Tonight The World Dies (8 page)

When I got to the kitchen, the storm had ceased, but black clouds threatened more to come. Elizabeth and Mary sipped coffee at the table, a strange expression crossing their faces as I passed.

“Something wrong?” I asked. They didn’t answer.

When Andy and Todd came in, the girls marched off, throwing me a dirty look.

“What’s up with them?” I asked.

“They’re just mad because they’ve been chasing after us,” Andy indicated himself and his brother. “And last night, we told them we weren’t interested.”

“Ah, unrequited love. Something you know all about,” I said. Todd laughed.

Outside in the mud, with rain clouds still looming overhead, I hummed to myself while I slopped a pig pen with Billie. Each of the boys had their own.

“What is that song?” Andy asked from the next pen.

“Black Clouds,” I said. “Why? You know it?”

“No, that’s why I asked. It sounds so unfamiliar. Who sings it?”

“Papa Roach,”

“What’s a Papa Roach?” Todd asked. Billie giggled.

“It’s a rock band from California,”

“Never heard of ‘em.” Andy said.

“What’s your kind of music, then?” I asked.

“Toby Keith,” He said.

My friends and I exchanged sideways glances at each other. We took turns boisterously singing each line of the first verse of How Do You Like Me Now? Todd and Andy joined in, earning us filthy looks from Mary and Elizabeth while they fed the pigs in the clean pens.

They didn’t have much to complain about from where I was standing, which was ankle deep in mud and crap. Besides, they could have joined in if they wanted to.

When we were done, everyone hosed off and went inside for lunch. It was dry and toasty warm in the kitchen, where everyone gathered for thick sandwiches full of meat and cheese and tomatoes. A pot of hot coffee and a thermos of hot chocolate made from powdered mix were kept in the center of the table, constantly being passed around from person to person.

Just as we were finishing, the rain picked up again with renewed vigor.

“You all get those pens cleaned up?” Brennan asked.

We nodded, unable to speak around mouthfuls of bread.

“Since all the animals are taken care of, and nothing needs to be fixed, I don’t see why we can’t stay inside for the rest of the day, ‘less of course something happens that needs handling.” He said.

The younger kids cheered. The rain kept up for another day, soaking everything, including us, as we did the chores.

The next day dawned hot and dry, the ground returning to hard earth by mid-afternoon. That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, I found myself staring out my window, unable to sleep, the cool night breeze blowing softly through the screen. Something moving in the tree line caught my attention. I grabbed my rifle, ready to shoot.

I debated on calling out, getting the attention of the rest of the house, but decided it might rile up who- or whatever was out there. It was trying to be silent, but kept breaking branches and crunching leaves around it.

A large shape stepped out into the moonlight. As it walked closer, it came into sharper focus. Two people, Brennan and Bobby, led a zombie through the lawn, a rope tied around its neck and hands. It looked fresh, pale flesh still showing on its face. I could just hear them talking through the open window.

“Come on, we have to hurry up before any of those kids spot us.” Brennan said.

“Don’t you think I know that? Jo is already suspicious.” Bobby spat. He looked battered, all covered in scratches and bruises.

Trading my rifle for my pistol, I crept downstairs, keeping to the shadows as best I could. They came inside, the zombie still staggering behind them.

“How many more of these are you going to need?” Brennan asked.

“As many as it takes. I know I’m getting close, I just have to find how long they can be infected before it becomes ineffective.” Bobby said.

The zombie moaned a little.

“Shut him up!” Bobby hissed.

Brennan tied a cloth around its mouth while Bobby used the rope to pull its hands down, out of Brennan’s way.

They threw open the basement door, unceremoniously shoved the zombie in, and locked it behind them. I stalked forward, pressing my ear to the door. Something heavy clicked, a low moaning echoing out, then another click, and all was silent. It sounded like there were multiple zombies locked up down there, with some sort of barricade blocking out the noise they made. Brennan and Bobby started talking again, their voices getting louder. They were headed back up the stairs.

“How much longer?” Brennan said.

“Not long. I’m close, I’m sure of it.” Bobby answered

“And you think it will work?”

“Of course it will! It has to.”

I tip-toed around the corner and hid myself behind the wall separating the entryway from the living room. The basement door opened.

“We can’t keep this up forever.” Brennan whispered.

