The Zombie Effect

by Sampson, Roger

  “Tell me you have something Jack,” Cliff presses. Jack nods.

  “It’s a hail Mary but…” Jack replies.

  “I’ll take whatever you got,” Cliff says.

  Cliff grabs a second gun and hands it to Jack. This takes Jack by surprise. “What’s this for?” inquires Jack, looking shocked.

  “There is an issue in animal holding. It’s contained for the moment, but we can’t let this get out. I’m trying to contain it, but Logan is here from Hicks poking his nose around. So we need to protect ourselves if things get dicey,” Cliff instructs. Beth and Jack stare slack jawed at Cliff. Jack nods that he understands.

  “If it comes to that, head shots only. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Jack replies. Cliff taps Jack’s shoulder. They stuff the weapons in the back of their pants under their shirts so they aren’t detected. They exit.

  They rush through the halls. “Give me the quick and dirty,” Cliff commands.

  “Hypo cocktail of ammonium salt and Prednisone for the Beryllium and Ciprofloxacin for the bacteria. In the dead ape it showed promise,” Jack summarizes. Cliff nods.

  “Give me the syringe,” Cliff demands. Jack’s eyes widen in disbelief.

  “I should do this,” Jack replies, worried that Cliff is too close to the situation.

  “I’m going in alone. If we’re wrong and something goes bad, you know what to do,” Cliff explains. Jack studies Cliff for a moment, trying to work out if his logic is sound. Satisfied that he really has no choice right now, he taps Cliff’s back and hands him the syringe. Beth hugs Cliff and tears up. “Whatever happens sweetie, it’ll be alright. Stay here with Jack,” Cliff comforts Beth.

  “I love you daddy. It’ll work,” she squeaks through a sob.

  “If we can reverse the effect, we might be able to restart her body systems. She’s only been gone a few hours,” Cliff theorizes. Jack’s jaw opens.

  “This is nuts,” Jack exclaims, trying to wrap his brain around this crazy science fiction stuff. Cliff chuckles.

  “We’re pioneers Jack. Pioneers,” Cliff reassures Jack. Jack smiles.

  Cliff carefully enters the room and addresses Rachel’s angry corpse with caution. He shuts the door slowly and deadbolts it. Beth grabs Jack’s hand for comfort. She has so many conflicting emotions the gesture will hopefully keep her sane. Cliff slowly approaches Rachel. His fear of the unknown and the monster before are all overridden by a more powerful force. He’s loved Rachel his whole adult life. Risking his own to get her back is a trade he would make every single time. He fearfully takes another step. The fear of dying right now is second to losing her. It’s not rational, but it’s his reality. Jack squeezes Beth’s hand. In his helpless state of observation, Jack feels compelled to help in some way. It manifests in Beth’s grasp. Beth is not even aware of it but it makes her feel better.

  Rachel lunges against the restraints to get to Cliff. His blood calls to her like a glass of water to someone dying of thirst. Cliff carefully unsheathes the syringe. It’s tougher to do with rubber gloves on than it looks. He stops and looks back at Beth and Jack. This is the moment of truth. Cliff can almost see his life pass in front of his eyes. He knows he is just as likely to die at Rachel’s hand as save her. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. The pain of going on without her is too much to bear. He tearfully smiles at Beth as if to say goodbye. Beth puts her hand on the glass to gesture her love and admiration for her daddy. She has never been more proud, nor more horrified than this very moment. Beth and Jack nod yes to Cliff.They’re acknowledging what Cliff needs to do as well as the risk he faces right now. Cliff turns back to Rachel. It’s time.

  CHAPTER 17

  Cliff inches his way toward Rachel. She lunges for his arm. He dodges her. Cliff checks the vitals monitor. Brain activity is off the charts. He glances at the micro camera monitor. The compound swims in her veins like a rushing river in anticipation of a fresh source of nourishment.

  He picks up a cup from the table with the blood he was feeding her with and tosses it at her face, smothering her lips and neck area. Rachel loses interest in Cliff for a brief moment as she slurps the sweet hemoglobin nectar from her lips. Cliff quickly injects the needle into her thigh and drains its contents and backs away quickly. This got Rachel’s attention and the hostile reception that comes with being stuck with a needle while you weren’t looking.

