Brother, Sister, Zombieslayerz

TCHIK!

TCHAK!

TCHOK!

Blood sprayed over Colleen’s well-tailored business suit.

TSSSING!!

Some more blood painted her face, as she beheaded the last of the undead. She wiped the blood off her KBAR knife, and slid it back into the hilt which she’d slung over her tight frame.

“Yeah, Carl…” Colleen said, calling her employer. “Yup. It’s done. I just killed a bunch of dead people.” She said.

“Good, clean up and look nice. Starting…eh…a half an hour from now…you’re going to be working on a team.”  Carl chuckled into the phone.

“Partner…Carl, how long have I been working for you?” she groaned.

“A bit too long…I need some fresh meat.”

“Come over here, I’ll show you fresh meat.”

“Hey, quit being such a hard on. He’s a nice guy…you’ll like him.”

“I can feel you smiling Carl…” Colleen scoffed.

Carl hung up.

“Goddamn mess.” She sighed, slumping her shoulders. The many half decayed heads that lay around appeared to be watching her through their dead eyes. “Sometimes I’m jealous.” She spoke to one of them. “Being a zombie…don’t have a boss…nobody to order you around…you pick your hours…not a care in the world.” She patted the head. “Look-“ just as she was about to continue,

“Rwwwaaaaarrr!” a zombie growled from behind her.

P-TAFF!

P-TAFF!

“Jeez, can’t you see I’m having a conversation here? Didn’t your mom teach you any manners?”  She frowned at the zombie she’d just shot.

“So, like I was saying,” she turned back to the head, “you guys have it easy. You kill someone, you’ve got an excuse…you were sick! I actually need a frickin’ license to do this. Oh well, guess there’s no point in complaining.”

Colleen walked out to her Jeep Rubicon, and tossed all her weapons, except her handgun into the back. She recoiled at smell of the cabin. Apparently 10 years of zombie killing wasn’t enough to prepare her for the enticing aroma of a few hundred undead.

She took a shower back at HQ before dressing up to go see Carl. She kept it casual when she was back at the base, wearing just a brown Cami and a pair of blue capris, topped off by sandals for her feet.

“Carl…my partner.”

“Uh yeah…he’s, in the bathroom. The clam fish didn’t go down so well for him. Sit down, want something to eat…drink?” Carl asked, leaning back in his leather chair.

“I’m fine. Can’t say I have much of an appetite after all that.”

“Colleen, you’ve been doing this for 10 years now. I figured you’d have grown at least a little more desensitized to all this bullshit.”

“Yeah well…it’s different when you’re not the one doing the slicing and dicing.”

“Let me remind you that I was in the CIA before-“

“Yeah, you gave me the 411 already. How’s the spread?” Colleen rapped her knuckles on the armrests of her chair.

“NYC is overrun as usual. We’ve got branches over there cracking down on the infestation. There’s been a 10 percent decline in infestation rate all across the eastern seaboard. The West…not so hot. But then again, Florida does the trick for us.”  Carl stood up, and walked over to the coffee maker. “Sure you don’t want coffee?”

“I’m good. But Florida?”

“Yup. Zombie free since 2006. There weren’t that many there to begin with. I’ll tell you the organization’s been surprised. The virus started in Bogota. I figured at least some would leak in from the Southern coastline. But no…New Yorkers. But I called you here over something entirely different.”

“I know…my partner.”

“No, other than that.”

“What? You’re sending me global. Come on Carl, you’ve had a hard on for my skillset ever since you hired me.”

“I’ve had a hard on…just not for your skillset. But that isn’t to say that you aren’t one of my best zombie killers out there. I’m thinking Africa. Congo…”

“Hell no. I am not flying to that hellhole. They have warlords that use these zombies like dogs alright…the- no…just no!”

“Easy. I’m not going to send you there tomorrow.” Carl said, taking a sip of his coffee. “Mmm. You’ve got to build a tolerance to all this slicin’ and dicin’ you do. ‘Cause this French roast tastes.”

“Give it a few cups. You’ll have built a tolerance to that. Is that guy still in the bathroom?”

Just then the door opened.

“Sorry sir, I…” the man grunted, stumbling in. He was a short, skinny man. About 5’7, a good four inches shorter than the robust but lithe Colleen. He had olive complexion, and light brown hair.

“Let me guess…Italian?” Colleen pointed.

“DeGiulio. Mark DeGiulio.”

“How many have you killed?”

“I once shot a dog, when I was in training…”

“So-“

“It had rabies…I guess-“

“That doesn’t count. What the hell Carl? You tag me with this kid?”

“He’s 35.”

“I’m 39, big whoop. Four years older and four inches taller. Bottom line Carl-“

“Look, sir, if it’s an inconvenience.” Mark muttered.

“No, Mark. We’re glad to have you on our team. Colleen just…she just takes a while to get used to things, that’s all. But she will get in the groove…right?” Carl glared at Colleen. Colleen raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes in sarcasm, turning back to DiGiulio.

They shook hands.

“You ever fired a gun…”

“Oh yeah, all the time.” Mark recounted. His voice was soft and tender. Colleen almost liked it. “One time, when I was on the force, we were chasing down this guy. This was a couple years before the infection shit happened. So we cornered him in-“

“Yeah, yeah, and you popped him.” Colleen patted his shoulder. “Let’s take a walk.”

“So how many years?” Colleen yawned.

“Years?”

“Years on the force. How many years were you a cop?”

“Oh, just 3 years or so…”

“Rookie.”

“Well…”

“Kid, you’re a rookie.” Colleen scoffed.

“Okay, look, with all due respect, if you really don’t want to work with me-“

“I don’t. Never wanted to either. It’s nothing person…well, I guess now it is…but yeah. I’m not really a team player.”

“Is there anyone else…around here? They dropped me off and the place was as bald as my uncle’s head…well, before he got infected.” Mark inquired softly.

“Few stragglers…some survivor groups. We track ‘em down every once in a while, but it can be a bitch. Then we’ve got the company that started this mess…R-GEN. They have their agents. Here’s the bottom line. Population is scarce. As far as you’re concerned, it’s you, me, Carl, and a couple other staff…and that’s about it for this branch. Why’d you sign up?”

“I…I guess I’ve always wanted to serve humanity in some way. Give-“

“Same ole, same ole.  You didn’t sign up kid. Mom and dad pushed your ass this direction. If you ask me...get on the first chopper back to wherever the hell you came from. You don’t have the guts for this job.”

Mark stayed silent. “Fucking jerk.” He muttered.

“What was that?!” Colleen spun around spat. She grabbed him by his collars and throttled him against the wall. “I’m a fucking jerk?! Huh! What the fuck have you done lately? Huh?! Killed any zombies? Painted yourself with their rotten and stinking flesh…what have you done to “serve humanity”?”

“For starters…I act very humane.” He said nearly whimpering. Colleen sighed, and let him go.

“Look kiddo. I’m sorry.” She put her hand on his neck, caressing it. “You haven’t killed a single person in your entire life, and you waltz in here…into an organization that trains people to kill every day. That’s all we do. We kill people…people who’re already dead. You don’t want to do this rookie…you really don’t.”

“Fine…I’ll just talk to Carl…” he muttered and turned back slowly down the hallway.

“I’ll talk to him. You just get your bags ready. I’ll call in the chopper for you…I admire your enthusiasm, I really do. It’s just…this isn’t the job for you kid. Go home, stay with your family. Besides, didn’t I tell you I’m not a team player?”

“Yes.”

“Well there you go. What’s the point in working with someone who’s spent her whole life working alone?” she said.

“Carl, send this kid home.” Colleen demanded, hands on her hips.

“Colleen, I make the orders here. Now I like you, your skillset, and I have a real hard-on for you like you said, but that will not shake my judgment.”

“The kid’s barely 35 and you want to put him in a goddamn warzone. He’s no use to me. The guy says he’s been a cop for 3 years, and he hasn’t shot a single person…” Colleen leaned forward, emphasizing her point. “Last time I checked, that’s all we do Carl. He doesn’t have the mind or the skills for it.”

“Colleen! I have people to report to! If it were just you and me in this wonderful little nest I’d approve, but quite frankly I’ve got about 20 people who have been sitting on my head about this! Your word is not final! You don’t run HQ!” he breathed in deeply.

“Sorry..sir.”

“Colleen. Come on. We’re friends. We really are, but they don’t care. I can’t violate protocol.”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Carl grunted, and Mark walked in, all dressed up.

“I can’t fuckin’ believe this Colleen. You’re staying kid.” Carl said. “Just…ignore Colleen. Colleen, what has gotten into you? I give you one little change and you start crying about it…Get ready kid. You’re heading out…got us some zombies to kill.” Carl sneered.

As they stepped into the equipment room, Colleen grabbed Mark by the arm and pulled him aside.

“You do what you’re told, when you’re told.” She hissed. The two went to their respective lockers.

Colleen saw zombie killing as a business, so she dressed in formal business attire. She preferred to keep combat close and personal, which is why she preferred pistols and her KBAR to a sniper rifle or an RPG.

When Mark stepped out, he looked like an equivalent of a teenager wearing floaties in a swimming pool.

A bulletproof vest when the enemy wasn’t going to fire any bullets. An assault rifle, when they would only have to fight them one at a time in most cases. And an RPG, perhaps as an ego boost.

“Why don’t you add an anti-aircraft gun into there too? Shoot some flying zombies out of the air.” Colleen laughed.

“You-“

“Yeah…it’s business, kid. So I wear to business what one is supposed to wear when they’re on business.”

“Uh…okay. Where’re we headed?” Mark’s eyebrows were raised in confusion.

“Remember the stragglers?”

“Yeah.” He said warily.

“Three of them, south side of the city. Close to the park. They sent out a distress signal just as I got back…took a while for Carl to process it and go through the bullshit of making sure it’s not some rogue. But otherwise, yeah…that’s where we’re headed. Ready?”

“Yeah.” Mark smiled childishly. Colleen smirked.

