Patient Zero

by Sylvester Barzey

  “Fuck,” Aliyha said as the group hovered over Vince.

  “He’s hot,” one man said. Aliyha’s hand ran along Vince’s white dress shirt. The shirt was stained with blood and her fingers skated the back of the smooth fabric until she felt it. It was warm and slick. Aliyha pulled her fingers out to see the dark red covering the tips. She rolled Vince onto his side. Aliyha pulled and tore the shirt until she could the bite mark on Vince’s lower back. She gently rested Vince on his side and then stood up.

  “He’s been bit.” Aliyha said, Vince continued to softly mumble and moan as his body burned itself up trying to fight against the virus. Aliyha’s head turned towards the door and Trinity. She ran over slapping her hand into the glass window. “Hey! We need help!” She shouted.

  “Oh, now it’s a good idea.” Trinity rolled her eyes and Aliyha shook her head as she continued to pound on the glass. “Aliyha?” Trinity said softly.

  “We need fucking help!” Aliyha shouted. Her palm turned a bright red as she continued to slap it against the glass. “He’s dying you sons of bitches!”

  “Aliyha!” Trinity shouted.

  “What!” Aliyha finally answered. She turned her head to see Vince standing in the middle of the room. His head was hung low and his fingers were twitching, cracking with every little movement.

  “Shit,” Trinity said softly. Aliyha’s hand quickly went to her side for her gun, but it was gone, taken away with every other weapon they had. They’re blood was taken, then they were hurried into that room. Aliyha knew they wouldn’t make it out alive but she didn’t think for one second that they could ever do this,

  “They knew,” Aliyha said softly. “They knew you were infected.” Aliyha said. Vince’s head snapped up and Aliyha could see the pale grayish eyes staring at her. Then without warning, Vince leapt forward. Aliyha’s boot slammed into the man’s chest, sending him back a few feet. Aliyha’s quick reaction saved her and Tinity, but not the others. Vince’s eyes were fixed on easier pray. The screams were far more chilling to Aliyha and Trinity than the blood. It splashed a long the walls, repainting the gray room and all the while, they continued to scream for their lives. Vince only had his teeth in one of them, but the whole lot howled in horror. The noise was so deafening that Trinity didn’t hear the door open behind her, but she felt the hands grab her and Aliyha pulling them through the doorway.

  “Damn girl, what kind of mess you get yourself into?” Bobby asked. Aliyha’s head spun around to see Bobby and Reed, the reunion was short lived as an ear splitting screech was heard from within the room, that was joined by another and another. Trinity’s hand slapped onto the door and slammed it. Her and Aliyha pressed their backs against the metal. The door started to violently shake as Vince and the pounded. Aliyha stared at Bobby and Reed.

  “I Quit!” Aliyha shouted.

  Chapter 23

  December 25, 2020 (Present Day)

  The blood stained blue and white hospital gown hang over Christian’s barefoot, it tickled along his hairs and clung to his chest under the weight of the fresh blood. Christian’s fingers rubbed the cracked leather of the armrest. His eyes played a pathetic game of hide and seek with the glares that surrounded him.

  “You don’t remember?” said a young woman with deep creole accent. Christian nodded his head slowly,

  “That’s what I said.” Christian replied.

  “That’s real convenient don’t you think?” the young woman asked.

  “Leave him alone him alone Madison.” A calm male voice said from behind Christian. Christian felt a hand rest on his shoulder and the man softly say, “He has been through enough.”

  “It’s the fucking apocalypses, everyone’s been through enough,” Madison said. The room let out a sigh and the man’s hand slowly came up off of Christian’s shoulder.

  “You know we don’t talk like that here. End of the world or not, this is still God’s house.” The man said. Christian’s head slowly came up to see the many faces that surrounded him, men, women, even a few children had gathered around to listen to his tale. A story of love, government and zombies pulled them out of their little lane of hell for the evening. They had all walked through the doors of St. Louis Cathedral in the same state. All scared and lost souls, looking to make it through another day.

  “Sorry, Ethan. I just don’t think it’s wise to take in all these strangers.” Madison said.

  “You were once a stranger yourself. What would have become of you if I closed my doors those many months ago?” Ethan asked. Madison’s eyes fell down to the old wooden floors of the church. She thought for a moment of how cold and hungry she once was and then her eyes came back up and locked with Christian’s.

  “I wasn’t lying to you.” Madison said.

  “I’m not lying.” Christian replied.

  “Everyone knows the outbreak started in D.C. It was all over the news.” Madison said. Christian looked around the room at a few of the nodding heads and then shook his own.

