Disease X

by Garrett Williams

  “I got the note you left at my studio,” Gavin mentioned.

  “I can tell,” Logan sneered. A moment passed and Gavin finally asked.

  “I thought you weren’t the emotional type. Why did you call me here?”

  “It’s not about that, I just have a question.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re coming out are you?” Gavin mocked.

  “With that mug of yours, you wish,” Logan mocked back. The doctor brought Gavin his prescription and set it next to him.

  “So what is it then?” Gavin asked more seriously. Logan pondered until he could retain his stern and stoic expression.

  “I met the target last night.”

  “I expected as much.”

  “And I brought him to the designated EZ.”

  “If you wanted to do a run-down of your mission, you could have told the colonel.”

  “Before that, we talked about his business, and that I would be surprised by who’s a consumer.”

  “What’s his business?” Gavin asked. Logan tried to piece together his words and spoke.

  “He had many employees, all of which had questionable names and we were betting on them. Use your imagination,” Logan said coy. Gavin thought for a moment then his eyes lit up.

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So what’s your problem?” Gavin asked getting to the point.

  “He told me that I might be surprised by who his customers are.”

  “Are you accusing me of something?” Gavin asked harshly.

  “I don’t know, did you?”

  “No!” Gavin said hurt. “My allegiance to the cause of the militia, haven’t I proven that to you already?”

  “You did, sorry.”

  “It’s alright, your just lucky I didn’t shoot you right now.”

  “You’re pretty devoted to this militia, huh.”

  “Yeah, you are too, remember? And who was the one who decided to pull you out of that hellhole in the Yellow Zone? You talk a big game but you sure looked like you needed help getting away from the reaper.”

  “Shut up.”

  “Anyways, yeah I love this job. These sickos ruined normal living for everyone. The military’s doing all they can but still, we need people fighting for the safety of our back yard. A smaller division you could say.”

  “Getting a little patriotic aren’t we?” Gavin took a swig of his elixir and retorted.

  “My wife died sixteen years ago. That’s why I started the whole thing. Not that you would know, you were in prison for that time, you had no family to speak of and you were trained in the military. You’re the perfect man for this job.”

  Logan looked back down at his concoction at the testimonial made by Gavin. He took a large gulp and his vial was empty. He reached in his pocket and took out a crumpled greenback and let it roll out of his hands and onto the doctors table. Logan got to his feet again and on his way out he spoke to Gavin. “Well, thanks for the pep talk,” He said sarcastically.

  “You’re not very good at saying goodbye huh? You just sort of walk away without saying so much as a ‘see you around’, doesn’t it ever get old,” Gavin asked.

  “You get used to it,” Logan stopped and said callously. Logan approached the glass door as he heard the creaking of the wooden floor beneath his feet and the soft music filling the room. Before he reached the door he heard a sharp ring emanate from behind him. He turned and was greeted by another brown bag with money inside striking his chest.

  “You almost forgot. Your next assignment is in there too,” Gavin said as he continued to gorge down his elixir. Logan reached into the bag and pulled out another photo. He shut his eyes and a voice protruded his concentration.

  “Change of plans. I want you to take a special case,” A voice rang in his head. He opened them and he looked at Gavin who in turn looked behind himself. Logan followed his eyes and they lead to a familiar face. Huntington wore a sweater vest this time and slacks with black shoes. He was also no longer wearing glasses.

  “What brings you here?” Logan asked. Huntington looked beyond Gavin and saw that the doctor was nowhere to be seen. He stood up and walked to Logan.

  “I came to inform you that due to your actions in the field, we have decided to promote you to dealing with the Immortal threat,” Huntington said informatively. He reached into his slacks and unfolded a smaller piece of paper and handed it to him.

  “What is this?” Logan asked uncertain and squinting his eyes.

  “Just an opportunity to make some more money. Think of this as a promotion in a new job,” Huntington said playfully.

  “So I work for you now? I thought we were equals.” He stated.

