Jane Zombie Chronicles Box Set Books 4-6: Crisis Cell, Ominous Ordeal, Running Rampant (Jane Zombie Box Set Book 2)

by Gayle Katz

“I think that if you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it already. Face the facts. You’re not gonna do it. You don’t have the guts. You’re someone’s flunky, a liar and a coward.”

  “Watch your mouth! I can make what’s left of your life even worse. Don’t forget that.”

  “How could I forget it? You won’t shut up about it.”

  I still can’t believe that Lance is the Rat and this whole thing was a ploy to trap me. My brain is having serious trouble processing this new revelation. I guess I should put my time in captivity to good use, try to get some information out of him, and figure out what’s going on. “How does Scrycor factor into this? Who were you talking to?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Are you their lackey? Are you doing their dirty work? It certainly sounds like it to me. Listen, since you’re so good at taking orders, how about you let me go?”

  “Ha! You’re quite the comedian these days. Look – you’re here for one reason, because you want to be here. You came to me, remember? You left your safe, cozy little life looking to help your precious Jack. And that’s what I did. I helped you save your husband.”

  “You helped me? I don’t think so. You put me through hell! Do you even know what I went through to get here? Do know the suffering you caused to get your piece of crap zombie sample? I almost died and I put other peoples’ lives in jeopardy. Because of you, Damar lost his brothers!”

  “Damar... Ah, yes! I’ve heard of him. He’s made quite a name for himself in these parts. Is he your new freedom-fighting knight in shining armor now? Does Jack have some competition?” Lance winks at me.

  “No, you douchebag. He’s a friend, but his brothers are dead now, thanks to you.”

  “First of all, you got them killed by involving them in your thievery.”

  “You made me steal it!”

  “Secondly, they were expendable, Jane. Don’t you know that by now? You got what you needed from them. It’s all good.”

  “Expendable? They’re people. And they’re not expendable. The world isn’t better without them – it’s worse, but I’m guessing you don’t see it that way. Their blood is on your hands. All of this death and destruction is your fault.”

  “Shhh. You accomplished what you set out to do. Jack is free. You can’t deny that.”

  “That’s questionable.”

  “Questionable?”

  “How do I know you didn’t kidnap him in the first place?”

  “Smart girl. Good question. I guess you don’t, but I didn’t. Plus, how dare you accuse me of something like that!”

  “Yeah. Right. Like you’re above kidnapping someone? You sent a damn clone to trick him into believing it’s me. Now you’re holding me hostage. You’re not above doing the dirty work.”

  “OK, enough of your drama. I helped you with something. Now you’re going to help me with something. That’s only fair, right?”

  “Uhhh, the last words I’d use to describe you are fair and helpful and, if I’m not mistaken, I’ve already helped you. I’m done.”

  He’s right, though; I did travel halfway around the world to help Jack. Risking his life to figure out why so many zombie outbreaks are happening around the world, Jack is the bravest man I know, so when he’s stuck, he deserves reliable backup. None of our friends had the ability or resources to help. No one else was going to lift a finger to bring him back. I thought my sources deemed Jack’s kidnapping credible. That’s why I went after him. And that’s what you do when you love someone – you risk life and limb to get them to safety. As long as Jack was being held against his will, I was right there with him and nothing would be the same without him. Unfortunately now, he’s in another mess, even though he might not realize it yet.

  “I’m sorry to tell you, but you’re far from done. Let’s be clear about a few things. When you came to me, all you mentioned was Jack. You saw him. He’s a free man. And that’s all thanks to me.”

  “Thanks to you? Yeah. Uh-huh. But you didn’t really release him, did you? You’re watching him, keeping tabs on him with your fake Jane clone masquerading around as me. Mark my words; Jack won’t be fooled for long. He’s gonna notice she isn’t me and when he does, watch out. He’ll be coming for me and for you. Nothing will stop him.”

  “Hmmm. That gives me an idea. Let’s pull up the video stream and see what’s happening with the newly reunited couple.” Lance rolls his monitor over so we can both watch together.

