PANDORUM

by N. M. Black

  Leaving the hospital, I head back to the makeshift police station to see if we have any more trail cams I can put up around the perimeter to see if I can catch who or whatever’s been cutting the fences. As much as I don’t want to admit it, Chris is right. I need to make sure that if Adira is really here to warn us, then I have to have all our shit ready to go at the drop of a hat.

  I grab the trail cams, the mounts, and a lot of ammunition. I don’t want to be taken off guard again like last time I was out there. I grab everything I can take in one haul and load up my ATV.

  Driving down the main road to the front gate, I take in what we have managed to build here. It pisses me off that someone thinks they can come in and take over all our hard work. We’ve done well creating something so organized, and managed to keep the worst out.

  Being as we took over an ex-military base, we have a lot of the necessities to sustain life and protect us from everything out there, a lot of firepower and people who know how to use it. But if, by chance, the people coming for us are ex-military or they unleash one of those hybrid breeds of zombies, then we need to up our game here, or we won’t stand a chance.

  We’ve heard stories of what had been done the first few months the virus had spread, about military experiments gone wrong, and the monsters they had created. I have yet to see, or fight one myself, but Bea and Lucie had told us some pretty crazy stories about things they’ve come across out there. Things that we need to be prepared for.

  I pull up to the gate and let the crew on watch know I’m here. That I will be putting up more surveillance and to keep an eye on my six.

  As I make my way outside the gate and to the first bank of trees, I get an eerie feeling that I’m being watched. I know my guys have their eyes peeled and are watching for anything moving, but this feels predatory and I don’t like being the prey.

  I quickly get the cameras mounted before there is a chance for an ambush or attack of any sort and move to the next section. I alert the guys to keep a good watch and to call me if they see anything suspicious.

  Finally pulling up to the last part of the perimeter fence, I again, get the feeling of being watched. This time there are no guys on post, so it has to be something or someone else.

  I keep my rifle handy and get to work as quickly as possible. The moment I set up the trail cam, I hear a rustling sound from the bushes again just like last time. Knowing that Adira is still being held in the hospital, I realize that she isn’t the reason those walkers came to us and that she might actually be telling the truth.

  And that has me on fucking high alert.

  I scan my surroundings again, trying desperately to see anything, anything at all that gives away what’s out there or if it could be human or not. But I see and find nothing. Silence the only thing greeting me right now; causing unease to settle in.

  I don’t stick around to find out if there is someone out there or not. I alert the boys on shift to keep watch while I drive straight back to the hospital to talk to Adira, alone.

  I need to know what she knows, and I need to know now.

  I pull up to the hospital and park my ATV in the designated spot for our security staff. I don’t bother to address any of the receptionists or nurses but head directly for Adira’s room.

  When I stop to look in, I see that she’s sleeping, and Chris is crashed out on the chair next to her bed. Clenching my jaw, I swear I hear my back teeth crack as I take in how comfortable he’s made himself around her and how much it really pisses me off.

  He’s supposed to be by the door, not in here, with his boots on the foot of her bed, using a blanket to cover up and looking like they were watching TV together. Fuck, he might as well be spooned up with her on the goddamned bed sharing the comforter she’s huddled under.

  Why it’s pissing me off so much, I have no clue, which in turn, is pissing me off even more, adding to my already sour disposition.

  I slap Chris’s foot to get his attention and wake him up. He startles a little and immediately turns his attention to Adira as if she were the one to nudge him in need and ready for him to fight all her demons for her. He won’t be fighting shit for her if I break his fucking arm.

  When he realizes she isn’t the one that woke him, he turns his head in my direction. His eyes instantly widen in shock as he takes in my demeanor while I tower over him with my arms crossed. He shoots up from the chair, the blanket falling to the ground at our feet.

  “Hey Boss man, sorry I fell asleep. Adira asked me to come sit in here with her and watch tv. She said she was bored and a little nervous.” Hell, he’s looking a little nervous right now and I love that fact.

