“This was in one of those vaults,” Bachman said, “and the fools thought they could control it.”
‘Typical,” she muttered. “As if the contagion aboveground couldn’t get any worse.”
“Like I said,” Emma stated, “that was just the tip of the iceberg. I wish I had been locked away inside the chiller for the last few days.”
“There’s plenty of room,” Tes said. A smile played on her lips. “Be my guest.”
Just then a loud crash echoed throughout the kitchen, as the glass doors leading into the mess hall, just off the other side of the kitchen door, shattered inwards. The sound of tables and chairs being tipped over, and smashed up, echoed throughout the kitchen.
293
Naomi
Down inside the hull of the cargo ship
Somewhere off the shore in New York State
Naomi was a quivering wreck. She huddled in the cold corner, with her face turned inwards.
She was stood close to Cain when the hatch flew open. Troy stood in the opening. But not for long. Naomi felt sick just replaying the image of what happened.
She could hear Cain bellowing with laughter that echoed around the smaller hold.
Below Naomi’s boots, she could feel the floor moving as the tentacles slithered about. After her first glance at the black worm-like things, she looked away. Especially when they were sprawled over the withered carcases of the dead crew members, as if the tentacles had sucked the life right out of them. The thought of being so close to them made her skin crawl and itch.
She could hear a groaning. There was no way Troy could’ve survived what just happened to him. Some of his blood had even splattered on her, right over in the corner.
“Yes, my queen… Feed. Feed…” Cain said over and over, and he danced like a lunatic.
Naomi could hear his bare feet slapping the floor as he danced between the tentacles.
He’s mad. Infected and mad. Doing this thing’s bidding.
She couldn’t see of any way to escape. Apart from the one entrance, there was a large double hatch high up in the ceiling where things could be lowered by crane – way to far to reach. So apart from where she was dragged in, there was no way out.
The instant I move it will react; she feared. I cannot stay like this forever.
Her body was shaking with fear.
Then the choice was taken away from her, as Cain gripped her arm and dragged her to her quivering feet.
“Watch! See what she has become. Watch her feed,” the crazy man bellowed as spittle flew from his cracked lips.
Naomi tried to look anywhere apart from at the large creature perched on top of the bodies. She feared the moment she stared at it; it would attack. It had no eyes that she could see, but she could feel it staring at her.
294
Frank and the others
Inside the superstructure of the cargo ship
Somewhere off the shore in New York State
Frank exited his cabin. His strides were long and purposeful. He no longer wore the blood covered dressing gown, now he was decked in jeans and a flannel shirt, which he had found in the small wardrobe. They were a little tight, but they would do.
His priestly collar was on the floor of the cabin. As far as he was concerned, if he never saw it again it wouldn’t bother him.
No longer was his hair scraggily and long, with his unkempt ginger beard. Now his head and face were shaved clean. A long ugly scar stood out on his cheek now the beard didn’t cover it. He didn’t give a shit.
The bible wasn’t clutched in his hand; it lay sodden on the shower floor along with the dressing gown – he would no longer be needing it.
It served a purpose. It distracted me from who I really was. The old world had no room for a man like me. However, this new world is the perfect place for me to step right back into my old ways. Why pretend any longer. I fit right into this fucked-up world.
He strode with purpose and speed.
Frank now clutched a long machete firmly in his grip. His hands no longer shook from lack of alcohol. They were rock steady. He had a purpose.
Too long I have been umming and ahing, sitting back and twiddling my fingers around the bible. I pretended God gave a shit. That He was real and had saved me all those years ago back in that jungle village, surrounded by those I had slaughtered. When, in fact, I saved myself. He had no hand in any of it. I have simply been fooling myself. Covering over who I really am.
He strode across the mess hall, and passed Smokie, who looked exhausted.
Her eyes opened wide when she realized who it was.
Outside a shadow eclipsed the window.
Frank gripped the makeshift door made of tables and moved it out of the way in one hard push. He took a step out onto the metal walkway, and in one mighty swipe, he cleaved a creature that was trying to sneak back to the mess hall. His cut severed the tentacles from the eye socket to the chest amour. His next slice cut five of the legs away that were embedded in the right side of the chest. He then plunged the long blade right through the chest and out the back. With a final kick, Frank sent the screeching creature over the railing to plummet to the deck far below.
Frank stood staring up at the encircling birds. He then stepped back inside the mess hall and dragged the tables back into place just as some more birds slammed into it with a thud.
“So, are we gonna hunt the other three creatures down, or are we just gonna sit around on our asses?” he asked the room in general.
295
Alex, Terrance, Lindell and Mollee
Down inside the cargo ship
Somewhere off the shore in New York State
Alex jumped back as Lindell raised his weapon and fired. His bullet missed, as the creatures danced to the side.
Behind him, Alex could hear the hatch slam shut again.
That’s one problem solved, he reasoned. He was worried that whatever the tentacle was attached to would surge out of the open hatch.
