. You weren’t bitten as badly as some of the others. There’s hope.”
I look at Dr. August with anger racing into my cheeks. I feel as though I’m boiling. I must look scary because he moves back in his chair slightly.
“Hope? You really think I want to talk about that right now? Hmmm, let’s see…You’re perfectly safe. You brought me to that hell hole with the ‘hope’ of adventure, with the ‘hope’ of finding something groundbreaking. Now the only ‘hope’ I have is that I don’t eat anybody, and the way I’m feeling right now, I may just want to start with you.” I point venomously at Dr. August and then turn to leave.
As I’m walking towards the door, I hear Dr. August whisper behind me, “I’m so sorry, Eve...” and I slam the door before he can continue.
The glass on the door shatters, adding a nice dramatic effect to my exit.
I keep walking, because if I stop, I fear I might turn around and go eat his face off!
I can feel the hunger within me growing, and I need to find a distraction fast!
***
I go to my dorm room and find my hiking boots. Hiking is always
a good head-clearing activity.
I leave my cell phone behind. I really don’t want to talk to anyone right now. No one will ever need to check up on me again anyway; I can’t die if I’m already dead.
I hop in my car and head to the nearest hiking trail, about forty minutes away from the dorm. I used to love hiking as a leisurely activity. Now I think it will be a necessity. I don’t want to eat people and should probably stay away from them as much as possible. Luckily enough, the trails are clear when I arrive.
I walk quicker than I remember being able to. I am faster and stronger. It feels like I can take down a tree with my bare hands but am too scared to try it.
In no time, I reach the top of the hill. I think I will need to climb it twenty more times if I am to burn off some real energy. I am not satisfied, and I am not tired.
I stand peacefully and admire the view at the top. All the beautiful trees below and the hills in the distance are simply stunning. A rock behind me offers me a place to sit, and for a few minutes, I can admire the view before continuing the hike.
I have only been there a few minutes when I hear voices. Damn! I don’t want people around right now. I need a t-shirt that says, “Dangerous, stay away,” or a sign that I can hold up saying, “Don’t feed the animals,” with an arrow pointing to me.
I bite my lip, hoping they aren’t coming this way.
I see them rounding the corner. Why don’t I ever get my way?
It’s a couple going for a romantic hike. They look so happy. I lick my lips at the sight of them.
They see me and then sit next to me.
Why, God!? Why?!
They smile at me and say hello in unison. I nod in their general direction, trying to seem in deep thought. But the woman keeps trying to make conversation.
“Isn’t this the best viewpoint? I love it right here. You can see trees for miles, and it’s amazing if you come and watch the sunset.” She makes googly eyes at her beau.
I assume they plan to stay and watch, and I can’t be trusted near them.
“Well, I didn’t come for the sunset today, just for some exercise. You two enjoy.”
I am turning to leave when she grabs my arm.
“No really, stay. It’s gorgeous. Don’t leave on account of us.”
Great, I found a real friendly one. I hate to be rude, so I say, “Okay, I will stay for a few minutes, but then I really must get going.”
The woman smiles at me, pleased that I’m staying. The whole vibe of this moment is extremely strange.
After a few seconds of staring off into the distance, she starts making out with her man.
How incredibly awkward. You want me to stay, but then you start making me feel uncomfortable? What a weird chick.
I watch as they lock lips. It reminds me of eating the way she nibbles on his lower lip playfully. I start to get hungry and know I should leave, but it’s too late. My mind is now on one thing only. It’s almost as if my body goes on auto-pilot because I know what I’m about to do is wrong, but I can’t stop myself.
The woman looks over and notices me watching. She smiles and asks her boyfriend if he would like me to join in. He nods with excitement.
What guy wouldn’t want to make out with two girls at once? Stupid question, lady.
She points to me and motions me to come closer with her finger. They are making this too easy for me.
I am over there in a split second. She points to her lips, and I start feverishly kissing her. I hear her boyfriend say, “Alright! This is awesome!” as he watches.
She smells so good, like a perfect steak. One kiss becomes a nibble, which she doesn’t seem to mind. It’s when I start to nibble harder that she tries to push me away, but I’m too strong. I push her to the ground and tear into her lips. The blood pouring down her throat muffled her screams.
I have my back to her boyfriend, so he still has no idea that his make-out session has turned into a feast. I’m sure from his angle it just looks hot.
I begin to feast on her cheek meat. It is so tender that I give a moan of pleasure. She still fights underneath me, and I’m not one to play with my food, so I go in for my final bite. I chomp down on her throat. I chew the flesh and suck the blood flowing out. When she stops moving, I no longer have a desire to chew. Now that she’s dead, she smells like week-old garbage.