  “All I know is what I saw. The hotel got overrun by those people-“

  “Zombies!” Madison shouted. Christian put his hands up and sighed,

  “By those zombies and I’ve been drugged up and on the move ever since. This is the first time I’ve seen the outside of a lab in…” Christian stopped and thought for a moment, “I don’t even know what day it is.”

  “It’s Christmas and you’re safe with us.” Ethan said. Madison rolled her eyes, “Despite what some might lead you to believe, we’re a caring group. We don’t turn our backs on the needy.” Ethan said

  “Christmas?” Christian said softly, “Thank you all.” Ethan smiled and put his hand out, helping Christian to his feet.

  “Let me show you to your room.” Ethan said.

  “This is a mistake.” Madison said. She pushed through the group and disappeared into one of the many dark halls. Christian watched the crowd slowly begin to do the same. Ethan held Christian up the best he could as they walked along the wooden floor of the church.

  “We have electricity, thanks to an old generator that was installed after Katrina. The city stepped up to make sure we were ready for something like that again.” Ethan said, “I think I would have rather gone another round with old Katrina than to deal with the dead rising, but that’s just me.”

  “I’m sure you’re not alone in that.” Christian said.

  “Right, well we got power and water, but go easy on everything. We got to make trips to get gas and I’d rather not risk people’s lives because someone wanted to take a thirty minute shower.” Ethan said with a smile.

  “I think your friend wouldn’t mind me going out for gas, or just plain out.” Christian said.

  “Madison?” Ethan said with a laugh, “She’s a little rough around the edges but you’ll get used to her. She’s like that with everyone.”

  “What did she mean by all these strangers?” Christian asked.

  “Oh, well you’re the fourth person we’ve met this week. A group of travelers came to us a few days ago.” Ethan said, he stopped at a door with a padlock on it and started shuffling for his key, “In fact they’re gonna be your new roommates.” Christian stubbled back and Ethan wrapped his arm around him, “you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I just have a little problem with being locked up.” Christian said. The lock pulled free and Ethan stared at it in his heads.

  “I believe that God is still in all of us. That mankind is capable of great things.” The lock went into his pocket and Ethan smiled, “But I’m no fool. I can’t let random people run around the church without first understanding who they are and what they want.” Ethan said. He pulled open the door and stepped aside to allow Christian to enter, “It’s for everyone’s safety trust me. You wouldn’t want Madison sneaking up on you in the middle of the night would you?” Ethan asked.

  “Hell no,” A young girl said from inside the room. Christian turned to see a light caramel skinned girl with dark black curls sitting in the middle of the r
oom. She was cleaning the len of her camera with a piece of fabric while a blonde man with a clean cut five o’clock shadow sat on a cot to the right of her.

  “Yeah, that chick’s a couple beers short of a six pack.” The blonde man said.

  “Christian this is Aaron and my little Peter Parker over there is named Rachel.” Ethan said.

  “Oh, that joke doesn’t get old Ethan,” Rachel said with a small smile.

  “This is Christian. We found him in the middle of bourbon street. Passed out, his got a pretty fascinating story.” Ethan said and then patted Christian on the back, “Which I’m sure he’ll be ready to tell you in the morning, but for now. You should get some rest, I’ll send someone with cloths and some food shortly.” Ethan said. Christian nodded and watched Ethan walk out and lock the door behind him.

  “The lord saves, but he doesn’t trust our asses.” Aaron said. He dropped back on the cot and closed his eyes. “Go grab yourself some real-estate on the floor newbie. They ain’t got no more cots.” Christian looked around the small room and stared at the cot that sat behind Rachel. Rachel looked up and smiled,

  “There’s only two cots pretty boy, you’re better off fighting Aaron for his, because you ain’t getting that one. She’s selfish.” Rachel said with a laugh.

  “She’s trying to sleep,” The woman said with her back turned to the trio. Christian could see a dark scare on the back of the woman’s right shoulder. Christian nodded,

  “The floors fine, besides I’ve been in bed way too long as it is.” Christian said.

  “Yeah, what’s with the bloody hospital outfit. You a patient or something? Or you just into some freaky foreplay?” Aaron asked with a wink.

  “No, I mean-“ Christian was cut off with Aaron’s laughter,

  “Don’t get you’re dress in a knot, Chico. You’re not my type.” Aaron said and rested his head back down on his pillow.

  “My name is Christian.” Christian replied, Aaron waved his hand and slowly rolled onto his side. “I was locked up for a while by some doctors at the CDC. Then I got out.” The room became silent. Aaron slowly rolled over. Rachel’s softly placed her things down onto the floor and the scared woman in the back slowly sat up. Everyone’s attention was on Christian, just like before with the others.

  “How?” Rachel asked.

