TheRealNightoftheLivingDead(DeadMemoriesSeries,BookOne)

ByMarkL.Kramer

alsobyJAVAPublishingHorrorNovels:NowILayTheeDowntoSleepDeadMemoriesSeries,BookTwo(late2012)CrimeNovels:RushingtheRow(AndrewBarrySeries,BookOne)Daddy’sLittleBoys

This book is awork of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are

drawnfromtheauthor’s imaginationandarenot tobeconstruedas real. Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.

AJAVAPublishingeBookOriginalTHEREALNIGHTOFTHELIVINGDEAD(DEADMEMORIESSERIES,

BOOKONE)Copyright©2009byMarkL.KramerAllrightsreserved.UpdatedeBookeditedbyFelixCruz.To contact Mark L. Kramer, send an email to

TheRealNOTLD@beabookworm.comCoverdesignbyAntonioCruzandFelixCruzISBN-10:1449508383ISBN-13:9781449508388

TableofContentsMyIntroduction...ThenameisVeimerStanton.I’m85yearsold…ChapterOneIwasservingafiveyearsentenceatHolmesburg…ChapterTwoDoctorOksenbergapproachedthedeadpatient…ChapterThreeDoctorHaaswaswiththenursenow…ChapterFourMelvinsawthefourmovetowardme…ChapterFiveAfewminutesago,beforeIhelpedMelvin…ChapterSixWeshutthedoorandpressedourbodies…ChapterSevenHewasscreaming.Andloud…ChapterEightWilliamKellywasborninHatfield,PA…ChapterNine“Evening,fellers…ChapterTenMe,MelvinandBillyrantothecenter…ChapterElevenHewasonhisbackandwasscreaming…ChapterTwelveSomeofthembeganshowingsigns…ChapterThirteenWeran…ChapterFourteenHelaughedonceherecognized…ChapterFifteenIwasafewdaysintomyposition…ChapterSixteenItoldthemaboutClara,my“childhoodfriend”…

ChapterSeventeenItstartedasalowsinglecontinuousthumping…ChapterEighteenAfewofuswerescreaming…ChapterNineteenHecrashedintothefirstoftheinfected…ChapterTwentyWewereinthestairwellofN-7…ChapterTwenty-oneAbouttwentyfeetawayfromtheopening…ChapterTwenty-twoMyeyeswidenedasDallassaid,“Shetook…ChapterTwenty-threeThedoorwaspushedopenandinfected…ChapterTwenty-fourHefiredanothertwoshotsinthedark…ChapterTwenty-fiveWealllookedtothedoor…ChapterTwenty-sixWeallscreamedandjumpedout…ChapterTwenty-sevenMyheartdropped.“Whowasbitten?”…ChapterTwenty-eightIwasfrozen…ChapterTwenty-nineIwashelpingtheprofessortohisfeet…ChapterThirtyThecopwasoutofhispatrolcarnow…ChapterThirty-one“Getinthecar,”Ishouted…ChapterThirty-twoThePlymouthplowedrightinto…ChapterThirty-threeIscreamedhernameandcaughtthe…ChapterThirty-fourIscreamed,sodidthey,astheypulledme…ChapterThirty-fiveIquicklypushedheraway…MyLongGoodbye...

Myeyesstayedon…AbouttheAuthor

ForJess.Thisonestartsitall.Areyoureadyfortheride?

MyIntroduction...

ThenameisVeimerStanton.I’m85yearsold,andIliveinTomsRiver,New

Jersey.Imaynotbearoundtoseethispublished,butaclosefriendhasassuredme

thatitwill.I’mnotsick.Atleast,Idon’tthinkso?It’sjustthatIamaveryoldman,andIamtired.Sotired. I’ve livedmylife. I livedmylife thebest that Icould,andthere’snotmuchelsetolookforwardto.

Igetupat3:30ameverymorning.Makemycupofcoffee.Sitdownin theliving room and watch sports highlights from the night before. After aroundseven,Isitonmyporchandwatchmyneighborsheadtowork.ThenIwhipupsomeeggsandFrenchtoast,smothertheminsyrup(eventheeggs),grabanothercupofjoe,andplantmybuttonmysofainthelivingroom.ThereIspendthenexteighthoursorsowatchingoldpictureson thecable.TheotherdayIsawSunsetBoulevardandMr.andMrs.Smith―thatwouldbetheHitchcockone,notthatmalarkeywiththedamewhohasallthosekids.Therewasanotherone,butIcan’tremember.MaybeitwasaBogieflick?SpeakingofBogie,therewasaCagneymarathononlastmonth.IloveCagney.

Ihavemy lunchwhilewatching thecable, thenaround four, I eat supper. Itakeashowerafterthedishesareclean,andIsitontheporch,withanothercupofjoe, towatchmyneighborsreturnat theendof theday.ThenIgo tosleep,usuallyaround7:30.Iliveinanicequietarea.Peoplearenice.Noproblems.

It’sboring.WhichiswhyIwatchthecableallday.But lastweekwasHalloween, so insteadofwatching thecable, I spent the

evening handing out the sweets to the kids who came ringing at my door.Usually,wheneverHalloweencamearound,Iwouldshutoffmylightsandgotosleepearly,toavoidhavingtospendmoneyonthejunkfood.Butthisyearwasdifferent;Ifeltextralonely,soIdecidedtobegenerous.Theeveningwasgoingswell; kids showed up dressed as firefighters, superheroes, all kinds of stuff.ThencamethemomentthatterrifiedmesomuchthatIhadtolockmyselfinmybedroomandcouldn’tsleepfordays;thedoorbellrang,andwhenIopenedit,Iwasmetbythreekidsdressedasthewalkingdead.

Sincethen,Ihaven’tbeenabletothinkstraight.It’samazing.Icansitbackand remember everything that happened that night; almost as if it took placeyesterday.Allthememoriescontinuefloodingbackintomydecrepitmind.Thememoriesofwhathappenedthatcoldspringnightbackin1951.Alotofpeoplediedthatnight.Somemorethanonce.

ChapterOne

IwasservingafiveyearsentenceatHolmesburgPrison,aboutsevenmonthsinto it Iwas asked if I’d rather servemy remaining timeatPhiladelphiaStateHospital.Iasked,Serveasapatient?Theytoldme,No,serveasaworker.Theywerefarovercrowdedanddidn’thaveenoughworkerstoperformthenecessaryduties. I think at the time, therewas oneworker for every eighty patients. Sotheyneededhelp.Bad.Butthestatewasn’tinterestedinspendingtheadditionalfunds. So what did they do? They compromised. Philadelphia State Hospitalneededmoreworkers?Okay,we’llgetthemhelp.Havesomeonevisitthenearbyjailsandprisonsandseewhichconvictswanttoleavetoworkatahospital.Thecatchis:youworkforfree.Youdon’tgetpaid.Notaredcent.But,you’renotlocked inacellallday.Youhave tostayon thehospital’spremises,butat thetime,thishospitalhadsomanybuildingsthatitwaslikeasmalltown.And,yougettoliveinadormitorywiththeotherworkers.Yousee,backthen,thispartofPhiladelphiawasstillveryruralandsecludedfromresidentialareas.Soworkershad the option of living on campus. There were other big advantages forprisoners: get good food, be aroundwomen all the time (depending onwhereyouworked.)Tohellwithgettingpaid,Imean,theprisonandthewardencouldgojumpinthelake.Itwasanobrainerforme.Ichosethehospital.

BeforeIgointotheeventsthattookplacethatnightin1951,letmegiveyouabriefhistoryofPhiladelphiaStateHospital.I’llbeginbytellingyouthatitwasnotaregularhospital.Youknow,yourkidgetssicksoyoutakehimtotheER,oryourwifeisabouttohaveababysoyourushherinsoshecangivebirth.No,itwasn’tlikethatatall.PhiladelphiaStateHospital,orByberry(asithascometobeknownasovertheyears),wasamentalhospital.Itopenedinthebeginningyears of the twentieth century and began closing some of its buildings in thesixties.Bytheendoftheeighties,itwascompletelyshutdown.

Almostfromthebeginning, thehospitalwasinfamousfor thehorrorstoriesthat tookplace inside itswalls.Someof the stories include:patients forced towalk around naked because they tore off their clothes and the hospital didn’thavethemoneytoreplacethem.Patientsbeingchainedtotheirbedsformonthsat a time. Others kept doped up, walking about the ward while the nurses

remainedlockedintheirstation,frightenedofwhatthepatientswerecapableof.Theywouldkeep themdopedupbypassing theirmedication throughaslot inthewindow.Evenmurdersoccurringamongthepatients,oneofwhichinvolvedamalepatientwhomurderedafemalepatient,choppedherbodyintoitty-bittypieces and scattered them throughout the campus. My friend, one of theattendants,foundapatient(about8yearsold),playingwiththevictim’sjaw.Theguycouldn’teatorsleepfordaysafterseeingthat.

Throughout itsyears, thehospitalbecameknownasa last resort,aplace tosendmembersofyourfamily,whowerehandicappedormentallyill,whenyouwantedthemoutofyourlife,wantingtohidethemfromothers,wantingtohavenothingelsetodowiththem.

I guess that’s one of the reasonswhymy storywas discarded for somanyyears.Manyofthevictimswerepatientsand,sadtosay,theyhadnolovedonestoclaimthem.Noonewhogaveadamn.

Itwas late in the evening,Wednesday,March 21st, 1951. Two days before

Good Friday. I was working in the N-3 building, it was a therapy building.Actually, ononeof the floors, the third floor (where Iwasworking that day),doctorswouldtestdrugsonpatients.Usedthemasguineapigs.Testedallkindsof drugs that were in the early stages of development. They weren’t tooconcerned with side effects, because the patients were considered crazy andreallycouldn’tcomplain.Whowouldlistentothem?Itwasreallyhorrible.

Iwasanattendant;hadbeenworkingatthehospitalforthepastfivemonths.Meandmyfriend,Melvin,wereassistingacoupleofdoctorswhoweretestinganew vaccine. Really we were just standing by, in case they needed the extramuscletocontrolthepatients.

ThethirdfloorofN-3hadatleastahundredbedsintheroom,tworowsoneithersideoftheroom,liningthewalls,thenarowgoingdownthecenter.

There were about twenty patients on the floor, most of them men, a fewwomen. Somewere shackled to themetal bed frame as theywere consideredcriminallyinsane,butmostofthemweren’t.Theywerejusttoocrazytogiveadamnandjustlaidtherewithsmilesontheirfaces.

Thedoctorsweregivenanewpoliovaccinetotest.Backthen,thepolioviruswas a sonof a bitch, and therewere tens of thousands of cases reported eachyear. The vaccine was developed by a colleague of a doctor by the name ofKollmer,whoyearsearlier testedapoliovaccinewhich turnedout todomoreharmthangood.ThepeoplewhoweregivenKollmer’svaccinehadtheirpolioworsen and some even died. But this new vaccine, the researchers said, wasdestinedtocurepolio.

DoctorHaashadalreadyinjectedthevaccineintothreeofthepatients,andhewasworkinghiswaydowntheline.Theseconddoctor,DoctorOksenberg,wasobserving the injected patients. His hand on his chin, and his eyes squinting.Lookedlikehehadtousethejohn.AnursewasfollowingDoctorHaas,handinghimtoolsasherequestedthem.

ThedoctorsandthenursebarelysaidawordtoMelvinandme.Tothem,wewere scum. I was a convict, and he was hired off the street, almost literally.TherewasasignpostedalongtheblockwherehelivedinNorthPhiladelphia,callingformenneededasorderlies,noexperiencerequired.Heappliedandwashiredonthespot.He’dbeenhereforacoupleofmonths,andIdon’tthinkadayhadpassedthatIworkedwithhimandhedidn’tsmellofbooze.Buthewasagoodguy.Wegotalonggreat.

“YoulistentoDragnetlastweek?”saidMelvin,aswestoodsidebyside.MyeyeswereonDoctorHaasasIsaid,“No,it’sbeenawhile.”Melvinsaid,“Yeah,lately,I’vebeengoingtomyneighbor’shousedownthe

street.Intheevenings,abunchofusgotheretowatchhistelevision.”“Television?Herichorsomething?”Heshookhishead. “Hewon it in somekindof lottery. Idon’tknow.All I

knowishe’sgothimselfatelevision,andhechargesusanickelapiecetowatchtheprogramsaftersupper.”

Ibegantohearaslightgrunting,andmyeyesmovedfromthedoctorovertothefirstinjectedpatient.

“Youmissedagreatone,pal,”saidMelvin.“Aboutaguywhowasbeaten,hadhiscarstolen,thenamurdertookplace.”

“Melvin,whendoesn’tamurdertakeplaceonDragnet?Noskinoffmyback.I’ll catch it next time.” I was too busy focused on the grunting patient.Somethingabouttheguydidn’tseemright.

“Nexttime?Nextshowdoesn’tairuntilsometimeinApril.”“Okay, good lord.What, you got the hots for JackWebb or something?” I

said.“It’sagoodshow.Probablymyfavoritestradioshow.”InudgedMelvinandmotionedwithmyheadtothegruntingman.“Yeah?”saidMelvin.“Whatabouthim?”“Something’swrongwithhim.Listentohim.”“Youjustfiguredthatout?Guy’sanutjob.Prob’lythesamesoundhemakes

whenheplayswithhimself.”The grunting grew louder. My eyes went to Doctor Oksenberg. He was

watchingthegruntingmanandrecordingnotesonapadofpaper.“Shouldhebemakingsounds like that,doc?”He ignoredmeashestudied

thepatientwhowasbeginningtoturnpale.Thenthegruntscametoahalt.Thepatientstoppedmoving.Hisarmsdroppedlimp.

ChapterTwo

DoctorOksenberg approached the dead patient and leaned forward, putting

his ear to the patient’s chest. He looked up toward his colleague and said, “Idon’thearaheartbeat.Doesn’tappeartoopromising.”

“Let’s seewhatwecanget from the rest,” saidDoctorHaas. “Haveoneofthemtakethedeceaseddownstairstothemorgue.”

OksenbergstooduprightandlookedtomeandMelvin.Hesaid,“Comeon.Oneofyouboysgetoverhere and takehim.Youknowwhere themorgue is,right?”

Melvinshookhishead.Heseemedalittlescared.Heprobablyneverputhishandsonadeadbodybefore.Iwasalittlefamiliar.“I’lltakehim.”Melvinwasrelieved.

I moved toward the bed. Then he twitched. Me, Melvin and Oksenbergflinchedinunison.Icouldfeelthehairsonmyarmstand.DoctorHaasandthenursewerebusymovingtheirwaydownthelineofpatientstonoticewhatjusthappened.

“Cancelthat,”saidDoctorOksenberg.“He’smoving.”The patientwas aman, Iwould say in his late thirties, but he appeared to

haveagedtwentyyearssincetakinginthevaccine.Hewasdragginghisfeetupanddownagainstthethinurinesoakedmattresspad,andhiseyeswererollingsidetosideundertheirlids.

Oksenberg’s penbegan to dance again.Standingbehindhimnow, I lookedover his shoulder, past his thinning gray hair, at what he was scribbling. Hewrote:Within 5 mins. of vaccine injection - Outermost layer of eye appearsyellowincolor.

Mygazedriftedtothepatient.Hewasstaringdeadatme.Andthedoctor’snotescouldn’tbemorecorrect;thewhitesofhiseyeswerenowastaleyellow.I’ll tellyouwhat; Iwasa toughguy inmyday.Neverbackeddownfromanyjoe.Butwhen I saw thoseyelloweyesonme, Iwas intimidated.For thefirsttimeinmylife.Andthatmademefeelveryuncomfortable.

IturnedtoMelvinandhelookedconfused,likehewaswaitingforOksenbergtogivethenextorder.Iputmyfingertomyeyeandmouthed,Hiseyes.

Hisgazewent to theman’s eyes.His foreheadwrinkled andhe said, “Say,doc,what’swithhiseyes?Heain’tlookingtoohot.”

“Please, boys.We’re extremely busy here.Would you prefer towork yourshiftatN-9and try todealwith thosepsychos?”saidDoctorOksenberg.“I’msure they would enjoy hearing your questions as you listen to them screamthemselvestosleep.”

Melvin hushedup real quick, and Iwasn’t going to openmymouth again.Notafter that threat.N-9was themaximumsecuritybuildingwhere theykepttheworseoftheworseofthemen.Nothanks.

Oksenbergcontinuedscribblingastheyelloweyesscannedtheroom,likehehadjustwokenupafteralongnapandwastryingtofigureoutwherehewas.DoctorHaasandthenursewerenearingtheendof the injections.Icouldhearoneofthepatientssay,Thanks.Anothersaidshewasbeingcrucifiedforstealingmuffins from thekitchen.A fewothers laughedas theneedle shot thevaccineintotheirveins,otherscried.Butwenoticedsomeof thefirstpatients injectedwerebeginningtoshowthesameeffectsasthemanwhowethoughthaddied.

Themanwiththeyelloweyesplacedhishandsontheedgesofthebed.Heletoutafaintmoanashepushedhimselfintoasittingposition.

“Please lay down.” He didn’t listen. His head was hanging. His chin wasresting on his chest, but his eyes were focused on Oksenberg. He said, “Laydown.DoasIsay.”Heplacedhishandontheman’schesttoshovehimback,but the man snatched the doctor’s hand and screamed as he moved the handtowardhismouth.

Oksenberg’s reactionwas to pull away. He looked to us as he shouted forhelp.Melvinandmerushedover,eachofusgrabbinganarm,andslammedthepatientbackdowntothebed.Wegaveeachotheralookthatsaid,Whatthehellwasthat?Weturnedtothedoctor,andhisfacewascoveredinsweatasheheldontothehandhenearlylostafewsecondsago.

Ourattentionfelltothemanactingerratic.Wewereholdinghimdown.Hadalittle strength to him, but no more than an average man.With the two of usholdinghimdown,hewasn’tgoinganywhere.Butitwasobvioushewastryingtobitethedoctor.Hisheadwouldrise,andhisjawwouldsnapattheair.Lookedlikeadamnbeartrap.

DoctorHaasstoodbesidehiscolleaguenow.Hiseyesgazingatthepatientashesaid,“Whatinthehelljusthappened?”

“He tried to bite my hand.” I can still see the look of shock on his face.Amazing.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifhewethispantsatthatmoment.Justalittle.

Haasturnedtousandsaid,“Calltheguard.TellhimtotakethisgentlemantoN-9viathetunnel.”

Melvin jumpedat thechance togetaway from thesituation.Hesaid,“CanyouholdhimwhileIgo?”Inodded.Hewaitedformetoplacemyotherhanddownontheman’sarmbeforelettinggo.Iwaspressingdownnow,holdinghim,butIwasgrowingtired.Melvinexitedtheroom.

Ilookeddownattheinsanemanrightbelowme;hewassnappinghisjaws,tryinghisbesttobitemeashescreamed.Ihadtolookaway,thoseeyesweretooeerie.Mygazewent to thedoctorswhowere staring, they looked scared.Thenurse was way down at the end of the line, standing by her rolling cart thatcarried thevialsof thepoliovaccine.Shewas theonlyonewhodidn’tappearscared.Butshedidlookimpatient,likeshewashopingHaaswouldgethisbuttovertherefast,sotheycouldwrapupthevaccinations.

Thedooropened,andtheguardenteredwithMelvinbehindhim.Theguardwasprettyconfidentof thewholesituation.Heapproached thebed,pulledhisbatonfromhisbeltandwhackedthescreamingmanafewtimes.

Thehitsdidn’tfazehim.“Lethimgo,”theguardsaidtome.Idid.Theguardpositioned himself, ready to attack with his baton. As I stood back, I stole aquickglanceoftheotherpatients;Inoticedafewofthemweremoaning,otherswerelifeless.Myeyeswentbacktothefirstpatient.Hestoodandmovedtowardtheclosestpersontohim,theguard.

“Comeon,youcrazysonofabitch.Igotsomemedicationrighthereforya.”The patient chargedwith his arms stretched out toward the guard.Guardwasready.Hisarmpulledbackandshotforward,cracking thepatienton thehead.Hedroppedtothetiledfloor,apuddleofbloodbeginningtoformnowwherehisheadlay.

Theguardstoodoverhim,grabbed thehandcuffs fromhisbeltandslappedthemoverthepatient’swristsbehindhisback.Thepatientwasstillconscious.Icouldn’tbelieveit.Hetookafewhardblowstothehead,butherehewas,tryingtogetonhisfeetagain.

The guard didn’t look too thrilled. I could tell hewas pissed. This patienttryingtodohisbesttomakethisguardearnhisworthlesspaycheck.Iwassurealong theway toN-9 theguardwould takea littledetourand teach this loonytuneathingortwoaboutrespectinghisauthority.Hesaidashestood,hischestheaving,“What’dtheydotoya?Yougotsomegoodstuffpumpedinyourveins,eh?”

“Justgethimoutofhere,please,”saidDoctorOksenberg.The guard gazed at the frightened doctor, then turned toMelvin, whowas

standingnearthedoor,andsaidtohim,“Whydon’t‘chadosomethinguseful.Grabamopandcleanthismessup.”Melvindidn’tsayawordanddidn’tmove.Theguard’sattentionwentbacktothepatient.

Thepatientwas trying to stand, butwithhishandsboundhewashaving adifficulttime.Hewasstrugglingtopushhimselfupwithhishead.That’swhentheguardgrabbedhimbyhisdirtyoldplaidshirtand liftedhimtohis feet.Alineofbloodwashangingfromthecornerofhismouth,downtohischin,andontohisshirt.Hisyelloweyeswereontheguard,andhewasanxioustobreakfreefromthecuffs.Icouldalreadyseethathiswristswerebeginningtobleed.

Weallwatchedastheguardstruggledwiththepatienttogethimoutoftheroom.Hestartedbypokinghiminthechestwithhisbaton,buttheenragedmankeptcharging.Sohebeganpummelinghimwiththebaton,onhisface,hisarms,hisribs.Wewatched.Allofusinshocktoseeamantakesuchabeatingandstillkeepcoming.Bynow,hisfacewascoveredinblood,buthecouldcareless.Theonly progress the hitsweremakingwas every time one landed it pushed himbackafewinches.

Afteranotherminuteorsooftheguardbeatinghim,wewatchedastheytooktheirshowoutsidetheroom.Melvinslammedthedoorbehindthem.Noneofusnoticedthenextfivepatientswhowerewakingupnow,staringwithstaleyelloweyes.

ChapterThree

DoctorHaaswaswiththenursenow,abouttoinjectthelastpatient.IwaswithOksenbergwhowasstandingbetweenthebedsofthesecondand

thirdpatients.Hewasdoinghisobservations,andIwascautious.Iwasn’ttryingtohaveoneoftheseguysattackmelikethelastone.

Melvinwasstillworkingupthecouragetogetneartherestofthem.Hewasabout five feetbehindme. Ifyouaskme, thatwas the smart thing todo: stayaway.

Forabriefmoment,Iheardaman’sscreamfromsomewhereinthebuilding.Wasn’t sure if anyone else heard what I did, but I ignored it and continuedstaring at these patients. It wasn’t unusual for screams to fill the hallwaysthroughoutthedayinthishospital.Itwasquitecommon.

Isawnowthatafewofthepatientswhowerefirstinjectedwerenowmovingontheirbeds.Itwasaweirdsortofmovement,liketheyweren’tsurehowtousethearmsandlegs.Theywereallpaletooandhadthesameyellowishtinttothewhitesoftheireyes.

Isteppedback,besidemyfriend.Iwhispered,“Thismedicine’ssupposedtohelppeople?TheylookliketheygottheBubonicplagueorsomething.”

Melvinsaid,“Yeah,I’mwithyou.Idon’tlikethis.Don’tlikehowI’mfeelingrightaboutnow.ThinkI’dratherworkwiththenutsinN-9.AtleastthenIknowwhattoexpect.”

Then something happened. Blood began to pour out of the third patient’smouth.Oksenbergcalledforhiscolleague.Haasandthenurserushedover.MeandMelvinfollowed.

Wewatchedhim,wonderingwherethebloodfromhismouthhadoriginated.Thenwewitnessedaverygorysight.Thepalemanbegantochew.Takingbigchewswithhismouthopen,wesawthathehadbittenoffhisowntongueandwaseatingit.

Melvincouldn’tholdit;hethrewupalloverthebed.DoctorOksenbergsaid,“JesusChrist.We’regoingtoisolatethesubjectsfor

the timebeing.Nurse,bring thevials.”He turned toHaaswithwidenedeyes.“We should leave for now. Lock this door, and we can observe through thewindow.”

“Ithinkyou’rejumpingtoconclusions,DoctorOksenberg,”saidHaas.“Weshouldremainhere.Thisstudyisextremelyimportant.”

Thenursecameback,pushingthecartwiththevialsofthevaccine.Isawasoneof thepatientsdown the line tried to reachforherasshepassedhim(shedidn’tevennotice)andmissed.Themanrolledoffthebedandslammedtothehardfloor,creatinga loudthumpthatwassent throughout theroom.Everyoneturnedtoseewhatthenoisewas,butthedoctorslookedawayoncetheysawitwasjustapatient thathadfallen.Theyturnedtous,givingus that lookwhichsaid,Doyourjob.

Melvin inched towardhimas I stayedwith thedoctors. Itwasclear thathewasscared,butIguesshefelthehadajobtodoandwantedtohelphimbackontohisbed.Hemovedcloserandcloser,butkepthisguardup.

Oksenberg was standing with his hand on his chin again, as if he weredebating on whether or not to agree with Haas’ suggestion. That’s when thesecondpatient lungedforwardfromhisbed,grabbedOksenberg’sleftarmandbitintothesideofhishand.Thedoctorscreamedasthepatientfelloffthebed,chewingapieceoffleshinhismouth.

Me and Haas were in shock. The nurse’s scream mixed with Oksenberg’sscream.

Melvinstoppedinhistracks.Hisheadshotaroundandlookedatus.Thepatient swallowedOksenberg’s flesh.Blood covered the corners of his

mouth. He was anxious for more; he wrapped his arms around the injureddoctor’slegandclenchedhisteethintohisankle.Icouldn’tbelievethestrengthin his jaws. His bite almost tore through Oksenberg’s black pants and socks.Wasn’tstrongenoughtoriphisclothescompletelybutitwasstrongenoughtocutthroughhisskin,asbloodbeganrunningdowntohisshoeandsplatteringonthewhitefloor.

I never heard such a terrifying scream as I heard come from the doctor’smouth at that moment. I stomped my boot down onto the patient’s face. Heignoredmyblowandclawedatthedoctor’sleg,tryingtogettohisflesh.

DoctorOksenbergkeptscreamingashefellback, landingonthebedof themanwhowaschewinghisowntongue.Buthewasthroughfeastingandwantedmore.Hesatup,wrappedhisarmsaroundthedoctor’sthickframeandslammedhiscrooked,brokenteethintohisneck.

We watched as he pulled his head back, taking a two inch chunk ofOksenbergwithhim.Ageyserofbloodshotoutso far fromthewound that itcrashedontomyT-shirt.

Myeyeswentdowntothebloodstainsonmyshirt,thenbacktoOksenbergwholookedasifhewantedtopassout,thenIlookedpasthim.Mylipstrembled

asIsawfourofthesecreaturesheadedourway.

ChapterFour

Melvinsawthefourmovetowardmeandthemedicalstaff,andhewasabout

torunourwaywhenawomanpatientgrabbedhisshirt.Shemoanedasshetriedpullinghimclose.He reactedby trying to shoveher away, but she continued,tryingtoforceherselfonhim.Droolrandownthecornersofhermouthandoffherchinasthevaccineinherbloodmadeherintoastarved,sickmaniac.

Myfriendwas thesortofguywhowouldneverharmawoman,but itwasobvious he had no other choice. She charged again. Her moans turned toscreams. With her arms outreached, she gripped his T-shirt and pulled. Heslappedherhardacrosstheface,andshestumbledback;hergripstilltightonhisT-shirt.

ThemanwhoMelvinwasgoing tohelpoff the floorwasholdingonto theframeofthebed,pullinghimselfup;hisdeadeyesonmyfriendtheentiretime.

Melvinwasstrugglingtobreakthewoman’sgrip.Hishandsweresqueezedtight around herwrists, and his facewas turning red. She tried launching herheadtowardhisarms;herteethreadytotakeabite.Heletgoofherwristandpulledhisonearmaway,justmissinglosingsomefleshtothecrazywoman.

Now the man from the floor was on his feet and trying to grab Melvin.Melvinscreamedandsteppedback,lettinggoofthewoman’sotherwristintheprocess.Afterafewsteps,hestumbledoverhisownfootandfellontothebedofanotherpatient.Thispatient,aman,wasoneofaboutfivewhowereshackled.WithhisonefreehandhegrabbedMelvin,whowaslyingacrosshischestatthemoment,byhishairandtriedpullinghimuptohismouth.

Melvin saw the yellow eyes coming closer to him.Hewasted no time andpushedhimselfoffthebed,leavingahandfulofhairintheshackledman’shand.Standingnow,hesawthewomanrushingtowardhim.Hedartedoutofherpath,andshecrashedintothewindow,shatteringit.Brokenglassfellonthewomanandoutthewindow.

Partofherwasdanglingoutside.Herhandsflailed, thebrokenglassslicingthemopenasshetriedtopullherselfbackinside.Melvincouldn’tkeephiseyesonher;thepatientwhohewasplanningonhelpingoffthefloorafewminutesagowaspushinghimagainstthewall.HerippedMelvin’sT-shirtattheshoulder

andwastryingtosinkhisteethintohisflesh.Melvinshoutedforhelpashestretchedouthisarms,tryingtopushtheman

away.Themanclawed at his face, leaving threebloody lines fromhis templedowntohischeek.

Myfriendballeduphishandintoatightfistandslammedit intotheman’sface.Bloodtrickleddownhisnose,buthekeptattacking.

Thewomanplacedherbloodyhandsaroundtheedgesofthewindowframeandpulledherself in.Piecesofglass fromtheshatteredwindowwerestuck inherfaceandarms.Herfaceandhairhadbloodrunningfromallthegashes,anditwassmearingintoherfadedflowereddress.

Melvinwasstillpunchingtheman.Helandedsomanyblowstohisfacethathis nose was now broken and most of his front teeth were either chipped orknockedoutalltogether.

Melvinturnedtohisleftandsawthewomanstandingatthewindowframe,coveredinblood.Hegrabbedthemanbyhisshirtandspunhimaroundtowardthewoman.Themanslammedintoher,causinghertolaunchbacktothebrokenwindow. This time, she was sent sailing out, taking whatever broken glassremainingintheframewithher.

AsMelvincontinuedfightingtheman,aloudthumpwasheardfromoutside,twenty-five feet below. The man had his hands wrapped around the back ofMelvin’s head nowandwas trying to pull him close.My friendput one handaroundtheman’sneck,andonehandwaspullinghishair.Hepushedtheraginglunaticbacktowardthebrokenwindow,thelunaticscreamingtheentiretime.

“Watchout,pal,”Isaid.Melvinturnedbackandsawmeholdingthewoodenlegofabrokenchair,aboutfifteenincheslong.Hedartedtotheside.OnceIsawhewasclear,Iswungthelegandbashedthemaninhiseyes.Icouldhear thebonesinhisfacecrack.

Hewasleaningonthewindowsillandwasfightingtogainhisbalanceashescreamed.Hisrighteyelookedasifitwasabouttodropoutofitssocket.

Iwaitedtoseeifhewouldmakeamove,orifhewouldstop.Forasecond,Ithoughthe’dwisedup.Icouldswearthathewascontemplatingonwhat todonext.Hehadthislooklikehewasn’tsure.HisheadturnedfrommetoMelvinandthenbacktome.

Thenhechargedatme.Ididn’tgivehimthesatisfaction.Imeant to swing the leg,buthewaschargingso fast that Ididn’thave the

time.Ihelditupand,asherantowardme,Irammedthewoodenleginhislefteye.Itenteredhisheadanddroveinaboutfiveinches.Andthatwasitforhim.

Hedroppeddead.Bloodwasseepingfromthehole,wherehehadaneyeonly

afewsecondsago,andwasformingapuddleonthefloorunderhishead.Wewaitedamoment,waitingforhimtogetbackup.Hedidn’t.Butthelastfewpatientstobevaccinatedwereup.Upandrunningtowardus.

