Nikki smiled and said, “We’re so glad you’re both back safely. We were worried sick.”
Martin smiled back and said, “Oh, we handled ourselves quite well. Our Ms. Ashleigh here is a zombie-killing machine.”
The others took a closer look at me, seeing how covered with zombie filth I was.
Marcus said, “Damn Martin, are you a closet prepper?” as he surveyed all the new weapons and equipment.
He replied, “This is not my equipment, Ashleigh has a secret admirer that left all this for her. He appears to be a friend of her family, and is doing what he can to help her make it back to Tucson.”
Martin opened one of the equipment bags, removing another M4 like mine. He handed it to Marcus, saying, “I’m sure you’re familiar with this particular model, yes?”
Marcus handed his hunting rifle to the guy next to him and replied, “Oh hells yes, Sir.”
Taking the offered M4 from Martin, he turned away, pulled the charging handle and checked the chamber. He then loaded an offered magazine and released the bolt to chamber a round and switched the weapon to safe.
Speaking to everyone and no one, I said, “I’m going to take a shower.”
I headed towards my room as Martin, Conner, Nikki, Marcus, and some other survivors surveyed the new equipment. I heard Martin explaining why we had to part ways with Jeffery in the garage, as the door shut behind me.
Turning on the shower, I set it as hot as it would go. I dumped my gore covered clothes in the trash and stepped into the shower. The water was hot but didn’t hurt me in the least.
As the steaming water cascaded through my hair and down my face, I tried to make sense of everything that had happened. I was still terrified that I was going to become a zombie or lose my new found knowledge at the worst possible moment. I was also worried about how others would perceive me. Martin had the luxury of being a longtime friend of my mother. How would new friends, or strangers react to what I was, or apparently had to do?
I felt like a complete outsider. I didn’t feel like a threat, but who would believe me, other than Martin? I recalled his reaction to me feeding on the Hunter in the stairwell and felt myself starting to cry again. Why did I need to consume something so foul? I made a promise to myself to see how long I could go without doing that again. Getting myself under control, I finished up in the shower and headed to the bedroom for some more clothes.
27
The large Hunter let out a frustrated growl, moving further into the corner of the office. The zombie was trying to escape the overwhelming rotten egg odor of the natural gas that was filling the 14th floor. One of its fellow Hunters lay out in the hallway, dead, its skull crushed and throat ripped out by this Alpha as it asserted its dominance to breathe untainted air.
Hunters do not breathe like normal humans. While some oxygen was used by a Hunters’ modified genetics, the main function of their lungs was to draw airborne scents across their massively enhanced olfactory system, aiding their search for prey.
As the air became more and more fouled with natural gas, the Hunter emitted what could have been classified as a giant sneeze, as it jumped up on the desk in an attempt to get away from the smell. The jump knocked almost everything off the desk, including a large metal paperweight. The paperweight skipped across the tile floor and into an electrical outlet, causing a spark and the instantaneous detonation of the accumulated natural gas. The massive explosion blew out the office windows and rocketed the very confused and very flaming Hunter into the side of the adjacent building with a large wet splat.
28
I was towel drying my hair as I joined Martin, Nikki, Connor and Jennifer in the living room when we all heard and felt the explosion. The whole building shook underfoot as we lost power.
Seconds later Marcus burst through the door, with a loud, “What the Hell was that? Did we just get nuked?” as he raced to the window.
Martin stood up and said, “No, no, that explosion was internal. I think we will have to expedite our plans to leave the building.”
Connor joined Marcus at the window looking at the high-rise across from us, using its mirrored surface to assess the damage to the Davron Building.
He said, “Looks like the 14th and 15th floors exploded. We’ve got fires on both floors. The fire suppression systems are hardened, but I’m not sure they could handle an explosion of that magnitude. Martin is right, we need to leave as soon as possible.”
Marcus exclaimed frustratingly, “First we have zombie Bostonians, then we have radioactive zombie New Yorkers, and now what you’re telling us is the REAL 13th floor of our building just blew the fuck up! Who the Hell did we piss off, God himself?” as he shook his head.
