The Z-Day Trilogy (Book 3): Plague of the Living Dead

by Mark Cusco Ailes

  The ambulance engine sputtered and came to a halt. Travis peered down at the gas gauge. He was out of gas. He could see the helicopters on the other side of the mall rising. He slammed his fist on the steering wheel realizing he didn’t reach them in time. He was hoping he would be able to get out of the area on one of them. He glanced in his side mirrors and saw that the doors on the back of the ambulance were wide open. He heard screaming from the back and knew his friends were in trouble. He knew there wasn’t anything he could do for them, but he knew he could at least save himself from the carnage. He sprang from the ambulance and ran across the parking lot, leaving his friends to suffer their fates. Without looking back, he kept running until he ran out of room to escape. He stopped and looked around. A milling mass of the undead had formed a circle around him, making it impossible to escape in any direction. He stared at the eyes of the one standing directly in front of him. It hissed at him through the pulsing ruin of its ripped-out throat. Fear shrouded him in its firm embrace. He looked around him. There wasn’t any way to escape his fate. He closed his eyes as the hungry mob lurched forward. They feasted on his body until the last of his life’s juices had been sucked from his ripped apart body.

  Inside the mall, Brinke was staying ahead of the advancing horde. She knew the rest of her group was on their way to the roof since it now was their only escape route. She made her way to one of the escalators and sprinted up the stairs until she reached the top. She peered down at the main floor. The young zombie girl had just reached the bottom of the escalator and had stopped to look hungrily up toward her.

  “I see you’re planning on following me,” said Brinke, moving away from the escalator. Terrance had earlier informed her how to get to the roof in case of an emergency. The only problem she had was she knew the young zombie girl was going to follow her. She ran down the hall until she came to a long hall on the right which led to the back hallway where the door leading to the roof was located. She stopped to catch her breath and peer behind her. She didn’t see any sign of zombies following her. She felt confident the door leading to the roof would remain a secret, and she opened it and closed it behind her. In front of her were several steps leading upward to another door she figured opened onto the roof. She sprinted up them and opened the door and slammed it shut behind her. The others were standing near the edge watching as the helicopters were lifting off of the ground.

  “They’re leaving without us,” said Patricia.

  “We need to get their attention,” said Emily. “They’re our only hope of getting out of here.” She waved her arms trying to get the pilot’s attention. He saw them.

  “We’re losing this battle!” screamed Daniel. “There’s just too many of them!”

  Captain Spanner knew he was right. The zombies were appearing from every direction. He fired several shots until he emptied his clip. Still, the entire area was filled with hungry zombies. Reluctantly, he made a decision he wouldn’t ordinarily make.

  “Head for the roof! We’ll signal to the ground troops we need airlifted off!”

  “I think you’re right,” said Daniel. “We’re not going to be able to get out of the mall from the main level. We’ll never get through all the zombies.” He fired several shots and watched as a couple of zombies crashed to the floor. “We need to get to the second floor.”

  He led the group toward the first set of escalators and then abruptly stopped. There was a large line of zombies slowly making their way up the stairs to the second floor.

  “I wasn’t aware zombies could climb stairs,” he said, staring discouragingly. “We have to find another way to the second level.”

  Captain Spanner glanced around them. “We need to do something soon. We’re being surrounded by these things.”

  “We’ll cut through one of the stores to their storage area. They have doors that lead into the back hallway. From there we can take the stairs to the upper level and connect to the stairs leading to the roof,” said Terrance. “There shouldn’t be any zombies in that area…at least I hope there isn’t.” He led them to the nearest candy store and closed the gate behind them. He turned to Private Godard. “Do you have any ammunition left in case we need it?”

  “I think I have six rounds left.” He looked at Captain Spanner, Daniel, and Terrance. “What about the rest of you?”

  “I emptied my clip,” said Daniel.

  “So did I,” added Captain Spanner.

  “Then come on; we don’t have any time to waste,” said Terrance, pushing past Daniel. He led them to the back storage area and opened the back door leading into the back hallway. He stopped momentarily to scan the area. There weren’t any zombies in the area. He went left down the hall toward a large wooden door with the words ‘Upper Level’ inscribed on it. He flung it open and sprang up them as though he had done it a hundred times. Once they reached the second level, he opened the door and then froze. He could hear the sound of shuffling feet and growling near the door leading to the roof. He looked at the others sadly. “I’m afraid we have a problem.”

  “I hear them,” said Captain Spanner. “They know the others are already on the roof.”

  “How are we going to get past them?” asked Private Godard. We don’t have enough ammunition left to get past them.”

  Terrance stared at Captain Spanner’s web gear. He had two grenades attached to it. “Captain, we can use your grenades.”

  Captain Spanner looked at the grenades. “Of course. I forgot I had a couple of them with me. I grabbed them when I knew we were being deployed in the field with the zombies.”

  “Will they be enough to do the job?” asked Daniel.

  “More than enough,” said Captain Spanner. “They should take every single one of them out of commission.”

  “Then we can join the others on the roof and get one of the helicopters to rescue us.”

