The Demented Z (Book 3): Contagion

by Derek J. Thomas

  “Who knew what?”

  “The military knew about the infection before it even started. Listen to this: Nobody realized the scope of the leak until too late. ZVX-27 could be the end of the world.”

  Tom let that sink in for a moment. “Wow.” Was all he could say.

  Hank chimed in from over by the window, “Thought it stunk like a government screw up right from the get go.”

  Tom continued to flip through the doctor’s journal. “They didn’t just try to stop the infection. From these notes it sounds like they did all kinds of experiments. I’ve got a week’s worth of entries that are lists of various body parts removed from one of the undead. They took him apart piece by piece until only the head was left.” He hesitated for a bit, looking over at Hannah. “Bet you can guess…head was still alive and chomping.”

  “That’s just wrong.” She replied.

  “Goes on and on. They tried freezing, burning, electrocuting…about everything.”

  “Probably why they all went bat.” Hank grumbled.

  “Nothing more in the officer’s journal.” Hannah said.

  Tom was running his finger across several lines in the journal and said, “They started experimenting with various infectious diseases in an attempt to destroy ZVX-27. Thought they had the cure…that’s what they sprayed everywhere.”

  “Well we know how that turned out.” Hank said.

  “The doctor warned the higher ups. Sounds like he was pretty pissed from several of his entries. He knew it was too early to tell.” Tom continued reading in the journal. “Last entries pretty much match what the officer said. He thought there was a chemical at a research and development facility that would solve everything. Called it pethromyoxicine.”

  “Easy for you to say.” Hannah said with a laugh.

  Tom ignored her. “Echo One is what he called the R and D facility. Matches where the officer was going to send those guys.”

  “Perfect, let’s roll.” Hank said.

  Hannah nodded her head. “I’m in.”

  “Seattle…Doc wrote that it’s in Seattle. We don’t even know where in Seattle.” Tom answered.

  “Quitter.” Hank jabbed.

  “Ahhh …come on, we’ve hit the end of the road. We came here to see if we could find anything. Seattle? No way.”

  Hannah leaned in toward Tom. “We can’t stop…we’re on the trail. You’re right we came here to find something and we did. We have to keep going.”

  “You know we will die. Kelly and Sam can survive on their own, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need me.”

  Hank walked over next to them. “What if I told you where we can find the location of this Echo One?”

  Tom laughed out loud. “And how would you know this?”

  “I know stuff.”

  Chapter 15 - The Return

  They could smell the smoke before they could see it. The unnatural stench was clearly more than just burning wood. It had an acrid, chemical smell that only came from burning man made products. As they drove on, thick black smoke appeared along the tree line.

  “That’s the compound.” Hannah said.

  Nobody said anything.

  Hannah gasped as they broke through the tree line into the clearing. Huge plumes of smoke spiraled into the sky ahead of them. It was a terrifying sight. Flames reached high above the wooden walls, chasing after the dark smoke. It looked like half the compound was engulfed.

  Tom eased off the accelerator. “Should we just head for the cabin…skip this mess?”

  “No! Isaac’s still in there.” Hannah said.

  “Do you think he – “Tom started to say.

  “Don’t.” Hannah said before he could finish.

  “Okay then, let’s check it out.”

  They raced up to the front gate, skidding to a stop a few feet away. The usual tower and gate guards were nowhere to be seen. There was movement beyond the gate but the smoke obscured the view too much to make it out. They sat in silence for quite a while.

  Hank was the first to speak. “I don’t think it’s going to get any less burned the longer we sit here.”

  Before they left the military compound they all stocked up on ammo and M4 carbines. They each grabbed their rifles and piled out of the SUV. The acrid stench of smoke was overwhelming this close, stinging their eyes and nostrils. Shouts, screams, and gunfire filled the air.

  Tom led the way to the man sized door that stood wide open next to the entrance gate. They slipped through the wall and were hit full force with a scene of pure chaos. Buildings were on fire everywhere. People were racing between camp trailers.