“I know, I know. After this I should be ready to move on to fresher test subjects.” Bobby said.

“You are NOT putting my family in any more danger for this. I want proof it will work first.” Brennan growled.

“Your family won’t be in danger. We can use one of the kids.”

A pause, then: “Which one did you have in mind?” Brennan asked.

“Jo. We could use Jo. She’s a fighter. She’ll be perfect for it.”

“And if you can’t get her?”

I poked my head around the corner. Brennan was leaning against the banister, his nose pinched between his forefinger and thumb. He looked tired.

“Then we’ll have to settle for one of the others. Sully might be a good candidate.” Bobby sat on the steps next to Brennan, his head in his hands, his whole body sagging down. He stood and trudged slowly up the stairs. “Good night.” He said, and disappeared into the shadows.

Brennan sighed and followed him.

When their footsteps faded, I slipped back up the stairs and into my room.

I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night.

Chapter thirteen

When morning dawned, I slunk into Sully’s room, closing the door as quietly behind me as possible.

“Sully, I need you to wake up.” I whispered, one hand over his mouth, the other shaking his shoulder. “Sully please, this is important.”

His eyes fluttered open. “Wha…?” He mumbled.

“You have to be quiet.” I said, slowly lifting my hand from his face.

“What’s going on?” He whispered.

“Bobby is doing something in the basement, some sort of experiment involving zombies. They want us to be part of it.”

“How do you know?” He asked.

“I saw him and Brennan bring a zombie in last night. Then I heard them talking about an experiment, and how long ‘they’ can be infected before ‘it’ becomes ineffective. He needs uninfected test subjects soon, and wants me for it. If they don’t get me, then they’re going for you.” I said.

Sully’s eyes grew wide. “Are you sure?” He said.

“Absolutely, positively, without a doubt.” I nodded.

“Then we have to find out what’s going on down there, for everyone’s sake.” He said, throwing his blankets off and rushing to the dresser to pull on fresh clothes.

We loaded our weapons, and strapped on as many as we could before waking Billie and Dean. Fully armed, we walked downstairs, ready to force our way into the basement, or get some answers out of Bobby and Brennan, whichever came first.

“How do you expect to get in there if it’s locked from the inside?” Dean asked.

I raised my shotgun. “This is my master key. Any lock opens magically when I blow a door off its hinges.” I said.

“What’s going on?” Andy said, walking in from the kitchen.

“I’m going to find out what’s going in that basement.” I said.

“That’s really nothing to worry about.” He said, looking nervous.

“Then you won’t mind us taking a look around.”

“I can’t let you do that.” He said.

“What if I kill you?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Trust me, it won’t help.”

“What’s all this racket going on down here?” Brennan said from the top of the stairs, Amy behind him.

“I want to know what Bobby is doing down there.” I pointed to the basement door.

“Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” He said.

“Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed. I know what you two did last night. I heard you talking as well.”

Brennan blanched.

“I have every right to know what the hell is going on.” I was almost shouting.

“We can’t tell you.” He said.

“Either you tell us what your demented little scientist is doing, or I force my way in. It’s your choice.” I took a step toward the door.

“You don’t want to do that.” Andy said.

“Don’t you effing dare tell me what I want.” I growled.

“Please, just calm down, and everything will be ok.” Andy said, slowly walking toward me.

“What are you people doing?” Billie said.

“Why is what’s going on in the basement such a secret?” Dean asked.

“I know it has something to do with zombies! I saw you bring one in! I know you’re experimenting on them, and Bobby wants me next!” I shouted.

“Brennan, is this true?” Amy asked, shocked.

“Honey, don’t listen to her. She’s crazy.” Brennan tried to sooth her.

“Why is everyone shouting?” Elizabeth and Mary said, walking out of their room.

The rest of the house was waking up. Sparky and Steven came barreling out of their room, guns in tow.

“What’s wrong? We heard someone shouting about zombies.” Sparky said.

“It’s nothing. Jo here had a nightmare last night and is still a bit shaken up about it.” Brennan said.

“You freaking liar! Why don’t you tell your family about what you’re letting Bobby keep in the basement, what you helped him capture!” I screamed.

“Mommy?” Brent said, he and Joshua trudging bleary eyed out of their room.

