Z-Virus

by M. D Khamil

  "That’s my home, where I used to live with my father." She said.

  "Oh." I exclaimed.

  "I am going in, this could be my last visit here." Claire asked me to go with her inside the house. I nodded and just followed her like I did before. Once we entered the house, we were shocked to see how cleaned it was inside. "Somebody lives here." Claire said.

  "How do you know?" I asked.

  "The house is kept clean, electricity is switched off when not needed, wet clothes are hung outside at the backyard, the radio is on and there is a hot coffee on the table." She answered. What she said was true but who could have lived here? Then suddenly someone shot toward us missed an inch right side of Claire and hit the vast on the cupboard against the wall. Both of us ducked behind the sofa, the shot came from one of the windows around the living room. We had our guns ready to shoot back just in case if that someone shot us. Then that mysterious person yelled at us from his place.

  "Who are you?! Why do you come here?! Why do you want me dead?" He sounded like a young boy age around seventeen or eighteen. I immediately answered his question, "We don’t mean you any harm. We just want to come and visit this place and search for survivors if any were left!”

  "You lied!" He replied angrily.

  "No, we don’t! We mean you good!" Then he went out slowly from his hiding place still holding his shotgun pointing at us.

  "Put down your guns and the lady too, who’s hiding behind the sofa, now!" I put down my guns and all Claire’s weapon down and slide it ahead in front far from us.

  "You can trust us now, we don’t have our weapons on our side." I pleaded him.

  "You bitch, yes you lady! You tried to kill me twice this month, killing my little brother isn’t enough for you?! What do you want from me?!" He cried and shivering at the same time."I wont miss this time I got you in my hand!" He added in such a vengeful tone.

  I was dumbstruck. I faced Claire.

  "What is this Claire? What are you hiding from me?" I asked her. Claire was confused. I've never seen her like that before.

  "Wait! I tried to kill you? I don’t know what you’re talking about!" Claire said.

  "Still trying to act dumb when you are already an inch from death? I swear I'll pull this trigger and blow up your head! You killed my brother with that lethal static whip. You strangled him till he breathe his last breath! Same outfit, and same blonde hair there’s no mistaken that it was you!!!” He cried and anytime will pull the trigger.

  "Static whip?" Claire puzzled.

  "Yes you evil witch!" He shouted.

  "Wait! That’s not me. I can explain!"

  "I don’t want to hear anything from you liar!"

  "Hold on kid, give her the chance to explain, please. In this game you will win because we don’t have our weapons with us. Hearing what she's about to say won't hurt a thing." I told the boy. He agreed but still holding his shotgun pointed directly to us.

  "That wasn't me. I know who she is. But I have no relation with her for so many years now. We are rivals. Her name is Viana. Another assassin like me trained by our master. She is my senior, agent twelve. I have no idea that she is still alive. She surpassed me in everything. She is so cold, killed many innocent lives if they didn’t cooperate with her, I don’t know entirely what was her goal or what she wants to achieve. If my mission was to assassinate world leaders, her mission is much more evil, but she never failed."

  "What was her mission?" I interrupted.

  "Her original mission was to destroyed any cures made to neutralize any disease on earth but since she ran away from our spy organisation, she's been spotted taking down all world’s best martial artist masters down to their knees, they become her apprentice, if any rejected her, they and their entire family generation will be executed."

  "I thought you were the best."

  "It would take five of me to beat her alone." she said. The boy after hearing her story he slowly lowered his weapon and went away sitting to where his coffee was. Still crying but not wanting to talk to anyone. I picked up back my guns and Claire’s weapon on the floor. I sat next to the boy and tried to calm him.

  "We are sorry for your lost. Claire might be an assassin but she has a good heart. She came back here because she wants to be home. She used to live here when she was small, smaller than you are when her father died protecting her from some gang of criminals." I told the boy.

  "He does not deserved such cruel death! If I ever find that woman again I’ll rip her to pieces mercilessly!" Yelled the boy.

  "I promise you we will do this together. We will stop her evil actions and have her paid in blood the same, but not drive by revenge." By now, Claire had went upstair. She visited her old bedroom. I looked for her upstairs and found her kneeling in the room holding and embracing something to her chest. It was a photo of her and her father. She cried when only few minutes ago I saw her smiling and excited to be back. I came slowly to her and hold her hand and hugged her to ease her invisible pain.

  Chapter 13

  A New Hope

  "Are you okay?" I asked the boy.

  "Never been better." He answered.

  "I understand. You know, you are very strong. You can still live on without your family around. When I was a young boy like you I still had my parents and all of my family with me. I must say that I am very lucky, but I have no idea if they were gone at that time. I'd be lost in the darkness of pain, sadness and loneliness." I said this while reaching for an empty cup and have the coffee poured inside from the glass jar.

  "We were happy," said the boy. "We were on our way to another town for there was yearly festival called Corn Cup Gold. My little brother and I sat playfully at the backseat playing rock, paper and scissor. Then it happened." He stopped, as it was a hard one to tell.

