The Demented Z (Book 1):The Demented

by Derek J. Thomas

  They both turned and sprinted for the next door. Trying the door handle they found it locked. The demented were gaining on them as they sprinted farther down the corridor, looking for an escape. Barely slowing for the next door a quick test proved it to be locked as well.

  Rachael turned and fired off two quick blasts with the shotgun, dropping the closest two. Several more demented filled their spots.

  Nearing the end of the hall, Tom reached for another door handle, desperate, knowing he would have to make a last stand with his pistol if it did not open. The door handle turned freely. They rushed through the opening, slamming the door closed behind them, and engaging the large deadbolt. This was immediately followed by enraged pounding on the door.

  Up to this point the demented seemed to lack enough mental capacity to use a door handle, but Tom felt the deadbolt was a good safety precaution.

  Rachael was nearly out of breath. “Wow…”

  “No crap…more early staff than I thought.”

  They found themselves in a small hallway, with a door on each side, and a door at the far end, with red lettering that read “Security.” While Rachael loaded her last shotgun round, Tom began easing toward the security door, pistol held out in front. The security glass was difficult to see through, but Tom could see the lights were on and there was no movement inside.

  Opening the door, he quickly moved several feet into the room, scanning for targets. Rachael swept in right behind him. In the center of the room sat a long island with a bank of security monitors. The floor was littered with spent shell casings. Next to a tipped over chair was a smeared blood trail that led around the corner of the island, out of sight.

  Signaling Rachael to work around the far end, he began following the blood trail. On the floor behind the island lay another security guard, surrounded by a pool of blood, clearly dead. His face and neck were a bloody mess. Next to him on the floor was his Glock, chamber open and empty.

  Tom squatted next to him to get a closer look. “He…he almost looks chewed on.” Standing back up, Tom walked the room, looking.

  Rachael sat down in front of the bank of security monitors.

  Tom stopped pacing. “Not much in here. Looks like they only carried their side arms.”

  “Come look at this.”

  Pushing the fallen chair out of the way, Tom pulled another chair over next to Rachael and sat down. She pointed to the corner of one of the monitors. Looking close at the image, he could see that it was from a camera at the end of the service corridor. Surrounding, and pounding on their door were at least eight people. The demented in the back were ripping at those in front of them, trying to get to the door.

  Tom sat back. “They’re relentless…single minded hatred.”

  “How are we going to get back out?”

  Ignoring her question, Tom said, “Except the security guy in the lobby…he must have been a bit different.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Tom leaned his elbows on the desk, looking at the monitors. “Do you think he killed the guy back there?” He said, nodding toward the back of the room.

  Looking a bit frustrated and confused she replied, “I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t see any security guys at our door.”

  “Even if he isn’t the guy, he snuck up on us…more restrained or something. But I’m with you. I think he killed his buddy and left. To get out he must have used the doors.”

  Nodding in agreement. “You’re right, but we still need to get out of here.”

  Looking down at the desk, Tom sat thinking. After awhile he looked over at her and said, “Sorry, just trying to get a handle on all of this. Let’s figure these cameras out”

  After a bit of trial and error, they had a map up on one screen, and by clicking individual cameras they could view the corresponding live feed on another. Tom began clicking through all the cameras to see what he could find. While he was doing this, Rachael was busy next to him, trying to review stored footage on another set of monitors.

  After several minutes, Tom sat back in his chair and turned toward Rachael. “Anything?”

  She did not take her eyes off the screen. “Almost there.” She turned the dial on her keyboard a bit. “Take a look at this.” She pointed to the monitor. On the monitor was the view of the service corridor and the door they were behind. “This is from this morning and you were right.”

  Tom watched the monitor as the lobby security guy came out of the door, blood on his mouth and chin. He glanced each way, and then started down the corridor with an awkward gait.

  “Definitely more in control…got the doors and somehow didn’t get shot by his partner.”

  Rachael sat back. “I bet his partner completely freaked out and panicked.”

  Tom rolled his chair back over in front of a different set of monitors. “Keep looking through the footage and see if you can learn anything more.” Clicking through the cameras on the map, he began cycling through the various live feeds. Not looking for anything in particular, just staying busy in an attempt to keep his family out of his mind.

  His worry for them kept creeping back into his mind and now that he and Rachael were in reasonable safety, the dread was really sinking in. Needing to fill the silence, Tom said, “I’m going to find a way to get back home.” He turned toward Rachael. “My son and wife are back home…up by Spokane.” Rachael continued to work the keyboard dial and stare at her monitor. “What about you?” He finished.

  “Look at this.” She said.

  Sighing, Tom rolled his chair back over next to her while mumbling under his breath, "Never mind.”

  The monitor showed an empty hallway with a large entryway into a dark room. Based on the size of the entryway, he guessed it was one of the exhibit rooms. Out of the darkness came several demented, legs jerking awkwardly.

  “Here he comes,” Rachael said.

  As if on cue, the lobby security guy came stumbling into view below the camera. He continued toward the group. They barely seemed to notice him, however he looked at each of them as he walked between them, and then he moved off into the darkness they had come from.

  “See that. You were right.”

