I knelt and shook her battered half naked body. I realized Yakov had raped her again and this time completed the task. She was unable to fight him off the second time. I saw her pink pistol lying feet from her. “Nikki,” I shook her again. I saw her beginning to stir. Her bruised eyes fluttered open, and her words seemed garbled in a mouth full of stale blood.
“Vha..vhat’s…oing, on?” I began to pick her up slowly. “Yakov mot e gain…” I replied quickly, “I know Nikki it’s not Yakov. I need you to get dressed can you do that?” Nikki nodded her head, “vhere es e, I’m oing to…I’m oing to ill em.” I began to scan the room, “I don’t know?” Picking up my rifle off the ground I moved towards the door frame, “I think I hear him?” There was a strange sound that seemed to fill the corridor. It was a squishy sound
followed by a hard tearing of something. The corridor was dark, and the moon was barely able to penetrate it. I scanned around and found the source of the sound.
It wasn’t Yakov like I thought it would be. Terror filled my body when my eyes fell upon the source. I would have given anything for it to have been Yakov. The shadowed figure was directly down the opposite end of the corridor. The shadow was large, and the door frame had burst from the size of the figure. Through the faint moonlight I saw thick fur that seemed clumped together in blood. The creature had not responded, nor even acknowledged my presence in the corridor. It was hunched over slightly holding half a torso in its paws. It seemed to be eating something or somebody with white clothing. This could only mean one thing to me.
I knew at that moment Kiyoshi was dead. How many others were dead? Where was Raska or Anton? Their rooms were right next to Kiyoshi’s. Where was Jacob or the sign? Had I missed it?
I gazed into the room across from our campsite, which was supposed to contain Chris. I peered into it not trying to take my eyes off the creature. I whispered as loud as I thought I could, “Chris, Chris, you there?” It would be an almost humorous situation. Throughout the last two days we were all trying to survive or kill each other. Although when the creature came, we unified and became a team. Maybe that was the point of all this? To use all our strengths and fight against a common enemy, so we can reach a common goal of survival. However according to the rules there was no survival at the end. I didn’t have time to think of all of that now.
“I rish, vhat’s oing…” I turned to see Nikki trying to stand up. The room was cold since Jacob put out our fire. “Shh,” I whispered to Nikki who stared at me through swollen eyes.
“Vell, vhere es e?” “Will you shut up Nikki?” I turned back and felt my heart skip several beats.
It would have been hard to tell if the creature was staring at me, if it hadn’t been for that mechanical red eye. The mangled corpse came better into light, and I could see through the moonlight Kiyoshi’s bloody face. The creature and I stared at each other motionless. The minutes seemed to pass as I watched pieces of Kiyoshi’s body slip through the creature’s paws spilling over the floor. “Nikki,” I whispered as she wobbled on her feet. “It’s, it’s here!”
Nikki’s head shot up, “now?” I nodded, “its staring at me…watching me…looking at me, right now.” I began to raise my rifle slowly and slide back the bolt to chamber a round. The creature could see my actions as its breath curled like thick smoke. I watched the last of Kiyoshi’s mangled carcass fall from the creature’s paws. Slowly turning its body towards me the creature stretched its arms. Its jaw extended snarling softly but loudly to make the air freeze slightly.
The creature slowly began to make its way towards me.
“No, no, no, no,” I took aim at the creature and fired, POW… POW… POW! The creature stopped after the third shot which clipped it in the neck. “Shite,” I yelled realizing that there was no stopping it. “CHRIS, JACOB,” I shouted but nobody responded. The creature was almost halfway down the corridor passing by Jacob’s room. I raised my rifle again when something astonishing happened. A mysterious person emerged from the top of the stairs and hopped onto the creature. It snarled and threw the mysterious man off easily. I didn’t recognize this man, nor the several others that seemed to now be fighting the creature. I knew that they were the same undead people from before. They were attacking the creature clawing at its stomach and biting into its fur. This was the opportunity to escape. I sprinted back to Nikki grabbing her panic stricken. “Nikki, we got to go now’s our chance!” Nikki was still uneasy on her feet as I ran over to the makeshift rope that Jacob had made earlier. It was a thick intertwined band of
hospital sheets tied together. I took the clump of sheets, which had been tied to one of the crumbling stone pillars and tossed it out the window.
I watched the rope fall but only reach the first floor meaning we would have to jump the rest. “Vat bout de oderz?” “We have to assume they’re dead!” I ran over to the pillar and removed from the pouch on my back my last item. I pulled out the large nail bomb and placed it into a large crack in the pillar. It sat comfortably as I took out the large pin on the side. I pulled a small piano like cord from it revealing the trip wire. I stretched it across to the other pillar wrapping it around the base before tying it off. “Vat are vou oing?” “Nikki you better get climbing! The whole ceiling is going to collapse on top of the creature!”
I hopped over the thin line and made my way to the crumbling wall. I grabbed the rope and placed a foot on it, “just follow me down, ok?” “Vait, Vait,” I was about to hop down when Nikki took several steps backwards with her back to the wall. “VAIT, I KAN’T…VAIT!” I stopped and turned to her just with enough time to see the back wall give out. Three undead figures were reaching inside the room and pulling her towards them. The undead had broken through the wall and began eating Nikki in her shoulders and head. I took my rifle from off my shoulder and raised it firing at them. They were like locusts eating anything and everything in their path. I fired once, twice, three times, but the figures continued to devour her. I took aim again my screaming words were garbled. My crosshairs locked on her forehead, and I eased her passing with a POW! From out of nowhere something gray came flying at me and hit my rifle.
Screaming in pain I felt my arm slightly break. I watched in horror as my rifle twirled in the air and then sailed out the broken window. I saw my only salvation from this horror disappear in the darkness.
I clenched my arm and turned to see the creature standing outside the door frame. It had smacked it claws into the wall sending large chunks of concrete to shower over the room. The door frame was too small to fit its large figure. The creature started thrashing at the door frame wildly trying to get at me. I tried to grab the makeshift rope with my other hand. Concrete was still raining across the room. One large piece hit me in the shoulder, and another smashed into the side of my head. I toppled to the back wall and fell with my back to it. “FUCK,” I yelled as I saw the creature slamming its body through the door frame. I watched it squeeze through as I tried to grasp the rope again. The ceiling was shaking dangerously. The rope was mere inches away, but I couldn’t reach it. The creature was almost through the door now. I tried to move but my arm was throbbing in pain again, “FUCK…oh shite!” I saw one of the undead already descending upon me. I reached to my breast pocket and unsheathed a hunting knife. The undead had caught me off guard. I raised my arm up to it and felt its teeth sink into me. I screamed loudly as I felt its cold saliva soaking through my shirt. My blood poured over my pants. “GET
OFF ME,” I screamed. I took the knife feeling the undead’s hands trying to pin me down. “Bite this fucker,” I stuck the hunting knife through the undead’s gullet sending it straight upwards.
The undead’s eyes bulged and its teeth released from my arm. It collapsed next to me as I saw the creature had already made a crater size hole in the wall.
The creature stepped through only needing three more steps to kill me. Both arms injured I tried to grab my last weapon tucked in my boot. I pulled out the mini-crossbow and pushed the button on the side. I watched the wings pop open with a little CLICK. I pointed it at the creature who towered over me. The creature knew that my end had come, and it licked its bloody lips hungrily. It stared down in-between the pillars and saw to my horror the trip wire that traced across them. “Come on,” I screamed at it, but the creature seemed puzzled by the trip wire. I
was surprised it had even noticed the wire. “Come on, come get me I’m right here!” The creature gazed at the pillars and then up at the ceiling. I took aim with the mini-crossbow and fired the arrow. I aimed directly for the beast’s nose. It connected and sent the creature backwards. The creature swiped at it angrily and broke the arrow in half. My hand shook as I reached into my pocket and pulled out another arrow. Blood covered my hands as I tried to slip the arrow into the firing track.
The creature’s eye burned with such fury, and I knew that it was coming to finish me. I slid the bow string behind the arrow, “that’s it, come and get me!” I watched the creature take one step towards me, “that’s it just one more, just one more.” I put the mini-crossbow under my jaw and pointed it up. I placed my hand down knowing the end had come. I felt something and realized that I had subconsciously laid it upon the piece of scrape paper that I was writing on. I smiled and then flipped it over. The words were faint to me and as I turned back to the creature.
I watched it take its final step towards me. The trip wire was being pulled in front of its furry leg. They say your life flashes before your eyes moments before you die.
In the mist and haze of everything there was only one memory that came to my head. It was a song, a song that my father and I used to sing. I could feel his hand on my back and his Irish brogue singing in my ear as the roof collapsed above me. I pulled the trigger of the bow and gripped my poem just as the arrow tore through my head. Wood, concrete, and stone fell on the creature smothering it underneath the weight. All while our song played in my head.
“Deep in the heart is the home we left…our star will gleam, every wish on a dream. Dead the
day, blackened the sun…the ferryman’s laugh, legends last…the hero’s gone until we meet in
Tir Na Nog.”
[ THE GETAWAY]
The room was filled with cheers and angry scowls. It was an eruption as loud as a football game. Smoke curled in the room and some men even threw their brandy in one of the many fireplaces. It took a minute for the lights to flash several times before everyone grew quiet. A pudgy man made his way to the stage near the bar. A spotlight fell upon him as he tapped the microphone, “testing…yes…hello, can everybody hear me?” The room responded with light applause and some men lifted their glasses in a thankful toast. The pudgy man continued, “yes, thank you…well as you already know or should know I dare say.” Lord Otto’s light girlish giggle filled the room as eyes landed him. “I have been your Speaker for this year’s hunt, and I am most honored to be in this position again. I have just spoken with the Elites who have officially declared this season’s Hunt officially over. The next ten sponsors are being chosen as we speak and the official winner with Elite approval is…Christopher Wentworth!”
“Christopher,” Joseph yelled loudly as Lord Otto spit his brandy in shock losing his superior composure. “What the hell do you mean Christopher? The winner is Aednat, Aednat!”
The whole room seemed upset, and many checked the monitors. Pascal pointed his hand and said softly, “no Joseph don’t you see? Chris’s trackers are still registering a heartbeat?” “Is this some kind of game from you Elites? What the hell is going on?” Ivan’s cheeks shook violently as he stood with his pudgy face red as a tomato.
I felt something grab my shoulders as the world seemed to spin in circles. Fingers gripped me and I immediately thrashed wildly. I was throwing off whatever seemed to be clinging onto me. I twirled around wildly as I felt the porcelain tank top fall from my hands. I saw undead figures tearing at the lifeless body of Anton and one had grabbed my shoulders. It stretched its decaying hands up at me. I screamed loudly and stumbled backwards to avoid it. I tripped over Yakov’s lifeless body and fell backwards next to the gaping hole in the wall. I stared through it and then back towards the advancing undead. I decided to take my chance and climb through the wall. I felt the dirt, tile, and dry wall falling over me. Pushing through the wall, I felt a hand grip my leg. A loud moan escaped the undead figure’s mouth. Screaming loudly, I kicked the man square in the mouth, but he didn’t budge. He continued to advance as I scrambled pulling my body through the wall. “Aaaagggggg,” cried the man as I felt the last of my legs slide through the hole. Hands grabbed my ankles as I saw its eyes light up like two bright flashlights. Its mouth opened and a burst of light came from the depths of the man’s body.
Hakeem’s Devil’s Breath concoction still had a grip on my reality.
“GET OFF ME,” I yelled as the undead figure’s hands dug into me. It tried desperately to pull its way up towards me. I kicked it square in the face again to no avail. I watched its head move towards my ankle preparing to bite as I struggled in vain. I kicked it repeatedly but still the creature tried to take a bite of me. Its teeth moved to my ankle, but with a quick pull the undead figure made contact with the bracelet. “No, NO,” I felt the creature biting at the bracelet.