  "What happened?" I interrupted.

  "Another car in front of us suddenly stop, my dad didn’t make it to stop in time, we crashed, then another car in the back hit and crashed our car at its fastest speed causing our car to be uplifted and thrown to the left side of the road. My mom and dad died instantly at the scene. It was a miracle that we were survived. My little brother Daniel, broke his right leg and I only got scratches and cuts from the shattered windshield." The boy inhaled and slowly released his breath. He continued, "My brother Dan, was crying he was only six at that time and I was ten. I lifted him up and tried to get out of the car. The car was already caught in fire. With all my strength left, I rushed to the road and to my surprised, the whole car in our lane were all crashed. Then I saw people screaming and running. They look scared. Soon I saw something eating a woman in group, at first I thought my eyes deceived me but no it was real. One of them look at me and started running trying to get me and my brother. I ran as fast as I could, and saw another car stopping trying his best to change his direction from where he came from. I took the chance, I knocked on the door and he let me and my little brother in and we drove away. I asked the man to stop at Bartson Street, since then, I live here with my brother, before that witch took him away from me."

  "I’m sorry again for your loss. By the way my name is Travis, Travis Williams" I said.

  "I’m Roger, Roger McKenzie." He replied.

  "Hi Roger nice to meet you." I said.

  "Me too."

  "You know what Roger, my mother used to tell me to be strong and never gave up. Whatever the situation are, there must be something about it that we can learn. We learn something from our past mistakes but different for those who were born as genius. They never failed, they always get what they wanted, they win everyone’s heart and they never wanted to lose. Sometimes they become obnoxious, selfish, greedy, and hungry for power but they failed to look someone who are less fortunate that are part of the society. They think they are a burden, a failure, low class people and many more negative views. They think a failure was born to be a failure and a genius was meant to be a genius. But they forget one thing. Hardwork can change a failure to genius and even surpasses the gen
iuses themselves. Why? Because they experienced how hard was it to be a failure and used it to change their destiny. The struggles to make the world a better place."

  "Thank you Travis. I felt better. But I’ll never forgive that monster!" Roger said in such a vengeful tone.

  "You need to find time to calm your mind and heart Roger. Sometimes revenge is not the answer. The only solution to all problems is to forgive. I know this is very difficult for you. Revenge wont bring the dead back to life. You are not a murderer. If you seek revenge and kill her, it makes you no different than her. A killer. She will have her punishment, maybe not sooner or later. Believe in God, He will do what is the best for us. His help will come not that early and not that late, but it will come at the right time. Believe in yourself what is right and believe in Him." I was glad to see him much more at ease this time. Maybe what I said to him affected the way he thinks. Claire was still busy looking at her old stuff in her bedroom and her late father’s bedroom. She missed those moments with her father and by visiting this place it would probably cure the longing to remember those sweet memories. I am sure she got what she wanted now and treasure every moments while she was here. "So Roger do you want to come with us? I mean I want you to stay with us. It wouldn’t good if you stay here all alone. We don’t know if she’s still around here, it’s best to stick together." I offered Roger a nice welcoming invitation to have him stay with us. He was still hesitating. "What do you say? I have a dog at home and his name is Prince. Am sure he will be a good friend to you." His face expression changed the moment I told him about the dog.

  "Sure! Thank you Travis. Beside what you said is true, this house has been my next stop since few years ago. Only that I have no one here anymore." Roger smiled while swallowing something as the gulp on his throat moving up and down. "Give me few minutes while I pack up my clothes and other stuff." He jumped from the sofa to the back side and up the stairs to settle his things. I was happy to have a new member in the family. This count as four, including Prince.

  "He’s joining us?" asked Claire.

  "Yeah he is, he’s a very high spirited boy. Remind me when I was younger."

  "That’s great, at least we have more hands on our team." She said while folding her arms.

  "He’ll be good. Will you train him?" I asked.

  "Am sorry, but I don’t train anyone or take any student. He’s on his own. Knows how to shoot is good enough already."

  "I knew you would say that." I giggled mischievously when suddenly Claire hit me on the head. She’s one hell of a lady. Not long after Claire gone outside, Roger went downstairs complete with his luggage, bag and some medium size boxes. "Excuse me, what are those?" I pointed to the boxes Roger brought down.

  "Oh these… These are my ammunition for shotguns and some extra weapons."

  "Oh! Well let me help you with those. Bad news, I don’t have my car with me so we just need to carry this, I live not that far from here."

  "Are you kidding me?" Roger said.

  "We are going with my Lambo."

  "You have Lambo?" I was surprised like a little boy receiving his first christmas present! Then Roger push the button on the remote key and the garage next to the house was opened slowly. There, laid a black Lamborghini Gallardo.

  Chapter 14

  To Stand For What Is Right

  "Where did you get this beast?" I was curious enough to know more about it. As far as I know there were no auto mobile store that sold car near by, especially in this small town.