  Tom sat back. “He’s smarter, and the little girl in the road lacked the rage. Some are affected differently.”

  Seeing sudden movement out of the corner of his eye, Tom spun around in his chair. The monitor remained on the live feed from the camera outside their door. The demented were rushing away from the door. Tom zipped over to the monitor. “Where are they going?” He began clicking through the feeds as quickly as possible.

  Rachael stepped over next to him. “They heard something.”

  Tom stopped on one of the live feeds. “No!” He shouted, pointing to the monitor. “Look.”

  On the monitor, they watched an older looking man with a rifle slung over his shoulder, digging through equipment in one of the exhibits. He was going through items, throwing some of them to the floor in a pile.

  Standing up Tom said, “They hear him…he’s going to get ripped apart.” Grabbing the pistol he headed for the door. He did not have a plan yet, but he couldn't just sit idle and watch.

  “Don’t go.” Rachael pleaded.

  Knowing he did not have time to argue with her and this was something he had to do, Tom sprinted out the door. Turning down the corridor in the same direction the demented ran off, he yelled as loud as he could, “They’re coming! Look out!” Not knowing where the guy was or if he even heard his yells, Tom continued down the corridor.

  Passing the entryway to the exhibit he and Rachael worked through earlier, Tom took a sharp left, following the corridor. He could hear footsteps in the distance. It sounded like they were coming from around the next corner. “They’re coming for you!” He yelled again.

  Just as he finished yelling, a stream of demented came running around the corner, back toward him. They had heard his shouts and changed prey. Dropping to one knee, he took careful aim with the pistol and waite
d, knowing they were too far away for the pistol. He did not have a count on the demented, but every shot would have to count. Taking steady deep breaths, he tried to quell his rising panic. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast he continued to repeat to himself.

  With smooth pulls of the trigger, he began sending shots downrange. The demented recoiled from shots to their chests and dropped in heaps on the floor. Some of the followers stumbled and fell over their comrades’ bodies, but immediately re-gained their feet, continuing their pursuit. Remaining calm, as if shooting balloons at the county fair, Tom continued to pull the trigger, sending rounds down the corridor. Even with consistent shots, the demented continued to appear behind those that fell to his barrage of lead. They were nearly on top of him.

  Suddenly, startling him, Rachael appeared next to him with the shotgun. She barely had to aim they were so close. With a loud boom, a couple of the demented in the front were slammed backwards with the impact. Using up her last shot, she could only watch in horror as several more took their spots.

  Tom’s shots became quicker with the ever approaching group. With a click the slide on the Glock remained in the back position. He was out of ammo.

  Quickly standing, he yelled for her to run. There were four demented left, more than he could hope to take on without weapons. He knew they were doomed, but maybe he could at least spare her his fate. She stood next to him, unmoving.

  Tom squatted down, bracing for impact, then there came a loud boom. The head of the demented just in front of him exploded in a red flash. Another boom, another head exploded. The next demented crashed into Tom, sending both of them flying to the ground. With a grunt, all the air was crushed out of his lungs. He heard another loud boom, but the demented on top of him continued to tear at his face, trying to rip into him. Her eyes were circled in red, and her mouth dripped oozing blood on Tom’s face. With all his strength, he used his forearm to keep the gnashing teeth from reaching him.

  Suddenly Rachael stepped in behind the demented, shotgun raised above her head like a baseball bat. With a loud grunt, she brought the butt of the shotgun slamming down on the skull of the demented. With a sickening crunch, his attacker went still, dead eyes staring at Tom. He hefted her limp body off of himself.

  “Thank you.” He sputtered, still out of breath.

  The sound of boots on concrete caused both of them to look down the corridor. Jogging toward them was the man from the video feed. He wore a plaid shirt, jeans, and black combat boots. In his right hand, he held his rifle by the stock, comfortable with its weight. He came to a stop next to Tom and reached out with his hand.

  Tom was surprised to see the weather hardened and wrinkled face of an older man. His hair was grey with specks of black. Tom grasped the man’s outstretched hand, glad for the assistance back to his feet.

  With a grin the man said, “That was exciting.”

  Tom started to say something, but the man looked down the corridor and interrupted him, “Let’s get somewhere safe kids.”

  Hoping they would not run into any demented on their way back, Tom and Rachael lead the way to the security room.

  Sitting in front of the bank of security monitors, the older man said, “I was wondering how someone would have known where I was, and that they were coming for me.” He spun back around in his chair. “Thanks.”

  Nodding, Tom said, “I’m Tom and this is Rachael. You deserve a thanks as well…we were goners.”

  With that same grin from earlier, “Ahhh…I call that a ticker test. Makes sure a man is still tick’n.” He let out a low chuckle. “Kinda fun.”

  Tom wasn’t sure what to think. He exchanged a glance with Rachael, who seemed unsure as well.

  “Don’t worry kids, I’m not crazy. I’ve been in worse before.” He hesitated a bit. “Anyway, name’s Hank.”

  “So…what were you doing Hank?” Rachael asked.

