Z1N1: The Zombie Pandemic: 2012 Was Just the Beginning

by Mitchell Layne Cook

  “What?” Corbin and Nikki apprehensively questioned in unison.

  BLAM!! BLAM!!

  “Damn it, Theo,” Craig said angrily. “You could be a bit more tactful, don’t you think?”

  Theo just shrugged his shoulders. He hadn’t misstated anything. In fact, he felt as if he presented the standard routine quite clearly. New arrivals spent time in the Box. While in the Box you’d be taken care of but with the understanding that certain tests had to be run like blood tests. He spent his time in the Box without complaints. The system was logical. Why new arrivals objected to the routine baffled him.

  “Come, follow me,” Obadiah said soothingly. “Let me show you what our residents lovingly refer to as the ‘Box’.”

  Obadiah walked slowly over the uneven ground; his advancing age clearly evident. Corbin held Nikki’s hand as they followed the old man. Major Pavlik dismissed his soldiers to return to their duties and he walked towards the Box. Craig and Mandy followed behind the military man. Theo stood contemplating his remaining tasks for the day. Destin felt an opportunity to minister might be at hand.

  “Hello, Theo,” Destin said cheerfully. “Will we see you at tonight’s service?”

  “No.”

  “You’re a very stubborn man, Theo. I like the challenge.”

  “There’s no challenge here, preacher. I have been abundantly clear over the passing months, haven’t I? I’m not interested in your fairy tales nor do I believe in your God or any god for that matter.”

  “He believes in you, Theo.”

  Theo turned and walked away from Destin. The young scientist had an annoying habit (at least that is what others had told him) where he would callously disengage from conversations that he no longer had interest in - like someone had just flipped a switch from ON to OFF. In regards to this persistent conversation with Destin - he had more important things to worry about than his eternal soul. It seemed pretty evident to him that if all the God hoopla existed then by logical deduction – the folks stuck here with the flesh-eating zombies must already be in Hell.

  January 22, 2014: Wednesday, 11:11 AM – The Box, Bangor, Maine …

  Corbin and Nikki cautiously inspected the inside of the Box. There were two small rooms joined by a common area. A bathroom and shower occupied the east side of the building. A small, black freestanding fireplace sat on a stone hearth in the center of the common room. The four windows, one in each bedroom and two on either side of the main door were barred with thick wrought iron rods. Obadiah carefully watched his new wards and felt their concern as they eyed the bars.

  “It’s not a prison, my friends,” the old patriarch commented. “It’s for our protection. You must understand that.”

  “What about the tests?” Nikki asked.

  “Mostly observational in nature,” Ashley answered. “There will be a few blood tests over the next three days. Once you are cleared - meaning no zombie infection found - then you will no longer be required to live in the Box.”

  “She’s correct,” Winston chimed in. “You’ll be a full-fledged member of our society with all the rights and freedom of movement as everyone else.”

  “Again, welcome to our humble home,” Obadiah said. “Our doctors here will treat you for your flu-like symptoms and will monitor you for the next three days. I must leave now and return to my work in the lab.”

  Mandy and Craig said their goodbyes and left the small enclosure. Ashley provided some medication to Corbin for his cough and slight fever and something to break up the mucus and phlegm deep within his chest. Winston took blood samples from the couple and labeled them “Day 1, Test 1” before he too departed the Box. Ashley left after writing some notes for Corbin to follow regarding the pills she left for him. Major Pavlik was the last one standing at the entrance.

  “There will be at least one guard posted here twenty four hours a day,” the Major stated as he closed the door behind him bolting the door from the outside.

  The couple had traveled through many states and lost friends and family but they had finally made it. Mount Hope. Both of them sat on the edge of the bed in the first small room. Nikki wiped sweat from her husband’s brow as he drank cool water that had been left on the table for them. He felt much better than he had in weeks. Both were a bit hesitant at the new arrangement but trusted the old man and his kind words. In three days they would be officially part of the hillside community.

  “We did it,” Corbin said after a few moments. “We made it.”

  “Yes we did. They seem like nice people. Let’s get these socks and shoes off of you so you can lie down. I’ll see about building us a fire.”

  January 23, 2014: Thursday, 10:45 AM – The Box, Bangor, Maine …

  “I miss her so very much,” Nikki said. “I miss all of them.”

  “I do too,” Corbin said as he sat down on the bed next to his wife. He laid his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close to his body.

  “Our baby girl is gone. Kara is gone. James is gone. It’s not fair…”

  Corbin couldn’t respond. He rocked gently back and forth with his beautiful wife. They both felt guilty for being alive. Each of them was unable to reconcile why they had made it this far. They were grateful to be alive even with the world spiraling quickly out of control around them. A deep emptiness welled up within them – they knew full well that the hollow feeling would be with them until their dying day. One doesn’t lose that many loved ones without paying a hefty toll.

  A knock at the door caused both to jump slightly. Was it time for the second day’s tests already? Nikki inched away from her husband. As she stood wiping her eyes, she bent over and kissed him gently on the forehead. He grabbed her hands and pressed them against his lips. He knew they would make it – no matter what.