  "I don’t have this baby until two years ago, I got it from another city in Green Dale. It was the last car that was untouched and in good condition. The others were already taken and some were smashed and destroyed by some explosion. I changed car each time I saw a better one, used to drive a Mini Volkswagen. I am lucky to have this one spared." As we chat in the car, we passed by Claire who walked by foot and drove up the hill where my apartment was. I waved my hand to Claire and saw her irritated face through the rear view mirror. We arrived soon after, followed by Claire. I heard Prince barking from the highest storey of my apartment looking down at us. He probably had been looking for me, for I was missing when he was sleeping. We went out the car and glad to see Roger looking at my place in complete amazement. "Is that Prince?" Roger asked. I nodded. He smiled and said "Cool!". I led the way and warned Roger about not to step on my traps. He carefully watching where he stepped on and moved along behind me. Claire had already entered the apartment.

  That night we enjoyed partying. We dance, we sing, we play games as well to celebrate a new member to the family. It was hard for me to describe the feeling I experienced right now. Roger has become like my own brother. He too was touched by our welcoming nature that I saw his eyes were teary. He again thanked me for letting him stayed with us and be part of the family. We stayed up late, Prince was drunk with his milk and we were drunk with liquor and wine, partying like there was no tomorrow.

  The day after, Claire and I were planning about going to Greendale to find the hidden thing. We were discussing this in the library. We needed a very good strategy that we have map to help us with our direction or any possible route to get to Greendale. But there was no other way to get to Greendale faster except that we have to cross the Dead Bridge. This is very risky. The bridge hasn’t been used for many years and it was made of wood. The door creaked opened as we busied with our plan and saw Roger slowly entering the room. "Hey, I heard what you guys said. Can I join you? To Greendale?" He looked lively and showed the interest in participating.

  "Roger, I think it’s better for you to stay here with Prince. This is a very dangerous mission . We won't be able to watch for your back if there were three of us." I said.

  "Who needs protection? I am used to live out there alone and this mission is just another day hunting some hidden I don’t know weapon? Shooting some zombies won't be a problem for me."

  "McKenzie, this is not like what you think. This is more than just that. You are still young and inexperienced. We had considered if you were able to be part of the team, but we thought wrong. You still had a lot to learn. This is not a game." added Claire.

  "Excuse me lady? I caught you yesterday, you still think I am a junior and incapable of this?"

  "I could have taken your weapon out of your hand if I wanted to yesterday but I decided not to." Claire clarified.

  "Such big words on small body." Roger replied.

  "Want to try?"

  "Guys! Enough!" I yelled to both of them. "Stop this pointless fight. Fighting won’t solve anything. Roger what Claire had said is true. You can’t join us. Not yet."

  "You too? No, I am in and that is that."

  "Fine! But don’t expect us to watch your back! We were trying to save your ass, don’t blame us if anything gets you hurt!" Claire went out from the room and left us both in the library. "Travis, I promised I won’t be a burden. Trust me." He said.

  "Okay, but make sure you follow the rules and stick to the plan when we were on our mission, do you understand that?"

  "I will. I promise Travis." I asked him to prepare because we were going on to start our mission soon. He walked out the room a happy man, because his face expression told me so.

  I wore my SWAT uniform and asked Roger to wear the same as I have extra of them. We were completed armed with weapons. Claire as usual with her leather battle outfit and attractive to the eyes. It reminds me the outfit wore by one of the famous DC Comics superhero named Catwoman. Only she doesn’t have the cat mask. We are going to Greendale with my loyal truck. This time I didn’t bring Prince along with me. It’s better for him to stay, at least he will not be caught in the middle of the war later and has someone to look after the apartment when we were gone. He was already barking repetitively as if to bid us goodbye and wished to have a safe trip. Each of us prepared well for this mission. We discussed things what to do and not, always work as a team and don't be foolish to do things alone, unless it is safe. Claire had already entered the Truck, sh
e asked me that she would drive again this time. Roger was standing next to my truck staring at the sky as if praying for his safety and peace during our mission. I reached for him and greeted him at that instant moment touching his right shoulder, he startled and looked at me.

  "Are you okay my friend?" I asked.

  "I am not weak Travis. I promised I will not fail you. I just need some motivation right now." Answered Roger.

  "You may need not to worry about that. All you have to do is to believe in yourself and have self confidence. Just remember that, you are doing this for your brother, not for revenge, but to stand for justice for the death of your brother."

  "Yes, thank you again Travis. You’ve been kind to me and supporting me all this time. How I wish you are my big brother."

  "Hey, we are brothers now and no one can changed that." Upon hearing this, Roger hugged me and pleased that he was not alone in this mad world. Claire honk the car and shouted at us. "Okay! Enough being sentimental, we’ve got job to do! Get both of your ass moving quickly into the truck!" We quickly let go each other’s embrace and went inside the truck.