by L. A. Boruff
“Move!” I shouted and began pushing Tara toward the door as we finally made it to the door. Grabbing the handle, I was all set to open it when Tara screamed, and the nurse’s nails scraped across her forearm. I watched in horror as the once friendly woman now appeared to be a ravenous monster who craved human flesh. Her mouth clamped down on Tara’s hand as she fought the nurse and a strip of skin was torn off, the teeth imbedding at least an inch as she bit down.
I would never forget Tara’s scream of agony.
My body reacted and I reached for the metal hand dryer, yanking hard as it dislodged from the wall. I didn’t think about what I was doing and slammed the metal box down over the nurse’s head. She snarled and bolted forward with an inhuman zeal. I backed away as the restroom door opened and someone shouted at us to run.
There wasn’t time to do anything else but obey. I grabbed Tara and shoved her toward the door as we practically fell through the door and one of the maintenance guys slammed the door shut behind us. He proceeded to shove a heavy chair from the waiting room next door in front in case that nurse was able to escape. Maybe she wouldn’t open the handle . . .
“Fuck,” Tara breathed, clutching her hand to her chest. “That crazy bitch bit me.”
“Are you alright?” I asked, gasping for breath.
“Don’t either of you watch horror movies?” I’d forgotten about the maintenance guy. His name tag read John.
“John?” I asked, waiting for him to clarify.
He nodded, glancing down the empty hall and back. “Yeah.”
“Well, John, we don’t like horror all that much and I can’t stand The Walking Dead.” I nodded toward Tara. “She likes unicorns and fantasy. I blame her for my shortcomings.”
Tara snorted.
John shook his head in clear annoyance. “She’s going to change and die. You should ditch her and come with me. I can get you out of here.”
Wide-eyed, I shook my head. “I can’t leave my best friend.”
“You’re a dick,” Tara blurted, moaning as she leaned against the wall.
“That’s only going to get worse. I’m serious. This is your last chance to get out of here before shit goes down and you’re the next meal.” John reached for my hand, but I shook my head. “Sorry, babe. You’re cute but I won’t die for you.”
John left us as we stared at his retreating back in shock.
“Fuck,” I whispered. “We’ve got a problem.”
“Which one would that be?” Tara groaned. “This hurts like a bitch by the way.”
“I left my phone in the fucking bathroom.”
4
Zeke
“Shouldn’t Nat be here by now?” I looked at my watch for the hundredth time in the last thirty minutes. “It’s been nearly an hour.”
“Maybe they had extra work to finish,” Ty suggested.
“No,” I disagreed, “Nat would have texted or called. Something is wrong.”
Ty clamped a hand down on my shoulder. “She probably got stuck in the crowd. There has to be a half a million people here tonight.”
He wasn’t far off. Red, White, and Boom drew in a serious crowd. Last year there was over 400,000 in attendance. This year was supposed to be an even larger crowd. Extra beer stands and live bands had been booked, not to mention the food vendors.
“Yeah, I didn’t think of that. Want another beer? There’s a stand close to Broad and Front St. they just added.” Which also happened to be within walking distance of Grant Medical Center where Natalie worked.
“Dude, when have you ever known me to turn down another beer?”
Uh, never. My brother was a serious lush. A lovable one, but still. “Let’s go. Maybe we’ll find Nat and Tara on the way.”
We began moving through the crowd as the sun was starting to set. The sky darkened into a brilliant display of colors as red, blue, and white lights lit up the crowd like a beacon. As if the patriotic t-shirts, bandanas, and other clothing items weren’t enough. Glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, and headbands with sparkling stars adorned most of the crowd. Kids were playing with sparklers and drawing objects into the air like me and Ty used to do as kids.
The entire experience was a bit nostalgic.
“Man, is it me or are the chicks hotter than last year?” His gaze was roaming over all the short shorts and tank tops, spilling cleavage, and sweaty bodies. I used to do the same. All of that changed three years ago when I met Natalie.
“There’s only one sexy ass I admire now,” I joked.
“Fuck, bro, I love you but you’re crazy settling down so young.”
Ty was older than me by two years. I couldn’t remember the last time he had a serious relationship. “Yeah, but when you meet the right girl . . .” I trailed off and shrugged, “you just know.”
Ty’s expression grew serious. “I get that. Really. I’m happy for you. You know that, right?”
I did. Punching him playfully on the arm, I laughed when he grabbed me and started to mess up my hair as he held me under his arm. “Hey!” I yelled. “Fuck. Now my hair is all messed up,” I complained as I pushed him away. “I won’t look pretty for Nat.”
“Pussy,” he snorted, a loud guffaw launching from his throat.
Several people in the crowd gave us dirty looks as we chuckled and stood in line for another cold brew. It was hot as hell and the setting sun hadn’t helped much. It was almost dark by the time we were sipping our cold beers and standing off to the side.
“I’m gonna try Nat again.” Cell phone reception had been spotty most of the evening. Maybe it was the crowd and all of the buildings downtown. I kept getting a busy signal or the call couldn’t be completed as dialed. Annoying as fuck.
“Still nothing?”
