Infestation Chicago: A Zombie Survival Series (Volume 2) (3 page)

“Sheriff!” David yelled and ran into the trees without a moment of hesitation. As David emerged from the other side of the trees moments later, he felt something large and hard hit his arm and send him forcefully to the ground.

“Nobody move!” A woman’s voice boomed
.

David shook his head trying to catch his breath and attempt
ed to see into the darkness. Suddenly a light beamed onto David’s face from a flashlight the woman was holding. David raised his hand in front of his face attempting to shield his eyes from the light so as to see what exactly was happening.

“Holiday?” David said praying for an answer.

“He is fine,” the woman continued. “He is lucky to be alive.” The flashlight beam moved to the ground a few feet away showing Holiday lying on the ground unconscious.

“He heard me coming and shot at
Me.” the woman explained. David attempted to stand but froze when the flashlight was turned back toward him once more.

“Don’t!” The woman said shakily. “Just don’t move. I am going to go, and you are just going to forget about me, got it?” She spoke quickly and David could hear how worried she was.

“We aren’t going to hurt you.” David said reassuringly.

“Speak for yourself!” Destiny shouted as she jumped at the woman from the side. She had slowly moved around her while David and the woman had talked. The flashlight fell to the ground and rolled over to Holiday. David could hear grunting and smacking in the darkness but it was so incredibly dark he had no way of knowing who was winning. He crawled to the flashlight quickly and picked it up. He stood to his feet shining it all around him looking for the two women fighting.

Finally, he saw them. Destiny was on her back breathing heavily, while a woman wearing a white doctor coat, badly ripped, stood over her with a baseball bat raised in the air.

“Wait!” David shouted, causing both Destiny and the
unknown woman to look toward the light he was holding.

“She attacked me!” The woman said sharply.

“She attacked Holiday first!” Destiny said in an almost attempt at provoking the woman to attack further. The woman lifted her bat a little higher as if she was going to hit Destiny, but stopped by the sound of Holiday’s shotgun cocking.

“Listen here stranger,” Holiday said as he walked up beside David pointing his shotgun toward the woman standing over Destiny, “We don’t have a lot of ammo left, but that won’t stop me from taking your head off.” 

She slowly lowered the bat from above Destiny before dropping it to the ground beside her. She raised her hands and stared at the light shining at her.

“I know this was all a misunderstanding,” Holiday
continued lowering his shotgun. “I thought you were a zombie, and you defended yourself. Let’s not have this get more out of control.” Holiday’s words shocked David; he was expecting Holiday’s odd behavior to turn this situation into a disaster.

“Put your arms down,” Destiny said while getting to her feet. “I am sorry.” She said quickly.

“What’s your name?” David asked.

“Sam.” The woman replied. “So I can just go?” she continued.

“Go?” Holiday said curiously. “Go where? There ain’t exactly any place that is safe.” Holiday grabbed the flashlight from David’s hand and threw it softly toward Sam. “Why not stick with us?”

“No.” Sam replied without hesitation. “I have somewhere to be.” The group looked at her as she walked down the road away from
them shining her flashlight all around her to check for zombies. David walked quickly after her.

“Where is that?” he asked
her. The group started to follow her. Her flashlight made it much easier to go down the road. “Maybe we can stick together for a bit then?”

“Look,” Sam said while stopping and turning toward him. “I am going to Chicago. I have – well just – you don’t want to go to such a big city when all of this is going on. O.K.?” She turned and continued walking.

Destiny and Holiday chuckled slightly at her comment as they were headed to New York City - one of the largest cities either of them could think of.

“What is so funny?” S
am stopped once more and shined the flashlight at the group.

“We are headed to a big city ourselves,” David said, “New York.”
Sam paused for a long time considering his words. If it wasn’t so dark, the group would have seen the look of disbelief on Sam’s face.

“Have fun with that.” Sam eventually said. She turned and walked faster than before in an attempt to leave the group behind her. Destiny slightly jogged to catch up with Sam until she was at her side.

“What is in Chicago?” Destiny inquisitively asked.

“You guys sure are a curious bunch aren’t you?” Sam said ignoring the question.

“Yes, but we could help you. Chicago has boats right?” Destiny continued.

“Whoa!” Holiday shouted “I am barely in agreement with going to one suicide pit, now you want us to go through one and then to another?” Holiday stopped walking and stared at the ground angrily.
“Fuck this.” He said and began walking back down the road the way they had come from.

