Til Death Do Us Part

  Contents

  Title

  Story

  Back Matter

  About Author

  ’TIL DEATH DO US PART

  A ZOMBIE SHORT STORY

  Concordant Vibrancy

  Anthology ~ Unity Theme

  A. LOPEZ, JR.

  ACE-HIL-INK

  Copyright © 2015 by A. Lopez, Jr.

  Published by Ace-Hil-Ink 2015

  in association with All Authors Publishing House

  ~ ’Til Death Do Us Part is a short story written for the Concordant Vibrancy Anthology - Unity Theme ~

  To learn more, please visit: Concordant Vibrancy

  All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other forms) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Noon…

  As Alex turned his blood-splattered BMW up Santa Monica Boulevard, he swerved to miss another one of the infected, as he fought to keep his sweaty hands on the wheel. He punched the gas, seeing a clear strip of road ahead. He was less than a mile from his home, but based on his journey thus far, it might as well be a hundred miles. Every twist and turn was a test of will and survival. There was no time to think about what caused it, or why it happened—the only thing on everyone’s mind, was surviving.

  The car picked up speed, his condo in view in the distance. The speed of the moment, along with his state of mind, made it hard to tell which ones were infected and which ones were still human. His only goal now was to get to his family. Wrecked cars blocked the intersection ahead. He slowed the car, as more of the infected were milling around the blocked intersection, with a couple of them gnawing on another poor soul pinned to the street. As much as he wanted to help, there was nothing he could do.

  Looking for a way around the mangled mess of cars, he pulled to the right, and just as he looked over his shoulder to complete the turn, a fast-moving FedEx truck plowed into the side of his BMW. Air bags exploded from every angle, as it was pushed sideways, pinning him. The last thing Alex saw was the FedEx driver desperately fighting off one of the infected. The driver’s screaming voice was the last thing he heard as he passed out.

  Six Hours Earlier…

  Thursday morning started just like any other for the residents of Santa Monica—the sun beginning to rise in the east, the ocean to the west, and early morning joggers making their way along the beach, leaving tracks in the sand behind them. The waves from the Pacific Ocean crashed on the beach before receding, just as another one hit. A typical morning, nothing seemed different than any other day.

  Alex Logan admired the view from his tenth floor condo, overlooking the ocean. The sea breeze drifted through the half-open sliding glass door, filling the room with a fresh, clean scent that never got old. He took one last sip of coffee and set his favorite mug in the sink—a Father’s Day gift from his daughter, Meadow.

  Alex was up earlier than normal, but getting to the office early and getting a head start on finalizing his month-long project before the weekend was his priority. Before leaving, he walked back to his bedroom and kissed his sleeping wife, Kellie, and did the same with Meadow. His love for them came before everything else, and he was proud he could give them a nice home and a comfortable life. Meadow’s sixth birthday was a week away and the primary focus for the Logans.

  The advantage of leaving early meant missing most of the awful LA traffic, but just before he exited I-10, he saw black smoke coming from just on the other side of the bend, near downtown.

  “Damn! I should have known better,” Alex said, frustrated.

  The exit was fifty yards ahead, and with an open space on the right, Alex eased his car out of traffic and squeezed onto the shoulder. The space between the concrete wall and the cars was narrow, but left enough room to get by.

  With the exit in view, he glanced over at a blue sedan and saw a young couple in the middle of a deep passionate kiss. Just as he passed the car, the man looked up from the embrace and glared at Alex. Something was wrong with his eyes, and it looked like blood covered his face and mouth.

  What the hell? Stunned, he refocused on the road and exited the highway. At the light, he turned the volume down on his radio. He checked his rear view mirror one more time, not sure of what he saw. Squinting his eyes to get a better look, he saw a man slowly staggering down the exit ramp.

  Is he drunk?

  From that distance, Alex couldn’t be for sure, so he cleared his eyes and turned to look over his shoulder. The man was no longer there. “This is what I get for waking up so early,” he said, shaking his head, as he turned up the volume on Boston’s, More Than A Feeling.

  In the distance the sounds of sirens could be heard.

  Alex liked his job at Bell Corp. For a man in his early thirties, the move up the corporate ladder was faster than most, with him setting his sights on one of the top Advisory positions. While his family came first, his focus at work never wavered, leaving him one step up away from moving out of the condo and into a nice home on the beach. He daydreamed at work from time to time, driving him to improve his position within the company and provide an even nicer life for Kellie and Meadow.

  Cars were scattered in the four-story parking garage next to his building—more cars than he thought might be there this early. He parked in his favorite spot on the fourth floor, grabbed his computer bag and headed towards the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, he heard the sirens again, this time closer. His phone chimed, alerting him to a text message, as he descended to ground level.

  ‘Good morning, babe. Have a good day at work. Luv U.’ Alex smiled at Kellie’s message.