“You’ll have to excuse the smell. Air fresheners aren’t exactly a commodity these days.” Colleen remarked as they jumped into the jeep. Mark clutched his assault rifle like it was his teddy bear.

“How far is Southside?” Mark asked, drumming his fingertips on the side of his assault rifle.

“About half an hour. Tons of bonding time for you and me, and just as much for the jeep and the zombies…”

“Um..what?”

“We’re running over some zombies is what I’m saying.” Colleen smiled, and pressed down on the accelerator. “This jeep is full electric, so we don’t need to worry about any gas running out. It’s 2020…technology is on our side.”

“Hmm. Yeah…are they really…you know? As messed up as they look on TV? Guts hanging out, eyes turned into their heads?”

“Yep, and here comes one right now.” Colleen shifted into a higher gear, ramming her jeep into the zombie.

SCLORCH!

The zombie’s remains spattered off to the side, leaving behind a detestable odor.

“Whoo!” Colleen yelled, cocking her head back, screaming into the side. Mark stared wide eyed at her from his seat. “Cheer up, have some fun…” she patted his knee. “So, bonding time.” She said, and ran over a crawling zombie in front of her. The sickening crunch of its bones followed. They drove to the heart of downtown. Buildings rose around them, gray as the sky above. The roads were empty, except for a few stray zombies who Colleen decided to spare for the day. “35 huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Graduated top of my group…”

“That’s great…but degrees, documents, all those certificates…as good as dead. They don’t mean squat. Anyway, let’s talk more personal.”

“Look, with all due respect, I really don’t understand. You were so mean to me in there, and now you-“

“Well I have to work with you now don’t I. Means I have to get to know you, whether I’d like to or not. This is the best way. Now come on, we don’t have much time. Where’re you from?”

“Rochester, New York.”

“East coast…I went to New York City once. Any family back there still?”

“We all relocated to Phoenix, once the epidemic began. I’ve got 3 older sisters…they kind of babied me I guess.”

“I can tell.” Colleen smirked. “Mom and dad?”

“Yeah. Mom and dad are there too.” Mark mused for a second.

“What’s wrong?”

“Dad’s under treatment. Virus got into him, but they say it’s a dormant phase so we have a chance of removing it…otherwise, they’re going to have to take him down too…”

“Well if it’s sympathy you’re looking for, you’re not getting any. The world, especially today, is harsher than it ever was. Get used to it. Nobody has time for tears anymore. It’s either kill or be killed. Every guy who wants people to feel sorry for him, well end up feeling pretty sorry himself. Grow a pair and face the world.” Colleen didn’t even look at Mark.

“You know what. Fuck you!”

She screeched to a halt.

“Fuck me! Okay, fuck me! Get off the jeep, come on, do it! Think you’re so tough. ‘My dad’s got the virus’” she mocked. “Grow up.”

“Aaaah!” he yelled in rage, and throttled Colleen against her seat. She expertly manipulated his arm, and pulled it between her legs, putting him in a shoulder lock. She torqued her waist the other way and Mark cried out in pain. He pulled a knife from his pocket, and slashed at her let. She barely dodged it, and took the fight to the pavement. Pulling his left arm in, she wrapped her muscular legs around his neck, triangle choking him. After she thought his eyes were going to pop out, she let him go, and he fell to his side, gasping for air.

Mark jumped up again, and tackled her. Driving her to the ground. He jammed his knees into her shoulders, and pulled out his pistol, pointing it at her head.

“Say it now!” he screamed. “Say it! Come on! Tough huh?!”

“Raaaaarrr!” a zombie howled from behind them. It started running at the two. Colleen saw it, but Mark was blinded by his own rage. Colleen pulled his head down to her shoulder, and covered it with her arm. She disarmed him and took a hold of his pistol.

P-TAFF! P-TAFF! P-TAFF!

 The zombie’s head exploded into chunks of flesh, all of which fell around them.

“You fucking hot head!” she yelled, pushing Mark off her. “You almost got us killed!”

“Fuck you! Who do you think you are, talking about my family like that?! What’ve you ever experienced?!”

“Get in the jeep! Now!”

“Shut up, mom!”

Colleen suddenly stopped, stunned. She put an arm around his shoulder and said more gently this time,

“Come on, let’s go.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” She said, panting. “Are you okay?”

Mark turned around and headed back to his seat.

“So tell me…what’s your story?”

“Why the hell do you care?” Colleen asked blandly.

“I told you, now you tell me.”

“Another day.”

“I said no!” she snapped.

“Why do you care about me so much?” he asked.

“Because…I…I said another time didn’t I?! You’re…you’re pushing my limits kiddo.” She faintly sobbed, wiping away a small tear from her eye.

The rest of the drive was quiet, as they pulled up at a small, dried out fountain. An engraving of an angel was cut out of the front, its head was tipped to a side.

“This thing used to spout waterfalls.” Colleen recounted, staring at it. “Used to jump in it when I was small. Swim around…heh. Whatever…let’s go find us some survivors. The signal was unclear, but he was guessing the survivors were within one square mile of where we’re standing right now. Get everything you need from the jeep, ‘cause we may not be coming back for a while. I’ve got extra magazines in the glove compartment, and another pistol stashed under my seat. Might want to get those. Not all zombies are medium to long range. Did you have any hand to hand training?”

“I figured what happened back there should have been as well, but-“

“Cut the crap, we don’t have time.”

“Jujitsu and Kyokushin Karate.”

“Not too shabby.”

“Enough to kick your ass.” Mark muttered, but Colleen let him savor the victory. “Do you have the radio devices…walkie talkies? ‘Cause if you do, get rid of them. Radio waves attract the infected.”

Mark shook his head, patting his pockets.

“All right, time to focus. We’ve narrowed it down to one square mile. Scouting isn’t fun...we may just stay here all night. Then again, we may get lucky, find these poor bastards and be out of here in an hour. I personally hope for the latter.” Colleen remarked, pulling out her KBAR.

“We should split up then. You go one way, I go the other.”

“Hell no!” Colleen said. “I give the orders! I say, you’re coming with me, and that is a direct order!”

“I thought we were partners. Partners don’t give each other orders.” Mark retorted.

“Would you please just grow a pair, and learn to listen…”

“Fuck you.”

“If I report this to Carl, you are going to lose this post, much to my gratification, and also lose your post back at whatever god forsaken police department you work at.” She snapped, glaring at him. “Get your ass in line.”

They followed the tarmac into a fairly large alleyway, guns ready, scanning for survivors.

“Door.” Colleen gestured with her shoulder, and Mark tugged it open. They jumped in, using the raid skills that they’d picked up during their training. “They weren’t here.” Mark remarked. “Let’s go.”

“Wait a minute…that backpack…it’s a kid’s backpack. Civilians were evacuated from here months ago. That backpack looks fresh-“

“You’re damn right it looks fresh.” A voice said from behind them. A gun clicked. “Don’t turn. Drop your guns.”

The two of them did so without question.

“Sir, we’re here to help you and whoever else is with you. We work for the organization. The beacon…the message was received and we were sent down to help get you guys out.”

“I’m going to need to see some identification.”

“My ass.” Mark said.

“Jesus Christ.” Colleen hissed to herself, her hands up in the air. “Just show him your badge.”

“Hell, we can’t trust him.”

“He’s right honey. You can’t trust me. I may just be a serial killer for all he knows. Smart kid, this one. You ought to take some advice from him. Shouldn’t she?” the man growled, and planted a solid kick in Mark’s leg. He doubled backward, and fell to his knees. The man jabbed his weapon into Mark’s stomach, and kicked his groin. “You’re a smart-ass, that’s your problem. Don’t know when to keep your goddamn mouth shut. Now.” He jumped down on Mark’s groin with his knee. Mark grimaced in pain and reached for a weapon. The man swatted his hand away and patted his pockets. “Aah.” He smiled, and pulled out Mark’s badge.

“Mark DeGiulio. Italian…which part?”

“Mother’s from Naples, Father’s from Genoa.”

“You in the Mafia?” the man chuckled. “That shit’s gone long back… Figure most of them probably got their brains rotted out by now.”

Colleen seized the moment. She spun around, and round house kicked the man in the head. He dropped the gun. She thrust him to the ground, and grabbed the gun from his side, shoving it into his neck.

“We might as well blast your throat hmm…’cause it’s getting pretty obvious that you aren’t the guy we’re looking for. Legal system’s gone. I can kill you, I have no problem doing it. And I can get away with hit. So tell us! Are you the guy or not?!” she demanded. Mark struggled to his feet.

“Just a few blocks down this way! Please! Just…don’t shoot. I’ve got children.” He whimpered, his face crinkling in fear.

“All right now. Let’s start with a name. I want your real name…all of it.”

“Christopher Russo.” He said, his hands up in surrender.

“Now get up!” Colleen pulled him to his feet. She dropped her voice and spoke gently this time. “Let’s go. Show us where they are.”

“It’s going to take a while actually. Just…it may be a few hours.”

“We’re with you the whole way.”

“Don’t I need a weapon.” He said.

“No you don’t.” she said, an ushered him forward with a light push.

“How many are there?” Mark groaned, rubbing his crotch in pain.

“4 others, excluding me.”

“We can do it.” Colleen smiled and pointed forward with her pistol.

The man led them down the abandoned alleyways, in between the city’s apartment complex. Abandoned cars lay wasted on by the sidewalks, and glass shards littered the streets. The stores had been looted, and the apartments were no different. Not a single person lingered to be seen.

P-TAFF

Colleen dispatched a zombie with a clean headshot, treating the trio to a spray of blood.

“Blech!” Mark spewed out vomit, spraying it across the sidewalk.

“Gosh son, I thought you guys were trained to fight these things.”

“It’s his first day. He’ll get used to it.” Colleen said, and nudged Mark up with her foot. He grudgingly struggled to his feet, and wiped the vomit from his mouth. “Here, have some gum.” She said softly, giving him a piece.

“It’s here.” The man said, turning the street. “Right there, in the toy store. We found a little spot in the back...

“I want you to go in there, and call them out to the door. Tell them to pack their things, and that they’re safe.”

The man hesitated.