I asked Connor, “Is the service core of the building hardened enough to handle an explosion that large?” Connor shrugged, “It’s a normally poured concrete building core, and up to code. But this is still an early ‘70s-era building so I would say it’s not to post-9-11 standards.”
Other survivors poured into the room, looking for comfort and answers. I pulled Martin and Connor into my bedroom. I told them, “If the fires cannot be controlled by the suppression system, we might have two hours, or less until the building starts to come down.” I felt a cool wave spread across my body as I continue, “We have 30-plus civvies we need to guide down 21 floors of a building full of hostiles, that’s also on fire. Connor is right, we needed to leave an hour ago!”
Exiting the bedroom, we were quickly overwhelmed by questions, comments, and scared people.
Martin attempted to quiet people down twice, before Connor bellowed, “BE QUIET! Let the man talk!” Cowed by the big man’s tone and volume, the room fell silent.
Stepping up on the coffee table, Martin says, “Thank you, Conner. There has been an explosion on one or two of the lower floors. Connor believes that the 14th and 15th floor have exploded, and are now on fire.” Some people screamed and started to move.
“Wait! Listen!” continued Martin. “We need to leave the building, but we also need to do this smartly, so we don’t fall victim to the zombies that have infected our building and the world it seems.
If the fire and the regular, plodding undead were not enough, we now have a new more deadly zombie to deal with. Ms. Ashleigh and I encountered five of them when we went to retrieve more weapons and supplies. They are amazingly strong, fast and deadly. She decided to call them Hunters, which is a very accurate description of this monstrosity.
Ashleigh and I were able to deal with this new threat only due to our experience, conditioning, and military training. This being said, anyone with military experience, especially combat training, please see Mr. Marcus Roberts. He is ex-Army, and will know how to use your skills effectively.”
“We will be heading down to the executive parking area. There are special vehicles and equipment there we can use to escape the city.”
A short, pudgy man in a gray sweatshirt and jeans spoke up, “Why should we listen to you, there are no rules now. Give us some equipment and weapons, and we’ll take care of ourselves.”
I shook my head, “No, we work as a team to get everyone to safety.”
Looking more agitated this time the man stood and said, “Who are you to give us orders, you’re barely out of diapers!”
Martin spoke up, “She’s the one that took out over 30 zombies with nothing more than her hands and a leg from a hospital bed. Also, who are you, Sir? I’m quite sure I don’t know you.”
Shocked at Martin’s revelation, the man was slow to continue, “My name is John Chambers, I was here visiting my mother on the 20th floor. Also, I think you are all full of shit with your “Hunters”! I’ve never seen one in person!”
Jennifer Carter responded quickly, “I saw them, these Hunters. They were dead. …as in really dead, but they were definitely different looking than the other… ones… zombies. I trust Martin, he’s the fairest and most upstanding person I’ve ever met. If he says they are real and he and Ashleigh killed fi
ve of them, then that’s what happened.”
Martin smiled at Jennifer before continuing, “Mr. Chambers, I can say with 100% certainty that if you had met a Hunter in person without extensive firepower at your disposal, you would not be around to tell us about it. We need to establish some structure, I was in charge of this facility before the dead chose to arise, and I’m still in charge now.”
Chambers had a sour look on his face but was wise enough to keep his mouth shut.
Martin surveyed the room for dissension and said, “OK, let’s work together to get out of here safely. Time is of the essence people, the building is burning below us, and will wait for no one.”
29
With a flurry of activity, we quickly made ready for our departure. Martin placed me, Marcus, and a gentleman named Artie in the lead. Artie was 43 and a former Air Force Security Police Officer. He was only 5’ 2”, but what he lacked in height, he made up for in bulk and heavy muscularity, making him look as wide as he was tall. Gripping my hand like a vise, he smiled as I gave him back slightly less pressure.
Grunting in surprise, and smile, “OK, so you might just be the badass Martin described to us. What branch, where did you serve?”
