I crept out from the trees, looking back down the road. He could be hurt. Someone raced round the corner and I threw myself back into the undergrowth. I could hear heavy breathing near me.
“Jenna?” someone whispered.
“Wesley?”
I came out of the trees.
“What happened?”
“I got by them but they tried to run me over. I dodged the truck and they hit a tree.”
The road stretched out in front of us. It wouldn’t be much longer before we were free of the city. I stopped walking.
“What is it?” Wesley asked.
“Are you really going to go running back to him? After everything that’s happened?”
“I’m not exactly your dad’s biggest fan right now, either. But the truth is he has contacts and the means to help us get out of here.”
“We don’t need him. We’ve done all right on our own.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Not great though.”
“Once we go to him, he’s in charge again. And I might never see my mom again. You can hack files and find out where she is. We could get her out then go anywhere we wanted. Europe even, sure we’d have to learn Chinese, but the point is we would be away from him.”
“Yes, I could hack the files, but we’d never get near her.”
“You have the serum. I saw you take down those other guys.”
“Jenna, I can barely see you right now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“My eyesight is reverting to normal. The serum is almost gone, I’m sorry.”
I looked away.
He put a hand on my shoulder, “I will help you find her, but like it or not, we’re going to need your dad’s help too.”
He was right, as much as I hated to admit it.
I trailed along behind him. It was cold and I just wanted to be somewhere safe.
“There it is,” Wesley said.
The road split into a crossroads. It marked the edge of the city.
“Okay, we can hike to the nearest town and see if we can get a car.”
I saw the movement in the trees, a second before they opened fire. We both threw ourselves into a ditch at the side of the road. I rolled down the embankment too fast and my head exploded in pain, as I struck a rock. I blacked out.
The next thing I knew, Wesley was dragging me along, my arm around his shoulders.
“Stay with me Jenna, come on.”
“What’s happening?” I muttered.
“Alliance,” he panted, “Ambush.”
We were moving through some trees. I tried to walk on my own, but I couldn’t. My face felt sticky and my eyesight was blurred.
“Move out,” someone yelled in the distance.
“We’re never going to make it,” I said. I pushed off Wesley and fell to the ground.
“What are you doing?” he cried.
“Just go,” I said. The pain in my head was intense. How hard had I hit it?
“Get up now,” he ordered.
“No, it’s me they want. Go find my dad.”
He yanked me up and tried to lift me again, but without the serum he wasn’t strong enough.
“You have to keep moving,” he pleaded.
“I can’t.”
The AS closed in on us.
“Just follow my lead,” he said, right before I blacked out.
Thirteen
Jenna
As I came to, I felt something cold and wet on my face. I swiped out an arm, trying to wipe it off.
“Easy,” Wesley said.
I opened one eye to find him holding a damp cloth. “What…?” I mumbled.
“I’m just trying to clean your head wound. We’re at Gene-Pharm.”
I lurched upright, and then dropped back down when everything started spinning. My stomach heaved. I fought the urge to be sick. My head was throbbing so much.
“I think you have a concussion,” Wesley said.
“Awesome. I don’t suppose you have a plan to get out of here.”
“I’m working on it.”
I looked around the room, being sure to move my head slowly. We were in an office. I was lying on a leather couch. Wesley was sitting beside me. He had a black eye and a cut lip. I guess he had tried to fight back.
“Where is everyone?”
“They’re waiting on Breton arriving.”
“Surprised they bothered with the capture and didn’t just go straight for the kill.”
“Lewis is here. I’m sure he’s itching to finish us off.”
I groaned and closed my eyes.
“You need to stay awake,” Wesley said.
“Why? So I can die from lead poisoning instead of a head injury? This way is more peaceful, thanks.”
“So you’re just going to give up,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t give up. You keep trying.”
“What would you know,” I snapped.
“Back at the barricade, you rigged that explosive. Your dad has been teaching you survival tips for years. Start thinking.”
“Yeah, he also spliced my DNA with a zombie virus. He isn’t going to win any father of the year awards.”
“Guess you have a point. After all, you’re just a failed experiment.”
I glared at him, “Shut up.”
“It’s the truth. No wonder your dad abandoned you.”
I jumped up and shoved him hard, “Shut up.”
“Prove me wrong.”
I realized what he was doing. Trying to piss me off, so I would fight back. And I had fallen for it. He was right though, we couldn’t just give up. I began searching the room for anything we could use as a weapon. The desk drawers were locked. The only thing on top of it was a pile of papers and a stapler. Death by paper cut or staple? So many choices. My vision swam and I clutched the edge of the desk for support. I touched the side of my head and when I pulled my hand away there was fresh blood. That wasn’t good.
Wesley had his ear pressed to the door.
“Hear anything?”
He shook his head, “No, nothing.”
“There’s nothing here we can use. What do you think they will do with us?”
“At a guess? Kill me and experiment on you.”
“Maybe I should just tell them what I am. I could bargain with them to let you go.”