“Go back to bed sweetie. Everything’s fine. Make sure your sisters stay in bed too.” Amy said, ushering the children back down the hall.

Brennan was looking more and more distraught by the minute. “They’re people, Jo. Sick people who just need the right medicine.”

“You think I haven’t thought of that? I’ve been dealing with that idea since the beginning, but they eat living flesh! When it comes right down to it, it’s us or them.” I said.

“Brennan?” Steven said.

“He’s trying to make them better!” Brennan said. “He’s trying to find a cure!”

“You can’t cure death and reanimation. All you can do is shoot them and hope they stay dead that time.” Sully said.

“Bobby!” I screamed. “Bobby I know you’re down there. Open up or I’m shooting the door.”

“Don’t do it Bobby! Don’t let them ruin the experiment!” Brennan shouted.

Billie, Dean, and Sully pointed their guns at him. Steven and Sparky pointed their guns at us in response. Sully and Dean moved their focus to the Thompson brothers, while Billie’s sights stayed squarely on Brennan.

I raised my shotgun again. “You have five seconds, Bobby.”

Slow footsteps echoed up the stairs. “Don’t shoot!” Bobby called through the door. “I’m unlocking it now.”

The locks clicked and the door swung open, revealing Bobby in a stained white lab coat, blue medical gloves covering his hands.

I strode toward him and pressed the barrel of the gun against his chest. “Show me what’s down there.” I said. “And no funny business.”

He turned slowly, hands in the air and walked back down, me right behind him and Sully following close behind. Billie and Dean kept watch from the entryway.

Chapter fourteen

The basement was cold and grey, lined with test tubes, microscopes, and a large bookcase overflowing with binders, books, and folders. A gleaming steel table stood with one end butted against a wall; some sort of holding cell nearby, hidden from view by heavy red drapes.

“What are you doing down here?” I asked.

“I’m trying to help people. That’s all I’ve been doing. These people you keep calling zombies, they’re still human. They’re sick, that’s all. I’ve been trying to cure them. Haven’t you noticed they can think?”

“They can’t think!” Sully said.

“Even if they can think, they still try to eat people, they want to kill us.” I said.

“It’s part of their disease. Would you kill someone who had Dementia?” Bobby asked.

“If they tried to kill me, I might. If we consider them as living, thinking people who can feel pain and rationalize, then we risk death ourselves. Putting them down would be kind.” I argued. “What’s in there anyways?” I pointed to the cell.

Bobby walked slowly to it, hands still in the air. With one hand, he pulled a curtain back, uncovering the longest side. It was a thick glass cell, small vents cut in it for breathing. The zombie they had dragged in the night before stood alone inside, staring dully at the wall, its head tilted sideways.

“What the hell…?” Sully said.

The zombie swiveled around at the sound of Sully’s voice. It bared its teeth and growled, rushing forward to pound on the glass.

“It’s my latest test subject. I’ve been developing a serum that reverses the biodegration process by returning the subjects pH level to normal and forcing blood back through its veins.”

“Get to the point.” I ordered.

“That is the point.” Bobby said, confused.

“Put it into terms someone who didn’t go to college can understand.” Sully said.

“Essentially, the serum restarts the body.”

“And what does that have to do with us? You said last night you wanted me for your next test.” I said.

“I…” Bobby started.

“Hurry up, before I reach through your stomach and rip out your spine.” I said.

Bobby paled. “I need a fresher test subject. The serum hasn’t been entirely successful on those who have remained fully infected for long periods of time.”

“And you planed on volunteering me for the next test? Did you ever consider that perhaps I don’t want to be part of this?” I said, my anger growing.

“You would be part of an experiment that could save the remainder of mankind. Even if we couldn’t cure the long-term infected, the results derived from your test could give everyone else the chance they need to start over.” Bobby said, sweat beading on his forehead.

I was furious. “I can’t believe you have the audacity to think that you can just force me to take part in your little science project. To kill another human being by infecting them like that, I don’t know what’s more questionable: your morals or your sanity. And besides, there aren’t many people left here. You would be killing me for nothing.”

“I wouldn’t be killing you. I would be infecting you with a disease that can be cured!” he said.

“What proof do you have that it works?” Sully said.

“I’ve been coming upstairs with more and more scratches lately.” Bobby said.

