by D G Leigh
v2.0
EVAC
(Book One)
Copyright
Written by D G Leigh
Published by Bright Ideals Inc
Copyright 2017 D G Leigh
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
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* * * * * *
Also by this author
* * * * * *
Grasslands
White Water
Lucifer's Cauldron
The Life and Death of an Guardian Angel
Sherlock Holmes: Fifty Jars of Sand
Highlander's Keep
Final Flight
Sherlock Holmes Vs The War of the Worlds
The Massacre of Mankind
Animal Sex (#1 Amazon UK bestseller: Art/Erotica)
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Chapters
Prologue
Zero Day
Zero Day + One
Zero Day + Two
Zero Day + Three
Zero Day + Four
Glossary
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Prologue
A week before Zero Day
--- One ---
Chief Jacobi's eyes snapped open as if he'd only been faking sleep. The human inner ear evolved to register the distinct acoustic tones of a crying infant. The father of eight woke to an alarmingly chorus of wailing but this was no child in need of a night-time feed.
Bathed in moonlight filtering through lofty palms Jacobi swiftly joined other roused members of his island's tribal community. Hurried towards the headland. Night sand cool beneath his bare feet. Unsettlingly drawn to investigate the source of suffering. Mighty Pacific breakers did little to drown out torturous cries echoing from the spit.
Hundreds of thrashing dolphin carcasses littered the narrow sandbar. Rugged cliffs cordoned off the bay either side, though that hadn't discourage these intelligent creatures from tearing themselves to ribbons repeatedly attempting to leap high enough onto the jagged slabs to escape the ocean.
Every time Jacobi's tribe successfully heaved one back into the sea it immediately turned itself about. Swam headlong, driving as far up the shore it possibly could to beach itself once more.
“Why are they doing this?” A tearful teenager wading knee deep in a froth mix of blood and surf openly asked. “Willingly flinging themselves from their home?”
“Fleeing a predator? A greater threat than suffocating under their own body weight?” Heartbroken, drained by this seemingly hopeless task Jacobi tried to rationalised its cause. “Their sonar must be confused?” Wouldn't be the first time the American government tested top secret equipment on an isolated Pacific island. Perhaps this was their latest submarine navigation interference device in operation? Jacobi lovingly cradled the head of a stranded dolphin, washed saltwater over its skin. “Why?” He asked it.
The creature didn't understand any more than Jacobi comprehended the mammal's series of clicks and whistles. Communicated a stark warning in its own language.
* * * * * *
Zero Day
5:48am Hawaii. The Big Island
--- One ---
Strapping her worn surfboard to the 1984 Volkswagen Beetle student Jo paused. Daybreak magnificently colourful. Tremendous fusion of fiery reds streaked the sky. She'd never seen anything like it.
Tools down head groundskeeper Lionel gazed hypnotized at God's grand spectacle. Unaware that the active sprinkler system that kept Hilo's university's campus lawn so lush was drenching his trousers. Bird song absent from the dawn. The only sound constant clicking as the automatic machine flicked showers of fresh droplets.
“Aloha.” Jo greeted him, got no reply. Finished fastening her board. The Beetle's ageing starter motor sparked the engine to life on the fifth turnover. Selected first and headed off. An extra shift or two at Hallowed Grounds coffee shop would bring in much needed funds. She'd call her boss later.
Normally anticipation of the day's first surf filled her with a natural buzz but this morning's eerie glow disturbed Jo. Ambient haze surrounding her car hadn't altered whilst driving towards the beach. Switched on the old style push button radio. Perhaps breaking news of a large fire would explain the sky's vivid colours? Nothing but static on all six presets. Again another improvised coat hanger aerial had fallen off. Wound down her window, smelt the air. No taste of burning.
Crossing the empty intersection Jo turned onto Waianuenue Avenue which lead directly to the coastal road. At first she'd didn't take much notice but after passing pair four and five it became impossible to ignore. Reluctant dogs, normally full of excitement with the prospect of being let loose on the beach, tugged relentlessly against their leashes. Some drew blood clawing themselves in vain to free their collars. A lovable Otterhound snapped nastily at his owner's fingers when pensioner Max bent down to see what was troubling his beloved companion so much.
At the T-junction a group of pointing spectators had ventured over the Mamalahoa Highway's guardrail to take advantaged from the cliff top's unrestricted view. Miles of ocean blanketed with an oscillating mass of blood red algae. This extraordinary sight explained the day's translucent crimson tinge. Sunlight amplifying the bloom's surface colour. Tendrils above the waterline clung to the Big Island's peninsula rocks. An inquisitive jogger precariously leapfrogged over slippery bounders to investigate further. He wouldn't be the last.
Beneath the Wailuku waterway weed flooded the outlet flowing upstream against the current. Jo indicated left followed the contouring shoreline road. The entire route caked in algae. It'll take weeks to clean this mess up. Where had it come from? Hopefully beaches on the island's West Coast were free from contamination? She'd once seen a petroleum tanker's spill contained by using specialized floating boom barriers, perhaps these could be deployed against the encroaching fungus? Might not even be harmful towards wildlife but that wasn't her main concern, fairly sure that a couple of days without catching some waves she'd end up going stir crazy and start killing people.