“Sheriff?” David said turning to look at Holiday. He was lost in the complete darkness behind the group. “Sam
can you let me use that light for a second?” he asked. Sam reluctantly handed the flashlight to Destiny who rushed up to David and shined the light at the angry Holiday who was storming away. “Holiday!” David pressed. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” Holiday grunted. “Fuck off.”

“What?” David was confused. He thought he may have done something or said something to upset him, but Holiday was more level headed about the whole end-of-the-world thing than anyone. To let something David had said bother him was hard to believe.

“What are you talking about?”
he continued.

“Look boy!” Holiday shouted turning back toward David. “I lost everything fighting to get you to Iowa. That was the end – we did it, and it’s over right?” Holiday paused for a moment as if the answer wasn’t obvious, but it was.

The battle did not end in Iowa. Even after the group gets to New York to make the ‘cure’ for the disease infesting the world, there would still be much more to do.   “No, it isn’t!” He continued, “And now we are going to New York City with some small hope they aren’t completely over run by zombies, but,” Holiday chuckled slightly and slowly took the hat off his head, “But first we are thinking of going to Chicago?” Holiday shook his head in disbelief. “I have an idea let’s go down to Vegas for a bit, or fly over to Paris. What do you say?”

“We have to do something
Sheriff!” David snapped.

“Why?” Holiday said. “There is nothing left but survival
!”

David was speechless. After everything they had gone through Holiday was giving up on the plan. “Going to New York is suicide son,” Holiday walked closer to David and spoke softly, “You haven’t been able to use this supposed ‘power’ of yours since your father.”

Holiday placed his hand on David’s shoulder but David pulled away. Destiny took a few steps back still shining the light on the both of them. “We should just find someplace to hold out.” Holiday finished.

“No.” David said
. “We should fight tooth and nail!” Holiday let out a moan of disapproval. “I know you have lost a lot,” David’s voice echoed around them, “So have I, hell so have all of us.”

David pointed at Destiny and
Sam. He knew nothing about Sam, but he knew life for everyone had to be better before zombies were everywhere. “If we don’t try, things will only get worse. I won’t deny things aren’t going to plan but I will figure this out. We have to.”

“But David,” Holiday’s voice was still gentle but there was an obvious sound of frustration lining it. “New York could be overrun with thousands and thousands of zombies
- Chicago also.”

“No,” Sam spoke up loudly from the darkness. Destiny shined the light toward Sam causing her to shield her eyes. “Chicago is pretty safe.”

Everyone remained quiet waiting for more information from Sam. She only stood there squinting through the light toward them.

“How do you know?”  Destiny asked.

“That is where I came from,” Sam was confusing everyone. She said earlier she was headed TO Chicago.

“And you are going back there?” Destiny asked getting more confused with each second Sam didn’t speak.

“It is better there than out here. I didn’t believe them when they told me.”

“Who?” Destiny continued her questioning.

With a sudden flash, another gunshot echoed throughout the night. Holiday had fired his shotgun only this time he had shot a zombie. It was only feet away from David.

“Let’s just get someplace safe for the night O.K?” Sam shouted, “There is a gas station about two minutes further up this road. We can sleep there.”

The group agreed almost all at once. They had been standing in the dark arguing and talking without knowing if anything was around them. If Holiday hadn’t noticed out of the corner of his eye something shambling toward David, they would have been in a lot of trouble.

“Thanks, sheriff.” David said shocked he could not sense the zombie in any way.

“Don’t call me sheriff anymore son. Just Holiday.” he replied.

             
Within two minutes of stumbling in the dark with only one flashlight, it began to flicker wildly. The batteries in it were nearly empty. Sam had been using it for who knows how long “It should just be up ahead.” Sam reassured everyone. Seconds later the group saw it. A gas station with two gas pumps outside of it. It was one single room with empty shelves and a tipped over cash register outside the front door. The back door was boarded up making it a perfect spot to hide for the night.

             
The group walked quickly inside. First to enter was Destiny with the flashlight, then David holding his massive gun in front of him, Sam holding her baseball bat tightly over her shoulder, and Holiday casually carrying his shotgun.

