Z-Day Part One: Human Condition

Z-Day: Part One

Human Condition

Sean P. Mullowney

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Sean P. Mullowney

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book and the following series is dedicated to S.A.M. We hope and pray that you have found the peace and love you so desperately sought and deserved in your lifetime. Your love, compassion, and innocence is missed by many and your essence has left a lasting impression on those whom loved you the most.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Beginning Of The End *

Chapter 2: The First Night *

Chapter 3: The Hunt *

Chapter 4: The Hunter *

Chapter 5: The Town *

Chapter 6: Leroy’s Secret *

Chapter 7: The Figure In Black *

Chapter 8: The Cave *

Chapter 9: House Of Horrors *

Chapter 10: Changes *

Chapter 11: The End Of The Beginning *

About the Author

Chapter 1

*The Beginning to the End*

He heard the other’s hearts stop and watched in horror as their violently convulsing bodies went stiff. He grew more terrified as the room full of scientists and nurses was replaced with a dozen armed soldiers. Nothing was happening the way it was described there was no mention of soldiers or death especially a painful violent death. Then he himself began to involuntarily shake as everything became too intense, too loud, and too bright but the desire that was quickly stealing control of his mind was the strongest. But all those concerns were pushed aside as the others began to shake violently again only without the racing heartbeats that he had heard before. Now other than the occasional thump their chests only held silence. He caught himself becoming more disconnected from his sanity as each one sat up tearing free from the straps that had held them down and stared at him with the same fervent hunger that was consuming him. He felt himself losing control of his mind again as the door opened allowing a dozen more heavily armed soldiers poured into the room. The desire now burned throughout his whole body and he knew something went terribly with to him too as each soldier forced more madness upon him.

Before he knew what he was doing his body lunged onto the group and sunk his teeth into the first neck he found. Tearing a large chunk of flesh loose he immediately swallowed then buried his teeth back in for more. He could hear the screams and felt the bullets ripping through him but nothing was going break him free of his hunger as he tore into the body he now held. With every slight tug against him he squeezed tighter around the man’s chest until he heard the man’s bones break. The crushing sound momentarily allowed him to regain a little control and he dropped the mutilated broken body from his arms. He watched as the others were somehow too alive and fighting to try to fulfill the same longing he had. Then he realizes they maybe animated, but he could hear that their hearts hold no life in them.

A loud deep growl broke free from his chest and shook off the dark meaning behind the group as he heard an alarm go off followed by footsteps racing down the hallway towards him. The others let out sets of loud screeches as if they answered his concern then they all eyed the lab door waiting for more soldiers to pour in. He noticed the group watching him and he was able to form one last sane thought before the desire completely took over again. Run and run far away before any more lives are taken by his hands in pursuit of a way to quench the burning that consumed him. He nodded the group towards the door before he ran to it as well in the hope of escaping with not only his life but whatever the others had that somehow let them continue on. But his control was lost as he saw and smelled all the bodies in the hallway rushing to the lab to surely kill him for what he had become, a failed insane experiment.

The lab was quickly emptied of life as the group that was to be executed for failed the experiment flooded into the hallway. The group bit, clawed, and teared their way through the unfortunate soldiers who had been beckoned to the lab. The death and bloodshed in the lab paled in comparison to the chaos sprayed along the hallway walls and floors as the group ripped through those pouring into the hallway in response to the chilling screams. A second alarm sounded off sealing the only door out of that half of the base but it was too late as the group already tore their way through the bodies in the hallway and raced over the large fence outside. The group finally spread out once they hit the forest as they each raced towards anything they heard to continue their feasting.

All those who were trapped inside as the door sealed seemed lost and confused as to what just happened. As the large door separating the two sides of the base sealed no one was sure what they should do next. But their nightmare became quickly apparent once the day wore on as those who had been partially eaten began to get back up. The wounded still in control of themselves were quickly dragged into the Mess Hall by any who were still able to think straight enough to fight. They barricaded the doors after they fought back all those who rushed them seeming intent on biting at everyone as they tried to get inside. Those not near the Mess Hall hid in any room they could and hoped the doors would hold off the ever increasing numbers in the hallway who seemed to have gone completely mad. At least until they could gather in force to subdue those who had lost their minds.