“Go on, you’ll be fine.”  Mark urged, motioning with his gun.

The man scrambled inside. “Nina! Nina! They’re here! We’re safe!” he laughed and rushed into the store.

“Carl is hearing all about this.” Colleen said accusingly.

Mark shrugged and did his best to look tough, staring a hole into the shop’s window. Colleen smiled lightly, and turned back towards the shop.

“I’m sorry…if…I screwed up.” Mark said.

“It’s your first day kid. Don’t do it again.” Colleen pursed her lips. “Here they come.”

“Thank you, I…thank you so much…” the man’s wife sobbed, running towards Colleen, who shouldered her in her sinewy arms. The two children ran out, clutching their toys. They were hardly 10 years in age. Colleen called in to HQ.

“Carl. We have ‘em.”

“Great. Come on back to HQ now.”

The walk back would have gone just fine if it hadn’t been for,

SPLORCH!

 TCHUK!

TCHOK!

Colleen swung deftly, and decisively with her KBAR, spraying chunks of flesh across the tarmac. The jeep was hardly 15 feet away, yet a wave of undead surrounded it.

“I thought you said this part was clear?!” Mark yelled, between shots.

“I never said that!” Colleen yelled back.

“With all due respect, you fucking did!” he yelled as he blasted two zombies through the eye. He briefly turned over to vomit.

BUDDABUDDABUDDABUDDA

Mark’s assault rifle tore away at the flesh of the infected as they swarmed around him.

Off to the side, the family stood cowering away, trying to scrunch into a corner.

“Aaaah!” the wife screamed for what seemed like an eternity. Colleen was about to dispatch her, annoyed.

Mark was doing no better. His rifle fired off the last of its rounds.

“I’m out!” he yelled, as the last of the zombies swarmed around him, preparing to devour him entirely. “Gaaah!” he yelled, as he fell to the ground. He batted at them with the butt of his rifle to no avail. He pulled out a CQC knife from his training days, and jabbed one in the eye. It persisted, planting its clammy hands around his throat, driving him to the ground. “Colleen! HELP!” he cried out, desperately trying to hold the zombie’s mouth back.

Colleen has just finished beheading a zombie when she heard his cry. “Mark!” she yelled, and dived forth. She pulled out her pistol and dispatched 4 of the 5 zombies ruthlessly, blood spraying over Mark.

“This is fucking disgusting!” he yelled.

“Grow up!” she yelled, sliding her KBAR out of its sheath. She jabbed the blade into the zombie’s throat, and thrusted upward, ripping its head off. “You’re going to be doing this for a living.” She hissed.

“They’d better pay me a hell of a lot more!” Mark groaned.

“You okay?” Colleen asked, her voice softening. “Here, get up.” She helped him up, straddling him on her shoulder.

Colleen, Mark, and the family showered. Colleen changed into her casual clothing. Mark stayed in uniform, and the family was given refreshments.

“What can I say Colleen? You did it…and so did you kid…you’d better be proud.”

“Well actually, he’s got a lot to work on.” Colleen looked pointedly in his direction. Mark nodded.

“Oh, he’ll get used to it. It takes time. I still remember your first day-“

“Carl…there’s no need.”

“Come on, I’m not going to let you rip on him the whole time you’re here.”

Mark nodded and left the room.

“Didn’t I tell you Colleen, it wasn’t too bad...” Carl smiled.

“You bastard.” Colleen chuckled, and drummed her fingers on Carl’s desk. “So, about the Africa mission. The Congo? Really?”

“The company that started all this…apparently they have a storage facility over there which houses the antidote, according to intelligence.”

“You’re sending me, and a rookie to retrieve it?”

“ Yes. You are the ones who’re bringing it to the United States. I’d be honored to be in your position. And like I said earlier, my superiors requested me. I can’t deny it. Colleen please make an effort to understand my situation.”

“I had to save that kid’s ass at least 5 times out there!” Colleen kicked her chair.

“Colleen!” Carl snapped, “control yourself. It’ll be a learning experience.” He pressed his lips together.

“Well, last-“

“I’m not changing anything for you Colleen. I have orders, and so do you. As you and I very well know, orders are meant to be followed. I like you Colleen, as I have said before, but that is not going to change the fact that we don’t call the shots. So when I ask you to jump…you say how high? Capische?!”

“Aye, aye, skip.” She said blandly.

“Good. Pack your bags. You are heading out tomorrow. We’re landing you in Cape Town, and flying you in with a fully equipped, combat ready, task force…”

A faint smile began to form on Colleen’s face.

“Don’t get your hopes up. They only take you a few miles into the border, and then you’re on your one once you get into the jungle. The South Africans are not about to risk their most valuable men on this operation, do not ask me why, because I do not know.” Carl waved his hand, making it clear he did not want to hear anymore.

“You know Carl, sometimes you can be so fun, and-“

“Colleen, I’m sorry. I’m under a lot of pressure right now. If I don’t get this done. I’m out. No more of this…pack your bags.” Carl furrowed his eyebrows and went back to the papers on his desk.

Mark stood outside.

“Heard the whole thing.” Mark said. Colleen lightly clamped her hand around his throat.

“Sometimes you drive me up a wall.”

“That’s my job, and frankly I’m doing pretty well.”

“You’re goddamn lucky I didn’t report the fight.” Colleen glared at him.

“I’m a lucky man, that’s what I’m good at. So…the Congo I heard…”

“Yes. Again, I call the shots, and you follow. Hear me?” she pressed her finger into his chest. He looked up with a mischievous smile.

“Of course.”

Colleen scoffed and turned back toward the locker room.

“Pack your bags. We’re heading out tomorrow.”  She strolled off into the locker room.

“Goddamn, this is exciting man.” Mark said excitedly the next morning over breakfast. “Congo….the name just-“

“Shut up and eat.” Colleen scolded, smacking him upside the head.

“Come on. Such a killjoy.”

Colleen slammed her fork down on her plate, scattering some scrambled eggs over the table. She glared at Mark.

As they dumped their plates out, Colleen grabbed her duffel bag, and prepared to head out to the helipad.

“So…where’re we flying?” Mark asked.

“Las Vegas. To Circus Circus.”

“Sounds good.” Mark replied in turn.

“Little ways east to an airbase. Flying from there, to Johannesburg. From there…I don’t know how long we wait, but then we head into the Congo.”

“Better grab onto my balls.” Mark chuckled.

“Better.”

It was only a 5 minute wait, until the chopper landed. The rotors roared, and dirt blew aside. The door flew open and an officer approached them.

“Sergeant Marshall.” He said, extending his hand. “I’m here to escort you east to Tula Base. We already have a transport waiting to take you over.”

Mark stayed silent the whole trip, and stared ahead so intensely, that Colleen became concerned.

“Hey, you okay?” she nudged him gently.

“Who says I’m not?” he added awkwardly. Colleen sighed and turned back to the window.

The helicopter gently set down on the air base, and in the distance they could see a modified Globemaster III, taxiing.

“Who calls the shots?” Colleen rehearsed.

“You.” Mark said solemnly.

They boarded the plane, greeting the officers sitting on the metal benches on either side.

Later that flight,

“23 hours…what a bitch.” Mark groaned. The officers said nothing, and simply stared blankly forward.

“It’s all part of the job.” Colleen said, patting his shoulders.

“Is there a bathroom on this thing?” he asked.

“Sure, we’ll open the cargo door and you can do it on the edge.” Colleen laughed. The officers joined in and laughed heartily. Mark glowered at her, and turned back to his hunched position.

“Try to go to sleep. It’ll help.” One of the officers suggested. “First time?”

“Yep.” Mark said.

“Sorry kid.” The officer sighed. “The organization these days. Always recruiting rookies. If we want to kill any more of those dead mothafuckas, we’re going to need a more reliable candidate roster. “

“Fuck you.” Mark muttered, as he laid back. Luckily none of the rest heard it.

“Get up!” Colleen yelled, as the plane landed at Swartkop, Johannesburg’s air force base. She elbowed Mark hard in the leg, and he jolted awake.

“What?!” he asked panicking.

“We’ve arrived.”

The plane screeched onto the runway and came to a halt at a painstakingly slow pace.

The door opened, and the hot morning sun filtered in . Mark squinted at the blinding light, and cowered back, waiting for his eyes to adjust. Colleen simply put on her sunglasses.

“Never thought you were one for fashion.” Mark joked, as he stood up.

“Get your bags.” Colleen said as they left the aircraft.

“Colleen Weyland?” a tall South African Caucasian male said in his deep and gruff accent.

“Yes.” Colleen said, approaching him. She was dressed as usual in her business suit. Only this time the weapons were in her bag.

He was a tall man. About 6’4 in height and had light brown hair, and green eyes.

“Lieutenant Dominick Kolstedt.” He said. Colleen shook hands, with him, as Mark approached, lugging his bags along, nearly dragging them. 

“My partner…Mark.” She pointed, not bothering to look.

The lieutenant raised his eyebrows in surprise, but made no comment.

“Your temporary quarters are just down this base. Ackerman will show you the way.” He motioned with his hand and a short, portly man, a few inches beneath Colleen in height, approached them.

“This way.” He said.

The quarters were Spartan. They were essentially 5 star barracks. There was a toilet to one side, but that was it, but that was it. In the middle were slightly furnished cots.

“Pick one.” Colleen said.

“Left.” Mark pointed, and plopped down on it. “Whoo! So we’re actually here.” He said looking around.

“Don’t know how we ‘actually’ couldn’t be here.” Colleen said, and lay down on her bed. “We’re being flown later today. Get your sleep.” She said, and instantly closed her eyes.

“Fuck sleep. I’m taking a tour.” Mark remarked, and got up.

“I said get your sleep. I am not about to deal with you falling asleep on the mission. We’re being deployed tonight…do you understand?!”

“Jeez, why do you have to be so uptight?” Mark muttered.

“You don’t know wh-“ she started, holding back a sob.

“Know what?!” Mark exclaimed.

“Just…just get your sleep, I am in no mood to argue! I give the orders.”

“Your ass.”