  “That’s the plan,” said Captain Spanner. “Let’s get this done so we can all get out of here.”

  “Are you sure it’s going to work? The explosion could damage the door so it won’t open,” said Private Godard, looking concerned.

  “Don’t worry; I’m sure it’s going to work, and if it doesn’t…well, we’ll worry about that if it doesn’t,” said Captain Spanner. “All we have to do is toss the grenades at the zombies and hope for the best.” He handed one of the grenades to Private Godard. On the count of three we’ll toss them at the zombies.”

  Private Godard took the grenade from the captain and held it firmly in his hand. He hadn’t held one of them since basic training, and he hoped he remembered everything he had learned about throwing them. He followed the captain down the hall to where the sound of shuffling feet was coming from. Terrance stood behind them.

  “That’s the door leading to the roof they’re trying to get through.”

  Captain Spanner looked at Private Godard. “Remember, when I count to three, pull the pin and toss the grenade at the zombies. You want to try to get it to land in the middle of them so it doesn’t roll to the side of them. One…two…three…pull the pin!” Captain Spanner pulled the pin from the grenade and with a looping overhand gesture, sent it sailing into the horde. Razored shrapnel cut through the smoke-filled air as both grenades exploded. Their plan had worked…almost worked. The corpses of the dead piled on top of each other blocking the door they needed to go through. Captain Spanner looked at Private Godard.

  “Our work is not done here. We’re going to have to move the bodies away from the door before more zombies come.”

  Private Godard looked at him with terror stamped on his face. Captain Spanner knew he hadn’t been trained for any of this, but he needed his help. The only way they were going to get safely to the roof was to move the bodies away from the door.

  “I’ll help you,” said Terrance. “I’m in charge of security in the mall, so I guess I’m responsible for removing a security risk.”

  Captain Spanner looked at him approvingly. “You’re fearless. You’re the type of p
erson the military is looking to recruit.”

  Terrance smirked. “Don’t hold your breath. The military is the last place I want to be right now. Besides, I really enjoy working security…or I did until all of this happened. Come on; we’re wasting time, let’s get these bodies moved.”

  Captain Spanner peered down on the pile of battered zombies. They were covered in blood and splintered bone. It was a sight he had never witnessed before and hoped he would never have to again. He stared at the corpse lying on top of the pile. It had a ragged hole torn through its forehead. It left little doubt as to what had brought it down. Most of the bodies they moved were covered in blood and shrapnel. The grenades had done their job. Together they accomplished the task and tried to open the door, but it was stuck. Captain Spanner looked at the others. “The door has been damaged.”

  They heard moaning coming from down the hall. They turned to look and to their dismay, a horde of the undead was shambling in their direction in a deadly mass of teeth and claws.

  “This is not good,” commented Daniel. “It’s endless with these creatures.”

  “Now what do we do?” asked Private Godard excitedly.

  “We need to pry the door open!” screamed Terrance. “Let’s not wait until those creatures reach us!”

  “We need something to pry it open with,” said Daniel, looking around.

  “Use your hands,” ordered Captain Spanner. “We need to work together as a team!”

  They all painfully pulled on the door, trying to get it to budge. It didn’t budge. They looked at the horde heading in their direction. They were making some progress, but the group still had some time before the horde reached them.

  “There is a fire ax down the hall in case of an emergency. I’ll go get it,” said Terrance, leaving them and disappearing around the corner. He returned shortly with the ax held firmly in his hand. “Back up; I’m going to try to pry the door open. He worked at the door for several minutes while the horde of zombies reached the end of the hallway.

  “We need to hurry; they’re getting closer,” warned Daniel.

  “Don’t rush me, kid,” said Terrance. “I’m doing the best I can.” He continued working on the door until it finally gave way. He dropped the ax and finished the job by using his hands. He was about to enter the stairway when all of a sudden his arm was grabbed by a young girl wearing a white blood-stained nightgown. She shoved it into her mouth and bit down–hard. He fell down to his knees and looked at his attacker. She was staring hungrily at him while chewing on chunks of his flesh.

  An ax came down on top of her head, splitting it in half. She fell slowly to the side and fell against the bottom step. Daniel stepped forward and helped Terrance to his feet.

  “Thanks, Daniel. If you hadn’t done that, I would still be watching her eat me alive.”

  Daniel looked at the wound on his arm. A fountain of fatal red pulsed from the wound. He knew he wasn’t going to survive the assault. He looked back at Captain Spanner.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” said Terrance. “You’re thinking I’m going to become one of those things.” He paused for a moment. “Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I will turn into one of them, or maybe I won’t. I guess I have a decision to make.”

  “We can deal with it,” said Captain Spanner. “We can get you some help.”

  “Don’t bother. Just leave me here in the mall. This place is like my second home. I spent most of my life here guarding it from gangs and shoplifters. How fitting that it appears I’m going to die here, as well.”

  Captain Spanner handed him his sidearm. “You can use this if you need to. It has one round in the chamber. I was saving it for myself…just in case everything went south here.”

  Terrance took the gun from him. “Thanks, sir. It sure was a pleasure fighting by your side.”