ChapterFive

Afewminutesago,beforeIhelpedMelvinfendoffthetwocreatures,Ihad

just sawOksenberg’s eyes roll after beingbitten.Then I saw the fourmovingtowardus (some faster thanothers), andmy lips trembledas I stumbledback,notsureofwhattodo.

Theoneonthefloor,whohadbittenOksenberg’sankle,wasnowgrabbingonhis pants, pulling himself up, wanting to get more of the doctor’s flesh. Thepatientwhohad taken thebiteoutofhisneckwasnowrippingat thedoctor’sclothes,tryingtoexposehisbareskin.

Throughoutallofthis,thenurse’sscreamsfilledtheair.DoctorHaaswasstillin shock, watching his colleague being butchered before our eyes. Neither ofthemsawthefourcomingfrombehind.

IwastryingtospitthewordsoutasIcontinuedmovingback.Finally,Isaid,“Doc…Nurse…Run…”

Itwastoolate.Twoof thefourreached thenurseandgrabbedher.Poor ladydidn’thavea

chance.Maybe ifme andDoctorHaas helped to pull her away shewould’vemadeit,butwewerecowards.Iwasupagainstthewallwatchingthechaosthatthesedoctorscreated,andHaasstaredastheonewhograbbedherputhismouthto hers and came away with her lips and part of her cheek. I could see herjawboneasshescreamed,andthenthebloodrunningdownherneck.

DoctorHaasfellashetriedtorun.Hepickedhimselfupandrantothecloseddoor.

Thesecondofthetwotoreachthenursetuggedatherarmandbitrightunderherelbow.Thenurse’sscreamsmixedwiththegarglingofherownbloodasthelasttwoofthefourreachedherandbeganfeasting.

IlookedatHaas;hishandwrappedaroundthedoorhandle.Hiseyeslookedliketheywantedtopopoutofhishead.

“Youcan’tleave,”Isaid.“Wegottadosomething.Wecan’tleavethemhere.”“What thehell?Do something?” shoutedDoctorHaas. “Dowhat?They’ve

goneinsane.Weneedtocallsecurity.”I turnedtomyleftandsawa lineofwoodenchairsrestingagainst the tiled

walls.I turnedto thenurse.Herscreamshaddiedoff.Thefourpatientshadeaten

hernoseandmostofherface,andnowtheywereworkingtheirwaydownhertorso.Herwhitegownwasredwithblood,andthepatients’faceswerecoveredin her blood. I could hear the sounds of flesh being chewed and grunts fromthemastheyenjoyedit.

I turned to Oksenberg, and he was still screaming as the two patientscontinued to torturehim. I lookedback tomy right atHaaswhonowhad thedooropened.“Graboneofthesechairs.We’regoingtosavethedoctor.”

Haashesitatedforamoment,but thenhereleasedhishandfromthehandleandfollowedmetothechairs.WeeachgrabbedoneandranovertoOksenberg.

Haascriedasheswungthechairatthepatientwhowastryingtobitethroughthedoctor’spants.After threeor fourgoodhits, thepatientmovedawayfromOksenbergandmovedtowardHaas.Haaswasholdingthechairinfrontofhim,usingitasashieldagainstthemaniac.

IrushedthemanwhohadrippedoffOksenberg’sshirtandwastakingbitesout of his back.With the legs of the chair facing out, I ran toward him andspearedthelegsintohisface.Heflippedback,fallingoffhisbedandlandingonthefloor.

Oksenbergdroppedtothefloor,hisbackdrenchedinblood.Hegrabbedthebedframe,strugglingtogettohisfeet.

Icamearoundthebedandsawthepatienttryingtogettohisfeet.Iraisedthechairupovermyheadandbroughtitcrashingdowntohisback.Hedropped,butwas trying again to get up. I swung the chair back harder and released it. Itexploded against his back, and pieces of the chair flew in ten differentdirections.Hedroppedagain.Hewasstillconscious,buttheblowsmusthaveinjuredhisspine,becausehewasn’tmovinghislegs.

Iwatchedhimashetriedreachingformefromthefloor.Isteppedbackabouttwo feet so that I was just out of his reach. Oksenberg’s blood covered hisfingers as they stretched out, trying to grab hold ofmy foot.Wasn’t until oureyes met that I got the chills and had to turn away. For me, their dead eyeshauntedmethemost.

That’swhen I sawMelvin in trouble. I picked up one of the legs from thebrokenchairandrantohelphim.

After takingdown thepatientat thewindow,weheardscreamsandmoans.Wesawanotherfivepatientsrunningtowardus.Iknewwe’dendupdeadifwestuckaround.I’msureMelvinfeltthesameway.

Werantowardthedoor.Wepassed the fourwhowere still feastingon thedeadnurse;God resther

soul.“Help Oksenberg,” I shouted to Melvin. Then I ran to Haas who wasn’t

fighting the attacking patient, but doing his best to protect himself with thewoodenchair.

Theattackingpatientdidn’tseemeapproaching.Icamefrombehindatfullspeed, leaned forward with my shoulder leading the way, and drove into hisback.Hewasliftedoffhisfeetandflewacoupleyardsbeforesmackingagainstthetiledwall.

DoctorHaaswastedno time in fleeing from the room, the chair still inhishands.

IlookedtoseewhereMelvinandOksenbergwere.Isawtheinjureddoctor,afew feet away from me, crawling toward the door. Melvin was grabbingsomethingoffthenurse’scartandthenrantowardme.

I threwmyhands underOksenberg’s arms and lifted himup, thendraggedhimoutoftheroom.

Icouldhear thescreamsgettingcloser. Idroppedthedoctor in thehallway,turnedbackandsawMelvinrunningoutnow.Thescreamingpatients,withtheirarmsoutstretched,wereaboutfourfeetbehindhim.

ChapterSix

Weshut thedoorandpressedourbodiesagainst it,waiting for thehead-on

crash.Itcameandourbodiesbouncedoff.Butweknewiftheymadeitthroughthen

weweredone.Sowestoodourground.Weputallthemightthatwecouldintokeepingthatdoorshut.

Therewasasmallwindowinthedoor,aboutasquarefoot.Myfacewasrightup against it. I looked through andmy eyesmetwith some of these lunatics.Theysnarledatme,wantingtobreakthroughandgettheirpalehandsonus.

I leanedmyhead away, out of their sight. Iwas trying not to entice them;hopefulthatiftheydidn’tseeanyonethroughthewindowtheywouldthinkweweregoneandgiveuptryingtobustout.

My eyes went toMelvin, he was a few inches frommy face, and he wascoveredinsweat.HelookedtoHaaswhowasleaningagainstthewall,tryingtocatchhisbreath,andshouted,“Bringthatgoddamnchairoverhere.”

Thedoctor,startledbyMelvin’sdemandingvoice,jumpedupandbroughtthechairover.Melvingrabbeditand,asIcontinuedpushingonthedoorwithmyhands,hewedgedthechairunderthehandle.“Letgo,”hesaid.“Slow.”

Weboth steppedbackand inspected thedoor,making sure thechairwouldholditshut.Lookedgood.“Thatshouldbuyussometime,”Isaid.IturnedbackandDoctorHaas letouta sighof relief, then sat on the floor.Me andMelvinlookedupanddowneitherendsofthehallway.Empty.Notapersoninsight.WefollowedHaasandsatonthefloor.Oksenbergwaslyingonthefloor,hisbackpressedagainstthewall.Weknewwehadtokeepmoving,butforthemoment,wewantedtocatchourbreath.

“Whatthehellhappenedinthere?”Isaid.“Don’ttheyusuallytestthisstuffonguineapigsormonkeysbeforetestingitonhumans?”

Doctor Haas was silent. He saw the hard gazes that me andMelvin weregivinghimandknewhehadbettersaysomething.“Thoseweretheguineapigs.”

“They’repeople,”saidMelvin.“Youain’tnobetterthanthem,doc.”Ilookedatthedoctor,waitingforhisresponse.Hehadthislookonhisface

likehewasbitinghistongue,dyingnottogiveushisopinionofthePhiladelphia

StateHospitalpatients.Hesquinted,thenhiseyeswenttohisinjuredcolleague.“Wemustgethimtotheemergencyroom.”

“What about the rest of the people in this building?We need to clear thisplaceout.”

“He’sright,”saidMelvin.“Doyourealizeifyoureleasethesepatientsyouaregoingtobefacedwitha

potentialcatastrophe?Someof themareverymentally ill,and ifyou thinkwehave a problem nowwithwhatever it is that happened to the patients in thatroom,thenwaituntilyouunleashthepatientsthatImentionedonthiscampus.”He stopped for amoment, his eyesmoving betweenme andMelvin, then hecontinued as the banging on the barricaded door began to recede. “We’resurroundedbyfarmland,formilesaround.Thedayshiftisgoneuntilmorning.Thefewremainingguardswouldnotbecapableofhandlingsuchaproblem;aproblemthatwouldariseifwebegintoevacuatethisbuilding,oranybuilding.Anditwouldbesometimebeforepolicecouldarrive.Fornow,weleavethemwheretheyare,andwegetDoctorOksenbergtotheemergencyroom.”

“Leave me, Scott,” whispered Oksenberg. “I won’t make it.” Blood wasrunningdownthecornerofhismouth.Notagoodsign.

IgazedatOksenberg.Couldn’ttakemyeyesoffhim.Poorguy.Nottoolongago, I thoughthewasagradeAjerk.Now, lookingathim, riddledwithbites,coveredwithblood,Ifeltbadforhim.

He began to mumble, “What did we do? Dear God…God…What did wedo?...” He continued repeating this as Melvin jumped to his feet, a bit moreenergetic.

Melvin said, “You hear that?” We listened. I didn’t hear a thing. “Theystopped banging on the door.” He ran to it and peeked through the window.“SweetJesus.”Heturnedtomewithwideeyes.“Getaloadofthis.”

Iranover,putmyfacebesidehis,peekingthrough.“Itcan’tbe.”“Whatisit?”saidDoctorHaasfromthefloor,soundingcurious.IturnedtoHaasandsaid,“It’snotpossible.”“Whatisnotpossible?”I couldn’t believe it myself, even after seeing it with my own eyes. “The

nurse…She’salive.”Thedoctorcame to thedoor.He shovedMelvinoutof theway, anxious to

proveuswrong.Herwhiteuniform,almostcompletelycoveredinblood,hadbeentornfrom

herbodyanddiscardednear the footofhercart.Shewasnakednow,walkingwithabadlimp,aroundtheroom.

Theymutilated her to the pointwhere she didn’t appear to be human any

longer. She looked like amonster from the creep shows. Her face was gone;theremayhavebeensmallsectionsoffleshandtissuestillshowing,aroundhertemples, but most of what used to be her face was now bone and muscle,coveredinblood.Herentirebodywascoveredinbites;thecrazybastardsmusthave eaten off half her bodyweight.On certain parts of her body I could seebonesthroughthetornfleshandmuscle;someofherribsshowed;hercalfwasgone and her fibulawas bare, even appeared as if they licked the blood rightfromthebone.Iwasshocked.Unbelievable,Ithought.Nohumanwoulddothistoanother.Whowouldbesickenough?

“Howcouldshelivethroughthat?”saidMelvin.DoctorHaasshookhishead.Hewasspeechless.IthoughtitoverbeforeIopenedmymouth.DidIreallywanttosaywhatI

wasabouttosay?Wouldthatmakemejustascrazyassomeofthepatientsinthisplace?ButIknowwhatIsaw.Shewasdead.“Shedidn’t live throughtheattack.”

Theybothgazedatme.DoctorHaassaid,“Whatareyoutryingtosay?”“Isawherdie.Youdidtoo.”He shookhishead.Hewasadamant, saying, “No,no, it’snot scientifically

possible.”“Hey,tohellwithyourscience,doc,”saidMelvin.“Canyourscienceexplain

anythingthatwentoninthere?”The doctormoved hismouth,wanting to say something, but nothing came

out.Heknewhecouldn’tmakeanargumentagainstwhatwewerewitnessing.Then we heard screams. Sounding like they were far away, outside

somewhere.Oureyeswentbacktothesmallwindow.Wesawallofthepatientsrunning to the front-sidewindows. The few patientswhowere shackledwerestrugglingtobreakfree,yankingonthechain;oneof themhadthestrengthtostandanddragthebedwithhim,followingtheothers.

Thescreamswerecomingfromoutside,and theenragedpatients, includingthe tortured nurse, were attracted to them. They stood along four or fivewindows,bangingandscreaming.Thenurseappearedweak;shewassmearingherbloodyfleshlessskull,withasmallpatchoflongbrownhairdanglingintheback, against thewindow, letting out a gurglingmoan atwhoeverwas on thegroundbelow.

“Those screams are coming from outside,” I said, my eyes sealed to thewindow.

Melvinsaid,“Yeah,but…?”Hestopped,confused.Doctor Haas interrupted, saying, “The guard.”We turned to him, not sure

whathewasgettingat.“Theguardwhotookthepatientoutofhere,thepatient

musthavegottenloose.”Mymouthdropped.Ifthatfirstpatientwasloose,thenourproblemwasabout

toexplode.For the first time thisevening, I thoughtofmygirlfriend,Clara.Shewasa

nurse working at the children’s camp, and now I was afraid for her. If thisproblemgrew,thensheandtheothersatthecampwereindanger.

Weheardwindowsbeingsmashed.Oureyeswentbacktothesmallwindow.Thepatientswere throwingchairs through theglass, shattering them.Thenwesawonejumpout,thenanother,followedbyanother.

The screamson the groundgrew louder andmore terrifying.Whoeverwasoutsidewasnowbeingchasedbythesepsychos.

Thenoneofthemturnedandlookedback,theireyeswererightonus.Theymovedtowardthedoor.Afewotherstooknoticeandfollowedbehindhim.

Wefellback,awayfromthedoor.“Weneedtogetmoving,”Isaid.“Followme,”saidDoctorHaas.HethrewhisarmaroundOksenberg.Melvin

went to theotherside,givingHaas theextrahand.Theystartedwalkingdownthehall.Ifollowedasthebangingpickedupagain.Thistime,however,Icouldhearthewoodenchairbeginningtosqueak.

Weturnedthecornerandsawthispartofthehallwaywasemptyaswelland,exceptforthefaintbangingaroundthecorner,itwasquiet.

IcontinuedfollowingbehindHaasandMelvinastheystoodoneithersideofOksenberg, supporting him. Then I saw Oksenberg’s head turn. He leanedtowardHaas’ear,abouttowhispersomething.

ChapterSeven

Haaswasscreaming.Andloud.Hescreamedsoloudthathebegancoughing

when his screams reached its pinnacle. His left ear was attached to his head,takinginthesoundofhishigh-pitchedscream,buthisrightearhadanewhome:insideDoctorOksenberg’smouth.

Oksenbergwasoneofthemnow.HewaschewingonHaas’ear.Haasgrabbedthebloodyholeonthesideofhisheadthatonceboreanear.

MelvingrabbedHaas andpulled away fromOksenberg.Wewereon eithersideofthenewborncreature;MelvinandHaasononesideandmeontheother.Wecoulddonothingbutstareathim,forthemoment.ExceptHaas,hewasbusyscreaming,thebloodseepingfrombetweenhisfingersnow.

Oksenberg’sattentionwent toMelvin, thenhisgazedrifted tome.MyeyeswidenedasIsawtheyellowinhiseyes.Hebeganwalkingtowardme.Thenaloudslamwasheard,thenscreams.

IlookedpasttheapproachingOksenberg,atMelvin.Hewasstaringpastmeandsaid,“Christ.Let’sgo.”

I turned back to see three or four patients from the room.They busted thedooropenandwereheadedourway.

I’m not ashamed to admit it, butwhen I saw those ragingmaniacs headedtowardme,Iwetmypants.ThenIturnedandsawOksenbergabouttograbme.Ibarreledpasthim,knockinghimtothegroundlikearagdoll.

Thethreeofusrandowntheemptyhallway.Wepasseda coupleof elevatorsbutdidn’twant to stopandwait for them.

Whoknowshow long itwould take, probablynomore than aminute, butwedidn’twanttheoneschasingustocatchup.Besides,wehadnocluewhatwouldbe waiting for us inside of that elevator. With people running out of herescreaming,wesuspectedthefirstpatientwasononeofthesefloors,terrorizingwhoeverhecameacross.

“Down the stairs,” shouted Doctor Haas. He pushed the stairwell dooropened,leavingbehindabloodyhandprintontheknob.Melvinfollowed.

BeforeIentered,Icheckedtoseewheretheywere.Stillneartheendofthehallway,butsomeweremovingfasterthanothers.

Ifollowedthemintothestairwell.IlookedouttherectangularwindowasIrandownthestairsandsawitwas

beginningtorainagain.Forthepastfewdays,wehadseenalmosttwoinchesofrainfalloverPhiladelphia,anditleftthisareaofByberryverymuddy,andsomeoftheroadshadbeenforcedtocloseduetofloodingfromthenearbyPoquessingCreek.Becauseofthis,muchofthescheduledstaffhadcalledoutyesterdayandtoday, and all that remained for the night shift was a skeleton crew. If thisdownpourcontinued,wewouldbetrappedhere,helpless.

Wecouldhearmaniacal screams coming fromoutside and screamsof staffmemberstryingtoflee.Isaid,“Weshouldstayawayfromthefirstfloor.Idon’tthinkwe’llbeabletoleavethisbuilding.”

“Secondfloor,”saidDoctorHaas.“Thenurses’station.YoucancallforhelpwhileIseewhatIcandotofightoffthisinfection.”

MeandMelvinfollowedHaasoutofthestairwell,ontothesecondfloor.Thehallwayherewasalsoempty,lookedexactlylikethethirdfloor.

Werandownthehallwayuntilitledustoalargeopenareawithabouttwentyalcovesandthreebedstoeachone.ItwassupposedtobeusedasadormitoryforanynursesworkinghereinN-3,butforthepastseveralmonthsitsubbedasawardforpatientswhoweretobetestedwithexperimentaldrugs.

Thedoctorledustothetemporarynurses’stationthatwassetupwhenitwasconvertedintoaward.Wepassedabouttwentypatients,allofwhichignoredus.Mostof themhadreceivedfrontal lobotomiesandwerenowvegetables.Somesatorlaidintheirbeds;otherswalkedthefloorliketheywereinatrance,butIpassedonewhowassittingontheterrazzofloor,naked,smearinghisownfecesalongthealcovewall.Icringedandkeptmoving.

Weenteredthenurses’stationandtherehewas,sittingonthechair,hislegskickedupwithhisbarefeetrestingonthedesk.Hewassmokingacigaretteandholdingarevolverinhishand.Hesmiled,thecigarettedanglingoutthecornerofhismouth,ashepointedthegunatus.

ItwasBillytheKid.

ChapterEight

WilliamKellywasborninHatfield,PA,sometimeduringthesummerof’31.

Hewastheoldestofwhatwouldblossomintoafour-boyfamilyoverthenextsevenyears.

Hisparentswerefarmers.Hisfather,Richard,wasgiventhefamilyfarmafterhisownfatherhadpassedafewyearsbeforeWilliamwasborn.

Williamhad anormal childhood for anykidgrowingup inHatfield at thattime. He would wake up at sunrise, help his father with chords on the farm(somethingthathelovedtodo),thenhe’dheadofftoschool(somethingthathepreferrednottodo.)

Atschool,hedidhisbesttolearnwhathecould,buthewasalwaysanxiousto get back home, to the farm, to help his father wrap up any duties beforesundown.After settingup for thenextmorning,he andhis fatherwouldheadinto thehouseandenjoy thesupper thathismother,Ethel,hadbeenpreparingforthelastseveralhours.

Aftersupper, thefamilywouldsit in the livingroomandreador talkabouttheirday.Threeorfourdaysoutoftheweek,Richardwouldreadstoriestohischildren.Williamenjoyedthemall,buthegrewtoloveonebookinparticular:TheAuthenticLifeofBillytheKidbyPatGarrett.Thebookwasoldandworn;itbelonged to his grandfather from when he was a boy, but it didn’t matter toWilliam.HewasenthralledbytheadventuresofBillytheKid,andwheneverhehad a chance hewas playingwith his brothers, shooting down the dangerousdesperadoes as the famous lawman, or robbing stagecoaches as the notoriousbandit.

As he grew and learned to read, his father would buy him DimeWesternMagazineswheneverthefamilyhadmoneytospare.Afteracoupleofyears,hehadastackofthem.HelovedthestoriesbyWaltCoburn,buthistrueaffectionwas always with The Kid. He began to idolize the famous outlaw, especiallywhen,forhistenthbirthday,hisfatherboughthimacowboyhat,atoygunandtookhimtothepictureshowtoseeBillytheKid.ItwasanewflickatthetimeanditfascinatedWilliam,notonlybecausehelovedthestory,butitwasalsothefirst color flickhehadever seen.Thatmayhavebeen thehappiestdayofhis

life;sittingwithahugegrinonhisface,besidehisfather,wearinghiscowboyhatandaiminghistoygunatthescreenwheneverBillytheKidshotsomeoneinthefilm.

AftertheJapsattackedPearlHarbor,RichardwassenttofightinthePacific.William,beingtheoldest,wasforcedtoleaveschoolandgetajobtohelpearnmoneyforthefamily.Hemissedhisfatherandthefuntimestheyhad.Hestillreadhis dimewesterns, but itwasonlywhenhehad time,whichwasn’t veryoften.

In1944,theKellyfamilywasdealtablowthattorethemapart;Richardwaskilled in battle. At first, they were able to keep afloat. William continuedworking and his mother cared for his younger brothers, but she would soonsufferanervousbreakdown.Sheneverrecoveredandwassentaway.Theboysneversawheragain.

Theboysweresplitup,sent toorphanages.Williamwantednopartof this.Allhewantedwashisfathertocomebacksothatthefamilycouldreunite.Heranawayandreturnedtothefamilyfarm,butitdidn’tbelongtothemanymore.

With no one around to handle the finances, the bills went unpaid, and thelocal bank took the farm. They had since sold it to a neighbor of the Kellyfamily. WhenWilliam returned, he broke in the house and fell asleep in hisbedroom.

The next morning, William was awakened by the new owner. He waspointing a rifle in William’s face. The new owner asked why he was in hisdaughter’sbedroomandnotwithhiscrazybitchofamother.Williamrespondedbysnatchingtheriflefromthenewownerandshootinghimdead.Thenhewentthroughout thehouseandkilled thenewowner’swifeandmother.He told thedaughter to run and tell the police thatBilly theKidwas back and killed herfamily.

Shedidjustthat.When the police arrived, William was standing on the porch, waiting for

them,therifleinhishand.Theytoldhimtodropthegun.Hesaid,Notuntilhisdaddy camehome; hewanted him to readTheAuthentic Life ofBilly theKidbeforehewenttosleep.

Thepoliceshothim.HerecoveredfromhiswoundsandwassenttoPhiladelphiaStateHospital.My second week as an attendant was when I first met William. I was

changing bed sheets in themen’swardwith him and another patient helping.Somejerkofaguard,mug’snamewasHank,alwaysgotakickoutofpickingon the patients. Sometimes I wondered who were the real crazy ones, thepatients,orguardslikeHank.ButIwatchedashecameuptoWilliamandstared

athim.Hanksaid,“Foldthemdirtysheetsbeforeyouputtheminthehamper,pig.”“There’sonlyonepigaroundtheseparts,”saidWilliam,“anditain’tme.It’s

thefellerwhoeatsthreeliverwurstssandwichesforlunch.That’syou,”pattinghispotbelly,“piggy.”

The other patient laughed. So did I. Couldn’t help myself. Hank saw uslaughingandspitinWilliam’sface.

WilliamsmiledanddraggedhislongtonguefromHank’schinuptohisear.That setHankoff.HepunchedWilliam inhis stomach.He fell over.Hank

continuedtopunchhisbackandkickhischest.Iranoverandpulledhimoff.Hetried topushpastme. Ishovedhimbackagain,andhe tried toswingatme. Iduckedandcameupwithaniceuppercutshotthatdroppedhimtothefloor,thekeys on his beltmaking a loud noise as they slapped against the fauxmarblefloor.

Hestoodandfeltthebruiseonhisfaceashesaidtome,“Watchit,convict.HaveyourasssentbacktoHolmesburg.”

“Don’teverletmeseeyouhittingoneofthepatientsagain,gotit?”Isaid.“Whothehelldoyouthinkyouare?”saidHank.“Someonewho’snotgoingtoputupwithyourkindofgarbage.”Hisgazedriftedacrossallofourfaces.Then,withoutsayinganotherword,

hewalkedoff.IhelpedWilliamfromthefloorandaskedhimifhewasallright.Henodded.

Isaid,“What’syourname?”“TheycallmetheKid.BillytheKid.”AndthatwashowIwasintroducedtothe19yearoldpatient.

ChapterNine

“Evening,fellers.”“Billy,wheretheheckdidyougetthatgun?”Isaid.Helookedoverthegun,thenatusashesaid,“Fromtheguard.”“Whatdidyoudototheguard?”saidMelvin,soundingsuspicious.“Iain’tdonothin’tonoguard.Somebodyelsedidsomethin’tohim.”“Who?”saidMelvin.He shrugged, saying, “I don’t know. We was walkin’ down the hall, just

finished our therapy session.He’s layin’ dead. Look like someone got a littlehungryand tookamouthfulouthisneck.Thenurse andher attendant left us,said theywasgonnaget help.That’swhen I grabbedhis piece.Yaknow,TheKid always needs a piece, else he ain’t The Kid.” He stopped, drew on hiscigarette,thenflickedashesontheoakdesk,notcaringonebitaboutruiningthefinish.

Melvinshookhisheadindisgust.“You’regoddamnnuts.”“Noshit.Thewhole reasonwhywe inByberry.This ismyhome, feller. It

ain’tnodamnsocialclubwhereyougotopickupchicks.”“Calmdown,Billy.Sowhathappenedafterthat?”Isaid.“Well,”hescratchedhisheadashesaid,soundingasifhewasunsure,“my

guessisbein’deadmust’vebeenquiteborin’,‘causetheguardopenedhiseyesand stoodup.” I lookedatMelvin andHaas, theybothappeared tobe scared;Haasmoreso thanmyfriend.“Thenheattacked.Managed tobite threeof thefolksinmygroup.Therest ranoff, screamin’. I ran too, reallydidn’t feel likelosin’someskin.Ilikemyskin.ButIsplitfromthegroup.Idecidedtoheaduphere,Iwastiredandwantedtorelax.”

“Jesus Christ,” said Doctor Haas. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Hestartedrummagingthroughthenurses’station,lookingformedicalsupplies.Hefoundsomeinadrawerandbegantotreattheholeinthesideofhisheadasbesthecould.

“Weneedtofigureoutawaytogetoutofhere,”saidMelvin.“Well,youcan forgetaboutgoin’out the frontdoor,” saidBilly,oneofhis

legscrossedovernowonhisotherlegashepickedhistoenailswiththebarrel

oftherevolver.Isaid,“Why’sthat?”“Thatdeadguard,whoain’tsodeadanymore,wasonthefirstfloorlastIsaw

him. And I could hear screams from down there a few minutes before yallshowedup.”

Melvinsaid,“Weshould try tomake itoutside.Therewereabout fourcarsoutthere.Wegettooneofthemcars,wecangetouttahere,see?”

Iheardanoiseand turnedback,quick.Apatientwasstanding rightbehindme.Shewalkedrightintothewallofthenurses’station.Igazedintohereyes.They were dead, but in a different way. She was still alive, just a vegetable.Harmless.Ileftheralone.Shecontinuedtowatchus.

“Whatgooddoesitdowithcarsoutsideifwedon’thavethekeys?”Isaid.“Weareinoverourheadswiththissituation,”saidDoctorHaas,wrappinga

bandagearoundhisheadnow.Hegrabbedthereceiveroftheblackrotaryphoneand said, “Operator?” His finger tapped down on the phone. “Operator?”Hetappeddownagain.

Nothing.“What?”saidMelvin,hiseyeswidened,worried.Haassighed,“Thestormknockedthephonesout.”Ishookmyhead.Whatnext?,Ithought.DoctorHaassaid,“I suggestweget to the tunnel inhere that leads toN-5.

Andweshoulddo that immediately.MyFord isparkedat thatbuilding. Ifweget tomycarwecanleavethecampusandgoforhelp.That’shopingthat theroadsareclearandnotfloodedagain.”

“No,IneedtogettoClara,”Isaid.“Who’sClara,”saidHaas.“A friend of mine,” I said. I didn’t want to tell the doctor she was my

girlfriend.Thestaffherelookeddownonnurseswhodatedanyoftheattendants,especiallyattendantswhowereconvicts.“Sheworksatthechildren’scamp.”

“That’s at least amile away,” said the doctor. “Youwon’tmake it on foot.Yousawthosepatientsjumpingoutthewindows.Inordertogettothechildren’scamp youwould have to cut through thewomen’s group, directly behind thisbuilding.Thosebuildingshousenearly twothousandpatients. If those infectedwiththevaccinehavereachedthemthenthatwouldbelikeenteringawarzone.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”saidMelvin.“Youhaven’tnoticedbynow?Thenurse,DoctorOksenberg,thisguardthat

theboyherementioned.”Hepaused,thencontinued,“Anyonebittenisinfectedwith the tainted vaccine, and the disease is somehow altering their brainfunction.”

“Ifthat’sthecase,”Isaid,“shouldn’tyourbrainfunctionbealtered?”He shook his head, not wanting to accept the consequences. “No…No…I

stoppedtheinfection.Iknowit.Icanfeelit.I’mfeelingbetter.”“Yeah,butIbetyouain’thearin’better,”saidBillytheKid.“Notwithonly

oneear.”DoctorHaassquintedattheyoungpatient.“Smile,doc,you’reoneofusnow.You’reretarded.Yougotoneear.”

“Ineedtotry.Ineedtotryandgettoherbeforeit’stoolate.”“Bereasonable.You’llnevermakeitonfoot,”saidHaas.“He’sright,Veimer,”saidmyfriend.“Igottatry.Ican’tletanythinghappentoher.”“Hey,Vee,I’llgowit’cha,”saidBilly.“I’mgoodinwarzones.”Thedoctor interrupted,saying,“Ifyou’re thatdeterminedtoreachher,well

then,atleastfollowmetoN-5.Wewouldhavetostopatmyofficetheretogetmykeys,butthenwecangetinmycaranddrivetothechildren’scamp.”

Ithoughtitoverforaminuteandnodded.Theywereright.Thebestthingtodonowwastogettoavehicle.Itwouldbelessdangerousthantryingtogettoherbywayofwalking.

“Now,beforewegoanywhere,”saidDoctorHaas,“WilliamKellymustturnthatgunoverbeforehehurtssomeone.”Heheldouthishand,staringatBilly.

“Thename’sBillytheKid.AndIneedmy…”“Enough.Handitoverthisinstant.”Billyscoffedanddroppedtheguninthedoctor’shand.“Boy,losin’thatear

reallymadeyouameanoldsome-bitch.Youknow,samethinghappenedtoVanGoghandlookhowitturnedoutforhim.Maybeitain’twisethatyouholdontothatgun?”

Haasplacedtheguninthepocketofhiswhitecoat.That’swhenweheardthestairwelldoorbustopen.

ChapterTen

Me,Melvin and Billy ran to the center of the ward and looked down the

hallway. We saw about ten of these creatures exiting the stairwell, somestumblingout,othersrunning.Inoticedthatoneortwowereoriginalvaccinatedpatientsfromthethirdfloor,buttheothershadbitesandbloodonthem.

Two or three from the group moved down the hallway in the oppositedirectionfromus.Therest,theywerecomingourway.Andfast.

MeandMelvinwenttorun.IcheckedforBilly;hewasstanding,staringattheapproachingmob.Asinister smilecoveredhis face. Igrabbedhisarm.Hesaidashewatchedthem,“Theydead.”

“What?”Isaid.“TheyeyeslookjustliketheeyesofthemfolksIbumpedoff.Theoneswho

stolemyhouse.Makesmyskincrawl.”“Let’s go,Billy,” I said. “Unless youwant towind up like them.” I pulled

him,andweranbacktothenurses’stationwhereMelvinwasjustreachingthedoctor.“Weneedtogo.They’recoming.”

