The Azrael (Book 3): Alpha Zulu

by Jesse Gagnon

  “Well, there you go. Dig in.” She turned back around and Ethan was right behind her awkwardly close. “Woah! Personal space?” She retorted.

  “I’m sorry I, just was wondering what all the commotion was about.” Ethan replied.

  “Look, we’re going to have to reschedule our thing here.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Sure, tomorrow. I’ve got some personal things to discuss with Simon.”

  “Okay. See you tomorrow, same time?”

  “Same time is fine.”

  “See you then. Goodbye Mr. Killbrook.” Ethan waved and headed for the exit of the apartment.

  “Bye Ethan. Tell Dr. Barnett to contact me in the morning.”

  “Will do sir.” Ethan answered.

  The front door closed and the chaos started to fade from Taliah’s face.

  “The dough is good.” Simon smiled and peered down at the hockey pucks on the tray.

  “I’m sorry Simon. I’ll make you some more.”

  “Don’t bother yourself with it.”

  “Okay, let me get Samson back in his room.” Taliah led Samson to his room and shut the door. She verified the door engaged this time and wondered how he got out in the first place. She entered the kitchen, picked up the tray from the floor and placed it in the sink. A few drops of dish detergent were left on the tray followed by a few sprays of water from the sink to coat the tray in soapy suds.

  “Let’s go sit on the couch.” Simon suggested.

  “Oh, boy. Last time we did this I was crying for a day.”

  “This isn’t last time. Have a seat.” Simon sat down and patted the cushion next to him for Taliah to sit. She sat down and crossed her legs.

  “So, what’s this all about?”

  “I guess I can start with good news. I heard from Mario.”

  “You did? Is he okay?”

  “He’s doing well. Now, he still needs a brain scan but I’m sure everything will come up negative. He should be available to entertain guests by the morning.”

  “Okay, I guess that’s a good start. What’s next?”

  “Dr. Barnett discovered abnormalities in your blood.”

  “I know. You already told me that I’m HIV positive. Are you trying to torture me?”

  “You see this abnormality, the HIV virus, reacts a certain way with the Azrael virus.”

  “Why is that even a direction we’re going with? The Azrael virus is a zombie virus, Simon. It kills people and turns them into monsters.”

  “Just let me finish Taliah.” Simon interrupted.

  “Okay, the HIV and Azrael virus. Next?”

  “The Azrael virus removes the HIV virus completely, wipes it clean from your system. But what it doesn’t do is kill its host. The necrosis event doesn’t’ happen with your blood. You could potentially become something else completely.”

  “So would I turn into one of those monsters?”

  “That’s the thing. Blood is blood, but when you’re dealing with a multicellular organism as complicated as the human body things can get tricky to predict.”

  “I don’t want to be one of those monsters. So you got your answer right there. I’ll deal with the HIV virus and move on, okay?”

  “There’s a chance that you might evolve into something more awesome than anything the Azrael virus could do alone. You would be free of the HIV virus.”

  “But there’s a chance I’ll become one of them, whether it’s a low or high chance I’m not sure I want to risk it, Simon.” She turned her face away and studied the painting on the wall. She still hadn’t figured out what the hell it was. At first, it looked like some abstract depiction of a green and purple giraffe. But today it appeared like green and purple brush strokes. She returned her look back at Simon.

  “I respect your decision right now, I do. Just keep the possibility in your mind for a bit longer. Do research on the HIV virus and what it does to your body. We will conduct more research on the possible results and get back with you.”

  “Okay, so, what if I said yes the moment you asked?”

  “I would have tried to talk you out of it. I want you to take time with this. You do have time. And like I said, we’ll do more experiments with the two viruses.”

  “Thank you, Simon.”

  “For what? I’ve given you nothing but information.”

  “For giving me a place to live. For trying to make my life as comfortable as possible and for giving me hope that there’s more out there than some nasty virus.”

  “You’ve given us all hope little lady. I’m just trying to live as normal of a life as possible. I may make the decisions but I depend on all of you to make it happen.” Simon pulls Taliah in for a hug; she wrapped her arms around him and was not crying this time.

  “So, tomorrow morning can I see Mario?”

  “Depending on how urgent of care he needs when he arrives will determine when you’ll be able to see him. You’ll definitely see him tomorrow regardless. The question is how long he’ll stay.”

  “Why is that?” Taliah pulled away and looked into Simon’s eyes.

  “I’ll let him tell you. You’ve heard enough from me.”

  “What is it, Simon? You can’t just leave me with that. Why bring it up at all then?”

  “You’ve got a point. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  “Is that why you were late getting here? You were dealing with that?” Simon agreed with a nod. “Never a dull moment, huh?” She asked.

  “Not one. We’re all fighting our own battles, whether it’s outside those gates with the Azrael or inside our own bodies against an awful virus. Making sound decisions with the information we receive keeps us in the fight. I just want you to live out a long, happy and normal life Taliah. That’s all. So think about it and trust that I’m doing as much as I can do about it.”

  “I know you are. Well, I got some cleaning up to do and I’m sure Samson needs to go outside. I doubt those cookies are doing well for his tummy.”