  “Fine. You can go now. I’ll take over watch for the rest of the night.” I state as I pick up the blanket and move the chair to the door where it’s supposed to be and take a seat. Hesitating at first, he looks between me and Adira, but decides to not push his luck. Good thinking, boy.

  I don’t acknowledge him as he scampers out of the room, but just look straight ahead as though I’m annoyed I have to be here. I am annoyed, but it’s at myself for the nonsense I’m feeling towards this woman. I’m getting pissed at my men for no real reason other than the fact that they’re near her.

  Once he’s gone, my attention goes immediately to Adira. Her wild mane of dark curls, such a contrast to her sickly pale skin, spread out over the pillow as she sleeps. Lips tinted red, probably from being in the cold so long. Something stirs inside me at the thought of her being out there, freezing, and unprotected.

  God dammit! I need to pull my shit together. She’s been here a total of a day and she’s already fucked with my head, consuming my every fucking thought, whether it be good or bad.

  I should be pissed at the fact that she hasn’t once said she’s sorry to me or asked how I’ve been since she took my life from me. But instead, I’m sitting here jealous over a little shit rent a cop we acquired, who has gotten the attention of the one woman I should despise with everything I have. But, fuck, I don’t.

  I should be angry with her, coming in and threatening what’s left of my existence and bringing up all the shit I’ve been trying to bury. Instead, I feel this unexplained need to protect her.

  Her sultry voice, her eyes and the sadness that shines through, calling out like a beacon to my own darkness. My body reacts to hers, wanting to be close. But the closer I get; the more control slips away from me and I struggle to keep to myself.

  Why her? Of all fucking people, why is she the one my body seems to crave right now?

  Whimpering sounds pull me from my thoughts and I snap my head towards the bed and see Adira fidgeting in her sleep, sweat beading on her forehead and neck. When I realize she’s having a nightmare, I move closer to the bed. I don’t know why, and I can’t seem to stop myself as I reach out to touch her arm to gently try and wake her.

  Just as I’m about to make contact, a strangled sound escapes her throat, as if she’s in pain. I am about to turn to get a nurse, when her eyes snap open and lock directly on mine, freezing me in place. They are not the gorgeous emerald green I saw earlier, but a weird yellow that seems to almost glow.

  Just like the infected!

  I pull my gun, resting it against her forehead, ready to end this when she reaches her hand up and grips my forearm in a hard grasp, earning my full attention.

  “Please don’t. I’m not infected I swear. It’s just a side effect.”

  I halt all movement as I try to take in her words. Side effect? Side effect of what? How is she functioning if she’s infected? Why isn’t she rabid? My mind running rampant with millions of questions and scenarios, trying to make sense of what she’s telling me.

  As though she hears my thoughts, she continues with my gun still pointed in her direction, my finger ghosting over the trigger, begging for a reason to end this now.

  “As you know, I was on active duty when the outbreak hit. The government injected all of us on the front line with ‘The Cure’ so that we wouldn’t die and
turn, if we were bitten. But they didn’t tell us what it was or its side effects. To be honest, I’m not sure they knew the side effects either, but by that point it was too late.” She looks defeated after saying the words.

  “They made us stronger, faster and immune to the bites, creating a weapon that they thought could be wielded at their disposal. Sent us out on clean up missions to rid the earth of those infected and beyond saving, to start over.”

  I lower my gun and tuck it away. My eyes don’t leave her as I go over and grab the chair by the door and pull it up next to the bed. I have no idea what to say right now, my emotions a full-on amusement park at this point, so I stay silent.

  I nod at her to continue and try to brace myself for the mountain of shit that I’m sure is about to hit me.

  I knew I had to give him something in order for him to trust me. So, I try to start at the beginning and make him see I’m not a threat to anyone here, especially him.