DoctorHaaslookedpastmeatthemobcoming,abouttenfeetfromenteringtheward.Melvinshouted,“Comeon.Isthereanyotherwaytogettothetunnelbesidesgoingtothefirstfloor?”

“Ofcoursenot,”saidHaas.“Well,we’regoing tohave to fightourway through.Weneedweapons,” I

said.“Janitor’sclosetis‘roundthecorner,”saidBilly.“Comeon,”Isaid.WefollowedBillytotheclosetafewfeetpastthenurses’station.Ipulledthe

woman,whowaswatchingus,byherhandandbroughtherwithus.Billyopenedthecloset,andheandMelvinweresearchingforanythingthat

couldbeusedasaweapon.IwaitedoutsidetheclosetwiththewomanandHaas.Icheckedtoseewhere

themobwas.ThehairraisedonmyneckwhenIsawthemattackingthehelplesspatients. Some of them didn’t even scream as their fleshwas ripped, withoutmercy, from their faces, arms and legs. But I thinkwhat scaredme themost

aboutseeingthembeingattackedwasthatIknewinafewshortminutes,thosebeingattackedwouldbeupontheirfeet,joiningtheirattackers.

Melvin andBilly cameoutwith twomops and a broom.Didn’t sound likemuch,butwehadtodoourbestwithwhatwehadavailable.Butthenagain,inthosedays,thebroomandmophandlesweremadeofheavy,thickwood.Theycouldreallyhurtsomeoneifyougavethemagoodwhack.

IturnedtoDoctorHaasandsaid,“Givemethatgun.”Hegazedatme.Icouldtellhedidn’ttrustme.“Look,Iknowhowtouseone,andIcanuseittoprotectus.”Hepulleditoutofhispocketandheldit,stillnotsure.“Goddamnit.Lookat themover there.Once they’redonewith thosepatients, they’regoing tobecomingforus.Nowgiveit.”Hesighedandhandedmetherevolver.

Billywasholdingthebroom.MelvinhadamopandgavetheothertoHaaswhile saying, “Webeat thosemugsprettygoodupstairs,Veimer,but itdidnogood.Theonly timeIsawonegodownandstaydownwaswhenyoushovedthatpieceofwoodinhiseye.”

Haasinterrupted,“That’sduetothefact,asIsaidbefore,thatthevaccinehasaltered thebrain functionof these individuals.Soyoumust injure thebrain inordertostopthefailedvaccinefromdrivingit,fromcontrollingthespecimen.”

“Okay,”Isaid,lookingatMelvinandBilly,“youheardthedoctor,youtakeawhack,you aim for the top of the head, the brain.”Then I grabbed the silentwomanbyherhandandledherintothecloset.Shestood,wearingalongbrowndress,staringatmeasIclosedthedooronher.Ifeltsobad.Ididn’twanttoseehergetrippedapart.Icouldn’timagineit.Ijusthopedtheywouldn’tgettoherinthere.

“We need to get past them, through the door, and down the stairs,” saidDoctorHaas,thenstoppedforabriefmoment.Isawhiseyesroll.Hestumbled,then caught himself and stood straight again. I noticed then that his faceappeared a little flushed. He continued, “The first floor is going to be verydangerous, depending on how many of them are down there. You all knowwheretheentranceis.Gothere.”

“Yeah,”Isaid.“Andmakesureweclosethedamndoorbehindus.”The moans and shrieks from the infected people were growing louder. It

caught our attention.We all looked to themassacre taking place in theward;threeofthemhadapatientontheterrazzofloorandhadtornhistorsoopen.Oneofthemhadtheirfaceinsidehisopenedstomachandappearedtobechewingonintestinesthatwerelodgedinside.

Anotherspottedusandwasclimbingoveranalcovewallnow,makingtheirwaytowardourgroup.

“Ready?”Isaid.

No one made a sound. They answered by gripping their mops and broomtighter,Billynodded.

Isaid,“Comeon,”andrandownthecenteroftheward,towardthehallway.Melvin,BillyandHaas,bringinguptherear,followedme.

Mostofthemweretoobusydevouringthepatientsinthewardtoevennoticeus,oriftheydidnotice,wewerealreadywellpastthem.

OneofthemwasonlyabouttwofeetawayfromMelvin,whentheyreachedoutandgrabbedhisarm.Hescreamedand jerkedawayfromthemaniac, thenpoked him in the chest with the mop handle, trying to push him back. Billyfolloweditupwithagoodcracktothetopofhishead.

Thatdroppedhim. Itworked likeHaas said itwould; thepatientdidn’t getbackup.

Wecontinuedtorun.Neartheedgeoftheward,Billyslippedonapuddleofblood.Hisfeetwent

up in theair, andhe landedhardonhisback.Thatcaught theattentionof theinfected.Theybeganmovingtowardusnow.Ilookedbackatthemandnoticedhowthebloodwaseverywhere;theyellowtiledwallswerecoveredinstreaksofit,andpuddleswerescatteredthroughouttheward.

MeandMelvinhelpedBilly to get up; his bare feet slipped a couplemoretimesontheblood,buthemadeitandbalancedhimself.Haaswascoveringus,makingsurenoonecreptup.

Webegantorunagain,downthehall.Thistime,theonesinthewardbeganchasing us; some of them running. I heard a few loud thumps echo in thehallwayandcouldonlyimaginethatsomeofthecreatureswereslippingonthesamepuddlethatBillydid.

Theyscreamedlouderasourspacebetweenthemgrew.Wemadeitthroughthestairwelldoor,andtwoofthemwerewaitingforus.

Theybothhadbites;onehadabiteonhisarm,theotherhadabiteonthebackofhisneck.

As soon as I came through the door and saw them, I pushed them back. Ididn’twanttowasteanybulletsunlesstherewasnootheroption.IknewMelvinandBillywerebehindmeandwouldtakecareofthem.

Theydid.Melvin hit one across the face.Didn’t kill him, but he dropped him to the

floorandoutoftheway,givingusthechancetorunoff.ButBillywasagoodshot;hecrushedthebroomhandleoverthehead,andthecreaturewasgone.

Werandownthestairs.Thecreatureschasinguswerestillsomewhereonthesecondfloor.

Haas’speedwasslowingabit.Billylookedbackandsawthathewasabout

tenfeetbehindhim.Hesaid,“Comeon,doc.Shufflethempawsfaster.Iknowthatoneearain’tkeepin’youfromgettin’amoveon.”

Haassaid,underhisbreath,“Shutup.”I couldn’t help but notice the hard rain beating on thewindows aswe ran,

tryingtomakeourescapeofN-3.We reached the first floor entrance and could hear moans echoing in the

hallway.We all looked at each other, all of us showing fear, even Billy.Weweren’tsurewhattoexpectontheotherside.Butwehadnootherchoice,itwaseither fightourway to the tunnel,orwaithere toget rippedapartby themobcomingfromthesecondfloor.

“Thisissuicide,”saidMelvin,beadsofsweatrunningdownhisface.Haassaid,“Suicideisstandinghere,waitingforthemupstairstobringusour

death.”“Dumbo’s right,” saidBilly.“Nowlet’s stopactin’ likeabunchagoddamn

queers.” He held up his broom, a grip so tight around the handle that hisknuckleswerewhite,pushedpastmeandshovedthedooropen.

We followedhim through andweremetwith a crowdof diseased patients,aboutten(maybetwoorthreenursesandattendantswerepartofthecrowd),atone end of the hallway. At the other end, five patients, some of their armscoveredinblooduptotheirelbows.

Afewofthemheldtornbloodybodypartsintheirhandsandwerestilleatingthem.Ialmostthrewup,buthadtoswallowitdownhard.Wesawtwoofthesecreaturesfightingeachotheroverthelegofawoman.Unimaginable.

The oneswhoweren’t busy eating had been standing, staring at thewalls.Billy,bustingthroughthedoor,gottheirattention.Nowtheywereclosinginonusfrombothendsofthenarrowhallway.

Ourheadsswungsidetoside,watchingas theycut thedistancebetweenusandthem.

“There’snowaywe’regettingpast that,” I said, Iknew theentrance to thetunnelwasjustaroundthecornerfromwherethetencreaturesstood.Wehadtomakeadecision.Andfast.

That’swhenBillydroppedtothefloor.Myinitialthoughtwasthatheslippedagain.ButIlookeddownandsawDoctorHaasontopofhim.

ChapterEleven

He was on Billy’s back and was screaming as he ripped his shirt open,

wantingtobarefleshbeforetakingabite.Billywastryingtoturnover,butthedoctor’sweightwastoomuchforhim

(Billywasabout120lbscomparedtoHaas’200lbs.)ItallhappenedsofastthatmeandMelvindidn’thavetimetoreact.Ihadno

choicebut touse the revolveronHaas. Ipointed thegunathisheadandwasabout to pull the trigger, but then I realized that the bullet could possibly exitHaas’andhitBilly.

Ihesitated.Theinfectedpeoplefromeithersidewereclosingin.Melvinsaid,“Hurry!”AsHaas’movedhismouth toBilly’sbonyshoulder, IgrabbedHaasbyhis

hair, pulledhis headback a few inches, and fired a bullet throughhis temple.Therewasa littleexplosionon theothersideofhisheadandbitsof fleshandbrainmixedwithbloodshotoutlikeavolcanoeruption.

HedroppeddeadontopofBilly.BillyrushedtoshoveHaas’bodyoff.IturnedtoMelvin.Wewereintrouble.Hewasbusyswinginghismophandle

atthecrowdoftenthathadclosedinonhisside.I picked up themop thatHaaswouldn’t be using anymore, and one of the

infectedpatientsfromtheotherside,thesmallergroup,grabbedmywrist.Billywasswinginghisbroomlikeamadman,tryingtohelpMelvin.Ishovedoffthepatient.Hadtheguninmyrighthandandthemopinmyleft,

fighting to stay alive.Out of the five patients that Iwas fighting off, three ofthemweremenandtheothertwo,women.Butwiththosestaleyelloweyesanddistortedscreams,theywereallthesametome.

BetweenMelvinandBillyswingingattheirgroup,theywereabletokilltwo.But they were growing more tired by the second. “We gotta go back,” saidMelvin,breathingheavy.“Backthewaywecame.”

“Come on, you crazy fuckers,” saidBilly. “Medication time.”Hewhackedanotherontopoftheirheadandthecreaturedropped.“Thisheavydutybroom’s

gonnafuckthecrazyrightoutyourhead.”Iswungthemopatoneoftheinfectedmen.Droppedhim.BeforeIcouldpull

itbacktoswingagain,oneofthewomengrabbedthemophandleandwouldn’tletgo.

Ididn’twanttotug,becauseitwould’vepulledherrightonme.Iraisedthegunand fireda shot inher forehead.The forceof thebullet joltedhercarcassbackintotwoofthecreatures.

Melvinscreamed.Billyshouted,“Stanton,theygettinghim.”I stole a quick glance behind me ― not wanting to let the group I was

fighting off get close to me ― and saw an infected attendant and patientclutchingonMelvin’sT-shirt.Billywasdoinghisbesttodefendthemselves,buthadtherestofthegroupscreamingandclawingtogettheirhandsonhim.

Melvinwasswinginglikeawildman,butanothertwograbbedholdofhim,onewrappedtheirarmsaroundhiswaist,andtheotherpulledhishair.

IknewIhadtoactfast,orMelvinwouldbedead.Ishottheoneclosesttomefrommysmallgroup,hefellbesidethedeadwoman.IheardMelvinshriek,thenheardfleshbeingtorn.

Please,God.Please,don’tletthemdothistomyfriend.Ididn’twanttoturnaround.Iwasafraidtoseewhatawaitedme.Iforcedmyselftoturn.Forasecond,Icouldswearthatmyeyeswereclosed,

afraidtoseethesight.Ilooked.Billywasfightingoffafewtryingtoreachhimwhiletryingtobeat

offthefourthatwereonMelvin.MygazedriftedtoMelvin;hewasstillstanding,screaming,asthefirsttwo

whograbbedhimwerebitinghisforearms,tearingoffmouthfulsizechunksofflesh.Thecreaturethathadhimbythehairmovedinandtookasmallbitefromthebackofhisneck.

Melvin’smouthopenedaswideasitcould,andheletoutapainfulcry.Bothhis arms had blood pouring from the bite wounds and running down to hishands.

Iscreamedandfiredthelastthreebulletsoftherevolverintotheheadsofthethreewhowerefeastingonhim.Theonewhohadhimbythewaistwaspullinguphisshirtandabouttosinkhisteethintohisback.

I threw the empty gun at one of them, then swung the mop and hit thecreature holdingMelvin’swaist. His grip loosened a bit, and I pulledMelvintowardme.

Then we could hear a woman’s voice screaming, Help me!, coming fromdown the hall, around the corner. I could picture her trapped, in her nurses’

station, surroundedby a bandof flesh cravingmaniacs. Iwishedwe could’vehelped,buttherewasnothingwecoulddo.Therewasnowaywewouldbeabletogettoherwithoutriskingourlivesfurther.

“Let’sgo,Billy.”Ishouted.“Backoutthegoddamndoor.”Billywasdoingagoodjoboffightingthem;hehadanothertwodeadonthe

floor.Thethreebehindus,fromthesmallergroup,hadmovedin,andoneofthem

grabbedmyhand.Hepulledmyhandupandtowardhismouth.IfrozeasIsawthishappening;I lookedintohiseyesasheopenedhismouth.ThenIsnappedoutofitandpulledmyhandaway.

IrushedbackasfastasIcould,myleftarmwrappedaroundMelvin’swaist,andmyrightarmgrippingthemop.Iwentthroughthedoorfirst,backintothestairwell,thenBillyfollowed,fightingofftherestofthecreaturesashewalkedthrough.

“We’releavingoutthefront,”Isaid.“It’stheonlyway.”“No,”Melvincried.“We’renotgoingtomakeitthatway.Frontdoor’sdown

thathallway.”Ididn’tcarewhathesaidatthemoment.Iknewtherewasnootherway.The

tunnelwasthesafestrouteforus,buttheyhadthepathblockedoff.Ifwedidn’tleavenow,thenwewouldbetrappedinN-3.

Wetookafewstepsupthestaircase,heardscreams,lookedup,andsawtheinfectedpeoplefromthesecondfloorcomingdownthestairs,towardus.

Thenweheardthedoorslamopenandsawthegroupcomingthroughfromthefirstfloor.

Weweresurrounded.

ChapterTwelve

Someofthembeganshowingsignsofmovingslowerastheywalkedtoward

us.Iwasn’tsurewhy?Oneofthemlosstheirbalanceandfelldownthestairs,landingrightatBilly’sfeet.

Billydidn’tgivethemaninthedenimoverallsachance;hestompedtheendof the broom into his head. The crack in his skull echoed throughout thestairwell.Billyexhaled throughhismouth,his lips flapping together,andsaid,“Therestayallshouldmakeitthateasy.Justfallrighthere,”tappingthebroomonthefloor,“soIcanbonkthemretardedbrainsayours.”

Astheymovedcloser,Billyinchedbackfurtherandfurther,pushingmeandMelvinagainstthecornerwall.

Now the lights began to flicker. Every second that they flicked off, all wecouldseeweretheterrifyingyelloweyesinchingcloser.

Thehospitalgenerated itsownelectricity fromanelectricalsubstationrightoffSouthamptonRoadand,wheneveritrainedheavyandthecreekoverflowed,thehospitalwouldloseitspowerforminutestohoursatatime.

OneofthemdartedoutandrantoBilly.Heswungthebroomandhithimintheneck.Theinfectedpatientdropped,butwasalive(ifthat’swhatyouwanttocall“alive”.)

“The bastards got us boxed in,” saidBilly. “You ready to get your assholeeatenout?”

My eyes widened as the yellow eyes circled us. Think fast. Think fast, Ithought.

I heard the wind howl outside, and the rain beginning to slap against thewindow behind me. I turned and gazed at the storm. I raised the mop andsmashed it through thewindow,glass shatteringeverywhere. Ihit it againandagain,untilthebrokenwindowwasbigenoughforustofitthrough.

Idroppedthemoponthesill,thenpulledmyselfup.“Billy,outhere,”Isaid.He looked at me and backed up as he stood guard while I grabbedMelvin’sbloodyhandandpulledhimupandover.

Thesteadythickraindropswerehittingusboth.Melvinlookeddownandsawthedistance to thegroundoutsidewas about ten feet.Hehesitated. I shouted,

“Jump.Wedon’thavetime.”Heleaped,butweak,andfelltothefrontstepsoftheentrancetoN-3.Iheard

thesolesofhisbootsthumpingagainstthecementbelow.Istoleaquickglanceandsawhimlyinginafetalpositionwithhishandsholdinghisknee,wincinginpain,andbloodfromhiswoundsmixingwithrainonthecement.

Myattentionwas onBilly now.Hewas cornered, up against thewall.Thetwogroupsoflunaticswereformingintoone,aboutfivefeetfromhimnow.

I leaned forward, grabbed mymop from the window sill, “Billy, get yourskinnybuttuphere,”andstartedswingingattheheadsmovinginonBilly.Hetossedhisbroomoutthewindow,theyreachedouttheirbloodyhands,hebeganpullinghimselfup,anattendantwrappedhis thickfingersaroundBilly’sankleandtuggedonhim,Billywasturningredashestruggledtoriseandnotfall.

There were so many around him, I wasn’t sure who to hit first. “This lil’critter’sgotahold.”saidBilly.Ilookedandsawtheattendanttryingtopullhimdown.IscreamedasIwhackedthethickwoodenmophandleonthesideoftheattendant’shead.Hisgripwasbroken,andBillypulledhimselfupsohardthathedidn’tstoponcehewasonthesill;hewentrightoutthewindow.Damnkidwassolightonhisfeet.

Igazedat thesickpeople.Theywerestaringatme, reachingup,with theirhandsbrushingagainstmypants.Ilookedoutthewindow,thehardrainblindingme for amoment,wipedmy faceand sawBillyhalfonMelvinwhowas stillholdinghisknee.

Itossedthemoptothegroundbelowandjumpedout,doingmybesttoavoidhittingMelvinandBilly.Landedbesidethem,rightonmyass.

I got to my feet. My eyes inspected the parking lot that surrounded thetherapybuilding.Thereweretwocarsparkedhere,therestweregone;anystaffwhowereluckyenoughtoescapemust’vedrivenaway.Hopefully,theywentforhelp.

Thebuildinganditsparkinglotwereenclosedinablackwroughtirongate,alittleoversixfeethigh,thatwrappedaroundthebuilding.Therewasanopeninginthegate,aboutahundredfeetinfrontofus.

I noticed an attendant, to the right of us, near the corner of the building,moving our way. The noise of the window shattering probably caught hisattention.Hiswhiteshirtwastorndownthecenterandtherewasagapingholeinhisstomach;lookedasifhisintestineshadbeenremoved.Thebloodwasstillrunningoutofhiswoundanddownhisfront.

Scattered throughout the parking lot were another five of these infectedcreatures,wandering,liketheyhadnoplacetogo.Icouldn’tseefurtherthanthegate;therainwastoohard,anditwastoodarktoseeiftherewereanyoutside

thegate.Butthetwocarswerenearby,bothparkedwithinafewspacesofeachother

andmaybefifteenfeetorsofromtheopeningofthegate.Billywasgetting tohis feet as I said toMelvin, “You feelgoodenough to

walk?”Heshookhishead,“Ifeelweak,butIgotajobtofinish,see?Iain’treadyto

die.”I stared at him.We saw it happena few times already. I knewwhatwould

happen toMelvin. I wondered if he knew and was just lying to himself andhopingthathewouldn’tbecomeoneofthem,orifhereallybelievedtheirbitesdidn’tinfecthimthewayitdidtheothers.

ButtherewasnowayIwouldhurtMelvin.Hewasmyfriend.Iwasgoingtodoanythingpossibletomakesurehewouldlivetoseethisnightmarecometoanend.

WehelpedMelvintohisfeet.“Let’scheckthosecarsforkeys,”Isaid.“Ifnothing,we’llhavetogoonfoot

toN-5.”Me and Billy stood on either side of Melvin, threw his arms around our

shouldersandmovedto thecarsbefore themutilatedattendantcouldreachus.Wecarriedthemopandbroominourhands.

Wegot to the firstcar,nokeys.Melvingroanedseeing this,notwanting tohikethehundredorsoyardstoN-5.

As we moved to the second car, we attracted the attention of two of theinfected in theparking lot.Themutilated attendantwas alsomoving in, abouttwentyfeetawayfromus.

Billysmashedthewindowof thedriver’sdoorof thesecondcar.Again,nokeys.Melvincursed,thenIcouldfeelhisarm,aroundmyshoulder,twitch.

“Keep your cool, feller,” said Billy. “We gonna walk. I’ll give you apiggybackrideifyoufeelyoucan’tmakethehike.”

“I’llbefine.Ijusthaterain.That’sall.”Wemovedtowardtheopeninginthegate.That’swhentheentrancedoorsto

N-3openedand themobofcreatures that surroundedus in the stairwell camefloodingout,spillingdownthestairsandmovingtowardus.

We heard the noise and looked back at them. “Shit,” I said and looked atBilly.“Grabhislegs,wegottabolt.”

The three of us were outside the gate now as the mob continued movingcloser.Irantothegateandclosedit.FromwhatIcouldsee,therewasnolock,soIleftitshutandjusthopeditwouldholdthemoffforsometime.

“Let’scutacrossthefield,”saidBilly.“It’llsaveushalfthetimethanifwe

tooktheroad.”“Yeah,butwhoknowswhat’sinthatfield,”Isaid.“We need to take that chance, partner.” Billy motioned toMelvin, saying,

“Thismesshereain’tgonnamakeitifwegonnataketheroad.”I gazed at Melvin. Billy was right, Melvin looked really weak and pale.

Christ,Iknewhewasn’tgoingtomakeit.Probablywouldn’tevenlasttoN-5ifwedidtakethefield.Buthewasmyfriend,andthiswasachanceIhadtotake.“Fine,”Isaid.“Let’smoveit,acrossthefield.Keepyoureyespeeled.”

“Hey,don’tyouworry‘boutthat.TheKid’salwayspreparedforanycuntdogqueersthattryandsneakuponhim.”

Again,wethrewMelvin’sarmsoverourshouldersandbegantomoveahead,acrossthedarkfield.AllwecouldseewerethelightsofN-5’sparkinglotinthedistance,probablyaboutahundredyardsaway.

Around uswas nothing but darkness and heavy rain.The ground belowushadbecomeverymuddyandwasmakingour trek sluggishandbackbreaking;morethanonce,ourfeetwouldsinkafewinchesinthemud,andwe’dhavetostopandfreeourselves.

Thesoundofthecrashingrainwasloud,butwecouldstillhearfaintmoansandshrieksbehindus.

“Lookslikethecavalrycamethisway,”saidBilly,motioningto thegroundbelowus.

Myeyeswentdownandsawtrailsoffootprintsandhandprints,evenbody-prints. I’d imagine there was blood at one point, but the hard rain washed itaway.

Wewereinthemiddleofthefieldnow,closertoN-5.Iturnedbacktoseethemobpressedagainst thewrought irongate,doingall theycould to tryandgetthrough.

FacingN-5now,wedrudgedforward.Then,thelightswentout.Everythingeverywherewasblack.

Melvinmoanedandscreamedashesaid,“What?God,what’sgoingon?”“It’s fine, pal,” I said, trying to relax him. “The power got cut off. Calm

down,we’restillwalking.”“No,no,they’llgetusinthedark,see?They’llfindus.Andeatus.”Billyinterrupted,saying,“Pipedown.Youkeepballin’likethatandtheywill

findus. Justkeep themchapped lipspuckered.Wemovin’ along.Soonwebesafeagain.”

“Listentohim,Melvin,”Isaid.Wewalkedinthedark.Iwasnervous.Itwasjustsogoddamndark.Itellyou,

if I’d’ve putmy hand in front ofmy own face Iwouldn’t be able to see it. I

mean,itwasBLACK.ThenthegoosebumpsshotuponmyarmsasIheardthewheelsofthegate

screeching. I could only imagine what was going on at that moment. Thescreamsandmoansgrewlouder,likethebastardswereexcited.

A minute later, Billy fell. His face hit the mud. Still holding Melvin, hebroughthimdown,andMelvintookmealongfortheride.

Wewerelyinginthemudnow,movingfast,tryingtogetup.“Whatthehellwasthat,Billy?”Isaid.

“Ihitsome’umontheground,”hesaid.Ireachedback,tryingtofeelwhattrippedhim.Itwasabody.Asmyhands

wandered, tryingtofigureoutwhoorwhat itwas, itsaid,“Heellpp…Please…Letthem…No…”

“It’sachick,”saidBilly.“Youallrightthere,darlin’?”Shescreamedagain.“Calmdownnow.Wegot’cha.Ain’tnoonegonnahurtya.”

“No,shecouldbeoneofthem,”saidMelvin.“Leaveherandlet’sgetgoingbeforeit’stoolate.”

“Sheain’tsick,”saidBilly.“Andhowintheheckwouldyouknow?”Melvinshouted.Billyshoutedrightback,“’Cause,bynowshe’dbetreatin’uslikeagoddamn

T-bonesteak.”Thelightsflickeredagainandwerebackon.I looked atBilly andMelvin, then at thewomanon the ground; she didn’t

appear to have been bitten, but was covered in mud and was semiconscious.ThenIturnedbackand,withthelightfromN-3’sparkinglotreachingtheedgeofthefield,Icouldseethesilhouettesofthefiguresheadingourway.

Thenervousfeelingcamebackagain.I turnedtoBillyandsaid,“Grabher,I’llgethim.”

“My pleasure,” Billy said and lifted the woman off the ground and begancarryingheracrossthefield.

IwalkedwithMelvin,butwewereafewfeetbehindBilly,movingslow.Myright arm was around his waist, and my left arm was carrying the mop andbroom.WewereneartheedgeofthefieldnowandalmostatN-5.

Thecreatureswereagoodhundredyardsbehindus.Withtherainhittingmyeyes,IsquintedatthewomaninBilly’sskinnyarms.

FromthelooksofherfilthyuniformIcouldtellshewasanurse.Therainwascrashingagainstherfaceandwaswashingsomeofthemudaway.Shewasveryattractive,evenwithallthatgunkcoveringherbeauty.Icouldn’thelpmyself;Ikeptstaringathergoldenblondehair.Nomatter thatmudwassoaked in it; itstillhadawayofshiningthrough.Itwaslikealightattheendofatunnel,away

out,reassuringmethateverythingwasgoingtoturnoutallrightforus.Allofus.

Withthatoutlookfreshinmymind,Igotmysecondwindandmarchedon.WesteppedoffthefieldandontotheroadthatloopedfromN-3toN-5.From

here,Icouldnotseeanycars,butIdidseethreecreatures,spreadout,movingaboutataslowpace.Theyhadn’tseenus.Yet.

Christ, my fresh outlook was beginning to dimmer. The infected patientsalreadyreachedthisbuilding.Howfarouthadthisdisasterspread?Andwherethe hell was Haas’ car? That was the whole reason why we hiked in thisdirection.

Aswemovedtotheparkinglot,Isaid,“Idon’tseehiscar.”“This is shit,” said the injured Melvin. “We’re done for. What do we do

now?”Then,aneruptionofhigh-pitchedscreamsandshrieksbegantodrownoutthe

soundofthefallingrain.I turnedback toseewhat itwasandalmostpassedoutfromtheshock.My

jawhung,andIcouldnotutteraword.Billywasn’tbotheredatthesightatall.Hesaid,inaverycasualtone,“Well,

grabyourpaddles,boys.WeheadedupShit’sCreekandinforadogofanight.”ComingfrombehindN-3,wherethewomen’sgroupwaslocated,andbehind

thesmallmobthathadbeenchasingussinceN-3,wasawaveofatleastfiftyofthesethings.

Thatfreshoutlookrottedawayinabeatofmyquakingheart.

ChapterThirteen

Weran.EvenMelvinbrokeloosefrommysupportandran;although,hiswasmoreof

a jog,andeven thatwasdraininghimofenergy.Hewasbreathingheavy.Thecirclesunderhiseyesweregrowingdarkerbytheminute.

Billywasingoodshape.Hemovedfast,evenwiththeprettywoman,whoseeyeswereclosed,inhisarms.

Intheparkinglotnow,wehustledtowardthefrontentranceofN-5.Thethreeinfected patients took notice and began to move our way. One of them wasrunning,anotherwasmovingveryslowandstiff.

WeranupthestepsofN-5.Ipulledthedooropen.Weenteredandwaitingforusatthesecurityguard’sdeskwasacreature.

We stopped.Water was dripping off our clothes and onto the fauxmarbleflooring.

Thecreature lookedatusandmoaned.Thenhemovedforward,slowly.Heappearedtobeinpaineverytimeheattemptedtomoveanarmoraleg.Hisskincolor was dull and grayish blue. There was a putrid, rotting smell seepingthrough his pores. I had no doubt that these creatures were dead, but stillwalking. However insane that may sound. I mean, here was a man, walkingaround,hiseyesopen,butdecomposingbeforeourowneyes.

HewasmovingsoslowthatIwasn’tscaredatall,ormaybethathadtodowithwhatwasheadedourway?Iapproachedtheinfectedpatient,whosehandswerebehindhisback,andwhackedhimupsidehisheadwithboththemopandbroom.

Hedroppedfacefirsttothefloor.Bloodbeganseepingfromhisears.Ilookedathisbackandnoticedhishandswerehandcuffed.Itwasthepatient

whostarted it all.Hemanaged to spreadhis reignof terrorall theway to thisbuilding.Whoknowshowmanypeopleheslaughteredinhere?

“Sowhatnowthen?”Billysaid.“Weneedtofindasafeplacetocatchourbreath,”Isaid.“Soundsgood,”saidBilly.“Myarmsaregettin’numbfromcarryin’thisdirty

lil’angel.Notonlythat,Igottatakeawhizrealbad.”

“Melvin,youworkedthisbuildingbefore,”Isaid.“Anyplacesyoucanthinkof?”

Hisheadhungasheleanedagainstthewallbehindus.Heraisedhiseyesandsaid,“Kitchen.There’sastorageroomback…there.”

“Whichway?”Billyinterrupted,saying,“Downthisway.Can’tyousmellthetaters?”Melvinnodded,agreeingwithBilly.Wewalkeddown thecoldhallway, in thedirectionof thekitchen. Ihelped

Melvinagain,whileBillycarriedtheexhaustednurse.Afteraboutfiveminutes,wereachedthespaciouscafeteria.It tookanextra

fewminutes, becausewe stoppeda couple times somy friendcould catchhisbreath.Alongtheway,weheardmoanscomingfromthestairwell,butwedidn’tencounteranyofthemaniacs.

The cafeteria was a good forty fifty yardswide andwas linedwith picnictables.Andtheentireplacewasempty,although,Ididnoticeafewpuddlesofbloodandanurse’scaponthefloor;theonlysignIcouldseethatthesethingsmadetheirwaythroughhere.

“Backhere,”saidMelvin.“Behindthecounter.”MeandMelvinwalkedacrosstheemptyfloorandbehindthecounter,tothe

kitchen.Billyandthenursetrailed.Therewasadooragainst thebackwallwithasquarefootwindownear the

top.Wemovedtowardit.“Wheredoyouseguysthinkyou’regoing?”Wewerestartledbythevoice.Weturned,andthepersonthatBillyhatedthe

mostwaspointinghisgunatus.

ChapterFourteen

He laughed once he recognizedwho Iwas. “How’s this for karma?”Hank

said.“ThesonofabitchconvictfromHolmesburgisstaringdownthebarrelofmyforty-four.Youknow,Icouldputabulletinthatnogoodheadofyoursandwouldn’t even be threatenedwith seeing the inside of a prison.What do youthinkofthat?”

“Relax, mug,” I said. “This ain’t no time to be throwing your authorityaround.”

Billy,stillcarryingthenurse,said,“Yeah,HanktheTank,putyourtoybackinyourpantsbeforeyouhurtsomebody.”