  Another knock echoed throughout the tiny structure and Nikki walked to the door. She stood by the door until the bolt on the other side was slid out of place. A key jiggled in the lock and soon the door opened. A soldier stepped back to the side of the entryway and Nikki recognized the three people standing in front of her…she didn’t remember their names but they had greeted them yesterday.

  “Hi,” Nikki said cautiously.

  “Do you mind if we come in?” Mandy asked. She could tell Nikki had forgotten their names but that was OK – it was easy to remember the names of the newcomers, not so easy for them to remember everyone else’s name – that took a while. “I’m Mandy, by the way. This is my husband Craig and our friend Theo.”

  “Come in,” Corbin said from his seated position.

  “We wanted to talk with you guys,” Craig began. “We want to share our experiences here with you. Let you know how we got used to the place and the people.”

  For the rest of the day, except when Winston and Ashley showed up to take blood tests, the two groups discussed how they got to Mount Hope, the losses they encountered and the feelings of guilt as survivors. Even Theo opened up some to discuss his take on everything that had happened since the first zombie appearance. Craig, Mandy and Theo left late that evening after having dinner with their new friends.

  Friday, the same scene played out sans Theo. Theo had some work to finish in the lab and couldn’t rejoin the group. Plus he had already shared his thoughts and feelings – he didn’t want things to get out of hand and turn into an after school special. He had important tests to focus on with Obadiah and asked that Craig apologize for him to Corbin and Nikki.

  January 25, 2014: Saturday, 5:31 PM – Destin’s study, first floor of the main complex Bangor, Maine …

  “It’s not safe, Destin. It never has been.”

  Todd Cooper and four other members of Destin’s congregation had interrupted the young pastor as he finished up his final notes for the upcoming Sunday service. The men had complained previously about the zombie trials taking place within the fenced in area - backhanded comments and snide remarks mostly at least until this evening. The men had surrounded Destin hoping to get his backing for their complaints.
With his buy-in, they could approach the community and force the scientists to take their testing outside of Mount Hope – away from their families.

  “Todd, I understand your concerns,” Destin replied. “I believe that those men and women researching an end to this undead plague have no intention to endanger our lives.”

  “We will not help them build the Annex,” Todd continued. “There are others of us that feel the same way but they are too afraid to speak up.”

  “Why are they afraid to make themselves known?” Destin looked confused. “We’ve never stifled anyone’s right to speak their mind. Obadiah has done his utmost to ensure the safety of their tests. Do you honestly think he would needlessly endanger his friends and family?”

  The men that had entered the small study with Todd mumbled amongst themselves; Todd stood with his arms crossed. Private Jake Robinson stood silently at the back of the group watching the young preacher. The man had his rifle strapped to his back since he was going on sniper duty in less than an hour. Destin didn’t care for the guns but realized that the community needed this type of firepower to keep them safe from the zombies; the young pastor did feel slightly offended that the soldier brought his gun inside the study.

  Destin closed his notes and stood up walking over to the concerned man standing on the other side of his desk. The preacher calmly placed his hand on Todd’s shoulder trying to appease the agitated spokesman of the group. Todd brushed off Destin’s hand and stepped back a few paces; the man was quite upset that he couldn’t get through to Destin – couldn’t make him see how dangerous the scientist’s tests had become.

  “Destin – people are afraid. They’re scared. Only a very small part of the community, namely those Godless scientists, supports these tests. The vast majority of your congregation and the community at large do not understand these tests or why our lives have to be risked each and every time a zombie is brought inside the safe zone.”

  “I understand your concerns, Todd, but I think that you are overreacting.”

  Todd shook his head and walked out; the rest of the men followed behind. Private Robinson looked back at the preacher; Destin felt emptiness in the man’s brief gaze. The preacher felt that if Todd was in control of the group, that he could be reasoned with. Destin had always felt uncomfortable around Jake; with the unpredictable private intermixed with the group – Destin feared for the worst…

  January 26, 2014: Sunday, 9:45 AM – The Box, Mount Hope …

  A loud knocking at the door startled Nikki and Corbin. They had just finished breakfast and were sitting close to the fireplace to warm up. The previous night had been exceptionally cold and they had let the fire go out. Once again, a loud knock echoed through the small structure. Nikki stood up and went to the door. As she looked out, Obadiah, Ashley, Winston and at least half of the Mount Hope community waited outside.

  “Yes?” she asked timidly.

  “Your test results are completely clean except for a few nasty, but normal, germs in Corbin’s system,” Ashley stated.

  “Welcome to your new home, my friends,” Obadiah said as he hugged Nikki. The old man also hugged Corbin who was standing just behind his wife.

  “All of your supplies that you came here with, plus some additional items are in the dormitory portion of the main complex,” Winston said. “Someone will show you around and help you familiarize yourself with the general layout.”

  “Today, the Mount Hope community becomes two members stronger,” Obadiah said proudly.

