“You are a fool to fight me alone,” The beast chuckles, “together you may have stood a chance, but alone you shall fall by my hand.”
“Then so be it.”
Hope drags Mika and Brad behind her. An empty feeling hits her in the bottom of her stomach. She turns back after sensing the other two have stopped behind her.
“What are you doing?” she asks irritated.
“We can’t just leave her alone back there,” Brad says, catching his breath.
“She told me to get to Houston and that’s what I plan on doing,” Hope says forcibly.
“You’d let her die?” Brad asks walking over to her, his arm pressed against his ribs.
“Look I don’t like it any more then you do,” Hope says, “but she made up her mind.”
“Fine, do what you want, but I can’t just leave her,” Brad says, his voice loud with authority.
“That isn’t your call,” Hope growls.
“Not hers either,” Brad says limping away, “I don’t know if you recall it or not, but I never agreed to having a leader. I make my own choices, and I do my own thing.”
“Fine, go off and die then,” Hope cries.
“You know he’s right, don’t you?” Mika asks, his voice calm and soothing as he tries not to cause further distress.
“Of course I do,” Hope murmurs. “But there is no way any of us survive if we go back there.”
“It’s better to die as a team, then live in regret,” Mika says patting her on the shoulder, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She watches as Mika catches up to the limping Brad and wraps his arm around him, heling to take away some of the pain. I don’t know what to do, Hope thinks to herself, her hands clenched in fists as she drops to her knees, her fists pounding against her thighs. This is all too much. I didn’t want to leave Fanny, and for all I know she is already dead. But I’m scared, more scared then I’ve ever been before. What’s the right thing to do? She pulls herself back to her feet, the soft, warm breeze caressing her face. “Aww fuck it,” she moans out loud, rushing to catch up with the rest of her friends.
It doesn’t take them long before they make it back to the old, broken down Jeep. Fanny is lying, lifeless on the ground. Hope pushes past the two guys and drops beside Fanny, rolling her onto her back. There are multiple cuts and lacerations all across her shirt, her breast rising and collapsing slowly.
“Fanny, come on you have to wake up,” Hope pleads.
“I told you to run,” Fanny struggles to get out, her eyes fighting to open.
“I couldn’t leave you,” Hope says holding her hand. “And you can’t leave me.”
Fanny chuckles softly; small amounts of blood coming out from her mouth, tears softly rolling down her eyes. “I could never leave you. You are the only family I have left.”
“Hey, don’t talk like that,” Hope says cutting her off. “Now come on, get up. We have to go.”
“No,” Fanny says coughing up more blood, “you have to run. Go, save the people we came here to save. Just promise me you’ll never forget me.”
“Don’t say that,” Hope says gritting her teeth, tears starting to flow down her face freely. “You’re going to be fine, you’ve come back from worse.”
“Not this time kiddo,” Fanny says.
“Hey I don’t mean to interrupt,” Brad says looking around, “but where did ugly go?”
“I don’t know,” Fanny says, her voice struggling with each breath. “It beat me, brutally then just left me here to die.”
Brad pulls out his guns and looks around anxiously, “well that sounds like a trap.”
“What? Now Zombies are setting traps?” Mika groans.
“Only thing that makes sense,” Brad replies.
“That ugly son of a bitch is mine,” Hope says picking her sword up off the ground.
“No, Hope, run,” Fanny proclaims. “It isn’t safe.”
“No,” Hope growls, “I’m done running.”
“Good, because I’m not fond of the chase,” The creature grumbles, a new horde, a bigger horde behind him.
“Hope we can’t win this,” Mika says tugging on her shoulder.
“What are we going to do? Run?” Brad asks placing his hand on Mika’s shoulder.
“We need a plan,” Mika says sensibly.
“How about, don’t die?” Brad says with his signature smirk.
“Works for me,” Hope says as she rushes the ape like creature, her sword ready to strike.
