“We will put them to sleep. We’ll tell their families, they’ll say their goodbyes, and then we will end their pain. Lethal injection.”
“So you’re basically saying euthanasia?”
“What other option is there? Bullet to the brain?” he asked. With that, Caballero climbed into the driver’s side of the Panther and slammed the door.
Fuming, Marla kicked the wheel of the truck and clenched her fists. “Fuck it!” Turning away, she stared into the distance for a second, trying to calm the tide of anger rushing inside her, but then her eyes were irrevocably drawn back to the busload of people, as she knew they would be. They all believe they are safe now. They all trust us – they trust me.
It was too cruel. They were meant to be rescued from death, all of them. Killing by any means was still killing and they were human; they had not turned. Think of all the people you’ve saved, not the ones who are lost.
Taking a deep breath, Marla scuffed her boots on the gravel and made her way around to the other side of the truck.
Wednesday, 26
Marla knocked on the door of her sister’s room and nibbled the end of one of her nails as she waited. She had spent the morning analysing the events of the day before and needed to talk to someone she trusted; her sister always fitted that bill. When the door opened, she was welcomed in with a warm smile. A sharp scent of citrus hit her senses. “Mmm, fresh,” she remarked.
“I just ate a rather juicy orange,” Ellen explained with a grin. “Sit down. Want one? I brought two up here.”
“No, I’m fine,” Marla replied, perching on the edge of the desk.
Ellen sat down on her bed and crossed her legs. “So what’s wrong?”
“What makes you think…?”
“You’ve got that deep furrow between your eyes that you always get when something’s wrong. And you get kind of twitchy…”
“Twitchy?”
Ellen giggled. “Yeah, like now you’re not sitting on the chair like a normal person, but hovering on the desk.”
Marla moved to the chair. “You win. I have got something on my mind.”
“A-ha,” Ellen said knowingly as she peeled orange number two. “I thought so, what about?”
Marla sighed. “It’s complicated. Do you want to grab some lunch with me? I haven’t eaten yet and…”
“Oh, sorry, I can’t,” Ellen replied, blushing slightly. “I’m meant to be meeting Robert in half an hour.”
“Soldier guy?”
Ellen nodded. “Yeah, we’ve been chatting a lot and he asked me to go for a coffee. I kept saying no. This time I decided why not. Never mind that, are you feeling okay? You look a bit down.”
“Yeah, it’s just that yesterday was kind of rough and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“Sorry, Marl. Maybe we could discuss it quickly now?”
“No, no, it’s fine. I don’t want to make you late. It isn’t as if you can ring him on your mobile and say you’re delayed.”
“That’s true, but he’s nice. He won’t mind if…”
“Really, it can wait. It’s a long story. Maybe tomorrow morning?”
“Definitely,” Ellen replied. “It’s a date. Any time after ten.”
Marla forced a grin and changed the subject. “You two seem to be getting on really well.”
“Yeah, I like him. It’s gonna sound cheesy, but Robert makes me laugh and he seems honest – a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy.”
“That’s good. Cheesy is good. I like him too. He seems... well, normal.” Marla’s memory flickered back to Devan and she wondered if her sister ever thought of him, not that she was about to ask.
“Anyway, enough of me, what about that scientist guy, Jakob?” asked Ellen, wriggling her eyebrows up and down.
Marla frowned. “What about him?”
“You know! I think he likes you. He’s always staring at you if we see him around – and why else should he come down to the cafeteria on our floor anyway?”
“No, I’m sure he doesn’t. He must know other people and the timing is way off!”
Ellen blinked. “How so?”
“I can’t think about dating anyone,” Marla explained. “It seems ludicrous with what’s going on in the world.”
“Do you think I’m ludicrous for hanging out with Robert?”
“No, not at all, I'm happy for you. It’s just me. We’re different, and I can’t think about normal things.”
