Omega Virus (Book 2): Revisited (28 page)

              “That’s suicide,” Dr. Cutter objects.

              “Your vote is invalid,” Hope glares.

              “Casey we don’t have a lot of choices,” Colonel Logan says to the doctor.

              There is a solemn silence amongst the group. They share passing glances at each other, each one unsure what to say next.

              “When do we leave?” a soft voice comes from the back and steps forward. The voice belongs to a shy, young woman. She looks to be in her early thirties with long, stringy blonde hair that is covered with dirt. There are smudges on her face, darkening her caramel colored skin. Her eyes are a sad and tired gray color that screams I give up.

              “I’m sorry I forgot your name,” Hope says offering her a smile.

              “My name is Victoria, Victoria Ranks,” She replies.

              “Well Miss Ranks, and everyone, it’s too dangerous to leave now,” Hope starts, “our best bet is to leave at sun rise.”

              “What do you propose we do until then?” Colonel Logan asks.

              “Honestly I don’t care what any of you do,” Hope says walking out the mess hall door.

Chapter 23

The night air is cool and crisp as a breeze blows lightly across Hope’s face easing some of the burning sensation that has built up in her cheeks. She walks across the abandoned grounds, the light of the fire still burning behind her. Her feet shuffle beneath her, kicking up clouds of dirt with each step.

              “They’re looking to you for guidance you know,” Mika says behind her.

              “They don’t need me,” Hope remarks. “They’re soldiers. They can do this on their own.”

              “They’ve tried that for years, and it hasn’t worked out well for them so far,” Mika says, “you however are a fresh approach.”

              Hope chuckles softly, an uneasy look on her face, “Fanny told me that once a while ago. Said I had to be the leader.”

              “She wasn’t wrong,” Mika whispers.

              “It’s just hard. I’ve never lost anyone this close to me,” Hope confides.

              “I wish I could say it gets easier, but it really doesn’t. All you can really do is keep moving forward, find new ways to honor her.”

              “Then I guess the best thing I could do now is finish what I came here to do in the first place.”

              “Seems like the reasonable thing to do,” Mika smirks, “now why don’t we find some place to get some rest.

              “Are you telling me I shouldn’t go back to the mess hall?” Hope asks.

              “Probably not until morning,” Mika nods.

              “Then let’s try the infirmary,” Hope says turning toward the vacant building.

              “Why the infirmary?”

              “It’s the only other building I know,” Hope laughs, Mika rushes to catch up with her.

              The pair enter the infirmary, the lights off completely cloaking the room in darkness. Mika fiddles with the light switch but the lights refuse to power on.

              “Its fine,” Hope says, “I’d feel safer near the door anyway.”

              Mika nods leaving the door open a crack, letting in the moonlight as Hope makes herself comfortable on the floor. Mika joins her, the concrete floor cool on his skin causing him to shudder as he wriggles around. He uses his foot to push the door closed, the click of the lock doing little to add comfort to the pair as they wait, uneasily for sleep to take them away.

              Sleep doesn’t last as long as they’d like, each one waking up periodically as anxiety and fear fill their minds. Daylight comes eventually, the light sneaking through the cracks in the shelter. Hope stretches, her arms and legs cracking as she straightens them. The room is fuzzy at first as she flutters her eyes several times trying to adjust. Slowly the room comes into focus, Mika’s shadowy figure stands at the doorway peering through a crack.

              “What are you doing?” Hope asks sitting up, her knees wrapped close to her body.

              “Just watching,” Mika replies.

              “Couldn’t sleep?” Hope wonders.

              “Not really,” Mika sighs, “bad dreams kept waking me up. After the third one I figured I may as well put my free time to good use.”

              “You could have stayed here with me,” Hope mumbles softly into her knees not wanting him to hear.

              “How did you sleep?” Mika asks, shutting the door tightly joining Hope back on the floor.

              “Not so good. I kept thinking about what you said,” Hope smiles, “these people need a leader.”

              “I’m glad you thought about it,” Mika replies, “and I’m sure they’re going to appreciate it.”

              “I just hope they’ll listen to me,” Hope groans.

              “Make them,” Mika laughs, “we both know you can be persuasive when you want to be.”

              “I’m sure going to try,” Hope says staring blankly into the darkness.

              The pair sits in silence for a while until Hope can bring herself to her feet. Mika follows closely behind her as she walks out of the infirmary and back to the mess hall door.

              “You ready for this?” Mika asks as Hope stands frozen outside of the door.

              “Do I have much of a choice?” Hope asks.

              “Not really,” Mika says sympathetically, “but I’m here if you need me.”

              “Thanks,” Hope smiles.

              She opens the door and enters the building, unsure of what to expect. Most of the lights are off with the exception of the few security lights, which keeps a soft glow inside the small building. Hope and Mika both turn at the sound of a gun cocking.

              “Here to cause more problems?” O’Brian asks pointing a pair of handguns at them.

              “Put the guns down,” Mika says, “we’re here to help.”

              “Yeah, well I think we all had enough of your help yesterday,” O’Brian growls.

              “Stand down,” Hope says stepping forward.

              “Why should I trust you?” O’Brian asks.

              “Because I’m your only Hope,” she smirks.

              “Stand down,” Dr. Cutter says walking over to them.

