Utility Part IX

 

There were plenty inside. He could see them shambling in and out of view from the small 5 by 5 window. The long dead were still, stiffer, and remained at the rear of the room. Those that were fresher- mostly medical staff, but also a few children- stood in waiting closer the door or windows.

He wondered idly if they could see him. He doubted this, simply because he had never seen any of their pupils dilate. In fact, their eyes didn’t seem to follow a target at all. They were milky, lifeless orbs.

While he contemplated these things, a few had grown curious and he found himself wondering if it was some odor he gave off, or if it was something more ethereal. They were dead after all. Maybe they could sense his soul. Maybe they could peer inside me and know that it was ripe, evil, and ready to be gobbled up just like my flesh.

For all he knew that’s how you turned into one. Demonized, stripped of your humanity. “Eh, probably just my stink.”

“Warren. If you touch that door I’ll kill you where you stand!” Wes’s voice boomed through the corridor.

The noise was so loud, Warren jumped, rattling the door to room 124. That too frightened him, for a moment he assumed it was being opened. When he turned down the hall he saw Wes, Jason and a young man in what appeared to be clown paint spattered across his face. They were running towards him full tilt, shoes clicking against the linoleum in a heated charge.

As they approached, he began to explain, “I’m not going to open the door. Do you think I’m deranged? I’m a man of science. Call it observation if you must.”

“Bullshit, back away from the door. I’ve had it with you! You can’t be trusted.”

Wes grabbed Warren’s shirt collar, tearing one side clean off, his anger helped him drag the man away from the entrance to room 124. The zombies inside reacted by groaning and throwing their weight against it, again it clattered in its frame.

“Fuck you Wes. Just fuck you. I’ve had it with you too!” Warren eyed the three men in front of him, while straightening his shirt. “Our fearless leader. Give it a rest. More like a default despot.”

Wes smiled, “I know you have those keys. I can’t prove it but I know!” He dropped his hands nonchalantly, as if he were going to back off, but then quickly lunged for Warren again.

Franklin stepped forward, and got between the two, just as Warren was waving Wes on. “Listen we’re not going to do this the hard way.”

“Who are you and why in God’s name do you have face paint on?” Warren asked.

“I’m Franklin. And I have face paint on because I like it; it’s also the end of the world.”

“He’s from the outside.” Jason added.

Warren’s eyes perked up, but then knowingly dropped. “Not police or some form of search and rescue…to young.” He continued to examine Franklin’s appearance. “Wonderer, scavenger, somebody that saw The Dark Knight one too many times?”

Franklin returned the favor. “I remember you…Mr. Allen? You were such a prick. Do you still do that ‘Science is cool’ routine every year?” Wes noticed that as Franklin began talking he could also see the frustration fading, by the time he finished he was laughing heartily. “Doesn’t matter, like your despot says, you can’t be trusted. We are going to deal with whatever’s inside that room, but will be doing it on my terms. The easy way, not the hard way.”

 “Franklin Wright. Must’ve been what seven, eight years since you barely passed my class? And I’m sure the fourth grade as a whole was pretty tough on you. The makeup must be a coping mechanism?”

Franklin punched the man squarely in the nose. “No my violent outbursts are my coping mechanism. So let me tell you what’s about to happen…” Warren staggered backwards, the wall stopping him from tumbling over as blood gushed from his nose. “You will be spending the duration of the day zipped tied in the cafeteria while we deal with this room 124 situation. Afterwards, Wes and the rest of the people that likely equally despise you can figure out where you go from there.”

Franklin paused long enough to make sure his words were sinking in.

Jason blinked. If Wes objected he did not make a sound to indicate as such.

Franklin finished, “If I were them I’d put a bullet in your head based on the annoyance factor alone. However, maybe they’ll find it in their hearts to just kick you out from within the safety and comfort of the school and leave you for dead. Now give me your wrists.”

Wes watched Franklin’s eyes; they showed no pleasure as he pulled a zip tie from his satchel.