“But you’re entitled to,” Ellen pointed out. “You are allowed to have fun and enjoy yourself. Who says you can’t? Jakob is nice, although I prefer Tommy, if I’m really honest.”
“You like Tommy? I thought you liked Robert?” asked Marla, confused.
“I don’t mean for me,” gasped Ellen, laughing. “I mean you.”
“Me and Tommy? Now that’s funny. That’s funnier than the idea of me and Jakob. Tommy is in my ‘Friend’ drawer. No, that idea is just plain weird.”
Ellen’s grin broadened as she watched her sister squirm awkwardly. “So you’ve never thought about it?”
“Ellen! No, of course I haven’t. You can wipe that smile off your face and quit matchmaking.”
“Okay, Marl, if you say so, but if you need any relationship advice…”
“Ha ha, when there are no dead-lookers left in the world maybe. Until then I’m fine. Anyway, I better be off before I make you late. Enjoy your date and say hi to Robert for me. Maybe I’ll see what Tommy is doing for lunch.”
“See!”
“No! There’s nothing to see,” Marla retorted, heading for the door, “and don’t try to see anything.”
Closing the door behind her, she leaned against the wall for a second and stared down the corridor. A young woman dressed in denim dungarees was wandering towards the stairs hand-in-hand with a small boy. He dangled a bright red toy truck from his right hand. Marla stared after them. Was it ridiculous to want a normal life? Was one even possible now? She looked up at the white-painted ceiling and back down to the floor. Of course the whole idea was crazy right now, right here, when nothing made any sense. Who are we now anyway, except a dying species? The slam of the stairwell door made her glance up.
“Now who’s Miss Depressing?” she mumbled, standing up straight. “That would be you, Marla,” she added, stepping away from the wall.
***
Noticing a waiting young man staring in her direction, Ellen’s eyes flickered everywhere but straight ahead as she walked out of the elevator and made her way towards him.
“Hi, glad you could make it,” Robert told her with a warm grin.
Ellen blushed. “Thanks for asking me. I’m impressed there’s a cinema, of all things.”
“We need it in here. It’s important for people to have something to do. We have a big DVD library.”
“It’s funny seeing you out of uniform,” she said, taking in his blue jeans, freshly ironed shirt and clean black shoes.
Robert laughed and nodded. “You look nice. That green suits you.”
“It’s the only dress I brought with me,” Ellen replied, fingering her silver bracelet nervously.
“Well, I like it a lot. Ready?”
“Yes. What are we watching?”
“Seven Pounds. It’s supposed to be very good but sad, so I hope you have your tissues handy.”
She smiled. “I’ll give it a go.”
“Shame there isn’t a pool as well on this floor, but you can’t have everything.”
“Guess there would be a water-saving problem,” Ellen reasoned, “so maybe it’s a good thing.”
“You’re very sensible,” said Robert with a wink.
Ellen laughed. “Sometimes, but I have to warn you it isn’t usual.”
They walked together down the corridor, the air cluttered with the noise of machines and various conversations seeping out from open doorways. Passing the gym, Ellen looked inside and reminded herself to get her lazy butt in there again before it hit the floor. Before they reac
hed the cinema room, Robert paused, making her stop. “I wanted to ask you something, if it’s okay,” he said hesitantly. “Those dreams you said you had...”
Ellen frowned slightly and nodded.
“Do you still have them?”
She nodded again, wondering why he would ask now of all times. Had he only invited her out because he was inquisitive about the nightmares or would they be a huge put-off? Did he consider her strange or creepy even? But then perhaps it all sounded confusing or even frightening to another person, Ellen reasoned. Maybe he just had to get the question out there, so they could get it over with and then forget it. For a moment she imagined him turning the query over and over in his mind. She hoped he would not ask about her experiences in detail, because she wanted to have a fun night and experience what used to be ‘normal’. On the other hand, she didn’t want him to think her defensive.
“Are they really realistic?” Robert asked. “Are they like how it really is... out there... those zombies... sorry, but…?”