Jo reached the first access point to the beach below. Drove through the small car park. U-turned to head back to the college dorms. Three dedicated surfers checking their equipment only acknowledged Jo after they'd seen her wall-hanger. The road clear she sat at the exit, foot hoovering over the gas pedal, hesitated pulling away. Watched her rear-view as the sun bronzed young men made their way to the series of zig-zag concrete steps down to the sand. One dude lingered waiting for Jo to make her mind up.
The ocean has a pull all of its own, an addiction. A form of dry land undertow. Saltwater flowed in Jo's veins. “F**k it!” She cursed. “Already here. Wetsuit on. What the hell? No harm in having a quick look.” Curious about the washed up weed at any rate. Reversed her car under the trees for shade. The clearing had no dedicated parking bays. The last remaining guy moseyed over. Seeing a pretty girl delayed him from following his mates straight away, an added bonus that she's a surfer too. This time in the morning obviously meant she shared a passion for the waves. Studied her curvy form as she overreached to untie her board.
Tangled hair. Dried salt around his face. Probably dossed inside his wheels last night waiting for the next day's set. Breakfast whatever he found disregarded in the footwells. “Wild, huh?” Charmed her with his diamond smile and impossibly high cheekbones. “I'm Carl.” Shrugged his muscular shoulders. “Hurts to see the cool-blue in pain.” Expressed his
sensitive side. Appeared genuine upset. True surfers respect the ocean's power. Showed Jo to the steps. “It's on the west breakers as well.”
His two pals had vanished. The trail at the bottom of the stairs once through the dense shrubbery opened onto a shoehorn cove. The weed's vines taken strong root on the shore. Clumped together forming honeycomb pinnacles the size of mailboxes.
Jo lingered behind Carl as he went off in search of his buddies. Figured they'd be hiding behind those termite looking mounds. “Weren't here last night. Boy they grow fast!” Placed his board on the deck. Touch the nearest organic column. His fingertip merely brushed against the stem. Screamed in absolute agony. Doubled over clutching his hand. Convulsing Carl fell to the sand. Still for a beat then powerfully sprung to his feet.
There would be many pseudonyms used to describe THEM. Zombies, the most universal phrased slapped on these emerging creatures that felt to most commonly defined what they were. Carl reanimated as a flesh craving zombie.
In a blinding bound closed half the distance between him and Jo. The soft sand having no effect on his sprint. Carl's body supercharged. No time to react as he slammed into her. Knocked Jo flat onto her back. Her surfboard the only thing separating the pair. Walloping his head Carl tried to bypass the large lump of fibreglass. Gnashing teeth bit at the stabilizers that prevented him getting close. Jo ducked her head side to side as he snapped off the fins. The curved board wouldn't protect her for long from his lashing jaw. Only a matter of time until she missed timed her evasive weaving.
No longer a good looking dude Carl's face riddled with lacerations taken from the now scissor sharp splintered fins. Spat the broken plastic from his bleeding mouth. Clocked Jo's vulnerable fingertips holding the edges. Directed his next strike at them. His bite lodged fast in the gloss finish surface. Jo fumbled with her free hand unlatching her ankle holster. Carl yanked his head back, his missing teeth remained buried in Jo's board.
Reacting from pure self preservation Jo drove her leash cutter tool into Carl's left ear. Its penetration only stopped by the hilt's impacted against his skull. The blade long enough to end his frenzied attack.
Covered in blood. Crying Jo rolled Carl's dead body off. Sickly kicked at the corpse. What had she done? Retched but didn't vomit. Through watering eyes she saw the other two surfers loitering near the stairs. Before she could call for their assistance they spotted her. Without communicating the pair acting as a team instantly rush towards her with homicidal intent. Adrenalin fuelled terror drove Jo scrambling up the nearest possible escape route, an iron bridge support for the highway above. Her two crazed pursuers, though powerful and agile were unable to apply logic to climb after her. Leapt repeatedly at the cross frame girders to no avail. Hissed their disapproval as their quarry got farther away.
--- Two ---
Traumatized Jo never considered the danger of the height she'd just scaled. Toppled over the railings onto the road. Breathless she staggered off in search of her Beetle. A sheriff's car in a hurry, responding to numerous reports of disturbances, drove across the span. Jo laughed with relief at the sight of law enforcement. Wiped her blood soaked face. Surrendered unconditionally as the cruiser came to a stop.
“Are you alright Ma'am? Have you been in an accident?” Taking his first aid kit Deputy Wynedecker exited his vehicle. “Is there anybody else hurt?” The bridge's barrier intact, no sign that a car had plummeted over the side.
Sobbing, Jo confessed “I didn't mean to. He tried to rape me.” Her only rational explanation for what had just occurred. Stepped back in a daze as the armed officer approached.