“No,” I answered, feeling uneasy. “I’m really starting to worry,” I admitted.
“What do you want to do?” Ty seemed concerned, too. “I suppose we could walk toward the hospital if we can push through this crowd.”
I was already considering doing that exact thing anyway so nodded in agreement. “We’re going to miss the fireworks, but I wouldn’t be able to enjoy them without her anyway.”
Ty rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, I know.”
Stopping midstride, I turned to my brother with an amused smirk. “Tara has you wrapped around her little finger. Dude, don’t say shit to me about Nat ever again.” I wasn’t sure how long they had been hooking up, but I didn’t think Natalie had a problem with it.
Ty knew I was teasing. “She’s smokin’ hot and sweet, and those thighs . . . damn she clenches around my waist and ass tight when –”
“Fuck. Don’t finish that sentence. Seriously.”
“You’re so easy.”
“Yeah, I am. Ask my girl when you see her.”
Ty laughed as we moved to the far right and attempted to get our bearings. “I can’t see shit. There are way too many people here. Next year we’ll just shoot off fireworks in my back yard instead.”
“It’s not a bad idea. I’m sure Nat will agree. The crowd is crazy. As much as I love all the drinking and celebration it’s almost too much anymore.”
Ty made a disgusted noise as he shot me a disapproving look. “You’re only twenty-nine, bro.”
I didn’t know how to explain to him that lifestyle wasn’t what I wanted or craved now. I finally met someone I could grow old with and marry, have children and spend the rest of my days happy. The fantastic sex was an added bonus. “You’ll see one day.”
There was a shout from the crowd followed by a scream as those around us began mumbling about the distraction.
“I think people are getting impatient for the fireworks to start.”
“Yeah, probably. It’s not cooling off either. All of this body heat everywhere and there’s no breeze.” My shirt was clinging to my skin by now and Ty looked as uncomfortable as I felt.
Several more screams could be heard from our far right and Zeke climbed up on one of the Port
a Potty outhouses that were smashed up against one another in a long row.
“What the fuck?” He shouted as I folded my arms across my chest in frustration.
“Care to elaborate?” I lifted my hands and waved as he stared ahead. “Hey. Do you see anything?”
Ty’s eyes widened and I noticed that the crowd was beginning to panic as people pushed into one another and appeared to be trying to move from the right corner about twenty feet ahead. My brother jumped down and pulled on my arm as he began to run.
“Move! Now!”
I didn’t hesitate to follow because I could tell something had freaked him out. Ty wasn’t someone who spooked easily and if he looked that scared then it was serious. Had a fight broken out? Did someone have a weapon?
One of the downtown parking garages was close. We darted inside and ran down the blacktop toward a set of elevators. Ty was mashing buttons and looking over his shoulder like Jason or Freddy Krueger was on his ass and about to chop him up into little pieces.
“What the hell, Ty? Are you gonna tell me what’s going on or not?”
More screams could be heard out on the street and the sound of running feet came closer. He turned my way and placed his hands on my shoulders. I’d never seen him look so serious.
“Either we’re in the middle of a Zombie Run or there’s actual fucking zombies out there attacking people.”
“What?” Was he joking?
The elevator doors dinged but nothing happened. They didn’t open. Not a single one.
“Fuck,” Ty cursed, running his hand through his dark hair. “We have to get out of here.”
Blinking, his words didn’t quite sink in. Zombies? What the actual fuck?
Ty moved cautiously around the corner where his gaze rested on the garage entrance. He seemed to be watching the whole area with alarm as his hand gripped the wall a little too tight. “Come on. We’re going to Grant and grabbing the girls so we can get the hell out of here.”
I followed Ty as we kept to the shadows and the corners of the garage close the cement walls. Ducking down, we avoided exposing ourselves to the people kept running just as short distance beyond the garage. Snarls and growls filled the air and I wasn’t sure what to think. If this was one of those crazy zombie runs, then it may sound similar to what I was hearing.
Maybe this was all some kind of joke.
“Alright, there’s not much we can do. We’re vulnerable here. We don’t have any weapons except what’s in my truck. Either we go there and grab my gun and hunting knife, or we go for Nat and Tara first. Your call.”
Shit. If there were actual zombies out here, I had to go for Nat first. What if she didn’t know about them? Worse, what if she was fighting them off and needed help? “We go to Grant.”
Ty nodded as he inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. He wasn’t surprised by my response. “We run and don’t stop until we reach the emergency room doors.”
“Good plan. Let’s go.”
Ty moved to leave the garage when we heard the first boom as it exploded in the sky. The noise sounded like it was right above our heads. We crept to the garage entrance and peeked around the corner. The street was mostly empty as the fireworks began their colorful display. Bright lights lit up the night in neon blue and green as Ty and I paused in surprise.
Maybe there wasn’t a threat.
“Do you think the whole thing is just a prank?” I asked, watching as the booms and explosions continued.
“No,” he answered with a gulp. “Don’t move too fast and try to stay quiet.”
