Zombies In Saudi Arabia

by Ibrahim, Andy

  "Is your phone working?" Malak asked Deema.

  "No, there's no reception," she said.

  The satellites were not working, all the phones and the internet were down. Luckily, I didn't need GPS. I had been to Bahrain too many times to count. It was like our country away from our country. East Coasters got it. We drove through detours and the panic, trying to get to the exit leading us out of downtown, people fighting everywhere I looked. The pitfall of law and order. We approached an inspection point, with two armed trucks on the side of the street. I slowed down. They could help us.

  "What are you doing? You can't stop!" May popped her head between the seats once more.

  "May, calm down. They can help.” I stopped between the trucks for a few seconds before realizing these trucks were abandoned, and from the looks of it, not recently.

  "Let's go," Malak said.

  We left the two trucks that could have answers. Sounds of explosions polluted the air. As bad as the siren was, it blocked all other sounds from traveling so freely. Malak and I looked at each other but didn't dare say a word. This was bad, really bad. We made our way to the Saudi-Bahrain borders. The streets were filled with abandoned cars, left on the sides. Some cars had the emergency flashers on. So many cars, so many people. Why were they fleeing and leaving their means of escape behind? It didn’t take long to reach our destination.

  "You know, I don't think driving here on a regular day would have been much different than driving with zombies," I said. I tried to break the tension.

  "Keep your eyes on the road," Malak said.

  "What! Zombies drive better than most people. Oh look.” I pointed at a car on the side of the road. "At least this guy has his right blinker on.”

  "That car is parked into a palm tree," Malak said, referring to the car which had a palm tree denting the middle of its hood.

  "That's not the point. The point is, he knew what a turn signal was for.” I smirked. “That’s rare.”

  "I don't think we're gonna make it," said May from the back seat.

  "I'm not the best driver, but I told you I have never driven on a highway—"

  "No! There's a pile of cars ahead. We won't be able to go through," May said.

  The bright sun rays were in my eyes, limiting my view but the image became clear the closer we got. A wall of cars stood in the close distance. Cars upon cars created a barricade. Who did this and why? Bahrain had safe zones. Why would they block the way to it? We couldn't drive through them. I was so lost in thought I was distracted for less than second, but snapped back when a shadow appeared in front of the car, and the car swerved sideways.

  "Shit." I slammed the brake and lost control of the car, but quickly regained it and gently pressed down on the brake pedal, parking the car sideways.

  "That thing came out of nowhere," I said, my shaky foot pressing lower on the brake even though we were at a full stop.

  "I think that was a tree," May said.

  "Why would a tree be crossing the street." I grunted and turned off the loud engine. We sat quietly, staring at the barrier of cars.

  "We have to find a way to get to the other side," Malak said, finally verbalizing the inevitable action that was required to be taken.

  "How about we stay in the car and wait?" May said.

  "Wait for what?" Malak asked.

  "She's right. There's nothing to wait for. No one is coming. All the phones have been off for hours, and no one even knows we’re here,” I said. “Bahrain is our best option.”

  “I can’t even get through to my family,” Deema said. “I hope they're safe.”

  “I haven’t heard from mine either,” May said.

  “I’m sure they are all safe.” Malak placed her hand on Deema’s knee. “They are far away from here. Both your families.” She glanced at May.

  “We don’t know where this started.” Deema’s words echoed in the car.

  "There has to be another way to get to Bahrain. This one is blocked," May stated the obvious.

  "There is, but not only would it take us another hour to get to it, but we have no idea what’s there. For all we know, it could be blocked. Plus, we need to save daylight," I rationalized.

  "We have nothing to defend ourselves with," Deema said.

  "We have some knives," Malak said. "At least it’s something.”

  "Yeah, let’s carry a kitchen knife," May said.

  “That’s the best idea so far,” I said.

  “That is not what I meant.” May shrugged and handed out the knives.

  "Only take what you need," Malak added. "We have to move light and fast."

  “May, can I have another knife? I dropped mine.” I took a knife and my purse, and dropped the car keys in it and opened the door.

  "I am not going down. There is no way I am going down there. There are zombies out there," May said. "Things that will eat us!"

  A few minutes later, we were all out of the car, tiptoeing side by side. We got closer to the pile of cars, searching for a gap to go through to the other side.

  "Stick close together and be as quiet as you can," I said.

  "We should have stayed in the car," May said but was ignored by us all.

  "How did this happen? Why are the cars piled up like this?" Malak asked.

  "There's enough space there." Deema pointed at a small gap between a few cars. "We can fit through it."

  We took turns, one at a time, going through the cars to the other side.

  “Now what?” May said. “Are we walking to Bahrain?”

  "We can look for an unlocked car," Deema said.

  "Not a stick. I only know how to drive automatic," I said. Malak seconded that.