  “We are, but of course, you do need the money as my associates have told me,” Huntington responded. He held the paper farther out at Logan until his glare finally left him and he took the photo. He looked at it, and shut his eyes.

  At least two hours had passed since Danny released Alex from the basement. Alex was sitting at a small wooden table that Merrick had made with his own hands years ago. Alex sat with other fellow infected. He gorged himself on the sustenance laid before him. The terrorists around him refrained from eating for the sole purpose of observing the newcomer and captive. He was seated at a table where everyone was considered family for their ailments; they were more surprised that Alex didn’t just decide to eat them instead. Danny watched closely as the starving child swigged down a large cup of water and felt a certain distrust that had never left him. He stared at Alex with disapproving and hateful eyes as he stood behind him, crossed armed, in his holey leather jacket.

  As Alex stuffed his face he was well aware of the devil standing behind him. His imagination filled his head with the thought that at any moment he could have sent flares dancing down his back and around to his chest. Alex made the habit of turning to stare into the hateful eyes of the deranged monster behind him, even though it made him uneasy, he looked for his own safety. Danny slid up his leather sleeve and gazed into a timepiece that lay upon his wrist. “Time’s up. Let’s go,” Danny said lowering his wrist and grabbing Alex by his hood, dragging him across the concrete yard. Alex struggled as he tried to reach for one small morsel of nourishment, and he succeeded in obtaining a piece of bread before Danny pulled him from his seat forcefully. Alex didn’t talk as he walked across the yard with Danny, mostly out of fear and the fact that his mouth was full of cooked yeast. Alex looked over to his side at Danny, who in turn glared over to him. Alex quickly turned away out of fear and shoved bread into his face.

  Danny slung open the doors to the factory machine room and watched as morning light filled the dark chamber. He looked back at Alex, who had become absorbed in the nutriment he was devouring. He snapped his fingers and Alex’s head snapped up with Danny’s finger motions. Danny gestured him to walk with him into the dim chambers. They both walked in and Alex gazed around at the plethora of machinery and what had appeared to be cardboard boxes resting atop the belts. Danny stopped him by standing in his path. Alex was still eating his white loaf of bread as he listened to Danny.

  “I saw that you ran from my friend back there. That makes you a coward,” Alex was insulted by his comment but knew he could not retort. He instead delved deeper in the nutrient. “You clearly were scared out of your mind when Lisa attacked you. And you were surprised by what you did to here,” Danny continued sounding more resentful with every word.

  “Lisa?” Alex asked after he swallowed a chunk and wiped the crumbs from his lips. Danny ignored him and continued.

  “I train the newbies. And I’m going to be your new best friend,” Alex gulped silently and took another bite.

  “So do I hit these boxes or…” Alex asked with bread in his mouth.

  “Normally, yes. But…” Danny said and then immediately swatted the bread from Alex’s grasp and sent it tumbling onto the filthy floor. Alex lamented over the first meal he had in three days as it sat collecting dust. Danny immediately
backhanded him across the face and sent him stammering back, covering his cheek.

  “You’re a special one, so I’m going to see what you’re made of personally,” Danny said sinisterly. Danny knew that Alex had no idea that they don’t do sparring on the first days of arrival. But if there were to be an accident in training, he might get him to leave their home, permanently. One way or the other, Danny wanted him gone and he wanted justification. Alex stood baffled as he held his cheek.

  “B-but, I don’t even know how to use them!” Alex replied meekly.

  “Don’t be a baby. You have to know by now. How else did you get Lisa’s abilities?”

  “What? But I’m a wheezer.”

  “Excuse me?” Danny asked irked at his excuses.

  “I don’t have her pow – “as Alex spoke and opened his arms in a state of gesture, a spark flew from his fingers into a metal bar far off to the junction of the room. The blue light whisked up and down the bar as smooth as water. Alex stood in astonishment, until he was once again back handed by Danny. His slap added to the wounds upon his face. In total he had his jacket ripped and cover in dried blood, as well as black liquid doused on his chest and several bandages on his face, courtesy of public enemy’s number one.