  “When the outbreak began, I had just started a round of fertility treatments. I was trying to have a baby, so I was taking fertility drugs and then when I was ready to be inseminated, they gave me a trial drug to help the process along. To build my immunity to outside sources that could cause a miscarriage.” I pause a moment to collect myself to continue, but when I inhale my breath is shaky.

  “Like I said before, we were injected with what they called 'The Cure', but what they really did was inject us with a tampered version of the original virus they got from the U.S. government. They injected every military worker with this but didn’t know the side effects and of course, based on each person, it reacted differently. They deployed us in major populated cities that they projected to have higher outbreak activity so that we could fight them off before it spread. But they didn’t predict that medications mixed with the virus would cause all sorts of different and unexpected changes. The only thing that remained the same in every case was that we were cognizant. Eventually, they started giving out different strengths of the virus, causing the different breeds you come across now with enhanced variations. They created a weapon to fight the infected, but they couldn’t control them.”

  Lochlan is silent the whole time, watching me with intense eyes, taking in every word and waiting for me to continue.

  “I think because of the drugs from my invitro, the virus didn’t react the same for me. Where others were turning into monsters and unable to control themselves, I was getting stronger. The trial drug that was given to me during treatments was an immunity booster which fought off the zombie virus, making me immune to it and any bites. I have the speed, the strength and the ability to kill them, but also the pale and deathly looking skin, you saw the eyes, and then there’s the hunger.”

  He narrows his eyes and asks, “What does that mean? Do I have to worry about you biting someone or turning them? Can you turn them? How does that even fucking work?” He practically spits the questions at me as he stands from his chair sending it skittering across the floor.

  He starts pacing, running his fingers through his hair in frustration as he turns to me.

  “Well?” he demands.

  “I don’t know, OK?! What I do know is that every part of me is hungry for something. Craving something. But nothing seems to sate it. If I get bitten the urge to feed is much stronger, and as I take more of the virus into my system, it takes more time to burn it off. Violently, I might add.”

  He doesn’t say anything, so I continue.

  “I don’t bite people. I still have control most times and no, I can’t turn anyone.” His head immediately snaps in my direction, having put two and two together that I have bitten someone and know they won’t turn. He doesn’t ask thankfully, and I don’t divulge further.

  I sit up in the bed and try not to cower under his intimidating stare as he glares at me, the rage he emits is powerful, sucking all the oxygen from the room. The angrier he gets the bigger he seems and the more space he manages to take up.

  My voice sounds so small when I try to start talking, so I clear my throat and try again. “I can help you. I know what’s out there and what’s coming.” I hold my breath waiting for him to say something, anything. But he just looks at me with open disdain. I can see him warring with himself, his emotions flashing across his face.

  I know the hatred he has for me for what I’ve done is holding him back. I reach my hand out towards him, but he pulls away, and starts pacing again, his movements jerky and sporadic. He’s like a wild animal, skittish and afraid of contact. The more I try to mollify him, the angrier he becomes.

  I try one more time, appealing to his softer side, and praying that my apology is enough to make him overlook our past, and see the potential danger that is approaching.

  “I know it doesn’t help and I know it doesn’t mean a damn thing now, but I’m truly sorry. For everything. I did what I-”

  But I don’t get to finish, as he stops instantly and turns on his heel, redirecting all his anger, all his hatred at me and locks eyes once again. I swallow the hard lump that’s formed in my throat at the look in his eyes.

  “You’re sorry?” He growls, low in his throat as he stalks towards me.

  I should not find this sexy, but I do. My cheeks redden as I fight my body’s urge to rub my thighs together to ease the ache that has started to build. I should be scared shitless, but for some reason I’m not. I should not be thinking of him in these ways, but I can’t stop my body’s reaction to his voice.

  He leans in and braces his hands on either side of me, caging me in and setting my body on fire. His face so close to mine, I could steal the breath right out of his mouth. I lick my lips, suddenly parched and his eyes track the movement from one side to the other.