  I’m anxious to see Jack and make sure that he’s OK. On the other hand, I’m desperately afraid to acknowledge that he might be getting along just fine without me, well, the real me. I attempt to look away, but my eyes are reluctantly drawn to the video screen.

  “What? Afraid the man you love won’t be able to tell the difference between the two of you? Ha!”

  “Shut up!” I shoot him a dark look.

  “C’mon. Let’s watch the adventures of Jack and Jane together and see what happens.”

  I see Jack sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. He’s talking about something, but I can’t hear anything. The clone me is nodding her head. Unfortunately, everything seems normal.

  “Ah. The sound. It’s better with sound,” Lance says as he turns up the volume.

  “How was your first day back at work?” the Jane clone asks. Damn! Her voice even sounds like mine.

  “Pretty good. I love what I do so it’s like riding a bicycle, everything comes right back to you.”

  “I’m so happy to hear that. I was worried everything you went through over there might have…” she trails off.

  “Might have what? Screwed me up?”

  “Yeah. Maybe, a little.”

  “I can’t say that I’m 100% just yet, but being back with you is making all the difference. You were there for me when no one else was. I owe everything to you,” Jack says as he reaches out to grab the Jane clone’s hand. “Exposing the zombie conspiracy is important, but not as important as what we have. There’s nothing like it on Earth and I never ever want to put us or you in jeopardy again.”

  “You’re fine. We’re fine. Together we can handle anything that’s thrown at us. And you’ll never lose me. I promise.”

  “I almost did. And it scares me to death. You’re my life, babe, and I have to start treating you that way. I’m never going to take you for granted again, and I’m sorry that I did.”

  Now he wakes up? He’s pledging his undying love and commitment and it’s not even me sitting there across from him. Dammit. This whole situation is so frustrating and messed up.

  She takes her other hand and places it on top of his so both of her hands are sandwiched around his. The camera is looking right into his face. I can see the look in his eyes. He loves me and feels guilty about placing me, us, in harm’s way. Most likely, he’s going to get close and you know what happens from there. I’ve seen that look before and I don’t want to watch them anymore. If he’s going to get intimate with my clone, fine. I can’t stop it, but I don’t have to sit here and watch it.

  “Turn this crap off. It’s a fantasy world. It’s not real. Jack is talking to some stranger because I’m here with you. And I don’t care what you say, that’s not me. It’s your stupid clone woman impersonating me.”

  “First, she is a clone, I’ll give you that – but she is all you.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Whatever? However you feel about the situation, you’ve got to appreciate the science, the beauty, and the technology behind it. That clone wasn’t easy to grow.”

  “She wasn’t easy to grow? Spare me. You do what you’ve always done, whatever is good for Lance.”

  “I’m insulted. You saw how happy he was when he was reunited with you.”

  “Stop saying that. He wasn’t reunited with me. He’s not with me. He’s with some cheap copy of me!”

  “She’s far from cheap. And I know you don’t want to believe me, but she is you.”

  “If you just look at DNA maybe she
could be confused as me, but she’s not me, and she’ll never be me. I’m still here with you.”

  “Minor detail.”

  “You really don’t see anything wrong with what you did and what you’re doing right now, do you?”

  He doesn’t say anything. He just stares at me and smiles.

  “You’re sick, you know that, right? You’re so screwed up if you can’t even see it yourself. The bottom line is that you used him to get to me and now you’re continuing to use him as leverage to manipulate me.”

  “You’re so selfish.”

  “I’m selfish?!”

  “Yeah, everything is about you, isn’t it? After the outbreak on campus, did you even once wonder what happened to me? Did you even care? Huh? Did you?”

  During the initial outbreak on campus, he was the king of all jerks. He was rude, mean, and all he wanted from me back then was sex. He didn’t care about me or what happened to me. He was fine with letting me and my friends die. Why would he think I cared about what happened to him? Maybe he’s finally lost it? It takes all of my willpower, but I have to control my emotions and remain silent. Anything I say now might just anger him more. And that’s the last thing I need.