  Danny then ignited his fingertips down to his wrist and across his palm. The orange sparks illuminated the darkness. Alex stepped back and swallowed as he witnessed his true form: the devil himself. “Seems to me like you’re lying,” Danny said complacently.

  Alex began to step back ever so slowly until Danny took a leap at him. Alex jumped to the side with a yelp and caught the heat of his hand. Alex ran for a piece of machinery, he could feel a scorching heat from behind him. He looked back swiftly and then his gaze went back to the conveyer belt as it sought out a large river of orange and yellow pursuing him from the rear. Alex felt the heat as it ran up and down his back until it finally ceased as he hid behind the conveyer belt. Alex sat behind the machinery and he looked back out to see that the flame had dispersed and that Lucifer’s hand radiated a bright red. Alex looked forward and took a breath, as he had immediately been taken short of it.

  “I’ll admit kid, you’re a fast one. Not many run straight ahead from that,” Danny complemented. Alex sat with his back to the gears and refused to look at Danny again. Oh God, this is it. Is this what my punishment is? Julie, I’m so sorry. Alex thought to himself as he could feel a rush of heat run across his side. Alex fearfully looked to his side and saw a crouched demon. The flame ceased from his back and he was once again solid.

  “You know this is no way to fight, right?” Alex ran again at this response, only to run into a demon that had flown in a cloud of flame in front of him. Danny pushed Alex to the ground and Alex only ran opposite of him, the results were the same. “That is the very definition of insanity, you know that?” Danny insulted.

  Little by little, Alex’s fear of him grew to resentment as he continued to bully him and knock him to the ground. The final time Alex sat on the ground in front of Lucifer and remembered what had always occurred in his whole life: other people always knocked him down in the same exact way. But this time, there was no friend to help him, he was alone, he had nothing. He remembered always running, being a punching bag. For all Alex knew, Danny may have actually wanted to torture him, to kill him. Deep down Alex felt something giving him power; something that he had always tried to avoid and to resist. Alex felt hate and anger for the first time in his life. It was not annoyance or a feeling of inconvenience, but of true hate; one which he wanted to do harm. Danny knocked him over on his chest with his foot and said, “You give up that easy and you’re worthless to us, parasite.”

  Alex tightened his fists as he lay on the ground, he tried to pick himself up, but Danny just pressed his foot to his head. Alex would have to fight to get up. Danny bent over and put his head next to Alex’s and whispered. “I guess you might as well tell us where our stuff is. I’m sure your friends will be happy to take the fall for you again,” He insulted.

  Alex had had enough. With a shout, his whole being emitted a voltage of a blue tint. Danny quickly jumped off and stepped back as the disgruntled child stepped up. He was still close to the child and marveled at this sudden character change. The child looked down and found that his entire body had been set flickering with electricity; He really had obtained her power. Alex didn’t care that he was sparking up, all he wanted was one thing: to hurt the devil. Danny immediately took one small step back and just as fast a flickering fist went flying at him and struck him in the jaw. The shock had him stammering back and falling down. He rose quickly and looked at Alex. Alex became a firefly, the type of infected known for their magnetic and static capabilities. It was an amazing display of power and energy.

  Alex raised his head for Danny to see his disdainful eyes staring him in his surprised pupils. Danny immediately smiled and said, “Now were in business.” Alex could fell the amazing power as he stared at the monster in front of him, for once, he could do something for himself. Alex could just simply feel it and it will happen. He felt like a god standing in front of him. Danny immediately blazed after him in a cloud of flame. Alex stood and let off a static shockwave, knocking the flame out of the air. Danny landed on his feet and Alex shot off a river of blue at him and Danny went back into a cloud and dashed to the side. The bolt exploded the concrete beside him and sent rubble flying in the air. Danny rushed as a cloud after him and the angered youth let off another shockwave. The flame cloud then stopped short and rode the dome of sparks to the other side, behind Alex. Danny returned to his true form and created a flame in his fist. Alex quickly turned and grabbed the hand by the wrist. Alex sent an electric pulse down his arm and Danny let out a shout as it had penetrated his rough skin from the inside out. Danny kicked Alex’s knee and made it bend irregularly. Alex dropped to one knee with a painful groan, and then Danny kicked him back onto his back. Alex then did something he himself did not expect: his whole being melted into voltage and struck Danny in the chest, sending him flying five feet and landing on his back. Alex stood in his original form over Danny and he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

  “You don’t talk about my friends, their more than that, they’re the only family I have,” Alex said intimidatingly to the seemingly broken evil spirit.