HeturnedtheguntoBilly,saying,“Shutyourmouth,youcrazyshitter.Igothalfamindtoshootyoudeadrighthere.You’renotsupposedtobewalkingthepremiseswithoutpropersupervision.”

“I’mcarryin’thepropersupervision.Ain’tsheapeach?”Hanklookedoverthemudcakednurse;atfirst,havingahardtimefiguring

outwhoshewas, then realizingshewasanurse,hesaid,“What’swrongwithher?”

“Found’erinthefieldcomin’over.”“Thehelldidyousebastardsdotoher?”Isaid,“Wedidn’tdoathing.Shewaslyinginthefield.That’showwefound

her. If anything, we saved her life.” I paused. He still had the gun on Billy.“Look,weneedtotakealoadoff.”

Hewascontemplatingonwhattodo.HesawthewoundsonMelvinandsaid,“Whathappenedtohim?”

“Hewasbitten,”Isaid.HestaredatMelvin,thensaid,“Goahead,throughthedoor.”Weenteredthestorageroom.Itwasabouttwenty-fivefeetwideandfortyfeet

inlength,andthewallswerelinedwithracksfilledwithalltypesoffood:bagsof coffee beans, canned foods, baskets of vegetables and fruits, potato sacks,pudding,bread,stufflikethat.Tothefarwallwasadoorthatwasabackexittothisbuilding.

Hankwasthelasttoenter.Heshutthedoor,lockingitfromtheinside,then

slidasixfoothighemptymetalrackagainstitasabarricade.Idropped themopandbroomon the floor,grabbeda small stackofempty

potatosacksandlaidthemonthecoldfloor.ThenBillyplacedthenurseoverthesacks.Melvinwassittingonthefloor,hisbackrestingagainstthewall.

Hankhadn’t been the only personhiding in here.Therewas anoldermalepatient,wearingahospitalgownthatwasopendowntheback,standingat theracks,eatinganapple,andadoctor,youngguy,comingtowardusnowfromthebackofthestorageroom.Hesaid,“Wheredidyoucomefrom?”

“Wewereinthetherapybuilding.That’swherethisallstarted,”Isaid.“I’msurprisedtheyreachedheresofast.”

“It couldn’t have beenmore than thirtyminutes ago,” said the doctor. “Wewereinthekitchen,feedingpatientsandsomeofthestaff.”

Hankinterrupted,saying,“Yeah,that’swhenthatcrazywalkedinandstartedbitingwhoeverhe couldgethismouthon.Kept fallingeverywhere ‘causehishandswere cuffed behind him.Everyone screaming and running, like a damnriot.”

“It tooknomorethanfiveminutesbefore thisplacewasclearedout.Hank,thepatientandIwerethelasttotryandflee,butoncewereachedthedoortherewereafewpeopletherewaitingforus.Theyappearedtobesick,likethemanwhostartedtheattack.Sowehadnochoicebuttocomeback.Oncewereachedthediningarea,thesamemanwaswaitingforus.That’swhenwehidinhere.”

Isaid,“Arethereanycarsaroundherethatwecangetto?”Hanksaid,“Therewereprobablytwoorthreecarsparkedoutheretobegin

with.Andthey’regone.”“DoctorHaaswaswithus.Hesaidhelefthiscarhere,”Isaid.“Yeah,”Hanksaid.“Itwasparkedrightoutfront.Isawoneoftheattendants

drivingoff.Beatsmeonhowhegothiskeys.”The whole reason why there weren’t more cars than the few that had

remained was that, not only were we into the night shift, but most of theemployeeshereusedPhiladelphiaRapidTransitasameansoftransportation.Acoupleofreasonsbehindthis:one,mostof theemployeeswereattendantsanddidn’townautomobiles(foreverydoctorthereweretwentyattendants,foreverynurse,sevenattendants,soattendantsfaroutnumbereddoctorsandnurses),andtwo, a lotof thenurses andattendants livedhere, in thedorms, fromMondaythroughFriday, thenwouldreturnhomefortheweekend.Usually, they’dgetafriendorlovedonetodropthemoffonMondayandpickthemuponFriday.

Thedoctorhadacuriouslookonhisfaceandsaid,“SowhereisDoctorHaasnow?”

“Hedidn’tmakeit,”Isaid.

“What?He’sdead?”saidthedoctor,soundingupset.“Yeah,”saidBilly.“Ol’farttriedtotakeabiteouttame.”“Whosaidyoucouldtalk,kook?”saidHank.Ijumpedin,saying,“No,he’sright.Thedoctorwasbittenbyapatientwho

wasinjectedwithapoliovaccine…”“Wait just a second,” said the young doctor. “You mean to tell me this

madnessistheresultofavaccinationexperiment?”Inodded.“So,it’sasortofvirusthat’sbeingspread?”

“Yeah,andIknowthissoundscrazy,butI’malmostsurethatthesepeoplearedying.”Ipaused,lookingattheexpressionsontheguardanddoctor’sfaces,thencontinued,“Andthen…theyreturntolifeandbecomeoneofthesemaniacs.”

Hankandthedoctorlaughed.Theolderpatient,chewinghisapple,brokehissilence,saying,“Mygoodman,youareevencrazierthanIam.”

“YouthinkI’mcrazy,”Isaid.“Tellme,howmanypeopledidthatguy,whobustedinthekitchen,bite?”

Hanksaid,“Atleastfour.Butthey’realldead.”“Andwhere’dtheydie?”Isaid.“Thebodieswerespreadinandaroundthediningarea,”saidthedoctor.“Notanymoretheyain’t,”saidBilly.“That’sbullshit,” saidHank.“Wesaw themdeadon the floorwhenwe ran

backhere.”“Ain’tnothin’butbloodonthemtherefloorsnow.”Hankwasshakinghishead,notbelievingawordofit.Thedoctorwasstaring

atBilly,alookofshockonhisface.Isaid,“Whoeverwasdeadinthatcafeteriaiswanderingthisbuilding.Wesawsomeoutsideandheardafewwhenwewereheadingthisway.Believeme,I’veseenithappenmorethanoncetonight.”

TheyoungdoctorgazedatHankandsaid,“That…Thatwouldexplainwhyyourbulletsdidn’thurttheattackers.”

“Yougottaaimatthesome-bitch’shead,HanktheTank,”saidBilly.“That’swhyyouain’tdonothin’.”

“What?Don’tyouevershutyourgoddamnmouth?”saidHank.“That’sthetruth,”Isaid.“Theonlywaytostopthemisbyhittingthebrain.

DoctorHaas explained it, has todowith thevirus that’sdriving theirmindorwhatever.”

Noonesaidawordforaminuteortwo.Theonlynoisewasthatoftheolderpatient,bitingintohisapple.

ThenIbrokethesilence,“I’lltellyouwhat,whetheryoumugsbelievemeornot,thereareabunchofthemheadedthisway.”

“Whatdoyoumeanabunch?”saidHank.

“Thepatients broke loose fromN-3 and spread across the campus,” I said.“Looks like they hit the women’s buildings and infected people there. Nowthey’recomingthisway.”

Hank was eyeing Melvin now. “So if you catch the infection from beingbitten,thenthissorrybastardhereshouldbeturningintooneofthem.Right?”Istayedquiet.“Sowhy’sheinhere?Ioughttoshoothimnow,beforehehasthechancetoattackus.”

“Leavehim,”Isaid.“I’llhandlehimmyself.”Melvinlookedhorrible.Hehadalreadylostsomuchblood,hisskinwaspale,

andhepassedout as soon aswe came in the storage room. I knewhewasn’tgoingtolastanothertwentyminutes.

Ihadalumpinmythroat.Wantedtocrysobad.ButIheldit,foughtitback.“He’smyfriend. Idon’twantanything tohappentohimunlesshereallydoeschange.”

“Thenyoukeephimawayfromus,”saidHank.“Ifheattacksme,I’mkillingyou,him,hell,I’llkilleveryoneinthisroom.”

Thedoctorshookhisheadindisgust.Melvinmoanedandwhispered,“Hey,pal.”Ilooked.Hemotionedmeover.Iwalkedandkneltdownbesidehim.“How

youfeeling?”“Lousy.ButIdon’tquit.Neverhave.Listen,Igottatellyousomething.Come

closer.” Imoved in,my face, a few inches fromhis. “I ain’t exactlywhoyouthink Iam,see?” I squinted.Hecontinued,“I’ma reporter…areporter for theInquirer…I…Iwasworkingundercover…supposedtodoanexposé…on…the…conditionsofthisjoint…”Icouldn’tbelieveit.Ihadknownthisguyformonthsandwouldneverhaveevenimaginedhimtobeareporter.“Goinmywallet.Getmydriver’slicense.Andgetmykeysfrommypocket.”

“Why?Whatdoyouwantmetodowiththat?”Isaid.“My…address…isonit.Ifthingsdon’tturnout…good…forme…Iwantyou

togo…myplace.Allmyfilesarethere…aboutmy…investigation.Take…to…thepaper…turnthemintotheeditor.Butmakesureyoufilltheminonwhat’s…goingon…tonight.Getme?”

Iswallowedtheurgetocry.Hewasdying,anditwastearingmeapartinside.Sincewefirstmet,wewerekindoflikepartners,alwaysworkingtogether.Butsoonthatwouldbeover.“Igetyou.”

“Christ,Icould…reallyuseadrink,”hesaid.Inodded,smiledandhadtoturnaway.Itwastoopainfultoseehimlikethat.

Istoodandfacedtherestofthegroup.Theywerestaringatme,saveBilly;hewasbusywipingthecakedmudfromhisfeet.

“Wemustleave,”saidthedoctor.“Ifyousaytherearesomanyapproaching,thenwereallyneedtoleave.Wecanexitoutthisbackdoor.”

Thelightsflickered.“Didanyofyoutrycallingthepolice?”Isaid.“Wetried,”saidHank,“butthelinewasalreadydead.”Thedoctorsaid,“Yes,butIwouldhopeoneoftheemployees,whomanaged

tomakeitoutofhere,wentforhelp.Eveniftheydid,whoknowshowlongitwould be before the authorities arrived?We can’t afford to stay andwait andsufferatthehandsofthem.”

“Ifyouleave,wheredoyougo?”Isaid.“Thecreekisprobablyflooded,sotheroadssurroundingthisplacearegoingtobeout.”

“Isaywestayhere,”saidHank.“We’llbesafe.They’llnevergetthroughthatdoor.Wehaveplentyof food to last for allofus.Trustme,we’re fine in thisroom.Atthemost,wejustneedtowaituntilmorning.Oncethedaycrewarrivesandseeswhat’sgoingon,they’llgoforhelp.”

“I’mgoingtothechildren’scamp,”Isaid.“Thechildren’scamp?”saidHank.“You’recrazy.That’sbehindthewomen’s

group.You’llhavetogostraight throughthatarmythatyousayisheadedthisway.”

“LikeIsaid,I’mgoingtothechildren’scamp.”The doctor said, “I understand there are a few hundred patients there that

needhelp,buttherearethousandsofpatientsthroughoutthiscampusthatareinjustasmuchdanger.Whatissoimportantthatyouneedtogettothechildren’scamp?”

ChapterFifteen

Iwasa fewdays intomypositionat thehospitalwhen Iwas first reunited

withClaraDaniels.WewerechildhoodsweetheartswhenshewasthirteenandIwasseventeen;wedatedforafewmonthsuntilImovedtoNewJerseywithmyolder brother. Shewas named after the old picture starClaraBow around thetimeoftheheightofherpopularity,1928.Shewastwenty-threeandanhonesttoGodknockout.

Thatmorning,IwasassignedtoworkasClara’sattendant.Shewasgoingtobe spending the day with a group of about twenty kids. They were going towasteawayafewhoursatthehospital’sbowlingalley.

Mysupervisorintroducedus,andIcouldn’tbelievehowmuchshechanged.In away, she even resembledClaraBow. She hadwavy brown hair thatwaspartedtothesideandhazeleyesthatcouldputamaninatrance.Shewasn’talittlegirlanymore.Shewasawoman.

We sat at a table by one of the lanes. Shewas smiling, watching the kidsenjoyingthemselves;mostofthemwerehappytogetoutoftheircottagesforawhile,otherssatinacorner,staringatthekidsplaying,orstaringatClaraandmyself.

I was sipping from a bottle of Coca-Cola and eating a ham sandwich thatcamefromthekitchen.IcaughtClarawatchingme.Shesaid,“Areyouoneofthesemenfromtheprisonsystem?Theonesthatopttoworkhere?”

I gazed at her.Waited about aminute, letting her question hang out there,before saying,“Yougot it right. I’ma thug.A lowlife.Acriminal.A no gooddirtyrottenrat.Yeah,Ispentsometimeinthejoint.YoushouldbegladIdidn’tstickaround.Youwouldbewastingyourlife,visitingmeinprisonandcountingthedaystillIwasreleased.”

“That’swhatloveisallabout,”shesaid.“You’retherethroughthegoodtimesandthebadtimes.Iwouldhavealwaysbeenthereforyou.”

“Youwereakid,Clara.Youdidn’tloveme.Andifyouthoughtyoudidthenyoudidn’tknowwhatthewordmeant.”

Herbrowwrinkledasshesaid,“HowcanyoutellmeIwasn’t inlovewithyou? Imayhave been a kid, but I knewwhat Iwanted in life. Iwanted you,

Veimer.”Shepaused.“Andyouthrewitaway.Alifetimetogether,youthrewitawayforajobwithyourbrotherinJersey.”

Igazedather.Thesmilefromherfacewasgone.Shewastellingthetruth.Shedidloveme.WhatastupIwas.Ineverrealizeditwhenweweretogether.Butwewerekidsatthetime.Soyoungwewere.

Forwhatitwasworth,Iapologized.Thenwespokeforalittlemorethananhour,talkingabouttheoldneighborhoodandwhatmadeherwanttobecomeanurse.

Bytheendofthatday,Irealized, ifIdidn’t loveherthen, thentherewasafeelinginsidemenow,afeelingofnotwantingtobeapartfromher,wantingtoholdherandnever letgo. Icaredforhernow,but Iwasafraid thatshedidn’tcaretwobitsaboutme.HowcouldIblameherafterhavinglefttenyearsago?

Thatnight, I laid inmybedat thedormandstaredat theceilinguntil longaftermidnight. I couldn’t fall asleep. All I could think aboutwas Clara, howbeautifulshewas,howIhurthersolongago,thefeelingsIhadforhernow,andifshemaystillhavethesamefeelingsforme.IdecidedIwouldtrymybesttowin her back.Thatwould bemygoalwhile Iwas stuck here, completingmysentence.

A fewdays later, duringmy lunch, I snuckover to thenurses’dormitory. Iasked one of the women there which onewas Clara’s bed. She ledme to analcoveinthecornerandpointedoutthebed.Ileftroses―thatIaskedMelvintopickupformefromthefloristaroundhishome―ontopofthepillowwithanoteattachedthatread:ToClara,

a Wouldyoueverconsiderforgivingthatdumbkidwhomadetheworstmistakeofhislifewhenhebailedonanangelandlefthertoflywithoutherwings?Love,

TheDumbKidThatnight,asIwaswrappingupmyshift,Iwastakingthetunnelalonefrom

N-5backtoN-3.Shemust’vefoundoutfrommysuperwhereIwasworking,because, as I neared the end of the tunnel, her arms reached out from thedarknessandpulledmein.

Wekissedforwhatseemedlike tenyears,makingupfor the timewespentapart.Thenwemadeloverightthereinthedark,filthy,damptunnel…anditwasbeautiful.ThebestexperiencethatIeverhadinmylife.

Wewereacoupleafterthatnight.Wedidourbesttokeepitasecret,onlyafewfriendsknew,butweplannedonstayingtogether.Clarasaid, then,“I love

you,Veimer.AndIdon’tcarehowlongittakes,I’llwaitforyouuntilyourtimehereisover.”

We were dedicated to spending an eternity together. That’s why I wasdeterminedtoreachClara.Evenifitmeantfightingmywaythroughhundredsofliving deadmaniacs whowanted only to ripmy body apart and feast onmyflesh.

ChapterSixteen

ItoldthemaboutClara,my“childhoodfriend”,andhowIwantedtobesure

thatshewassafe.Theonlypersonstillholdingoutongoingtothechildren’scampwasHank.

Thedoctor’sonlyreasonforcomingwithuswasthatheknewhewouldn’tbesafehere.Hejustwantedtobesurewetookthesafestroutepossibletogetthere.And,sincehewasresponsibleforhim,hewasbringingtheolderpatientalongforthejourney.

Forthepasttwentyminutes,wewereresting.Thentheolderpatientopenedhis mouth, “I am a very smart man, you know? I am a professor at BeaverCollege.”

Westaredathim,Billysmiling.Noonesaidaword.Hanksaid,“Whothehellaskedyou?”The professor ignored Hank and said, “Do you know that Shakespeare

created thenameofJessica?”Noonesaidaword.Hankshookhishead.“Thename,asitisspelledtoday,firstappearedinTheMerchantofVenice.JessicaisthedaughterofShylock.Iwouldbetyoudidnotknowthattobeafact?”

“Hey,Igotoneforya,”saidBilly.“Ibetyaain’tknowGarrettdidn’tkillme.No sir. I got him though.He cried like a lil’ girlwhenhe sawme, but I ain’tshownomercyonthesorrylil’rascal.Shot’imandleft’imfordead.Thedoublecrossingrunt.”

“Mydaughter isnamedJessica,”said theprofessor,actingas ifBillydidn’teven open his mouth. “She’s attending Temple University. I haven’t seen hersincemywifepassed.”Heraisedhiseyesandlookedatthegroupofus;Iwassittingonthefloor,betweenMelvin,whowassleepingnow,andthenurse;Billywasontheothersideofthenurse;thedoctorandHankweresittingacrossfromus,leaningagainsttheracksoffood.“Idon’tbelieveIamcrazy.IfIam,Ihavegoodreason,yousee?ThisismysixteenthdayhereatByberry.Justlastmonth,February sixth to be exact, my darling wife, who I love so very much, wasrobbedofherlife.ShewasonthetrainthatderailedinWoodbridgeTownship.She was one of many who were robbed of their lives. I cried for two daysstraight,asIthoughtIwouldneverseeheragain.Butthenightafterherfuneral,

she came to visitme by bedside.”He chuckled, saying, “We spoke for hoursuponhours.HowIadoreher.Nowshecomestomeeverynight.Whichiswhywemustleavenow;Imustgettomybed,soIdon’tmissmydarlingSharon.”

“Shutyourhole,Professor,”saidHank,“beforeIshut it foryou.Pleasegettheselunaticsoutofhere…”

Thenursejumpedintoasittingposition,screaming.Shesurprisedallofus;Hankwasabouttoshootheruntilshestartedscreamingforhelp.Wecouldseethewhitesofhereyeslookingatusthroughthemudcakedonherface.Itwasthen she realized that whoever was attacking her was gone. She stoppedscreamingbutwasbreathingheavy,herchestheavingfast.

“Geesh,girl,yourscreamswouldraisethehairsonawolf’sneck,”saidBilly.“IthinkIdonecrappedmypants.”

Thedoctorrushedtoherside.“Areyouokay?Howdoyoufeel?”“DoctorCochran?”shesaid.“DoIknowyou?”Shewas still shaking as she said, “No, probably not…Myname…is Pearl.

PearlAtkins.Ijustknowyoufromseeingyouaroundthecampus.”Tearsbeganrunningdownherface.“They’redead.”

“Who?”saidDoctorCochran.Shelookedathimwithwidetearyeyesandsaid,“Allofthem!”Hanksaid,“Who’sallofthem?”“InN-3,weweredoingoccupationaltherapy.Weheardnoises.Wewalkedto

the front. We saw patients running inside, but I don’t know how, youunderstand?Theyweredead.”

“Howdoyouknowtheyweredead?”shoutedtheignorantguard.“I’vebeeninthemorguehere.I’veseenmyshareofdeadbodies.That’swhat

theylookedlike.LikeDeath,”shesaid.“Buttheywerealive.Oneofthemhadabonestickingoutof theirneck,but theymoved like itwasn’teven there.Andthey charged at us, like demons fromHell. I had no choice but to run. Theykilledthenursesthatwereinmystation,thetwoMarys.Isawthembeingeatenas I ran, screaming. That was it, I remember running across the field. It wasraining…Buttheywerecomingout.Everywhere.”

“That’swherewefoundyou,”Isaid.“Youwerelyinginthemud.Billyherecarriedyouover.”

The lights flickered. The brief moment of darkness startled Pearl, and shescreamed.

“Vee,it’s‘bouttimeweskedaddle,”saidBilly.Inodded.Melvin’seyesshotopen,andhescreamedinpain.Again,wewerestartledby

thescreamofsomeoneinourgroup.Iwas evenmore startledwhenhalfofMelvin’s faceblewoffhisheadand

splatteredagainstmyownface.IwipedthebloodandpiecesoffleshfrommyeyeandlookedtoseeHank,bothhandsonhisrevolver,pointingitatMelvin.

Ifroze.Everythingappearedtobemovinginslowmotion.Then,whenHank’seyes

gazedatme,Iexplodedwithrage.Iranandtackledhim.Aswehitthefloor,therevolverflewoutofhishand,andIbeganpunchinghim.

Iwassogoddamnangry. I toldhim, Iwould takecareofMelvinwhen thetimecame.

Mylefthandwaswrappedaroundhisneck,whilemyrightwasballedintoafistandcrashingagainsthisface.Icouldfeelsomeonetryingtopullmeoffthefilthy bastard, probably that doctor, but I kept going. I knew it wasn’t Billytryingtopullmeoff,becauseIcouldhearhimshoutingYeehaa!!!ashebouncedupanddowninfrontofus.

Hankwasn’t laying there like a slab ofmeat, hewas punching back, but Icouldn’tfeelthehits.Ihadalongfuse,butonceitranout,thatwasit,I’dloseallmysmarts,mysenses.Iwasunstoppable.

Myeyeswerefrozenonhimastheblowslanded.Bynow,hisnosehadanewshape,withalittlebloodonhisfacetogoalongwithit.

It seemed as if I was on top of him for hours, but it was more like twominutes,tops.Asmyragebegantodiminish,DoctorCochran,withalittlehelpfromHankpushing,wasabletopullmeoff.

Ishouted,“Whythehelldidyoushoothim?”The dazed guard wiped the blood that had run out from his nose onto his

upper lip.He stared at the blood, stumbled back a step or two,wiped his redhandonthebackofhisnavybluepantsandsaid,“Yougotsomenerve,convict.WhydoyouthinkIshothim?Hewasoneofthemsickpeople.”

“Bullshit,”Isaid.Thedoctorinterrupted,saying,“Gentlemen,please.”BillytheKidwasstillcheeringinthebackground.“Hey,bozo,”saidHank,“howwouldyouknow,eh?Ilookedrightathim.He

wasoneofthem…Dead.”Sayingthewordlikehehadtoforceitoutagainsthisownbelief.

“Gentlemen,weneedtocontrolourselves.”“Who’sagentleman,doc?”saidHank.BillygotinonemoreYeehaa!!!when

Hankturnedtohim,shouting,“Wouldyoupleaseshutthefuckup,youscrawnylittleshit.”Billystoppedandlaughed.Theprofessor,withhisbareassshowingthrough the gap in his gown, was shaking his head, disgusted with Billy’s

behavior.Pearlwassittingonthefloor,herarmswrappedaroundherlegs,tryingto pull herself together. Hank turned to Cochran, “This convict ain’t nogentleman.Goahead,askhimwhyhe’saconvictedbum.”

Ihad theurge topoundhis faceagain,butmyurgewas interruptedby thestartofanotherkindofpounding.

Apoundingonthebackdoor.

ChapterSeventeen

Itstartedasalowsinglecontinuousthumping.Oureyesweregluedtothatbackdoor.Thethumpswerefollowedbyalongdrawnoutmoan.Pearlyelped.Hankwhisperedforhertoshutup.Iturnedtoherandcouldsee

herbottomlipquivering.Thenthesinglethumpsmultipliedbyfive.Themoansweremagnified.They

wereoutsideN-5andgrowing.Fast.“Weshouldleave,”saidDoctorCochran.“Ihaveafamily,andIwanttoget

hometothem.”“Weneedweapons,”Isaid.“Wherecanwegetweapons?Doyouguyshavea

storageroomsomewhere?...Hank?”“You’reaskingme?”hesaid,soundingsurprised.“Youaresomething,buddy.

Unbelievable.”DoctorCochraninterrupted,firingbackatHank,saying,“Enoughofthis.If

youdon’twanttoassistus,thenIwillbesuretoaskforyourresignationoncethismadnessisover.”

“Resignation?Lookatwhatthesonofabitchdidtomyface.”“Whathediddoesn’tevencomparetowhatyoudid,”saidtheyoungdoctor.

“Murderingamanincoldblood.”Hankwasshocked.Pearl was on her feet now. She grabbed the doctor’s arm, saying, “Please,

let’sstopfightingandleave.Iwanttogohome.”Hanksaid,“Say,Iseehowitis,tryingtoframemeforkillingsomelowlife

whowasgoingtoattackusanyway?Youshouldbethankingme.Allofyouse.”“Iknowtheguardshaveaweaponsshed,”saidCochran.“Youleadustoit,

and I’ll be sure to have you awardedwith a pay increase and promotion.Notonlythat,butI’llreportthatyouputyourlifeinjeopardytosaveusall.”

Hank’s foreheadwrinkled.“Promotion?Youkiddingme?That’seven ifwelivetoseethesunrise.”

“You lead us to the weapons, we have a damn good chance of thathappening,” saidCochran. “You don’t, then surely we will die, whether it behereorsomewhereelseonthecampus.”

The banging on the exit door increased. I could only imagine how many

creatureswereoutside,desperatetogetin.Hankworealookofdisgust,ashecontemplatedhisdecision.Thedoorleadingtothekitchenbegantorattleandmoan.Our eyes went to this door, barricaded with an empty rack. Through the

squarewindow,we could see three of thesemonsters, their dead yellow eyesgazingatusthroughtheglass,andtheirfacessmearedwithblood.

Knowing thatwewere hiding in here, their banging grewharder, and theirmoansturnedtoscreams.

Hank went to the corner and grabbed his revolver that had slid under theracks.

Billy shouted, “Come on in. We ain’t scared of ya ugly boogers. We’llbite’chaback.How’sthatgrabya?”

“Shutup,asshole,”saidHank.“BeforeImakeyoushutup.Youwantthemtohearusinhere?”

“Hearus?Youdumbbumpkin,”saidBilly,“theystarin’rightatus.Lookattheonefellerwatchin’you.Hewantsthatfatbellyayours.Tohim,you likeabigol’Thanksgivingturkeywithallthetrimmings.”

HankpunchedBilly,sendinghimcrashingintotheracksandfoodfallingtothefloor.NoonetooknoticeoftheblowtoBilly.Weweretoobusyconcernedwiththeinfectedpeopleoneithersideofthestorageroom,tryingtogetin.

Irantothesacksofpotatoesandstartedpilingtheminfrontofthebackexit.Therestofthegroupstared.Isaid,“Don’tjuststandthere,startbringingthemover.Wewanttosecurethisdoorforaslongaspossible.”

Billyranrightoverandbeganhelping.Thenthedoctor.ThenHank.ThentheprofessorandPearl.

Within fiveminutes, thebackexitwasprotected,and,with thedoor lockedand the weight piled behind it, we had at least another thirty minutes beforethosecreatureswouldbeabletogetinside.

Thesamecouldn’tbesaidabouttheotherdoor.Weallstoodbythebackexit,staringacrossthestorageroom,astheemptyrackwasbouncingoffitwitheverythumpthesecreaturessent.

Hanksaid,“We’llhavetogetthroughthem.Throughthatdoor.”“Okay,”Isaid.“Thenwhat?”“We’llhavetogettotheservicetunnel.”I started shaking my head, “It’s pouring out there. Tunnels are probably

flooded.”“Hey, well, that’s a chance we’ll have to take. I doubt they’re completely

flooded.Maybeafewfeethigh,butnothingwecan’thandle.Justbepreparedtogetyourlong-johnssoaked.”

Inodded.DoctorCochransaid,“Thatarmythatyousaidwasheadedthis…”Iinterrupted,saying,“Yeah,if they’renotbeatingat themainentrancethen

they’realreadyinside,soweneedtobecarefulandlookoutforeachother.I’msurethoseoutsidewerepartofthatmob.”

“Whatmob?”saidPearl,concerned.“Don’tyouworry‘boutathing,darlin’,”saidBilly,throwinghisarmoverthe

muddy nurse’s shoulder. “As long as I’m here, ain’t nothin’ gonna happen toyou.”

Thesquarewindowonthefrontdoorwascracked.Oneofthemhititwithakitchenutensil.

Hankwasnervousnow,saying,“Okay,okay,wegettothetunnel.We’llgotothedormitory.Fromthere,weheadeasttotheguardhouseontheboulevard…”

That’swhenthelightswentout,followedbyaloudcrash.Theybustedthroughthefrontdoor.Andwecouldn’tseeadamnthing.

ChapterEighteen

A few of us were screaming. But the maniacs screamed louder, and our

screamsonlyenticedthemtomovefastertowardus.Hank was quick to grab the flashlight on his belt. He shined it on the

approachingmonsters. From the slim path of light hitting them,we could seethattherewerefour,stillaboutthirtyfeetaway,buttheyweremovingfast.

“Theracks.Theracks.”Ishouted.Hankwassmart.Hekeptthelightonthem,whiletherestofuswrappedour

handsaroundthebeamsofaracksection,draggeditacrossthefloor,knockingcansoffoodfromtheshelves,andpulleditoutinfrontofus,doingourbesttoshieldusfromthem.

Theydidn’thave time to react.All four ran into themetal rack.Onehit sohardthatshewasknockedback,fallingtothefloor.

Hankstoodbehindus,shininghislight,asweheldtheracksteady.Oneofthecreaturesgotsmartandstartedmovingaroundtherack.“Pushitover.Hurry!”shoutedHank,thebeamoflightbouncingashegrew

nervousandshaky.We grunted, pushing the heavy rack. It toppled over on to the creatures,

pinningthemdownforthemoment,buryingthemunderafewhundredpoundsofweightthatconsistedofthemetalrackandcannedfoodsandfruits.

Hankshinedtheflashlightontherack;handsclearedapaththroughthefoodandwerereachingupintotheair,tryingtograbholdofanyoneofus.Oneofthearms reaching up was layered with blood and bites, chunks of flesh gone;another helpless victim forced to become one of the infected. The infectedwoman,whohadcrashedandfallen,wasfreefromthechestup.Theheavyrackhad broken a few of her ribs, two of themwere poking out of her side. SheflailedaswefollowedHankaroundthefallenrackandpastthecreatures.

TheothersranoutofthestorageroomwhenIrememberedMelvin’swallet.Iranbackinside―itwaspitchblack―andcroucheddown,feelingaroundforMelvin’sbody.

Ifoundhim.Myhandswerewanderingaroundhiswaist, feeling forhispocketwith the

walletandkeys.The infectedwoman, with the broken ribs, was still pinned, but was close

enoughthatthetipsofherfingerswerescratchingatthebackofmypants,tryingtocaptureme.

Ifoundthemandranoutofthere,butIforgotallaboutmyweapons,themopandbroom.

It tookmea fewseconds tocatchupwith thegroup.Theywerestill in thecafeteria.

WefollowedHankthroughthecafeteria,thebeamofhisflashlightbouncinginthedarkness.Wedidourbestnottomakeasound,butcouldn’thelpthesoundofourfootstepseverytimeourshoesandfeethittheterrazzofloor.Eventhosesounds were being drowned out by the sound of the trapped creatures in thestorageroom.

Myheartwasbeatingfast.Itwasachillynight,butthatdidn’tstopthesweatfrom running downmy face. Felt like I was running a goddamnmarathon. Iguess,inaway,Iwas.ButIkeptthinkinghowtheycouldbeonlyinchesfrommeandIwouldn’tevenknowit.Itwassodark,Icouldn’tseeathing.ItwasasifIwasrunningwithmyeyesclosed.Theonlythingthatkeptmeateasewasthatwedidn’thearanyofthem,theirscreamsortiredmoans,savefortheonestrappedinthestorageroom.