“Cut the hero crap. Don’t tell them anything. If they can’t figure out how the serum works, they’ll just dissect you instead.”
“Have you seen how ill Lewis looks?” I asked.
“Yeah, so?”
“What do you think is wrong with him?”
“Who cares? I hope its terminal.”
I voiced what I had been wondering for a while now, “Do you think he’s turning?”
“Into a zom? I doubt it, he would have been vaccinated.”
“Against me?”
“You’re saying you turned him? How?”
“When I was taken, I bit him trying to get away. Is it possible?”
He thought for a moment, “I don’t know. Maybe. But if he is changing, we have more to worry about.”
“It would be better if he did turn.”
“Are you crazy? Why would that be a good thing?”
“Because the AS would have him to focus on and we could escape.”
The door unlocked and Breton came in. He had soldiers with him but not Lewis.
“You’ve given us a lot of trouble, young lady. Bring them both.”
We were taken to the main room where a bunch of technicians were working away.
“Your father has managed to leave town. I’m done bargaining. Kill them both.”
“No, wait!” Wesley cried, “I’ll give you what you want. I can give you Genesis.”
“Wesley!”
Breton looked intrigued, “Really? And what is it you want in return?”
“Let her go. She’s useless. You won’t need her once I give you Genesis.”
&nb
sp; He shrugged, “Agreed. Now tell me.”
“I’m Genesis.”
“No, Wesley. He’s lying. I’m Genesis.”
Breton started laughing, “You honestly expect me to believe that either of you are Genesis?”
“I can prove it. Lewis shot me point blank in the chest.”
Lewis was in the corner. His skin had turned a sickly yellow. Had none of them noticed? Did they think he had the flu or something? But then again, they were so arrogant, so confident that they were safe from the zombie virus why would they even consider it. Breton looked to him for confirmation. He just nodded.
“Why do you think Dr. Deluise kept me around?”
“Start taking blood samples immediately,” Breton ordered.
“What about Jenna? You said you’d let her go,” Wesley said.
He waved a hand at Lewis, “Take care of it.”
I remembered where I heard that before. Lewis walked towards me, a malicious grin on his face. He wasn’t going to let me go. Wesley was being forced into a chair while they attempted to take his blood. I backed out into the hallway, and Lewis followed me.
“You know, you don’t look so good. Why don’t you go have a lie down and I’ll let myself out.”
“You really think you’re leaving here?”
“Probably not.”
I wasn’t about to go down without a fight though. When he came at me, I kicked him in the leg. He stumbled. He seemed slower than usual. I ran off down the hall.
Lewis ran after me. He struck the back of my legs and I fell. I scrambled up but Lewis slammed me into the floor. I scratched and kicked out at him, but he pinned me down.
His hands encircled my throat, and he started squeezing. I dug my nails into his skin, but he wasn’t letting go. I tried to draw in air but I couldn’t. Black spots appeared in my vision.
I felt myself getting weaker, as visions of my family flashed before my eyes. Then the pain ceased and I was gone.
Fourteen
Jenna
I awoke in a green field, the sun shining down on me. I couldn’t remember how I had gotten there, but it was so peaceful, that I didn’t care. I walked along, feeling the grass between my toes. I was wearing a long white dress that I didn’t recognize. Weird.
“Jenna.”
I could hear Dad calling me up ahead. As I climbed the crest of the hill, I found him seated under a tree with Mom. They had a blanket spread on the ground and they were stretched out on it.
“There you are. What took you so long?” Mom said, smiling at me.
“Sorry, I was…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t remember what I was doing before. It was so strange.
I sat down with them, to check out the view. Rolling fields spread out before us. I had always dreamed of living somewhere like this, away from the city. In the field below us, there were rows of flowers in reds and browns. I didn’t recognize them, but they looked odd.
“Is this it then?” Dad asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Is this where it all ends?”
I had no idea what he was talking about, “Huh?”
I was distracted by the flowers. They were moving. Groans filled the air and I realized what I was looking at. They were zombies. Row upon row of them. The red and brown was their rotting flesh. They rose to their feet and began to shamble towards us.
“You need to get up, Jenna, and do something. I didn’t make you to be a weapon, but that’s what you can be. Now get up and finish this.”
I opened my mouth to reply, before I woke up back in the hallway of Gene-Pharm. Everything came rushing back to me. Breton. Wesley. Lewis. Especially him. I put my hands to my throat. It was tender, but I could breathe. Just about. Lewis must have thought he had killed me, when I had only lost consciousness.
I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I dropped my hands by my side and closed my eyes.
“Get rid of the body,” Lewis said, “Take it to the incinerator.”
I felt rage build inside me. Just throw me out with the trash? When the soldier took hold of my arms, I swung my foot up and kicked him in the head. He fell back on his butt. Before he could recover, I got to my feet. Lewis was back in the main room, so it was just me and the soldier. I lashed out again, kicking him in the face. He fell back, striking his head on the floor.