Naomi’s still in there, but rather her than me.
The closest creature charged right at them.
Terrance halted its forward momentum with a blast from his shotgun. This time it hit the infected mutation in the face. As the creature flew backwards, the second one vanished down behind some pallets. A few boxes tumbled from the stack and crashed to the deck with the sound of shattering china.
“What the fuck are they?” Terrance shouted.
“No idea bro, but I don’t want to stick around to find out.” Lindell started walking sideways, checking down another aisle – they had no idea if there were just two of them or fifty. “This way.”
Mollee walked a little closer to the creature that lay on its back, with a hole where a tentacle used to penetrate its brain. Black blood bubbled out of its wide-open mouth, and its long black tongue twitched. Her hands tightened on the knives. She turned, with a whip of her summer dress and long tangled hair and followed Alex.
“We will head back to the superstructure,” Lindell stated.
“We’re not going to help Naomi?” Alex asked. Not that he wanted to go anywhere near that hatch, he just wanted to be polite.
“If you want to walk in there after what you just witnessed, and become a piece of human origami, please, be my guest,” Terrance stated. “Our best bet it to rendezvous with the others and share what we have learned,” Lindell said. “We need to rally back into larger groups.”
“What have we learned?” Alex asked.
“Fucked if I know,” Lindell replied. “But we have something large in that hold, and other humanoid mutations running around.” He was poking his head around each new section before moving around it. He didn’t want the creature that had escaped to take his face off with its serrated teeth.
How many of those things are there, and where did they come from? We’re on a fucking boat in the ocean? And what the fuck is attached to that huge tentacle in the smaller hold? Lindell wondered.
296
Stu
Out to sea
Somewhere off the shore in New York State
Stu slowly swam towards the boat. He could hear talking. He stayed low in the water. He pulled on the rope to drag himself closer. Luckily, the rolling of the waters hid his weight tugging on the line attached to the small boat.
As the fog parted he could see the craft tied up against the large, motionless cargo ship. There was only one man in the boat along with Soozie and the young girl.
They’ve already headed up to the cargo ship.
For some reason, the man was stood up.
Soozie was using her body to shield the child.
“Stay away from us you fucking pervert!”
“Now, now, there’s no need to use language like that,” the man said in a wheedling voice. “You best get used to it now, because it’s what you’re going to be used for from this day forwards. You’d better learn your place bitch!”
“Drop dead, fucktard!” Soozie spat.
“You have a dirty mouth. I like that,” he said in a lower voice.
Stu moved up closer to the boat. The man’s attention was completely focused on the two females. He had no reason to worry about anything attacking from the water.
The man’s rifle rolled with the waves against the outboard motor. He tightened his grip on the knifes handle. His other hand was undoing his zipper.
“Don’t make me hurt you, bitch!” He grunted at he pulled his sodden pants down. “One way or another, this is going in that pretty mouth of yours. I would rather not hurt you in front of the little one. Mainly, because I don’t want her to be scared when it comes to her turn.”
Soozie had to keep readjusting her footing in the rocking boat. “I would rather die than go anywhere near that small wrinkled chipolata,” she said. “And trust me, you may have a knife, but I will do my utmost to make sure I take you with me.”
“Hmm, feisty. I like that. A woman with fire.” He licked his lips. Dribble ran down his grey beard.
All of a sudden, Soozie ducked down, sitting on a seat. She pushed the girl into the bow of the boat, to look away.
“Now, see, it’s not difficult being a good girl is it?” The man had a twisted smile on his face.
The boat rocked a little as he took a step closer.
“I’m going to enjoy this,” Soozie said with a smile.
“That’s the spirit,” the man said. “I’ll make sure you get a face full, baby.”
“Oh, I think that’s a dead certain.” She smiled at the man, as she covered her face with her arm.
The man’s brow creased, a little confused by her words and action. Suddenly, his chest exploded, splashing his blood all over Soozie.
297
The Boss and other four men
On the cargo ship
Somewhere off the shore in New York State
The Boss led the way. They were already up on the main deck. The place was deserted. The fog was giving them the advantage.
“They are bound to be somewhere in the superstructure,” he stated. “That’s where I’d be.”
The other four fanned around him. Their black clothes dripping with water.
“Rick, you and Keith head to the engine room and take control.”
“Yes Boss,” Rick muttered. He took one more look around, and he headed off with Keith in tow.
“You two follow me.”
The two remaining men both simply nodded.
Not the cream of the crop, but they follow orders at least. He couldn’t believe so many of his men, and his vessel had been wiped out by a few women.
Up until a few hours ago, he had it all, forty-six men under his command, an up-to-date coastguard cutter, and a hold full of weapons, ammo and food. Not to mention twelve females locked in three rooms, for the men’s entertainment.