Untilweenteredthehallwayfromthecafeteria.The moment we pushed that door open and entered the hallway, we were

welcomedwithechoingmoans filling theentirestretch.Wherever these thingswere,theyweren’ttoofaroff.

Thegroupofuscontinuedrunning,chasingHank’sdancingtunneloflight.Afewtimes,thelightsflickered.Butforthemostpart,thebuildingwasdark.Theechoingmoanscontinued.Iadjustedtothemandthedarkaswemoved

closertothetunnelthatwouldleadusoutofthislivingnightmareofabuilding.Itsounded like themoansweregettingclosernow.Theyweresoclose that

Hanksloweddownabit,notwantingtorunheadonintoacrowdofthem.We were approaching a stairwell where the moans were originating from.

Oncewepassed it, themoans turned toscreams.Theone thinghelpingus themost, the flashlight, was what gave us away. The creatures saw the dancingbeamlightingupasectionofthehallwayandbecameexcited.

Themomentweheardthescreams,wejumped,goddamnfullspeedahead.Behindus,weheardthestairwelldoorslamopenandthescreamsandsnarls

intensify.“They’recoming!”shoutedPearl.SheandBillywerebringinguptherearof

thegroup.Shemaynothavebeenabletoseethem,butshecouldheartheirfeet

smackingagainstthefloorastheyranafterus,andthatwasenoughforhertoletoutacryingscream.

Wewereatthebackofthebuilding,fiftyorsixtyyardsawayfromthemainentrance.Ifthatarmyhadmadeitinside,chancesare,theywerestillnotinthispartofN-5.

“Whenwe get to the end of this corridor,”Hank shouted, as he continuedrunning,“we’regonnatakethesecondtothelastdoorontheleft.”

“Gotit,”Isaid.Afewyardsaheadofus, thepathof lightpickedupwhatappeared tobea

door,totheright,opening.Itwastoolateforustoreact.Weranrightintothem.

ChapterNineteen

Hankcrashedintothefirstoftheinfectedandfellwithhertothefloor.The

flashlight flew out of his hand andwas spinning on the floor beside him; thebeamoflight,runninginacirclealongthewallsofthehallway.

Oncetheycollided,Icouldn’ttellifwebumpedintoeachother,orifweranintothecreatures.Butnowwewereallonthefloor,andsomeonewasrippingatmyclothes.Iswungwild,doingmybesttofightoffthismaniacinthedark.

I could hearPearl’s screamsblendingwith the screamsof the infected, buthell,Icouldn’tseeanything.

ThenashotwasfiredfromHank’sgun.Thelightsbegantoflickeragain.On,off.On,off.On,off.It lookedas ifastrobelightwasflashingonusasoneof themonsterskept

trying, fighting to get my flesh in his mouth. I kicked at him.My right footcaughthiminhischinandknockedhimback.

Hankgrabbedmeandpulledmetomyfeet.The lights were still flickering as the group that was chasing us from the

stairwellwasjustreachingusnow.Therewerethreeofthem,andtheygrabbedPearl.

Billywas fightingoffone thathehadcrashed into.Hewas shouting, “Thedirtyscoundrelbitme,Stanton.Youhearthat?Lil’dogbitBillytheKid.”

Myheartdropped.No,please tellmehewas lying.Thiscrazybastardwhowasanhonest-to-Godgoodkid.Hejusthitafewroadblocksdownthepathofhislife.

IwasabouttohelpBillywhenIheardthewomanattackingHankagain.Withthelightsstillflashing,Isawtheprofessorpushaninfectedwomanbackintotheroomtheypoppedoutfrom,thenhewenttohelpBilly.

Pearlwasdoingherbesttofightoffthecreatures;everytimetheyhadagriponher,shemanagedtoslipfree.

IhelpedHankwiththewoman.Heshotheragain.Thistime,hehitherinthecornerofherforehead.Shedropped.

TheoneIhadkickedtothefloorwasgrabbingholdoftheprofessor’slegashetriedtohelpBilly.Theprofessorwasnaked,exceptfortheopengownthathe

waswearing.Hestompedhisbare footover the infectedman’shead,stoppinghimforthemoment.

Hankgrabbedtheprofessorandpulledhimfree.Theprofessorwentrunningdownthehall.

“Where’sthedoctor?”shoutedHank.Ihadnoidea,butIwasmoreworriedabouthelpingBillyandthenurse.

Hank came to my aid as the man from the floor tried to attack me frombehind;heusedhisbatontobeatontheman’shead.

IwashelpingBilly,buthe saw the threehad theirhandsonPearlnowandwereabouttodevourher.

Hescreamedandran toherside,pulledher free,but trappedhimself.Theyjumpedonhim.Onewasbitingintohisneck,snarling;another,intohisface;theother,rippinghispantsofftogettohislegs.

IwishedIcouldhavedonesomething,butitwasfartoolate.Evenifwedidpullhimfree,weallknewbynowwhatwouldbecomeofhim.Soonerorlater,he’dbedead.Thenaliveagain.

Wehadtosaveourselves.MeandHankgrabbedPearlandrandownthehallway.The few other infected people had joined the others in their mutilation of

Billy.Wereachedthedoor.Theprofessorentered,thenPearl,followedbyHank.IwasabouttoenterwhenIheardBillyshout,“Daddy!Please,cometotake

me home…Iwant…Iwant you…To hell with them Japs…I’m Billy the Kid,goddamnit!”Ilookedback―thelightswereonnow―toseeBillycoveredin,andsurroundedin,blood.Thecreaturesweretearingofffleshfromhisbodyandsavoringeverybittheystuffedintheirmouths.

BillytheKidwasdead.Fornow.Iletoutagutwrenchingcryandkickedthedamndooropen.At thebottomof the staircase, therewasadoor, theentrance to the tunnel.

DoctorCochranwaswaitingtherewiththerestofthegroup.“Billy’sdead,”Isaid.“WelostBilly.”Pearlwascrying.Shealreadyknewhewasgone.I gazed at Cochran, ran down the stairs, grabbed his shirt and shook him.

“Why’dyouleaveus?Huh?Youhelp?Getme?”I letgoofhim.“How’dyoulikeitifweleftyoubehindtofendforyourself?”

“Iwasscared,”heshouted.“Okay?Iwantedtogetaway,soIdid.”“Shut up, both of youse,” saidHank. “Let’s getmoving before they finish

withhimandcomelookingforus.Thatcrumbwasanogoodnutanyways.”IexchangedglareswithHank.Ididn’tlikethesonofabitch.

“Yougotsomethingtosayaboutit?”saidHank.“Givemeyourstick,”Isaid,soundingcalm.Hesquinted,notunderstanding

whatIwanted.“Thebaton.” Imotioned to itwithmyeyes.“Ineedaweapon.Youreallywanttobetheonlyonewithawaytohurtthesethings?”

Hehesitated,buthewoundupgivingittome.Heknewitwasthesmartthingtodo.Thenhesaid,“I’llgofirst.”Helookedatme,saying,“You’relast.Keepyoureyespeeledforwhat’sbehindus.Whathappenedbackthere,”heshookhishead,“Idon’twantithappeningagain.”Inodded.HeturnedtoCochran,“Openthedoor.Butbepreparedtocloseit.”

“HowwillIknowwhentocloseit?”saidDoctorCochran.“How?”saidHank.“WhenIscreamlikeagoddamnschoolgirl.That’swhen

youknowtocloseit.”Thedoctor letoutanervouschuckleandblushed,saying,“Excuseme.I’ve

justnever…beeninvolvedinsomethinglikethisbefore.IfeellikeI’minawar.Abattle.”

“Youare,doc.Tonight,thisisabattletolive.Tomakeittothenextgoddamnday.Nowonthecountofthree,Iwantyoutoopen,”saidHank.

Cochrannodded.“One.”Igrippedthebaton.“Two.”The professor, appearing at ease, andPearl, shivering in fear, stood behind

Hank.“Three.”BeadsofsweatrandownCochran’sfaceashepulledthedooropen.Andthen.Itwasquiet.Fromwhatwecouldsee,thetunnelwasvoidofanycreatures.Itwasflooded,

asIhadsuspected,butitwasn’tasbadasI’dthought.Thewaterwasaboutthreefeethigh.Thetunnelwasabouteightfeetinlength

andwidth.Therewerelightfixturesintheceiling,buttheywereout.Hankwasshininghistrustyflashlightthathesnatchedoffthefloorwhenherandownhere.

Itwas cold in this tunnel. I remember hearing thismorning from someonethat the temperaturewas supposed todrop tonight.Did it ever, felt like itwasaboutfortydegreesdownhere.

Thenwesteppedinthewater,andIhadtotakeadeepbreath.Thewaterwasfreezing.Itsentchillsupmyspineandcoveredmeingoosebumps.

Aswewalked,Istaredattheprofessorinfrontofme.WithHank’sflashlightasouronlysourceoflight,Icouldjustmakeoutasilhouetteoftheprofessor,but

I thought tomyself,Boy,hemust feel like apopsicle,wearing that gownandnothingelse.

Alongthewalls,therewerehugecockroachesneartheceiling,keepingawayfromthewater.Onanygivenday,Ihatecockroacheswithapassion.Toomanybadexperienceswith themwhenIwasakid.But tonight, I’dgladly takeonatunnelfullofthemratherthanfaceevenoneofthosemaniacs.

Wedrudged through thewater,our legs felt like theyweremoving throughquicksand. Itwas slowingusdown.Wecouldn’thelp it.Wewere tired,but itwasalsocold,andthatwasn’thelpingusmoveanyquicker.

About fifty yards into the tunnel,we heard banging echoing far behind us.ThecreaturesmusthavefinishedwithBillyandwerelookingforus.Therewasnowayforustobarricadetheentrancetothetunnel,sothebestthatwecoulddowastocloseitshut.

Weheardthemoansnowbehindus.Theygotthrough.Butwedidn’tpanic.Weweresofaraheadthatitwouldtakethemsometimetowaddlethroughthesecoldwaterstoreachus.

Wemovedon.

ChapterTwenty

WewereinthestairwellofN-7,oneofthehoteldormitories.Itwasfirstused

asadormitoryforthenursestaff,buthadrecentlydoubledasawardforfemalepatients.Ibelievethefirsttwofloorswereusedforpatients,andthethirdfloor,fornurses.

The moans in the tunnel were barely heard, but they were there, in thedistance,andsoontheywouldbehere.

I was closing the door shut when I turned to Hank and said, “We needsomethingtosealoffthisdoor.Intwentythirtyminutes,they’llbepoundingatit,tryingtogetin.”

“Comewithme,”said theoverweightsecurityguard, then lookedatDoctorCochran. “Stay here with these two and keep an eye on things.” Cochrannodded. “Anyone tries to get outta that tunnel, youse scream…or something.Warnus.”

“Oh,believeme,”saidCochran,“thatwillnotbeaproblematall.”Hanksaid,“Weshouldn’tbeanymorethantenminutes.Anylongerthanthat

andyou’reprobablyonyourown.”Heturnedtome.“Comeon,convict.”Iclenchedmyjaw,bitmytongue,andignoredthemug.IsteppedtoCochran

andhandedhimthebaton.“Incaseyouneedit.”“Thanks,”hesaid.I followed Hank up the stairs and through the door that led into a long

desertedhallway.Theplacewasquietuntilwegotclosertotheward.Itwasthenthatwebegan

to hear faint screams. But these weren’t the screams of the creatures. Thesescreamsweremorefamiliar,likeanoldfriendwelcomingushome.TheywerethescreamsofPhiladelphiaState’spatients.Thiswasanormalthingtohearatthistimeofnightinthehospital’swards;patientsscreamingbecausetheyweretryingtodrownoutthevoicesintheirheads,orjustscreamingtobeheard.Mostofthetime,they’dscreamthemselvesrighttosleep.

Iwassorelievedtohearthem.IwantedtohugthefirstoneIsaw.Weapproachedtheentrancetotheward.Itwaslocked.Hankgrabbedtheset

ofkeysfromhisbeltandbeganflippingthroughthem,lookingfortherightone.

Hefoundit.Hank unlocked the door, and we walked through, our eyes scanning the

surroundingarea,makingsureweweresafe.Thewardwas layeredwithalcoves,and, like theotherbuilding, therewere

threebedstoeachone.Everybedhadapatientinit,andmost,ifnotall,ofthosepatientswerestrappedtotheframe.

Inthecornerwasanurses’station.That’swherewesawBusterandDallas,thetwocoloredattendantsonduty,bothwereintheirforties,sittingata table,playing cards and sipping from their thermoses.Dallaswas the lead attendantandmyboss.Thefirstcoloredleadattendantinthehistoryofthehospital.

As soon as they sawuswalking toward them,Dallas stood fromhis chair.Theireyeswidened;theyseemedsurprisedtoseeusbothsoakingwetfromthewaistdown,butevenmoresurprisedtoseethesplatteredbloodonmyshirtandpants.

Dallas’ lipsparted,abouttosaysomething,butHankbeathimtoit,saying,“Iseverythingokayinhere?”

“Yeah,”saidDallas.“Somethingwro…”“Where’sthenurseonduty?”interruptedHank.“She’supstairs,havinghersupper.Alittlelate…”Hanksaid,“Listen,wehaveanemergencyonourhands.”Busterwasoffhis

chairnow,standingbehindDallas.“Areallthepatientsaccountedfor?”“Yes. They in bed,” saidDallas. “What emergency?You talking about the

electricitygoingoutearlier?”“We need to get everyone in this building locked in the wards. You

understand?”Busterwasconfused,hesaid,“Whataboutthenursesintheirrooms?They’re

allsleeping.”“Isaideveryone,”saidHank.“Idon’tgiveadonkey’sdickwho’ssleeping.

Geteveryoneinthisbuildinglockedinthesewardsasfastashumanlypossible.Nowhoptoit.”

BusterlookedatDallasforhisapproval.Dallasnoddedandsaid,“Startonthethirdfloor.Wakeup thenurses.Takesometo thesecondfloorwardandbringtherestdownhere.”

“WhatshouldItellthem?”Hanksaid,“Tellthem,it’sagoddamnlifeordeathsituation.Don’twasteany

time,justgettheirasseslockedandsafe.”Busterseemedalittlenervousafterhearingthat.I’msurehewaswondering

what the hell was going on. But he didn’t ask another question; he ran off,towardtheelevator.

I headed to the nearest window, which faced the rear of N-7. It was stillrainingbut,atthemoment,ithadlightenedupsome.Fromthiswindow,duringaclearday,youcouldseeafieldbeyondtheparkinglot,behindthatwasaroad,thenanotherfield,followedbyN-5.Butwiththedarknessandthefallingrain,thefurthestIcouldseewastheedgeoftheparkinglot,wherethedimparkinglotlightsshined.

Therewasasmallergroupof the infected,about thirty,spreadout fromtheclosestfieldtothewroughtirongatethatwrappedaroundthebuilding.IturnedbacktoHankandDallasandsaid, inapanic,“They’realreadyhere.”Istartedmovingtowardthedooroftheward,lookingbackatthetwo,saying,“I’mgoingto see if it’s not too late to lock this gate. Hank, get the others back at thetunnel.”

Irandownthestretchofthehallway.Iheardfootstepsbehindmeandstoleaquickglanceback.ItwasDallas.Hewasfollowing.Hesaid,asweran,“Whoyoutalking‘bout?Whooutside?Patientsbrokeloose?”

“You assigned me to N-3 with Melvin.” We were fast approaching theentrancetoN-7.“Thedoctorsweretestingthatpoliovaccineandallhellbrokeloose.AndwhenIsay,‘allhellbrokeloose’,Imeanthatgoddamnliterally.”Wereachedtheentrance. Ipulledopenthedoor tosee therainbeatingagainst thecement steps, welcoming us back to the gloomy campus. No one was in theparkinglot,buteightofthemwereaboutthirtyfeetfromthegate’sentrance.Meandmyboss,aboutahundredfeetaway.

IgrabbedDallas’armandpulledhimalongas I started running toward thegate.Itwascoldernow.IcouldseemybreathbeforemeeverytimeIhuffedasmyfeetstompedagainsttheasphalt.

Aswepassedunderoneofthelights,thegroupoutsidethegatesawus.Theyscreamed.Threeofthembegantorun,tryingtobeatustotheopening.

ChapterTwenty-one

About twenty feet away from the opening I realized this was a mistake;

should’veneverattemptedtolockthisgate;should’vestayedbackthereandjustworriedaboutsecuringthatdoor.

Itwastoolatetoturnbacknow.The three that were running made it into the parking lot, and they were

comingrightforus.Wewereclosinginforaheadoncollision.IshoutedtoDallas,“Killthem.”“What?”“Gofor…theirheads…Thebrain…Ifyoudon’t…they’llgetyou,”Ishouted

asweran.“Andwhateveryoudo…don’t…letthem…biteyou.”Icouldseehimoutofthecornerofmyeye,givingmeaweirdlook.

Igazedattheoneinfrontofme,amalepatient,couldn’thavebeenolderthantwenty-one.Hewasn’twearingashirt,andhisstomachhadsomanychunksoffleshmissingthatIcouldseehisintestinesbeginningtosneakout.Hesnarled,showinghisrottingteeth,asIgotcloser.

I didn’t give the sorry bastard a chance. I tackled him, the blood from thebitesonhisstomachsmearedonmyneckandshoulderashewasliftedofftheground.Iranwithhimafewfeetbeforepushinghimoff,sendinghimcrashingtotheground.

TheothertwowentforDallas.Irantohimashebegantofightoffoneofthetwocreatures,bothofwhich

werewomen,withhissap,butitlookedlikehewasn’ttryingtohurther.Hewasswinging thewooden stick at her legs andarms,wanting to avoid any seriousinjuriestothepatient.

“Goforthehead,boss-man,”IshoutedasIpulledtheone,tryingtosneakupon him, by her longwet brown hair and yanked her back to the gatewhere Istarted smacking her head against the wrought iron. She scratched at myforearm, trying to free herself, but Iwasmerciless. Iwaswhackingher petitelittleheadashardasIcould.

Theinfectedmanonthegroundwasbackonhisfeet.Hejumpedonme,andIfell,withhimontop,totheground.Iwasstillholdingtheladybyherhairand

draggedherdownwithus.Shewasstillalive,butthebeatingfromthegatesplitherforehead.Bloodwasescapingfromthefreshgashandwasrunningdownherface.

Themanon topwas trying tobite intomybicep. Iwas lyingwith the rainbeatingagainstmyface.Iopenedmymouth,toletsomeofthedropsfallin,andswallowed.FirstdamndrinkIhadinhours.ThenIusedmylegstopushtheguyupafewinchesand,oncetherewasroombetweenus,Igrippedhimbyhisneckandthrewhimtotheside.

Hewasoffnow.I felt thewoman clinching ontomy pants, so I got tomy feet as fast as I

could. Shewas still on the ground. I looked down on her small frame to seethoseyelloweyesgazinghardatme.Iliftedmyrightfootandslammeditdownon the topofherhead. I continued. Iheardbonescrunching,but Ididn’t stopuntilIsawthatshewasn’tmoving.

Iglancedoutside thegateandcouldsee therestof thesmallgroupmovingslow,butstillgettingclosertotheopening.IknewIhadachancenowtoshutitand prevent them from coming inside. I ran, grabbed the end of the gate andpushedit,slidingit,thewheelsinthetrack,rolling,andtheopening,shrinkingbythesecond.

Iheardfootstepsslappingtherainontheground.Outofthecornerofmyeye,I could see the infectedman charging atme, again. The determined son of abitchscreamedashereachedoutandgrabbedmyshirt.Ihadnochoice―guyhad some strength to him― I let go of the gate and began tusslingwith thecreature.Hewaspushinghishead towardme,while Iwas trying topushhimbackwithonearmandlandingblowstohisfacewiththeother.

Theopeningwasonlyabouttwofeetwide,buttheslowmoverswereneartheedge.ThefearwasbuildinginsidemeasIsawtheminchingbut,atthemoment,Icouldn’tdoathingtostopthem.Iwasabouttenfeetawayfromthegate,doingmybestnottobecomeoneofthem.

Ididn’tknowwhat theheckwasgoingonwithDallas. I couldn’t afford toevenpeekinhisdirection.AllIcansayis,hewasgrunting,andthewomanwasscreaming.

Thenthewheelsscreechingagainst thetrackwereheard.Myeyesdartedtothe opening. Iwas shocked and disappointed to see the slowmovers floodingthroughthegate.

Itwastimetogo.Fightingthiscreaturenowwaspointless.WithallthestrengthIcouldmuster,

Ishovedhimback,andhedroppedtotheground,tearingpartofmyshirtalongtheway.

I stole another lookat the five entering theparking lot and turned, runningtowardDallas. Hewas still taking it easy on the infected woman, hitting herarmsandlegswithhissapasshewasheldbackbyhisstretchedoutarm.

Running up behind her, and approaching fast, I grabbed her gray hospitalgownandthrewhertotheground.DallasgavemethislooklikeIwascrazy.Ishovedhimandshouted,“Run!”Hedidn’tmoveuntilhiseyesfocusedbehindmeandsawthegroupclosingin.That’swhenheran.

WemadeitbackinsideN-7andshutthedoor.“Doyouhavethekeys?”Isaid.Henodded,seemedalittlenervous,grabbedthekeychainfromhisbeltand

begansearchingforthekey.Iwas looking through the smallwindow in thedoorandcould see the five

slowmovershalfwayacrosstheparkinglot.TheguythatIwasfighting,andthewomanthatDallaswasdancingwith,wererunningandalmostatthedoor.

“Findthatdamnkey,fast,”Isaid.Therewas a loudcrash at thedoor.The two runners collided into it. Iwas

closetolosingmystanceagainstthedoor,butIpushedashardasIcould.Sweatwas running down my forehead as my face turned red. The creatures werescreamingastheirpoundingrattledmyeardrums.

Dallasfoundthekey.Tookhimafewtriestofititinthekeyhole,becausehishandwasshakingsodamnmuch,buthegotitinandlockedit.

Ieasedoffthedoor,slow,inchbyinch.IwasscaredifIletgo,theywouldpushitopen.Butitwaslockedandstayedthatway.

Westeppedaway,bothofus,staringateachother.“Youallright?”saidDallas.Iwasbreathingheavy.“Yeah…Tired…You?”“I’mcool.”Hiseyeswentdowntohis lefthand.Minefollowed.Therewas

blooddrippingfromthewebbetweenhisthumbandindexfinger.

ChapterTwenty-two

MyeyeswidenedasDallassaid,“Shetookalittlebite,butnuthin’somefirst

aidfromoneofthesesweethoneyscan’tfix.”“Christ.”“What?”“Itoldyou,don’tletthembiteyou.”“Itain’tnuthin’butascratch,”hesaid,likeitwasnobigdeal.“Ibefine.”“No.” I was shakingmy head. “You don’t understand, goddamn it. You’re

goingtobecomeoneofthem.”“Oneofwhat?Theycrazy.Iain’tgonnabecrazy‘causeshebitme.Theyjust

abunchofcrazysuckerstryingtoescape.Relax,Veimer.”Hetookanotherlookatthebite,thenbackatme.“Let’sgobacktothewardandseeifwecangetthepoliceonthehorn.”

He started walking back down the hall. I watched him as he relaxed, hismuscles not so tense. I saw the sap sticking out of his back pocket. He wastalkingtomeashewalkedahead,butIcouldn’ttellyouathinghesaid,Iwasn’tpayinganyattention.

Ifollowedbehindhim,closingthegapbetweenus.When I felt I was close enough, I reached out, grabbed the sap from his

pocket,andwhackedhiminthebackofhisheadbeforehecouldreact.Hestumbledandcursed.Iwasraisingmyarmtohithimagain,buthechargedatme.Hesentajabinto

myface.Itwasenoughtobustmylipopen,butitwasaweakpunch.Icouldtellhewasdazed.

Hethrewhimselfonme,andwefelltothefloor.“You should’ve killed her,” I said, struggling with the husky older man. I

struck at his sidewith the sap, andhewent limp for a split second, but camerightback,tryingtograbtheweaponfrommyhand.

“Iain’tnomurderer.That’syou.Youthemurderer.”I turned, and we rolled. I was on top of him now. I gripped his neck and

slammedhisheadagainsttheterrazzofloor.Hisarmsdropped,buthewasstillawake,staringatmewithglassyeyes.Iwasinarage.Iswungthesapbackand

whacked it against his temple. I did this until I couldn’t feel his chest rising.ThenIputmyheaddownandlistenedforaheartbeat.

Dallaswasdead.KillinghimwassomethingthatIcouldn’tavoid.Hehadbeenbittenandwas

lockedinthebuildingwithus.Itwasamatterof timebeforehewasattackingourgroup.

Ilefthisbodylyingthereinthemiddleofthehall.Asmallpuddleofbloodwasformingaroundhishead.Ibeganwalkingbacktothewardandcouldhearthebangingcontinuebackattheentrancebehindme.

Mymindwanderedasmylegsmoved,mytiredfeetdraggingacrossthefloor.IthoughtaboutClaraagain.Ihadtoleavefast.Shemaybedead,andIcouldbewastingmytime.No.Don’t think thatway,Veimer.She’salive.You feel it inyourheart.Buttimeisrunningout.It’stimetoscram.

Iranbacktotheward.AsIapproachedtheentrance,IsawBusterandafewnurseswalkinginside.I

followedbehindthem.I shut the door and locked it. I turned back. My eyes traveled the room,

wanting to seewhowas here. Iwas relieved to see thatHankwas backwithDoctorCochran,theprofessorandPearl.Theyweresittingatthenurses’station,mostofthemudhadwashedoffthelowerpartofPearl’suniforminthetunnel,leavingitadirtybrowncolor.

Bustersaid,“Where’sDal?”Ididn’twanttosayanythingtohim.MyeyeswenttoHank,whowasalready

gazingatme.Ishookmyhead.Heknewwhatthatmeant.Not Buster though. He said, “Where is he?” When he realized he wasn’t

gettinganansweroutofme,heturnedtoHankandaskedhimthesamething.“Listenup,everybody,”saidHank.Therewereabout tennurses thatBuster

gatheredfromupstairs,theymovedinclosewiththerestofus,wantingtohearwhatthehighrankingsecurityguardhadtosay.“Wehaveamajorsituationonour hands.There is a sickness of some kind that started spreading around thecampusashorttimeago.Idon’tknowexactlywhatitis,butit’smakingpeoplewanttohurtothers.WhenIsayhurt,Imeanit’smakingthemwanttoeatotherpeople.” The nurses gasped. Buster was staring at Hank. “This may soundridiculous, but it’s the truth.Many people on this campus are ill, others haveevendied.”

Anursesaidtoanother,interruptingHank,“ItoldyouIheardscreams.”Nowthenursesweretalkingamongstthemselves.

“Whatweneed todo is remaincalm,” saidHank, raisinghisvoice a little.“Wearetostaylockedinthiswarduntilhelparrives.”

“Arethesepatientsthataresick?”saidoneofthenurses.“No,doesn’tmatterwhoyouare,”saidHank.“Anyonecangetthissickness.”Thesamenursesaid,“Howmanypeoplehavebeenstricken?”DoctorCochranspokeup,saying,“We’renotsure.Itcouldbe…”“It could be in the hundreds,” interrupted Hank, “and they’re headed this

way.”Thenursesbegantalkingovereachother;afewwerescaredandcrying:“What?”“Howcouldthisbe?”“Eatingpeople?Whatmakesapersondothat?”“IknewIshould’vegonehometoday.”“Whathelparewewaitingfor?”“Yeah,hasanyonecalledthepolice?”Hanksaid,“I’mnotreallysureifanyoneelsehascalledthepolice.Speaking

forus in thisgroup,we’ve tried,but thephonesareout.”A fewof thenursesbegantopanic.“Listen,ifwestayinhere,we’refine.Thedoorislocked.Thewindowsaretoohighforthemtoreach,andeveniftheydidreach,thescreensare locked and are too thick for them to get through.We stay in here, keepchecking thephones,assoonas they’reback,we’llcall forhelp.Don’tworry.Justkeepcalmandquiet.”

“SowhathappenedtoDal?”Busteraskedagain.Hankgazedathim.IapproachedBusterandwhisperedtohim,notwantingtherestofthegroup

tohear,“Hecamewithmetolockthegate,andtheygothim.”“What?Sohe’ssickor…?”“No…Hedidn’tmakeit.”“He’sdead?”saidBuster.Inodded,thengrabbedhisarmandsaid,“Don’tsayanything.You’llfrighten

therestofthem.”Helookedatthescarednurses,someofwhichwerecrying.Heturnedbackto

meandagreedtokeepquietaboutDallas.IwalkedtoHankandsaid,inalowtone,“Whenyoupickedthemupatthe

tunneldidyouguyssealthedoor,sotheywouldn’tgetthrough?”Heshookhishead.“Why?”“Hey, convict,” he said, “I didn’t have the time for that garbage. If we’re

locked in here thenwhat does itmatter?Let’emroam the halls all theywant.Let’embangonthedoor.Theywon’tgetinhere.”

“Yeah, let thembang away, right?” I said. “Itmaybe all right to let a few

‘bang away’, butwhat happenswhen the rest of themonsters fromN-5 comethroughthetunnel?Huh?Whathappenswhenyougetanarmybangingonthatdoor?Youthinkit’llstillholdthen?”

Hankdidn’tsayaword.Justtightenedhislipsandturnedaway.Igrabbedhisarmandsaid,“Weneedtoleavenow.Let’sgetmovingtothe

guardhousebeforethesebastardssurroundthisbuildingtoo.”Henodded.HemotionedCochranover,andthethreeofuswalkedawayfrom

thegroup.Hanksaidtohim,“We’regoingtoheadtotheboulevard.Theguardhouse.Grabsomeweapons.”

“Whataboutus?”saidthedoctor.“Stayhere,”saidHank.“Someoneneedstostayandwatchoverthepeoplein

thisbuilding.”The doctor was shaking his head. “No. No, no, no. I’m coming with you

both.”“Doc,juststayhere,”Isaid.“Look,”Cochran said, “if Igo, I cangather someweaponsandbring them

back to this building. Meanwhile, you and the attendant here can go to thechildren’scottages.”

MeandHanklookedateachother.“Whatifit’stoolatewhenyoucomeback?”saidHank.“ThenI’ll take thatchance.Thesepeopleneedsometypeofselfdefense to

protectthem.Rightnow,theyhavenothinginhere.”“Okay,”saidHank.“Youstillhavethatbaton?”IsaidtoCochran.Henoddedandsaid,“Ileftitonthetablethere.”“Makesureyoubringit.”“Of course,” said Cochran, then he walked back to the nurses’ station to

retrieveit.HankcalledBusterover.“What’sthescoop,boys?”saidBuster.Hank said, “Look here, we’re going to getmoving.We’re heading out for

guns, the threeofus.”Busternodded,waiting forhispart tocome in.“Iwantyoutoprotectthesegirlsandthepatients.”

“Howlongyouboysgonnabe?”“Don’tknow,”saidHank.“Butkeepthisdamnwardlocked.Matteroffact,

putsomefurnitureorsomethinginfrontofit.Tostrengthenit.”Busternodded.“Who’supstairs?”

“About a hundred patients,” said Buster, “and maybe another ten twelvenurses.Theylockedthemselvesintheward.They’regood.”

“Allrightthen,”saidHank.“You’reincharge.Remember.”Busternodded.That’s when we heard Pearl raising her voice to Doctor Cochran,

“Where?...No,youcan’tleaveuswiththosedeadpeople.”“Calmdown,”saidCochran.“We’llbebackfast.”“Butthey’redead,”saidPearl.“Don’tyouunderstand?”“Whatisshetalkingabout?”saidoneofthenurses.Hanksaid,“Ignoreher.Shewasattacked,andshejustneedssomesleep.”He

pausedforamoment,lookingoverthefacesoftheconcernednurses.“Weneedprotection against these sick people, so a few of us are headed to the guardhouse.BusterhereisinchargewhileI’mgone.Pleaseremembernottoopenthisdoorforanybody. Idon’tcare if it’syourbest friend. If they’resick, theywillattack.”Thenurseswerescared.“Yousegotthat?”

Theynodded.Someanswered.“Anotherthing,”Isaid.“Ifyouseethemoutsidethewindows,oroutinthe

hallway,thenmoveaway,outoftheirsight.Iftheyseeanybodyinhere,thatwillmakethemthatmuchmoredeterminedtogetin.”