“What was that?!” she yelled, standing up, and walking towards Mark. She grabbed his collars and thrust him  against the wall. “While you are on this mission, you listen to me, and follow my orders! If you act like a jackass one more goddamn time, I am going to put your ass out in the sun!” she yelled.

Mark fumed, but said nothing, breathing heavily. He bent his head down, like a little child and walked towards his bed.

“Ma-“ Colleen started, almost apologetically.

“What?”

“Hurry up!” she yelled.

She turned off the lights, and laid down on her own bed, but her eyes remained open. No sleep came. She looked at Mark. So young, but so naïve. How was she going to train him…

After about 5 hours, a knock came on the door. Mark stirred, rubbing his eyes. Colleen turned on the lights and walked to the door.

“5 minutes.” The man in the door way said. “There’s a plane, with the assigned team, set to fly you into the Congo.”

They washed their faces, checked their bags, and equipped themselves. Mark put on his bullet proof vest, camouflage, and holstered his pistol, assault rifle, and RPG. Colleen slung her KBAR hilt over her shoulder, and put her pistol into the hilt along her waist. She had on the usual business suit, her choice of attire for such a business.

It was a team of about 5 men, armed to the teeth. The introductions ensued as the plane took off.

Not a single word was uttered for the whole journey. The Plane touched down two miles outside the Congo border.

“Now remember. One mile inwards and you’re on your own. We may give you another mile tops, but after that…best of luck.” The commander of the team said.

“The infestation levels?” Colleen inquired, pulling out her KBAR.

“40 percent of the population remains infested at this point. 10 percent of the animal population. Look for the red eyes. The victims have bioluminescent characteristics. Some of their skin radiates a light orange glow. They aren’t anything like the brain-dead, decaying ones you find in the states. These infected are far more agile, more elusive, and have slightly higher cognitive ability. So watch your back. “ the commander added.

Even at night, the humidity was high, and Colleen was sweating profusely. Her suit was plastered to her body, an her bangs stuck to her forehead. She wiped the perspiration on the sleeve of her blazer, before continuing on.  

“Excuse me ma’am?” one of the soldiers started.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any body armor?”

“Yes. This is business, and I will dress accordingly.” Colleen answered with confidence.

 The humidity increased steadily, until the first drop of rain touched Colleen’s head. In a  matter of seconds, the drizzle became a heavy, thick, blanket of rain.

“We have crossed the border. As I stated earlier-“

“We get it. One more mile and that’s it. We’ll be fine. Give us the tracking device with the coordinates, and we will follow accordingly.” Colleen cut the officer off.

For another 20 minutes, they continued as a group, and finally the team came to a halt.

“This is where we split.” The commander said. “We wish you luck.”

“We’ll be needing it.” Colleen said. She beckoned Mark, who walked forth. They nodded a farewell to the team, and took the GPS locator. Mark strapped the miniature device to his side, and turned around. They continued into the thick of the jungle.

“Shit, the rain here kills…” mark complained.

“Grow up. Keep your eyes peeled. These ones-“

“Yeah, fast and deadly. I get it. I heard the guy.” He replied. Colleen glanced over at him, and back in front. She bent her knees slightly, and held the KBAR akimbo, ready to slice away at moment’s notice.

“Congo…isn’t that a type of drum?” Mark asked.

“Bongo drums… It’s Bongo.”  Colleen replied.

“No I swear there was a Congo drum!”

RAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

A zombie screeched as it jumped from the foliage.

“Jesus Mark, why can’t you shut the fuck up.”

“I don’t know, tell him!” Mark said, aiming his pistol forward.

SCLORCH!!!

Colleen thrust her KBAR into the zombie’s neck, and hacked to the side, cutting its throat.

P-TAFF !

P-TAFF !

Two quick shots to the head, and the zombie dropped, the red color fading from its eyes. The commander had been right, the skin glowed a faint orange.

“Shit, couldn’t this guy find a better tanning salon?” Collen joked, and lightly scraped the dead body with her knife.

Mark shook his head and kept walking.

“Mark! Stay here!” she ordered, and he halted begrudgingly. “The coordinates.”

He pulled out the GPS device, and flashed the coordinates at her.

“That’s a few klicks north west of here.”

“Yeah…but that’s the least of our problems.” Colleen added. “The zombies aren’t the only pain in the ass. The war-lords. They have men swarming the area.”

“Why the hell is the factory or whatever located here then?”  Mark cocked his head in curiosity.

“Rogue…maybe. They may even be in the cahoots with the war-lords. I don’t know. We aren’t the CIA. We don’t get heavy intel. We’re zombie killers. They give us the guns and we give them the headcount.”

“The deadcount.”

“Whatever.” Colleen scoffed.

The device beeped, as they turned the corner.

“We’re about half a klick in.” 

The rain had gotten a little lighter, and the visage became much more clear. The air was damp as they progressed deeper into the rainforest, the humidity making them sweat all the more.

A branch snapped behind them, and Mark whirled around to face a rabid monkey. It’s eyes glowed red as it hung from the palm leaf tree’s branch. It let out a deep rumbling growl as it reared on its legs.

P-TAFF!

P-TAFF!

P-TAFF!

Colleen fired three shots, and it dropped to the ground. Suddenly, more twigs snapped. Leaves fluttered, and the mild patter of footsteps were heard…

“Go, go! There’s more of them coming!”

She cracked of two shots as they started to run.

“Hurry the fuck up!” she yelled, pushing Mark forward.

“Shut up!”

They pulled apart the jungle  foliage in front of them, and tore through, the infected following close behind.

SCLORCH!

TSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIINGG!

Colleen swung her blade, holding off as many as possible, but they were gaining.

After about 3 minutes of jogging, they came into a clearing. Mark dove to a side, and positioned his RPG.

“Colleen, I have to do this.” He muttered, and fired. The RPG hit the ground, right where the horde of undead stood, and  vaporized them in the explosion. “Colleen!” he yelled. “Colleen, you okay?”

“I’m here. I’m fine!” Colleen dusted off some debris, and ran over to Mark. “Are you all right?” she asked, her voice quaking with concern.

“Yeah. Got those bastards huh…”

“Yes…and attracted the attention of the local warlords.” Colleen shrugged. “Come on, let’s get going.” She patted his back, walking forward. “You still have the GPS?”

“Yeah. Tucked it away here…” Mark pulled out the device, and the red dot blinked in the northeastern quadrant.  Together, they walked back into the thick of the jungle.

TSSING!!

Colleen swung her KBAR, beheading an infected that had tried to get the drop on them.

“I think they’re starting to thin out a little bit.” She commented, wiping the blood away with her boots. “We’ve only got a few more klicks to go…”

Just then, something snapped… Mark looked down at his feet, but it was too late. The booby trap took effect and swiped his feet out from under him, as the net enveloped his entire frame.

Within moments, gunmen jumped out of the foliage, their weapons trained on the two of them… As she had suspected…the warlord had caught up.

“Fuck.” Colleen swore.

“Hello milady. You are English…no?” the tall leader of the group asked, a filthy smile on his face… “We knew you couldn’t have gotten too far. After all, it would be an insult to my heritage if I could not track you on my own native soil. So…English?”

“American.”

“Well then…how’s it hangin’?” he laughed, looking at Mark. Mark tried to reach for his pistol, but one of the men slammed the butt of his gun into Mark’s ribs.

“Gaaaah!” he screamed in pain. Colleen did her best to restrain herself.

“A businesswoman? What use does a businesswoman have…for a knife like this…why, you would hurt yourself?” he smiled, running his hand along the blade’s sling. “Come now, give the blade to me…you won’t be needing it I assure.”

Before they knew it, their wrists were bound with rope, and they were being marched off even further into the treacherous forest.

“Goddamn it, couldn’t you be a bit more careful?” Colleen muttered to Mark.

“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t see a booby trapped buried 3 feet under the ground…I’m not frickin’ superman.”

“Superman…I know Superman.”

“Yeah, and I know your mom.” Mark retorted. Colleen cringed. The leader spun around, and punched his jaw.

“No one! No one! Talks of my family in that way! You are lucky…I am in a good mood today. Otherwise, I would have had your tongues cut!”

They were forced to stumble up a slight hill, and push past some slimy leaves, until they regained proper footing. The milky dew had started to set in, and Colleen started to sweat more profusely.

“It still boggles my mind, why you wear such gaudy clothing in this weather. Loosen up a little…this is Central Africa. They wouldn’t even care if you went topless here.”

“Shut up.” Mark said. The man behind him, planted a solid kick into his back, knocking him flat onto his face. He turned him over with his foot, and smeared his mud covered sole over his face. The leader, knelt down, and shoved his knee into Mark’s stomach. Mark arched backward in pain. He pulled a knife out of his pocket, and clamped his hand around Mark’s jaw. It was bruised and swollen. Nonetheless, the man mercilessly squeezed. He writhed in pain, trying to free himself from his grip.

“Please. You don’t want to do this…please…we’ll cooperate…” Colleen said.

“And why do I not want to do this?” he asked, lashing around, and suddenly putting the same knife to Colleen’s throat.

“If you want to do something. Do it to me…” she said boldly, glowering at me. He ran the knife down her neck, to her shirt.

“Aah, as appealing as the idea sounds, doing so, would rob me of many other pleasures…” he bared his rotten teeth. He cut the top button of her shirt, and ran the blade down further. “I can only admire your courage. The women around here…oh…what would you call them in your country…skank? Is that right? Yes…skank. They offer their…uh what is that term…pussy…very openly. It is very easy to enthrall them. But you…I admire the ferocity. And I am one of the more reasonable warlords…I respect my prisoners…though I end up killing them regardless. So take this as a token of my respect. You get another day to live.” He said, and continued forward. “the facility is only a little ways around the corner.” He said.

They walked around the bend in the forest path, and in front of two very tall trees sat a fully functional research facility. The warlord’s men guarded every door and every window, watching each move with a hawk’s eye. Inside, they could see scientists laboring away, mixing chemicals and preserving cell cultures….