  “I bet not. Take care Taliah and really think about it.” Simon got up and walked to the door.

  “I will.” Taliah said. Simon raised his eyebrows and turned his head towards her.

  “I promise.” Taliah smiled.

  “I’ll hold you to it. Take care.” Simon exited and shut the door behind him.

  CHAPTER 42: THE SUNRISE

  Giselle was eager to get the day going after a long night’s rest at one of the safe houses to the west. She checked to see if Toko was awake and his room was empty.

  “Toko? If you’re in the bathroom I’m going downstairs.” She listened for a response and received none. She descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen. She instinctively opened the refrigerator and discovered it empty.

  “The Fridge of a college student.” She sighed recalling her days at Northern Illinois. She closed the refrigerator door and opened the pantry. A can of sweetened condensed milk sat there alone in the entire closet. Its loneliness indicated its use in today’s world.

  “That’s it? Did we eat it all?” Giselle hollered still with no response. “Where the fuck is he?” She mouthed to herself. After a thorough search of the house, she discovered it empty. She doubted that he left her there so she walked outside and searched the yard for him. Up on a hill to the east of the house, she saw a figure sitting and watching the sunrise. She sniffed the air and listened for his heartbeat. It was Toko. She jogged over.

  “I thought you le…”

  “Shhh, Miss Giselle. Have a seat and enjoy God’s gift to us all.” He interrupted with a whisper.

  “Okay, didn’t know you were one of those spiritual buffs.” Giselle quietly spoke while sitting.

  The orange sky was cropped by a black silhouette of trees below it. A hint of blue splashes hid in the background. It was a beautiful sight to see.

  “Did you know that a sunrise is but a mirage? The sun isn’t actually right there as we see it.” Toko waved his hand across the sky and paused his hand at the sun
.

  “Is that some Buddhist spiritual stuff?”

  “No Miss Giselle, I am years out of practice. The sun is merely reflected in our own atmosphere like a mirror showing us what is just beyond the horizon. It’s all science Miss Giselle, I assure you.”

  “Wow, that’s pretty cool. So why are you out here alone?” She studied his face for an emotional cue.

  “It is a sad morning.”

  “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

  “Kyo, a friend and brother in the veil has fallen.”

  “I remember the name. How?”

  “Kyo and Vlad were sent to track an Alpha that was gathering a massive army and directing it towards Chicago.”

  “That sounds overwhelming.”

  “It was. Kyo always asked for missions like those. He was a student in the martial arts and desired a challenge.”

  “He was the one that killed the Azrael with his bare hands? I remember you telling me that. What happened?”

  “They had a great battle with two dangerous Azrael and Vlad was near death. Kyo discovered their serum syringes were all broken but one. In order to save Vlad’s life he administered the serum.” He gestured injecting a needle in his neck.

  “So, then what?” Giselle asked with curiosity.

  “When Vlad awoke from recovering, not unlike when you were near death, he discovered Kyo dying. He was weakened by his own immune system failing to shut out the necrosis event of the Azrael virus. It had been almost thirty-six hours since his last injection. He fought it off longer than most.”

  “Did he turn into…”

  “Hai.” He interrupted.

  “I’m sorry Toko.” She leaned into a hug wrapping her right arm around his right shoulder and laid her head on his left shoulder. He laid the left side of his head on her head in response.

  “It is sad day Miss Giselle.” Toko gazed at the sun and smiled.

  “Did Vlad have to…”

  “Hai, he sent Kyo on to the next world with honor.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”

  “No, it was not. He recited our oath as he ended the virus from controlling Kyo ever again.”

  “Could you teach me the oath?”

  “In time Miss Giselle. First, we find your brother.”

  “If we find him.”

  “Losing hope already? Vlad said he came across a small group of awakened Azrael right after Kyo’s death. We take it as a sign of good luck. They will help him track the Alpha.” Toko gazed into the beauty of the sun and sighed.

  “Are you serious? That’s fucking crazy.”

  “Hai, it is crazy. Sometimes sad day doesn’t stay sad day.”

  “Was Jason…?” She sat her head up when she thought of the question.

  “I asked and showed him a picture. He was not with them Miss Giselle.”

  “But it’s hope. I could use a little of that right now.”

  “Strongest gift man has is hope. It is why we are so interested in the Chicago Colony. It has the highest level of hope in the world. Which is why more organizations are setting up remote facilities near your city, to draw from that energy. “

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’ve discovered a private organization about fifty miles to the southwest of Chicago that has been collecting people.”

  “Collecting for what?” She stiffened her posture and cut her eyes at Toko.

  “We don’t know. Maybe since your city has the highest concentration of those immune to the virus they are trying to study the differences.”

  “You mean experiment. They are taking our people and experimenting on them?”

  “Hai, in a more direct term.”

  “How are they acquiring these people?”

  “Small militia’s, local gangs or by offering them a safe place to live.”

  “Are they dangerous?”

  “Hai, we do not know their intentions and they have been violating human rights during their acquisition process. Also a secondary facility not far from the immunities laboratory housed Azrael studies on awakened Azrael.”