  “No. No, you didn’t,” he answers his own question. “And that hurt my feelings, but I got over it. No thanks to you.”

  Keeping my mouth shut, I have no idea what to say. He’s already ticked off and my previous behavior isn’t helping.

  “I have to go to the bathroom,” I say to help move the conversation forward.

  “And?”

  “And unless you want me to pee on the floor, I kinda need a bathroom.”

  Lance grabs something from the floor. He brings it closer, slides, and drops it through the bars of the cell. “Here’s your bathroom. Make sure to wash your hands after you’re done,” he chuckles.

  I look down and pick it up. It’s a flexible, plastic bucket. “You’re kidding, right? You want me to do my business in here?”

  “This isn’t a five star resort. Use it or don’t use it. I don’t care.”

  Staring at the bucket for a moment, I look at Lance.

  “I’d like to use a real bathroom, please.”

  “Sorry. It’s the best I can do right now.”

  Looking back at the bucket, I guess I have no choice but to use this lame excuse for a port-a-potty. If the bucket is all I have, then I have to use it.

  “Don’t look at me.”

  “Don’t worry. That’s the last thing I want to see.”

  Chapter 2

  ________________________________________

  A few minutes later, Lance starts talking again. “OK. Wrap it up over there. As much as I’d like to stay here and argue back and forth, it’s time for you to go.”

  “It’s time for me to go?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Go where?”

  “You’re gonna take a little trip. Someone wants to meet you quite badly and they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.”

  “You’re going to sell me?”

  “‘Sell’ is such a harsh word. Barter, maybe? Trade? Don’t worry. It’s for a good cause.”

  “A good cau… What are you talking about?”

  “You’ll see.”

  ”No. No. No. Tell me now or I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m sorry, who do you think you are? You don’t have a choice,” Lance chuckles again.

  “You’re a monster, pure evil, just like those zombies out there,” I yell at him as I hold onto the cold, metal bars. “Let me out of here!” I’m losing my cool, but throwing a tantrum and flailing myself against the cell bars probably isn’t going to help my situation. I can’t help myself. He knows exactly what to say to send me into a rage.

  Lance walks over, runs his fingers over my hands, pats them, and smiles. “You’ll be out cold, baby. The only thing you’ll notice is waking up someplace else. Ahh, but I’m sorry to see you go. You haven’t changed much. You’re still so feisty. I have to admit, that’s one of your best qualities. I love that about you.” I guess he’s referring to the first time we met back at school. He hasn’t changed, either. He was a jerk back then, too.

  “Don’t touch me.” I pull my hands away from his creepy fingers and my prison bars. I’m not afraid of him anymore. “You know, now that I think about it, you’re worse than that zombie plague out there. Hell, at least zombies don’t screw with your head and play mind games. You know what they want and they don’t deceive you into thinking otherwise. You? You’re still a lying dirtbag.”

  Lance reaches through the bars, grabs me by my hair, and rams me face-first into the metal of the cage, smacking my head into the bars. “If you’re trying to flatter me, don’t bother. That ship has sailed, baby. Whatever could have happened between us has long since fizzled.”

  “You’re disgusting.”

  “Dirty talk. I like it. Be nice, or else,” he threatens as he throws me onto the floor.

  “Or else what?”

  “Or else I’ll have the Jane clone kill Jack.”

  “You wouldn’t,” I cower, fearing for Jack’s life and my own.

  “Don’t push me, Jane. I can turn into a real bad guy if you keep it up. Right now? I’m being nice.”

  “Please. Don’t hurt Jack. Just let me out and you’ll never see me again,” my voice trembles.

  “Sorry. I can’t do that.”

  “Yes, you can. Why not?” I get up from the floor, dust myself off, and face him. “I won’t tell anyone about this. I promise. Jack is free. That’s all I wanted and you’ve done that. Please let me go now.”

  “Say you’re sorry for being mean and calling me names.”

  “You’ll let me go if I say that I’m sorry?”