  “Thanks, now I know who I’m going to kill first,” Danny said jokingly. Alex growled and threw his fist down into the ground, only to be fooled by the demon that had morphed to the side of him. Danny let off a wall of flame and Alex dodged, though he was given a second degree burn from it. Alex morphed again to gain distance, striking the earth on impact as he reverted back. He was against the wall. He was cornered. Was it his plan all along? Alex’s jacket had now been singed from the arm down to black soot. Danny began to teleport toward him to seal the kill.

  Alex, responding quickly, picked up a loose pipe from the machinery he was accompanied by in the corner. Alex sent sparks down it and set it ablaze with azure flames. Alex had wielded a weapon of fear. It was a pipe of pure current. Danny left his cloud form above Alex and dropped upon him with a burning fist. Alex reeled back with his weapon and then struck the devil with concentrated energy. When the pipe made contact with the devil, there was a loud pop and a firework had gone off, sending them both flying. Alex was sent into the wall and Danny back several feet onto the ground. Danny tried to regain his footing but to his ultimate discovery, he was actually hurt. He felt sharp pain in his abdomen and clasped his stomach. He lifted his shirt to find that the boy had left an electric burn upon his skin. Danny slowly, but surely, got to his feet and Alex was trying his best to regain his footing. Alex did not have hard skin, he could see his vision blurring with pain and he could hear the ring of the shock in his mind and the blast of the impact. Danny walked to the door and turned to the boy and left with this. “Welcome to the rest of your life.” Alex heard and rested against the corner as Danny left him alone in the ruins of war.

  Heather sat in th
e ninety degree angle that was the wooden chair that was placed at the table. A soft scratching was heard close to her ear as she continued to work on her school studies. She was working on biology. She calculated the scientific equations, as well as reading a sub note on the new outbreak. Heather read more and more and then sighed and laid down her utensil. She lived alone the majority of her life. Her parents had jobs that required them to go to faraway places for business. She still got to spend time with them of course, but for some reason it just didn’t feel like it was enough. She didn’t truly know them. She was an only child and didn’t have anyone to talk to at home. Tomorrow was the day that they finally got to come home. She couldn’t wait.

  Heather gazed over to the side of the table and there laid the beacon that Marlene had given her. She picked it up and examined it closely. What she had read about the outbreak was the reason why many civilians carried something that could contact them to the PUs. Monsters walked the streets now. The world thought that they would make miracles from this disease. What they got though was anarchy. People used their abilities for themselves. They only supported their own needs. Nobody could do anything to stop them. Until the PUs were created, the sick ruled the world. They were the ones who decided who would live and prosper and who would die with nothing left. Heather rubbed her thumb on the chrome, spherical shape of the beacon as she thought and stared into the switch that rested atop.

  She heard the splendid tune of her doorbell and she quickly pocketed the tool and sauntered over to the door. On the way, she passed through a small, narrow hallway that had mantled photos and memorabilia on the walls to her left and right. She stopped short to look into the eyehole viewing the outside. She looked through and examined a man with a red flannel shirt with grey pants and a belt. In his right hand he was carrying leather bound collection of writings. Upon the slab of leather lay the image of a sword pointing down with no point at the end. It was a sign of peace and of sacrifice but most of all, forgiveness. She put on a smile and opened the door for the stranger. The man greeted her with a warm smile and took the writings in both his hands. “Hi,” Heather greeted him.