by Gayle Katz
“Wait a minute,” said Zan. “Did you move the book so that Principal Allan couldn’t find it?”
“Yes,” said Stewart. “But the books are not only locked up, they’re also under spells. I am the only one who can get at them. If he looked for it, and somehow managed to open up the safe deposit box or secondary location, he would not see the book at all. Also, he would not be allowed to pick it up, even if he could see it.”
“OK, so, the book is safe, as long as there isn’t a fire, flood, or tsunami?” asked Charlie.
Stewart nodded. “For now.”
“Oh, guys, we have to go and talk to Sergeant Bourne at the police station,” said Zan, checking her watch.
Chapter 9
________________________________________
Sergeant Bourne had impatiently waited for his fellow police officers to finish their search. “It appears that the hospital is now secure,” he said.
“Good, because I have work to do,” said Dr. Arora.
“A typhus outbreak? That’s unusual,” he said, narrowing his eyes.
“Well, someone visited Africa and brought something back,” she explained. “Are we done here?”
He smiled. “Yes, we are. Let me know if any other patients have seizures or tantrums or whatever you called them, and we’ll pop by again.”
“Sure, sure,” she replied, closing the door after him. There was a sign on the door that said the hospital was temporarily closed, and for people to head to the nearest urgent care center for minor issues, or the University Hospital for serious issues. She didn’t like it, but unfortunately, there were few staff left at the hospital.
She had a smug expression on her face as she went into the elevator. She chose the basement floor button. The elevator doors opened and she headed down the hall to the morgue. She pushed the doors open and went inside.
Once inside the morgue, she looked around at all of the small metal doors. She went and opened one up. Three bodies were jammed inside. She smiled.
“It appears that all is well,” she said to herself. “Hmm. I wonder if I really need this many bodies? I probably don’t need them all.” She grabbed a gurney and wheeled it up.
Thirty minutes later, sweating buckets and extremely hot, she had managed to get several bodies onto the gurneys. Some of them were deceased patients, while others were staff who had been killed during the zombie outbreak. She carefully selected a few corpses that she would keep.
She then wheeled the first gurney to the doors and out into the hall. She pushed it right down to the end of the hallway. No one knew it, but there was a furnace deep down in the basement. It was down several more corridors. This was the perfect way to dispose of dead bodies that you didn’t want anymore, or bodies that you didn’t want the police questioning.
It was a good thing that she had plenty of time to hide the corpses around the hospital when they were doing their search. They’d only come across a few bodies, which had easily been explained away as being typhus patients. There had even been bodies that had been so obviously stabbed, rather than simply dying from the zombie virus. Apparently there had been someone else in the hospital earlier that night who had come in and killed them. She didn’t know who had done it, but she was interested in learning who it was.
She finally had all the bodies in the furnace. She set the timer. The furnace would turn off when it was done. It was now time to go home and get some sleep before getting back to the lab the next day.
zzz
“Welcome to the station,” said Sergeant Bourne, letting the three teens into the meeting room.
“Thanks. I hope I’m not here too often,” said Owen, watching as Zan smirked at him.
“So, you guys know anything about this latest zombie outbreak?” asked Sergeant Bourne, getting to the point.
“Well, we heard that someone created the zombies, rather than it being a viral outbreak,” said Charlie.
“How do you know that?” asked the officer.
“Our connections,” said Charlie. “But we don’t know the science.”
“Well, I have been working on it a bit,” said Zan. “But so far, I have no idea either.”
“We’ve had a few small outbreaks so far. One near here, and the one at the hospital. Are you in contact with anyone who might know anything?” asked Sergeant Bourne.
They all shook their heads.
“There was this gang last September, but I think most of them got killed,” said Owen.
“Yeah, I think one of them went to Seattle,” said Zan.
“Right. Seattle. There are reports of activity there,” said the officer.
“We’re supposed to go to Seattle for spring break,” said Charlie.
“Really?” Sergeant Bourne asked.
“Yes, our contact suggested we go,” said Charlie.
“I don’t think teenage students should be off fighting zombies, no matter what your expertise is. While these guys aren’t transmitting any sort of virus, they can still eat you up,” lectured Sergeant Bourne.
“Oh, we’re pros,” said Zan.
“Really? How does that work?” asked the officer.
“Someone trains us, and then we go out and hunt zombies,” she explained.
“Obviously this someone has no morals,” said Bourne.
“Yeah, same as the person who’s gone and created an entirely new zombie plague,” said Charlie. “Look, are we done here? This was a big waste of time.”
“It’s merely a formality. If I didn’t call you in to get a formal statement, then my boss would be on my ass. Everyone saw you leave the hospital that night.”
“Fine, let’s get this done,” said Charlie. “What do you want us to say in the formal statement?”
Owen had a good laugh.
They were finally able to leave. Back in Charlie’s car they discussed the meeting.
“I wasn’t certain how much to say, so I just kept my mouth shut,” said Owen.
“Yeah,” said Zan.