“Let’sgo,doc,”saidHank.Thedoctorwaswalkingtowarduswhentheprofessorsaid,“DoctorCochran,

mygoodman,youaresupposedtoberesponsibleformywellbeing.”“Iunderstand,Professor,” saidCochran, “but Iwillbebackasquicklyas I

can.Don’tworry,you’llbesafeheretillIreturn.”“Well that’s not good enough, sir. I need to get tomy bed in time formy

wife’svisit,andyouaretheonlyindividualwhocantakemethere.”“Professor,please.”Hankinterrupted,saying,“Whatisitthatyouwant,nuttybuddy?What,you

wanttocomewithus?”Theprofessorchuckled,saying,“Well,Iamcertainlynotstayingherewithout

thepresenceofthegooddoctor.Heisresponsibleformysafety,andthatcomesintoplaynow,especiallynow,inthistimeofcrisis.”

“Just shut up and move it.” Hank was upset, not wanting to bring theprofessoronourdangerousjourney.

Busterpeekedthroughthewindowinthedoor.Allwasclear.Heopenedit,andweexitedtheward;me,Hank,DoctorCochranandtheprofessor.

“Youboysbecareful.I’llkeeptryingtocallforhelpwhileyallgone.”Thenheshutthedoor.“Wecan’tgooutthefrontentrance,”Isaid.“They’realreadyatthatside.”“Sohowarewegettingout?”saidCochran.Hank’sheadwasturningsidetoside,lookingupanddownthehallway.Then

hesaid,“Aroundthecorner,downattheendofthishall,there’sawindow.We’llhavetoclimboutofit.”

Wefollowedhimdownthestretch.Afewminutespassed.Wewerearound thecorner,at the five foothigh rectangularwindow.Hank

wasunlockingthescreenandopeningit.Itwassilent.Thenthemoansbegan.Weturnedandsawtheinfectedpeoplefromthetunnel,makingtheirwayout

into thehallway.Theydidn’tseeus.Theyweredragging their feet,moving intheoppositedirection,towardtheward.

“Idon’tgetit?”Isaid,watchingthem.“What?”saidHank,ashepulledupthewindow.“I’veseensomerunlikemadmen.ThenIseeoneslikethese.Lookhowslow

they’removing.”“It’s the rigormortis setting in,” saidDoctorCochran. “Theprocessbegins

after abodyhasbeendead for a fewhours.Themusclesbegin to tightenandstiffen.”

“Butthey’renotreallydead,”saidHank.“Buttheyare,”saidCochran.“Thisvaccinemaybedrivingtheirbodiesasif

they were still alive, but the bodies are dead. Even though they are movingaround and eating, I would imagine they will continue to rot and follow thenormal steps of decomposition as any usual dead body would. What I don’tunderstandishowtheirdigestivesystemisabletooperate?Ifitoperatesatall.”

“Allright,”saidHank.“Comeon.Wegottajumpout.”Cochranwaslookingattheslowmoverswalkinginthedirectionoftheward.

He said, “Don’t you thinkwe should take care of those few?So they are notbangingatthedoorinafewminutes,terrifyingtheothers.”

MeandHanklookedateachother.Hanksaid,“He’sright.Weshouldgetridof themnow.Thatway, they’reoutof theequation, andwedon’tgottaworryaboutthemtryingtogetintheward.”

Iagreed.Hank left thewindowopen,andwe randown thehallway,approaching the

groupofaboutfivedeadpeople.We were fifteen feet away from the door, where they had emerged only

momentsago,whenweheardtheroarofrunningfootsteps.Westoppedinourtracks.

ChapterTwenty-three

The door was pushed open and infected women in hospital gowns were

gushingout,intothehall,andmovinginbothdirections.Foramoment,wewereallinshock,standingstill.Butonelookatthoseeyes

sentusrunningbackto thewindow.Meandtheprofessorwere infront.HankandCochranwerebehindus.Iwassoscared,IwasscreamingasIran.Ididn’tlookbacktoseehowclosetheywere,butIcouldhearthemscreaming.

I reached thewindowfirst. Ididn’t stopor slowdown to seehow long thedropwas,oriftherewerecreaturesoutthere.Ijustjumped.

Ilandedontheasphaltintheparkinglot.Myhandshittingfirst,thenIrolledafewtimes.Istoodupquick,lookedaround,didn’tseeanyofthecreatures.

Myeyeswenttothewindow.Theprofessorwashangingonto the sill, stretchingouthisbody so that the

fallwasn’t toohigh. I couldhearHank screaming forhim todrop, thenHankrippedhishandfromthesill,andtheprofessorcamecrashingtotheground.

Not even five seconds later, Hank came falling out, followed by Cochran,who was holding onto Hank. They both crashed together on top of theprofessor’sarm,causinghimtoscreaminagony.

Themengottotheirfeet.Thescreamsfromthehallwayweregettinglouder.We ran as thewomenbegan falling,not jumping,outof thewindow.They

justfell.Likeragdolls.Someofthemwererightbackontheirfeet,runningbehindus.Othersseemed

tohavesufferedbrokenlegsfromthefallandwerelefttocrawlinourdirection.Afewhadlandedontheirheadsandwoundupkillingthemselvesforgood.Buttheystillcontinuedtopouroutofthewindowontothegroundbelow.

Asweturnedthecornerof thebuilding,Istolea lastglanceof thewindowfromwhereweemergedandestimatedthattherehadtobeatleastfiftyofthosecreaturesontheground.Halfofthemwererunningafterus.

Wewereapproachingtheentranceoftheparkinglot.Outofthecornerofmyeye,Icouldsee thesmallgroup, thatmeandDallasencountered,stillbangingonthefrontdoorofN-7.Wegrabbedtheirattention,andtheyjoinedthechase.

Onceweexitedtheparkinglotandrandowntheroadofthecampus,therain

begantopickup.Thedropswereheavyandweresmackingusinthefaceaswehustleddowntheroad.Ourdestinationoftheguardhousewasaboutahalfmileaway.Mostofwhichwouldbemudandgrassasthisroaddidn’theaddirectlydowntotheboulevard.Itwrappedaroundthecampus.

Wecametoaforkintheroad,madearight,andcontinuedrunning.Wehadmaybeanotherfiftyyardsorso,thentheroadwouldcurvebackinthedirectionofN-5.Atthatpoint,wewouldhavetoleavetheroadandtakethefarmland.

Iwasbreathinghard.AfewtimesIjustwantedtogiveup,butthethoughtofClara, and hearing those screams behindme, gaveme the energy I needed tocontinue.Iwasleadingthepack.Theprofessorwasinprettygoodshapeforanolderman;hemanagedtostayrightbymyside.HankandCochranwereafewfeetbehindus. IcouldhearHankhuffingandpuffing, sounding likehis lungsweregoingtocollapse.

The next curve in the road was here. We ran off the road and continuedrunninginthemuddygrass.Icouldhearmybootssquishingthewateroutofthesoakingwetterrain.

The roadwas linedwith scattered street lamps.Theparking lotshada fewtoo.Thisgaveusenoughlighttoseewherewewereheadedasweran.

ThenIblinked,andthedarknessswallowedthecampus.Thestormknockedoutthepoweragain.Hankscreamedandcoughed,upsetatnotbeingabletoseeinfrontofus.His

breathing was getting worse. The poor son of a bitch was going down anyminute.

ThenIwasrelievedtoseethebouncingbeamoflight,comingfrombehindmeanddancinginfrontofus.Hankhadturneditontoguideus.

Thescreamsofthecreatureswerestrong,buthaddieddown,onlyslightly.“Stop!Stop…Ican’t”saidHank.Thebeamoflightwaspulledfrominfrontofus.I stopped and looked back to see Hank wasn’t running. He was breathing

heavy,staringattheinfected.Thecreatureswereabouttwentyyardsbehindandapproachingfast.CochranhadalsostoppedandwasstandingbesideHank.Theprofessorwasstillrunning.“Comeon,”Isaid.“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”“I gotta catch my breath,” said Hank, as he kept the flashlight on the

approachingmob.“IfeellikeI’mabouttodie.”“Ifyoudon’tgetmovingthenyouwilldie.”Hischestwasmovingupanddown,upanddown,asheraisedhisrevolver

and began firing at the creatures. A few of the bullets were head shots and

dropped the infected women, but some, maybe three, missed and hit in theshoulder, neck, one even hit in the mouth, but the creature kept moving.However,eventhemissedshotsstillslowedthemdown.Theydroppedandtookaboutaminutetogetbackontheirfeet.

Isawthecreaturesclosingin.Theneverythingwentblack.Hank’strustyflashlight…died.

ChapterTwenty-four

Hankfiredanothertwoshotsinthedark,andtheflashfromthemuzzlegave

usateaseofwhatwasonourasses.Thescreamsgotloudagainastheinfectedpeoplegrewexcited.Hetriedfiringanothershot,andIcouldheartheclickingofthegun.Itwas

empty.Iran.Someoneelsebehindmewasrunning.Iwasn’tsurewho.Butthen,Iheardsomeonescreaming.Itwasn’tthescreamsofthecreatures,

butthescreamsofsomeonebeingeatenalive.Amanscreamingforhelpashisfleshwasbeingtornfromhisbody.Sobrutalitwastohearascreamlikethat.

Ididn’tknowifitwasHankorDoctorCochran.ButIknewitwasoneofthetwo.Ithad tobe.Theprofessorneverstoppedrunning.Forsomeonewhowasconsideredinsanehemadethesanestmoveofallofus.

Mylegskeptmoving.Ididn’twanttodie.Most of the screams of the creatures were left further and further in the

distanceasIcontinuedrunning.Onlyafewwerestillonmytail.Andthemanfollowingmehadahardtimekeepingup.

ThenIheardtheheavybreathingagain,anditallbutconfirmeditformethatHankhadsurvivedandCochranwastheonebeingslaughteredbackthereinthefield.

Running,Icouldn’tseeanythinginfrontofme.Itwasblack.ButIknewtokeep straight without turning. Eventually, I would reach the guard houses onRooseveltBoulevard.

AsIgrewcloser,faintscreamswereheardinthedistance.Buttheyweren’tbehindme.These screamswere coming from in frontofme, from thewest. Ithought,thesemusthavebeenmoreinfectedwomenspreadingthroughoutN-3,N-5andtheotherbuildingsonthatsideofthehospital’scampus.I justprayedthattheyhadn’treachedthechildren’scamp.

Itwasstilldark,butIknewtheguardhouseswereclose.Icontinuedmoving.Ibegantoseewhatappearedtobethebeamfromaflashlightaboutfiftyfeet

away. I wondered who it was. It seemed to be around the area of the guard

houses,soIdecidedtoheadforit.AsIapproachedthebeam,Iheardavoicesay,“Myboy,it’sme.I’mgladto

seeyoumade it.”Theprofessor pointed the flashlight at theground, so that Iwouldn’ttriponthestepsleadinguptothedooroftheguardhouse.

Isaid,“Where’dyoufindtheflashlight?”“Itwasrighthereinfrontofthedoor.”“Keepitpointinginthefield.Hankisonhisway.”“WhatbecameofDoctorCochran?”I hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’m not sure he made it…I heard

screams.”“Whatashame,”hesaid, staring into thedarkness.“Howwill Ieverget to

mywifenow?”Iplacedmyhandoverhis shoulderandsaid, “I’ll takeyou.Stickwithme,

Professor.”Wesawaheavysetman’ssilhouetterunningacrossthebeamoflight.Itwas

Hank,pantingashesaid,“Inthehouse.Now.They’recoming.”Without saying aword,Hank snatched the flashlight out of the professor’s

hand,pushedpastusbothandopenedthedoortotheguardhouse.Wefollowedhiminside.Heshinedthelightonusasweentered.“Lockthatdoor,”hesaid.Ilockeditandsaid,“Howclosearethey?”Hankwasbeginningtocatchhisbreathasheplacedtheflashlight,stillon,on

the desk by the door. “Acouple hundred feet away.Theywere slowing downacrossthefield.Alotofthemstayedwiththedoc.”

“He’sdead?”Isaid,wantingtobesure.“Yeah,”Hanksaid,nodding.Thenhisfistcamecrashingintomyeye.Isawa

flashofwhiteasIfeltmyselfdriftingbackandtrippingoverthechair;thebeamoflightshakingasIrockedthedesk.Hepickedmefromthefloorandpunchedmeinthemouth.

Mylipslashedopenagainsttheedgeofmyteeth,andthebloodbegantofillin my mouth. Pain started shooting through my gums. I pressed my tongueagainstmyfrontteethandcouldfeelthatoneofthemwasloose.

“Doc’sdead,”saidHank,asheheldmeclosetohimwithhishandsclenchedon my T-shirt. “That’s not good. That means I don’t get my money, or myrecognition.Alsomeansyousetwo,”hiseyeslookingtotheprofessor,thenbackatme,“areabouttocheckout.That’sright,convict.Yourlittlesuicidemissiontosavethatbroadisgettingcutshort…Andsoareyou.”

“Leavehimbe,”saidtheprofessor.“Shutup,screw,‘causeyou’renext.”Hisattentionwasbacktomeashesaid,

“Youthinkyoucandowhatyoudidtomeandgetawaywithit?”Hewaitedforan answer. I didn’t say a thing. Just stared at him with my swelling eye.Hesmashedhis head intomy forehead. It hit so hard, I thought he used a sledgehammer.

Idroppedtothefloor.IthinkIwasoutcoldforafewseconds.WhenIopenedmyeyes,Hankwas

standingatacabinet,attheotherendoftheroom,withtheflashlight.Itriedtostand,butmyheadwasspinning.Idroppedrightbacktothefloor.

He was walking back toward me now, the flashlight in one hand and arevolverintheother.

Thegunwasaimedatme.That’swhenthedooropened.

ChapterTwenty-five

Wealllookedtothedoor,expectingtobeattacked.Myheadwasstillspinning.AllIcouldmakeoutwasalantern.“Whatinthe

hell is goingon?”His namewasEugene.Hewas theheadguard, about sixtyyearsold,butlookedatleastseventy.HiseyeswereonHankasheenteredthehouse,watchingHankpointingthegun.

“Everything,”saidHank.“Why’reyoupointingthatpiece?”“I…Ithoughtyouwerethosesickos,”saidHank.“WellI’mnot,”saidEugene,asheshutthedoor,“soputitawaybeforeyou

hurtsomebody.”Iwasstillon the floor. I lookedatHank,myheadbeginning to feela little

better,andsawhimplacingtherevolverinhissideholster.“Youallright,fella?”I lookedandsawEugenestaringatme.His lanternwasrestingonthedesk

now.Inodded.IwasabouttospeakwhenHankopenedhisbigmouth,saying,“He’sfine.Guy’sbeenfightingthesethingsallnight.They’regettingthebestofhim.Ain’tthatright,convict?”

MyeyeswenttoHank.God,Iwantedsobadtoknockhisteethoutwithoneshot.

Theprofessorwas standing at thewall across fromme, besideEugene.Hewascalmashesaid,“Sir,thereisatruthherethatisnotbeingexposed.”

“What?”saidEugene,lookingattheprofessor,confused.“Yourapprenticewasabouttoassassinatethisyoungman.”Eugenewassquintingattheprofessor.“WhattheChristisaappendix?”“Him,” said the professor,motioningwith his head toward the fat security

guard.“Yourunderstudy,yourcoworker,hewasgoingto…uh‘rub-out’,astheysay,thisyoungmanhere.”

Hankjumpedrightin,saying,“That’saloadofhogwash.Don’tlistentothiscretin.He’sbeenwalkingaroundwithawetgownallnight.Thecold’sprobablyaffectinghisalreadyretardedbrain.”

Eugene’s eyes wandered between the three of us. Then he came over and

helpedmeintothechairatthedesk.Ipattedhisshoulderandthankedhim.Hesaid,“Hank,grabacoupleachairsfromthebackroomforyouandthepatienthere.”

Hankhesitated,butleftandcamebackwithtwochairs.Heshovedonetotheprofessor, and they sat down, against the wall. Eugene was sitting in anotherchair at the desk, with me. From his shirt pocket, he pulled out a pouch oftobaccoandapackofTipTopcigarettepaper.Hestarted rollingupcigarettesandhandingthemtoeachofusashesaid,“Iknowaboutthepatientsbreakingout. About them attacking everyone.” He paused. “A car pulled up earlier.Nearlydroverightintothehousehere.MeandLoyalranoutsidetoseewhatallthe fuss was. An attendant. Said he was at N-5 when a patient came in andstartedattackinganyone insight.Biting them.Hesaidhemanaged to runout,butthatpeoplewerestillbeingattacked.Toldustogethelp,hewasleavingandsaidhequit.Thenhedroveaway.Wetriedcallingtheotherbuildingstoseeifthiswastrue,butthephoneswereout.”

“Weknow,”Isaid.“We’vebeentryingeversincethismessbegan.”“So,anyhow,ItoldLoyaltogetinthecaranddriveovertoN-5.Checkitout.

Ihaven’tseenorheardfromhimsince.”Hanksaid,ashedrewonhiscigarette,“Ididn’tseeLoyalorthecaratN-5.

Myguessis,hegotcaughtupbeforehecouldmakeitthere.”“Ifhestoppedatthewomen’sbuildings,”Isaid,“thenhe’sprobablyinaload

oftrouble.”“What exactly is goingon?”Eugene said, rollinghimself another cigarette.

“Howmanypeopleareinvolvedinthisbreakout?”“This isn’t exactly abreakout,” I said. “It’smore likeaman-madedisaster.

And if we don’t get help quick, not only are the thousands of people on thiscampusindangerofbeingkilled,butsoarepeopleinthesurroundingcounties.”

Eugene’seyeswidened.“What’she talkingabout,Hank?”Hankwenton totellhimaboutthe“sickness”,ashecalledit,spreading,explainingittoEugenethesamewayhedidtothenursesatthedormitory.

“Thewhole reasonwhywe’re here,” saidHank. “Wecame for someguns.Wehadadoctorwithus.HewasgonnaheadbacktoN-7withweaponstohelpprotectthepeopleheldupinthere,butthosesickpeoplegotaholdofhim.Asfarasweknow,he’sdead.Iwasgoingwiththeconvicttothechil…”

Thewindowinfrontofthedeskexploded.Brokenglasswasflying inalldirectionsasan infectedwoman landedright

onthedesk.

ChapterTwenty-six

Weallscreamedandjumpedoutofourchairs.Thebrokenglass got inmyhair, and a piece of it left a small gashonmy

cheek.Eugene screamed. I looked and saw a shard of glass, about an inch long,

stickingoutthecornerofhiseye.Hishandcovereditasbloodbegantotrickledownhisface.

Thecreaturewas lying facedownon thedesk.Herhospital gownwaswetfromtherain,butIcouldstillmakeout theurinestainsandtheobviousbloodstainsnearhershoulderswhereat least fourbiteswere.Shewasslowpushingherselfup.Moaningasshestruggled.

Hankpulledouthisgunandpointedittoherhead.Then another infectedwomanappeared.Shegrabbedonto the frameof the

broken window. I could see that these maniacs must not have felt any pain,becauseherhandswrappedoveralargepieceofglass,stickingoutoftheframe,anditdugdeepintoherhand,andshedidn’tevenwince.Herattentionwasonus.Thatwasallthatmatteredtoher.

AtthesametimethatHankfiredhisshot,thefirstinfectedwomanslippedonshardsofglassthatcoveredthedeskandfelltothefloor.Thebulletpassedherandhitthesecondinfectedwomaninhershin.

Hepointedatthesecondwoman.Aimedandfiredashotinherforehead.Sheyelpedandfellback,ontothegroundoutside.

Thelightscamebackonagain.Weallsquinted.Wehadgottenusetothedark,andoureyesneededtoadjust

backtothebrightlight.Hank rubbed his eyes. The first infected woman was on the ground and

clinchingontohispant leg.Hankpanickedand fired three shots intoherheadandneck.

Dead.Thescarehadbroughtmeback.Thedizzinessinmyheadwasgone.Imoved

the desk away from the window and peeked outside. There were two morecreaturesapproaching.IlookedbacktoHankandsaid,“Twomore.”

Hecame.Isteppedoutofhisway.Hefiredtwoshots.Bothweredirecthits.IsteppedtoEugeneandlookedathisinjuredeye.“Areyouokay?”Henoddedashesaid,“Yeah.Thinkyoucanpullouttheglass?”“Doyouwantmeto?”Isaid.“I’mafraidImightmakeitworse.”“Goahead.Wehaveafirstaidkit.I’lldothebestIcanatbandagingit.”“We should notwastemuch time here,men,” said the professor. “The last

thingwewantistobesurroundedbytheminthissmallhouse.”Hankwalkedback,saying,“Theprofessor’sright.Let’sgetwhatweneedand

moveon.”AsHankemptied thecabinetofall theguns, Iwaspulling theshardoutof

Eugene’seye.ThenIgrabbedthefirstaidkitandhelpedhim,placinggauzeoverhiseyeandwrappingabandagefromunderhisearoverthetopofhishead.

WewereallstandingwithHanknow,asheplacedthegunsonatablebesidethecabinet.Therewerefiverevolversandfourrifles.Ashebeganunloadingtheboxesofammoontothetable,Inoticedhowquietitwas.Irealized,forthefirsttimeallnight,therainhadstopped.

“Areyoucomingwithus?”HanksaidtoEugene.“Wherewereyouboysheaded?”“AcrossSouthamptonRoad.Tothechildren’scamp,”saidHank.“Whydon’twedo this, I’ll head toN-7and take thepatientherewithme.

Youtwocancontinueonwithyouroriginalplan.”Hanksaid,“Isuggestthatweshouldbetheonlyonescarryinganyweapons.”“Why?”saidEugene.“’Cause this guy here,” motioning his head toward me, “is a Holmesburg

convict.Andthisloonisapatient.”IgazedhardatHank.Iknewthatmugwantedtokillme,andthefirstchance

hehadhewouldtry.Imadeamentalnotetobepreparedforanythinghemaydo.

“That’s ridiculous,” said Eugene. “He’s been running around all night,protecting anyone he came across that needed the help. Am I right?” Hankhesitated, then nodded. “Give himwhat’s needed. I can understand not givinganythingtothepatient,butthisyoungmanhere…weneedhim.”

Theoverweightguard,fullofhatred,slidtworevolversinmydirection.Hesaid,asweexchangedglares,“Watchwhereyouaimthem.Getme?”

“Ofcourse,”Isaid.“They’reloaded,”saidHank.“I’llhangontotheammo.IhaveasatchelthatI

keepthemin.”Icheckedtobesure.Hewasright.Theywerebothloaded.Hankchuckledashesaid,“What’swrong?Youdon’ttrustme?”

“Damnstraightonthat,bub,”Isaid.Ituckedtherevolversinmywaistband.Theprofessorstood,hisflatskinnywrinkledrearhangingoutthebackofthe

gown,watchingthetwosecurityguardsloadtheirgunsandsatchelswithammo,preparingforthedangerousjourney.

Iwalkedtothephone,decidingtogiveitatry.MyeyeslitupasIsaid,“Thephonesareback.”Igottheoperatortoconnectmetothepolicedepartment.

Awoman’svoiceontheotherendsaid,“HowcanIhelpyou?”I was talking fast, tripping over my own words. I was so excited to hear

someonewhowasn’tapartofthismess,someonewhowouldbeabletohelpus.Icalmeddownandstartedover,saying,“Listen,wehaveamajordisasterhereinByberry.Atthehospital.”

“Weknow,”saidthevoice.“Wereceivedacallaminuteortwoago.We’vesentacarthere.Givehimabouttwentyminutes.”

“No,no,youdon’tunderstand.Onecar’snotgoingtodoit.ThisplaceislikeArmageddonrightnow.Youbettersendanyoneavailable.”

“Whoisthis?”“I’manattendantworkingat thehospital.Peoplehavebeenmurdered.And

moreare indangerofbeingmurdered.” I raisedmyvoice. “Nowplease, sendsomegoddamnhelp,sister.Thisplaceisbeingoverrunwithkillerpsychos.”

Shegotthemessageandsaidshewouldsendmorehelp.IhungupandcalledtheextensionatS-3,themainbuildingatthechildren’scampwhereClarawasscheduledtoworkthisevening.Awomananswered.“Hello?”

“Clara?”Isaid.“No,”shesaid.“Whoisthis?”“Where’sClara?”Iwasanxioustohearhervoice.Tohearit,justtoknowthat

shewasokay.That shewas still aliveandnotoneof them. “PutClara on thephone.”

“She’sbusy.”“Issheokay?”“She’sfine.Whoisthis?”“It’sVeimer.Oneoftheattendants.Iseveryonesafethere?”“Well,someofthepatientsescapedfromtheotherbuildings.Theyattacked

us.Sowegatheredwhowecouldandlockedourselvesinourward.”“Whatdoyoumeantheyattackedyou?”“Afewofuswerebitten…”

ChapterTwenty-seven

Myheartdropped.“Whowasbitten?”Isaid.“Me…afewofthechildren…”“WhataboutClara?WasClarabitten?”“What? No…they tried to, but I think she’s fine. She’s bandaging the

children’sbitewounds.”Icutheroff,saying,“Listen,putheronthephone.”“No,Ijustexplainedtoyou,she’sbusyatthemoment.”“Thisisnogame,lady.You’reindanger…”“Yes, we realize that. That’s whywe are locked in theward. The escaped

patientsareoutside.Wearesafeinside.”“Goddamnit,I’mtalkingaboutyouandanyoneelsewhowasbitten.You’re

sick.Infected.Youneedtotakeeveryonewhowasbitten,youincluded,andlockyourselvesinaseparateroomorsomething.”

“This is ludicrous,” said the nurse. “I don’t know who you are, but thisconversationisover.We’reextremelybusyhere…”

“Listen…”“No,youlisten.Yes,wewerebitten,butwearenursesandaretrainedtodeal

withtreatingwoundssuchasthese.Theseareminorwounds,youunderstand…”“Sister,I’veseenamanwalkingaroundwithhisinsideshangingout.These

ain’tnominorwoundswe’retalkingabouthere.”Thenshehungupthephone.Iturnedtothethreemenandsaid,“Theyreachedtheotherside.”“Well,hell,”saidHank,“wemayaswellforgetaboutheadingoverthere.”“No,”Isaid.“I’mgoing.I’llgobymyselfifIhaveto.”Webegantohearfaintmoansinthedistance.“The plan stays the same,” said Eugene, looking at uswith one good eye.

“Hank,yougowithhim,yousayyourname isVeimer?” Inodded.“Yeah,gowithVeimertothecamps.Wegotkidsinthehundredstherethatneedourhelp.Ifwe’relucky,thepolicewillarriveandbeabletoassistus.”

Theguardswereready.Theyeachhadasatchel,thatwasloadedwithammo,overtheirshoulder,revolversintheirholsters,andeachofthemwasholdinga

rifle.Eugene looked like a soldier just returning from battle with that bandage

aroundhiseyeandthebloodbeginningtoseepthrough.Ilookedworse.Myshirtwastorn.Ihadscratcheshereandthere,ablackeye,

twobustedlips,andblood,fromwhoknowshowmanypeople,splatteredovermyclothes.

Theprofessordidn’tlooktoobad.Hewaswetfromtherain,asweremeandHank.Ifanything,thepoorguyjustneededsomeclothes.

Hank’s facewas bruised, and his nosewas broken from the beating I gavehimawhileago.Helookedtiredtoo,likeheneededtosleepfortwelvehours.

Thenthethumpingstartedonthebackwalloftheguardhouse.Eugenesaid,“Okay,listenup,Hank,youtakethelanternonthedesk,incase

thepowergoesoutagain.”Hanknodded.“There’sanotherinthebackoffice.I’llgrabthatone.”Hisgazewenttoeachofus.“Areweready,boys?It’sabouttimetogo.”

Eugenestartedforthebackoffice.I turned back to the broken window, making sure the creatures weren’t

makingtheirwayinside.Thentherewasanechoingbang,andmyeardrumswereringing.MyheadspunaroundtoseethebackofEugene’sheadmissing,andHank’s

revolveraimedatmyface.

ChapterTwenty-eight

Iwasfrozen.IpicturedClara,crying,surroundedbythesemonsters,andthemtearingher

topieces;someofthem,bitingintoherflesh,rippingoffmouthfuls,asshegetsdrenchedinherownblood.

Isawallmystrugglestoreachhercomingtoahalt.Iclosedmyeyes.Iheardthethumpingandmoaninggrowlouder.Therewasacrash.IopenedmyeyestoseetheprofessorfightingwithHankfortherevolver.Theprofessorwasskinnyandweak.Hankshovedhimtothesideandhefell

tothefloor,butthatwasallIneeded.BythetimeHank’sattentionwasbackonme,Iwasalreadytacklinghim.

Hepulledthetriggeraswefell.Abullethitsomewherebehindme.“YousethinkI’mgoingonsomesuicidemission,”shoutedHankinmyface,

aswescuffledonthefloor.“Notme.I’llkillyouseallbeforeIgodown.”Theinfectedwerecrawlinginthroughthebrokenwindow.Icouldhearthem.

Theirmoansrightbehindmemadethehairsonmyneckstand.IbangedHank’shandagainstthecabinetanddidn’tstopuntilhedroppedthe

revolver.Outthecornerofmyeye,Icouldseetheprofessorgrabbingarevolverfrom

Eugene’sdeadbody.Hestartedfiringatthecreatures,butIcouldtellheneverheldaguninhislife.Hehelditlikehewasafraiditwasgoingtoblowupinhishand.

IlandedacoupleofblowstoHank’sface,givingbirthtoafewmorebruises,buthewasdeterminedtoreachhisgun.Hecouldn’treachtheoneinhisholster,asIwaslyingontopofhim,sohekeptstretchinghisarmup,tryingtowraphisfingersaroundthefallenrevolver.

Thensomeonegrabbedmyshirtfrombehindme,andIheardthemoansandsmelled the rotting flesh and the hot dead breath flowing downmy neck andback.

Myeyesglancedupandsawtheprofessorpointingthegunatme.Iwatched

ashepulledthetrigger.Iflinchedatthesoundofthebulletfiringandflinchedagainwhenitgrazedmyearandhitthewalkingcorpsebehindmeintheface.

“Wemustflee,Mr.Veimer,”saidtheprofessor,fearwasshowinginhisfaceashecontinuedtoaim,holdingthegunassteadyashecould,andfire.

Forthatsplitsecond,IreleasedmygriponHank.WhenIgazedbackdownathim,hewaswrappinghisfingersaroundthestrayrevolver.

Myhand reached for thegun inmywaistband. Ipulled itup,asHankwasbringing his revolver in my direction, and fired two shots that landed in hisroundbelly.Hegruntedashedroppedtohisside.

Istoodandgrabbedtherevolveroutofhishand,thenpickeduphissatchelofammofromthefloorandthrewitovermyshoulder.Iturnedtotheprofessorandsaid,“Meandyou,Professor.Let’sgo.”

“Doyouwantthefirearmback?”hesaid.“Youkiddingme?Yousavedmylife.It’syours,pal.”Iturnedbacktoseetwocreaturesdeadonthefloor,fivemoremovingtoward

us,andanotherclimbingthroughthebrokenwindow.Ibeganfiringattheclosestones.Theymoanedastheyreachedoutforus.All

of themwerecoveredwithbitesandblood,andmostof themwerewomen. Itwasobviousnow;thesewerevictimsoftheoriginalpatientsfromN-3whowereinjected with the failed polio vaccine. They were from the buildings in thewomen’s group, and I was afraid to think of howmany were waiting for usoutsidethishouse.Butwewouldfindout,soonenough.

Thethreeclosesttouswerenowdeadonthefloor.Webeganwalkingtowardthedoor,ourescape.

Hankshouted,“No,youcan’tleaveme.Helpme.Ineedhelp.”We ignored him and continued firing at the two approaching us. I brought

downonewithasingleshot,buttheprofessorwasahorribleshot.Hefiredtwobulletsintotheinfectedwoman’sneckandshoulder.

Shereachedouttowardhim,moaning.Heryelloweyesgluedtohisface.Theprofessorscreamed.Ifiredashotintoherearatpointblankrange.MystomachturnedasIsawa

largepartofherscalpexplodeintoaboutfivepieces.Apieceoffleshandblackhairlandedontheprofessor’schestasherbodydropped.

