by Tahnee Fritz
I slip into my leather boots and zip them over my jeans. Then I stand from the bed and stretch my arms over my head, listening to my elbows cracking. I roll my neck, hearing the same popping sound, then take a step away from the bed. My shades are sitting neatly on the desk by the door and I gracefully take them and slide them over my nose. I grab my jacket that was hanging on the doorknob and put it on and zip it up about halfway.
Before I leave the room, I take a long look back at Jason. He hasn’t moved since I woke up and he is in such a deep slumber it is not likely that he’ll wake up any time soon. As much as I would love to have him explore this place with me, I feel the need to be on my own.
I grip the knob and quietly pull the door open. I step into the silent hallway and close the door without making a sound.
This part of the school appears to be empty. The guard that normally stands outside my room is gone. I stroll down the middle of the hallway and pass the room that smells of blood. Only one man stands by this door and he looks tired. There are dark purple bags under his eyes and he yawns as I pass by him. I smile and shake my head as I keep my feet moving in the direction of the cafeteria.
Voices are starting to flutter in this part of the school and all of them are coming from the cafeteria. The scent of eggs drifts up my nose and I grimace. Humans might enjoy that taste, but no part of that yolky odor is appealing at all to me.
I walk through the open doors and spot Trevor sitting at one of the tables closest to the windows. The man with the Mohawk sits across from him, devouring the meal as though it is his last. Three young women dressed in low cut shirts and skin tight jeans sit around Trevor, drooling over his leadership. The bleach blonde massages his scalp while he takes a drink of water. A brunette is practically sitting on his lap waiting to feed him his next bite and the youngest of the three stands behind him rubbing his shoulders.
I stare at the smug look on his face. He appears to be a man who has everything he truly desires. The girls surrounding him, this mansion of a home made from an old school, and the love of all those people camped in the grass outside in the cold. He has the power to lead his army, the army that I gave him, and take them to the farthest corners of the globe and gain absolute control all because of me.
Trevor eyes me as I stand near the wall closest to the door and I pass him my most devilish grin. He might not understand all of my capabilities or even want to understand them, but I can see that he enjoys having me around. All he cares about is that I obey him and give him the cure he feels he deserves. He might not know about the secrets roaming through my mind or the demented thoughts I sometimes think of whenever I look upon his hideous face. I can’t quiet grasp why I am so vengeful when I am near him, but I love the feeling. It is one of the best, most strongest parts of my being.
The rest of these people don’t bother glancing my way or giving me one of the many praises that I have grown used to since I was brought inside. It is nice to be appreciated sometimes, but that can get distracting and I don’t go for that.
“Good morning.” Speaking of a distraction, Neil is walking up to me chewing on a piece of toast.
I play nice and smile right back, “Morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” he asks, then acts like he’s confused, “Or do you even sleep? I guess I don’t know too much about you. The zombies just slow down, they don’t really fall asleep and as far as I know, the vamps simply keep moving and hunting.”
“I sleep.” I say quickly, getting him to shut up.
He smiles and says, “Good. People deserve sleep. It gives us time to unwind and think about things.
“I take it you had a lot to think about last night.” I say.
Neil takes another bite of bread, then speaks with his mouth full, “I did think a lot, but I didn’t get much sleep because of it. I just can’t rack my brain about what makes you tick. I studied your blood under a microscope dozens of times yesterday.”
“What did you find?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“You are very similar to zombies and the vamps. The cells are dead and the blood doesn’t move. It just sits stagnant in your system yet it somehow has the ability to reproduce itself. I’ll need stronger equipment to get to the bottom of things, but I’m going to find out everything I possibly can about you.” Neil rambles on and on, not giving me anything worth listening to. “Maybe one day, after some testing and experiments, I can find a cure for you. Of course, I would need a bigger sample and you would have to be willing to be a part of the tests, which we won’t know if they would be fatal or effective. I believe it would be worth...”
“Who said I wanted you to find a cure?” I ask, interrupting him. “I never asked you to look into something like that especially when I don’t want to be cured.”
He raises an eyebrow and shakes his head, “I’m sorry, I just thought you would want to be human again once the world is cured. I mean, I would want that more than anything.”
“Well, I’m not like you. I enjoy this life and everything I can do with it.” I snap.
“But, don’t you want the life you used to have? There has to be someone out there that you care about enough to want to go back to your old life. Living as a dead creature, doomed to wander the earth for God knows how long, that’s not what us humans were meant for. You should want a cure for yourself.” Neil insists.
I pass him an annoyed smile and say, “I don’t want a cure. I wasn’t meant to live as a normal human that is why I was given this life in the first place. I was not strong enough to fight the pain before this and now I am. There isn’t even the slightest part of me that wants to trade what I have now to live as a pathetic human being.”
Neil looks shocked at what I’ve just said, like he has never heard someone say that they are happy with their life. He should get used to hearing it from me because the part of me that may have wanted a cure is gone.