It pulled at the fabric of my outfit, and I heard a quick, SNAP! BOOM… the explosion was loud, and I felt my leg shred under the explosion. My scream was deafening as I clenched my leg
rolling on the floor seeing the absence of my own left foot. I swore so loud I felt my lungs were going to explode.
I heard the moaning from behind the wall intensifying. I saw to my horror more of the undead trying to make their way through the hole. The pain was excruciating as I dragged myself away. I pulled my bloody leg away from the undead corpse that had collapsed over my lower half. My trembling fingers reached into my prison uniform to find my pistol. Struggling with retrieving it, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to grip it from around my back. I decided to open my fanny pack in the front trying to ignore the blood soaking my pant leg and pooling across the floor. I grabbed the tiny water bottle filled with gasoline and drenched the hole in the wall until the bottle sprayed air.
Throwing the bottle, I pulled out a small box of strike anywhere matches. I fumbled with it and to my horror the matches scattered in the air falling to the ground. I watched as one of the undead began licking the blood from the floor. Another was clamoring over that one, and the last one was trying to grasp my other leg. My fingers grabbed at the matches trying desperately to find one in my panic. Their dead faces made my hands shake as it was like finding a needle in a haystack. I kicked at an advancing undead as I felt the adrenaline pumping through my body.
I found a match and I gave a loud, “A HA!” I showed the undead man as it reached for me. Striking the match, it burst into flames just as one of the undead was halfway through the hole. “FUCK YOU,” I screamed and then threw it. The hole turned into a fireball as I heard the undead moan again. They pulled themselves back unhurt or seemingly unaware that they were burning alive. I laid my head onto the floor, “thank god!” I gripped my leg pulling back the bloodied shreds of fabric. I grimaced at the sight of horror at my leg that had indeed been
shredded like ground beef and my missing foot. I couldn’t stay here forever. I knew that eventually the fire would die and the undead would again make their way through the hole.
I began to crawl, crawl towards anything trying desperately to get away. I had to find a safe place, and I had no idea who was still alive. “HELP,” I yelled as I continued to crawl towards the desk. I pushed some of the toys to the side crawling faster. I saw a trail of blood following me. I reached the leg of the large desk and pulled myself up as fast as I could.
“FUCK,” I screamed as the pain rushed through my entire body. My eyes immediately scanned over the desk and found a faded piece of cloth. I gripped it with trembling fingers and quickly tied it around my thigh with a pained whimper.
I barely had a moment to look up to see an undead horror running towards me. It moaned wildly as it crashed into my body sending me toppling backwards. I felt my weak leg give out as we were thrown crashing through the window that previously brought me so much solace. The glass shattered and the undead man fell from me. I watched it disappear as I toppled through a tree. Branches caught me and I smacked against every one until SLAM! My back had hit something metal, and the light had gone out in my head.
I was back in prison. The noise was loud as the inmates all seemed to shout at once. I entered the room to find a DMI member that we called Spine Shank. “What’s up Dawg,” I said entering the cell. Spine Shank barked at me and slapped my hand greeting me. “What seems to be the problem?” Spine Shank was a man much older than me but still positioned under my rank. He pointed to the other man in the cell. Shaved head and gray eyes he glared at me nervously as Spine Shank said, “he claims to be a DMI member from the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. The only problem is ain’t nobody heard of him back there.” I nodded not
even acknowledging the intruder, “you contacted John?” Spine Shank nodded, “sure did, I told him to double check but, he was sure.”
I nodded with a certain smugness as I rubbed my chin in thought. I made my way to him and extended my hand, “flesh of my flesh.” He shook my hand and brought me into a small shoulder bump, “ain’t shit changed dawg!” I nodded and simply but firmly commanded, “spit the whisper!” The man looked at me and then at Spine Shank, who handed me a shank made from a thin bed spring. I saw the man twitch nervously, “I pledge…I pledge my allegiance to this unit…for…for life to assist my brother in st…strife and if I should fail, then I should fail, fa…fall under the knife…” That was all that it took, the first word he messed up at. I rushed towards him and immediately began to stab him in the stomach. I repeatedly stabbed him over and over as his body slammed against the concrete wall. I felt warm blood pouring over my hand as he tried fighting me off. I kept repeatedly stabbing until he ceased to move. All of the intruder’s blood, all of it over our creed, our code that every DMI member lived by all of it over a simple whisper.
Reality seemed to set back in. I heard bird’s chirping and saw a gray sky above me blocked by broken branches. A pain shot up my leg and I gave a little moan. It took me several minutes to remember where I was. I thought for a second that I had blacked out in the yard. A soft moaning could be heard close by, but I remembered everything that had happened to me.
The Hunt, the creature, the booby traps, the undead, and realized this was not prison anymore. I flicked my eyes a couple times and pain seemed to wrap my body like a blanket. How did I get down here? I rubbed my head as I felt like I had been drinking heavily last night. A feeling of weakness and nausea was pitted deep within my stomach. I tried to get up but slipped and fell again. I turned my head to see to my horror an undead figure. It was on its back with its arms
waving wildly in the air. Something was protruding through its chest. It was the corner of an old A/C unit. The undead was snarling at the sky desperate to remove itself.
I began to raise myself up but couldn’t with my leg now completely useless. I gazed at my surroundings and realized I had fallen into a hospital trash pile. There were mattresses, machines, sheets, trash, and other various medical equipment. I tried to turn over but paused when I realized what I had landed on, an old school bus. I dragged myself to the edge continually scanning the area. I found something to make my escape a bit easier. A crutch lay sticking out between an old dirt pile and moldy sheets. This would help me make my escape to a safe location. Hopefully it would help me find a place to treat my wounds and get the last bracelet off my leg. It took me a lifetime to make my way down the bus. I finally made it to the crutch when the sun had broken through the gray clouds. Undamaged but barely holding together the crutch provided me with the stability I would need to become somewhat mobile.
I pulled myself up and pulled out my pistol from behind my outfit. My back was bruised from where I had landed on it and my tourniquet was not holding. I pulled out the magazine and realized that I only had 12 shots left. My fanny pack was gone, which meant the rest of the magazines were too. I had no time to go searching for it. I had to accept the fact that I had lost it. I pointed the pistol at the undead figure’s head as it reached for me snarling ferociously. My finger inched towards the trigger until a strange noise caught my ear. It wasn’t the snarling of the undead or its eerie moaning. It was something else, something different. I lowered the pistol slightly and listened intently. My forehead furrowed in confusion as I moved towards the sound.
It seemed to be coming from around the hospital. I moved softly trying to identify it. However, my eyes could not be prepared for the horror that I had stumbled upon.
Over a dozen undead were kneeling on the ground and all partaking of a new meal. What the meal was or used to be was unidentifiable. I saw an undead woman in a muddy lab coat tearing into a large furry arm. I saw other bits and pieces of fur scattered between the undead figures. My mouth opened wide as I realized what they were feasting on. The creature,” I muttered softly. The undead paid no attention to me or seemed to notice at all. I backed away around the corner stunned by the image. I even passed by the trapped undead still reaching for me. It snarled loudly as it didn’t take me long to pass by it. I hardly even paid attention to it as I began trekking away from the hospital. To where, I had no idea but whatever that creature was werebear or werewolf. It didn’t matter, it was gone. Clearly eaten by the locusts its encounter would bring. My mind just continued to wrap around the picture I had seen.
The sun began to appear over the large hill that I decided to walk around. I could see the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in the distance. I moved through the grass and into a little junkyard.
Random items were scattered below me as the crutch seemed to creak under my weight. My leg had grown numb, and I needed something to help with treating it. I paused and turned back to the hospital. Do I risk it? Do I dare take a chance and head back? I stared down at my pistol,
“twelve shots.” That’s all I had twelve bullets, would that be enough?
My blood loss was heavy and knew that my time was limited. I turned towards it and saw to my astonishment a figure standing at the top. I felt my mouth drop open in shock. I wasn’t alone after all. One of the group members had actually made it. I couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief. I raised my arm trying to wave at the figure, but I froze midway. There was something odd about it. The way the sun blackened the figure and made his features almost distorted. I lowered my hand and stared at it. I watched in horror as more figures appeared on top of the hill. I even tried to lie to myself and think that all the members of the group had made
it. However, when they continued to pop up like gophers out of their holes, I knew I was only lying to myself. I had to make an escape.
I felt the crutch wobble underneath me as I moved as fast as I could. I turned and saw to my horror that the figures were coming after me. They moved as fast as they could. Some waved their arms and moved forward like moving through deep water. They were chasing me, and I had nowhere to go. The direction that I was heading was anywhere away from the city. “I gotta get back,” I began to turn my body towards the city when I realized my mistake. More of the undead were chasing me and they were gaining on me too. I saw the skin missing from their faces and their empty eye sockets. They were yards from me. Soon they would be descending upon me like ravenous dogs. I stopped and raised my gun high, POW... POW… POW! I had never been a good shot, but I managed to drop the closet one. Its head popped like a pimple. I kept moving as the undead descended closer towards me. They were advancing at an incredible speed. I didn’t have enough time to count them. I had no idea where I was going, but time was growing rapidly short. I stopped and glanced around at my surroundings. A small forest lay to the right of me, a small pile of trash to the left of me, and a small shack in front.
I turned back and saw to my surprise that the undead were mere feet from me. Raising my gun, I fired at the closest one, “FUCK,” I yelled. It dropped to its knees and then fell over. I moved towards the shed as quickly as I could. It was rusty and provided nothing more than a shelter from the elements. Maybe I should move on and try my luck somewhere else? I heard a snarl behind me and an undead was about to tackle me. I reached my gun up and blew the back of its head away. “FUCK,” I yelled again and opened the door shutting it behind me just as three undead were about to hug me. I heard their bodies slam against the aluminum door. With no
lock on it, I kept it shut with my other leg as I collapsed on the ground. I screamed in pain as I had torn open the skin to my wounded leg. My tourniquet fell off in the pursuit.
I gripped it with my hands as I felt the blood rushing over them. Gritting my teeth, I watched the door bulge from the number of bodies pressing against it. The aluminum walls began to rock. It was only a matter of time before they came down. I glanced around the shed to see what items my prison contained. I saw that it had nothing but junk in it. An old-fashioned lawn mower, hedge trimmers, piles of dead leaves, four metal gas cans, three rusty propane tanks, and other lawn equipment. “Damn it,” I realized that I had ended up in a sort of makeshift garden shed. I saw dead fingers beginning to poke around the door. They were trying to pull the door off the hinges. Although they possessed no strength to do so the rusty metal began to crumble to the ground. I bit my lip and knew that the time had come, “You’re not going to take me though!” I gazed around the shed again and my eyes fell upon the propane tanks and gas cans. I reached over with a pained groan and grabbed a tank. “Damn it,” I tossed the empty one and grabbed another one, which was only a quarter filled. I pointed the pistol point black at the tank noticing my breathing becoming shallow. I looked up and saw a dead eye staring through the growing hole in the door. “It ends like this,” I pulled the trigger and saw the hammer click back… BOOM!
[ THE GETAWAY]
A bellow of a horn marked the arrival of the large luxury liner, THE GETAWAY. People were clamoring on deck waiting for the ship to come to a stop. Several seagulls squawked in the sunlight as the trip had come to an end. Men began to shake hands as a large man began to walk down the gallows. “Well, I guess I will see you next year Lord Otto,” giggling slightly Lord
Otto extended his hand, “guess you will Ivan. Where is everybody else?” “What a wonderful day my friends! The great country of Italy is blessed with the presence of Ron Reid for an entire week!” “Oh, you’re staying Ron,” Ron nodded at Ivan “yes, my friend! I know of a lovely restaurant in town and am asking for all the sponsors to get together for a final drink, will you come?” Lord Otto and Ivan looked at each other disgust clear in their faces. “My friends, my friends, you will have the distinct pleasure of having a fabulous lunch with Ron Reid! I dare say many men would kill for that privilege.” Ivan mumbled, “I can’t say I know anybody.” Ron laughed as he put his arms around Ivan and Lord Otto, “Please my friends, the others are meeting us there come with me! I’ll see to the limos personally.” Ron began to drag the two men away from the ship. They both followed in disbelief at Ron’s boldness, “I can’t wait until next year…until next year!”
