Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins (6 page)

BOOK: Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins
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James nodded. "All of the people we dropped off this
morning had the same symptoms. I don't know how long it'll take, but yea, he'll
turn."

The chief sighed. "I never should have given that order
to look for survivors."

"How could anyone know about this?" James replied.
"And even if we did know, we probably would have come anyway. It's what we
do."

The chief nodded. "True. Can't help but feel it's my
fault though. What do we do?"

James sighed. "I see two options. The first is that we
look for somewhere else to hide. 'Course we risk running into more of those
creatures."

"The second?" the chief asked.

"We put him out of his misery," James said softly.

"You mean kill him?" Jeffries asked.

"He's already dead," James responded, "just a
matter of time now."

They all stood quietly as they processed this. It would be
really risky to look for another hiding spot. But, could they do this? Kill a
fellow officer? Yes, maybe he was as good as dead but to kill him?

"We've got a bigger problem," Jeffires said.

"What's that?" the chief asked.

Jeffries looked at James. "How many of those people
running out of here were injured?"

James's eyes widened as he realized the implication.
"Oh man. Enough that it could be all over the city right now."

Jeffries nodded. "If just a few of them went home.
They've turned or they're going to turn soon. Not sure how long it takes."

James looked at the officer on the couch. He'd been bitten
when they'd run in here. He looked at his watch. Ten thirty. So about an hour
and a half had passed since they'd all went to sleep.

"A couple of hours I guess," James said. At their
look he shrugged. "We've been asleep for about an hour and a half. He was
bit just before we ran into him."

Jeffries nodded. "Okay. So how much time do we
have?"

James shook his head. "Doesn't matter. I've got to get
out of here and get home."

Jeffries looked at him and nodded. "Laura and your
kids."

James nodded. He hadn't been too worried before. Laura had a
good head on her shoulders. She wouldn't have panicked when she heard the
announcement the mayor had made earlier. Plus, he'd made sure that she was
proficient with the weapons they had in the house. Laura didn't particularly
enjoy guns but was practical enough to understand something could happen while
James wasn't at home. It would be up to her to keep the kids safe. James was
confident she could handle a burglar. But this? One of those things could be
creeping around his house right now. He had to get home and make sure his
family was safe.

"Yea," James said, "I can't stay here."

The chief nodded. He had family too. His daughter was off at
college but he had a wife waiting for him. They had to go be with their
families.

"Let's go then," Jeffries said. Jeffries lived
alone, the consummate bachelor. But there was no way he was gonna hide here
while the others escaped from this place.

Jeffries looked at the officer again. "What do we do
about him though?"

"We put him out of his misery," the chief said.
"If I get bit, I want one of you to do the same for me. I don't want to be
one of those things."

"How?" Jeffries asked. "I've got maybe three
or four shots left and I'd rather save that for getting out of here."

James was out of ammo himself. If they had to fight their
way out he'd have to rely on his asp. He spotted a pillow on the floor. It must
have fallen from the couch. He picked it up and sighed. He didn't want to do
this but maybe it was for the best. The officer did look as if he was in a lot
of pain.

James approached the officer but stopped when he stood over
him. Could be do this? Defending himself was one thing. But this? This just
didn't feel right.

"I can't do this," he said shaking his head.

"I'll do it," the chief said as he approached.
"It was my idea."

The chief motioned for the pillow and moved to stand over
the officer. James turned his back to the couch. Maybe this was necessary but
that didn't mean he had to watch. He closed his eyes and waited for it to be
over.

"It's done," the chief said a few minutes later.

James turned around and glanced at the couch. He had to
admit that he did look peaceful now, as if he were asleep rather than dead.
James nodded and headed for the door. It was time to get out of here.

James slowly opened the door, listening for any sign of the
creatures. He peeked into the hallway but didn't see anything. He motioned for
the others to follow.

Alright, they needed a service elevator. James led the way.
Hopefully they could make it the elevator without seeing any more of those...things.
James cautiously walked down the hallway, alert for any sound of the creatures.
Several minutes passed without incident until they reached a set of double
doors. The doors had a square cut out which allowed James to look into the area
beyond. Peering through, James saw some good news and some bad news.

The hallway beyond had a desk, probably a nurse's station of
some sort. Right next to the desk was a single elevator. That had to be the
service elevator he'd been looking for. Unfortunately, there were several
creatures there as well. They were several bodies on the floor and it looked as
if the creatures had made a meal out of them. Maybe they'd been making their
way for the elevator when they were caught. James hoped they would have better
luck.

James motioned for the group to head back the way they came.
When he judged that they had enough distance from the doors, he motioned for
them to stop.

"I think I saw about six of those things past the
doors," he said.

"Do we need to go that way?" Jeffries asked.

James nodded. "The service elevator is right there. We
could try looking for another I guess but we'll probably have to end up
fighting some of those things regardless."

"Six you said?" the chief asked. At James's nod he
continued, "I think it's better to deal with a smaller group."

"What's the plan then?" Jeffries asked. "If
we go in there and they do that howl thing, we'll be in trouble."

James frowned in thought. "I'm thinking brute force. We
go in, you shoot however many you can. Chief, you finish off whoever he puts
down. I'll keep the others busy until you guys come give me a hand."

Jeffries side. "That's a good as any other plan I
guess." He removed the magazine from his weapon. "Four shots,"
he said as he slid it back in.

James nodded. He led the way back to the door and looked
back to see if they were ready. At their nodded he counted to three with his
fingers. He shoved the doors open and Jeffries ran into the room. Four shots
sounded out in quick succession. James and the chief ran into the room. James
ran for the elevator and hit the button. Behind him, he heard Jeffries and the
chief attacking the creatures with their asps.