He finally nods his head and accepts my answer, “Fine, I’m sorry I ever brought up the subject. I’ll just leave you alone until Trevor sends you down to my room.”
I shrug as he walks away from me and turn my attention to the window. My hand is shaking as I stare at the bars protecting the glass from the outside. My fingers on my right hand are twitching and I glance down to see it. I ball it in a tight fist, then grab onto it with my left hand to stop the shaking.
There is no reason for me to feel anything other than glee for my current state of being. I love what I am.
I grit my teeth and turn my attention back to the man who drives the revenge out of me and the shaking slowly goes away until my mind is completely blank once more.
* * *
After breakfast and the grueling moments I spent listening to those girls swoon over Trevor as he pulled himself away from them, he decided that we would go outside and visit with the common folk. He told me that even more people have flocked this way since I was brought into the school. I guess once they heard that I was willing to give up the cure, they eagerly volunteered to follow Trevor wherever he may go.
Stupid humans. They will never learn.
The sun is hidden by a few clouds this morning and there is no breeze to bring a chill to the air. It is warmer than it has been and many of the people have shed their heavier coats for the day. The thick fabric and the cold air conceals their scent, so I am finding my own joy in this warm day.
As Trevor had stated, the crowd doubled over the last ten hours. Tents and other manmade shelters have completely covered the school yard. Some have even taken over the lawns of the nearby houses as well as barging into the homes for shelter.
The larger men have joined the rest of Trevor’s army. They are being taught how to use a certain type of gun underneath a tent close to the school building. The women are busy cleaning clothes and making breakfast for their families and loved ones.
I stare at them in awe. They are living right on top of each other in this small area of space. It’s as though they believe being this close to the cure will g
rant them the ability to use it whenever they please. Maybe they think it will land right in their laps if they close their eyes and pray hard enough. Like I would ever do something as ridiculous as give these random people a gift as amazing as what flows in my blood. Trevor is lucky to have what I chose to give him so far.
I follow him and the few others who walk with us. I step foot on the grass outside and instantly feel hundreds of eyes upon me. People have stopped what they are doing, turning their heads to eyeball the current savior of mankind. Their jaws drop and they ask various questions if I am really the cure or if I’m really what they say I am. I actually wish there was a zombie or a vamp right here so I can show them the gift they have been longing to see. That would be a satisfying reward for all of us.
Trevor and I walk on. Unfortunately there are no zombies lurking through this crowd or vampires hiding in the shadows.
The people move out of the way and back away from me when I get too close to them. Fear protrudes from their pores and is written on their faces when I glance to them. Some try to hide their disgust when they get a glimpse of my pale skin and demonic appearance.
They think of me as a freak of nature cursed to walk the earth as one of the undead. At least I am a freak who serves a purpose. Those zombies and vampires out there, they are good for nothing other than providing me with a snack. I need them around in order for these people to need me. If those creatures are gone I will be useless, but I could still have some fun with my life. Humans will always be here to taunt, to sneak a quick taste when I want one. It would be so easy too.
I smile and let out quiet laugh thinking about how these humans see me and everything I could do to them if I were given the chance. My smile confuses the few standing closest to me and they quickly retreat only forcing my smile to widen.
Trevor is leading me to an area in the grass he has covered with a large canopy to block the sun. There are a few folding tables set up on the grass that people are gathered around. A few of them are the vamps I cured, trying to learn new ways to fight and take down an enemy. They are uncoordinated and clumsy, but they still try. At another table, a muscular woman is showing three small children how to load a gun and aim properly. I guess it’s good to get them started while they’re young.
I stand at one of the metal support posts and watch as the crowd moves away from me. I fold my arms over my chest and stare at them with defiance in my posture and a smirk on my face.
A young girl and her father approach me, getting closer than any other person has dared since I came out here. The little girl holds onto a stuffed dog like her life depends on it and the man keeps a strong grip on her shoulders in case she chooses to stray too far from him. He stares at me in shock, with his mouth hanging open and shame in his eyes. They move within a few feet from me, then stop and stare, waiting for me to acknowledge them.
“Can I help you?” I ask, giving them what they want.
“What are you doing, Bridget?” the father asks. “Why did you choose to join him?”
I run my fingers through my hair and say, “I take it you know the old me.”
He passes me a look of confusion and says, “What do you mean?”
I shrug, “ Exactly what I said. You clearly aren’t here to see me when you expected to see the weak thing I used to be. I hate to tell you that she’s gone now.”
“So your plan worked then.” He states and lowers his eyes. “You wanted to make everything disappear, I guess it worked.”
I smile and say, “Of course it worked. You think she could keep me locked away from this world forever? I am the main part of her life, the only part that means something to the world she planned on saving.”
“So you still plan on giving the cure to those who need it?” he asks.
“What does it matter to you? You aren’t sick or dying or part of the undead and neither is your daughter. Why do you care who gets the cure?”