“Well, I’m glad you were here with us,” said Charlie. “While it sounds like he’s on the up and up, I’m not sure if he’s holding back information from us.”
“Well, let’s have Stewart deal with that,” said Zan. “It’s not our business. We fight zombies, that’s it.”
“OK, then,” said Charlie. “Here is your house. I’ll let you know when there are more zombies to fight.”
“Cool,” said Zan, hopping out. “Bye!”
Charlie’s next stop was Owen’s house.
“Say, Charlie. I need some advice, before I leave.”
“Sure, Owen. What is it?” She turned off the engine and waited.
Owen put his backpack on his lap. “It’s about Zan,” he explained.
Charlie smiled. “What about her? She’s annoying, yes.”
“Oh, not that. She pretends to be sharp and annoying, but she’s not really. That’s just a mask. No, what I mean is, I’d like to invite her out.”
“We were out today,” Charlie started to say. “Oh!” she said.
“Yeah, I mean, on a date out, not like out zombie fighting out,” he explained.
“I see,” said Charlie. “Well, good luck! I don’t think she’s the right type of girl for you though. You need someone sweet and adorable.”
“I’m sure she can be that.”
Charlie laughed.
“I would have asked her by now, but I was afraid she’d say no. And I don’t want it to be weird or anything.”
“Right,” said Charlie. “If I were you, I’d shut up and say nothing.”
“Really?” he asked, looking disappointed.
“I mean, it’s kind of inappropriate. You’re friends. You’re also on a zombie fighting team. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to date someone who could be killed the next day.” Charlie shook her head.
“Gosh, I hadn’t thought about it that way,” he replied.
“Also, if it’s going to happen, let it happen naturally,” she said. “Pe
rhaps once you have more zombie fighting under your belt.”
“Right,” said Owen. He felt a bit relieved. “Whew. I’m so glad I asked you first before I asked her out. That would have been totally awkward. Say, what about you?”
Charlie stiffened. “What about me?” she asked.
“Do you have anyone special in your life?”
She shook her head. “No. There is just no time. Maybe once I’m done with college.”
Owen smiled and nodded. “Say, do you know who Zan’s mentor is?” Owen asked.
Charlie looked puzzled. “It should be Principal Allan, right?”
“Nope.”
“Well, right now, I guess it’s Stewart.”
“I know that, but I meant, before?”
She was still confused. “I think her mentor died, or something. She told me it happened in the last zombie uprising. So, that would have been before the one in September.”
Owen looked puzzled. “But, last September was the first zombie uprising, and I thought Zan was born in Portland?”
“I don’t know,” said Charlie. “But there is no rule that a zlayer has to have a mentor. I think it just happens.”
“It’s all magical,” said Owen.
“Well, that’s the best explanation,” said Charlie. “Because, you either believe in magic, or you believe in the typhus outbreak. There is no halfway.”
“OK, thanks,” said Owen, opening the door. “I’ll see you in school tomorrow.”
“Good night,” they said to each other. He shut the door.
Charlie drove back to her home. She looked forward to spending some time with Gran, as it had been a busy week. Hopefully it was quiet, for a while.
zzz
The week ended without incident. There were a few more cases in the news about people who had died from typhus. Charlie noted that Sergeant Bourne was always providing some quote or sound bite, so at least someone was on top of things.
“Thanks, Gran,” she said, as her Gran handed her the dirty dishes to wash.
“It’s been quiet for you,” said Gran. “I’ll bet you’re excited for spring break ahead. It should be quiet in Seattle.” She dried a plate and stacked it back in the cupboard.
“Well, there has been some activity in Seattle. We assume that there is a team working there, keeping everything under control.”
“Good, then it’ll be safe by the time your school trip occurs.”
“Yeah, because I’m really thrilled to be doing a school trip when it should be a vacation!” said Charlie, a bit annoyed.
“But I thought it’s all fun and games?” Gran commented. “I don’t think you sit in a classroom or have to do schoolwork.”
“I hope not. What I’m even more tired of than zlaying is school.”
“Well, you still have a few years of college ahead of you,” said Gran. “Any idea what you’d like to do then?”
Charlie pondered the thought. “Probably be a cop or something.”
“I was hoping you’d be a doctor, or an engineer,” said Gran, smiling at her.
Charlie smiled back. Then they both burst out laughing.
“Good one, Gran, good one! Ha-ha!”
Finally, the dishes were done. Then, her cell phone rang. She rushed over to the other side of the kitchen to grab her phone, while Gran collected the dirty dishcloths together for the laundry.
“Hello?” she said, answering her phone.
“Hey, is this Charlie?” asked an adult male voice.
“Yes, it is,” she said.
“It’s Sergeant Bourne from the PPD.”
“Hi, Sergeant. What’s up?”
“Well, I have some information that you might be interested in. I think I know why there is a zombie outbreak.”
“You do?” she said.
“Yes, and I think I know who’s responsible, but I’m stuck on a case and can’t talk at the moment. However, there is some activity at the hospital again. If you can get your team there to check it out, then I can meet you in two hours.”
