The Virus

Short Story. Trigger Warning: Death, zombies, and illness

“First, I had to kill Frank. He’s my neighbor on the right. Or, he was my neighbor.” He hesitated, before continuing with his story. “It’s not like I wanted to do it. I loved the guy. We went hunting together every year, and everything. But I woke up one morning, and… he had changed. I could see it in his dead eyes. It was either him, or me.” He shifted in his bed, the chains rattling against the bedrails as he adjusted his hands. “You gotta understand: I didn’t survive Afghanistan just to be killed in my own backyard.”

I nodded my understanding, and he gave me a bit of an uneasy side-eye, then continued to explain. “Well, Frank was dead, for real this time, and I started to see more of these things staggering by. All my friends and neighbors, they were just empty shells. I had to do it, ya know? I had to fight my way through them, fight for my life. I knew I had to get out of town. I was sure I’d get overrun in no time. So I went out to the woods, where Frank and I used to go. And I told myself, this is for Frank, ya know?”

I could feel him staring at me with horrified fascination as I took some notes. At last, he continued. “Uh, yeah, so, I got to the tree stand, and I was getting much more proficient in the whole silent killing method. I decided, they were my neighbors, so I owed it to them to put them out of their undead misery. I started making some noise, just to lure them out there. Since I was in the tree, I couldn't keep stabbing them in the brain stem anymore, but I brought lots of ammo. As much as I could carry. I shot them one by one. I guess the gunfire drew more, so it was a win-win.”

I nodded again, and he grew visibly more uncomfortable. I held my hand out in invitation while I asked, “Would you like to continue?” He scrutinized me without answering, for a moment. At last, he said, “Uh, so, anyway, I was doing God’s work out there, fighting for my survival. But I made a mistake. I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was surrounded. I doubted if I had enough ammo to take them all out, but I was doomed if I didn’t try.

“I ran out quicker than I thought I would, and,” he rolled his eyes and lowered his head, saying, “I was taken down. Sure enough, they closed in on me, but I was already losing consciousness, I guess from the fall.” He looked me up and down again then spoke in an almost accusing tone. “I woke up to a white light, so I kinda thought, maybe I was in Heaven, ya know? I couldn’t have survived that. But, when the headache kicked in, I knew I had to be alive, by some miracle. I looked around, and, judging by the white room and the straps on my wrists, I thought the government must have put me into containment. I thought it was probably just until they could make sure I wasn’t infected.” He spoke deliberately as he continued, “I thought that I had been rescued.

“Imagine my surprise, when I heard all those... distorted voices, grunting on the other side of the door.” He gave me a dark look at this point. “Not to mention, when I saw the first one of you, gaping at me through the little window.” I gave a sigh, and put my pen down on my clipboard.

At last, I tried to reason with him, not for the first time, and certainly not for the last. “We aren’t your enemy, 097. We’re trying to help you. You’re not well.” It was clear from his disgust that my words were no clearer to him now than they had been the first time I spoke to him. None of the patients could understand human speech anymore, a hallmark of the virus’s effects.

I sighed. “I realize that I appear to be some sort of undead monster to you, but it’s only your brain playing tricks on you. I don’t know why it does this to some people, and not others. But, I promise you, I will not stop trying until I find the answers. I won’t stop until I find a cure.” I stood, and he flinched, likely anticipating some sort of attack. I took my leave. I had decided to gracefully accept the small win of him actually talking to me today and setting aside his usual hostility. It was better to think of the encounter that way, rather than to dwell on all that I couldn't change.

I walked down the hall, hearing tormented screams through some of the doors, and I tried to hold my head high. It's not easy these days when this hospital is all we can call home. I can't leave while I'm a carrier, so I dedicate myself to my research. I wouldn’t have anything to go home to, anyway.

I made my way to the last room on the right. All I could manage was a peek through the window before tears blurred my vision. My angel lay so still, staring at the wall. Ever since I brought this horrible illness home to her, she's thought that I'm some demon coming to tear her apart. She's looked at me with nothing but terror and agony. Trying to comfort her has only the opposite effect.

I pulled myself away before letting myself feel the memories too much. I can't afford to think about the past. I must focus every ounce of energy and willpower I possess on finding a cure. I'm so sorry for any part I had in spreading this virus. I promise you, I will find a cure, no matter what it costs.

The end.