I smiled and said, “Tucson, my house. Daddy was Force Recon and my big brother was an Air Force CC Officer.” I lied as I continued, “Had a weapon in my hand since I was old enough to hold one.” Artie looked as surprised as he could be, but said nothing.
Martin, Connor, and a couple other former military members made up the tail end of our group.
Martin spoke to the group one last time outside the stairwell.
“I cannot stress this enough, everyone must remain as quiet as possible. The undead have very acute hearing, and if you garner the attention of one, its moans are like ringing a dinner bell for its brethren.
Everyone has been given some sort of blunt object to defend themselves with. Make sure you aim for the head. Body shots are useless against them, and will only get you killed. I’m hoping against all hope that we don’t encounter any Hunters during our descent, but if we do, those of you without firearms are to drop to the floor as fast as you can to clear the way for the way for those of us with them. Now let’s get down these stairs as quickly, and quietly as possible.”
To our surprise, the stairwell was almost free of smoke. But it carried the smell of burning materials: plastic, wood, and paper along with the sickeningly sweet smell of charred flesh. It was also laced with the foreboding smell of heated metal. I prayed we had enough time to get out before the building came down around us.
Emergency lights cast pools of light on each landing, giving the stairwell an early evening glow. With all the fire doors still shut, the group made quick progress down from 22 down to 16 where we first rescued Jennifer from her closet. The destroyed fire door did little to stop the heat pouring out of the opening. Within seconds we were all bathed in sweat, passing the opening as quickly as possible. The heat coming through the door on 15 was only marginally better.
As I rounded the corner between the 15th and 14th floors, I was shocked to see half of the stairs and the 14th floor landing missing. Peering over the jagged edge of the remaining stairs, I saw the rubble all over lower landing and stairs. Intense heat poured out of the hole where the door used to be, pushing us all against the far wall.
The heat was quickly taking its toll on the survivors. Before we could stop them a group of five, or six, broke off and headed back up. Calling out, or going back up for them was out of the question, so we just watched them disappear into the gloom. Joining us, Martin’s and Connor’s expressions were grim as they surveyed the damaged stairs.
Connor said, “It’s less than 10 feet to the next landing, we should be able to hang off the edge, and jump down to the next floor.”
I nodded, but added, “As long as the stairs are still sound.”
He shrugged, and said, “It’s not like we have much of a choice.”
Artie spoke up, “No better time…” as he hung off the edge, and dropped to the stairs below. I looked down to see him give me a thumbs-up, and say, “No problems, let’s get going.”
Marcus quickly joined Artie to provide cover for anything coming up the stairs, followed by Connor.
Something exploded on a floor above us, causing many people to scream, before realizing their error. We heard the horrible sound of something very strong assaulting a fire door above us.
I spoke loudly, “Time to move people!” as I grabbed Jennifer’s hands and lowered off the edge without asking her.
Jennifer let out a small yelp and begged, “Please don’t drop me,” Artie and Connor quickly took her from me.
Nikki moved forward and said, “You got me, Connor?” to which he replied immediately, “Always.” as he helped her down.
We were making good time getting people across the gap. More than three-quarters of the survivors were already on the lower landing.
The assault on the door above changed in tone, and I said, “We have to hurry, we’re about to have company!”
John Chambers brushed past me as he climbed down, and said, “OK, hero, save us!”
Shaking my head, I went back up to the 15th-floor landing as the others continued down the damaged stairs.
A large Hunter turned the corner and hissed as it saw me. I drew my 9mm and dropped it with a double tap to the head. Two others flew past their downed comrade, attempting to overwhelm me. Dropping the gun, I sidestepped the first one, drawing my machete to meet the second with an across the body slice that severed the creature’s extended right arm just below the elbow. Stepping left and forward while spinning, I slammed the blade into the back of the Hunter’s skull. The blade stuck fast, so I let it go as the zombie dropped.