  Tom turned back to Hannah. “You have to lead us to where Isaac was kept.”

  She didn’t’ say anything, instead moving past him with her rifle held out and ready. Using the giant outer wall as a guide, they moved along the edge of the compound. The three of them moved quickly, staying crouched low in hopes of getting to the trailer unnoticed.

  It was as they were nearing the corner of the wall that a man wearing only underwear raced out from between a pair of large tents. The three of them froze with their rifles pointed directly at the man. Underwear stopped, staring at the three of them. Recognition crossed his face when he spotted Hannah.

  She said, “What happened here Roger?”

  The man breathed a sigh of relief and then sprinted past them without answering.

  Hannah didn’t waste any time with him and instead moved further along the outer wall. After about twenty yards she came to a stop and turned to Tom and Hank. She pointed between a set of camp trailers. “We go between those and then angle to the left…should be right in front of us.”

  Tom started to nod his head when a screaming woman raced into view right where Hannah had just pointed. The woman continued to sprint out of sight. Before anyone could say anything a small group of people raced into view and then disappeared after her.

  “The contagion has spread here.” Tom said. Alarm bells were going off in his head and he knew they had to get out of this place as soon as possible. “Let’s hurry.”

  Hannah raced between the buildings. Hank and Tom were right on her heels. Not even slowing down, she angled around the corner in the opposite direction that the woman had disappeared in.

  Tom made the corner behind her and risked a quick glance in the other direction. The woman was being pulled to the ground by the group of demented. Her screams tore at Tom. Anguish and fear drowning out everything else. He turned back toward Hannah and pushed his legs to move faster.

  Just beyond Hannah sat a blue mobile home, sandwiched between two fully engulfed travel trailers. The intense heat was beginning to melt the blue siding. It wouldn’t be long before everything was gone.

  “In here.” Hannah shouted as she raced up the wooden steps leading to the home.

  Tom rushed in behind her and found she was up next to the far interior wall, digging through a metal locker. A few feet away stood Isaac, still alive and a huge look of relief on his face. Hannah found what she was looking for and raced over to Isaac, dropped to a knee and began working on the lock at his ankle.

  “I’m so glad you made it back. I’ve been worried ever since you left.” Isaac said.

  She got the lock off and stood up, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest. With a small laugh she said, “You were the one worried? I thought…Miles…I didn’t know what – “She started choking up and couldn’t finish.

  Isaac suddenly snapped his head over toward Tom. “Miles…Your wife and kid are with Miles.

  Tom stood with a confused look on his face. “What?”

  “They showed up earlier. The boy was real sick and she came looking for medicine.” He let go of Hannah and pointed to the north. “They’ve been with Miles. He’s scum.”

  Tom stood motionless, unable to process the possibility that Kelly and Sam would be in this deathtrap. He didn’t want to believe it. When he left, Sam was doing okay and they had plenty of supplies to la
st a long time. Isaac has to be mistaken.

  Hank grabbed Tom by the arm. “Let’s go get them. We have to move.”

  “He’s wrong…it wasn’t them.”

  “I promise you it was them. I talked to them.”

  “We’re wasting time. Come on.” Hannah said.

  Hank pulled his pistol and handed it to Isaac. “Lead the way.”

  Smoke was beginning to fill the narrow trailer and flames could be seen just outside the far windows. The trailer was going to be gone in a matter of minutes and they had to get out. Isaac and Hannah were the first to react, rushing past Tom and Hank.

  “Move it. This whole compound is going to be ashes.” Hannah shouted.

  They all followed Isaac out of the door and back into the chaos. Flames shot into the sky, towering above them. Screams were barely audible above the crackling and popping of fiery consumption. Choking smoke rolled between buildings, driven by the fire’s drafts. The four of them piled into one another, frozen at the base of the steps, staring at the pandemonium.