Ellen sighed. “I don’t like to talk about them, but the dreams seem real when they happen. I don’t want to have them. They just come. When I first had an... an encounter, it was like the dream, but the dream came first.”
“So it was a prophecy?”
“I think so, yes.”
Robert rubbed his nose and then opened the door to the cinema. “Thanks, Ellen. I was curious. I promise I won’t ask you about them ever again.”
“That’s okay. It’s part of me, I guess.”
He smiled. “Ladies first.”
Ellen grinned back and entered the black-painted room, packed with chairs. They were half-full of people of all ages, but no children, so Ellen gathered it was not a movie for kids. She then noticed a film schedule on the wall, divided between family and adult showings. The simple charm of it all made her content, and she followed Robert towards a central row. “So you’ve seen this film before?” she asked him once they were seated.
“No, but I asked Sylvia if it was good and she said it is.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Since the beginning,” Robert replied. “I was based at another camp with Commander Caballero, but it fell to the undead. We were relocated, but the scientists were here already. It was tough getting here, but I guess it was for you too. This was basically a scientific research building, government run and quite secret. All of these facilities were built to cater for the workers who lived here. Afterwards, some survivors moved elsewhere to join their families.”
“So you saw a lot of... erm, what’s been happening out there?”
He nodded. “I lost some friends. Luckily, my family are alright. They are in the north.”
“I’m sorry about your friends, but glad about your relatives,” said Ellen.
“Thanks,” Robert answered as someone turned off the lights and the film began.
When the titles went up at the end, Ellen wiped her eyes with her hand. Rummaging in her bag, she noticed a packet of tissues appear in front of her nose. “Told you,” whispered Robert. “I brought these just in case.”
“Thanks, I really enjoyed the film. Will is great in it.”
“One of my favourite actors,” said Robert, standing. He waited patiently for Ellen to get up before leading the way out of the room. They headed to the cafeteria on her floor to grab a drink and something to eat. Ellen imagined how in days gone by they would have gone to the nearest pub and she would have been sitting with a spirit in her hand. But a coffee with Robert was more than fine. They were safe, away from the chaos and death outside, and that was the crucial thing.
“So, tell me about you,” Robert said once they were seated in the cafeteria.
“What do you want to know?” she asked.
“Everything and anything; whatever you want to tell me.”
Ellen blushed under his ardent gaze and wrapped both hands around her warm cup while she considered her reply. “I was one of those little kids who were always daydreaming and had my nose in a book. I’m close to my sister, although we weren’t when I was young. I was a terrible teenager after she left home. I hated the army for taking her away,” she remembered with a giggle. “Then I grew up. My father was a police officer. He died, but he was a lovely man, brave and fiercely intelligent, and patient. He was a great listener if you had a problem. I remember that. I miss him. Me and Marla visited our mum shortly before the evacuations started. I hope she’s safe. We’re waiting to find out from the administrator… Erm, I trained to be a teacher and I was teaching primary school kids before… everything. I love it, so it’s great that I can help out here too.”
“It’s a good job and you seem a natural at it,” said Robert.
“Thanks,” she answered, smiling at the compliment, although there was no way of him knowing whether she was any good. “What about you?”
He laced the fingers of his hands together and leaned forwards slightly. “Okay, I grew up in Devon in a very, very small village. So tiny you could blink and miss it when driving through.”
Ellen laughed, which made him smile before continuing, “My parents were still living there when things went crazy and they were evacuated. They’re all okay, at a facility in the north. I think I told you before. I have a younger sister and an older brother. They’re fine too. I did have a younger brother, but…” He glanced away briefly. “Anyway, when I was growing up I got bored in that village. Wanting to see the world, I joined the army. I loved it and did see the world, although everything is far out now. This situation isn’t like being at war…” He paused and leaned back in his chair. “Sorry, there I go saying the wrong thing again. I meant us to have a good time.”