  “The pleasure is all mine. I won’t forget the sacrifice you are making for us. Not many men would do what you are going to do. I will make sure your name is never forgotten.”

  “There is no need for that. I’m doing what any good-hearted person would do. Now get out of here before it’s too late. I hear the zombies coming.” He watched as the group walked up the stairs. “And sir, God Bless America.”

  “God Bless America.”

  Captain Spanner, Private Godard, and Daniel made it to the roof and Daniel closed the door behind them. A helicopter was hovering, waiting for them. Captain Spanner was about to get on board when he heard a single shot coming from the stairwell. He stopped to look at the door and saluted.

  “You would have made a great soldier…You are a great soldier.” He stood there thinking about the soldiers he had lost inside the mall. He knew they all had died bravely. He got on board the helicopter and sat down next to a female passenger. She held her hand out to him.

  “Hello, my name is Roxy Woodbury.”

  General Milkwood watched from the helicopter as it flew across Illinois. Everywhere he looked, it was all the same. Every car, building, and street was occupied by the walking dead.

  “Sir, we’re reaching the state line to Missouri.” General Milkwood acknowledged him and returned his attention to the ground below. They had now crossed into Missouri and to his dismay, he witnessed something he hadn’t been expecting. Hordes of zombies were crossing the state line.

  “I don’t believe this. This thing is going to keep spreading. It’s going to keep spreading until the entire nation has been infected.” He suddenly heard his pilot cough uncontrollably. General Milkwood stared at him in terror. He knew his life was about to end. Either he was going to get attacked by the pilot when he turned or the helicopter was going to crash. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to pilot a helicopter. He stared at the pilot as his head slumped forward. He closed his eyes and said a prayer.

  President Cooper just received the news the zombies had crossed over the Illinois state line. It wasn’t the news he was hoping to hear. Gerald had returned after finding President Andrews dead in his quarters. He had done the unthinkable and had taken his own life. He left two letters behind. One was for his wife and the second one was for President Cooper. President Cooper read the letter and handed it to Gerald who crumpled it up and tossed it into the garbage. He looked at President Cooper.

  “Don’t say a word. He’s the one who chose to take the coward’s way out.”

  President Cooper sat down and put his head down on the desk. “It doesn’t matter what he did. What matters now is the entire nation is in danger of being infected, and there isn’t anything any of us can do about it. General Milkwood is heading for Camp David with some survivors. His soldiers are going to hold Camp David and try to survive there as the outbreak escalates.

  “What do we do now?” asked Gerald.

  “We pray, Gerald,” said President Cooper. “And we pray hard.”

  “What about the American people?”

  President Cooper looked at him sadly. “They’re on their own. God help them all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Isla Zomblar

  On the tropical island of Isla Zomblar, located one hundred and twenty miles off the coast of Costa Rica, Professor Ted Hollman watched as his specialized air purification units were being brought to the island by transport helicopters. He waited anxiously as one of them landed and a large, muscular man wearing khakis jumped out and ran over to him.

  “I have everything you wanted.”

  “Good,” said Professor Hollman. “Do my parents know what you were there to do?”

  “You don’t already know? Both of your parents are dead.”

  Professor Hollman smiled. “It serves them right. Neither of them would listen to me when I warned them the serum they developed would have disastrous results. I warned them their virus would go airborne if they didn’t make the necessary changes to the formula.” He looked at Randus. “None of it matters anymore. Do you have my zombies?”

  “Four dozen like you ordered. We also found some of the animals that escaped
from the zombie park before all hell broke loose.”

  “Did everybody wear their chemical suits as ordered.”

  “I personally saw to it,” said Randus. “So you’re planning on building a zombie park here on the island.”

  “Not just any zombie park, Randus. The one I’m building will be bigger and better than the one built in the United States.”

  “And look how that turned out for them.”

  “That’s their fault! They were careless! They made too many mistakes. Ones we’re not going to make here.”

  “A rumor is floating around that the park was sabotaged. That’s how all the zombies got out.”

  Professor Hollman glared at him. “You’re in charge of security now, Randus. Make sure security is tight around here. I already have enough trouble with Julio Rojas. Do whatever it takes to keep sabotage from happening at my park.”

  “How soon will we be ready to open?”

  “Zombie World will be open in a few months. Now that we have my zombies, we can get to work on using their blood to manufacture more. All we need now is for some volunteers to make my zombies. Do whatever you need to do to get my volunteers. Look for the homeless. Nobody ever misses any of them…and if it’s necessary, pay off whoever you have to. After all, this park is going to make me filthy rich.”

  Continue the Z-Day series with Zombie World.

  Zombie Park has gone global!

  On the tropical island of Isla Zomblar, Zombie World provides a habitat for an array of genetically zombiefied humans and animals including tigers, polar bears and gorillas. Professor Ted Hollman has perfected his parent’s serum and has created zombies that will attract people from around the world. With tight security measures in place, he believes he has created the greatest and safest zombie park in the world. When the zombies escape from their enclosures, chaos and destruction ensue. Will the park’s security forces be able to stop the zombies from escaping the island or will the whole world suffer the same fate as the zombie park in the United States?