  The compound dances in the monitor. It changes direction as if either chasing something or running from something. Rachel twitches as hostility is replaced with involuntary muscle spasms. Cliff shoots a wide eyed expression at Jack. Jack’s eyes also widen. Something is definitely happening. This is good news. The vitals monitor spikes brain activity. Cliff studies her carefully. He inches a crash cart next to the bed. He hopes he won’t have to fight her.

  The micro camera monitor suddenly goes dark. They are flying semi blind. Rachel writhes as if in pain. Cliff, Jack and Beth are trying to figure out if this is helping or hurting. The vital monitor broadcasts quite a battle raging in Rachel’s brain. Then just as quickly as it started, it levels out. Rachel slowly calms. Her arms rest at her side and her head rests against the pillow behind her. Her eyes close.

  Cliff suddenly panics that they’ve killed her again. He pants and inches toward the bed. His own heart is beating so fast his head could explode at any minute from the trauma of this whole surreal ordeal. Beth covers her mouth assuming Rachel died. Jack touches the glass. He tears up. Rachel does not move. Cliff approaches the bed. He touches her arm. She does not react. He stares at her for a minute. She lies still. He pulls the chair close to the bed and sits down. He takes her hand in his and weeps softly. Beth buries her head in Jack’s chest. Jack warmly holds her and comforts her.

  Rachel’s eyes twitch and open. Cliff does not notice through his tears. Jack notices and taps the glass gently. Cliff looks back. Jack frantically points at Rachel. Cliff whips around and sees Rachel’s open eyes. They are not red orbs. They are her eyes. She looks over at Cliff. Cliff stands suddenly and leans over the bed. “Rachel?” he calls out. Rachel’s eyes widen.

  “Cliff,” she replies with a weak, raspy hum. Jack smiles big and Beth puts both her hands on the glass and cries out in happy sobs.

  Cliff puts a drop of water on Rachel’s dry, zombie like lips. She accepts it and coughs. Cliff removes the restraints from her arms and embraces her. “Oh my God, Rachel,” Cliff cries. He lifts her dead weight and holds her close to him. This is the new happiest and saddest moment of his whole life. He looks at the vitals monitor. It isn’t registering any activity other than brain activity. The micro camera reveals hardly any movement. Cliff looks back at Jack. Jack, being as clueless as Cliff when it comes to this scenario, simply smiles and shrugs his shoulders, telling Cliff to just enjoy the moment. Cliff looks into Rachel’s eyes.

  “Let me go,” Rachel whispers. Cliff’s smile is immediately replaced by worry.

  “What?” he asks as if he can’t believe what she said. He draws close to her.

  “Let me go,” she admonishes with more force this time. Cliff can’t believe it.

  “Jack and Beth brought you back. We’ve killed it,” negotiates Cliff. Rachel looks lovingly at him. A bloody tear forms around her eye.

  “You have to kill me,” she pleads. Cliff tears up.

  “What? You can’t ask me to do that,” Cliff insists.

  “I’m aware,” Rachel advises. Cliff looks at her like she’s not making any sense.

  “Aware of what baby?” Cliff inquires dreadfully.

  “My body is dead. But I’m not. I feel everything it feels. I feel its need for blood. I crave to feed like it does,” she explains. Cliff’s eyes bulge in horror. He looks back at Jack and Beth as if asking what to do. Jack stares blankly back, knowing he has no idea how to help her.

  “We’re going to kill it,” he assures Rachel.

  “We don’t have much time. It’s fighting back. I can feel it. I can’t stop it. You’re the only one who c
an end my suffering,” Rachel begs. Cliff can’t say anything. The tears roll down his cheek.

  “I can’t. I can’t…let you go,” Cliff sobs. Rachel twitches. She looks lovingly at her husband who she has loved as long as she can remember.

  “I love you darling. You’ll get through this. You’ll find the answers. You must save Beth. You must take care of her. We will always be together my love,” Rachel lovingly expresses. Brain activity spikes in the vitals monitor. Beth sobs uncontrollably. Jack holds her.

  “Baby, no,” Cliff begs. She smiles at him.

  “Save me my love,” she quietly pleads.