Charlie nodded. “Got it. We’ll meet you there.” She hung up.
“Got to go out, Gran. More zombie sightings.”
“Well, that’s your job, dear,” she said.
Charlie texted Stewart about her quick chat with Sergeant Bourne. She wanted to find out why the police officer had called her directly instead of going through him first. “Bourne says outbreak at hospital & for us to go there,” she texted. “I hope this isn’t a trap?”
“No trap. Sorry, told him to contact you directly as I’m busy,” he texted back.
“OK, will keep in touch.” She texted Owen and Zan that she’d be picking them up soon, then went to her car.
“Hey, what’s up?” asked Owen, getting into her car.
“Some activity at the hospital again.”
“Again? What’s up with that place?”
“I don’t know. There’s Zan.” She was waiting for them by the fence.
Chapter 10
________________________________________
Charlie parked her car in one of the hospital parking lots. She was supposed to pay for parking but ignored the signs. The team got out of the car and headed up to the doors. The sign that said the hospital was closed was still up. The swinging door easily pushed open.
“Nice,” commented Zan. “Just anyone can walk right in.”
“Yeah. At least we have lights today.”
“I don’t get it,” said Owen. “There are still not enough people to reopen the hospital?”
“Doubt that,” said Charlie. “Obviously someone has been using it for zombie headquarters. Look over there.”
Lying on the ground was a dead human body. The team walked over.
“Gross,” commented Zan. “And yet, so interesting. But no signs of zombiosis at all. Looks like they were food for someone.”
They prowled around the reception area and the emergency room but didn’t see anyone. They decided to head for the cafeteria again, as that’s where the main activity had taken place last time they were here.
“I don’t see anything unusual here,” commented Zan. “Other than someone came in and cleaned the place up.”
“Like a zombie cleanup squad or something,” said Charlie.
“I knew that was a good business idea!” Owen shouted a little too loud. Quieting down, he asked, “What happens to all these dead zombie corpses you kill anyway? I know we put some in the dumpsters, but?”
Charlie explained. “Stewart told me one time that he used a zombie cleanup company or something. I don’t know anything about it. He doesn’t tell me much about these things, just in case we get arrested or something.”
“Well, someone cleaned up here,” said Zan. “There isn’t even any blood on the floor, other than around this dead body here. But last time we were here in the hospital, it was one big mess.”
“I know,” said Charlie. “OK, nothing here. Let’s check out the basement again.”
The three of them headed to the stairwell and walked down to the basement.
As soon as they stepped into the hallway, Charlie motioned for them to stop. “Someone is here,” she said.
They could see light coming out from under the door to the lab. They slowly crept closer. Then the door swung open.
“Please, come in!” said Dr. Arora. “It’s good to see you!” She held the door open while they went in.
“Hello, Dr. Arora,” said Owen. “Why are you working this late at night?”
“Because it’s a hospital and everyone works late at night,” she said.
“But the hospital has been shut down,” said Charlie.
“Not for long,” said the doctor. “It’s due to open early tomorrow morning. Say, you guys want some donuts?” She held out the box.
Charlie waved it away, but Owen grabbed one and ate it. Zan ignored the box, having a look around. She peeked into the microscope.
“Are you doing zombie experiments?” she asked. “This loo
ks like zombie blood.”
“Yes, it is,” she admitted. “Can you tell me anything else about it?”
“Yeah,” said Zan. “It’s from the newer form of zombies, not the outbreak a few months back.”
“Very good,” said Dr. Arora. She kept looking at Owen.
Owen started feeling nervous, as the doctor kept on looking at him. He thought that this was perhaps what girls felt like when they got stared at by boys. He made a mental note not to stare at anyone ever again.
“How are you feeling?” Dr. Arora asked him.
“Just fine, thanks,” he said.
“What’s this over here?” asked Charlie, nodding at a large metal briefcase that was open.
“Oh, those are my experiments and results. I can’t just leave my zombie research here. You know the zombie outbreak isn’t real, or that’s what most of my colleagues think anyway. Are you sure you don’t want donuts?” she asked. She went back to the microscope.
“So, what’s the purpose of your experiments?” asked Charlie.
The doctor looked up. “Why, it’s to stop further outbreaks, of course. Believe me, I don’t want to see any more people hurt. During that last outbreak in September, a lot of people died. It was great that the zleader got killed, otherwise, it could have been a lot worse.”
“Do you know how the zombie outbreak started?” asked Charlie.
The doctor looked up at her again. “Of course. But I’m not going to share that information with you. It could be used to harm many more people.”
Charlie just rolled her eyes.
“But how could the zombies be stopped, besides physical means?” asked Zan.
“Well, I’ve been examining the older zombies and trying to find the element that gives them a connection to their zleader. If I could find that, we could infect these new zombies. Then we could kill their zleader and it would all be over.”
“Oh come on,” said Charlie. “It can’t be so simple.”
“No, I’ve been working over time trying to figure this out.”