THE END?
Specimen: 8U
(Bonus Chapter)
A double door crashed open with a metallic CLANG as a stocky man ran into the laboratory. “Dr. Kempiak…Dr. Dempiak…” The man seemed panicked making his glasses fall askew over his beefy nose. Approaching Dr. Kempiak who sat staring into microscope as he muttered with an uninterested, “yes Dr. Long?” The man was sweating profusely as he removed a neckerchief from his pocked and dabbed it on his forehead. He ran his hand through his black hair as if trying to steady himself. “They, I mean, well, should I say he’s here!” Removing his gaze from the microscope, “did you let him in?” Dr. Long nodded, “yeah I-I-I buzzed him in myself.” “Very good Dr. Long,” standing up slowly from his stool, Dr. Kempiak straightened his lab coat.
It only took mere moments before the double doors to the laboratory opened. In walked a man dressed in a suit that seemed woven from the finest fabric on Earth. The man was much older with silver hair and wrinkled skin. His eyes were puffy and seemed tired, but he entered with a smile. “Dr. Kempiak,” he called and shook Dr. Kempiak’s hand before turning to shake Dr. Long’s. “You honor us with your presence Mr. Kasdan. What reason brings you out here so late?” “Well, Dr. Kempiak Dead Watcher funding keeps your laboratory running. I shouldn’t have to have a reason to stop by now, should I?” Dr. Kempiak shook his head so that his blonde ponytail hit both shoulders. “No of course sir, I meant no disrespect. How was the Hunt this year? When can I expect the return of Creature X…” Holding up his hand Mr. Kasdan silenced
Dr. Kempiak quickly. “That is the reason that I have come out here today. This Hunt proved to be the most well received we have had in over a decade.”
Mr. Kasdan paused for a moment leaving Dr. Kempiak and Dr. Long to glance at each other before he continued. “It seems that Creature X will not be returning to its holding container at this facility.” “Oh,” said Dr. Kempiak with a little pause. “Yes, it seems that this group of Candidates were able to eliminate Creature X.” Dr. Kempiak shook his head,
“impossible Creature X always returns back to the regeneration station in the Chernobyl plant.”
Mr. Kasdan gave a firm, “I assure you Dr. Kempiak Creature X is finished…torn apart by those…things!” He sneered the last words as if they were disgusting to him. Dr. Kempiak and Dr. Long stared at each other again and then returned to Mr. Kasdan. “No, no, no, that’s impossible Creature X would overpower them. The sheer size of it alone would never allow them to overpower…” Shouting loudly at Dr. Long, “NOT WHEN THE CREATURE IS
FLATTENED BY A ROOF CAVING IN,” both doctors fell immediately silent.
The minutes dragged by as Mr. Kasdan’s red face seemed to slowly return to its normal color. “So, gentlemen obviously we need something new for the next Hunt…that’s what brings me here.” Both doctors looked at each other again and then Dr. Kempiak shrugged, “I guess we might have something that could interest you.” Waving his hand at Mr. Kasdan, “come, come this way! This might help settle your concerns and make the others very happy.” Dr. Long grabbed Dr. Kempiak and whispered softly to him. “Dr. Kempiak may I remind that Specimen 8U is completely unstable…not just physically but molecularly as well, extremely aggressive and that’s not going into the ramifications of the contagion and epidemic proportions of any encounter with…” Dr. Long fell silent at Dr. Kempiak’s piercing stare of annoyance. “No more than Creature X Dr. Long…right this way Mr. Kasdan.” They walked down a hallway and then
down a flight of metal stairs. “What is it you are showing me Dr. Kempiak,” stopping before a large red door reading, CAUTION. Dr. Kempiak turned to Mr. Kasdan, “I think it is better if I just show you.” He gave a reassuring smile and opened the door to a large room. Lights immediately sprung to life and a large glass enclosure stood before them.
Mr. Kasdan moved past the doctors as he stared at the enclosure in utter awe.
“What...the…hell…is…that?” He turned to his left and noticed a row of cages. However, he didn’t look twice at the animals locked inside of them. He gazed back at the creature who raised its head and claws screeching loudly. It stretched its near foot length claws revealing a thick dark greenish mucus between them. Mr. Kasdan turned back to both the doctors, “what is it?”
“We call it a werehyena or Specimen 8U. I think it is just the creature you need for your next Hunt.”
The End?
LEFT
Two paths lie before me, one of hope and happiness, love adoring To my left sits a path of gloom and doom, a path for fools I stand at the fork, I know to go left, all souls go left
Taking one step, neither fire nor light, righteous or damned, nor hell or heaven sent Tattered cloak, shadow and mist, haze of fog…no light can dent Neither side does he represent
With a wave of his pole, does thy path unfold, always to the left a story retold Treasures I spread over the feet of the dead, taker of light, all for a chance to go right Voice as soft as a whisper through the trees, echoes of disaster Filling faster, more maniacal laughter no matter the stack growing fatter No matter how many paths life throws, we never know but in the end all roads lead home To here, to a crossroads of courage and fear, crossing the river Styx To a fate we cannot fix to unfold a story we all know
To give until there’s nothing left all and all just to end up going left.
Diamond in the Rough Award
- Most Unique Candidate -
Yakov Dzhugashvili
Prize: $500,000
Crosshair Award
- Highest Percentage of Accuracy -
Aednat Mcshane
Prize: $1,000,000
Best Death in Show Award
- Most Unique Death -
Aednat Mcshane
Prize: $25,000
Tool of Destruction Award
- Most Destructive Item -
Nail Bomb - Aednat Mcshane
Prize: $25,000
Spineless Award
- Candidate Most Cowardly -
Nicole Ann Iosif Dzhugashvili
Prize: $10,000
Dead Watcher Chronicles
- The Red Zone -
by
Robby Richardson
The Gathering of Sponsors
“Master Harkin your guests are at the front gate. Shall I send them up?” Pressing the intercom button Mr. Harkin gave a snide reply, “very good Hugo send them up.” Mr. Harkin descended his large wooden staircase straightening his suit several times before reaching the bottom. He pointed at his butler who stood with military stillness. “Hugo is everything prepared for our guests?” Hugo had been his loyal butler for ten years and could always be depended on.
Never stopping in his tracks, he heard Hugo give a confident reply, “indeed Master Harkin. I have set up everything in the parlor as you requested.” Not surprised by Hugo’s diligence, Mr.
Harkin made his way to the Oak front doors with a broad smile. He opened the large wood doors awaiting the arrival of the new batch of Dead Watcher Sponsors for the 2006 Hunt.
Several limos were pulling into his giant stone circular driveway. Smiling jovially, he made his way towards the first familiar face that he saw. Seeing that he was wearing the Dead Watcher membership pin he gave a loud, “Nikola Khalski my old friend! It is so good to see you and I noticed that you received another stripe!” He was a thin man and was always dressed in the finer outfits. In fact, while even on The Getaway he was renowned for sunbathing in a white button-down Versace shirt. Clearly dressed to impress, he smiled wildly revealing the small gap between his two front teeth. “Thomas Harkin it is good to see you, my friend! They promoted me with all the assistance I did with the enhancement and outspokenness for Candidate Yakov’s eligibility for Ivan.” They shook hands as Thomas clapped him on the shoulder. “Please tell me how your Brother-In-Law is doing?” “Very good Tom…in fact, working harder than ever to recoup the money he lost in the last Hunt.” Thomas smiled, “indeed I'm sure many of us are!
Please come in Hugo here will show you the way to the parlor.” Waving his hand towards the wide doors he waited for the others.
A thin man with parted white hair and oversized glasses approached grinning from ear to ear. “Mr. Harkin thank you for having us all here today.” Mr. Harkin smiled, “I assure you Senator that you will not be disappointed.” “Please, please I'm not in office at the moment just call me Will.” “Very well Mr. Cunningham...I mean, Will.” Will pointed his stubby finger at Mr. Harkin. “Can you enlighten me as to what this is all...” “Will I assure you that your trip out here will have been well worth it now if you please, I must greet...” Will rested his hand on Tom’s shoulder, “but of course my friend.”
A new man stepped forward in torn jeans and an Ed Hardy shirt. He had long brown hair and was unevenly unshaven. “Mr. Harkin thank you for having us! Your home is lovely.” Mr.
Harkin gave a curious, “and your name would be?” The man gave a wide smile and patted his chest. “Mr. Harkin it's me Bill...Bill Rosenberg.” A smile stretched across Mr. Harkin’s face.
“Little Billy, my god I am sorry my dear boy that I didn't recognize you!” Mr. Harkin shook hands with Bill, “how is your father Harold doing? I am assuming that he sponsored your membership, correct?” Bill nodded, “I actually just finished my first Tier when we pulled into port last year. Needless to say, I was a little surprised when my name was pulled upon first entry in the Sponsor’s drawing.” Mr. Harkin laughed heartily, “I'm sure that your father must have been so proud. I can’t recall that happening in quite some time.” Shrugging, “nine years, but I’d say more shocked than anything.” “Indeed, oh those were the days my boy! The early years of Creature X…some members say its prime too mind you! What was your duty during your pledging? I never saw you on the ship?” “Working laundry room for Pleb and Pup years. I actually never left steerage to be honest. Of course, I Paged and Squired under Ivan naturally.”
Mr. Harkin waved him through the doors, “you should have seen what Ivan had to do...longest internship on record mind you.”
More men started to approach the large wooden doors as Mr. Harkin straitened himself again. “Theodore Huntington, I am glad to see you my old friend! We missed you at the last Hunt!” Theodore Huntington belonged to the environmental lobby and made a fortune off solar panels and wind turbines. He was a small man that wouldn't pose a threat to even a fly but was quite calculating when it came to his money. The old man gave a frail little smile before shaking Mr. Harkin’s hand. “I am afraid health concerns are masters of us all.”
Followed behind him was Tadashi Kwan, a small man with liver spots covering his bald head. His handshake was firm, but his ferocity is what commanded his respect. He was a Board Director of a chain of fashion stores all over the world. He was a quiet man that gave a smile of recognition before entering Mr. Harkin’s foyer. Behind him a dark-skinned man came forward, Mr. Harkin gave a warm “Mr. Tumi Nkosi the famous music mogul of South Africa.” Tumi owned the most lucrative record label in all of Africa. He always wore a mud cloth Kufi hat with the addition of dark shades no matter the weather. He shook Mr. Harkin’s hand with evident displeasure in his voice. “I hope that this is not another wild goose chase Tom and not something that could have been sent through email.”
As the last three Sponsors made their way up the stone steps Mr. Harkin reassured Tumi of the meetings necessity. He shuddered in displeasure as the first of the last three Sponsors approached him. “Hello Mr. Harkin, your home is exquisite. I daresay I only know one finer house than this…mine.” Giving a painful giggle as Mr. Harkin gave a false smile. “Clifford I am so glad you could make it. How's your uncle doing?” Giving a sigh, “I am afraid he has
retreated to that mansion of his in the Alps. He claims to need a break from the repetition of city living...as if Paris can get repetitious.” “Yes, I am sorry that you couldn't have made it last year especially since your uncle was a Sponsor.” Nodding smugly Clifford gave another sigh, “alas my wife was in labor and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.” Shaking his head Mr. Harkin gave a false, “congratulation, oh we must have a toast to her happy life.”