“But I am having a good time, Robert. You can talk to me about anything. And I’m a great listener.”
“Just like your dad.”
“Just like him,” she replied, smiling again.
“Thanks. I can sort of see that. You have a kind face.”
Ellen laughed. “Of course that does mean you’ll have to listen to all my crap too!”
Robert grinned broadly. “We have a deal. Does that mean I haven’t put you off meeting me again?”
“No, I’d be happy to.”
“Great! How do you fancy some chocolate cake? I could do with the biggest slice they’ve got,” he said, standing.
“Definitely! Those are my two favourite words.”
Friday, 28
After changing into the blue pyjama bottoms and vests they had been given, Ellen and Marla walked into the adjoining room where Doctor Grice was waiting. The sleep study room was painted white and all of the sheets matched, but the curtains hanging either side of the single window were black. Two beds were arranged against one wall, surrounded by machines, and there were four chairs and a small table. At the other end of the room was a window through which a small office could be seen, containing a couple of desks and chairs, some computer equipment and filing cabinets.
Marla gazed through at the rows of books on the white-painted shelves. A green, plastic frog with a huge red grin sat on one desk, endangering the serious air of professionalism. “Is that yours?” she asked, pointing at it with a smirk.
Doctor Grice raised his eyebrows. “No, it’s my son’s. Well, Ellen and Marla, I am pleased that you agreed to this.”
“It wasn’t our idea,” Marla replied. “After seeing the therapist and mentioning the dreams, he kind of insisted on it. If you can get rid of these nightmares though, it’ll be worth being a guinea pig.”
The doctor coughed. “That isn’t an expression we use here – guinea pig. Here we…”
“I think it sounds fun,” Ellen cut in, nudging her sister. “I’d like to know more about our dreams and why we have them.”
“Good. This is where we will study you while you sleep. Two nurses will be here at all times, along with me.”
As if on cue, a brown-haired woman wearing blue overalls walked into the room. “Hello, my name is Rita. It’s nice to
meet you. I’ll be helping Doctor Grice.”
“Hi,” Ellen replied, struck by the nurse’s piercing blue eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m Ellen.”
The nurse nodded and smiled.
“I’m Marla, her sister. Hi.”
“You both experience the same nightmare?” asked Rita.
Ellen and Marla nodded.
“It’s untypical,” Rita continued. “Have you participated in a sleep study before?”
“No,” the sisters replied in unison and Ellen giggled. At that moment a young man in his mid-twenties walked in and closed the door behind him. He was wearing similar, pale blue overalls, so Marla presumed him to be the second nurse. “Hello,” he said, his eyes glinting as he spoke. His face was friendly and open, she thought.
“Sit down,” said Doctor Grice and everyone chose a chair while he leaned against the nearest bed. “The investigation into your sleep is called polysomnography, which you’ve probably never heard of before and will have problems pronouncing,” he began with an earnest smile. “This study will enable us to decide on the best treatment for you.”
“So you think the nightmares can definitely be cured?” asked Ellen.
“We will try,” he continued. “Many cases are curable, so we hope to, yes. During polysomnography, we will place a series of electrodes on the surface of your skin and bands around areas of your body. This is painless, so there is no need to worry. While you sleep, we will monitor the signals from the electrodes. It’s as easy as all that. Rita, would you care to show them?”
“Yes, doctor,” the nurse replied, standing. She opened a drawer and removed some items before showing them to the girls. “He is referring to these. This one is an electrode and this one is a band. They will be attached to those machines by your beds. Owen, here, can explain the tests,” she added, turning to the male nurse.
Owen grinned, showing deep dimples. “Okay, excuse the big words, but this is what we’ll be doing: EEG – that’s electro-encephalography, which will monitor your brain waves; EMG – electromyography – to check your muscle tone; and ECG – electrocardiography – for monitoring your heart.”
I Dream of Zombies (Book 2): Haven Page 8