  “I don’t care you’re sorry. I don’t care you feel bad, or that you’re crazy because of it. I don’t accept your apology and I want you out of here as soon as your ass can walk.” His voice so low I can practically feel the vibrations throbbing against my clit.

  “Stay out of my way or I. Will. Kill. You.” His close proximity is screwing with my head, and my breathing picks up making it sound like I’m panting. His mouth quirks on one side, probably thinking it’s fear that has me reacting like this.

  A flush breaks out across my skin and my body is practically arching towards him needing him to touch me. He stands abruptly, turns on his heel and walks out the door. Leaving me a trembling mess to sort out my thoughts and emotions.

  I guess it could have gone worse.

  Fuck! That did not go as planned. I got some info but not the info I needed or came for. She just gets under my skin and I hate that I allow it. The whole time I was pissed and angry at her, but my body wanted something completely different.

  The moment she opened her eyes, that piercing yellow, a stark contrast to her pale skin and dark hair, giving her an almost ethereal look. had my dick hard instantly, screaming for attention. I groan just thinking about it and have to adjust myself.

  I know she isn’t telling me everything, but I wasn’t expecting her to drop the bomb about being a hybrid zombie. That royally fucked with my head. All I could think about was, is she infectious? And if she is immune, could she be the cure? Could she have saved Olivia’s life? The more information she gave, the more questions I had.

  But then she started to apologize. It was like a bucket of ice-cold water was dumped over my head, causing this psychological roller coaster ride to derail completely.

  Storming through the hospital and out the front, I walk over to Bea’s place, and to her back yard where she keeps a key hidden. She isn’t back from her scavenge trip and being that she is an alcoholic, she always returns with a decent haul of liquor. I know she always has some and after having blown through most of my stash the other night, I need it more than she does.

  Heading back to my ATV with a bottle in each hand, I get quite a few stares, likely already telling Tripp and Grey about it. Nothing goes unnoticed in this community. I don’t bother to acknowledge the looks and wor
ds of disapproval and head straight home.

  I strip out of my clothes, thankful for a cold shower to try and erase the day and any wayward thoughts I’ve been harboring about a particular dark haired beauty. Thoughts and desires I haven’t had since my wife was alive.

  No matter how potent my hatred for her is, the moment my mind wanders to Adira, my body’s response to her is instantaneous. My temperature rises and heat washes through me, even under the cold spray. I slide my hand down my body, over my abs, to my growing shaft and I give it a quick pump. My knees buckle, and I almost drop at the pleasure that shoots through me.

  I squeeze my throbbing cock harder, hoping pain will make the ache go away but it’s no use. The rougher I am, the harder I get, making me angry that she is the source of my chaotic thoughts.

  The angrier I get, the faster my hand pumps and I know I’m close as my movements become jerky. I give it one last squeeze and my eyes shut and the image of Adira gripping my cock from behind and jerking me off, has me shooting my load all over the shower floor. I slap my hand against the tile wall to steady myself as I groan in relief, watching the remnants of my confusion towards Adira, go down the drain.

  After my shower and changing into lounge pants, I make my way out to the living area, grabbing one of the bottles and taking a seat in the chair facing the window that faces the forest. The same forest that Adira came crashing through and into my life, effectively destroying it for the second time.

  I need to stay away from her from now on, for my own sanity. But even as I say those words, I know my body won't allow it. It hasn’t even happened yet and already I feel a hole forming in my chest. I lift the bottle and take a long, hard pull from it, the burn not as harsh as last night. The warmth that spreads through my body has the exact effects I was searching for.

  But before the darkness takes over completely, I see her face. I close my eyes hoping to block it out, but all I see is the piercing yellow of Adira’s gaze when she woke from her nightmare. Those eyes that project anguish and vulnerability causing a sick part of me to crave it, just for the selfish purpose of being the one to soothe it.