Now what have I got, five halfwits and a small boat. At least we have two females to have some fun with; he reasoned. And if all goes well, I will have an even bigger vessel, with even more bitches at my command. Conquer and rebuild, he muttered to himself. This ship is even better, a super-sized juggernaut. Soon I will have a floating city at my disposal.
He glanced up at the towering stacks of containers.
And who knows what all these contain. This ship is a true prize. It can only get better from here on out; he reasoned. After I subdue the women, I will shoot a few as an example. I will personally make sure this Smokie bitch pays.
He had to smile, even with everything that has happened, because he presumed the worst was behind him.
What else can possibly go wrong, we have the element of surprise?
Suddenly, Rick started to shout.
What the fuck is he doing, he will give us away?
Just as he spun around he saw bird’s dive-bombing the two men.
What the fuck?
The men swung their rifles at the attacking birds, which had no heads, just a tangle of whipping tentacles.
He watched as one bird hit Keith in the face. The man fell back like a sack of potatoes as the creature forced a long black tentacle through an eye socket with a spurt of blood and brain tissue. Keith’s arms and legs were akimbo, like a starfish, as his body went into spasms.
The Boss watched in horror as the feathers and skins sloughed off the creature to review a spindly, multi leg’s creature that was now forcing its spiky legs into Keith’s chest.
Jesus-fucking-Christ!
Jesus, what have I stumbled upon? What are these things?
More birds dive-bombed and flapped about on the deck.
The Boss took a few steps back away from a thrashing bird that was trying to take off again. He stepped forward and crushed its tentacled head with the heel of his boot.
Just then a thud made him turn back around, as a deformed figure landed right next to him, as if it had fallen from a great height. It was a mutated human, with serrated teeth and what looked like growths all over its body, and something attached to its face and chest, similar to what he was just witnessing.
Below, from the boat he left behind, a single gunshot echoed through the fog.
298
Bachman, Emma, Ralph, Pete and Tes
Zone 6
The underground bunker
Quirauk Mountain, Pennsylvania
They ran as a group, each making sure the other was keeping up.
Tes was still recovering, so she was supported between Emma and Ralph. But she was getting stronger by the minute.
Bachman led the way, with Pete at the back of the group.
“This way leads through the recreational section of Zone 6,” Ralph said, as if giving a tour as they made their way through an area dotted with couches, chairs and tables – a place the army personnel could socialise.
There were a few patches of dried blood and gore splattered around the large room, with some black tentacles climbing the walls where the creatures first grew inside their hosts.
Another loud crashing sound announced the creatures had broken through into the kitchen.
“That way,” Ralph nodded, so Bachman knew which direction to head in. “And as an added bonus, we are heading towards Zone 7,” he announced.
Bachman burst through the double doors. The time for sneaking around was over. It also mattered little if there were creatures on the other side, because if they stayed still, they would be surrounded soon anyway, at least if they kept moving they had a chance.
They exited the back of the building and were now running down an alleyway. Steam hissed from grates in the ground.
Bachman wondered if they could use the tunnels the steam vented from. However, he quickly abandoned that idea, as he reminded himself of what happened the last time they crawled through the sewer system.
Plus, if steam was hissing from the vents, the heat in those pipes would be too hot to bear; he reasoned. The last thing we need is to become cornered in some tunnels.
Bachman shot out the alleyway and onto a wide street. Buildings surrounded them. Most where
apartments, homes for the military who would have lived inside Wonderland, while the world above turned to shit.
How ironic, Bachman mused, the one location that was supposed to be the most secure and safe location on the planet is the most dangerous.
He wondered how Doctor Melanie Lazaro was getting on? How he had lost contact with her soon after she started sending the information that broke the contagion wide open. If it wasn’t for her work, they would still have no idea what they were dealing with.
Not that its made much of a difference, he reasoned. I just hope there is some secure facility, somewhere in the world still working on a Blocker to stop all this. There are surely dozens of countries with their own bunkers and thousands of scientists working on this problem, as I run for my life. He had to stay positive.
England has their own Wonderland under a prison on the Moors. I hope it’s a lot safer than ours? At least some humans will survive the plague ravishing the world; Bachman mused.
He wondered if everything went wrong, and they couldn’t reach any weapons, and they were slowly picked off one at a time, and there was no one left inside to open the huge bunker doors, who would know? What we have fought for, and died for would be for nothing, he reasoned.
They raced down the street in single file. Tes was now able to run without any help.
A loud crash drew Bachman’s attention. A large creature had just plunged straight into the front of a building behind them. It was hard to tell what it was, as glass and bricks rained down over the thrashing tentacles.
More creatures charged around the corner.
“Down here,” Ralph shouted. He had overtaken Bachman now he wasn’t dragging Tes along.
He moves fast for a stout man; Bachman thought.
“It’s a thin alley between the two apartment buildings,” Ralph shouted to those behind him.
The Sixth Extinction America Omnibus [Books 1-12] Page 60