  “We should go there then. Maybe Jason was taken there.” She stood up and began to walk away.

  “No Miss Giselle, that facility was broken into and overrun by a giant herd of Azrael led by a powerful Alpha.”

  “The one you’re tracking?”

  “Hai. We scanned all of the video footage at the site and didn’t find Jason on any of the cameras. That was the first place we looked. The small group that Vlad met was seen at the facility. They appear to be following the same path as the Alpha. It is unclear their purpose, though.”

  “So much is going on out there Toko. Why waste time doing this with me?”

  “Because it is important to you. So if it is important to you then it is important to us.”

  “You should go join your friend Vlad.”

  “Vlad can handle himself just fine. I have a feeling that his relationship with these awakened Azrael may open new doors in our research. Active field research is far superior to lab studies.”

  “You do realize now that you have me in your group the Highwaymen will be kept in the loop on all research advancements.”

  “Hai, Mr. Killbrook will be notified on our discoveries.”

  “Can’t make progress if we don’t work together, right?”

  “Right Miss Giselle. We should get moving.” Toko stood up and stretched. He maintained his gaze on the sun for a few moments more. It was becoming too bright so he turned away.

  “We should eat. All I found was this.” Giselle showed Toko the can of milk.

  “I guess we head out for a breakfast run first.”

  “Sounds fine to me. Any ideas?”

  “The cellar. I found a whole grocery store down there.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “I am. We’ll eat and pack what we can carry.”

  “Deal, oh and Toko, I’m sorry about your friend.”

  “Thank you, he will be missed.” They both headed for the cellar of the safe house as the sun warmed their backs.

  CHAPTER 43: GAS STATION PARTY

  Vladomir arrived at the gas station at around ten o’clock at night. The tracking device was placed in a trash can next to pump one.

  “Can’t trust zombie with simple task.” Vladomir retrieved the tracking device and placed it in his pocket. In the shadows near the exterior restrooms of the gas station, a figure walked over and startled Vladomir.

  “Fuck, Christ’s sake you move like ninja.” Vladomir aimed his pistol and discovered it was the hairy Azrael from the group. It pointed at the trash can and banged on his chest.

  “I found tracker, yes. Where is group? I ask for group, I get one. Where is group?” Vladomir scanned the area with no luck.

  It gestured towards the restrooms.

  “Bring out. We find bad Azrael. You help track. This is good.”

  It shook its head, no. It gestured sleeping.

  “No, sleep no good. Azrael get away. We go now.”

  It shook its head again. It gestured a menacing face and sleeping again.

  “What the shit? Bring back lead of group. You, charades, is no good.”

  It walked over to the restrooms and pointed to the door and grunted.

  “Yes, bring lead of group. We go.”

  It shook its head, no, and a loud thumping and banging nearly removed the door from the hinges. Loud growling and angry grunts were behind the door. It caused Vladomir to back up.

  “This not comrades. This kind of trick?”

  It shook its head and mimed an angry face again followed by sleeping.

  “Behind door is your friends, yes?”

  It nodded, yes.

  “When sleep they become like this?”

  It nodded, yes.

  “How long does sleep last?”

  It shook its head and shrugged.

  “Fantastic. I get zombie without answers.”

  It pointed at Vladomir and gestured sleeping
.

  “No sleep for Vlad. Not with cheap door on building.”

  The Azrael walked over to the other restroom.

  “At least I have company to keep me awake.” He sat down on a bench that was attached to the gas station store overlooking the pumps and the street.

  It pointed to the open door and gestured sleeping.

  “You sleep too? Is no good. You all lazy pieces of shit.”

  It shrugged and entered the restroom. Sounds of locks being engaged were heard.

  “We have discussion about sleep in morning.” Vladomir hollered. More loud growls and bangs from the other bathroom responded to him. A few minutes later the hairy Azrael was heard aggressively attacking the door.

  The morning arrived illuminating the landscape a bright orange. Vladomir sat on an old rusty stool that he took from the back counter of the gas station. Three Twinkie wrappers were stuffed within an empty high calorie MRE pack that lied on the ground. Seven motionless Azrael were scattered across the gas station parking lot with holes in their skulls and severed limbs. A few had gashes in their throats spilling blood down the slope and into a drain with the help of gravity.

  Sounds of locks disengaging along with the absence of chaos behind the doors suggested the Azrael were awake. One door was pushed but was blocked by a late model Oldsmobile.

  “Oh, wait! I move car so door open.” Vladomir got up and jogged over. He placed the vehicle in neutral and pushed it forward while steering it towards the road. It unblocked the doors, he let go of the car and it rolled into the street not after crushing several lifeless Azrael corpses on its way. They cracked and popped as they were driven over.

  “Bonus!” Vladomir exclaimed.

  The group exited the restroom mentally energized and were blinded by the brilliance of the sun.

  “Is good morning, yes?”

  The lead Alpha agreed with a nod still squinting. The group noticed the dead Azrael in the parking lot.

  “Is okay. We have party while you sleep. Was good time.”

  The group nodded still disoriented by the sun’s blinding rays.