The last two Sponsors drawn were the Sanderson sisters. They looked surprisingly similar that it was common to mistake them for twins. “Hannah and Nicole Sanderson, it is great to see you. Ladies, I apologize you had to fly all the way out to France. I hope that I wasn't interrupting anything important?” Both with long black hair and pairs of stunning blue eyes, the differences between them were subtle. Hannah was a bit taller with high cheek bones and a pointy nose. Nicole's face was rounder and she stood with a much superior posture. “How is Mexico?” They both groaned seemingly in unison, but Hannah spoke first. “Father is always having problems with those lousy cartels.” Nicole quickly added, “he talks of nothing else. In fact, he is unsure whether he can even attend this year's Hunt.” “That's too bad, well please come in. I believe everyone is here presently.”
The Sanderson sisters made their way through the large foyer into the living room.
“Hugo have all the guests made their way to the parlor in preparation for the film?” Hugo nodded making his old face turn into a pile of wrinkles, “indeed sir.” Mr. Harkin made his way into the parlor seeing that everyone was drinking and partaking of appetizers. “Watchers please Watchers can I have your attention please?” Everyone turned towards Mr. Harkin as the conversations shortly died. “I am sorry that I called you all here. I know that it is very unethical especially since we met each other on the ship. However, The Eye has called us to a safe
location because it seems something has come to light. Something that may change who we sponsor for Candidates for the upcoming Hunt.”
Grabbing a glass of wine from Hugo who bowed slightly before retreating to the corner.
Mr. Harkin smiled at all of the Sponsors sitting in his living room. “First I would like to raise a toast to our fellow member Clifford whose wife just had a baby girl.” Everyone toasted their glasses at him, “I hope that fatherhood is everything that you expected. There are no simpler treasures than that of children.” Taking a swig from his own glass, he gazed down at the wine
“exquisite...” He murmured to himself and then gazed at his faithful butler Hugo before raising his glass towards him. “Wonderful choice Hugo,” Hugo bowed slightly with a courteous smile towards Mr. Harkin. “I know that introductions have all been made on the ship, but recent events have called for an early meeting. As you can tell the man that stood in front of you on The Getaway is no longer here. It seems that I have been selected as the temporary new Voice for our little social gathering until the new one is voted in.”
Polite clapping filled the room as Mr. Harkin gave an appreciative little smile. Pointing to the remote on the coffee table. “Hugo if you please.” Hugo marched forward as Mr. Harkin gave a quick, “I am about to show you a movie...a message of sorts from The Eye. This is one of the reasons that we have called you for this meeting today. Moving to the side of the room,
“Hugo if you please.” The lights dimmed and Hugo pressed play on the remote. A projector whirred somewhere in the distance as the movie began to play.
A man with a black dot over his face appeared on the projection screen. His voice was distorted almost computer generated in nature. “Greetings Dead Watchers this is The Eye speaking. It has come to the immediate attention of the Elite that our social club has been
brought to light by a rogue member within our ranks. It should come as NO surprise that our organization survives…and thrives on its secrecy. It is regretful to impose these new changes until this ROGUE can be dealt with. The Hunt will be held on the normal commencement date.
However, due to this privacy breach in our security. The location for this year’s Hunt will be relocated from the Pripyat and Chernobyl area to China. The Elite are currently thinking somewhere in the Yunnan Providence. As of the current date the only rule that was presented to you on the ship was as followed. This year’s Sponsors had to provide the most original and unique Candidate that they could find. It seems the current trends researched from public relations are that members are tired of the military brats with the long jackets.” “How can you expect us to find a suitable Candidate to sponsor? We still don't know what will be replacing Creature X after...”
“Please Nikola, let The Eye finish.” Nikola took a sip of his wine and gave a stern look towards Mr. Harkin before waving his hand for The Eye to continue. “I'm sure you have many questions concerning the new creature. Since the tragic loss of Creature X. We have had something in place for the just in case scenario. What you are about to see is something that only the Elite have seen. Needless to say, that it is shocking and will answer ALL your questions about the creature replacing Creature X. It should also be noted that this movie is extremely classified and will not be repeated outside of this room. On commencement day, the Elite will make an announcement about the new creature to the rest of the members. Mr. Harkin you may turn me off and show the other movie please.”
The screen cut to black as Mr. Harkin began waving to his guests. “Please everybody I need your attention. I assure you all questions will be answered in the upcoming movie. Hugo if you will please at my command.” Hugo who had apparently taken a position next to the door
gave a little bow exiting the room. “Now gentlemen...and ladies,” giving a little apologetic bow to the Sanderson sisters who nodded in appreciation. “We must watch this movie, which I assure you at times will be difficult. The movie has been edited together from security footage and Rounders’ camera gear for time constraints only.” Waving his hand Mr. Harkin gave a soft,
“whenever you're ready Hugo, you may play it. Drinks and appetizers will still be provided during the showing. After the movie is completed, we will review the rules for your Candidates submission for next season’s Hunt!” The backdrop scrambled colors as Mr. Harkin gave a final bow before taking his seat. The screen turned bright white and then counted down like an old movie, 5…4…3…2…1.
Meet Specimen 8U
[Camera #01: SGT. Brock Huxley]
A Black Hawk helicopter whirred loudly as four Rounders were sitting in the cargo hold.
They were dressed in dark black camo outfits and weighted in full military gear. A voice began speaking in Brock’s headset. “Central Command, Central Command this is Alpha One we're coming upon the intended drop zone in 3 minutes.” The helicopter’s body rattled violently as Brock clung to his Military Riot Shotgun. A gun that packed a punch so lethal that it could blow out a man’s entire stomach with one shot. Scribbled across the side of the barrel in white lettering he ran his fingers over the word, KNOCKOUT. “Yeah,” he muttered feeling his anxiousness slowly starting to ebb away. The beautiful thing about the name was that it didn't matter where the shot landed. Giving whoever the misfortunate soul would be every shot guaranteed the B & B outcome, bag or bed.
“Brock...Brock...hello, Earth to Brock, are you there?” Turning slightly Brock gazed up at his heavily scared superior officer, a former 2nd Lieutenant in the Republican Guard under Saddam Hussein. “Yeah, Sayid...I'm here...” “I need you to focus Brock! This is not going to be a walk in the park! Do you understand me? We’re being paid a lot of money for this mission and for our secrecy.” Brock nodded and then stared around at the other members of his Rounder’s squad. “That’s what I love about being a Rounder for the Dead Watchers Sayid. Hell for the amount of money we’re being paid, I would have tea with the Devil himself! Now, get that camera out of my face!”
Brock violently pushed the headset camera of his squad mate Jordan. Jordan was a veteran British soldier that resembled a younger Clint Eastwood. Heavily jagged scars littered his face with teeth like a horse holding a disintegrating cigarette in his mouth. His large hunting knife returning to its sharpening stone rubbing dryly against it. His mouth seemed to move ever so slightly with a simpering gaze. Resembling a dirty old man receiving a lap dance in some filthy night club. His whispering was angry and filled with longing desire. “The knife demands blood…desires it! It needs to feed,” his words muttered softly as the propellers chopped the air.
“You're insane Jordan,” whispered Sayid as he stared at Jordan with a look of sheer concern.
“Fuck off Sayid, I got one more year with these Dead Watchers and then I'm out! So don't act like you’re so high and mighty. You were still only a 2nd Lieutenant in the Republican Guard. I was a Ranger and we...OW!” He yelled as he stared down at his cut finger. In his absence he accidentally sliced his finger open. “Two minutes,” came the voice from the pilot in Brock’s headphones. Sayid had long black hair that was tied into a long wavy ponytail. His beard was ragged and droopy resembling cooked spinach. Sayid flipped a switch on the ceiling and the once dark cabin instantly filled with a bright red light.
Jordan sheathed his knife with an almost cooing whisper. “Soon my pretty...very soon.”
However, Sayid had missed Jordan's continued insane obsession with his knife. “Roberts put that fucking camera down!” “Come on Sayid…we haven’t had a mission since we attacked that camp in Uganda.” “PUT IT AWAY AND GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME,” Sayid shouted as he presented two small pictures to his squad. “Now these are our targets men. The first is Dr.
Kempiak and the second is a Dr. Long. They’re on a four day communication silence.” Brock stared down at the pictures shaking in Sayid's hand. “How many doctors are on site?” Sayid turned to Brock and replied firmly, “your concern is misplaced Brock. The ONLY doctors or
staff we need to be concerned with are these two. The Elite have stated that all other personnel are expendable. Turning to every member of the squad, “is that clear?” Roberts and Jordan nodded as Sayid pocketed the pictures. “Well, do we know what happened?” Sayid shook his head at Brock, “that is what we need to find out too.”
The pilot's voice came into the headphones, “time to drop…30 seconds!” Sayid slid open the side door and the jungle canopy flew by in a blur. “Alright the helipad is just up ahead! I need a simple 2 by 2 formation...standard extraction. We get in and the chopper will be back for extraction in two hours for...” BING... the illuminating red light that filled the cabin had now turned a bright green. The Black Hawk helicopter slowed to a stop and a rope was dropped over the side. Brock’s military boots hit the ground behind Roberts. Raising his shotgun, he focused his sight on the large metal entry doors. He heard the last set of boots land behind him. Sayid's voice was clear in his earpiece, “straight forward...two by two gentlemen...” Brock and Roberts advanced forward with military precision.
Slamming his back against the wall Sayid scanned over the large steel blast doors. His eyes seemed to robotically gaze over every inch until they finally landed on the small keypad.
“Cut it Roberts,” Sayid ordered watching Roberts shoulder his M16. He made his way forward smashing his way into the keypad. The panel dangled as Roberts began to run his fingers over the wires. His words were frantic as he bit his lip deep in concentration. “I don't like this...it's too quiet.” “Quiet Jordan,” snapped Sayid. Brock could see the tension in Sayid's face and knew that he felt the same way. There was something odd about this place. It didn't seem to fit out here in the middle of the jungle. There were no birds, no wind, no sound, the air seemed as dead as the environment. The time seemed to crawl as the clouds remained motionless in the sky.
“What the fuck is taking you so long Roberts?” “Sorry sir, security protocol tripped the blast doors. The whole medical compound has gone under lockdown.” “Well open it,” snapped Sayid with such ferocity. Jordan whispered, “this place is cursed!” “Wait I think I...” Roberts’s voice was cut off short as a robotic voice announced, “security override initiated.” Brock entered first with everybody following behind him. Sayid's voice whispered clear in his earpiece, “straightforward Brock…stay frosty.”
The hallway seemed to be constructed of solid steel as they descended down a small flight of grated metallic stairs. Their footsteps echoed over the walls as they made their way forward passing several scattered chairs in their advancement. The grated ceiling seemed to be intact however through the darkness Brock stopped in his tracks. Holding up his hand his eyes focused on two parts of the ceiling missing just ahead of him. Wires dangled with one spitting several sparks of electricity. “What's going on,” whispered Sayid. “Sir, I got an interior breach up ahead possible hostile encounter.” “Hostile encounter what do you mean hostile...” “Roberts will you shut the fuck up? The whole compound wouldn't lockdown for no reason.” “Brock check it out.” Gulping slightly Brock was not happy with Sayid's order but he was the Commanding Officer.
Making his way cautiously towards the breach, Brock’s shotgun raised as he switched his flashlight to a black light. The hole lit up like a flare in a dark sky. “We got blood sir.” He whispered making his way closer to it. Lowering his eyes, he scanned the ground to see a pool of blood sitting underneath the hole. Gazing up through the hole, “all clear,” he whispered after scanning it for a couple more seconds. “You’re sure,” questioned Sayid. Lowering his weapon Brock gazed over it one more time and gave a relieved, “yeah, all clear sir.”