  Even a simple text like that warmed his heart more than he could ever tell her. He typed ‘i love you 2’.

  Just before he could send it, the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

  A man raced in screaming, slamming into the back wall of the elevator.

  Startled, Alex dropped the phone into his coat pocket and quickly started to exit when the man grabbed his arm.

  “Nooo! You can’t go out there!”

  Alex pulled away, staring at the man.

  “Haven’t you seen what’s going on?” The frantic man asked, with fear in his eyes and visibly shaken. Blood seeped through the sleeve of his shirt.

  The doors began to close. Alex stepped between them to keep them open.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do I need to get you some help?”

  The man looked at him, puzzled. “You don’t know, do you?”

  Something banged loudly against the outside of one of the doors.

  “Get in here!” The man pulled Alex back into the elevator and as the doors slowly closed, he could not believe his eyes. Running at full speed and with a crazed look, he recognized the janitor, Jose, as he crashed into the doors just before they closed. Shocked, Alex fell against the wall, dropping his computer bag.

  ‘What the fuck?’

  The janitor’s head was lodged in the doors, his face distorted, his mouth spitting saliva and blood like a rabid dog, growling at them. The look in his eyes was the same as the man in the car on
the freeway.

  The man in the elevator kicked at the janitor until he fell back and the doors closed.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Alex asked as he stood, keeping his distance from the man.

  “I don’t know. I mean, I was walking across the street to Starbucks, when this woman runs up to me and tried to bite me on my arm. I mean, it’s like a zombie outbreak or something.” He looked down at his arm, rolling up the bloody sleeve. “Thank God, she didn’t get me.”

  “Zombie outbreak?” Alex asked.

  “Yeah, you know, like in the movies,” the man said, never looking up.

  Alex took in the man’s words, and despite seeing the janitor in that rabid state, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “The man looked up. “Oh…you don’t believe me?” He now faced, Alex. “Let me tell you, after I threw the lady away from me. I looked up and saw two others attacking a man at the cafe tables. They were vicious.” He paused, and turned away. “They were eating him. I can still hear his screams.”

  Alex was breathing harder, feeling uneasy and trying to decipher what he was hearing. It was just too incredible to believe, and seeing Jose, a man he knew for years, in that crazed state, told him that something was very wrong out there.

  The elevator dinged.

  “Step aside!” the man shouted.

  The doors opened, sunlight entered. They waited, listening. No one approached.

  The man eased his head around the door before it closed and looked out over the vacant roof top. Satisfied, he hit the red emergency button to keep the doors open and stepped out, wiping his face, smearing blood against his chin.

  “We’re safe here, for now.”

  Alex stepped out into the sunlight and looked around. The roof of the parking garage was a popular smoking spot, with shaded tables here and there. It was essentially the fifth floor and from there the sounds of the streets below were clear.

  Police sirens and people yelling, some screaming, all carried up from the ground below.

  The man walked towards him. “I’m Ian, by the way.”

  “Alex.”

  “Do you have a phone, Alex? I lost mine when she attacked me.”

  Ian asking for the phone turned Alex’s thoughts to Kellie and Meadow. He dropped his briefcase and reached into his coat pocket, grabbing the phone, “Yes. Yes, I do,” he told Ian, not looking at him while scrolling for Kellie’s number, “but first I need to call my wife.”

  Ian looked on, desperate to call home as well.

  Alex’s hand shook as he pushed the call button. Walking towards the center of the roof, he put the phone to his ear, as it rang. He gripped the phone tighter with each ring—his worries growing.

  “Please answer.” He spoke out loud. “Please—”

  “Hello?” Kellie answered.

  “Kellie? Are you okay?” he asked, relief overcoming him so much, he dropped to one knee. “Meadow? Is she okay?”

  “Alex, what’s wrong? You sound strange.”

  “Are you and Meadow okay?” He needed to hear her say it.

  “Yes, we are okay. Why are you asking?”

  Her question made him realize he didn’t have an answer, at least an answer that wouldn’t make him sound crazy. He ran his hand through his freshly-gelled hair, pulling on it slightly, straining for the right thing to say.

  “Listen, I’m not sure what is really happening, but lock the doors—front and patio—and stay inside.”

  “Why? What’s going—?”

  “Kellie, just do it. Do it now, please.” He scared her, but keeping them safe was more important now.

  “Okay,” she replied, worried, and having no idea what was happening. She ran to check the front door. “Front is locked. I’m gonna check the patio.”

  As she ran through the condo, Alex walked to the four-foot wall on the roof’s edge. Leaning over, he looked down, and at first saw nothing, the streets eerily vacant. Just as he stood up straight, a woman ran across the street, screaming, being chased by a man in a suit. The woman looked over her shoulder as the man closed in fast. He tackled her, turned her over, and began biting her throat.

  Her screams ceased at that moment.

  “Oh my, God.” He spoke softly, in shock.