“We’ve noticed.” Sully said.

“I’ve been scratched by the infected. I injected myself with the serum each time, and I have yet to become fully infected.”

“So you think it works as an inoculation. That doesn’t mean it’s also a cure.” I said.

“If you would please, please put the gun down, I could show you some of the test results I have.”

I lowered my gun “Don’t let him out of your sight. If he makes one wrong move, shoot him.” I said to Sully.

Sully nodded. It’s generally frowned upon to promote the murdering of a fellow survivor and housemate, but in his case, I’ll make an exception.

“Are you guys ok?” Billie’s voice floated down the staircase.

“We’re fine. Bobby is just explaining what he’s been doing.” Sully called.

Bobby stepped toward the work table and gently lifted a set of test tubes, setting them gingerly next to the microscope. He set to work, preparing two slides, dropping each with a different sample of blood and an added dye. He placed the first on the mechanical stage and focused it.

“This is what non infected human blood looks like.” He said, indicating that I should look at it.

I stepped forward and looked through the eyepiece. It showed a large group of pinkish blobs.

“These are red blood cells under normal conditions.” He said.

I stepped away from the table.

He put the next slide up. “This is what infected blood looks like.”

I looked down at it. The pink blobs from the previous slide were now littered with purple; many were bursting as I watched.

“This blood sample was taken from that man.” He said, pointing to the zombie in the holding cell. It was no longer pounding against the glass, but it was still staring at us.

I moved back again, and he removed the slide from the stage. He prepared another slide with infected blood, this time dropping a clear liquid onto it before adding the dye, sliding it onto the stage, and refocusing.

“Now look.” He said.

I obeyed. Though some of the cells were bursting, a group of clear cells were fighting their way through, slowly demolishing the purple blobs in their wake.

“The clear substance you see is the serum. It’s eliminating the infection, leaving the remaining cells to regenerate.”

“I still won’t let you do this to me.” I said. Sure, this was all fairly impressive, but I didn’t want to risk what could happen if it didn’t work the way he said it would.

“You might consider it, for the sake of mankind and future generations.” Bobby said.

“I might stick a fork in a toaster.” I said, raising my gun again. “I’m not letting you infect me, and that’s final. Come on Sully, we’re getting as far away from this psychopath as we possibly can.”

We walked back up the stairs and into the entryway.

“We’re leaving.” I told Billie and Dean.

“No, you’re not.” Bobby said from behind me. I hadn’t heard him come up.

I felt a sharp prick on my arm, a burning sensation spreading from it, quickly coursing through my body. Sparky, Steven, and Todd grabbed onto my friends, yanking their guns out of their hands. I was getting tired. Andy strode toward me, pulling my rifle out of my failing grasp and set it aside. The last thing I remember was him reaching toward me again before I blacked out.

Chapter fifteen

When I woke up, my head was pounding. At first, I didn’t recognize where I was. I hadn’t been in this room before. It was small, the threadbare carpet faded from the sunlight streaming in through a unadorned window. I tried to move and found my hands and feet bound tightly with rope, my arms raised above my head. Someone moved next to me.

“Jo? Are you awake?” It was Billie.

“Yeah,” I groaned. “What happened?”

“That freak Bobby drugged you with something. We were dragged up here and tied up.” Came Dean’s voice from Billie’s other side.

“The good news is, we aren’t dead.” Billie said.

“Well, that’s comforting.” I huffed.

“I do what I can.”

“And Sully?” I asked.

“I’m here.” Sully said from my other side. His sounded different, like he was really congested or something

“Are you ok?” I said.

“I’m fine. Your best friend Todd gave me a bloody nose.” He said.

I swore.

“Hey, easy now.” Andy’s voice echoed from across the room. I hadn’t noticed him sitting there.

“Easy? You want me to take it easy? I was drugged and now my friends and I are tied up like damned prisoners!” I said.

“And that means you can’t be civil?” He asked.

“I’ll show you civil you…” I started.

“Just think of this as a party.” He interrupted.

“Oh, real great party. Maybe later we can get some formaldehyde and embalm each other.” I shot.

“Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do, but I don’t have a choice. If I don’t stand watch over you, I’ll be tied up right next to you.” He sighed.

“So you would rather hold people prisoner than stand up for what you believe in?” I asked.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?” Sully said. “’cause from where we’re sitting, you’re more than happy to be our captore.”