I could hear Wesley yelling obscenities. I walked into the main room, feeling like I could punch a hole through a wall. Or Lewis’ head. Two techs were trying to pin Wesley down, while another held a needle. Breton was watching with a bemused expression on his face.
Lewis was with him. He glanced up and when he saw me standing there, the look on his face was priceless. He tapped Breton on the arm, who turned around.
“What the..?”
Now everyone was looking at me. When Lewis swung his arm at me, time seemed to slow down. I blocked the blow, took hold of his arm and spun him. I slammed his head into one of the computer consoles, and he crumpled like paper.
“So, you’re Genesis,” Breton breathed, looking like he had just unearthed the Holy Grail.
I faced him.
“You were right under my nose the whole time.”
“Get out of here, Jenna!” Wesley cried. He struggled against the techs that had a hold of him.
Two of the techs backed away from me, “What’s wrong with her eyes?” one of them asked. I glanced at the window across the room. I moved in for a closer look. My eyes were covered in a yellow film. They looked like zombies eyes.
I backed away in horror. Oh, God, did I actually die? Am I a zombie?
There was a groaning from the floor. Lewis was coming to. He got to his feet slowly.
“Lewis, contain her,” Breton ordered.
But Lewis wasn’t listening. When he looked up, it was clear why. He had turned. Growling, he ran at Breton. They collided and fell to the floor, Lewis on top, teeth gnashing at Breton’s face.
“Do something!” he screamed.
The techs ran for their lives. Wesley got up and approached me slowly.
“Jenna? Do you understand me?” he asked. I could see the fear on his face.
I nodded. If I was a zombie, would I still think like a human? Would I understand him? More soldiers were coming and Breton was losing his fight. When Lewis was done, he’d start chomping on us.
“Come on,” Wesley said. He ran off down the hall and I followed.
An AS took a shot at us. I shoved Wesley into a doorway out of the way. The door opened and we stumbled inside. It was a boiler room. Weaving through the maze of pipes, I was listening intently for the bullet that would take us down.
Or would it? Would I just keep going?
I stopped running.
Wesley looked back over his shoulder, “Jenna? What are you doing?”
“I don’t…what am I? Am I one of…them?”
“You want to deal with this now?” he cried.
“Am I?”
“No! The fact that you just asked that proves you aren’t a zombie. They don’t talk. Now move.”
I’m not a zombie. I’m not a zombie, I repeated over and over in my head as we ran.
We reached a dead end.
“Damn it, we’ll have to go back,” Wesley said.
I glanced around and spotted a hatch above us.
“There,” I said.
Wesley climbed up onto a filing cabinet and tried opening the hatch. It wouldn’t budge. He put his shoulder against it.
“Let me try,” I said.
He dropped back onto the floor, “Knock yourself out.”
I climbed up and slammed my hand into the hatch. It broke apart easily.
“Good,” Wesley muttered, looking embarrassed. I guess that proved it. He was back to being a regular human again and I was, whatever the hell I was.
The hatch led to a short crawl space. I pulled myself up into it and he followed. It was a tight fit and we moved carefully, trying not to make any noise. We came to another hatch.
Opening it, we found a maintenance room below. I hung out, to check the coast was clear. The room was empty.
I lowered myself to the floor. Wesley followed, less gracefully. He was out of breath and sweating. He found a computer terminal and pulled up the email server.
“What are you doing?”
“Sending a message to your dad, so he knows where we are.”
He was running to him for help yet again, “Why? He can’t do anything to help us.”
“He might, okay. There’s a hell of a lot of soldiers between us and the exit. We need all the help we can get.”
There was a viewing room across from us; I moved closer to check it was empty. The other side was in darkness. I pressed my face up to the glass trying to see what was inside. Something thumped the glass and I leapt back. Lights flickered on.
A zombie guard looked back at me. I recognized him from the first compound where I had been held. He had been left unconscious with Z-183 on the loose. Half his face had been chewed off. He stared back at me. Slowly he raised a hand and placed it on the glass.
Did he recognize me as one of his own kind? I backed away nearly tripping over Wesley.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said.
“Nearly done with this message.”
As he finished sending the email, a warning flashed up on the screen and sirens started overhead.
“What is that?”
“Oh crap.”
“What?”
“They initiated the clean-up protocol. It’s designed to eradicate any infection present. This building is going to explode.”
Fifteen
Jenna
“What do you mean explode?” I cried.
“Explode! Boom! Blown to pieces,” Wesley replied.
“But all the soldiers are here, they’re not just going to blow them all up.”
“Yes, they would to stop the zombies from escaping. Its protocol.”
“Is there an override?”
He ran his hands through his hair, “Yeah, come on.”
When he held out his hand, I took it. We ran to the central control room. With all the chaos going on, it was unguarded. Rows of computers lined the room. Wesley started typing on the nearest keyboard. I had half been expecting a huge digital countdown on the wall, but there was nothing that I could see to indicate where the bomb was, or how much time we had left.
After Zombie Series (Book 1): After Page 9