But unfortunately most didn’t know the cause of the madness that took over the base and how it was transmitted as the few who did sealed the rest of the doors. Then as the minutes turned into hours each room filled with screams of terror and those defending the Mess hall beat on the doors to escape as they realized they were trapped. Those they tried to protect before were quickly starting to turn on them. By the end of the night those driven to eat consumed the last of the non-infected on the sealed side of the base. Only four knew what was going on kept and they kept quiet for fear of their lives because if what they did was made known they surely would pay with their lives. They quickly secured the monitors to the sealed side of the base so no one, other than them, could see the true horrors roaming behind the sealed door.

The rest of the soldiers, other than a small select squad, were ordered to their barracks and locked down until further notice. The selected squad were quick to follow orders killing or arresting anyone that were not from their area. As the morning turned to night their side of the base was sealed too until the vast number of exposed were taken care of or controlled. Those on the sealed side were already considered dead as the risk of further infection was deemed definite. Those who were possibly exposed but not killed were led out to trucks and driven off the base under orders from the lead scientist.

Immediately plans on how to hunt down the test subjects who escaped were hatched before their failed experiment became harder to control and more importantly cover-up. But one offered up a way to salvage their work and have it possibly deemed ready for other uses. Being the head of the program meant no disapproval from the others. They could use outside resources and outside observers to keep their work secret. They would also have total control over the area and control over the results. The escape on that side of the base also worked in their favor. If they released more water from the reservoir they could increase the river flow enough to ensure everything down to the bottom of the mountain remained trapped. The rivers would essentially put them all on an island as long as all the bridges were disabled. If the escapees made it down the mountain they could use the two towns below as real time real mission event statistics. If the escapees perished they could still track the incubation and spread of the infection in real world conditions with little chance of a full outbreak. He surmised that their failed mission could actually produce more usable data than one hundred simulated lab trials.

They already kept very detailed descriptions and timelines of the events that happened inside the base as they secretly called in small groups of outside contractors to secure and close off access to the mountain. They called in others to observe, from the forest’s cover, the two small towns below if the infection spread to either. When the outside parties were in place they ordered that no one was to leave the base of the mountain and only those few travelers that wouldn’t be missed were allowed in. Real world testing is always been key but seldom allowed even behind the scenes. But if they planned carefully they could explain it all away as accidental exposure then release. The cover-up or their deeds wouldn’t be questioned then as long as they received some military useful results. Their experiment may have failed but they saw the possibility for other discoveries too great to pass up. If such an event should happen they would eagerly welcome the infection’s arrival. With all four in agreement the plan was put into action with the understanding that the new experiment couldn’t and wouldn’t be called off until the two week period was done.

Chapter 2

*The First Night*

Double check to make sure our gear is still secure in the back. These bumpy roads will loosen the straps quickly. John asked his son next to him.

I made sure they were tied tight before we left, and they still look ok. John Patrick said while looking over his shoulder into the back of the truck. This is going to be an awesome start to the summer!

Check the map to make sure we don’t miss this town because it is our last chance to grab the rest of our gear before we hit the forest. John reminded him.

The town should be right around this next bend and…………..we’re here? John Patrick declared.

Wow this place is small. I hope they have what we need John was just as stunned as his son as they drove down the narrow road that was the only way in and out of town.

Calling it a town was a bit of a stretch. As the small truck drove down the main road it didn’t seem much more than a collection of short streets lined with small cottages. The only big houses were on the main street and even they were nothing more than large cottages themselves. It had a post office, general store, restaurant and a few odd looking shops but that was about it.

Ok. John smiled as he looked around. Let’s hope this general store has more than your general" supplies.

Well we wouldn’t have to be worrying about that right now if you would have bought your rifle before we hit the mountain and left civilization John Patrick laughed at his dad because he knew the reason why he didn’t.

Well I didn’t want to be driving around with a rifle in the truck. Who knows what kind of laws they have about that in those clusters of shacks they call towns on our way up here. John grinned at his son.

Based on what I’ve seen, I doubt they’d really care. I bet almost everyone hunts for their meals around here. John Patrick had to laugh. Since we hit the mountains, I haven’t seen even one town with a police station. I’m thinking a man riding around on a horse pulling people over up here. he laughed even harder.