              “Doc, are you serious?” O’Brian asks, “You do remember she’s the one who cold cocked you, and wants you dead?”

              “Yes I remember. I also remember that she is our best chance of getting out of here and surviving,” Dr. Cutter says.

              “Fine,” O’Brian says uncocking the guns and putting them back in their holsters, “but I’m keeping my eyes on you.”

              “Sounds fair to me,” Hope says, “now go wake the others, we’re leaving this dump.”

              “Yes, Ma’am,” O’Brian says sarcastically giving her a halfhearted salute before walking away.

              “Thank you,” Mika says to the doctor.

              “Thank me by getting us out of this alive,” Dr. Cutter responds.

              “I am going to try my hardest, I promise you that,” Hope says.

              It doesn’t take long for O’Brian to wake the others. The small group scatters to get ready, packing the few supplies they have accessible. Lieutenant Bradford goes to the van with the civilians.

              “Take as much food and weapons as you can carry,” Hope orders.

              “You sure this is the best option?” Brad asks holding a large duffel bag.

              “No, but I’m afraid it’s our only option,” Hope replies honestly.

              They pile into the van, stuffed and cramped against each other as Lieutenant Bradford pulls out of the base. The ride is bumpy and silent. Hope is kneeling beside Bradford and Colonel Logan as she watches the scenery go by. The buildings around them are shattered, skyscrapers stand at half the height they used to be, telephone poles are toppled dead wires lay strewn around. A few stray Zombies remain scattered around swaying in the streets looking for a meal. Bradford rams the grill of the van into each one of them, a smile growing on her face with each Zombie she hits.

              “How much farther to the marina?” Hope asks.

              “Just over five miles,” Bradford replies, “shouldn’t take us more than ten minutes.”

              “Good. Because I have a bad feeling,” Hope mumbles.

              Hope sits up, and gets into the back seat with the others who sit cramped with the meager supplies.

              “How’s it going?” Brad asks.

              “So far so good,” Hope replies.

              “But…” Brad gestures.

              “No, buts, I just have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach,” Hope whispers.

              “What are the odds that’s just anxiety over going home?” Brad asks with a nervous smile.

              Hope shrugs it off, the pesky thought still tingling in the back of her mind.

              “The marina is just up ahead,” Bradford says calling Hope back to front.

              “Good, now we just need a boat,” Hope says.

              “Up ahead,” Colonel Logan points, “the red and white one.”

              “It’s definitely big enough for us all,” Hope says with her jaw dropped slightly.

              Lieutenant Bradford slows the van down, each one of them scanning the immediate area for any sign of Zombies. They deem it clear after a few moments and one by one they start to empty out of the van.

              “Brad, you and Colonel Logan check out the boat. Search everywhere for any signs of anything dangerous and don’t forget to make sure you can get it running,” Hope orders.

              “What about the rest of us?” Mika asks.

              “We keep watch, protect the boat at all cost. Anything tries to get near it and we kill it, err… re-kill it,” Hope says.

              Brad and the Colonel part from the group, boarding the boat each with a gun loaded and ready for trouble. Hope grabs a shotgun from out of the van and pumps it before walking away in silence.

              “Where are you going?” Mika asks.

              “To keep everything out of here,” Hope replies.

              “What does that mean?” Mika asks grabbing her by the arm, pulling her to a stop.

              “That means, if you hear me firing, protect the others,” Hope replies shaking her arm free.

              “You’re nuts if you think I’m just going to let you go out by yourself,” Mika argues.

              “Someone needs to stay back and protect the others,” Hope contends.

              “Our odds are better if we stay together,” Mika growls.

              The ground shakes violently stopping the pair in their tracks.

              “That doesn’t sound good,” Hope says.

              “We have to get back to the van,” Mika says.

              The pair rushes back, the sound of squeals and shrieks ring out through the air, the ground continuing to rumble.

              “What is that?” Dr. Cutter asks stepping out of the van, a worried look on his old face.

              “That is not good,” Mika replies.

              Hissing and growling sounds get louder as a horde of undead come into view.

              “Everyone grab a weapon,” Hope says holding up the gun.

              “And remember they only stay dead when you remove their head from their bodies,” Mika says drawing out a machete.

              The group arms itself as the horde gets closer, Hope fires the shotgun blowing off a Zombie’s head and stepping out of the way as the undead monstrosity drops to the ground. She pumps the gun again looking for her next target. Mika rushes the horde, screaming as he gets between a few. He swings the blade, slicing off the first Zombie’s head before feeling the teeth of another one sinking into his arm. He elbows the beast backward and swings the machete, getting it caught in the creature’s shoulder. The creature knocks him down, growling and brandishing his teeth going in for the kill. A gunshot is heard just as a bullet is seen ricocheting off the Zombie’s head, pulling its attention away from Mika.

              “Come on ugly, let’s dance,” O’Brian says with an evil grin on his face.

              The Zombie grunts and groans as it starts for O’Brian, its decomposed foot crushing Mika’s hand as it does. O’Brian stands his ground, letting the monster get close to him before he pulls a hunting knife out of a holster. He swings the knife through the air, connecting with the Zombie’s shoulder. He kicks the creature down to the ground straddling it before driving the sharp point down into the Zombie’s neck, pinning it to the ground, giving him time to free Mika’s machete before forcing its head free of its body.