The rest of his Rounder squad advanced forward, “Roberts keep your eyes up!” As Jordan, Roberts, and Sayid gazed at the opening, “what...the...fuck?” Jordan's words were harsh and broken clearly speechless at the sight. “Looks like something fell through,” Sayid whispered. “Or brought up,” whispered Brock watching Jordan reach his hand towards one of the grate holes. “Careful Jordan,” scolded Sayid like a protective mother. Pulling his finger back a thick dark green mucus seemed to come with it. “OH sick,” he snapped flinging his hand towards the wall. The mysterious substance hit the wall with a loud, SPLAT! “It's all over my finger!” Wiping his hand over his black camo pants he stared down at it. “All in my cut and everything Jesus Christ!” Brock and Sayid couldn't help but smile at Jordan. “It looks like snot,”
Brock chuckled. Raising his fingers to his nose, “it smells like shit! Jesus Christ, I think it is snot!” Roberts could be heard chuckling softly in everybody’s headsets.
[Camera #04: SPC George Roberts]
“Alright gentlemen stay sharp, whatever did this I'm sure is not something to laugh about.
Roberts, I need you to wire the doors open.” Roberts moved forward reaching the steel blast doors. Shouldering his weapon again, he began to tear into the new keypad. Several of the buttons scattered on the floor as his fingers fumbled with the wires. “Red...blue...no red to yellow...no it's green definitely green.” “Sayid what do you think is beyond the door?” Roberts felt Sayid's eyes examine over the door cautiously. “Whatever it is...it's clearly something they don’t want to get out.” “We're not paid enough for this crap,” “easy Jordan.” Sayid's calm tone wavered slightly as Roberts felt his eyes burning into the back of him. “What the hell is taking so...” “GOT IT!” Roberts’s voice echoed as the doors gave a loud, HISS! “Green to red,” he muttered with relief evident in his voice.
The massive steel doors opened to a cloud of smoke billowing at them. A flashing white light coming from a hissing electrical cord. As the smoke cleared and the room began to come to light a sinking feeling came over Roberts. Raising his M16, he moved into the room first and discovered to his horror the room completely destroyed. Nothing seemed definable or distinguishable through the destruction. “What...the...hell,” muttered Brock as he eyed the room with his mouth gaping open. Roberts moved towards pieces of an overturned desk and chair.
“This desk looks like it's been torn apart.” Brock moved over to it and kicked it. “It's solid Oak too! What the hell could tear it apart like that?” Reaching down Roberts brushed his fingers over the wood. Recoiling his hand immediately he saw to his horror a long stretch of dark green slime oozing down his fingers. “OH GOD,” he shouted and wiped his hands on his pants. “It's that slime again,” “or snot again.” “Fuck you Brock,” shouted Roberts continuing to wipe his fingers over his pants.
The squad moved through the rubble as Sayid turned to them. “It's over everything, but that's not the strangest thing.” Bending down, Sayid touched the floor of a huge blood trail that led down a flight of stairs. “Where are the bodies…the staff…the doctors?” “Well, there's somebody,” muttered Brock pointing at a large broken television screen on the wall. A huge patch of blood mixed with hair and brain matter dripped from the screen dribbling lightly on the floor.
“That has to be twenty feet high! Was he thrown?” Roberts's question wasn't answered for a loud clattering could be heard down a hallway at the opposite end of the room. Every gun immediately raised in that direction. Brock muttered, “sounds like something needs to meet the Knockout.” Roberts watched the group move forward at almost a crawl. His focus trained on the hallway as the lights continued to flick on and off. The electricity from the hanging cord
sparked loudly as it smacked against the wall loudly. “It demands blood,” whispered Jordan as Roberts tried to ignore his psychotic squad mate. His fingers grew sweaty as they all inched closer to the hallway.
“Halt,” whispered Sayid as he held up his hand. “Do you hear that?” Roberts listened hard but the crackling of the electricity seemed to dull his hearing. And then he saw it, a shadow moving across the wall. Something or someone was coming down the hallway. It was moving towards them as shuffling feet could be heard. CLICKITY CLICK... CLICKTY CLICK, the sound was rhythmic as the shadow on the wall grew larger. The lights flashing wildly trying desperately to stay on. Sayid's voice whispered, “be ready....” The sound moved closer CLICKITY CLICK... CLICKTY CLICK. “Hold,” whispered Sayid as the sweat began to form on Roberts's forehead. His grip was slackening on his weapon, and he knew that it could slip.
Staying true to his sight he gazed and watched the shadow disappear. “Wait...wait,” whispered Sayid again as the anticipation seemed to grow. Something large lumbered from around the corner.
CLICKITY CLICK... CLICKTY CLICK, its ragged breathing was loud and labored. “It's a fucking dog,” whispered Brock as he began to lower his weapon in disappointment. The beast turned its face towards them with blood and mucus covering its massive face and furry body.
Roberts took a step back hearing glass break under his military boot. “I don't think that's a dog,”
Roberts exclaimed never seeing a dog like that. Despite the blood and mucus covering its body dark black circles were visible, “spots?” The beast’s body turned towards them all and bared its teeth. The growl sent a chill down Roberts’s spine as the creature stood in the struggling light.
The hair on its back stood on end as it snarled viciously at them. Its ears perked up and its eyes were dark almost empty. “Get ready,” Sayid said as the electrical cord smacked against the wall
wildly. Completely out of control as electrical sparks shot violently over the large laboratory area.
“Come here little doggy I want you to meet the Knockout.” The smile on Brock’s face was one of pure enjoyment. The animal reared back with thick drool dripping from its lips and then it lunged. Its speed was incredible and was nearly halfway into the room before Sayid had even formed an order. The electrical cord continued to smack against the wall and crashed into a large fish tank. A loud explosion could be heard as the lights flickered one last time before dying. “OH MY GOD,” Brock yelled as the creature was swallowed into the darkness.
Soon light began to engulf the room from the firing of their weapons. Roberts had no idea where to shoot. He emptied his clip as fast as possible at anything and everywhere. “MY
ARM,” screamed Jordan as the growling could be heard with a loud tearing. Jordan's gun fired several times as he screamed again. Sayid yelled, “Jordan where are you?” A loud SMACK and then a loud howl of pain as the beast seemed to give a weak cry. The lights kicked back on as the emergency lighting was activated. Flood lights appeared on the wall as Jordan lay gritting his misshapen teeth clinging to his knife and bloody arm. He was backed into the corner with the beast lying next to him. Brock moved towards him and withdrew his pistol. He put two shots into the creature… BAM… BAM! An unflinching Sayid crouched down in a hurry next to Jordan. “Let me see,” he ordered as he examined the deep flesh wound. Brock had bent down to examine the mysterious creature. “This isn't a dog...” he muttered aloud to the group. However Roberts's attention had been drawn to something else.
Turning his attention to the hallway, he saw to his horror a figure in the darkness. It stood in the shadows breathing heavily almost as if it was out of breath. It seemed to blend
within the darkness but there was no mistaking those large eyes watching them. The figure seemed to tower over seven feet. “What the...S-Sayid...” Roberts whispered watching the large figure stare directly back at him. “S-S-Sayid,” Roberts whispered again. “NOT NOW
ROBERTS,” Sayid shouted. However even through the darkness, Roberts could see the creature's mouth open wide. It seemed to threateningly bare a set of teeth that seemed out of a nightmare. Roberts turned to Sayid, “S-Sayid there's something watching us.” Sayid stood up with a soft groan, “what now?” Roberts turned back to the hallway and saw to his astonishment the figure was gone.
His words seemed to fail him as he stared at the empty hallway. “There was...w-was...”
“Roberts your adrenaline is still kicking in...don't worry mine is...” “NO,” replied Roberts trying to hide his frustration. “I'm telling you I saw something like a creature down there!”
Sayid patted him on the shoulder, “there's nothing like that here.” Snapping his head back towards him Roberts glared into Sayid's brown eyes. “What killed all these people? What were you told about this place?” “Relax Roberts, you know what I know. We were sent to rescue two doctors...” “It's a hyena,” exclaimed Brock kneeling next to the large motionless creature.
“Hyena,” repeated Sayid clapping Roberts on the shoulder one last time. “What the hell is a hyena doing here?” “I don't know sir, but it is definitely a spotted hyena. My God it must weigh over 220 lbs. at least!”
Sayid knelt down next to Brock and withdrew a small hunting knife. Poking at the hyena's lip he pulled it back seeing mucus form a long strand similar to snot. “Gross,” whispered Brock watching it wave in the air like a spider web caught in a breeze. Sayid brough the knife closer to him, “it looks like the stuff that is...” He snapped his head around to glance at the
mucus dripping from the destroyed office furniture. “You think this hyena caused all of this?”
Sayid gave a soft, “I don't know Brock. I don't know.”
Roberts watched Brock stand up and began to jam his finger into Sayid's shoulder. “How many missions have we been on? I have never...NEVER asked you anything in great detail about them. But this...” He points to the hyena and then back at Sayid. “You need to explain what is going on right now!” “I know what you know Brock simple search and rescue to find Doctors Kempiak and Long.” “Then what is this place?” Sayid shrugged as Roberts glanced over the floor noticing broken glass resembling littered beakers and test tubes. “This looks like a research or laboratory area.” Brock grabbed Sayid by his bulletproof vest, “research for what, research for what?” Roberts raised his weapon, “stand down Brock!” Brock released him,
“something killed all the staff and I'm guessing that it was not this lone hyena.”
BANG... BANG... BANG...a loud crashing sound could be heard from down the hallway.
Guns were raised and even Jordan still laying on the ground raised his knife half heartily.
Roberts began following Sayid, who quickly turned to Jordan, “watch our six! We'll be right back.” Roberts followed Brock and Sayid down the hallway where he had seen the large dark figure moments ago. His body felt weak and his gun utterly useless. If the creature had been as large as he had seen, then his weapon would not provide any assurance on survival.
[Camera #03: CPL. Jordan Jackson]
Placing his head against the cold stone wall, Jordan gave a soft grunt of pain trying to move his right arm. Dark black blood started to slowly seep from his wound. The bite mark visible through his torn sleeve resembled a black puss filled hole. The veins around it looked dead as the animal’s thick slobber mixed with the running blood. The wound throbbed in pain as
if his entire arm was being squeezed by a vice. Gritting his teeth, he tried to move as the pain in his arm almost seemed to paralyze him. He heard his squad's footsteps disappearing down the hallway. Soon the silence of the room seemed to overcome and surround him.
However, everything in the room remained still. He tried once again to remove himself from the ground. It seemed that his legs were growing more rigid by the minute. His arm had grown numb and seemed no longer able to feel pain. He gritted his teeth trying to lift his arm or legs, “FUCK!” He smacked his head against the back of the wall in frustration. “Brock is never going to let this down! I'm gunna have to be carried out. I swear if he brings out that camera and...”
CLANG... “Whose there,” yelled Jordan as he stared around the room. It was getting harder for him to move his head. His neck seemed to be growing stiffer too. His eyes began to dart frantically around the room. He gripped his gun and tried to hold it up as best as he could.
The weapon flopped around as his arm tried desperately to hold it up. It shook as he waited listening to the rolling of a metal pipe on the ground. “Show yourself,” he yelled trying desperately to find something to aim at. To find the cause of the growing tension and noise in the room. A ragged breathing could be heard as something seemed to be moving around the room. The beam from the flood lights wasn't able to illuminate the entire room. “I'm gunna shoot whoever is...”
There came a soft SCREECH as one of the demolished overturned desks moved slightly.
It moved forward mysteriously as if completely on its own. Jordan's weapon immediately fell on it, “what...” His hand shaking slightly as his military training seemed to fail him. The desk gave another slight lurch forward but stopped just as quickly. “Stop it,” he shouted but his words
were meaningless. “Who is,” but his words failed as the desk launched towards him at an incredible speed. He fired wildly at it, but it never stopped. Using all his strength he dove out of the way hearing the desk crash against the very spot he had been at.