             
“Help me,” Sam said pointing the flashlight at a large shelf near the door. “Block the door until morning.”  Sam and Holiday both grunted loudly as they moved the large shelf in front of the door. It covered the door perfectly leaving only a small gap at the top. The wall beside the door was made of glass, but had been boarded solid long ago.

             
“So what exactly happened in Chicago?” David asked Sam before Destiny could continue her barrage of questions. “Who said it is better there than out here? Trinity Corp?” Sam shook her head no, as she walked into a back room. She brought out a large backpack and pulled out of it a small electronic campfire. Completely decorative and providing no heat. But the light would help them see the room better.

             
“I was here all day thinking about what to do,” Sam started o explain, “I was going to spend the night but figured I should head back as soon as possible.” The group sat down around the fake campfire, as if preparing to hear a ghost story while on a camping trip. “I don’t know who Trinity Corp is – all I know – it’s hard to explain.

             
“Try. We have all night after all.” Holiday said jokingly. Nobody laughed.  It was at that time the group noticed a large scar on the side of Sam’s neck. It was jagged and was hard to see until now. Sam explained about the hospital she worked at when everything started. She told the group about Pauline, the man with the little girl and the cop that attacked her. The group was puzzled about how she was alive. Even more important, Sam decided to explain how she didn’t turn into a zombie. Sam decided to tell them everything.

Chapter 3 – Flashback

             
Shortly after Sam had passed out from the officer biting her, she found herself in a small dark room. It was almost like a broom closet but was completely empty. When she tried to move she realized her wrists were chained to the wall. She could feel a bandage on her neck where the cop had bit her. She screamed for help for nearly thirty minutes before finally someone opened the door.

             
“Let’s see your eyes,” a deep male voice commanded while a blinding light illuminated the room. “Hurry up, look here.” The voice continued. Sam squinted as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. In front of her she saw a man dressed in a black suit, on his neck was a small white square. It took her a few seconds to realize that he was a priest. Or at least dressed like one. He was holding a machete over top of her with a look on his face of extreme worry. His head was shaved with only a few days growth of hair on the top. A menacingly looking goatee lined his mouth and chin. She stared at him waiting for him to continue speaking. Eventually he did. “What’s your name child?” he said lowering his machete slightly.

             
“S – Sam” she stuttered. She was still wearing her white doctor coat and slacks from earlier. Surprisingly, only a few blood splatters dotted her clothes. She was very confused, and afraid. It was odd for her to feel that way as she was always the strong, commanding one. She was never considered a typical ‘girl’, something her father had told her whenever he could. She understood why, being such an attractive woman her father expected boyfriend after boyfriend to be causing trouble. But she caused more trouble than anyone. “Where am I?” Sam continued with a deep voice. “Who are you?” She demanded to know.

             
“My name is Father Martin.” The priest said while reaching into his pocket and pulling out a single small key. He leaned over her and unchained her wrists from the wall. “Do you know what has happened?” He asked softly.

             
“Some crazy fucker attacked me at the hospital.” She said rubbing her wrists with her hands. She looked up to see a look on the priest’s face of amusement yet regret, as if she had said something offensive. “Sorry father.” She said quickly.

             
“No,” he said quickly, “In these times I highly expect to hear much worse.” He smiled at her and walked out of the room. She quickly followed and to her delight she was in the back of the old theater that she had frequented while growing up. It was an antique to most people, barely operational. Bronze chandeliers, giant yellow screen, clumpy cushion seats, but it brought back memories of a simpler time. She was on a small stage in front of the yellow screen. The room she was in before was in fact, a broom closet.

“How long have I been out?” Sam asked.

“Two days.” Martin answered while continuing to walk away. He walked off the stage in front of the yellow screen and down the center isle to the only visible door.

“Why am I here exactly?” Sam asked loudly as she jogged to catch up to the priest.

“This is a safe place,” Martin said pointing around him in all directions. Once out the door Sam’s jaw dropped. In the lobby of the theater were over twenty people, all of them cleaning weapons. Some of them were children no older than six or seven.

“I don’t understand.” Sam said confused. “What are all these people doing?” Martin stopped walking and looked at her confused.