  "Let’s check the closest cars to us, " she replied.

  "Get into any car," May said.

  I let out a squeaky scream; it was a gut reaction. The girls assumed attacking position. My eyes grow wider. "Do you see it?"

  "What. Where. Where are they?" May said.

  "Right there," I said.

  "Where? I don't see anything!" Malak looked around.

  "The Bentley, " I said in a dreamy tone.

  "The what?" Malak hit my shoulder.

  "What is wrong with you?" Deema said.

  "I am gonna kill you," May said.

  "Hey. Shh, you all!" I whispered. "Don't shout. They might hear us!" I ironically warned them. They all shot me an uneasy look, which didn’t bother me. I was high on driving that Bentley.

  "I think that would be a safe option," Deema said, pointing at a huge yellow monster Hummer.

  "Could have you chosen anything less stealthy?” I asked. "Plus gas.” I didn't know why I said that. I didn't think we had to worry about paying for gas under these new conditions.

  "I don't know. She's right. It's too big and we probably won’t be able to get between cars or tight places," Malak agreed.

  "I don't care if we get into a Prius," May added. "Let’s get out of here.”

  "Well, if you all insist." I walked toward the car. "Bentley it is," I said, trying to hide my enthusiasm but failing miserably.

  A new Mulsanne stood with all its elegance. The exterior a flawless glacier white, I ran my hand over the hood, across to the door of my dream car. I reached out for the handle. Please be unlocked, please be unlocked. I slid my finger in the handle and pulled it toward me. Click, it opened. A rush zapped through me as I peeked inside. The interior was a beige diamond-quilted twine leather with a black accent. A beauty.

  "Sara, check the gas before you get all excited," Malak said.

  It was too late. I was already mentally driving the car. I checked. "Full. I’ll check the inside," I said, scanning the front seats and quickly looking at the back, then got in and closed the door. Everyone did the same; Malak next to me in the passenger seat, Deema gracefully entered, and May hopped in as if she was chased. I adjusted the mirror and inhaled strongly through my nose. The car smelled of sandalwood. So intense, so rich.

  "Key, key," I hummed, searchi
ng around. A smart access key lay in the cup holder. I pressed the council button and it started; the engine roared softly. I placed one hand on the leather two-tone steering wheel, and the other on the gear, then pressed the B logo, unlocking the gear. I pulled it all the way down. I could definitely get used to this.

  “It’s roomy,” May said from the back.

  "I found money," Deema said. She held up a stack of hundred Riyal bills.

  "Where were you last week?" May asked the stack of money. Did money still have value?

  "Girls!” Malak said. “In front of us."

  Five zombies limped slowly past us, dragging their feet. I softened the headlights. "Duck," I whispered.

  "I don't get it," Malak asked, ducking behind the dashboard. “Why don't zombies attack each other?"

  "The only eat living human flesh. Once infected and full zombification takes place, the zombie is no longer alive, so its flesh is not palatable to other zombies," May said.

  "That sounds scientific, like you pulled it out of an article from Zombies Today,” I said, watching the zombies disappear out of sight. I got out of my hiding spot. I shifted the gear into drive, inhaled then exhaled and thrust my foot on the gas pedal. The car eloquently progressed. I steered around a few cars blocking part of the road, then got on the open highway. Nothing but smooth driving.

  "I’m driving a Bentley," I said with a goofy smile.

  "I hope this is safe," Malak said.

  "It’s perfectly safe. It's a safe car and it's fast," I pointed out.

  "I meant you. You’re too excited," she said.

  "Wow. As soon as I get a nice car, the haters start to come at me," I said.

  For a few moments, I forgot about zombies. I forgot about death. I forgot about everything. I was enjoying driving that car on the once-busy highway. Everything seemed okay now, but that wouldn't last long. I let my foot down on the gas pedal, and the car accelerated. The blast forward felt more like a smooth surge of seemingly limitless power. We picked up speed and zipped through the empty lanes.

  "Girls.” I checked the rearview mirror. “Seat belts."

  Chapter 19

  Rows and rows of palm trees passed us. Like a clip playing, flashing images in rapid speed stringing a constant series of different positioned palm trees, bringing them to life. We made our way to the border, attempting to leave the Saudi side behind. The toll booths were in view. I slowed down as we approached the brick-walled booth.

  "Any of you have any change?" I joked. The silence in the car took too much space.

  "Is anyone in there?" Deema asked, shuffling around behind me.

  "I don't know. The gates are closed.” I spoke too soon. The black boom barrier rose in a vertical arc and remained suspended in the air. I pulled up next to the window and peeked inside. "Oh," I gasped. Malak sighed a few seconds after.