“You bastard…”

“Don’t blame us.” The warlord said. “It was R-GEN that offered themselves like whores. After the outbreak in the United States your scientists fled like cowards, and brought the virus to our continent. The governments sought to kill them, but we pursued a smarter alternative. We keep them alive…as our prisoners of course…we feed them, and bed them…I assure you again, they will not be living in any conditions better than yours…but in return, they develop the cure, and we are the first to receive it. So that our people may be free of this madness. Beyond that, we have no use for them…”  he looked at the two closely. “Enough talk.” He muttered something in his native language, and two of the men grabbed them by their shoulders, pulling them to the outer stretches of the camp.

They brought them to a miniature stone den. Metal bars rose from the ground, covering any opening or crevice, removing all hope of escape. One of the men unlocked the main metal door, and threw the two of them inside.

“Hey American…” the man chuckled. “Have good night.” He gave them the middle finger, and slammed the door shut.

“What the fuck?! What the fuck is the matter with you?! First you act like a little bitch, and just give in to the guy. Then I’m your goddamn brother?! Look, I don’t know what the he-“

“Ma-“

“No, let me finish! I don’t know what the hell’s running through your head, but we are not related. Do you know what he could do to us?!!” he yelled, grabbing Colleen.

“Ma-“

“Shut up!”

“You shut up! All you’ve ever done is complain! If it hadn’t been for me playing the ‘little bitch’ as you like to call it, you’d have been buried six feet under, that is if these people are sane enough to give you a proper burial, so don’t you fucking lecture me! It was because of your carelessness that these pricks even got to us. We could have gotten in, and gotten out, no trace whatsoever. But no, you and your careless hothead attitude! You ungrateful piece of shit!” she yelled, pushing him backwards.

Mark’s eyes lost their flame, and he bowed his head down, walking to the far wall.

“Mark?” Colleen said, her voice softer, and more tender. “Mark,” she walked up behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off and kept walking.

“I’m sorry I even got chosen all right? If I’m such a big fuckin’ burden to you!” he yelled.

“Mark, look…Mark!” she snapped, covering her mouth instantly…”Mark, I’m sorry.” She yelled. He turned to face her slowly.

“Screw your sympathy.”

“Mark…I’m…I’m frickin’ sorry okay?” she said, and put a hand on his cheek. He winced in pain. “Oh god, that son of a bitch.” She muttered. She gently ran her hands back through his hair, and caressed his face. “I’m sorry Mark. I shouldn’t have treated you like that…”

“It’s okay.” He said.

“No, it’s not.” Colleen said, her voice breaking up. She let out a solitary sob, and wiped her eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Mark asked, approaching her.

“Oh god.” She sobbed, and walked over to the stone wall, and slumped down. She buried her face in her hand, and tears flowed from her eyes. Something she’d sworn to not let happen. “I…I’m sorry…this…”

“No, tell me…what’s wrong.”

“Mark, you don’t-“

“I do. After all, you owe me one.” He said, punching her shoulder. Colleen let out a heartbroken sigh.

“I used to have a baby brother….much younger than you even would have been…we were 10 years apart. He was…he was just about the sweetest thing that ever happened to me,” she sniffled, “we did everything together. We played, talked…he was so small. Or maybe I always liked to think of him that way.”

“What happened?”

“So one day…it was March 14, 2010…we were living in Seattle at the time. It wasn’t the safest of neighborhoods. Mom and dad had gone out for the day. I had to stay home with my brother. They took one of the cars. The other one was still at home. They told me to make sure he didn’t fool around and take the car…but I should’ve known. I loved him too much. So he nagged me ‘can I take the car?’ he asked me until I was about ready to throttle him against a wall,” she smiled , her eyes welling with tears,

“and I gave in. I was 10 years older than him, but too stupid to make sure that he stayed at home…he took the car. Said he’d give it a swing around the neighborhood.  Even took his cellphone with him. Said he’d call me if something went wrong. Something did go wrong. Only he wasn’t alive to tell me about it.” Colleen broke down and started sobbing profusely.

“The report said it was a wrong turn, and improper judgment of the other driver, but it was really my fault. I killed my baby brother.” She cried, shaking. Mark shuffled closer to her, bending down. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her close.

“So…I’m-“

“You’re my second chance Mark. God has given me a second chance to save my baby brother, and I already fucked up…” she sobbed even harder

“Hey, hey. Look at me,” Mark said, gently pushing her chin up. “I’m still here. I’m alive, I’m whole, healthy and handsome.” He smiled. “Sure I’ve got an ugly jaw, but…come on, I still look pretty bad ass with that.” He joked. Colleen chuckled. She pulled his head in gently and kissed his forehead. The two embraced. “You look like shit.” Mark added, with a smile. Colleen affectionately cupped his ear with her hand. 

“Shut up.”

“You shut up.” The two of them laughed, despite all the melancholy about them. Non longer did the cold stone walls of their prison hold back the warmth of their feelings towards each other.

“We’ve got to get our hands on that cure. Get it back to Carl.” Mark said, later that night. Outside, their jailers patrolled the compounds, their guns trained out at the jungle that surrounded them.

“Easier said than done.”

“Did you notice something?...The activity…it’s crazy out there. They could care less what we did in here.”

“What’re you suggesting, we dig our way out or something?” he asked.

“No. If we get things riled up in here…We get one of the guys in here, and lock him up…take his things. Also…here’s another thing you probably didn’t notice…Take a look outside those bars…”

Mark bent down and looked at them. There were thin metal rods protruding from the ground, with a bulbous tip.

“Yeah.” He said, uncertainly.

“Those are meant to keep any radio waves within the zone. Remember what I said about radio waves attracting the infected? It fucks with their brain and…whatever. That’s not important. What I’m trying to say is…all we need to do, is get a radio device outside of the zone, and in no time we’ll have those zombies swarming all over it. That’s when we head in, get the cure, and high-tail it outta here. We have to get back to the border.”

“I’d say, let’s give it a day.” Mark whispered. “I mean, we don’t know jack about this joint yet. We need to know the ins and outs, the ups and downs of this place before we dump it. Last thing I want is the government figuring out about some conspiracy that we were sitting right on top of, but failed to discover.”

Colleen smiled at his enthusiasm, and ruffled his hair. “You’re learning. Yes. Let’s give it a while.  It’ll reduce suspicions too…I think there’s more to this than what we’re seeing.”

“Honestly…this is a multi-billion dollar franchise we’re talking about. They’re just going to have a facility…here…in the middle of the jungle, to cook the cure for the bad guys? Doesn’t add up? I mean…I’ve heard some pretty crazy things about Congolese warlords, but last time I checked, they didn’t have the brains to run something this intricate…” Mark leaned back against the cold wall, staring at the ceiling, which was mostly obscured by the dark.

“This brother you had…”

Colleen slowly turned her head…

“What was his name?” Mark asked hesitantly.

“Mark.”

The morning set in with the cries of the jungle creatures, which were for the most part infected by this point, and a loud thumping of the main cell door.

“Get up American! ‘Wakey wakey!’” the leader asked from outside.

Colleen and Mark stretched their cramped bodies and stumbled to the doors.

“Yeah.” Mark said, his speech slurred from fatigue. The door was kicked open, and hit Mark so hard he lost his balance. Colleen rushed up and caught him in her arms, easing him to the ground.

“Goddamnit.”

The leader walked in, holding a tray of what looked like minced cow liver, though there were no cows in the Congo.

“That was for your reckless behavior…I’ve decided, I’d like to address you by your names. Calling two people by the same name can get inconvenient. So, let us do this the way children do in their first day of school. I am Leonel. Your name is?” he asked, and slid the dish to them, as if they were dogs.

Mark looked at Colleen.

“Joe.” He smiled.

“Hanna.” Colleen replied.

“Joe and Hanna.” He snickered, before turning to leave. “Eat up. It’s the last meal you’ll get for the day.”

The door slammed shut.

“This stuff looks like fried zombie guts…”

“I’ll be honest, it beats Seattle seafood. I mean, that stuff is really horrible.” Mark said, picking at the food. “Have you ever been to Boston? Boston Fish n’ Chips beat anything Seattle.”

“I went to Boston just a few months ago. Tasked to…well I just went over there to kill some zombies.”

“You know, all due respect, do you ever wonder, what this job does to you. Like, if it fucks you up in the head?” he said, taking a bite, and nearly spitting it out. “I bet it’s infected.” He said.

“Grow a pair.” Colleen scolded. Colleen took a bite herself, and forced herself to swallow it. “It’s pretty good…” she said, picking out a small chunk from the back of her teeth.

Mark scoffed, and went back to looking out through the metal bars.

“So anyway, as I was saying…what-“

“Mmm,” she said, swallowing another piece, “yes. I’ll answer that with a question. Do I really have a choice?”

“Yeah. I mean, nobody asked you to sign up for this. I was recommended, and to some extent…forced to join.”

“It was different when it all started. The state government started a draft. All men and women over 18 had to sign up to fight. It just had to be done. Some of the military was infected. If we hadn’t gone in…well, the United States would be 100 percent infested by this point. I can guarantee it. And even now, we hardly have enough. We try to import whenever we can. We recently got a couple zombie killers from Germany…but foreign governments have gotten pretty reluctant, ‘cause they don’t want the infection to reach their shores.”

“Didn’t half of Madrid get infected?”

“Yeah, and so did Paris. But still…foreign stubbornness. Nothing more than that.” Colleen shrugged.

Outside, a jeep pulled in, and the engine grinded to a halt. Behind it followed, a van, its windows painted, and covered with wood.

“Someone’s here.” Mark said, and beckoned Colleen to the barred window.

A short, brown haired Caucasian man, stepped out from the jeep. He was wearing a 3 piece suit, carrying a suitcase.

“Who the fu-“

“The CEO of R-GEN. What beef’s he got with these maniacs?” She leaning in, straining to hear the conversation.

“The money…3 million…as promised. In here.” The CEO said, smiling. “Your share.”

“Mr. Kopf, you will get the serum, when I see the money.”

“And you will get the money once I see the serum.” He replied.