“It's okay. No one is going to hurt you.” Wynedecker checked the distraught woman for weapons. Was she a victim or an assailant? No visible wounds, that was somebody's else's blood. “I understand. Why don't you take a seat.” Guided Jo to the caged rear section of his patrol vehicle. “You'll safe now. Mind your head.” Gently placed his hand ducking her inside. Suffering from shock she followed his instructions blindly. Wynedecker shut the door smoothly.
“I'd no choice.” Jo constantly uttered. “No choice.”
Wynedecker took his seat up front. “Control, over?” Spoke into his unit's radio. Waited for a squawk back. Nothing but dead air. Just ten minutes ago the thing wouldn't shut up. “I've got a possible 216a.”
Wynedecker's shift wasn't due to begin for another twelve hours. Hilo central had alerted everybody. Return to active duty immediately. Something big was happening. First he'd thought terrorism but unlikely. Probably a night long frat party that's gotten out of hand, didn't they always? Kids pranking about town more like. After reversing from his driveway saw the polluted ocean. He'd seen the university's science students come up with some real humdingers during Halloween but never thought they were capable of anything of this magnitude.
“Ma'ma, what's your name?” Who goes to a party wearing a wetsuit? This was something else he'd stumbled across.
Jo answered respectfully. “Jo Valenti, officer.”
Wynedecker smiled. “Hello Jo. I'm Jim. In your own time can you explain to me?”
As Jo retold her story she became hysterical. Pointed beyond the car's bonnet. “Shoot him! Shoot him!” She shrieked.
One of the infected surfers had managed to climb the supports. Before Wynedecker could draw his weapon the violent lad was through the open window savagely biting. Wynedecker tried to defend himself. Booted open his driver's door sending the poor boy flying over the safety rail. Nursing his injured forearm Wynedecker went to peer below. Collapsed out of sight.
Coiled into the far corner of the back seat Jo shivered. Dared look.
From nowhere Wynedecker slammed his fists against the strengthened plexiglass behind Jo. Tried to pound his way in. Suspect containment doors only opened from the outside, nothing stopping him from simply using the handles. Hammered several more times leaving blooded smear marks. Trapped and defenceless Jo screamed. The heavy banging ceased. Everything fell silent for a moment. Wynedecker took stock, accessed a distant memory, softly lifted the latch. Demonic eyed he appeared at the door's opening. His salivating mouth roared. Jo furiously lashed her legs shunting Wynedecker shoulders back preventing him from entering. Tried to snared her fleeting ankles. Jo's stamina began to falter.
Someone clouted the back of Wynedecker's head with a ripped up road sign. Tossed him clear of the car. Heel kicked the door shut with Jo still cowering inside.
--- Three ---
A new driver got into the cruiser. Kept his distance from the dividing metal mesh. Didn't pay Jo any attention. His priority retrieve the stowed 12-gauge shotgun from the lockbox. He hadn't meant to save Jo, came for the weapon. Leslie used Wynedecker's keys to release the gun. Checked its cartridge chamber. Took the reserve box of ammunition. Filled his easily to reach shirt pockets with loose shells.
“Excuse me mister?” Jo piped up, panting. “Do you know what's happening?”
Leslie quietly closed the door, wind up the window. Continued searching the cab without speaking. Calculating what his next move should be.
“Can you let me outta here? I need to get home.” Jo kicked at the bars after Leslie didn't respond. “Hey! I'm talking to you.”
“Shhh! Pipe down.” Leslie whipped round startling Jo. Wynedecker's Baretta aimed at her head. “Are you bit?” Interrogated her. “Did that thing bite you?”
“I don't know?” The questioned fazed her. “I'm not sure?” Jo checked herself over. Riddled with cuts and abrasions. “I don't think so?”
Lowered his gun. “Well you're talking that's a good sign but you might still turn. You can stay there for now.” Winked.
Partly understanding what she knew already. “People turn almost instantaneously. I'm telling you I'm alright.” Jo eased her voice. “Please, I just want to get back to my board back.” Glanced in the opposite direction. “Let me go. I won't cause you any trouble.”
“Believe me lady, it's not safe. Especially that way.”
“How'd you
know?”
“I came that way, when there were three of us!” Didn't want to elaborate any more than that.
“Did you kill that policeman?” Why had an officer sworn to protect the public want to harm her?
“He wasn't a cop, not any more.” Leslie had already done questionable things in the last hour to stay alive. Wasn't just Wynedecker's blood on his clothes. “The whole world woke up shit crazy this morning.” Rubbed his temples remembering inconceivable horrors. “They're not normal people. The quicker you accept that the longer you'll stay alive.” Scanned the empty police frequency. “Not a good sign. There should still be chatter from individual units?”
He wasn't filling her with confidence. “Try regular radio.”
“You're listening to Kapa FM.”A young lady not usually that side of the studio microphone, clearly freaked out, tried to read important information as professionally as possible under the current circumstances. “Breaking news. All residents are instructed to remain inside until further notice. Lock all windows and doors. Where possible head upstairs to the most secure room. Perhaps the attic?” The girl's voice cracked under stress. “National Guard have been deployed with orders to shoot. Please, if you're already outside stay away from populated areas. Find shelter. Don't approach anybody behaving strangely.”