  Suddenly her body violently twitches. The micro camera springs to life with new circulation. The coloring is different but the compound’s signature is undeniable. Cliff stands. Rachel’s eyes gloss over. “Rachel? Baby?! No. Please!!” Cliff shouts. Beth screams. Jack holds her close. Cliff sobs. Rachel’s red orbs return and scope the room. She spies Cliff next to her. She lunges for him. He leaps back. “Rachel, fight it! You gotta fight baby!!” Cliff yells. Rachel reaches down with her freed arms and rips the straps off her legs. She twists herself to a seated position and thrusts her legs off the bed.

  Jack bangs the glass. “She’s gone Cliff! Get the hell out of there!” screams Jack. Cliff back peddles slowly. Rachel stands and locks in on Cliff. Jack slams the glass and tries to bash in the door unsuccessfully against the dead bolt. Cliff backs to the door. Rachel pursues a step at a time. Measuring him up like a steak she can’t quite decide which angle to start with. “You have to shoot her Cliff!” Jack screams. Cliff shakes his head no. “Do it!!” Jack continues.

  “Daddy!” Beth cries out. Cliff turns and observes Beth’s helpless and hopeless gaze.

  Cliff removes the gun from his pants and lifts it toward Rachel. She growls softly and takes another step. Cliff holds the gun out from him. Rachel reaches for his hand. He dodges the effort. “Do it now Cliff!” Jack commands. Cliff’s shaky hands aim for her forehead. He sobs. She’s only a few feet away.

  “Daddy, please,” Beth begs, sobbing. Cliff shrieks in emotional agony as Rachel reaches back to swing at his hand again. He fires the gun which punctures her head just above her nose and explodes out the back of her head just as she was reaching around to swipe him. Her skull and brains spray the room behind her with a black pus filled goo along with bone fragments and bits of blackened brain matter.

  Rachel drops backwards as if a stiff wind took her and her body plops the floor. Beth screams. Cliff drops to his knees.

  It wasn’t bad enough that Cliff lost his love. It’s worse that he thought he lost her, then had her back for a moment, and then lost her again. He sits against the door in shock and stunned silence. He replays the moment in his mind again and again, trying to see some different choice that could have saved her. Something else that would have changed the outcome. There is nothing. This fucking organism has come into their lives and was destroying everything he ever cared for. He has always been in control. But this time, he has never been more out of control. He doesn’t know what to do anymore. All he has left now is Beth and Jack. He realizes now how much he actually cares for Jack. He loves him like his own son. It’s funny how random tragedy wakes you up to the truth of who you are. But there it is. He’s always seen through Jack’s walls and knew who he was. Because he used to be Jack. He used to be just like Jack. And it was Rachel who helped him grow up and mature. Now Jack has Beth. And in that moment, Cliff knows what his purpose is now. Whether he lives or dies is no longer important. But if he can save his little girl and the young man she loves so much, that is a purpose worth going on for.

  Cliff reaches behind and unlocks the door. Jack opens it and checks Rachel. She’s not moving. The vital stats monitor reveals no brain activity and the micro camera reveals pooling of the organism. They haven’t found a way to kill it yet. But they’re on the right track. Beth falls into Cliff’s arms and they sob and hold one another. Jack sits with them and Cliff holds Jack’s shoulder. They comfort each other through the tragic loss of the most important person in their world.

  CHAPTER 18

  In Cliff’s office, Logan types at Cliff’s computer. He knows where Cliff keeps his password and gains access to the project files.He carefully studies the data on the ZnMBe project. His mouth opens wide and his eyes light up like it’s Christmas morning. He smiles and reaches into his pocket and retrieves a flash drive.

  The lab door to his right opens slowly and Jason slowly plods through it, red orb eyes fixated on Logan. Logan is so preoccupied with the flash drive to notice. Logan installs the flash drive into the computer and commands it to download the files onto the drive. The computer hums in compliance. Jason inches closer to Logan. His undead gait is consistent in its methodical constant.The files load quickly on to the flash drive.

  Jason trips over a lamp power cord, causing it to tumble to the ground. This grabs Logan’s attention.He springs up and dodges a violent swing from Jason. Jason lunges for Logan and they wrestle over the desk, knocking the contents to the floor. Jason one arms Logan into the air at the back window. Logan bounces off it and slams the ground hard. He struggles to lose the cobwebs. Before he can rise, Jason pounces on him. Logan punches at Jason but it doesn’t faze him. Jason is much stronger than Logan. Logan uses all of his strength to get Jason off him but Jason’s head falls at Logan’s side. It’s all the access Jason needs as he locks his teeth on Logan’s side. Logan screams in pain and elbows Jason in the head to get him to let go. Logan tries to stand but Jason grabs his ankle and crunches his lower leg with his teeth. Logan screams again and falls next to Jason. Logan swings at Jason again but Jason is ready this time and catches his arm and removes a large chunk of his forearm.