She slashes the steel with all her might. The massive beast dodges the blade, swinging its arm as hard as it can connecting with Hope’s chest and knocking her to the ground. Brad fires his guns, the bullets bouncing off the huge Zombie as Mika rushes to Hope’s side helping her back to her feet.
“You ok?” Mika asks.
“I’ll live,” Hope groans.
“Not for long if we can’t take that thing out,” Mika replies.
“These bullets are useless!” Brad cries out as the Zombie stomps its way toward him.
“Then let’s try another way,” Hope mumbles as she hits the creature from behind, the blade of her sword breaking in half as it connects with the creature’s impenetrable skin.
“Nothing can stop me!” The creature roars as it smacks Hope to the ground.
It turns back around and swings its arm in Brad’s direction, barely missing him as he dodges the attack. He kneels down beside Hope, helping her to her feet quickly. They join Mika, both men holding up the battered Hope as they start backing away slowly, trying to avoid the creature. The rest of the Zombie horde surrounds them, trapping them.
“Any more ideas?” Mika asks.
“Nothing’s coming to me,” Brad remarks.
Gunshots are heard; bullets fly every which way forcing the trio to duck to the ground. The sound of an engine roaring deafens the sound of gunfire. Brad lifts his head up and notices a large yellow van swerving through the horde, knocking them down one by one.
“Hey, Over here!” Brad calls getting to his knees.
“No!” The beast rumbles before taking a swing at the small group.
Brad and Mika pull Hope out of the way as the creature’s fist barely misses them, crashing the creature into the pavement. The van skids on the asphalt, the rear end hitting the massive beast, knocking it face first on the roadway. The side door slides open revealing a man dressed all in black, one hand grasping to a strap handing from the ceiling, his other hand stretched out toward the trio.
“Come on, we have to go!” he cries, his voice barely louder than the revving of the van’s engine or the roar of the terrible beast.
Mika is the first to jump into the back of the van with Brad pushing him to move. He bends down to help Hope to her feet only to feel her resist his actions.
“Come on,” Brad calls trying to lift her again.
“No, I can’t leave without Fanny,” Hope cries.
“Hope, Fanny’s dead. We have to leave her,” Brad says trying to reason with her.
“I don’t go if Fanny doesn’t,” Hope growls.
The creature pounds its enormous fists into the pavement as it struggles to lift itself off the ground.
“We don’t have time to argue this,” Brad sighs.
“You’re right, so let’s just grab Fanny and go!” Hope argues.
“Err,” Brad groans, his eyes rolling, “Fine, get in the van. I’ll grab her.”
Hope nods, a light smile on her face as her eyes meet his. She climbs into the van just as the creature makes it back to its feet, letting out a gigantic roar as it does. Brad looks over in horror as the beast slams its fists down, smashing two holes in the blacktop. Brad backs up a few steps, unsure of what to do next.
“Go, get in the van,” the black clad man shouts jumping out the door, an automatic rifle rapidly shooting as he hits pavement.
“I can’t. I have to get our friend,” Brad calls, his voice faint compared to the fire of the gun.
“Ma
ke it quick,” The man calls back, “I don’t know how long I can keep him busy.”
Brad nods his head quickly before darting over to Fanny’s lifeless body. He lifts her body up gently cradling her body against his. He carries her back to the van, placing her on the floor. Hope pulls her body close to her own and holds her head on her lap. Brad starts to climb in when he feels a sharp, crushing pain coming from his lower leg. The beast roars as it pulls him away, holding his head just slightly above the road.
“You will not get away from me, I am your future!” The beast booms its dismembered fist clutching his leg tighter.
“Hey ugly!” Mika calls from the van door, the shotgun in his hands “let go of my friend!”
Mika fires a shot, scattering the shells all across its face. The Zombie roars again, tossing Brad off to the side like a rag doll. The man in black rushes to Brad’s side; the creature trudges in Mika’s direction.
“There is no way to kill that thing,” Brad says standing the best he can.