Before I could regroup, I was hit from behind by the Hunter I had dodged. The momentum propelled us both into the fire door. I screamed as the left side of my face came in contact with the blisteringly hot metal. I could hear the sizzling of cooking meat and smell the burning flesh and hair as we both struggled for an advantage. Within seconds I lost vision in my left eye.
Taking a cue from my previous encounter with the female Hunter, I let this one bite my right shoulder. The creature sank his teeth into the muscle, trying to rip out a piece of meat. I felt its tongue in the wound, as it consumed blood and tissue. As before, the Hunter faltered, then fell to the floor screaming.
My body had taken a lot of damage. I could feel the pangs of hunger, but it was a different kind of hunger. It was a visceral, predatory hunger associated with the will to survive. I knew what I had to do, even though I had told myself I wouldn’t do it again. With a quick look around, I bent over and sunk my teeth into the creature’s neck, quickly drinking as much as I could.
Another explosion followed by a dramatic increase in the heat radiating through the door signaled it was time to go. Retrieving my 9mm and machete as I ran down the stairs and jumped to the next floor.
Connor caught me as I landed, steadying me on the uneven surface. I heard him gasp, and saw the sympathy in his eyes as he assessed my injuries.
I said, “I’m fine; we gotta move,“ my voice sounding as bad as my heat-damaged vocal cords felt.
Connor and I met Martin and Marcus in the stairwell landing just outside the parking structure. Marcus’ reaction was the same as Connor’s as he looked at me.
Martin said to the men, “Watch and wait, gentlemen, be prepared to be amazed,” with a small smile on his face.
The latest infusion of black blood was working. I could feel my body healing the deepest injuries first, eventually moving towards the more superficial ones. I watched their expressions change from sadness and sympathy to shock, awe, and disbelief. The damaged areas on the left side of my face began to slough off as they were replaced with new muscle, skin, and tissue. I blinked as the vision returned to my left eye. Within a few minutes, even my burned hair had returned.
Connor spoke first, “How… is that possible? What in God
’s good name are you?”
Martin replied, “Our Ms. Ashleigh was bitten” which caused the men to step back. He continued quickly, ”But the bite did not kill and change her as it did many of our friends and coworkers. It had a very profound effect on her physiology. For lack of a better way to describe it, she is now super-human. I examined her myself. She is not dead. She has a heartbeat, a pulse, and normal bodily functions. She’s the same as she was before, just… better. ”
Nikki came around the corner and said, “Well that explains a lot. I knew something was up when she hugged me in the elevator, she felt stronger than Conner. I shaved her head above her left ear for her procedure, but noticed her hair was back to normal, too.”
She walked over to me and took my hands, “I don’t know what happened to you in that room. I see doubt and uncertainty in your eyes. To be honest with you, I had some doubts myself. But with the way you have handled yourself since we rescued you, I have no more doubts. You’re still the same old Ashleigh to me.” Eyes wet with tears, I nodded as she brushed the hair from my face and hugged me.
“So, what can you do?” she asked.
Taking a huge breath more out the relief of Nikki’s acceptance than anything, I said, “As you’ve already seen, I heal incredibly fast. I’m a lot stronger than I was, as in A LOT stronger. The regular zombies – Georges, don’t like me and try to get away once I get too close to them. The Hunters attack to kill as well as consume, though. I need...”
Martin shook his head “No” almost imperceptibly.
“...to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom just like you do. This is all new to me too, so the learning curve is still pretty high. I’m still me, I’m terrified at what happened to me, but I… we have no time to dwell on it. I will do everything I can to help us survive.”
Martin, speaking to the others, said, “The burden of being bitten, and not knowing if she would become one of these monsters has been a lot to bear. Even so, Ashleigh chose to put herself in harm’s way more than once since then to help us. It is totally up to you, but I think she has more than proven whose side she’s on. Also, I think it would be best to keep her condition to ourselves, at least until we get out of the city. Of course, this is also your choice, but I would consider it a personal favor if you did.”
Dark Rhodes: Book 1 of the Ashleigh Rhodes Chronicles Page 9