Laying on his back, he groaned feeling as if he had fallen several stories. His body was frozen almost locked in place. “Help...” he tried to cry but once again his words failed. His eyes staring up at the ceiling as loud footstep hit the floor. They seemed to rock the very floor underneath him, “w-who i-is t-t-there?” His words trembled as there came another, BOOM. The broken desks rattled on the floor as he tried to lift his gun again. “HELP ME,” he shouted but was quickly silenced when another footstep hit the ground BOOM. He felt the fear starting to come over him as he waited helplessly pinned to the ground. BOOM... BOOM... BOOM... Jordan gasped as he heard ragged breathing behind him. The foul stench of blood and an unbathed animal hit his nostrils. The lapping of a tongue and a faint DRIP... DRIP... from something lightly pattering onto the floor. Shaking all over Jordan mouth opened in a silent scream as a hunched over face stared down at him. It was a creature that he had never seen before. Fangs bared wide as its brown eyes stared hungrily down at him. Thick drops of dark green mucus hit his face, “HEL...”
[Camera #02: 2nd Lt. Sayid Hassan]
The darkness of the hallway seemed to swallow them up as a loud banging could be heard in the distance. The lights on the ends of their guns clicked on almost automatically. The tiny beams of light moved forward as the banging grew louder. Sounding like something crashing against a door in the distance, BAM… BAM… BAM! “There,” whispered Sayid moving down the hallway to his left.
Scattered papers and broken chairs littered the hallway as even the ceiling seemed to be falling down in large sections. A Thick mucus like slime dangled and dripped from some of the torn pieces. Gaping holes in the wall appeared about every few feet. BAM… BAM… BAM, it seemed like something large was crashing against a metal door. Blood ran like a trail across the wall seemingly guiding their way forward. Roberts stopped in his tracks examining four large gashes in the wall. They stretched until they hit the edge of a metal door. The same mucus oozed from the gashes staining the wall in a mixture of blood and dark green mucus. It seemed to trail rivers of black droplets towards the ground.
Sayid raised his hand and began to touch them lightly deep in thought. It looked like something had clawed it. However, there was no animal big enough to do something like that.
The seconds past as he stared at the wall in utter confusion. Roberts and Brock were already at the end of the hallway. Moving rapidly, Sayid moved towards them catching up before they noticed. The tension seemed to grow as both of his partners displayed a military calm sweeping through the dark hallway.
“That one,” hissed Sayid as the once loud crashing was now a faint thudding. They moved closer to the metal door. The faded black lettering read, SPECIMEN LAB. Moving towards it, Sayid gripped the doorknob holding his other finger to his lip. Brock and Roberts raised their guns as Sayid began to count. Roberts didn't have time to examine the door littered with claw marks and blood trails. Nor did he have time to notice the many battered dents in the door as if something was throwing themselves against it. Breathing heavily, he wasn't ready for Sayid when he held up his third finger and opened the door wide.
Brock fired his gun, but whatever came through the door had crumpled to the floor.
“Please don't kill me,” he shouted clawing at Brock’s boots. He was a large man with a long blond ponytail falling from its braid. His glasses half broken as he clawed up Brock's legs.
“Thank god, thank god” he cried whimpering into Brock’s pants leg . “Thank God you're here! I knew...I KNEW they wouldn't forget me!” Sayid bent down and picked him up, “Dr. Kempiak I presume?” Nodding his head furiously, “yes, yes, yes, that's me!” Sayid gave a relieved grin,
“good where is Dr. Long?” “Dead,” he whispered staring at them all. His eyes wild and mad as he gave a quick, “do you have a helicopter?” “It'll be back in two hours,” shaking his head at Sayid. “No, no, no, no...bring it here...call it back!” “Relax Dr. Kempiak you're safe,” reaching over and gripping Sayid's body armor tightly. “You have no idea what kind of danger we are in.”
Sayid gazed at his squad and then back at Dr. Kempiak. “I assure you we are fine and safe. We have four highly trained Rounders including...” “Four,” he repeated beginning to shake in utter terror. “Correct, my name is Sayid I am the commanding officer. This here is Roberts, and this handsome man is Brock. Jordan was bitten by a hyena. We left him back there to guard our rear.” Lowering his head Dr. Kempiak whispered, “then he is dead already.”
Sayid's voice dropped as he gave a reassuring, “I assure you he is...” Grabbing his arm Dr.
Kempiak's eyes popped in a frantic terror. “Y-you need...need to get in here with me until the helicopter arrives.” “Dr. Kempiak there is nothing out here that my squad can't handle.” “I'm not barricading myself in a dead end like that.” Dr. Kempiak’s eyes turned to Brock, “you have NO idea what dangers lurk in this....” He froze as his breath had cut short. The air seemed to have been sucked from his very lungs. His head turned towards the end of the hallway peering into the darkness. H stared into the nothingness and whispered, “it's here.” They all turned
raising their guns. “There's nothing Dr...” Roberts was cut off when Dr. Kempiak trembled, “it's there, right there...watching us!” Brock leaned into Roberts and whispered, “he's lost it!” “Can't you see it! It's there watching us right now!”
Roberts watched Sayid straighten himself up, “Brock go check it out!” “Fuck that,”
Brock whispered. Sayid turned to him snapping, “that's an order Rounder!” Brock gave a look of continued defiance, “just go as far as that extinguisher there. Can you manage that?” Staring at the extinguisher approximately twelve feet away, Brock raised his shotgun and crept forward slowly. “Roberts stay alert,” raising the cross hairs to his eyes he took aim at the void of darkness. Sayid watched Brock inch closer gun pointed forward as each step seemed to be taken on eggshells. The seconds seemed to tick by as something flew out of the darkness.
It wasn't a creature but something small enough to make everybody clench their triggers tightly. It made a soft squelching sound as it hit the ground with a SPLAT! Sayid watched Brock stare down at the mysterious item. “Cover me,” he bellowed as Sayid and Roberts raised their guns preparing to fire. “Those weapons aren't going to do anything, but anger it.” Dr.
Kempiak's words seemed to bounce off Sayid like a ball against a wall. “Brock, what is it?”
“I'm more concerned at who threw it than what it is Sayid?” Dr. Kempiak warned the squad again, “you're just going to enrage it if you shoot it.”
Brock shot up letting his gun fall to his side abruptly. There was no mistaking the sheer terror that was in his body language. He seemed frozen in place, Sayid whispered loudly “what is it, Brock? What do you see?” Brock seemed speechless as Roberts gripped the trigger tighter.
“What's going on,” Roberts shouted. “Brock, what is it,” turning to Sayid. Brock trembled, “I-it's J-Jordan's f-face!” In that moment something massive emerged from within the darkness. As
if the darkness seemed to spit something out from its depths. Something too horrifying for it to contain. The mountain of a creature towered over Brock seizing on his delayed reaction. A tree branch of an arm swung down and slashed across his chest. Falling to his knee the creature back handed Brock just as quickly sending him flying backwards underneath a hail of bullets.
Sayid’s magazine couldn't empty fast enough. His terror showed in the wild and uncontrolled shooting of his weapon. The creature was indistinguishable from the hyena that they had encountered earlier. However, this one stood on its hind legs with outstretching arms ending in mucus covered paws. The thick mucus oozed from its crooked claws and jowls from its face. Its dark brown and golden fur seemed to clump together in certain areas. Black spots littered its body as splatters of blood seemed to permanently dye its fur. It flung its arm wildly showering a hail of mucus at Sayid. “MY EYES,” he screamed crumbling to the floor in pain.
He fired blindly hitting the wall and connected with the fire extinguisher.
BOOM… the extinguisher exploded loudly sending the creature to slam against the opposite wall. Ejecting his magazine, Roberts quickly reloaded as the creature roared loudly retreating into the darkness. Grabbing Dr. Kempiak, he shouted “GET UP...GET UP!” Like a newborn first learning to walk Dr. Kempiak seemed unsteady on his feet. The whole squad began retreating down the hallway. Roberts gripped Dr. Kempiak as Sayid blindly struggled to carry Brock with him. Brock gripped his own bloody chest staring down at it in a horrifying surreal moment. Upon returning to the large laboratory area, Sayid dropped Brock onto a desk with a groan. He began to run his hands over his mucus covered eyes desperate to clear them.
Roberts moved towards him removing a small water bottle from his belt.
“Hold still Sayid,” he commanded pouring water over his face. Sayid continued to struggle frantic to remove the caked on mucus. “I-I…can...barely see Roberts!” “Temporary side effect,” Sayid turned to Dr. Kempiak. “Temporary side effect, it burns like hell Dr.
Kempiak,” Sayid exclaimed. Dr. Kempiak began to remove his lab coat and tossed it on the floor. “Yes, my dear man temporary.” “Well, that's good I was growing concerned. My vision is starting to blur and...” “Because you'll be dead soon.” Dr. Kempiak gripped the broken leg of one the desks as Sayid whispered “dead?”
“Well...” Dr. Kempiak said starting to tremble slightly trying to find the words. “Well technically and medically dead that is. This used to be Dr. Long’s desk.” “What the HELL does that mean technically and medically dead?” Sayid asked advancing towards him like a tiger seeing an injured wildebeest. “Technically in the fact that you will die, but your body will still be walking around.” “Hold up, hold up,” said Roberts emerging from Brock’s side. “That doesn't make sense, dead is dead.” Dr. Kempiak gave a wicked little smile, “oh how wrong you are dear boy. How wrong we are.” Sayid made his way over to Dr. Kempiak. “It looks like you better start giving me some answers right now! Right now, or I'm going to...” Roberts had to grab him, “Sayid wait...wait...before you kill him. You need to call for the helicopter! Brock needs a doctor!” “He's dead,” Dr. Kempiak replied simply shifting his head between the three of them. He grunted, “don't you get it? You need to call and get me out of here before it comes back!”
Sayid snarled, “I'm not calling anybody until I retrieve Jordan’s missing body! But first I have to know what that creature was?” Dr. Kempiak ran his hand over his hair again, “You wouldn't understand. Your feeble mind couldn't grasp the scientific implications, ingenuity, and complexity of such a highly....” Sayid grabbed his lab coat, “try us!” Roberts returned to Brock
watching his blood run over his equipment and pool across the floor. Brock gripped his arm,
“ge...t...me...out...of...here!” “You should just put a bullet in his head...and yours.” “You know what doctor? I'm about to put a bullet in YOUR head,” exclaimed Sayid gritting his teeth in anger. “You don't understand! You are BOTH dead men walking...literally! Soon you are going to try and kill the rest of us.” “I DON'T UNDERSTAND,” screamed Sayid.
“Roberts...tell...tell...my girlfriend that I...”
Kneeling down Roberts gripped Brock tighter, “just hang on Brock! Sayid is going to call the helicopter and we're going to...” Coughing slightly Brock wheezed and then a voice rang out. “Put a bullet in his head now or we're done for!” Dr. Kempiak dashed forward but Sayid nearly tackled him in his prevention. “You stay Dr. Kempiak nobody is putting a bullet in anybody’s head! Do I make myself perfectly clear?” Sayid finished when Brock gave a final cough and his breathing ceased. His body went limp as Roberts stared down at his lifeless squad member. Stammering with his voice, “S-Sa...yid?” Glancing over Sayid clumsily pushed his way over to Roberts muttering, “get out of the way!”
Kneeling he pushed Roberts out of the way, “Brock...Brock?” Gazing up to Roberts,
“We’re going to call the helicopter and leave right...AAAHHH!” Roberts jumped back as he watched Brock rise up and sink his teeth into Sayid's forearm. Brock held on like a ravenous dog seemingly locking onto his arm. “Brock let go,” yelled Roberts pointing his gun at him.
“SHOOT HIM,” screamed Dr. Kempiak. Sayid fighting with Brock trying to rip his arm away from him. “KILL HIM OR WE'RE ALL GUNNA DIE,” yelled Dr. Kempiak. POW... it took only one shot as Roberts shot Brock square in the forehead. The back of his skull exploded as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Sayid winching in pain gripped his bloody arm, “now you need to kill him.” “Fuck you,” yelled Sayid sweat covering his face as he stared up at Dr.