“Mr. Kopf, take a look around you. These are all my men. Sworn by blood, to serve me till their death, and you stand here and threaten me. Sometimes the arrogance of American businessmen amuses me.” He laughed heartily, his men joining in.

“I don’t have much time Leonel. I need the cure, or I hand you over to the UN. Expose you for war crimes. Usage of child soldiers, human trafficking, drug trafficking…It is because of my grace that you have been able to continue your work for this long Leonel…I’d appreciate it if you’d realize that.”

Leonel took a long hard look at Kopf and burst into laughter, falling to his knees.

“Listen to this guy.” He said. “I should…be thankful to this dog?” he laughed, patting Kopf’s soldiers. Kopf merely waved his hand in the air, and out of the trees walked fully armed R-GEN enforcer personnel. Each held an M60, and was padded with body armor enough for an entire Roman Legion. Their heads were protected by carbon-fiber helmets. Dark Visors covered their faces…in short, they looked like something out of a science fiction movie.

“These are my men…sworn in blood…which I happen to term as money…and they are willing to kill at my command. So, Leonel. Take a good look around you, and understand that you are outnumbered. Bring out the scientist…I need the serum.”

“We get the first batch.” Leonel hissed.

“Yes. Now bring out the scientist.”

Leonel ordered one of his men inside the facility. He returned, dragging a tall Asian man, wearing a lab coat. In his Left hand, he carried a metal capsule. The scientist was shoved forward.

“Mr. Cheng. I must say, your performance is unparalleled. 3 weeks and you did it. Of course with no benefit to you, if I may add…but still…you have my gratitude.”

Cheng said nothing, but his eyes burned with fury as he handed the capsule over to Kopf.

“Very well. His work is done.” Kopf said. One of the enforcers walked forth, forcing him to the ground.

“Aaaah!” Cheng yelled in pain, as he fell. The enforcer trained his M60 on his head, and fired a wave of bullets, shredding the poor man’s head to bits. Some of the blood spattered onto Kopf’s pants.

“I’d appreciate it if you were a bit more careful. This suit…it cost me 400 dollars when I bought it. Ruined. Makes me look like I just had a period.” He complained.

“The money.” Leonel smiled. Kopf handed him the suitcase, and turned towards the van. “Get the subjects out here.” He ordered. The door was opened, and the sight left Colleen and Mark appalled. The very same family that they’d helped save, just two days before, was dragged before Kopf and his men.

“Now, who’d like to go first?”

“The child perhaps?” Kopf smiled, stepping down.

“You fucking bastard!” the man yelled, standing up, trying to tackle Kopf. Leonel walked forward and swiped him with his gun, knocking him to the ground.

“NOOO!!!” Mark yelled, impulsively. Leonel turned, and smiled. “Mr. Kopf…though I am not against the idea of using children…may I recommend someone a little more suited for this experiment?”

“Well, what have we got here?” Kopf said, as he walked towards them.

Leonel was followed by a few of his men. “Fresh meat.” Leonel smiled, and opened the door.

“Get him…the brother.” He ordered. Two men walked forth and seized Mark by his shoulders.

“No! Get the hell of me!” he yelled.

“Let him go!” Colleen yelled, but Kopf smacked her across the face. “You sick son of a bitch!” she charged at Kopf and tackled him, bringing him to the ground. “He’s my brother! My baby brother!” she yelled, but her anger quickly turned to grief as she pinned Kopf to the ground. She sobbed, as she fell to the side. She tore handfuls of grass from the ground, and arched her back, overwhelmed with sorrow.  She curled into a ball, almost like a baby herself. Her frame shook with each sob, and her tears wet the ground.

“Be glad it isn’t you.” Kopf groaned, standing up, and dusting off his suit. “And my suit only gets worse.” He mumbled, stepping out.

Colleen scrambled to the bars, staring out. Mark wrestled this way and that, trying to free himself from his captors’ grip, but to no avail.

They threw him down, beside the family.

“I’m not testing him here. I don’t know how ideal a subject he is. I’ll have to take him to my lab.” He nodded his head, and two men threw Mark into the van, shutting the door.

“And as an exchange for your kind gesture, you may keep this family, and do with them as you wish.”

“You motherless-“

“Shut up!” Kopf yelled. “Or I’ll leave your children motherless.”

Leonel smiled, pulling at the children’s hair. “I’ve always kept my child soldiers native, but now that I look at them…it wouldn’t hurt to add a little variety to the pool.” He shrugged mercilessly. “Throw them inside, with Hanna. Or wait…give the children to me…”

The children were wrenched from their parents’ grasp and pulled aside, and dragged along the mud, into the facility.

Two other men pulled the parents away, and dragged them towards the stone prison, in which they’d placed Colleen.

The moment they opened the door, the man ran at Colleen, attacking her at the waist, throwing her to the ground. He climbed onto her, pushing his knee into her chest, squeezing the air out of it.

“You lying bitch!” he yelled. “You…you said you were there to save us!” he yelled, clamping his hands around her throat. “All of this, because of you!” he yelled, and punched her across the face. Colleen purposely didn’t resist. He deserved to have this fit of rage. She was responsible…though unwittingly.

“Christopher! Christopher!” his wife yelled. “Let her go!” but he did not relent. Finally, after much pulling from her side, Christopher released Colleen, falling against the wall, sobbing. “My son….my daughter…” he broke down.

Colleen crawled over and knelt beside, him, catching her breath.

“Mr. Russo…I’m…I’m so sorry.” She said,

“Oh shut the hell up!” his wife piped in. “The last thing we want to hear is your sympathy, you lying whore!” she swatted Colleen’s shoulder.

“I…I honestly did not know-“

“Oh cut the bullshit!” she yelled.

“Goddamn it, do you think you’re the only ones who’ve lost someone today? Your children were taken, and I understand how painful that might be.”

“You understand nothing.” Christopher panted.

“Maybe I don’t. But here’s one thing I do understand. If we just keep fighting each other like this. Leonel…he’s going to use your son to kill innocent villagers, and your daughter is going to be headed to a whorehouse.”

“Shut up!” he yelled, reaching for her throat. This time Colleen fought back, grabbing his wrists, and twisting his hands inwards. “Aaaa!” he screamed, in pain as she restrained him.

“Mr. Russo, listen to me. The real enemy is out there! In that compound! Leonel is the one we’re supposed to fight.”

“Christopher…Christopher honey…sh-she’s right.”

“That’s right, support her.”

“Christopher. Don’t you see? Leonel wants us to fight like this. He wants us to kill each other. We’re nothing more than road kill. He wants us to be his dogs. And if we keep fighting, he’ll do the same with our children…he’ll make our daughter his sex slave!” she yelled. “For god’s sake, listen to her Christopher. But do not for a second! Think that I have forgiven you!” she said, turning to Colleen.

“What’s your plan?” Christopher asked weakly, rubbing his sprained wrist.

“Piece of shit!” Christopher’s voice echoed from the cell. “You and your stupid partner! Screwed up everything. Gaaaah!” he yelled, and slammed Colleen against the cell door. “I should strangle you for Pete’s sake…” he yelled. The night had begun to set in, so activity had died down slightly. The guard was alerted by the struggle, and he made his way over.

“Hey, American! Hanna! Enough!” he yelled, but Christopher did not relent. Finally, the guard came around to the door, and kicked it open. Christopher dived out of the way, just in time. Just as the guard walked in, Colleen sprung forward, and employed a shoulder throw, flinging the guard to the ground. She wrapped her leg around his neck, and pressed. The guard tried to shout, but couldn’t. He tried to move, but couldn’t. In a matter of seconds he lost consciousness.

“Walkie-talkie. Quick grab it.” She motioned. Christopher’s wife pulled it out of the guard’s pocket, and handed it to Colleen.  She  hurried to the doorway, making sure nobody lay watch. She ran out to the edge of the premises, and threw the walkie talkie into the foliage, and jogged back into the cell.

“Come on, help me out.” She said, and the two rolled the guard’s body out next to the cell, propping him up against the outside, so he appeared to be asleep. They kept the door unlocked, and shut it, making sure to toss the keys back onto the guard’s lap.

“You sure this is going to work?” Christopher asked.

“Best bet we have…but I’m pretty sure.” She panted. “Haven’t had to fight a human in a while. My weapons…they have ‘em in there. Once the zombies start pouring in…that’s our cue to get out and make a beeline to the facility. I’m sure as hell that Leonel’s got an office of some sort in there. We take my weapons, we take Leonel, and we head out to the border. We call in a chopper…”

“We get the idea. When’re the undead going to pay us a visit?” Christopher inquired, raising his eyebrow.

“Possibly a day… maybe two…can never tell with these fucks.”

RAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRR!

“That’s our wake up call. They’re here.”  Colleen said, the next morning. “Make sure that guard’s gone.” She said. Christopher looked over the barred window.

“He’s gone. You put him out real good.” He smiled.

“Compliments later.” Colleen pulled the door open, thanking the higher forces that their guard had been too careless to lock the door.

The premises was a party ground for the infected. Everything from infected people to infected dogs, raced across the grounds.

“Come on, let’s go!” Colleen yelled, running forward, the two of them following close behind.

EEEEEEOOOOORRRROWWWW!

An infected monkey screeched from the side, Colleen dived out of the way. All around her, Leonel’s men were busy holding off waves of the undead. It was almost like someone took the reality part of virtual reality, too seriously.

As they got closer to the facility. The gunfire decreased, though they had to dodge a few stray shots. Colleen ran through the main entrance, followed by Christopher and his wife.

Inside, there were lab tables, lining either side of the room, on the ground floor, and directly in front of her was a  staircase. She jogged up, and looked around, trying to guess which was Leonel’s office. But the dog was too smart. All the doors looked identical.

“Your children, their names!” Colleen yelled.

“Bridget and Sam.” Christopher responded, and his eyes widened…”Bridget! Sam! Where are you?! Bridget!”

“Bridget?! Sam?!”

“Mommy!” a faint cry came from one of the doors.