A growl behind him alerted him to danger and he turned to
see two creatures running towards him. He stepped behind the nurse's desk so
they both couldn't reach him at once. James met the first creature with a solid
blow to the head that sent it to the floor. The second creature tried to dive
at him over the counter. James stepped to the side and it went sprawling to the
floor. Two hard blows to the head stopped it from moving. James moved to finish
off the second creature and checked to see how Jeffries and the chief were
doing.

They were breathing heavily but looked none the worse for
wear.  Maybe they'd get out of this after all. James moved back to the
elevator. There wasn't an floor indicator like you might see on a regular
elevator. He had no way of knowing how close the elevator was. He sighed as the
sound of running feet reached his ears. Looks like they weren't done yet.

More creatures entered the room and they howled in unison on
seeing them. That wasn't good. Even if they finished these off, more would be
on the way. James rolled his shoulders to loosen up. Maybe this was it, but he would
go down swinging. He joined Jeffries and the chief in the middle of the
hallway.

The creatures charged all at once. James thought of his
family at home. He might never see them again if this went badly. He'd never
see Laura's smile, or hear junior laugh as he told a lame joke from that little
book he had. And Maddy, his little girl. Fury took his mind. These things were
not going to stop him from getting home.

James roared his defiance and ran forward to meet their
charge. He hit a creature with his shoulder and sent it flying backwards. He
ducked under a swing from another creature and countered with a blow to the
head that put it down for good.

Another creature charged towards and James stepped to the
side. As the creature passed by he landed a solid hit to its head with his asp.
The creature hit the ground and James followed through with a second hit, just
in case.

The chief screamed and James looked to see him go down
beneath two of the creatures. He ran to help and quickly put the creatures down
with hits to their head. They'd been so focused on the chief that they hadn't
responded to his approach.

He pushed the creatures away and saw that he was to late.
The chief was dead, his throat ripped out. Maybe that was a mercy. At least he
wouldn't become one of those things. James looked around, things looked clear
for the moment. Jeffries was leaning against the nurse's station, breathing
heavily.

"Was that that krav stuff you're always talking
about?"

"Yea," James replied.

"Maybe I should've taken a few classes. I'm
exhausted."

James glanced at the chief's body. "This sucks. We're
nearly out of here."

Jeffries shrugged. "This whole day sucks." As if
to add emphasis to his comment, they both heard a roar from somewhere nearby.

"Time for round two," Jeffries said.

James walked over to the elevator. "Why is this taking
so long?"

"It should be here soon. Probably haven't been as long
as it feels. Don't worry though, I'll draw them away."

James turned towards Jeffries. "What are you talking
about? We're both getting out of here."

Jeffries shook his head as he held up his hand. "One of
them got me."

"Oh man. There's gotta be something we can do."

"You know there isn't. It'll happen just like it did in
the office. I'm not dying like that. If I have to die, I'll do it on my
feet."

James opened his mouth to say something bit Jeffries shook
his head.

"There's nothing else to say, man. Now, say goodbye so
I can go save your sorry hide."

James chuckled despite the seriousness of the moment.
"Arrogant till the last, huh?"

Jeffries turned to leave and looked over his shoulder.
"That's right. And make sure to tell everyone how I saved your life."
Jeffries took a few steps then turned around.

"If you and Laura have another kid, I expect you to
name him after me."

James chuckled and blinked back tears. "Yea, we'll do
that."

Jeffries nodded and took off down the hall, banging the
walls with his asp. "Come and get it!" he yelled.

James heard several roars in response. Looks like this will
work. A ding behind him alerted him to the elevator's arrival. He stepped
inside and hit the button for the ground floor. He'd make it home but one of
his best friends had to die to make it happen. He sighed as he wiped tears away
with his arm. He'd have to grieve later. Right now he had to make sure Laura
and they kids were safe.

The elevator reached the ground floor and James cautiously
stepped out. It was quiet. Maybe any creatures down here had moved on. He made
his way outside and saw more officers on the ground. He hoped some of them had
made it. James reached his car and looked the doors piece he was inside. He
grabbed the radio to see if anyone had made it out of there.

"Officer Ruckley
 
here. Anyone out
there?"

James waited a few minutes and tried again. Ten minutes
later he hadn't gotten a response. He put the car in gear and headed home. He
hoped there were survivors but more he had to focus on his family.

James quickly saw evidence of people that escaped from the hospital.
Several times he saw cars that had run off the road. Maybe the drivers had
succumbed to the infection and lost control. James slowed down to get a closer
look. He saw one car where the driver had run into a light post. It looked like
they were slumped over the wheel. They must have died from the impact.

Another car had the driver side door hanging open. James
could see streaks of blood on the windows. He saw the top of a car seat and
quickly looked away, he didn't need to see anymore.

James picked up speed. He definitely needed to get home. The
infection might be all over the city now. How far did people get before the
fever took them?

The rest of the drive was uneventful. James felt a sense of
relief as he turned into his subdivision. There was no sign of the infection
here. Cars were parked the way they should be and there were even some kids
playing. It wouldn't last, but it meant that his family was probably okay.
James turned onto his street and into his driveway. James exited the car and approached
the house. So far so good, now if only Laura and the kids were safe inside.

He opened the front door and shut it behind him. He frowned
as he looked around. All of the lights were off. That was unusual. Was
something wrong with the power? He started walking down the hallway when the
sound of a shotgun cocking made him freeze. 

"Don't move," Laura said with steel in her voice.

"It's me, Laura," James said quietly, not wanting
to startle her.

"James? Oh, God. I'm so sorry. She stepped into the
hallway and lowered the gun. 

BOOK: Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins
6.54Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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