“Perhaps you were ‘out’ longer than I thought.” Martin said perplexed. He continued to explain that three days ago, a massive wave of zombies and other creatures began to attack people. He explained that a Corporal in the United States Army has been leading the resistance against the undead with the help of the residents from the greater Chicago area. Apparently all other military personnel were either killed or transferred to defend key areas, leaving him as the only one able to take charge. Whether that was true or not, didn’t matter to Sam. Although it sounded like a line this ‘leader’ used to gain support. She was still trying to understand what was going on. Zombies weren’t real. She knew that. She started getting a headache.

“Where is this ‘leader’ you are talking about?” Sam asked.

“I will take you to him. This way please.” The father continued walking past the people in the lobby and opened one of the two double doors leading onto the street. He motioned for Sam to follow. “We have been hoping to talk with you about what had happened to you before we found you."

Outside Sam found hundreds of people walking the streets while the sun was directly overhead. Almost as if nothing had happened. On every corner there were people with armed automatic weapons who stood guard. Shops appeared to be open, she even heard children
laughing and playing nearby.

“Did we win?” Sam asked. “I mean, this doesn’t look like zombies are attacking.”

“It is worse outside of the city.” Martin explained. “Most people wouldn’t last more than a few minutes outside this city. Not without the rest of us. This way please.” Martin continued to guide Sam down the street. Three blocks away he was going to introduce her to Corporal Kelly. The walk was fairly quick; everything looked as pleasant as always.

When she saw Corporal Kelly she couldn’t believe her eyes. Kelly was a very muscular man wearing stereotypical army clothing. He had on a solid green t-shirt, with green camouflaged jeans, and around his neck he wore very bright shiny dog tags. Fastened tightly on his head was a solid green beret, tilted slightly.

Sam doubted an army person would actually be wearing such clothing but if he was in charge she wasn’t about to question it. He was standing outside of the Wrigley Stadium where her favorite baseball team (The Chicago Cubs) used to play. He was speaking to several other people standing around him talking about boarding it up better, adding a fence outside as a defensive measure. He also gave several commands which made little sense to Sam. After all, the priest had just said the threat was outside the city.

“Corporal!” Father Martin hollered as they neared him.

“Ah!” Corporal exclaimed as he saw Sam, “So our mystery survivor has awakened!” He spoke with an almost unpleasant sureness of himself, as if before speaking any further he knew everything that was about to be said.

“My name is Sam
. I am – or well I was - a doctor at Chicago Medical.” She stretched out her hand to shake his but he placed his hands behind his back and pressed out his chest. His attitude was everything Sam despised about men.

“You were bit
ten. How long ago?” He asked, ignoring any pleasantries.

“I guess – the first day.” Sam answered unsure. “Three days ago.” The Corporal and Father Martin both stared at her without saying anything. Eventually Corporal nodded and smiled.

“Immunity.” he said, “Just as I thought.” Sam shook her head in confusion.

“Immunity to what?” She asked, her voice trembling slightly with fear.

“The zeds, zombies, walkers whatever you wanna call them. When they bite you, a sort of disease gets in you. Turns you into one of those … things.” Sam looked at him unconvinced.

“
It doesn’t work that way … It can’t” she tried to correct him.

“I am afraid it does. But!” Martin spoke loudly in hope Corporal wouldn’t scream at Sam in anger. He hated being corrected, “But, if you were bit three days ago, and didn’t turn. That makes you immune.”

“Or a liar.” The Corporal added. “Which is it?”

“I don’t know what to say.” Sam spoke almost in a whisper. “I guess immune but it doesn’t make medical sense.” Her eyes stared at the ground while her mind raced to make sense of any of this.

“Well,” The Corporal continued, “With our help we can maybe extend that immunity to my men.”

“Your men?” Sam asked.

“I mean the people of this city. If they were immune we could fight the zeds much easier.”

“Corporal!” A man in front of the door to the stadium yelled at him and waved him over.

“If you will excuse me, I have business to attend to.” The corporal bowed and walked away toward the man who was hollering for him.

“This way to see where you will be staying.” Father Martin said while gesturing for Sam to follow him. They walked back down the street
. Sam’s head was still pounding from the confusion. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind.

“Sarah!”
she exclaimed out loud.

“Who?” Father Martin asked her.

“My daughter Sarah! I have to find her! Oh my god how could that not be the first thing I thought of?” Sam looked around to get her bearings. “This way, we lived on maple dri-”

“I am sorry Sam,” Father Martin said cutting her off. “That part of the city was not secured until this morning. We found no survivors.”