by Maxey, Phil
“Staff room. Where we used to eat,” said Alana.
“The things in there. They’re Biochron’s workers?”
Scott sighed then nodded.
Jess looked back to the door, forcing her hand on the handle. She thought the idea that the things’s thought she was one of them… not completely crazy, no matter how much that made her want to retch.
I can do this…
“Stay close,” she said. “And do not start firing unless you have to.”
“I ain’t making no promises,” said Scott. He flicked on a light, which was attached to his gun.
“No. No lights. It will attract them.”
He frowned, clicking it off.
She took a deep breath, then turned the handle and pushed it open. A fury of sounds erupted through the inch of gap. To her it was the sound of torment. A stench carried with it groans and rasps, but she resisted closing the door and peered inside. Something stood just a few feet to her left. At least six-feet tall with no obvious shape. A festering mound, with moist voids which opened and closed. Was it looking at her?
Close the door Jess… close the door…
Sam and Josh’s smiling faces moved into her mind and with them came a reminder of how she felt when she thought a part of her family was gone forever. Whatever fate lay ahead it could not be worse than losing them and her mind.
“How’s it look?” whispered Lucas.
She ignored him and swung her view to the right, sweeping across broken tables and overturned chairs and… Glimpses of shadowy forms came and went within what the stairwell light allowed. A vision descended from nightmares.
I can do this…
She pushed the door further, taking a cautious step onto the stained tiled floor. Something groaned to her left. The mass of tissue quivered. She took a further step, walking fully into the room waiting for the glistening forms to suddenly lunge in her direction, but instead they remained static. She waved her hand behind her, beckoning the others to join her in the madness.
The space was maybe twenty feet across but it was hard for her to gauge in the gloom. She moved further into the darkness, leaving the sanity of the light behind her, and moved around a crumpled table with rotting food on scattered plates, her eyes darting left and right, trying to remember where the closest thing was.
A dark shape grew in size to her right. She heard one of the soldiers, maybe both, raise their weapons in that direction.
“No!…” she whispered between gritted teeth, continually moving forward.
I can do this…
The stairwell light began to flicker. She heard an intake of breath from those around her.
No…
She crunched something beneath her boot, not being fully sure if it was alive or the remains of the dead, but panic was clawing at her mind, making her move faster and faster, regardless of whether the others were behind or not.
The light completely failed, plunging them into a sea of oily black so thick you could almost touch it.
Which… direction… Forward? Was there some—
A rasping noise came from her left, as a foul stench wafted across her. Her heart pounded in her chest as fear threatened to overwhelm her thoughts.
Run Jess, Run…
Her muscles tensed in preparation, but her logical mind stopped her legs from propelling her forward, mindful of any sudden movement might be enough to end all their lives. Unfortunately Scott felt different.
A burst of repeating sparks erupted from his submachine gun accompanied with cracks of sound and in the light show the mass of shadowy forms expanded. Teeth, claws, wings? Or was it arms? They flailed at the imposters as the other soldier now opened up as well, her attempt to survive cut short as something scythed across her.
Jess was already running before Alana’s blood covered the floor and in her right arm she pulled a human. A man responsible for ending the world. Without any true sense of where she needed to go, she blindly stumbled forward as Lucas screamed and yelled, his protests being swallowed by the cacophony of roars and screeches which filled every inch of the staff dining room until she slammed into something which rattled. Instinctively she grabbed for a handle and on finding one, pulled it down and flung herself and him through the doorway. Scott staggered through as well, firing behind him then pulled it closed.
Immediately a thud was followed by a fury of scrapping noises as the door continually shuddered on its hinges. Jess stood, mesmerized, wondering if it would give way and death would come surging out. But it held and the sounds subsided.
“You… did…”
She spun around just as Lucas started to collapse. She reluctantly caught him before he hit the ground. The back of his shirt was torn in shreds, as was his back. Blood oozed from multiple wounds.
“You… are… not getting… out of this place… without me…” he said, his words being forced from his lungs.
She flicked her head to the soldier who was out of breath, but seemingly uninjured. “What does he mean?”
“He’s got the code for the external door, above us.”
“What about this?” She held up the silver card.
“Only works inside, and anyway we already tried to get it out of him.”
“That’s why you’re still with him!”
Scott frowned.
“Is there a medical facility near us? On this floor?”
“Umm… yeah, I think so. Beyond the cells.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
10:47 p.m Highway 54.
Landon scoured the darkness at the side of the highway for any sign of movement, or the living. He would take either. His mind flashed back to his days patrolling the streets of Denver on the night shift. Moving from a car jacking to a domestic, but he always had Jess and the kids to come home to. The rock which tethered him to sanity no matter how crazy things got at work. He swallowed as his emotions threatened to get the better of him and redoubled his focus on the world outside, but his mind kept posing questions he didn’t want answers to.
Jess can see real good in the dark… not like before… not when she was… human…
“Stop moving!” protested Agatha from the seats behind. “I’m trying to sleep.”