Kempiak. “He will become one of them! You will become one of them!” “What the hell do you mean one of them?” Trembling Dr. Kempiak seemed to step back in pure terror staring at Roberts, “the reanimated.”
“The…w-what did you s-say, reanimated?” Roberts’s voice seemed to shake from the adrenaline coursing through him as he returned to his commanding officer. Sayid pushed him away nastily, “GET AWAY FROM ME BOY!” Sayid struggled to his feet winching in pain.
“I…I need some…answers and I need them now!” Dr. Kempiak began to retreat slightly, “just stay away from me…both of you!” “Tell me,” demanded Sayid as Dr. Kempiak began to circle the overturned desk. “Just stay away from me...don't touch me...” “TELL ME Dr. Kempiak, I want to know what the hell is going on! Otherwise I'm going to stick my fist down your throat!”
“Alright, alright, it's just hard to know where to begin.” “Begin somewhere or...” Sayid grabbed his knife from his shoulder and made a lunge at Dr. Kempiak. The doctor began to stammer, “a-a-alright...I-I...am...the head...chair of Research and Development here for the Dead Watchers.
My job, well me and my team's job was to research, maintain, and create…” “Maintain,”
repeated Sayid, however Roberts focused more on the word, “create?”
Dr. Kempiak nodded, “well yes...you all were…ARE Rounders in the DOR, correct?”
Sayid nodded and Dr. Kempiak gave a look of questioning, “but you don't know exactly what the Dead Watchers do? Why they give you these missions? Nor do I suppose that you know anything about them.” “It doesn't matter. The money is good, so we do it.” Roberts watched Dr. Kempiak place his hands on one of the broken desks. Looking troubled as if wrapped in some personal conflict he seemed to freeze for a second. “Well, I guess there’s no harm in telling you. We'll all be dead anyway if you don't call that helicopter.” “Not until I get some information doctor!” Dr. Kempiak gave a wicked smile and laughed slightly, “well then, we’ll
all be dead. So, I guess the cat will be out of the bag anyway. The Dead Watchers are a secret society made up of the richest and most influential people on the planet. They hold a weekend long retreat where they gamble on who will be the last survivor in a tournament called The Hunt.” “Wait so the people that we sometimes go, and capture are...” Dr. Kempiak cut off Roberts, “Candidates selected by the Sponsors for participation in The Hunt.”
Afraid to ask Roberts gulped and asked slowly, “so who or what hunts them?” Dr.
Kempiak raised his hand and pointed it towards the hallway that they previously emerged from,
“THAT?” Roberts's words seemed to reverberate off the walls leaving Sayid speechless. “Well, that is the new one we labeled Specimen 8U.” “New one...what was the old one?” Sayid sat down on another overturned desk starting to look pale and weak. Speaking seemed to be growing too much of an effort, “Creature X but it was killed in the previous tournament.
Specimen 8U was grown in our lab here while Creature X was captured in the wilderness by one of the Candidates years prior.”
Pointing towards the hallway, “Specimen 8U is what attacked us? No land animal looks like that it was like a giant…giant...hyena?” “Well,” said Dr. Kempiak shrugging his shoulders as he added, “technically it would be labeled a...well a werehyena.” “A werehyena…” “Yes Mr.
Roberts instead of the traditional wolf to human properties we took certain parts of Creature X’s genetic code and added some human properties to ensure a certain level of tamability. However, the entire genetic makeup proved unstable making Specimen 8U unstable. We were unable to duplicate what the stability of Creature X’s bio-markers and genetic code could accomplish. We were trying to stabilize it for the next Hunt but it's biological responses and chemical makeup caused us to lose control leading it to escape.” “You LET that thing escape?” Frowning Dr.
Kempiak snapped, “we didn't purposely let it escape! It's intellectual properties are quite
advanced considering the more predominant genetic make-up is that of an animal. In a constant unfamiliar environment it will learn to adapt and survive.” “It learns?” “Well...yes Mr. Roberts considering its instability. It does have HUMAN properties and humans are capable of learning.”
Holding up his hands, “hold on, hold on...what does that mean Specimen 8U is unstable?” “Well by removing many of Creature X’s animalistic properties we had to replace them with that of another animal. In this case that of a hyena. You can’t replace animal genetic code with that of a human genetic code. They are not the same species. Animals are not humans and therefore are not interchangeable. It goes against the laws of nature. So, the creature has more animalistic tendencies. Mixed with the regenerative blood and properties of said blood caused that creature to be prone to violent outburst.”
“Whoa, whoa, what do you mean regenerative blood?” Frowning more Dr. Kempiak grew more upset at being interrupted gave a sigh, “regenerative blood Mr. Roberts was our first discovery. It is the only thing that keeps the bond between Specimen 8U’s cells and genes. In addition, the blood helps to rapidly repair the body caused from wounds or lethal injuries sustained within The Hunt. In regard to Creature X the process of healing could be accomplished in a matter of minutes depending on the severity of damages with the use of a Regenerative Station. However, once the blood was introduced into the genetic sequence of Specimen 8U it was seen to have an inferior relationship on a chromosomal level with that of the hyena’s genetics. The benefits of such relationship caused Specimen 8U to not only repair its wounds but caused them to heal at an almost instantaneous rate. However negatively should no wounds be created the resulting blood infusion causes a thick mucus to be expelled from the skin of the creature. Should the mucus continue to generate and secrete without necessity a side
effect of an irate dysregulated emotional response occurs. What we have deemed a sort of RAGE mode. Only when levels have returned to baseline can Specimen 8U return to its normal regulated mental state.”
Roberts moved around one of the destroyed desks clenching his weapon tightly. “So Specimen 8U can never die is what you’re saying?” Dr. Kempiak shrugged “in theory yes, but it didn't work out so well with Creature X?” “So, Creature X had this blood, and it was killed right?” Dr. Kempiak nodded, “yes Mr. Roberts it seems that one of the Candidates placed a bomb on a supporting pillar of a building. This caused the roof to fall on top of the creature.
Which then caused an entire side of the building to disintegrate. The undead or reanimated finished off Creature X while it was buried in the rubble by eating....” “Wait undead…reanimated…you mentioned that before.” Groaning again Dr. Kempiak replied,
“subjects that are killed, scratched, or bitten by the creature will result in eventual reanimation.
Upon the subject’s death the regenerative blood causes a reactivation of brain activity. So yes, the dead will reanimate case in point your friend Brock right there. The ending result is the reanimated have the most basic of needs meaning all they can do is breathe, walk, and eat.
Usually reanimation would take several hours. However due to the molecular instability of Specimen 8U, we saw faster reanimation happening in a matter of seconds.”
“So, what about this one right here?” Roberts pointed to the dead hyena on the ground.
“Ah yes, well like I said we were working on trying to stabilize the creature. So we needed new specimens. That one was one of the others that we were using sort of like lab animals extracting blood, testing serums, and so on. Additionally, it seems that during our trials the other specimens became infected and have formed a makeshift clan or cackle with Specimen 8U
seeing it as the Alpha Female or Matriarch. And before you give me that look Mr. Roberts yes Specimen 8U is female.”
[Camera #04: SPC George Roberts]
PHLUMP... Sayid crumpled to the ground letting his hunting knife clatter to the floor.
“Sayid,” Roberts said making his way over to him. Shaking him slightly Roberts gazed down at him with concern. “Sayid...wake up…wake up...what’s happening?” Dr. Kempiak backed away, “he's infected. Should the mucus get into your system in any way. It will slowly kill you like an accelerated form of cancer.” “WHAT,” screamed Roberts now completely confused.
“Well it’s common-sense Mr. Roberts. Should the regenerative mucus get inside you while you are alive and healthy it will cause your cells to start rapidly dividing creating more. In a sense the healing properties will continue to heal, but since there is nothing to heal it just continues to generate. It's simple to understand dear boy. Sense the mucus is a foreign entity the mucus deforms the cells causing multiple tumors or cancers. I suspect that the cancer is affecting his brain since the mucus got into his eyes. Hence why he was having trouble with his visibility earlier. Eventually the cancers and tumors kill you and you reanimate to...” Gripping Sayid as he began to have a seizure on the floor, “how long does he have?” Dr. Kempiak shrugs, “it depends on where the infection begins.”
Sayid shook violently as Roberts gripped him tightly. Legs twitching wildly as he involuntarily kicked broken glass and scattered papers. Roberts reached over and grabbed the walkie-talkie. “Chopper 1...Chopper 1 this is Alpha One requesting an immediate extraction from objective!” The radio clicked and static began, “Alpha One this is Chopper 1 unable to comply with request reached PSR will return when refueled.” “NEGATIVE ON THAT Chopper
1! That is a negative need immediate extraction two team members KIA, and commanding officer needs immediate medical attention...” “There is nothing that you can do for him Mr.
Roberts.” “Shut up,” yelled Roberts gripping the walkie-talkie tightly. “Chopper 1...Chopper 1
do you acknowledge? Chopper 1 acknowledge...do you copy?” “Chopper 1 acknowledges but unable to comply will refuel and depart with an immediate dust off. ETA 46 minutes over and out.” “Chopper 1...Chopper 1,” “forget it boy, don't you get it! Put a bullet in him and end it!”
Laying Sayid down Roberts rose to his feet, “just shut up before I put a bullet in you!”
“We should leave right now, grab my data, go out the doors and just leave.” “I have to get Sayid to…” “He is dead you idiot!” “Just let me think Dr. Kempiak, ok? Give me a fucking minute!”
Roberts turned from Dr. Kempiak and began to ponder in his head. His mind swarming with ideas and then he turned, “do you guys have a garage? You know like vehicles anyway to get back to civilization?” Shaking his head, “chopper comes and gets us when we need to leave.”
“Is the creature going to come back?” “It never left Mr. Roberts. The entire clan is probably watching us right now!” “What, why...how?” Dr. Kempiak smiled, “that's what we designed it to do my dear boy.” “Where's Jordan’s body then?” Dr. Kempiak shrugged “my guess is Specimen 8U probably dragged him off.” Finger raised, “but you said that its victims get reanimated shouldn't Jordan be attacking us?” “Not if there was intense trauma to the brain or spinal cord.”
Releasing Sayid, Roberts rushed over to him. “Is there anybody else from your staff alive in the facility? Where are the bodies?” Dr. Kempiak pointed a finger at him as a smile crossed his face. “That my dear boy is an excellent question. I assume that Specimen 8U and the clan dragged them all off somewhere. Hence all the blood all over the floor and walls.” “So, Specimen 8U killed them all which is why it was not in a rage when it attacked us. How long
until it starts to rage again?” Dr. Kempiak shrugged, “that's like asking me when exactly in precise seconds is it going to rain. It just depends on secretion levels and coating I assume. We didn’t get to studying that.” “What if we just get out of here and wait outside on the helipad.”
“Not without my data Mr. Roberts…” “I am not going anywhere else in this facility you are coming with...” “Your job is to protect me, correct? And I am not leaving without my hard drive.” “I am just one man I can't fight that thing off.” “Well, you're going to it's just right down these stairs here.”
“Fine but we make it quick” he replied in frustration. Dr. Kempiak quickly led the way down a flight of stairs and through a set of double red doors reading, THE RED ZONE. The doors flew open as they moved down a long hallway. Pictures lined the wall of staff and different types of molecularly bodies that he had never heard of. Down another little flight of steps through another bright red door locked by an access controlled key card reader. “What room is this Dr. Kempiak?” “Why this is where we studied Specimen 8U and the rest of the clan…The Red Zone.” Dr. Kempiak swiped his card, and the lock gave a loud CLICK! The doors opened to a small room filled with computers, large servers, and data towers. “The hard drive is here in this cabinet safe over here. It is the emergency backup. I just need to remember the code.”