  After a brief hesitation, Isaac took off in a low crouch. He was moving toward the center of the compound. As much as Tom’s mind told him to get out of here, he raced after him. Hank and Hannah were right behind the two of them. They had only taken a dozen steps when two men raced around the corner of a burning building just ahead. Their eyes were red with rage and their mouths opened in angry growls as soon as they saw Isaac. Both men sprinted directly toward them, their mad rush carrying them right through the flames of the nearest building. The intense heat caused their clothes to burst into flames. Oblivious to the fire they continued forward. Isaac pulled up his pistol. Two quick booms and they both fell to the ground. Their burning flesh sizzled, issuing a sickening stench.

  Isaac led them further along, staying far from the bodies and flames. It only took a few zigzags through the structures before they came to a wide opening with the large farm house sitting out in the open. Three men stood on the large wrap around porch. They each had rifles up to their shoulders and were firing at unseen foes.

  “In there.” Isaac said while dropping to a knee.

  Tom crouched down next to him. “They’ll shoot us if we run out there.”

  Hannah caught up to the two of them and stood watching the scene. “Why are they still there?” Her eyes went to the burning buildings next to the farm house. “That place is going up.”

  “You guys get out of here. I’ll go get them.” Tom said.

  “Don’t be stupid. Someone’s got to watch out for you.” Hank said.

  Tom knew better than to waste time arguing with him. He looked over at Isaac. “Thanks. Now you two get out of here and we’ll meet you near the tree line.” He pulled keys from his pocket and slapped them into Isaac’s palm.

  The kid looked him in the eyes and then gave a nod, seeing that this was what Tom wanted. He slapped Hannah on the shoulder and the two of them disappeared into the swirling smoke.

  “What’s the plan boss?” Hank grumbled.

  “We step out there we’re dead.”

  “Yip.”

  “Try to sneak to the back it’ll take too long and we’re dead.”

  “Yip.”

  “Guns blazing?”

  “Yip.”

  “They could be good people.”

  “Yip.”

  Tom looked over at Hank. “Stop it.”

  “Okay…I think they’re dirt bags. Why they still here? They’re shooting everything that moves. Probably started this mess.”

  “Good enough for me.” Tom said while pulling his rifle up to his shoulder and sighting through the scope. “I’ll take the one on the left.”

  “I got the one on the right…meet in the middle.”

  “Three…Two…One…”

  Both rifles thundered at the same moment, dropping two of the men. The third man never even noticed the shots or the fact that his team members now lay dead. Hank’s rifle roared again, taking out the final man.

  “Too slow Joe.” Hank said with a grin of pride.

  Tom and Hank raced out across the open space. Before they reached the steps of the farm house a small group came rushing out from behind the house. Tom raised his rifle to gun them down. One of them, an older bearded man, threw his hands up in the air. Those around him slowed to a stop and held their hands out, showing they were weaponless.

  Tom was relieved to find them not infected. He lowered his rifle and shouted, “Get out of here… go !” Rather than watch them go, he sprinted up the porch steps and made for the front door. Hank followed right behind.

  “We go in fast.” Tom said while hesitating at the front door. When Hank nodded in agreement, he turned the knob and shoved the door open.

  Rifle up and ready, Tom rushed through the opening and swept to the left. Hank followed right behind, moving to the right. They both shouted “clear” and moved to an open doorway.

  From somewhere upstairs they heard a voice shout, “Is that you Blake?”

  Tom and Hank froze, looking up at the ceiling.

  “I’m almost finished here. Watch the front.”

  Hank looked over at Tom. “Sweep this floor first.” He whispered.

  Tom nodded his head and moved through the doorway with his gun up. The kitchen was empty. Both men swept around each side of the thick dining table and then made their way out into a back hall that led to a rear door. Hank pointed to a narrow side hall. Both of them quickly moved down the hall sweeping through rooms, finding nothing.

  At the base of the stairs Tom whispered, “He’ll expect one of his men…don’t say anything and we move in quick.”

  Hank nodded his head in agreement.