Frowning, I followed where his gaze had landed and nearly vomited up the contents of my stomach. Bodies were lying on the ground, their limbs twisted at odd angles. Blood covered most of the fallen and I might have thought it was fake except for the smell . . . and the ripped apart flesh. Entrails were pulled from some while others had huge chunks of muscle or skin missing. They had been brutally attacked. I was certain this was horribly, shockingly, and disturbingly real.
“Zeke,” my brother whispered.
Looking away from the carnage our eyes met. “Ty,” I croaked.
He ticked his head toward the other direction, and I turned slowly as the fireworks unloaded their alarmingly loud and beautiful launch into the sky in quick succession, the bursts so bright I could clearly see the large crowd moving in our direction. Blinking, I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.
Was this some screwed up reality? A twisted version of The Walking Dead?
Hundreds of people (undead?) were headed in our direction. A massive horde of jerking and lurching bodies . . . and none of them were alive.
5
Natalie
“Shit,” Tara groaned, “you don’t need your cell, right?”
One look at my panicked expression must have been enough to convince her otherwise.
“Okay,” she panted, wincing as she nodded toward the nurse’s station. “Let’s get my hand bandaged up and we’ll go back for the phone.”
“I could use your phone to reach Zeke. Can I borrow it?” Now that I had five minutes for the shock to wear off a little, I was now completely freaked and needed my fiancé.
“Sure. It’s in my back pocket.”
The first time I tried his number the call wouldn’t go through, so I dialed again. The next three times all I received was a busy signal. “Shit. I can’t reach him.”
“Then I guess we try again in a few minutes. Maybe this part of the building is a dead zone.”
Good point.
I tried not to think about the fact that she was right in more ways than one. That crazy nurse in the bathroom definitely resembled some kind of zombie. Was she dead . . . or undead? What the hell did those horror movie aficionados call these flesh-eating monsters?
“Come on. Let’s get to the supply closet and fix your hand.”
We weren’t walking more than a minute or so when Tara stopped. “Nat?” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“Yeah?” I turned around to find out why she was standing there, staring at me with a funny expression on her face.
“Have you noticed . . . how quiet it is?”
I didn’t, not until that moment. The hospital had slower times of the day and night but never completely silent as it was now. There weren’t any machines buzzing or people walking around or staff moving quickly to and from their stations. Not a single soul had bumped into us since John the maintenance guy.
“Now that you mention it, it’s a little unsettling.”
“Exactly. Let’s go slow.”
The two of us moved down the hall and beyond the empty row of rooms. Renovations were due to begin on the east side of the hospital soon so no patients were in this area but after the next corridor that would change the moment we entered through the double doors and into the next wing. Normally a construction crew was walking around this wing and setting up equipment, draping plastic sheeting, and other tasks.
Neither of us said a word as we reached the doors that sectioned off this end of the hospital and paused, turning toward one another at the same time. “I’m kind of scared,” I admitted. “How about we peek first before we walk in?”
Tara nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“On the count of three. One. Two. Three!” I stood up on my tiptoes and held onto the door as I searched through the tiny window. There wasn’t any sign of movement.
“See anything?”
“Nope,” I confirmed. “What do you want to do?”
“My hand is fucking killing me. I need some pain relievers like ten minutes ago. Let’s keep quiet and head straight for the supplies. Anything looks suspicious and we run to safety.”
Run to safety? That was her brilliant plan? “I don’t know,” I began but she was already pushing open the door. Following after her with a grimace, I moved as quietly and quickly as possible.
Lights overhead were flickering, and several had powered off. There must have been a brief power outage because t
he backup generator kicked on. Eerie lime green lights penetrated the darker areas as my gaze swept the room. Outside, darkness was falling as the time for Red, White, and Boom approached. Gulping, I realized I wouldn’t be meeting Zeke in time to watch the display. We had about half an hour before the fireworks would explode into the sky and cause a loud cacophony of sound that would be followed by the dazzling array of colorful lights.
Tara’s phone wouldn’t complete any calls and I tried Zeke two more times before I followed her into the supply room. We shut the door behind us with a collective sigh, relieved not to find anything amiss. The other staff were probably making rounds. It was a skeleton crew with the holiday. Most people took the night off. Why hadn’t I listened to Zeke and done the same?
I found the supplies we needed without delay and cleaned Tara’s wound before applying antibiotic anointment and a bandage. The area was red and swollen and seemed to be oozing some kind of puss. I didn’t want to freak her out, so I didn’t say anything until I was done. Medications were locked and under strict guidelines for use, but this was an emergency. She didn’t fight me when I insisted that she take both pain relievers and the antibiotics, thankful I carried my ID badge and keys.
Reception was still out as I tried Zeke’s number and then Ty’s, just in case. No calls went through and didn’t help my growing sense of panic. There was no way the guys weren’t worried about us. We should have been there at least a half hour ago judging by the time on the cell’s home screen. I pocketed the phone and turned to Tara who seemed a bit pale. Her body was covered in a light sheen of sweat that made her light cocoa skin nearly shimmer.
“Tara? How are you feeling?”
“Don’t even ask, babe,” she huffed, trying to stand. “We need to keep moving. I want out of this hospital as soon as possible.”