However, Roberts's attention was not drawn to Dr. Kempiak. He could have cared less about anything he was saying. There outside the large viewing glass stood a room the size of approximately two bedrooms. The floor was covered in hay or at least what he hoped was hay.
Lights flashed from broken light bulbs and electricity hissed loudly. Blood seemed splattered over nearly everything in the room from the walls to the floor. Deep claw marks ran nearly every inch of the wall as the security door appeared to have been ripped from the wall. Roberts
had to turn from the scene noticing body parts littering the floor. Although what he had turned to did not seem to help his increasingly nauseous stomach.
A separate room had been built almost as an addition to the cage. There were rows upon rows of cages stacked three high and four wide. The front metal gates had been chewed and pushed out as if whatever was contained in them couldn't be confined. Blood and pieces of flesh dripped and dangled from the cage wires. Bloody pawprints littered the floor. Suddenly a fire began to light inside of his stomach. His breathing began to grow rapid as he began to heave with anger. Turning towards Dr. Kempiak, who was wiping sweat from his brow, “just one more second we had to put three locks on...” SLAM… Roberts had grabbed Dr. Kempiak crashing him against the wall. “You monster, no wonder they're all pissed off! You locked them all up in a confined...” “Get your hands off me! You need me alive boy! They won't take you back if I am...” “I AM going to keep you alive! Although, I should feed you to that thing and the clan that you created.”
Throwing him back towards the safe, “grab your fucking hard drive Dr. Kempiak!”
Straightening his lab coat, “the scientific implications of Specimen 8U and her clan out there far reach what we thought possible in this day and age.” “YOU'RE PLAYING GOD!” “NO, my dear boy God has nothing to do with it. Science is the only true faith. And with said science we have created something that...” “You created a monster that can not be killed! This gun...these bullets are useless...USELESS against that thing and clan out there! I can't blame them for killing your staff for keeping them all confined...” “Of course, they were confined you stupid boy! What were we supposed to do with them…free range them? Specimen 8U and her clan can't be reasoned or bargained with. They don't know any better besides being an Apex predator! The only thing that they know how to do is hunt and kill. Now get off of me I won't
spend another second explaining my work here to a person of such limited mental capacity. You do your job Rounder and I'll do mine.” “For someone with such a great mind, you forget your life is in my hands. Maybe I'll just let that thing and her friends finish you off.” Dr. Kempiak snorts in disbelief as he punches in the final code opening the tall cabinet safe. “No me...no ride home. You would be sealing your own fate. Got it?” Holding up a large hard drive triumphantly, he smiled widely.
As they retreated out of the examination room Roberts asked “so does Specimen 8U
have a weakness?” Dr. Kempiak huffed loudly, “yes...yes it does!” “And that would be...” “We believe…in theory of course! A very high, immediate, and continued dose of electrical voltage could destabilize and separate the bond between Specimen 8U’s genetic code and cells causing a breakdown on a molecular level.” “I don’t want theories I want something factual!” “Well Mr.
Roberts it seems that Specimen 8U is still blind to its size resulting in it having the mind state of its initial form.” “What the HELL does that mean?” Dr. Kempiak paused to groan before continuing. “It still thinks that it is nothing more than just a hyena.” “Ok how is that a weakness?” “It scares easily Mr. Roberts…it scares easily.” “It scares easily?” “Yes,” he said as they marched down the hallway towards the set of red double doors reading THE RED ZONE.
“Wait so that giant creature…Specimen 8U scares easily?” “Yes, a loud bang or explosion will frighten it off. We didn't have enough time to correct that mistake.” Slapping his hand across Dr. Kempiak's chest he questioned further, “even when it is in a rage?” “If the explosion is big and loud enough theoretically yes. We used to control it with some electricity and flash bangs to temporarily blind or frighten it. However, it learns and well that's how it escaped. We fell into a routine and well the other doctors got a bit sloppy with the feeding.”
Roberts's hand fell as they began to walk towards the hallway leading to the helipad.
“We should wait outside on the helipad now. I don't think Specimen 8U will expose itself out in the open like that.” Stopping again dead in his tracks Roberts began to laugh. Gripping his eyes, he continued to laugh, “What is so funny? What is so DAMN funny?” “Your creature is probably the most dangerous thing on this planet and will retreat when the fight gets too loud.”
Trying to not look insulted Dr. Kemiak glowered at him, “Specimen 8U is a killing machine and will kill anything and everything in its path. Once it starts, it will not stop until…” “Until something explodes and scares it away.” “Or levels return to a regulated baseline after the rage...” Roberts clapped him on the shoulder, “looks like your Nobel Prize will have to wait until you fix the bugs in it.”
Dr. Kempiak trailed behind him as they continued towards the hallway leading to the helipad. “Eventually with time it will learn of its actual size and realize what it is and capable of.
It's just a matter of how long it will take until it realizes it.” Roberts gazed around the main laboratory room but stopped as Dr. Kempiak's words fell silent. He seemed to have insulted Dr.
Kempiak and was glad to wipe some of his smugness off of his face. “Where's Sayid?” “Sayid,”
questioned Dr. Kempiak as if he had never heard the name before. “Yeah, I left him right here.
He was unconscious. I thought he'd be safe. Sayid...Sayid...are you here?”
Roberts froze when his boot landed on something hard. It was Sayid's weapon covered in blood. “He's gone! We need to get to the helipad and wait there. We'll be safe out there, I think?” However, Dr. Kempiak's voice seemed far away as a bloody boot print had caught Robert’s attention. “No, he's alive doctor!” “He's not alive well...TECHNICALLY he is but he is reanimated.” “Maybe I can talk to him,” Dr. Kempiak grabbed his arm in protest. “You fail to understand Mr. Roberts. You can't reason or bargain with the reanimated. As I stated, the
ONLY function the reanimated have is to eat, walk, and breath...that's all!” Roberts followed the bloody trial of boot prints. “He's heading towards the helipad. We need to find him. If he makes it out and into the world there is no estimate on the damage, he could cause.”
Walking towards the helipad passing by several scattered chairs, “let's get out of here now before...” Something collided into Roberts toppling him against the wall. He felt himself crumble to the ground as he stared at what had hit him. “OH MY GOD,” he yelled realizing it was his squad mate Jordan. The entirety of his body and skull had been eaten as if by a pack of dogs. Roberts tried to scramble upright but his feet kept slipping on the pool of blood. His yells were loud and sporadic as terror seemed to fill him. It was only then that he gazed up to see a hyena lunging at his face. He quickly dodged it by leaping to his right. The hyena gave a loud CRACK as it smacked its head against the wall. A trial of blood seemed to follow as the hyena appeared to have fractured its skull. Its fur was covered in blood and mucus as its eyes seemed to spin in its skull.
Blood pooled across the floor as Jordan's body drained of life. “Ah,” Roberts cried desperately trying to grip his weapon. The blood making it slippery causing the weapon to continually drift further away from his fingers. Suddenly emerging from the shadows he saw something that made his skin grow cold in fright. Specimen 8U emerged from the darkness staring at Dr. Kempiak pressed tightly against the wall. Terror on his face as Specimen 8U tilted its head back and started to whoop loudly into the air. Soon the large hallway was filled with multiple whooping sounds coming from different sections. The different members of the clan emerged from down the hallway and even through the double doors that Specimen 8U had just come out of. The dazed hyena to the left of him turned its bloody head towards the large Alpha.
With the hyena's attention distracted, Roberts reached for his weapon and gripped it tightly. Covered in blood he pointed the barrel at the hyena who had turned back to him. Barrel in its face, the hyena's eyes focused and then it started to laugh. It stared at him laughing loudly and soon the entire clan of hyenas were descending upon Dr. Kempiak and Roberts. Every pair of eyes focused on them as the original hyena continued to laugh. Its mouth opened wider baring its teeth as a thick glob of snot like slobber hit his pants. “Find this funny,” BAM! The gun went off point blank between the hyena's eyes. At that moment Roberts knew he had made a fatal mistake. He quickly rose to his feet and fired his weapon at everything that wasn't human.
One hyena leapt at him but reacting quickly Roberts kicked a fallen chair at it. The hyena tangled itself in it allowing Roberts to empty two bullets into it. He slipped in the pool of blood accidentally shooting his final bullets with a BAM, BAM! A large flatscreen tv on the wall exploded in a shower of sparks and bright lights. Specimen 8U and the rest of the hyenas started whooping loudly again. This temporary distraction allowed the opportunity needed for them to escape. Seizing this chance Roberts felt hands on him as Dr. Kempiak eyes were wild and full of terror.
“GET GOING,” Dr. Kempiak yelled as they both burst down the hallway heading towards the helipad. Roberts fumbled with a new magazine dropping it on the ground with a clatter. “LEAVE IT,” yelled Dr. Kempiak as he continued to drag Roberts towards the open security blast doors. Roberts fumbled with the last magazine and heard the familiar CLICK of it locking in. He turned his head to see a sight of utter horror.
Through the darkness seemed to emerge the entire clan of hyena's including Specimen 8U. Almost being spit out as if the darkness could not contain them all. Roberts stopped at the
entrance turning his weapon towards them all. He began to open fire spraying wildly at them all listening to the shell casings scatter across the floor. His whole body shook as he aimed at every set of brown eyes. And then dread filled his entire being as the gun gave a loud CLICK... CLICK... CLICK! “FUCK,” he swore loudly knowing that it was empty. He backed away throwing his now useless gun at the oncoming horde.
Roberts withdrew his pistol when a faint sound could be heard in the distance CHOP.... CHOP...CHOP...CHOP. And a wave of relief hit him as Dr. Kempiak cried loudly,
“it's the helicopter! My God it’s the helicopter we’re saved! I knew the Elite wouldn’t forget about me!” The black hawk helicopter approached loudly and fast as it kicked up dust swirling it around them. It made the approaching fury of claws and teeth stop dead at the mouth of the door. The dust whirling like a tornado as the helicopter descended even lower. Roberts held his pistol towards the creatures as they all seemed to be laughing. Laughing at him brandishing a weapon that could have been used like a toothpick to them. Specimen 8U outstretched its slimy thin arms roaring loudly before starting to laugh with the rest of the clan.
“Roberts,” screamed Dr. Kempiak grabbing one of the ropes that had descended from helicopter. Roberts and Dr. Kempiak gripped the ropes and ascended with the helicopter off the ground. The laughing of the clan grew fainter and fainter as they retreated back towards civilization. The sea of trees rushed by as the Black Hawk helicopter flew further away until the research center disappeared. A hand gripped Roberts and pulled him up into the helicopter. Two Rounders were there and quickly examined Dr. Kempiak as they closed the door.
“My god am I glad to see you guys!” Relief washed over Roberts as he began to laugh feeling secure with his fellow Rounders. One of the Rounders spoke into his headset, “yes sir
main package has been secured.” Gripping the microphone, the Rounder stared at him and asked. “Where is Dr. Long…the rest of your squad?” “DEAD…KIA,” I yelled over the loud spinning of the helicopter blades. The Rounder returned to the headset, “dead sir...I repeat Alpha One Squad KIA, one survivor SPC George Roberts!” Roberts froze as a quick glance appeared between the two of them. It was subtle and before Roberts could raise his pistol realizing the forthcoming betrayal. The Rounder said, “sorry Rounder no witness's...” BOOM!
THE END
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0
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48
Published:
Oct 2025
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35
Pages:
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This novel is a compilation of chapters drawn from three of my other novels, TIMELINE TWIN, FROM THE FIELDS OF CRIMEA TO THE SANDS OF MARS and THE ADVENTURES ...
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Pages:
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Young American lovers, Susie and Finn, take a trip to the Netherlands. They go to De Haar Castle, wanting to see the last of the old aristocrats.
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Pages:
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Published:
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Here is my collection of E-books, revised.
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