“Bridget!” they yelled, but they didn’t have to yell any more. Leonel opened the door to his office, cracking off two shots from Mark’s pistol which he’d confiscated. Bridget and Sam were chained to the wall.

“Mom!” Sam yelled. Colleen ran around the walkway, ducking under the railings, avoiding the shots. She rounded the corner, and just as Leonel was about to reload, she tackled him, taking his legs out from underneath. Using a jujitsu maneuver she’d learned, she put him in an armbar, twisting his wrist until he dropped the gun. She mounted him again, and pounded his face with punches.

“You shit eating twat!” she yelled, and punched his nose. Blood spilled down, and stained the ground. “He was my brother!” she said, and punched him again. Grabbing his lapels, she pulled his face up to hers.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“Did you check your pockets?” Leonel laughed. Colleen rammed her head into his, and smashed it into the floor.

“Give me the keys. You took my brother…my baby brother…but you are not going to take their children. Get up!” she pulled him by the collar into standing position, and pushed him into his office. Outside, guns continued to fire, and the undead did not relent.

Leonel stumbled in. He reached into his drawer, and took out the keys to the cuffs. Walking over, unlocked  the cuffs and the children ran towards their parents, embracing them.

“Now, tell me where my brother is…” she gritted her teeth, and forced him against the wall.

“I don’t know…” Leonel said…”All Kopf ever said…was Seattle, and that he works for R-GEN. But you have no hope of finding him now. He is away deep in the city, perhaps. I have been to Seattle once. It is a big city, and one that has been infested for a long time…good luck…” he mocked, chuckling.

“You’re not done yet.” Colleen said. They were leaving the facility through the back, where the undead were not as heavily concentrated.  Colleen had taken her KBAR back, and had slung it over. She carried Mark’s assault rifle, and held her pistol to Leonel’s head, as they walked to his jeep. “You’re driving us to the border…and then you’ll give us your phone, so that we can call in a helicopter…”

As usual, a stray zombie found its way to the back. It was a dog. But Colleen didn’t care.

P-TAFF!

She dispatched it with a quick hot to the head. It’s head exploded, as it fell to the ground, staining the grass with it’s blood. The skin slowly lost its characteristic orange glow.

“Come on, let’s go!” she yelled. The family, Colleen, and Leonel boarded the jeep.

“Where’re we going mommy?”

“Just on a long road trip. Close your eyes. There’s going to be lots of monsters on the way. Lots of spooky monsters.” She said, and pulled Bridget close.

“I wanna see this!” Sam said.

“Sam!” she snapped.

The jeep started, and they tore through the foliage in the back, and headed into the jungle. Along the way, they heard the shrieks of various infected creatures.

SCLORCH!

Colleen leaned her KBAR out and beheaded an incoming infected. Leonel continued to drive, his eyes hardset on the road.  Colleen looked over at Christopher. “Do you know how to fire one of these?” she asked.

“Yeah.” She gave him her pistol.

P-TAFF!

P-TAFF!

Christopher had already taken down two.

The drive was monotonous. A zombie every now and then, and the hot tropical sun beating in on them, as they rode through the jungle. Leonel remained silent, simply driving. Finally, they broke through, into the clearing, and the border showed South Sudanese border.

Leonel pulled the jeep to a halt, and took the radio phone out from under the storage compartment. It was connected by cord to the dashboard.

“I stole this jeep…from a French soldier, after I tore his intestines out of his mouth…” Leonel growled. Colleen smashed her gun in his face, and kicked him. In the distance, an infected zombie hobbled towards them, but Christopher shot it down.

“Dang, I’m already having fun!” he laughed.

“Christopher!” his wife chided.

Colleen dialed Carl’s number, which was universally accessible.

“Hello?” his voice crackled through the speaker…

“Carl…we have the serum…the cure…” she lied. “I’m at the South Sudanese border. Can you fly me back to Johannesburg?”

“Yes. Funny that you bring it up, because I am currently in Johannesburg.”

“Who the hell’s managing things back at base?” she retorted.

“My grandmother…no, it’s all temporary. I’ll be back within the next two days.”

“Hmm. Get that chopper going.”

“Satisfied?” Leonel grunted.

“Get the kids out of the car. All of you, just go out…get away from here for a little while, till I call you back…”

“What’s happening mommy?” Bridget asked.

“Colleen is just going to have a little talk with Leonel.”

The family got out of the jeep and walked off a distance, and stood huddled, their eyes averted.

“That’s right, you and I…we’re going to have a little talk!” she yelled, and slammed Leonel’s head against the steering wheel. She did it again, and again, until his nose was pouring out a stream of blood.

She pushed him down onto the seat, and climbed on top of him, pointing the gun at his head.

“I should kill you right now.”

“If you do…my men will find you…they will kill you, your family…and your brother…”

“Seattle?”

“Seattle. I have no reason to lie.”

“Well, I guess I don’t either. He’s not really my brother.” She said, and pulled the trigger.

After dragging Leonel’s body away, and wiping away the blood, she called the Christopher and his family back…

“Bridget? That’s your name right?” Colleen asked, smiling. “And Sam?” she patted his cheek, and ruffled Bridget’s hair.

“Come on guys, she’s talking to you.” Christopher urged nudged his two children, who were shying away into the back of the truck.

“Where’s that man?” Bridget asked.

“He…he took a walk. He’s never coming back again.” Colleen gave them a  grave look. “You don’t have to worry about him.”

“I heard a gunshot.” Sam added.

“Well…”

“Sam!” Christopher snapped, and glared at his son.

“No, it’s okay…I…I killed him. I killed that evil man.”

“Killing is bad…”

“So is hurting little children…and…my brother.” Colleen looked down. “You guys have to learn. It’s a harsh world out there. My brother…he…” she stuttered, “He wasn’t all that ready. I shouldn’t have brought him out here…my damn fault.” She groaned, turning around.

“We’ll find him.”

“I’ll find him. You guys are going somewhere safe. Over to Europe maybe…somewhere far away from this mess. As for me, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. Guess that makes me no different from a zombie huh?” she shrugged, giving a weak smile.

In the distance, the low rumble of helicopter blades cut through the air. Colleen turned her head upwards, blocking the sun with her hand. A green and black striped military helicopter headed their way.

“All right, this is it. We’re taking you back to Johannesburg, and you’ll get somewhere safe this time…I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you.” Christopher’s wife added.

“Eh, I owed you as much.” She waved off the gratitude. “I never got your name…”

“Jennifer.”

“Colleen.”

The two of them smiled, as the chopper slowly set down a short distance away, the grass billowing out underneath it.

Two military personnel stepped out, and jogged over to where Colleen and the family sat inside the jeep.

“Good evening ma’am, my name is Russell. I am here to fly you back to Johannesburg.”

The moment the chinook set down in the air base at Johannesburg, Colleen stood up, itching for the door to open. She and Carl were going to have a talk. And lord behold, he was waiting right outside.

“Colleen!” he said, rushing forward. Colleen walked up to him briskly, and grabbed him by the shoulder.

“We need to talk.”

“Where’s the serum?”

“I’ll show you once we get inside…my quarters.”

Colleen slammed the door shut, as they entered her room once again.

“I see you’ve added some personal effects.”

“You bastard.” She said. “You don’t even bother to ask about Mark…I told you not to send that kid out there!”

“Is he okay?” Carl asked.

“Jeez Carl, you…you don’t even care. Just…tell me this. Why is it that the family you sent me to rescue just two days ago, was handed over to a Congolese warlord for testing? They had two young children…a boy and a girl.” Her voice quaked with anger.

“Col-“

Colleen rushed up, grabbing him by the collar, and throttling him against the wall. His eyes grew wide with anger, as he shook himself from her grip.

“Colleen! I don’t kno-“

“Don’t give me that bullshit!” she yelled. “You sent them there! And Mark…that Congolese warlord handed him over to R-GEN…the company that started this mess, as you like to call it. But this whole goddamn time it was you! You were in the cahoots with those scumbags!”

“Colleen, let me explain.”

“Oh, let me explain, why I recruited a 34 year old rookie to go off on a mission, where he’d probably end up getting his balls chopped off. I knew it the whole time, and I was working with  the other side!” Colleen mocked. “Go ahead, explain.” She slammed her hand against the wall.

“Colleen, before the outbreak, R-GEN was doing a joint operation with the U.S. military on a supersoldier program. The serum they developed was supposed to act as  a virus, and attack the human cell’s, and hijack the cell’s machinery. I don’t know all the technical bullshit, but in the end, the body would start synthesizing chemicals that would enhance the person’s strength. They tested it on rats. It worked, so they decided to take it up a notch…and that’s where it went haywire.” Carl sighed.  “Colleen, I had nothing to do with what happened to Mark, and I’m sorry. I know you felt strongly about this mission to begin with.”

“Then explain why the CEO of R-GEN showed up at the doorstep of the Congolese facility?”

“I don’t know. That information is only available at higher levels of jurisdiction. Look Colleen, I’m sorry about Mark, and I’m sorry about the family. But all I was told was that there was a serum, and that it was the cure to the infection.”

“Then tell me this, where is the Seattle laboratory?”

“I-“

“Do you know where it is?!” she yelled, beating her fist on the wall, screaming at the top of her lungs. “That’s where Mark is…”

“And how can you be so sure.”

“I can’t. But it’s the best bet I have, and I am not letting that kid die because I don’t know 100%.”

“Colleen, he’s not a kid. You have to get past that notion.” Carl shook his head in confusion.

“He is to me! He’s like my brother.” Her voice lowered, but still shook with anger. “I am not letting my kid brother die at the hands of some psycho.”

“I know where the Seattle laboratory is. But Colleen, that city is infested like…the streets are chock full of those guys. The people in that lab...they’re flown in Colleen. The streets are filled with the infected.”

“Well then I guess I’ll need an extra pair of hands. You’re coming with me.”

“No Colleen, I’m not coming with you, and you do not order me around!”

“Really Carl?” Colleen pulled out her pistol from behind and pressed it into Carl’s forehead. “Try saying that again. Really…I dare you…”

Carl’s eyes narrowed. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

“Fine.” He grunted.