“Because humans deserve it. I know you used to think the same thing. I know you wanted it and wanted to be out of this place more than anything. When you first came here, I knew you were scared and sad, but you still refused to give Trevor what he wanted.”
The man moves closer to me and keeps his voice low so only I can hear him speak. “Whatever this is that you have become, I know you still want the same thing. You don’t want that man to get what he wants when he has hurt you in a way that can’t be undone. You want the revenge I know you deserve so you can get out of here. Think about it and you’ll see that I’m right.”
I smile and tilt my head to the side. I like this man. He speaks his mind and says things that really get on my nerves, but I like that.
I lean closer to him and see his grip tightening on his daughter’s shoulders, “You’re right. As annoying as you may be right now, you are right about revenge. I don’t know why I want it so badly, but I could rip into him and tear him to shreds with my bare hands and stand up with a smile on my face.”
“Then why haven’t you done that yet? He set you free and you can do whatever you want. Why not get revenge?” he asks.
It is getting difficult to understand this man’s motives in coming to speak with me. At first he seemed upset and pissed off that I have changed enough to join Trevor and his men. But now, a mere few seconds after his arrival, he seems like he wants me to kill his leader. I can see it in his eyes the longer I stare at him and I know he wants something more than just an answer from me.
“I don’t think you fully understand the situation that’s going on here, guy.” I reply. “I think you should consider taking your daughter and your life back into whatever shelter you call a home and let me deal with things as they commence. Trust me,” I put my hand on his shoulder and he shudders in fear, “things will transpire that no one can control.”
I take my hand from his shoulder and he quickly backs away. He lifts his daughter in the air and carries her through the shelter and disappears through the crowd. It feels good to strike fear into the hearts of those that care for the person I used to be. Something about it just makes it more meaningful to know that she is stuck in the prison of my mind and forced to watch as I run this life.
I take a deep breath through my nose and close my eyes for a short second. The voices are loud around me, blocking out any other sound that could possibly be heard beyond the school yard. I smell the sweat of their skin and the stink of their breath of those that stand nearby. It is strong, but not nearly as strong as the sweet aroma drifting up my nose and steadily getting stronger. I take another inhale, basking in that wonderful scent, letting my taste buds come to life for the meal they are about to devour.
A shriek of death and the sounds of gunshots quickly fill the air and I open my eyes. The small crowd under the canopy goes dead silent as those around them begin to run toward the street behind me. They shout inaudible words of terror for the monsters that are running after them.
The woman at the table with the children is quickly ushering them to run to their families and find safety while she handles the oncoming threat. I spy a few men grabbing swords and knives, preparing themselves for a fight. I look around for Trevor. He has a small pistol in his hand and stands behind a few of his men as he walks with them in the opposite direction that the people are running.
I lower my eyes and feel the hunger spreading through my body, taking over every inch of my very being. It makes me feel so alive and stronger than I could ever dream to be. I let my lips upturn into a devilish grin, clench my hands into fists and take one last inhale.
It’s time for me to do what I was made to do.
* * *
I let the panic and terrified shrieks fill my ears as the ever familiar frenzy rises inside of me. I feel every inch of my body craving those wild beasts and the scent of them electrifies my taste buds. People sprint past, paying no attention as I slowly walk toward the threat instead of joining the cowards who choose not to fight. They run to their shelters and hide with their loved ones and pray that ever
ything will work out for the best.
In a world like this, nothing ever does.
I inch toward the parking lot of the school and the crowd of humans is getting thinner. The groaning from zombies has overtaken the screaming and I let a tiny smile cross my lips. I stare ahead of me and keep my eyes peeled for that first zombie to come into my line of vision.
And there she is, lumbering across the parking lot, bumping into a rusty minivan with her arms outstretched for the humans just out of her grasp. Her black hair is long and tangled, thinning at the top of her scalp. The dress she is donning is tattered by her ankles and holes reveal a very pale and veiny stomach.
I turn toward her and roll my neck, listening to the muscles pop and pull against me. I clench my hands into fists and take a long whiff of my future meal. I lick my lips, then let my legs do the work for me. I feel like I’m flying over the pavement as the world whips by in a quick blur. The faces of the people still running for their lives are nothing more than a peach colored blob in my peripheral vision.
My left hand grabs the collar of the female zombie and I stop her dead in her tracks. She howls at me and claws at the leather on my jacket, never piercing the material to get to my skin. I stare into those lifeless, black eyes and slam her body against the minivan parked behind her. Another growl escapes her throat, but I’m quick to muffle that annoying drone. I clamp my jaw down hard enough to break the skin on her neck and let that amazing flavor cover my tongue and drift down my throat.
She claws at my back and kicks her feet in the air in some ill-mannered attempt at getting away from me. I feel her blood sliding out of the corners of my mouth and down my chin, soaking through her grimy dress and the collar of my shirt. I take enough of her blood and flesh until I can no longer feel her struggling. I pull my head away from her neck and let go of her clothes. She falls to the ground with her body smacking against the concrete like a sack of potatoes.