John laughed along with his son, Well I’d rather error on the side of caution. I wouldn’t want them to lock us up on the stocks.

They spot the general store on their left and John pulls into the small dirt parking lot in front of the store. They jump out of the truck and head inside hopefully to find all they need inside the small store. At first their hopes seemed crashed as the store was mainly of shelves filled with various canned and dry goods. But as they walked further towards the back they found the hunting supplies and lots of them. More than they would have thought for a small town and their hopes were once again raised. Clothing, tents, sleeping bags, knives, and survival gear filled the back of the store.

Well always nice to see some new faces in town. A nice looking lady behind the counter smiled. How can I help you fellas today? I’m guessing you came all the way up here for some hunting so you are in luck because I am running a sale on all ammunition.

You guessed it up this way for some good hunting. You have any nice rifles here? John asked smiling back.

You came all the way up here without any rifles? You ain’t got any at home? The Lady pressed the pair.

No, this is the first hunting trip for both of us. We live in much larger city in Ohio so no need for hunting gear there. My dad, the fearless hunter, didn’t want to drive all the way here with a rifle in the truck John Patrick once again quietly laughed at his dad.

I thought it best to buy a couple from someone who really knows how to use them. Being a hunting town I guess you are the one to come to. John professed as he gently elbowed his son.

A couple? John Patrick inquired as to the amount.

Do you have anything that would make great starter rifles? One a bit bigger for me and one a bit smaller for my son? John questioned the lady ignoring his son’s question.

I’ve got plenty of hunting rifles here. The rifles won’t be cheap though, couldn’t bear to send you two up there in the mountain for the first time without the best. You never know what you might run into up there. I can mount and sight them for ya if you want to pay a bit extra? The lady smiled with dollar signs dancing in her head. You won’t find a better person on the mountain than me to do it for ya. I didn’t open this shop on my looks alone! The lady winked at John Patrick and laughed.

Nothing but the best will do darling. You wouldn’t mind pointing us to somewhere we can shoot off a few too? John knew they both were good shots, but that has only been with paintball guns and air rifles.

You can shoot out back if you want. I got a few cans laying around here somewhere and don’t worry no one will mind. Let me fix up a couple rifles for you. I’ll be done real quickly then I can head you out back! Cha-ching was all she could think as she grabbed a large rifle and a smaller one from behind the counter and headed into the back room.

A couple? John Patrick asked his father again trying not to look puzzled.

Yep, I figure if I have one in each arm, I am sure to take anything down! John laughed at his son’s expression.

Aw dad, come on. Say it, SAY IT. John Patrick did his best impression of his sister’s pout.

Happy earlier birthday. John whispered as he leaned over and gave his son a big hug. You shoot me though and I’m going to get really mad.

Yes. John Patrick yelled and jumped with joy. And don’t worry. If anything it would be a mere flesh wound! He smiled up at his dad.

Flesh wounds count too. John laughed. While the lady is fixing up our rifles, you can pick out a couple good hunting knives. I’m going to look for a nice pistol for some small game too. Since we are out here to shoot, might as well learn to shoot both.

Awesome, you’re the best dad! I’ll pick out two really cool looking knives! John Patrick was truly over joyed by this turn of events.

Not cool looking John Patrick, ones that are actually functional. We really may have to count on them up there. John reminded his son. She wasn’t joking about who knows what we might run into.

I know dad. I was just joking. I read up on hunting knives and their uses before we left home. I really thought that at most, I’d be able to carry one when we got up there. John Patrick was good about reading up on upcoming subjects almost as obsessed as his dad was at planning ahead.

John Patrick tried his best to pay attention and pick out the pros and cons of each knife he looked at but he couldn’t get the image of his first hunting rifle out of his head. It was the first gun of any kind he saw outside of a magazine. He’d been versed on gun safety with his father’s mock M-16 paintball gun but this was a real gun with real bullets. Now all the extra attention his father had paid towards his use of the safety latch and proper handling of the gun lately made sense. Now he had to ensure he didn’t skip a beat, and forget one single moment of safety. One misfire, one thoughtless ill-advised movement could mean serious trouble if not worse.

#1 Never point the weapon in the general direction of any person.

#2 Always leave the safety on until