“There might be a way,” The man in black says with a grin. “But for now, let’s get to the van before your friend gets himself killed.”
The man in black helps Brad into the back of the van where he scuttles his way back, until he reaches the wall. He holds his leg, the pain throbbing throughout.
“What’s going on out there?” Hope whispers to Brad.
“Armageddon… part two,” Brad says through the pain.
Mika dives into the van, the man in black right behind him.
“Go, go, go!” the man shouts to the driver, a small remote clutched in his gloved hand.
The tires spin; a screeching sound is heard as the van fishtails sending the passengers onto their sides.
“Hold on, this is going to make a mess,” the man says with a chuckle. His thumb pushes down on the red button.
A loud explosion is heard, the van shaking from the effects, knocking it off the road where the driver hits the brakes sending it into a tailspin doing a complete three sixty.
“That was intense,” Brad says with a grin before the pain from his leg gives him another jolt.
“What was that?” Mika asks, a sick look on his face.
“C-4,” the man says, “nothing cleans up a Zombie mess better than high class explosives.”
“Where are you guys headed all the way out here?” the female driver asks, her dark beady eyes bouncing off the rearview mirror.
“Ellington Field in Houston,” Hope responds.
“Why are you headed there?” the man asks.
“We got a radio transmission back home,” Hope says still stroking Fanny’s hair, “we came to rescue the survivors. But so far our mission hasn’t gone well.”
“Well I think it’s about to take a turn for the best,” The man says, his grin growing wider.
“Why do you think that?” Mika asks.
“Because you found us.”
Chapter 21
The drive back to the base is almost a blur. I can barely remember anything that happened on the drive back. I know the others were talking, I could hear the static of each of their voices prattling as I tend to Fanny. She hasn’t moved since Brad put her inside the van and we’ve been bouncing around too much to allow me to check for a pulse.
“Hey, are you coming?” Mika asks pulling Hope out of her daze.
“Uh, yeah. Sorry,” She mutters as she tries to lift Fanny’s motionless head off of her lap.
“Here, let me help you,” Mika says as he grabs hold of Fanny’s shoulders dragging her body across the van floor until he is holding her firmly in his arms.
“Where’s Brad?” Hope asks as she slides out the door.
“Lieutenants O’Brian and Bradford took him to the infirmary to check out his leg,” Mika replies.
“Who?” Hope asks confused.
“Wow, you were out of it back there weren’t you?” Mika asks with a nervous chuckle, “Lieutenant O’Brian was the one who blew up the Zombie and Lieutenant Bradford was the one driving.”
“Oh. Yeah, sorry I was a little distracted,” Hope says, her eyes lowering to the ground.
“Hey, I understand,” Mika says, “and I’m sure the others do too.”
Hope looks around at the base trying to figure out where the rest of the survivors are; a cold chill runs down her spine.
“Where is everyone?” Hope asks.
“I’m not sure,” Mika says. They approach the closest building to them, a faded red cross on the door, the word ‘Infirmary’ written in white paint.
“We should get Fanny in there, have her checked out,” Hope says opening the door.
“Before we go in, I need you to know that it may not turn out the way you want it to,” Mika says.
“Just get in her inside,” Hope says holding the infirmary door open.
Mika nods as he enters the old building. The lights inside are dim. Half a dozen lamps hang down, the soft glow of the lights reflecting off the old, metal tables. Mika lays Fanny down on the closest table.
“Who are you?” A voice calls from the back of the building startling the duo.
“My name is Mika, and this is Hope. We came here with Lieutenants O’Brian and Bradford.”
“Ah yes. You must be friends with Brad. He’s recovering well. In fact we sent him to the mess hall,” The man says.
“Who are you?” Hope asks.
“Oh yes, forgive my rudeness,” He says fixing his glasses, and running his fingers through his thinning hair before extending it to the pair, “my name is Casey Cutter. I’m the doctor who took care of your friend.”
“How bad was his leg?” Mika asks.