“It ain’t me, it’s Donnie!” replied Toby.
“You should all sleep,” said Brad, driving. He shared a brief smile with Landon then looked in the rear mirror again at the kids. “We’ll let you know if we find them.”
“When,” said Landon continuing his search.
“Um yes, when.”
“What is the plan for when that happens?” said Arlo, seated behind Landon. Warren was in the bed in the back, trying to keep warm.
There was a moment of pause from the two in front.
“Take the vaccine back,” said Landon.
“Yeah but, they probably got weapons just like we have, and they ain’t going to be giving it up without a…” He glanced at the kids next to him. “Fight.”
“We do what we need to.”
Silence returned to the cabin as trees and the occasional barn passed by.
Arlo caught a green road sign, just as the others did. “Hey, there’s a superstore up ahead, we can stock up on supplies. I don’t know about everyone else, but…” He caught Landon looking at him in the mirror, then looked away. “Just saying, I’m hungry.”
Brad nodded, glancing at his passenger. “It’s not a bad idea. You can get some painkillers and a sling. Maybe even—”
“Yeah, it’s fine. As long as we’re quick.”
The young paramedic nodded.
Following the directions, they took the next exit, moving back across the highway. The raised position allowed them to see the sprawling parking lot and the block-like silhouette of the huge building at the back of it. Landon half hoped to see Clint’s stolen car parked in the middle of the concrete, but there was just empty space.
The pickup bumped over the curb, taking a shortcut across the faded grass then back down onto the lot
and drove a direct line all the way to the glass entrance, where it sat, its engine idling and the occupants looking at the darkness beyond which the headlights could not penetrate.
“Can I have a soda?” said Toby, observing the vending machine to the left of the entrance.
Warren had already jumped down, his shotgun in hand and was walking cautiously towards the double doors. Brad started to get out.
Landon looked at him. “You need to be here to look after the kids. Arlo and I will go inside.” He pushed open his door. “If you see any threat, fire off the rifle.”
“You won’t know what medication to get!”
Landon awkwardly got out, trying to ignore the throbbing in his arm. “The pills that stop the pain. I get it. Just keep a watch out.” He slammed the door to Agatha’s fading words of ‘Can you get me a..’ Arlo joined him, both men watching Warren trying to see inside the store’s entrance, then walked across the sidewalk to see for themselves.
Warren tried the handle on the door but it remained firmly shut.
“There’ll be a side entrance,” said Landon walking along the sidewalk, the others following.
A cool wind blew across them all as they covered the distance along the high sided building, moving past huge glass windows that hinted at what was inside.
“Doesn’t look looted,” said Arlo.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” said Warren.
“There could still things. Be alert,” said Landon, scanning across the dark forms of trees and nearby buildings.
They were now outside the range of any help from the headlights, and as each of them moved further into the darkness, they slowed, using their senses to give them warning of something out of place.
Landon spotted a lighter rectangular shape and moved towards it. “There’s a door…” He strained to see the area near the handle. “Been broken open.”
“Not the kind of thing one of those monsters would do…” said Warren.
“Nope. Like I said, be alert.” He pushed it all the way. It creaked and splinters fell to the ground.
Warren turned on his small flashlight and they all walked into a narrow corridor, with posters advertising the company, dotted along it.
The door at the end was slightly open. There was a slight draft coming from it and Landon sniffed the air.
“No bad smells. That’s good,” he said then pushed the door further.
Warren’s beam first caught sight of boxes, partially torn open, their contents of canned fruit scattered on the dusty floor nearby. He swung the light around showing metal shelving full of wooden crates, which in turn contained more boxes, full by the looks of the untouched plastic covering.
Landon looked upwards at the ceiling some twenty-feet above, then back down to Arlo already delving into a nearby box as if it contained treasure. The older man pulled out a candy bar and eagerly ripped its wrapping off and starting chewing.
“Hey, throw me one of those,” said Warren.
Arlo nodded at the wall behind Landon. “Look.”
He turned. A large flashlight, together with some heavy duty gloves hung on the bare brick surface. He noticed the empty hooks to the left of them, but grabbed both, turning the light on then slipped his hands into the gloves, placing one on his useless hand. “I’m going to go see what else there is. I want to be out of here in ten. Everyone got that? Oh, and get some water.” They nodded.
He looked at the signs attached to the end of the aisles and walked past, ‘confectionary’, ‘non-foods’, ‘pet food’ until coming to ‘outdoor’ and walked slowly between the towering shelves, stopping at a box and tearing it apart. Winter jackets and backpacks looked up at him. He looked about the narrow space, noticing boxes indicating camping stoves, further down, knifes and two-way radios. He walked to a cart, pulled it over and starting filling it.
It wasn’t long before there wasn’t any space left inside. He pulled the plastic container of a radio set apart and clicked the button to turn it on. Static came from the speaker. He nodded to himself, then dropped it on top of the other stuff and pushed the trolley to the end of the aisle, pointing the powerful beam back to where he came into the building. “Warren? Arlo? You done?”