Anothermadehiswaythroughthewindowandwastryingtogetaroundthedesk.

Ishothimdead.Twomorewerefightingtogetthroughthebrokenwindow.IwrappedmyhandaroundthedoorknobwhenIheardHankagain,“Youse

can’tdothis.”Ilookedbackandsawhimstrugglingtogettohisfeet,hisbelly,

forcingitswaythroughhistightshirt,wasdrenchedinblood.“Veimer,please.”I swallowed the knot in my throat and said, “Ask your boss, Eugene,”

motioningmyhead toward theoldman’scorpsewithhalfahead,“see ifhe’llgiveyouahand.”

Hank screamed as I opened the door and was greeted by another fourcreatures,waitingtogetthroughthewindow.

Ishotoneof themdead,aimedatanotherandpulledthetrigger.Nothing. Iwasoutofbullets.

As thecreaturemoved in towardme, and I reached in the satchel formorebullets,theprofessor’srevolverappearedfrombehindandfired.

The bullet hit the infected woman in her cheek. She stumbled back butcontinuedmovingforward.Shewasdraggingherleftleg.IglanceddownatitasIloadedtherevolverandstaredforamomentatthegruesomesight;herleftlegwasalmostcompletelygone,mostofthefleshhadbeeneatenaway.Therewerea few spots of meat scattered throughout, but most of the leg was a bloodymovingbone.

Theprofessorfiredanothershot.Adirecthit.The infectedwomanwith the bony leg dropped dead, but nowwe had the

attentionoftheothersbythewindow;theywereclosingin.“Comeon,”Isaidtotheprofessor.Idroppedtheclosestonewithashottothe

head,thenwerantowardthesmallroad,hearingHank’sscreamscarryintothenight.

As we reached the small road that intersected with Roosevelt Boulevard,Hank’sscreamsweredrownedout. I thoughtforamoment that itwas therainagain,but I lookeddown the road,where the administrationbuilding restedatthe end and saw from there down to themiddlewas coveredwith screamingcorpses.

Myhandsstartedtremblingfromthesightofthem.Themoment they saw us, the screams grew louder. A few of them began

runninginourdirection.Theywere still agoodsixtyyardsaway,butwedidn’twasteany time.We

ran,ourfeetsplashingthroughthepuddlesthathadformedintheroadfromtherainstorm.

Wepassed the secondguardhouse, directly across the road from theguardhouse where we were just at, and decided to take the boulevard down toSouthamptonRoad.Weweredoingourbest toavoidasmuchtravelingon themuddy fields as possible. But I knew soon we would reach the creek, and Iprayeditwouldn’tbeflooded.Ifitwas,thenwewereprettymuchdonefor.

There was actually a tunnel that ran from the women’s group, acrossSouthampton Road, to the children’s camp. Taking that route would’ve beenmucheasierandsafer,buttherewasnowaywewould’vebeenabletoreachit.Not only would we have to battle our way through a few hundred of thesecreaturesjusttoreachthetunnel,but,beingthatitranthroughthecreek,itwasprobablyflooded.

Aswe hauled down the boulevard, Iwas hoping to lay sight on a passingpolicecar,oranycar,justsomeonewhocouldgiveusaliftnearthecamp,andthenspreadthewordofthisdisaster.Buttherewasnothing.Theboulevardwasdeserted.Notonlyhadtherainkepteveryonein theirhomes,butByberrywasmostlyfarmlandand,exceptforthehospital,therewasnoreasonforanyoneinPhiladelphiatobeupinthisarea.

I looked back, still running, to see the professor a few feet behind. Thescreams of the undead were still heard, but we had gained on our distancebetweenthem.Mostofthecreatureswerestillfarupthesmallroad;afewwererunningacrossthefield,butthemudwasslowingthemdown.

Ifailedtoglancebackattheguardhouse.That’swhenthepopechoed,andtheprofessorwentdown.

ChapterTwenty-nine

Iwashelping theprofessor tohis feet asmore shotswere fired.Therewas

bloodnearhisleftshoulderfromthebulletthatknockedhimtothestreet.“Youokay?”Isaid.“Uggh..Ican’tmovemyarm.”Iturnedbacktoseeafigure,nearthesecondguardhouse,stumblingtoward

usandfiringagunwheneverhehadhischance.The figure shouted, “Whereyouheaded, convict?”Hegurgled, likehewas

clearinghisthroatofblood.“Youain’tgettinganywhere.”ItwasHank.Damnit.IknewIshould’velethimhaveitrightinhisbigfat

mouth.ButIwantedhimtosuffer,soIlefthimfortheinfected.Letthemfinishhimoff.Enjoyallthathehadtooffer.Butsomehow,hemanagedtobreakaway.

Andherehewas,shootingatus.Ifiredacoupleshotsbackattheinjuredsecurityguard.I’msureImissed,but

Iwantedtodistracthimsowecouldgetawaybeforehekilledoneofus.We continued running. The professor was doing okay. Hewas able to run

fine,hejustlosttheuseofhisleftarm―thebulletmusthaverippedthroughhiscollarbone.

WereachedSouthamptonRoadandeasedtoourright,inthedirectionofthechildren’scamp.

I could still hearHank shouting.Beautiful.Not only didwehave toworryaboutbeingeatenalive,butnowwehadsomerottencrumbbumtryingtoblowourheadsoff.

Not too far from theopposite sideofSouthamptonRoadwas awork shed,where the Landscape Department kept some of their tools and equipment. Inudgedtheprofessorandtoldhimtoheadthere.

Aswecrossedtheroad,Icouldseescatteredcreatures,furtherup,crossingtothetwobuildings―usedasdormsfornursesandfemaleattendants―thatwerebeforethechildren’scamp,butnoneofthemnoticedus.

I wondered howmanywere at S-3. From the phone call with the nurse, Iknewtherewasatleastafew.Maybethatwasalltherewere?Butthen,sheandothers were bitten, and they were barricaded with my sweet Clara. That

concernedmemorethanwhatwaswaitingoutside.WhatwouldhappenwhenIfinally reached S-3 andmade it inside?Would Clara be happy to see me, orwouldshebeinfectedandwantingtokillme?

God,pleaseletherbeokay.Then Hank screamed and fired another shot. That was all it took for the

creatures up the road to turn their attention ourway.As soon as they saw usmoving,theyran.

Iopenedthedoortotheshed,andwehidinside.“Idon’tbelieveitiswisetoremainhere,”saidtheprofessor.“We’renot,”Isaid.“Ijustwannaputthisfatsloboutofhismisery.”Itwasdarkinsidetheshed.Therewasalightswitch,butIdidn’twanttoturn

it on. I wasn’t sure if Hank saw us slip inside or not, and I wasn’t trying toannounceitifhehadn’t.

MyeyeswerefocusedacrossSouthampton,waitingforHanktoappear.Iwasanxious for him to showhis face, sowe could end this.Anyminute now, theinfectedontheprowlwouldbewaitingtogreetusoutsidethisshed.ThatwasasituationIwastryingtoavoid.Yeah,wehadasatchelofammo,buthowlongwoulditlastifIkepthavingtouseitonthesecreaturesouthere?IhadnocluehowmanyawaitedusatS-3,andIwouldneedall theammoIcouldcomeupwith.

Here hewas,waddling and stumbling across the road.Hemust’ve seen usentertheshedaswepassedunderthestreetlight,‘causehiseyeswererightonit.

Heshouted,“Comeonout,convict.Don’ttrytohide.”Icheckedmyrevolver,makingsureitwasloaded.Itwas.Hefiredashot.Ithit thedooroftheshed.Christ, thismugwasagoodshot.Hewasbarely

abletowalk,buthestillmanagedtogetwithinafewinchesofme.Icursedasmeandtheprofessorducked.“Let’sgo,”heshouted.“IfIbecomeone,thenI’mtakingyouwithme.”He

wasneartheedgeoftheroad,closertous.“Veimertheconvict,comeon,we’rewaitingforya.”

Hetrippedandalmostfelltothestreet.Thatwasmyopportunity.Ithrewopenthesheddoor,jumpedout,andfiredtwoshots.Onebullethithis

throat,theother,hischest.Hetippedover,landingonhisback;hisheavyweightmakingaloudthud.“Excellentjob,myboy,”saidtheprofessor.

“Comeon,”Isaid.Werantowardthefallensecurityguard.Whilemoving,Ilookeduptheroad

to see the three runners closing inonus, about thirty feet away, their screamsintensifying.

Standingoverhimnow,IgazeddownatHank.Hisshirtwastorn.Therewasabiteonhisshoulderandneckandoneonhis

face,belowhiseye.Hisfacewascoveredinblood.Theguywasarealfighter.Ihadtogivehimthat.Somehow,hemanagedtomakehiswayoutofthathouse,passedthosemaniacs.Buthewasn’tgettingpastme.

Hewasstillalive.Hisglassyeyeswerestaringatmeasbloodspewedfromhismouth.

Iturnedtothethreeapproachingcreatures.Aimedmyrevolver.Firedashot.Onedown.Firedanother.Hithermouth.Shefelltothestreet.Firedatthethird.Topofthehead.Droppedhimdead.Thewomanwiththebulletinhermouthwasbackonherfeet.Ifiredanothershotthathitherinthebackoftheheadasshestood.Dead.Wewouldn’tbesafeforlongthough.Themoansofthemobfrombackatthe

guardhousewereincreasing,comingfromthefield.IaimedthegundownatHank’shead.Lookedlikehefinallydied,butIhad

tomakesurehewouldn’tcomeback.Thenabright lightwasshiningonusandsomeoneshouted,“Putdown the

weapon.”

ChapterThirty

The cop was out of his patrol car now, guarding himself behind the open

driverdoor,whilepointinghisgunatus.IkepttherevolveronHank’sheadasIsaidtothecop,“Listen,officer,you’re

alittlelatetotheparty,butletmeexplainsomethingtoyou.Ifyoudon’tletmeputoneinthismug’shead,inafewminutes,he’sgoingtobeonhisfeet,tryingtokillus.”

“I saidput theweapondown.”Hesaw theprofessorbesidemeholdinghisgunandsaid,“Youtoo,putitdown.”Thenhisheadtilted,hiseyesstoleaquickglancetotheside.Heheardthemoansfromthefield.

“Iwastheonewhocalled.Weneedhelphere.Youpointingthatgunatmeain’thelpingverymuch.Thisguyhereisalreadydead…”

“Thenwhyareyouaimingyourweaponathim?”Hewassquintinghiseyesatthesoundoftheapproachingcreatures;hehadnoideawhatitwas.“I’mnotgoingtotellyouagain.”

“Youhearthem,don’tyou?”Isaid.“Are those the patients that broke out?” He gazed at the professor’s

appearance;thewethospitalgownandhisdirtybarefeet.“Officer,”saidtheprofessor,“theyarethedead,returnedtoalifeofmisery.”The cop bit his lip and gripped his gun tighter, thought the professor was

tryingtobeawiseguy.“Yougotthreeseconds,andthenI’mgoingtohavetoshootthebothofyou.”

I crouched down and placed the revolver on the ground. The professorfollowed.

The young cop walked from behind the car door, the gun still on us. Hekickedourgunsawayashesearcheduswithhiseyes.“What’sinthebag?”

“That’swhereIkeeptheammo,”Isaid.Hegazeduptheroadandsawthethreedeadcreatures,thenlookedatdead―

soontobeundeadifwedidn’tdosomethingaboutit―Hank.“Youresponsiblefor killing these people?” he said tome as he noticed the fleshmissing fromHank’sface.“Didsomebodybitehim?”

“Yeah,”Isaid.“Andifwedon’tputabulletinhisbrain,he’sgoingtotryand

doittoyou.”Heignoredmeashesaid,pointinghis.45Coltrevolver,“Bothofyou,over

to thecar.”We followedhim to the rearof the two-doorPlymouth. “Drop thebagandputyourhandsonthetrunk.”

Wedidwhatweweretoldfornow.Ididn’twanttogetpluggedbyacopper,butIknewIwouldhavetodosomethingtogetawayfromhim.

Thecoplookedattheprofessor’sbacksideshowingthroughthegown.“Whyaren’tyouwearinganypants,pops?”

Thewise professor turned his head back to the cop and said in a sarcastictone,“Iwasinarushleavingfortheofficethismorning.Imusthavemistakenlyleftthemonthebed.”

He gave the professor a disgusted look, then noticed the blood on hisshoulder.“Yougetbittentoo?”

“No,officer.Iwasshot.”“Heshootyou?”hesaid,motioningtome.“Ohno,”theprofessorsaid,shakinghishead.“Thisgoodmansavedme.”“Isthatright?”Hepaused.“Sowhoshotyou?”“Theobesefellowlyingdeadinthestreet,ortemporarilydead,shouldIsay?”The officer stared at the professor, then looked over at dead Hank. A few

secondspassed.He leaned inhiscar,grabbinghis radio, telling thedispatcherhisname,OfficerAntonio,andthathewouldneedbackupatByberry,thestatehospital. “Stay here,” he said to the two of us, then walked over to inspectHank’sbody.

IstretchedmyheaduptopeekovertheroofofthePlymouthandsawthecopkneelingdownbesideHank.

ThenIsawaninfectedappearfromoutofthedarkness,throughthetreesthatlinedSouthamptonRoad,andtacklethecop.

AfterseeingthebitewoundsonHank’sbody,thecopknewenoughnottoletthiscreaturesinkherteethintohisflesh,whichshewastryingtodo,butthecopwas pushing her off with his forearm as beads of sweat developed on hisforehead.

AsIranovertohelp,withtheprofessorbehindme,Isawtwomorerunningoutofthefield.Thesethreewerethecreatureswhohadcrossedthefieldandgotcaughtupinthemud.

Ipulledthecreatureoffthecop;salivamixedwithbloodwasoozingoutofhermouthandontohissharppresseduniform.

Theprofessorgrabbedthetwogunsfromthegroundandbeganfiringoneatthetworunnersmovingourway.

Iheardotherscreamsandturnedtowardthenurses’houseuptheroad.

Anothertwowereexitingthroughthedoorandwalkingtowardus.Igrabbedmyrevolverfromtheprofessor.OfficerAntoniowasonhisfeetnow,lookingconfused,tryingtosubduethe

womanwhoattackedhim,whilewatchingtheprofessorshootanotherwomaninherchestandcontinuerunninglikeitdidn’tbotherher.

Ishotandkilledthesecondcreaturerunningfromthefield.Asshedroppeddeadtothestreet,anothertenormoreemergedfromthefield.

Theywererunningourway.Andjustlikethat,wewereoutnumbered.

ChapterThirty-one

“Get in the car,” I shouted, my wide eyes staring at the approaching

marauders.Theprofessordidn’twasteasecond.HerantothePlymouth.Antoniowasunsure,stillholdingthewomanbyhergownasshetriedtobite

hishand.Therewasn’t time to foolaround. Iput thegun to thewoman’s templeand

pulledthetrigger.Brainsandbonessplatteredontothecop’spants.Hestaredatme,shocked.“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing his arm and running to his patrol car as the

runnersgainedonus.He hopped in the driver’s side and shut his door. I was right behind the

professor,climbinginthepassenger’sside.TheprofessorslidtothemiddleasIsatandslammedthedoor.

A running creature was only inches behind me and was now slapping hishandsagainstthedoor.

Anotherjumpedonthehoodandwasglaringatuswithherdeadeyes.OfficerAntonioshouted,“Getoffthevehicle.You’reallunderarrest.”“Wouldyoudriveoffbeforetheykillus,”Ishoutedtothecop.Iwasscared

andpanicking.The rest of the runners had surrounded the heavy Plymouth and were

poundingandshakingit.Ihadthesatchelonmylapandwasloadingtherevolver,preparingtoshoot

thesemonstersiftheyhappenedtobreakthewindow.Thecopstillhadn’tputthecarinDrive.Hewastoobusyinshock,gazingat

theinfectedwomanonthehoodnow,thehugechunkoffleshmissingfromherfaceandthroat.Thebitemusthavetornintoamainartery,becausebloodwasshootingoutofherneckandsplashingontotheblackhood.

“Sweet Jesus,” said Antonio, his jaw dropped. He was looking past thewoman on the hood, at Hank. “I saw him. I checked him. He was dead…Dead….”

Hankwasslowtogetup,buthewasgettingup.Hankthesecurityguardwho

wantedtokillmewasnowoneoftheinfectedcreatures.Helookedaroundlikehewasn’t surewherehewas, thenhe saw theheadlightsof thePlymouthandturnedinourdirection.

NowHankwasscreaming,runningourway,abouttojointheparty.One of the creatures threw their head back and slammed it into the driver

doorwindow,causingittocrack.“Moveit,flatfoot,”Ishouted.That got him going. He stepped on the gas pedal, and the Plymouth sped

downSouthamptonRoad.Mostofthecreaturesfellback,awayfromthecar.Thewomanwasstillonthehoodasthespeedingpolicevehiclecollidedwith

thechargingHank.His legscrackedas theymet thePlymouthemblemon thefront of the car. He was sent sailing toward the windshield and the woman,slammedintoher,forcingherfacetocrashintothehood,dentingit,andthenhisheadhitthewindshieldonmyside.

Thewindshieldcrackandwasstainedwithhisblood.Thecopwaszigzaggingdowntheroad,tryingtothrowthetwocreaturesoff.The car raised up on his side, like we had ran over speed bumps, but we

didn’t.WeranovertwoofthecreaturesthatIhadkilledearlierwhocamefromthenurses’house.

“Stopthecar,”Isaid.“Juststopthegoddamncar.”Hestoppedthecarinthemiddleofthestreet.Isteppedout,therevolverinmyhand.Hankpushedhimselfup from thehood.His staleyelloweyesgazedatme,

andhescreamed.Aloudscream.LouderthanIhadheardanyofthemscream.Ihadtowonderifherememberedmeandhowmuchhehatedme.

Ididn’tgivehimanytimetoattack.Ipointedtherevolvertohisforeheadandpulledthetrigger.

Hankwasdead…forthesecondtime.Thewomanwascrawlingacrossthehood,tryingtoreachme.Ididn’tlethergetachancetosteptothestreet.Ifiredashot.Thebackofher

headexplodedandpaintedthewindshield.Isatbackinthecarandlookedatthecop.Hewasinuttershock.Isaid,“Itoldyoutoletmeputoneinhishead.”Hekeptstaringoutthewindow.The professor hit the button, and the wipers crossed over the windshield,

smearing the blood and bits of flesh toward the edges. He said to the cop,“Unbelievable.Isitnot,Mr.Antonio?”

The cop gazed at the professor. Then he grabbed his radio and said,

“Dispatch.ThisisCar27.IneedimmediateassistanceatByberryMental…er…uh…PhiladelphiaState.”

Thedispatchersaid,“What’stheproblem?”Hehesitatedbeforesaying,“I…Ican’tevenbegintoexplain.Um…Wehave

a riot on our hands.At least five people that I know of have beenmurdered.Hospitalstaffandpatientsamongthevictims.AndIamquitepositivethattherearemoredead.”

Isaid,“Weneedtogettothechildren’scamp.Makealeftupahead…”Thecopinterrupted,saying,“Noway.I’mnotmovinguntilbackuparrives.”“Listen,OfficerTony…”“Antonio’s my last name,” he interrupted. “Don’t call me Tony. Vincent

Antonio,that’smyname.”“Pal, Idon’tcare ifyournameisPresidentTruman.WhatI’mtryingto tell

youistherearewomenandchildreninthosebuildingsthatneedhelp.Ourhelp,”Isaid.“Nowifyoudon’tgetmovingthenI’llwalktheremyself.”Hestaredatme,contemplatinghisdecision.“Iknowforafactthey’reindanger.IcalledS-3,andanursetheresaidafewofthemhadbeenbitten.Thatmeansthey’reinfectedandwilldieandcomeback,justlikethesecurityguard.Tomakemattersworse,thesepeoplewhowerebittenarebarricadedinthesamewardastheoneswhoweren’t, so someoneneeds toget thereandsave thembefore it’s too late.Getme?”

He nodded, saying, “Yeah.” He stepped on the gas, and the Plymouthcontinueduptheroadjustastherunnersweleftbehindwerecatchingupagain.

Theirshrieksandmoansmademeshiver.Icouldnevergetusedtoasoundsoterrifying.

The cop looked in the rearviewmirror at them behind us and said, “Whathappened?”

“Doctors were testing a new polio vaccine and, long story short, it didn’twork.Thishappened.”

“Theysayseeingisbelieving,”saidOfficerAntonio.“Idon’tagree.Forthefirst time inmy life, I’mnot trustingmyowneyes. I can’t acceptwhat I sawhappenbackthere.”

Isaid,“Ifeltthesameway,see?Butafterseeingithappenoverandoverallnightlong,it’ssortabeatenintoyourheadtobelieveit.”

Thecrossroadwasgettingcloser.AsAntoniosloweddowntomakealeft,anarmyofthecreatureswalkedinto

theroad.Itwastoolatetoreact.Antonioscreamed.

ChapterThirty-two

ThePlymouthplowedrightintothem.The cop jammed on the brakes as the creatures bounced off the patrol car,

someofthemcrashingintothedoorwindowsandsmashingthem.Icouldn’t tellhowmanywerearoundus,but itwasenoughthatall Icould

seeoutsidethecarweretheinfected.Thewindowonmysidewasshatteredfromoneofthecreatureswhosehead

droveintoit.Nowtheywerereachingin,moaningandgrabbingontomyshirt.“Steponthegas,”Ishouted.Ipulledupmyrevolverandbeganfiringattheclawingmonsters,butassoon

asonefell,anothertookhisplacetryingtoyankmeoutofthecar.Theprofessor,sittingbesideme,wasdoinghisbesttohelp.Hisarmwasheld

straight,thetipofthegunpeekingoutthebustedwindow,whilehefiredatthelifelesscannibals.

Antoniosteppedonthegasasthecreaturesonhissidepunchedtheirbloodyhands through the cracked window. The window exploded, sending pieces ofglassontoAntonio’sface,whichgavehimafewfreshslicesonhisleftcheek.

ThePlymouthmovedslowasitforceditswaythroughtheundead.Someofthemonthefrontofthecarfellback,whileotherswererunover.

IwasstillfiringasthecreatureshadsuchagoodgriponmyshirtthatIwasliftedfrommyseat.AninfectedmanhadhisneartoothlessjawssoclosetomyfacethatIcouldsmellDeathcomingfromhismouth.I lookedintothegapingholeashistonguetrembledinmadness,tryingtogetatasteofmyflesh.Isawwhat looked like the upper half of a finger lodged deep in his throat, and itvibratedeverytimehescreamed.Ishovedtherevolverthroughhisbloodygums,pointedittowardtheroofofhismouth,andpulledthetrigger.

Hefelltotheground,hisgripstillfirmonmyshirt.Theprofessorkeptfiring,buthadtoswitchsidesandhelpthecopbreakfree

fromtheoneswhoweregrabbingontohim.AsthePlymouthkeptmoving,makingtheleftturnfromSouthamptonRoad,

thecreaturesonthesideofthecar,theonesgrabbingontomyselfandthecop,began to fall back.Acoupleof themheldontome, andoneheldonto the car

door,buttheywerekilledaswedroveaway;theprofessorshotoneholdingme,andIshottheothertwo.ThenIbrokethegripofthedeadmanwiththetoothlessbite.

IadjustedmyselfintheseattolookoutthebackwindowandsawthearmywasbiggerthanIhadfirstthought.Icouldn’tevenseetheroadweleftbehind.AllIsawwasawallofshadowyfigures, likethedarknesswasmoving.Therewereatleastahundredinfectedcreatures,mostofthemslowmovers,buttheywere followingus toward thechildren’scamp. I said,“We’regoing tohave tomovefast.Therewon’tbemuchtimebeforethey’reatthecamps.”

“Whyisitsohardforthemtogodown?”saidAntonio.Theprofessorsaid,“Becausetheyaredeceased…”“Idon’twannahearthatcrap…”“Whetherornotyoubelievethattheyaredead,”Isaid,interruptingthecop,

“theonlywayyoucanstop them isbyshooting them in theirbrain,orhittingtheirbrainwithsomethinghard.”

“What?” said the disbelieving cop, his neatly pressed shirt now baringwrinkles,with a fewbuttons, having been ripped from their places during theconfrontation,nowrestinginthefootwell.

I turnedback inmyseat, lookingatOfficerAntonionow.“Hey, that’showthedoctorexplainedittomeandmypalandit’sbeenworking,soI’mstickingwiththatmethod.”

“Where’dyoutwogettheguns?”“Theguardhouse.Why?”Isaid.“Well,foronething,thisgentlemanhereisapatient.Heshouldn’tbeinthe

possessionofafirearm.”Iwas getting a little upset at theway this guywanted to playDick Tracy

whenwewereinthemiddleofawarforsurvival.“Heycopper,this‘patient’justsavedyourlife.Andhesavedmineplentyof timesthroughout thismess,soifanybodyheredeserves tocarryagun,hedoes. Ifyouwant to smackcuffsonhimafterthisisallover,andGodwillingwesurvive,thenthat’sswell,butmakesureoneendofthecuffsisonmywrist,‘causeifyouarresthimyouarrestme.”

“Calm down, calm down,” said Antonio. “No one’s getting arrested. Ifanything,youtwowillprobablybecommended.”

ThebangedupPlymouthwasapproachingthesmallbridgethatpassedoverthecreek.Alongtheway,wepassedafewoftheinfected,spreadoutbehindthetrees lining the road, heading toward the children’s camp. They were slowmovers,draggingtheirfeetandnotmakingasound.Astheysawtheheadlightsappear,theywouldturntousandletoutaloudachingmoan.

Iwatchedthemaswepassed,sayingtoAntonio,“Afterwecrossthecreek,

there’sgoingtobeabuildingaboutahundredyardsdownonyourright.Turninthere.That’sthebuildingweneedtogetto.”

I was desperate. Looking up at the dark sky, watching the moon breakthrough the storm clouds, showing its bright familiar face for the first timetonight,IcouldonlythinkofClara.Idon’tbelieveithadevenbeenanhour―Iwasn’t too sure― since I called and spokewith the nursewho said a fewofthemwerebitten.Shebetterbeokay.Letitplayoutinherfavor.Please.Christ,if I find that she’s one of them, I’ll do myself in. I swear.Without her, I’mnothing.I’memptyinside.

Stopworryingabout it, I thought.Get itoutofyourhead.Iblinkedawayatearand turned to theprofessor.Hiseyeswere focused.Curiousas towhathewaslookingat,Igazeddown.Theoldmanwasstaringattheweddingbandonhisfinger.

Poorguy.Hemusthavereallylovedhisoldlady.Isawhislipsmove,likehewastalkingtohimself,ortohiswife,wherever

shewas.Thenhepassedhis fingersonhis righthandover theweddingband,caressingit.

“How’sthatshoulder,toughguy,”Isaid,tryingtopullhimoutofhismisery.Theprofessor lookedawayfromtheweddingband, intomyeyes,andsaid,

“Itstings.Ican’tseemtomoveitverymuch,butIshallrecover.”Inodded,saying,“Good.Gladtohearit.Keepyourchinup,pal.We’regoing

tobejustfine.”Thecopsloweddownasweapproachedthecreek.Itwasbeginningtooverflowandswallowthesmallbridge,butwewereable

tomakeitacross.Therewasaninfectedwomanmovingslowacrossthebridge.Sheturnedas

theheadlightsreachedher.Whenhereyeslandedonus,shemoanedandwalkedinourdirection.

Thecopstoppedthecarandsaid,“She’soneofthem?”“Yeah,”Isaid.“Shoother.Idon’twanttorunherover.”“She’sdead.”He snapped at me, “Please, just shoot her. I’m not shooting any of these

peopleunlessIhaveto.”“SweetMary,”Isaid.“Youmusthavebeentheheadboyscoutbackinyour

day,amIright?”Heignoredmeashewatchedthewomanmovetowardthecar.Ilookedaround,makingsuretherewerenocreaturesnearwhowouldgrabmeonceIpokedmyheadout.

Itwasclear.

Iclimbedhalfwaythroughthebrokenwindowandfiredashotatthewoman.Itnickedhercheek,andshecontinued.Ifiredanother.Itblewthebottomofherjawaway.Shekeptcoming.

Geesh,Iwasreallygettingtired.Ineededtosleep.Attimes,myvisionwouldblurforasecondortwo.

Iwipedmy eyes, as she slammedher hands on the hood, and fired a thirdshot.Thathititstarget.Shewasdown.ThetophalfofhercorpsewasrestingonthehoodofthePlymouth.

Antonio backed up slow, letting the corpse fall to the ground, and drovearoundit.

Thenwecrossedthecreek.Antoniospedup,dodgingafewstragglingcreaturesroamingtheroad.Some,

Inoticed,werechildren.“Theygottothekids.”Ididn’thavetosayit,butIdid.Thecopalreadyknew.Icouldtellbythedisgustedlookthatsweptoverhisface.

Hesaid,“We’regoingtodowhatwecantosecurethesebuildingsbeforetherestofthemgethere.”

“Youdon’tgetit,”Isaid.“Someofthemalreadymadeittothisside.”“Iseethat,buttherecan’tbetoomany.Theplaceseemsquiet.We’llgetrid

oftheonesthatarehereandsafeguardthecamp.”Hepaused.“Backupshouldbeheresoontohelpputalidonthismess.We’lldoourbesttokeepeveryonesafeuntilthathappens.Thereplentyofammointhosebags?”

“Notenoughtodoawaywiththestormheadedthisway,”Isaid.“Butenoughtoholdthemoffforawhile.As longaswe’renotwastingbulletsmissingourmark.”

The Plymouth pulled into the parking lot of S-3. It was the administrationbuilding for the children’s camp and one of the hospital’s older buildings.Whereas theNbuildingswerebuilt in the late fortiesandwere stillverynew,thissideofthecampuswaserectedduringthetwentiesanditsageshowed.Alotof thecottagesandSbuildingshad leakingroofs;someof themwereunstablebuildings andwere supportedwithplankswedged into theground.Theywereblisteringcoldinthewinterandboilinghotinthesummer.

HeparkedthecarrightinfrontoftheentrancetoS-3.Weallsteppedout.Iwassurprisedtoseenotoneoftheinfectedwasroaming

theparkinglot.Ourgunswereloaded.Ihadonesatchelovermyshoulder,andAntoniotook

thesatchelfromtheprofessorandwascarryingitoverhis.Iledthewayaswemarchedupthestairs.The sound ofmoaningwas heard and grew louder aswe got closer to the

entrance.

I peeked inside, through the small window, and saw an infected maleattendantwith the side of his face plastered to the door.His dead breathwasfoggingupthewindowashislifelesseyesstaredthroughtheglass.

Hesawmeandbegantoscream,goingcrazy,bangingonthedoor.IlookedbackatAntonioandtheprofessor.“Followme,butstayalert.”Theprofessornodded,holdingtheguntohisside.Antonio wore a look of determination; his mouth tight-lipped, breathing

throughhisnose,asheheldthegunup,readytotakedownanyonewhowouldattackus.

Iwas exhausted. I held the gun in front ofme, ready to take this creaturedown,breathingthroughmyslackjawasmychestrosewitheachspringbreathIsuckedin.

My eyes were stuck on this man as I lifted my leg and rammed my footagainstthedoor.

It flew open. Theman stumbled back a few steps, then charged toward uswithhismouthopen.Iaimedathisheadandpulledthetrigger.

Hisforeheaddisappeared,andhiscorpsecollapsedtothedingyfloor.Aswepassedoverhim,Antoniolookeddownathisstomach;ithadbeentorn

open,andmostoftheintestinesandorgansweregone.Therestofhim,hislegsandchest,werealmostcompletelycoveredinhisownblood.

I saw that Antonio’s eyes were wide; almost bulging out of their damnsockets. He said, “How…How can it be? This can’t be…true. Gotta be anightmare.”