  A border officer in full uniform sat in the booth, staring straight ahead. I leaned in further. He was looking at his blank monitor. Not looking at us. Focused on the black screen with his reflection, something was off about the reflection. The wide window allowed for a clear view of his profile and his upper body. His face pale, skin gray with dark circles around his eyes visible, there was dry blood oozing out. He swung his body back and pressed something on the side. The boom barrier came down, blocking the entrance. He swung forward, and the gates opened. Whatever he was pressing was controlling the gates. The gates opened once again, then closed. Opened. Closed. The hair on my neck stood. He was dead.

  "That's disturbing," Malak said, keeping her tone as low as she could. She dropped her gaze to the floor before turning away.

  "I don't wanna look," May said.

  "He's infected,” Deema started.

  “He's…dead,” I said.

  “Why is he still…does he still have his memories?" Deema asked.

  Did he? I repeated the question in my head. He was dead yet holding on to what was left of his past life, fighting to keep his humanity. Repeating an action he did over and over in life, but now in death. He kept pressing the button as if he had a purpose. If he was dead, but still possessed some of his memories, what did it mean? Was there a part of him still in there, waiting to be cured? Brought back to life? Hope.

  "As soon as the gate lifts all the way up," May said, “gun it!”

  Both Malak and I turned and looked at her. “Gun it?" I repeated. I couldn't resist the urge to mock her.

  "This isn't fast and furious! This is the return of the living Arabs." I smirked.

  "That’s not funny." She giggled nervously. "Just go fast. We don't want that thing coming down on the windshield.”

  "Yeah, I just got this car. I don't want anything happening to it," I said and did what I was told, gladly. I waited for the gate to go up once more, and then I “gunned it.” The tires thrummed, the engine revved, and we were off.

  We got back on the causeway, a bridge connecting Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. Bahrain is an island, which means access to it by land is limited. This could be a good thing in the light of the zombie outbreak. It could be the safest place so far. Unless it had spread as bad there, then it could be the worst place to be. Trapped. The roads were empty as we made our way east. Too empty. The surrounding light slowly disappeared, allowing for the night to enter the day. The bridge was behind us as we neared the border station, on an artificial island shared between the two countries, all the custom, immigration booths, and other government directorates stood deserted, cars abandoned on the sides of the road, countless military armed vehicles both from the Saudi and the Bahrain army, vacant. An ambulance among the vehicles had its lights still on. The coast guard towers looked empty from down here. But there could be someone up there. Looking down at us. We passed through the ghost checkpoints, between cars, and continued on to the other part of the causeway linking us to Bahrain.

  "Well… look at the bright side. It would usually take us at least three hours to go through customs," I said. Maybe that was how I was dealing with the situation. Humor.

  "I think they were evacuated," Malak said.

  "I think we're going the wrong way, again," May said.

  "I think we should all not jump to conclusions," Deema said.

  “How many times was ‘I think’ said in the past thirty seconds?” I asked.

  "They said on the radio that Bahrain is a safe zone," Malak said. “Why isn’t there anyone here?”

  The causeway started to lose light. Darkness gradually took over, activating the sensors. The streetlights came on, further illuminating the path. It was so tempting not to let my foot down on the accelerator and shoot through the empty lanes. But I didn’t. I took comfort in the quietness, away from the city’s chaos, till the horizon revealed smoke transforming the clear air to a black cloud of smoke. Darkness swept the highway, forcing me to slow down.

  "Where is that smoke coming from?" May asked.

  Visibility was at a minimum. The causeway route took us uphill, limiting any chance of seeing ahead. We followed the route to the steep bridge top, still nothing visible. We rolled downhill; the smoky air only thickened.

  "Slow down, Sara," Malak said.

  A blurry explanation slowly came into view. Cars in flames facing random directions burned ahead, beyond the cars a section of the bridge missing. The bridge ended abruptly, exposing the water beneath. I slowed down, allowing the brake enough time to stop before we reached the edge. We stopped before the hole in the bridge. A big chunk of the bridge was gone. We couldn’t cross to the other side, and even the thought of an attempt to cross this way was dismissed as soon as I saw the distance between the causeway and the angry waves of the water beneath the bridge.

  "They blew up the causeway," Malak said.

  Why? Is it to keep them in or to keep us out? A rush of ideas fogged my brain. Now, where do we go? “Any theories?” I asked.

  "They might be trying to control the virus from spreading," Deema said.

  "Bahrain closed off their borders," I said.

/>   "Or maybe we closed off the borders. Maybe the virus came from Bahrain," May said.

  It could be one explanation; the virus found its way to Saudi through Bahrain. The airport in Bahrain received millions of travelers despite its small location. King Fahd Causeway was Bahrain’s only terrestrial link, making it the crater of the volcano if it were ever to erupt. Blocking it would be the best temporary course of action. But why weren’t there any guards?