  “What did you say? What is it, Alex?” Kellie asked, she slid the patio door closed and locked it.

  The man in the suit took another bite into the woman. Even from the roof, the blood was clearly visible.

  Ian stood next to him, looking at the horror below, shaking his head, eyes welling with tears.

  Alex turned away, “Uh…Kellie, it’s nothing. Do you have the TV on?”

  “No, I just got out of the shower. Just tell me what’s going on.” She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. An old episode of Family Feud played.

  “Can you put it on the news? Local if you can find it.”

  She hit the remote until she found a local channel. The live feed showed the news studio’s desk, but no one was there. A chair was laying on its side behind the desk and she could hear the faint sounds of screams out of view.

  “Do you see anything?”

  “No. There is only the news studio, but no reporters. Please tell me what’s going on,” she said again, this time fear accompanied her words.

  “I’m not sure, but just stay right there. Do not leave the condo!” He commanded, making sure she got the point. “Do you understand me?”

  “Yes. I, I guess. Please be careful,” she said, not sure why.

  “I’m coming to you. Don’t open the door for anyone, except me.”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  “I’ll call you when I’m close. I love you.” He hung up, stunned.

  “May I use it now?” asked Ian.

  “What’s that?”

  “Your phone. Can I use it now?” Ian reached out, desperate.

  “Yes, I’m sorry.” Alex handed him the phone. As Ian made his call, Alex looked down at the street. The woman lay on her back, half an arm missing. He turned away when he saw her face, ripped apart.

  Kellie ran to Meadow’s room to check on her. Meadow was just waking up.

  “Good morning, Mommy.”

  Kellie smiled.

  “Good morning, Pumpkin.” Meadow smiled. The innocence in children was heaven sent.

  “I was just checking on you. Why don’t you rest a little more while mommy does some work. Kellie often worked from home.

  “Okay, but I’ll be hungry for French toast when I wake up,” she said, and rolled over on her side.

  Kellie covered her, and went back to the TV and changed the channels, one by one, until she ran across Fox News.

  “…and with conflicting reports, it is too early to give any clear answers,” the female reporter said, reporting from a hallway. “We will report back any news as it becomes available.” The Fox News logo appeared on the screen in silence. An unsettled feeling came over Kellie as she used the remote to surf the channels, and while most regular programs were on, the news channels were eerily quiet or had blank screens.

  She went to the patio door and opened it. Being ten stories up, and on a balcony, she felt it was safe. The balcony faced the ocean, with the street and the beach in between, and gave a great view of the Santa Monica Pier. The pier looked quiet—not unusual for that time of the morning—but the beach, usually a vibrant source of activity in the mornings, was almost empty, except for a couple of people walking aimlessly. The slow-moving bodies looked like specs from that height, and as she squinted, she could swear they were on the beach dressed in suits.

  She heard screams from the street below. Kellie tightened her bathrobe and rubbed her arms as a chill came over her.

  <> <> <>

  Ian tried calling several numbers, but each one ended with no answer. Disappointed, he stared out over the city below, knowing he would have to try to make it home to his family.

  Alex was deep in thought as well as he looked toward Ian.

  “Have any lu
ck?”

  “No. I wasn’t able to get through.”

  “We’d better go. If we stay here we’ll be trapped,” Alex said, extending his hand for the phone.

  Ian reluctantly handed it back to him. “Hey, which way are you going?”

  “Towards the pier. You?” asked Alex.

  “I’m out that way, off Overland and Pico. Maybe we should stick together?”

  Alex thought about it for a second, it was on the way to his place, and decided it might be safer to travel together.

  “Look, we don’t know what’s causing all of this, or how it infects people, so we might be a danger to each other, but for now I think we should stick together.”

  Relieved, Ian nodded.

  “Let’s look for something we can use as weapons, and make our way to my car,” Alex said.

  The parking garage was empty as they crept as quiet as possible, only talking when needed. Carrying old drain pipes they found on the roof, they walked towards Alex’s car. The garage was quiet as they walked, their heads on a swivel, looking in all directions.

  The BMW started with no problems and with the doors locked, they headed to the exit, not knowing what they would find. They made it to I-10 and immediately saw that it was not an option—cars were backed up for miles in both directions. Small fires cast black smoke through the streets below the overpass. They swung by the Staples Center and jumped on to Venice Blvd, heading west. They made it three blocks before they ran into a mass of cars at the next intersection.

  The reality of the situation became clear here. Zombies, the Undead, the Infected, were walking between parked cars. They both stared in awe, as they noticed other survivors, locked in their cars, scared and not knowing what to do.

  A large Doberman jumped at Ian’s door, crashing hard against the glass, scaring them both. It landed awkwardly and snarled at them through bloody gums and teeth. Its eyes reminded Alex of a rabid dog, but there was something more to this one. The infection consumed it just like the others.