  “Yeah, how?” The woman said. Christian slowly sat down by the door and ran his fingers through his long messy black hair. His eyes closed and he thought hard about the question. The time after the hotel were nothing more than a mix tape of needles and darkness but every now and then he heard things and saw things. Like the long blonde hair cascading over him as the pressure of the straps came off of him. Christian’s fingers rubbed along the black and blue mark on this wrist. His hand shot back and pain ran up his arm. His skin was raw and tender,

  “Some woman got me out,” Christian said softly. He looked up at Rachel and smiled.

  “What woman?” Rachel asked.

  “I think her name was Sasha or Sara…” Christian closed his eyes and pictured the lab once again and then smiled, “Sue, her name was Sue.” The woman swung her legs over and her black boots slammed into the wooden floor. She slowly started moving toward Christian,

  “Sue? You sure her name was Sue?” The woman asked.

  “Y’all fucking with me, right?” Aaron asked.

  “Shut-up,” Rachel said. Christian shallowed lightly as the rich brown skinned woman came closer to him. Her tight white tank top was ripped and stained with blood and there was a long jagged scare on the front of her right shoulder.

  “Yeah, her name was Sue. Why?” Christian asked. The woman laughed and folded her arms over her chest.

  “Holy shit, she can laugh. Aaron,” Rachel said.

  “I heard it, and it’s creepy.” Aaron said with a smile.

  “What’s your name again?” The woman asked. She got down on her knee and stared at Christian. There eyes were locked on one another before Christian softly said,

  “My name’s Christian.”

  “Well Christian, my name’s Catherine. Catherine Briggs and I think we’re gonna be real good friends.” Catherine said.

  The End

  Afterword

  So here we are. Another book down, another messed up story told. Last time we got to those epic two words, you know the ones, The End. Some of the survivors felt a little robbed. They acted like I was Macaulay Culkin in “The Good Son” leading them to the edge of a cliff. I know, I know! You want more, but trust and believe this, we got a lot more coming. Like Tiffany and Catherine’s epic showdown, yeah that’s coming and Trinity’s two year journey, that’s coming too.

  But for now, I just want to thank you for taking another journey with me. Writing these books or any book isn’t easy. Somedays I wondered if I should even continue, but then I got your emails, your DMs and your reviews and I knew even if I don’t make a million dollars with each book like some authors. I have to continue. Because me and you, we’re in the middle of a war and we got a lot more battles before it’s done. I’m with you until the end of line, like good old Captain America or Chucky whichever you prefer. So as along as you…yes you! No one else. As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing.

  Now you came this far so you should be rewarded. Hmm, what to give you, what to give you? How about a free book? Join me and become a Survivor “Among The Living!”

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  What? You already read The Briggs Boys? Well, then how about this. Join me and this summer I’ll let you know how Catherine got to New Orleans? That’s a whole other book on it’s own. Stick with me, we’re gonna go far.

  Oh, yeah and…

  We’re gonna kill a lot of fucking zombies and maybe even more people.

  ~ Sylvester Barzey

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  About the Author

  Sylvester Barzey is a father, a husband, a soldier, and an "Anything Goes HORROR" writer. What does "Anything Goes HORROR" entail?

  Missing Children

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  A LOT OF DEAD BODIES!

  Vampires (That Don't Sparkle & Don't Believe In Dating Their Food Source! Would You Date A Cow?)

  Werewolves

  Zombies (A Whole Lot Of F#@king Zombies)

  Oh & Some Bad Words.

  He writes what he wants and does what he likes and what he likes is HORRIFYING! Pick up this book or one of his others today. Something Scary For Every HORROR LOVER!

  Join Me & Other Zombie Fans At Reading Zombie

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  Also by Sylvester Barzey

  Catherine Briggs is having a messed up year. Her car got stolen. Her family thinks she's dead. There's an unwelcome late night visitor at her door. Oh yeah! And the world's become infested with zombies! Catherine is on a mission to find her family, no matter the cost. Yet, fate seems to have other plans. Flesh eating zombies, Killer Clowns, and a number of other batshit problems await her in...Planet Dead!

  Catherine & friends have their hands full with killer clowns, a crooked government, shady people and oh yeah, zombies! Life on Planet Dead is one endless horror show. There isn't always time to share each others tales. Some get lost in the madness. Lucky for you, they don't always stay lost.

  Planet Dead: Lost Tale Vol. 1 tells the story of retried Army Sergeant First Class Robert Briggs who's dealing with all the daily problems of being a single father and widowed husband.

&nbs
p; Make breakfast.

  Do the laundry.

  Kill his mother.

  Fight the military.

  And kill zombies, you know dad things.

  I present to you a lost tale of family and fear right from the heart of Planet Dead. I present to you The Briggs Boys

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