I’m still hungry, and the closest living thing is luckily right behind me. I stand and turn to face him. He’s smiling from all of the excitement, but it quickly fades when he sees my blood-covered face and clothing. He screams. The scream is very girly sounding, but it excites my hunger even further. I pounce and tear into his throat like a rabid dog. I chew until the screaming stops.
I dump his body beside his girlfriend and sit there, satisfied, as I watch the sunset. It is really beautiful. Such a shame they’ll miss it. I close my eyes and savour the taste in my mouth.
***
What seems like years later, I wake up on the ground. I squint in the darkness and can see the faint outline of trees surrounding me. My mind is fuzzy at first, but I force myself to try and remember the preceding events.
That’s right, I was on a hike earlier, but why didn’t I go home?
I stand, feeling very filthy and gooey. I rub my clothing, noticing a dark substance everywhere. When I raise my hands to the moonlight, they are stained red.
I give a silent scream and look for signs of life. My worst fears are realized when two bodies lay inches away from me.
I run towards them. There is no mistaking it: they are dead.
Their faces are almost chewed down to the bone. Oh God, what have I done? I sit in the dirt, sobbing and rocking back and forth.
This is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed in my life, and I am to blame.
I am a murderer! This realization makes me cry harder.
As I sob inconsolably, I hear a strange noise. I hope it’s a hungry animal that will devour me and put me out of my misery. That will be some sweet justice, won’t it?
I wipe my tears away and look for the source of the strange sound. There is a gurgling noise coming from one of the bodies.
“Holy shit! They’re alive?” I turn towards them again.
The bodies in front of me sound like they are moaning. I smile with a glimmer of hope. Perhaps I’m not a murderer just yet.
I crawl over to them quickly and hear the moaning louder now. They still seem pretty dead, but then again dead people don’t moan.
Their bodies start to twitch, and this frightens me so much that I crawl backward as speedily as a crab.
The next thing that happens is straight out of a Dracula film. They rise!
They lift their heads and then their torsos off the ground. Soon, they are standing and slowly walking towards me.
It dawns on me that I may have transferred the Azrael Virus to them, and they are now full-fledged zombies looking for food. I am that food.
Crap! I better do something quick.
I am surrounded by rocks and start by throwing some at them. It’s not working. It’s not even slowing them down. The male approaches me first and grabs at my clothing. I hold him back; the virus has made me strong, but I won’t be able to hold both of them off.
As my back pressed against the tall rock wall of the mountainside, I get an idea.
I smash his head against the rock wall as hard as I can. I hear a crack in his skull, and he crumbles to the ground. Guess all those zombie movies came in handy after all.
The next zombie comes at me with a chomping motion; I can hear the “clack” of her teeth. She looks famished.
I grab a big rock and run at her, smashing the rock down upon her head and taking her down. Then everything is silent again.
I try and take in everything that just happened. I know I did this, but I don’t remember how. I see
m to keep blacking out when I feed, and the worst part is whoever I feed on seems to come back. I can create zombies if I’m not careful. I can start a whole epidemic because what I create is very different from what I am. I still have feelings, I still look human, I can still talk, and I can heal. I wonder if these two can heal...
I wait for an hour, and when they don’t rise, I figure it is clear.
My hands are shaking as I move the bodies under a tree. They are side by side like an adorable little zombie couple. I ended their relationship and their lives. I feel guilty leaving the bodies out here in the open instead of burying them, but burial mounds out here will draw some attention. I hope police will deem this an animal attack.
As I walk towards my car, I think about Cam’s dad. Henry died from an apparent animal attack. What if I was that animal? And what if he is one of the undead now? He could attack our whole little town. Our families and our friends are in danger. I can’t believe I haven’t thought of this before. I have to get back to Alex and Cam, and we need to get home now!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ALEX
Eve bursts through our dorm room door in such a panic that I think a bomb might be dropping momentarily. I am half right; she hits us immediately with a verbal bombshell.
“I killed two people,” she sobs unattractively and slides down to the floor on her knees.
Cam and I stare at her with our mouths gaping open. What do you say to that?
Cam’s shock wears off sooner, and he sits beside Eve on the floor. He holds her close. I wonder if he will still be doing that if he knew what I know. He may be hugging his father’s killer right now. Mind you, I have no proof, but my gut tells me that Eve did it. I just don’t think now is the time to discuss who “might” have killed his father.
I know Eve’s our friend, but she is under the influence of the Azrael Virus, and that makes her no less dangerous. We have to be cautious. I don’t think Cam should be near her right now, but Cam and I will discuss that later.