“Not as bad as he thought it might be. Luckily nothing felt broken, and the swelling was minimal,” Dr. Cutter explains.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Hope says, “but my friend here could use your help.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t even realize,” Dr. Cutter says fixing his glasses again and walking over to Fanny’s body. The doctor lifts up her arm, his fingers wriggling around searching for signs of life. “I’m sorry but she’s dead.”
“No, check again,” Hope urges, “She’s survived worse things.”
The doctor sighs and pulls a stethoscope out of his breast pocket. He places the tips in his ears as he glides the stem gingerly across her chest, his head shaking back and forth before he slides the tips out of his ears and drags it down around his neck.
“I’m sorry,” the doctor says again, “but there is no signs of life.”
“No,” Hope cries
“I’m sorry but there is no pulse, no heartbeat, nothing,” Doctor Cutter says more forcibly.
Hope’s legs shake as she drops, Mika catching her before she is able to hit the ground.
“Come on, why don’t we find you a place to sit down,” Mika says pulling her toward the door.
“No,” Hope says pulling herself together and walking to Fanny’s table, “can I have a moment to say goodbye, alone?”
“Yes, by all means,” Dr. Cutter says nodding furiously ushering Mika towards the door, “take all the time you need.”
“Thank you,” Hope says swallowing her emotions.
She watches the pair leave before allowing her eyes to water. She reaches down, her hand and lower lip trembling as she takes Fanny’s lifeless hand in hers, the tears flowing freely as she does.
“Why did you have to stay behind,” she chokes out, “why didn’t you just come with us? This isn’t how it was supposed to be, this isn’t how it was supposed to end. Why?”
The word haunts her as she repeats it over and over to herself until it becomes numb in her brain. She doesn’t know how long she stays by her dead friend’s side, but she remains until her eyes dry out. She releases Fanny’s hand and tries to regain as much self-control as she can muster before walking out of the infirmary. She looks around; the base looks empty with the exception of the few dozen identical buildings lined up around her.
“Hey we’re in here
,” Mika says peeking his head out of the mess hall door.
“Thanks,” Hope says forcing a smile, “I wasn’t sure where you went.”
“Everyone is inside waiting for you. So whenever you’re ready,” Mika replies patting her on the shoulder.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for this,” Hope says choking back more tears. “So we might as well get this over with.”
Mika remains silent. He just pulls her close and holds her tightly, letting her sob softly into his chest. They don’t remain outside long, she pulls herself together again before Mika ushers her through the door. The mess hall is dim, and scarcely occupied. There isn’t much in the way of furniture, a few tables, reminiscent of an elementary school cafeteria remain. Chairs and stools are scattered about many missing a leg or pieces of the backs. Mika shows Hope to a free chair on the empty side of a table. It takes her eyes a few minutes to adjust through the blurriness of her tears and the dimness of the lights. She can make out the shadows, outlines of less than a dozen people on the other side. Mika pulls a chair up next to her and takes a seat.
“How are you doing?” Brad asks, his voice coming from the shadows across from her.
“I’ll be fine,” Hope lies, “how’s the leg?”
“This is nothing. I’ve lived through worse,” Brad says with a chuckle.
“So what do we do now?” an unfamiliar voice asks from the dark.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t see any of you,” Hope says, “and frankly it’s not helping me much right now.”
“I am sorry,” a deep soothing voice calls from the other side.
The dim lights flicker, darkening more and more until the whole room is lost to the unknown. It takes another moment before the lights turn on again. A soft humming sound is heard as the lights brighten more encasing the building with a bright light. Hope can see the others sitting across from her, Brad at the end, his leg wrapped tightly and resting on one of the three legged stools. Beside him are Dr. Cutter and Lieutenant O’Brian. At the other end of the table Lieutenant Bradford is sitting quietly, a large hunting knife in her hand as she digs the tip of the blade into the tabletop.
Omega Virus (Book 2): Revisited Page 20