Nooneansweredhimaswemoveddowntheemptyhallway.Thesilenceformewastooeerie.Thehallwaywasempty;nooneinsight.Bloodwassmearedonthewallthat

randowntothefloorwhereitcollectedintoasmallpool.Asweavoidedtheredpool,movingfurtherdownthehall,weheardfootsteps

inthedistance.Whenweturnedthecorner,threeinfectedchildrenwerestragglingoutofthe

ward.Their yellow eyes gazed atme, the professor and the cop, and they rantowardus.

Beingsmallerthantheothers,theymovedmuchfaster.Mygutreactionwastoholdoutmyfoot,whichIdid,andIkickedoneofthemintheface,droppinghimtothefloor.

Anothergrabbedmyrightarm,butIwrappedmythickhandaroundhissmallneck, lifted the screamingmaniac a few feet from the ground and tossed himbackintotheward.

Thethirdone,alittlegirl,ranpastmeandtriedtobitetheprofessor.

That’s when I flinched at the sound of the gunshot. I turned back to seeOfficer Antonio holding his smoking gun. His eyes were wet and filled withhorror.Thenheaimedpastmeandfiredanothershot.

Ispunaroundtoseetheinfectedkid,whoIkickedtothefloor,dead.Ascreamerupted.OureyesfollowedthescreamtothecreaturethatItossedintheward.Hewas

chargingatus.Thecopaimedhisgun.Ipusheditoutofthewayandfiredashotinto thechargingcreature’sskull.Hewasdead.Couldn’thavebeenmore thanfifteen.

Wefelthorribleforwhatwewereforcedtodo.Antoniodroppedagainstthewall,puthisheadinhishandsandcried.

“Youcan’t thinkof themaschildren,”said theprofessor.“Theirsoulswerealreadytaken.Thosewerelifelessbeastssenttodestroyhumanity.”

Antoniostaredattheprofessor,saying,“No,thosewerekids.”Pointingatthegirl’scorpse,“Igotanangelathomewholooksjustlikeher.”

Iplacedmyhandonhisshoulderandsaid,“Look,itwon’tmakewhatwedidanybetter,butouronlysavinggraceistomakesuretherestofthechildrenaresafe.Likeyousaid,we’llcheckthebuildingsandtrytoholddownthefortuntilhelparrives.”

Iheaded into theward.Theprofessor followed.Thecopstayed in thehall,devastatedoverhisactions.

Towardtherearofthewardwasaslowmover;afemalepatientfromacrosstheroadwhowasprobablyoneofthefirsttobemurdered.Herskinwasgrayishblue,andtheodorfromherbodywasofrottingmeat.

Wedidn’tgiveherachancetoevenmoan.Ishotherdead.SothefirstfloorwasclearandnosignofClara.Iwasscared.Thelumpinmythroatwasgrowinglarger,andIwasstruggling

tokeepthebadthoughtsoutofmyhead.Weexitedtheward.Thesecondfloorwasnext.Antonio followed behind us as we walked to the stairwell. There were no

elevators in this building, butwewould’ve avoided them anyway. Just sowewouldn’tbesurprisedtohavethedoorsopenonabandofcreatureswaitingtoshredourflesh.

Ienteredthestairwellfirstand,afterallthesurprisesIenduredtonight,Iwasverycautious.

Itwasempty.ButIsworeIcouldhearfaintscreamsinthedistance,comingfromthehigherfloors.

Weranupthestairsandthrewopenthedoortoenterthesecondfloor.

Noonearound.Anotherfaintscream.Icouldn’ttellifitwasacreatureattacking,oraliving

personbeingattacked.“Comeon,”Isaid,speedingdownthehall.Wereachedthedoortotheward.Igrabbedthehandle.Itwaslocked.I heard the screams now loud and clear. I looked through the square foot

window and saw about four creatures banging on the window of the nurses’station.

Iwasunabletoseewhattheywereafter.Thefourcreatureswerestucktothewindowpanesthatenclosedthenurses’station,blockingmyview.

Then,anopeningappearedbetweenthem.Thereshewas,trappedinthenurses’station.MysweetClara.

ChapterThirty-three

I screamed her name and caught the attention of an infected child.He ran

fromthenurses’stationtothewarddoorandbeganpoundingaway,tryingtogetovertoourside.

Thedoorbounced,andthenoiseechoedthroughoutthehall.I shot the lock, itpoppedoff,but thedoorstillwouldn’topen. Ipulledand

pulled,butitdidn’tbudge.Thelockwasjammed.Antoniocamebesidemeandwrappedhishandonthehandle,abovemyown

hand,andwepulledtogether.Thelockreleased.Thedooropened,asmeandAntoniostumbledback.Thecreaturesnarled,showingushisbloodyteeth.Antoniohesitated.Ididn’t.IwasanxioustoreachClara.Idroppedhimwith

oneshot.Asweenteredtheward,theremainingthreecreaturessurroundingthenurses’

stationheardthecommotion,turnedtous,andattacked.Iwasalertnow.WhateverfeelingofexhaustionIhadwasgonethemomentI

sawClara.Thecreaturesdidn’tevengetwithinreach.Ikilledthethreeofthembeforetheprofessororthecopcouldpulltheirtriggerstohelp.

The restof thewardwasempty,except forwhoeverwasbarricaded in thatsmallspacewithClara.

I approached the glass and looked at her. She was crouched down on thefloor,armsoverthetopofherhead,doingherbesttohidefromtheflesheaters.

“Clara!”Isaid.“Openthedoor.”Hereyesmetwithmine,andIwasrelieved tosee that theydidn’thave the

staleappearanceoftheinfected.Shewasokay.Shecriedassheshoutedmyname,removingthechairthatwaswedgingthe

doorshut.Itraveledoveramileofhellthatseparatedmefrommybeautifulsweetheart.

Allthatcamebetweenusnowwasadoor,andClarawasopeningit.Mywetsmilingeyeslookedintothosebeautifultearyhazeleyes.Wethrew

ourarmsaroundeachotherandkissedforwhatseemedlikehours.Wepulledourlipsapartandheldeachothertight.Ifoughtsohardtoreach

her, for somany hours, seen others lose their lives along theway, and now Ididn’twanttolethergo.

“Iloveyou,Clara.”She cried and gaveme a nervous chuckle into my chest. “I love you too,

Veimer.”I looked over her shoulder. There were two small children, girls, wearing

gownstightenedwithapieceoftwine,huddledinthecorner,underthetable.“We’regoingtobeokay,”Isaid.“Ma’am,” said Officer Antonio. Clara’s attention went to him. “Is there

anyoneelseinthisbuildingthatyouknowof?”“No,”Clarasaid,shakingherhead.“Weweretheonlypeopleinhere.Once

the attacks began,we locked ourselves in here…”Her eyes blinked. Shewasfighting,chokingbacktears.“Millieandtwoofthekidswerebitten.Theywerefineforawhile…but…then…”shecried,“theytriedto…eat…us.Theygrabbedoneofthekidsandstarted…”Shebrokedown.Iputmyarmsaroundher,tryingtorelaxher.

My eyes went to the girls. They were staring at the cop. One of themappeared to be physically handicapped; her back seemed to be twistedwith ahump toward her shoulder, and she was making a squeaking noise with hermouth.Thesecondgirlwasquiet,staring.

“Weretheybitten?”Isaid,motioningtothegirls.Clarashookherhead.“Andyou?”

“No.”“You’resure?”“Yes,”shesaid,soundingadamant.“Wewereabletomakeitinherebefore

theycouldgrabus.”Isawhereyeswellingupagain. Itwasobvious thekidwhowasbutchered

beforetheireyesiswhatgavethemtheextrafewsecondsorminutetheyneededtolockthemselvesinthisstation.

Withmyarmaroundher,Iranmyfingersthroughherhair.“Soweneedtogettotherestofthebuildings,”Antoniosaid,staringatme,

“likewediscussed.”“Why?”saidClara.“We’re going to secure these buildings,” I said. “There’re more of these

thingsheadedthisway,andwewanttomakesureeveryoneissafe…”“NormandBobbyareworking thecamp tonight,” saidClara.“Wecancall

themandletthemknowtolockup.”Me andAntonio looked at each other, then Iwas back toClara, saying, “I

didn’tevenknowtheywereonduty.Goahead,give’emacall.”She called Norm at the first building, but there was no answer. She tried

callingBobbyatthesecondbuilding,butagain,noanswer.

“OhGod,”shesaid,withherhandtohermouth.“Whatdoyouthinkisgoingonoverthere?”

“Whoknows?”Isaid.Antoniointerrupted,“Webettergetmoving.We’lldowhatweintendedinthe

firstplace.”InoddedandturnedtoClara.“Comewithus.”“Ican’tleavethesegirls,”saidClara.“I’mresponsibleforthem.”“Okay,okay,”Isaid,tryingtocomeupwithaquicksolution,“wecanleave

theprofessorhere,lockedinthewarddownstairswiththegirls.”Clarasaid,“He’sapatient,Veimer.Ican’tleavepatientsinthecareofother

patients.”Thecopinterrupted,saying,asheplacedhisgunbackinitsholster,“Ibelieve

it’sbest, foryour safety,you stayherewith thepatients.”His eyeswent fromClaratome,waitingforananswer.

“Yeah,”shenodded,“Ithinkyou’reright.”Tucking the revolver in my waistband, I turned to the professor and said,

“Yougotthegun.Thinkyoucanhandlethingswhilewe’regone?”“Absolutely,”hesaid.“Mostdefinitelywithoutadoubt.”“Good.” I gave him my satchel of ammo; I would take from Antonio’s

satchel, whatever I needed. I saw Clara’s eyes squint, like she was thinking,Whatishedoingwithagun?“Clara,whilewe’regone,callS-1andS-2andthebuildingsacrosstheboulevard,letthemknowtolockdowntheentirecampus.”Shenodded.“Let’sgo,we’llwalkyouguystotheward,makesureyougettheresafe.”

OfficerAntoniosaid,“We’llbebackfast.We’regettinginmycar,lockingupthebuildingsandheadingbackhere.Ipromise,wewon’tletanythinghappentoyou.Anyofyou.”

MeandAntonioledthewaybacktothefirstfloorward.Theprofessorwasintherear.

Thetripbackdownwasquiet.Wedidn’tencounteranyofthecreatures.Standing near the entrance of the first floorward, I held Clara’s hand and

kissedherface.“Onceyoulockthisdoor,”Isaid,“keepitlockedandstayoutofsight.Ifanycomeinsideandseemovementthroughthewindow,they’regoingtotryandbreakin.”

“Allright,”shesaid.“Juststaysafe.”Ikissedherhandandtookafewsteps,standingoutside thewardnowwith

the copbesideme andwatching asClara shut and locked the door. I hated toleave her again, after having spent hours just to reach her, but I had to helpsecurethecamp.

Iwinkedatherthroughthesquarefootwindowinthedoor.Shemouthedthewords,Iloveyou.InoddedandfollowedthecopoutofS-3,makingsurethedoorwasclosed

shutbehindme.Weweregreetedbyanakedinfectedwomanpatient.Shewaswalkingbeside

the Plymouth, looking through the broken windows. The bites covering hermovingcorpsenumbered in thehundreds. Iwould sayonly twentypercentofherbodyhadanyskinintact.Itwasatoughsighttobeaneyewitnessto.

Shesawthecopfirstandbegantoapproachhim.OfficerAntonio pushed her back. She surprised himby darting like awild

dog.Iranoverandfiredabulletthroughthesideofherhead.Herbrainsmadea

splatsoundastheyhittheground.“Don’tevengivethemachance,”Isaid.“Getthembeforetheygetyou.”Ifeltlikeagoddamnprofessionalcreaturekiller.

WegotinthePlymouth,Antoniorestingthesatchelbetweenusashestartedtheengine.

“Howmanybuildingsarewetalkingabouthere?”hesaid.“Seven. Two rows of three, that’s where the kids are kept, in those six.

There’sasmallbuildinginthecenter,thekitchen,butitshouldbeemptynow.”“Allright,I’lldriveyoutoeachone.I’llwaitinthecar.Yourunin,dowhat

yougottado,andgetbackoutside.Andbecareful.Ifthoseguysdidn’tanswerthephone,thenwehavetosuspecttheworse,butI’mnotgettingoutunlessyouneedmeto.Nopointinshuttingheroffifwe’regettingrightbackin.”Inodded.“Oncethey’reset,youtakethecarbackhere.I’llstayatthosebuildingsincasetheyneedme.”

Ishookmyhead,“No,youstickwithme.”“Unh-uh, someonestayswith thosebuildings.Wecan’tabandon themafter

havingwarning themofwhat’scoming. It’seitheryouorme,andIknowyouwanttogetbacktothatdollofyours.”Ididn’tsayaword.“I’llbefine.I’llkeeptheammoandclimbupontheroof.Thatway,Igetabetterviewofwhat’sdowntheroad.”

“Allrightthen,”Isaid.“Let’sgo.”AntonioturnedthePlymoutharoundanddroveoutoftheparkinglot.Aswe

crossedovertheroad,IpeekedoutAntonio’swindow,lookingforthewalkingdead,butIsawnothing,theystillhadn’treachedthebridge.

Entering the grounds of the children’s camp, I saw that it was empty,peaceful. The six buildings were more like single floor cottages. Inside, theywere linedwithbeds for thepatientsandhadbroken toyskept inacorner forthemtoplaywith.Also,therewasaplaygroundnearthekitchenbuilding,butit,

likethecottages,wasinbadshape.Icheckedmyrevolverforammo.Fullyloaded.Thecopstoppedinfrontofthefirstcottage.I hopped out, ran to the entrance, and threw open the door to see the kids

wereallsleeping.Theattendant,Norm,hadalsobeensleeping,hisheadrestingonatablebytheentrance,buthewasawokenwhenIbustedin.

Hecameoverinahurry,lookingupset.“Youcrazy?What’sthemeaningofslammingthatdoor,youtryingtowaketheselittleretardsup?”

Iwantedtopunchhimrightinhisteeth.Itwasapparenttheguyhadnoideawhatwasgoingontonight,howeverinsanethatmaysound.“Howaboutinsteadofsleepingyoudoyourdamnjob,answerthestinkingphonewhenitrings,thenIwouldn’thavetobargeinhere.”

Hisgazenoticedmyhorribleappearance;Iwascoveredindirtandblood.IhadablackeyeandcutsandbruisesonmyfacefromscuffleswithHank.Iwasamess.

“Whathappenedtoyou?YoulooklikeKingKongchewedyouupandshittedyouout…”

“Listen,bub,we’reinthemiddleofapatientescape,”notwantingtotryandeven explain to this guy what was going on, I didn’t have the time or thepatience right now, “and we need this door locked shut. Don’t open it foranybody,getme?Copsareontheway.”

“Christ,howmanypatientsescaped?”“Plenty.Nowkeepthisdoorlocked.Allright?”Hiseyesstudiedmefromheadtotoe.Iknewfromthelookonhisfacethat

heunderstoodthiswasseriousbusiness.“Ihearya.I’lllockitrightnow.”“Youhavethekeystotheothercottages?”“Yeah?”hesaid,raisinghiseyebrowsatme.“Handitover.”“Why?”“Why?”Isaid,growingimpatient.“BecauseI’mgoingtolockuptherestof

them.Unlessyouwanttoriskyourassoutthere?”“Jesus,”saidNorm,tryingtolookovermyshoulderatthedarknessoutside.

“Itreallyisbadoutthere,huh?”I grabbed his shirt and pulled him tomy face, saying, “Giveme the damn

keys,screw,beforeIputyournosethroughyourhallowskull.”Hegavemethekeyring.“Nowlockthisdoor.”AndIranout,backinsidethePlymouth.OfficerAntoniodrovemetothetwoothercottagesthatNormwasassigned

to,numbersthreeandfive.Theywerebothquiet.Thekidswereallsleeping.I

locked the doors on both and moved on.We didn’t have to worry about thewindowsastheywerecoveredfromtheinsidewiththickmetalscreens,sotheycould withstand some pressure if the infected showed up and tried gettingthrough them. I just hoped the cops would show soon, because, overall, thecottageswereweak.Theycouldwithstand someabuse from the creatures, butnottoomuch,orfortoolong.

Heading toCottageSix,wesawanaked infectedwomandraggingher stiffbodyaroundthesideofthesmallbuilding.Antoniosloweddownenoughformetofireashotintoherhead.

Shedidn’tseeitcoming.Thiscottagewasliketheothers,quiet.Ilockeditupandgotbackinthecar.

That’swhenwebegan tohear sirens in thedistance.Our faces litupwith joyandrelief.

“ThankGod,”Isaid.OfficerAntoniocrackedaslimsmile.“We’llgetthisundercontrolnow.”ThePlymouthpulled to the frontofnumber four. Ihoppedout,getting this

down like a routine, opened the door andBobby the attendant and five othercreaturesreachedoutandgrabbedme.

ChapterThirty-four

Iscreamed,sodidthey,astheypulledmetowardtheirdroolingmouths.PullingashardasIcould,Ifellback,runningbackwardsdownthepath,with

thecreaturesholdingontome.IfellonthehoodofthePlymouth,myeyesonthecreaturesastheyfollowed,

intendingtodevourme.Thecopthrewthecar inReverseasIpulledupmyrevolver,screamingthe

whole time― Iwas scared ashell―and fired a shot at oneof the creatures,killinghim.

Twoofthemlosttheirgriponmeasthecopspedback.Therewerestilltwo,includingBobby, on the hoodwithme, doing their best to keep their balancewhiletryingtobiteme.

Antoniospunthecararound,andthethreeofusflewoff.Iwasontheground,myfaceinthemud.Ifeltoneofthecreaturesgrabmy

shirtandshriek.ThenIheardagunshot,andtheattackerfelldeadbesideme.Irushedtomyfeet,sawOfficerAntoniopointinghissmokingrevolverfrom

insidethePlymouth,thenturnedtoseeBobby,ontheground,abouttograbmyfoot.

Thecop’sgunwentoffagain.Bobbywasgone.ThenIraninthePlymouthasthetwothatfellbackwererunningtowardus.

Behindthemcameawaveofinfectedchildren,theywerescreamingandrunningoutofCottageFour.

ThePlymouthdrovetowardCottageTwo.I turned back in my seat, looked out the window, and saw the screaming

maniacalcreatures runningbehindus.Myeyeswerewide. Iwasshockedas Iwatchedtheirglaringdeadeyesmoving,struttinginthedark.

Antonio said, in a panic, “I’ll stay in this next cottage. You take the carback…”

“Areyoucrazy?”Isaid,turningnowtothecop.“Didyouseewhatcameoutofthere?Itmaynotbesafe.”

“If it is, I’mstaying. I already toldyou, someoneneeds to stayandprotectthem.”

StoppednowinfrontofCottageTwo,webothranoutofthePlymouth,theenginestillrunning,aboutfifteencreaturesnotfarbehindandgettingcloserbythesecond.Withourgunspreparedtofire,Iopenedthedoor,thecopbesideme,anditwasliketheothercottages,peacefulandquiet,thethirtyorsokidsweresleeping.

The cop pushed past me, entered the cottage, turned back, saying, “Go.Hurry!”

Istaredathimforasecond,hearinggunfiremixingnowwiththesirensinthedistance, I pulled the satchel from over my shoulder, “Here.” He grabbed it.“Goodluck.”

HenoddedandthatwasthelasttimeIeversawOfficerAntonio.Heshutthedoorandbeganstackingstuffinfrontofit.Iturnedandranback,hoppinginthePlymouthasthecreaturescamerunningfromthecornerofthecottage.

Theirdeafeningscreamssentasharppaintomyeardrumsastheypoundedonthetrunk,whileIdroveoutofthecamp.

ThePlymouthpickedupspeed,andthedistance,betweenmeinthecarandtherunningcreaturesfromthecottage,grew.Myeyesglancedintotherearviewmirror,andIcouldseethemmovingfurtherandfurtheraway.

As I crossed the road, I stole aquickglance tomy right and saw the armyfromthewomen’sgrouphadfinallyarrived;theyhadjustcrossedthecreekandwereheadingmyway.

IstoppedthePlymouthinfrontoftheentrance,grabbedtheothersatchelofammo, exited the car, heard themoans of the creatures approaching from theroad and the screams of the ones running from the camp, and I saw a fewinfected patients at the entrance, the door was open and they were headinginside.

Withallofthisgoingon,Ididn’thavetimetobescared,onlytimetosurvive.Thereweretwoinfectedstandingattheopendoor,abouttowalkin.As I ran to theentrance, they turned tomeandweremetwithmy revolver

sendingbulletsintotheirskulls.Iheadedinside,randownthehall,sawanothercreature with no arms ― they had been eaten off and all that was left wasmangled pieces of flesh and tissue hanging from stumps near the torso ―walkingslowinthedirectionoftheward.

Whilerunning,Iaimedatthebackofthecreature’sheadandkilledhim.Icontinuedrunningtotheward.ThenIsawafamiliar figure infrontofme, theirbackfacingme.Istopped

whenIreachedthecreatureandgazed.Heturnedtofaceme,BillytheKid.Ididn’twant toshoothim.I’mnotsure ifherecognizedme,‘causehe just

looked atme for amoment, like he knew.But then he grabbedmy hand and

showedmehisteeth.Iwrappedmyhandaroundhisskinnyneckandpinnedhimagainst thewall as he snarled, scratching atme. I put the revolver against hisforehead,turnedmyeyesaway,andfiredashot.

Hestoppedfighting.Ididn’t lookathimagain.Icouldn’t.I likedBilly.Ididn’twant toseehim

likethat.Turningthecornernow,Isawtheentrancetotheward.Thedoorwasopen,

andmysweetClarawasstandingtherewaitingforme.Ifeltaweightliftoffmyshoulders and wanted to cry, I was so happy. I dropped the revolver and thesatchelandthrewmyarmsaroundher.

Andshetriedtobiteme.

ChapterThirty-five

Iquicklypushedheraway.Ilookedather,heruniformwastornnearthetop,

andtherewereafewbitesonhershoulderandarmwhichIdidn’tnoticeatfirst― Iwas just so anxious to be backwith her.But therewas something else Inoticed,abulletholeinherchest.

Assheletoutherhauntingscream,Ilookedintothosefamiliardeadyelloweyes.Iscreamedhernameastearsrandownmyface.“No!Godno!NotClara!!!NotmyClara!!!”

Sheranatmeagain.I pushed her away.The revolverwas on the floor, but I couldn’t shoot her

anyway,evenifthegunwasloadedandmyfingeronthetrigger.Idroppedmyheadandcried,mylegsfeelingliketheywantedtogiveup.

Sheattackedagain.Igrabbedherbytheneck,asherjawkeptbiting,tryingtogetapieceofme,I

kissed her forehead and rubbedmy cheek against hers. “I love you.”My crygetting harder. “I’m sorry I bailed on you, angel. Sorry…Don’t forgive thisdumbkid…Thisdumbstupidkid…I’msorry.”

I screamedas Ipushedheraway from theentrance. I stumbled in thewardand locked the door. My wet suffering eyes shot right to the nurses’ station,whereIsawtheprofessor,withthetwogirls,barricadedinside,staringatme.

I ran over, screaming, “What happened?How’d they get in?The doorwaslocked,goddamnit.”

Theprofessorsaidinacalmvoice,withthegirlsoneithersideofhim,“Ishother.”

“What?”Isaid,myeyessquinting.“I shot her. And as she was gasping for air through her wounded lungs, I

pushedheroutoftheward.”“Why?”Iscreamed,poundingontheglass,wantingtogetmyhandsonthis

oldmanandriphimtopieces.“Itrustedyou!”“Myboy,Ididitsoshecouldjoinmywife.Iwantedyoutounderstandthe

painthatIamforcedtolivethroughfortherestofmylife.Iwantedsomeonetosharethatwith.IsawtheloveyouhaveforherresemblestheloveIhaveformy

beautiful lost wife. Please understand, I didn’t want to lose Sharon. She wastakenaway fromme.Andnow,youcan feel the initialpain that I feltwhen Idiscoveredshewaslost,andyoucanfeelthepainfortherestofyourdays,asIwill.”Hepaused.“Iamnotcrazy,Mr.Veimer.Iamheartbroken.”

Ishookmyhead,notwantingtoacceptit,myhandsrunningthroughmyhairas I screamed her name and cried. I screamed until my voice faded, then IstumbledtothedoorandstaredatClarathroughthesmallwindow.

Shesawmeandbangedaway,tryingtogetinside.Ijustgazed,tearsrunningdownmyface,clearinganydirtintheirpaths.

As theminutes passed, I could hear the creatures, they had surrounded thebuilding andwere banging away, trying to get in, and the gunfirewas gettingclosertoo,butnoneofitmatteredtomeanymore.

Theprofessorexitedthenurses’stationandapproached.Icouldfeeltheheatfromhisbodystandingbehindme.“Youmusthavereallylovedher?”

Ishookmyhead,myeyesonClara,saying,“Please…justkillme.Please,domethatfavor.”

“Ican’t,myboy,”hesaid.“Iamnotamurderer.”But Iwas. Iwas responsible formanyof thosewho lost their lives tonight,

andnowitwastimeformetopay.ThatwasthewayIsawit.Igazedhard intoClara’seyesas sheattacked thedoor. Iwanted to see the

hazelinthemagain.Isqueezedmineshutandprayedforhertobenormal,forhereyestogobacktothebeautifulhazel.Isqueezedsohard,thedarknessundermy eyelids turned white. I opened them again, hoping to see Clara Danielssmilingatmewithherbeautifulhazeleyes,fulloflife.

And…nothingchanged.

MyLongGoodbye...

MyeyesstayedonClara,watchingherscreamingrottingcorpsebeatonthe

door,untilIcollapsed,passedoutfromexhaustion.WhenthecreaturesmadeitinS-3,theprofessorandthetwogirlsdraggedme

insidethenurses’station.Iwasinandoutoverthecourseofthenexttwohoursorso.Iwouldhearthebangingofthecreatures,desperatetogetinsideourward,gunshotseruptingcloserthanbefore,andthescreamsoftheinfectedcreatures,but Ikeptshuttingmyeyes, trying todriftaway, to forcemyself todie.But itnever happened. Soon I would be awakened by medics in the back of anambulance,onmywaytothehospital.

Whatstartedoutasasimplemedicalexperimentturnedintoanightofhellonearth,anightofthelivingdeadspreadingdeathanddestructionthroughoutthegroundsofPhiladelphiaStateHospital.

Forthepolice,itwastoomuchtohandle.Localmilitaryunitswerecalledin,a perimeter was set up, enclosing the entire hospital campus, and by sunrise,thingswereundercontrol.BynoonThursday,thelastremainingcreatureswereterminated.

TheymanagedtotravelacrossRooseveltBoulevardtothemen’sgroup,but,bythattime,thebuildingswerelockeddown.Clarahaddoneherpartinwarningthe rest of the campus of the disastrous breakout. If not for the warning, theinfectionwould’ve spread across themen’s group and the creatures’ numberswould have increased by the thousands and, no doubt, reached into theneighboringcommunities.

Onlyahandfulofdoctors,nursesandattendantslosttheirlivesthatnight,butalmostathousandpatientsdiedandnooneevennoticed.Theyweredisregarded.Noonecaredaboutthepatientslivinginamentalhospitalwithoneoftheworstreputations in the country.The families of the staffmemberswhonever camehome were paid to forget, to never utter a word or question what happened,aboutwhattheybelievedwasamasspatientescapegoneawry.

The cleanup took weeks. The bodies of staff members were given properburials, but the piles of patient corpses were transported and buried in massgravesatthelocalPotter’sField,whichstillexisttothisday―itislocatedin

thesectionofthecitynowknownasGreaterNortheastPhiladelphia.Asforgettingbacktonormal,thefewstaffmemberswhoexperiencedfirst-

hand the horrors of that night, like myself, the nurse Pearl and Buster theattendant, were paid, by the government, twenty thousand each ― a lot ofmoney in those days― to nevermention againwhatwewitnessed.Also,myrecord was wiped clean, and I was able to walk out of Byberry a free man.Others, like Buster and Pearl, were offered jobs in other hospitals across thestate. I’m not surewhat became of Pearl, but Buster trackedme down in theearly sixties, he calledme, hewas drunk andwanted to talk to someonewhowould listenandnot thinkhewas somenutty lush tellingwild talesabout theundead.Hewastheonewhotoldmewhathappenedoncethecopsandmilitaryarrived,andwherethebodieswereburied.HehadtakenajobofferatahospitalinwesternPennsylvaniaaftertheNight―aswecametocallit―andwasstilllivingthere,butthememorieshauntedhim,andhe’ddohisbesttowashitawaywithalcohol.We’dcalleachothereveryfewmonthsoverthenextseveralyears,buteventuallyIlostcontactwithhim.

Afterreceivingmymoney,IrentedasmallapartmentinNorthPhiladelphia,temporarily, until I figured outwhat Iwas going to do. Still in possession ofMelvin’sdriver’s license andkeys, I visitedhisplace, readoverhisnotes andburnedthem.Icouldn’tcomeforwardwiththenotesbecauseoftheagreementIsignedwiththegovernment.ButitwasthenthatIfullyunderstoodthehistoryofthehospital,itslongrecordofpatientabuse,andtheoriginofthepoliovaccinethatwastestedonMarch21st.

Speaking of the polio vaccine, it would be only one year later, 1952, thatsuccesses were being reported with a vaccine developed by Jonas Salk.Ironically,itwasthesameyearthecountryexperienceditsworstpoliooutbreakinhistorywith58,000cases.By1964,only121caseswerereported.

Philadelphia State Hospital continued to operate, but its conditions neverimproved.Beginning in the1960s, someof itsbuildingsbeganshuttingdown.By1990,theentirehospitalwasclosed.Patientswereeithertransferredtoothermentalhospitalsorreleased.Thepatientswhowerereleaseddidn’thavehomesorfamiliestogoto.SomeofthemwanderedthestreetsofPhiladelphia,addingto the city’s homeless population and others went back to the abandonedhospital,livingthereassquatters.

I remember,back in ’94 ’95, Iwas inPhiladelphia for anEaglesgame. I’dstopped at Pat’s for a cheesesteak and came across a homelessmanwhowastellingothersaboutwhenhewas just akid,hewasat ahospital and thedeadwere returning to life. People blew him off, thought hewas nuts and ignoredhim.Isathimatoneoftheoutdoortablesandboughthimameal,thenleft.

As forme, I wanted to get as far away from thememory of Byberry as Icould,soIboughtaplaceinTomsRiver,foundajobanddidmybesttolivemylife.ButnomatterwhatIdid,Icouldn’tfindhappiness.Imarried,thoughtIwashappy,divorced,stayedsingleforafewyears,marriedagainanddivorcedsoonafterwards.And thatwas it, I’vebeenaloneforover twentyyears. InevergotoverthelossofClara,ortheguiltofleavingherwiththeprofessor.Thepainisetchedintomymemoryandthefeelingisthereeveryday.Ineverthoughtabouttakingmyownlife,Idon’tknow,maybeIwastooscared,didn’thavetheguts.Butnow,I’mreadytogo…

Oh,before I forget. Ihaveagift forallofyou. I failed tomention,when Igrabbed the keys and license fromMelvin’s pocket, I also grabbed somethingelse;threevialsofthepoliovaccinethatgavebirthtothatnightmare―Melvintook themwhenwe ran out of the testing room that night. I kept them inmypocketthatentirenight.Ihadthoughtabouthandingthemovertothecopsorthegovernment,butdecidedagainstit.Ikeptthemandstillhavethemtothisday.Iwantyouall to experience thehorrors that Iwent through thatnight, toknowwhatit’sliketolosetheonlypersonthatyoutrulylove,soI’lldowhatIcantobringthisnightmarebackfromthedead.I’llinjectmyselfandletitspread,thistime, across neighborhoods, destroying families and their futures.Why not? Imean, really, do you think scum like you deserve to enjoy your lives, beinghappy,successfulandinlove?Ididn’tenjoymine.

Don’tjudgeme.I’mnotcrazy…I’mheartbroken.

AbouttheAuthor

MarkL.Kramercameupwiththeideaofthisnovelfromhisloveofzombies

andhisinterestintheinfamousPhiladelphiaStateHospital.Afterafewyearsofhearingfansaskforasequel,MarkhasdecidedtofinallybeginworkonaBookTwo.HelivesinSoutheasternPennsylvania,wherehecontinuestoworkonthenextentry.

You can drop him a line about the book atTheRealNOTLD@beabookworm.com.