There was only silence.
Too quiet…
He nudged the cart slowly forward, his hand ready to grasp a hunting knife in its sheath under his jacket. “We need to—”
A car horn boomed outside, making him flinch and flick the knife out towards the surrounding dark.
That’s not a rifle shot…
His instincts were screaming that something was wrong. It was the same feeling he had when he entered the scene of a crime. Before even the yellow tape was around the room. The tragedy had stained the location and he could feel it in his bones. As he walked down the aisle he was having the same sensation.
The door to the main store was open. He walked through it, immediately seeing the glow from the front of the building, and as he walked past the smaller shelves towards the checkouts, he could see the source were headlights. In the glare were people, but he couldn’t see beyond their forms. That was enough though. He had found what he had been looking for.
One of the entrance glass doors was pushed open, the chain that was holding it closed, broken on the floor. There was also a dark red smudge across it. Landon slipped through the gap trying to see if the others were in the pickup still when a sound made him flick his view to the left. To another vehicle. The kids were huddled together, with the tall figure of Jay behind them. Even in the gloom Landon could see him smiling. Another smaller silhouette was in the backseat, no doubt, Tracey.
A snigger drew his attention back to the front. As his eyes adjusted he could see Warren on the ground, bent over.
“I reckon you been looking for us, ain’t that so?” said Clint. “But we found you first!” He waved a pistol in no particular direction.
“We’re just looking for supplies, like you.”
“Don’t lie to me, boy! I know you want’s inside that box! But we got it! It’s ours!”
“I don’t care about that. I care about food and water! That’s why we’re here! And if you keep making noise, you’re going to attract the things!”
Clint sniggered again. “They ain’t gonna save you this time!”
“We’re no threat to you. Just let us keep the stuff from—”
A boom hit Landon’s ears as Warren’s body fell to the ground in slow motion. He started to move to the kids, but Jay held a gun to Agatha’s head.
The car door flew open, a young woman getting out. “You said you weren’t going to hurt them!” shouted Tracey at her pa.
“Get back in the car!” he shouted in response. The headlights from the pickup flickered.
As a pool of blood grew around Warren’s lifeless body, Landon focused on Jay, whose attention was now on his sister and father. But the gun was still just a foot away from the child’s head.
I can’t get to him in time… it’s too...
A dark mass was growing in size across the parking lot, and he was sure he could feel the subtle tremor beneath his boots. Something was charging towards them, and the arguing, murdering family was oblivious. As Clint angrily shouted at his daughter, and she the same him, Landon watched the shadow take form. About the size of a compact, multiple legs scurried, scrapped the ground. It was just seconds away.
Jay turned his head, then leaned forward. “Pa…”
He’s seen it. This is my chance.
The creature leaped into the air, Clint looking up at it, mouth agape, his scream lasting as long as the boom and flash from his gun. It collapsed on top of him, bony claws tearing away at an already dead man.
Landon surged forward, picking up Helen with his good arm. “Come on!” he shouted to the others, all of them rushing back towards the entrance as Jay stood mesmerized by what remained of his quivering father.
He staggered forward, firing shot after shot, the bullets pinging off what appeared
to be some form of huge arachnid. It spun around in one movement, as empty clicks came from his gun.
Landon hit hard against the glass door, pain shooting across his entire chest, pushing it open as the other kids ran inside, then turning and pulling it closed. He grabbed the cart, pushing then toppling it over in front of the door, while glancing at the kids. “Run! Find somewhere to hide!” They scurried away into the shadows as he looked back outside. Jay was running across the lot, the thing in pursuit, both being swallowed by the night until a scream lasting less than a second rang out.
“Hey!”
Landon spun around, holding the knife towards Arlo. “Where were you?”
“Hiding! I heard a shot!”
“Where’s Brad?”
“I don’t…”
Landon turned, following Arlo’s gaze to beyond the glass door and the thing thundering towards it.
“Fuck,” said Landon. “These doors won’t…” A figure ran across the lot, jumping in the pickup.
“What’s he doing?” said Arlo, shaking his head.
Both watched open-mouthed as the vehicle reversed towards the creature, steering left… then right… then… The pickup smashed into it.
“Yeah!” shouted Arlo, punching the air but the creature, leaving a leg on the ground, slowly got back up.
“Hit it again, Brad!” said Landon. “Again!”
The engine roared and it surged backwards, but this time the creature was ready and it sprang up, into the air, landing heavily on the roof, which partially crumpled under the weight. As it tore away at the metal beneath it, the pickup kept on going, receding into the darkness, two cones of light growing smaller and smaller until somewhere near the entrance to the lot, they abruptly stopped moving, then extinguished completely.
“No…”
Rifle shots echoed in the distance.
Arlo placed a hand on the glass. “Maybe…”
Landon sighed. “There’s nothing we can—”
Something banged up against the door making them both jump. Donnie looked up at them, scraping at the glass. Landon pulled the cart back, opening the door.