“I don’t want to do this. I could guard you, and keep you relatively safe for the time being, or I could be tied up with you; unable to do anything.” Andy said.

“And just what do you think you’re going to be able to do?” Dean asked.

“I might be able to help you escape.” Andy whispered.

Billie laughed. “Do you really expect us to believe you?” She said.

“There’s a word that describes exactly what you just told me: Idiotic.” I said.

“I want to help you!” Andy said.

“Then untie us and let us go.” I snarled.

“I can’t do that, not now.” Andy said, lowering his head.

“Then what good are you?” Billie asked.

He didn’t answer. He sat there for a moment, head in his hands, before standing and slowly walking up to me, caressing my cheek with his hand.

“If you ever touch me again MacGarret, I will shoot you in the face with a missile.” I said.

“No, you won’t.” He said.

“I’d believe her if I were you. She can be downright vicious. If she got into Hell, the Devil would toss her a matchbook and say ‘start your own’.” Dean said.

Andy rested his hand on my face. I struggled to get away.

“Don’t you freaking touch her again!” Sully yelled.

Andy turned to him. “What are you going to do to stop me?” He asked.

I lifted my legs and kicked him, hard. Andy stumbled back, hurt.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” He asked.

“You want a list?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I told you not to touch me.”

“And I told you, I’m trying to help you! I don’t want to hurt you.” He said.

“Sorry, my quota for stupid people has been filled for today. Try again when you develop some brains.” I said.

Andy returned to his seat, grumbling and limping. At least I managed to temporarily wound the jerk.

We were forced to spend two days in that small room before we were allowed to see the rest of the house again. Sully was forced to stay in Todd’s room, Dean in Steven and Sparky’s room. Billie had been tied up in the girls’ room, forced to entertain them with tea parties and puppet theaters. I was ‘graced’ with being forced into Mary and Elizabeth’s room. They made me play dress up and used me as a guinea pig for their sadistic makeup rituals.

A week into my torture, they had me in a short skirt and tube top, stilettos strapped to my feet and about two pounds of homemade makeup on my face, my bound hands hanging from a rope attached to the celling. Andy passed the open door, stopped, backtracked and peeked in, a rather lecherous grin on his face.

“Hey there hot-stuff.” He said.

“You ever get a stiletto to the face?” I asked.

“Once, yes, at this crazy bachelorette party.” He grinned.

“Let me guess, you got in trying to claim you were a strip-o-gram and they freaked out when they saw just how hideous you were.”

“Now that really hurt.” He frowned.

Mary slapped my hand. “Be nice to him!”

He walked in, standing in front of me, trying to get a good look. He ran his hands down my arms, onto my chest and further. I shuddered.

“Why don’t we see what you look like with your arms down? Though I admit I like the idea of you being tied up.” He said, releasing the rope holding my arms up.

I punched him in the jaw. Elizabeth slapped me hard, and I fell over, unable to keep my balance in the heels.

“Apologize!” She ordered.

Andy rubbed the red spot on his face, angry.

“All right, I’ll apologize for punching him in the face. But he’s got to apologize for existing!” I said.

“Forget it Elizabeth. Girls like that don’t apologize to people. They’d rather torture them.” Andy said.

“Torture? You want to talk about torture? Let’s play the never-ending dress up sleepover with Dementia and Fester over here, and see how you like it!” I said. “I was just defending myself against a pretentious douchbag who keeps harassing me!”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say. As Andy walked off, still rubbing his jaw, Mary and Elizabeth forced me to my feet at gun point, stringing my up more tightly than before. Elizabeth kept the pistol, the pistol they had stolen from me, trained on my head as Mary dug something out of their closet. At first I thought it would be another revolting outfit until I saw it, a short black whip. And not just any whip, no. These freaks had a cat-o-nine tails, complete with tiny knots at the end.

“You do not talk to us like that!” Mary all but shrieked.

They striped me bare and took turns beating me, whipping me harder the more I cried out. I could do nothing to stop them, my arms shaking as I strained against my bonds. Without the stilettos, I was forced onto my toes, my legs trembling in their attempt to keep me standing.

Andy rushed back in, Bobby right behind him.

“What are you doing?” Andy screamed, horrified.