  “Probably same as you guys. I was at the convention over the weekend and figured this was the place to stock up.” Hank shrugged his shoulders. “Prepare for anything kind of thing. I was staying just down the way with a friend…he’s gone,” Hank said, swallowing hard at the end.

  Tom relayed what they had gone through since the hotel. He left out little Jack, knowing he would have a tough time with his emotions. Rachael sat looking through the video feeds while he gave the recap. She did not bring up Jack either.

  “What about you, know anything?” Tom asked.

  Hank sat thinking, likely trying to decide which parts of his story to leave out. In the chaos and heat of battle, decisions had to be made; things had to be done, many not a person’s proudest moments. “I think it’s some type of infection.”

  “The news this morning said it had something to do with the flu shot?” Tom said, looking confused.

  “I don’t know for sure, but my friend and I were reading through some blogs and the flu theory just isn’t consistent.” Hank leaned toward Tom, collecting his thoughts. “People get shots at all different times. Different countries will get them at completely different times, months apart, some not at all. From what we found, this has hit worldwide over the last week.”

  Tom hadn’t had time to think things through much, but Hank was making a lot of sense.

  Hank sat back. “The flu shot may have something to do with the trigger…maybe having it in a person’s body interacts with the virus or whatever it is, I don’t know.” Hank said, shrugging his shoulders.

  Tom just nodded his head, still processing the new information.

  Rachael had quit with the video feeds and sat watching the two of them. Maybe it was a woman’s intuition, but suddenly she broke in, “There is something else, something more that you're leaving out.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t think it holds any merit.” Hank said, shaking his head.

  At the same time Tom and Rachael said, “What?”

  “Jinx, you owe me a soda.” Hank chuckled. “Sorry…neighbors’ grandkids used to always do that if I said the same thing as them at the same time. Never was quick as them, cost me a lot of sodas.” Holding a hand out and shaking his head. “Anyway, there were several reports…blog accounts…of people coming back.”

  Clearly confused, Tom said, “Coming back where…what do you mean?”

  “Dead…and then back alive, like in the old zombie movies. Some called them the undead, some called them walkers or something like that.”

  Tom smiled and then began laughing. “You’re right, I think we can ignore that one.”

  “It was reported on several different blog sites from around the world, but when the poo hits the fan you always get crazies coming out of the woodwork. Said it was any dead, not just the crazy ones.”

  “I think we’ll be all right.” Tom said, still grinning. Looking over at Rachael, he saw a worried look on her face. She was looking at the desk. Then Tom realized, not at the desk, but through it, to the dead security guy leaning on the other side. “Let’s not get carried away.” Tom said, but despite his words, he still stood, walking slowly around the back of the desk.

  There lay security guy...as dead as ever.

  “Hey Hank, you wanna help me real quick?” The two of them packed Security Guy into the small hallway between the security room and the service corridor. Tom had laughed at Hank’s story, but they all felt better without Security Guy in the same room.

  Once all of them were sitting down in the security room, Tom said, “We’re hungry and in need of supplies, but I think we should hunker down in here for at least one night. It's secure, we can monitor the entire building, and I really need some rest. Thoughts?”

  Rachael nodded her head. “I can’t keep going.”

  Hank nodded his head as well. “I think a night for the city to calm down might help us out.” Spinning a camo fanny pack around in front of him, he dug in, pulling out some granola bars and a juice pouch. “Feast anyone?” He said grinning.

  After a bit of food they all crashed on the floor. Even laying on the hard cem
ent Tom fell asleep almost immediately, the girl with the teddy bear, haunting his dreams.

  Chapter 4: Dawn

  Tom woke to something tugging on his shirt sleeve. Having slept like crap on the hard floor, he was a bit ticked that someone would be waking him up. Looking over he saw it was Rachael. She had a look of shock, staring forward. Following her gaze, his heart raced when he saw the bloody face of Security Guy through the blurry glass. Even with the blur, Tom had no doubt who it was. He stood, perfectly still, face right up to the glass.

  His first thought was, he wasn’t dead, but Tom immediately new better, there was no doubt he was dead yesterday. Tom had seen more than his fair share of dead and Security Guy was definitely dead.

  “Hank.” Tom whispered.

  “I’m already with you.”

  Security Guy must have heard something through the door, because his head slowly turned to the side, as if trying to listen better. Keeping an eye on him, Tom slowly rose to his feet. Seeing motion, security guy turned his head back toward them, looking through the glass. There was a sudden, muffled grunting noise from the other side of the door, almost a bark.

  “Do you think he is aggressive…demented?” Rachael whispered to no one in particular.

  Hank stood and started for the door. “Only one way to find out.”

  “Wait. Let me get the door and you cover with your rifle.” Tom said.

  Hank stepped back next to the desk and raised the rifle to his shoulder, sighting on the door. “Maybe I should just do him through the glass.”

  “Let’s check him out first.” Tom stepped next to the door and turned back toward Hank.

  Hank gave the go ahead nod.

  In a single smooth motion, Tom released the door handle and stepped back toward the wall swinging the door wide open. Security Guy must have been resting his weight on the door, because he immediately came crashing into the room, down on all fours. He howled with rage, trying to regain his feet. His moves were slow and erratic.