  “Sure. And get down on your knees. Beg for it. Put on a good show and I’ll let you go.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Your loss.”

  “Fine. Fine. Fine,” I say as I get back down on the floor and kneel. “I’m sorry.”

  “What are you sorry for, exactly?”

  “I’m sorry for being mean to you and for calling you names.”

  “I don’t believe that you’re truuuuuuuly sorry. You don’t sound sincere. Say it again. This time say it like you mean it.”

  I put all my hatred for Lance behind me and, in the most genuine voice I can muster, repeat, “I’m sorry for being mean to you, and I’m very sorry for calling you names. I’m begging you, Lance. Please let me go.”

  “That’s pretty good. I almost believe you, but it’s too late, baby. You missed your chance.”

  “What?”

  Laughing, he responds. “Just kidding. Did you really believe that? What do you think I am? An idiot? If I let you go, the first thing you’ll do is go to the police. I trust you as much as you trust me. And just to be clear, I don’t trust you at all.”

  “No. No. No. That’s not true. All I want is to be with Jack. That’s all. Please believe me. I won’t go to the police. Who’s going to believe me, anyway? This whole thing is so farfetched and outrageous. Please just let me go.”

  “I can’t let you go. Jack already has his Jane back in his arms. He doesn’t want or need you now.”

  His words are like a knife slicing into my heart. “Please, Lance.”

  “Begging won’t help now. Don’t get me wrong, though. I like it, but it doesn’t change my plans for you,” he says as he steps closer and caresses my face.

  “Plans? You mean selling me to the highest bidder? Those plans?”

  “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about anything, OK? You want to help people, right? Now you’ll get your chance to help lots of them,” he says as he pats me on the head like a dog and begins to walk away.

  “Lance!”

  “It was nice catching up with you too, Jane,” he says, walking to the door. “Unfortunately, our time together is over now. Goodbye.”

  “Lance!” I shout again.

&nbs
p; My attempt to make nice with him doesn’t work. I fall to the floor in frustration, pondering my next move. As my thoughts race, I realize I might not have one since I’m trapped in this goddamn cage. I try to think, but between my lack of sleep, the drugs pumped into my system, and the stress on my body, my brain is muddled at best. I contemplate everything that’s happened. Damar was right, after all. I shouldn’t have delivered what Lance wanted without having some insurance to make sure he kept his word. I was blinded by my love for Jack and I didn’t listen to him. Why didn’t I trust Damar? Why? I was an idiot to come to this godforsaken place and put my life in jeopardy, but what else could I do? No one else was going to help Jack. I didn’t have a choice if I wanted to save him.

  As I put my head in my hands, I’m disturbed that even though Jack was released from captivity, he’s far from free. The Jane clone is watching him right now. He’s still a hostage, but he doesn’t know it. His life isn’t his own, but he’s probably so happy he was released that he’s not looking deeper into the situation like the good reporter he is. I hope and pray I’m wrong and that something will tip him off. I sigh as a feeling of hopelessness washes over me.

  Moments later, I feel a pulsing in my neck, like a pounding headache. It must be the transmitter that Lance inserted under my skin when I started this horror story adventure. I still have no clue about what this device does or what information it actually transmits, only that it’s their insurance policy to make sure I cooperate. Is Lance watching my every move? Or is it someone else? It’s beyond aggravating!

  “Ow!” It hurts. I mean, it really hurts. I grab my neck. The pain is getting worse. What’s happening? I cry out in pain, but no one hears me or, if they do, no one responds. I don’t understand. What did Lance mean when he said that I’ll be able to help people? His words were cryptic at best. My eyesight gets blurry. Sweat is pouring off of my forehead. I can’t seem to breathe fast enough to get oxygen into my lungs. I feel like I have cotton balls in my ears, or it’s like I’m underwater. Everything sounds muffled. I can barely move. The throbbing agony is radiating throughout my body. A feeling of nausea knocks me off balance. I can’t handle any more pain. It’s overloading my system. My body begins to fail me. Everything goes dark.