  Logan suddenly starts convulsing. He wants to get up but has no motor control and can feel himself choking on his own blood.

  In Med Lab, Lorna twitches. Her red orbs open and she sits up. She stands and looks around the room. She exits Med Lab. A male tech walks by and looks up just in time to find Lorna throw herself at him. For a split second the tech thinks it’s his lucky day, but staring into her dead red orbs with her missing nose and eye he quickly realizes he’s in deep shit. Lorna opens her mouth and approaches his face. He grotesquely turns away only to leave his neck exposed. As if that was the reaction she was seeking, Lorna opens his neck up like a vampire with no etiquette. Blood sprays Lorna’s face and the wall behind them. The tech screams and writhes but Lorna pins him to the ground and bites off his cheek, exposing his left upper and lower teeth. Blood pours from the wound as the tech slowly slumps and then convulses.

  A second tech pulls Lorna off the first tech, who writhes on the floor. Lorna turns to the second tech and attacks his face. She pulls away with his left eye crunching in her teeth. The tech screams and throws Lorna to the ground. She looks back at him and he punches her. Then he starts convulsing. Black pus and slimy mucus rush from his eye socket down over his mouth. He breathes some of it in and flails his body against the back wall. He violently throws up blood and tissue as he collapses, convulsing.

  In the animal housing area, the animals break out of their cages. Two female techs walk by the outside of the room where the carnage is happening, and drop their files at the jail break. The animals scurry around the holding area, bouncing off walls. They rip the first aid kit off the wall. Another destroys the necropsy cart.

  In Observation Room B, Cliff, Jack and Beth console one another at Rachel’s passing. Beth sobs softly into Cliff’s chest. Jack touches Cliff’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” Jack consoles through teary eyes. Cliff tears up in response. Cliff rises up and picks Beth up. Jack stands with him.

  “I need to go to my office,” Cliff advises softly. Jack nods yes in response. They exit the room and Cliff closes the door and locks it.

  Back in animal holding, the female techs outside the room watch the animals freak out inside. Tech one spies the alarm button, unfortunately located inside the holding room by the
sink. Tech 2 looks at her with wide eyes and shakes her head no. The last thing either of them need is to get attacked by these animals. But something has to be done. Tech one types the code to unlock the door and rushes in, making a beeline for the sink. Little did she know a red orbed ape was tracking her every move and tackles her the second she stepped in the room.

  Tech two screams but sees a seam and makes a run for the sink. She gets there and launches at the alarm button. A pus eyed dog takes notice and pounces. The alarm blares loudly and the door closes. But before it has a chance to seal, the dog that attacked the second tech knocks a crash cart over heading for her and it lands in the doorway, preventing the holding area from being sealed.

  Cliff, Beth and Jack stop dead in their tracks at the sound of the alarm blaring. “That’s the alarm from animal holding,” Cliff surmises. He races to the house phone on the near wall and grabs the receiver and presses zero. “It’s me. What’s going on?” Cliff demands. Cliff looks at Jack wide eyed. He hangs up slowly. “There is a break out in animal holding. They’re all showing signs of rabies. Red glazed eyes and they’re loose,” Cliff summarizes nervously.

  “How?” Jack inquires, not realizing the zombie mouse was out and about.

  “I don’t know. But the animal holding alarm automatically locks the facility down so nothing can get in or out. The only way to override it is at the Control Center,” Cliff advises. Jack stops for a moment and thinks.

  “Somehow the compound got loose. Maybe it’s airborne. Maybe something else got infected,” Jack says, trying to work out the logic.

  “The mouse,” Beth interjects. “Has anyone seen the mouse since the ape attacked mom?” she continues. Jack’s eyes widen.

  “Fuck me. We could already be totally screwed.” Jack exclaims.

  “Let’s get to Control and find out how bad it is,” Cliff commands. They head for Control.