  “If Isaac’s right, Kelly and Sam are up there somewhere. Watch your lines.” Tom added while beginning up the stairs. They creaked and groaned with each step, whining with age.

  They were both halfway up when a voice shouted, “Get outside. Almost done.”

  Tom glanced back at Hank and then continued up the stairs, trying to place his feet close to the wall to stay as quiet as possible. As he reached the top of the stairs he caught a whiff of smoke, reminding him that the fire would be raging outside, time was limited. The hallway formed a ‘T’ splitting in both directions. They looked the same.

  Tom was caught in momentary hesitation when a door at the far end of the hall flew open and Miles stepped out. He was looking down at his pants, brushing at unseen filth with his hands. His face and shirt were dotted with tiny red specks. A look of surprise and confusion crossed his face when he spotted Tom. “Whaaa.” Was all he could say initially. He quickly displayed his bright white teeth in a huge grin. “Am I glad to see you?” His feet started slowly sliding back toward the room he had walked out of. He stole a quick glance back into the room.

  Rifle raised, Tom said, “Don’t move.”

  Miles ducked back into the room and out of sight. Tom had pressure on the trigger, but knew it would be too slow, so he eased off and raced down the hall after him. Hank’s boots pounding on the wooden floor sounded behind him. At the end of the hall he whipped around the corner with his rifle at the ready.

  ******

  The screaming was incredibly loud; filled with anguish, hatred, and sadness. It tore at the pit of a person’s stomach. Choking sobs mixed with crying and screams. Tom was on his knees. In a distant fog, he wondered who was so torn up to be making such horrible noises. Couldn’t someone help them, comfort them? Suddenly it hit him; he was the one screaming.

  His vision cleared and the world came back into focus. Hank was across from him, pulling Miles back through an open window, foiling his escape. Across from them sat a large bed with heavy wooden posts. Tom could hear the dripping. One drop after another plopped into a puddle that kept growing across the wooden floor. Bile rose in the back of Tom’s throat.

  Hank threw Miles to the floor right next to Tom and then used his boot to step on the man’s neck. “I’ll do him right now, just give me the word.”

&nb
sp; Tom looked over at Miles. His eyes were white with fear. His quivering lips opened to say something, but Hank’s boot held the words in. “It can’t be them.” Tm said, looking up at Hank. Tears were streaming down his face. “They’re in the cabin. They stayed there. This isn’t them.” Tom choked out.

  Miles made a gurgling noise as Hank applied more pressure to his neck.

  Tom wiped at his eyes. He looked over at the bed…the blood. He screamed out in anguish and then scooped up his rifle lying on the floor next to him. He growled a guttural shout as he slammed the butt of the weapon into Miles’s face. Over and over he pounded the man’s skull until it was a deformed, bloody mess. Tom dropped back to his knees, holding himself up by his rifle stock. “AHHH!” He screamed out, sobbing.

  Hank stepped over and rested a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the window and the rolling smoke outside. “We gotta go.”

  “Not them, wasn’t them.” Tom mumbled.

  Hank got a hand under Tom’s arm and started pulling him upwards. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 16 - Decision

  “He’s way too messed up.” Isaac said.

  Hannah nodded her head in agreement.

  Hank stood across from the two of them. He turned and looked back at Tom sitting in the back of the SUV. “He’s out of it. Needs time.”

  Isaac shook his head. “We don’t have time. This is our chance to stop all of this.”

  “With or without him we have to keep going.” Hannah said. She raised her hand toward Tom and the SUV. “Everything will be for nothing if we don’t do something with the information we found.”

  Isaac looked at Hank. “This missile site, how certain are you it will have the map we need?”

  “They were decommissioned quite a while back, but as long as this Echo One existed back then it will be mapped. They had it all.”

  “What if it’s looted?”

  “Possible… nothin’ we can do about that.”

  Both Hannah and Isaac nodded their heads in agreement.

  “Let me go talk to him.” Hank said.

  Isaac looked over at Hannah and then back to Hank. “We’re going either way, but numbers help.”