  Chapter 32

  March 6, 2014: Thursday, 3:53 PM – the Annex - Mount Hope Research Facility, Bangor, Maine …

  The month of February sped by quicker than the time it takes to turn the page of a familiar novel. March arrived in full force promising the return of spring. After being cleared by the doctors, Corbin had spent the last two weeks of February working in the garden; it was slow, easy work that allowed him to contribute at his own pace. Nikki poured blood, sweat and tears into helping the limited labor force build the Annex. She felt liberated; she had never really made anything with her hands before now. She felt wonderful that through her hard work she was able to give back in a meaningful way to the community that had taken them in.

  Today, the last bit of touch-up work would mark the end of the long project. Somehow, the team had completed the Annex by the end of the first week of March - ahead of original estimates. The shortened timeframe resulted mostly from the fact that the final dimension of the building was approximately sixty percent of the original design. The scientists - with help from some members of the community - transferred computers, printers and other equipment to the Annex. Running and maintaining a consistent power supply to the building proved to be the most difficult task in finally establishing a working environment for the scientists.

  The holding facility of the Annex was tested immediately to assuage the fears of the community. The back part of the building was built directly into the southeast corner of the fence; a sliding door on a pulley system could be opened from inside the building to allow movement to and from. This allowed the undead to be ushered in from outside the safe zone, through the opening of the fence directly into the holding cell without ever stepping one rotten foot into the safe zone.

  Five zombies – the max that the containment area had been designed to safely hold – were enticed to enter the confinement area. Once the beasts entered the room, the sliding door dropped behind them. The undead specimens raked and clawed their deformed hands and teeth against the thick walls. The monsters relentlessly bashed their bodies against the substantial plastic viewing window. Like off rhythm drummers, the creatures beat their fists against the metal door that they had been forced through. The zombie dungeon functioned as anticipated; the designers had taken special precautions to ensure that nothing could break out of the enclosure.

  March 9, 2014: Sunday, 2:30 AM – the rooftop of the Main Complex - Mount Hope Research Facility, Bangor, Maine …

  “It’s just going to be enough to scare them,” Todd Cooper said softly. “I’ll only let out a few of those creatures.”

  “What?” Winston Jeffries gasped loudly. He had grudgingly followed Todd to the top of the roof, but what he had just heard blew his mind. While he hated the fact that the scientist continually endangered the community – he had no idea of the true devious intentions of the two men standing beside him in the cold, dark hours of morning.

  “Don’t act so shocked,” Private Jake Robinson chimed in. “We’ve tried over the past few months to reason with these people. Have you seen them respond to our concerns?”

  “Yes,” Winston answered. “They built the new Annex away from the main facility.”

  “That’s bullshit, Winston and you know it,” Jake said through clenched teeth. “That new building is still inside the fence.”

  “I won’t be a part of this,” Winston said calmly, belying his immense fear of repercussion from the two men. He began backing slowly towards the metal staircase leading to the ground level.

  “You’re in this with us till the end,” Todd said as he grabbed the man by his shoulders.

  “Get your hands off of me!” Winston yelled.

  Jake moved behind the young doctor and cupped his hands over Winston’s mouth to keep the frightened man from alerting others. The private pulled a stiletto from his belt and rammed the short dagger deep into Winston’s left kidney. Winston struggled but the soldier was much too strong. Todd looked around nervously; this was not part of his plan, but he knew better than to cross Jake. The soldier jabbed the sharp knife deep into Winston’s right kidney. Sticky, warm blood gushed out the man’s back; the steamy life force escaped quickly barely visible in the starless night sky. Winston dropped to one knee and Jake ended the man’s life with a quick, forceful twist of his neck; a morbid, dull snapping sound preceded the young doctor’s limp body thudding to the ground.

  “What the fuck, Jake?” Todd said as he looked around. “That was not part of the plan
. We are so fucked…”

  “Shut up!” Jake said as he backhanded Todd across the mouth. “You get your skinny ass down there and do your part.”

  Todd stepped over Winston’s dead body and moved down the old metal staircase. He considered running and alerting everyone but knew Jake would gun him down. Things were not going as planned; he began to panic. At no time during the past two weeks of planning did anyone ever mention anything about killing. Jake had overreacted. Winston could have been convinced to do his part but now it was too late.

  Todd crept along the poorly lit grounds of the safe zone and moved towards the southeast corner of the fence. His part of the plan was to open the confinement area of the Annex and allow a few straggler zombies into the courtyard of the main facility. Jake had guaranteed his complete control over the situation; he would easily be able to keep the zombies in check from his sniper position on the roof.

  At the midway point to the Annex, Todd froze like a deer in headlights when he heard a loud whistle behind him. He turned back and saw Jake a few yards behind him. The soldier carried Winston’s limp body slung callously over his right shoulder. Todd began to freak out, panicked sweat beaded up on his neck and forehead as the soldier approached him.

  “What are you doing?” Todd asked unable to look directly at Winston’s lifeless body.

  “I didn’t tell you about this part of the plan,” Jake said as he dropped the corpse to the ground like a sack of potatoes. “I knew you wouldn’t go along with it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We needed a volunteer casualty,” Jake said with a sickening smile on his face. “So I volunteered old Winston here…”