“Good. You find someone to take your place, while you and I take a little trip to Seattle.”

“I am not flying you in.”

“Don’t have to.” Colleen smiled sarcastically.

The grey dodge Durango rattled as they passed along the rickety highway toward Seattle. Carl had his pistol and rifle at ready, as Colleen drove.

“Really Carl. Thanks for doing this.” She said.

“Yup.” He sighed.

“Look, I’m sorry about Johannesburg. I had no idea…”

“Don’t need to apologize.” He cut her off abruptly. “Let’s find this kid.”

Colleen’s mouth slowly formed a smile. She laughed lightly.

“Holy shit.” Carl said. In front of them was a small mob of infected, milling about, doing their usual aimless rounds.

“It said in the records that the infestation didn’t start until we hit Seattle. We’re more than 20 miles away.”

“Only one way to do this…”

“No insurance company is going to want to cover us after this.” Colleen said, and shifted the Durango into high gear. She revved the engine, and slammed the gas pedal down. The Durango roared forward.

SCRUNCH!

SCLORCH!

SPLUCH!

The undead’s fragile frames spattered across the Durango’s windshield, rotten flesh and bones bouncing off its sides. But Colleen continued driving. She didn’t have time for a car wash.

“Whoo! Yeah!” Colleen hooted, slamming herself back into her seat.

“Damn, if I’d known you liked the job this much, I’d have hired you out of the womb.” Carl chuckled, drumming his fingers on the door.

A they entered Seattle, taking the exit, it became obvious that Carl was not lying. The streets were lined with the infected. Too many for either of them to handle.

“We need another vehicle.” Colleen said, slowing down. A particularly tall undead paid notice to her, and began walking in her direction. “Shit. He saw us. Time to run ‘em down again.”

As she’d done before, Colleen revved the engine, and played a game of zombie bowling, knocking down, and killing for a second time, all the infected that stood in front of her. A few stray zombies remained, but Colleen, with her battered SUV was in no shape to handle them. They continued to drive.

“All right, take a right here. 2 miles down this way, and we’ll come we drive up a little hill, and…can’t miss it.”

After a few more games of zombie bowling, and sometimes soccer, they finally drove up the green hill, which fenced in R-GEN’s Seattle headquarters.

“Stop here.” Carl said. Colleen pulled the Durango to a stop a few yards away from the gate. “Look.” He pointed, and Colleen squinted. There were guards stationed at each tier of the cement colored facility, their guns pointed out.

“We’re taking the back door I presume.”

“Yup.”

Carl climbed out of the SUV, running around to the back, where the security was not as heavy. Colleen followed, her pistol and KBAR ready. This time she chose not to wear a suit, but a green colored cami with camouflage pants.

Carl aimed at the camera with his gun, and shot the lens.

“Quick, let’s go.” He said, as they clambered over the fence, rolling as they hit the ground.

“This place isn’t entirely void of security.” Carl rasped. “Two over there, and another two are going to be rounding the corner over there on the right. Only four for this entire side.”

“Can you hack the security panel?”

“Don’t need to.”

“I’ve got special access…”

“Then why the hell didn’t you take the front door?” Colleen asked.

“Just because I can be here, doesn’t mean I’m supposed to be here.”

“Yeah, which means you don’t check in with your I.D. Don’t you think your name will be on their records.”

“The lab may have closed their books, but the system’s policies haven’t changed much. Nobody new can join, but as usual…government agents, like you and me…we can go in and  out as many times as we want…at least that’s what the security system says. Once we get inside- LOOK OUT!” he called, pulling Colleen down.

P-TAFF!

P-TAFF!

Colleen dived out of the way, and cracked off two more shots, taking down the guards at the opposite end.

“We drew their attention, let’s go.”

Carl scanned his card, and the door unlocked.

The facility was vast. Everything maintained a checker pattern of white and blue. The floors were spic and span. The building looked utterly untouched by the virus. It became hard to believe that such a clean building held could create such a ghastly virus.

Carl progressed down the main hall, towards the lobby, bending his legs slightly to leverage his weight appropriately. 

Suddenly, he came to a stop, and motioned Colleen to the wall. He motioned to the round mirror atop the wall in front of them. From the other side approached a security personnel.

“Let me take this.” Colleen whispered. As the man rounded the corner, Colleen stepped in, wrapping her arm around his gun arm, forcing him to drop it. Locking his arm under hers, she swept his left foot out from under him, forcing him to the ground. She slid her KBAR out of its hilt and pressed it against the guard’s throat.

“I’m only going to say this once. Take me to Kopf.”

“Fuck you.” He spat at her face. She slammed the hilt of the blade into his face, cracking his nose.

“What was that?”

“Fuck you!” he snorted, and Colleen thrusted the hilt into his nose with all the more force, hearing his bones crack. 

“I said where is he?!” she screamed into his face.

“Fine…fine, I’ll…I’ll show you…” he whimpered. Colleen dragged him to his feet.

“Don’t pull anything smart.” Carl warned, pressing his pistol to the guard’s head. Blood flowed from his nose as he walked towards the elevator.

“It’s on the 6^th floor.” He mumbled, and called the elevator with his bloodied finger. With each breath the bones in his nose crackled.

The elevator was swift and smooth. Colleen almost forgot that half the power-grid was wiped out all through Seattle. A short ding preceded the doors opening.

This hallway was like that of a hospital; white as milk. Everything from the roof to the tiles, were painted in white. Fire alarms were located on either side, and doors lined the hallways. Equipment rooms, labs, and whatever research related facilities were necessary populated the floor.

“The employment isn’t too high anymore.” The guard chuckled.

“Shut the hell up and show us Kopf.”

The guard called Kopf, confirming that he was in lab #3.

They walked over to lab three. The guard scanned his card on the side, and the doors opened followed by a pneumatic hiss, as the pressure equalized. There, strapped to a metal bed, was Mark DeGiulio.

“Mark!” Colleen yelled, rushing forward. Kopf and his fellow scientists looked up from their work.

“You bastard!” Kopf yelled, staring at the guard. “You brought this bitch here!”

“Yeah, he brought this bitch here.” Colleen growled, and planted a solid kick in Kopf’s chest, sending him hurtling against the table.

On the table, Mark sat groaning. Carl walked up to the scientists, who stood frozen against the wall.

“Now you sons of bitches best hand us the antidote to whatever you put inside that kid…”

Colleen planted another kick in Kopf’s stomach. “There, I scuffed up your suit…again!” she spat, and, smeared the dust from her shoe over his pant leg. “Eat shit!”

She hurried over to Mark, whose eyes were barely open. His right arm was swollen, and red, his veins bulging out.

“Oh god Mark.” She gasped, putting a comforting hand on his cheek. “Mark, what’d they do?” she asked, caressing his face. “Mark? Can you hear me?”

“Uuggghhh…” he groaned. “Ccc—Colleeen?” he groaned, as he looked at her. “Colleen, I’m feeling so cold…” he said. His temples bulged as, and he coughed lightly. “Fuck.” He gurgled, and laid back down.

“You animals!” she yelled at the scientists. “What the hell did you give him?” she ran over, grabbing one of them by the collar and shoving them against the wall. “I’m not like Carl. I’m not going to ask again. Tell me where the antidote is?!”

“Up your ass.” Kopf swore.

“Aaaaarrrgh!” she roared, and squatted down, She drove the hilt of her KBAR into Kopf’s head. “UP my ass?!” she yelled, smashing him again. “I will beat this man to death, unless you tell me where the antidote is…my brother sure as hell doesn’t have the flu!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. “This isn’t working.” She spat, and pulled out her pistol. “If…” her voice shook with anger “if on the count of three, someone doesn’t tell me where the antidote is…I am going to blast this piece of shit’s head till his brain spatters all over the fuckin’ walls!! ONE!!!”

One of the scientists shifted uneasily.

“TWO!!”

Another walked forward hesitantly.

“WHERE IS IT?!!!”

“The cabinet…just on the other side of the room.”

“Well then get your ass over there and get it.” Carl hissed at the man, pushing him forward. The scientist hobbled over to the cabinet, and returned with a syringe.

“It’s too late.” Kopf snarled.

“Shut the hell up!” Carl slammed the butt of his pistol into Kopf’s shoulder.

“Aaaah!” he screamed in pain, “You’re foolish. It hasn’t even been tested yet. It may even kill him…” he snickered. Carl planted a solid kick into his ribcage, and Kopf spurted up a pool of blood. “Morons.” He gurgled as he tried to position himself.  

On the table Mark’s condition was deteriorating. His arm continued to swell, his veins bulging out. His face was flushed red with blood. His neck started to swell, pressing against his collar.

“Cc…ccc…Colleen…” he groaned as he tried to turn around.  

“Mark, just hang in there a little.” She said in a soft voice.

His eyes began to change, turning a light shade of grey. His legs tightened. His jaw clenched, as he groaned in pain.

“Hhhelp…” he gurgled, tightening…

“Mmm…Mark…you’re going to be okay…right Carl? Right?”

“You’ll be okay soldier.” Carl nodded, and kicked Kopf again.

The scientist walked over to Mark

“Hurry the hell up!” Colleen yelled pushing the scientist forward.

He inserted the syringe with some effort. He pushed down, and the contents slowly emptied into his bloodstream.

Mark’s swelling faded. His face grew brighter. His veins shrunk back to their size and his neck stopped swelling.

“Colleen.” He smiled, looking over at her.

“Oh..Mark.” Colleen smiled, and ran over to Mark, kissing his forehead, ruffling his hair. “Mark, you twat, you had me worried for a while.” She cried, and kissed him again.

“See that chief,” Carl mocked at Kopf. “Little optimism can’t hurt. Sucks that you don’t have any of that shit left in your brain huh?” he crushed his ribs.

“And you!” she growled at Kopf. “You hurt my brother. You took innocent children…and handed them to a warlord. All because of your goddamn suit.” She cried, and pulled the trigger. The bullet tore through his head, spraying blood across the walls. The real infected blood. Finally, the monster breathed his last.